Beyond Reason

Reese Link #1

by Molly Black

In a small harbor town in Maine, police officer Reese Link’s first day on the force begins with a the first homicide this town has seen in years. Reese hopes to step into her dead brother’s shoes, but with her newly assigned partner having just shot himself and a diabolical killer on the loose, Reese does she have what it takes to outwit him—and to save another life?

“Molly Black has written a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat… I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder

Beyond Reason is book #1 of a long anticipated new series by critically-acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

Reese Link is determined to do right by her deceased older brother, to fill his shoes in the local police department, and to avenge his murder. She also wants to make her father, a local lobsterman, proud. But the local force is male, and close-knight, and Reese soon learns that being accepted won’t be so easy.

Small town life on a harbor in Maine can be rough. Winters can be cruel and stretch forever, while the working class who inhabit the harbor suffer no fools. Reese knows this town like the back of her hand—but when she teams up with a State police officer, she quickly realizes she’ll have to branch out to other areas, way out of her comfort zone. She will have to learn quickly about all regions of Maine, as she hunts deadly killers wherever they may take her.

All along, she must fight her own demons, shake off the heaviness of her childhood, the depression of this town, and ask is she good enough?

A harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured small-town police officer, the Reese Link 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. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available!

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Thriller Suspense

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

Bestselling author Molly Black is author of the MAYA GRAY FBI suspense thriller series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting), and of the CAITLIN DARE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Molly loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.mollyblackauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

GRACE FORD FBI THRILLER

NEARLY MINE (Book #1)

NEARLY SAFE (Book #2)

NEARLY FREE (Book #3)

NEARLY GONE (Book #4)

NEARLY HIS (Book #5)

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

RUBY HUNTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IF I RUN (Book #1)

IF I TELL (Book #2)

IF I LIVE (Book #3)

IF I FORGET (Book #4)

IF I RETURN (Book #5)

MAYA GRAY MYSTERY SERIES

GIRL ONE: MURDER (Book #1)

GIRL TWO: TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL THREE: TRAPPED (Book #3)

GIRL FOUR: LURED (Book #4)

GIRL FIVE: BOUND (Book #5)

GIRL SIX: FORSAKEN (Book #6)

GIRL SEVEN: CRAVED (Book #7)

GIRL EIGHT: HUNTED (Book #8)

GIRL NINE: GONE (Book #9)

RYLIE WOLF FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

FOUND YOU (Book #1)

CAUGHT YOU (Book #2)

SEE YOU (Book #3)

WANT YOU (Book #4)

TAKE YOU (Book #5)

DARE YOU (Book #6)

TAYLOR SAGE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

DON’T LOOK (Book #1)

DON’T BREATHE (Book #2)

DON’T RUN (Book #3)

DON’T FLINCH (Book #4)

DON’T REMEMBER (Book #5)

DON’T TELL (Book #6)

DON’T HIDE (Book #7)

DON’T BLINK (Book #8)

KATIE WINTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SAVE ME (Book #1)

REACH ME (Book #2)

HIDE ME (Book #3)

BELIEVE ME (Book #4)

HELP ME (Book #5)

FORGET ME (Book #6)

HOLD ME (Book #7)

PROTECT ME (Book #8)

REMEMBER ME (Book #9)

CATCH ME (Book #10)

WATCH ME (Book #11)

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am the outlier; I hated this book. The premise was unbelievable and ridiculous – there is no way that a brand-new employee of the cops would get answer original assignment a murder case with no partner, and no support! The writing was full of colorful similes, which although kind of fun, were obscure and hard to fit in with the actual narrative.
The effort to paint Reese as a super – intuitive, super – smart, unbelievably clever, and ridiculously well suited in ALL possible situations was almost too much. I kept asking myself why I didn't just stop reading, but I felt an obligation to actually finish and post about a book that I really, truly, did not like and thought be rethought and approached in a totally different way

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

i actually liked the storyline for the murders etc but the fact a police office on her FIRST day gets given a murder case and it’s all wrapped up within the first day? just a bit far fetched

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painful. Every easy out of any interesting plot line-she took it....every stereotype-she ran with it...every chance at cheesy, not-subtle semi-sexual/attraction, or stab at misogyny or "woman must prove herself," etc etc etc -she ran with it. Narrator sounds like she just woke up, and took a few pot gummies... Waste of money & time here

[Rita Terlizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Senza ragione" (Un Poliziesco con Reese Link — Libro 1) di Molly Black

Editore: Molly Black, 2023
207 pagine
📚 Genere: Gialli e Thriller, Suspense
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reese Link è un'agente di polizia, è giovane, ha solo ventitré anni, è una "novellina", ma sta salendo le scale della stazione di polizia di Bellmoor per il suo primo giorno di lavoro.
Qui ci lavorava anche suo fratello Sebastian (Bass, per tutti i gli amici) ucciso sei mesi prima durante una sparatoria 😥 aveva ventotto anni.
Dopo un breve giro degli uffici, Reese viene subito convocata nell'ufficio del capo, il capitano Moore... e in due secondi viene a sapere che:
1. Howard Tate, il suo nuovo partner, si è sparato la notte prima 😱 è ancora vivo, ma è in coma.
2. Ha già il primo caso, il capo le ha assegnato un omicidio 🧐
È stato appena trovato un cadavere, chiuso in una piccola barca a vela rimasta ferma per tutto l’inverno, e l'indagine sarà tutta sua.
Fino a quando, sul luogo del delitto, non si presenta l'agente della polizia di Stato del Maine: Clay Curtis.
Che le chiede subito di poter dare un’occhiata alla scena del crimine, perché forse il caso può essere collegato a uno a cui sta lavorando 😬
Reese capisce subito che quella non sarà una semplice indagine per omicidio. È opera di un serial killer? 🤔
Comunque alla fine Reese Link e Clay Curtis dovranno lavorare insieme, unire le forze è l'unica strada da seguire 💪🏻

“Tutti siamo capaci di fare cose orribili, non è forse così?” “Capaci?” esclamò Clay, alzando una spalla. “Certo, ma non tutti agiamo assecondando i nostri impulsi più oscuri. Il nostro compito non è mostrare compassione, Reese, il nostro dovere è quello di far rispettare la legge...”

Carino, il libro me lo sono bevuto in poche ore, è stata una lettura leggera e scorrevole, non troppo impegnativa o complicata, con la giusta tensione e adrenalina.
Una storia semplice ma coinvolgente, ricca di colpi di scena e dal finale a sorpresa.
Ammetto che non conoscevo questa autrice, l'ho scoperta grazie al consiglio di mia sorella.
Poi, facendo delle ricerche, sono venuta a conoscenza del fatto che Molly Black è una delle maggiori scrittrici di best seller al mondo.
Le sue sono tutte serie di genere thriller e suspense, con protagonisti agenti dell’FBI o gialli come "Senza ragione", che è il primo libro della serie che s'intitola: Il mistero di Reese Link, composta da cinque libri.
Lettura consigliata 👍🏻

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond Reason by Molly Black introduces the reader to rookie police officer, Reese Link. She's home after completing the academy and joining the same police force where her late brother also served. It's a bittersweet homecoming but she doesn't have much time for nerves when she's assigned to a homicide investigation right out of the gate.

Beyond Reason was Beyond Absurd. If it were possible to rate it lower than one star, that would be accurate.

Reese Link has joined a SMALL police force in a SMALL town. A department that is understaffed due to death (Bass Link, Reese's brother), a firing and a suicide attempt by Reese's training partner who shot himself on her first day. But this small town department has UNDERCOVER OFFICERS and a SWAT team.

It's homicide. The small town hasn't had a homicide in years but suddenly there's one, two, three. Fortunately, it's Reese's first day and she's assigned to the investigation. Not just assigned to it, assigned to LEAD it. A ROOKIE on her FIRST day!

The rookie is SUPERWOMAN. A natural detective with great instincts, she profiles, she interrogates, she leaps onto moving vehicles, and shoots like Wyatt Earp. There's nothing Reese can't do and its just her first day.

Reese knows this town like the back of her hand which is why the seasoned State Cop has to work with her. Before the day is out they are partners because she's just that good. He's trusting her instincts as they rush into a hostage scene without backup.

Beyond Reason is so completely over the top that the last third was simply LOL ridiculous. It's nice that so many enjoyed this novel, but reader beware as there is not even the slightest resemblance to reality to be found here.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reese Link ha 23 anni ed è al suo primo giorno di lavoro come agente di polizia: ha scelto di ripercorrere le orme del fratello Sebastian, poliziotto ucciso sei mesi prima. Poiché quello che avrebbe dovuto essere il partner di Reese è in coma dopo aver tentato il suicidio, Reese dovrà affrontare da sola il suo primo caso: l'omicidio di un uomo ritrovato su una barca al termine della stagione invernale. Ma anche l'agente dello Stato Curtis Clay è incaricato di indagare, e i due dovranno collaborare...
Un poliziesco scorrevole e leggero, ma a mio avviso con più pregi che difetti: innanzitutto la protagonista, supereroina appena uscita dalla scuola di polizia, senza macchia e senza paura, non ne sbaglia una e ha sempre l'intuizione giusta. Anche meno, Reese. La trama non è male nonostante sia piuttosto esile e telefonata, l'autrice spiega tutto come se stesse raccontando un thriller a un bambino di sei anni, ma non facciamo troppo i difficili. Quello che forse mi ha infastidita di più è il fatto che sia scritto abbastanza maluccio, con un uso dei soggetti piuttosto confusionario (a volte non si capisce chi faccia cosa) e un utilizzo della punteggiatura abbastanza "personale", per non dire "ad minchiam". Non credo che andrò avanti con la serie.

[Jillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous. A rookie cop gets assigned a homicide case on her very first day on the job. Not only that, she SOLVES the case and stops a serial killer all in ONE DAY. Honestly, I had a hard time trying to figure out what kind of cop Reese was. Supposedly she's a rookie, working with her super small town police department... but she's reading as some FBI trained, criminal profiling expert who's on loan from the BAU or something. We read a lot about her gut and instincts when it comes to police work, yet.... remember, it's her first day.

The killer threw me off as well. There are a few chapters, all from his perspective. He reads as calm (but psycho), cautious, calculated. He's clever enough to leave zero evidence at the scenes. Yet, when it finally comes time for the big reveal and showdown at the end, he's basically just on a psychopathic rampage whose clumsy, careless.. and a big baby who Reese ends up using her super profiling and psychology instincts on, to manipulate into getting him to give up and save her own life.

Same formula as all these other books, with just an extra sprinkle of ridiculousness.

[Giuls · Rating 1 out of 5]

Più che Senza ragione questo libro dovrebbe chiamarsi La fortuna del Principiante .
Reese Link, infatti, è una giovane poliziotta che al suo primo giorno di lavoro si ritrova sola soletta a dover affrontare un caso di omicidio. Arrivata sulla scena del crimine scopre che l’omicidio altro non è che uno dei tanti di un serial killer, su cui sta indagando il poliziotto di stato Clay.
Clay, la cui funzione principale temevo fosse quella di creare una storia d’amore tra i due (per ora non è così, ma immagino nei prossimi volumi, che sicuramente non leggerò), perché per il resto basta e avanza Reese, che tutto sa e tutto può.
Le sue capacità, infatti, superano quelle dei più grandi poliziotti, agenti FBI ecc ecc che il mondo abbia già visto: cioè, di fronte ad un morto non ha nemmeno bisogno del medico legale per sapere quando, come e perché uno è stato ammazzato. Sherlock Holmes in confronto a lei è una mezza calzetta.
Queste sue capacità che l’hanno resa una superdonna altamente indigesta, altezzosa ed antipatica, una so-tutto-io a cui avrei voluto tirare una testata più di una volta.

[gretamitg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read my fair share of thrillers/mysteries/police procedurals, far too many of them bad, but this one was by far the most unbelievable one. It wasn’t the worst, but it was outrageously unrealistic. In addition to that, Reese is just the most cliché character ever and she annoyed me by chapter two. I did not care about the outcome of the incredibly over the top show down and I had to roll my eyes far too many times about how not like other girls/rookies/police officers Reese was and how proud if it she seemed to be. The audio narration also didn’t do the book any davies in my opinion. Safe to say, I will not be continuing this series.

I gave this book two stars because there was nothing i found particularly offensive or problematic in it, but in terms of enjoyment it was a 0.5/10 for me.

[Sherlyn K. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really hard to put down, intriguing, harrowing at times, enveloping, page turner til the last, leaves you starving for book 2. Normally I'd say Reese is a hero however I all fairness she is an extra special female who also happens to work at the local police department back in her home town. This is her first assignment after all her training! And surprise it is a murder investigation without a partner?!? What? An accident happened last night, she lost her partner! But Murder, Yes! Reese has an extra special talent! Read this book, you'll be so glad you did! Highly recommend, great read, enjoy!

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

have i read this author before??! love a good mystery ... if you wonder what Beth is reading ...well usually a good mystery ...it is my favorite. but i do tend to switch it up ...so don't think i am always a mystery reader but i do think a lot of the times what i love about a non-mystery ...i think a lot of book have it even if Amazon say it is another genre. just saying. i read a kindle copy ...found it for free thanks to Bookbub one day ...got around to when i was traveling to read it. love reading ...really love reading while traveling ...so awesome. brain quiet and take it all in. read on my friends. fun wild enjoyable read.

[Avid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent build of intensity. Suspense level at all the right moments. My adrenaline was pumping, and I found myself worrying about the lives of certain characters. Needless to say, I was completely immersed in this book!

I liked the partnership of the two officers, one being a new female struggling to earn her way into the department. I also appreciated the storyline was believable and the author didn't go off on any sideline tangents of throwing in crude sex, the woman officer having to be a jerk to men, or the men being misogynistic toward the women. This book was simply a solid read and well done. 👍

Recommended 👍
📚 📚📚📚📚

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to follow hard to believe. Some supper star rookie on her fist day is told to investigate a murder by herself since the partner she should have attempted suicide. They are in a small town she is filling her brothers shoes but proving herself. While she is given a partner by default when another case merges into hers its a hot head back and forth... I know the people i live here, your wrong lets do it this way. The other officer giving her just enough rope to hang herself only for her to come out on top EVERY time. Then to make this a series with the end twist... I will not be continuing this series.

[Lisa Hawkins]

I love Molly Black's books. They're engaging, great characters, suspenseful where needed. When I finish one, I feel satisfied with the plot, story, and conclusion. Beyond Reason, however, had continuity problems. Two different times, a scene was clearly dropped, usually in an unfinished sentence, and the next word was a partial sentence in a scene that didn't match, fllow or jive with the immediate prior writing. This lack of continuity really lowered my view of both the storyline and of Ms. Black's writing. I pray the next book I read by Molly Black has better continuity. Otherwise, I'll quit reading her books.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not easy to work where a dead brother used to work and was seen as a hero but that's the path Reese has decided to follow and she is given, unexpectedly, a major case as her first job in the force. She is partnered with a State Trooper, Clay, and a relationship that started on a difficult note turns out to be positive and really meaningful. Beyond Reason has a good story, although the plot is similar to those used by other authors. The ending left me wondering how the second book will be!
I thank the author for the ARC.

[Bitsy Weber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of inaccuracies

I got as far as page 39 before I had to give it up. The first glaring inaccuracy was the fact that an OFFICER on her very first day was given a homicide is ridiculous! That would never happen. An ambulance would not have taken a dead body anywhere, the coroner would have come to the scene and he or she would have been responsible for transport. And...said coroner would not have been able to determine anything in the 2 minutes he looked at the body! So, 39 pages was a lot to endure before giving up.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would read again

## 4 stars. This could have been a five star book, but a rookie cop being assigned a homicide case her very first day alone? And then she solves and apprehends the serial killer the very same day? Well, it's a tad far fetched, especially when she's bossing around the Coast Guard Captain lol. But the rest was good and I would read again (I'll just have to suspend my disbelief a little).

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Mystery, Unconvincing heroine.

If you can get over the fact they send a rookie officer out to a murder unaccompanied on her first day, this is an otherwise fast and entertaining read. Someone is murdering lobstermen, drowning them and then gutting them.pace is good but Reese does not act in any way, shape or form like a new recruit.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new series by Molly Black. Reese Link is a recent graduate of the police academy. On her first day as a police officer, she is assigned a murder investigation. Working with a Maine State Police Officer, Reese soon finds herself searching for the killer and hoping they can stop him before he can kill again.

[Talma Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pace

I really enjoy mysteries that have believable characters. The action was a little too paced, everything happened in one day. But, the chemistry between Reese and Clay was comfortable and respectful, a good framework to build on. I would recommend this book, and possibly the series, to a monthly book club.

[Melissa McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start to series. Definitely had suspense and I liked Reese however her actions were unbelievable. So much so I laughed at parts of the book instead of being on the edge of my seat. I also did not like the chemistry between her and Clay. I found him to be juvenile at times. Not sure I will continue with the series. Maybe the next book will be more believable.

[Cheryll Bertha Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full meal n more

I just had to read this book. I knew it would fill my desire to read something new and exciting. Just that one scene w her ho!ding on for dear life told a thousand things about your style of writing. I real!y admire you. You pulled me in and I rode the waves of the scary sea. Thanks

[teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced

A fast paced thriller with new officer Reese given her first case A murder! Then she and the state investigator find more similar killings. Now it's a serial killer.
Be ready for a late night of reading as it gets crazy real fast and you can't stop reading til you know who and why!

[PWA Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

DETERMINED NEW POLICE WOMAN

Reese is brand new cop! They give her a murder for her 1st case that turns out to be much more. I liked her, she's quietly brave and determined to prove herself.
Fast moving and interesting.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the connection of a state trooper with the small town cop. She trusts her instincts and takes action. I’m pleasantly surprised by the twist at the end of her brothers death being done by a hit man and I’m interested in how that storyline develops.

[Barbara Birchall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too much for a first case

Reese Link, can't help but feel this an anagram for something, New cop first day on the job gets a murder case. With the help of state trooper Clay solved the case without getting killed.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yikes! Same format as Caitlin Deere series, just different names. Slogging along with the same premise and the plot line, the incidents were interesting enough. Now of course, this book introduces the next book. More impelling books are on my list.

[Liza · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the concept hard to accept. It's the main character's first day out of police academy and she's sent solo to investigate a murder. Luckily she pairs up with a state police officer.

A day one rookie wouldn't be solo.

[L · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is ludicrous

The hero of this book, Reese Link, is a rookie cop fresh out of the Academy. So, of course, on her first day of work, the chief of police assigns her to investigate a homicide. All by herself. This makes absolutely no sense.

[phillip wilmot]

Beyond Reason

Good story that keeps up the action and told with humanity,in other words through the eyes of some one with intelligence and awareness of understanding people. I enjoyed it.