In the Darkness by Mike Omer -> Starting August 10th, 2022

[Aly]

A forensic psychologist fights a mental war against two serial killers in this disturbing thriller from Mike Omer, Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of A Killer’s Mind.

An online video of a girl clawing at the ceiling of her own grave could be the worst thing FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley has ever seen. Perhaps even more disturbing is the implication of the video’s title: “Experiment Number One.”

Zoe and her partner, Special Agent Tatum Gray, work as fast as they can to find the monster behind the shocking video, but soon another one shows up online, and another girl turns up dead. Meanwhile, a different murderer is on Zoe’s mind. Rod Glover has been tormenting her since childhood, and his latest attack is a threatening photo of himself with Zoe’s sister. As Glover’s threats creep toward action, Zoe’s torn between family and duty.

Zoe must think fast to prevent another murder. With her own family’s safety on the line, Zoe feels she’s never been in more danger. And while she’s always known her job could send her to an early grave, she always assumed she’d be dead first.

[Trisha]

23 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, the new killings are brutal. I can't even imagine being buried alive!
and the POV Of the murderer is still gross, lol, but I expected it this time

Zoe is also brutal lol Poor Tatum

and I'm scared for her sister. I wish everyone was taking the threat more seriously (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

48 chapters

(view spoiler)[ ugh, just awful that he called the mom with the sound bite

and I don't remember Harry Barry but I don't like him
NOR do I like the tall guy she had a one night with. I don't like that I feel like he was trying to get info out of her. . .PI? Reporter?

I'm glad Tatum is sucking up his pride to work with her again.

and her poor sister, I'm glad she's doing better!! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

70 chapters

(view spoiler)[ oh man, I'm glad they found her. that was some fancy police work to narrow it down

but I have a bad feeling the grand finale. . .I'm really hoping it doesn't involve her (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

and I'm done

wow, this one was good!

(view spoiler)[ I didn't remember much from book 1 because it's been forever
I'm so glad it wasn't the guy she'd been spending nights with

wow, the medical examiner. Yikes, what a betrayal! I wondered how he'd so seamlessly been able to talk to his friend without raising suspicion
(hide spoiler)]

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one!

[Melanie]

Read the first few chapters of this one tonight.

Chapters 1-5
(view spoiler)[
Being buried alive is one of my biggest fears so the methods in this one are going to creep me out more than usual. I wonder why he's naming them experiments?

I don't understand why Zoe isn't taken more seriously when it comes to Glover. The guy obviously is still obsessed with her and her sister.
(hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Chapters 6-23
(view spoiler)[
Damn, listening to how Nicole died is terrifying. This killer is super creepy. The fact this is what gets him off makes it even worse.

Zoe was definitely brutal with Tatum but let's be honest, he's likely going to be asked these questions more harshly in the inquiry. He needs to stop pouting about what she said as she wasn't wrong.
(hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

lol OMG right (view spoiler)[ that's such a good point! He was definitely going to get worse question at an inquiry!! (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Chapters 24-48
(view spoiler)[
This killer is sick. The burying alive bit is just so terrifying to me as it's one of my worst fears. The flashbacks to his past are strange. He was definitely a weird child.

I'm glad Marvin called Tatum out. He's not wrong that Tatum is getting upset for no reason.

Poor Andrea. I'm glad Tatum's grandfather went over to the apartment to keep her company. She shouldn't be alone.
(hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Chapters 49-70
(view spoiler)[
Talk about cutting it close. They found Julie just in time. The killer was so close to breaking into the box to kill her before she could talk. With the killer having a friend in law enforcement, I wonder if he works in law enforcement or something adjacent to it?

I have a bad feeling the killer is going to go after Zoe next.
(hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Finished this one! I really enjoyed this one and definitely need to pick up the third book soon.

Chapters 71-94
(view spoiler)[
Huh, was not expecting it to be the medical examiner. Also, he gave himself up pretty quick after Tatum figured out it was him.

Zoe did not cope well with being in that box and I have a feeling she'll be dealing with the PTSD from it for a while.

Damn, Glover was right upstairs from Zoe's apartment. The fact he's dying of a brain tumor likely only makes him more dangerous as he has nothing to lose by going after Zoe. I hope the next book deals with them catching him.
(hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

YAY! I'm so glad you liked this one too! There is a buddy read thread for the 3rd one!!