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Kaely Quinn's talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she's demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis. When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, the reporter's ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem's predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis. Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else--including Kaely herself--is killed.… (more)
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If you enjoy a suspenseful murder mystery, boy is this book for you, and you won’t be disappointed. This story is about an FBI behavior analyst and her uncanny gifts, a little odd to many, but she sure
Surprises abound and you will be changing your mind as to whom the culprit is several times, and even when you really find out, what a bomb shell.
Now I found amazements right up to the last page of this read, and I never would have guess!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
We often expect FBI agents to be consummate professionals, but Mehl shows hers as human and flawed, thankfully. This is why her books are so enjoyable. I feel like the protagonists are actually within reach of the average person. While some situations in the novel may create extreme worry and tension for the reader, the circumstances seem so very possible. Kudos to Mehl. Also, I absolutely loved Mehl’s ending. I didn’t see it coming and I have been debating in my mind about how plausible it really is. That is one sign of a great book- it makes you think, ruminate, and wonder.
A quote to think about, when we as Christians wonder how others can deal with all the degradation of certain fields:
“Those who know God should be the ones to confront the darkness, to chase the evil. We have the weapons. Those who don’t know Him have only themselves.”
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and a paperback from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own and no review was required.
What is so great about Mind Games? First, the premise of the daughter of a serial killer who becomes a profiler and then has to find a killer targeting her through copy-cat crimes — that is definitely a mind-bending mind game! The plot twists and turns and keeps everyone, including the reader on his/her toes. I had my own list of suspects that constantly changed. Like main character Kaely, I didn’t trust anyone. Mehl did a great job of making everyone look guilty. LOL! Second, main character Kaely is intriguing and complex. Admired, feared, and even ridiculed within the FBI, she is a force to be reckoned with. I loved her analytical mind and her desire for justice and truth. And while she had a father who betrayed her and friends who abused her trust, she stands firm in her belief in the goodness of God, even as evil seems to win at every turn. Supporting characters are well-written too, making this novel have a depth not always found in plot-driven suspense. I found the references to the many FBI cases a clear clue into the exhaustive research Mehl had to have done to write this book. While there is a definite creep-factor going on in Mind Games, it was never graphic or gory. And the best part of all? This is just book 1 in a series. Yay! I am so looking forward to working more cases with Kaely Quinn!
Mind Games is on my book club’s 2019 reading list. I can’t wait to get the discussion going. My group is going to love it!
Highly recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Psychological thrillers are among my favorite reads, and “Mind Games” surpassed my hopes for several reasons. From the start, I liked and related to Kaely Quinn. She is mostly a loner and a workaholic who believes in getting the job done and not stopping until she does, and she is a perfectionist. Despite her past and her trust issues, she is a Christian, and this aspect of her life is expressed in the narrative in a few compelling scenes that illustrate a growing faith. The way in which Mehl reveals Kaely’s prior history and walks the reader through Kaely’s work as a behavioral analyst is skillfully done. Not only is it fascinating, but it allows the reader to step into Kaely’s shoes (and occasionally the other characters’, as well) and experience the tension as it unfolds. As an avid mystery and suspense reader, more often than not I figure out whodunit by at least the halfway point. Although I had narrowed the suspects down, I did not definitively identify the culprit until right before the reveal, which really enhanced my enjoyment of the novel. “Mind Games” is both well-plotted and well-executed, a taut combination that makes for a thrilling read for fans of the genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Kaely is a very high tech, super smart woman who has a gift of discernment. Her savvy attitude drew me in right away. I could sit with her for hours and watch her as she deciphers clues. Someone is out there taunting her with a cryptic poem which will lead to untimely deaths if Kaely can't catch them in time. The brilliance of the writing is so powerful I am in awe of how creepy the character who is taunting her gets. She is not liked by some on her team in the Behavioral Analyst Unit. It made me think of the show Criminal Minds and this book would make a perfect story for the show.
I loved the background on Kaely and especially who her father was. That was a very pivotal part of the story and the author used it seamlessly to weave it throughout the book. There is a Christian element to the story that I found very tasteful and perfect as a addition to the story. Why does God let bad things happen? That's a question Kaely is asked by her partner. The way she answers the question is well done and shows her trust in God. Kaely is fighting an enemy that thinks they have the upper hand, but Kaely is very determined and has a mind that looks past the obvious.
I was extremely surprised by who the serial killer was and the author had me guessing throughout the story. It is non stop action with a battle of wits mixed with a powerful good vs evil quality to it. Hold on for a bumpy and psychological ride where you don't know when the next strike of the enemy will happen.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Author: Nancy Mehl
Pages: 336
Year: 2018
Publisher: Bethany Publishers
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
What a fantastic, gripping and mysterious tale that comes from the pen of Nancy Mehl! Before I continue let me share with you that book two of the series titled,
Kaely Quinn is a behavioral analyst for the FBI. The way she does this will really grab your attention! What is even more gripping is the character’s history and how her fellow FBI agents treat her. Kaely lives only for justice to be served, but someone is stalking her. The whole time I was reading the book I kept wondering who was after her and what part of her memory wouldn’t let her remember whatever it is that the stalker thinks she knows.
When Kaely is assigned to work with another FBI agent, she about has a fit but must decide to either deal with the new assignment or resign. The man assigned to her doesn’t want her for a partner either but again has no choice. The case they are working together is proving extremely dangerous and the subject is always one step ahead of the agents.
I was captured by the story from the first page until the very end! It’s suspense, thrills and danger with mystery in the background. I kept trying to figure it out, but the author does an excellent job of throwing in some curves that made me rethink my conclusions a couple of times. So, if you like mystery with a possible long shot at romance, here is your next book to enjoy!
I loved the quirky FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn. She is interesting and very good at what she does. Once you get to know more about her, her odd behavior
Nancy Mehl did a wonderful job at leading me to believe it was one person and then hinting that it was another. It was hard to guess who the "bad guy" really was. This book was a page turner and I really am looking forward to the next installment. I am hoping that some walls can be broken and that there may be a hint at romance in the future.
This book contains non-graphic violence and Christian themes. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
My Thoughts: This is a great suspense novel written by a good author. It's full good mystery, intrigue and keeps the reader guessing.
Nancy Miehl has a wonderful style of writing that keeps the reader entertained. Truly a great book from start to finish. I look forward to read more from Nancy Miehl
A wonderful novel for suspense lovers.
I received a copy of this ebook through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
I received this book from Celebrate-Lit in exchange for my honest review.
This was a well written book full of suspense which I found hard to put down. I especially enjoyed Kaely's character and getting to know her, and seeing how she rose to the challenge of both her personal problems and her work. Her struggle seemed real as there were no "quick fixes", but a gradual journey toward hope and healing and purpose. I would definitely enjoy reading more about her in future installments of the series.
Kaely Quinn is a top-notch FBI profiler, with an unusual way of doing her job. But when the FBI learns of her sordid past, they demote her down to doing field work. But her skills, as unorthodox as they may be, will be critical when it
Enter Noah Hunter, a man who recently lost his wife, which has left him feeling cynical and angry. Though he doesn’t know quite how to take Kaely, the two attempt to forge a solid partnership, though they are challenged at every turn….
This is the type of romantic suspense, I have been dying to find!! This was a really good story! There are some very nice reveals and twists, and the author kept me guessing all the way to the bitter end. Very nicely plotted, with precision pacing.
This is a Christian fiction story, and it does delve deeper in some spots into the character’s Christian faith than other books that fall into this category- which, in my opinion, makes it more of a sincere faith-based story- but without coming off as preachy'..
But this is still predominantly a novel of suspense and is very well crafted and executed! I will definitely read more books by this author.