FBI ago, Lukas Stark is hunting down a horrific serial killer named Q. There is no rational why the killer chooses the family’s he does, but it’s always the same MO. All are tied in chairs, facing each other and each person is killed in the same manner. With little leads, Stark is assigned a new partner, Gilles Garnier. But Garnier is like no other partner Stark has ever experienced. Garnier claims he can see snippets of the killer in real time giving Stark clues to who the killer is and where he may strike next, but is Garnier a friend or foe?

FBI agent Lukas Stark has been searching for the Tableau killer, who has been murdering families and leaving them posed and tied up in chairs. The crime scene descriptions reminded me of the movie Sinister. A new partner named Garnier claims he's a remote viewer and can track the killer. Stark believes he's a con artist, but soon realizes he may be the key to solving the case. The ending was a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the sequel.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Eric Rickstad’s Remote: The Six is a chilling, cerebral thriller that dares to ask what happens when the line between intuition and intrusion is not just blurred—it is weaponized.

At the heart of the novel is FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark, a man fraying at the edges after eighteen months chasing the elusive Tableau Killer—a murderer who stages entire families in grotesque, symbolic tableaus before vanishing without a trace. Stark is methodical, skeptical, and emotionally scorched. So when he’s paired with Gilles Garnier, a self-proclaimed “remote viewer” who claims to psychically witness crime scenes from afar, Stark’s first instinct is to scoff. But Garnier’s eerie accuracy forces him to reconsider everything he thought he knew about evidence, instinct, and evil.

Rickstad crafts a narrative that’s both propulsive and unsettling. The murders are horrifying not just in their brutality, but in their theatricality—each scene a message, each tableau a cipher. As Stark and Garnier chase the killer across the country, the novel becomes a meditation on obsession, perception, and the cost of seeing too much.

What makes Remote: The Six stand out isn’t just its high-concept premise—it’s the emotional texture. Stark is no superhero; he’s a man unraveling, estranged from his family and increasingly unsure whether Garnier is a gift or a curse. Garnier, for his part, is a fascinating enigma—equal parts savant and cipher, whose abilities may be as dangerous as the killer they’re hunting.

The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere thick with dread, and the final twist lands like a gut punch. But beneath the suspense is a deeper question: if you could see the truth from a distance, would you still want to look?

Remote: The Six is the first in a series, and it sets the bar high. It’s a thriller that doesn’t just entertain—it unnerves, provokes, and lingers.

3.5 stars

The Six by Eric Rickstad is the first in a new crime series.


First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Blackstone Publishing, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Information: (May Contain Spoilers)
In the 1990's a government agency  used children for their special "program".  The children grew up together from a young age, and the agency developed their rather unique skills.   They became "remote viewers" and were used for surveillance from locations thousands of miles away.  There are only six left.




My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been on the hunt for the "Tableau Killer".  Over the last 18 months, entire families are being tied to chairs and executed, one by one.  No DNA or clues have been left behind, and Stark doesn't have any idea as to the motive.  He is frustrated, and tired.

Stark's boss steps in with what he considers a solution.  He has found a partner for Stark, Gilles Garnier. Garnier is a little different.  He is a "remote viewer".  Apparently he "sees" things as if they were right in front of him.  Stark is not happy with this new partner, who he considers one more fraud.  But he has no choice.  The powers that be are insistent that Stark works with Garnier, although they won't even tell him where this guy came from.

But Garnier seems to be seeing things that Stark can't, and he starts to rely on him. But Garnier is getting weaker every time he "sees", and now Stark is worried about his health.  Then they discover how this killer is staying ahead of them, and they are stumped.

Meanwhile, Stark's father has been released from jail, and Stark wants nothing to do with the man.

 

My Opinions:
First, I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to more in the series.  Yes, I had some issues with it, which we'll get to shortly, but overall, this should prove interesting. I liked the remote-viewing angle to this crime series.

The overall plot was interesting, and I liked the premise.  The writing was really good.  Be warned that there is gore, but that doesn't bother me, so I'm good.

I really liked the characters.  Garnier, in particular.  Stark is a good agent, but with some of his "stunts", I can't see his marriage lasting. I also don't quite understand (unless I missed the explanation), why Stark did not already have a partner?  So his stunts, and his lack of a partner are a bit problematic for me.

The other thing I found annoying was the ending.  I did NOT like the ending.  I hate when authors leave a book with a cliff-hanger.  Do they not think their book is good enough?  That people will not buy the next in the series?  I don't get it.

Anyway, I, for one, will be looking for the next in the series!

I debated how to rate this book for a while and actually finished it back in April. I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up here. Remote: The Six is the first book in a new series by Eric Rickstad. Featuring FBI agent Lucas Stark and a serial killer dubbed the "Tableau Killer", this is a new take on the classic cop chasing a killer story. Stark has been after this killer but continues to be several steps behind, and he is only becoming more prolific and horrifying. He is forced to work with Gilles Garnier because he is able to "see" the killer through a process called remote viewing.

This book will not be for everyone because some of the kill scenes are described in gruesome detail. The idea of a secret government training program will appeal to anyone with an interest in conspiracy theories. Stark is not a particularly likeable character, potentially by design, but some of his choices are questionable. There are definitely some plot holes, like why isn't he working with a team of agents, but overall this was a wild-ride of a book. It will be interesting to see where this series goes in the coming books.

Thank you to NetGalley and #blackstonepublishing for an ARC in exchange for a review.

📚ARC Review 📚

Massive thanks are in order to @ericrickstadauthor and @blackstonepublishing #partner for this gifted copy!!! I’m extremely grateful to be a part of #blackstoneinsiders program too!

Remote: The Six
By @ericrickstadauthor @blackstonepublishing
Pub Date - 4/8/25

First off, WOW! This story is one heck of a ride! Get ready folks!

An insane serial killer is targeting families. He sets them in a circle as he sets the stage and takes the life right out of them.

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer for eighteen months. He is forced to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier. Garnier has a special ability, he can view the killer’s movements remotely. The downside, the killer can too. These two men are connected by something so diabolical.

It took me a minute to see how I felt about this one. Once it took off, I was hooked! I must mention, the ending will stop with a cliffhanger and have you begging for next in the series. Thank gawd I’ve got it!!

From the Best Selling author of Lilith comes a new crime series that will have you staying up late into the night! Add this to your TBR
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger warnings include murder of the family, including children.

A murder investigation with no leads, and now the FBI has brought in a specialist who claims he can “see” the murderer. This is a book filled with twists and turns with a sinister undercurrent. The whole premise is disturbing and some of the scenes gave me chills. The ending in particular left me with a shiver running down my spine.
FBI Agent Lucas Stark is traumatized by the death of his mother at his fathers’ hands and the role he played in her disposal and his father’s capture. He is trying, perhaps too hard, not to be his father. A phone call lets him know his father has been released and then he receives a phone call from him. In the middle of a violent and disturbing case where whole families are being murdered, he finds himself caught between needing to solve this case and needing to be there for his family. He finds himself worried that his wife is having an affair, and that his father may come for his family.
Lucas is skeptical and a bit hostile toward his new partner who says he has an ability to remote view the crimes, however Gilles abilities don’t seem to be working as well as they normally do which leaves Lucas even more skeptical.
I loved the premise of remote viewing and secret government experiments. This book is a conspiracy theorists’ dream/nightmare. For the rest of us it’s a book that may keep you up at night but one you can’t put down.

I REALLY enjoyed this fast paced read. I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy lately so this was such a nice switch up for me! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book!

Eric Rickstad caught my attention with Lilith, one of my favorite books of the year last year. This is VERY different but not any less captivating. Definitely an autobuy author for me.

This was a fantastic start to a new series! I love a good serial killer plot, and this one delivered! It was original, dark, disturbing, and twisty! I loved Stark and Giles and can't wait to meet up with them again in the next book!

Remote: The Six by Eric Rickstad is a gripping, cinematic thriller that plunges readers into a chilling cat-and-mouse game between FBI Agent Lukas Stark and the elusive Tableau Killer, a serial murderer who stages families in grotesque, meticulously arranged scenes. Rickstad masterfully weaves a dark, psychological narrative, amplified by the introduction of Stark’s enigmatic partner, Gilles Garnier, a self-proclaimed remote viewer whose uncanny abilities challenge Stark’s skepticism and propel the investigation into uncharted territory. The novel’s relentless pace, vivid prose, and shocking revelations about a shadowy conspiracy keep readers on edge, though its graphic depictions may unsettle some. A standout in the psycho-criminal genre, this book is a must-read for fans of intense, thought-provoking thrillers.

Remote: The Six was a bonkers, intense, wild ride about a prolific serial killer and the person/people hunting him. A unique and disturbing book that was fast paced and really dark.

**A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

An original theme that surprised this avid reader. I'd not heard the descriptive term "remote viewer" before so had to research some more after I finished this excellent thriller.
Eric Rickstad gives his characters a three dimensional feel, including the deranged Tableau Killer. FBI Special Agent Lucas Stark has been chasing this killer for months and is becoming more frustrated with every crime scene he attends. When Gilles Garnier is assigned as Stark's partner, the differences between the two men is very evident. Stark is positive Garnier is a fraud who has pushed his way into an investigation where he doesn't belong. Garnier's skill set is not the usual observance of clues and profiling. His abilities have been enhanced but his efforts may endanger the two lawmen before they can zero in on the killer.
This thriller is of a different caliber than the last few I've read. Rickstad's writing skills are apparent in every chapter that pushes the reader to keep the pages flying. This is a one sitting read. As the first book in a series, it's going to be interesting to see if Rickstad can keep these two characters on the top of everyone's reading list.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Remote: The Six was a pretty wild ride from beginning to end. FBI Special Agent Stark is hunting the Tableau Killer, who has been evading detection for a year and a half. In apparent desperation, Garnier is brought in to help with the case. Garnier claims to be a "remote viewer" - someone who can see people/places/scenes in his mind without being there. They continue hunting their suspect but always seem to be a few steps behind him.

The Six is a fast-paced book that I had a hard time putting down. I was drawn in from the beginning, wanting to know more about the Tableau Killer, his motivations, Garnier's ability, and Stark's past. The ending is left open perfectly for a sequel and I can't wait to read that.

Recommended for readers who love fast-paced, dark crime fiction with sci-fi elements.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book has a very interesting concept and I really enjoyed the first half of it . I have a couple of tropes I really dislike in these types of stories ( whether books or on screen ) and this one had both which impacted my rating but it’s totally a personal preference .
I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series when it comes out

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Eric Rickstad for the ARC!

"You want me to find a man who doesn't exist, and hand him over to a program that doesn't exist…”

“Remote the Six” was a wild nonstop race against time. The opening pages had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure how this story was going to play out. That level of tension didn’t let up at all; if anything, it amplified as the story went on. Told from dual points of view, each viewpoint only added to the thrill. The frustration of our MMC, Special Agent Lukas, was relatable as he tried to stop a serial killer. And then he is paired up with a new partner, Giles Garnier, who has a special ability to remotely “see” people. Lukas’s doubt was understandable until Garnier describes a crime scene he’s never seen from across the country. I really enjoyed Lukas and Garnier’s partnership, how they worked together even though they didn’t always understand each other. Then there was the mystery of who was Q, really? How were they going to stop him?

The secrets Garnier revealed introduced Lukas to a whole new, unbelievable world. It gave the story a bit of a sci-fi feel, similar to the writing style of Blake Crouch. In some ways it gave me “Stranger Things” vibes too. All in all, this was a fantastic blending of mystery, sci-fi and heart.

Finally, this story ended on such a cliffhanger! I am happy to know this is the start of a series because I need to know where the story is going from here!

“Remote the Six” is out now. This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

An uneasy partnership forms to identify a serial killer

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark is in charge of the investigation into a string of brutal killings that have been occurring for almost two years. The Tableau Killer has targeted families, tying each family member to chairs and arranging them in varying patterns before brutally killing them all. For all his dedication to the case and his years of experience, Stark continues to remain steps behind the killer. He doesn't know how or why the killer selects his victims, and no forensic evidence has yet turned up to help him get a handle on the situation. When his supervisor brings Gilles Garnier, someone with no known law enforcement experience, in to help Stark he is not happy but is not given any choice in the matter. The skill that Garnier allegedly brings is his talent for remote viewing, the ability to see people, places and events far away without using technology or other tools other than his brain. As far as Stark is concerned, Garnier is no better than someone claiming to be a psychic...he thinks Garnier is, in short, a fraud. As more families are targeted and Garnier is able to "see" things in ways which Stark can't explain, Stark begins to accept that Garnier isn't the charlatan he thought he was. But Garnier's talent isn't consistent, and the killer continues to elude them...and they come to suspect how he stays two steps ahead of them. The reality of what they are up against is more terrifying, and wider in scope, than they could have imagined.
With a burned out protagonist struggling with issues in his personal life and a villain whose intelligence and ability to manipulate others is frighteningly high, this is a thriller which grabs the reader early and propels them into the unfolding and deadly game of cat and mouse. Stark is a solid agent who is frustrated by the political gamesmanship practiced by those above him in the food chain; his job has taken its toll on both his own well-being and his relationship with his wife and son. His traumatic past is rearing its ugly head as well, at a time when he can ill afford the distraction. I found it hard to warm up to Garnier as a character, though it is his abilities as a remote viewer that provide a twist on the FBI/serial killer storyline. The pacing was a little choppy, but overall I found it an entertaining (and chilling) yarn (3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4) that is likely to appeal to readers of Gregg Hurwitz, Kay Hooper and LIsa Gardner. My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me access to Remote: The Six in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the writing and the fast pace of this book. The serial killer angle was interesting and unique, as was the addition of "remote viewing." I really liked the mystery of why the killer was doing what he was. It kept me reading.

However, I had trouble connecting to any of the characters. I thought Stark was annoying and his behavior inexcusable. He sets up hidden cameras in his house to watch his wife and son, without their consent, just so he can feel better because he's never home. He is so mean and rude to Garnier, even when the guy gets results. It also made no sense to me that he would be the only officer searching for a killer who is killing multiple whole families. I also saw no reason for why Q would go after his family. Garnier was portrayed as pathetic and ill the entire story. He admits in the beginning that he is the worst of the "remote viewers," yet he is just starting to deteriorate, whereas Q apparently has deteriorated so much that he is experimenting with how to get his remote viewing back. But, Q is able to remote view a million times more and better than Garnier. It just made no sense to me.

Another issue I had was this eARC had no formatting. Usually that doesn't bother me, but in this book, it was so difficult to keep track of who was saying what.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. I liked that there was more to the story, mainly because I still had a lot of questions, but I didn't like how it didn't feel like a completed book. You have to read more of the series if you want to understand. I prefer individual books to come to a complete close, even if they are part of a series, and not to end with a continuation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Suspenseful crime thriller -- the first in a new series I plan to devour!

Always fun to find a new series that hooks immediately, and this one did. It has an original premise and I'm eager to see where it goes from here.

After FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer for eighteen months, he's not managed to find or stop the unsub. His boss calls him in and assigns a partner to help with the case. Gilles Garnier is not any type of law enforcement, but he has a strange ability. And he thinks he knows who this killer is -- but not why they are killing entire families.

The writing is crisp and fast paced and doesn't get bogged down as the narrative drops hints about the mystery man known as "Q" and his relationship to Gilles Garnier. Lots of grisly details about the murder scenes and it takes Lukas quite some time before he can accept Garnier and believe him. Lots of action and the characters evolve as the investigation continues. I don't want to give spoilers so I'll not go into Gilles and his ability. It's rather unique and I always like when I come upon something different in my favorite genre.

I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audio-book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Ari Fliakos, and he did an excellent job of voicing all the characters using different tones, accents, and timbre. The audio definitely further enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Definitely recommend and am looking forward to the next installment.