Incel: A Thriller

by Brian Lutterman

They Can Find You Anywhere.They Can Get To You Anytime.Society's Rejects Are Striking Back.Disgraced former FBI agent Kevin Arneson once hunted the world's most dangerous terrorists. Now, back home in a tense, post-George Floyd Minneapolis, he takes on a new challenge when one of his closest friends receives serious death threats. The group of embittered, sex-starved, and sometimes violent young men called incels, who are terrorizing and then killing successful middle-aged women with no apparent connection to each other. Each victim inexplicably admits the killers into her home, despite widespread publicity and hysteria over the serial murders. Arneson, defying warnings from the FBI and police to stand down, recruits his friend Camryn Becket, an ex-lover and former deep-cover CIA agent, to help track the mystery assailants. As the death toll mounts, Arneson and Becket pursue the killers, burrowing through layers of deception. In a stunning climax, they uncover a monstrous scheme that goes beyond the murders, reaching back into their own troubled past.

Genres: Thriller

328 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2024

About the author

Brian Lutterman is the author of the mystery-thrillers Bound to Die, a Minnesota Book Award runner-up, and Poised to Kill, described by the Midwest Book Review as “. . .a masterfully woven tale of tycoons and terrorists.” Lutterman, a former trial lawyer and corporate attorney, writes cutting-edge corporate thrillers, bringing to life the genre’s outsized conflicts and characters. A graduate of the University of Minnesota and Georgetown University Law Center, he lives with his family in the Twin Cities. He can be found on the web at: www.brianlutterman.com

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Arneson is a disgraced FBI agent. He succeeded at a game he wasn't supposed to win, and that didn't sit well with his superiors. The FBI has now shuffled him off their payroll and into a consulting business in Minneapolis. He's to keep his head down, nose clean, off the radar - and he definitely isn't supposed to get involved in any high-profile investigations. If anyone even thinks he's going to be in a position to talk about what he knows, he will disappear so deep, he may never resurface.

But when his friend Shelby makes the so-called Incel Killers' target list, Arneson takes notice. Women in positions of authority, like Shelby, are being threatened in graphic, nasty ways and then brutally killed. But there's no apparent connection between the women, no common thread that might reveal the killer's identity. Various law enforcement agencies claim to be investigating, but the killer seems to always be one jump ahead, and leads are thin on the ground.

Arneson can't be officially involved in any investigation. But he can and does put himself on mighty thin ice in the interests of justice and to save a friend's life. He asks for help from his former lover, Camryn Becket, herself a disgraced CIA agent who was too good at her job for the higher-ups' peace of mind. The two of them aren't even supposed to be in the same place, much less working together to solve a crime. But they're on the hunt regardless, doing anything they can to get information without running completely afoul of the local Special Agent in Charge, who's made it clear that he's looking for any reason to take Arneson out.

This book, y'all! From the opening chapter, I was hooked. The action kicks off immediately with the first dead body and no clues left behind, and the tension just keeps ramping up. I was about 66 percent through with the book when it looked like the whodunnit had finally been figured out. I thought it seemed a bit early, but maybe...? Nope. But if not this one, then who could get close enough to these women to engage them and then kill them with no real sign of a struggle? Lutterman did a great job of keeping me guessing.

I'm not going to give away the plot. I will say that this is a taut, tense, compelling read that kept me up way past my bedtime. There was no point where I felt like this book dragged. There are some descriptions of ugly, brutal acts, but they don't feel gratuitous. They serve to give you a peek into the killer's (or killers') minds. The characters, even seemingly minor ones, are integral to the story and well-developed.

And when that penny finally drops, may you be as surprised as I was! The ending has me hoping we'll see more of Kevin Arneson in future books, and Incel deserves a place on your summer reading list.

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from Reedsy Discovery, and this review was first published there.

[Chris Norbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-rate thriller with an intriguing storyline: Men known as Incels (Involuntary Celibates) are targeting beautiful successful women for death because of their psychotic need for "revenge" for being ignored and dismissed by those women. Former FBI agent Kevin Arneson is thrust into the middle of it when one of his friends—a woman he wanted to marry but didn't for reasons explained in the book—becomes a target of the Incels.

Lutterman hooks you from page one with tension and suspense. His style is lean and reminiscent of the best mystery/thriller writers. The pace builds steadily, and the supporting characters, while seeming to be standard fare for thrillers (bullying bosses, antagonist Feds, nosy reporters intent on getting a scoop), are sufficiently fleshed out. Arneson and his allies, especially Camryn Becket, are tenacious and keep digging for the killer despite the fact Arneson's been ordered to stay off the case by his superiors.

It seems that everyone has baggage and secrets to hide, so as the climax nears, we soon discover that all is not as it seems. Lutterman puts in a clever twist at the end that was unexpected by this reader—although I sensed something wasn't quite right after one bad guy was captured.

This book hits on all cylinders for me. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tim McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of Brian Lutterman’s work since reading the 1st of his “Fall” series, and he provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book takes on a new life from the Penn Wilkerson books with a growing cast of characters - not one, but two protagonists. Arneson’s character and background is developed naturally and measured giving the book an easy read focused on good dialog and varying pace, as is his relationship with Becket, an old spy partner, as they reunite to solve a mystery that hits him too close to home.

The beginning of the book has some disturbing content surrounding the title’s bad actors, but quickly builds into a murder / mystery that kept me turning pages to find out where the next twist will take me. At the same time it left enough out of the backgrounds and resolutions to allow for continuing stories around the main characters. I’ve got to say I was disappointed the book ended. I’m ready for more.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure whether this book would be too scary for me to read. There is gore, for sure, but I think it had just the right amount of "thrill" and intrigue to keep me turning pages. I enjoyed it so much! I'll probably reread it closer to when our book club will host the author at our early August gathering to discuss this story. I hadn't expected it would be such a quick read. I think the short chapters made it easy and yes, I was drawn into the characters as well. Overall, a very good read and I will be checking out more of Brian Lutterman's books (the Pen Wilkenson series!!). I was also reminded that I do enjoy this type of literature - so glad to be back in the Thriller/Murder Mystery genre! The setting being my hometown (generally - Twin Cities) is always an added bonus!

[Don Lucast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incel: A Thriller by Brian Lutterman is an engaging and suspenseful novel. The characters are substantial and have a backstory that relates to the story. The plot has substance, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, while incorporating enough information that the ending is a surprise but not an out-of-nowhere shock. There is intrigue, backbiting, mystery and romance, all leading to a satisfying conclusion. All in all, a worthwhile read with hopes and expectations for a folowup novel.

[Kathy Hagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a disappointing thriller. It was "ok" which is what my 3 stars mean to me. It took me a long time to finish which is my indication of a not-so-good book. I figured out some things early. The end was explained to us instead of showing us. The car the "heroes" were in was going 60-70 mph in a 20 mph zone and dozens of cops aren't following them?! It is set up for a sequel of which I won't be reading.

[Kathleen Huebsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lutterman takes you on a thought-provoking, thrilling ride!

I read this book while I was in a tropical paradise. (The author provided it to me in exchange for my honest review.) WOW. From the start, I couldn't stop--even with all the vacation temptations around me. Twice I exclaimed out loud at the turn of events. Once again, Lutterman has created a highly rewarding, fast-paced read.

[Marveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the opportunity to read an advance copy. Incel was not what I expected..after reading the Pen series. It has alot of twists and turns which I enjoyed. The surprises made this a satisfying read. The incel's words were as intended: shocking and crude, and that was the only reason I didn't give the book a higher rating.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incel is a great book with a story that is fast-paced and keeps you guessing until the end! Even when I thought I knew who the villain was, I didn't! Hoping for more books featuring these characters! The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Candi Kult · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author. Highly recommend this book. I have read all of his Pen Wilkinson books and enjoyed, so was excited to read this new stand alone book. It did not disappoint. It is full of twists and turns. Keeps you guessing.

[Jennifer Rosenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

[John J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfull. Great backstory, plot, and writing. Strongly recommend.

[wally rosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story line, recommend this author.

All of his books keep you wondering until the end. All of his books we'll written with skill and plenty of mystery.

[Robin Gault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to see that Brian had a new book out and equally surprised that it was a departure from his excellent Pen Wilkinson series. Boy was I not disappointed. A former FBI agent Kevin Arneson who is under a cloud of conspiracy from his former employer is thrown head first into series of deaths and threats to women. This include some of his close friends as well as to other power brokers in his community. There is a group of young men called Incels (involuntary celibates) that are behind these threats. How do you find them? Who tells the truth? He enlists friends from his former FBI days as well as friends in the CSI and local police departments to help him solve these ruthless and vicious murders. As he confronts everything in front of him he also is battling his past history.
And it all takes place in the Twin Cities...who could ask for more? You can feel the energy of his search for justice in his journey through his home area. I give this a book a great review and am looking forward to more adventures involving Kevin Arneson.

Robin Gault