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Forensic Instincts #5
The Murder That Never Was
Given the opportunity, would you assume someone else's identity and leave your old life behind? A serendipitous crossing of paths between Lisa Barnes, a down-on-her-luck job seeker, and Julie Forman, a personal trainer to an Olympic hopeful, forever changes the course of both women's lives. One winds up dead and the other finds herself a fugitive, hiding behind one lie after another as a cold-blooded killer methodically hunts her. Desperately trying to stay alive, the terrified woman enlists the help of Forensic Instincts, a rogue investigative team that clandestinely operates in the gray area between legal and illegal. Safeguarding their client's deception, Forensic Instincts digs into dangerous territory as they try to find out who's after their client—and why. Meanwhile, bodies are piling up in Chicago, New Jersey, and Vermont as a megalomaniacal genius will stop at nothing to eradicate anyone who threatens the success of his medical breakthrough. With an unhinged client and a monstrous criminal enterprise as its adversary, Forensic Instincts is forced into uncharted territory to protect their client and save one of their own from becoming the next corpse. Forensic Instincts is an unorthodox, criminal investigative team that carefully navigates the fine line between legal and illegal. The team consists of a behaviorist, a former Navy SEAL, a techo-wiz, an intuitive, a pickpocket, a retired FBI agent, and a human scent evidence dog.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2016
88 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Kane
48 books834 followersComing in March 2019 from Andrea Kane: DEAD IN A WEEK.
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 20, 2016
In The Murder That Never Was, the fifth book in the Forensic Instincts Series, author Andrea Kane weave a riveting psychological thriller that features identity theft, performing enhancement drugs, a drug cartel, a megalomaniacal research scientist, emotional issues involving the foster care program, and an unorthodox criminal investigative team who is determined to protect their client.
The Murder That Never Was is an action packed and fast paced gripping tale that transports the reader to Chicago, where they follow the trials and tribulations of Lisa Barnes when she assumes the identity of personal trainer Julie Forman, who is murdered for investigating an Olympic trainer who is giving his star athletes PEDs. Lisa and Julie have an uncanny resemblance to each other, and after Lisa witnesses Julie's murder, Lisa and best friend Miles "Milo" Parker, leave Chicago and restart their lives running a fitness facility in Upper Montclair, NJ. But trouble soon follows Lisa/Julie, and she enlists the protection of the Forensic Instincts private investigation firm, a rogue team consisting of a behaviorist, a former Navy SEAL, a techno-wiz, an intuitive, a pickpocket, a retired FBI agent, and a human scent evidence dog, who conduct a dangerous criminal investigation to uncover who is after their client.
Author Andrea Kane weaves a riveting psychological tale that has enough drama, mystery, suspense, intrigue, and surprising twists and turns that easily engages the reader to follow the rogue Forensic Instincts team as they investigate the reason behind the identity switch of their client, and who is behind the murder of the original Julie Forman. When you add in the mystery behind the murder, the hidden secrets involving the making and distribution of PEDs to Olympic star athletes, Lisa's dark past, and the suspense and danger of the criminal investigation, you get an explosive story that takes you on one hell of a thrill ride, and a book that you won't be able to put down!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
The Murder That Never Was is an action packed and fast paced gripping tale that transports the reader to Chicago, where they follow the trials and tribulations of Lisa Barnes when she assumes the identity of personal trainer Julie Forman, who is murdered for investigating an Olympic trainer who is giving his star athletes PEDs. Lisa and Julie have an uncanny resemblance to each other, and after Lisa witnesses Julie's murder, Lisa and best friend Miles "Milo" Parker, leave Chicago and restart their lives running a fitness facility in Upper Montclair, NJ. But trouble soon follows Lisa/Julie, and she enlists the protection of the Forensic Instincts private investigation firm, a rogue team consisting of a behaviorist, a former Navy SEAL, a techno-wiz, an intuitive, a pickpocket, a retired FBI agent, and a human scent evidence dog, who conduct a dangerous criminal investigation to uncover who is after their client.
Author Andrea Kane weaves a riveting psychological tale that has enough drama, mystery, suspense, intrigue, and surprising twists and turns that easily engages the reader to follow the rogue Forensic Instincts team as they investigate the reason behind the identity switch of their client, and who is behind the murder of the original Julie Forman. When you add in the mystery behind the murder, the hidden secrets involving the making and distribution of PEDs to Olympic star athletes, Lisa's dark past, and the suspense and danger of the criminal investigation, you get an explosive story that takes you on one hell of a thrill ride, and a book that you won't be able to put down!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
July 17, 2017
It's a great book, but I didn't realize it was book #5 in this series until I finished.
September 12, 2016
I have read several of Kane's Forensic Institute novels and the stories are starting to get old. In this one, a woman named Julie Forman works as a coach and trainer at a gym where a hopeful Olympic bound athlete named Shannon trains in gymnastics. Julie meets Lisa Barnes, a former foster child, and now a woman desperate for a job and a home. The two women resemble each other to a huge degree. Julie gives Lisa a job and lets her live with her until a few days later when Lisa sees Julie shot and killed on the street. Lisa decides the bad guys are after her because of a past involving drugs, so she switches id's with the dead woman and takes her identify.
The FI people get involved when Russian bad guys appear who will go to any lengths to protect their involvement with illegal performance enhancing drugs.
The story is just OK-the Russian bad guys are like every other Russian bad guy.
My real problem is that there are too many FI people and they seem to take over the story so we know very little about Lisa or her friend Miles or anyone else really. The FI people don't always seem like real people either and seem to talk in constant quips and jokes; either teasing each other about their specific area of expertise or making constant sex jokes. There are lots of sexual innuendos but not much actual erotic content.
I finished the book but pretty much could map out the exact ending. Just Ok.
The FI people get involved when Russian bad guys appear who will go to any lengths to protect their involvement with illegal performance enhancing drugs.
The story is just OK-the Russian bad guys are like every other Russian bad guy.
My real problem is that there are too many FI people and they seem to take over the story so we know very little about Lisa or her friend Miles or anyone else really. The FI people don't always seem like real people either and seem to talk in constant quips and jokes; either teasing each other about their specific area of expertise or making constant sex jokes. There are lots of sexual innuendos but not much actual erotic content.
I finished the book but pretty much could map out the exact ending. Just Ok.
October 23, 2016
"The credulity is stretched too high!" is the title of my review. This book was easy to read and get into. But too many things didn't make sense and the author didn't know enough about the technical stuff to write about it.
Sorry, but my review is going to be a list of things I didn't like about this book.
- There were too many characters in it. I didn't read the other Forensic Instincts books so maybe they served purpose in the other books.
- Writing was too wordy. Taking 5-6 pages to get a meeting to order was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Writing could have been tighter.
- Not knowing about computer stuff is the bane of a lot of writers and I think that authors should rather refrain from writing about it rather than try to.
- For example Miles is supposed to knowledgeable but I don't know that he can write and publish a full game like that or that he would published it where there are few readers, these games need to be tested and even though you can download the game engine for them, writing a game with so many levels usually isn't a one person job; I don't know that you can get your wi-fi SSID from an IP address, maybe you can and I just don't know about it; your SSID can be turned off; you can direct connect with a cable to avoid broadcasting your SSID; anyone that savvy will not need to ask a chat room how to disappear, this knowledge is readily available; the (Bee)/drones are readily available, just look at them on Youtube.
- Other: Two people who are trying hard to disappear are leaving a lot of hints; the Chicago detectives appear to be very complacent about murders in their district and so is their lieutenant; bringing someone to your home just to murder them is probably not a good idea. I could just go on and on.
Since this author already has about 10 books under her belt, she obviously written some entertaining books and has a lot of fans. I just didn't find this book to my liking.
I got this book free as a review copy.
Sorry, but my review is going to be a list of things I didn't like about this book.
- There were too many characters in it. I didn't read the other Forensic Instincts books so maybe they served purpose in the other books.
- Writing was too wordy. Taking 5-6 pages to get a meeting to order was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Writing could have been tighter.
- Not knowing about computer stuff is the bane of a lot of writers and I think that authors should rather refrain from writing about it rather than try to.
- For example Miles is supposed to knowledgeable but I don't know that he can write and publish a full game like that or that he would published it where there are few readers, these games need to be tested and even though you can download the game engine for them, writing a game with so many levels usually isn't a one person job; I don't know that you can get your wi-fi SSID from an IP address, maybe you can and I just don't know about it; your SSID can be turned off; you can direct connect with a cable to avoid broadcasting your SSID; anyone that savvy will not need to ask a chat room how to disappear, this knowledge is readily available; the (Bee)/drones are readily available, just look at them on Youtube.
- Other: Two people who are trying hard to disappear are leaving a lot of hints; the Chicago detectives appear to be very complacent about murders in their district and so is their lieutenant; bringing someone to your home just to murder them is probably not a good idea. I could just go on and on.
Since this author already has about 10 books under her belt, she obviously written some entertaining books and has a lot of fans. I just didn't find this book to my liking.
I got this book free as a review copy.
June 2, 2016
As this one started out I wondered how the crime in Chicago would connect to our crew in NY, there didn't see like there could be a connection at all. I liked that Emma was the one that connected with the case, that she could see herself in things and wanted to do better by Lisa.
I didn't fault Lisa for her actions. With the knowledge that she had she made the best decision she could and in a way honored the person who was hurt. I was glad that while Lisa was scared out of her wits she had a friend in Milo.
I really liked how Lisa and Emma bonded, much like Milo and Ryan. I was glad that the FI team was able to bargain with the powers that be and get Lisa and Milo out of any trouble, they deserved a break for once.
It seems like the FI team came close to or even crossed a line during this book. I was glad that everyone came out ok, but wonder how things will be for them in the future.
I didn't fault Lisa for her actions. With the knowledge that she had she made the best decision she could and in a way honored the person who was hurt. I was glad that while Lisa was scared out of her wits she had a friend in Milo.
I really liked how Lisa and Emma bonded, much like Milo and Ryan. I was glad that the FI team was able to bargain with the powers that be and get Lisa and Milo out of any trouble, they deserved a break for once.
It seems like the FI team came close to or even crossed a line during this book. I was glad that everyone came out ok, but wonder how things will be for them in the future.
June 1, 2016
The Murder That Never Was is the latest exciting thriller in the Forensic Instincts series. I am always blown away at how an author can keep coming up with exciting and intriguing ideas for the characters in a long standing series. In this one, the group is pulled into a case at random, but quickly learn that there is more to it than a case of mistaken identity.
I loved the story. I loved how the team came together to make sure Lisa and Miles were safe. I also loved how the team rallied around Emma and backed her on a case that was important to her. I don't want to give away any of the plot, because I definitely don;t want to spoil it. As in all of the books, I really like visiting with the team members. As the stories progress, you can really see them settling into being more than colleagues. They have become a family. One thing I was super excited about was Hutch's surprise for Casey. All I can say is that it's about time!
I loved the story. I loved how the team came together to make sure Lisa and Miles were safe. I also loved how the team rallied around Emma and backed her on a case that was important to her. I don't want to give away any of the plot, because I definitely don;t want to spoil it. As in all of the books, I really like visiting with the team members. As the stories progress, you can really see them settling into being more than colleagues. They have become a family. One thing I was super excited about was Hutch's surprise for Casey. All I can say is that it's about time!
March 15, 2016
Andrea Kane has a new and rabid fan! The mark of a great book for me, is one that grabs me from page one and takes me on a great ride. Andrea accomplished that in spades!
This book contained so many elements and personalities that I am left in awe. When you start with the puzzle put together and then have it disassembled and reassembled with such artistry....well, I can not wait for her next book!
If you enjoy intrigue, international players and spunky smart heroes, this book is for you! Enjoy!
This book contained so many elements and personalities that I am left in awe. When you start with the puzzle put together and then have it disassembled and reassembled with such artistry....well, I can not wait for her next book!
If you enjoy intrigue, international players and spunky smart heroes, this book is for you! Enjoy!
Read
December 6, 2020I really tried, but, I just could not get into this book. I got half way through and gave up. Even tried to skim read the last bit. Disappointed!!!
December 7, 2017
3.75 star rating.
My first by author Kane. Thanks to Amazon Vine program for the opportunity to read and review. I thought this was quite good. This impressive and skilled team at Forensic Instincts had me invested in the story from the get-go. I took longer than usual to get this finished and found myself resenting that I didn't have much time to read these last few weeks. A few pages at night and I was nodding off, but not for lack of interest, just plum tuckered out from Christmas prep and care-giving my cold-riddled sickly hubby. Why is it a perfectly self-sufficient able man turns into a whiny child when he's sick with a cold? At any rate, let me continue this review now that I've got some energy restored...
Apparently there are 4 other books about this team of experts that go where others fear to tread, or where the police, agencies or authorities are lacking in man power to solve the mystery of a crime. I believe each installment tells us more about each of the members of the team, how they came to join FI. Each member has its own talent or forte, which contributes to what FI can accomplish. Not written in a boring police procedural style, but in a modern techno-age style using hacking, or whatever means necessary to solve the mystery of a murder. I didn't quite get the title, as a murder did in fact take place, but a mistaken identity throws everyone off.
Worth the read. It doesn't have you on the edge of your seat, but keeps you vested in the outcome. I found it a bit different than most run of the mill thrillers/mysteries, which is a good thing.
My first by author Kane. Thanks to Amazon Vine program for the opportunity to read and review. I thought this was quite good. This impressive and skilled team at Forensic Instincts had me invested in the story from the get-go. I took longer than usual to get this finished and found myself resenting that I didn't have much time to read these last few weeks. A few pages at night and I was nodding off, but not for lack of interest, just plum tuckered out from Christmas prep and care-giving my cold-riddled sickly hubby. Why is it a perfectly self-sufficient able man turns into a whiny child when he's sick with a cold? At any rate, let me continue this review now that I've got some energy restored...
Apparently there are 4 other books about this team of experts that go where others fear to tread, or where the police, agencies or authorities are lacking in man power to solve the mystery of a crime. I believe each installment tells us more about each of the members of the team, how they came to join FI. Each member has its own talent or forte, which contributes to what FI can accomplish. Not written in a boring police procedural style, but in a modern techno-age style using hacking, or whatever means necessary to solve the mystery of a murder. I didn't quite get the title, as a murder did in fact take place, but a mistaken identity throws everyone off.
Worth the read. It doesn't have you on the edge of your seat, but keeps you vested in the outcome. I found it a bit different than most run of the mill thrillers/mysteries, which is a good thing.
September 6, 2024
This was #5 in the series and I think the first for me. I keep thinking that I had read something in this series but I don't see it listed in my READ list.
In this book a woman with a checkered past meets a woman involved in an ongoing criminal thing, they look alike and have similar interests. They become roommates and then one is killed and the other steps into her life only to find that it might not have been her who was the intended victim.
Forensic Instincts is an organization that assists in solving issues for people, this issue just happens to include lots of physical danger and characters.
Well worth the read.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
In this book a woman with a checkered past meets a woman involved in an ongoing criminal thing, they look alike and have similar interests. They become roommates and then one is killed and the other steps into her life only to find that it might not have been her who was the intended victim.
Forensic Instincts is an organization that assists in solving issues for people, this issue just happens to include lots of physical danger and characters.
Well worth the read.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
November 28, 2023
A formula based book that’s easy to read but absolutely adding nothing to the genre. The payoff was extremely rushed & provided nothing. Will probably avoid the others in the series and I’m glad it was just an audio book.
January 29, 2018
If the author would write less about the sex life of the FI team I would like her books much, much more. So much detail is NOT needed!
Having said that, this book was quite intense with a rather complex premise. The story line was
totally believable, given today's society.
Having said that, this book was quite intense with a rather complex premise. The story line was
totally believable, given today's society.
May 13, 2016
The Murder that Never Was I have been a fan of Andrea Kane but have not read anything by her in a long time. When offered a chance to read The Murder That Never Was, I found the title very intriguing. A psychological thriller about switched identities, with an underlying topic of the foster system, which I have come to learn a lot about lately, as a family member is currently fostering.
Julie Forman, a personal trainer meets and befriends Lisa Barnes when Lisa interviews for a job at her gym. Julie sees through Lisa's fake resume and offers her the job and to help her put her apartment in order. Julie see's a kindred spirit and ironically they resemble each other.
A young athlete and Olympic hopeful, Shannon, finds out that she has a heart condition and the cause of the problem is performance enhancing drugs. She is understandably upset and goes to Julie who has been keeping abreast of Shannon's training and finds that Shannon's trainer Jim has been giving Shannon the drugs. Julie breaks into the gym and finds incriminating evidence and plans to report the trainer. Before this can happen she is shot and killed walking home. Lisa happens to witness the shooting and afraid of what may happen to her if she reports herself a witness, assumes Julie's identity. With the help of her best friend Miles, Lisa does just that. Miles and Lisa have been friends that grew up together in the foster system and always have each others backs.
But things are not so simple and things go from bad to worse and Lisa enlists the assistance of an unorthodox investigation team to keep herself, her friend and Shannon safe from a killer bent on seeing that secrets stay secret. We are privy to the narcissistic scientist who wants to be known for the best drugs for athletes illegal or not, the Russian killer, the Forensic Instincts team. The Forensic Instincts team consists of a retired FBI agent a behaviorist, A reformed pickpocket, a tech wiz, a former Navy SEAL, an intuitive and a human-scent-evidence dog. Together, they push ethical and legal boundaries to justify the means. All of the characters in this novel are written with very human emotions and faults. This is a character driven novel with twists galore.
Will this group of people be enough to expose the corrupt organization? I can't tell you that but I can tell you that if you love a good thriller, then you can't go wrong with an Andrea Kane novel!
Julie Forman, a personal trainer meets and befriends Lisa Barnes when Lisa interviews for a job at her gym. Julie sees through Lisa's fake resume and offers her the job and to help her put her apartment in order. Julie see's a kindred spirit and ironically they resemble each other.
A young athlete and Olympic hopeful, Shannon, finds out that she has a heart condition and the cause of the problem is performance enhancing drugs. She is understandably upset and goes to Julie who has been keeping abreast of Shannon's training and finds that Shannon's trainer Jim has been giving Shannon the drugs. Julie breaks into the gym and finds incriminating evidence and plans to report the trainer. Before this can happen she is shot and killed walking home. Lisa happens to witness the shooting and afraid of what may happen to her if she reports herself a witness, assumes Julie's identity. With the help of her best friend Miles, Lisa does just that. Miles and Lisa have been friends that grew up together in the foster system and always have each others backs.
But things are not so simple and things go from bad to worse and Lisa enlists the assistance of an unorthodox investigation team to keep herself, her friend and Shannon safe from a killer bent on seeing that secrets stay secret. We are privy to the narcissistic scientist who wants to be known for the best drugs for athletes illegal or not, the Russian killer, the Forensic Instincts team. The Forensic Instincts team consists of a retired FBI agent a behaviorist, A reformed pickpocket, a tech wiz, a former Navy SEAL, an intuitive and a human-scent-evidence dog. Together, they push ethical and legal boundaries to justify the means. All of the characters in this novel are written with very human emotions and faults. This is a character driven novel with twists galore.
Will this group of people be enough to expose the corrupt organization? I can't tell you that but I can tell you that if you love a good thriller, then you can't go wrong with an Andrea Kane novel!
December 25, 2016
3 stars. An OK read. I have to say though that I'm finding the FI team just a bit too arrogant with their belief of their own superiority.
July 25, 2016
Fifth in Forensic Instincts series
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
This is the first book in this series I've read by author Andrea Kane and it won't be the last.
The action started right from the first in this exciting thriller and didn't let up all the way through.
I really enjoyed getting to know the different characters on the Forensic Instincts (FI) team and what a motley crew they are. I especially liked Ryan, the tech nerd, and Emma, newest on the team that came from a life of foster homes and used to make her living picking pockets. The story is character driven with a lot of characters to keep track of but the author does a good job keeping the reader informed.
This is an intense tale with a megalomaniac Russian doctor, Russian enforcers, Performance Enhancing Drugs, murder and mayhem.
Be forewarned that there are some sexual situations in the book and also some terrifying scenes of attempted rape and torture.
I received this book from Bonnie Meadow Publishing in exchange for my unbiased review.
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
This is the first book in this series I've read by author Andrea Kane and it won't be the last.
The action started right from the first in this exciting thriller and didn't let up all the way through.
I really enjoyed getting to know the different characters on the Forensic Instincts (FI) team and what a motley crew they are. I especially liked Ryan, the tech nerd, and Emma, newest on the team that came from a life of foster homes and used to make her living picking pockets. The story is character driven with a lot of characters to keep track of but the author does a good job keeping the reader informed.
This is an intense tale with a megalomaniac Russian doctor, Russian enforcers, Performance Enhancing Drugs, murder and mayhem.
Be forewarned that there are some sexual situations in the book and also some terrifying scenes of attempted rape and torture.
I received this book from Bonnie Meadow Publishing in exchange for my unbiased review.
July 21, 2016
The Forensic Instinct team is a fascinating group of investigators. They get into some fascinating cases and use a variety of skills to resolve them. This is a well-done series.
to-read-tier-3
July 30, 2016My wife is reading this . This may be a new author to read for her . Note to self check at NPL
January 25, 2017
Good. Not great.
March 19, 2018
I love this series and I loved this story, but I felt that some of the writing could have used some finessing. I love Andrea Kane's novels, from her early historical romance to these new FI suspense books. And I feel like her writing has generally gotten better and better over the years, but something in this one felt more like her earlier books. It was still a great story and I liked the characters, but sometimes I felt she was "telling" the reader things that we could already see and deduce for ourselves based on action, dialogue, and even descriptors of body language. The cover says this is "ripped from the headlines" and I'd love to read about the inspiration case. I felt like, as part of the series, this one was more of a standalone. It didn't move the personal relationships forward as much as previous ones. It did introduce a change in Casey and Hutch's relationship but I don't feel like they've really dealt with it yet--I'm sure we'll be seeing that one evolve more in future installments. It was fun seeing Emma stretch her wings and Ryan's character hinted at growth but, again, I think we'll have to wait to see how that develops. I'm okay with the waiting though--it feels more believable to me that Kane gives us the character/relationship developments in small, gradual doses.
May 28, 2018
Lisa finally gets a job, Julie seeing she needs a break gets her hired at a spa/gym. She is living with Julie when she witnesses Julie shot down in cold blood outside their apartment. Well Lisa has some secrets too and coincidentally Lisa and Julie look a lot alike. So Lisa assumes Julie’s identify and flees Chicago to New Jersey. The killer was after Julie, so now Lisa is in danger assuming her identity.
Ironically both Emma and Ryan get attached to Julie/Lisa and bring FI into play.
Premise: Julie has an Olympic hopeful who she discovers is getting PED’s (performance enhancing drugs). When Shannon gets injured, feels poorly with more medical issue Julie ends up dead from all her snooping. As FI starts digging they discover the Russian Mob is involved and they are about to open a can of worms.
What I love about this series is the regular ensemble; in regards to the regulars: Emma is slowly sowing her oats to be apart of this team. Ryan has new flying toys. Claire has a very emotional clairvoyance with a man murdered. Aiden, Marc’s brother has some play. Casey and Hutch reach a new plateau in their relationship and Hutch gets pulled into this case as well.
If you have not started at book one, read this, but then go back to the beginning and watch the dynamic of Forensic Instincts come together.
Ironically both Emma and Ryan get attached to Julie/Lisa and bring FI into play.
Premise: Julie has an Olympic hopeful who she discovers is getting PED’s (performance enhancing drugs). When Shannon gets injured, feels poorly with more medical issue Julie ends up dead from all her snooping. As FI starts digging they discover the Russian Mob is involved and they are about to open a can of worms.
What I love about this series is the regular ensemble; in regards to the regulars: Emma is slowly sowing her oats to be apart of this team. Ryan has new flying toys. Claire has a very emotional clairvoyance with a man murdered. Aiden, Marc’s brother has some play. Casey and Hutch reach a new plateau in their relationship and Hutch gets pulled into this case as well.
If you have not started at book one, read this, but then go back to the beginning and watch the dynamic of Forensic Instincts come together.
October 25, 2018
Lisa, a former foster kid who was involved with drug running is taken in by Julie, a physical trainer who bears a striking resemblance to Lisa. When Lisa sees Julie gunned down in broad daylight, Lisa assumes the bullets were meant for her, and it was a case of mistaken identity. Making a split second decision, Lisa trades wallets with Julie and takes her identity. Unfortunately for Lisa, Julie was the intended target, and Lisa's choice places her in more danger.
I really wanted to like this book. The title grabbed my attention immediately; the description on the back hooked me. The premise was great. Unfortunately, to me it read like a made for TV movie. There were too many impossible coincidences, too many unbelievable actions by the characters. Much of the dialogue was stilted and felt fake. Ultimately, the biggest letdown was at the end. Spoilers ahead It felt like the author needed to wrap up the book, so she threw a few things together and bam!
To be fair, I may have liked the book better if I'd read the others in the series first. Perhaps having more of a connection to the Forensic Instincts team would have made the book more enjoyable for me.
I really wanted to like this book. The title grabbed my attention immediately; the description on the back hooked me. The premise was great. Unfortunately, to me it read like a made for TV movie. There were too many impossible coincidences, too many unbelievable actions by the characters. Much of the dialogue was stilted and felt fake. Ultimately, the biggest letdown was at the end. Spoilers ahead It felt like the author needed to wrap up the book, so she threw a few things together and bam!
To be fair, I may have liked the book better if I'd read the others in the series first. Perhaps having more of a connection to the Forensic Instincts team would have made the book more enjoyable for me.
March 31, 2021
This is part of a series. In many cases, books in a series can be read as standalone stories but not in this case. Recommend reading the series from the beginning and getting to know the characters and reasons for why they're in a team. This particular installment is a disappoint to me. I've loved the series - although it's pretty light reading, compared to the detective novels & mysteries that I also enjoy. If you read this first, you might judge the series too harshly. The four preceding books were much better, in my opinion. Want to give this a 2.5/5, but no option for that, so I upgraded my rating to 3/5.
May 26, 2019
#5 in the for Forensic Instincts series centers around a former street kid trying to turn her life around when the woman who gave her a job and a place to live is short right before her. She thinks it's drug dealers with whom she past dealings trying to "get her", as she and her new roommate look very similar. When presented with the opportunity to shed her former life she leaves her ID next to the body and takes hers. The FI team helps to save her life when she discovers the killers really were after the other woman.
May 20, 2017
I justt discovered this series and devoured them.:-) This time the author failed to delivered.
It isn't even a case since the client didnt hire them. Somehow Emma stumbles across this story snd gets the team to investigate it.
I don't enjoy stories that have the Mafia in it
or drug cartel in it.
Most series have a dud and for me it is this book. I still love the series and recommrmd it.
It isn't even a case since the client didnt hire them. Somehow Emma stumbles across this story snd gets the team to investigate it.
I don't enjoy stories that have the Mafia in it
or drug cartel in it.
Most series have a dud and for me it is this book. I still love the series and recommrmd it.
July 8, 2018
This was my 1st book in the series to read. It kept me interested yet i found it unbelievable at times; starting with the premise that someone could seemingly so easily take over another person's identity (after she was shot dead) when they had only met a week before and coincidentally looked like that other person and truly had little in common. i did enjoy the book, lots if suspense and twists
November 14, 2018
Should be 3.5- Another in the FI (Forensic Instincts) series with- Casey and her usual bunch of employees- Claire, Ryan, Marc, Emma, Patrick and sometimes associated experts- Aidan and Hutch. There is more character developement of the team members and the story is convoluted enough- a lookalike person takes the place of a murdered woman, and there is a Russian angle, sports drugs connection, and also a trace back to Emma's Chicago foster system roots. This is a very quick entertaining read.
March 12, 2018
Series is best read in order to keep track of who is who and the various relationships.
I will say the formatting gave me a headache a bit since page numbers and running headers on the beginning of chapters threw me off.
The story itself was good and kept me curious. It was a multi-layered conspiracy with twists and seemingly unrelated turns. Looking forward to the next FI book.
I will say the formatting gave me a headache a bit since page numbers and running headers on the beginning of chapters threw me off.
The story itself was good and kept me curious. It was a multi-layered conspiracy with twists and seemingly unrelated turns. Looking forward to the next FI book.
May 17, 2020
3 murderous stars!
I'll be finishing this series no matter what. But it feels like I had one too many after reading this one.
It also feels like Forensic Instincts people are getting burned out. Lisa, Miles and Shannon were not so interesting party. It felt off connecting with them.
I will be reading the next one maybe next year.
I'll be finishing this series no matter what. But it feels like I had one too many after reading this one.
It also feels like Forensic Instincts people are getting burned out. Lisa, Miles and Shannon were not so interesting party. It felt off connecting with them.
I will be reading the next one maybe next year.
September 27, 2023
this is the second one I've read of this series, and I really enjoyed the story. The FI had their work cut out for them here, and I really loved the Emma character in this one. Always nice to have the Russians being the bad guys too. These books seem to be available at my library, so I'll probably continue reading them in between the books I wait to become available
September 20, 2024
Was a little confusing at first with all the characters, but it might've be easier if I read the other books in the Forensicts Instincts series. Other than that, This is a great mystery. I love all the different perspectives, it added a lot of tension especially at the end. The main idea is so intriguing and was beautifully executed. Definitely worth the read!
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