In this gripping new series by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden, a disgraced FBI profiler must save her reputation by stopping a sadistic killer she knows all too well Former FBI agent Samantha Dark was one of the most respected profilers in the bureau, an expert on the twisted minds and dark hearts of the most depraved criminals. But when her own former lover turned out to be the … when her own former lover turned out to be the serial killer she was hunting, Samantha’s career was destroyed. Blamed for the FBI’s failure on the complex case, Samantha left Washington, DC, for the quiet anonymity of Alabama.
Now an all-too-familiar killer is hunting once again. She can catch the cunning assassin, but that means putting her trust in her former partner, Blake Gamble. Ex-military, Blake is tough, protective, precise. With her entire life on the brink, she knows he wants her back in the FBI…and possibly more.
But someone else wants her, too. A threat is waiting in the dark, a killer who has set his sights on the ultimate trophy victim–Samantha.
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It is not any surprise to me that Cynthia Eden once again brings a new world to life with well written words that paints vivid imagery that gives life to her imagination. Killer Instinct is the first novel in a gritty, intense romantic suspense that had me breathless with anticipation and suspense throughout.
Blake and Samantha are two characters that grab ahold of readers and refuse to let go. Their chemistry is off the charts and the emotional turbulence makes readers easily become caught up in their story. The romance is an up and down emotional ride that adds depth and really makes them real as the readers empathize with their problems and cheer them on.
Spine tingling tension builds throughout the story as the progresses and the readers find themselves caught up in the suspense as a killer terrorizes and has these FBI agents working overtime to stop him. But the case is further complicated by the past and the killer’s idea of just who will be the ultimate trophy.
Another great suspense, that I just couldn’t put down to I had read every last page and I can’t wait to read more books in the Killer Instinct series.
Talk about a twisted FBI thriller! Profiler Samantha Dark is suspended after a serial killer who just happens to be her ex-lover escapes capture. With her tail between her legs she runs away to her hometown in Alabama and after a time her former partner and want-to-be lover Blake Gamble comes calling when the murders start again.
The best way I can describe this is that is a love triangle between Samantha, Blake and the psychopathic killer, Cameron. It’s been a while since I’ve read any of Eden’s other books, but this seemed quite different to me. It wasn’t a bad read and the suspense was well written. However, the love story between Samantha and Blake seemed a little forced to me. They worked together as partners for quite some time and never acted on their feelings, yet we must believe they knew and accepted their feelings for each other.
In the meantime, crazy serial killer Cameron was out wreaking havoc because Samantha stopped being intimate with him and he knew it was because she had feelings for Blake. If you know anything about psychopathic killers, they don’t tend to have any real feelings for anyone. He is creepy, despicable, and evil. I don’t want to go further into the story as to not spoil it for anyone, but of course, these three are going to crash into each other at some point.
I really wavered on how to rate this story. I listened to this on Audible. I tried to decide if reading a physical copy might have been better as it sometimes is. Points in favor are that I do want to continue with the series. Also, the narrator Summer Norton did an excellent job with all the characters. In the end I gave it 3 ½ stars rounding up to 4.
Loved this new series launch! Eden caught me immediately and I couldn’t put the book down easily. Read it in 2 days. If I had to be sick this is the book to do it with. Almost forgot that I was ill. There’s a bonus prequel story I also enjoyed. The Killer Instinct series promises to make my MUST BUY list.
This is my first book from Cynthia Eden. It definitely won’t be my last! I love Samantha Dark and Blake Gamble.
After Samantha’s world was destroyed when she found out her best friend and former lover was the serial killer she had been looking for, she left the FBI and went home. After four months, her former partner shows up asking for her help (and maybe more) because it seems the serial killer is at it again. Sam’s world is again turned upside down. Can she trust Blake?
This book is full of twists and turns and romance. I absolutely love the way Ms. Eden was able to pull me into her world and keep me there. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Really original characters and a great story. Couldn’t put it down.
Samantha and Blake were FBI partners, until everything goes sideways, this was in the Prequel to this book. Fast forward, Samantha has left the FBI as a profiler and retreated to the nice, quiet town she grew up in. This book is full of some crazy, hair raising suspense. A huge game of cat and mouse, full of moments that will have you saying wtf and have you on the edge of your seat. Just goes to show that everyone has followers, and nothing is what is seems. Blake and Samantha finally get together in this book, but it took awhile and since they were partners before and never acted on their infatuation, I felt this part dragged for me. I didn’t really feel their connection the way I wanted to.
This was a safe read. No ow, a crazy FBI’s most wanted ex, yes that is just as messed up as it sounds, but totally makes for a great book. There is an epilogue, not really a romantic one. This was more of a suspense with a little side of romance instead of a romantic suspense and an hfn. Huge Cynthia Eden fan and this was a great addition to her wonderful books.
An amazing, riveting tale that was impossible to put down until the end. It took a hold of me from the very start and didn’t let go, it mesmerized my mind, it intrigued my curiosity. The characters were enthralling, the romance passionate and all-consuming, the crimes malicious and the culprits savage – just what I look for in my romantic suspense!
The vile minds and actions of the suspects gave me the chills with their heinous deeds. The constant battle between the good and the evil, the profiler’s ability to get into the mind frame of the criminals, and the psychological games they played left me flabbergasted. Absolutely brilliant plot twists and turns in the story had me constantly on the edge, biting my nails, waiting for another disaster to strike.
But all that hate and ugliness was perfectly balanced by the connection and chemistry between Samantha Dark and Blake Gamble. I adored those two together, there was heat and passion and adoration, mixed with such complete understanding and acceptance it took my breath away. Blake’s absolute certainty that they belong together was refreshing, the doubts had no room in his mind, heart or soul when it came to Samantha. The passion between them was scorching and absorbing, the intensity high because of Samantha’s connection to Cameron Latham.
The supporting cast and crew all contributed to the story and were well drawn out and helped to enrich the story even more. The endorsement Samantha received from her former peers was admirable and told its own story about her abilities and character. She carried such deep wounds inside her from her formative years, yet she had a chance to face her demons and grow and develop as a person through the events of the tale.
I absolutely love the brilliant mind and voice of the author. Every single time she manages to completely capture my mind and leaves me in awe of her ability to twine a story with such adorations and love mixed with deep evilness existing in perfect balance. A mesmerizing tale that left me highly anticipating the rest of the series. Could it get even better than the start?!
~ Five Spoons
Early book in the series. Plot line grim, characyers one dimensional