Blood Guilt

by Elias Ashcroft

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2026

Reviews

[Philip Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academic research crosses ethical boundaries after people are murdered - 4.5 stars

An autopsy was performed after a well known person in apparent good health collapsed and died; the results were shocking. All of the man's red blood cells had been destroyed. Without red blood cells, no oxygen can be transported, and all organs shut down. Medical professionals were baffled because there is no known pathogen that could destroy all of a person's red blood cells instantly. The instant death with no apparent cause is not a result of any known natural cause.

Authorities want to know if there is a new pathogen that is far more dangerous than Covid 19. The FBI was called in as soon as the autopsy results were confirmed. A couple of days later, there was a second similar death of a well-known person in a public space. Understanding the incidents became a top health and safety priority. There were concerns that somehow the victim's notoriety (the victims were a suspected sex trafficker and an alleged drug dealer) suggested that they could have been targets of a suspicious plot.

The two FBI agents, veteran Erin Ward and new agent Jordan Pike, were assigned to lead the investigation. The FBI agents proceeded to find experts in blood-related diseases. They wanted to understand what process could cause a nearly instant, complete failure of the human blood system. A published university professor seemed helpful and named a former colleague as having specialized in blood work. The second researcher had a contract with the military to weaponize his research. The military applications of the research were clear, but the school decided not to pursue further development.

While it seemed unlikely that there would be other individuals with as much competency as the two professors, background checks revealed concerns, but nothing sufficient to lead to prosecution. However, additional deaths that had occurred earlier and were thought to have been due to natural causes turned out to be quite similar to the headliner's deaths. As more time passed, there were other blood-collapse type deaths. There was pressure to identify the people and technology behind the deaths, now considered to be murders.

The story's pace increased as the mechanism for catastrophic blood failure was better understood. Many red herrings and misleading conclusions lead to failures and surprises. Toward the end, I acknowledge that I did not want to put the book down. I extended my normal bedtime to learn more as a spectacular finale played out in this futuristic medical thriller.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Guilt was a story that was too real to life and it kept you reading. It has revenge\ vigilante murders of people who worked the justice system. That turned into something much worse. Erin Ward and her FBI team are on a hunt for a killer that can alter your blood and cause death within minutes. The chase to put all the pieces together and find the perpetrator made this an exciting and suspenseful story you do not want to put down. Great characters that keep the story intriguing and thrilling all the way to the last page.

This was an advanced review copy from Book sprout that I voluntarily reviewed.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Guilt had me at the description of the storyline. The first couple of pages of the first chapter had me hooked for sure. When two cases were dismissed and people started dropping dead, I started writing down who each character was in the story. By the time I had gotten a fourth of the book read, I'd narrowed down who I thought it was. I will think twice when I see a drone. This is one of the best psychological thrillers I've read in months. I told family and friends about Blood Guilt. Some people bought the book on Amazon just from my description of the story. Job well done

[karin whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novel as an ARC read. This is my review. Special Agent Erin Ward is on the hunt for a killer that leaves no clues. Nothing,but the matter smacks of justice,an invisible killer leaves no blood, no biological markers, nothing. As bodies pile up The team is striving to catch the killer before more victims surface. A strong storyline, great characters, an edgy story. Very well written.
!

[Jeanie Mackinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy of Elias Ashcroft’s Blood Guilt.

This story presented the characters with some interesting dilemmas about justice and the judicial system, and how technology can be intended for good, but harnessed for evil purposes. It was a thought provoking read, with a few unexpected twists to the tale and certainly kept me turning those pages!

Blood Guilt was my first Elias Ashcroft read - and definitely won’t be my last.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an exciting and very suspenseful book. Really interesting characters and a very frightening storyline. The thought that the happenings in this book could very well become an actuality some day is very scary. This is a definite page turner.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

.
This intense, suspenseful, action-packed, fast-paced murder mystery has drama, danger, violence, and a fall guy. The MCs are defined, determined, intelligent, and unwavering in their pursuit of justice.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michael Arnold]

Received as ARC. A mob boss suddenly dies. Autopsy reveals that all red blood cells are gone. More deaths occur with the same symptoms. The plot is great and the author creates great characters.

[Shellyann Paape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Wow killing people without even touching them. Talk about revolutionary ways to murder. It takes 1 brain to create and 100s to stop the destruction.