If I haven't said so yet, I love thriller/contemporary mystery/FBI stories. I haven't read many of them, but one of my favorite trilogies in the Christian fiction market is the If I Run trilogy by Terri Blackstock.

This book is on the level of an Agatha Christie novel . . . but a GOOD Agatha Christie Novel. Kaely, the daughter of a serial killer, is an FBI agent with an unorthodox method, but is VERY good at her job. When she receives a poem predicting a string of murders, she is determined to stop a potential serial killer from achieving their goal.

This book covers it all: fast action, suspense, a touch of romance, wonderfully written characters, psychoanalysis, faith, and a bit of banter.

I didn't expect such a well thought out mystery aspect to this book: a lot of times, Christian fiction is more focused on the romance and the Christian "fluff" than an actual plotline, but this one is an exception. The storyline is strong all the way through (I read this in a day . . . AT COLLEGE . . . the week before finals--I literally couldn't stop until I finished the book) and it is amazing. The mystery is truly strong in this one . . . AND the plot twist at the end was STUNNING. also that little sentence at the end about the cat CREEPED. ME. OUT. You'd think a book about a serial killer and murders would do me in, but THE CAT.

This is the first book by Mehl I've read (I've been meaning to read some of her other work, but this is the first I've read, it being Book 1 in a series), and I've heard that it's the best one . . . which makes me a little sad for her other books, but I'm definitely going to check the rest of them out!

So if you haven't read this one yet and like mystery/suspense, definitely check this one out! It's one that will not disappoint.

My Rating-

10/10

Things Liked-
-Kaely!!! She was such a well defined character, and the character development was REAL
-Very little romance!
-SUCH A WELL WRITTEN MYSTERY
-THE PLOT TWIST
-Talk about God . . . but woven in and not preachy

Things Disliked-
-There ARE murders and stuff described . . . buuuuut then, it's literally a book about a serial killer SO

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review; I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

This book review first appeared on- https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/book-review-mind-games-by-nancy-mehl-blogmas-2018-day-5/

The author has really outdone herself with this book. I have never been so engrossed in a story like this one. The title is perfect because the story is gritty, intriguing, heart pounding,  and filled with deceit and unimaginable mind games that can give you nightmares. I have to put this author at the top of my list as favorite mystery writer. 

Kaely is a very high tech, super smart woman who has a gift of discernment. Her savvy attitude drew me in right away. I could sit with her for hours and watch her as she deciphers clues. Someone is out there taunting her with a cryptic poem which will  lead to untimely deaths if Kaely can't catch them in time. The brilliance of the writing is so powerful I am in awe of how creepy the character who is taunting her gets. She is not liked by some on her team in the Behavioral Analyst Unit. It made me think of the show Criminal Minds and this book would make a perfect story for the show. 

I loved the background on Kaely and especially who her father was. That was  a very pivotal part of the story and the author used it seamlessly to weave it throughout the book. There is a Christian element to the story that I found very tasteful and perfect as a addition to the story. Why does God let bad things happen? That's a question Kaely is asked by her partner. The way she answers the question is well done and shows her trust in God. Kaely is fighting an enemy that thinks they have the upper hand, but Kaely is very determined and has a mind that looks past the obvious. 

I was extremely surprised by who the serial killer was and the author had me guessing throughout the story. It is non stop action with a battle of wits mixed with a powerful good vs evil quality to it. Hold on for a bumpy and psychological  ride where you don't know when the next strike of the enemy will happen.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Well, that was a tense and twisty turvy ride.
The beginning of the book was a little slow, but toward the middle it really picks up and it doesn't let you go until the end. The plot twists were on point, I can honestly say I didn't see them coming. Usually I can figure out who the bad guy is in these kinds of books, but in this one... I was wrong.
I wasn't sure about Kaely Quinn at first, but I ended up really liking her. It turns out Noah is really the one I'm not sure about. He's kind of, I don't know, typical. I don't know how many suspense novels I have read with Noahs in them, but it's been quite a few.
This book is extremely dark delving into the minds and modus operandi of serial killers. That is not a light subject matter and while this book did try to touch on the subject of how a good God can allow evil, there were some parts of this book that were downright freaky.
I would not recommend reading this book late into the night. Which happens to be exactly what I did...
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Kaely Quinn's talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she's demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, the reporter's ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem's predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else--including Kaely herself--is killed.

What a good book.  You don't know who the bad guy is til the very end.  Kaely is a unique individual who has some big emotional issues from her childhood.  She doesn't make friends because she doesn't trust anyone.  People she has trusted before have turned out to be untrustworthy.  The story has an ending but it leaves it wide open for the next book.  I am looking forward to the next book with anticipation.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

I love FBI and crime shows, when Criminal Minds was running (14 seasons strong) I would tune in to see the fascinating way of profiling the criminals and how the team would solve the cases thrilled me.  Enter Mind Games a book that is fit for a suspense loving heart. I couldn’t stop reading this book and was very taken back at the end at who the culprit was. Kaely Quinn is a character like no other, her way of really getting into the head of the killer is fascinating and downright unique. In fact, I have spent weeks trying to find a comparison to this character and book and can’t come up with another book like it.

I love that not only does Kaely Quinn have this unique sense in solving the crimes but she also has this other level about her where readers feel compassion or a budding friendship with her. She isn’t just this strong female, kick-butt character, she is also one with many deep scars that we only begin to see in this book. I look forward to learning more about Kaely. I also am eager to see what will become of Noah, her partner in this book. See being Kaely’s partner isn’t an easy task, she is a bit of a loner and doesn’t share when she might be headed into danger. Noah is not really ready for a commitment in this department or any department for that matter, he doesn’t have the scars that Kaely has but he does have some scraps that make it hard for him to be this committed to a person. I mean really, he has to make sure Kaely doesn’t die which trust me wasn’t an easy task.  But Noah is soft and has a good heart he is the complementary character to Kaely and can slightly keep her in line.

Now the mystery and suspense in this book. Wow. I never really pay attention to the back cover or snoop on an author’s other books prior to reading a book I am reviewing. I was in shock at the goosebump moments and the hooks that the author used to grab this reader. The poems that were part of the killer’s plot were creepy and make me look at a certain animal differently now (still own of my favorites though). I was given many tricks in this book, with plenty of suspects the author weaves ways that as a reader you could justify all of them to be in cahoots to commit the killings. But there is only one mastermind, and it is impressive how well the author tidied up the ending with having this person as the killer. In fact, that is part of what I really loved about this book. She didn’t rush the ending, it wasn’t the climax and then “oh we solved the crime”. It was brought to a nice boil and allowed to then be reduced to a perfect simmer of justification. There is no justification for murder, but there is always a justification for faith and we see that coming through in this book. 

As you can see, I could go on and on about this book. The reasons I loved it are endless, it was easy to finish in one night because I couldn’t put it down. I have spent weeks recommending the book to co-workers, I walked around with a book hangover because I couldn’t comprehend how I could read something new after reading such a fantastic book. I have since been on the book mend and reading more, but I slightly stalk the author and publisher in hopes of knowing when I can read the next Kaely Quinn mystery. Seriously, I need to know the next story and see where it takes her. You as a reader will thank all those that have introduced you to this book, as it will impact you in similar ways. I recommend this book beyond these words of praise.  I recommend this book for its faith and the reminder we are all unique.

One of my favourite genres is suspense, I love going through the case with the characters trying to figure out and catch the bad guy. This author was a new to me author and I was excited to read this one. However I did not enjoy as much as I thought I would. I found the story line to be really dark and creepy and there were times I had to put it down to take a break from it. 

I struggled to connect with the character of Kaely. Her talking to people as if they were really there bothered me. I can’t really explain why though, because I understand talking out loud while trying to figure things out. The second thing I struggled with what the sudden switches between characters POV, each time this happened I had to stop and re-read it wondering if I missed something. (I was reading an ARC copy so maybe this formatting issue will be fixed.) 

For the story itself though, I enjoyed the team work between the characters and trying to figure out who was responsible for the crimes and being about to see if they could stop the villain in time before another murder happens. The story moves slowly as you get to know the case and the characters. It is a dark story line delving into the minds of serial killers filled with many twists and turns. I suspected a couple of characters and was shocked when I found out who it was and what motivated them. My favourite part was probably the discussion about God. The way it was presented really made you think. 

If you enjoy shows like Criminal Minds you would probably enjoy this story. There are a large number of reviews on Goodreads showing how others really enjoyed this story more than I did.

Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is a contemporary Christian suspense that had me glued and guessing from the start. Wow, it was fabulous. I read with heart racing and mind whirring to the jaw dropping conclusion.
The suspense is heightened from the beginning as the reader already has questions about trust and true character. Trust has to be earnt. As the lead character begins the journey to trust, the reader walks alongside.
A major theme is that of protection. We follow the FBI and law enforcement agencies that are set up to protect the public. There is also a microcosm trip to trust. “Someday you’ll have to let someone in… I realise you’re trying to protect yourself.” Keeping others out may be intended to protect but the reality is that we will live lives in grand isolation. Life is not meant to be done alone but in community with others.
Police work, like life, is about teamwork and cooperation. “It’s not about the territory. It should be about finding the truth.” Information needs to be shared. Just as in life, problems need to be shared. People we trust make the journey of life more pleasant if we walk the road together.
The novel is about searching for the truth. The reader, along with the characters, tries to piece the clues together to solve the crimes.
Mind Games is a thinking person’s suspense. It is not a novel you can stroll through but one that will heighten your senses and raise your levels of suspicion. I suspected many characters – what I didn’t expect was the final page – definitely a ‘wow’ moment – utterly brilliant. No cheating and turning to the last page though, it won’t make sense without what goes before.
Whilst the FBI search for the perpetrator, the reader is reminded that God searches for us. He never leaves us alone. He is available for all. No one is ever disqualified from knowing God. “He [God] speaks to everyone who will listen.” When we know God, we can know peace. Even when we walk through the valley of evil and the fires of hell, God’s peace and presence will carry us through.
Mind Games was my first read by Nancy Mehl – and it blew me away. I will definitely be reading more by her.
As we end 2018, I am very glad to see my reading journey going out a bang and not a whimper. Thank you Nancy Mehl, a fantastic nail biting read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Sneak inside the FBI as they investigate a serial killer who has his sights on one of their own. Special Agent Kaely Quinn has escaped her horrible heritage and now works to bring down criminals, however, someone is targeting her and planning her downfall. Can she figure out his strange poem filled with clues about his victims in time to escape his trap? The fast-paced thriller keeps the reader engaged and yearning to figure out who is guilty. I changed my mind several times. The author does a great job at keeping readers guessing while making them feel involved in the action. I look forward to the next book in this exciting series. Faith also comes to play in the story. It’s nice to be able to read a book like this with no objectionable scenes or language. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Mind Games! This is one I couldn't read at night because after the first night of reading late.. My dreams were replaying the "mind games"! Fast paced and continuous action! This is a profiler that is being stalked for something her father did.. Intense at times so if you like on the edge of your seat, oh my what next suspense.. you will really like this one! I was gifted a copy through NetGalley by the publisher, no review was required. My review is voluntary.

VERY happily I can say, 5 stars or more!!!! I really enjoyed this book, Kaely was a very interesting leading lady. When you read, you do have to keep her background in mind, her painful experiences, as she found out her seemingly good Dad was a psycho. And then later, betrayal by people she knew and worked with, because she has a unique way of profiling. She is very damaged goods, trying to trust in God, leaning on the Lord and going through healing processes, knowing it all happens in God's timing. And extra points for not making it a romance. That was very refreshing.

This story is great for people who like an intense story line and don't mind a bit of darkness. There is no gore or ugly descriptions, but there is mention of things that people who do work in this field encounter, which could be uncomfortable for people who are more used to fuzzy romances and Amish fiction. But if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and give another genre a try .. then definitely, this is a worthy one to break the ice.

The spiritual discussion was good too. Kaely was great in her description of why she as a logical thinking, all business woman believes in God and the Bible and in salvation through Jesus Christ. The author did not write Kaely's dialog in a preachy way, it was clear, concise and natural.

There was nothing cheesy or eye roll inducing either. The writer has a very good style. At first, it bothered me, because everything was in very short, clear sentences. Even though it was not written first person, I almost felt I was reading something Kaely or one of her co-workers wrote, because it had that short, staccato rhythm that is often associated with the way FBI agents or people in the justice system are portrayed in movies and on TV.

And for anyone who knows me and my love for cats ... I did feel badly for her little lonely kitty.

I received this book as a gift. I am not obligated to provide a positive review and I received no compensation, except a very good read.

Oh my, where to start with this one. Nancy Mehl is quickly becoming a favorite author of  mine and her books do not disappoint. 

Creepy, murder, thriller type books can tend to go over board on the creepy factor, but this one was well done and besides one particular creepy scene that had me biting my nails. Oh my. 

The story had an original twist, and I loved the main character, Kaely. She is a very interesting and unique character, that and I love her name. 

So, if you like FBI / Crime solving type books, you should definitely check this one out.

After reading all those raving reviews, I had expected a lot of Mind Games and I was ready to devour my first novel by Nancy Mehl. However, I found it hard to really like the characters. They were just okay to me. There was a bit of repeating in the first 30% of the book which made it slow at first. Also, I figured out who had done it real quick, I was so sure of it that reading the rest of the story was not interesting to me anymore. I am quite certain that for someone who would not figure it out as fast as I did, the story would be interesting and spellbinding.

Nancy Mehl has definitely moved onto my list of must-read Christian authors! “Mind Games” reads like an episode of “Bones” or “CSI” and yet at the same time manages to be unique. It has certainly raised my expectations in the suspense field. The tight writing and sense of anticipation reminds me of Jaime Jo Wright’s novels, although whereas Wright’s works tie together historical fiction with a present-day story, Mehl takes full advantage of a contemporary setting in order to lead the reader down the rabbit hole of modern crime solving. Since the main characters are FBI agents, the reader is treated to details about the Bureau’s inner workings and how cases are solved. Some of the details are gritty, and there are a few disturbing scenes, but there is no profanity and the book is a clean read. 

Psychological thrillers are among my favorite reads, and “Mind Games” surpassed my hopes for several reasons. From the start, I liked and related to Kaely Quinn. She is mostly a loner and a workaholic who believes in getting the job done and not stopping until she does, and she is a perfectionist. Despite her past and her trust issues, she is a Christian, and this aspect of her life is expressed in the narrative in a few compelling scenes that illustrate a growing faith. The way in which Mehl reveals Kaely’s prior history and walks the reader through Kaely’s work as a behavioral analyst is skillfully done. Not only is it fascinating, but it allows the reader to step into Kaely’s shoes (and occasionally the other characters’, as well) and experience the tension as it unfolds. As an avid mystery and suspense reader, more often than not I figure out whodunit by at least the halfway point. Although I had narrowed the suspects down, I did not definitively identify the culprit until right before the reveal, which really enhanced my enjoyment of the novel. “Mind Games” is both well-plotted and well-executed, a taut combination that makes for a thrilling read for fans of the genre. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Intense. Stunning. Suspenseful. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe this fabulous new thriller from Nancy Mehl, first in the Kaely Quinn Profiler series. The primary characters and the mysteries have incredible depth, two of whom are Christians despite their chosen line of work requiring facts rather than the unseen. I have read several novels by this author, but this one is head and shoulders above the rest. Her publisher has saved their very best new release to be one of the last of 2018.
Kaely Quinn is a brilliant FBI profiler with a unique gift, one of the best in the bureau. She is also the daughter of a serial killer who knew nothing of her father’s activities. Even her mother never suspected anything. Jerry Acosta, journalist, followed Kaely to Virginia to get an exclusive from her to write a book about her father. Acosta, discouraged with her refusal to cooperate, writes articles in the local papers about her career and her familial ties, so she had to change her name and was transferred to the St. Louis field office. Acosta then followed her to St. Louis, convinced the novel will be a big seller.
It is this creepy reporter who receives the first threat on Kaely’s life, with a poem about elephants enacting the murders to take place. The end for Kaely, unless someone find the UNSUB, will not be pretty. Solomon, the Special Agent in Charge of her office assigns an agent, Noah, to take lead on the case, and Kaely will be co-case, highly unusual for an agent to be when the threat is against her. Kaely is more concerned about those who are at risk of being murdered simply by being around her. Then they learn the first person has already been murdered the morning the threat is delivered. 
Kaely is my favorite, and my next favorite is Noah. Even though they have not worked together before, Kaely eventually sees the wisdom in Solomon’s pairing them up. They are the most 3-dimensional character in the novel; all are defined as necessary for their roles. There are surprises about Kaely up thru the final pages. One thing that making Kaely my favorite is how she receives healing from the Lord for the trauma of her past, and even though there is more to be remembered, she still is an excellent, focused agent. Her faith in the Lord continues to grow, and she does a great job of sharing how she came to faith in Jesus and justifies her faith in the same manner as she comes to find truth about any case or UNSUB.
This novel is beyond intriguing, and very challenging to solve. With a near photographic memory for certain case-related documents and photos, Kaely, and her prayers are an asset. I appreciate that this is an FBI novel that is has great depth without the language or graphic descriptions of crimes as seen in some novels or television shows. The author can change genres with skill and with this novel has far exceed her readers’ expectations. I am glad this is the beginning of a series, as I am not ready to let go of Kaely this easily. I highly recommend this crime thriller; it is an exciting, yet very thoughtful, novel and a hugely fabulous thriller taut with suspense and intrigue and ending not only with some complete surprises but left this reader hoping for more.
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this novel from the publisher and CelebrateLit, and this is my honest review.

Wow.  What an intense psychological thriller.  Nancy Mehl creates a world of FBI profiling that is chilling and totally gripping.  The title is incredibly appropriate.  The book is extremely well-written with a plot that has the reader constantly guessing at who may be after Kaely, the FBI profiler being targeted.  The plot has multiple points of view, including the villain's, and has many details that somehow all pull together to point to the person responsible and yet the reader can't be completely sure until the very end of the book.  If you enjoy a well-crafted psychological thriller, you will love this book.

Kaely is a talented FBI profiler with a terrible family history and background.  She is talented but has unorthodox methodology in getting her results and suffers from distrust in people.  She is a bit difficult to connect with at first because she is so different and almost lives inside the heads of those she profiles; her thought processes and her reading of others can be somewhat disturbing.  Yet she has a rock-solid faith that she is comfortable talking to Noah about and her faith is genuine, plain, and honest.  Noah is lead agent on the case when Kaely gets threatened.  He is a loyal, intelligent, hard-working FBI agent still suffering from the loss of his wife.  Noah is easy to like and his affinity for Kaely as the book progresses helps the reader understand Kaely better.  The author really draws the reader into Kaely and Noah's world, not just in trying to identify and apprehend the perpetrator in their professional world but also into their personal worlds where past events and the emotions tied to them collide to pave a more hopeful future.

I am already holding my breath for book 2 in Kaely Quinn Profiler series.  What can surpass Kaely's ordeals and genius that were presented in this book?  Waiting is so difficult....

I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House (Baker House Publishing) via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review.  All comments and opinions are solely my own.

FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn’s methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She’s done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, it seems her old life has followed her. When a body is found that fits the poem’s morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle. With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.



My Thoughts: This is a great suspense novel written by a good author.  It's full good mystery, intrigue and keeps the reader guessing.  


Nancy Miehl has a wonderful style of writing that keeps the reader entertained.  Truly a great book from start to finish.  I look forward to read more from Nancy Miehl






A wonderful novel for suspense lovers.

Mind Games is a wonderful start to Nancy Mehl’s Kaely Quinn Profiler series. The reader is introduced to Kaely Quinn, who is secretly a serial killer’s daughter. Well, secretly until a nosy reporter lets it be known. Kaely suddenly loses her FBI position as a behavior analyst. She gets reassigned to St Louis as a field agent. Then things start to get suspenseful. Her life is threatened as a serial killer hits the city. Kaely, with the help of special agent Noah Hunter, has to find who is responsible before she, too, becomes a victim. 
Mind Games is one of those suspense filled mysteries that makes a reader captivated and not want to stop reading. It is full of action and adventure. I could not have predicted how it all ended. 
Mind Games has got to be my favorite by Nancy Mehl I have read to date. I am giving it five plus stars. I highly recommend it. 
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Wow! That is my first impression of Mind Games by Nancy Mehl. From the opening paragraph I was hooked on this psychological thriller. It is definitely going on my best of 2018 list. Great characters, taut plotting, and a premise that is as clever as you will find make this one highly recommended!

What is so great about Mind Games? First, the premise of the daughter of a serial killer who becomes a profiler and then has to find a killer targeting her through copy-cat crimes — that is definitely a mind-bending mind game! The plot twists and turns and keeps everyone, including the reader on his/her toes. I had my own list of suspects that constantly changed. Like main character Kaely, I didn’t trust anyone. Mehl did a great job of making everyone look guilty. LOL! Second, main character Kaely is intriguing and complex. Admired, feared, and even ridiculed within the FBI, she is a force to be reckoned with even as she uses unorthodox methods to get into the heads of UNSUBS. I loved her analytical mind and her desire for justice and truth. And while she had a father who betrayed her and friends who abused her trust, she stands firm in her belief in the goodness of God, even as evil seems to win at every turn. Supporting characters are well-written too, making this novel have a depth not always found in plot-driven suspense. I found the references to the many FBI cases a clear clue into the exhaustive research Mehl had to have done to write this book. While there is a definite creep-factor going on in Mind Games, it was never graphic or gory. And the best part of all? This is just book 1 in a series. Yay! I am so looking forward to working more cases with Kaely Quinn!

Mind Games is on my book club’s 2019 reading list. I can’t wait to get the discussion going. My group is going to love it!

Highly recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

A few years ago, I read a book by this author that was, in my opinion, so-so. Admittedly, that probably had a lot to do with the fact it was the second or third book in the series and I hadn’t read the previous ones. Or that I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for that genre at the time, but I haven't picked up another Nancy Mehl book since then...until now.

Let me tell you, I am so glad I gave this author another chance with her newest series. First of all, the premise was intriguing to me. The one show that I will still watch occasionally is Criminal Minds and Kaely Quinn would fit right in with this profiling team.

But even better is the story Mehl weaves in Mind Games, which is aptly titles because even as a reader, the twists and turns had me continuously shifting my perception of who the unsub (unknown subject) who was taunting Kaely was. Even when I had it narrowed down to two possibilities, I was taken by surprise (which is always a positive point for a book with me). And then, when that is revealed, readers are hit with a couple more surprises they weren’t expecting.

Kaely is an interesting and complex character with her background and chosen profession. She’s intelligent but a bit ostracized from her co-workers because of her unusual method of profiling. Her desire to heal and her relationship with God go hand in hand and are natural in this story.

Even though it may feel like you’re dropped into the middle of this story (a novella about the investigation into Kaely’s father would have helped with this a lot), the story drew me in quickly. And I’m looking forward to what Mehl had next instore for this character next. Yes, you read that right. I'll be reading this author again proving that sometimes second chances are worth giving--even in the book world! This may be the best suspense book I've read all year!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Wow. Wow. WOW.

Buckle up for this one, y’all! I’m not even sure how to review it because I don’t want to give away any spoilers and all I really want to keep saying is ‘Wow’. lol.

That ending.

Wow.

Ok. I’ll try to pull myself together here and give you helpful information. (But seriously, y’all, wow.)

Kaely Quinn is one of the most complex characters I’ve met in a long time – perhaps the most complex heroine I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Her backstory alone has multiple emotional layers that are continuing to be revealed as the story – and the series – progresses. The more we learn about Kaely, the more fascinating her character becomes. Her partners Alex and Noah – one former, one current – are great counterpoints to her character, especially as they respond to & respect her unique process as they work to solve the case.

The poem sent to Kaely – which foreshadows the events of this riveting thriller – is chilling, precipitating a race against time to stop the murders before they happen … if they can figure out who is the next target. So much great psychological profiling as Kaely and Noah try to stay a step ahead, and if you’re a fan of “Criminal Minds” on TV you’re going to love this too.

I read A LOT of books, and it’s not often that I am surprised by one so thoroughly. That alone earns it all 5 stars as far as I’m concerned. Once you reach a certain point in this book, forget putting it down to sleep – you’ll be absolutely glued to the page. And if you’re like me, once you reach the end, you may just say “wow” a few hundred times before actual vocabulary is restored to you.

Bottom Line: Mind Games is Mehl’s best book yet! You may want to read this with all the lights on – and don’t plan on putting it down until you’ve reached the very last word. There is some romantic potential here in future books, hints in this one, but it definitely doesn’t overpower the storyline. Layered, complex, and compelling – the plot and the heroine – this is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and FBI procedurals alike. Wow.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)