This was a fitting conclusion to the Zoe Bentley mystery. It does a fitting job of giving a self-contained mystery, while concluding the overall arc of Zoe. The murders in this book are chilling and the police procedural parts are engaging.

I enjoyed the first two books more, but I still deeply enjoyed this entry into the saga. I'm having a hard time putting my finger on why that is, but the entire series is worth a read.

ARC given from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is the third in a series. I believe the author gives you enough info that this can be read as a stand alone. Zoe and Tatum are back as partners and they are still in Chicago hunting for Glover. They insert themselves in to a recent murder due to their suspicions that Glover is involved.
Throughout the series Zoe has been very scientific and doesn't understand a lot about human interactions but, she loves some Katy Perry, She has been obsessed with finding this serial killer since she was attacked by him as a child. Tatum is the epitome of the fun guy. He gets along with everyone but, definitely has a tendency to anger authority figures.
You can read as a stand alone but, I would suggest reading the series from the beginning for the character development. I was worried the author was going to turn Zoe into the female Sheldon Cooper, he has made her a unique character and I see less Sheldon in her in this last book. Tatum has also grown. He still gets frustrated/angry with Zoe but, it is more balanced with his feelings of admiration for her skills.
Another positive about the series is that the main character doesn't end up in similar situations as the previous two books. The character learned from the previous experiences.
The relationship is also changing between Zoe and Tatum. I have no idea if there is romantic feelings or just feelings of friendship and camaraderie that come from being outcast crime fighters.
Either way - I'm ready for book 4. Maybe Tatum will develop an appreciation for Adele and Zoe will let loose a little.

I've been hooked on this series since the beginning. As soon as I finished reading A Killer's Mind, I kept checking to see if In the Darkness were available yet. I'm not sure if I can put my finger on what exactly I love about it, but here's me riffing: I like the relationship between Zoe and Gray. I don't find Dr. Bentley off-putting at all; I think her manner is very relatable, especially considering her past.

And on that note, I'm glad this book ties up the Rod Glover story. As much as I've enjoyed reading the books so far, I'm not sure I could suspend my disbelief as Zoe fails to catch this guy over like, 15 books. So I think it's a smart time for that case to come to an end.

But I'm not saying that I want these stories to come to an end. I would very much like to continue reading about Zoe and Gray and why Marvin's mad at the cat now. If they continue to be this compelling, with such sharp plot twists, then I won't be able to resist.

Thicker than Blood was a chilling and creepy third installment of the Zoe Bentley Mystery series. Zoe continues to be a strong and stubborn protagonist and I like how the author shows us a little more of her with each book. I love the partnership between her and Tatum and how supportive he is of her. Overall, a strong mystery in a compelling series.

“She stared mutely as he sucked her blood from her torn skin.”

A new serial killer is added to the cat and mouse game between Dr. Zoey Bentley and Rod Glover, this one is not out for the thrill of the kill but for the thrill of drinking the warm, rich blood that runs inside the veins of his victims. Rod Glover’s profile from Dr. Bentley has not changed as she and her partner FBI Agent Tatum Grey track him to Chicago; however, evidence of a suspect sucking blood from the victims, Zoey begins to wonder if Rod has found an accomplice as the rest of the murder scene is Rod’s MO. Tatum and Zoey wonder why Rod would need an accomplice. Rod has created a new identity and has found a way to swindle into a new church community where his past is hidden from most of the parishioners. Is it here he finds his accomplice? Is it the church community that they are picking off one by one? Is it a case of vampirism or just the need of consuming blood that makes the accomplice and Glover continue their murdering spree?

This book is the third book in Mike Omer’s Zoey Bentley series. I would suggest reading the first two to help understand each character and what had occurred between Zoey and Rod Glover. I enjoy that Mike Omer can begin building the plot starting with the serial killer and their victim. He also can lay subtle clues that the reader can pick up and start making their own predictions of who the killer could be. There are many times in this book where I thought I knew who the killer was but then a plot twist was thrown, and I was completely wrong. I give this book 5 stars and recommend reading the entire series.

Thank you to the publisher, Mike Omer and NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book.

FBI profiler Zoe Bentley has been searching for serial killer Rod Glover since she was a teenager, Agent Tatum Gray has only been working in the BAU for six months but is as focused as his partner on finding those responsible for the horrendous crimes which cross his desk. Working in Chicago after Glover was reported to be in the city they are called in when the murder of a preacher's daughter has chilling undertones which Zoe recognises as the handiwork of her nemesis.

This is the third book in the series and, as with the previous two, is brilliant. Zoe and Tatum work so well together, the socially awkward profiler, her increasingly confident and talented partner, and they also have their immediate families on hand to add an extra layer to their stories.

There is an originality to Mike Omer's work which keeps the pages turning and the cases are always complex and detailed with so many threads running through them ensuring nothing is quite as it seems.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the first two books or just wants an excellent read.

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this book to hit Netgalley after receiving my amazon alert email that Mike Omer had a new book coming out! And FINALLY I got to read it! It was so good that It made me want to re read the two previous books in the Zoe Bentley series. I will say I thought I had it figured out near the end and yet he still managed to surprise me! All of the blood drinking was kind of gross, but blood grosses me out. Here's hoping that the next book has less blood details. And yes, there had better be a book #4 in this series! I reaaalllllyyyyy want to see Zoe and Tatum's relationship continue and evolve into hopefully more!!

This third book wraps up the Rod Glover storyline with a bang. Zoe can be a hard character to like, especially in this book. She is brash and blunt and at times you want to reach into the pages and slap her. Tatum is my favorite character of the series and he balances Zoe well. I enjoyed the addition of O'Donnell. As always, Marvin adds humor and his interactions with Tatum crack me up. The killer/killers mystery is intense and full of surprises. This part is well written and balanced. The pacing is excellent. I was surprised by the reveal. I hope there are more books in the series. I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters.

Thicker than Blood by Mike Omer. A new twist in the ongoing pursuit of serial killer, Rod Glover, vampirism. Zoe Bentley and Tatum Gray are becoming quite a good team. Introduction of new investigators and revisiting reoccurring characters was pleasant. Still believe that Martin could be a the center of an investigation in his own right. The interaction between Tatum and Martin was a welcome diversion from the intensity of the manhunt for Rod Glover and his accomplice (who turned out to be someone that I wasn't expecting). Fast paced and suspenseful addition to the Zoe Bentley series.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

People in law enforcement have seen almost everything, FBI profiler Zoe Bentley certainly thinks she has. But her latest case, a killer who appears to drink his victims blood, has an identical crime signature to the Red Glover, a killer who’s been terrorizing Zoe since she was a child. It appears the killer has picked up a partner and is sharing his “hobby” with someone with a taste for blood. Zoe and Agent Tatum Gray will have to get inside the mind of their killers to be able to find them, but how far can you go into that darkness becomes part of you. When you stare into the abyss……