Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals #2

Rating: ★★★★☆

Dates Read: 12/10/23 - 12/11/23

    Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a knack for understanding people, landing her in an FBI program for teens with unique crime-solving abilities. Despite hoping to work on cold cases from a safe distance, Cassie and her team find themselves drawn into a disturbing new challenge.

    A copycat killer emerges, replicating the methods of Dean's incarcerated father. As the Naturals delve into this unsettling case, they must confront personal demons and outsmart the elusive murderer's mind games. Can they navigate the dangerous path laid out by this copycat before it's too late?

    Killer Instinct builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, offering a more gripping narrative, nuanced characters, and a masterfully crafted mystery. In comparison to the first, the writing is also so much better here. Barnes masterfully juggles action and suspense with nuanced character development.

    I really enjoyed seeing more of Lia's caring side in this novel, and she's really starting to grow on me. We also get to meet someone new, Agent Sterling, who just happens to be the FBI Director's daughter and Briggs' ex wife. I absolutely loved her by the end of this. She comes in with a no BS demeanor, but by the end of it, I just wanted to give her a hug. The UNSUB aspect of this novel was so much better than the first to me. I thought I knew what was gonna happen, and then Barnes threw in that final twist. 

    Overall, I enjoyed this one so much more than the first, and knowing that the third book is where they start working on active cases, I think it'll only get better from here.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

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Series Reviews ↓

The Naturals (#1)