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The Quantico Files #1
Night Fall
"When authorities contact the FBI about bodies found on freight trains--all killed the same way--Alex Donavan is forced to confront her troubled past when she recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving behind. In a race against time, Alex must decide how far she will go-and what she is willing to risk-to put a stop to the Train Killer"--
329 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2021
145 people are currently reading
2862 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Mehl
61 books1,440 followersNancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.
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April 28, 2021DNF - I do not rate books I do not finish.
This book's suspense fell flat for me. Also, I have enjoyed other Christian romantic suspense authors' works, but this one, for me, carried Christian religious discussions way too frequently into the professional work environment of the FBI BAU and makes the story unrealistic for me.
This book's suspense fell flat for me. Also, I have enjoyed other Christian romantic suspense authors' works, but this one, for me, carried Christian religious discussions way too frequently into the professional work environment of the FBI BAU and makes the story unrealistic for me.
April 4, 2021
An intriguing idea of a cult with a prophecy a man believes he must fulfill. Add in a heroine who has fought hard to overcome her past and a hero who stays by her side and truly sees her and it’s a compelling read for those who like suspense with a hint of romance and a side of faith.
October 23, 2022
I almost didn’t finish this because I found the prologue so disturbing!
But then it jumps to our main characters and I was immediately interested. I liked Alex and Logan even though I found Alex’s personality a little stereotypical .
The FAITH THOUGH. I loved the faith in this story. Logan is a Christian while Alex is not. It was so beautiful. There was even a moment when the bad guy was in a church and I really loved that scene too.
I’d recommend it as a solid Christian suspense!
But then it jumps to our main characters and I was immediately interested. I liked Alex and Logan even though I found Alex’s personality a little stereotypical .
The FAITH THOUGH. I loved the faith in this story. Logan is a Christian while Alex is not. It was so beautiful. There was even a moment when the bad guy was in a church and I really loved that scene too.
I’d recommend it as a solid Christian suspense!
May 13, 2021
Eeeeek!!! An eerie psychological thriller with a creep-factor that's edging up to uncomfortable for me. Darkly troubling in places and with a distinct chilling air, Night Fall reminds me of early 'Criminal Minds' episodes before they became so graphic. So, if you're a fan of that TV show, you'll definitely be a fan of Nancy Mehl's The Quantico Files series.
Alex is a complex heroine with an interesting back story. Her life experience has taught her to trust wisely...which means not at all. Her aloofness is a coping strategy, a way to ensure that the inner demons that plague her stay deeply buried. But this new case rattles every last nerve because it hits too close to home. Literally. And the only way to get through it is to face her past. Cue the scary things-that-go-bump-in-the-night soundtrack and settle down for a hair-raising ride!
The suspense is a beguiling mix of behavior analyst team think tank and investigative work among an eclectic mix of law enforcement professionals punctuated by creepy 'unsub' point of view. Shudder. Good vs evil, light vs darkness plays out as Alex and her team race against time to end a villain's vicious psychotic killing spree.
An open-ended faith thread and the hint of romance, with both looking to be developed in future books, adds extra dimension and depth to an already riveting read. My addled sensibilities leave me unsure of whether I'll be able to continue the series though. But for those of you who are brave at heart, Alex Donovan and the Quantico Files are sure to bring hours of intense reading pleasure.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
Alex is a complex heroine with an interesting back story. Her life experience has taught her to trust wisely...which means not at all. Her aloofness is a coping strategy, a way to ensure that the inner demons that plague her stay deeply buried. But this new case rattles every last nerve because it hits too close to home. Literally. And the only way to get through it is to face her past. Cue the scary things-that-go-bump-in-the-night soundtrack and settle down for a hair-raising ride!
The suspense is a beguiling mix of behavior analyst team think tank and investigative work among an eclectic mix of law enforcement professionals punctuated by creepy 'unsub' point of view. Shudder. Good vs evil, light vs darkness plays out as Alex and her team race against time to end a villain's vicious psychotic killing spree.
An open-ended faith thread and the hint of romance, with both looking to be developed in future books, adds extra dimension and depth to an already riveting read. My addled sensibilities leave me unsure of whether I'll be able to continue the series though. But for those of you who are brave at heart, Alex Donovan and the Quantico Files are sure to bring hours of intense reading pleasure.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
May 26, 2021
This is a book you definitely don’t want to put down! This book will grab you by the throat and not let go until the very end. Nancy Mehl has created a fast-past suspense story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Train Man sees it as his duty to kill one-third of the world’s population, and he has just the virus to do it. Alex Donovan and Logan Hart must stop him before he unleashes the virus.
Mehl provided an interesting peek behind the scenes of the Behavior Analysis Unit. I loved seeing how they created a profile for the Train Man. Ms. Mehl did a great job with Alex’s OCD and PTSD issues.
This is Christian fiction and I love the way Alex starts to see who God really is. There is a hint of a romance that I believe will grow with the series.
I loved the twist at the end with the Train Man. It’s a must-read for suspense fans.
The Train Man sees it as his duty to kill one-third of the world’s population, and he has just the virus to do it. Alex Donovan and Logan Hart must stop him before he unleashes the virus.
Mehl provided an interesting peek behind the scenes of the Behavior Analysis Unit. I loved seeing how they created a profile for the Train Man. Ms. Mehl did a great job with Alex’s OCD and PTSD issues.
This is Christian fiction and I love the way Alex starts to see who God really is. There is a hint of a romance that I believe will grow with the series.
I loved the twist at the end with the Train Man. It’s a must-read for suspense fans.
March 25, 2021
I really enjoyed Nancy Mehl’s Kaely Quinn series, but this Night Fall fell a little flat for me. The identity of the killer was revealed at the beginning, and that contributed to my feeling that the story could have been wrapped up sooner. The cult he was part of seemed a little unrealistic to me; it felt disjointed and contrived at times.
The story's redeeming factor was the juxtaposition between Alex and the killer. They had some similarities in their upbringings, but they chose completely different paths. The spiritual elements emphasizing the choices we make that lead to either good or evil, light or darkness, were compelling - that is something Nancy Mehl does well. Although this wasn't my favorite of her books, it was a good introduction to Alex and Logan. I will still read the next book in the series to see where their story goes!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The story's redeeming factor was the juxtaposition between Alex and the killer. They had some similarities in their upbringings, but they chose completely different paths. The spiritual elements emphasizing the choices we make that lead to either good or evil, light or darkness, were compelling - that is something Nancy Mehl does well. Although this wasn't my favorite of her books, it was a good introduction to Alex and Logan. I will still read the next book in the series to see where their story goes!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 3, 2023
Okay, this one was delightfully creepy. I mean, the Train Man poem... whoa... and how Mehl used it. Thanks to exposure to her style from the Kaele Quinn series, I was prepared for a couple of the twists, but even those didn't twist the WAY I expected.
Excellent writing, and I LOVED the characterization. If I have any quibbles it's that Logan might be a smidge too "perfect." Perfect isn't the right word, but because we don't see his flaws on display in the same way we see Alex's, he doesn't have the depth that she does.
Still... GENIUS storytelling and I'm eager to start book two.
Excellent writing, and I LOVED the characterization. If I have any quibbles it's that Logan might be a smidge too "perfect." Perfect isn't the right word, but because we don't see his flaws on display in the same way we see Alex's, he doesn't have the depth that she does.
Still... GENIUS storytelling and I'm eager to start book two.
September 29, 2023
Night Fall - Nancy Mehl - 4.5 Stars - An "on the edge of your seat" Christian Suspense! (Book 1 in The Quantico Files Series)
This was my second book by Nancy and she sure knows how to truly keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat in her books! This book is a Christian Suspense/Mystery and has an awesome ending! If you find the prologue a bit too unsettling, keep reading because it jumps right in to the main characters and that unsettling feeling is a bit resolved early on. While we do have some other chapters from the killer perspective that can be a bit unsettling overall, it didn't cross any lines with me as far as my own personal content barriers, BUT I don't recommend reading after 8pm LOL. The only things I didn't love were I wanted more of a resolution on Alex's faith/salvation story but I will be reading book 2 to see how it all plays out. I did love all of the faith elements in the story, they were great. Additionally, I don't love when stories tie in Covid-19 in a book - it somewhat dates the story and I feel like I heard enough about that when it was going on, but this book only had very small bits on that thankfully so it didn't impact my reading much.
In this story, we follow Alex and Logan - Alex is not a believer but Logan is. We see his influence throughout the story for her as Alex wrestles with the thoughts of does she want to truly know God? Will she let the Lord in? She's been brought up in a very hard home situation - with her family being involved in something called "The Circle" - basically a cult that thinks you are either an angel or a demon and they have their own "book" of guidelines for their "master". It's a wild ride for sure - as we see this "cult" be brought back up in the actual murders and the "Train Man" who is committing them. He sees it as his duty to kill 1/3rd of the population and he has a secret "virus" to do it. Alex and Logan work to stop him and the story goes on here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series. Lovers of suspense with great faith elements - pick this up.
Content: Main character has OCD, mentions of parental deaths and struggling as a child to keep their home clean, main storyline has a cult, mentions of demons, some unsettling killing mentions, etc.
This was my second book by Nancy and she sure knows how to truly keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat in her books! This book is a Christian Suspense/Mystery and has an awesome ending! If you find the prologue a bit too unsettling, keep reading because it jumps right in to the main characters and that unsettling feeling is a bit resolved early on. While we do have some other chapters from the killer perspective that can be a bit unsettling overall, it didn't cross any lines with me as far as my own personal content barriers, BUT I don't recommend reading after 8pm LOL. The only things I didn't love were I wanted more of a resolution on Alex's faith/salvation story but I will be reading book 2 to see how it all plays out. I did love all of the faith elements in the story, they were great. Additionally, I don't love when stories tie in Covid-19 in a book - it somewhat dates the story and I feel like I heard enough about that when it was going on, but this book only had very small bits on that thankfully so it didn't impact my reading much.
In this story, we follow Alex and Logan - Alex is not a believer but Logan is. We see his influence throughout the story for her as Alex wrestles with the thoughts of does she want to truly know God? Will she let the Lord in? She's been brought up in a very hard home situation - with her family being involved in something called "The Circle" - basically a cult that thinks you are either an angel or a demon and they have their own "book" of guidelines for their "master". It's a wild ride for sure - as we see this "cult" be brought back up in the actual murders and the "Train Man" who is committing them. He sees it as his duty to kill 1/3rd of the population and he has a secret "virus" to do it. Alex and Logan work to stop him and the story goes on here.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series. Lovers of suspense with great faith elements - pick this up.
Content: Main character has OCD, mentions of parental deaths and struggling as a child to keep their home clean, main storyline has a cult, mentions of demons, some unsettling killing mentions, etc.
June 17, 2022
Excellent story! 4 stars
April 14, 2021
I am very new to Nancy Mehl’s novels; I have only read her Kaely Quinn Profiler series. So, I came to Night Fall very excited, but still not entirely sure what I was getting into. I admit that there is a lot to like about Night Fall, but I did struggle with a couple of things.
What I Loved
1. The intensity — there are some seriously dark, seriously intense moments in this story. I may have actually caught myself holding my breath a couple of times. I LOVE when a good suspense/mystery gets me so caught up in the storyline I stop breathing for a moment!
2. The juxtaposition of Alex to Adam — Adam is the bad guy in this story. We learn this immediately, so this is not a spoiler. Alex is the heroine, and this, too, is known from page one. Alex and Adam are very similar characters — they have almost identical, messed up childhoods, the adults in their lives utterly failed them, and they both were raised in an insane cult. Both started life walking down the same path. BUT when they came to their metaphorical forks in the road, Alex made very specific choices to better her life, while Adam did not. I LOVE the discussion in this novel about OUR choices. We all have free will and we all have access to doing what is right. It’s a simple matter of choosing to be a victim versus choosing to be a victor. Even though both lives were filled with immense pressure and trauma, Alex made the right choices while Adam did not.
3. Alex — Alex is a tough cookie who isn’t very tough at all. In fact, in this first book of The Quantico Files series, we see that she is quite cracked and it looks like maybe she will shatter into a million pieces. She’s fragility wrapped in tough glass. In this, Alex is exceptionally easy to relate to. I appreciate her coping mechanisms — cleaning and disinfecting, keeping things in order, commanding herself to get over her fears, etc. — because they are exactly like mine. I may have the cleanest kitchen in all of America. It’s my go-to defense when my world feels like chaos. If I can keep my kitchen clean, I have control over something. I like Alex because Alex reminds me of me, and she made me feel not so alone in this crazy world.
4. The overall plot — Night Fall is a pretty predictable mystery. Because we are told who the bad guy is from the very beginning, it’s easy to figure things out. BUT, I did like the overall storyline because I liked seeing HOW the police, FBI, and other agencies came together to try to beat the bad guy before it was too late. I found this aspect of the story HIGHLY engaging and fun.
What I Struggled With
1. I knew who the bad guy was immediately — knowing right away that Adam is the bad guy and knowing his plan for everything zapped all of the mystery out of this story for me. And, because we get told everything up front I feel like most of the story is a lot of telling at me. Why read a story when you basically know everything? And, because I was told the mystery right from the beginning, the little reveals weren’t really reveals cause I figured them out almost immediately. This “knowing everything at the front of the novel” aspect was the most frustrating part for me because it made me not want to read. So, then I dragged my feet with this book and it took me NINE days to read.
2. COVID-19 and MORE pandemic fear – for crying out loud, can we just NOT talk about COVID? Like ever again? When I read, I want to escape. I don’t want the fictional worlds I read about to be full of the mainstream things that are literally happening this moment in my real world. And, to be honest, if I never ever hear the words COVID-19 and pandemics ever again I’ll be a very happy woman. The fact that this novel is all about a crazy person who wants to purposely cause a pandemic to kill 2/3 of the population made me also want to put the novel down. I’m so done with fear and disease.
So, that’s my list of what I liked and what I struggled with. As you can see, the likes far outweigh the struggles. In this, I can honestly say, “Go get this book now!” All kidding aside, I do think there is a lot about Night Fall that many, many readers will love, and so I highly recommend this book to those who love a good mystery/suspense tale.
I received a copy of this novel in paperback form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, in order to review. I also purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on April 1, 2021, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
What I Loved
1. The intensity — there are some seriously dark, seriously intense moments in this story. I may have actually caught myself holding my breath a couple of times. I LOVE when a good suspense/mystery gets me so caught up in the storyline I stop breathing for a moment!
2. The juxtaposition of Alex to Adam — Adam is the bad guy in this story. We learn this immediately, so this is not a spoiler. Alex is the heroine, and this, too, is known from page one. Alex and Adam are very similar characters — they have almost identical, messed up childhoods, the adults in their lives utterly failed them, and they both were raised in an insane cult. Both started life walking down the same path. BUT when they came to their metaphorical forks in the road, Alex made very specific choices to better her life, while Adam did not. I LOVE the discussion in this novel about OUR choices. We all have free will and we all have access to doing what is right. It’s a simple matter of choosing to be a victim versus choosing to be a victor. Even though both lives were filled with immense pressure and trauma, Alex made the right choices while Adam did not.
3. Alex — Alex is a tough cookie who isn’t very tough at all. In fact, in this first book of The Quantico Files series, we see that she is quite cracked and it looks like maybe she will shatter into a million pieces. She’s fragility wrapped in tough glass. In this, Alex is exceptionally easy to relate to. I appreciate her coping mechanisms — cleaning and disinfecting, keeping things in order, commanding herself to get over her fears, etc. — because they are exactly like mine. I may have the cleanest kitchen in all of America. It’s my go-to defense when my world feels like chaos. If I can keep my kitchen clean, I have control over something. I like Alex because Alex reminds me of me, and she made me feel not so alone in this crazy world.
4. The overall plot — Night Fall is a pretty predictable mystery. Because we are told who the bad guy is from the very beginning, it’s easy to figure things out. BUT, I did like the overall storyline because I liked seeing HOW the police, FBI, and other agencies came together to try to beat the bad guy before it was too late. I found this aspect of the story HIGHLY engaging and fun.
What I Struggled With
1. I knew who the bad guy was immediately — knowing right away that Adam is the bad guy and knowing his plan for everything zapped all of the mystery out of this story for me. And, because we get told everything up front I feel like most of the story is a lot of telling at me. Why read a story when you basically know everything? And, because I was told the mystery right from the beginning, the little reveals weren’t really reveals cause I figured them out almost immediately. This “knowing everything at the front of the novel” aspect was the most frustrating part for me because it made me not want to read. So, then I dragged my feet with this book and it took me NINE days to read.
2. COVID-19 and MORE pandemic fear – for crying out loud, can we just NOT talk about COVID? Like ever again? When I read, I want to escape. I don’t want the fictional worlds I read about to be full of the mainstream things that are literally happening this moment in my real world. And, to be honest, if I never ever hear the words COVID-19 and pandemics ever again I’ll be a very happy woman. The fact that this novel is all about a crazy person who wants to purposely cause a pandemic to kill 2/3 of the population made me also want to put the novel down. I’m so done with fear and disease.
So, that’s my list of what I liked and what I struggled with. As you can see, the likes far outweigh the struggles. In this, I can honestly say, “Go get this book now!” All kidding aside, I do think there is a lot about Night Fall that many, many readers will love, and so I highly recommend this book to those who love a good mystery/suspense tale.
I received a copy of this novel in paperback form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, in order to review. I also purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on April 1, 2021, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 21, 2021
“Our train killer has the virus, and he’s going to unleash it. That’s how he intends to carry out the prophecy.”
“But if you give God a chance to be involved in your life, I promise you, He’ll never leave you. Never forsake you. You will be loved completely. He will give you beauty for your ashes. He will heal your broken life.”
“He only worked in the dark. He’d have to wait for night fall.”
This was a great start to a promising series. Fans of the Kaely Quinn series will enjoy this for sure. This is a book focused on the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit dealing with a religious cult, serial killers, and a possible airborne virus...can’t go wrong with that!! I liked the interplay between Alex and Logan. And the “Train Man” part was well done. And no romance, which is a plus for me!
One of my complaints during the Kaely Quinn series was that I guessed the villains in every book. I am glad to say that in Night Fall, there are several big reveals that go on. While I guessed one of those reveals, it was well executed and the other reveals made up for it.
Unfortunately, my only complaint on this one has nothing to do with the storyline as I thought it was excellent; however, I felt like the faith aspects were lacking. There was a lot of faith aspects mentioned throughout the book, but I thought they weren’t well written and sometimes took away from the great story. And no mention of baptism at all.
But I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
* I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review
“But if you give God a chance to be involved in your life, I promise you, He’ll never leave you. Never forsake you. You will be loved completely. He will give you beauty for your ashes. He will heal your broken life.”
“He only worked in the dark. He’d have to wait for night fall.”
This was a great start to a promising series. Fans of the Kaely Quinn series will enjoy this for sure. This is a book focused on the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit dealing with a religious cult, serial killers, and a possible airborne virus...can’t go wrong with that!! I liked the interplay between Alex and Logan. And the “Train Man” part was well done. And no romance, which is a plus for me!
One of my complaints during the Kaely Quinn series was that I guessed the villains in every book. I am glad to say that in Night Fall, there are several big reveals that go on. While I guessed one of those reveals, it was well executed and the other reveals made up for it.
Unfortunately, my only complaint on this one has nothing to do with the storyline as I thought it was excellent; however, I felt like the faith aspects were lacking. There was a lot of faith aspects mentioned throughout the book, but I thought they weren’t well written and sometimes took away from the great story. And no mention of baptism at all.
But I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
* I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review
November 3, 2021
This book is a 3.5 for me. I liked the plot of the book. Alex, the lead investigator in a killing spree, has to go to her pass to confront the present. Can she find out who is responsible and also not fall apart in the process. The reason I didn't give it a 4 star was I figured it out right away, and I really hate when it happens. Eventhough the book ending is obvious it is still a great read. The focus is on child abuse and what affect it can have on you when you are an adult and I really like this this view point. Also the faith journey of this main character is excellent as well. I would highly recommend this book and hope you don't figure it out as fast as I did because if is a real fun read!!
April 4, 2021
Alexandra "Alex" Donovan has overcome her past and now is a member of the FBI's elite Behavior Analysis Unit. When bodies all killed in the same way are found on freight trains traveling across the country, the BAU is called in. Alex immediately recognizes the graffiti message the killer is leaving on the train cars and realizes she will have to confront her past in this new job.
As usual, Nancy Mehl fills her pages with twists, turns, and surprise endings that keep you turning pages until you have finished the book. Words like haunting, intense, thrilling and chilling all came to mind as I was reading. Her partner, Logan Heart, was a kind-hearted young man who stood beside Alex as they fought to track down this psychopathic serial killer. The author's detailed research shows up in her understanding of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety attacks. The romance plays a very light thread in the background, and it will be interesting to see if it develops further in the series.
I definitely recommend this intense suspense for those who like page turners!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
As usual, Nancy Mehl fills her pages with twists, turns, and surprise endings that keep you turning pages until you have finished the book. Words like haunting, intense, thrilling and chilling all came to mind as I was reading. Her partner, Logan Heart, was a kind-hearted young man who stood beside Alex as they fought to track down this psychopathic serial killer. The author's detailed research shows up in her understanding of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety attacks. The romance plays a very light thread in the background, and it will be interesting to see if it develops further in the series.
I definitely recommend this intense suspense for those who like page turners!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
August 10, 2021
Alex Donovan works in the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit as coordinator between local law enforcement and the BAU.
In Kansas, bodies are discovered on trains. They've been stabbed multiple times. The killer apparently left painted tags on the outside of boxcars, signed TM. When the BAU is called out to the case, Alex is very aware of what the words mean.
This was not the book for me - - too weird. I didn't like Alex. She is not my idea of a person the FBI would hire. As to the virus story line - with an uptick in Covid, I wasn't in the frame of mind to read about Ebola or any other viruses right now.
On the bright side, I liked the prologue. I appreciated the clean language in the book. It's a Christian romantic suspense and a start of the new series. I have enjoyed Nancy Mehl's series of the Kaely Quinn profiler but I wouldn't want to read any more in this new series.
In Kansas, bodies are discovered on trains. They've been stabbed multiple times. The killer apparently left painted tags on the outside of boxcars, signed TM. When the BAU is called out to the case, Alex is very aware of what the words mean.
This was not the book for me - - too weird. I didn't like Alex. She is not my idea of a person the FBI would hire. As to the virus story line - with an uptick in Covid, I wasn't in the frame of mind to read about Ebola or any other viruses right now.
On the bright side, I liked the prologue. I appreciated the clean language in the book. It's a Christian romantic suspense and a start of the new series. I have enjoyed Nancy Mehl's series of the Kaely Quinn profiler but I wouldn't want to read any more in this new series.
March 30, 2021
“Evil things like to hide in the dark.”
This is an ominous story. It mentions Covid-19 and a pathogen that could be worse.
Behavioral Analysis Unit members, Alexandra Donovan and Logan Hart embark on a search for The Train Man, a killer who is determined to fulfill a prophecy that will impact all of mankind.
Ms. Mehl shows just how evil a mind can get when indoctrinated from childhood. She contrasts nicely the differ between a cultists Book and the Holy Bible and clearly spells out how God is loving and that His truth is in the real Bible. She lets us look into what it is like to have PTSD and lose control of the coping mechanisms tenuously held in place. There were parts of this book that were truly cringe worthy and brought back unwelcome memories.
I didn’t completely connect with Alex and Logan until about two thirds of the way through the story and the repetitive information dragged the story a bit. In spite of the evil shown, I liked the portrayal of Nettie as a sweet Christian lady and several people were shown as giving their lives to the Lord.
The message that came through was that even though people are raised with evil or hard circumstances- not all choose the path to destruction. There is life and goodness in giving yourself over to Christ.
I am eager to see how the next book brings Alex along in her faith journey.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This is an ominous story. It mentions Covid-19 and a pathogen that could be worse.
Behavioral Analysis Unit members, Alexandra Donovan and Logan Hart embark on a search for The Train Man, a killer who is determined to fulfill a prophecy that will impact all of mankind.
Ms. Mehl shows just how evil a mind can get when indoctrinated from childhood. She contrasts nicely the differ between a cultists Book and the Holy Bible and clearly spells out how God is loving and that His truth is in the real Bible. She lets us look into what it is like to have PTSD and lose control of the coping mechanisms tenuously held in place. There were parts of this book that were truly cringe worthy and brought back unwelcome memories.
I didn’t completely connect with Alex and Logan until about two thirds of the way through the story and the repetitive information dragged the story a bit. In spite of the evil shown, I liked the portrayal of Nettie as a sweet Christian lady and several people were shown as giving their lives to the Lord.
The message that came through was that even though people are raised with evil or hard circumstances- not all choose the path to destruction. There is life and goodness in giving yourself over to Christ.
I am eager to see how the next book brings Alex along in her faith journey.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
March 23, 2021
First off, I want to post a warning to those that are sensitive about it, this book mentions COVID-19. This book takes place after the pandemic. That said, I did enjoy this book. I really enjoyed the FBI BAU parts of the book. I also enjoyed reading the parts of the villain’s point of view. There was a twist that really surprised me. I look forward to reading the next book!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 21, 2021
3.5 stars
"Do you hear the Train Man rumbling in the night?"
F. B. I. Behavioral Analyst Specialist Alex Donovan "felt like all the blood in her body had frozen, as if time itself had come to a halt". Seeing those awful phrases painted on the side of a rail car brought back equally awful memories from her childhood, for Alex remembered those words being chanted from the lips of a woman who had been designated as her guardian, although undeniably unstable, her Aunt Willow had taken Alex in after the death of her mother. Frankly, at this point Alex has no choice but to pull herself together in order to aggressively utilize her inside knowledge, the agency is frantically tracking a serial killer, a psychopath who has declared himself as the "Destroyer", his signature being the "Train Man". But what about the cost to Alex's psyche? Revisiting her nightmares will be no easy assignment.
As Alex and her team race forward to avoid a sixth death and the possible unleashing of a powerful pathogen, her subconscious reverts back to episodes of paranoia, near panic attacks, and questions . . . . . all sorts of questions about God . . . . angels . . . . and demons. Fellow agent Logan Hart, nicknamed "The Preacher", calmly and gently probes Alex's misconceptions, assuring her of the existence of a one true God whose characteristics are nothing like the cultish influences of her past. Will it be enough? Will Alex know who to call on in her darkest hour . . . "or else the evil Train Man may carry them(her) away".
Non-stop action, interesting twists and turns, . . . characters that readers will want to spend much more time with . . . , characters whom characters themselves will want to spend more time with. A very intriguing suspense with a rather dark ambience, balanced by some very authentic questions and answers about all things spiritual.
"Do you hear the Train Man rumbling in the night?"
F. B. I. Behavioral Analyst Specialist Alex Donovan "felt like all the blood in her body had frozen, as if time itself had come to a halt". Seeing those awful phrases painted on the side of a rail car brought back equally awful memories from her childhood, for Alex remembered those words being chanted from the lips of a woman who had been designated as her guardian, although undeniably unstable, her Aunt Willow had taken Alex in after the death of her mother. Frankly, at this point Alex has no choice but to pull herself together in order to aggressively utilize her inside knowledge, the agency is frantically tracking a serial killer, a psychopath who has declared himself as the "Destroyer", his signature being the "Train Man". But what about the cost to Alex's psyche? Revisiting her nightmares will be no easy assignment.
As Alex and her team race forward to avoid a sixth death and the possible unleashing of a powerful pathogen, her subconscious reverts back to episodes of paranoia, near panic attacks, and questions . . . . . all sorts of questions about God . . . . angels . . . . and demons. Fellow agent Logan Hart, nicknamed "The Preacher", calmly and gently probes Alex's misconceptions, assuring her of the existence of a one true God whose characteristics are nothing like the cultish influences of her past. Will it be enough? Will Alex know who to call on in her darkest hour . . . "or else the evil Train Man may carry them(her) away".
Non-stop action, interesting twists and turns, . . . characters that readers will want to spend much more time with . . . , characters whom characters themselves will want to spend more time with. A very intriguing suspense with a rather dark ambience, balanced by some very authentic questions and answers about all things spiritual.
May 25, 2021
Genre : Christian, Romance, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery
My rating: 3 stars
Language: Clean!
Age Range: 16+
Content: Serial Killer, deadly virus, mentions slitting a persons wrists, a very bloody crime scene, etc. Basically things you expect in a serial killer book.
Favorite Character: Logan or Monty
Conclusion:
I didn't like the main character, Alex. I know she had a traumatic past, but for some reason, I found her to be annoying. Because of that, I had a hard time getting into the book. I was also able to figure a plot twist . There was also a lot of romance in the book (e.g. descriptions of why Alex was attracted Logan and vice versa). Though they never admitted their feelings to each other, there was more romantic themes then I was expecting.
All in all, it wasn't a bad read, the plot itself was good, just predictable.
My rating: 3 stars
Language: Clean!
Age Range: 16+
Content: Serial Killer, deadly virus, mentions slitting a persons wrists, a very bloody crime scene, etc. Basically things you expect in a serial killer book.
Favorite Character: Logan or Monty
Conclusion:
I didn't like the main character, Alex. I know she had a traumatic past, but for some reason, I found her to be annoying. Because of that, I had a hard time getting into the book. I was also able to figure a plot twist . There was also a lot of romance in the book (e.g. descriptions of why Alex was attracted Logan and vice versa). Though they never admitted their feelings to each other, there was more romantic themes then I was expecting.
All in all, it wasn't a bad read, the plot itself was good, just predictable.
July 30, 2025
4 🌟 Audiobook
June 18, 2021
This one was ok. I didn’t enjoy it as much as her last series.
February 8, 2021
As a novelist myself, I know just how much time, heart, and research goes into writing a novel like Night Fall by Nancy Mehl. It hurts me to negatively review books, but Night Fall disappointed me. I only really enjoyed the last twenty percent of the story. The rest left me wanting far, far more. I did not find this book “suspenseful,” despite the premise. A serial killer tagging train cars? The FBI’s famous and well-respected Behavioral Analysis Unit taking center stage? I couldn’t say “sign me up” fast enough when given the opportunity to read Night Fall. But it didn’t take long for me to set reading goals for the novel.
I read ten to fifteen percent of Night Fall per day; I could only stomach that much. Up until I forced myself through the final mile of the marathon to cross the finish line. I loved the TV show Criminal Minds. Netflix’s series Mindhunter drew me in within the first ten minutes. I’ve read John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker’s book of the same title, and their November 2020 work, The Killer’s Shadow. Needless to say, behavioral analysis catches my attention. While Night Fall may have presented an accurate depiction of how the BAU operates, this doesn’t necessarily make for a good novel.
Meetings. Mehl strangles Night Fall’s readers with them. If it’s not an in-person meeting, the characters are on video chats, phone calls, or talking in vehicles, hotels, or conference rooms. I skipped paragraphs, hoping to find endings to the discussions. It was exhausting and boring, even with all the mumbo-jumbo about analyzing the killer’s psyche. Night Fall actually reminded me of a Criminal Minds episode. Readers witness glimpses of the killer’s real-time activities, and the authorities are a race against time before he kills again. Differences do exist—Mehl reveals the killer’s identity from the start, and Night Fall was not half as exciting. At least, not for me.
Meetings are boring. Period. I wanted the characters to do something, but this didn’t really happen until close to the end, and at that point, they broke FBI protocols and worried about keeping their jobs. Furthermore, I read Night Fall by Nancy Mehl expecting a romantic suspense novel. What occurred in Night Fall wasn’t romance. Attraction? Maybe. Even then, the “attraction” centered on mostly physical attributes. A past novel I critiqued, I said the romance overpowered everything else. Well, in Night Fall, everything else overshadowed the romance. To the point I wish it just hadn’t been there.
I’d be interested to see if the romance between Alex and Logan expands in later novels in The Quantico Files series but not interested enough to seek out further books...or any other Nancy Mehl books, for that matter. Night Fall does have positive qualities; it very creative and well researched. I loved the contrast between Alex and the serial killer. They shared similar backgrounds, yet one chose to pursue law and order, and the other turned into a psychopath. Overall, however, Night Fall by Nancy Mehl was a lackluster letdown.
I read ten to fifteen percent of Night Fall per day; I could only stomach that much. Up until I forced myself through the final mile of the marathon to cross the finish line. I loved the TV show Criminal Minds. Netflix’s series Mindhunter drew me in within the first ten minutes. I’ve read John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker’s book of the same title, and their November 2020 work, The Killer’s Shadow. Needless to say, behavioral analysis catches my attention. While Night Fall may have presented an accurate depiction of how the BAU operates, this doesn’t necessarily make for a good novel.
Meetings. Mehl strangles Night Fall’s readers with them. If it’s not an in-person meeting, the characters are on video chats, phone calls, or talking in vehicles, hotels, or conference rooms. I skipped paragraphs, hoping to find endings to the discussions. It was exhausting and boring, even with all the mumbo-jumbo about analyzing the killer’s psyche. Night Fall actually reminded me of a Criminal Minds episode. Readers witness glimpses of the killer’s real-time activities, and the authorities are a race against time before he kills again. Differences do exist—Mehl reveals the killer’s identity from the start, and Night Fall was not half as exciting. At least, not for me.
Meetings are boring. Period. I wanted the characters to do something, but this didn’t really happen until close to the end, and at that point, they broke FBI protocols and worried about keeping their jobs. Furthermore, I read Night Fall by Nancy Mehl expecting a romantic suspense novel. What occurred in Night Fall wasn’t romance. Attraction? Maybe. Even then, the “attraction” centered on mostly physical attributes. A past novel I critiqued, I said the romance overpowered everything else. Well, in Night Fall, everything else overshadowed the romance. To the point I wish it just hadn’t been there.
I’d be interested to see if the romance between Alex and Logan expands in later novels in The Quantico Files series but not interested enough to seek out further books...or any other Nancy Mehl books, for that matter. Night Fall does have positive qualities; it very creative and well researched. I loved the contrast between Alex and the serial killer. They shared similar backgrounds, yet one chose to pursue law and order, and the other turned into a psychopath. Overall, however, Night Fall by Nancy Mehl was a lackluster letdown.
April 22, 2021
I became a fan of Nancy Mehl after reading her Kaely Quinn Profiler series and this new book has certainly boosted my admiration for her writing skills. Night Fall is a thrilling, pulse-altering story that features a deranged person who believes that he is destined to fulfill a prophecy, and a chilling look at the difference between true religion and cults. It also spotlights the psychological scars that victims of abuse can carry all of their lives. From the very beginning, the fascinating characters and gripping plot captured my attention and they wouldn't let go. There are also many thought-provoking references to God and His Word, as opposed to the Circle and The Book. The cult that is a big part of this story is named the Circle and its members consider The Book to be their ultimate source of truth. FBI agent and behavioral analyst Alex Donovan was subjected to The Book as a young person and it has affected her deeply. Is she the only person who can unravel the clues in time to prevent death and destruction? Will her determination to escape the traumas of her past prevent Alex from finding the peace that only comes through knowing the one true God?
This is the first book in The Quantico Files series and I'm anxious to see what's waiting in the books that follow. Night Fall is a psychological drama filled with danger, adventure, and surprising twists, along with a very strong faith message. I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian suspense novels.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
My full review can be seen here. https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
This is the first book in The Quantico Files series and I'm anxious to see what's waiting in the books that follow. Night Fall is a psychological drama filled with danger, adventure, and surprising twists, along with a very strong faith message. I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian suspense novels.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.
My full review can be seen here. https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
May 12, 2021
The premise of this book had me hooked: the BAU team at the FBI looks for a deranged serial killer who’s part of a crazy religious cult. Sounds great!
However, the execution fell completely flat for me. The secret religious cult of “The Circle” had every religious cliche: their holy text being referred to as “The Book”, their God called “Master”, angels and demons, “The Destroyer” who brings about a new earth...and then on the opposite end of the spectrum the “good” people in this story so to speak are all Christians. Even one of the FBI Agents is nicknamed “Preacher”. Our MC Alex even hears the voice of God and finds herself being pulled toward Christianity. I don’t have a problem with religion, but this book felt like it was trying to convert me. If this is considered a Christian thriller I wish it would’ve come with a forewarning.
Aside from the religious aspect this still was a dud of a story to me. The dialogue was mundane, I knew who the accomplice was when I was 1/3 of the way through. Every part of them solving the case seemed to coincidentally happen at exactly the right time. There were no twists or turns and even the “traumatic” events the characters went through didn’t seem believable.
This definitely wasn’t for me.
However, the execution fell completely flat for me. The secret religious cult of “The Circle” had every religious cliche: their holy text being referred to as “The Book”, their God called “Master”, angels and demons, “The Destroyer” who brings about a new earth...and then on the opposite end of the spectrum the “good” people in this story so to speak are all Christians. Even one of the FBI Agents is nicknamed “Preacher”. Our MC Alex even hears the voice of God and finds herself being pulled toward Christianity. I don’t have a problem with religion, but this book felt like it was trying to convert me. If this is considered a Christian thriller I wish it would’ve come with a forewarning.
Aside from the religious aspect this still was a dud of a story to me. The dialogue was mundane, I knew who the accomplice was when I was 1/3 of the way through. Every part of them solving the case seemed to coincidentally happen at exactly the right time. There were no twists or turns and even the “traumatic” events the characters went through didn’t seem believable.
This definitely wasn’t for me.
April 3, 2021
Night Fall is an intense story. Alex Donovan works for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. Her current case is to profile a serial killer, whose cult-like delusions make him dangerous. He’s got a deadly virus in his possession and his ritualistic killings are ramping up. The case brings Alex back to her childhood, where she was raised with the very same ideology of the cult. Logan Hart is her partner, and the two team up to stop the killer. But Alex has to battle with her own demons to get inside the killer’s head.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are several points of view, including the killer’s. Alex deals with her past which was quite disturbing. Not much in the way of romance, so hopefully there will be more between Alex and Logan in book two. The story is fast-paced and a fantastic suspense novel. Be sure to check it out!
Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are several points of view, including the killer’s. Alex deals with her past which was quite disturbing. Not much in the way of romance, so hopefully there will be more between Alex and Logan in book two. The story is fast-paced and a fantastic suspense novel. Be sure to check it out!
Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)
Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 11, 2022
3.5⭐️
Alex is an FBI agent in the BAU department. She comes from a broken background where she ended up being raised under the abusive care of her cult-immersed aunt.
Simultaneously, a killer seems to be hunting at random, until Alex connects a few dots.
This actually felt a bit like a Ted Dekker book, and felt like the author was greatly influenced by the show Criminal Minds.
Alex is an FBI agent in the BAU department. She comes from a broken background where she ended up being raised under the abusive care of her cult-immersed aunt.
Simultaneously, a killer seems to be hunting at random, until Alex connects a few dots.
This actually felt a bit like a Ted Dekker book, and felt like the author was greatly influenced by the show Criminal Minds.
July 21, 2024
3.5-4 🌟
I enjoyed the BAU aspect of this book. There was also a fun twist I didn’t see coming and one that I did. I liked the characters and the time spent on trauma and mental illness. It was a good plot and while I’m not rushing to get to the next book in the series, I will definitely read it at some point. It was an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the BAU aspect of this book. There was also a fun twist I didn’t see coming and one that I did. I liked the characters and the time spent on trauma and mental illness. It was a good plot and while I’m not rushing to get to the next book in the series, I will definitely read it at some point. It was an enjoyable read.
August 13, 2021
This was a fun follow-up to the Kaely Quinn Profiler trilogy. I enjoyed the fast paced action and writing of this story. A bit darker in tone than the previous books, but I was still intrigued by the plot. I wasn't 100% sold on Alex as a character. I have no true connection to her. I did love Logan and Monty though!
The plot twists with the Circle and Adam Walker were both interesting. The reveal of the second killer was a shocker, but I was also always suspicious of the person from the beginning.
Good cast of characters. I enjoyed seeing Alex learn about God and Logan talk about him.
I'm more excited for the sequel, Dead Fall because Kaely Quinn will be in the book and I adore her.
Overall, I do recommend this book. It was fun to read.
The plot twists with the Circle and Adam Walker were both interesting. The reveal of the second killer was a shocker, but I was also always suspicious of the person from the beginning.
Good cast of characters. I enjoyed seeing Alex learn about God and Logan talk about him.
I'm more excited for the sequel, Dead Fall because Kaely Quinn will be in the book and I adore her.
Overall, I do recommend this book. It was fun to read.
March 26, 2021
All I can say is, Oh. My. Word. This book had me flipping pages from the first sentence until the end! Loved the characters and their struggles and the dichotomy between Alex Donavan and the villain that showed their varying choices despite a similar upbringing. I can't wait for book two to see what happens next!
March 5, 2024
2.5-3☆
August 16, 2022
This book was a great start to a new series. Characters were introduced but it was clear by the end of the book that their journey and growth is not done and will continue throughout the series.
For those who prefers suspense stories where the focus is on the thriller and limited to no romance, this book will be to your liking. And those who loves a good creepy thriller will love this book.
So, on that note, the suspense plot was a real thriller - with a creepy killer who performed vicious murders because of Cult's prophesy, this might not be to everyone's liking. The killer was identified early on, but the reader was kept in suspense with the rush to find him before his next sacrifice.
There were two major twists/revelations which I guessed early on, but I still enjoyed following Alex and Logan analysing the suspect and following the clues.
Logan's faith was a solid and important part of showing the lies vs truths, especially for Alex with her history with the cult.
For those who prefers suspense stories where the focus is on the thriller and limited to no romance, this book will be to your liking. And those who loves a good creepy thriller will love this book.
So, on that note, the suspense plot was a real thriller - with a creepy killer who performed vicious murders because of Cult's prophesy, this might not be to everyone's liking. The killer was identified early on, but the reader was kept in suspense with the rush to find him before his next sacrifice.
There were two major twists/revelations which I guessed early on, but I still enjoyed following Alex and Logan analysing the suspect and following the clues.
Logan's faith was a solid and important part of showing the lies vs truths, especially for Alex with her history with the cult.
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