Night Fall

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Pub Date 30 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 15 May 2021
Bethany House | Bethany House Publishers

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Description

Now that Alexandra "Alex" Donovan is finally free of her troubled upbringing, she's able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Kansas and Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains traveling across the country--all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve the case while battling her own weaknesses, Alex must face how far she'll go--and what she's willing to risk--to put a stop to the Train Killer.

Now that Alexandra "Alex" Donovan is finally free of her troubled upbringing, she's able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite...


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ISBN 9780764237638
PRICE $16.99 (USD)
PAGES 336

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Average rating from 78 members


Featured Reviews

NIGHT FALL by NANCY MEHL is a nail biting thriller which I guarantee you will not be able to put down! It is also a novel which clearly shows the truth of God's unchanging Word as opposed to the lies in The Book, which are followed by a cult called the Circle.
Alex Donovan was brought up by her eccentric aunt who is a member of the Circle and who used to read her chilling accounts of angels and demons from her copy of The Book. Alex is now a profiler for the FBI and this knowledge from her past helps in trying to prevent the Train Man, Adam Walker, from murdering any more victims and from letting loose a deadly virus.
Both Adam and Alex had stressful childhoods, but, in spite of a germ phobia and PTSD, Alex has made a success of her life. She is not sure what to think about God, though, and asks many questions of her Christian colleague Logan. Will she call on the Lord when she gets in over her head?
It is a great read with a strong plot and some interesting characters. I highly recommend Night Fall for anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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Nancy Mehl has done it again, this is a riveting read, and once you start you won't want to put it down, not without answers.
We are given two examples of what happens to us as children, forms us into the adults we become, and it can go either way, good vs evil.
Our girl has chosen good and now a Behavior Analysis, you will cringe at what happened to her as a child, but she has now gifted her talents to the FBI. Now, the evil one has made this one even more personal, and most of mankind is counting on her and others to save them.
There was one person that I had suspicion about, but put in the back of my mind, so it was a wow, when they appeared on the side of the evil one.
As the murder count mounts, will Alex and the other agents succeed in thwarting the destruction that is planned, and will she begin trusting God? Answers come, and we hope they are what we are for good!
This book is part of a new series, and now I can't wait for the next read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

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Nancy Mehl has quickly become one of my absolute favorite suspense writers. I love her focus on profiling and find it adds a new element to much of the suspense writing out there. In Night Fall, Mehl has written an intriguing story about BAU profiler Alex Donavan as she works to untangle her troubled past from the new case she's been handed. Night Fall also takes a unique approach because we find out who the perpetrator is from the beginning. While that took one element of suspense out of the story, I truly enjoyed getting to really see the perpetrator's process and thoughts as he committed his crimes. And truly, there was a twist at the end that I hadn't seen coming.

I would say this story has less action than most suspense stories, but it felt much more true to a criminal profiling job than we see on television or in most books. This is the first book I've read with COVID-19 in it, and I hadn't been prepared to read about that in this story. However, it doesn't come into play in such a way as to feel like it's taking over the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I read it in two days and I can't wait to read more about Alex Donavan!

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Nancy Mehl is one of my favorite Christian Suspense Authors. Her newest novel Night Fall is the first book in the Quantico Files Series. From the very first page I was captivated and couldn't wait to see how it ended. The pace is steady with plenty of mystery. This one is a little different as you know who did it from the beginning, but there is still plenty of mystery.

I also love the message that this brings. It doesn't matter how you were raised, you can choose to rise above your circumstance or you can fall into the same pattern of those who raised you. It takes a brave and strong woman to be a better person in spite of her circumstances.

Alexandra (Alex) though she was free from her troubled upbringing. No one knows about her past and that is just the way she likes it. She is living out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. She has just become a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, when the Kansas and Missouri authorities contacts them about bodies found on freight trains traveling across the country--all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced into confronting her past in her new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, KS, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve the case while battling her own weaknesses, Alex must face how far she'll go and what she's willing to risk to put a stop to the train killer.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Okay, I’m presenting you with yet another opportunity to learn from my mistakes! 🤦🏽‍♀️ Do NOT under any circumstances read the first 8 chapters of this book late at night, alone, in the dark!! Unless of course you want to not be able to sleep!😂

That said, this book is not THAT creepy! It’s just that it starts with introducing you to the bad guy and his weird, disturbing, cultish upbringing. Once you get past the start, the creepy level calms down a bit. It’s slightly creepy, of course, since we’re dealing with a serial killer, but not too bad. I’d place it as very similar to her Kaely Quinn series if you’ve read those. If you haven’t, it’s creepier than your typical romantic suspense, but not as creepy as a Ted Dekker novel...

I loved the unique approach to a suspense storyline. She introduces us to the bad guy straight up and we meet the investigators second. Both we and the investigators know who the bad guy is from the get go - they just need to find him. One would think that might take the suspense out of the storyline - trust me, it does no such thing!! There are definitely still plenty of twists and turns & even some total blindsides for good measure!

I may have randomly guessed a couple of the big ones, but that I don’t think it was anything about the book or the writing that gave it away. It was just my overactive, well acquainted with suspense brain going ‘what if..?’ And turning out to be correct! 🤦🏽‍♀️😂 haha oops, totally accidentally destroyed a jaw-dropping twist for myself, but oh well... I still enjoyed finding out I was right! Lol!

I recommend for sure. You’ll definitely like this one if you enjoy romantic suspense, particularly if you enjoy the more psychological and/or lighter on romance end of romantic suspense.

A massive thank you @bethanyhousefiction and @netgalley for the ARC. I was only required to provide an honest review in return.

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This is the first book in the author's Quantico Files series; it focuses on PTSD, cults, and even biological and spiritual warfare

Alex Donovan has finally realized her long-held dream of joining the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit when she is put on a case that throws her right back into a traumatic part of her past she is desperate to forget. However, her connection to the cult and subsequent insight into the inner workings of their suspect's mind are crucial to stopping him before hundreds of thousands - or even millions - of people die.

There are a few twists and turns, and the psychology is interesting. Although I did figure out part of the mystery early on, it didn't spoil anything. I am excited to read the next book in this series.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Nancy Mehl does it again!! Her murder mysteries are fantastic and I have read several of her books and series. She’s often uses Christians as the heroes so this book is no different from her others. I enjoy her play between light and dark, reminding us all that we’re in a spiritual war. I would recommend this book for all ages as it’s clean enough for younger readers. Amazing characters and plot development, I was never bored!

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This is a fast paced story about Alex and Logan, two FBI profiling agents who are partners in a race against time to locate a cult member who is murdering people and is set to release a deadly virus that will kill millions of people. The investigation location is Wichita KS and Kansas City, MO. The characters are well developed and the plot is well thought out. It was a nailbiter.

Nancy Mehl never disappoints.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

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“Nightfall” by Nancy Mehl was an excellent read! I loved the suspense in this book, although it was a little scary at times!

This book follows FBI agent, Alex Donovan. Alex had a very rough childhood. She joined the FBI to run from that childhood. Now, her childhood is coming back to haunt her as she, along with other agents, tries to solve the “Train Man” mystery.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy good, clean, suspenseful novels.

I received this book from the publisher for my honest opinion.

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I read this book in a day - I could not put it down. The characters were interesting and 3 dimensional which added to my enjoyment of the book. Since this is the first book in the series, it will be interesting to see if the author continues to develop these characters like I suspect she will.

This book was a great read. I will be rushing out to get the next book in the series. I got this one free in exchange for an honest review. This is one I'd be definitely happy spending my money on.

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I love the uniqueness of the storyline, how the antagonist came to think of himself as he did showcased Nancy Mehl's ability to write a truly terrifying story that thrills the reader. Night Fall shows that we all have choices, it's what we do with our choices that decide who we become. Adam and Alex are on opposite sides of the battle, though their upbringings were similar, they became distinct individuals, and the good versus evil rang strong and true in this tale. I enjoyed the spiritual nudges throughout the book as the Train Man shows his scorn for Christians and Alex struggles to reconcile a God who she believes has ignored her. Alex's refusal to believe in God and the challenges she faces make her a character you want to get to know, and I can't wait to see what happens next for this FBI BAU agent. It's bound to be a wild ride. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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The best so far! Alex Donovan had one dream growing up to be a member of the FBI's elite Behavior Analysis Unit. She thought she had left her past behind her until a case involving the BAU brings her back to her nightmares. Alex and her team must race against time to find "The Train Man" before he kills again and unleashes a deadly virus. This book is fast paced, full of intrigue and danger. We get to see what the life of a BAU agent is like firsthand. I cannot wait to read book 2 in The Quantico Files.

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This is a fast read and fantastic. I loved getting to know Alex and the rest of the BAU. I have always loved hearing and watching shows and books that have things that talk about how criminals are caught. This gets into the thoughts of the killer. It was interesting to see how other people can get in to strange beliefs. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

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Another great read by Nancy Mehl! In fact, I like Alex better than I liked Kaely! One thing I really like about this story is that there's not a lot of romance. Another is there's a good amount of suspense. I like the plot, even if it's a bit disturbing at times. A good book for anyone who likes mystery and suspense without a lot of mushy stuff. ;)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Nancy Mehl’s latest thriller is both solidly Christian and somewhat creepy.

Adam Walker and Alex Donovan were raised in very similar situations: broken homes who were committed to following the Book, the basis for a cult known as The Circle. Yet they turned out very differently because of the choices they made during their lives.

God was working in both their lives. Both would hear his voice, but only one would listen. As the plot makes clear: God loves everyone, but each must individually respond to that love.

These themes are explored in a story that takes the reader from Washington DC to Kansas City KS to Ethiopia. The danger is real and the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit will need to work hard to discover the source of the threat and stop it before millions are killed.

Though it picks up many of the ideas that are familiar to those who watch Criminal Minds on TV, the characters are decidedly different. At the same time, the book echoes some of the creepier stories from that show. Unlike the TV show, the book clearly demonstrates God working in the lives of all who put their trust in Him. I give the book 4 stars.
_____________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

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Alex Donavan has learned to leave her past behind. As an elite FBI agent in the Behavioral Analysis Unit, all her dreams have come true. But when authorities in Missouri contact the BAU about a series of murders, Alex’s nightmares come rushing back.

Can Alex and her team get ahead of the Train Man and stop his plot to bring destruction to the world before it’s too late?

Why I Liked this Book

Mehl knows how to suck a reader into suspense faster than a car spinning on black ice. A protagonist with a troubled background, a strange cult, and deep questions about good and evil keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

The author also avoids cardboard antagonists and spends time helping the reader understand what drives people to act the way they do. Matters of faith arise naturally, and the protagonist starts off more agnostic than anything else. I’d share this book with anyone who loves good suspense, no matter what their spiritual beliefs. Fans of Carrie Stuart Parks, Lynette Eason, and Colleen Coble will love this book.

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When she's assigned this new case Alex is forced to face her own childhood trauma. Things she thought she had under control surface when she's confronted with the house and the cult of her teenage years. This cult, the Circle, has damaged not only the killer. Alex's insight in his way of thinking might be the only chance to stop him.
Aside from the threat to the world the comparison and similarities between "The Book" and the Bible are stunningly brought into the story.
The story is set after Covid 19 and the threat of a deadly virus talks right into our times.
This novel is so excellently written that I'll ignore the logical gap at the end regarding the virus.

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This is a Christian romance and shows how a person deals with their past. This is the first in her Quantico Files series. This book has cult connections, FBI profilers, and past childhood trauma. I was surprised by the ending

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I'm a huge fan of police procedurals, thrillers, etc. and this was the first time I've read a story with an FBI main character. How did I wait so long? I loved the story. Night Fall had that criminal minds vibe where they're chasing the bad guy and you're seeing a glimpse of his life and it was absolutely chilling.

I was really intrigued by the cult lifestyle, I always find something so out of the ordinary for me to be fascinating. There was also the perspective of how it effected our main characters life as well as the villain's and shone a light on the good and dark within us and how we choose to let those situations effect us and our lives.

My only real note was that there was a large religious undertone with I hadn't expected. This was my first read from Nancy Mehl and after a little goodreads research I believe most of her novels have that, which I understand now but personally was a bit off putting going in not knowing that and makes it a bit harder to pinpoint who I would recommend these books to.

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I enjoyed this book a lot. Alexandra is finally fulfilling her dream of being an analyst for the FBI's behavioral analysis unit. However, her dream quickly becomes a nightmare when she is forced to reenter a world she hoped to never even think about again. "Alex" reminded me of Kaely Quinn of the "Kaely Quinn Profiler" series in that she seems to have a tenuous hold on her sanity. Alex is afraid to get help because she doesn't want it to affect her reputation or her work.

The characters were believable and real. I especially liked Logan and Alex. They have a good, trusting work relationship that dips into the personal at times. The suspense and urgency were great. It's a true race against time to stop the world from facing another major crisis. There are twists and turns, some were easy to spot while others were not. It was a great read. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Am intriguing idea of a cult with a prophecy a man believes he must fulfill. Add in a heroine who has fought hard to overcome her past and a hero who stays by her side and truly sees her and it’s a compelling read for those who like suspense with a hint of romance and a side of faith.

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Alexandra "Alex" Donovan has overcome her past and now is a member of the FBI's elite Behavior Analysis Unit. When bodies all killed in the same way are found on freight trains traveling across the country, the BAU is called in. Alex immediately recognizes the graffiti message the killer is leaving on the train cars and realizes she will have to confront her past in this new job.

As usual, Nancy Mehl fills her pages with twists, turns, and surprise endings that keep you turning pages until you have finished the book. Words like haunting, intense, thrilling and chilling all came to mind as I was reading. Her partner, Logan Heart, was a kind-hearted young man who stood beside Alex as they fought to track down this psychopathic serial killer. The author's detailed research shows up in her understanding of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety attacks. The romance plays a very light thread in the background, and it will be interesting to see if it develops further in the series.

I definitely recommend this intense suspense for those who like page turners!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

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Night Fall is an intense story. Alex Donovan works for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. Her current case is to profile a serial killer, whose cult-like delusions make him dangerous. He’s got a deadly virus in his possession and his ritualistic killings are ramping up. The case brings Alex back to her childhood, where she was raised with the very same ideology of the cult. Logan Hart is her partner, and the two team up to stop the killer. But Alex has to battle with her own demons to get inside the killer’s head.

This book is not for the faint of heart. There are several points of view, including the killer’s. Alex deals with her past which was quite disturbing. Not much in the way of romance, so hopefully there will be more between Alex and Logan in book two. The story is fast-paced and a fantastic suspense novel. Be sure to check it out!

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)


I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Overall, I enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down! While I was surprised that the pacing was a little different from previous stories I have read by Nancy Mehl, I liked the twists and turns and how she still managed to throw some surprises in, despite the FBI having the name of the man behind the murders for most of the book. I look forward to reading more of Alex's story!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest review

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Reviewer: Donna Feyen
Night Fall by Nancy Mehl was a fabulous start to the new series; Quantico Files. In this series we follow FBI agent Alexandra (Alex) as she solves a truly frightening case.

I loved Logan (Preacher). He was one of her FBI partners. The dialogue is fantastic and I love how they think through the case trying to solve it.

Alex is dealing with some issues from her past and I cannot wait to see how they continue to play out in the series.

Mehl once again proves she is at the pinnacle of Christian romantic suspense. Night Fall is filled with characters you’ll come to love and scenes that will have you holding your breath and quite possible a plot twist or surprise here and there.

I an a new Mehl fan and cannot wait to go back and read more of her previous books.

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I am so excited that the author has started a new series. She is one of my go to authors for intrigue and suspense stories. This book delivers a heart pounding story that starts off with terrifying action. I felt my skin crawl as I began the book and realized I would not be able to put the book down until I finished it.

The author never disappoints me as she has a gift for writing intense stories that has a message of faith firmly planted in the story. I was intrigued by the story that focused on a cult that believes in everything that goes against Christianity. It delves into a world that is delusional and has followers that are deceived. I could visualize the entire story as the author uses her gift of storytelling.

Alex is my new favorite hero as she faces her past in a race to capture the person who wants to unleash a deadly virus. It is reminiscent of what the world faced recently with COVID 19. How scary it is to think that someone is so sinister to want to destroy others? Alex must face her biggest fear as she unravels the mystery of who the unsub is.

I liked the reference to Criminal Minds as this book reminds me of that show. The FBI has their hands full trying to keep one step ahead of the person who must fulfill his prophecy. I thought The Book the author referred to in the story was brilliant. Her imagination is incredible as The Book becomes the focal point of the investigation. The author gives us curve balls in the story and shocked me with the ending. I am happy to know that there will be a second book coming in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. The review is my own opinion.

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This FBI suspense novel revolves around several psychological issues. The main characters, Alex and Logan, are with the behavioral unit of the FBI. They would generally provide a profile of the villain. In this novel, the identity of the villain is soon known so they work on understanding his actions and character with a view to preventing further murders. Another area of psychological exploration is cult involvement. Alex had been exposed to a weird cult as a teen. While she had escaped that situation, it all comes back on her when she realizes their villain is a member of that same cult. Alex also has PTSD from teen experiences she is still trying to manage.

Another deeply explored issue is the relationship between Christianity and cult belief. We find out how cults can begin and generate associated literature. Cult beliefs are frequently contrasted to beliefs of Christianity in this novel. There is a very clear Christian message included. It is not subtle as the gospel is explained several times.

Another interesting aspect of the plot is the possibility of killing many with an airborne virus. That is a timely subject as the world is still in the midst of fighting a pandemic.

While most of the novel deals with psychological issues, there is some suspense. I was a bit disappointed when the suspense was prefaced by a thought of Alex. “This might be the dumbest thing she'd ever done.” ((3332/3990) No surprise suspense followed. There are some good twists near the end and a revelation that was not surprising.

This is a good novel for readers who like an FBI plot centering on profiling and other psychological issues. I liked it and will be looking for the next in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher, My comments are an independent and honest review.

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I received this ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve enjoyed Mehl Karly Quinn series and decided to check out her new series featuring Alexandra Donovan. This is a story that brings forth the concept of God, Angels and Demons plus the idea of even more of a devasting virus that could kill ¾ of the U.S. population. Alexandra (Alex) Donovan has finally been asked to join the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit which has been her dream, since she was a teenager. Her first case as lead is to put together a profile of a killer that has killed multiple times and left their bodies on freight trains. As they are sent some of the messages left behind by the killer, Alex recognizes these messages from the teachings her Aunt to give her from 12-14 years when she asked her to stop. These teachings came out of “The Book” which was something like the bible. This group of people that follow the “The Book” are called “The Circle” which practice a cult like religion. They believe that you are either an angel or a demon in this society. Once Alex realizes that this case is all about destroyer and destroying millions of people, she says they need to visit her aunt and get the book, to see what it says, so that they can find the killer. Before they can even start to fly to Kansas, they find out that a viral of highly dangerous virus has been stolen. There isn’t a cure for this virus instead. Putting facts together they realize both cases connect. It then becomes a race with time to catch the murderer and find the virus before it is release on unsuspecting people.

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5 Stars: 5/5 Star Rating
Wow! Nancy Mehl has really hit a homerun with Night Fall. I love Nancy Mehl's writing and this book is my new favorite novel she has written. This book is totally absorbing. I couldn't get enough of the story. I am a huge fan of shows such as Criminal Minds, and this book totally satisfied my desire to know the amazing, compelling BAU agent as she chases after a serial killer with a time clock ticking. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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I'm trying to separate my negative feelings of all things viruses and covid from this book. That element really "got my hackles up" but if that wasn't in the book, or was a fictional thing instead of my reality, I would find this book excellent so we are going to go with that.

This book surprised me. There was a character who I suspected but while I was right to suspect them, I had no clue what was in store. While we know the identity of the main villain very early on, there are still surprises about their character that are revealed later on.

Alex's character development is interesting and not finished because this is a series where the story is spread out over a few books. She's dealing with childhood trauma that she never handled before and I think it's going to be very interesting to see what happens going forward.

I am excited to see where this goes and VERY excited that Kaely Quinn is going to be involved in book 2!

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I was thinking of taking my time to read this book but that did not work. I was hooked from the first pages.

Pure thrill and action throughout. There was never a dull moment. The characters were stellar. The lipbiting suspense and intrigue throughout.

The author did an amazing, amazing job. She just made herself one of my favourite action/suspense/crime author.

I can't wait for book 2 of this series. What captivated my heart more was how she inculcated the Christian faith into law enforcement so seamlessly and it illustrated how you can hold onto your faith even in the worst of human situations.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion

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Gripping suspense that you won’t want to put down! Nancy Mehl does it again and demonstrates why she has rightfully earned her place at the top of romantic mystery and thrillers. I love the complexities in Alex’s character, namely, her past, and all that it brings to her current situation as a behavioral analyst agent with the FBI. The premise is creative and riveting: A cult that is based on twisted applications of Scripture and what it took for Alex to break free and move on with her life, only to find herself sucked in again. I enjoyed the approach from the very beginning, seeing into the perp’s childhood, and how the character developed from there. A great look into human nature, God’s grace, and how each of us react to circumstances and experiences. I received a copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

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I want to begin my review by saying I love the way Mehl portrays her characters, so life like. I have never read one of her books that I could not give 5 stars, she is tops……..Perhaps you have heard the saying, “we are a product of our raising” That is certainly true in many ways. In Night Fall, Mehl has shown us that one does not have to follow in the footsteps of the one who “raised” he or she. The heroine, Alex Donovan is proof of this. Alex is a young lady who in spite of a horrendous past, goes on to become a member of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. A young lady who still fight battles from time to time to overcome fear and anxiety. Then we have the serial killer who gave in to the horrendous past of his “raising.” The Train Man is a psychopathic serial killer who is somehow linked to Alex’s past in a remote way. Now the thing is….. to find out who he is and where he is and to prevent him from killing more innocent victims. This is certainly a page turner as all of her novels are…..Thanks to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review another great mystery/suspense by Mehl.

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Alex finally has gotten away from everything in her childhood and is part of the FBI. She's part of a special task force that is getting to catch the person responsible for the train murders. But the do that she will have to go back into her childhood once again...

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Night Fall is an intriguing, suspenseful story with a fast-moving plot and compelling characters that drew me in from the beginning and kept me invested until the end. The darkness of the story is lightened by the abundance of Biblical spiritual truths about God’s love and sovereignty. Ms. Mehl is a new author to me, and I find her to be an exceptional storyteller and extensive researcher. I like her smooth, expressive style. I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to other books in the Quantico Files series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I don't get many 5 star ratings, but for me, this one deserved it.
I've read several Nancy Mehl books. They are always fast paced, strong characters, and a wonderful line of redemption. This one was over the top for me.

This is probably the darkest Christian book I've read in awhile. Alex Donovan has to face her past and it's difficult for her on so many levels. The inner turmoil she faces throughout the story are intense. She is a survivor who is strong willed and independent. She's partnered with Logan Hart AKA Preacher. It's a great partnership that challenged both of them. Great dynamics between them.

Again, action-packed story with great characters and enjoyable read start to finish.

Disclaimer: I did receive this book from the publisher via netgalley.com but I was under no obligation to provide a review. All opinions are my own.

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This book was very engaging right from the start. I engaged with the people depicted in the story and related to the issues they faced in a real way. The author used subtle ways to show how we can share our faith without turning people away from God.

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Night Fall
by Nancy Mehl
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance
Pub Date 30 Mar 2021

I am reviewing a copy of Night Fall through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:


Alexandra “Alex” Donovan is finally free of her troubled upbringing, she's able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis unit. Authorities in Kansas and Missouri soon contact them when there are bodies found on a freight train headed across country, everyone of those bodies murdered in the same way.


The one thing Alex never expected was to comfort her past on this new job. But she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. After the Bau sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.


As Alex races against time, while battling her own weaknesses, she must decide what she is willing to risk to put a stop to the train killer.


I give Night Fall five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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4.5 stars
An FBI profiler vs. a creepy cult that brings her disturbing past to light? Yes, please! Needless to say, I was drawn into this story from the very start. FBI agents Alex and Logan are in a race against time to locate and stop the Train Man, who plans a series of murders to be followed by the release of a super-virus.

The faith element in this book is strong. The characters don’t just “preach”--for example, the way Logan lives demonstrates his faith, and the conversations about Christianity come across as genuine--at times where they make good sense in the story. There are legitimate questions posed by non-Christians in the book, and they are addressed at times when the character would be receptive to listening.

In terms of the virus story line, while I did find it interesting, there were just too many references to COVID. (This story takes place post-COVID, and the author references COVID MANY times.) It just felt overused.

There was one twist that was pretty obvious early on, but the final scenes of good vs. evil were definitely satisfying. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of cases Nancy Mehl leads Alex and Logan into next!

Thanks go to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Nancy Mehl knows how to write suspense! I got drawn into this story from the very beginning and was hooked until the last page. I didn't want to put this book down.
I highly recommend this book to anyone.

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This is another unique book by Nancy. I enjoyed that storyline. She deals with a cult that is on a mission. I always find these types of stories interesting. The people are so deceived.

I have a feeling I knew who was behind her aunt’s attack from the beginning but she placed a lot of doubt and have me questioning if I was right or not.

The message of Jesus’ love is woven throughout the book and even though I appreciated that I do see that our theology and doctrine differ (this would not have been the case a year ago). There is no mention of sin and our need to repent only that God love’s us, which is true but his love is so great he forgives us of our sin and this needs to be said because that makes his love even more amazing. I was disappointed that this was completely neglected.

But, aside from that, the story itself was very good and I can’t wait to see what is next in this series.
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A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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NIght Fall
by Nancy Mehl
Publishing Date: March 30, 2021

If you are looking for a great Christian author of suspense you had found it! Our readers really enjoy Nancy Mehl and I try to keep her books on our shelf.
Thanks to her publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. I like to read her books before they are published so I can recommend them to our readers.

4star

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Night Fall by Nancy Mehl is book 1 in the Quantico Files series. I have read other books by this author so I expected great storytelling. This book blew me away. It is probably the best suspenseful book that I have read this year, and I read many, many books. The author put a great deal of research into creating the crimes in this book and the related cultish community that spawned these crimes. This, coupled with the constant suspense and the race against time, makes this book one you won't easily forget. I highly recommend this book to readers of suspense. You will not be disappointed. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

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A new member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, Alex is assigned a case sending her back to her hometown. The terrible memories that she thought she had left there come to surface when she recognizes the graffiti the "Train Killer" has left as his calling card. While hearing the thoughts of the killer and Alex, there is definitely a line between good and evil at work here. Fast paced with surprises, memories best not remembered and twists that kept me turning the pages. It is not one to start before bedtime unless you can't sleep anyway!

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The more Mehl I read, the more I like. She definitely pushes the envelope in the Christian genre by giving us a bone chilling thriller, but ties it with an obvious undertone of hope. I think knowing who the bad guy was from the onset of the book helped curb the "terror " that is generally unacceptable in the Christian genre, while also giving the book a unique element of characterization from the bad guy's point of view.
This book follow the story of the train man, a cult motivated killer who believes he is destined to bring about the end of the world by fueling the fight again angels and demons.
Alex, a behavioral analyst from the FBI is forced to sort our her own demons, as her upbringing was eerily similar to that of the train man. The more she learns about him, the more she must deal with the hauntings of her past.
As always, there was a unique, underlying romance that kept pace with the story, and I look forward to seeing how that plays out in future books.

I received a copy of this book digitally via NetGalley. I also pre-ordered a copy from Baker Book House. I read and reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

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This is book one in The Quantico Files series, so what a great place to start. This book is full of many twist and turns, mystery, suspense and much more.
Alex Donovan thought she left her dramatic childhood behind, however when her job as a BAU agent puts her right back into the middle of it, will she be able to find the answers before it is to late or will her past be more than she can handle?
We meet many interesting FBI agents and I look forward to reading more about them. I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

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Wow, what a way to start off a new series! Nancy Mehl's Night Fall has me impatiently waiting for more in The Quantico Files series!

In this book, we meet FBI behavioral analyst Alex Donovan who is having to come to grips with her troubled childhood being raised by a cult member aunt as this cult comes to focus in a murder investigation. With a plan to fulfill a prophecy that will ultimately lead to a release of a virus more deadly than Covid-19, the race is on in this high paced suspense.

Yes, this is a novel about the potential release of another pandemic... and honestly, that's not going to be for everyone right now. For many of us, books are so often an escape from reality, and so perhaps not everyone will be interested in seeing Covid mentioned during their reading. I totally understand that, and perhaps later on it might be one to revisit. On the other hand though, I think because we are still in the midst of a pandemic, it very much makes the idea of a weaponized virus all that more intense and really helps us as readers feel that drama.

From the start, we know exactly who the primary villain is and what his plan is. While that may take away some of the mystery, I still found myself wanting to see how it all played out...and really dig deeper into the why of why our villain and our hero are the way they are--- given their very difficult (and somewhat similar) upbringings. There were a few twists and turns thrown in to keep things interesting, and while I figured out at least one of those reveals quite early on, it didn't impact my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I found this to be a fantastic read that fans of Christian suspense do not want to miss. I cannot wait to see what comes next!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

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The Quantico Files is set to be an amazing series! To kick it off Nancy Mehl has written Night Fall that is sure to make you not stop reading, keep you on the edge of your seat and even might give you goosebumps… I got them! I give this book 5 stars and cannot wait for the next book! Enjoy!

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I don’t want to give away any of the suspenseful details in this book, so I’ll be careful about what I share in this review. Nancy Mehl is a talented author of Christian suspense fiction, and this book is a great beginning to another series. The story is intense with twists and turns that will keep the reader quickly turning pages to find out what happens next. This storyline moves along at a fast pace and there’s never a good place to stop reading. I love reading clean suspense stories with a theme of faith and this author’s books never disappoints. Looking forward to the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Her past has just come back to haunt them...

Oooh! Just when I was lamenting the end of the Kaely Quinn series here comes Nancy Mehl with a new series that is just as deliciously chilling. Night Fall is the first book in The Quantico Files and it's a real doozy!

If there's one thing that I can always count on with Nancy Mehl it's that her books will be so riveting I won't want to put them down. Night Fall has all of the ingredients imaginable to keep you looking over our shoulder for at least the next week.

Night Fall was one intense read. Serial killers, cult members, and a deadly virus. There are so many threads that you are kept guessing and wondering if you really know what you think you know. Nancy Mehl packed all of the action possible in this book, and, if the rest of The Quantico Files follow in the same vein, I know they will be really good and I can't wait to get my hands on them.

On the slightly grittier side of Christian suspense, Night Fall was a great read and one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any fan of the genre. Nancy Mehl's novels are all just THAT good!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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I love Nancy Mehl's books and was excited she had a new series called, The Quantico Files. The first installment, Night Fall, does not disappoint. Five stars.

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This was a fun follow-up to the Kaely Quinn Profiler trilogy. I enjoyed the fast paced action and writing of this story. A bit darker in tone than the previous books, but I was still intrigued by the plot. I wasn't 100% sold on Alex as a character. I have no true connection to her. I did love Logan and Monty though!

The plot twists with the Circle and Adam Walker were both interesting. The reveal of the second killer was a shocker, but I was also always suspicious of the person from the beginning.

Good cast of characters. I enjoyed seeing Alex learn about God and Logan talk about him.

I'm more excited for the sequel, Dead Fall because Kaely Quinn will be in the book and I adore her.

Overall, I do recommend this book. It was fun to read.

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Having read Nancy Mehl's Kaely Quinn Profiler series, I should have known that she could scare me with how plausible her stories are. Night Fall is book one in The Quantico Files, and she brings to life a "demon" who calls himself the Train Man. In some ways, I'm glad I listened to this one on my daylight walks. If I'd read it before going to sleep at night, I'm not sure sleep would have happened!

Alex Donovan's childhood was cut short when her mother dies, leaving her in the care of her aunt who barely cares for herself. At 9 years of age, Alex becomes the adult in the house - cooking, cleaning, laundering - so that she doesn't have to live with the roaches or the filth her aunt's house had become. Her experiences as a child leave her with some pretty severe OCD behavior, and PTSD. She has finally reached her goal and been assigned to the FBI's Behavioral Analyst Unit, where she can use her skills to hunt the evil that stalks the world.

When bodies start appearing in empty train cars, Alex's team is called in to investigate. No one can make sense of the almost biblical verses that are spray painted in graffiti on each of the cars where a body is found, but Alex recognizes them immediately as something from The Book. Her aunt was a member of, what Alex now knows is, a cult called The Circle. Followers of The Circle would indoctrinate their children by reading from The Book, and her aunt had read it to her. She knows just enough about the Circle to help her team onto the right path, but when they ask her to secure her aunt's copy of The Book, every fear she ever had while living in that house comes roaring back. Can Alex continue to work a case that threatens every scrap of mental strength she has attained over the years?

As The Train Man keeps killing - he has to sacrifice a certain number before he is "allowed" to release his ultimate scourge, meant to kill 1/3 of the world's population - can the Alex and the BAU figure out who his next victim will be before he can make good on releasing his wrath on the world?

Nancy Mehl's books are not for the faint of heart. I think this one was so scary because it was so believable. She writes her deranged killer with a deft hand, even humanizing him by showing how he got to be the way he is. She approaches the many faces of mental illness - through her killer, through Alex's aunt, and through Alex herself - and explores a bit about what factors went into making them the way they were.

Readers who love suspenseful thrillers should always pick up Nancy Mehl's books, and Night Fall is a prime example. I highly recommend!

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