The Wrong Victim is the third book in the Quinn & Costa series. This time around, Matt and Kara are brought to Friday Harbor to figure out who set a bomb on a boat, killing a bunch of people. They also have to figure out who the bomb was for. As with the other books, this one does work OK as a stand alone.

I did enjoy this one. I liked the mystery and the way the team worked to solve it. I was going in a different direction, and ended up being wrong. I love when that happens. Along with the mystery, I enjoyed learning more about the team and getting to know them better. Catherine is a hard character to like. I hope she eases up a lot more in the next book. I have also love the growing relationship between Kara and Matt. I am loving the direction it is progressing toward. I am really rooting for Kara to "find her place". This is a great addition to the series and one I do recommend.

Allison Brennan can do no wrong in my book.
The Wrong Victim was book 3 in the Quinn and Costa series and it was just as awesome as book 1 and 2.
I am a sucker for a good FBI Crime Fiction with a love story thrown in. Makes my heart happy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this great book by Allison Brennan. The Wrong Victim had a lot of moving parts to the story, with a lot of characters. As always everything pulls together in the end. Absolutely love Kara Quinn. Can't wait for book #4.

After a bomb explodes on a charter cruise ship killing everyone onboard, Matt Costa’s Mobile Response Team is called in to investigate. There are several different possible culprits. Matt and his team plan to investigate them all.

I won’t summarize the book as the publisher did a great job of that above. This is the third book in this series and it’s explosive, to say the least. I’ve read the previous books and this one is my favorite. The mystery is solved in this book, but I think the series can be more appreciated if read in order. It gives the reader a chance to follow Matt and Kara’s relationship, as well as get to know the team better.

It’s an intriguing police procedural that grabbed my attention right from the start. There were a few spots along the way that I found to be a bit slow moving, but then the story really picked up. The ending totally took me by surprise.

The author does a great job of developing these characters and writing an engrossing, twisty and compelling novel. It kept me swiping pages on my Kindle until the very end. It’s filled with mystery, intrigue and a touch of romance too. It’s an exciting romantic suspense that keeps you on your toes.








FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
THE WRONG VICTIM wastes no time getting to the action, and the crime that brings Kara, Matt, and the team to an island off the coast of Washington occurs at the beginning of the book. A bomb exploded on a charter boat, killing nine people but we don’t know who the intended victim was or if the bomb was set due to a vendetta again the charter company by the local environmental group. I loved following Kara and the team as they conducted interviews and followed up leads. There is a cast of potential killers as well as a cast of potential victims. I was hooked and eagerly turned the pages as I tried to work out who not only set but the bomb but why and who they intended to kill.

To go along with the murder mystery, we get little glimpses of Matt and Kara’s relationship, which isn’t on solid ground and is put in jeopardy when a member of their team works out they are having an affair and threatens to tell the powers that be at the FBI. This also potentially puts Kara’s job in jeopardy. I have to say I was surprised by this turn of events. I didn’t expect a highly respected and intelligent member of their team to be so vindictive. It adds tension on a personal level to people already under pressure to solve the crime.

THE WRONG VICTIM is gripping from the first page to the last page. There is lots of action, danger, and the crime story is clever. Also, the budding relationship between Matt and Kara in the background was just enough to keep the romance reader in me happy. THE WRONG VICTIM is the third book in the Quinn & Costa series and it is the best so far. I can’t wait for more.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Thriller

I have read all of the books in this series and while I wouldn't say that you need to read the previous books, it does help to get to know the characters.

I have enjoyed the previous books a lot. This one, however, while it was compelling, was very slow for me. I found myself wanting to skip ahead because some of the chapters were taking so long. And while I didn't skip ahead, there were several places that I could have, now that I've read the book in whole.

The mystery is fantastic, and you won't be disappointed. The interpersonal relationships were spot on too. Although at times, I wanted to slap a few characters who stuck their noses where they shouldn't be, in my opinion.

I really wanted to enjoy this book more, but I just found my mind wandering until the ending where the action really picked up. There were subtle hints throughout the story that helped me solve it before the ending, but it was still engaging and fun to see the conclusion.

An explosion brightens up the night sky. Ashley almost drops her camera she is so shocked by this tragedy. Another explosion rocks the harbor and this time both teenagers see bodies flying. Ashley and her sister, Whitney, burst into tears. There were people they knew on that boat.
San Juan islands is pretty much crime free which is why the sheriff asks for help from the FBI. He doesn’t have a forensics specialist and he is not sure whether the explosions were accidentally or intentionally set. The FBI dispatched their mobile unit to San Juan islands to help in the investigation. Agent Costa and his team started immediately upon their arrival.
Pretty quickly they determine that C4 was used to explode the boat. That means this was murder. Either someone on the boat or the boat rental company was the target. The possible targets on the boat were the pilot who was former FBI, and a pair of businessmen. The boat rental company also was a possibility as a fuel leak a few years prior had attracted an environmental group who watched them like a hawk. In fact, Ashley had been taking photographs for that group. The clock is ticking as the FBI and local police drill down through the list of suspects and cross their fingers hoping for no further incidents.

This is the third book I’ve read by Allison Brennan. I love her books. Her characters are rich and her writing tight. She kept ratcheting up the suspense and I missed some of the clues so the ending caught me by surprise. I even like the romantic tension which is not overly pervasive. Readers who like authors such as Karen Rose or Karen White will like this thrilling read.

Robyn Heil, Buyer for Brodart Co.

The is a series book, just a forewarning.
The actual plot here--a bombing that seems to be tied to a series of cold case murders--kept my interest. It was somewhat easy to figure out a part of it fairly quickly, but there were parts that kept me guessing. I think VICTIM would have benefited from being shortened a bit (cut that fighting!). There is a lot of small town drama; some of it is appropriate, but some seems too much.

It’s nearing sunset and the Water Lily, one of the yachts in the fleet owned and operated by West End Charter, is about to set sail out of Friday Harbor with the latest guests on board. Soon after it moves about 1/2 mile out, it explodes, killing everyone on board. FBI Supervisory Agent Matt Costa and his Mobile Response Team assemble in the San Juan Islands to investigate as a retired FBI agent was on board. They have to figure out if he or any one of the passengers on board was the target or was it the first of more to come directed at West End Charter.

I loved how the story started, giving us a brief look at those on board this fated vessel, making me feel something about these characters that quickly. This time Matt has every member of his team on site, including his profiler, Catherine Jones, and his forensic expert, Jim Esteban. Unfortunately, Catherine’s presence wasn’t necessarily a benefit this time as she decided to set aim on Kara Quinn, the highly skilled LAPD detective who is on the team for the time being. The well-oiled team machine we experienced in the last case was disrupted by Catherine, who isn’t ready for prime time yet, IMO, as she continues to deal with her own personal demons and is unable to be objective.

The case had so many dimensions that I found mind absorbing, again finishing the book in a day. The investigation took several tangents, producing a twisty end I had some suspicions about but still didn’t guess all of the details. Catherine added another layer of drama that actually sent Kara into a self reflection that was helpful. Matt and Kara’s personal relationship seemed to advance, though I’m unsure how it will all work out but that just has me salivating for the next story! I’m loving the narrator chosen for this series as she provides the right tone, pacing and storytelling skills that fits perfectly. I binge listened to all three books and that turned out to be a wonderful reading experience. However, I’m already impatient for the next book’s release.

Kara Quinn and Matt Costa are in Friday Harbor, a small coastal town in the San Juan Islands. A bomb has exploded on a charter cruise, and it is up to them and their team to figure out what happened. As the suspects mount and the threats of more chaos ensue, they are quickly running out of time. Without knowing who they can trust, the team must learn to trust each other to figure out the answers and stop the killer.

Allison Brennan has written another intriguing, suspenseful, riveting novel that kept me up at night trying to figure out the mystery. There were a few different suspects and multiple story lines to dig through for clues. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters on the team and how they interacted with one another. They were diverse and complex with differing opinions which added to the story. The whole series has been amazingly well written, and this story just leaves you wanting more. I’m excited to see where Quinn and Costa end up next! Thank you to Harlequin Publishing, Allison Brennan and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc in exchange for my unbiased review.

The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan is Book Three in The Quinn and Costa Series. I read this as a stand-alone and had no problems following but I will go back to read the first two because it was just that good. This is an explosive mystery with a “Criminal Minds” feel. Filled with suspense and twist and turns, this is an engaging story that will keep you on the edge of your seat……..it even has some romance thrown in it. It is a fast paced read with well developed characters. I highly recommend this chilling story and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira and Allison Brennan for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
#thewrongvictim #netgalley. #harlequintradepublishing/mira. #allisonbrennan. #HTPinfluencer. #arc

I will buy any book that Allison Brennan publishes. Forever. Anyone who has seen my bookshelves can attest to this due to the two overflowing shelves dedicated to her books alone. And this book was no exception.

The third book in the Quinn & Costa / Mobile Response Team series, I loved getting to see Matt and Kara continue their journey while doing phenomenal detective work to save people who barely knew they were in danger. But this one was a bit different.

I loved how this book came together and the different twists and turns throughout. I did personally guess the correct suspect, but it definitely didn’t take away from the journey for me.

A bomb has exploded and killed quite a few people. Special Agent Matt Costa and Detective Kara Quinn have their hands full. There are several possibilities and the further they get into the investigation the more convoluted the investigation becomes.

I usually enjoy this author’s books. But this one was a little bit more detailed than I was used to. It is well researched but it just got bogged down in some police procedures that I did not enjoy. But, I love Matt and Kara. They balance each other out. Add in the search for the killer…and it’s a pretty good tale!

Need a good police procedure book.…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this copy from the publisher for an honest review.

This impressive 3rd instalment in Allison Brennan's series centring on the FBI's Mobile Response Team turned out to be a little gem! This part of the FBI consists of highly specialised agents who are top in their field, be it forensics, crime scene specialists or investigators. They are operational primarily in rural areas and in The Wrong Victim the team is on the small San Juan Islands as they investigate after a bomb explodes on a charter cruise. Run by the West End Charter company, the organisation has been blamed for leaking fuel into local waters by activists and environmentalists. FBI special agent Mathias (Matt) Costa has LAPD Detective Kara Quinn working with him on loan to the FBI as part of the new mobile team. Nine people died in the explosion and Neil Devereaux, the part-time pilot of the yacht, the 'Water Lily' is a retired FBI agent investigating a cold case.

Kara is such a fiercely independent, strong and unique protagonist with a strong sense of justice. There is great chemistry between her and Matt, and they also share a mutual respect for one another however, their connection is not the main focus of this book. Matt himself is shrewd, and level-headed and makes a marvellous leader.

The mystery element in The Wrong Victim is magnificent and totally engaging. The tight time frame keeps the plot rolling, with no opportunity to become mired in tediousness. The procedural aspects are solid and the rest of the team is also intriguing; they are a diverse bunch from a variety of backgrounds, offering differing specialities that are still able to make the team a success. The Wrong Victim is wonderfully written in a style I relish and I was in my element reading this dark and gritty tale. This is a great 3rd instalment in what has so far turned out to be a stellar series. I enjoyed The Wrong Victim so much that I'm greedily waiting for the next tale.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the third book in Brennan’s Quinn & Costa series and I have throughly enjoyed each one. This one focused equally on the FBI team and their dynamics as it did on the crime they were trying to solve. For that reason, I think this book is best read after the previous two or else all the time spent on the characters won’t make much sense. However, I did find that it was lacking a bit on focusing on other members of the team. There are seven of them that work together and we only got the perspective of four. It probably isn’t feasible to have all of them narrating but I would like to see some more interaction with them when it comes to the main characters of the story.

I’m always blown away by how detailed the crimes are that Brennan has her characters solving in this series. You can tell that she really takes the time to get all the intricacies correct and it makes the story feel realistic. I will continue to read this series because I am hooked on the characters but it’s the plots that keeps me so engaged that I fly through the stories. It can be difficult to keep detective mysteries fresh and appealing but Brennan has done that with this series. Every time one ends I can’t wait for another one to come out so I can visit with the characters again.

On the small San Juan Islands, a bomb explodes on an evening charter cruise, killing everyone on board. This includes Neil, the boat's pilot and a former FBI agent, and Vince Jefferies, the wealthy older husband of Madelyn Jefferies, who bows out of the cruise at the last minute when she realizes an old acquaintance is on board. The cruise is run by the West End Charter company, who is disliked by a group of activists and environmentalists who blame them for leaking fuel into the local waters and doing other things to threaten the islands. Was it one of these groups who bombed the cruise? A disgruntled convict Neil put away in his former life as an agent? Vince's children who resented his marriage to the younger Madelyn? Special agent Matt Costa and detective Kara Quinn and the rest of the Mobile Response Team have their work cut out for them determining the motive--before another bomb can explode on the small island.

This was an intriguing story, but wow, was it long with a lot of names and characters to keep track of! It seemed every chapter included more names and intricacies to follow. When I requested this book, I did not realize it was part of a series. The mystery stands alone, but there were definitely team dynamics between Matt, Kara, and the rest of the group that I felt I was missing. Because of these, the team fought a lot. This in-fighting also got old quickly, and I would have preferred more focus on the cases at hand.

The actual plot here--a bombing that seems to be tied to a series of cold case murders--kept my interest. It was somewhat easy to figure out a part of it fairly quickly, but there were parts that kept me guessing. I think VICTIM would have benefited from being shortened a bit (cut that fighting!). There is a lot of small town drama; some of it is appropriate, but some seems too much.

Overall, this is an interesting story filled with character dynamics and a bit of drama.

Though this is book 3 in the Costa and Quinn series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. A bomb explodes and destroys a sunset charter cruise out of Friday Harbor. With the number of victims, Costa and Quinn must first sort out who the actual victim was supposed to be. There were several people on the charter that could have been the intended victim. Ride along with Costa and Quinn as they try to figure out and understand who the intended victim was.

As always, Allison Brennan delivers with a powerful and enjoyable mystery/thriller that will have you guessing and then rethinking your guess. A can’t miss hit as always from Brennan.

Thank you to #netgalley and #harlequintradepublishing/MIRA for allowing me to read the eARC. All opinions expressed above are my own.

The Wrong Victim is the third book in this author’s Quinn & Costa Thriller series. However, it can be read as a complete standalone title. I’ve not read any of the other books and was able to fully enjoy the story with minimal questions regarding the backstories of all of the team’s characters. And even though Ms. Brennan is a new-to-me author, I enjoyed this suspense book enough that I will be reading more of her work in the future. The action was pretty nonstop, the questions were plenty and not quickly answered until the story’s arc (a very good thing), and the pace was on point. I can honestly say I had a hard time putting it down, even to sleep. Romantic suspense is my favorite genre, and while this was pretty light on the romance, it was a very entertaining read.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2022/04/26/%f0%9f%8e%a7-the-wrong-victim-by-allison-brennan/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

4.5 hearts

I have loved the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/297312-quinn-costa-thriller" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Quinn & Costa</strong></em></a> series from the start.   Kara Quinn is our primary point of view. She is so smart and capable.  She's in a tough spot with not being able to go back to LAPD because her cover was blown and now the bad guys want to kill her. They already killed her partner.  Now she is working on the new mobile response team for the FBI but she is not an FBI agent.

Her personal relationship with Matt, the team leader is important to them both. But it is a problem with them on the same team.  They actually handle it pretty well. Until Catherine decides she doesn't like or trust Kara.  Yes I pretty much hate Catherine. Everything is about her, she's always the smartest and knows best.  She has put her family through hell by shutting them out and making everything about her (earlier book).  She is grieving for her sister who died but she also continues to be a snowflake and expect everyone to dance to her tune.  I wish Matt didn't want her on the team.

The case is complex with many layers. There is a bombing, environmental protestors, more bombings, a murder and a kidnapping.   Because of Kara, I had some hints about the culprits but not completely.   She does an amazing investigation tapping into multiple things the rest of the team didn't catch.  She fits in as needed and plays her roles well to connect with various locals.  Her information is invaluable.  The rest of the team does well with their roles and verifying information and data as well as forensic evidence.

The only thing I didn't like about <strong>The Wrong Victim</strong> is how tenuous Kara's career and relationship feel to her.  Matt wants her on the team and in his life, but the risk is primarily for her and she could lose both. I really look forward to more in this series in both the investigations and the personal developments.

The 3rd novel in the Quinn & Costa series, however I would say that the novel focused more on the whole FBI Mobile Response Team and not just Kara Quinn and Matt Costa. I liked that the reader got to see more of how the team worked and each member of the team. Most mysteries are focused on an individual, so it was a nice change to have the focus be on the team.

I’m not going to share any spoilers, but I wasn’t a fan on one of the opening chapters. I felt that it took away from the suspense of the novel, since I was so sure that it was going to be the motive for the crime.

The novel wasn’t so straightforward and there were multiple layers of the mystery. I was surprised on some parts that had happened and who was responsible.

Definitely going to continue on with the series!

Thank you to Netgallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was such a fan of the Max Revere series and miss it dearly, but this Costa and Quinn series is growing on me. While Costa and Quinn are definitely the stars of the books, I do love how the books also give personality and makes them human.

I really liked how the team keeps growing and overcoming their flaws and limitations. So often with books about crime teams, the team works as a well oiled machine and that just isn’t how real life works. You have differences of opinion even with people you respect and trust. Yet this team also keeps working to stay a team and solve the case.

We continue to get a little will they won’t they between Quinn and Costa and see why they waiver with their relationship.

I also really like that the books in this series are set in unique locations that become a supporting character. This one on an island in Washington state.

I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us and how the team focuses after their difficulties in this book.