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Zoe Prime #3

Face of Fear

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FBI Special Agent Zoe Prime suffers from a rare condition which also gives her a unique talent—she views the world through a lens of numbers. The numbers torment her, make her unable to relate to people, and give her a failed romantic life—yet they also allow her to see patterns that no other FBI agent can see. Zoe keeps her condition a secret, ashamed, in fear her colleagues may find out.

Women are turning up dead in Los Angeles, with no pattern other than the fact that they are all heavily tattooed. With a dead end in the case, the FBI calls in Special Agent Zoe prime to find a pattern where others cannot—and to stop the killer before he strikes again.

But Zoe, in therapy, is battling her own demons, barely able to function in her world plagued by numbers and on the brink of quitting the FBI. Can she really enter this psychotic killer’s mind, find the hidden pattern, and come out unscathed?

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2020

211 people are currently reading
426 people want to read

About the author

Blake Pierce

933 books5,929 followers
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.

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5 stars
219 (40%)
4 stars
215 (39%)
3 stars
91 (16%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Donne.
1,571 reviews103 followers
December 14, 2023
Zoe and Shelley are back on a case, this time it’s in LA to track a killer that is brutally killing people with tattoos. The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline about the investigation into the murders. There are secondary storylines like the one that Zoe is still trying to date and has been on five dates now with John, who is extremely patient with Zoe and her little quirks. Zoe is also still trying to resolve and move past the abuse she suffered by her mother who demonized Zoe and vilified her condition. There is also a storyline where Zoe begins to appreciate her therapist’s guidance and assistance in helping her manage her Synesthesia.

Most of the story revolves around the investigation with Zoe trying to organize and understand the leads and all the patterns that they create. It’s well into the second half that Zoe and Shelley zero in on a motive but still struggle to identify the killer. At 206pgs, it’s not long before Zoe and Shelley bring the story to a satisfying conclusion, thanks to Zoe’s Synesthesia.

I’m enjoying this series. I like Zoe; she’s the quirky kind of MC that makes the story more interesting, at least to me. I also find some of her struggles to be more sociable and less arrogant and obnoxious really funny. There is an exchange between her and Shelley where Zoe is trying to prove she is right and she and Shelley argue about a horse, hooves and manes that had me cracking up. LMAO!!! Sooo Zoe!!!
6 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2022
Fabulous book - Great story and definitely a 'can't put down' book. I highly recommend this series.
Profile Image for Keshav Nair.
298 reviews
May 9, 2020
Another good read in the third of Zoe Prime's series by Blake Pierce. The author has aptly shown how teamwork can immensely help in apprehending criminals. The storyline is very much the same in all three series - a serial killer on the loose choosing vicitms based on some calculated norms and the protagonist out to decipher the clues left behind by the killer through her gifted talent of seeing the crime scene in numbers. In this book too, the author has given a brief insight into the personal lives of law enforcement personnel - a balanced work-life type and a workaholic type. With some meditation therapy, the protagonist is slowly entering a phase of appreciating a relationship with her lawyer friend. She seems to overcome her temper and starts to believe in her partner at work and relishes the company of Shelly Rose in unraveling crime scenes. Having read all three in the Zoe Prime series at a sweep, I have a feeling of a monotonous plot and hope to see something different in the next book. Good read for mystery lovers.
Profile Image for Jean .
670 reviews21 followers
January 31, 2021
Another enjoyable Zoe Prime book! Face of Fear is book #3. However, I have read five now. Out of order, but good just the same.

I like Zoe’s character. I am not sure I could work with her, though. She is unique, as we all are. She is deeply wounded and watching her recover bit by bit is touching and inspires hope. It also gives me pause to think about life’s challenges. It seems good fortune to be born neuro-typical. Still, all of us need nurturing to be able to be fruitful and happy, so maybe any of us who have had a loving childhood, have had extremely good fortune.

Also, I like police procedurals and detective books because I enjoy being privy to the thought processes of the characters involved in investigation. Zoe and her partner struggle to find and evaluate clues as they seek to solve and prevent crimes. Blake Pierce is sure to throw in enough twists to the investigation to make it interesting.
Profile Image for Kathy .
1,305 reviews4 followers
February 19, 2021
Zoe and Shelley are once again on the hunt for a serial killer. Theirs is an interesting partnership-- Zoe the analytical mind that can find minute connections and facts, while Shelley is magic when it comes to reading people and getting them to talk.
In this installment, we see how well their unique skills compliment the other. They are both convinced they are right in following specific and different leads, but ultimately their trust in one another and ability to work together help them solve the case.
It is interesting to see how Zoe is evolving. With Shelley's help she is branching out in both her personal and professional life. She is a fascinating character.
Profile Image for Lizzie Aquino.
25 reviews
December 15, 2023
Esta fue una historia LOCA.
Por poco pensé que Shelley le estaba empezando a dar la espalda a Zoe, o que nuestra protagonista se estaba empezando a volver loca por tantos números, ¡Pero no!
Zoe de nueva cuenta pudo resolver el caso, tal vez fue regañada y todo lo que quieras, pero lo resolvió como mejor sabe hacer ahora: con ayuda de su fiel compañera, Shelley.
En cuando pueda continuaré con el próximo libro.
De nuevo, agradezco haber conocido a este autor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vfields Don't touch my happy! .
3,520 reviews
October 26, 2024
This is #3 in the series and again we get the pleasure of watching Zoe Prime growing into the human she always wanted to be. Experiencing things she assumed she’d never do.
Reading this was free and easy.
Blake Pierce avoids writing outside her comfort zone.
All the secondary characters are solid support for Zoe.
The murder is again very gruesome but it is what it is.
The conclusion was satisfying.
Profile Image for Jessica.
197 reviews
May 12, 2025
I continued on with the series, hoping that the stories would grab me & keep me interested. Unfortunately, I felt that the writing was weakest in this one, almost to the point of irritation. The portrayal of tattoo culture was outdated and showed a lack of research into a central aspect of the plot.
Profile Image for Dr. Simone J. Simone.
182 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2020
So Good That I Bought the Next Book

This book got a little too tangled up in numbers to suit me, but I really enjoyed the personalities of Zoe and Shelley and the way they work together. It's always good to cheer on those who apprehend bad people.
Profile Image for Gaillee C.
13 reviews
May 5, 2020
Found Blake Pierce books about 8 months ago and I have read most of them. Entertaining read. I enjoy the characters.
Profile Image for Jo.
428 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2020
Literally so addicted to Blake Pierce's books. It was fantastic as usual!
Profile Image for valerie smith.
69 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2020
Brilliant

I really enjoyed this book, it had me gripped from beginning to end, I can't wait for book 4 to be released.
452 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2020
Down from four stars due to way too many grammatical errors.
290 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2020
Excellent

Excellently written to hold the reader's interest. The Zoe Prime series is made up of great stories that provide insights into the thinking of a very gifted agent.
Profile Image for ✨vicky✨.
48 reviews
July 11, 2023
es el que menos me gusto de los tres, pero igualmente es GENIAL. Los libros en si no tienen mucha relación mas que la evolución del vinculo entre las protagonistas.
tkm Blake Pierce
1 review
May 30, 2020
Good read

This is a pretty good series, I have read the previous two, now just have to wait for the next book in this series. I love all of Blake Pierce 'a books!
Profile Image for Rainbow Unicorn.
1,226 reviews4 followers
October 15, 2022
An enjoyable series, with a main character who is strong yet emotionally vulnerable at the same time. Decent story lines.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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