Question D

[Jonetta]

Speaking of Nick, it was clear early on that he was a character in an earlier book, (The Hunt, Predator Trilogy #2), about the serial killer, The Butcher. Do you feel you missed anything pertinent about Nick by not having read that story? Did the author adequately provide his backstory, enough to give you a clear picture of the character?

[Karen ♐]

I didn't realize The Butcher's story was in another series. I may have to read that one because I would like more info regarding Nick. I think there was enough info about Nick's background for this story but it always helps to know the entire backstory.

[Jonetta]

I didn’t know beforehand but once they started talking about The Butcher and what a big case it was, I went snooping. This worked just fine but I plan to read it. I’d already read the first book in that series and it was very good!

[Lauren]

I've read the previous trilogy so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

That said, I do think that those who haven't read it might feel out of the loop when it comes to Nick's back story.

[Charlene]

I would like to have known this in advance to read even more books!

[Melissa]

Great! Now I need to go read The Hunt. Glad I own it and have already read book 1. :-)
That said, I don't feel like I was missing anything. Although I would have liked to know a bit more about the case, the author did a pretty good job giving the reader the highlights.

[Karen ♐]

Melissa wrote: "Great! Now I need to go read The Hunt. Glad I own it and have already read book 1. :-)
That said, I don't feel like I was missing anything. Although I would have liked to know a bit m..."

Do I need to start with book 1 before reading The Hunt?

[Lauren]

Melissa wrote: "That said, I don't feel like I was missing anything. Although I would have liked to know a bit more about the case, the author did a pretty good job giving the reader the highlights. "

Yes, she did. The most relevant aspects are summarized succinctly. That said, there are details of Nick's back story that are not presented in this book perhaps because they might detract from the romance.

[Lauren]

Karen ♐ wrote: "Do I need to start with book 1 before reading The Hunt? ."

While book 1 it is very loosely connected to The Hunt (the heroines in all three books of the trilogy were at Quantico together), it is not necessary to read it for Speak No Evil as it has no connection to Nick and Carina's story.

[Melissa]

Karen - in regards to The Predator Trilogy:
From the author's website:
Each book stands alone. The story is complete (no continuing mystery) and there is a separate hero, heroine and villain. However, I do have recurring characters throughout my books, so someone may be introduced as a minor or major secondary character in one book, then come back as the hero or a secondary character in another book.

[Jonetta]

I read The Prey a few years ago. I always intended to continue.

I was okay with what I knew about Nick but was teased about the Butcher. I’m going to put that in play soon just to close the loop.

FYI, didn’t know they were connected. I remember being told, however, it’s best to read Brennan’s series in published order as there are character crossovers. In researching our group read, the author says as much. Here’s what she has posted on the Lucy Kincaid series summary:

“My first 12 books had many recurring characters. More details are below, but I’ve pulled out the books with main characters in the Kincaid family — or with characters who become main characters in the Kincaid books:”

THE HUNT - Predator Trilogy #2 (Sheriff Nick Thomas is an important secondary character; he’s the hero of SPEAK NO EVIL)

SPEAK NO EVIL - No Evil Trilogy #1 (Detective Carina Kincaid; Sheriff Nick Thomas)

SEE NO EVIL - No Evil Trilogy #2 (P.I. Connor Kincaid; Prosecutor Julia Chandler)

FEAR NO EVIL - No Evil Trilogy #3 (Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Dillon Kincaid; rogue FBI Agent Kate Donovan — mercenary Jack Kincaid is introduced in this book.)

KILLING FEAR - Prison Break Trilogy #1 (Detective Will Hooper; bar owner Robin McKenna. Will is Carina’s partner and Carina and Dillon both have important secondary roles in this story.)

PLAYING DEAD - Prison Break Trilogy #3 (FBI Agent Mitch Bianchi; PI Claire O’Brien. Nelia Kincaid has a secondary role in this book; FBI Agent Megan Elliott has a secondary role as the ex-wife and boss of hero Mitch. JT Caruso is introduced. Rogan-Caruso Protective Services is Claire’s employer and it’s the first time the organization or the Rogans are introduced.)

SUDDEN DEATH - FBI Trilogy #1 (Mercenary Jack Kincaid; FBI Agent Megan Elliott; Patrick and Dillon both make appearances.)

FATAL SECRETS - FBI Trilogy #2 (White Collar Crimes expert FBI Agent Dean Hooper; ICE Agent Sonia Knight. The Rogan family is introduced as minor characters in this story)

CUTTING EDGE - FBI Trilogy #3 (Duke Rogan; FBI Agent Nora English — Sean Rogan is an important secondary character.)

[Melissa]

Well dang. I'm gonna have to add all her series to my TBR list now.

[Jonetta]

I know! They’re already on mine. I had no idea they were connected to Lucy Kincaid.

[Anita]

I started reading Allison Brennan BG (before I joined Goodreads). I picked up her books at secondhand bookstores, yard sales and the library swap rack. I read all out of order in several different series and got distracted by shinner things and haven't read her in years. Need to regroup and catch up.

[Karen ♐]

Well, I guess I’ll put them all on my list too! Thanks, everyone.

[Jonetta]

You’re welcome and thanks to all for weighing in.

[Lauren]

Thanks for this, Jonetta

I've read the entire Predator trilogy as well as Prison Break book #1 (I had forgotten that Carina's partner Will was the hero of that book).

I'm going to have to read the other books soon.

[Jonetta]

No problem! I'm rotating them in, also.

[Sandra]

I wish I'd known and I would have read it first; however, I think the author did a great job of filling in enough background on Nick to make this story work just fine. I felt an air of mystery and intrigue in his character and immediately wanted to know more. It was obvious he was damaged from a past incident and I wanted to figure him out.

[Jonetta]

I remember long ago when I was on Shelfari, friends advised that we read her series in published order but I believed Lucy Kincaid was a separate animal. *sigh*

[Sandra]

I'm an "in order" girl all the way! lol And sometimes, when an author has different series, it seems to be best read in published order if characters cross series. That's the way I read Michael Connelly's books - Bosch, Haller, and the others - and it worked out great timeframe wise, plot, etc.

[Jonetta]

Yes! See my update in Question H.