Go Home

Kate Valentine #1

by Blake Pierce

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery.”
—Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When FBI analyst Kate Valentine hunts an elusive mastermind who leaves a cryptic trail based on the Ten Commandments, she soon realizes he may just be targeting her.

When sacred texts turn sinister, each burning judgment comes with an encoded challenge meant for Kate's eyes alone—hinting at her secret past. And letting her know, in this high stakes game of cat and mouse, of prey and predator, that she may just be next….

GO HOME is the first book in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 7,000 five star ratings and reviews.

The Kate Valentine mystery series immerses readers in a riveting suspense filled with unexpected turns. It showcases a brilliant female lead who outwits her adversaries and is sure to win over readers with her charm. Fans of Melinda Leigh, Lisa Regan, and Lee Child are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available!


“An edge of your seat thriller in a new series that keeps you turning pages! ...So many twists, turns and red herrings… I can't wait to see what happens next.”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A strong, complex story about two FBI agents trying to stop a serial killer. If you want an author to capture your attention and have you guessing, yet trying to put the pieces together, Pierce is your author!”
—Reader review (Her Last Wish)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A typical Blake Pierce twisting, turning, roller coaster ride suspense thriller. Will have you turning the pages to the last sentence of the last chapter!!!”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Right from the start we have an unusual protagonist that I haven't seen done in this genre before. The action is nonstop… A very atmospheric novel that will keep you turning pages well into the wee hours.”
—Reader review (City of Prey)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Everything that I look for in a book… a great plot, interesting characters, and grabs your interest right away. The book moves along at a breakneck pace and stays that way until the end. Now on go I to book two!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Exciting, heart pounding, edge of your seat book… a must read for mystery and suspense readers!”
—Reader review (Girl, Alone)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Blake Pierce is author of the bestselling RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seven books (and counting). Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising four books (and counting); and of the new KERI LOCKE mystery series.

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

FBI serial killer-themed thrillers are something I usually enjoy. I love the concept of a series that has a large overarching plot, alongside mini cases to solve in each book. I expected to like this one, and the pacing was just right. I appreciated the depth of each character, although some parts left me a bit confused, almost as if this wasn't the first book in the series. Perhaps these characters also appear in another series, which could explain the overlap, but I didn’t find that particularly appealing. The plot and twists were somewhat mediocre for me. It’s still a decent read, and I’d recommend it, and I might check out the other books. However, I don't feel a strong urge to continue, so I’m giving this book 3 stars.

[Sarah Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read! Lots of twists and turns, looks like it will be an interesting series. Look forward to seeing what Agent Valentine gets into next

[Stephanie Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook when painting my house one weekend. I thought it was a great pick for that purpose. I really enjoyed the narrator - they made it easy to keep track of characters. I was able to follow the plot even though multitasking. I would have thought it to be simple if I were actually reading so thats why I gave it three stars. However, that’s why I pick these simpler and more straightforward stories as audiobooks. I personally retain more visually than through my auditory senses. I prefer to keep the complicated stories with plot twists and descriptive narratives to physical book form.

As for the story itself - characters are all relatable. The main character has a lot to overcome from past trauma. I found all the connections to be far fetched - especially where her dad’s history is concerned. This is a plot element that wasn’t finalized in this story but maybe will be developed over the series. The partners have good chemistry and I can already see something else being paved for future books.

I enjoyed there were a few chapters from the killers perspective. I really think that gives a fuller experience in cases like these. The sequence of events in the end were believable and I enjoyed the ending.

I will probably listen to more of this author in audiobooks in the future. I doubt I will pick any physical copies up though.

[Cidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

"When FBI analyst Kate Valentine hunts an elusive mastermind who leaves a cryptic trail based on the Ten Commandments, she soon realizes he may just be targeting her" is the opening line, at least I think it is as like the last book I have already deleted this from my kindle, sigh... The plot is confusing and is a bit slow paced but Kate and her partner Marcus are called out to the body of a priest who was locked inside his confessional box which was set alight and he couldn't get out. Something was left for Kate to find and work out, a puzzle, but Kate is good at working out themes and puzzles so this should be a walk in the park. Then other deaths start following and each one has a puzzle for Kate to work out, the killer is leading her a merry dance. But the killer should be dead.

I'm not sure I want to read any more of this series, although I did like the very patient Marcus, but Kate from the very beginning came across as a fragile and very needy young woman, not good attributes I would have thought to become an FBI detective, bit of a nuisance in an investigation which is as complicated as this one was. She would have been better left in the office and Marcus took another agent out with him.

[Lilithya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller isn't my genre, as a child, I was very sensitive to horror films and books, even if they were meant for kids, to the point of having nightmares so I've always stayed away from the genre.

I decided to give this a try due to the interesting premise and this did not disappoint.

This had twists and turns which I didn't expect in the slightest and I couldn't put it down to my own surprise. But I couldn't guess anything so I was eagerly turning the pages.

[Charane Vos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose it's a crime novel like any other.... but this just felt bad. FBI analyst who cannot for the life of her Crack any code without help. Typical sad haunting background story for the "badass" cop chick who inevitably needs saving...... why was the FBI even involved in this case at all??? This one was not for me

[Kimberly Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator was better than decent. First in a series and I enjoyed it enough to read the next. Relatively fast-paced and quick read with decent character development. Marcus, Kate’s partner, was my favorite. Far-fetched plot and missing something that would make it special, but it kept me entertained.

[Jordan Eddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a novella I thought it was great. However I was a little confused throughout the book trying to go back and forth between different people talking. However that might just be because I’m use to multiple POV’s in books. This book may have thrived in that setting but I still would love to see where Kate’s story goes!

[Josephine Pizzimenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different for Blake

I love Blake Pierce books but this one I found hard work. Perhaps it is just me but the thinking of the killer was way beyond my comprehension. For the first time, and this is just my opinion, I won't read the next book in this series. I'm just not cut out for too much intellect I suppose.

[Arinn Wardell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually enjoy books with strong female FBI characters, so I was excited to read Go Home by Blake Pierce. The plot itself was interesting and kept me curious about where the story was going. However, it just didn’t fully pull me in the way I hoped. While it was a solid read, it wasn’t particularly memorable for me. Overall, it was good, but not great.

[Avid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a definite thriller! It was a constant fast-paced book. I kept thinking a good title would be, Run Kate, Run! :) This was a story of where past and present met in the middle, and it worked!

Recommended 👍
📚📚📚📚

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing unique about the thriller however it was fast paced quick and the ending and the basis of the plot was very interesting. But for a thriller, it was nice easy and the characters were well thought out and relatable.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story, intriguing clues left behind by the killer. But Kate figures them out!
I would hope that a real FBI agent wouldn't knowingly put themselves in so much danger, like Kate does, which is why only 4 stars.
It is a good read and kept me guessing.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

that was the craziest prologue I've ever read!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did the audio. This book had me engaged the entire time. Detective work and not to much back story. I enjoyed it

[Nina Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, got confused a few time and had to start the chapter over but good none the less.

[John M. Toler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go Home Review

This book was not as good as previous Blake Pierce books. It was difficult to follow. The characters were difficult to identify.

[joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

Too drawn out and never got anywhere. Not very suspenseful. As a mystery should be. Easy to jump to the end and know who the bad guy was.

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

What kind of serial killer is so well-versed in the specialties of FBI agents that they'll leave clues that only one agent will understand?

Strange attitude

[Karen Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

So So

Weird. I will have to read another of this series before I can make up my mind if I like this book. It was sort of interesting in a slow kind of way.

[Laura Gimbel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s very interesting and keeps you trying to figure out who the killer is, while Kate is trying to figure out how she herself is in the center.
Very well written. I would recommend.

[John McGonagle]

if you like suspense…

Good plot, interesting characters with a deep story that will keep you entertained.
A quick read but enjoyable, a page-turner.

[Pete Woollven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great read well written and a great cast of characters and story line absolutely loved it can't wait to read more

[Tracy Tanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting to be quite repetitious with all books by this author. Always a female law officer who goes off on her own tangent, taking stupid risks and putting herself in danger. Escaping, just, with the psychopath being caught or killed.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several of Blake Pierce’s books, and Go Home is another one I really enjoyed. He does a great job pulling you into the hunt and keeping the tension high throughout the search. The pacing is fast, the stakes feel real, and there’s that constant sense of urgency that makes it hard to put down. If you like thrillers that keep you on edge and love the chase as much as the resolution, this one delivers.