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Abby Sinclair and Tess McCallum #2
Next Victim
Desperate to avenge her murdered lover, FBI Agent Tess McCallum races against time to find a vicious serial killer known as Mobius, a murderer who has gotten his hands on a chemical weapon that could destroy thousands. Original.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 3, 2002
About the author
Michael Prescott
53 books168 followersA pseudonym used by Douglas Borton, aka Brian Harper.
Douglas Borton grew up in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career as a screenwriter. After working with several independent producers, he eventually switched to writing novels, a much less stressful occupation. He has published 25 thrillers, starting with horror novels in the 1980s and continuing with suspense and crime novels in the '90s and beyond. His latest book is Bad to the Bone (2015), a sequel to Blood in the Water (2014). After twenty years in traditional publishing, he went the indie route in 2011 and has become one of America's bestselling ebook writers.
Douglas Borton grew up in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University, then moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career as a screenwriter. After working with several independent producers, he eventually switched to writing novels, a much less stressful occupation. He has published 25 thrillers, starting with horror novels in the 1980s and continuing with suspense and crime novels in the '90s and beyond. His latest book is Bad to the Bone (2015), a sequel to Blood in the Water (2014). After twenty years in traditional publishing, he went the indie route in 2011 and has become one of America's bestselling ebook writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 15, 2025
Hidden in plain sight, just as most everything in life is
December 30, 2012
NEXT VICTIM is the first book by Michael Prescott I have ever read.
Not as fast-paced as a Harlan Coben book, NEXT VICTIM nevertheless managed to hold my attention from the very beginning.
His prose is better than most best-selling authors in this genre, and you don’t have to be a Federal Officer to see that NEXT VICTIM was very well researched. Sub-plots were weaved expertly into the main story, and there were plenty of twists and surprises all the way to the very end.
It takes a hell of a lot to turn me into a fan, but that’s precisely what Michael Prescott managed to do with this novel. As soon as I finish this review, I’ll be downloading my next Michael Prescott novel, and if it turns out to be anywhere as good as this one, I think I’ll be reading every single book he’s written.
Not as fast-paced as a Harlan Coben book, NEXT VICTIM nevertheless managed to hold my attention from the very beginning.
His prose is better than most best-selling authors in this genre, and you don’t have to be a Federal Officer to see that NEXT VICTIM was very well researched. Sub-plots were weaved expertly into the main story, and there were plenty of twists and surprises all the way to the very end.
It takes a hell of a lot to turn me into a fan, but that’s precisely what Michael Prescott managed to do with this novel. As soon as I finish this review, I’ll be downloading my next Michael Prescott novel, and if it turns out to be anywhere as good as this one, I think I’ll be reading every single book he’s written.
November 21, 2014
VX/Whip Out.
We are always looking over our shoulders, careful about what information getting out about ourselves. But sometimes real terror right beside us and we know them. Very good thriller, might keep you up all night.
We are always looking over our shoulders, careful about what information getting out about ourselves. But sometimes real terror right beside us and we know them. Very good thriller, might keep you up all night.
November 1, 2010
FBI Agent Tess McCallum is on the trail of a serial killer and for her it's personal. This is one relentless lady and the suspense builds with each page. The ending caught me by surprise!
June 4, 2012
smoking story...edge of your seat ride
April 10, 2026
A gripping storyline lies at the heart of this book, but the delivery sometimes felt weighed down by over-explanation. The narrative occasionally wandered into excessive detail, which made certain moments feel less relevant and slowed the pace. Still, beneath the discursiveness, there’s a strong plot that kept me engaged and made the read worthwhile.
February 10, 2025
the authors note talks about how 9/11 happened halfway through the writing of this book but it honestly feels more influenced by the anthrax attacks
on the literal last page of this book the author correctly predicts the outcome of "the war on terror" (compares it to Vietnam)
net zero experience
on the literal last page of this book the author correctly predicts the outcome of "the war on terror" (compares it to Vietnam)
net zero experience
May 4, 2019
First read by this author and very enjoyable. Great pace and clever.
July 16, 2021
Great Book
I enjoyed the book. Kept me guessing till the end on who the killer was. Now on to t hug e next one in the series
I enjoyed the book. Kept me guessing till the end on who the killer was. Now on to t hug e next one in the series
October 4, 2023
Just when you think you have it figured out...
November 23, 2025
Entertaining mystery
August 20, 2015
What fascinates me is how the terrorism plot is deftly woven together with the serial killer plot, and how they affect each other. Both are hot topics in crime fiction right now, so figuring out how to join them together ought to make readers happy! I love that the woman delivering the terrorism materials is smart but has a blind spot. I also love how Mobius, instead of being mechanically repetitive in his actions, works new and interesting information into his plans. Most depicted serial killers are notoriously bad about accepting and handling change.
Most of the characters have dimension and personality, from the police to the feds to the people introduced along the way. I love that the Mobius plot has so much more to it than the standard repeated crime scenario. When he finds out about the terrorism plot his plans change drastically. I also like the fact that while he takes an interest in Tess’s attempts to catch him, he isn’t obsessed in the creepy manner that fictional serial killers often take on. It’s a different sort of protagonist fixation; it really works and makes things that much more interesting.
For a longer review including premise, visit my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2015/07/r...
Most of the characters have dimension and personality, from the police to the feds to the people introduced along the way. I love that the Mobius plot has so much more to it than the standard repeated crime scenario. When he finds out about the terrorism plot his plans change drastically. I also like the fact that while he takes an interest in Tess’s attempts to catch him, he isn’t obsessed in the creepy manner that fictional serial killers often take on. It’s a different sort of protagonist fixation; it really works and makes things that much more interesting.
For a longer review including premise, visit my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2015/07/r...
September 7, 2014
Well, the plot of this one was actually better than the first one in the series, and this would have been a solid four star effort from me... were it not for the rampant, raging misogyny.
It's there in the first book too, but since it was centered around two psychopaths, I took it. In this book, it was incredibly normalized. Basically every male character in the book treated women like they were second class citizens - either hatred, desire, or protectiveness motivated every. single. encounter. At no point were the women (mainly the main character) just treated like a cop with a job to do by the male characters.
I've only knocked a single star off for this, but the temptation to give this book 2 stars is strong.
It's there in the first book too, but since it was centered around two psychopaths, I took it. In this book, it was incredibly normalized. Basically every male character in the book treated women like they were second class citizens - either hatred, desire, or protectiveness motivated every. single. encounter. At no point were the women (mainly the main character) just treated like a cop with a job to do by the male characters.
I've only knocked a single star off for this, but the temptation to give this book 2 stars is strong.
November 6, 2014
Unfortunately I haven't yet read the first book of the series to make a comparison but I really liked this one.
The plot is good and the characters are well developed. It's easy to be dragged into the story and play every scene in your head.
There's a lot of suspense on this one. I actually rushed trought the pages eager to see what happened next.
I also really felt like a detective and was in sync with the author. I don't know if it was obvious to everyone else but I wasn't fooled by Mobius. I actually felt proud when the killer was uncovered, silly I know, but can I gloat a little?
I recommend to everyone who is seeking for a very well written serial killer book.
The plot is good and the characters are well developed. It's easy to be dragged into the story and play every scene in your head.
There's a lot of suspense on this one. I actually rushed trought the pages eager to see what happened next.
I also really felt like a detective and was in sync with the author. I don't know if it was obvious to everyone else but I wasn't fooled by Mobius. I actually felt proud when the killer was uncovered, silly I know, but can I gloat a little?
I recommend to everyone who is seeking for a very well written serial killer book.
May 26, 2010
An FBI agent with a personal interest in the case is in pursuit of a serial killer in this novel by Michael Prescott. Th beginning of the book has several seperate things happening that begin to tie together midway through the book. Prescott does a good job at keeping the reader guessing the killers identity. I thought I had it pegged until the big reveal at which time it was like the proverbial light bulb had been switched on. Nicely written mystery novel that those interested in the genre will enjoy.
April 11, 2016
This is the first book I've read by Michael Prescott. There were things I loved: the PTSD of Tess; the three-dimensional characters; the fast action and twists in plot; the building tension. But there were also things I hated: how smart and fast-thinking Tess could be, yet turn around and do really stupid things; how sexist and racist Dodge seemed; how the end was too "let's have a confession." However, it was a mostly enjoyable ride (if one can describe it as such, considering it's about murder and terrorism). I would read another of his books.
July 24, 2014
This isn't my favorite Michael Prescott book, but he still weaves a good story. The suspense was rhytmic and the story was interesting. The story tended to wax and wane a little toward the end and the reveal of the serial killer was disappointing; it was too easy. I guess that's the purpose of suspense; the build up and then hit the reader with the unlikeliest of suspects. Prescott is one of my fave, underrated suspense authors on the planet. Decent read.
January 6, 2015
Next Victim (Micheal Prescott) book 2
Tess McCallum, FBI Agent takes you on a ride you won't want to get off of until the ride ends in LA, a long way from Denver, Colorado. Fighting to find a serial killer, she loses a partner, five more victims, and another partner before almost losing her own life, but she prevails in the end. How you ask? Pick up the book and take a ride to hell. Great reading.
Tess McCallum, FBI Agent takes you on a ride you won't want to get off of until the ride ends in LA, a long way from Denver, Colorado. Fighting to find a serial killer, she loses a partner, five more victims, and another partner before almost losing her own life, but she prevails in the end. How you ask? Pick up the book and take a ride to hell. Great reading.
June 23, 2015
Another exciting read by Prescott. Nicely plotted, well-developed characters. I really learned to hate Michaelson. The only thing that bothered me was the constant switching of POV with no text breaks. This was the introduction of FBI Special Agent Tess McCallum. I've read books 2 & 3 of the Tess McCallum/Abby Sinclair trilogy. I have yet to read #1, Dangerous Games. I'll have to look for the ebook on nook.
July 25, 2014
Just like all the other Michael Prescott books I've read, I enjoyed this one. It was fast paced, had some humorous moments, and was nail-bitingly intense.
Tess is a great protagonist, she was tough, but not without her vulnerable moments. The identity of the killer totally took me by surprise, didn't see it coming at all!
Tess is a great protagonist, she was tough, but not without her vulnerable moments. The identity of the killer totally took me by surprise, didn't see it coming at all!
January 22, 2016
Enlightening
Fast paced and relevant, it portrayed an environment that could be a reality today. Terror and chemical warfare in the U.S. is difficult to think about. The characters were not very likeable and I hope our law enforcement agencies work together and lose the attitudes.
Fast paced and relevant, it portrayed an environment that could be a reality today. Terror and chemical warfare in the U.S. is difficult to think about. The characters were not very likeable and I hope our law enforcement agencies work together and lose the attitudes.
November 6, 2007
Standard serial killer thriller fare. FBI agent is chasing a serial killer who previously ruined her life. Ends up being chased by him. Slight twist when a deadly toxin is added to the mix. Decent writing and handling of the subject.
Read
August 30, 2012Not bad, not great... I felt as if I'd read this book before, but realized about a third of the way through that it must have been the follow-up. Too many years between books! Anyway, as predictable as most of it was, I really didn't see it coming!
June 29, 2008
I had the Killer pegged from the start but with a twist. Keeps you guessing.
June 25, 2009
I thought this thriller/mystery was amazingly written; but at the same time I feel as if the author has been following a formula and is too predictable
September 26, 2010
I like the heroine Tess McCallum but this book didn't do much for me. Well-written, yes. But I just don't care about terrorism and nerve gases.
November 10, 2010
This book kept me guessing until the very end- not only guessing who Möbius was, but also how the seemingly unrelated events tied together. Great, suspenseful read!
December 2, 2011
Pretty good. Not very realistic but kept me up reading really late.
December 26, 2011
Great book from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews