Once Chosen by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 17)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 232

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"A serial killer strikes every Halloween—the bodies of his victims re-surfacing years later—and with Halloween only days away, it is up to FBI Special Agent Riley Paige to stop the killer before he strikes again.

How has this killer gone undetected for so long? How many victims have there really been? And who will he target next?

FBI Special Agent Riley Paige must fend off her own demons and her dysfunctional family life as she races against time to enter the mind of a diabolical killer days away from striking again—one who may even be more brilliant than her.

Can she stop him in time?"

I always got a very good imagination and also I got a lot of imaginary friends but sometimes it can be creepy! Some kids got a very dark "friends" so my point here is that something snap them and after everything goes wrong. 

Like this killer. Not his fault but getting that imaginary friend is a red flag! 

Not only it was also very slow to connect victims and killer it was also slow in the private parte of Riley's life. 

Did I though something will happens and it was just Blake making my heart. work faster? Yes several times! 

Did I like the ending of the serie? No and Yes.

1. Missed something about Jenn. It was to open end for me.
2. Walder situation got me by surprise but no answer about why he hated so much Riley
3. What was the reaction of Riley's family regarding Bill?
4. Ryan is alive or any glance of understanding that he and Riley are really over?

Well it was a good last investigation!

Once Missed by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 16)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 221

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"A serial killer is striking seemingly at random, first killing a man in his 50s, then a woman in her 50s. The only thing that links them is the lone souvenir he took: a dining chair.

What is the meaning? Are the murders random after all?

FBI Special Agent Riley Paige must fend off her own demons and her own dysfunctional family life as she races against time to enter the mind of a diabolical killer who is sure to strike again.

Will she stop him in time?"

You can't be mad over a killer that actually is under Survivor's Guilt Syndrome. 

It is wrong what he's done? yes of course but also he is not in his perfect mind.

It was looong to read this one but probably it was also because the crimes itself was taking longe to make a connection or to find a way to link everything to the killer. 

The last entry got me screaming YES! but after I was wondering: how it will end?

Need to read the last book to check this!

Once Shunned by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 15)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 223

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

"When a serial killer strikes across a series of towns and the only potential witness is unable to speak, it is up to FBI Special Agent Riley Paige to enter the mind of this complex man, and to learn what, if anything, he knows.

What do these victims have in common? What exactly did this man witness?

In this dark psychological suspense thriller, Riley Paige must battle her own demons as she is summoned to solve a crime that leaves all others stumped, one that will force her to enter, too deep, into the mind of a psychopath….."

I was about 50% of the book when I simply got a feeling that Ryan was actually to make a bad choice and guess what? It happened... Did he actually know how to be an adult or did he believe that Riley will be there for him no matter what? (really we got more than proofs that will not gonna happen)

This book is so amazing in the research that Blake have made regarding autism and how people behave and that you have a lot inside this matter. I personally love this subject since it's really interesting! 

Did I though the doctor was the killer? Yes! Everything was pointing but after I realize he was not after that talk with Riley! 

Did I suspect of the killer? Not one second! And to know is motive was really sad since it's clearly the fault of how his own father treated an "imperfection". 

It was a page-turning book and since a lot I was unable to stop reading! 

Once Dormant by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 14)

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 195

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"After lying dormant for 10 years, an elusive serial killer strikes again, leaving few clues—and the only way for FBI Special Agent Riley Paige to catch him in the present is to solve the riddles of the past.

Women are turning up dead, and in this dark psychological thriller, Riley Paige realizes she is in a race against time. The murders of the past were too perplexing to be solved back then. Can Riley solve them 10 years cold? And connect the dots to the present-day crimes?

When Riley finds her personal life in crisis, playing cat and mouse with a brilliant psychopath may just be too much for her. Especially since there is something that is just not sitting right with this case…."

What's worst than a serial killer? I'm telling you: a serial killer with total control of his actions.

And it's what happens here: they guy is so controlled that actually you wish a lot of mess.

I hade no clue who it was until the very precise moment Blake decide to reveal it to me and to Riley!

Regarding the other side of the book: Jilly issue was quite obvious for me probably because I got through it and saw the red flags all over. 

After 1 volume without big switch of scenario it was pleasant to see again Riley's private life going (still in pieces but getting together at least)

Once Trapped by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 13)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 212

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 3⭐

"A wealthy husband turns up dead, and his abused wife is charged with the crime. She calls Riley for help—and yet it seems clear she is guilty.

But when another wealthy, abusive husband turns up dead, the FBI is called in, and FBI special agent Riley Paige wonders: is this all a coincidence? Or could this be the work of a serial killer?

What ensues is a game of cat and mouse, as Riley Paige realizes she is up against a brilliant and unpredictable killer, one without a clear motive—and one determined to keep on killing until he is caught."

I was about 125 pages and development of this case was simply 0. The investigation was stuck in all ways and ever me was not getting on the killer name or in any suspects... 

And from nowhere (about almost 20 pages before ending the book) here comes everything: a break that make everything moving. 

The killer was a total surprise! I was expecting someone like a life-in or security guy but not some complete stranger. And the motive? You can't be mad at the killer because justice was given for that womens.

In regards of the private life of Riley: for once you don't have a lot about it. Sure the first chapters are about Riley and Jilly but only at the end is that you see the family back. It was a pause in all the drama.

This book was just not as perfect as expected that's for sure!

Once Bound by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 12)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 222

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

"Women are being found dead on train tracks across the country, forcing the FBI into a mad race against time to catch the serial killer.

FBI Special Agent Riley Paige may have finally met her match: a sadistic killer, binding victims to the tracks to be killed by incoming trains. A killer smart enough to evade capture across many states - and charming enough to go unseen. She soon learns it will require all of her faculties to enter into his sick mind - a mind which she unsure she wants to enter.

And all with a final twist that is so shocking, even Riley could not expect it"

The blurb last line was about the final twist and guess what.... I was not expecting it at all!!

It's actually a cruel way murder someone because you get several victims: the actual one who die and all the one how was unable to stop the train to avoid it.

It was really not easy to understand the mind of the killer and probably due the fact that the same struggle with that killer impulse. 

Now we have that Aunt Cora coming and actually being noisy... I see no good in this character and hope until book 17 she get a real punishment from Jenn, Riley and Bill!

Regarding the private life of Riley: Ryan is really..... uhmmm.... a stupid bastard 😅 No sympathy for that guy! 

I think Riley now understood and want to make better for all the family: be more present, be the mother Jilly need and make sure to support April in everything.  And it make me 😍 that she is fighting for Jilly and to be happy!

Once Buried by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 11)

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 211

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"A serial killer is killing victims with rapid speed, and in each crime scene, he leaves an unusual signature: an hourglass.

Its sand is designed to fall for 24 hours—and when it's empty, a new victim appears.

Amidst intense media pressure, and in a frantic race against time, FBI Special Agent Riley Paige is summoned, with her new partner, to crack the case. Still reeling from the fallout with Shane, trying to sort out her family life, and to help Bill get back on his feet, Riley’s plate is already full. And as she enters the darkest canals of this twisted killer’s mind, this just may be the case that sets her over the edge."

I personally like hourglasses but the fact of be buried alive? nay nay... I simply think it's one of the most cruel ways to die.... you actually suffer until the last minute.

Riley actually here suffer with the "time effect" of the situation: she realize she have no time for everything: family, love, work, friends,... but it's a good way to see her discovering new suff about herself! 

We have Jenn situation too: how bad it is? How they gonna help her?

I truly hope that Jeffrey comes back to work and they become a badass trio :)

Can't wait for book 12!

Once Lost by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 10)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 252

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"Still reeling from her former partner Lucy’s death and from her partner Bill’s PTSD, FBI Special Agent Riley Paige does her best to try to keep herself stable and to patch together her family life. She has to decide what to about April’s boyfriend, recovering from his abusive father, and about Blaine, who is ready for their relationship to move ahead.

But before she can work it out, Riley is summoned for a new case. In an idyllic suburban town in the Midwest, teenage girls are going missing—and a body has already turned up. The police are stumped, and Riley is called in to catch the killer before another girl goes missing.

Making things worse is that Riley is assigned a partner she does not want—her nemesis, Special agent Roston — who had been interrogating her in Shane’s case.

Even worse: Shane is on the loose, he wants revenge—and he has Riley’s family in his sights."

Ok.... let's put this here (because it need to get out of my mind):

"wait what??!! Like a lunatic? He really wanted to kill her full family?!"

Now we can start... 

I really got lost in this one regarding who is the killer. It was just so sick at the end. How normal and "perfect" people hide such dark secrets and behaviors. 

It was a time that I really got close but after I remembered the prologue and it was a HE so I got confused with myself and let it go...

For Shane... I was expecting him to kidnap the family and make them watch him killing Riley.... not acting like a lunatic guy... but well... that was an open end and I want to know more about it!

Book 11 here I go but first I need a little break from this genre.... 😉

Once Stalked by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 9)

 

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 214

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"When two soldiers are found dead on a huge military base in California, apparently killed by gunshot, military investigators are stumped. Who is killing its soldiers, inside the secure confines of its own base?

And why?

The FBI is called in, and Riley Paige is summoned to take the lead. As Riley finds herself immersed in the military culture, she is amazed to realize that serial killers can strike even here, in the midst of the most secure location on earth.

She finds herself in a frantic cat and mouse chase, racing to decode the killer’s psychology. Yet she soon discovers she is up against a highly-trained killer, one that may, even for her, be too deadly an opponent."

All this Army stuff was...expected. I know that Army go by codes and honor and have more secrets than we can imagine but this book is not a 5 stars because I simply got no answer about the killer! I know the motive but not the rest of the story (of course he is a lonely wolf and that can explain a lot) and I feel some loose points was needed to be done but.... Im not the writer so I only need to accept...

Now.... Shane Hatcher situation: 

I was not hoping this twist but now Im concerned with Riley

I know for sure that Shane will target Riley itself and not the family or anything else. He will use the information and secrets she told him against her because he have a code! 

It will destroy her carrier? Im pretty sure that her image over Bill and Lucy will get a big damage and for love stories too... 

Get that I can only found out in the next volumes

Once Cold by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 8 )

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 215

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

 

"There is one cold case that has plagued Special Agent Riley Paige for her entire career, dwelling at the corners of her consciousness, forcing her to return to it again and again. The only case she has never solved, she has finally put it out of her mind.

Until she gets a call from the murdered victim's mother.

It spurs Riley to face the case once again, and to not give up until she has found answers.

Yet Riley barely has time to catch her breath when she receives a lead for another cold case, one which, if possible, strikes an even deeper note within her. It is a lead that promises to solve the case of her own mother's killer.

And it comes from Shane Hatcher."

In last book I was with 2 big questions: 

1. Ryan is a bastard and Riley, April and Jilly will put him out of theire lifes?

2. Shane Hatcher..... Friend or enemy?

Well question 1 was solved... but question 2 not yet!

This book got a 5 ⭐  rating due the twists and twists but principally due the last one and last chapter.

It's a cold case, a 25 years cold case and I truly believed that the resolution of this was: killer is dead. 

But nooooo... he is alive but quiete! so quiete that when Riley comes with how he looked like I was 😮

Never got that idea at all but I was wondering the eyes stuff.... And it was just a perfect thriller/mystery volume!

The other cold case was another story... I believed that it was Riley's father fault and guess what yes but not as I wanted (I painted that man as true evil but seems he is evil but not that much...for now)

I just hope that the new BAU agent will not face death while trying to find Shane... but for that I need to pick up the book 9!

Once Forsaken by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 7)

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 207

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

"When Special Agent Riley Paige finally decides to take a well-needed rest from the FBI, a request for help comes from the most unlikely source: her own daughter. April's best friend is devastated by the death of her sister, a freshman at Georgetown. Worse, she is convinced that the suicide was staged, and that her sister was murdered at the hands of a serial killer.

Riley reluctantly looks into the case, only to discover that two other freshman girls at Georgetown recently killed themselves in the same grotesque way--by hanging. As she realizes foul play may be afoot, she brings in the FBI. The case takes Riley deep into the privileged campus of one of the world's most esteemed universities, into the unsettling world of the wealthy and driven families that pushed their children to succeed. In time she discovers that this case is far more twisted than it seems--and that she just may be up against the most psychotic killer of her career."

For once we don't have that part of the book where Riley is thrown out of her current case and that's good! 

In this book she is the one who started the investigation against everyone and guess what? She got it correct!

I was thinking that to find the killer will be very hard and in this book we don't have a view from him at all.... no interaction, no indication of stalking or any kind of idea how he is acting or why and it was se same sensation Riley and BAU got.

Probably I developed a certain sense but as soon as the name of the killer appear in the book I knew it was him: it was so.... I don't know how to explain.... As soon as a read the first lines of it I felt that something was fishy! I mean how he know about the drugs or how he got a knife? And the scene of the hospital was too perfect....

And the private life of Riley look like a repeat of the marriage... I have a strong vibe that something bad will happens to her fragile heart regarding Ryan....

Guess I will need to read book 8 to check this theory! 😀

Once Pined by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 6)

Language: English

Format: Paperback

Pages: 265

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 4⭐

Men and women are turning up dead in the outskirts of Seattle, poisoned by a mysterious chemical. When a pattern is discovered and it becomes clear that a twisted serial killer is on the hunt, the FBI calls in their best asset: Special Agent Riley Paige. Riley is urged to return to the line of duty—but Riley, still reeling from the attacks on her family, is loath to return. Yet as bodies mount, and the murders become more inexplicable, Riley knows she has no choice.

The case takes Riley deep into the unsettling world of nursing homes, of hospitals, of drifting caretakers and psychotic patients. As Riley delves deeper into the mind of the murderer, she realizes she is hunting the most terrifying killer of all: one whose madness knows no depths—and yet who may just appear shockingly ordinary.

This one was not my favorite at all and probably i was due the fact that the killer is an "angel of death".

This subject is not one that I personally like the most but also this volume lost a star due the following points:

1. Riley's private life it's a mess for sure and adding Jilly is not helping but her ex-husband coming back and acting as a new men? hum.... nop nop. Something fishy here!
2. Hatcher (the fugitive) is always 1 step in front of Riley all the time and we have no clue how!

Probably it's me but this one was not as excepted... so.... let's move for book 7!

Once Hunted by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 5)

Language: French

Format: Paperback

Pages: 186

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

A prison break from a maximum security prison. Frantic calls from the FBI. Special Agent Riley Paige’s worst nightmare has come true: a serial killer she put away years ago is loose.

And his main target is her.

Riley is used to being the one hunting, but for the first time, she finds herself—and her family—to be the ones being hunted. As the killer stalks her, he also begins a new rampage of kills, and Riley must stop him before it is too late—for the other victims, and for herself.

But this is no ordinary killer. He is too smart, and their game of cat-and-mouse too twisted, and he somehow manages to elude her and always stay one step ahead. Desperate to stop him, Riley realizes there is only one way: she must delve back into the past, into this killer’s twisted mind, his old cases, and re-learn what drives him. The only way to stop him, she realizes, is to face the darkness she thought she had left behind.

This one was just.... slower than the previous but equally good!

This time the professional and private life of Riley are tangled so hard hat is not way to escape to the killer plan.

The first pages was so good to read.... I have smiling when Joel's hand was crushed (that stupid boyfriend of April). After that chapter I was focused in the new killer 😈

I knew after a while that the detective the killer paid was to track April and make sure Riley will just loose it.... but having a 3rd element in that fight was surprising. I never expected that twist of events but somehow  I wanted that twist! 

Now I really want to know why Hatcher is acting like that.. hope in book 6 I have an answer!

Once Lured by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 4)

 

Language: French

Format: Paperback

Pages: 228

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

Women are turning up dead on a lone stretch of highway in Delaware. Some go missing for an inexplicable length of time, while others are turning up dead, their bodies left out for display in bizarre and mysterious ways. When a pattern is discovered, it becomes clear to the FBI that a twisted serial killer is on the hunt—luring girls in devious schemes—and that he won’t stop killing, ever.

The FBI, desperate to crack the case, urges Special Agent Riley Paige to take it on. But the brilliant Riley, still reeling from past cases, has finally found peace in her home life, and is determined to help her daughter April get back on her feet. Yet when the murders become too disturbing, too urgent—and when her former partner Bill implores her—Riley finally realizes she can’t say no.

Riley’s hunt leads her deep into the unsettling world of hitchhikers, of drifters, of women that no one else cares for. When she discovers that several women are being kept alive and that there is still time to save them, she realizes she will stop at nothing, obsessing over the case and driving herself to the brink. Yet Riley realizes her own life is falling apart, and her own fragile psyche can barely handle the strain. In a frantic race against time, she will have to plunge deep into the killer’s mind to save these women—and to save herself—from collapse.

OMG!

So far this one was the PERFECT thriller of this serie!

The way the killer act, the way Blake Pierce actually make sure you didn't notice the true about the killer condition was simply perfect for me! 

It's gore not in the way you have a lot of blood or a carnage but in the way the victims are treated.

Also my gut instinct was right about that boyfriend but never thought it would go so far and that April was so... dumb? But also.... she is a teenager, she is fully in love and will do anything to Joel (that A****) be happy and with her.... 😱😱😱

So I hope Riley kill that guy and that April get out of that place but I need a break for this serie now... because im in shock with the end of this book 😓

Once Craved by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 3)

 

Language: French

Format: Paperback

Pages: 208

Genre: Thriller and Mystery

Rating: 5⭐

When prostitutes turn up dead in Phoenix, not much attention is paid. But when a pattern of disturbing murders is discovered, the local police soon realize a serial killer is on a rampage and they are in way over their heads. Given the unique nature of the crimes, the FBI, called in, knows they will need their most brilliant mind to crack the case: Special Agent Riley Paige.

Riley, recovering from her last case and trying to pick up the pieces of her life, is at first reluctant. But when she learns of the grievous nature of the crimes and realizes the killer will soon strike again, she is compelled. She begins her hunt for the elusive killer and her obsessive nature takes her too far—perhaps too far, this time, to pull herself back from the brink.

Riley’s search leads her into the unsettling world of prostitutes, of broken homes, and shattered dreams. She learns that, even amongst these women, there are glimpses of hope, hope being robbed by a violent psychopath. When a teenage girl is abducted, Riley, in a frantic race against time, struggles to probe the depths of the killer’s mind. But what she discovers leads her to a twist that is too shocking for even her to imagine.

How to explain that I was not surprise but surprised at the same time?

This book have some warning triggers that can make you leave the book there and never picking him up again but it's a reality: kids and teenagers going on prostitution to survive is something that we all know is true but sadly we don't know how to act.

In this one I was very happy to see a bigger changes and events in Riley private life but gosh..... that impression that the daughter's boyfriend is a bad apple never left me so I'm hopping in the next book I can check my guts!

It was disturbing, it was dark, it was a perfect book! 

Once Taken by Blake Pierce (Riley Paige Book 2)

Language: French

Format: Paperback

Pages: 199

Genre: Thriller; Mystery 

Rating: 5⭐

Women are being murdered in upstate New York, their bodies found mysteriously hanging in chains. With the FBI called in, given the bizarre nature of the murders—and the lack of any clues—there is only one agent they can turn to: Special Agent Riley Paige.

Riley, reeling from her last case, is reluctant to take on a new one, since she is still convinced a former serial killer is out there, stalking her. She knows, though, that her ability to enter a serial killer’s mind and her obsessive nature is what will be needed to crack this case, and she just can’t refuse—even if it will push her over the edge.

Riley’s search takes her deep into a killer’s deluded mind as it leads her to orphanages, mental hospitals, prisons, all in an effort to understand the depth of his psychosis. Realizing she is up against a true psychopath, she knows time is short before he strikes again. But with her own job on the line and her own family a target, and with her fragile psyche collapsing, it may all be too much for her—and too late.

I picked this book right after finishing the first one and decide to buy the full collection.... so now im waiting for it to continue this serie! 

My impression was this case of murder was less gore than the previous one. 

I didn't got that same vibe that was present in book 1 however I was very more interested about that former killer and about her relation with her daughter.

Until now and even if 5⭐ this is not one of my favorites of the serie...

Let's see book 3 😉