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Heinous Crimes Unit #1

The Surgeon’s Scalpel

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You read about these things. You see them in movies. They don’t happen in safe, quiet cities. The horror. The depravity. How could it be real?

No one was prepared for him. He’s smart, cunning, and unpredictable. Anyone could be his next victim.

Meticulous in his murders, the newspapers call him ‘The Surgeon’. A serial killer like no other.

Enter Christian Windsor, a young genius fresh out of Quantico, assigned to the Heinous Crimes Unit.

Genius? Sure, but not typical. He’s on the autism spectrum.

Crowds? He avoids them.

Emotional conversations? He'd rather not.

But when it comes to foreseeing a psychopath's next move? He's unparalleled.

His unique mind might be the key to understanding a killer who defies all patterns.

As Christian delves into the dark world of ‘The Surgeon’, he finds himself in a high-stakes battle of the intellect, a race against time.

One searches for answers, the other for his next victim.

Who will win?

Dive into the first book of an enthralling new thriller series, where the line between brilliance and madness is as thin as the blade of a surgeon's scalpel. A series sure to keep you up at night!

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294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2022

483 people are currently reading
359 people want to read

About the author

Daniel Scott

218 books34 followers

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5 stars
163 (41%)
4 stars
148 (37%)
3 stars
58 (14%)
2 stars
15 (3%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Pisces51.
770 reviews53 followers
December 4, 2022
THE SURGEON’S SCALPEL By Daniel Scott
My Review Four Stars****

This book was available for $0.99 and I made the mistake of buying it. It was advertised as Book One in the “Heinous Crimes Unit” 4-Book Series. The fourth in the series (“The General’s Weapons”) is scheduled to be released a few days from now (December 7th). Perhaps unfortunately, the first book turned out to be analogous to the Lay’s potato chip commercial “You can’t eat just one.” I bought the second book (“The Priest’s Fire”) and read it just as quickly and as enthusiastically.

I had to get past the fact that a unit in the FBI (who loves it acronyms) could even have a designation called “Heinous Crimes” in the first place. I must admit that I was pulled in by this story line immediately, and it was a quick read because I was both intrigued by the concept of the book and riveted by the unfolding plot line. The genesis of this series is the introduction of Christian, a young autistic genius, into a two-man unit of the FBI who is tasked to solve “heinous” crimes. One of these men (“Tommy”) is an intelligent, hard-working FBI Agent, no more, no less…. while the partner is a malignant narcissist with a genius IQ and bad intentions (appropriately named Luke Titan).

This is not a novel with an atmospheric backdrop, a host of colorful characters populating the book, and numerous changes in either time or place. It is almost analogous to a movie with a cast of only three characters and the action all filmed in one location. Christian joins Tommy and Luke and soon there is a serial killer case to solve [an enucleator dubbed “The Surgeon”]. Customer reviews are glowing but scant on content. It is not my intention to reveal any “spoilers.” The character of Christian is a fascinating creation by the author, and the book works because the reader cares about what happens to the boy. I did not like the ending of this installment. There was a credibility gap, albeit the author offered up a medical explanation. It is my opinion that considerable creative license was taken with said medical reason. This is particularly true since it controlled the trajectory of the story that ensued. Obviously, I was intrigued enough to buy Book 2, reviewed under separate cover.

FASCINATING DEBUT TO THE “HEINOUS CRIMES’ BOOK SERIES


Profile Image for Nicci.
16 reviews
February 21, 2023
Wow

An absolute must read. The twist will blow your mind! You won't see it coming. I can't wait to read more!
1 review
November 20, 2022
fast paced and fascinating

Loved the premise of the book. It was an easy read. Stayed up later than I should have a couple of nights because I was so engrossed.
Profile Image for Rebs ✿.
328 reviews241 followers
April 6, 2025
This book was alot, the cat and mouse chase is very intriguing.. but its all very descriptive and gorey. Alot more than I can handle.

I think someone with a stronger stomach might really enjoy this.
Profile Image for Deirdre.
1,571 reviews16 followers
September 29, 2022
This was so unexpected! This is my first book by Daniel Scott. He pulled me in and never let me go. He created a set of intriguing characters that were so different from each other yet they meshed. One character came across as neuro-divergent but that made him more interesting and likeable. The killer kept the Heinous Crime Unit on their toes. The author deliberately threw some monkey wrenches into the cogs that moved this book along. You had to literally pause and reset your brain gears before you continue reading. I really enjoyed this book and I can not wait to read the next two in the series.
2 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2023
Great book, usually I don't write reviews, I read 2 or 3 books a week so I don't have the time, I just give them as many stars I think they deserved, but this book have me so entailed that I couldn't put it down, it was my day off and I had to finish it.

Great tram, you don't see the guilty till 3/4 of the book.

Love it, now to the second book.
Profile Image for Clownmama .
84 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2023
Pretty catchy

This book was like an episode of Criminal Minds crossed with Bones. I enjoyed it for the most part. Since this is book one in a series, I'll forgive not giving the best development to the characters, but I hope we get more background in the next book.
3 reviews6 followers
April 1, 2023
Couldn’t stop reading!

I was hooked from the first page and loved the twists and turns Scott included in the plot. The members of the Heinous Crimes Unit each have their quirks, and one is ever-so-easy to hate!
Profile Image for Heather Brinkley.
6 reviews
June 27, 2023
Quick read, which I loved because it just gets to the point and isn't overly wordy. I do feel like the characters are a little rushed but hoping we learn more as the series progresses. On to book 2!
13 reviews
March 29, 2024
Second read

I have already read the series, but with the next book being released soon I decided to read them all again. By the time you have finished the second book you won't be able to stop until you've read them all.
Profile Image for Erik Sapp.
529 reviews
June 21, 2024
This book did not go where I thought it would. And yet, it was a total package. All the twists fit together to make a coherent story that grabbed me and did not let go. The characters are amazing, although Christopher is a bit unbelievable.
Profile Image for Macy Young.
140 reviews6 followers
September 30, 2024
4.75 This book was surprisingly good! Right now the entire box set 1-8 is .99 cents on kindle. I don’t necessarily know everything that’s going on and that’s a good thing. Can’t wait to see the big picture! Really enjoyed all the characters.
Profile Image for KayLynn Zollinger.
631 reviews36 followers
May 5, 2025
This book was dark AF. I'm certainly no stranger to serial killer novels and thrillers but this one was intense. And so damned good. The villain here that seems like he will be overarching throughout the series is so good, so creepy, so evil. Looking forward to more evil coming soon.
45 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2025
This was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading slump!

The story is fast paced and interesting. Unlike a lot of serial killer FBI thrillers I've read and I've read a TON.

I cant wait to dive into the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Sabrina Bright.
247 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2023
wow!

This was a great start to a new series! I really like Christian and loath Luke! It’s going to be interesting to see what happens next!
18 reviews
February 7, 2023
Gruesome mystery. Kept my interest.

I like these kinds of stories. It keeps you wondering if the person gets caught. Surprised ending.. not for the faint of heart
679 reviews29 followers
May 24, 2023
Great read

This book was very interesting. Looking forward to reading more about Luke and see if he turns into a full blown serial killer!
214 reviews
June 3, 2023
keeps you on the edge of your seat

Great book and the characters are all so believable & intriguing!!
I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens next!
Profile Image for cathey dalton.
210 reviews4 followers
June 20, 2023
Fantastic book! Anticipating the next book only imagining what would happen the following day.
14 reviews
August 29, 2023
Wow! This book definitely kept me guessing what would happen next. The twist towards the end is a doozy!!
Profile Image for Kim Mat.
18 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2024
I was unable to be captivated by the story. I'm willing to give this book another try at a later date
69 reviews1 follower
June 7, 2024
Interesting premise!

Love the savant angle, love the under cover (?) Serial Killer angle! Hope the consecutive books keep up the momentum!!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,618 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2025
DNF 16%
Writing was disjointed and choppy, it felt like I was reading unfinished thoughts.
Profile Image for Milda.
110 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2025
It was short, but action packed. It didn't really feel realistic, more like an episode of a TV show which ends in "To be continued" at the end of a season. I'll keep reading cause I'm hooked though
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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