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Agent Victoria Heslin #1
The Numbers Killer
You’ll never view odd numbers the same way again.
When a key witness in an organized crime trial turns up dead in his kitchen with liar and the number two scrawled on his forehead, the FBI assumes the murder was a hit to silence him. Then the calls start coming in—more victims with similar markings and no connection to the mob.
As agents Victoria Heslin and Dante Rivera struggle to catch a break in the case, they receive a series of cryptic, personal messages from the killer, complicating the investigation. Something disturbing and frightening is underway, and anyone might be next, including the agents, unless they uncover the common denominator.
The Numbers Killer is the first book in the Agent Victoria Heslin Series and can be read as a standalone.
When a key witness in an organized crime trial turns up dead in his kitchen with liar and the number two scrawled on his forehead, the FBI assumes the murder was a hit to silence him. Then the calls start coming in—more victims with similar markings and no connection to the mob.
As agents Victoria Heslin and Dante Rivera struggle to catch a break in the case, they receive a series of cryptic, personal messages from the killer, complicating the investigation. Something disturbing and frightening is underway, and anyone might be next, including the agents, unless they uncover the common denominator.
The Numbers Killer is the first book in the Agent Victoria Heslin Series and can be read as a standalone.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
4319 people are currently reading
6580 people want to read
About the author
Jenifer Ruff
67 books636 followersUSA Today bestselling author Jenifer Ruff writes dark and twisty mystery thrillers, including the award-winning Agent Victoria Heslin Series. Jenifer spends her days writing with the goal of keeping her readers eagerly turning the pages and putting the clues together. She adores peace and quiet, animals, and exercise, especially hiking. If she’s not writing, she’s probably out exploring trails with her dogs. Sign up for her Reader's Newsletter at Jenruff.com and never miss a new release.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
September 25, 2021
The Numbers Killer wasn't that good of a mystery but was a bit different than usual; we knew the killer right off the start, but we did not know the motive.
The book follows multiple characters; the killer, the two agents in charge, a couple of potential victims, and even the dog walker. They all help follow every part of an ongoing investigation yet the plot felt rather superficial in the end. Because while the first installment of Agent Victoria Heslin is a mystery, it somewhat takes the romantic suspense direction and sets up an eventual love triangle.
I kind of liked the characters, despite not learning anything about them. They were all ridiculously gorgeous, fit, smart, and all-around perfect, without the usual flaws we come across in the genre; but it somehow worked for a slightly underwhelming read, bordering on a clean new adult story with a bit of suspense.
If you're looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I would look elsewhere.
But if you're looking for a bit of a guilty pleasure, a mystery with a beautiful heiress with many dogs as a heroine, and the two suitors that kind of already love her, you might want to give it a try. I personally enjoyed it and might even read the next one.
> 29 or 30 years old heroine
> No cliffhanger
> Multiple POVs
> No romance but obviously going in the subplot direction or more
> Multiple installments
Trigger warning:
No triggers despite being a crime story, but the heroine rescue abused dogs and there are some details about it.
May 12, 2019
The beginning of this book is chaotic as the reader enters a serial murder in process while the killer is berated by her husband. The scary thing is that this is so realistic and could happen to anybody. The characters are believable, and the circumstances are presented in some depth, creating substantial involvement with the story. I developed a growing sense of dread as the story continued, and my expectations were fulfilled. I spent more time in the head of a crazy person than I would have liked, but in the end it was all worthwhile.
August 4, 2019
I love it, the story grab me from the start if you like thrillers and mysteries than you will love this book I received this e-book from the author who advertise the book on Facebook. I highly recommend this book to adults.
January 24, 2025
I enjoyed this book and I look forward to enjoying the rest of the series. I absolutely loved that the main character is a dog lover and that she has a dog walker who is a veterinarian. I loved the dogs in the story. It was a psychological thriller that was believable and I did not expect the ending. I already have book 2 lined up to read next.
January 15, 2026
3.5 rounded up.
This had a really strong storyline and I liked the characters a lot. The way they interacted felt natural, and the relationships between them were genuinely enjoyable to read.
What let it down for me was the predictability. I guessed the twist far too early on and, if I’m honest, I kept expecting a double bluff because it all felt a bit too obvious.
That said, it was still an entertaining read overall and I wouldn’t be put off continuing with the series. I just hope the twists and turns are a little harder to spot next time.
This had a really strong storyline and I liked the characters a lot. The way they interacted felt natural, and the relationships between them were genuinely enjoyable to read.
What let it down for me was the predictability. I guessed the twist far too early on and, if I’m honest, I kept expecting a double bluff because it all felt a bit too obvious.
That said, it was still an entertaining read overall and I wouldn’t be put off continuing with the series. I just hope the twists and turns are a little harder to spot next time.
July 15, 2021
Great book! Grabbed me from the start. So much so, that I read it all in one day. Looking forward to more Agent Victoria Heslin stories!
September 4, 2020
I couldn't put this book down! The ending was a little fast for me but overall this was a really great read.
May 27, 2019
Just finished The Numbers Killer. It was a fast-paced, page-turner that had me up late and never wanting to put it down. There were a number of unexpected twists and turns with an ending that will catch you completely off guard. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a great thriller. Usually, it takes me a few weeks to get through a book with my busy schedule but I found myself trying to find breaks here and there where I could get another chapter in. Finished it in just a few days. Another great thriller by Jenifer Ruff!
July 27, 2019
I got an ARC copy of this book from Jenifer and would like to thank a lot for the opportunity. This is the best read I've had in years! The writing is perfect, from beginning to end. It's told from two points of view: The tale is a mixture of delusion, paranoia and submission, flawlessly and a bit humorously written from one side and the well known criminal investigation genre with a bit of romance on the other. But it's not a common book, it grabs your attention and you just can't stop reading until the end, which has a turning point that leaves you breathless. Simply a must read!
December 19, 2024
For those of you like me who have not yet discovered Author, Jenifer Ruff, do yourself a favor and grab the first in her Agent Victoria Heslin thrillers “The Numbers Killer.”
Agent Victoria loves dogs, and seeing criminals brought to justice. She also has a few men in her life who adore her. Although, brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth, you’d never guess by her down-to-earth nature, and her pursuit for the bad guys.
Ruff does a fantastic job of developing her characters in this first in the series without being cliche with them. The storyline is one that will pull you in from the start, and keep you enthralled to the end.
There are a few different POVs provided that added to the overall story, and help the reader see both sides, the good guys and the bad.
For those that pay attention, there was little if any profanity, no gratuitous scenes that detracted from the story, and though Agent Victoria does have a past that plays into her future, she is written as a likeable heroine trying to do the right things without becoming jaded. I’m hooked and ready to read the next in the series!
Ruff also has two other series and a standalone book. You can find them on Amazon and KU!
Agent Victoria loves dogs, and seeing criminals brought to justice. She also has a few men in her life who adore her. Although, brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth, you’d never guess by her down-to-earth nature, and her pursuit for the bad guys.
Ruff does a fantastic job of developing her characters in this first in the series without being cliche with them. The storyline is one that will pull you in from the start, and keep you enthralled to the end.
There are a few different POVs provided that added to the overall story, and help the reader see both sides, the good guys and the bad.
For those that pay attention, there was little if any profanity, no gratuitous scenes that detracted from the story, and though Agent Victoria does have a past that plays into her future, she is written as a likeable heroine trying to do the right things without becoming jaded. I’m hooked and ready to read the next in the series!
Ruff also has two other series and a standalone book. You can find them on Amazon and KU!
April 29, 2020
I like the story and plot but somehow The Numbers Killer is quite superficial to me.
I think the book has potential but should dig deep into characters and plausibility. What irked me was details like Victoria's personality...I don't want to stereotype an FBI character but I think at least she should be more mature and tougher for such a job, right? All in all this one is too light for my taste.
I think the book has potential but should dig deep into characters and plausibility. What irked me was details like Victoria's personality...I don't want to stereotype an FBI character but I think at least she should be more mature and tougher for such a job, right? All in all this one is too light for my taste.
November 6, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I think it started off a little slow for me but it caught my attention. I did not really like the way it ended but I guess if I want to know more I will reado book 2. I like Agent Victoria Heslin, she is a great character and I do like Ned as well. I hope to read more about this in book 2. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I love series killer books and this one was no exception.
July 25, 2025
Knowing the killer from the start was a bit strange, and not knowing what the motive was, was a bit annoying.
March 31, 2020
I liked this book even though I have to admit that at first it was a bit slow for me. The last part of it got really interesting and I flew through it. The twist and the end I did not see coming and I prefer it that way. Over all a good read and would definitely recommend.
January 11, 2025
Bit of a different storyline knowing the killer straight away but still kept the story interesting.
May 7, 2019
I loved Jenifer Ruff’s 'The Numbers Killer'.
The story is whole and seductive, the main character (Agent Heslin) has depth and likeability, and as usual with Jenifer Ruff, there’s lots of body-bags.
From the very first pages, I had an instant connection to the tortured, disorganized soul doing the killing. I like the fact that Ruff identifies the killer to the reader and gives the killer a face, a body and a series of surmountable conflicts. I also like that the author gives the killer a voice and allows us to swim inside the mind of someone detached enough from good sense and reality to initiate a spree of murders in 36 hours. As a reader, I want to hear the killer try to sift through the details of the killings and I want to hear and see the battles going on inside the killer's head.
Why?
Because Ruff giving her killer an identity and a voice makes the killer more real, more human, more dangerous than some permanently twisted psychopath we don’t ever get to identify with, and we don’t ever get to see until he/she guts another character. As readers, we can see and hear and read the killer has no qualms, no guilt, no hesitation about killing, and we get to see and hear and read the killer has a purpose, has a plan, and has a methodology that never seriously considers getting caught. In fact, the numbers killer is more concerned with getting the proper credit for the murders, and 'protecting' Agent Heslin, than serving as a foil or combatant for the authorities hunting for the killer. Those qualities connect me as a reader to the killer, and any writer who’s successful in doing that, has created a successful character.
There is one area I think could use some improvement. The male characters all play off of the main female character, Agent Heslin, and while in the particular case of this story and Agent Heslin, that's a benefit, not a liability, the fact remains that the primary male characters in this book come off as soft and servile, rather than substantive and unique. I'm hopeful that in future books in this series, Rivera and Ned, the two male characters that Ruff introduces to me in this installment, will gain some much-needed personality and depth as well as more individual treatment. The male characters may gain more traction with me if Ruff gives them some of the same attention she’s given to her main character.
The story is whole and seductive, the main character (Agent Heslin) has depth and likeability, and as usual with Jenifer Ruff, there’s lots of body-bags.
From the very first pages, I had an instant connection to the tortured, disorganized soul doing the killing. I like the fact that Ruff identifies the killer to the reader and gives the killer a face, a body and a series of surmountable conflicts. I also like that the author gives the killer a voice and allows us to swim inside the mind of someone detached enough from good sense and reality to initiate a spree of murders in 36 hours. As a reader, I want to hear the killer try to sift through the details of the killings and I want to hear and see the battles going on inside the killer's head.
Why?
Because Ruff giving her killer an identity and a voice makes the killer more real, more human, more dangerous than some permanently twisted psychopath we don’t ever get to identify with, and we don’t ever get to see until he/she guts another character. As readers, we can see and hear and read the killer has no qualms, no guilt, no hesitation about killing, and we get to see and hear and read the killer has a purpose, has a plan, and has a methodology that never seriously considers getting caught. In fact, the numbers killer is more concerned with getting the proper credit for the murders, and 'protecting' Agent Heslin, than serving as a foil or combatant for the authorities hunting for the killer. Those qualities connect me as a reader to the killer, and any writer who’s successful in doing that, has created a successful character.
There is one area I think could use some improvement. The male characters all play off of the main female character, Agent Heslin, and while in the particular case of this story and Agent Heslin, that's a benefit, not a liability, the fact remains that the primary male characters in this book come off as soft and servile, rather than substantive and unique. I'm hopeful that in future books in this series, Rivera and Ned, the two male characters that Ruff introduces to me in this installment, will gain some much-needed personality and depth as well as more individual treatment. The male characters may gain more traction with me if Ruff gives them some of the same attention she’s given to her main character.
May 25, 2019
I received this book as an ARC from the author. I am happy to be able to write this review. I enjoyed this book. I found it interesting. The main characters are quite intriguing and I could hardly wait to see what would happen. Every few pages the FBI were finding people dead. They could not get a handle on the cause of so many dead people in the same time span. What I’m the world is going on. Is there a serial killer in their midst? The killer is leaving clues but to what!?! You will have to read the book to figure it out. Great read!
May 29, 2019
Jenifer Ruff has done it again! From the first gripping scene to the last word on the last page, I was hooked. This book is for those who love a suspenseful story carefully crafted with unexpected turns and wickedly wonderful timing. It is fast-paced and nuance rich and I just couldn't put it down. The attention to detail in the personalities of the characters made me care all the more how it played out for them all. Jenifer Ruff is masterful at keeping the thread of suspense tight and I found myself almost warning the protagonist out loud about what might be around the corner.
A must-read!
A must-read!
May 24, 2019
A great read. A real page turner. Keeps you guessing from the start.
I did catch on to what was going on pretty quickly, although the how it happened did surprise me.
A different spin on the usual serial killer scenario, showing the thought process she went through.
I thought I'd dislike agent heslin but I really didn't.
Overall great characters, great plot great book. I look forward to the next one.
I did catch on to what was going on pretty quickly, although the how it happened did surprise me.
A different spin on the usual serial killer scenario, showing the thought process she went through.
I thought I'd dislike agent heslin but I really didn't.
Overall great characters, great plot great book. I look forward to the next one.
August 22, 2019
The Numbers Killer is a great thriller. The suspense and intrigue in this novel keep you engaged throughout this well-written story. I loved the characters, especially Victoria, and look forward to the next book in this series. If you like reading police procedural, mysteries, or thrillers, you will love this novel.
I received a free copy of this book and choose to review it voluntarily.
I received a free copy of this book and choose to review it voluntarily.
May 29, 2019
A different kind of serial killer!
I've read my share of serial killer books and I LOVED this one! Get in the minds of the killer and those trying to apprehend the Numbers Killer.
A different angle than the usual and it kept me interested right up to the Bazinga! ending.
Well done!!
I've read my share of serial killer books and I LOVED this one! Get in the minds of the killer and those trying to apprehend the Numbers Killer.
A different angle than the usual and it kept me interested right up to the Bazinga! ending.
Well done!!
June 13, 2019
This book was great from the first page to the last. Block out some time to read because you won’t want to put it down. I love FBI Victoria she is smart, beautiful, rich and philanthropic. I hope Jenifer Ruff is working on book 2!!!
January 11, 2020
I’m having a bit of a rough time with this book. On the one hand, the story and the narration were both solid and enjoyable, on the other I just couldn’t stand or understand the main character. Now I’m a huge dog lover to the point where I called my parent’s last dog my baby brother, but Victoria took it to a whole other level, and one that didn’t quite fit with protecting and serving I might add – at least not the human kind.
Case in point; an elder couple were brutally murdered while out hiking with their dogs. However when Victoria is talking with the couple’s children and they aren’t immediately concerned with the dogs she blames and looks down on them for it?!? THEIR PARENTS WERE JUST KILLED… they were naturally in shock trying to understand that. But that didn’t seem to face our dear lead, only the poor dogs that had just lost their mates…
The dogs in this book took up entirely too much space, the mention of them, were in ever few sentences. Frankly I was there for the mystery, not the dog walking. The mystery was a solid one, if a bit too obvious – and I’m not talking about knowing the identity of the killer, we know that from page 1 and follow them throughout the book. I mean the supposed twist in the end, sadly that too was painfully obvious from the start.
The narrator, Stephanie Dillard, on the other hand I was a big fan of. She did a great job with bringing the characters to life. But also making it easy for the reader to differentiate between the different characters. You never wondered who was speaking and it was easy to follow along. She had good pacing, a bit on the faster side, but I’m a huge fan of that, it keeps me on my toes. This might have been my first book by both author and narrator and while I’m not going to continue with the series, I’d happily pick up more books by both.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Case in point; an elder couple were brutally murdered while out hiking with their dogs. However when Victoria is talking with the couple’s children and they aren’t immediately concerned with the dogs she blames and looks down on them for it?!? THEIR PARENTS WERE JUST KILLED… they were naturally in shock trying to understand that. But that didn’t seem to face our dear lead, only the poor dogs that had just lost their mates…
The dogs in this book took up entirely too much space, the mention of them, were in ever few sentences. Frankly I was there for the mystery, not the dog walking. The mystery was a solid one, if a bit too obvious – and I’m not talking about knowing the identity of the killer, we know that from page 1 and follow them throughout the book. I mean the supposed twist in the end, sadly that too was painfully obvious from the start.
The narrator, Stephanie Dillard, on the other hand I was a big fan of. She did a great job with bringing the characters to life. But also making it easy for the reader to differentiate between the different characters. You never wondered who was speaking and it was easy to follow along. She had good pacing, a bit on the faster side, but I’m a huge fan of that, it keeps me on my toes. This might have been my first book by both author and narrator and while I’m not going to continue with the series, I’d happily pick up more books by both.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
May 18, 2020
When the first victim is murdered with a number scrawled on his forehead, the FBI assumes it was a mob hit. After all, he was the key witness in an organized crime trial. However, when more people start to turn up dead, things aren’t so clear. Enter Victoria Heslin. When Victoria starts to receive cryptic messages from who she believes to be the killer, her window of time to solve the case begins to close. Delaying it might mean her own death.
I think the most interesting part of this book was trying to get in the killer’s head and figure out why she was doing what she was. That was the mystery part of this book because we know who the killer is all along. I liked that little mix up on the genre. It made the read a lot more intense to me. The interchanging POVs between killer and special agent amped up the suspense and made it hard to find stopping points. It’s for that reason I tried to listen to the entire book in one go. It had me hooked.
Victoria was a great character. She was kind and determined. A very easy to understand main character and for that reason, it was easy to cheer her on. I think the killer was my favorite character though just because she was such an enigma.
There was plenty of intrigue and foreshadowing, and I love that I couldn’t outright guess what would happen next.
Narration was perfect for this story.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
I think the most interesting part of this book was trying to get in the killer’s head and figure out why she was doing what she was. That was the mystery part of this book because we know who the killer is all along. I liked that little mix up on the genre. It made the read a lot more intense to me. The interchanging POVs between killer and special agent amped up the suspense and made it hard to find stopping points. It’s for that reason I tried to listen to the entire book in one go. It had me hooked.
Victoria was a great character. She was kind and determined. A very easy to understand main character and for that reason, it was easy to cheer her on. I think the killer was my favorite character though just because she was such an enigma.
There was plenty of intrigue and foreshadowing, and I love that I couldn’t outright guess what would happen next.
Narration was perfect for this story.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
May 31, 2019
You’ll never view odd numbers the same way again.
When a key witness in an organized crime trial turns up dead in his kitchen with liar and the number two scrawled on his forehead, the FBI assumes the murder was a hit to silence him. Then the calls start coming in—more victims with similar markings and no connection to the mob.
As agents Victoria Heslin and Dante Rivera struggle to catch a break in the case, they receive a series of cryptic, personal messages from the killer, complicating the investigation. Something disturbing and frightening is underway, and anyone might be next, including the agents, unless they uncover the common denominator.
I LOVED IT!!!! This was an excellent thriller story and brilliant start to the series.
I read this in one sitting as I just could not put it down.
Excellent storyline and plot.
Really enjoyed the characters and can't wait to see the further development of them.
Waiting semi-patiently for the next in series!
Recommend reading!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I also purchased a copy from Amazon.
When a key witness in an organized crime trial turns up dead in his kitchen with liar and the number two scrawled on his forehead, the FBI assumes the murder was a hit to silence him. Then the calls start coming in—more victims with similar markings and no connection to the mob.
As agents Victoria Heslin and Dante Rivera struggle to catch a break in the case, they receive a series of cryptic, personal messages from the killer, complicating the investigation. Something disturbing and frightening is underway, and anyone might be next, including the agents, unless they uncover the common denominator.
I LOVED IT!!!! This was an excellent thriller story and brilliant start to the series.
I read this in one sitting as I just could not put it down.
Excellent storyline and plot.
Really enjoyed the characters and can't wait to see the further development of them.
Waiting semi-patiently for the next in series!
Recommend reading!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I also purchased a copy from Amazon.
May 30, 2019
Author Jenifer Ruff gives us another exciting psychological thriller in The Numbers Killer. It begins with two demented, broken people celebrating their wedding anniversary with a trip to a cheap hotel - but it does not go as planned. The husband Danny, is a relentless manipulating monster and Beth is his expert hacker wife that has her own compulsive issues and fears. Ruff’s writing is fluid and effortless as she takes you on their misadventure alongside the hard working, relentless FBI Agent Victoria Heslin. You will feel sorry for Beth, then experience via her own thoughts her evolution to the more nefarious side and want to reach in and warn the innocent characters. At several points, the book is pleasantly unpredictable and has an unexpected ending required to make a story interesting and memorable. I am rating The Numbers Killer highly because it is an enjoyable, engaging read that I would recommend to friends.
December 20, 2019
I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of Criminal Minds. It kept me on the edge of my seat turning the pages. There is a twist that most won't see coming but I figured out pretty early. That did not take away from the story for me. In my opinion it reminded me of the Violet Darger Series by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain. There is a hint of romance that is not in the Violet Darger Series. I found Victoria interesting and can't wait to read the next one. Sometimes it moved kind of slow, but overall I would recommend it. I read on Kindle Unlimited.
August 8, 2019
This book starts with the best example of misdirection I've read. FBI agents are brought in when a mob witness is murdered. Right away bodies start to pile up, but why, these additional ones aren't connected to the mob? The original murder planned was not the one that actually happened, setting off the numbered killings. I was gifted this from the author.
August 16, 2019
Good mystery. Agents Victoria Heslin and Dante Rivera have a good working relationship and chemistry. I liked Victoria's passion for rescue dogs and the chemistry between her and her assistant/dog sitter Ned.
June 9, 2020
I picked up on the "twist" very early on, but I still enjoyed the book. I started it weeks ago but got busy and didn't have time to read. Once I could put my full attention to it, it kept me engaged and I finished pretty quickly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews