What do you think?
Rate this book
FBI Agent Kate Walsh #4
The Fuse
FBI Agents Kate Walsh and Declan James are on the hunt for a serial bomber targeting secret societies at Ivy League schools and time is running out.
What at first appears to be a freak accident soon spirals into a terrifying situation as college students are killed by deadly explosions in the middle of the night. Their wealth and privilege cannot protect them and may be making them a target. What secrets do their members hold?
With sophisticated bombs and an unknown motive, Kate and Declan are as much hunters as they are prey. When they are targeted, they will stop at nothing to bring this killer to justice. But the bomber seems to be closely tracking the
investigation and always one step ahead.
Even when Kate and Declan believe they know who it is, catching them is another near-impossible feat. Can the FBI and a task force of highly-trained law enforcement stop the bomber before they complete their deadly mission?
What at first appears to be a freak accident soon spirals into a terrifying situation as college students are killed by deadly explosions in the middle of the night. Their wealth and privilege cannot protect them and may be making them a target. What secrets do their members hold?
With sophisticated bombs and an unknown motive, Kate and Declan are as much hunters as they are prey. When they are targeted, they will stop at nothing to bring this killer to justice. But the bomber seems to be closely tracking the
investigation and always one step ahead.
Even when Kate and Declan believe they know who it is, catching them is another near-impossible feat. Can the FBI and a task force of highly-trained law enforcement stop the bomber before they complete their deadly mission?
- GenresThriller
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2022
325 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Stacy M. Jones
45 books145 followersStacy M. Jones is a criminologist turned crime novelist whose thrillers pulse with a realism that only decades working with law enforcement can bring. That firsthand experience fuels her fiction, stories rooted in authentic criminal psychology, human complexity, and high-stakes emotion.
Since 2018, Stacy has written four series, ranging from gritty FBI thrillers and hard-boiled private eye mysteries to her lighter paranormal cozy series. Her series include the completed cozy paranormal Harper & Hattie Magical Mystery Series, the completed hard-boiled PI Riley Sullivan Mystery Series, the FBI Agent Kate Walsh Thriller Series and the new Connor Fitzgerald Thriller series.
Stacy holds master’s degrees in forensic psychology and journalism and for now calls Little Rock, Arkansas home,though her storytelling always carries a trace of her upstate New York roots.
To join Stacy's Mystery Readers Club & access her Starter Library, which includes three novellas - "Harper's Folly", "The 1922 Club Murder" and "The Curators" - hit subscribe at http://www.stacymjones.com/
Since 2018, Stacy has written four series, ranging from gritty FBI thrillers and hard-boiled private eye mysteries to her lighter paranormal cozy series. Her series include the completed cozy paranormal Harper & Hattie Magical Mystery Series, the completed hard-boiled PI Riley Sullivan Mystery Series, the FBI Agent Kate Walsh Thriller Series and the new Connor Fitzgerald Thriller series.
Stacy holds master’s degrees in forensic psychology and journalism and for now calls Little Rock, Arkansas home,though her storytelling always carries a trace of her upstate New York roots.
To join Stacy's Mystery Readers Club & access her Starter Library, which includes three novellas - "Harper's Folly", "The 1922 Club Murder" and "The Curators" - hit subscribe at http://www.stacymjones.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 11, 2025
Ooh okay I really enjoyed this one, like a lot, I'm debating giving 5 stars. See how I give 5 stars is more based off feelings, it's nothing specific but I just know when I'm giving a 5 star, it feels like a 5 but I also feel like something is missing and I can't pinpoint it down at the moment, so I'll revisit later.
First, I loved the plot. Bomber's in these are always interesting to see how this writer will do it, I liked the secret society aspect, made for a unique target, plus we got a little bit more info on Kate and Her father , plus we got to meet another member of Spade's team, Ditch.
Speaking of Spade, we got a tad more insight to his character, he intrigues me more and more, would it be silly to say I wouldn't mind Ms(Mrs?) Jones to write a book for him and possible love interest, actually I don't think I've come across a book with a FBI boss type character as a focus.
Personally, I didn't find the unsub too interesting, but the overall plot was fun..
Oh, I hope we get a follow up on Garett, even if it's just a little line, I'm really curious if he'll join the FBI.
I loved Leo! and we got to see Briggs again, and a new person named Murphy who Kate thought she made a friend for life with. I love that we are seeing characters from previous books, I was worried we wouldn't see some of them again, like Briggs. I will say that you can read these as a standalone, it provides enough info, but I definitely recommend reading from the start.
Kate and Declan remain cute af. I love the care these two have for each other and how they communicate, I've said it before but it's a refreshing change.
I apologize for such a long review but I genuinely am invested in this series and characters. Excited to start the next book, sounds mysterious :)
First, I loved the plot. Bomber's in these are always interesting to see how this writer will do it, I liked the secret society aspect, made for a unique target, plus we got a little bit more info on Kate and Her father , plus we got to meet another member of Spade's team, Ditch.
Speaking of Spade, we got a tad more insight to his character, he intrigues me more and more, would it be silly to say I wouldn't mind Ms(Mrs?) Jones to write a book for him and possible love interest, actually I don't think I've come across a book with a FBI boss type character as a focus.
Personally, I didn't find the unsub too interesting, but the overall plot was fun..
Oh, I hope we get a follow up on Garett, even if it's just a little line, I'm really curious if he'll join the FBI.
I loved Leo! and we got to see Briggs again, and a new person named Murphy who Kate thought she made a friend for life with. I love that we are seeing characters from previous books, I was worried we wouldn't see some of them again, like Briggs. I will say that you can read these as a standalone, it provides enough info, but I definitely recommend reading from the start.
Kate and Declan remain cute af. I love the care these two have for each other and how they communicate, I've said it before but it's a refreshing change.
I apologize for such a long review but I genuinely am invested in this series and characters. Excited to start the next book, sounds mysterious :)
August 20, 2022
She is about to be pulled into a mystery as bombs are being set off at schools for the rich. No one knows why they have been targeted but she needs to find out before more bombs go off. Can she find who is behind it all? Can she bring them to justice? When will it all stop? Follow her as she investigates and try to find the bomber
August 20, 2022
Fabulous, a fast paced adventure, with a great mystery puzzle. Couldn't put it down.
August 20, 2022
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story begins with Kate and Declan on a 3 month leave after the finish of their last case. They were having a picnic lunch when Kate gets a call from Spade, their boss. He wants them to go to Ithaca, N.Y. to investigate a bombing associated with a secret society at Cornell. After they were finished there, he then wanted to have them go to Hanover, N.H. regarding a bombing of a secret society at Dartmouth. When arriving they met up with Murphy who had charge of the Cornell bombing. His bomb expert, Leo, was also at the scene. As it worked out, Leo was already involved with the scene in Dartmouth so Kate decided to establish a task force to handle the two cases.
Once they arrived at Cornell, things got worse. Leads were hard to come by, but they still persevered. They needed to stop the Fuse before he could cause any more deaths and damages. They didn’t know where the next event would happen, but they had to be prepared to leave where ever the information led.
Follow Kate and Declan as they worked to stop the individual known as the Fuse from accomplishing his goal.
To learn who the Fuse was, why he bombed those secret societies, what steps the task force took in making their findings and what and where the event that the Fuse invited the media to, then you need to read this book. The ending is unexpected.
This story begins with Kate and Declan on a 3 month leave after the finish of their last case. They were having a picnic lunch when Kate gets a call from Spade, their boss. He wants them to go to Ithaca, N.Y. to investigate a bombing associated with a secret society at Cornell. After they were finished there, he then wanted to have them go to Hanover, N.H. regarding a bombing of a secret society at Dartmouth. When arriving they met up with Murphy who had charge of the Cornell bombing. His bomb expert, Leo, was also at the scene. As it worked out, Leo was already involved with the scene in Dartmouth so Kate decided to establish a task force to handle the two cases.
Once they arrived at Cornell, things got worse. Leads were hard to come by, but they still persevered. They needed to stop the Fuse before he could cause any more deaths and damages. They didn’t know where the next event would happen, but they had to be prepared to leave where ever the information led.
Follow Kate and Declan as they worked to stop the individual known as the Fuse from accomplishing his goal.
To learn who the Fuse was, why he bombed those secret societies, what steps the task force took in making their findings and what and where the event that the Fuse invited the media to, then you need to read this book. The ending is unexpected.
August 20, 2022
This is the fourth book in a very enjoyable series and is even better than the previous ones. After events in the last book, Kate and Declan have been given some well-deserved time off to recharge and recupererate but then they are called to action when there is a fire at an ivy League school. It seems someone has a grudge against these schools and things begin to escalate and become more personal and deadly.
I found this to be a total page-turner. I'm not sure if it was just the storyline or the fact that I feel invested in the characters of Kate and Declan, or a combination of both, but when I started reading it, I just didn't want to put it down. Things build up to a good climax and the ending was very interesting and leads us straight into the next book. I am so annoyed at having to wait now for this to be published.
I found this to be a total page-turner. I'm not sure if it was just the storyline or the fact that I feel invested in the characters of Kate and Declan, or a combination of both, but when I started reading it, I just didn't want to put it down. Things build up to a good climax and the ending was very interesting and leads us straight into the next book. I am so annoyed at having to wait now for this to be published.
September 2, 2022
Kate and Declan in the thick of things again!
Jones never disappoints with any of her heroines, but in the Kate Walsh series, she consistently takes it up a notch with each new offering.
This time she has our intrepid duo fighting the clock against a bomber. But not just ANY bomber - our villain is set on destroying Ivy League schools. With an inexorable pace that has law enforcement wondering if he'll get all his targets before they catch him. It's up to Kate and Declan to figure out how.
I love these characters and the amount of research and information Jones brings to this series. While I know that Book Four has just been released, I'm already "Jones-in'" for Book Five.
[I received an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
Jones never disappoints with any of her heroines, but in the Kate Walsh series, she consistently takes it up a notch with each new offering.
This time she has our intrepid duo fighting the clock against a bomber. But not just ANY bomber - our villain is set on destroying Ivy League schools. With an inexorable pace that has law enforcement wondering if he'll get all his targets before they catch him. It's up to Kate and Declan to figure out how.
I love these characters and the amount of research and information Jones brings to this series. While I know that Book Four has just been released, I'm already "Jones-in'" for Book Five.
[I received an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the author with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
August 20, 2022
Kate and Declan are back and their assignment is to find and stop a serial bomber who’s targeting secret societies at Ivy League universities.
This is such a good series and Kate and Declan are great main characters! Their partnership is multifaceted and realistic - yes, even the romantic overtones. This just adds another interesting, challenging wrinkle to their working partnership. The cases that they investigate are always varied and so intriguing. It’s interesting to follow along with the investigation as it progresses.
This is such a good series and Kate and Declan are great main characters! Their partnership is multifaceted and realistic - yes, even the romantic overtones. This just adds another interesting, challenging wrinkle to their working partnership. The cases that they investigate are always varied and so intriguing. It’s interesting to follow along with the investigation as it progresses.
September 2, 2022
EBook Review: THE FUSE by Stacy M. Jones
(T) o
(H) alt
(E) xplosions!
(F) ear
(U) surps
(S) anity's
(E) xplanation
THE FUSE ,
has a plan.
Should never,
ever be ignored.
Can come,
from any direction.
Where is,
its final destination?
Time left,
quickly running out.
Suspects aplenty,
must narrow down.
With detectives,
all the way.
Could not,
put book down.
*********************************************
I received an advance review copy for free,
and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*********************************************
(T) o
(H) alt
(E) xplosions!
(F) ear
(U) surps
(S) anity's
(E) xplanation
THE FUSE ,
has a plan.
Should never,
ever be ignored.
Can come,
from any direction.
Where is,
its final destination?
Time left,
quickly running out.
Suspects aplenty,
must narrow down.
With detectives,
all the way.
Could not,
put book down.
*********************************************
I received an advance review copy for free,
and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*********************************************
August 20, 2022
What a great read! The action just flows from page to page and as it does the suspense intensifies. At every turn it would seem that Kate and Declan reach a dead end, and with each dead end the body count escalates. The race to find The Fuse is fraught with great personal danger, more so than in any previous case they have worked and potential clues become mere wisps of smoke. The impossible to solve climax had me on the edge of my seat.
August 21, 2022
Another excellent thriller from the FBI Kate Walsh series. A fascinating inside view into Ivy League secret societies and someone who wants to end them. But who would blatantly harm children and why? In order to find this serial criminal, Agents Kate Walsh and Declan James need to piece together the motive all the while being in the line of fire quite literally. And the tension keeps building between the two. It’s like controlled hotness and it makes this whole series such a brilliant win!
August 22, 2022
Another great investigation by FBI agents Kate and Declan.
Australian universities don't have secret societies (at universities). Not even fraternities or sororities either. Makes it a little harder for me to understand the whole system in the US.
BUT ... the series of bombings around the secret societies make a complex case with a variety of suspects and motives.
Engaging story by Stacy M Jones as always
Australian universities don't have secret societies (at universities). Not even fraternities or sororities either. Makes it a little harder for me to understand the whole system in the US.
BUT ... the series of bombings around the secret societies make a complex case with a variety of suspects and motives.
Engaging story by Stacy M Jones as always
August 26, 2022
without a lot of spoiler this book is a little different. Kate and her partner are figuring out how to continue on with thier feelings and the job. they are thrown into a case where there are bombs being taking out secret societies at the ivy league colleges. they must scramble to figure out the underlying connections and stop the bomber before more kids end up killed. another must read from Mrs. jones.
August 28, 2022
Actually ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Stars: WOW!!!! FBI Agents Kate Walsh and Declan James are on the case again. This time they are searching for a serial bomber who is seeking revenge against Secret Society club at Ivy League Universities. The Fuse, as the bomber is known, is one step ahead of the all the way. Can they identify who The Fuse is and stop his rampage before more innocent lives are lost?????
Great read. Can’t wait for the next installment of this series!!!!
Great read. Can’t wait for the next installment of this series!!!!
August 20, 2022
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
August 22, 2022
Kate & Declan have just recovered from injuries sustained in the last book when they are called upon to figure out who is targeting college students. Very quickly they also become a target of the bomber. The story is interesting because of how Kate & Declan figure out who is the bomber. It's a challenge to find the proof that will hold up in court & stop the killing.
September 4, 2022
An individual with a long-held grudge, Colleges under siege. Kate & Declan
have their work cut out for them. The perpetrator has extensive knowledge
of how to punish those he feels wronged him many years ago. The hunt
for the criminal takes Kate & Declan from New York to Cape Cod, where
justice is finally served.
Great thriller that kept me wondering if the individual would ever be found.
have their work cut out for them. The perpetrator has extensive knowledge
of how to punish those he feels wronged him many years ago. The hunt
for the criminal takes Kate & Declan from New York to Cape Cod, where
justice is finally served.
Great thriller that kept me wondering if the individual would ever be found.
October 4, 2022
Another great story
And here we go with conspiracy theories again. Some we love, some not so much. Our agents are called in to figure out who's bombing Ivy League secret societies.
With no leads they are trying their best to stop the bomber. Along the way they make many new friends.
Another great story in this series. Quite interesting.
And here we go with conspiracy theories again. Some we love, some not so much. Our agents are called in to figure out who's bombing Ivy League secret societies.
With no leads they are trying their best to stop the bomber. Along the way they make many new friends.
Another great story in this series. Quite interesting.
May 2, 2023
A lot of sympathy
Sympathy for the innocents that were lost. Not that I would ever agree with his actions, there was a small modicum of truth in the terrorists beliefs. The wealthy, privileged, old money families seem to have more in roads and opportunities than the average born citizen. Don't agree. Just look to Washington.
Sympathy for the innocents that were lost. Not that I would ever agree with his actions, there was a small modicum of truth in the terrorists beliefs. The wealthy, privileged, old money families seem to have more in roads and opportunities than the average born citizen. Don't agree. Just look to Washington.
March 19, 2024
Slow start but picks up - read on KU
This does have a slow start but the last half is pretty fast paced. I question how smart these FBI agents are as some things are so very obvious, but I guess it is sometimes necessary to make a story.
This definitely could have used a better edit.
This does have a slow start but the last half is pretty fast paced. I question how smart these FBI agents are as some things are so very obvious, but I guess it is sometimes necessary to make a story.
This definitely could have used a better edit.
September 1, 2022
This book starts off with a bang literally and the action never stops until the last paragraph. If you like intense mysteries this is your book! Stayed up way too late reading it because I just had to know how it ended. A real keep you on the edge of your seat type of story.
October 16, 2022
Great Series
FBI agents Kate and Declan series is fantastic. I read all four book's back to back. First time reading Stacy Jones books , and now moving on to another one. Great writer.
FBI agents Kate and Declan series is fantastic. I read all four book's back to back. First time reading Stacy Jones books , and now moving on to another one. Great writer.
January 12, 2023
Wow, just WOW!!!
I have rarely ever read a book I didn't want to put down. This was the one. Stacy Jones is a terrific author. Definitely will read every book she writes. Thanks for an excellent read.
I have rarely ever read a book I didn't want to put down. This was the one. Stacy Jones is a terrific author. Definitely will read every book she writes. Thanks for an excellent read.
March 21, 2023
great book!
This novel has everything-action, excitement, romance, mystery and so many twists and turns. I have really enjoyed this whole series! I read one after the other not losing interest in any of them. Can’t wait for the next one!
This novel has everything-action, excitement, romance, mystery and so many twists and turns. I have really enjoyed this whole series! I read one after the other not losing interest in any of them. Can’t wait for the next one!
May 11, 2023
Good read
Kate and Declan are trying too figure out who would be setting bombs and killing college students. The secret society groups at the Ivy league schools are the targets. Very good story line. Lots of action.
Kate and Declan are trying too figure out who would be setting bombs and killing college students. The secret society groups at the Ivy league schools are the targets. Very good story line. Lots of action.
September 14, 2025
Gripping from Start to Finnish!
Each book in the Kate Walsh series gets better than the last. The Fuse was impossible to put down—thrilling, suspenseful, and addictive. Can’t wait for the next one!
Each book in the Kate Walsh series gets better than the last. The Fuse was impossible to put down—thrilling, suspenseful, and addictive. Can’t wait for the next one!
November 12, 2025
Really good read.
It's a fun book with good characters: well developed, likeable and relatable. Start with the first book in the series if you can; but each Kate Walsh book is a standalone . So grab one and read if!
It's a fun book with good characters: well developed, likeable and relatable. Start with the first book in the series if you can; but each Kate Walsh book is a standalone . So grab one and read if!
November 15, 2025
This series on FBI agent Kate Walsh is very good. I love that there is no foul language in all the books I've read by Stacy Jones. She keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it is difficult to put the book down. Keep on writing, Stacy!!
September 5, 2022
Another great episode in the Declan
September 18, 2022
Who is The Fuse and why is he killing these people??? Kate will figure things ot though, won’t she??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
September 26, 2022
another great mystery Kate and declan are messing with a smart arsonist in this chapter and they have their hands full great reading and writing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews