Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Never Look Back by Mary Burton Series: Criminal Profiler #3
Published by Montlake Romance on July 1, 2020
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 332
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
After multiple women go missing, Agent Melina Shepard of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation makes the impulsive decision to go undercover as a prostitute. While working the street, she narrowly avoids becoming a serial killer’s latest victim; as much as it pains her to admit, she needs backup.
Enter lone wolf FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey. Stonewalled by a lack of leads, he and Melina investigate a scene where a little girl has been found abandoned in a crashed vehicle. They open the trunk to reveal a horror show and quickly realize they’re dealing with two serial killers with very different MOs. The whole situation brings back memories for Melina—why does this particular case feel so connected to her painful past?
Before time runs out, Melina must catch not one but two serial killers, both ready to claim another victim—and both with their sights set on her.
Each book in the Criminal Profiler is truly a standalone. The connection is each one has a criminal profiler as a main character. Oddly, Hide and Seek is more related to the standalone Cut and Run where the main character Macy Crow is introduced, and it should follow that book in reading.
The main character, Melina, is not a criminal profiler. She is with the state bureau of investigation in Tennessee, TBI and is based in Nashville. She is looking for some missing women and nearly gets abducted. Her information gets to an FBI profiler Jerrod, who comes to Nashville and they work the case together We learn a bit about him, but Melina is primary and we get more development of her character.
A second serial killer crosses their path and they end up working both cases. Melina ends up having some connections to this killer and the first killer is still mad she got away. I worried Melina would be stupid but she stays with the partner and they work well together. They are smart and have good resources. Forensics, a little luck and those good resources find some leads for them.
There is not much of a romance here although there is an attraction and a relationship develops. I enjoyed the police procedural with its smart tracking of leads. The suspense with the danger to women and children is tense, and the action keeps the pace moving. Never Look Back is another book I would recommend from this author. I have enjoyed everything of hers I have read so far.
About Mary Burton
Mary Burton loves writing suspense, researching law enforcement and forensic procedures, morning walks, baking, books, and tiny dachshunds. She also enjoys hunting down serial killers, which she does in her and USA Today bestselling novels of suspense and romance. Library Journal has compared her work to that of Lisa Jackson and Lisa Gardner, and Fresh Fiction likened her writing to that of James Patterson.
Mary is routinely featured among the top twenty writers in Amazon’s Author Rankings for romantic suspense, and her recent novel The Last Move claimed the number ten fiction slot in the Kindle eBooks Store.
Research is a favorite part of Mary’s day. She never tires of learning more about police work, evidence collection and analysis. She’s known for taking a hands-on approach, whether it means interviews with professionals in the field, forensic seminars or lessons at the firing range.
A Richmond native, Mary has lived there for most of her life. She is a graduate of Virginia’s Hollins University and worked in marketing before she began writing full time. Her first book was published in 2000 and she’s now the author of thirty-four published novels, five novellas and four works of contemporary women’s fiction written as Mary Ellen Taylor.
A member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., and Romance Writers of America, Mary is known for creating multiple suspense stories connected by characters, such as her recent The Forgotten Files novels. Her new book, Her Last Word, and The Last Move, break that mold.
When not traveling for research or visiting with readers at bookstores, book festivals and conferences, Mary remains very much a homebody. She and her husband spend time alternately enjoying and lamenting their empty nest and spoiling their four-legged babies Buddy, Bella and Tiki.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Echo by Tracy Clark @tracypc6161 @ChanteMcCormick #BrillianceAudio #LoveAudiobooks #KindleUnlimited🎧 - December 3, 2024
- Read-along & #Giveaway: Edge – Innkeeper by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @reneeraudman @natalienaudus @AceBooksPub @nyliterary @TantorAudio @AudibleStudios #Read-along #GIVEAWAY #LoveAudiobooks - December 1, 2024
- Sunday Post –1 December 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - December 1, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I love police procedurals, but just don’t read them very often. This sounds good!
I love them too. I go in cycles of reading them or not. I didn’t review many until recently but I do love them.
I’m slowly collecting these books and loving when you enjoy them! Great review, Anne?
This is a genre I really enjoy. These can definitely be read as standalones. Hope you enjoy!
It seems we felt the same way about this book. I always enjoy a book by her. At least so far I have. Great review!
Yes I like them too. This series might as well be standalones as they aren’t really connected.
As long as there is some romantic element I am all for it. Definitely an author I want to try this year 🙂
Great review.
Thank you! They definitely have a romance element more than some in this genre. I would say like romantic suspense but not a series. And they do have a stronger mystery/thriller plot than some romantic suspense does.
Ever time I read one of her books I enjoy it. I don’t mind that the romance is a side dish. The investigation sounds good.
Yes it is just how I like it. I need a plot beyond the romance.
I really enjoyed the audios of the two previous books. I was able to get them on Kindle Unlimited. For some reason only the e-copy is available on Kindle Unlimited this time, so I’ll have to break down and buy it. I’m happy to hear Melina stays smart while investigating. TSTL heroines really spoil the story for me.
Well it might be available later as it’s brand new. But I got audio of the last 2 also but didn’t for this one.