Emmy Dockery is a protagonist that the reader will easily enjoy, even if she becomes annoying at times. The same can be said here, as I devoured this piece in short order, loving the twists and turns the authors presented. However, after looking back at the review, I can remember a little more and knew I enjoyed it. This is not indicative of a poorly penned novel, but only that I read and review so much. I will be the first to admit that I have only a vague recollection of reading the debut in this series. Recommended to those who loved the early Patterson novels, before he sold out, as well as the reader who loves a decent thriller.

But, will this serial killer get the best of everyone and create a pile of unsolved cases, while killing at random? Patterson and Ellis show why they are a masterful duo in this novel that will have the reader wanting to read on until the very end, stopping only when necessary. As the investigation heats up and Emmy is finally able to convince someone that there might be something to her off-duty sleuthing, the hunt for the mole intensifies, straining resources and the relationship Emmy needs so badly. While Emmy is breathing down his neck, he seeks to throw everyone off the scent while also monitoring Emmy from afar. ‘Darwin’ is hiding in plain sight, masking his appearance and developing a backstory that will cover any tracks that might be visible. As the Citizen David investigation heats up, a killer lurks in the shadows, one who has been committing crimes that Emmy is discovering, though no one is yet ready to admit it. Emmy’s fiancé, Harrison ‘Books’ Bookman, has taken a step away from his past with the Feds and is working in a bookstore, trying to keep her from getting too far off the beaten path, though failing miserably. With news leaking to the public through a keen reporter, all eyes turn to Emmy as the one fuelling that fire. For now, Emmy is tasked with helping to crack a case that has the country talking, the nighttime bombings by Citizen David, an anonymous activist trying to representing the ‘little guy’.

However, her superiors at the FBI refuse to listen and want her to keep the investigation where it belongs, on the back burner and during her downtime. Seeing links in apparent accidental deaths, Emmy is connecting dots and trying to make a case that a new serial killer is on the loose. Emmy Dockery is back, still licking the wounds after having blown the lid off a serial killer who masked his crimes under the radar, but she refuses to rest.

James Patterson collaborates with David Ellis-one of the authors who is able to keep his pieces on track-for this sequel that will chill the reader almost as much as the original piece.

Unsolved james patterson series