Eric Rickstad’s Remote: The Six isn’t just a thriller—it’s a psychological chokehold. From the first chilling tableau to the final, anxiety-inducing scene, this book gripped me in all the best (and most disturbing) ways. I listened to the audiobook version, and Ari Fliakos’s performance elevated the tension with his nuanced narration—clear, emotionally resonant, and unrelenting.

The story centers on FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark, who’s been on the trail of the elusive Tableau Killer for eighteen months. The killer’s signature? Entire families posed in haunting scenes before being brutally murdered, leaving behind zero forensic evidence. When Stark is forced to partner with the eccentric Gilles Garnier, a self-proclaimed remote viewer, the hunt takes a strange, supernatural turn.

What Rickstad does brilliantly is layer suspense with moral ambiguity. Stark is a compelling lead—driven, upright in his profession—but deeply unsettling in his personal life. His surveillance of his wife and son, planting hidden cameras around their home and watching them sleep, was disturbing. It crossed a boundary that made me question his integrity beyond the badge. And that ending? Stark's broken promise to be there when his family woke up haunts me. It adds a layer of unease about what’s to come in the second installment this summer.

While I found the concept of remote viewing intriguing, it wasn’t the highlight for me. The novel is strong enough on its own to stand without it, and at times, the supernatural element felt like it edged too close to the unbelievable. That said, it does lend the book a unique flavor—one foot in reality, one toe dipping into the uncanny.

Rickstad’s writing is taut, the pacing relentless, and the violence, though grim, is never gratuitous. It's smart, calculated, and always in service of a larger psychological web. The killer’s methodology is so meticulous that it forces you to wonder not just how he pulls it off, but why. It’s that obsession with the “why” that kept me fully immersed.

The partnership between Stark and Garnier is uneasy but electric. Their dynamic is full of tension, mistrust, and reluctant respect—a true odd-couple scenario with lives at stake. Garnier’s vague, almost ghostly backstory only adds to the mounting dread that builds across the novel.

In short: Remote: The Six is suspenseful, twisted, and thought-provoking. If you like your thrillers dark with a touch of the paranormal and characters who are far from black-and-white, this one delivers. I’m both excited and nervous for what the sequel might reveal—not just about the killer, but about Stark himself.

This one was creepy, twisty, and totally unputdownable. A murder investigation with zero leads, and then the FBI brings in a guy who claims he can see the killer through remote viewing? Yeah, it’s as wild and disturbing as it sounds—and I was hooked.

Agent Lucas Stark is already carrying a ton of baggage from his past (his father murdered his mother… and he helped catch him). Now his father’s been released, families are being slaughtered, and Lucas is caught between solving a gruesome case and protecting his own family. Oh, and he’s convinced his wife is cheating. So yeah, he’s unraveling.

The whole remote viewing/government experiment angle was fascinating, and Gilles, the psychic partner, adds a whole new layer of tension. Whether or not you believe in that kind of thing, it makes for a gripping read—and some of the scenes genuinely gave me chills. The ending? Straight-up spine-tingling.

If you’re into dark thrillers with a paranormal edge and a healthy dose of conspiracy theory, this one’s a ride.

Remote: The Six is a tenacious thriller that kept me up all night, reading nonstop!
This twisty, edge-of-your-seat story had me completely hooked, and it’s one of those rare books that begs for a re-read just to catch all the clever breadcrumbs the author leaves behind.
This is a masterfully done story and one I would highly recommend!

The Tableau serial killer has evaded authorities for eighteen months. Special Agent Lukas Stark, drained and emotionally burnt out, has been on the case since the beginning. Desperate, the FBI decides to bring in an outside consultant to team up with Stark. A man named Gilles Garnier; a man with psychic abilities. This feverish cat and mouse high octane thriller is sure to please fans of Stephen King and Jon Ronson.

*FYI~This is the first installment to a new series and ends on a cliffhanger!

Fast-paced, eerie, and at times gory (which, I will admit, I love)--this is a good story. The FBI's Lukas Stark hopes to track the Tableau Killer, a serial murderer who kills whole families (and arranges the family members in chairs so they can witness the scene). Enter Gilles Garnier, who is able to see things remotely. The two work together to predict where/when the killer will kill again. The story is complex, and I don't want to spoil anything, but the creep factor is increased when the reader learns about a program involving Q. This is the first book I've read by Rickstad, and I would read more.

Book Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5
Narration Rating: 🎧 5/5

This was a fun and suspenseful thriller with some really intriguing twists! The story follows FBI Special Agent Stark as he works to track down a serial killer who has evaded capture for 18 months. Like many agents, Stark is skeptical and slow to trust, especially when he’s partnered with Gillies Garnier, a man who claims to have the ability to “remote view” and witness the crimes in real-time through a first-person perspective.

This paranormal element throws Stark completely off, and he spends a large portion of the book refusing to believe Garnier’s abilities. Honestly, that was the one thing that kept me from giving this a full 5-star rating. Stark’s constant doubt started to wear on me, at some point, you just want him to cooperate for the sake of progress. I found myself thinking, “Just give it a shot! If it doesn’t help, you’re no worse off.” That resistance dragged on a little too long for my taste, and I was hoping for that “Aha!” moment to come sooner.

That said, the writing was sharp, the suspense kept me hooked, and the narration was top-tier…truly brought the story to life. The ending was satisfying and left me eager to see where the story goes next. I do think the conclusion felt a bit rushed, but perhaps if less time had been spent on Stark’s disbelief, there would’ve been more space to fully wrap things up. Regardless, I’m definitely excited for the next installment!

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.

In the book Remote: The Six, author Eric Rickstad writes about FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark who has been hunting the Tableau Killer but always seems two steps behind. He cannot understand why the killer stages the scenes so carefully or how and why he chooses entire families. Now Stark is forced to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier who has the ability to remote viewing. Now they are both tracking the Tableau Killer across the country. But is this killer using their remote viewing against them? This was a strange fast-paced story. The remote part was a bit hard to grasp. Are they psychic like? I would recommend this book and will be interested in the next book and the series. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Format: 🎧 8 hrs 30 minutes
Perfect for: Serial Killer & crime novel fanatics

I enjoyed this crime thriller, and it took me on a wild ride that I was not expecting. I am interested in continuing this series as the books continue to be released, as it definitely ended with a cliffhanger.

As FBI agent Stark investigates a serial killer, terrorizing the country by murdering entire families, Stark becomes increasingly frustrated with the progression of this case. He wants nothing more than to catch this guy, but when his superior suggests an unorthodox approach, he is hesitant. When Garnier shows up to assist, Stark immediately wants him to leave and never return as his investigative methods are far-fetched, a bit unbelievable, and hard to take serious. But when Garnier’s expertise shows helpful, Stark is forced to look at this case from a different set of lenses.

Impeccable writing style & great narration in the audiobook! An overall good read that I would recommend. Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Update, April 10: TikTok new telease review post.
An FBI agent at a standstill with a baffling series of horrific murders is saddled with an unconventional consultant said to be capable of 'remote viewing.’ The agent is skeptical, but the director gives him no choice.
The premise hooked me. The two main characters had some depth to them and back stories that added to the intrigue. The narrator does a good job with the many voices and the sound quality is flawless.

For me, the novel was sporadically suspenseful. It wasn't as gripping as I expected it to be. The second half felt flat and formulaic. A victim who could have intensified the sagging story was a caricature. The wife's character and role remained undeveloped. The villain came across like something out of a cartoon. The ending was unsatisfying and led predictably to a teaser for the next book.

The novel treads familiar terrain, but without the chemistry, tension, chills, and outstanding supporting characters that make stories in this vein compelling. The depiction of remote viewing was the best part, and I liked the dynamic of the mismatched guys having to work together. There's some empathy for victims and acknowledgement of trauma's lasting effects. The vocal performance greatly enhanced the book. I gave Remote: The Six 3 stars.

The author has many appreciative readers. Although this wasn't an immersive experience for me, it might be your next favorite book. This is a good pick for non-squeamish thriller readers who are comfortable with possibly disturbing content such as detailed crimes and out-of-bounds behavior. Overall, It was an entertaining, fast listen. My thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the ALC for consideration. These opinions are solely my own.

Thank you, Blackstone Publishing for the ALC for consideration. These opinions are soley my own.

I was having trouble getting into the audio version of this one. I've seen nothing but great reviews, so I'll be buying the physical book and trying it out that way!

This was an intense, thrilling, and fantastic read! The audio is excellent, and note this one is dark, which I loved. This is the first in a series which I am very glad about, this was a fantastic plot about a serial killer aka the ‘Tableau Killer’ who has been hunted by FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark for 18 months with no luck. Then he gets a new partner who is a remote viewer, meaning he ‘sees’ people, places, events far away as if they are in front of him. Stark doesn’t buy it, but by the end of this he has no choice, and I was on the edge of my dang seat until the very end. This one was SO GOOD and you need this one now if you have not read it.

Thank you to @blackstone.Audio for the ALC and to @ericrickstadauthor for the lovely signed ARC to review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

First off, this book is grittier and more intense than my usual thriller/mystery fair (hello, it’s about a serial killer), but once I got past that, I really enjoyed the story. Second, this book is first in a series and ends on a cliffhanger, so you need to know that going in or you will be irritated with the ending. I found it compelling enough that I am interested in continuing the series.

I did have to suspend disbelief a little that a serial killer is on the loose, yet there’s only one FBI detective working on the case, who is partnered with someone who may have ties to the killer. I did have a hard time connecting with the protagonists because they are pretty wholly unlikeable, but to me, that marks the sign of good writing. If the author can make me feel that way about fictional characters, that’s top notch writing in my book.

Narrated by Ari Fliakos, I thought they did a really good job of making this spooky and suspenseful book to life. I would listen to something by them again. If you’re looking for a gritty crime thriller that’s the beginning of a series, I’d recommend this book.

#remotethesix is a thriller I've been listening to on and off for the past week, by @ericrickstadauthor and provided for review by @blackstonepublishing (thank you, thank you!). This is the same author who put out the amazing #Lilith from last year, which was set around a school shooting and was a 5 star for me (highly recommend).
This story plays out as part crime thriller part Sci-fi and it's those Sci-fi elements are that so compelling (for me). Short recap: FBI Agent Stark is assigned to solve "the tableau killer" murders of entire families, tied to kitchen chairs and bludgeoned to death, with no clues left behind except for the same M/O. The FBI is baffled at who is doing this, without forced entry, without leaving clues, and all over the country with no apparent links between the families. When Stark's boss asks him to work with a "remote viewer" he tries to refuse, and finds out it wasn't an ask after all - it was an order. To Stark, remote viewing is a bunch of bunk- nothing more than a charlatan act - but as he gets to know Mr. Garnier, he starts to believe there is some sort of psychic viewing that happens (live) with Garnier giving enough details to prove himself as a true asset. But there's a lot going on with Garnier (and the killer) that Stark knows nothing about. It involves an ultra secret government program that tested a group of people for this "talent" and uses them (or is trying to) as weapons.
This story ended with promises that the story really wasn't over and now I'm eagerly awaiting The Five which means one of the Six will die and I'm eager to learn more about the program and its members. I'll definitely be listening to The Five which comes out in July of this year. Highly recommend Remote: The Six for thriller-lovers of the FBI crime type OR for ppl who love a psychic type of Sci-fi and secret government plots and conspiracies. Aside from the fun of the whole premise, as usual, you can depend on this author to give you some brutal vivid violent action and you will be there - remote viewing it all - so to say, as the images just come to life in this story. Highly recommend!

The Six is the first in the Remote Series with the second book scheduled to come out July 8th. The Six is about a serial killer, the Tableau Killer, who graphically kills families. This is a dark and could be a disturbing book to some readers because the Tableau Killer does kill children. The Tableau Killer has been killing for eighteen months and Special Agent Stark grudgingly ends up with Gilles Garnier, a partner with a unique ability. And together Stark and Garnier track down and try to hunt down this killer before he tortures and kills another family. All while uncovering many secrets.

Stark is our main character and he is a very flawed and unlikeable person. He has been working this case for sometime and is also estranged from his family. We see both Stark’s professional and personal lives. I was leery of Garnier for most of the book, but he did eventually grow on me.

The main story is solved with The Six, but the ending also leads into the second book in the series which as of now is scheduled to be released on July 8th. I might just be interested in continuing this series. Especially seeing that the narrator for The Six Ari Fliakos returns to narrate the second book in the series: The Five. I really enjoyed his narration, Fliakos definitely added to the ‘creepy factor’ of this novel for me!

The Six is my first novel by Rickstad, and I may find myself looking at what else he has written!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the first in a new series by Eric Rickstad, with the audio perfectly narrated by Ari Fliakos. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

A serial killer is rampaging across the country, tying families to chairs-arranged in puzzling tableaus-then murdering them, without leaving a trace of evidence. FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer but is always two steps behind. He has no idea how or why he chooses families and why they are staged. Stark is forced to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier, who claims to be a remote viewer who sees things remotely as if they were right in front of him. Stark thinks he’s a con and doesn’t trust him, until he’s able to see things that Stark can’t explain. But will they be able to catch this killer before he strikes again?

This was a chilling book, as you would expect since it’s about a serial killer who targets families. But it’s also fascinating to watch Stark and Garnier try to stop the killer. Just how did he get such abilities and at what cost? I mostly listened to the audiobook of this one and the narration made it even more creepy – I was glued. It ended with a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next in this series! If you like dark crime books, you’ll love this one.

This was another "new to me" author. The plot of this book was an interesting one. We get to meet our MMC - FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark after he has been after a certain serial killer for the past 18 months. We are slowly given snippets of his back story and begin to learn that he spends most of his life on the road trying to stop the next killing. Other tidbits are dropped in our lap that just dangle - things we know are going to be important later on....like the fact that his father is a convicted murderer who is in prison......yep, you just KNEW that was going to come into play some time.

Anyway, THIS serial killer has kept everyone stumped and after another family is murdered, he is given a "partner" by his superiors. This new guy -Gilles Garnier - supposedly can do this thing called "remote viewing" which is almost like live streaming an event from far away. Think of having a camera on someone and being able to see what they are doing in real time. Stark is more of a fact guy and has a hard time believing any of this. Honestly, TOO much time was spent with Stark not believing in Garnier's ability - to the point where it became annoying. I mean, if I was trying to find this killer, I don't care how I got the info as long as I was getting new info that could possibly be helpful....but that's just me.

Anyway, the farther we get down this road, more things come to light and we discover there was a reason that Garnier is there to help him. Lots of things are uncovered and things were never what they seemed.

I did enjoy this story. I was able to listen to this audio ARC by Ari Fliakos and I felt like he did a great job creating the right dynamic as the story unfolds. There is a lot going on at the end of the book and while I understand that he was trying to set up the next book - the ending to me felt rushed and extremely unclear. After all that happened, it was disappointing to not have a clear definitive ending and to be confused - at least for me.

Thank you To NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks for the opportunity to listen to and review this audio ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone. This book will be out for publication on April 08, 2025.

This is a dark and gripping story about the the fallout from a clandestine US government programme and the brutality of a serial killer.

Investigating a harrowing series of murders, where family members are killed and left posed in a chilling tableau of family life, Detective Stark discovers that a new partner who has been foisted upon him has some psychic powers that he struggles to believe in. But whether or not Stark believes in what Garnier is offering, he needs his help.

This story contains some graphic violence, so is not for the faint hearted, but the truly original story line and fast paced action will probably appeal to other readers of thrillers as much as it did to me. Well worth checking out!

A brutal serial killer is terrorizing families, and the FBI is no closer to catching them. Special Agent Lukas Stark is assigned to the case, but his investigation takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to work with Giles Garnier—a man who claims to be a "remote viewer," able to see people and events happening in real time from a distance.

Stark is skeptical, but as the body count rises, he’s left with no choice but to accept that Garnier’s abilities may be real. Even more disturbing, it becomes clear that the killer might possess the same abilities—and a dark connection to Garnier’s past.

This book checked all the boxes for me—it was dark, intense, disturbing, and unique. The level of graphic detail and psychological depth made it exactly the kind of crime thriller I love. The eerie concept of remote viewing added an original twist, making the investigation feel even more unsettling.

The pacing is relentless, and I couldn’t put it down, especially when reading the second part on a late-night flight to Japan—talk about a perfect setting to heighten the chills! That said, I had a few issues, particularly with how the FBI’s handling of the case felt a bit unrealistic. Given the severity of the killings, it seemed odd that Stark was working alone rather than leading a full team.

A gripping, intense, and chilling crime novel with a supernatural edge. If you’re fascinated by remote viewing and love dark thrillers, this will be right up your alley. While I’m eager for the next book, I’m not entirely convinced I’ll stick with the series long-term. A solid start, but with some logic gaps.

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer for eighteen months, but he feels no closer figuring out why the killer manipulates the scene as he does. When the boss forces Stark to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier, will he temper his resentment when realizing that Garnier has certain abilities that might help? Though Stark does not believe that remote viewing is real, it is undeniable that Garnier's talent is worth a second look.

As a big fan of mystery thrillers, especially police procedurals with characters of differing abilities, I could not help but find some comparison to Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz. Garnier has no parents, taken at around 4 and trained to remote view situations. He, and the other 5 like him, are not given names - just a single letter. Orphan X has no parents, taken from a foster placement to train to be an assassin. He, and the other kids, are given only a single letter for a name. Considering the fact that the first Orphan X book came out in 2016, I would think that author Eric Rickstad could have been more mindful in creating his characters here.

Additionally, it does not seem likely that the boss would have thrown Garnier into a case without briefing him on basic procedures. The fact that the man contaminates the scene more than once because he is not taught the basics does not seem plausible to me.

The audio version of the book is narrated by Ari Fliakos, who does a great job of selling the characters. He does a good job of conveying urgency and command with his voice, bringing the characters to life. The strength of the narration is the only reason why I finished the book.

Overall, the pacing of the novel was good and the narration was top notch. I had some issues with the novel, which I outlined above, and I would be hesitant to recommend the novel because of that.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to review this novel was entirely my own.