Mike Omer Has Done It Again!

Dr. Zoe Bentley and Agent Tatum from the FBI BAU (Behavior Assessment Unit) are back again. This time they are on the trail of a serial killer who had abducted Zoe and her sister several months previously. They hear there is a new case where a woman has been murdered with some similarities to their case so they need to investigate the crime with hope they can track their killer. Unfortunately when they arrive on the horrific scene they find some similar wound signs that they are looking for but there are also wounds that suggest this killer is draining the victim's blood. These wounds are completely unrelated to their killer but curiously there are also discrepancies that also point to their suspect. But, why would their suspect change his method of killing now? Could this be a different killer but also using a copycat technique intertwined with his own style of murdering female victims or is Zoe off her game with her profile and must start all over in developing a new profile for this murder and reevaluating their own case of the monster that Zoe has been tracking for years. The police department is not happy about the FBI
Inserting themselves into their case right now, but before long they will welcome their help when another woman is abducted and they will have no idea of who or what they are looking for and they only have small amount of a timeframe to find this woman or she may be meeting the same fate as the first victim.

I am a fan of Mike Omer and I really enjoyed this creepy, murder, thriller story. I think this author is a stellar storyteller with exceptional writing skills that leave me feeling excitement and tension while reading his books and looking forward to more of his wonderful novels. This was not a supernatural story yet, there were horror elements in this thriller that made it fun if readers enjoy very dark crime thrillers or just good old fashioned horror stories. This is truly a novel where nightmares are made and sometimes unfortunately can come true!

I want to thank the publisher "Thomas & Mercer" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fantastic book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this book a rating of 5 Nightmarish 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

Funny story, I received the ARC from NetGalley and I read it before the book released. In my head I thought about how to phrase my review and was ready to write it. Then, I just never wrote said review. So here we are, reading a long overdue review for a great book!

I’ll say that I’m mad at myself because as I read through my ARC Kindle copy I wrote out notes and highlighted my favorite passages. And then, when my phone storage got so full (and having believed I wrote this review already) I deleted my copy of the file with my notes. SO, going off of my memory here let’s begin.

I have grown attached to Zoe Bentley and the cast of characters in this series. So when we see Zoe and Tatum back in Chicago, hunting for what appears to be a vampiric killer (it looks like the killer is drinking blood) there is a lot of stomach turning chaos going on. Some things about the crime fit Rod Glover but the blood drinking definitely doesn’t fit. Zoe and Tatum are determined to track Glover down and we see that, while they were right sometimes in this book, other times they had way too much tunnel vision going on.

For Zoe we see how finishing this case and finally catching Glover are all consuming and will determine her next move in her life, both personally and professionally. The same goes for Tatum and many of the other characters in the series.

I will tell you the entire time I was reading this book I was freaked out at the thought of a diabolical team hunting women in the Chicago area. As we’ve seen in other books of the series we do get glimpses into the antagonist’s process and mind and for me those parts required breaks. Talking about blood, sacrifice and the using up and disposal of victims was so unsettling for me but it is an example of how effective Omer is when writing these books.

I have to say it seems like this is the end of the series and while I’m sad about that I will say this definitely seemed like the perfect book to wrap things up on. I didn’t feel as though my questions weren’t answered or information wasn’t completed. I was happy with how the book ended and where I could see the characters going so, for me, this is a well done trilogy. If book four comes out, I’ll come back just as quickly.

Thank you net galley and the author for a early copy of Thicker than Blood. I absolutely love this series. The series is a fast read and exciting. Im super excited to keep reading this series.

This was such a fantastic conclusion to this series! The socially awkward Zoe is back, along with her partner Tatum. I love the way they are able to work so well together that they are able to finish each other's sentences, at least where work is concerned. Zoe is still after Glover. This time, Glover has an accomplice whose primary focus is drinking human blood. Yes, that is as disturbing as it sounds, but it was also fascinating, especially when the author gave us glimpses into his POV. This was a fast paced and engaging read and I loved the twists and turns that led to the amazing conclusion. Wonderful read!

Another great installment in this series. Looks as though it will be the last one as well - and with that I am satisfied with the ending. If you enjoy mysteries from the point of view of agents/doctors/law enforcement this is a great one to look into.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Murder mystery, psychological thriller

I did not read the previous books in this series. But I never thought that I was missing a huge chunk of the story. I felt that this could be read as a standalone.

Zoe Bentley has a history with a serial killer. But when nobody believed her, she didn't know who to trust. Now, Zoe is a great FBI profiler. She has been hunting Glover, a serial killer for a while. She is tenacious, smart, and doesn't take guff from anyone. When she sees similarities to Glover in a murder in Chicago, she can't help but draw parallels, even though not everything matches Glover's MO.

Tatum knows that Zoe has a history with Glover. When a case that resembles Glover's work piques their interest, he follows Zoe to make sure that she stays safe. Tatum has grown to truly care for Zoe and he wants a chance to explore that.

Glover has always worked alone. But somewhere along the line he gathered a following and now has an apprentice. Will the apprentice take over? Will Glover allow the apprentice to truly hunt on their own? Who is Glover's ultimate victim?

This was a fast-paced story that kept you on your toes. I liked the chase and thought that the characters were really well planned out. I wonder if more stories will be coming with these main characters, as I would really enjoy them.

Triggers: Stalking, murder

Profiler Zoe and Agent Tatum from the FBI are still in Chicago trying to track down Rod Glover. He is a serial killer that they have come very close to catching recently. There is a new case of a murdered woman that fits Glover's MO but it appears that he now has help. Whoever this help is he is out for blood. A vampire? Now they have another profile to build to help them track Glover down before he continues to kill.⁣
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This is the 3rd book in the Zoe Bentley series and I loved it just as much as I loved the first two. The author does a great job building his characters. The humor he includes among the gruesome killings is a nice touch to lighten the story. If you have ever wanted to try to understand the mind of a killer then this series is for you. ⁣

Just when I thought no book will top the second book, i was proven to be wrong. The series is getting better with each book. The concept of this book is nothing like i have read before. I enjoyed everything about it, the story,the twist,the dynamic between Zoe and Tatum and the fact we're done with Glover. My only issues are the ending with Glover wasn't what i was expecting! and the fact everything has happened so far, happened within 3 months. Defiantly, one of my favorite books of the year.I can't wait for the next one. .

This is the third novel in the Zoe Bentley series.
A young woman is found dead at her home by her father, Zoe gets the call as it matches the same MO as the serial killer Rod Glover who Zoe knows so well, she should do as they used to be neighbour's when Zoe was growing up. Zoe knew back then that he was a serial killer but being a teenager no one believed her.
Now a FBI profile Zoe is going to track him down once and for all.

Wow! I completely ignored the synopsis of this book because I knew I'd be reading and loving it as much as the last two novels in this series! So imagine my surprise when I'm already on a "Vampires are back" kick and reading and buying all things vampire! Even in fiction based in the real world with no fantastical elements vampires are back! I predicted the perp as soon as his character was introduced but that didn't sway me from enjoying this novel at all! It was such a fun and wild ride. I have not seen the "real life" vampire thing in a crime novel yet and it definitely WORKED! I said it for the first 2 books in this series and I'll say it again... If you are a Law & Order: SVU fan this series is for you!❤

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for my honest review!
Here we are again, the 3rd and final book in the Zoe Bentley Chronicles.
Zoe Bentley a Forensic Psychologist for the FBI, and world known Criminal Profiler is in Chicago chasing down the infamous Rod Glover, Now going by Daniel Moore, Zoe recently found out he is dying from a malignant brain tumor and is convinced to find him before he dies. Zoe pushes herself and Tatum into a new murder, trying to find out if it is related to the Rod Glover murders, although some of the evidence proves otherwise. Why were these woman drained of blood? Does Rod Glover have an accomplice? What are the motives for these killings? Why is Glover straying from his normalcy? The twists and turns will keep you guessing and turning the page wanting more.
I absolutely love this series. I love this author and the way he writes. He keeps you always wanting more, with the end of every book in the series, it’s a cliff hanger. All the characters have a strong sense of self, Zoe and Tatum especially. In this book, O’Donnell is the new lead Detective, who is also incredibly determined, smart and essential. Marvin, is probably my favorite character, he delivers humor into all 3 of these books, you can’t help but laugh at his personality and the things he does. This book is faced paced like the rest and you won’t know “who did it” until the author wants you too. Great ending, and great story line, although this one is more on the gruesome side than the other 2 books, although that doesn’t bother me. I LOVED IT! Highly recommend.

Mike Omer delivers another heart-pounding crime thriller. I've enjoyed following FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley and Special Agent Tatum Gray throughout this series. In this latest book, they are hot on the heels of Rod Glover, a serial killer with a long personal history with Zoe Bentley.

Mike Omer does a great job of adding new twists to the serial killer thriller genre. He takes deep into the Chicago subcultures that adds great twists and turns as they track a killer or killers? Read to find out.

A thriller with an eerie element thrown in. As the police investigate the murder of a young woman who seems to have had her blood removed, FBI investigators show up looking for information on the crime. This story is the last in a trilogy. The back story is fully explained so it's easily read as a stand alone. The characters are very well defined, you can picture them as they work the crime and rush to prevent another. This killer is definitely warped. All in all, this was a great mystery/thriller that could show up in my nightmares for the next couple of days.

Ugh. The premise of a killer that drinks his victim’s blood is stomach turning unpleasant. Zoe and Tatum are back in Chicago, still trying to track down Rod Glover. They arrive at a crime scene to determine if it was one of his, but it doesn’t appear to be. But they still get involved with the case.
Zoe is an interesting character. I seem to spend a lot of time trying to figure her out. Is she somewhere on the asperger’s spectrum? She’s certainly tactless. And fixated to the point of wrecking her health. Tatum is much easier to suss out - he’s smart, good looking and social. And O’Donnell was a great addition to the cast of characters.
But my favorite character of this series is Marvin, Tatum’s grandfather. Let’s face it, with this kind of storyline, you need a little comic relief thrown in.
The story moves at a strong pace, keeping my interest throughout. The police investigations struck me as very realistic. The ending was great. I didn’t have a clue how it would play out and there were several twists I didn’t see coming.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Another great installment of the Zoe Bentley series. I love Zoe's social quirks, they make her so likable. In this one we see her drop her walls a bit and it was great. My only complaint is there wasn't nearly enough grandpa Marvin! I seriously could read a book just about him!

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mike Omer, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Returning for the third in the Zoe Bentley series, the reader is able to get a real grasp for how Mike Omer seeks to shape the book and his protagonist. While still in Chicago, FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley and Special Agent Tatum Gray are hot on the heels of Rod Glover, a serial killer who has been terrorising people across America. When Bentley learns of the murder of a young woman, she noses her way into the crime scene, thinking that it might be Glover’s work. CPD officials are less than happy to have her poking around, but Bentley and Gray refuse to back down. It soon becomes apparent that the case is not Glover’s work, as there is an odd angle, where the killer appears to have a form of vampirism. The woman who was slain is the daughter of a pastor, giving Bentley and Gray a lead to follow. No one has seen or heard of Glover, but the loose description sounds a little like Daniel Moore, a congregant who has admitted to having issues in his past. While Bentley and Gray try to track down the killer, they begin to wonder if this is a partnered job, with Glover as the alpha male, but the unsub (unknown subject) as the one choosing the victims. While learning a little more about the Chicago vampire community, Bentley and Gray must also keep their eyes open for more crimes. Another woman is found dead, her body with telltale marks of a blood letting, which only increases the pressure. Working all the angles, Bentley and Gray must find the killer, as well as their specific prize in Rod Glover, before more women lose their lives. An interesting addition to the series, though Omer’s chill and sharpness seem to have been muted somewhat in this piece. Recommended to those who enjoy the series, as well as the reader who wants something a little unique in the killer on the loose.

If memory serves, I picked up the first book in this collection on the recommendation of a friend. I could not get enough and loved how the story moved well, showing the progress Zoe Bentley could make in her search for a killer. By this, the third book, I had high hopes for Omer to keep things moving, but they got a little clunky. More on that in a moment. Zoe Bentley remains the star of the book, though she is not as pristine and on point as I would have liked. She remains focussed on finding the man she once called her neighbour and friend as a child, knowing his days are numbered. While Rod Glover may have brain cancer, Zoe is sure not to let up on her hunt. That said, she seems to have a harder time using that psychology degree that got her the prime position in the FBI. Other characters help to advance the story well, but many did not shine as I would have liked. The story’s premise was strong and well worth my time, but I felt things either did not move with the rapidity that I would have expected, or the interactions were less sharp and spine-tingling, which is something that Omer has done so well in the past. The hunt for the killers was constant, but it appeared as though Bentley and Gray were spinning their wheels. Even the aspects with the killer in the narrative driver’s seat were sometimes lacking the flair they needed to push things forward. With Omer using the short chapter technique to keep the reader hooked, there were moments when the narrative and excitement dwindled, leaving the reader to continue in hopes of finding the spark. While I did not dislike the book, this was surely my least favourite of the collection to date.

Kudos, Mr. Omer, for more Zoe Bentley reading. I suppose this might have been an aberration in your usually stellar style, at least in my eyes.

Thicker Than Blood by Mike Omer is another hit by this author. I loved the first 2 books and this one did not disappoint. Zoe and Tatum are at it again and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. Five big stars for this excellent thriller.

Thicken than Blood is the third installment in Mike Omer's crime series, and definitely the best one of the three. In fact, I feel that with each book the series is getting better and better. This one had a more interesting story line (hello, modern day vampires) and more advanced character development (thankfully Tatum is no longer a crashing bore.) The pacing was a little slow at the start, perhaps too many non-essential characters and Zoe's OCD obsession with food and pop music. Things moved quickly after the second murder and I was hooked. The best parts are when Zoe's mind is working on the case. She is a true adult profiler trapped in a twelve year olds body. I felt the frustration from the task force. I was definitely along for the ride.

I think this series is hugely underrated. Omer has the potential to really take it to the next level with the conclusion of this book, which felt very final. I hope there is more Zoe and Tatum in the future.

3.75 Stars

This is the third book in the Zoe Bentley Mystery series by Mike Omer.

I know this is supposed to be a police procedural type of book but it felt more like the main character was the villain and we watched behind the scenes as Zoe and Tatum inched up on finding him. This featured a murderer who liked blood and thought it could heal him.

On some levels this was disturbing. The character base in an Omer book is always intense and interesting. I thought the whodunit/mystery was nice. And it was connected to previous books; so the thread of the plotline was intact from book to book.

A great read but I couldn’t completely concentrate on it due to a personal tragedy in my own life. If you like this type of book and want to read a good detective mystery/police procedural, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

This was a truly amazing continuation of the Zoe Bentley series. I found this book to be just as thrilling as book 1 and 2. Thicker than blood was mysterious , thrilling and gripping. I loved this book from page to page. This is a book once you pick it up you will not put it down. Mike Omer is a brilliant writer.