The Third to Die (A Quinn & Costa Thriller, #1)

by Allison Brennan

"The first in Brennan's amazing new thriller series. Dive in and enjoy this nail-biter."--Catherine Coulter, NYT bestselling author of LABYRINTH

An edgy female police detective...An ambitious FBI special agent. Together they are at the heart of the ticking-clock investigation for a psychopathic serial killer. The bond they forge in this crucible sets the stage for high-stakes suspense.

Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage. Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next...

• ISBN13: 9780778309444
• Publish Date: 4 February 2020
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: CA
• Imprint: Mira Books
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 464
• Language: English

Reviews

[Stephanie]

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a ChapterI received this book for free from MIRA in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.





I've really been jonesing for another Max Revere book so when I was given the opportunity to review The Third to Die by Allison Brennan I jumped at the chance! I've been in love with Brennan's writing style since the early days. I'm currently re-reading her first series and plan to attack her back list one book at a time until I'm caught up.

The Third to Die did not disappoint. I was intrigued throughout the whole book. Brennan kept the identity of the killer hidden until she chose to reveal it but we do get insights into his life. I really enjoyed all of the characters. The only complaint that I had is that we didn't get to spend enough time with them. I can't wait to get to know the members of the Mobile Response Team better.

I did find myself getting annoyed with Kara a little bit and I think that's the intention. I really liked her and I understood why she did the things she did but it didn't stop me from being mildly annoyed at times. Matt is going to be a great lead for this team! I think that his intuitiveness is what made me like him. He's also pretty humble while still maintaining alpha male characteristics. Nothing is sexier than a man who is in charge and knows what he wants but doesn't hesitate to ask for help to accomplish his goals.

The tension in this book was amazing! I wanted very much to know everything. As a reader I spent most of my time reacting to the story unfolding for me. It kept me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was happening and more importantly why it was happening. There was one major thing that I knew was going to happen but wasn't sure how it would happen but it didn't stop my reaction when it did happen.

It's no secret that I've always loved Brennan's writing but I really feel like she hit it out of the park with The Third to Die!

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

The Third to Die, the first book in The Mobile Response series, is a chilling tale about a smart, meticulous and twisted killer determined to get revenge against the people he believed wronged him. He would match wits with the members of the FBI’s newly formed Mobile Response Team and local law enforcement, who would find themselves in a race against time to capture him before he could execute his next target.

A riveting read which proved difficult to put down. The story started slow and took its time building up to a thrilling end. The story gave nothing away. I followed the evidence along with the team and got my answers the same time they did.

I thought the characters were well developed, and I had a great time getting to know them. I found Kara’s character intriguing. As an undercover cop, she proved an asset to the Mobile Response Team. Her working with the team was due to her discovery of a murder scene while jogging. A discovery that placed her in the middle of the hunt for a serial killer. She has an interesting past, which played a role in molding her strong, intelligent and maverick personality.

At the time of Kara’s discovery, Mathias Costas was selected to head the Mobile Response Team. At this point, he and Kara’s paths will cross. Mathias proved to be a great leader but did not have the patience for inter-agency politics. He and Kara worked well together

I feel that this book is a spinoff of another series. I came to this conclusion based on the limited background information provided regarding Mathias and his behavioral analyst Catherine. There is history there, which was not fully explored in this book.

I loved how the author blended the personal lives of the characters with the solving the case. I mourned and celebrated with them as a result.

Conclusion / Recommendation
The Third to Die highlighted how easy it was for the criminal mind to unravel when plans go awry. This was an enjoyable read and a great start to the series. Fans of mysteries and police procedurals would enjoy this latest offering from Allison Brennan.