What an incredible read! I was half way through when evening came and I regretfully put it way until the morning, lest I would dream about this book. The author has done a fabulous job of playing mind games not only with her characters, but also with us as readers. I will admit, that I never figured it out. Kaely, who has the unfortunate claim to be the daughter of a serial killer, has chosen profiling as her career, one that she is extremely good at. Her coworkers at the FBI find it difficult to develop working relationships with her, due to the unusual methods she uses. Her faith in God, keeps her from losing herself in the horror of this UNSUB who wants her to die and takes the lives of others without any hesitation.
I received a copy of this ebook through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.

A serial killer is on the loose. Noah and Kaely needs to figure out who it is. The are FBI agents. Kaely realizes it is someone from her past or maybe even present. Actually I figured if out but you have to read for yourself. Love how the killer wrote the poem, having them figure what was going to happen next. Kinda like a puzzle. I learned some new words used by the FBI. Guy I need to watch some FBI shows, Lol.
This is book one. It definitely a good start. The end does not leave you hanging but does built curiosity enough to want me to read the next book, Kaely was such an fascinating character. I just cannot wait to read more about her.
I received an complementary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.

This was a truly good book. Kaely is determined to catch all the bad guys she can. Her boss is determined to protect her, and in this case that means assigning her a new partner. Noah Hunter is not thrilled with the idea given Kaely's reputation within the Bureau, but he is going to do his job.

I liked that the author didn't make this into a romance book. It had some mentions here and there but the main focus was the case. Getting the bad guy caught, and that kept me guessing to the end. I would decide it was one person only to change my mind and then change it again. Loved it. There are plenty of twists and I liked that Noah is learning more and more about Kaely as we go. Can't wait to see where the author takes them next.

It was a 5/5 for me.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

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Mind Games
by Nancy Mehl

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 04 Dec 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Mind Games through Bethany House Publisher and Netgalley:


Kaley Quinn is a talented FBI Analyst whose skills are not possible to ignore despite her unorthodox methods. When she is outed by a reporter as the daughter of an infamous serial killer she is demoted to a field agent and transferred to Saint Louis.


The same reporter who ruined her career claims to have come across an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders at the end of the poem Kaley’s murder is predicted. The reporters alterior motives makes the claims questionable. After a body is found there is no longer any question as to whether the threats are real. Discovering that the threats are real The FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to Saint Louis.


At first Special Agent Noah Hunter was not happy with the assignment but Noah’s respect for Kaley grows quickly despite some of her odd ways. But the Brazen serial killer is once again on the loose who breaks all the patterns. Noah and Kaley are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else including Haley are killed.


Can they catch the killer before it’s to late, or will Kaley be the next victim?


I give Mind Games five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

WOW! This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and it NEVER let go. I loved the characters in this book from Kaley & Noah to Alex and Solomon. There were several surprises along the way and I loved the way Nancy seamlessly wove together a spellbinding story. This is my favorite Nancy Mehl book by a mile and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Oh my goodness! This was such a good read. I loved how the author made the book fairly long without seeming draggy AT ALL (I mean, I read it in one day. ONE DAY.). It was definitely very well paced. I really enjoyed the murder mystery. I have a tendency to dislike murder-related / creepier stories because they CREEP THE CREEPS OUT OF ME, but I think this one was done well. There was one creepy part, but it was very... lightly creepy.

The story itself is very original- I've never read a book with a character like Kaely -I really enjoyed her way of solving crimes. Everything is solved by pure facts / intuition, instead of luck. There were a couple of times where a character's POV suddenly switched to another character's POV without any notice (without any dividers, italicization, etc.), and I found that really confusing. I'm sure it's just a little issue in formatting that the ARC copies have though?

Overall, I really liked Mind Games! I'd certainly recommend it to anyone who's interested in FBI / solving crimes. 4 stars.

*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*

You know the feeling when you are sitting at the edge of your seat because you are nervous? When you are terrified while watching a suspenseful movie? If you love suspense, Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is the book for you! This is the first book that I have read by this author but I am now a definite fan of her work. Ms Mehl writes characters so complex that you keep finding new things about them and it all makes sense in the end. Her characters are flawed and real, some heroic and some pure evil. Somehow, Ms Mehl weaves an intricate tale that will keep you reading late at night. I think that this book would make a fabulous movie, and I certainly hope it does become a movie some day. The main character Kaely was particularly complex and fascinating. As the daughter of a serial killer, she has much emotional baggage to deal with. But make her an FBI agent and the baggage just multiplies. I found the depiction of the law enforcement agencies to be very developed and informative. I think that anyone who loves a good thriller or a police procedural would love this book. And to think-- this book is just the first in a wonderful new series! I received a copy of this book from the author with absolutely no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This is the best character driven Christian suspense novel I have read in ages. Mehl's development of Kaely, the major character, is masterful. I was fascinated by Kaely's thought processes as she had insights into the villain. I liked how she had to work through and overcome a number of issues, beginning with being the daughter of a serial killer. The novel includes some powerful and well presented theological discussions about God and evil in the world. I liked Kaely's explanation of how she came to her firm belief in God.

On top of that, this novel is a good mystery. Mehl provides many suspects and I had a great time trying to identify the villain before Kaely figured it out. I liked the suspense at the end too.

I have read a number of Mehl's books and I think this may be her best one yet. I recommend it to readers who like a character driven mystery. I am really looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I have read several of Nancy Mehl’s romantic suspense novels, and I always enjoy them. In Mind Games, Mehl’s latest thriller, a vigilante is out to avenge himself on a serial killer’s daughter, Jessica Oliphant, now Kaely Quinn, a top FBI profiler. Noah Hunter, Kaely’s new partner, needs to get close enough to this strange agent to protect her, without repeating the mistakes of his predecessor.

We often expect FBI agents to be consummate professionals, but Mehl shows hers as human and flawed, thankfully. This is why her books are so enjoyable. I feel like the protagonists are actually within reach of the average person. While some situations in the novel may create extreme worry and tension for the reader, the circumstances seem so very possible. Kudos to Mehl. Also, I absolutely loved Mehl’s ending. I didn’t see it coming and I have been debating in my mind about how plausible it really is. That is one sign of a great book- it makes you think, ruminate, and wonder.

A quote to think about, when we as Christians wonder how others can deal with all the degradation of certain fields:
“Those who know God should be the ones to confront the darkness, to chase the evil. We have the weapons. Those who don’t know Him have only themselves.”

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and a paperback from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own and no review was required.

I was a bit freaked out by the prologue of MIND GAMES and the freaky first chapter. But Nancy Mehl is a favorite author of mine and as usual her writing drew me in. I absolutely could not put MIND GAMES down and had to keep reading it. In fact, I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it!



MIND GAMES is the first book in Ms. Mehl's new series Kaely Quinn, Profiler. I love how Kaely spells her name. My daughter's name is spelled similar.



I picked this up between church services on Sunday and read the whole book in mere hours. There is a hint of a future romance, and may I say that I loved Alex and Noah and Solomon.



It was kind of creepy about how Kaely profiles - and her invisible friend and invisible cat - but that said I've seen author interviews about how they do the same type of interviewing with their characters so it maybe the way the mind is wired. Whatever, it worked for her, and if Ms. Mehl does character interviews that way it worked for her. I am anxious to read the second book in the series.



As for whodunit, I figured it out somewhat early, but wasn't 100% sure I was right until the end. There were plenty of red herrings. I was.



Great book. Enjoyed it.



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Intense. Spellbinding. Eerie. Heart-pounding. And deliciously creepy describes Nancy Mehl's brilliant new suspense, Mind Games.

Who better to get inside of a brazen serial killer's head than the daughter of one, Jessica Oliphant aka Kaely Quinn, FBI behavior analyst? Kaely is a highly intelligent and likeable heroine with incredibly unorthodox methods of hunting down evil. Sceptical at first, special agent Noah Hunter teams up with her to find a serial killer who pens a macabre poem implicating Kaely as one of his next victims!

Totally ensnared in this novel I found myself becoming an amateur sleuth—going back to the chilling poem, searching for clues, and then finally...I nailed him! Only to discover I had the wrong guy. Ugh! So I happily retire from my detective work until Ms. Mehl's next book, which I await with bated breath. In my opinion this is her best novel to date, clearly establishing Nancy Mehl as a master at her craft—writing thrilling suspense using exemplary research and accurate details to pen one spine-tingling story!

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

First off, Mind Games has a unique spin by giving the daugher of a serial killer the job of behavior analyst. It gives her a different kind of drive to put killers behind bars. Kaely has become the target of a serial killer and is working alone after her previous partner crossed the line by falling in love with her. Knowing she needs someone to watch her back, Noah is given the responsibility of protecting Kaely.

Kaely's perceptions of the people she comes in contact with show her dedication. It seems she cannot be around someone without unintentionally profiling them. This initially annoys Noah, but he soon learns that Kaely means no harm. Her process of profiling serial killers is bizarre and has put her on the fringe with others in her unit. Being different should not ostracize her, but as with the way of the world, anything strange is shunned.

Noah was as interesting to me as Kaely. I would like to know more about his story. Maybe that will be included in book two. When reading Mind Games, my first instinct was that Noah would fall in love with Kaely just like her old partner did. In a way, I hope he doesn't. Kaely needs someone who can just be her friend, and Noah needs someone who can tell him about God's love. 

I really enjoyed the setting in St. Louis. The use of police jargon pulled me into the mindset of suspense. There were times when the plot was predictable, but there was also enough intrigue to keep me reading. Just when I was sure I knew who the killer was, something would happen to throw me off...excellent use of red herrings to keep you on your toes. 

The ending was satisfactory. You have a complete story that doesn't end in a cliffhanger, but you know there will be more books coming later because Kaely's story is not finished yet. Her trust in God is strong and that made a grand display in the final chapters. The overall tone is God-centered without being overwhelming.

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. Especially those who don't like a lot of romance with their suspense. Mind Games was very light on the romance, but I feel that might change later in the series.          

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to leave a review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Mind Games by Nancy Mehl is one of those stories you will never forget. You will find yourself thinking about it days later. Definitely a book to re-read.
Kaely is a FBI profiler and excels at her job. She is driven to identify the evil ones since she didn’t identify her father who was an infamous serial killer. I was fascinated by her thought process when identifying a killer. Even more so when she would explain to Noah how she did it.
I was immediately a fan of Noah. I would love for this book to be a series of Kaely and Noah fighting crimes together. Sorry Team Alex, I was cheering for Noah the whole way.
There are a lot of characters in the book but you will have no trouble keeping them separate. The bigger question is can you guess who the killer is???
Stunning psychological suspense that hooks you from the first pages.
The storyline is fresh and fascinating with compelling characters.

I highly recommend this book. It has trumped another book to make it into my Top Books of 2018!

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

First off, I must confess that I have a few other books by Nancy Mehl sitting on my shelf unread. It's not due to lack of interest, but a case of way too many books and way too little reading time! I've often fantasized I could clone myself just to get more reading in! That being said, I wished I wouldn't have waited this long to discover her writing because this book was beyond my expectations! I've read a LOT of suspense in a LOT of various topics & subjects written in this genre, however, the combination of thriller/psychological angle added an extra layer that had me hooked from the start. It's just like the title conveys, a definite mind game for both the reader and Kaely Quinn. Step into her world and it's as if you've stepped into a whole other dimension where the game of cat and mouse has dangerous & fatal consequences!

Kaely's character was excellently portrayed; she's smart as a whip, excels in her job as an FBI behavioral analyst, and has a natural knack for reading people. She's what I would call a slayer of human monsters; those who kill without remorse or thought for life. The killer who has a personal vendetta against her wants to trip her up, make her doubt her abilities and mete out revenge for some unknown crime committed against him. She's desperately racing against time to save not only herself but those who are victims in a sick & twisted poem the killer writes just for her. With the help of special agent Noah Hunter as lead, can they stop this reign of terror and bring the psycho to justice before its too late?

Like I said, this exceeded my expectations! I had an inkling of who might be behind it all about halfway through, but not until the very end did I find out if I was correct or not. Mehl throws in a lot of twists and turns to throw off the reader. The only thing I was a little disappointed in, there wasn't a lot of romance in the story. It was hinted at, and subtly under the surface, but it never fully developed. I love romantic suspense and watching the hero and heroine falling in love in the midst of danger. In spite of this, it didn't deter my enjoyment of the story. And I get to look forward to the second book where we revisit both Kaely and Noah, so there's hope for romance yet! A definite page turner and a thrilling mind game all through the pages, I honestly couldn't put this down. She hooked me from the start and never let up on the tension throughout. I really love an author who can stump you and keep you guessing until the very end.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House and was under no obligation to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own. *

I really tried to read this book, but almost immediately I was bored.

First off, it says it's the first book of the series, but it reads as if there was a book before, because the amount of backstory mentioned is substantial. If there is no previous book, then maybe there should be, it really disrupted the flow for it to constantly be filling in the reader about previous happenings.

It was difficult to slog through and I had to force myself to read, because nothing was really propelling me through the narrative. I was further turned off when I detected the foreshadowing of a romance. I was not aware that this was of that genre, and I am really not a fan of anything that sets the romance up so obviously.

The characters are dull and predictably fashioned. Nothing made them stand apart from any other "haunted" FBI agent I've read or watched. Physical descriptors were overused and unoriginal. The entire thing was a played out retelling of an exhausted spiel.

This was my first time reading a book by Nancy Mehl, and my "thinking cap" went straight into overdrive in an attempt to beat the agents at discovering the killer (because, you know, you can do that in books sometimes). This story certainly had my attention from cover to cover!

One thing I really loved about this story was the author's incredible ability to send the reader's mind in one direction... before jerking it in another... all to throw you off once again. I loved the element of unpredictability. I cannot go into any further detail because I don't want to spoil anything, but the suspense had me pinned to my chair until I was through.

The piece that I struggled with in this story I don't want to share because I think the author intended it to be hidden until later, but I will say that there was part of a character's personality that I really wish didn't exist as it was. It's not enough that I wouldn't have read the story, but considering the person was a Christian I don't feel it should have been written into their character. (You'll probably understand what I'm talking about when you read it).

If you're a fan of crime fiction and suspense, I highly suggest you pick this book up and read it. I also suggest you plan to open it at a time when you won't be needed anywhere anytime soon... because you won't be wanting to get up until your through. This was the first book I've read by the author, but I'm sure I will be reading more from her in the future!

*I received a copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit Tours and NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

This is Nancy Mehl's best book by far!!! I have read almost all of Nancy's books from Amish/Mennonite's to Mystery. I really enjoy books with mystery suspense added to any romance. The romance in this book is subtle, but powerful. The characters are well-developed. I loved some....Kaely, Noah, Richard....and I suspected some through the entire book. My thoughts and feelings towards characters would often change. Nancy kept me guessing and dying to continue to read. I am very busy caring for grandchildren, and I could hardly wait til evening when I could pick my kindle and disappear into Kaely Quinn's world.
This is a novel that you won't want to miss. I am highly recommending this Christian fiction/mystery/suspense.
I am rating it 5 stars and I would give it 10 stars if that rating were available.
Thank you, Nancy, and get to work on book #2!!!

WOW…..what a book, what a writer! If you have read any of Nancy Mehl’s books, then you know what I am speaking of. I believe this is her best yet……Mind Games is the beginning of a new series with Kaley Quinn being the heroine. She is quite different from all others Mehl has written about. Kaley is the daughter of a serial killer and has devoted her life to finding all about and getting into the minds of serial killers. This book will hook you into it’s intense suspense from the first paragraph. It starts with a poem sent to Kaley predicting deaths in a copycat style of other killers….and the killing starts right away. The serial killer knows all about Kaley, but she does not know who it is. The killing in the poem ends Kaley’s supposed death. This book is so intense with nail biting suspense, keeps you guessing who the killer is. ………What a book, what a writer!………. I am grateful to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of Mind Games in exchange for my honest opinion.
Posted on December 4, 2018 by dixiegran
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Mind Games is the first thrilling book in a new series that follows FBI profiler Kaely Quinn. Mind Games is a tantalising mix of suspense, solid detective work and a unique and interesting twist that Kaely’s individual talents bring to the story. I found the hunt for the serial killer intriguing but it was Kaely’s personal journey that kept me glued to the pages.

Kaely Quinn’s unique methods as a behaviour analyst and her past as the daughter of a serial killer has made her career with the FBI challenging. But despite a recent relocation and few friends within the Beurau, there is no doubting Kaely’s ability to close cases. When a letter is received hinting at the start of a killing spree that will end with Kaely’s death, it will take everything Kaely and her newly assigned partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, have to stop the killer.

The idea of Kaely’s special anyalist skills and ability to profile serial killers is what drew me to Mind Games. And I am pleased to report that Mind Games is a highly entertaining and gripping story. While I guessed the mystery of who the killer was pretty early on in the book it was always Kaely who kept my interest rooted to the story. Her history and profiling method remind me of other stories and TV shows I have loved (The Mentalist, The Naturals, The Evie Blackwell series). The big reveal for me in this story was the insight shared in the very last chapter about Kaely. It is sure to make the next book very intriguing.

There are only slight touches of romance in this book, with the majority of the plot focused on the crimes and the investigation. There is room for this to be explored in subsequent books, or it could remain a vague possibility as it was in Mind Games. Either way, the story doesn’t need romance to make it interesting.

I look forward to the continuation of Kaely’s story, learning more about her past and what the future holds for her as she faces evil and delivers justice to those who need it. I recommend Mind Games to readers who enjoy suspense with a solid investigative focus and touches of faith.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

This is the most intense book that I have read in a very long time. Finally in chapter twenty-four I flipped to the back and set my mind at ease so that I could enjoy the rest of the book. Mehl included so many feasible suspects, some the reader would truly not want to be the guilty one. If you have something important to accomplish, you may want to wait to begin reading this book because you are likely to be consumed with it.

Kaely Quinn's father was convicted as a serial killer when she was a child. Kaely,now grown up, is an FBI agent who specializes in profiling. Now there is a serial killer targeting people associated with her, even if indirectly. His end game is to cause Kaely's suicide. While she is allowed to remain on the case, Kaely has difficulty trusting those around her; that and her unorthodox profiling methods complicate matters.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of Mind Games in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. I was not under any obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.