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MMA champ-turned-FBI Special Agent and BAU specialist Dakota Steele is as tough as they come—with brilliance to match, able to catch serial killers no one else can. But when a new victim appears, trapped in an elaborate maze, part of a killer’s lair, Dakota realizes she is up against a killer more diabolical than she’s ever seen.

Still chasing the unsolved murder of her sister, Dakota is burning the candle at both ends, trying to solve the present while trying to fix her past.

Using all the skills at her disposal, Dakota is one step away from entering the killer’s mind and decoding his plan.

But will she be fast enough to save another life?

A complex psychological crime thriller full of twists and turns and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the DAKOTA STEELE mystery series will make you fall in love with a brilliant new female protagonist and keep you turning pages late into the night.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2022

25 people are currently reading
165 people want to read

About the author

Ava Strong

149 books223 followers
Ava Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the MEGAN YORK suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit her website.

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5 stars
136 (44%)
4 stars
122 (39%)
3 stars
46 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,635 reviews36 followers
December 10, 2022
Dakota and Marcus are facing a difficult case as they are searching for the culprit that has taken Marcus' cousin as well as other girls and one of them has turned up dead. The local authorities do not seem to be doing much or willing to cooperate with the FBI. They run the leads they find but reach nowhere, till one of the officers starts to help them. There is an incredible fight, the culprit is found and after a lot of effort is caught, Dakota is mildly hurt and she takes an unexpected step toward Marcus and their working relationship. I do want to know what will happen next!!!
I thank the author for the ARC.
139 reviews
January 18, 2023
I know I’m being nit-picky, but Edison said Marcus sent him to bring Dakota to Marcus. She and Edison went into the Avery property and not back to Marcus. Then one step created dust, then the next was in the mud, and this went back and forth between dust and fresh m there on out.
After escaping the maze Dakota found Marcus on the ground and wounded. He must have healed himself while going into the maze to save the two left there and no mention if EMTs checked him or even put a band-aid on him anywhere. I got so confused, but I’m of an age which gives me an excuse.
Will continue reading the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kimiko.
705 reviews3 followers
February 25, 2023
a Maze of Serial killings

Young women are being taken, all from one small area in a rural area. The local Sheriff can’t be bothered because his own family is hiding crimes of their own. So Partners Dakota and Marcus, FBI, are sent in to solve the case.
Profile Image for Scott Widener.
313 reviews10 followers
February 9, 2023
Again, good mystery thriller.
The overall story continues to expand in the background as Dakota takes on her next case.
101 reviews
March 26, 2024
WOW!

What a thrill ride that was. WITHOUT PITY is the best yet. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The writer keeps getting better and better.
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
7,399 reviews67 followers
March 15, 2025
new author, new to me series, slow burn, flawed heroine, books are best read in order, bingeread while on vacation
Profile Image for Tracy Gavin.
519 reviews22 followers
August 27, 2024
This is a great series, and I am a little picky, but the narrator has some quirks that just bother me. Like a word that appears frequently is asphalt but she always pronounces it as ash-phalt. Little things like that. I guess if I'm going to let things like that bother me then I should read them instead of listening to them. But other than that she does a really good job and I enjoy and recommend them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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