A Forgotten Kill is an absolutely riveting crime drama full of suspense action snd a kick ass MC. Dani Vega is a force to be reckoned with and her keen mind and code breaking skills serve her well in a hunt for a serial killer. All the while giving made a promise to her mentally ill mother to find out who killed her father so many years before. All the while her mother has been locked in an institution fir the murder she now claims in a lucid moment nit to have committed. Little does Vega know as she hunts for the truth in one case she is set in a collision course with the other. Can Vega stop a prolific serial killer in his prime and find peace and justice for her family or will she fall prey to the kern intelligence that has prowled the streets unnoticed for all this time?

Hand down expertly woven with all the twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommend 10/5 hands down an excellent read.

A Forgotten Kill is a well written thriller. Great plot and character development. If you enjoy and edge of your seat page turner you will enjoy this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

A Forgotten Kill is book to in the Special Agent Daniela Vega series and Dani is back in all her fearless glory. Dani’s mother has been locked in a psychiatric facility for years for the murder of Dani’s father. One of the first lucid things she has spoken in years is to tell Dani that she is innocent. Dani heads to the NYPD to try and get her hands on her father’s files. The detective is willing to help her if she’ll help him first. Using her code breaking skills Dani unearths a serial killer who has been killing for years. In an action packed thriller, Dani races the clock to stop a serial killer and uncover her father’s murderer. Twisted and fast paced, Dani’s latest adventure is a pulse pounding thriller that makes this series a must read. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Filled to the brim with suspense and danger, A Forgotten Kill is one of those great reads that crackles with nervous energy from start to finish. A book that urges you forward with a desperate desire to learn the outcome as quickly as possible.

FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega is compelled to relook at the evidence of her father’s murder from ten years ago. To get access to the files, she will have to help a veteran NYPD homicide detective uncover the identity of a newly discovered serial killer who’s been secretly operating throughout New York City for a decade. Given Dani’s background as an Army Ranger trained in codebreaking, she’s the best person to find hidden patterns and decipher riddles left behind by the perpetrator. But the killer is watching her every move and engages Dani in a deadly game that puts more innocent people in danger and also unearths secrets that will rock Dani’s world and everything she thought she knew about her father’s death.

A battle of wits between a strong and intelligent female FBI agent versus a brilliant and obsessive male serial killer? Yes please and thank you. And it’s the mental battle that really elevates this thriller to another level. There is certainly enough action – gun battles, hand to hand combat, hot pursuits through the streets of New York – to satisfy anyone looking for their fix of physical confrontations. But the true action is in the psychological contest between the hunter and the hunted. Where every move our hero makes is anticipated and countered by the killer she so desperately wants to bring to justice, bringing renewed vigor and motivation to the chase rather than frustration or resignation. A deadly engagement where neither side knows the meaning of the words quit or surrender. A chess match between two grand masters that enthralls and entertains every spectator as each “check” is immediately counteracted by a move to prolong the game.

Isabella Maldonado has delivered a second straight banger to kick off the Daniela Vega series. Fans of serial killer novels like the UNSUB series by Meg Gardiner should add A Forgotten Kill to their 2024 TBR pile without delay. It’s intense, propulsive and fantastic!

I'm really torn as I write this review because in the past, I have truly enjoyed several books by this author. I did read the first book in this series, and it was the first book that I, well, I really did not like it that much. But it was the first book in a series and there is a lot that has to be done in a first book (set up the world, introduce the characters, etc) so I gave it a bit of grace.

In this book though, the things that bothered me in the first book did not get better and did - in fact- get worse. We get to see the female MC Dani Vega again. She is now an FBI agent with a background in Cryptology. She served in the Army and was one of a very few women who made it through Army Ranger training. Unfortunately, she is also superwoman. Able to out-shoot, out fight, outwit everyone else, even though she is a young rookie.

One thing that really bothers me in a story is being told versus shown. The only thing that bothers me more is being lectured. BOTH of those things happen pretty much non stop in this book.

I can not count how many times it is mentioned that she is a Ranger, and therefore able to ......
(insert ANYTHING) because of her Army Ranger training. Then, there is the constant talk about her willingness to do her duty, regardless of the outcome. In fact, here is an exact quote from the book-
"If that involved sacrificing herself, so be it". This was just one of MANY, many times something like this was thrown out. So much that it lost its meaning to me and became more of an eye rolling experience for me. I mean, come on.

The other big issue that I had was almost exactly the same issue as in the first book. Here is a serial killer who has been killing in New York for 20 years. No one knew - he had gotten away with every kill without anyone tying them together. But, the MINUTE that Dani figures it out, the WORLD knows about it. They didn't even have one day before the killer is aware and making changes to his MO to thwart the police. Every move that the task force decides to make is somehow a step behind this guy, even though a week ago, no one even knew he existed. Without spoilers, I can't really go into too much detail, but it was frustrating, actually beyond frustrating, the way things just seemed to "happen".

I did take a peek at some of the reviews and I seem to be in the minority, but then I looked back at my review for the first book and discovered that my thoughts were almost exactly the same as they were for the first book. Don't get me wrong. I have REALLY enjoyed this author in the past. But I would rather have a protagonist who is human - who makes mistakes - than one who can take down 3 men at the same time and no one bats an eye. And please, stop telling me how great she is. I can read just fine and figure it out myself by the actions in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

"A Forgotten Kill," the second installment in the Dani Vega series by Isabella Maldonado, is a gripping thriller that surpasses its predecessor, "A Killer's Game." The narrative showcases the author's storytelling prowess, delivering an intriguing and deeply personal story that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

FBI Special Agent Daniela "Dani" Vega, haunted by doubts about her mother's conviction for murdering her father, is drawn into a chilling investigation when a seasoned NYPD homicide detective reopens her family's cold case. The condition for his assistance: Dani must help him track down a serial killer who has been terrorizing New York City for the past decade. Maldonado skillfully weaves together past and present, creating a narrative that is not only suspenseful but also emotionally resonant.

The exploration of Dani's traumatic past, including the alleged murder of her father by her mother, adds layers to her character, making her more relatable and intriguing. The personal stakes for Dani are high as she grapples with the possibility that she may have gotten her mother's case wrong. This introspective journey enhances the overall depth and emotional resonance of the story.

The author's ability to construct a compelling and intricately plotted mystery shines through as Dani tackles both the cold case and the hunt for the serial killer. The suspense builds steadily, with unexpected twists and revelations that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Maldonado's skillful storytelling keeps the pacing tight, making it a page-turner that is difficult to put down.

"A Forgotten Kill" not only delivers a captivating mystery but also delves into the complexities of Dani's character, making her journey both personal and dangerous. Isabella Maldonado proves once again that she is a standout author in the thriller genre, offering a fantastic blend of drama, suspense, and emotional depth. Fans of crime thrillers and those new to the Dani Vega series will find this book to be a compelling and satisfying read.

In summary, "A Forgotten Kill" is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts, showcasing Isabella Maldonado's mastery in crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged narratives.

I really enjoyed this book, "A Forgotten Kill" by Isabella Maldonado. This is the third book I've read by this author, and I gave all of them 5 stars. Maldonado writes very engaging and exciting thrillers.

The character of Dani Vega is quite fascinating. She is very gutsy and often under-estimated. She is a great character that is easy to root for.

I also recommend Isabella Maldonado's other books "The Cipher" and "A Killer's Game". I look forward to reading more of her books.

Another excellent addition to the Dani Vega series! I got Hooke son Isabella Maldonado’s books while reading the Nina Guerrero series, and the Dani series has been excellent as well! Super interesting cases, and brilliant characters; Maldonado does a great job of “getting in the killers head.” I wish I didn’t have to wait so long for it to be published to recommend it!

A Forgotten Kill is the second book in the Dani Vega series. This one not only lives up to its predecessor, A Killer's Game, but surpasses it in many ways. The authors storytelling and writing skills are on full display here with an intriguing, deeply personal narrative that not only entertains but keeps you turning pages.
I love serial killer stories and this one offers up something unique in its use of weaving past and present together. Dani wants to investigate the cold case of her father’s alleged death at the hands of her mother, but first she must put her skills to the rest solving a current care involving a serial killer. As the story unfolds the author showcases her ability to construct a compelling and intricately plotted mystery.

The story is deeply personal for Dani and takes readers into the past and explores her childhood, shedding light on the traumatic death of her father, allegedly at the hands of her mother when Dani was a teenager and how this impacted her. These experiences have shaped Dani and give her a compelling backstory that you want to find out more about and adds layers to her character. The exploration of Dani's childhood trauma not only adds depth to her character but also enhances the emotional resonance of the story.

The suspense builds and delivers unexpected twists and reveals keeping the reader surprised and reading more. Isabella Maldonado is a standout author of this genre and someone who I will be reading a lot more of. A fantastic blend of drama, suspense and thriller.

Overall very gripping and enjoyable. I didn't find it predictable at all, as I sometimes find with this genre. The only reason it dropped a couple of stars for me is because I didn't feel totally connected to the characters - this is, however, part of a series which I haven't yet read. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this even more if I had read the first book!

When I discovered Ms. Maldonado I knew she was an author I would keep reading and she hasn’t disappointed me yet. This series has one of the most interesting and unique female protagonist of all the many series I read. I like Daniela’s spunk and unequivocal pursuit of justice. Dani is very protective of her siblings since their mother was committed to a psyche ward for murdering her husband. After many years her mother’s mental status has changed which dredges up heartache and questions for Dani. Dani can’t leave the past where it is, she’s compelled to get answers. She may not like where those truths lead her. Detective Chapman at Bronx Homicide has the file she needs. He’s in the weeds with a string of unsolved cases going back many years. Dani offers her assistance not knowing what a convoluted case she’s about to tackle. Dani has a mental acuity that processes data logically, she can identify patterns, solve puzzling situations, unravel difficult riddles, is unparalleled with breaking codes and cryptic ciphers. She was trained in the military as a codebreaker, simply stated she’s quite an asset in investigating serial crimes. So there are two plots winding through the story, both with unexpected outcomes and nonstop action. I thought all the characters were compelling, even Dani’s crotchety aunt. Can’t wait to see where her next case leads.
Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “A Forgotten Kill” Daniela Vega series #2, by Isabella Maldonado, Published by Thomas & Mercer, on Sale March, 2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This book took off with a start and was fast paced throughout. I enjoyed the escapism of this action-packed story featuring bad ass former ranger Dani Vega as she starts out trying to catch a murderer and ends up in an ultimate real life escape room.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I cannot explain how refreshing it is to read crime fiction that addresses proper forensic procedure! Having a background in forensics, one of my biggest pet peeves is reading something forensics related that shows the writer clearly didn’t even do the most basic research. Isabella Maldonado knocked it out of the park with her spot on forensics and the story itself. She clearly still uses her past career experience to give her novels a realistic edge that is often very hard to find. If I were a coach for thrillers and mysteries, I would have every single one of my clients read her books! Not only does she have her procedure down pat, but her stories have an incredible story and character arc while keeping them a thrilling ride! I’m a big fan and will continue to red anything she puts her name on!

Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

After the wild ride book one took me on I was so excited to read the next book in the Dani Vega series. This book is fast paced and has you hooked from the start. It’s packed with incredible detail and explanation of police procedures and cryptography that only enhances the reader’s experience. I found myself not only incredibly drawn to Dani Vega but also side characters like, Axel, Gloria, and Cassie. I would love to see them again in further books with their own story lines.

Isabella Maldonado is truly unmatched when it comes to police procedurals. The research and attention to detail she provides in her story telling makes her high-stake plots plausible. I am ready to see more of Dani Vega.

Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Isabella Maldonado for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed A Forgotten Kill. It was full of action, suspense and mystery.
Dani is a great main character and I hope to read more about her soon. I love the tension with her and Flint and hope it will come to something in future books in the series.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first book (A Killer's Game) and read it in a day, I just couldn't put it down.

I look forward to reading the next installment.

4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ebook. A Forgotten Kill is an action packed thriller with a strong female lead. Great characters, major family issues and a scary serial killer make this a non stop thriller.

"A Forgotten Kill" by Isabella Maldonado is an absolute gem of a thriller that deserves a resounding five-star rating. This suspenseful novel expertly captivates readers with its clever plot, well-developed characters, and electrifying twists and turns.

Maldonado's writing prowess shines throughout the story, drawing us into the dark and intriguing world of FBI Special Agent Daniela "Dani" Vega. Her complex journey, driven by the desire to uncover the truth about her father's death and reconcile her own doubts, grabs hold of readers' attention from the very first page.

The author masterfully creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension, keeping us on edge as Dani teams up with a seasoned NYPD homicide detective to reopen her parents' murder case. Through the pursuit of a cunning serial killer terrorizing New York City, Dani's past and present weave together in a captivating dance of danger and deception.

The character development in "A Forgotten Kill" is exceptional, making us feel deeply connected to Dani and the supporting cast. Dani's internal struggles, doubts, and moral dilemmas are portrayed flawlessly, adding complexity and depth to her relentless pursuit of justice.

The intricate plot is skillfully executed, filled with clever twists and surprises that will leave readers breathless. Maldonado's ability to keep us guessing while revealing just enough to keep the story engaging is truly commendable.

Along with the thrilling suspense, the novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the consequences of one's past actions. As Dani unravels the truth about her family and faces the ruthless killer, the emotional stakes soar, making for a captivating and deeply satisfying read.

In "A Forgotten Kill," Isabella Maldonado has delivered an exceptional five-star thriller that will leave readers craving more. With its gripping narrative, well-crafted characters, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the final page, this novel is an absolutely stellar addition to the genre. Prepare to be enthralled and captivated by Maldonado's expert storytelling and enjoy a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue.

This book started strong and ended strong. At one point I thought the book was done as everything was wrapped up in a nice little bow. I was so wrong. The cat/mouse chase was impressive as I could not guess the killer and everything was related. This book kept me on my toes and guessing at every turn. Dani, the main character was well developed and I loved how the author brought in her background to make every process so well flushed out. Isabella did a great job at explaining police/investigative lingo for readers to understand better. I loved learning more about the forensics side as-well.

𖣘ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ: Dani Vega is a badass
ꕤᴍᴏᴏᴅ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ: Don't mess with me!
•♫•ꜱᴏɴɢ: Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for granting me access to this title.

I read Isabella Maldonado's previous book, A Killer's game once again thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley at the beginning of this year. When I saw A Forgotten Kill show up under the "Read Now" titles, I leapt at the chance to find our what FBI Detective Vega would solve next.

After reading A Killer's Game, I went on to read all of Maldonado's Nina Guerrera books and plan to also read her series about Veranda Cruz. I'm loyal, what can I say? If I like an author, I read all their stuff!

Detective Vega is special though. There is something so alluring about her ability to decipher patterns. Reading her working through clues and spotting patterns is a joy for me, because I love doing brain games and puzzles. Vega is also rough around the edges, constantly doing her own thing, and almost always disobeying direct orders because "there was no time to let anyone know".

Dani Vega's relationship with her mom is complicated. It was Dani's eye witness statement that led to her mother's arrest for the murder of Dani's father. However, years later and Dani's mom has started to talk again and she's adamant about her innocence. Determined to do right by her family, Dani decides to investigate. As she connects with the detective who inherited the case, Dani sets into motion a domino effect of events that alter not just Dani's life, but that of countless women.

In order to access the files about her father's murder, Dani offers to look over the detectives cold cases and soon she discovers there may be a serial killer on the loose.

The characters, the plot, and Dani's continued quest to find the truth are the ingredients that made this another successful book by Isabella Maldonado. Although the books can be read out of order, I don't recommend it. Dani's an ever evolving character and experiencing her through books 1 and 2, really made a difference for me.

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

I must admit I am a fan of Isabella Maldonado. Every one of her titles has been very good. This book--A Forgotten Kill--is no exception.

While all of her books are stand alone great, it does add a bit (in my opinion) if you read them in sequence. Just kind of puts the cherry on top of the sundae!

In this book it fleshes out Dani Vega a bit and also answers questions from her past. As in all of Maldonado's books the interest is held and hard to put down.

Looking forward to reading more from Isabella Maldonado and her heroes.