I reviewed the entire Evelyn Talbot series in one post on my blog (see the link) because I was addicted and couldn't stop reading.

https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/2021/07/her-darkest-nightmare-and-the-rest-of-the-evelyn-talbot-chronicles-by-brenda-novak-audiobook-series-review/

Faceoff is a page turner that will leave you on the edge of your seat . Jasper works at Hanover House so he can finally finish what he once started with Evelyn Talbot, who is trying to keep her family safe. She has to decide whether Amorak or her family will come first.
This book will keep you guessing through the whole thing. It is well written, as are all Brenda Novak books. Enjoy!

St. Martin's Paperbacks and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Face Off. I was not obligated to write a review and my opinion is freely given.

Trying to move on with her life as a psychiatrist studying the world's most disturbing serial killers, Doctor Evelyn Talbot is still haunted by a violent situation in her past. Jasper Moore brutalized Evelyn when they were just teenagers and has never been punished. When two women are found murdered, with signs pointing to Jasper's signature style, will Evelyn's worst fears be realized?

This is the third installment in the Evelyn Talbot series, but is just more of the same. Evelyn is still being chased by Jasper, is still being questioned by her people about a decision regarding their former colleague, and is still waffling over her relationship with a man who clearly adores her. The story drags on entirely too long and loses my interest, as a result. The author explains every emotion and feeling that the characters have, which is just not necessary. Face Off does not do all that much to progress the character, though the ending points to Evelyn making some changes in her life. Readers new to the series should start from the beginning, although enough of the backstory is given here for those unfamiliar with the character to not be confused. I was disappointed overall, as I expected more progression of the story line by this third book. For these reasons, I am hesitant to recommend Face Off to other readers.

I love the Evelyn Talbot series and I love Brenda Novak.

This was really, really good. Do yourself a favor and read it and the rest of the series.

Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful arc.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this great opportunity.
I love the Evelyn Talbot series
Well written, suspenseful.

In this third thrilling installment of the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, she comes face to face with the man who terrorized her over 20 years ago. He's been hiding in plain sight and he's been planning to take his ultimate prize.

I ordinarily don't care all that much for damsel in distress stories and definitely Evelyn has some serious problems considering that Jasper Moore (now Andy Smith) hasn't ever stopped coming for her. But she has her boyfriend, Sergeant Benjamin Murphy, AKA Amarok, to protect her. Since I didn't get a chance to read books #1 and #2 in the series, I was worried that I might have missed something important, but the reader gets plenty of historical background so, in a way, I'm glad I didn't have to go through two other books focused on Jasper Moore. How Evelyn manages to miss being kidnapped and murdered is a surprise given how devious and resourceful Jasper is. But, meanwhile, there are many other heinous murders committed and Amarok is kept quite busy in his duties as the only law enforcement presence in Hilltop. Evelyn's work at the psychiatric facility, Hanover House, is coming along and she's as involved as ever in trying to research psychopaths. There's enough blood and guts for any crime fiction reader and definitely more than enough romance.

Although Evelyn seems quite weak to me at times, it's obvious she's meant to seem the opposite. She surely needs some therapy herself, but mostly cowers at home or at work since she knows Jasper is still at large. Apparently she and Amarok have worked through Evelyn's intimacy issues (thank heavens I didn't have to read all that) and are in love. Will it last? Regardless, I do really like the pace and action in the story and really wonder what's in store in book #4 - which I intend to read next. This is definitely a book that is easy to read in a single sitting and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book ARC to read and review.

This is by far my favorite series by Brenda Novak!! I love the suspense! The details and the setting are just so amazing!! I hope this series continues on for a long time!! Love it!!

I am so addicted to the Evelyn Talbot series!
Evelyn Talbot is a top psychiatrist who decided to turn a horribly traumatic event into a chance to study psychopaths to try to help heal herself and also to help stop others from becoming victims as well. She is now working in a small town in Alaska at a hospital called Hanover House. Little does she know that her past will soon come back to haunt her and hurt others around her.
I always find Brenda Novak's books well written and researched and am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I had high hopes for this book, because I have really enjoyed this series. I was disappointed to find that the villain was Jasper once again. He has been the villain in all of the books.

I just assumed that with all of the creepy possibilities that could occur with Evelyn working at a prison featuring some of the most dangerous criminals in the country, that we wouldn’t have to see the same villain over and over again. It’s starting to feel dragged out and I wish the series would venture into other territories.

I still love Evelyn and Amarok and want to continue to read up on their story, but the jury is still out on whether I’ll get the next book or not.

Again I already left a review for this book here and every book site and even social media! Anyways as always Brenda Novak is an amazing author and her Evelyn Talbot series is the best!

Evelyn Talbot has achieved her goal of establishing Hanover House. a residence for some of the worse psychopaths in the world. Evelyn's goals in this was to analyse these vicious killers. Her primary reason was her own horrific experiences when she was kidnapped and tortured by her boyfriend while she was a teenager. As a leading psychiatrist, she certainly is successful, but is she safe? During her few years there in Alaska, there have been some brutal murders, and it is very likely that her previous boyfriend, who was never caught, is right there and she is in danger.

Her current boyfriend, Alaska State Trooper Amarok, finds the eerie truth that the man, Jaspar Moore is there, but where. It is known that he has had reconstructive surgery, so he could be anyone. But there is no one new there. Who is responsible for the two latest brutal murders?

Before I begin writing my actual review, suffice it to say that Face Off is the third book in the Evelyn Talbot series. I do not think this book would do well as a standalone. The series begin with a novella, Hanover House, and was followed by two other novels, Her Darkest Nightmare and Hello Again. I felt it was necessary to mention all of these titles because they should be read in order. However, in the early chapters, readers are familiarized with Evelyn's past, Jasper's sadistic and murderous activity and Evelyn and Amarok's relationship.

It has been a few years for Evelyn at Hanover House and things are changing. While Evelyn's relationship with Amarok is reaching new heights, the formerly quiet Alaskan town is again plagued with murder. Meanwhile, Evelyn finds that her family needs her and this may affect her plans in both a personal and professional level.

As gruesome as the subject of serial killers is, this series is a definite hit and ranks as one of my favorites. One of the things I like most about it is that it is also a romantic suspense. As each story is developed, it was a delight to see the romance abound. For what Evelyn went through at the hands of Jasper, for her to have found such a solid love through Amarok is very rewarding.

I loved the conclusion and was definitely kept on my toes during the twists and turns along the way. What made this story exceptionally chilling is the narrative in Jasper's voice. From the very first book in the series, readers know who Jasper is pretending to be and how he can be among Evelyn, Amarok and her staff. My only complaint is that there are too little books and too little time. If not, I would have devoured this series more quickly. I do hope there is more from Evelyn and Amarok in the future.

Many thanks to St. Martin's and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

First things first: This is the third book in the Evelyn Talbot series. I’m sure it can be read as a standalone - there’s enough background given throughout the book to catch you up - but i would recommend reading the books in order. The first two books really set up the events of this third book, which I’ll describe below.

Evelyn is still reeling from the attack on her the previous winter, when the disappearance of a young woman puts her and Amarok on edge - it looks like Jasper is back in Alaska and ready to finish what he started all those years ago. The personal strain on Evelyn leads her to think that her best option may be to give in to her family and return to Boston - but that would mean leaving Amarok behind, something that would be extremely painful. This book is filled with tension and emotion from the very beginning to the end.

At first I thought that knowing who the bad guy was from the beginning would lessen the excitement and the action, but that is absolutely not the case - this book is filled with near misses, suspense and tension galore. There were times I was practically screaming at the book, like the characters were going to hear me, lol. It’s really the kind of book that will suck you in right away.

And the ending is very satisfying and leaves open a lot of new story paths. I’m really excited to see where it all goes.

And Amarok. OHHHHH Amarok. There’s not a lot to say other than that he is one of the best romantic suspense heroes out there. I can’t get enough of his and Evelyn’s relationship and am excited to see how things work out.

Seriously, if you’re not reading this series, you need to go pick it up and dive in. It’s very, very worth it.

If I had to describe this book with one word it would be... Awesome!

This book has it all - a fantastic storyline that will keep the reader's heart pumping, and a storyline that flows flawlessly as it switches between characters. Highly recommend this fantastic book series!

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC which I read wayy too late to write this prior to publication; however I do have a good reason. This was my first Novak book and I could tell by chapter 3 that I had to stop reading and start from scratch. You can read my reviews of numbers 1 and 2 of the Talbot Chronicles on goodreads.

This was a harrowing read. It is a heavy read. It is violent. You will stop breathing throughout and be thankful when its over so you can breath. I would strongly recommend reading these stories in order, because if you start by this one you will have too many questions. There are many things I still don't understand (not story line but motivation) and have to tell myself often that just because I talk to the characters does not mean they will answer, or explain themselves to me.

If you can handle a certain amount of violence, then I would read this series. Its a lot, but worth it.

I have followed Brenda Novaks' Evelyn Talbot series from the beginning. I recommend you read them all. They are suspenseful and have great characters. Evelyn the main character we follow through her career and Amarak the hunky Alaskan policeman that has helped and loved Evelyn throughout the series.. A great read.

Brenda Novak’s Face Off is about Dr. Elizabeth Talbot who was attacked when she was young and left for dead. She has been chased and threatened ever since the killer heard she didn’t die. Now a leading psychiatrist in an Alaskan town, she tries to forget the past but the past is still catching up with her. The killer has stalked her all along and had his appearance altered so she can’t recognize him when he decides to finish the deed. A well executed thriller. A mystery with delightful characters. Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced reader’s copy.

Although “Face Off” is part of a series with repeating characters it is difficult to believe that the previous books could be more wicked or vicious. I have not read them and am fairly sure that I never will. This book was just too evil, too deadly. The plot deals with the height of human depravity cloaked in a label – serial killer. Pray that you never meet a “Jasper”.

I thought the writing and subsequent dialogue was forced and not fluid, the characters one dimensional and the situations unbelievable. Since I read the papers and keep up with the news I realize that a one-dimensional character can often be found in an unbelievable situation that becomes the nightmare of their reality. Even so, I found it hard to return to this book whenever I put it down.

After perusing other reviews, I think I read a different book – I could barely get through this and when I turned the last page I was relieved that I was looking at the back cover. Bottom line, if you like psychological thrillers with murder and mayhem this is your book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Okay. I do not know how much more of this suspense I can take. I have been on pins and needles through the series of stories featuring Dr. Evelyn Talbot, the man who loves her and the psychopath who tortured and left her for dead twenty plus years ago only to haunt her every moment since then. He is getting very close and the danger meter is off the charts.
There is no let up in the action on the nail biting rollercoaster ride. I confess. I did something I had not done since I started reading e-books rather than paper ones. When the tension got to be too much, I would sneak a peek at the end of the book just to make sure I could continue to read. It is not easy to do this with an e-book. But I just had to look. I had to know.
I am not going to tell you what happens or how it resolves itself. I will save that treat for you to experience on your own. All I will say is start at the beginning and work through the series and be prepared for some nerve twitching moments. It is intense.
I give it five shaky purrs and too scary paws up.

Face off is the third book in The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. As you already know Jasper has gotten very close to Evelyn and we were waiting to see what was going to be his next move and if Evelyn was ever going to find out who Andy was. I must admit that I was frustrated and thinking of giving up the series for half if not more of the book. I honestly, thought that the author was going to drag this Jasper plotline forever and all the books would be about him. I am still worried that that's gonna happen in the next book, but I hope that once again the inmates and Evelyn's research will be on the spotlight. I don't even care if her fictional findings will be based on reality or not. I just want her not to think about him. There was a female inmate introduced in the story and maybe we can explore her mind.

Amarok and Evelyn's relationship is on the rocks and I was wondering why. Things seem to be going fine, then there is talk about Evelyn leaving and in the end, I just wanted her to make up her mind and either leave or stay. I didn't get her thinking. She wanted a baby, but she was thinking that in 3 years she would leave Alaska and take the child with her. So basically, Amarok was the sperm donor and not the man she was supposed to be in a relationship with. Evelyn's sister entered the picture and she was even worse. I hated her and I kind of wished she was one of Jasper's victims. Both sisters were a source of frustration and disappointment.

The series started so well but I don't know where is going on now. I will read the next book and I will hope that it will be the last one because I feel like it's dragging a little.

I found this book didn’t hold my attention like other books that I’ve read from this author. It seemed drawn out and sluggish. It was okay just not one the best in my opinion.