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Taylor Jackson #6
So Close the Hand of Death
It's a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he's got helpers. As The Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she's beside herself and ready to snap. The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch….
408 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2011
246 people are currently reading
2428 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Ellison
81 books6,908 followersJ.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
April 27, 2017
The Pretender is back and moving in to his end game with a few well chosen disciples. If you are a new reader to the series don't worry as the relevant back story is explained and it helps us series readers refresh our memories. This is a fast paced action filled read which will keep you engrossed. I felt, after I'd finished it that some things weren't really explained and that it was all highly improbable but I was too caught up in the plot at the time to notice. What more could you want from a book?
March 9, 2022
I read at least a chapter or two of this book daily until I got to the last five or six chapters. Then, I absolutely could not put it down! The intense inner struggle that Detective Taylor Jackson faces was so realistic and heart-wrenching. She wants to punish the evil Pretender while also maintaining law and order. The action is fast-paced and the fact that I got to see into the mind of the villain with snippets of correspondence added to the story. I enjoyed seeing flaws in the major characters, even Taylor, a strong female protagonist who has a deep sense of right and wrong. And since the book ended on the edge of a cliff, I am moving on to book 7 right away. The book can be read as a standalone but is best enjoyed as a series.
I own a copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I own a copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 11, 2020
3.5 stars due to a slower, confusing start. Another solid book in this series that always leaves me wanting to read the next one.
April 14, 2011
I've somehow gotten myself into a habit of agreeing to review a book without bothering to find out it's actually part of a series. Not only that, but they are tending to be books that occur well into the series and not at the beginning. So Close the Hand of Death is now the third book that I've read recently that fits into that category. It's the sixth book in the Taylor Jackson series, which is now a series I will have to start at the beginning of.
I'm going to assume that much like Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan, this book could be classified as romantic suspense. I had an inkling of that when I agreed to review it but thanks to the Allison Brennan book, I was prepared to enjoy the story. What I wasn't prepared for was how much the story line would hook me from the beginning. This book is both suspenseful and violent, without being over the top. The action starts at a fast and furious pace and never lets up. It had me on pins and needles the entire time I was reading it, I loved it.
The characters are not only likable, they are believable, even when dealing with situations that most of us would crumble beneath. In Taylor Jackson I have found a character that is well developed and from what I could tell from this installment, has a monstrous back story that I can't wait to discover for myself. She is surrounded by friends and colleagues that aren't always perfect or make the right decisions. They, like her, are flawed individuals that try to do the right thing but don't always manage to do it cleanly.
My only issue was not reading the books in order. This one seems to take place almost immediately after the last one, so I felt a little lost at times. The author does give a little back story so I wasn't totally in the dark, but I think it would be better to start with the first book in the series, All the Pretty Girls. I for one will get started on that as soon as I possibly can.
I'm going to assume that much like Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan, this book could be classified as romantic suspense. I had an inkling of that when I agreed to review it but thanks to the Allison Brennan book, I was prepared to enjoy the story. What I wasn't prepared for was how much the story line would hook me from the beginning. This book is both suspenseful and violent, without being over the top. The action starts at a fast and furious pace and never lets up. It had me on pins and needles the entire time I was reading it, I loved it.
The characters are not only likable, they are believable, even when dealing with situations that most of us would crumble beneath. In Taylor Jackson I have found a character that is well developed and from what I could tell from this installment, has a monstrous back story that I can't wait to discover for myself. She is surrounded by friends and colleagues that aren't always perfect or make the right decisions. They, like her, are flawed individuals that try to do the right thing but don't always manage to do it cleanly.
My only issue was not reading the books in order. This one seems to take place almost immediately after the last one, so I felt a little lost at times. The author does give a little back story so I wasn't totally in the dark, but I think it would be better to start with the first book in the series, All the Pretty Girls. I for one will get started on that as soon as I possibly can.
July 3, 2023
So Close the Hand of Death takes place shortly after the events of the last book, The Immortals. Taylor is still not in her right mind after shooting and killing the teenager who was responsible for the deaths of eight other teenagers.
Her friend, father figure and fellow officer Fitz, has just been found wandering down a road in North Carolina after being taken by Taylor's personal nemisis, The Pretender.
Baldwin her fiancee and and an agent with the FBI, and Taylor head to pick up Fitz and bring him home to Nashville. When they arrive something seems off, just doesn't feel right to Taylor. Before long, all hell breaks loose and the "team" from the local FBI office turns on them and there are several dead officers.
Taylor and Baldwin head back to Nashville. They learn, through a crime blogger, that a series of murders is taking place across the nation. They are mimicking famous serial killers. The Boston Strangler, The Zodiac and Son of Sam. The Pretender is back, and he has help. They learn his identity fairly early on, but have a terrible time tracking him down. What they don't realize is he is much closer than they ever knew, and has been for sometime now.
While they are running down clues to this man, Taylor is formulating an end game for when she finally finds The Pretender. One that may cost her everything. Including a part of her soul.
In the mean time, Baldwin is keeping things from her. When she finds out the secret, she has harsh words for him, words she may never be able to take back.
The last 1/3 of this book moves fast and is extremely intense. Make sure you allow time to finish the book, because you wont be able to put it down. It's an emotional roller coaster. And a doosey of a cliff hanger.
I loved it.
Her friend, father figure and fellow officer Fitz, has just been found wandering down a road in North Carolina after being taken by Taylor's personal nemisis, The Pretender.
Baldwin her fiancee and and an agent with the FBI, and Taylor head to pick up Fitz and bring him home to Nashville. When they arrive something seems off, just doesn't feel right to Taylor. Before long, all hell breaks loose and the "team" from the local FBI office turns on them and there are several dead officers.
Taylor and Baldwin head back to Nashville. They learn, through a crime blogger, that a series of murders is taking place across the nation. They are mimicking famous serial killers. The Boston Strangler, The Zodiac and Son of Sam. The Pretender is back, and he has help. They learn his identity fairly early on, but have a terrible time tracking him down. What they don't realize is he is much closer than they ever knew, and has been for sometime now.
While they are running down clues to this man, Taylor is formulating an end game for when she finally finds The Pretender. One that may cost her everything. Including a part of her soul.
In the mean time, Baldwin is keeping things from her. When she finds out the secret, she has harsh words for him, words she may never be able to take back.
The last 1/3 of this book moves fast and is extremely intense. Make sure you allow time to finish the book, because you wont be able to put it down. It's an emotional roller coaster. And a doosey of a cliff hanger.
I loved it.
February 20, 2011
Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson may finally get her wish. A serial killer who goes by the moniker the Pretender has been stalking her for years. The Pretender has stepped up his game by directly attacking a friend and colleague while dispatching others to cities like Boston and New York to duplicate murders done by other famous serial killers. As usual, Taylor's love interest, FBI agent John Baldwin is on hand to help with the investigation (though he is keeping a professional setback to himself). I was happy to have the issue of the Pretender finally wrap up in this latest by Ellison. His long-term presence in her life and in the books needed to end in order to keep the series progressing. What wasn't so great was the seeming omnipotence of this killer and the continuing soapy drama between Taylor and Baldwin. I'm all for relationship drama in my mysteries but these characters often keep unnecessary secrets that feel like they're there just to create forced tension.
May 30, 2016
I have to learn to read books in the order they were published. My fault completely. And this series refers back to previous books quite often. I also wasn't a big fan of the relationship between Taylor and Baldwin. Can't quite put my finger on why, and maybe it was the secrets kept, but something isn't healthy in that one.
May 17, 2019
J. T. Ellison é a minha autora de thrillers preferida, imediatamente a seguir ao insubstituível Chris Carter. Já não sei como a descobri, mas sei que sou ávida a ler os livros dela e que tenho de os dosear porque quero poder ter o prazer de me deliciar com eles durante algum tempo.
Este livro, tal como os anteriores, é um exemplo de um plot bem montado, sem buracos nem pontas soltas, com tudo a fazer sentido. As personagens são densas e bem construídas, e tive realmente pena de ver umas quantas partir porque teria sido interessante continuar a seguir as suas histórias durante mais algum tempo.
Para quem gosta disto dos policiais, aconselho vivamente. Se nunca leram nada desta autora, comecem pelo primeiro livro desta série, para perceberem os plots secundários que acompanham a série toda.
Este livro, tal como os anteriores, é um exemplo de um plot bem montado, sem buracos nem pontas soltas, com tudo a fazer sentido. As personagens são densas e bem construídas, e tive realmente pena de ver umas quantas partir porque teria sido interessante continuar a seguir as suas histórias durante mais algum tempo.
Para quem gosta disto dos policiais, aconselho vivamente. Se nunca leram nada desta autora, comecem pelo primeiro livro desta série, para perceberem os plots secundários que acompanham a série toda.
August 5, 2017
wauw wauw wauw
Volledige recensie binnenkort op http://sientjesboeken.com
Volledige recensie binnenkort op http://sientjesboeken.com
May 23, 2013
Wow - this is the Taylor Jackson book that I have been waiting for since 14 concluded! This sixth book in the series opens up with a lot of action - the final showdown with the Pretender is on the rise! The book’s pacing is so fast that it almost blurs by - there’s a high body count and a nationwide series of murders. Taylor ventures out from the (relative) safety of Nashville and Baldwin continues to avoid coming clean about his past with her.
The final two hundred pages of this book move so quickly that the book is over before it hardly seems possible! This is perhaps the strongest book in the series - and certainly the one with the fastest pacing! I am so relieved that I already have the seventh (and currently final) volume of the series, Where All the Dead Lie, already in my purse! This is an exciting finale, but with its abrupt end after that thrilling climax, I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
The final two hundred pages of this book move so quickly that the book is over before it hardly seems possible! This is perhaps the strongest book in the series - and certainly the one with the fastest pacing! I am so relieved that I already have the seventh (and currently final) volume of the series, Where All the Dead Lie, already in my purse! This is an exciting finale, but with its abrupt end after that thrilling climax, I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!
May 23, 2011
So Close the Hand of Death by J.T. Ellison is the sixth Taylor Jackson mystery. Because I have not read all of these books, I was a bit confused as to the different character subplots. However, the suspense was awesome. Ms. Ellison brings back three serial killers to this installment. All are playing a cat and mouse game and want Taylor Jackson to "play." Across the country murders are happening in different states, but all of them are connected in some way. Working against the clock, Ms. Jackson needs to figure out who and what before there is another victim. Overall, this was great. I definitely need to go back and read the last two books. Received Courtesy of Net Galley.
July 7, 2013
I över ett år har Nashvilles polis kommisarie Taylor Jackson väntat på att hennes största fiende Tronföljaren ska slå till.
Nu är tiden inne.
Tre nya immatörer, såsom Tronföljaren själv, som kopierade seriemördaren Snövit, har uppstått.
Bostonstryparen, Zodiakmördaren och Son of sam är nu i full gång med att mörda folk.
Taylor förstår direkt vem som lärt upp dom.
För att kunna stoppa alla mördare måste hon hitta Tronföljaren.
Och att Tronföljaren har siktet inställt på henne är till ingen hjälp.
Folk runtomkring henne försvinner, hon får hotbrev och fler personer blir mördade.
Men alla mord och problem har en kopling till varandra.
Hitta den, hitta mördaren.
Nu är tiden inne.
Tre nya immatörer, såsom Tronföljaren själv, som kopierade seriemördaren Snövit, har uppstått.
Bostonstryparen, Zodiakmördaren och Son of sam är nu i full gång med att mörda folk.
Taylor förstår direkt vem som lärt upp dom.
För att kunna stoppa alla mördare måste hon hitta Tronföljaren.
Och att Tronföljaren har siktet inställt på henne är till ingen hjälp.
Folk runtomkring henne försvinner, hon får hotbrev och fler personer blir mördade.
Men alla mord och problem har en kopling till varandra.
Hitta den, hitta mördaren.
August 10, 2023
This kept my heart pumping throughout most of it. I understand Taylor's thought process but I don't agree with it. She is stubborn to a detriment. When is she going to realize that she has a team for a reason and stop trying to do everything herself. I know she feels guilty but why...its not her stalking and murdering people. Yes, Baldwin made a mistake in not telling her everything but her reaction is way over the top. I have a love/dislike relationship with Taylor. Finding out all the background of The Pretender was interesting. Horrible but he needed to be put down.
June 26, 2011
J.T. Ellison simply gets better with each book she writes. I loved this book..it was not as twisted as some of her other ones, but was still incredibly engrossing and warped. I love it when a fellow sister can be this twisted!!!
December 16, 2013
I'm gonna keep this short and straight to the point by saying just one tiny word: "WOW!"...that's all; just "wow" in a really great way.
I love this series!
I love this series!
October 12, 2016
Continuing my brain candy binge........
April 26, 2023
Great , hard to put down
January 16, 2024
Just finished! Was my first novel of the year and a great way to start it off!
I’m not an avid reader, just started reading recently and finished my 3rd book in the last 6 months (after a many year hiatus). It was by far the best and most descriptive book I’ve read in my recent reading! (I know comparing to only 2 other books might not mean much to most readers on here)
The characters were very distinguished, and the pages painted such a vivid picture in my head every time I sat down to read!
I realized while looking up the author in efforts to find more novels by her, she has a series of books based on the main character and that I probably should have read her novel “14” first.
And there were some spots in the book where I felt like I missed something, so I understand now that they could’ve been cleared up by reading that novel first… BUT regardless, the author did a great job at keeping me interested in the story by giving details (I’m assuming from “14”) that roped me back in with a small bit of clarity! As a stand-alone novel, I thought it was fantastic. I could only imagine how deep into the characters and story I would’ve been if I read the “prequel” to this one!
I’m glad I found this novel at the local thrift store by luck, because not only did I get a great read out of it, but a great author who I will most definitely be buying more novels from!:)
I’m not an avid reader, just started reading recently and finished my 3rd book in the last 6 months (after a many year hiatus). It was by far the best and most descriptive book I’ve read in my recent reading! (I know comparing to only 2 other books might not mean much to most readers on here)
The characters were very distinguished, and the pages painted such a vivid picture in my head every time I sat down to read!
I realized while looking up the author in efforts to find more novels by her, she has a series of books based on the main character and that I probably should have read her novel “14” first.
And there were some spots in the book where I felt like I missed something, so I understand now that they could’ve been cleared up by reading that novel first… BUT regardless, the author did a great job at keeping me interested in the story by giving details (I’m assuming from “14”) that roped me back in with a small bit of clarity! As a stand-alone novel, I thought it was fantastic. I could only imagine how deep into the characters and story I would’ve been if I read the “prequel” to this one!
I’m glad I found this novel at the local thrift store by luck, because not only did I get a great read out of it, but a great author who I will most definitely be buying more novels from!:)
April 28, 2025
t's a terrifying echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he's got helpers.
As The Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick homages — stretching police and FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll — she's tripwire tense and ready to snap.
The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch...
As The Pretender's disciples perpetrate their sick homages — stretching police and FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won't risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll — she's tripwire tense and ready to snap.
The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch...
January 10, 2022
This is my second JT Ellison book so I haven't been following this series throughout and I find it be a big hinderance. I felt very lost for the first half of the book with so many references to previous happenings that it took awhile for me to have enough information to really get into the book - that said once I did I really enjoyed it. It was very fast paced and well written (with the exception of the lacking backstory), the characters are enjoyable (and probably more so if I'd read more than just one of the previous five books). I would like to go back and read the others, but of course with so many books, so little time. I'm not sure when this will be. I don't know that I'll read anymore in this series without first going back to the beginning.
November 9, 2020
#6 in Taylor Jackson series. Continuing where "The Immortals" left off, Taylor is still being stalked by the Pretender who now has "apprentices" in a vast online game who are committing murders mimicking dead serial killers leading up to Taylor as the final target. Leaks in the police or FBI are hindering the investigation & Taylor finds herself riding the fine line between revenge and justice. Baldwin is suspended from the FBI & keeping a bombshell from Taylor while assisting her with tracking down the murderers. Tension between them causes Taylor to make some rash decisions. Will she live with them or will the Pretender finally take away everything?
May 27, 2017
Wow! Just wow! This is my sixth book I've read by Ellison, and I still cannot prepare myself for the insane ride I go on emotionally with each book. I always know I'm in for a thrilling read, but I can't ever know what to expect. I can't wait for Where All the Dead Lie! At least I still have the Samantha Owens series until then! I'm sure Ellison won't disappoint there either! I 100% recommend this book, and any other with the name Ellison on it!
February 5, 2018
Honestly, my favorite part of this book was the reference to all the famous serial killers. I was a little surprised, I say little by who ended up being The Pretender, but only a little. This author tends to hint at things a little too much so you figure them out quickly. The ending of this book was traumatic. I'm still a little sad just thinking about it. I don't know what it is but I just can't seem to get into this author's style like I can others.
January 1, 2019
This is the best of the series....so far!
Incredible! Taylor and Baldwin and their teams just get better and better! The Pretender was one scary guy. The lengths to which a crazy man can go. Wow! I love the way this series moves along! I love the back stories and the dreams for the future. The world is a messy place and crazy just seems to be everywhere! Thanks....on to the last one. 📚
Incredible! Taylor and Baldwin and their teams just get better and better! The Pretender was one scary guy. The lengths to which a crazy man can go. Wow! I love the way this series moves along! I love the back stories and the dreams for the future. The world is a messy place and crazy just seems to be everywhere! Thanks....on to the last one. 📚
February 18, 2020
Great addition to the Taylor Jackson series. The Pretender is at it again; murders coping the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer, and Son of Sam are being committed across America all leading back to Nashville, Tennessee. Taylor knows it's The Pretender and that things are coming to a head; the final showdown is inevitable. Distracted by his own demons and the search for his son, Taylor's fiancé Dr. John Baldwin doesn't notice as Taylor pulls away as she becomes determined to face The Pretender on her own. Will Taylor find The Pretender before he harms another loved one or will she be too late?... Find out in So Close the Hand of Death. Recommend this series; really enjoying so far.
February 12, 2019
Copy cat murders mimicking the Son of Sam, the Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer take place in cities across the US. And the copy cats may be working with the original Nashville copy cat: Lt. Taylor Jackson's nemesis, the Pretender.
A showdown between the two has been brewing for several books. Bring it!
A showdown between the two has been brewing for several books. Bring it!
April 7, 2020
My favorite JT Ellison book so far! I liked all of the details of the former serial killers woven into the story. I didn't realize until after I started it that it is in the middle of a series so now I will be going back to the beginning of the series and I am hoping that the rest of the books are as good as this one!
June 9, 2018
So after reading the entire Taylor Jackson series, what better way to honour the amazing series than with a mammoth review?!
Check it out at my blog -> http://bookworminglife.com/taylor-jac...
Check it out at my blog -> http://bookworminglife.com/taylor-jac...
February 15, 2020
Great book.
I discovered this author late and love her characters/stories. So happy to start from the beginning and read thru in order. Big plus is I know all these places. Reading about my home state is pretty cool.
I discovered this author late and love her characters/stories. So happy to start from the beginning and read thru in order. Big plus is I know all these places. Reading about my home state is pretty cool.
May 3, 2021
Another great read. Taylor Jackson finally meets up with The Pretender who has many helpers this time around. Will she take him out? Will she hold true to her principles? Lots of twists and turns and I was surprised the whole way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews