Before the Dawn: A Novel of Romantic Suspense (Killer Instinct, #2)

by Cynthia Eden

The Killer Instinct series from New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden continues as an FBI profiler tracks a case that resurrects ghosts from his past

Ex-SEAL Tucker Frost knows that the world is full of evil. He saw it in the face of his own brother, Jason Frost, a cold, methodical, sadistic killer. A killer Tucker put down with his own hands in order to save Jason's final victim-Dawn Alexander, the only girl who got away from the infamous "Iceman."

It's Tucker's up close and personal experience with evil that's made him perfect for Samantha Dark's experimental profiling division in the FBI. And when women start turning up murdered with the same MO used by the Iceman, Tucker is sent back to Louisiana to investigate.

Ten full years have passed since the night that Tucker faced down his brother...and since he last saw Dawn, his one-time lover. But as Tucker and Dawn grapple with a desire that never died, they must also face the shared shadow from their pasts. Both have the same question-has Jason Frost come back from the dead to hunt again? And this time, will he succeed in killing the victim who got away?

• ISBN10: 0373803214
• ISBN13: 9780373803217
• Publish Date: 25 July 2017
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Hqn
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I had fun with this book. Before the Dawn, the second book in Cynthia Eden’s Killer Instinct series delivered on so many levels. A Second chance romance, suspense, mystery, a strong heroine and a hero who would do anything to protect the woman he loves.

The story started out on an interesting note. Tucker and Dawn, the main characters, shared a friendship which had slowly developed into so much more. However, their love would face the most diabolical test when Tucker’s brother chose Dawn as his next victim. Forced to end his brother’s life to save the woman he loved placed Tucker in a difficult situation. A situation further worsened by Dawn's inability to face Tucker because he looked like his brother, which led to the end of their relationship. Fast forward seven (7) years later: a killer using the same MO as Tucker’s brother has struck. The question on everyone’s mind was, has the Iceman returned or is this the work of a copycat.

Dawn has grown since that fateful day seven (7) years ago. She now works as a Private Investigator. I admired her refusal to be a victim again, and also her strength and determination. Tucker being a member of the FBI’s serial killer task force and because of the nature of the murders and his connection to a serial killer he was chosen to head up the investigation.

He had a horrible childhood, and seeing how his brother turned out had him doubting himself several times. He, however rose above the stigma of his childhood.  I found his refusal to open to Dawn about his past disappointing.

I enjoyed the interaction between Tucker and Dawn. Their reunion may not have been under the best of circumstances, but their love for each other still burned bright as ever. Despite this, they still struggled with the issues which drove them apart all those years ago. Being hunted by a killer didn’t work in their favour either. Despite Dawn being capable of protecting herself, Tucker did not want to leave her unprotected. I loved how she stood her ground and let him know in no uncertain terms that she did not need protection.

I thought I had the identity of the killer figured out, but then the Eden put a wrench in my theory, which threw me off my game for a moment. The killer’s motive proved to be the biggest shock of the story. That I never would have guessed. The journey into his mind proved to be an intense and sometimes scary experience.

Eden delivered an engaging and intense second chance romantic suspense, which r fans of the genre would enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[thebookdisciple]

Mix Criminal Minds with a second chance love story and you have Before the Dawn. You do not have to read book 1 1st in order to enjoy this story; it is a total standalone.

Tucker and Dawn have a seriously messed up past. Dawn was the only victim to escape the serial killer known as the 'Iceman'. At the time, she was a college student with a boyfriend. The killer? Her boyfriends brother, Jason. Tucker saves her, but that is the end of their relationship. Tucker doesn't want to hurt Dawn by being a reminder. Typical man though, he never bothered to ask Dawn what she wanted or felt. He just left. Now, he has quite the tragic past as well, which he never shared with Dawn. Seven years later, a killer is using the Iceman's MO in the city Dawn lives in and Tucker, working for a special unit in the FBI is sent to handle the case putting him back in Dawn's path again.

Dawn has feared that perhaps Jason didn't die and he might be out there, but Tucker doesn't think thats possible. She doesn't want to be left out of the investigation. She works in NOLA as a PI and knows the town well. The mystery of the story is who the killer is. It could be Jason (maybe he never died), or it could literally be almost anyone else. I suspected many different people throughout the story. While the hunt is on, you have the rekindling of the romance between Dawn and Tucker. However, they are both still struggling with the same things that drove them apart before. It was a little annoying that Tucker treated Dawn like a china doll when she obviously wasn't. I appreciated that Dawn expressed herself as much as possible and tried to be honest with Tucker and her struggles. Tucker however, didn't seem to share that same outlook on self expression. Frankly, I was kind of getting annoyed with him.

Like with all of Eden's books I have read, she includes glimpses into the mind of the killer which adds lots of tension. While I am not usually a fan of 3rd person, it works perfectly for romantic suspense books where the antagonist is unknown. Thrilling plot twists, steamy romance, and potent supporting characters makes Before the Dawn a must read romantic suspense!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: serial killer, second chance


• Triggers: Obviously, there is a serial killer in the story and some of the torture is described might be upsetting to some readers.


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert, Deep Dark by Laura Griffin, Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy...then you will probably like Before the Dawn!

 

Before the Dawn

See full review on The Book Disciple