Expect the unexpected in this gritty, tense, and page-turning mystery from New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton.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 … 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.
more
When several women go missing in Nashville, TBI Agent Melina Shepard heads undercover and almost becomes a victim of a sadistic killer.
Career FBI Agent Jerrod Ramsey is on a fast track to DC and the latest serial killer case he’s assigned could be his ticket, but too many things about the investigation don’t add up- and an attraction to his temporary partner, the beautiful Melina Shepard, doesn’t help.
Soon, the two find themselves up against not one, but two vicious predators. What is the connection, and what does it have to do with Melina’s past?
This story had so many converging plotlines, it was hard to keep track. I’d hate to be the investigator chasing after either one of these creeps!
While well-written, I had a hard time connecting with Melina. It starts out with her going undercover as a prostitute to gain the other girls’ trust and hopefully find out information on two missing women. Within moments, a john appears in a white van and propositions our heroine, but she senses something and refuses- good thing, too, as he tries to grab her and she gets an eyeful of an elaborate torture chamber in the back of the van.
Furious, and injured, he drives away vowing revenge and you’d think that would be the premise for the story, right? Wrong. From then on, van guy barely makes an appearance until the last few pages of the book.
Instead, we focus on Melina’s past and how it affects another killer on the loose in her fair city.
I think the author would have done better to turn this into two novels in order to do justice to the individual storylines. The way it is, details are left out and the ending is rushed and dissatisfying.
On that note, I thought the plot was suspenseful and unique enough to keep my interest. I would read more from this author.
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
Mary Burton is one of my favourite authors, she certainly knows her trade. NEVER LOOK BACK moves quickly with twists and turns coming thick and fast. The main characters Melina and Jerrod are a great team and there was a little bit of chemistry. The story is very entertaining and cleverly plotted, if you’re a fan of crime thrillers this novel certainly hits the spot.
This is a fun page-turner with a female special agent tracking two serial killers at the same time. Enough twists to keep you from putting it down. It’s actually the 3rd in the series, but I started here.
It’s not often you get two serial killers working at the same time in the same place. Yes there are serial killers across the USA at any given time just not usually in the same location at the same time. This was an interesting book that start with one serial killer and then seem to find another one and kind of forgot about the first one. I liked both Melina and Ramsey and thought they made a good team. You find out all about Melina’s missing childhood in this book. You can also read this book as a stand along. I personally love the show Criminal Minds and found this was like watching a couple of episodes but in book form. If you like a great mystery/thriller then pick up this book, you won’t be disappointed.
*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Never Look Back by Mary Burton, published by Montlake, is a full length, stand-alone in her Criminal Profiler Series. The previous books are Hide and Seek and I See You.
Back to Never Look Back. Melina Shepard is a FBI Agent and at this time she’s working undercover. When she needs back up, Agent Jerrod Ramsey is assigned to help her.
But time’s running out for Melina.
Never Look Back is a fast paced, complex read, a psychological thriller well written and with a plottwist that kept me in suspense til the last page.
A great read, 4,5 stars.
I volunteered to read and review through Netgalley a copy of Never Look Back .
This is such a well written story . It has so many twists and turns . It truely keeps you on the edge of you seat . I could not put it down .
Tennessee Bureau of investigation agent Melina Shepard is trying to get some answers about missing young women from the streets . Working alone she is approached by a man in a white van . She is able to fight him off . Defending herself with her knife . She’s able to get his blood as evidence . The next morning FBI Special Agent Jarrod Ramsey arrives . Because Melina has come face to face with a wanted serial killer . Soon Melina and Agent Ramsey start their investigation . Melina gets a call to a child left alone in a car accident and something found in the trunk they need to see . Before their investigation is over Melina and Jarrod have their hands full . Melina’s past comes to light and danger is everywhere . Agent Ramsey and Melina need to catch the killer before the body counts continue to rise .
This story is action packed , intense , suspenseful and heartbreaking . An all out fabulous story with fantastic characters .
I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy .
The FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation team up to track a serial killer. While on the hunt from him they stumble across another killer who has also been leaving a trail of bodies. And to ramp up the suspense the TBI agent has unexpected connections to both killers.
I enjoyed the story and finally getting Jerrod Ramsey’s story who was head of the FBI profiling team in previous books. Melina Shepard – the TBI agent – was a very interesting, complex character. The two worked well together trying to track down the serial killers.
I enjoyed reading this fast paced murder mystery which had an understated romantic thread. Interesting characters, engrossing mystery. This is a new to me author who I’ve just added to my auto click list.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
While I have the first two books in the criminal profiler series, somehow I ended up reading book 3 first.
I loved this book!! Nothing was as it seemed and there was a log of page turning action, murder, mayhem, what the heck just happened moments, and everything in between!!! If your looking for hot and heavy romance this isn’t the book for you, but if you love did that just happen moments, the thrill of the hunt, murderers and psychos than you MUST read this book!!!
If you haven’t read any of Mary Burton’s books, do yourself a favor and get some because you won’t be sorry.
#TBI #NetGalley #NeverLookBack #Melina #Jerrod #LovedIt
Although this is the third book in the author’s Criminal Profiler series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. Agent Melina Shepard of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is trying to catch a killer who targets prostitutes. When she decides to go undercover and is almost captured in her own net, help arrives in the form of FBI agent Jerrod Ramsey. The way these two work together was a magical combination of wit, brawn (not always his) and compassion for the victims. This was a fast-paced read with mind-blowing twists. There were some graphic descriptions that were hard to read, so I admit that I scanned those parts so that I wouldn’t toss my cookies. The book was well-written and filled with suspense from the beginning to the conclusion that was just a wow for me. There are two serial killers in the book and Mary Burton weaves the two stories together seamlessly. Although the book may be categorized as a romantic suspense, I also think it can really be called a psychological thriller since the agents have to get inside the minds of the killers in order to trap them in the web of law enforcement. Great, engaging and scary read!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This felt alittle different from what the author usually writes, but was really good. The extensive backgrounds on each character was how we understood the choices they made and why they did what they did ,made the story so interesting. There are actually 2 stories in one and they are brought together perfectly. I hope we get to read more of Melina and Ramsey, they work so well together.
Another winner by Mary Burton!! Read the book in one afternoon. Loved the two different stories going on … Loved the character development throughout the book. Great characters – great story.
Thank you #netgalley and #montlakeromance for the eARC.
I tend to really enjoy Mary Burton’s books, and this one did not disappoint. Melina thinks she’s on the trail of one killer, only to find that she may be on the trail of at least two…and that both killers may be closer to her present and past than she thinks. Jerrod is called in to assist with profiling, which starts the roller coaster going. Between the twists, mysteries, glimpses into Melina’s past, and said past invading the present, the story keeps you guessing. And once you’re certain that this will be an easy one to solve, another wrench is tossed at the plot.
And as is the norm for Mary Burton and other authors of her caliber (Karen Rose comes to mind), there IS a smidge of romance and attraction between characters, but it doesn’t take over the story. Instead, Jerrod and Melina’s progression from forced partners to possible friends to more is more of a palate cleanser between the gruesome horrors happening all around. This tactic has been a consistent winner in stories like this one, and I’m sure this author will continue to wow me in the future.
While the fifth book in the Criminal Profiler series, you could read this as a standalone. The author does a good job of weaving two separate stories with two serial killers into one book. The characters are well developed and you will find yourself in their lives and the storyline. The only thing is that it is a romantic suspense and the romance genre is not appealing to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH THE AUDIOBOOK AND EBOOK VERSIONS
Great story, twisted plot with plenty of action. Some emotional parts. The narrator did a spectacular job with each of these characters. It was a wonderful experience all around. I recommend this book.
I have read the rest of the series and found all of them to be quite good.
This book simply didn’t cut.
Two crazy serial killers both have different MO’s. There is no suspense or build as to who is it or any other such build up.
Two psycho’s. Continuously killing women. Cops on the trail.
Melina has a past
FBI profiler with her.
No major chemistry.
The psyho’s intersect. The book ends.
I didn’t find a single element appealing here
Oh how I loved this book. Never did I think it would turn out as it did and I couldn’t put it down. Anxious to read more of Mary Burton’s work.
This was a well written and well constructed suspenseful story. It had a smattering of romance but very little. It was a very good book – to the tune I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Looking forward to another book written by her.
3.5 Stars out of 5.
Third in the Criminal Profiler Series, but the first I’ve read by this author. Started a little slow for me but once it picked up, I flew thru it. Writing style was easy, but for some reason I had a hard time time wrapping my head around following two serial killers…kept trying to make them one in the same.
Melina Shepard is a strong female protagonist with one heck of a backstory. She goes undercover, without approval, and narrowly misses becoming a serial killers next victim. Enter Jerrod Ramsey, FBI, who evidentially has been following one of the killers, and comes in to assist. My mind had a tendency to wander off and on thru this story. Not sure if it was due to the flip flop of killers. I would have preferred one strong storyline instead of the two. Melina’s backstory was interesting and heartfelt. The romance felt rushed and thrown in. Could have used more of the tension and slower follow thru.
One a whole, enjoyable reading if you are into crime dramas. Fast paced, good character development, unique storyline.
Thanks to Ms. Burton, Montlake Romance and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
First time I have read one of her books. I didn’t realize this was part of a series until I had finished the book. It was easy to get into and very intriguing.
Melina Sheppard is a TBI Agent, looking for two missing prostitutes. Little does she realize that she has barely escaped a serial killer. While dealing with her boss and an FBI agent, Jerrod, she gets tied into another serial case that hits very close to home.
If you are like me and like good serial murder books, don’t pass this one up.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the Kindle Version for my honest opinion.