The Killing Hour

Alexa Chase #3

by Kate Bold

Alexa Chase, 34, a brilliant profiler in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, was too good at her job. Haunted by all the serial killers she caught, she left a stunning career behind to join the U.S. Marshals. As a Deputy Marshal, Alexa—fit, and as tough as she is brilliant—could immerse herself in a simple career of hunting down fugitives and bringing them to justice.

But with her recent work a big success, the FBI and the Marshals have decided to make their joint-task force permanent. Alexa, reeling from her own traumatic past and her PTSD of hunting serial killers, has no choice: she will now have to work with an FBI partner she dislikes and hunt down serial killers whose jurisdiction intertwines with that of the U.S. Marshals. Alexa finds herself forced to confront the thing she dreads the most—entering a killer’s mind.

An infamous killer dramatically escapes death row, and Alexa’s joint task force is immediately put on the case. A high profile case with national media attention, Alexa isn’t the only one who’s called in—and between the clashes of ego with other state and federal powers, she knows the killer is only getting further away.

What appears to be a straightforward manhunt, though, quickly evolves into something more complex, as more bodies turn up dead, and as the killer inexplicably eludes everyone.

And when a shocking twist occurs that Alexa never saw coming, she realizes this case is far more complex—and disturbing—than she could have ever imagined.

With the killer outsmarting everyone, Alexa is the only one with a mind brilliant enough to stop him, the only one standing between him and his next kill. But, weighed down by the pressure of her own traumatic past, can Alexa hold it together long enough to enter the darkest canals of his mind—and come out whole?

A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured Deputy Marshal, the ALEXA CHASE series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Mystery

ebook

First published January 10, 2022

About the author

Bestselling author Kate Bold is author of the ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising eight books (and counting); of the HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising ten books (and counting); of the KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting). Kate loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.kateboldauthor.com to join the mailing list, receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY KATE BOLD

EVE HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

IN HIS BLOOD (Book #1)

IN HIS SIGHTS (Book #2)

IN HIS REACH (Book #3)

IN HIS MIND (Book #4)

IN HIS WAY (Book #5)

(and counting)

KAYLIE BROOKS SUSPENSE THRILLER

LAST BREATH (Book #1)

LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

LAST WISH (Book #3)

LAST SHOT (Book #4)

LAST MISTAKE (Book #5)

(and counting)

HARLEY COLE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOWHERE SAFE (Book #1)

NOWHERE LEFT (Book #2)

NOWHERE TO RUN (Book #3)

NOWHERE LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOWHERE GIRL (Book #5)

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Book #6)

NOWHERE CERTAIN (Book #7)

NOWHERE PURE (Book #8)

NOWHERE SOUND (Book #9)

NOWHERE SANE (Book #10)

(and counting)

CAMILLE GRACE SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT ME (Book #1)

NOT NOW (Book #2)

NOT WELL (Book #3)

NOT HER (Book #4)

NOT NORMAL (Book #5)

NOT AGAIN (Book #6)

NOT SAFE (Book #7)

NOT TODAY (Book #8)

(and counting)

ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE KILLING GAME (Book #1)

THE KILLING TIDE (Book #2)

THE KILLING HOUR (Book #3)

THE KILLING POINT (Book #4)

THE KILLING FOG (Book #5)

THE KILLING PLACE (Book #6)

(and counting)

ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

LET ME GO (Book #1)

LET ME OUT (Book #2)

LET ME LIVE (Book #3)

LET ME BREATHE (Book #4)

LET ME FORGET (Book #5)

LET ME ESCAPE (Book #6)

(and counting)

Reviews

[Sonja (っ◔◡◔)っ · Rating 5 out of 5]

AGH. Another great book in this amazing series.

The ending?? Set up for Stalexa? Hopefully🫶🏻👏🏻🤔🤭

Nah but this was so so good and I’m not even surprised. Although at risk of sounding questionable.. I wish there was more violence in this😭😭💀. Like the others had more POV’ from the killer and this was only had like a few. BUT the reveal was so good and I’m just in love with this series. Lexie you a baddie<3

Why is Stuart SO👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 FUNNY my gosh. LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM 🥰👏🏻👏🏻

[Angela Hubach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book. Great narration!

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. This series seems to be fizzling now at the half-way point. It's starting to feel half-assed and the editing of this book (with several grammatical and spelling errors) reflects that as well. It's like the editor couldn't even be bothered before publication.

The formula for plot is predictable and stale. If you read these back-to-back or close enough together, everything just sort of bleeds together. There's a lot of repetition of facts that have already been very plainly stated all throughout the series that get tiresome to hear, even if you dove in late and this was your first time hearing it. If you made a drinking game of how many times Stuart's military service or time in Iraq was mentioned, you'd be utterly wasted by the time you finished reading, which only takes 2-3 hours.

No real character development for either Alexa or Stuart in this one. Their partnership has really become stale. This is a shame because I was initially excited that they seemed to have such great chemistry. Stuart is now in a relationship, but that isn't brought into the conversation much to make it feel like his life is even semi interesting. There's a bit of a side story with Stacy and Alexa's sister-in-law Melanie, but it mostly feels like filler.

The things I loved about the first book are just simply absent here, aside from one decently good twist. Even the 'real' bad guy was painfully obvious after a certain point. I'm curious if this series will continue to backslide from here on out, because that's how it feels the more I read.

[Bryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook - 2 stars. Wanted to give this series one last shot since I may have negatively viewed the 2nd book due to the shitty ass narrator. Anyway, this one isn't that good either. We get it, Stuart saw combat in Iraq. You really don't have to remind us everytime. He's become so one dimensional - "Fast driving war vet".

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. This time US Deputy Marshal, Alexa Chase and FBI Agent, Stuart Barrett are on the hunt for a serial killer who managed to escape will on a roadside work detail. Circumstances lead them to realize there is a copycat killer out there. All the law enforcement agencies seem to be working against each other in the manhunt, so it is utter chaos. Can they find the killer before he strikes again? Can’t wait to read the next book.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexa is totally driven by hunting killers and bringing them to justice, so much so, that she is annoyed by her new partner's behavior when he talks about his girlfriend and their personal life. In The Killing Hour, their hunt for a serial killer who escaped from jail turns in the hunt for his copycat. The plot is full of twists and turns and most leads get the duo nowhere until a telephone call makes a difference! Alexa is also fighting with all her inner power the darkness she recognizes she has and reading her mentor's diary is enlightening her on which path she should take. A very good story that should be marked as a must-read by all.

[Lee M Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally Alexa is maturing and not rushing headlong into danger by ignoring police procedures.

The first two audio books in this series had me pretty intrigued and disappointed in the character. In this book she has learned to do the dogged drudgery and double check every lead. Thank you Kate Bold for maturing the character of Alex.

As an audio book this was a very good presentation. The only confusion in voices and character dialogue was when the three men were with Alex in the prison. Neither the Bureacrat, nor the Warden had enough of distinctive voice to ensure who was saying what.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexa is part of the new joint task, with a partner she doesn’t like
Another case of entering the killer’s mind, who escape death row
Her past dealings with killers has affected her, could she do it again
Gripping plot of her trying to do a job, that takes a lot out of her
Given ARC for my voluntary review and honest opinion

[Daniel Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Bold was a little zesty in this one for real. The first like, 5 chapters may as well have been a buddy-cop comedy. I liked it! I think this one out of the 6 might be my favorite overall, as there’s obviously still a level of tenseness, seriousness, and some tragedy, but all of that is also balanced by an air of lightness. My ears hummed.

[RUTH JAMISON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lover of A Good Mystery

I truly Loved this book, the author, Kate Bold did an awesome job on this book. I did not come close to who the killer was until almost the end. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Allison T MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner!

I’m hooked!
The intense suspense in the latest Alexa Chase book is just as thick as the first two. Looking forward to #4, but first a little shut eye. It’s 3:30 AM….👍🏻

[Donna G Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action! Action! Action! Humanity at its best and worst!

Raw emotions! In this story and the it grabbed this reader from page one and never let go! Turning the last page still looking for more. Travel the mind of a serial killer or was it the LEO'S mind. Read now to find out!

[Dana Kissell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 3 in this detective series. Seems like they are too similar to each other. I still like the characters and the detective stuff but needs to be less “simple” Overall good tho . Easy listening.

[Callee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finishing this one up. Pretty good, I think I liked it better than the second. It wasn’t quite as obvious who did it which was nice. Though right at the beginning she did give one thing away a bit. I won’t say what it was, of course.

[Madison Holt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the previous books in this series much more, it was a little exciting finding out who the real copycat was but also it was not as shocking as it could have been. The other killers in the novels were much more interesting! I’d recommend the first book the most.

[Joy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story captures your interest from the start and with a few surprises this makes for a good read.

[Vicki Gilbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next book.

[Virginia Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Such an exciting series and the characters are so real. The story line is not far fetched, but very believable. Love it.

[Diane Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good 8/10

[Diane Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Crazyanneca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reviews are true. You had better have time to read this book in one sitting. I didn't even check my email for one whole day.

[Elizabeth Walters]

Pretty good book but the main character seems to be too gung ho about crime and has no life which is hard to believe.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was super predictable, a little disappointing. Still a decent story though.

[Ruth Fabiano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexa Chase is kinda boring. I gotta say. Annette the "genius" is embarrassing and cringey.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Alexa Chase series. The twist is always great

[Makayla Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty obvious who it was from the beginning

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 3/5 stars for Alexa Chase - super quick, fun pool read but still unsure if i actually like the characters

[Ciarrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. Much better narrator!!

[Faye Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Another great book by Kate Bold. I love her character development and quick moving plot. The plot had several twisted turns. Really enjoyed it.