Into the Black Nowhere

***CRACK***

That is the sound of Meg Gardiner hitting it out of the ball park once again!!!! She has delivered another well-written, edge of your seat, page turning book that gets your heart beating and one’s pulse elevated.

FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix, who we first met in UNSUB, is now facing off against another serial killer. In Southern Texas, women are going missing from various locations. Caitlin and the FBI discover two women’s bodies in the woods after receiving a phone call from a woman whose dog has come home carrying a bloody piece of clothing. Both women’s bodies have been staged and are wearing white nightgowns surrounded by Polaroid pictures.

To find the serial killer, Caitlin must bet into his mind but by doing so, is she also letting him into her mind as well? After a phone tip, Caitlin believes she has a suspect, but this individual brings her to the attention of another person of interest. A person so arrogant, so intelligent, so cunning, so crafty that Caitlin and the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit will have to dedicate every waking hour to trailing and bringing down this killer. But will they be able to stop a man who always seems to be step ahead of them?

This book, just like its predecessor UNSUB, had me at page one and did not let go. Caitlin continues to be a strong female lead who will not stop when it comes to bringing criminals to justice. She is dedicated to her job and in this book, we also see her trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, Sean, who is also an agent who specializes in bombs and works on the opposite coast.

One thing I really like about Gardiner’s books is that her characters are strong yet flawed. She also can present the investigation in an interesting and intelligent manner. Her plots are very well thought out, and the pacing of the story is spot on. Nothing feels rushed nor drawn out in this book. There was never a point, where I felt bored and wished the story would hurry along. Having worked with serial killers, I will say that I am very impressed with her portrayal of them in her books.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I want to know what exactly was going on the night Caitlin called her friend and she was with Sean…hmmmmm…yes, they have history but why didn’t she come right out and say, “Sean and I are having drinks” made things a little suspicious. Looking forward to learning who is safe in book 3, more character development, will Caitlin and Sean work a case together in the next book?????? I have no idea, but I can’t wait to find out!!!!!!!

**the killer in this book was inspired by Ted Bundy. I wonder who the inspiration will be for her next killer?

Thank you to Penguin Book Dutton and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.