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Mindhunters #3
Waking the Dead
A KILLER IN THE WILDERNESS
Forensic anthropologist Caitlin Fleming knows bones. So she is the first one called when seven sets of skeletal remains are found dumped in a makeshift graveyard in the Oregon wilderness. The skeletons bear the same distinctive marks - and each is minus a skull.
Cait needs outdoor guide Zach Sharper for one reason only — to help her find her way through the Willamette Forest as she pieces together clues. Despite the attraction that burns between them, Cait will let nothing shake her focus. Until the killer closes in to terminate the search - and the investigators on the verge of unmasking him...
Forensic anthropologist Caitlin Fleming knows bones. So she is the first one called when seven sets of skeletal remains are found dumped in a makeshift graveyard in the Oregon wilderness. The skeletons bear the same distinctive marks - and each is minus a skull.
Cait needs outdoor guide Zach Sharper for one reason only — to help her find her way through the Willamette Forest as she pieces together clues. Despite the attraction that burns between them, Cait will let nothing shake her focus. Until the killer closes in to terminate the search - and the investigators on the verge of unmasking him...
326 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 3, 2009
58 people are currently reading
759 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Brant
82 books638 followersThe mother of five children, Kylie Brant claims she began writing to save her sanity. Plotting stories became her method of escape from the reality of constant ball games, chauffeuring kids, and refereeing "minor" disagreements between her perfect offspring.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
In 1992 she was elated to get a call from Silhouette offering to buy her second novel. Home with laryngitis at the time, she still managed to croak out agreement, and her career was born. A few months later she went on to sell Rancher's Choice, the first manuscript she’d written.
Kylie is married to her high school sweetheart, and they make their home in Iowa. She insists that all her heroes are based on her husband of 23 years because he possesses that most heroic of make qualities — ironing skills. Those abilities come in handy, as she juggles a full time teaching job with writing and a family.
Doing things the easy way has never held much appeal for this multi award-winning author. She graduated with high honors from the University of Northern Iowa. A graduation photo shows her in cap and gown holding her two sons, one aged 16 months and the other three weeks. She went on to obtain a teaching job working with learning-disabled children while completing her master’s degree at night and during summers.
"There was a time in my life when I could imagine myself as a life-long student," she recalls. "I actually toyed with the idea of pursuing a doctorate. But instead, my life took a spin and I ended up writing romances. I’ve never regretted it!" Her family has since been completed by the birth of another son and a set of twins, a boy and a girl.
Kylie’s books are regularly featured on bestseller lists such as Waldenbooks and B. Dalton Bookseller. With over a million copies of books in print, her novels have been distributed in 20 countries and released in seven languages.
Family and friends are the main focus of Kylie’s life. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading and flower gardening. She loves traveling, preferring beach, ocean, and room service.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 27, 2017
3.5
The series is getting better with each new book. Hopefully, I haven't just jinxed it.
If you're in the right mood for a romantic suspense featuring two great characters who at first seem worlds apart, a killer who upped the sickness factor to ten, sheriff who wants to be a governor while trying to do her job at the same time, then Waking the Dead might be for you.
You know how in these types of stories you know what to expect. There is a gruesome murder or murders, a member of a team is sent to either help the police or solve it and the other character gets connected to the first and sparks fly everywhere. There are some slight variations, of course and they can either make or break a story. In this case, they made it.
I like what the author did with the characters. Or with Caitlin Fleming to be precise. She used to be a model and has the looks and yes, people do stare occasionally. You might think you know what you'll get with her, but you'll probably be wrong. What is different is she doesn't pretend to be something she's not. She used to be one thing, now she is something else, something she prefers. Cait is a great character.
The way the case is resolved is also a plus. Cait is the one working on the case, not her love interest Zach and the resolution depicts that. She investigates, talks to people, follows leads. Don't worry, the author found a way to connect Zach Sharper to her, the case and its resolution perfectly.
Unlike the second book, there's nothing paranormal here at all.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
The series is getting better with each new book. Hopefully, I haven't just jinxed it.
If you're in the right mood for a romantic suspense featuring two great characters who at first seem worlds apart, a killer who upped the sickness factor to ten, sheriff who wants to be a governor while trying to do her job at the same time, then Waking the Dead might be for you.
You know how in these types of stories you know what to expect. There is a gruesome murder or murders, a member of a team is sent to either help the police or solve it and the other character gets connected to the first and sparks fly everywhere. There are some slight variations, of course and they can either make or break a story. In this case, they made it.
I like what the author did with the characters. Or with Caitlin Fleming to be precise. She used to be a model and has the looks and yes, people do stare occasionally. You might think you know what you'll get with her, but you'll probably be wrong. What is different is she doesn't pretend to be something she's not. She used to be one thing, now she is something else, something she prefers. Cait is a great character.
The way the case is resolved is also a plus. Cait is the one working on the case, not her love interest Zach and the resolution depicts that. She investigates, talks to people, follows leads. Don't worry, the author found a way to connect Zach Sharper to her, the case and its resolution perfectly.
Unlike the second book, there's nothing paranormal here at all.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
December 24, 2016
Seven skeletal remains (sans the skulls) have been found in a cave in Oregon and former teen model turned forensic anthropologist Cait Fleming, one of the Mindhunters, is called to lend a helping hand in identifying the remains, determine whether there are signs of foul play, and find the bad guy.
Roped in by the sheriff, former Army Ranger turned wilderness tour guide and quasi-hermit, Zach Sharper is tasked with the duty of chauffeur for the big-city consultant, but soon finds his initial grudge morph into swift attraction and respect.
But the twisted killer with a strange skull-fetish is already choosing his next victim...And he's set his eyes on Cait.
Yet another winner in this excellent and edgy series. Ms Brant is very adept at writing romantic suspense (with equal amounts of suspense and romance).
Great plot, wonderful pacing, one heck of a sick UNSUB, two perfectly human leads with an almost equal amount of emotional scars under their steely masks, great tension, even greater chemistry, a few suspicious secondary characters, gripping suspense, steamy romance...All combined into a perfect little story.
Loved the suspense, but loved the budding romance and explosive and steamy love scenes between Cait and Zach. And I loved it how the romance didn't slow the pacing down, never intruding into the main story, but adding an extra edge to it with those little slivers of fear whether the two might actually have a future beyond the current case. Such stories are my absolute favorite and this one fits the bill just right.
The suspense was yet again top-notch, edge-of-the-seat, nail-biter until the very end with the twist-y and turn-y plot, false leads, new clues, red herrings, and that special guessing-game quality Ms. Brant does so well. I knew what kind of relationship the killer and his Sweetie had, so the big reveal didn't come as a surprise, but their identity sure packed a punch...And the gun-blazing finale shot my heart up into the stratosphere only to be slammed back down in dread in that suspenseful swan song in the last chapter.
Wonderfully written and chillingly gripping as always.
Roped in by the sheriff, former Army Ranger turned wilderness tour guide and quasi-hermit, Zach Sharper is tasked with the duty of chauffeur for the big-city consultant, but soon finds his initial grudge morph into swift attraction and respect.
But the twisted killer with a strange skull-fetish is already choosing his next victim...And he's set his eyes on Cait.
Yet another winner in this excellent and edgy series. Ms Brant is very adept at writing romantic suspense (with equal amounts of suspense and romance).
Great plot, wonderful pacing, one heck of a sick UNSUB, two perfectly human leads with an almost equal amount of emotional scars under their steely masks, great tension, even greater chemistry, a few suspicious secondary characters, gripping suspense, steamy romance...All combined into a perfect little story.
Loved the suspense, but loved the budding romance and explosive and steamy love scenes between Cait and Zach. And I loved it how the romance didn't slow the pacing down, never intruding into the main story, but adding an extra edge to it with those little slivers of fear whether the two might actually have a future beyond the current case. Such stories are my absolute favorite and this one fits the bill just right.
The suspense was yet again top-notch, edge-of-the-seat, nail-biter until the very end with the twist-y and turn-y plot, false leads, new clues, red herrings, and that special guessing-game quality Ms. Brant does so well. I knew what kind of relationship the killer and his Sweetie had, so the big reveal didn't come as a surprise, but their identity sure packed a punch...And the gun-blazing finale shot my heart up into the stratosphere only to be slammed back down in dread in that suspenseful swan song in the last chapter.
Wonderfully written and chillingly gripping as always.
June 9, 2016
Привет, Кости))
Ладно, не совсем Кости.
Кейт Флеминг – судебный антрополог из команды Рэйкера. А в юности была весьма успешной моделью. Но мозг победил, и Кейт долгие годы потратила на то, чтобы ее воспринимали как специалиста, а не как «девочку с обложки». Собственно, до сих пор это доказывает.
Именно Кейт отправляют изучать найденные в орегонской глуши скелеты. А в проводники по пещерам, в коих они были запрятаны, ей достается Зак Шарпер – бывший военный и лучший кандидат на роль убийцы.
И снова Брант выдала «совсем другую историю». Автор не работает по шаблону: расследование каждый раз идет иным путем, зло демонстрирует очередной свой лик, и герои, несмотря на обязательную трагедию в прошлом, получаются непохожими друг на друга.
В этом романе много времени уделено лабораторным исследованиям и разговорам. Но и «работа в поле» тоже есть. Допросы, версии, поиски в лесах и пещерах – местность, кстати, описана очень красочно и атмосферно.
Отношения между героями, как всегда, развиваются весьма органично и соответственно характерам.
И да, я только сейчас поняла, что ни в этом, ни в предыдущих двух романах не было ни одного признания в любви, а по ощущениям – их будто сотня прозвучала))) Точнее… все так правильно, естественно и не наигранно, что громкие слова и не нужны. Как-то даже не сомневаешься в силе чувств, ибо поступки говорят сами за себя.
Что понравилось сильнее всего: помощница Кейт – совершенно поразительное существо с внешностью нежной феи и характером и поведением портового грузчика))
Что напрягло: сцена с матерью Кейт. Имхо, ее явление под конец совсем лишнее. И так все понеслось галопом, а тут еще новая проблема – к тому же, никакой особой роли не играющая.
А вообще, серия читается запоем. Я вот только думаю… Рэйкер к себе преимущественно женщин берет?))) Очень мало информации о его команде. Да, понимаю, автор старается сюжетно не связывать книги, и каждую можно читать по отдельности, но хотелось бы увидеть картинку целиком. Пока что нам только из романа в роман повторяют одну и ту же страшную историю о том, как Рэйкер получил свои шрамы и лишился глаза.
Пы.сы. Паранормала опять ноль xD
Ладно, не совсем Кости.
Кейт Флеминг – судебный антрополог из команды Рэйкера. А в юности была весьма успешной моделью. Но мозг победил, и Кейт долгие годы потратила на то, чтобы ее воспринимали как специалиста, а не как «девочку с обложки». Собственно, до сих пор это доказывает.
Именно Кейт отправляют изучать найденные в орегонской глуши скелеты. А в проводники по пещерам, в коих они были запрятаны, ей достается Зак Шарпер – бывший военный и лучший кандидат на роль убийцы.
И снова Брант выдала «совсем другую историю». Автор не работает по шаблону: расследование каждый раз идет иным путем, зло демонстрирует очередной свой лик, и герои, несмотря на обязательную трагедию в прошлом, получаются непохожими друг на друга.
В этом романе много времени уделено лабораторным исследованиям и разговорам. Но и «работа в поле» тоже есть. Допросы, версии, поиски в лесах и пещерах – местность, кстати, описана очень красочно и атмосферно.
Отношения между героями, как всегда, развиваются весьма органично и соответственно характерам.
И да, я только сейчас поняла, что ни в этом, ни в предыдущих двух романах не было ни одного признания в любви, а по ощущениям – их будто сотня прозвучала))) Точнее… все так правильно, естественно и не наигранно, что громкие слова и не нужны. Как-то даже не сомневаешься в силе чувств, ибо поступки говорят сами за себя.
Что понравилось сильнее всего: помощница Кейт – совершенно поразительное существо с внешностью нежной феи и характером и поведением портового грузчика))
Что напрягло: сцена с матерью Кейт. Имхо, ее явление под конец совсем лишнее. И так все понеслось галопом, а тут еще новая проблема – к тому же, никакой особой роли не играющая.
А вообще, серия читается запоем. Я вот только думаю… Рэйкер к себе преимущественно женщин берет?))) Очень мало информации о его команде. Да, понимаю, автор старается сюжетно не связывать книги, и каждую можно читать по отдельности, но хотелось бы увидеть картинку целиком. Пока что нам только из романа в роман повторяют одну и ту же страшную историю о том, как Рэйкер получил свои шрамы и лишился глаза.
Пы.сы. Паранормала опять ноль xD
February 9, 2013
This is the third book in Kylie Brant's "Mindhunter" series, and it was absolutely BRILLIANT!!
This book had it all... chills, thrills, romance, an über-bad-ass lead male, and a kick-ass-super-smart female lead.
The writing and characters were amazing, and the author had me engaged right till the very end trying to figure out "who did it".
By the end of the story I was like
aarrrrrr... WHO DID IT??
... and then finally, the Author tied everything up nicely
Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
February 18, 2016
It's a 3.5 for me.
This book reads like an episode from Bones and as I was a fan of the show can't say it didn't work for me. What bothered me a little but not enough to ruin my enjoyment was:
The ending was a bit rushed, the fact that Sharper found her and not the cops, the fact that the killer tried to murder her and then conveniently died (otherwise can't believe they would have found him), the fact that no FBI was present on this case, the fact that although I liked the main two characters separately, I would have wanted more screen time on their relationship, it seemed that when they finally figured out that they were good for each other the book ended.
This book reads like an episode from Bones and as I was a fan of the show can't say it didn't work for me. What bothered me a little but not enough to ruin my enjoyment was:
The ending was a bit rushed, the fact that Sharper found her and not the cops, the fact that the killer tried to murder her and then conveniently died (otherwise can't believe they would have found him), the fact that no FBI was present on this case, the fact that although I liked the main two characters separately, I would have wanted more screen time on their relationship, it seemed that when they finally figured out that they were good for each other the book ended.
December 15, 2019
There's just a little bit of romance.
January 29, 2015
4 ½ stars – Romantic Suspense
March 21, 2018
I enjoyed the suspense and the mystery of the book. It was really hard to try to figure out who Sweetie was. When it was finally revealed I was totally thrown as I didn't expect it to be who it was. ( Don't want to give anything away). I liked that the Author made it difficult to figure it out.
And also a former model turned forensic investigator? Totally awesome
And also a former model turned forensic investigator? Totally awesome
November 7, 2009
This was easily the best of the Mindhunters books so far. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was smokin' and the Oregon woods were so real they were almost another character. Can't wait for the next set of these books to come out.
June 20, 2010
Very tightly written. Really enjoyed it.
January 4, 2022
I didn’t realize this was a series, so I started the fourth book as my first (it didn’t seem to matter, plot-wise).
I downloaded the book on Audible (part of their plus catalog) and was delighted to see that Bronson Pinchot was the reader (he was an actor more well-known in the 80s). Unfortunately, the voice he chose for the main character (female) always sounded like she was a phone-sex operator, no matter the situation. Annoying and distracting.
The mystery itself was interesting, and the perspective shifts (sometimes confusing because they are not demarcated by chapters) allowed readers to see what the villain is seeing occasionally. I liked that.
The book actually turned out to be a weird hybrid of mystery and quasi “love-hammer” romance (?!). It didn’t disrupt the plot too much, but maybe it helped me understand the author’s insistence upon calling attention to the forensic anthropologist’s “hotness” (ugh). Then again, I understand the trope (especially in the genre); if you go back and watch Silence of the Lambs, Jodi Foster’s character is often subjected to the same kind is scrutiny in the way she is framed—how other men respond to her within the frame—the camera acts like a stalker/predator too. But I digress!
I might try another book in the series just to see if that book was an anomaly. It was a good mystery with potential to become better. I liked the writing.
File Under: Don’t Hate Her Because She’s Beautiful! She Can’t Help it!
I downloaded the book on Audible (part of their plus catalog) and was delighted to see that Bronson Pinchot was the reader (he was an actor more well-known in the 80s). Unfortunately, the voice he chose for the main character (female) always sounded like she was a phone-sex operator, no matter the situation. Annoying and distracting.
The mystery itself was interesting, and the perspective shifts (sometimes confusing because they are not demarcated by chapters) allowed readers to see what the villain is seeing occasionally. I liked that.
The book actually turned out to be a weird hybrid of mystery and quasi “love-hammer” romance (?!). It didn’t disrupt the plot too much, but maybe it helped me understand the author’s insistence upon calling attention to the forensic anthropologist’s “hotness” (ugh). Then again, I understand the trope (especially in the genre); if you go back and watch Silence of the Lambs, Jodi Foster’s character is often subjected to the same kind is scrutiny in the way she is framed—how other men respond to her within the frame—the camera acts like a stalker/predator too. But I digress!
I might try another book in the series just to see if that book was an anomaly. It was a good mystery with potential to become better. I liked the writing.
File Under: Don’t Hate Her Because She’s Beautiful! She Can’t Help it!
October 31, 2021
This was book 3 in the
"Mindhunters"
series. When seven sets of skeletal remains are found in a cave in Oregon forensic anthropologist Caitlin Fleming is flown in to uncover the mystery of who they are and what happened to them she is a former teen model. Zach Sharper is an outdoor guide selected by the town sheriff to help Cait as she investigates the forest around the cave. Cait may be the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, but Zach still doesn't want to play chauffeur for her. Zach is skeptical that the Cait who graced most teenage boy's walls including his is capable of handling this case, but Cait proves him wrong quickly she is more than beauty she also has brains. This book reminded me of the tv show "Bones". While working together these two work to find additional evidence on the identity of the discovered bodies and who killed them. They also become affected by working so closely together they each become sexually attracted to one another. This was a pretty good read that I listened to on audio. I am looking forward to reading or listening to the next book in this series.
September 27, 2022
This was a pretty decent mystery. Bronson Pinchot narrating did a great job as usual.
Continuing with Raker Forensics (known as the Mindhunters), we have an ex-model turned forensic anthropologist called in to help identify 7 sets of bones. She's teamed with a reluctant ex-military local guide. He's a grumpy asshole. She's not exactly sunshine either but it works.
The finance is a loooong time coming and that was fine. The mystery was interesting enough to keep my attention and the chemistry was there. I did guess who dunnit though 😁
Continuing with Raker Forensics (known as the Mindhunters), we have an ex-model turned forensic anthropologist called in to help identify 7 sets of bones. She's teamed with a reluctant ex-military local guide. He's a grumpy asshole. She's not exactly sunshine either but it works.
The finance is a loooong time coming and that was fine. The mystery was interesting enough to keep my attention and the chemistry was there. I did guess who dunnit though 😁
October 12, 2010
This is my second read by Kylie Brant and won't be my last.
Cait Fleming is a forensic anthropologist (think CSI/NCIS) whose specialty is bones. She's called in as a special investigator to a scene in Oregon where a local outdoor guide has found 7 sets of remains deep in a cave, all without skulls. Cait knows her stuff and works for and has proven herself to the highly respected firm called The Mindhunters. Unfortunately, she's hampered by her looks. You see, Cait was a teen model. A very successful, very gorgeous teen model. Even though this was 20 years ago, people only see Cait's 'glamour' and don't see the very intelligent mind inside.
Outdoor guide/former Army Ranger Zach Sharper found the remains and has regretted it, but not because he doesn't care about the victims. Zach has now become a curious mix of guide/babysitter for Cait as well as a potential suspect by the local yokel Sheriff. He recognizes Cait instantly upon their initial meeting and, like everyone else poor Cait meets, cannot believe she "knows her stuff" as well as she claims to. Zach also just wants to be left alone, as he is battling his own demons and values his privacy to the point of near obsession. "Helping" Cait threatens that fragile peace he is working so hard to obtain.
I absolutely loved Cait! Yes, she's a beautiful woman but she's also a strong, independent, DAMNED SMART woman. She has dealt with the repercussions of her modeling for years and it frustrates her. She's never really had anyone value her for her mind and heart and it hurts, but the average person would never know it for outwards appearances. Zach however, Ranger trained, sees through that facade and slowly comes to see the well rounded woman she is. His transformation from argumentative, smart assed male to the intelligent man we know he is inside is slower than I would have liked, but very realistic. In spite of himself, he finds himself attracted to Cait, not for her looks, but for her mind, determination and dedication.
The CSI aspect of the book was fantastic. If you're looking for a flat out romance, this isn't it. The romance is secondary to the story and believable. Cait doesn't engage in pillow talk - she takes her responsibilities very seriously. When Zach tries to surreptitiously question her about findings and tests she runs, she's straightforward with him: "I'm not being a bitch, I just can't tell you" she says.
The "whodunit" was great: I was not expecting it to be that person at all. Great job Ms Brant!
Cait Fleming is a forensic anthropologist (think CSI/NCIS) whose specialty is bones. She's called in as a special investigator to a scene in Oregon where a local outdoor guide has found 7 sets of remains deep in a cave, all without skulls. Cait knows her stuff and works for and has proven herself to the highly respected firm called The Mindhunters. Unfortunately, she's hampered by her looks. You see, Cait was a teen model. A very successful, very gorgeous teen model. Even though this was 20 years ago, people only see Cait's 'glamour' and don't see the very intelligent mind inside.
Outdoor guide/former Army Ranger Zach Sharper found the remains and has regretted it, but not because he doesn't care about the victims. Zach has now become a curious mix of guide/babysitter for Cait as well as a potential suspect by the local yokel Sheriff. He recognizes Cait instantly upon their initial meeting and, like everyone else poor Cait meets, cannot believe she "knows her stuff" as well as she claims to. Zach also just wants to be left alone, as he is battling his own demons and values his privacy to the point of near obsession. "Helping" Cait threatens that fragile peace he is working so hard to obtain.
I absolutely loved Cait! Yes, she's a beautiful woman but she's also a strong, independent, DAMNED SMART woman. She has dealt with the repercussions of her modeling for years and it frustrates her. She's never really had anyone value her for her mind and heart and it hurts, but the average person would never know it for outwards appearances. Zach however, Ranger trained, sees through that facade and slowly comes to see the well rounded woman she is. His transformation from argumentative, smart assed male to the intelligent man we know he is inside is slower than I would have liked, but very realistic. In spite of himself, he finds himself attracted to Cait, not for her looks, but for her mind, determination and dedication.
The CSI aspect of the book was fantastic. If you're looking for a flat out romance, this isn't it. The romance is secondary to the story and believable. Cait doesn't engage in pillow talk - she takes her responsibilities very seriously. When Zach tries to surreptitiously question her about findings and tests she runs, she's straightforward with him: "I'm not being a bitch, I just can't tell you" she says.
The "whodunit" was great: I was not expecting it to be that person at all. Great job Ms Brant!
January 5, 2010
WOW! Just finished #3 and it was fantastic. I only hope there will be more of these "Mindhunters" books. I'm anxious for more information on the leader, Raiker.
April 10, 2011
No surprises in this book. It delivers exactly what you'd expect after reading the first two books in the series. Which means it had its good points but there were quite a few areas that could use improvement.
Series Note:
Third book in the "Mindhunters" series about Raiker Forensics, an independent forensics agency and the people who work there.
Summary:
When 7 headless skeletons are found in the Oregon wilderness, Raiker Forensics investigator Caitlin Fleming (a forensic anthropologist and former model) is called in to help investigate. It's an intriguing case for Cait. It'll take all her abilities to figure out who the skeletons are, how they died, how long they've been there, among other questions. To make matters worse, she's been stuck with outdoors guide and surly longer Zach Sharper to help navigate her way through the wilderness as she gathers clues.
The last thing Zach wants to do is shuttle some woman around the woods, but he's obligated to help. Cait surprises him, though, in her ability to handle it all. He can't help but be intrigued by the stunning beauty with brains. But when fingers start pointing at him it may tear him and Cait apart, and cost Cait her life.
Review:
It may be broken record-ish because I said it in my review of book 2 (Waking Evil), but it applies here as well. I could pretty much copy and paste my review of book 1 (Waking Nightmare) because a lot of it fits for this book. These three books have the same strengths and the same weaknesses.
I thought I was really going to enjoy the plot of this book as it has a forensic anthropology aspect, which is a subject I love, but I ended up rather disappointed. With Cait being a forensic anthropologist, I thought we'd get stuff of her working the bones, what she's doing to make IDs and things along that line. And she does do a little bit here and there, but most of that aspect of the plot is foisted off on Cait's assistant and happens off page. Cait spends most of her time in the book trekking through the wilderness, questioning people and whatnot. Which was disappointing for me. Aside from that, it made the plot very slow moving and bogged down in minutiae. It seems like all you do is read about Cait going from place to place looking for people to question. I got so freaking bored. There wasn't enough action or intensity.
One of my semi-criticisms of the first two books was that the author gave virtually no useable clues in trying to figure out who the bad guy is. And I finally figured out why that annoyed me when I was reading this book. I'm the type who when reading romantic suspense likes to figure out who the bad guy is and then I get too impatient to get to the end to see if I'm right and end up peaking at the end to find out. When I was reading the first two books in this series, I had no temptation to do that because the author gave me nothing to figure out who the bad guy was.
This book was marginally better in that area. There were a few bits and pieces that led you to look at one character or another and I was tempted again to check the end (I resisted, though). On the flip side, those clues led absolutely nowhere and when you get to the end, boy, are you in for a shocker. Brant blew me away with the identity of one of the bad guys. I so did not expect that at all, and I've got to give her credit for constructing that aspect of the story so well that even though it was a total shock, it made complete and utter sense. There still weren't enough clues to let readers piece it all together, but there was slightly more than the other books so that it intrigued me as a reader more.
Another issue I had with the revelation of the bad guy was that there are so many marginal characters in the book that when you get to the big reveal you're left trying to weed through all the details you've got throughout the story, trying to remember what you knew about them. I remembered the character by name, but I couldn't pick out many of the details I'd learned about them. It was a bit annoying.
Another way the story was a bit better than the previous two was that the character profiles were a little bit more complete. I had a better feel of who both Cait and Zach were and how they got to be the people they are now. This area still could have been a lot better, but it was an improvement.
On the romance front, like with the first two books, things don't quite work for me. There's very little chemistry between these two and they feel like they are being forced together by the author for the sake of having a romance in the book. I wasn't feeling these two characters as a couple at all. Plus the fact that Cait sleeps with Zach despite having some suspicions about his involvement in the murders. And she constantly calls him by his last name throughout the book. That doesn't help develop the personal angle between them. You just never get a sense of these two connecting. Cait never tells him about an event that happened to her as a child, Zach never talks to her about the stuff he went through in the military - events that affect both greatly to this day. And at the end, they're suddenly together despite never saying they love each other and once again you're left with a HFN feeling and not an HEA.
I have to admit I was pretty disappointed in this book. It could have been so much better.
Some thoughts on the series as a whole...
These three books are very cookie-cutter similar. Each has a hero or heroine who have tragic events in their past. Then author spends practically the entire book being evasive about those events. It's a little too repetitive and being left constantly wondering about the characters makes it hard to connect with them as a reader. Add to that the very incomplete character profiles, the forced romances, and the HFN-like endings and you're ability to connect with the characters is almost non-existent.
The plot premises in each book are interesting but each gets a bit bogged down with the nitty gritty. A bit more action and intensity could make them a lot more interesting to read.
And for a series based on a group - Raiker Forensics - you really learn very little about the group and the people who work there. I felt very disconnected from this aspect of the series that supposedly drives it. I just wanted to know more.
I haven't given up on this series, yet, though. The books do frustrate me and I wouldn't call them favs on any day, but I didn't mind them, didn't feel like I'd wasted my time or my money. Brant is still new to full-length romantic suspense after a long time writing for HQ/Sil. So it's understandable that there are areas for improvement. I still plan to continue reading the series. I'll be interested to see if her experience writing this first trilogy in the series helped her improve her writing abilities for the second trilogy.
Series Note:
Third book in the "Mindhunters" series about Raiker Forensics, an independent forensics agency and the people who work there.
Summary:
When 7 headless skeletons are found in the Oregon wilderness, Raiker Forensics investigator Caitlin Fleming (a forensic anthropologist and former model) is called in to help investigate. It's an intriguing case for Cait. It'll take all her abilities to figure out who the skeletons are, how they died, how long they've been there, among other questions. To make matters worse, she's been stuck with outdoors guide and surly longer Zach Sharper to help navigate her way through the wilderness as she gathers clues.
The last thing Zach wants to do is shuttle some woman around the woods, but he's obligated to help. Cait surprises him, though, in her ability to handle it all. He can't help but be intrigued by the stunning beauty with brains. But when fingers start pointing at him it may tear him and Cait apart, and cost Cait her life.
Review:
It may be broken record-ish because I said it in my review of book 2 (Waking Evil), but it applies here as well. I could pretty much copy and paste my review of book 1 (Waking Nightmare) because a lot of it fits for this book. These three books have the same strengths and the same weaknesses.
I thought I was really going to enjoy the plot of this book as it has a forensic anthropology aspect, which is a subject I love, but I ended up rather disappointed. With Cait being a forensic anthropologist, I thought we'd get stuff of her working the bones, what she's doing to make IDs and things along that line. And she does do a little bit here and there, but most of that aspect of the plot is foisted off on Cait's assistant and happens off page. Cait spends most of her time in the book trekking through the wilderness, questioning people and whatnot. Which was disappointing for me. Aside from that, it made the plot very slow moving and bogged down in minutiae. It seems like all you do is read about Cait going from place to place looking for people to question. I got so freaking bored. There wasn't enough action or intensity.
One of my semi-criticisms of the first two books was that the author gave virtually no useable clues in trying to figure out who the bad guy is. And I finally figured out why that annoyed me when I was reading this book. I'm the type who when reading romantic suspense likes to figure out who the bad guy is and then I get too impatient to get to the end to see if I'm right and end up peaking at the end to find out. When I was reading the first two books in this series, I had no temptation to do that because the author gave me nothing to figure out who the bad guy was.
This book was marginally better in that area. There were a few bits and pieces that led you to look at one character or another and I was tempted again to check the end (I resisted, though). On the flip side, those clues led absolutely nowhere and when you get to the end, boy, are you in for a shocker. Brant blew me away with the identity of one of the bad guys. I so did not expect that at all, and I've got to give her credit for constructing that aspect of the story so well that even though it was a total shock, it made complete and utter sense. There still weren't enough clues to let readers piece it all together, but there was slightly more than the other books so that it intrigued me as a reader more.
Another issue I had with the revelation of the bad guy was that there are so many marginal characters in the book that when you get to the big reveal you're left trying to weed through all the details you've got throughout the story, trying to remember what you knew about them. I remembered the character by name, but I couldn't pick out many of the details I'd learned about them. It was a bit annoying.
Another way the story was a bit better than the previous two was that the character profiles were a little bit more complete. I had a better feel of who both Cait and Zach were and how they got to be the people they are now. This area still could have been a lot better, but it was an improvement.
On the romance front, like with the first two books, things don't quite work for me. There's very little chemistry between these two and they feel like they are being forced together by the author for the sake of having a romance in the book. I wasn't feeling these two characters as a couple at all. Plus the fact that Cait sleeps with Zach despite having some suspicions about his involvement in the murders. And she constantly calls him by his last name throughout the book. That doesn't help develop the personal angle between them. You just never get a sense of these two connecting. Cait never tells him about an event that happened to her as a child, Zach never talks to her about the stuff he went through in the military - events that affect both greatly to this day. And at the end, they're suddenly together despite never saying they love each other and once again you're left with a HFN feeling and not an HEA.
I have to admit I was pretty disappointed in this book. It could have been so much better.
Some thoughts on the series as a whole...
These three books are very cookie-cutter similar. Each has a hero or heroine who have tragic events in their past. Then author spends practically the entire book being evasive about those events. It's a little too repetitive and being left constantly wondering about the characters makes it hard to connect with them as a reader. Add to that the very incomplete character profiles, the forced romances, and the HFN-like endings and you're ability to connect with the characters is almost non-existent.
The plot premises in each book are interesting but each gets a bit bogged down with the nitty gritty. A bit more action and intensity could make them a lot more interesting to read.
And for a series based on a group - Raiker Forensics - you really learn very little about the group and the people who work there. I felt very disconnected from this aspect of the series that supposedly drives it. I just wanted to know more.
I haven't given up on this series, yet, though. The books do frustrate me and I wouldn't call them favs on any day, but I didn't mind them, didn't feel like I'd wasted my time or my money. Brant is still new to full-length romantic suspense after a long time writing for HQ/Sil. So it's understandable that there are areas for improvement. I still plan to continue reading the series. I'll be interested to see if her experience writing this first trilogy in the series helped her improve her writing abilities for the second trilogy.
August 2, 2021
Fascinating Evil
Plot wise, this may be the best of the series so far. The protagonist in this one is astoundingly devious. The characters are well done and diverse. The narrator, Bronson Pinchot, who has been amazing throughout this series, was not quite as good when it came to voicing Caitlyn. But I think that was probably due to the author's description of the character. She's a tough, nearly over the top personality with a particular vocal style. I think almost any narrator would have had a tough time with her.
Readers be warned: this bad guy is seriously creepy and the personification of all things evil. This ain't no kindergarten read, and should be considered an 18+ considering the violence, adult language, and graphic sex. Don't get me wrong, it's a great read/listen. As long as certain things aren't an issue for you. I'm definitely interested in continuing on with the series.
Plot wise, this may be the best of the series so far. The protagonist in this one is astoundingly devious. The characters are well done and diverse. The narrator, Bronson Pinchot, who has been amazing throughout this series, was not quite as good when it came to voicing Caitlyn. But I think that was probably due to the author's description of the character. She's a tough, nearly over the top personality with a particular vocal style. I think almost any narrator would have had a tough time with her.
Readers be warned: this bad guy is seriously creepy and the personification of all things evil. This ain't no kindergarten read, and should be considered an 18+ considering the violence, adult language, and graphic sex. Don't get me wrong, it's a great read/listen. As long as certain things aren't an issue for you. I'm definitely interested in continuing on with the series.
May 3, 2025
I’m really enjoying this series—it balances suspense, character depth, and emotional pacing in a way that works for me. Caitlin is a strong, grounded lead, and the forensic angle adds substance without slowing the story down. There’s a quiet intensity to the plot that builds well, and while the romance is restrained, it still lands.
This would’ve been a solid 4-star read, but the narration held it back. Bronson Pinchot doesn’t break between chapters or scene changes, which made it too easy to get lost in transitions. It broke the immersion just enough to become a pattern—something I kept noticing instead of sinking into the story. Not a dealbreaker, but frustrating enough that I wouldn’t revisit it in audio.
Still, a strong entry in the series, and I’m definitely continuing.
My Ratings Guide:
⭐️ – Not for me
⭐️⭐️ – Disappointing
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Good/Solid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Amazing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Flawless/Unforgettable
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
This would’ve been a solid 4-star read, but the narration held it back. Bronson Pinchot doesn’t break between chapters or scene changes, which made it too easy to get lost in transitions. It broke the immersion just enough to become a pattern—something I kept noticing instead of sinking into the story. Not a dealbreaker, but frustrating enough that I wouldn’t revisit it in audio.
Still, a strong entry in the series, and I’m definitely continuing.
My Ratings Guide:
⭐️ – Not for me
⭐️⭐️ – Disappointing
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Good/Solid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Amazing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Flawless/Unforgettable
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
October 31, 2020
As someone who lives in the Willamette, this book kinda drove me insane. The author obviously doesn't live here and just threw in all kinds of stereo types. It bugged me. I also listened to the audiobook of this instead of reading it with my eyes. Let me just say, it is pronounced Whuh-lam-met. Not Will-ah-met. We take that shit seriously here. As for the actual story it felt lacking. Finally got to the ending and the killer was revealed and I could not remember who the hell that person was. How often were they even mentioned? Felt a bit cheated by it. I guess I'm just not into romance murder mysteries. I haven't seemed to enjoy any of them that I have read. The books always focus too much on the characters rather than the mystery.
May 24, 2020
I confess, I never really cared for the male lead, and found myself dragging to get through this about halfway through. However, I almost added a star back due to the excellent twist near the end - I read a lot of suspense and rarely find myself surprised, but I was excited and pleased to find this one did. That alone might make it worth reading, but I'm hopeful future books in the series will be able to put it all together with both likeable characters AND the epic (yet still realistic) twist so I can recommend those instead!
January 26, 2024
This is my 4th book (read 11 as it was available). The plots are really good, such interesting crimes with clever twists but the characters are so predictable. Strong female leads, misogynistic male hero and a bumbling police department. The main characters hate each other then the lust takes over. Unfortunately I listen to the books which makes for uncomfortable listening while I’m working 😳😂. That said, I will keep listening to the rest of the series.
November 15, 2024
Very slow read with a rushed and unbelievable ending. The flesh eating bugs used to eliminate victims was a cool aspect, but didn't make up for lack of substance to the story. All the books in the series are similar with love between two main characters, not much mystery, suspense or action. Killer revealed at the end and no real depth to the characters. Average book that is tough to keep my attention and even harder to care about the ending.
January 15, 2019
I have liked the books in this series - enough so that I'm downloading the next as I type this. I would give them 5 stars, but in each I have found myself saying "Huh?", then moving on with the story, unsure of where my train derailed... Again, I absolutely love the narration in these books - Bronson Pinchot is my new favorite male narrator - even better than Jim Frangione!
January 23, 2024
3.5
The plot on this one wasn't fantastic. The backstories of the main characters didn't feel fleshed out, kind of like it was just mentioned in passing. The hero was an asshole for far too long. The mystery/thriller aspects of this author's novels is always good though. I'll continue devouring this series.
The plot on this one wasn't fantastic. The backstories of the main characters didn't feel fleshed out, kind of like it was just mentioned in passing. The hero was an asshole for far too long. The mystery/thriller aspects of this author's novels is always good though. I'll continue devouring this series.
January 23, 2021
This was a good story but it lost me at times and that is not easy for me. The bad guy at the end is someone I really don't remember but Kylie definitely likes to add a lot of misdirection in her stories. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 7, 2024
Didn't Quite like this as much as the first two because the MMC was an emotionally stunted chauvinist and Cait deserved a hundred times better than him. But clearly, her bad taste in men was not a thing of the past as she claimed it to be.
April 13, 2025
nothing like a serial killer thriller to scratch the reading itch. good but not great. wish we would’ve gotten more character development on page, there was so much trauma from their pasts but they didn’t really work through any of it?
October 22, 2017
The narrator and his take on Kate‘s voice kinda ruined this Book for me.
May 25, 2019
A bit predictable, no surprises
December 10, 2019
this was a good story the side charters are great too.
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