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 … 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.
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i love mysteries and thrillers!
I thought it was one of the best books that I have read from this author. I have read several of her books. The profiling info was very interesting and of course the romance was great. I like mysteries a lot but I like them better when they have romance in them.
Amazing character development. The “who-dunnit” suspense was incredible. I picked the culprit four different times! I went back to earlier chapters to confirm “evidence “. Excellent and I highly recommend this book.
I really Liked this first book in the series and I have pre ordered the next one.
I loved the book. I am not one who looks for errors, unless the errors are obvious and stand out, I won’t notice them. I read for entertainment and this book provided just that. When I put the book down, I was always thinking about who the ‘unsub’ could be. As new characters were introduced, I would wonder how they could fit into the scene as the ‘unsub’. I would recommend this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Enjoying this book.
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. All the characters were very well written but the main character was very intriguing. I want to know more about her and what happens in her life. I don’t think I have ever felt that way about one character before. Eagerly awaiting the sequel to see how She evolves.
Good read
I did not want to put this book down!
Jessica Oliphant is the daughter of a convicted serial killer. Now thirty-four, she’s FBI profiler Kaely Quinn, dedicated to solving murder cases, especially serial killer cases. Her unorthodox methods have earned her supporters, opponents, and the attention of the wrong kind of people—like a persistent journalist. And a serial killer.
Kaely becomes part of the next investigation when the journalist receives an anonymous poem signalling a series of murders, and ending in Kaely’s apparent suicide. The first body is discovered soon after the note is delivered. Now the race is on to identify the killer before Kaely—or anyone close to her—dies.
Mind Games is an apt title for a great thriller. We know from the get-go that the killer is playing games with Kaely. The challenge is to work out who … I identified several possible suspects (one of whom was later murdered, so I was 100% wrong on that one!).
Kaely is an intriguing heroine. She’s intelligent and likeable, and with a strong Christian faith. But she’s also a damaged woman who suffers nightmares and finds it impossible to allow anyone to get close to her. She’s estranged from her family, both respected and reviled at work as an object of curious fascination.
The other characters are also strong—they have to be, because Kaley is such a strong character. Noah and Kaley had some interesting conversations about faith. Yes, Mind Games is definitely Christian fiction, as there is a strong faith thread and some insightful lines about the nature of faith, and the nature of evil.
This is the first of the Kaely Quinn Profiler series. I’ve read several of Nancy Mehl’s earlier novels, but this is her best yet. I’ll be looking forward to reading more about Kaely, Noah, and their colleagues. Recommended for fans of Christian thrillers from authors like Terri Blackstock and Carrie Stuart Parks.
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Bravo to Nancy Mehl! She has given us a compelling and intriguing character in FBI profiler Kaely Quinn. The daughter of a serial killer, she joined the FBI to combat the evil that exists in the criminal world. Even though she was only a child when her father was arrested, Kaely’s background attracts attention as she works her cases. Her method of profiling is unusual, and her success rate high. As a believer, Kaely finds that she can depend on God’s presence to guide her during times of danger and distress.
Fans of the TV show “Criminal Minds” will love this faith-based version of an FBI profiling case. I love Christian suspense fiction and I could hardly put this book down. Just be aware that this storyline is quite intense as far as to the criminal activity. This book definitely is in the “young adult and older” category. All the crime is dealt with in a very appropriate way, and there’s no foul language or embarrassing scenes. This is the first book in this series, and I will be following along to learn more about Kaely.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This was a good book. And it did mind game on you reading it to figure out who did it. Loved it. Nancy mehl loved this.
I loved Mind Games! It kept me on the edge of my seat! I enjoyed the suspense! I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Please let it be soon!
I must admit that my limited knowledge of criminal profiling has been gained from watching Criminal Minds on TV so this book has been an enlightening reading experience. I was drawn into this story from the very beginning and the poem that the killer sent to Kaely was certainly a unique way to keep her (and me!) guessing! Kaely Quinn is an extremely fascinating character and part of the suspense in this story revolves around Kaely and her unusual method of finding the criminal. Kaely’s traumatic experience when she was very young has left her with very few people that she can trust and she has very few close relationships. Her former FBI partner Adam fell in love with her and this ended their partnership and now her new partner Noah seems to be going down the same path. I am anxious to read the second book in this series to see if there is a romance waiting to be explored or if this partnership will also be jeopardized.
Mind Games has taught me so many interesting facts about the FBI and the way that they solve their cases and I have a new admiration for these men and womem who work to not only solve crimes but to prevent them from ever happening. I have also been reminded of the troubled society that we now live in and of the need to believe in and trust in a Higher Being. Kaely knows God personally and we witness it throughout this book in her thoughts and her actions. In one instance, as Kaely rushes to solve the poem and prevent another death, she asks God for help. “Lord,” Kaely prayed out loud, “please show me whatver it is I need to see. Deliver me from these awful dreams. And give me insight into whoever wrote that poem. Help us to stop him before he kills again. Thanks.” And as Kaely and Noah work together, Noah begins to wonder about his own relationship with God. Yes, Mind Games is faith-based but it isn’t overly preachy.
I can only imagine how much time and research went into writing this book and I applaud Nancy Mehl for her efforts. I recommend Mind Games to anyone who loves suspense and mystery mixed with a touch of romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and I voluntarily chose to write this review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Read this book at night…if you dare…
When I started Mind Games I was expecting the usual romantic suspense fare, something that I absolutely love, as this was the first book that I’ve read by Nancy Mehl. I was wrong. Boy, was I wrong! What I got was a taut thriller with such depth of psychological drama that it fairly hummed on the page.
Dark and riveting, readers get the chance to go with Kaely as she delves into the mind of a serial killer. Which is a bit of an uncomfortable place to be, even when it’s only on the printed page and you are safe at home in your own living room.
To say that I had a hard time putting Mind Games down would be an understatement. Saying I was glued to the page wouldn’t do it justice. I’ve read literally hundreds of suspense books over the years and I have to say that I’ve not run into one quite like this one before. The closest would probably be Brandilyn Collins.
The heroine is just not what you EXPECT which keeps the hero, and readers, a little off balance. I loved it! Nancy Mehl kept me guessing from beginning to the end. I’ve read and watched, even listened to, so many suspense and mystery stories that I’ve gotten fairly good at identifying the killer(s), sometimes within a few minutes. This time I had 3 strong suspects and 1 lesser, and, while it was 1 of the main 3 and the one my mind kept going back to every so once in awhile, Nancy Mehl really did play Mind Games with readers in the getting there.
I can honestly say that I am really looking forward to reading the next Kaely Quinn Profiler book and that I just can’t wait for it to release!
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Mind Games reminded me of the TV series Criminal Minds. Kaely Quinn is an FBI agent in the BAU unit that hunts down serial killers. She has a very unique way of profiling, she “talks” to the UNSUB (the unidentified subject or suspect). It’s a conversation with an invisible person. Her backstory is being the daughter of a convicted serial killer. She is teamed up with Noah Hunter another FBI agent to track down the author of a poem that describes the deaths of 13 people, the last being Kaely. It is a race against time to stop him before he carries out the end of the poem.
I am so impressed with this book! I thought that the premise for Mind Games sounded interesting, however they way the author crafted the storyline of this novel made it far exceed my expectations. It is really unlike any other book I have read.
I liked the main characters, Kaely and Noah, and found that they worked well together. I was also intrigued by various side characters in the story.
I absolutely loved the way that Kaely’s mind worked. It was impressive to see how her train of thought progressed through the various options to come to the correct conclusion.
The suspense and tension of trying to figure out who the mastermind was behind the killings really propelled the story and lead to a superb ending that has me anxiously awaiting book two in the series!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is one of the best suspense novels I have read this year.
This is such an interesting premise: A profiler who is the target of a serial killer. It will definitely keep you on your toes. Nancy Mehl is truly playing “Mind Games” with the reader. It made me sit back and say “WOW”!
I wanted to read this book about Kaely Quinn because it takes place in St. Louis, where I lived for twenty years. This is familiar territory for me but the story is completely unique! The twists and turns of the case make it a real page turner. Excellent research makes this novel feel very authentic. And the writing style is so effortless, it puts you right there with Kaely every step of the way.
The faith thread is the “bones” of the story because Kaely truly relies on God through all the difficulties. Yet Ms. Mehl portrays her as a flawed person who is functioning well at her job as an FBI profiler.
The supporting characters were very well-drawn and pique my interest into what is in store for the next book. Without being a cliff-hanger, you know there is much more in store for Kaely Quinn.
If suspense is your go-to genre you won’t want to miss this intriguing book by Nancy Mehl.
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
The author has really outdone herself with this book. I have never been so engrossed in a story like this one. The title is perfect because the story is gritty, intriguing, heart pounding, and filled with deceit and unimaginable mind games that can give you nightmares. I have to put this author at the top of my list as favorite mystery writer.
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.
my goodness – one of the BEST books I’ve read all year. FABULOUS!!!! Cannot wait for the next book.