“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” –Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) FACE OF MURDER is book #2 in a new FBI … #2 in a new FBI thriller series by USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews.
FBI Special Agent Zoe Prime suffers from a rare condition which also gives her a unique talent—she views the world through a lens of numbers. The numbers torment her, make her unable to relate to people, and give her a failed romantic life—yet they also allow her to see patterns that no other FBI agent can see. Zoe keeps her condition a secret, ashamed, in fear her colleagues may find out.
When women are found murdered, their bodies branded with mysterious numbers, outside Washington, D.C., the FBI, stumped, calls in Special Agent Zoe Prime to decipher the mathematical riddle and find the serial killer.
Yet the numbers make no sense. Are they a pattern? A formula?
Or do they have no meaning at all?
Zoe, reeling from her own personal troubles, hasn’t the luxury of time, as more bodies pile up, and as all eyes turn to her to solve an equation that, perhaps, cannot be solved. Will she catch the killer in time?
An action-packed thriller with heart-pounding suspense, FACE OF MURDER is book #2 in a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night.
Book #3 in the series—FACE OF FEAR—is also available for pre-order.
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The main character of this book has a neurological condition where she sees things differently than others. She goes through partners because she is secretive. This time, she gets a partner that complements her.
This installment was far better than the first in that Zoe Prime appears a bit more likeable, and her partner, Shelley Rose, is amazingly understanding and compassionate toward Zoe’s feelings and unique talent with numbers. Zoe Prime and Shelley Rose are assigned a string of brutal murders. Because the victims have complicated math formulas written on their bodies, Shelley believes this case is right up her alley. Zoe performs exceptionally well, and Shelley is there to make it all work. I liked this book, but the series is already pretty predictable. I’ll go back to another of Blake Pierce’s series.
I love the unique character, Zoe Prime, in this series! Different from any character in most thrillers. Definitely a series to read!
What an awesome book!! I had things I needed to do yesterday when I started reading Face of Murder, but they didn’t get done because all I wanted to do was sit and read. Zoe Prime is a fascinating character with her synesthesia and a lack of social skills. I have not read the first book in the series so I’m not sure if Zoe is on the autism scale, but Mr. Pierce hits just the right tone for Zoe’s dialogue and thinking. While this isn’t a shoot ’em up, beat ’em up investigation, it is a detailed, realistic (for the most part) portrayal of law enforcement procedure. Don’t let that make you think it is staid or boring; it is neither. There are plenty of twists and turns and surprises along the way. I will be checking out the first book in the series and can’t wait to get my hands on book #3. I recommend you do the same!
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens and this is my honest opinion. I would like to thank them and the author for the opportunity to read and review Face of Murder.
Meet Special Agent Zoe Prime. Zoe has a secret that she shares with almost no one. Zoe Prime is a synesthete. In her own words: “I see numbers everywhere. I understand them intuitively. It’s how I’m able to solve many of our cases. It’s a special ability I have.”
In this second entry into the Zoe Prime Mysteries, we see a person battling demons. Keeping a part of themself away from those around them. Craving connections that at the same time they push away. Struggling to quiet the demons of a childhood of being indoctrinated with “you’re evil”, in order to solve the case at hand before time runs out.
In many ways, while also being very different, Zoe puts me in mind of another favourite heroine. Genevieve Lenard of Estelle Ryan’s Connection series, taps into her high functioning autism to get to the bottom of heinous crimes. I find myself more and more drawn to main characters that are not cookie cutter perfect.
A fast-paced crime story, Pierce has written a scenario here that stops hearts while it boggles and intrigues the mind. Filled with appealing characters, Face of Murder is an excellent read. I’ll be backtracking to Book One – Face of Death – before I look for Book Three. I want to know as much of Zoe’s story as possible. You will as well!
[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]