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Agent Sayer Altair #2
Sacrifices
Sayer Altair, enquêtrice au FBI, étudie les psychopathes tout en se rétablissant de sa dernière enquête. Mais la découverte d'ossements humains dans une grotte de parc national vont la mettre face à un tueur en série et plusieurs cold case ... Un effroyable charnier... Voilà vingt ans, au moins, qu'un serial killer entrepose les dépouilles de ses victimes dans cette caverne isolée, au cœur du parc national de Shenandoah, en Virginie. Des corps démembrés et mélangés. Ce sont eux qui intéressent Sayer Altair, neuroscientifique et profileuse. Eux et les ADN retrouvés sur leurs peaux : la salive d'une mère et son bébé, tout récemment kidnappées. Entre cold cases et course contre la montre, l'agent Altair n'a pour elle que sa connaissance intime des psychopathes – et peut-être d'un seul, en particulier...
499 pages, Pocket Book
First published July 16, 2019
200 people are currently reading
3181 people want to read
About the author
Ellison Cooper
7 books470 followersEllison Cooper has a Ph.D. in anthropology from UCLA, with a background in archaeology, cultural neuroscience, ancient religion, colonialism, and human rights. She has conducted fieldwork in Central America, West Africa, Micronesia, and Western Europe. She has worked as a murder investigator in Washington DC, and is a certified K9 Search and Rescue Federal Disaster Worker. She now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
July 7, 2019
Another compelling installment in this series! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sayer Altair is an FBI neuroscientist studying the minds of serial killers. Shockingly, she found one within the FBI itself. She also was shot and was on desk duty for a while as a result of her efforts to put the criminal behind bars.
Now that she’s out from behind the desk, Sayer is called to a sinkhole filled with human bones. The location is in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (I’ve been there!). The remains date back close to twenty years when a local teen disappeared never to be found again.
Sayer and her team later find two more bodies, much more recent, in the same area. She also finds a clue that ties these bodies to a woman and her daughter recently reported missing. Sayer is in a rush to solve the crimes to help save the lives of these two people.
The killer knows she is on the trail, though, and he is out to stop her. Sayer accepts help from one of the subjects she is studying…There is much more about this in the synopsis than I want to say, though!
Friends, this book is intense and is so full of action, twists and turns, and pulse-pounding adrenaline. I felt like I was watching a movie, and truly the best kind. Sayer is a strong, complex main character, and I adore her. Everything about this book is super good and suspenseful.
If you enjoy serial killer stories, don’t miss Buried. It can be read as a standalone because there is fill-in from the author about the last book. Overall, it’s a tantalizing mystery-thriller, and I hope there will be a book three!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Sayer Altair is an FBI neuroscientist studying the minds of serial killers. Shockingly, she found one within the FBI itself. She also was shot and was on desk duty for a while as a result of her efforts to put the criminal behind bars.
Now that she’s out from behind the desk, Sayer is called to a sinkhole filled with human bones. The location is in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (I’ve been there!). The remains date back close to twenty years when a local teen disappeared never to be found again.
Sayer and her team later find two more bodies, much more recent, in the same area. She also finds a clue that ties these bodies to a woman and her daughter recently reported missing. Sayer is in a rush to solve the crimes to help save the lives of these two people.
The killer knows she is on the trail, though, and he is out to stop her. Sayer accepts help from one of the subjects she is studying…There is much more about this in the synopsis than I want to say, though!
Friends, this book is intense and is so full of action, twists and turns, and pulse-pounding adrenaline. I felt like I was watching a movie, and truly the best kind. Sayer is a strong, complex main character, and I adore her. Everything about this book is super good and suspenseful.
If you enjoy serial killer stories, don’t miss Buried. It can be read as a standalone because there is fill-in from the author about the last book. Overall, it’s a tantalizing mystery-thriller, and I hope there will be a book three!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
October 20, 2022
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When we meet with Sayer again, she's just off of desk duty after a run-in with a serial killer in Buried and has healing wounds. She has an unconventional growing family, is continuing her study of psychopaths' brains and has become part of an intense Congressional investigation that might see big changes at the FBI, some of which felt kind of parallel to today in this fucked up Upside Down.
Sayer is called out to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia when an agent on vacation with his cadaver dog, happens to stumble across a big hole in the ground filled with dead bodies and skeletons. And that's never not going to be a good time.
Because of the congressional hearings, Sayer is short-staffed and has to put together a rag-tag team of investigators to determine just what the actual fuck is going on in that national park.
Truthfully, Sayer is still just as boring as ever. She lacks humour and genuine character quality that would make her personality more accessible. Any jokes she does attempt feel stilted and awkward, and her bouts of anger and sadness are pretty corny or out of leftfield. But, she's good at her job, smart and pretty tough. So while I find her stale, she's still a powerful badass female and I'm totally here for as much of that as I can get in my crime fiction.
The plot for this book was so much fuller and more interesting this time around, that it basically didn't matter that Sayer is an odd life-like robot. There are a ton of interesting psychological elements, character development and call-back plot details from the first book. There was always some new climax or pinch point, guaranteeing that the story never got stagnant.
All the confetti for having a completely unexpected 'why' for the motives in this book. I 100% did not see it coming, though I did figure out the 'who' about halfway through. But the complex history and intricate plotting that was done for the killer to make them stand out from the crowd was so intriguing and different that the reveal of the 'who' being obvious didn't take away from the ending, at all.
I have to mention the serious goosebumps-on-your-ass chills that are laced throughout the story whenever Subject 037 popped up. This person in Sayer's psychopath study was creepy and the exchanges between him and Sayer were so wonderfully written that I really could use a whole book of just that. There definitely has to be more of that special, sinister little freak in upcoming instalments.
Overall, I think this second book really established Cooper's series as one to read. If you're a fan of Criminal Minds, FBI, The Killing, or any of the other 100 million shows about police and serial killers, you need to get on this shit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | 4.5 stars rounded down
When we meet with Sayer again, she's just off of desk duty after a run-in with a serial killer in Buried and has healing wounds. She has an unconventional growing family, is continuing her study of psychopaths' brains and has become part of an intense Congressional investigation that might see big changes at the FBI, some of which felt kind of parallel to today in this fucked up Upside Down.
Sayer is called out to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia when an agent on vacation with his cadaver dog, happens to stumble across a big hole in the ground filled with dead bodies and skeletons. And that's never not going to be a good time.
Because of the congressional hearings, Sayer is short-staffed and has to put together a rag-tag team of investigators to determine just what the actual fuck is going on in that national park.
Truthfully, Sayer is still just as boring as ever. She lacks humour and genuine character quality that would make her personality more accessible. Any jokes she does attempt feel stilted and awkward, and her bouts of anger and sadness are pretty corny or out of leftfield. But, she's good at her job, smart and pretty tough. So while I find her stale, she's still a powerful badass female and I'm totally here for as much of that as I can get in my crime fiction.
The plot for this book was so much fuller and more interesting this time around, that it basically didn't matter that Sayer is an odd life-like robot. There are a ton of interesting psychological elements, character development and call-back plot details from the first book. There was always some new climax or pinch point, guaranteeing that the story never got stagnant.
All the confetti for having a completely unexpected 'why' for the motives in this book. I 100% did not see it coming, though I did figure out the 'who' about halfway through. But the complex history and intricate plotting that was done for the killer to make them stand out from the crowd was so intriguing and different that the reveal of the 'who' being obvious didn't take away from the ending, at all.
I have to mention the serious goosebumps-on-your-ass chills that are laced throughout the story whenever Subject 037 popped up. This person in Sayer's psychopath study was creepy and the exchanges between him and Sayer were so wonderfully written that I really could use a whole book of just that. There definitely has to be more of that special, sinister little freak in upcoming instalments.
Overall, I think this second book really established Cooper's series as one to read. If you're a fan of Criminal Minds, FBI, The Killing, or any of the other 100 million shows about police and serial killers, you need to get on this shit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | 4.5 stars rounded down
July 20, 2019
Seriously chilling!
Are you ready to dive deep into the mind of a serial killer? This book will keep you up at night reading, and you should maybe think about keeping the lights on for a few of the chapters if you are prone to getting too invested in a story. Buried is sure to do that!
Neuroscientist and FBI agent Sayer Altair is brought in on a cold case, but it turns out not to be so cold after all when two new bodies turn up. Even more frightening than the link between the skeletal remains and the new corpses is the link to a recent kidnapping of a mother and her daughter.
I didn’t read the first book in this series Caged, though it has been on my list after some serious buzz. But I didn’t feel behind at all when I read Buried! Special Agent Sayer is on desk duty following the last case she solved ended in a bullet wound. But her mind is as sharp as ever and she needed every bit of her wits to solve this case!
When off-duty agent Max is out walking his dog, the scent of a cadaver leads the dog (and Max) to discover a set of human bones. This was quite a start to the story! I am somewhat obsessed with police dogs. They are incredible, able to differentiate scents in very specific ways. I digress though…
I love a strong female lead and Sayer certainly fits that bill. Let’s just say that she is not to type of woman who would read a book such as this and leave the lights on, I’ll say that. She is tough as nails and a total boss, working as a biracial woman in a male-dominated field. I’d love to be as tough as Sayer is! I really loved learning more about her life too. I thought Cooper provided a lot of backstory and character development, which is often lacking in second novels in a series. I learned about her parents and the death of her fiancé, and I felt like I really knew who she was as a person outside of her career.
The pace of this one felt lightening fast to me, in part because the story was so good and also because stylistically Cooper used shorter chapters to great effect. There were also a bounty of suspects and clues, and they were delivered throughout the story in a way that kept my mind churning. This is a read-in-a-day sort of book if you have the time!
And then I want to strongly avoid anything that could be construed as a spoiler, but I feel I should touch on the meat of this book—the serial killer. The psychologist in me was fascinated by how the clues all came together, and I was NOT disappointed at all by the outcome of this! Don’t go into this thinking you have the book figured out, because I promise you don’t!
Twists, chills, great characters, and a fantastic case. I can’t recommend this enough!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Are you ready to dive deep into the mind of a serial killer? This book will keep you up at night reading, and you should maybe think about keeping the lights on for a few of the chapters if you are prone to getting too invested in a story. Buried is sure to do that!
Neuroscientist and FBI agent Sayer Altair is brought in on a cold case, but it turns out not to be so cold after all when two new bodies turn up. Even more frightening than the link between the skeletal remains and the new corpses is the link to a recent kidnapping of a mother and her daughter.
I didn’t read the first book in this series Caged, though it has been on my list after some serious buzz. But I didn’t feel behind at all when I read Buried! Special Agent Sayer is on desk duty following the last case she solved ended in a bullet wound. But her mind is as sharp as ever and she needed every bit of her wits to solve this case!
When off-duty agent Max is out walking his dog, the scent of a cadaver leads the dog (and Max) to discover a set of human bones. This was quite a start to the story! I am somewhat obsessed with police dogs. They are incredible, able to differentiate scents in very specific ways. I digress though…
I love a strong female lead and Sayer certainly fits that bill. Let’s just say that she is not to type of woman who would read a book such as this and leave the lights on, I’ll say that. She is tough as nails and a total boss, working as a biracial woman in a male-dominated field. I’d love to be as tough as Sayer is! I really loved learning more about her life too. I thought Cooper provided a lot of backstory and character development, which is often lacking in second novels in a series. I learned about her parents and the death of her fiancé, and I felt like I really knew who she was as a person outside of her career.
The pace of this one felt lightening fast to me, in part because the story was so good and also because stylistically Cooper used shorter chapters to great effect. There were also a bounty of suspects and clues, and they were delivered throughout the story in a way that kept my mind churning. This is a read-in-a-day sort of book if you have the time!
And then I want to strongly avoid anything that could be construed as a spoiler, but I feel I should touch on the meat of this book—the serial killer. The psychologist in me was fascinated by how the clues all came together, and I was NOT disappointed at all by the outcome of this! Don’t go into this thinking you have the book figured out, because I promise you don’t!
Twists, chills, great characters, and a fantastic case. I can’t recommend this enough!
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.
September 26, 2020
FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair is faced with solving another serial murder case when off-duty FBI agent Max Cho literally falls into a cavern filled with human bones and two fresh bodies. Max’s Human Remains Detection Dog Kona is a star in this twisty tale that includes police procedural details, weird facts about unusual DNA, and the abnormal psychology of psychopaths. Cooper continues to grow as an author using her work as a murder investigator and as a certified K-9 Search and Rescue volunteer to provide realistic details. Enjoy!
January 20, 2021
Yeah I couldn’t stop listening....it’s equally as entertaining and smart as the first book in the series. Lots of twists and turns. Sayer is tough as nails and the cast of characters around her is fantastic. If you are looking for something to keep you on the edge of your seat....try this one on for size. Happy reading!
July 15, 2019
Thank you, Minotaur Books for my advanced copy of Buried by Ellison Cooper, in exchange for my honest review. This title hits shelves July 16, 2019.
Ellison Cooper, you did it again and are now 2-2 for me with great summer reads! This book has it all: dark, intense, mystery, suspense and lots of THRILL. Ellison knocks it right out of the park AGAIN with Book 2 in her Agent Sayer series.
FBI Special Agent Sayer Altair is back with her latest quest to solve a gruelling serial killing case that haunts her every move. The crimes committed in this round, are darker and more disturbing than in Ellison's first instalment, and Sayer's determination to reach the investigative finish line with a suspect in tow is stronger than ever.
This book gave me CHILLS! It was such an addictive and engaging read, I could not put it down - even managed to finish it in less than 24hrs (my laundry took a hit but it was well worth it).
I am obsessed with this series and cannot wait to see what Sayer gets up to next! I actually had it playing like a movie reel in my mind the whole time I was reading. Once again, I enjoyed following Sayer in her investigation to catch a demented killer who leaves nothing but gruesome in their tracks.
I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list this summer, especially if you enjoy are a fan of Criminal Minds, CSI and good crime fiction peppered with police drama and a dash of disturbing content.
Ellison Cooper, you did it again and are now 2-2 for me with great summer reads! This book has it all: dark, intense, mystery, suspense and lots of THRILL. Ellison knocks it right out of the park AGAIN with Book 2 in her Agent Sayer series.
FBI Special Agent Sayer Altair is back with her latest quest to solve a gruelling serial killing case that haunts her every move. The crimes committed in this round, are darker and more disturbing than in Ellison's first instalment, and Sayer's determination to reach the investigative finish line with a suspect in tow is stronger than ever.
This book gave me CHILLS! It was such an addictive and engaging read, I could not put it down - even managed to finish it in less than 24hrs (my laundry took a hit but it was well worth it).
I am obsessed with this series and cannot wait to see what Sayer gets up to next! I actually had it playing like a movie reel in my mind the whole time I was reading. Once again, I enjoyed following Sayer in her investigation to catch a demented killer who leaves nothing but gruesome in their tracks.
I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list this summer, especially if you enjoy are a fan of Criminal Minds, CSI and good crime fiction peppered with police drama and a dash of disturbing content.
July 19, 2019
It's been six months since Sayer Altair discovered a prolific serial killer inside the FBI. She's still dealing with the fallout--including Congressional hearings and independent counsel combing through hundreds of past cases. Her boss, Assistant Director Janice Holt, is testifying at Capitol Hill. Sayer, a neurobiologist with FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, has been recovering from her injuries from her previous case and working on her research of serial killer brains, when Holt calls. Max Cho, an off-duty FBI agent and his Human Remains Detection dog, found a cave full of bodies in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The FBI is thin on agents during the hearings and investigations and Sayer is called back to duty. Her "team" is slight--Max; Piper, a park ranger; Kyle, the local sheriff; Ezra, our beloved IT whiz; and Dana, a FBI medical examiner just back from overseas. Together they set up shop in the National Park and investigate the gruesome scene. Before they know it, they are being attacked by the presumed killer--and they quickly have two fresh bodies dumped on their crime scene. Even worse, one of Sayer's research subjects starts meddling in her case, and she quickly realizes this supposed psychopath is a high-ranking Washington official. Can Sayer solve these cases in time, or will she lose her job during the craziness that's happening in Washington?
This book gets started with a bang, as Max and Kona find a cave full of skeletons. Sayer and Dana are attacked as they investigate the new findings, and things never slow down from there. Sayer is the same tough cookie from the first book--driving her motorcycle around and taking no prisoners. Luckily, she's at least found a bit of family now and she seems to be maturing. It was nice to see her make some personal strides.
"The only benefit to being on TV was that at least no one was surprised anymore when the FBI agent turned out to be a thirty-something brown-skinned woman."
There is <>a ton of stuff happening in this book, but Cooper handles it all really well. The cave full of skeletons, two more fresh bodies, the hearings and their impact on the FBI/Sayer's career, her research and one of her subjects meddling in her career, her personal investigation into the death of her late fiance, Jake, also an agent... It's definitely a lot, but all the threads work together. This is shaping up to be a really good series. I enjoyed this book more than the first, even. The writing is stronger, Sayer's character is tightening up, and while the case is resolved at the end, there are loose ends that lead me to hope there is a book three coming.
"She hated that she even thought it, but she'd learned the hard way not to trust anyone, not even her own coworkers at the FBI."
Sayer is a great character--complex, intelligent, and tough. She dives right in to any challenge, and her team is loyal to her because of it. Which is good, because man, does trouble follow this woman! They are attacked constantly! They also see a lot of gruesome things. You'll need to be the type who enjoys a good twisted, dark mystery. This is no light and fluffy thriller. But Cooper clearly knows her stuff--police procedures, DNA, psychology, and more. It makes for a really good read.
I especially enjoyed the local angle for this one. It's practically set in my backyard, and I actually read portions of the book where they were occurring, at the University of Virginia campus and such. It's always fun to read about places you actually know. (Maybe not so fun when people are being abducted from there, but...)
Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery. It features a strong main (female!) character in Sayer, a great twisted story that keeps you guessing, and the true star of the show, Kona, the cadaver dog, whom I adored. Definitely recommend! You can read this as part of the series or a standalone. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from Minotaur Books and Netgalley in return for a honest review.
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This book gets started with a bang, as Max and Kona find a cave full of skeletons. Sayer and Dana are attacked as they investigate the new findings, and things never slow down from there. Sayer is the same tough cookie from the first book--driving her motorcycle around and taking no prisoners. Luckily, she's at least found a bit of family now and she seems to be maturing. It was nice to see her make some personal strides.
"The only benefit to being on TV was that at least no one was surprised anymore when the FBI agent turned out to be a thirty-something brown-skinned woman."
There is <>a ton of stuff happening in this book, but Cooper handles it all really well. The cave full of skeletons, two more fresh bodies, the hearings and their impact on the FBI/Sayer's career, her research and one of her subjects meddling in her career, her personal investigation into the death of her late fiance, Jake, also an agent... It's definitely a lot, but all the threads work together. This is shaping up to be a really good series. I enjoyed this book more than the first, even. The writing is stronger, Sayer's character is tightening up, and while the case is resolved at the end, there are loose ends that lead me to hope there is a book three coming.
"She hated that she even thought it, but she'd learned the hard way not to trust anyone, not even her own coworkers at the FBI."
Sayer is a great character--complex, intelligent, and tough. She dives right in to any challenge, and her team is loyal to her because of it. Which is good, because man, does trouble follow this woman! They are attacked constantly! They also see a lot of gruesome things. You'll need to be the type who enjoys a good twisted, dark mystery. This is no light and fluffy thriller. But Cooper clearly knows her stuff--police procedures, DNA, psychology, and more. It makes for a really good read.
I especially enjoyed the local angle for this one. It's practically set in my backyard, and I actually read portions of the book where they were occurring, at the University of Virginia campus and such. It's always fun to read about places you actually know. (Maybe not so fun when people are being abducted from there, but...)
Overall, I really enjoyed this mystery. It features a strong main (female!) character in Sayer, a great twisted story that keeps you guessing, and the true star of the show, Kona, the cadaver dog, whom I adored. Definitely recommend! You can read this as part of the series or a standalone. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this novel from Minotaur Books and Netgalley in return for a honest review.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
November 10, 2019
Because I read both Caged and Buried back to back, I'm reviewing them together on my blog...
Two Books. Two Killers. One Amazing Agent.
Recently I was asked to read the third installment in the SSA Sayer Altair series by Ellison Cooper. The problem was that I hadn't read the first two. I have had Caged bookmarked to read since it was first published but you know how TBR lists are, more books piled on top of that one. So, I thought before I read the upcoming book due in 2020, I would catch up with the first in the series. Was I ever glad that I did!
Agent Altair is one bad-assed woman. She has been knocked down by the death of her fiance, her job is in jeopardy and she is an orphan whose parents were killed in a tragic accident but none of those tragedies can stop Sayer. As a neuro-scientist she studies the brains of psychopaths for the BAU. She also is one of the best at hunting them down when they take the form of serial killers.
Both books are fascinating, not only for how well they are written but by the science behind psychopathy. Cooper is obviously brilliant and she brings that knowledge into the books that she writes. I, for one, have grown tired of the same old stalker-chases-woman thrillers and, if you are like me, you will find Cooper's books a refreshing change. Yes, we have serial killers but their methods and reasons for killing are far more than man-murders-woman. Both Caged and Buried taught me more about psychology and the classics than I thought I ever would know. They are fantastic! Ten stars for this new to me author and now I cannot wait to begin her next one!
Two Books. Two Killers. One Amazing Agent.
Recently I was asked to read the third installment in the SSA Sayer Altair series by Ellison Cooper. The problem was that I hadn't read the first two. I have had Caged bookmarked to read since it was first published but you know how TBR lists are, more books piled on top of that one. So, I thought before I read the upcoming book due in 2020, I would catch up with the first in the series. Was I ever glad that I did!
Agent Altair is one bad-assed woman. She has been knocked down by the death of her fiance, her job is in jeopardy and she is an orphan whose parents were killed in a tragic accident but none of those tragedies can stop Sayer. As a neuro-scientist she studies the brains of psychopaths for the BAU. She also is one of the best at hunting them down when they take the form of serial killers.
Both books are fascinating, not only for how well they are written but by the science behind psychopathy. Cooper is obviously brilliant and she brings that knowledge into the books that she writes. I, for one, have grown tired of the same old stalker-chases-woman thrillers and, if you are like me, you will find Cooper's books a refreshing change. Yes, we have serial killers but their methods and reasons for killing are far more than man-murders-woman. Both Caged and Buried taught me more about psychology and the classics than I thought I ever would know. They are fantastic! Ten stars for this new to me author and now I cannot wait to begin her next one!
October 11, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Buried by Ellison Cooper made an excellent book 2 for the Agent Sayer Altair series, and I have to say it was even more disturbing!
What it's about: FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair studies the brains of murderers trying to figure out why some people become killers, and some don’t. While she isn't doing that, she is out fighting bad guys for the FBI. In Buried, Sayer is back leading a new investigation after an off-duty FBI agent falls into a sinkhole that has been hiding human remains. They also end up finding 2 fresh corpses, and ties to a local girl that disappeared many years earlier. As Sayer rushes to crack the case, the killer is trying to attack and sabotage them while also holding other victims. Sayer must work fast to figure out who the killer is before anyone else dies at their hands.
I think that I liked Buried even more than the last book, Caged. This book had even more disturbing qualities and just as much action, but there was just something about it that had me even more excited. Once again Sayer is a kickass female lead, but she isn't perfect so prepare to get frustrated with her! She makes more blunders than the FBI agents in Criminal Minds, but she is human after all. The overall feel I got was Criminal Minds again just in book form, which is something I am really loving about this series. I think it would make for a great TV show!
Cooper seems to be really good at writing likable characters, and there were more than just Sayer that I was a fan of. Some of whom are back from their first appearance in Caged while a couple were new. Of course there are the bad guys and some red herrings, but overall, I really liked most of the characters in Buried.
Buried also seemed to contain more politics, as well as one of Sayer's research subjects being very mysterious. That part actually reminds me of Castle, another show that I love. Once again viewpoints jump around a bit, but mostly focus on Sayer and make for a great police/detective procedural novel.
Final Thought: If you are looking for a book that is a mix of Criminal Minds and Castle then this could be the book for you! Buried was a little more graphic than the first book so be prepared for that. This series could definitely be read as standalones as well, although for character development I would recommend starting with Caged. I am officially addicted to this series and can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Buried by Ellison Cooper made an excellent book 2 for the Agent Sayer Altair series, and I have to say it was even more disturbing!
What it's about: FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair studies the brains of murderers trying to figure out why some people become killers, and some don’t. While she isn't doing that, she is out fighting bad guys for the FBI. In Buried, Sayer is back leading a new investigation after an off-duty FBI agent falls into a sinkhole that has been hiding human remains. They also end up finding 2 fresh corpses, and ties to a local girl that disappeared many years earlier. As Sayer rushes to crack the case, the killer is trying to attack and sabotage them while also holding other victims. Sayer must work fast to figure out who the killer is before anyone else dies at their hands.
I think that I liked Buried even more than the last book, Caged. This book had even more disturbing qualities and just as much action, but there was just something about it that had me even more excited. Once again Sayer is a kickass female lead, but she isn't perfect so prepare to get frustrated with her! She makes more blunders than the FBI agents in Criminal Minds, but she is human after all. The overall feel I got was Criminal Minds again just in book form, which is something I am really loving about this series. I think it would make for a great TV show!
Cooper seems to be really good at writing likable characters, and there were more than just Sayer that I was a fan of. Some of whom are back from their first appearance in Caged while a couple were new. Of course there are the bad guys and some red herrings, but overall, I really liked most of the characters in Buried.
Buried also seemed to contain more politics, as well as one of Sayer's research subjects being very mysterious. That part actually reminds me of Castle, another show that I love. Once again viewpoints jump around a bit, but mostly focus on Sayer and make for a great police/detective procedural novel.
Final Thought: If you are looking for a book that is a mix of Criminal Minds and Castle then this could be the book for you! Buried was a little more graphic than the first book so be prepared for that. This series could definitely be read as standalones as well, although for character development I would recommend starting with Caged. I am officially addicted to this series and can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 7, 2019
Tho you don’t need to read Caged, the first in this series, it would help before reading this one to get more of a back story on the characters.
This did not disappoint as a follow up to Caged! Excitement through the entire book clear to the last page. Flawed characters that are realistic and draw you in. This eludes to another book and I certainly can’t wait to read it.
Much thanks to Minotaur for this early copy:)
This did not disappoint as a follow up to Caged! Excitement through the entire book clear to the last page. Flawed characters that are realistic and draw you in. This eludes to another book and I certainly can’t wait to read it.
Much thanks to Minotaur for this early copy:)
July 16, 2021
The second in this series and I really enjoyed it. If you like police /FBI procedure type books, then you will enjoy this one!
June 20, 2020
You can see my full reviews on my blog
You can also find a shorter review on my my bookstagram
Buried by Ellison Cooper is the second book in her Special Agent Sayer Altair series (released on July 16, 2019)! The third book in the series, Cut to the Bone, is set to be published on July 14, 2020 by Minotaur Books.
I first started this series because I was approved for the NetGalley of the third book, without realizing that it was part of a series. Once I found out, I knew that I had to start from the beginning. That being said, I liked the first book, Caged (you can find my full review for the first book here), but it certainly wasn’t a favourite of mine. I was a little nervous about continuing the series, but I am SO glad that I did because Buried was SO much better than the first book!
Buried starts off with an FBI agent and a cadaver dog falling into a sinkhole filled with bones (from MANY bodies) that have been there for two decades 😳. When Agent Sayer Altair is called to the scene and her team starts to sift through the bones, they also discover recently disposed human corpses. As she and her short-staffed team try to figure out how these bodies got there, they uncover clues that link the new bodies to the old bones, and the hunt for the serial killer becomes SO intense. I could Not. Stop. Reading.
What makes this book intense is that the action never stops. Just as you find out how one clue (or person) links to the bodies, another crucial aspect appears that makes you second guess everything you’ve thought you’ve figured out. I really loved that I could not predict parts of the plot, or even how it ended, especially because I felt that the first book was extremely predictable.
I absolutely loved the setting of the book (it made me think of Lisa Gardner’s book The Killing Hour), the plot, the crime and hunt for the serial killer, as well as the character relationships that continue to develop between Sayer and her “family” of misfits. Everyone seems to be such unlikely friends… but there is something about their characters and the way they interact with each other that just works so well.
What I am also loving about this series is how similar it is to Kathy Reich’s Temperance Brennan series, in that it has that same archeological and anthropology ‘feel’ to it. However, where I find Reich’s books to be slower and less engaging, Cooper’s are more exciting, fast-paced, and more enjoyable to read.
I am so excited to find out what happens in the third book, Cut to the Bone (which publishes on July 14, 2020).
You can also find a shorter review on my my bookstagram
Buried by Ellison Cooper is the second book in her Special Agent Sayer Altair series (released on July 16, 2019)! The third book in the series, Cut to the Bone, is set to be published on July 14, 2020 by Minotaur Books.
I first started this series because I was approved for the NetGalley of the third book, without realizing that it was part of a series. Once I found out, I knew that I had to start from the beginning. That being said, I liked the first book, Caged (you can find my full review for the first book here), but it certainly wasn’t a favourite of mine. I was a little nervous about continuing the series, but I am SO glad that I did because Buried was SO much better than the first book!
Buried starts off with an FBI agent and a cadaver dog falling into a sinkhole filled with bones (from MANY bodies) that have been there for two decades 😳. When Agent Sayer Altair is called to the scene and her team starts to sift through the bones, they also discover recently disposed human corpses. As she and her short-staffed team try to figure out how these bodies got there, they uncover clues that link the new bodies to the old bones, and the hunt for the serial killer becomes SO intense. I could Not. Stop. Reading.
What makes this book intense is that the action never stops. Just as you find out how one clue (or person) links to the bodies, another crucial aspect appears that makes you second guess everything you’ve thought you’ve figured out. I really loved that I could not predict parts of the plot, or even how it ended, especially because I felt that the first book was extremely predictable.
I absolutely loved the setting of the book (it made me think of Lisa Gardner’s book The Killing Hour), the plot, the crime and hunt for the serial killer, as well as the character relationships that continue to develop between Sayer and her “family” of misfits. Everyone seems to be such unlikely friends… but there is something about their characters and the way they interact with each other that just works so well.
What I am also loving about this series is how similar it is to Kathy Reich’s Temperance Brennan series, in that it has that same archeological and anthropology ‘feel’ to it. However, where I find Reich’s books to be slower and less engaging, Cooper’s are more exciting, fast-paced, and more enjoyable to read.
I am so excited to find out what happens in the third book, Cut to the Bone (which publishes on July 14, 2020).
April 23, 2021
❐ Overall Rating 4½⭐ | Narration 😀 = Good
❐ Narrated by Danielle Deadwyler
❐ Listening Length: 10H 10M
❐ Agent Sayer Altair #2
❐ Serial Killer Mystery
❐ Suspense/Thriller
I liked this one a tad more than the first book...it started out with a totally eww moment. Imagine you’re walking with the dog through the woods and all of a sudden you fall into a hole. After you get over the fall and get your bearings...phew. Then you look at what’s around you...and you realize you’re surrounded by bones...lots of human bones. Freaky, to say the least.
From there the story gets freakier and darker.
Overall, the plot was fresh, different from other serial killer-themed books out there...but I guessed who it was fairly early on. And while the author did make me doubt the validity of my guess at times...it turns out, I was right all along. Whenever I’m reading/listening to a book and I guess who it is, I can’t help but wonder if I was supposed to figure it out right away...because I don’t really think I’m that clever. But either way...I will say that despite guessing the ‘who’, I was totally invested in getting to the ‘why’...and that, I didn’t see coming at all.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔》8.76/❿
🅒haracters》8.5
🅐tmosphere》9.5
🅦riting》9
🅟lot》7.8
🅘ntrigue》 9
🅛ogic》8.5
🅔njoyment》9
❐ Narrated by Danielle Deadwyler
❐ Listening Length: 10H 10M
❐ Agent Sayer Altair #2
❐ Serial Killer Mystery
❐ Suspense/Thriller
I liked this one a tad more than the first book...it started out with a totally eww moment. Imagine you’re walking with the dog through the woods and all of a sudden you fall into a hole. After you get over the fall and get your bearings...phew. Then you look at what’s around you...and you realize you’re surrounded by bones...lots of human bones. Freaky, to say the least.
From there the story gets freakier and darker.
Overall, the plot was fresh, different from other serial killer-themed books out there...but I guessed who it was fairly early on. And while the author did make me doubt the validity of my guess at times...it turns out, I was right all along. Whenever I’m reading/listening to a book and I guess who it is, I can’t help but wonder if I was supposed to figure it out right away...because I don’t really think I’m that clever. But either way...I will say that despite guessing the ‘who’, I was totally invested in getting to the ‘why’...and that, I didn’t see coming at all.
🅒🅐🅦🅟🅘🅛🅔》8.76/❿
🅒haracters》8.5
🅐tmosphere》9.5
🅦riting》9
🅟lot》7.8
🅘ntrigue》 9
🅛ogic》8.5
🅔njoyment》9
October 12, 2019
This is a FANTASTIC book! One of the best I've read in the last few years. If you know me, you know how rarely I rate books a 5 in Goodreads less than adequate scale.
Firt, go read the book summary/synopsis. It will give you enough info to determine if it's a book you'd in which you'd be interested. But I will add:
If you like psychological mysteries, FBI procedural dramas, some forensics, remote locations, a hint of search and rescue dog action, a dash of Greek gods - that last could be the worst of spoilers, so no more on that - DO NOT yield to the temptation to scan ahead in this book or you ruin a GREAT plotline and ending, and I will lose all respect for you - then read this book.
There are a few slow sections. Not "I'm so bored I'm going to stop reading this book" slow, just filling in background stuff. Not bad at all. But I challenge you to put the book down from about pg 275 to the end - pg 368. Several great twists and "Ah ha!" moments.
I'm looking forward to reading the Sayer book which precedes this one, and all those which follow. And I hope there are many!
Firt, go read the book summary/synopsis. It will give you enough info to determine if it's a book you'd in which you'd be interested. But I will add:
If you like psychological mysteries, FBI procedural dramas, some forensics, remote locations, a hint of search and rescue dog action, a dash of Greek gods - that last could be the worst of spoilers, so no more on that - DO NOT yield to the temptation to scan ahead in this book or you ruin a GREAT plotline and ending, and I will lose all respect for you - then read this book.
There are a few slow sections. Not "I'm so bored I'm going to stop reading this book" slow, just filling in background stuff. Not bad at all. But I challenge you to put the book down from about pg 275 to the end - pg 368. Several great twists and "Ah ha!" moments.
I'm looking forward to reading the Sayer book which precedes this one, and all those which follow. And I hope there are many!
July 25, 2019
Buried by Ellison Cooper is the second in the FBI Special Agent Sayer Altair series.
First, let me thank Edelweiss, the publisher Minotaur Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
FBI Special Agent Sayer Altair is a neuroscientist, who, when not investigating murders, is researching the brains of psychopaths to determine if she can find a common link. She hopes to find something that may indicate that the same problem exists in all of them, and if found early enough, their predilections to murder may be averted. She has also discovered that the FBI is hiding something that has to do with the death of her fiance, but can find no answers. She has been on desk duty since her last major case, where she discovered a serial killer working inside the FBI. She was shot during that case, and one of her team, Ezra lost his legs.
My Synopsis: major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
When an off-duty FBI agent and his cadaver dog discover a cave full of bones in Shenandoah National Park, Sayer is put back in the field to solve this case. Unfortunately, she will be very short-staffed and will have to rely on professionals in the area to help her. Thankfully her trusted computer wizard Ezra is available.
Although the bones they found are old, there are also two badly beaten bodies in the same cave. Sayer will have to figure out if the bones and the bodies are connected. When they identify the two bodies, they also identify DNA from a third missing female. Then they find ties to the area. Can she trust her new co-workers?
Meanwhile, repercussions from her last case are still developing. Although her wound is healing, and her team-member Ezra is now relying on two prostethic legs to get around, her boss is under fire. She won't be the only one.
Sayer is also trying to continue her research into psychopaths. She has moved on from studying the brains of convicted serial killers, to studying psychopaths that are not violent. However, one of her subjects is sending her red flags.
My Opinions:
Ellison Cooper has a hit series on her hands. She has created a strong, science-based female character in Sayer Altair, who is very likable. I like the fact that the author has also given her a strong family base (Nana, Tino and now Adi).
This book explored the "monster within all of us" idea, and the plot definitely turned up one or two monsters. The suspense continued to build, and there were enough red herrings to keep you guessing to the end. Although I had an idea early on as to the identity of the perpetrator, I was way off on the reasoning behind everything, which made it really interesting.
Cooper's writing is clear, her dialog good, and explanations are sound. The action is fast-paced, and the book just reads really well. Yes, some of it is a little dark, but hey, she's writing about serial killers...what did you expect?
One final thought....although this could be read as a stand-alone novel, there are too many points from the first book that you really need to know to fully enjoy this one.
I highly recommend this one and am looking forward to the next in the series!
For a more complete review of this book and others, please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
July 28, 2020
I was amused because I had just finished The Finders by Jeffery B. Burton, and then I start Buried by Ellison Cooper and both books have cadaver dogs in them… and both books are excellent!
Having read and really enjoyed the first book, Caged, in the Agent Sayer Altair series, I was hoping Buried would be good too, and I was not disappointed. If anything it was even better because I was able to catch up with some of the characters, while getting to know some new ones that I hope pop up in future books.
Once again Cooper does not hold back when it comes to bad things happening to main characters, and I love that. To have people who are in dangerous jobs actually coming up against the bad guys and not walking away scot-free is a refreshing change from some other books I’ve read. But even with all the evil things that are done to the characters they continue to grow and not become jaded to the rest of the world… which is something I need right now… good stories and to remember not to become hardened with all the horrible things happening in the world today.
The science once again adds an interesting layer to the novel, and the mythology was fantastic, taking Buried even higher. When one of the major twists came along, I had heard about it before, but Cooper gave even more information about it that I was not aware of… and it is so cool.
I don’t want to give anything away. I just want you to read it and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. And you don’t have to start with Caged, but you really should, since it will just enhance your reading experience of lots of twists, turns, sciencey things, and mythology. :)
And another reason I am so happy I found this series is because I had really enjoyed the Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell series by Chelsea Cain, but no new books have come out for a bit. The series are not exactly the same, but have some similarities, and I love them both. I am really gushing here.
Go grab yourself a copy of Caged, Buried, and book three, Cut to the Bone, and get to reading!
Having read and really enjoyed the first book, Caged, in the Agent Sayer Altair series, I was hoping Buried would be good too, and I was not disappointed. If anything it was even better because I was able to catch up with some of the characters, while getting to know some new ones that I hope pop up in future books.
Once again Cooper does not hold back when it comes to bad things happening to main characters, and I love that. To have people who are in dangerous jobs actually coming up against the bad guys and not walking away scot-free is a refreshing change from some other books I’ve read. But even with all the evil things that are done to the characters they continue to grow and not become jaded to the rest of the world… which is something I need right now… good stories and to remember not to become hardened with all the horrible things happening in the world today.
The science once again adds an interesting layer to the novel, and the mythology was fantastic, taking Buried even higher. When one of the major twists came along, I had heard about it before, but Cooper gave even more information about it that I was not aware of… and it is so cool.
I don’t want to give anything away. I just want you to read it and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. And you don’t have to start with Caged, but you really should, since it will just enhance your reading experience of lots of twists, turns, sciencey things, and mythology. :)
And another reason I am so happy I found this series is because I had really enjoyed the Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell series by Chelsea Cain, but no new books have come out for a bit. The series are not exactly the same, but have some similarities, and I love them both. I am really gushing here.
Go grab yourself a copy of Caged, Buried, and book three, Cut to the Bone, and get to reading!
January 21, 2020
Buried by Ellison Cooper is an intense and gritty mystery. If you have not read Caged, you will not be lost. The author provides background information on Sayer Altair and a summary of what occurred in Caged. I believe, though, that it would be a better reading experience if the series is read in order. Sayer Altair is an FBI neuroscientist who studies serial killers’ brains when not in the field. She has been benched after what happened in Caged, and this new case is her first time back in the field. Max Cho is enjoying a day off hiking when Kana alerts to the presence of a cadaver. A wrong step has Max falling into a cavern full of skeletons. Sayer along with forensic anthropologist, Dana Wilbanks find two fresh victims after a harrowing encounter. There is plenty of action in Buried as Sayer and the team search for the killer who recently kidnapped a woman and her little girl. The authors vivid descriptions allowed me to visualize the grisly scene Max found in that cave. It was interesting to see things from Sayer’s perspective. I liked that the mystery was complex with one exception. There are a number of victims over two decades. The one downfall of Buried is that I could solve the whodunit before I was a quarter of a way through the book. I prefer a mystery that scatters the clues throughout the book with surprising twists, so I am kept guessing. Sayer is still investigating the death of her fiancé, Jake. She has a feeling that what is in the case file is not the true story. Plus, there still might be repercussions from the case in Caged. Buried does contain graphic violence and foul language (these two things seem to par for the course with chilling crime novels). Buried is a psychological thriller with curious clues, a variety of victims, irksome incidents, a pathological predator, and colossal changes.
September 22, 2020
I liked the story and the characters as much as the first book. The plot seemed to be a duplicate of the first installment. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. There was interesting information about DNA and forensic science.
September 20, 2019
4.5 stars. Buried is my favorite type of book with a smart, dedicated FBI agent pursuing a serial killer. Oh, and dogs are woven into the story. Doesn't get much better for me. As much as I love psychological and domestic thrillers, this category of mystery is my bread and butter.
The story opens when off-duty FBI agent Max is hiking a VA national park trail with his K-9 and the dog Kona alerts. Max falls into a cavern and realizes from all the bones that it's a burial site. Loved this beginning.
FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair has been on six months of desk duty due to being shot. She is released back to field duty and this burial site is her first case. Several skeletons are found as well as two recent bodies. Without knowing whether these are related or not, she knows an active serial killer is on the loose.
Sayer's real passion is studying the brains of serial killers. On her off time, she interviews psychopaths. Although she's used to evil, one phone interview scares her half to death and this guy takes a personal interest in her life. Even worse, he works for the NSA.
In the last book of this series, Caged, Sayer worked right beside a killer and she didn't realize it. This one carries on with Adi, the teenager Sayer took into her home and Ezra, FBI computer whiz who lost both his legs on their last case right by her side. I see so much that needs to be explored in the next book -- Holt's resignation, but non-surrender, Adi's future, the puzzle of Jake's death, and the NSA psycho.
The story opens when off-duty FBI agent Max is hiking a VA national park trail with his K-9 and the dog Kona alerts. Max falls into a cavern and realizes from all the bones that it's a burial site. Loved this beginning.
FBI neuroscientist Sayer Altair has been on six months of desk duty due to being shot. She is released back to field duty and this burial site is her first case. Several skeletons are found as well as two recent bodies. Without knowing whether these are related or not, she knows an active serial killer is on the loose.
Sayer's real passion is studying the brains of serial killers. On her off time, she interviews psychopaths. Although she's used to evil, one phone interview scares her half to death and this guy takes a personal interest in her life. Even worse, he works for the NSA.
In the last book of this series, Caged, Sayer worked right beside a killer and she didn't realize it. This one carries on with Adi, the teenager Sayer took into her home and Ezra, FBI computer whiz who lost both his legs on their last case right by her side. I see so much that needs to be explored in the next book -- Holt's resignation, but non-surrender, Adi's future, the puzzle of Jake's death, and the NSA psycho.
August 4, 2019
Summary from Goodreads:
"Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair studies the minds of psychopaths. But even she didn't expect to uncover a killer within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rooting him out and exposing internal corruption got her a bullet wound and six months of desk duty. Now, she's finally back in the field, called in when an off-duty FBI agent and his cadaver dog fall into a sinkhole filled with human bones.
Found deep in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, the skeletal remains date back almost two decades, the same time a beloved local teen disappeared. The cold case quickly heats up when Sayer's team finds two fresh corpses among the bones. When a gruesome clue ties these new bodies to a woman recently kidnapped along with her young daughter, Sayer has to uncover the connection between the old bones and the new bodies before the mother and child become the next victims.
But the killer is one step ahead, attacking her team and sabotaging their efforts. With Sayer's investigation compromised and unsure of who to trust, she receives unwanted help from Subject 037, one of the anonymous psychopaths she is currently studying. She has the chilling realization that he's someone powerful in Washington D.C.--and he is not about to let a mundane serial killer jeopardize his own ominous agenda for Sayer... "
My Thoughts:
This book was so phenomenally good! Wow, wow, and just wow! For me, there is nothing better then a book that starts with a bang and never lets up. This book had me reading so fast and I was so completely engrossed that I was tempted to skip ahead just to see what was going to happen. Thank goodness for the short chapters or I wouldn't have been able to resist. Last year I read and adored the first book in this series titled Caged. It was actually a five star read for me so that should tell you all that you need to know! This book was just as good and has me absolutely pining for the third book in this series. What makes this book (and series) stand out for me though is the characters and the attachments that I've formed to them. I don't say this often but I do think that you need to read this series in order to get the full experience. There is a lot that comes into play from book one that carries over into this book (for example a story line that we will hopefully get more answers on in the next book). All of that is to say that you should probably read these in order for the best reading experience. The characters in this series though are just all so great! Sayer is one of those great characters that you cannot help but root for. She is still struggling with events from the previous book (trying not to share spoilers here) and is thrown into a brand new case where there are lots of questions but not very many answers. I loved that in this book the author wasn't afraid to completely pull the rug from under my feet multiple times. I would be just going along reading when out of nowhere something completely unexpected but compelling would happen that had me reading at a frantic pace yet again. I blew through this book in a matter of days because I just HAD to see what was going to happen next. Even when I started to suspect the killer, I thought that I was wrong and off base until the very end. I also really, really love the storyline relating to what is going on at the FBI and what really happened to Sayer's fiancé Jake. This book added in an unknown character that also has me very, very intrigued. It is going to be a very long wait for the next book in this series!
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and cannot say enough good things about this series. I am so loving the fact that I have been finding these great mystery series with female leads - I cannot get enough of them! This is honestly another five star read for me so this author is two for two which is pretty darn impressive! I feel like I've been mostly gushing over this book but it deserves it. A book that is thrilling, keeps you guessing, and has an original mystery with great characters is my version of perfection. I really hope that more readers find this series because it is well worth your time. I would recommend this book to fans of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense. Highly, highly recommend this series but start with that first book if you can!
Bottom Line: A five star read for me - that should tell you all that you need to know!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.
"Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair studies the minds of psychopaths. But even she didn't expect to uncover a killer within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rooting him out and exposing internal corruption got her a bullet wound and six months of desk duty. Now, she's finally back in the field, called in when an off-duty FBI agent and his cadaver dog fall into a sinkhole filled with human bones.
Found deep in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, the skeletal remains date back almost two decades, the same time a beloved local teen disappeared. The cold case quickly heats up when Sayer's team finds two fresh corpses among the bones. When a gruesome clue ties these new bodies to a woman recently kidnapped along with her young daughter, Sayer has to uncover the connection between the old bones and the new bodies before the mother and child become the next victims.
But the killer is one step ahead, attacking her team and sabotaging their efforts. With Sayer's investigation compromised and unsure of who to trust, she receives unwanted help from Subject 037, one of the anonymous psychopaths she is currently studying. She has the chilling realization that he's someone powerful in Washington D.C.--and he is not about to let a mundane serial killer jeopardize his own ominous agenda for Sayer... "
My Thoughts:
This book was so phenomenally good! Wow, wow, and just wow! For me, there is nothing better then a book that starts with a bang and never lets up. This book had me reading so fast and I was so completely engrossed that I was tempted to skip ahead just to see what was going to happen. Thank goodness for the short chapters or I wouldn't have been able to resist. Last year I read and adored the first book in this series titled Caged. It was actually a five star read for me so that should tell you all that you need to know! This book was just as good and has me absolutely pining for the third book in this series. What makes this book (and series) stand out for me though is the characters and the attachments that I've formed to them. I don't say this often but I do think that you need to read this series in order to get the full experience. There is a lot that comes into play from book one that carries over into this book (for example a story line that we will hopefully get more answers on in the next book). All of that is to say that you should probably read these in order for the best reading experience. The characters in this series though are just all so great! Sayer is one of those great characters that you cannot help but root for. She is still struggling with events from the previous book (trying not to share spoilers here) and is thrown into a brand new case where there are lots of questions but not very many answers. I loved that in this book the author wasn't afraid to completely pull the rug from under my feet multiple times. I would be just going along reading when out of nowhere something completely unexpected but compelling would happen that had me reading at a frantic pace yet again. I blew through this book in a matter of days because I just HAD to see what was going to happen next. Even when I started to suspect the killer, I thought that I was wrong and off base until the very end. I also really, really love the storyline relating to what is going on at the FBI and what really happened to Sayer's fiancé Jake. This book added in an unknown character that also has me very, very intrigued. It is going to be a very long wait for the next book in this series!
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and cannot say enough good things about this series. I am so loving the fact that I have been finding these great mystery series with female leads - I cannot get enough of them! This is honestly another five star read for me so this author is two for two which is pretty darn impressive! I feel like I've been mostly gushing over this book but it deserves it. A book that is thrilling, keeps you guessing, and has an original mystery with great characters is my version of perfection. I really hope that more readers find this series because it is well worth your time. I would recommend this book to fans of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense. Highly, highly recommend this series but start with that first book if you can!
Bottom Line: A five star read for me - that should tell you all that you need to know!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.
January 9, 2020
Darum geht's:
FBI-Agentin Sayer Altair hat sich gerade von einer Versetzung erholt und soll ihren Dienst wieder antreten, als sie auch schon für einen brisanten Fall eingeteilt wird. Per Zufall ist ein Leichenspürhund und sein Herrchen, der FBI-Agent Cho, auf eine Höhle mit vielen menschlichen Knochen gestoßen. Einer ersten Untersuchung nach sind sie viele Jahre alt, doch dann finden sich in der Knochenhöhle zwei Leichen, die noch nicht lange dort liegen, auf einer ist ein versteckter Hilferuf angebracht.
Das FBI muss sich in einem Untersuchungsausschuss wehren und viele alte Fälle überprüfen. Deshalb bekommt Sayer keine Sondereinheit gestellt, sondern muss sich mit einer zusammengewürfelten Truppe daran machen, sowohl die Knochenfunde aufzuklären, als auch dem aktuellen Hilferuf nachzugehen.
So fand ich's:
Mir hat der erste Band mit der FBI-Agentin Sayer Altair mit dem Titel "Todeskäfig" schon gut gefallen und ich habe mich auf diese Fortsetzung gefreut. Sayer ist nicht nur beim FBI, sondern auch Neurowissenschaftlerin, hat eine dunkle Hautfarbe und entspricht damit nicht unbedingt dem Klischee des typischen Krimi-Ermittlers. Sie versucht, mit Köpfchen und ihren wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen über Psychopathen zu arbeiten, was mir sehr gut gefällt. Die Ermittlungen kombinieren viel Action, Gefahr und auch Konsultation von Fachleuten, Laborergebnisse und Team-Überlegungen zu einem spannenden Krimiplot.
Sayer hat auch ein Privatleben, das immer mal wieder eingeflochten wird, aber keine entscheidende Rolle spielt. Ein Handlungsstrang, der ihren verstorbenen Verlobten betrifft, zieht sich durch beide Bände dieser Reihe und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass es noch einige Episoden dauern wird, bis dieser aufgelöst wird. Das macht diese Reihe für mich lebensnaher, denn es ist im realen Leben meistens so, dass sich Dinge über lange Zeit hinziehen und nicht nach wenigen Tagen oder Wochen gelöst sind.
Die Handlung konzentriert sich zwar auf die aktuellen Ermittlungen der Leichenfunde, doch es sind auch weitere Nebenhandlung eingeflochten. Der Untersuchungsausschuss zu den Vorkommnissen beim FBI, die sich auch auf Sayers Karriere auswirken könnten, und ihre Tätigkeit als Wissenschaftlerin beeinflussen auch ihre Ermittlungen. Trotzdem war die Handlung klar und übersichtlich, nicht verwirrend oder überladen, sondern man hatte den angenehmen Eindruck, dass ständig etwas passierte und keine Längen entstanden sind.
Das Team, das Sayer zur Seite steht, ist notgedrungen zusammengewürfelt, denn ein Großteil der FBI-Agenten ist mit dem Untersuchungsausschuss gegen das FBI beschäftigt und Sayer muss jede Hilfe annehmen, die sie von Seiten der örtlichen Polizei und der Parkranger bekommen kann. Deshalb kann sie nur teilweise mit bekannten und bewährten Mitarbeitern zusammenarbeiten. Von den Neuzugängen traut sie nicht jedem und auch ich versuchte, hinter die Fassaden der Teammitglieder zu schauen. Ganz besonders hat mich gefreut, dass der IT-Spezialist Ezra wieder dabei war, der schon im ersten Band einer meiner Lieblinge war.
Die Auflösung war schlüssig, aber sie hat mich nicht vom Hocker gerissen. Der Weg dahin war allerdings so unterhaltsam mit einem ordentlichen Lesesog, dass ich das Buch in kürzester Zeit verschlungen hatte.
Die Handlung spoilert zu Band 1 "Todeskäfig", wer also beide Bände lesen will, sollte das auf jeden Fall in der richtigen Reihenfolge tun. Allerdings kann man "Knochengrab" gut lesen, ohne den Vorgängerband zu kennen.
FBI-Agentin Sayer Altair hat sich gerade von einer Versetzung erholt und soll ihren Dienst wieder antreten, als sie auch schon für einen brisanten Fall eingeteilt wird. Per Zufall ist ein Leichenspürhund und sein Herrchen, der FBI-Agent Cho, auf eine Höhle mit vielen menschlichen Knochen gestoßen. Einer ersten Untersuchung nach sind sie viele Jahre alt, doch dann finden sich in der Knochenhöhle zwei Leichen, die noch nicht lange dort liegen, auf einer ist ein versteckter Hilferuf angebracht.
Das FBI muss sich in einem Untersuchungsausschuss wehren und viele alte Fälle überprüfen. Deshalb bekommt Sayer keine Sondereinheit gestellt, sondern muss sich mit einer zusammengewürfelten Truppe daran machen, sowohl die Knochenfunde aufzuklären, als auch dem aktuellen Hilferuf nachzugehen.
So fand ich's:
Mir hat der erste Band mit der FBI-Agentin Sayer Altair mit dem Titel "Todeskäfig" schon gut gefallen und ich habe mich auf diese Fortsetzung gefreut. Sayer ist nicht nur beim FBI, sondern auch Neurowissenschaftlerin, hat eine dunkle Hautfarbe und entspricht damit nicht unbedingt dem Klischee des typischen Krimi-Ermittlers. Sie versucht, mit Köpfchen und ihren wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen über Psychopathen zu arbeiten, was mir sehr gut gefällt. Die Ermittlungen kombinieren viel Action, Gefahr und auch Konsultation von Fachleuten, Laborergebnisse und Team-Überlegungen zu einem spannenden Krimiplot.
Sayer hat auch ein Privatleben, das immer mal wieder eingeflochten wird, aber keine entscheidende Rolle spielt. Ein Handlungsstrang, der ihren verstorbenen Verlobten betrifft, zieht sich durch beide Bände dieser Reihe und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass es noch einige Episoden dauern wird, bis dieser aufgelöst wird. Das macht diese Reihe für mich lebensnaher, denn es ist im realen Leben meistens so, dass sich Dinge über lange Zeit hinziehen und nicht nach wenigen Tagen oder Wochen gelöst sind.
Die Handlung konzentriert sich zwar auf die aktuellen Ermittlungen der Leichenfunde, doch es sind auch weitere Nebenhandlung eingeflochten. Der Untersuchungsausschuss zu den Vorkommnissen beim FBI, die sich auch auf Sayers Karriere auswirken könnten, und ihre Tätigkeit als Wissenschaftlerin beeinflussen auch ihre Ermittlungen. Trotzdem war die Handlung klar und übersichtlich, nicht verwirrend oder überladen, sondern man hatte den angenehmen Eindruck, dass ständig etwas passierte und keine Längen entstanden sind.
Das Team, das Sayer zur Seite steht, ist notgedrungen zusammengewürfelt, denn ein Großteil der FBI-Agenten ist mit dem Untersuchungsausschuss gegen das FBI beschäftigt und Sayer muss jede Hilfe annehmen, die sie von Seiten der örtlichen Polizei und der Parkranger bekommen kann. Deshalb kann sie nur teilweise mit bekannten und bewährten Mitarbeitern zusammenarbeiten. Von den Neuzugängen traut sie nicht jedem und auch ich versuchte, hinter die Fassaden der Teammitglieder zu schauen. Ganz besonders hat mich gefreut, dass der IT-Spezialist Ezra wieder dabei war, der schon im ersten Band einer meiner Lieblinge war.
Die Auflösung war schlüssig, aber sie hat mich nicht vom Hocker gerissen. Der Weg dahin war allerdings so unterhaltsam mit einem ordentlichen Lesesog, dass ich das Buch in kürzester Zeit verschlungen hatte.
Die Handlung spoilert zu Band 1 "Todeskäfig", wer also beide Bände lesen will, sollte das auf jeden Fall in der richtigen Reihenfolge tun. Allerdings kann man "Knochengrab" gut lesen, ohne den Vorgängerband zu kennen.
January 7, 2020
Nachdem ich 2018 vom Auftakt der Reihe um die FBI Agentin Sayer Altair so begeistert war, habe ich mich sehr auf die Fortsetzung gefreut. Zum Jahresende war es nun endlich so weit und “Knochengrab” ist erschienen.
In der Idylle eines Nationalparks wird eine Grube voller menschlicher Knochen entdeckt. Das Alter der Knochen kann auf verschiedene Zeitpunkte datiert werden, noch interessanter ist jedoch der Umstand, dass in direkter Nähe zwei “frische” Leichen entdeckt werden. Agent Altair wird zum Ort des Verbrechens gerufen und damit endet endlich ihre Zwangspause am Schreibtisch.
Im zweiten Teil geht es gewohnt spannend zur Sache. Die Autorin versteht es einfach die Seiten nur so dahinfliegen zu lassen und den Leser förmlich ans Buch zu fesseln. “Knochengrab” ist wieder ein sehr durchdachter Fall, der an keiner Stelle langweilig oder vorhersehbar wurde. Wie so meist sind die einzelnen Teile abgeschlossene Fälle, für ein wenig mehr Hintergrundwissen rund um die Akteure empfehle ich jedoch zuerst den ersten Teil der Reihe zu lesen. So können die Beziehungen zwischen den einzelnen Figuren viel besser verstanden werden.
Im Hintergrund wird weiterhin der rote Faden rund um Sayers Verlobten gesponnen. Hier ist das letzte Wort noch immer nicht gesprochen und Sayer versucht weiterhin etwas Licht ins Dunkle zu bringen. Außerdem bekommen wir Einblicke in Sayers Forschungsarbeiten zum Thema Psychopathen, was wirklich äußerst interessant war. Auch hier wird hoffentlich der Faden weitergesponnen im nächsten Teil.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch wieder sehr gefallen. Im Vergleich zum ersten Teil hat mir aber der vorangegangene Fall ein kleines bisschen mehr gefallen. Trotzdem – ich freue mich sehr auf den nächsten Teil, ich habe gesehen, dass die englische Version bereits schon angekündigt ist.
In der Idylle eines Nationalparks wird eine Grube voller menschlicher Knochen entdeckt. Das Alter der Knochen kann auf verschiedene Zeitpunkte datiert werden, noch interessanter ist jedoch der Umstand, dass in direkter Nähe zwei “frische” Leichen entdeckt werden. Agent Altair wird zum Ort des Verbrechens gerufen und damit endet endlich ihre Zwangspause am Schreibtisch.
Im zweiten Teil geht es gewohnt spannend zur Sache. Die Autorin versteht es einfach die Seiten nur so dahinfliegen zu lassen und den Leser förmlich ans Buch zu fesseln. “Knochengrab” ist wieder ein sehr durchdachter Fall, der an keiner Stelle langweilig oder vorhersehbar wurde. Wie so meist sind die einzelnen Teile abgeschlossene Fälle, für ein wenig mehr Hintergrundwissen rund um die Akteure empfehle ich jedoch zuerst den ersten Teil der Reihe zu lesen. So können die Beziehungen zwischen den einzelnen Figuren viel besser verstanden werden.
Im Hintergrund wird weiterhin der rote Faden rund um Sayers Verlobten gesponnen. Hier ist das letzte Wort noch immer nicht gesprochen und Sayer versucht weiterhin etwas Licht ins Dunkle zu bringen. Außerdem bekommen wir Einblicke in Sayers Forschungsarbeiten zum Thema Psychopathen, was wirklich äußerst interessant war. Auch hier wird hoffentlich der Faden weitergesponnen im nächsten Teil.
Insgesamt hat mir das Buch wieder sehr gefallen. Im Vergleich zum ersten Teil hat mir aber der vorangegangene Fall ein kleines bisschen mehr gefallen. Trotzdem – ich freue mich sehr auf den nächsten Teil, ich habe gesehen, dass die englische Version bereits schon angekündigt ist.
July 15, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley, Ellison Cooper and St. Martins Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
Special Agent Sayer Altair studies the minds of psychopaths, but even she didn’t uncover a killer within the FBI who she worked with. She got a bullet and six months of desk duty for figuring it out, and now she’s excited to be heading back out into the field. She’s call into a case of an FBI agent and his cadaver dog who fell into a cavern filled with bones. These backs date back twenty years, but this cold case quickly heats up when they find two fresh bodies among the bones. When clues lead back to a missing woman and her young daughter, Sayer needs to tie together the old bones to the new bodies to save the killers newest victims.
I think now, hands down, I can say that this is my favorite new series! I’m addicted to the group of people that continue to be in these novels and how they are quickly becoming a family because of all that they go through together. I love Sayer and how different she is from your usual FBI agent and how we dive more into her life in this novel. The characters become like your own family and you start to root for them to survive and find the killer. I’m obsessed by the quick pace of this novel and how you were never quite sure what was going to happen next! This novel was a slam-dunk for me! This novel is action packed and hard to put down! You won’t see the many little twists coming and you will be scratching your head right up until the end! You NEED to put this on your TBR right away!
Out this Tuesday, July 16th!
Special Agent Sayer Altair studies the minds of psychopaths, but even she didn’t uncover a killer within the FBI who she worked with. She got a bullet and six months of desk duty for figuring it out, and now she’s excited to be heading back out into the field. She’s call into a case of an FBI agent and his cadaver dog who fell into a cavern filled with bones. These backs date back twenty years, but this cold case quickly heats up when they find two fresh bodies among the bones. When clues lead back to a missing woman and her young daughter, Sayer needs to tie together the old bones to the new bodies to save the killers newest victims.
I think now, hands down, I can say that this is my favorite new series! I’m addicted to the group of people that continue to be in these novels and how they are quickly becoming a family because of all that they go through together. I love Sayer and how different she is from your usual FBI agent and how we dive more into her life in this novel. The characters become like your own family and you start to root for them to survive and find the killer. I’m obsessed by the quick pace of this novel and how you were never quite sure what was going to happen next! This novel was a slam-dunk for me! This novel is action packed and hard to put down! You won’t see the many little twists coming and you will be scratching your head right up until the end! You NEED to put this on your TBR right away!
Out this Tuesday, July 16th!
July 20, 2020
This second in the series featuring SSA Sayer Altair continues with nonstop action, incredible description, and fascinating characters.
After 6 months of desk duty while recovering from a gunshot wound, Agent Altair is called to a situation in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park.. An FBI agent and his cadaver dog discovered a sinkhole filled with old human bones and 2 fresh bodies. What does this have to do with an historical missing person report and a kidnapping in the area? Without a task force, Sayer has to recruit locally but she is lucky enough to obtain the services of the recent amputee, Ezra, her old tech genius from Quantico. As they probe the connections between the cold cases, some alarming details come to light and they all need to stay ahead of the killer who seems to be everywhere and who means them harm.
I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this after starting late in the evening because I simply could not put it down or go to bed until I turned the very last page. The writing kept me fully engaged and I devoured the Greek lore and mythology. This is definitely a set of books that you want to read from the beginning, in order, and all at once if you can. I loved the setting and the way the author created a word picture of the many caves and mine shafts in the area. There's so much going on and the investigation is very complicated but so very interesting. I can't wait to start number 3 next!
Thank you to Minotaur Books courtesy of Edelweiss for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
After 6 months of desk duty while recovering from a gunshot wound, Agent Altair is called to a situation in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park.. An FBI agent and his cadaver dog discovered a sinkhole filled with old human bones and 2 fresh bodies. What does this have to do with an historical missing person report and a kidnapping in the area? Without a task force, Sayer has to recruit locally but she is lucky enough to obtain the services of the recent amputee, Ezra, her old tech genius from Quantico. As they probe the connections between the cold cases, some alarming details come to light and they all need to stay ahead of the killer who seems to be everywhere and who means them harm.
I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish this after starting late in the evening because I simply could not put it down or go to bed until I turned the very last page. The writing kept me fully engaged and I devoured the Greek lore and mythology. This is definitely a set of books that you want to read from the beginning, in order, and all at once if you can. I loved the setting and the way the author created a word picture of the many caves and mine shafts in the area. There's so much going on and the investigation is very complicated but so very interesting. I can't wait to start number 3 next!
Thank you to Minotaur Books courtesy of Edelweiss for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
July 4, 2019
When I received this book I was so excited I had not read the first book but I still loved this book and was not at all confused! Special agent and neuroscientist Sayer Altair whose still recovering from a bullet wound is called back into the field, when a FBI agent and his cadaver dog stumble on a cavern filled with human bones in the Shenandoah National Park. The mass grave has all the markings of a serial killers work. While helping with the investigation she’s also conducting a research on why psychopaths become serial killers or criminals while others just use narcissistic personalities in their careers this part got so creepy I actually got goosebumps. In the mass grave she finds a number of skeletons and some decomposing bodies which shows this serial killer has been getting away with it for a while. He serial killer has a favorite type, white Caucasian females with blonde hair and particular facial structure. With the help of local law enforcement hey try to find what links all the victims to the serial killer. While investigating she discovers the local sheriff whose sister that has now been missing for seventeen years may be a victim or hold a clue. I loved this book Sayer who has been through so much has so much strength and she’s still trying to find herself after losing her fiancée. I highly recommend for anyone who loves a good mystery and thriller I give this book four stars!!
June 4, 2020
Ellison Cooper writes some seriously f*cked up serial killers. When an off duty FBI agent and his K9 search dog stumble upon a mass grave in rural Virginia (my home state), it sets off a chain reaction that includes our lead investigator Sayer Altair taking the world's most inconvenient route from Arlington to Shenandoah. Seriously, the first time it describes her driving out there I, as a Virginia native, scoffed at the addition of probably 2 hours of drive time when murder should mean going faster.
Anyway, we pick up about six months after the events of Caged (which I remembered in only the barest details, which worked against me as characters and situations are mentioned over and over but in really vague language). This is not a book to go into blind. Brush up on the previous book.
I love the way that Sayer and her team act together, the balance of experts who are all going through their own problems and maybe don't entirely trust one another. Unfortunately, the plot is always just a little bit beyond my usual disbelief threshold. It feels more like an episode of a cop drama than a case that could happen in real life. The killer's MO is super elaborate and the eventual explanation of evidence is convoluted (but the particular explanation is now common enough or known enough that it's not that interesting).
This book didn't talk as much about privilege/race, which was something Caged handled really well. It's only mentioned once or twice that Sayer is a black woman in a predominantly white male field. And even with Max (a Korean-American) as a main cast member, we don't get to see anything about his unique position as a Korean-American in the FBI. There's also a same-sex couple prominently featured in the story. Honestly, I'm so happy these BIPOC and LGBT+ characters are in these roles, but Caged set the bar high for also using it as an avenue for bringing attention to that disparity.
Anyway, we pick up about six months after the events of Caged (which I remembered in only the barest details, which worked against me as characters and situations are mentioned over and over but in really vague language). This is not a book to go into blind. Brush up on the previous book.
I love the way that Sayer and her team act together, the balance of experts who are all going through their own problems and maybe don't entirely trust one another. Unfortunately, the plot is always just a little bit beyond my usual disbelief threshold. It feels more like an episode of a cop drama than a case that could happen in real life. The killer's MO is super elaborate and the eventual explanation of evidence is convoluted (but the particular explanation is now common enough or known enough that it's not that interesting).
This book didn't talk as much about privilege/race, which was something Caged handled really well. It's only mentioned once or twice that Sayer is a black woman in a predominantly white male field. And even with Max (a Korean-American) as a main cast member, we don't get to see anything about his unique position as a Korean-American in the FBI. There's also a same-sex couple prominently featured in the story. Honestly, I'm so happy these BIPOC and LGBT+ characters are in these roles, but Caged set the bar high for also using it as an avenue for bringing attention to that disparity.
July 18, 2019
"Abusers never do conveniently have fangs and horns. They’re usually really good at hiding what they do behind closed doors."
Sayer Altair is a neuroscientist and a Senior Special Agent with the FBI. INn the first book of this series CAGED, she was shot and is recovering with six months of desk duty.
She gets called to a case early at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia when an off-duty FBI K-9 handler and his dog find a cave containing human bones and eventually more.
Sayer ends up having to work this case with a motley crew of FBI agents, Park personnel and local law enforcement and it quickly becomes apparent this case is still active.
I like this protagonist and the different characters in the book. Some of the story was pretty far-fetched but it is fiction and I was mostly able to overlook that.
I am claustrophobic and a lot of the action in the story takes place in caves so extra scary for me.
I recommend this to readers who like psychological thrillers or murder mysteries. Parts of it are pretty graphic violence, so be forewarned.
I received this book from Minotaur Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Sayer Altair is a neuroscientist and a Senior Special Agent with the FBI. INn the first book of this series CAGED, she was shot and is recovering with six months of desk duty.
She gets called to a case early at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia when an off-duty FBI K-9 handler and his dog find a cave containing human bones and eventually more.
Sayer ends up having to work this case with a motley crew of FBI agents, Park personnel and local law enforcement and it quickly becomes apparent this case is still active.
I like this protagonist and the different characters in the book. Some of the story was pretty far-fetched but it is fiction and I was mostly able to overlook that.
I am claustrophobic and a lot of the action in the story takes place in caves so extra scary for me.
I recommend this to readers who like psychological thrillers or murder mysteries. Parts of it are pretty graphic violence, so be forewarned.
I received this book from Minotaur Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
July 9, 2019
Buried is the second book in the Agent Sayer Altair series, a gritty, dark, intelligent crime procedural. I had high expectations going into this story since I was absolutely captivated by Caged, it’s precursor. In fact, Buried was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and being a crime book junkie, I’m selective in offering high praise to mysteries. I’m happy to report that Buried did not disappoint and fully lived up to my expectations.
These stories feature Special Agent Sayer Altair, a single mother and neuroscientist who works for the FBI alongside a unique crew of fellow agents specializing in various fields. Not only does Agent Altair solve crimes, she also studies the minds of psychopaths, differentiating the variances between those who become killers, and those who don’t. In this story, her personal research intertwines with her current case, older skeletal remains that have been found in a cave in the Shenandoah National Park and some newly missing locals. Alongside investigating these unique and well-crafted crimes, an overarching narrative is transpiring involving corruption within the FBI and it hits far too close to home for Sayer.
This series is clever, gripping, and easily-readable. The author does a stellar job of breaking down a complex crime solving process in an articulate and intriguing manner, with chapters that leave you needing to read more. Cooper writes compelling, interesting and consumable crime fiction and has fast become one of my favorite authors.
These stories feature Special Agent Sayer Altair, a single mother and neuroscientist who works for the FBI alongside a unique crew of fellow agents specializing in various fields. Not only does Agent Altair solve crimes, she also studies the minds of psychopaths, differentiating the variances between those who become killers, and those who don’t. In this story, her personal research intertwines with her current case, older skeletal remains that have been found in a cave in the Shenandoah National Park and some newly missing locals. Alongside investigating these unique and well-crafted crimes, an overarching narrative is transpiring involving corruption within the FBI and it hits far too close to home for Sayer.
This series is clever, gripping, and easily-readable. The author does a stellar job of breaking down a complex crime solving process in an articulate and intriguing manner, with chapters that leave you needing to read more. Cooper writes compelling, interesting and consumable crime fiction and has fast become one of my favorite authors.
April 12, 2020
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2019; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair is back and the FBI is in hot water. Due to their last case the "Cage Killer" case, the FBI is being investigated and Holt is busy trying to keep things together. As most agents are tied up in the investigations, and Holt attending the meetings, Sayer is sent back out early in the field. An off-duty FBI agent and his cadaver dog fall into a sinkhole filled with human bones. It is tied to an cold case, but suddenly discover that two "newer" bodies are found. Turns out that the two cases may be connected. I liked book two better than the first novel, but did find it hard to connect to characters at time. I enjoyed the story but it dragged at times. I am looking forward to the third book coming out in the summer.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press
Senior Special Agent Sayer Altair is back and the FBI is in hot water. Due to their last case the "Cage Killer" case, the FBI is being investigated and Holt is busy trying to keep things together. As most agents are tied up in the investigations, and Holt attending the meetings, Sayer is sent back out early in the field. An off-duty FBI agent and his cadaver dog fall into a sinkhole filled with human bones. It is tied to an cold case, but suddenly discover that two "newer" bodies are found. Turns out that the two cases may be connected. I liked book two better than the first novel, but did find it hard to connect to characters at time. I enjoyed the story but it dragged at times. I am looking forward to the third book coming out in the summer.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
December 29, 2019
Nachdem mir "Todeskäfig", der erste Fall für Special Agent Sayer Altair, unglaublich gut gefallen hatte, war ich sehr gespannt auf den neuen Fall. Der Klappentext von "Knochengrab" hat wieder jede Menge Spannung versprochen und meine Erwartungen waren daher ziemlich hoch.
Das Buch konnte aber komplett mit meinen Erwartungen mithalten. Der Fall war wieder hochgradig spannend und hat mich an die Seiten gefesselt. Ich mochte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen und wollte unbedingt wissen was es mit dem Fall auf sich hat. Es gab einige sehr spannende und überraschende Wendungen.
Sayer Altair war wieder eine sehr sympathisch Ermittlerin. Sie hat ihre Fehler, reagiert nicht immer richtig und hat auch bereits einiges mitgemacht, aber ich finde es gut, dass ihr Privatleben nicht alles dominiert und die Geschichte davon überlagert wird. Spannend bleibt es aber auch weiterhin was mit ihrem Freund Jake passiert ist.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig zu lesen und ich bin durch die knapp 500 Seiten geflogen. Ich hoffe, dass es bald einen weiteren Fall für Agent Altair geben wird.
Das Buch konnte aber komplett mit meinen Erwartungen mithalten. Der Fall war wieder hochgradig spannend und hat mich an die Seiten gefesselt. Ich mochte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen und wollte unbedingt wissen was es mit dem Fall auf sich hat. Es gab einige sehr spannende und überraschende Wendungen.
Sayer Altair war wieder eine sehr sympathisch Ermittlerin. Sie hat ihre Fehler, reagiert nicht immer richtig und hat auch bereits einiges mitgemacht, aber ich finde es gut, dass ihr Privatleben nicht alles dominiert und die Geschichte davon überlagert wird. Spannend bleibt es aber auch weiterhin was mit ihrem Freund Jake passiert ist.
Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig zu lesen und ich bin durch die knapp 500 Seiten geflogen. Ich hoffe, dass es bald einen weiteren Fall für Agent Altair geben wird.
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