Did that reviewer seriously highlight and count every use of the word “puzzle” when she could’ve simply searched the book to see how often it appeared? I’m getting to book just to search it. Also, like Ava Strong, Molly Black, Kate Bold, these books are turned out by multiple authors who don’t give two hoots about any of these reviews.

Quite interesting read and the characters were well thought out. I am going to get the next because I find myself intrigued by how they flesh out.

Disclaimer: This will be a long review, so beware! After 295 highlights in this book, I can confidently say that this book is a good 2 stars, and I will explain more. I got this book for free in Apple Books. The previous book I had read by this author was called "Her Last Wish: Rachel Gift, FBI". That book was much better. This book is about Amber Young, a puzzles editor for Washington News. She creates puzzles; her whole life is puzzles, chess, board games, etc. I highlighted every single time the word "puzzle", "puzzles", or "puzzler" was said: roughly 250 times. I repeat, 250 times. The book is almost 200 pages. I'm not that good at math, but that means the word "puzzle" was featured at least 1.25 times a page. You know, there is a thing called synonyms. Despite the fact that I had to read the word "puzzle" over and over again, this is a recurring theme in this book. Words get repeated. Like the word "killer" which was said roughly 146 times. Nevermind that the serial killer's name (granted by the press) was quite original: The Puzzle Killer. I would have never thought of that! This book critique may sound harsh, but it must be done for the good of reading. This book is just one of many "mass marketed" books that are regurgitated plot lines. The twist did catch me off guard, so hats off to the author on that. But there are some plot devices that make this story all too convenient and coincidental. Example 1: the entire character of Simon, the FBI agent. Simon is boring. We have no backstory about him, and I couldn't name one interaction in which he has a little personality. Want me to name some characteristics about him? Sure, I'll try. 1. Repeats back the same question after Amber Young says something 2. Constantly nags Amber to solve the puzzles 3. Only arrives to crime scenes alone (with no backup) -- how realistic! 4. Arrests the first person he sees 5. Takes everyone's word for what it is The reason Simon is the perfect plot device is because he's the one providing the stress and resources to take down the serial killer. But the only thing he does is sit around until Amber can solve it. Never even mentions the thought, "Hey, we should check if there were any cameras in the area!" Nope. He leaves that all on Detective Kale, the local detective in charge of the case, who of course acts like the most uptight person ever (for good reason). Example 2: the seemingly convenient Puzzle App To solve the puzzles and catch the killer, Amber uses an app that is apparently popular among the puzzling community. This app spits out coordinates in Washington based on 3 or more words put in. Wow, how convenient... Looks like this author doesn't know what Google Maps and an address is! Example 3: Henry, Amber's boss at Washington News Henry is another one of those characters that moves the plot along. He is constantly nagging Amber to come back to work, despite the fact that she is working alongside the FBI. The only reason he exists is to make Amber self-conscious and scared. Example 4: the mysterious poison and antidote I hope I am not spoiling too much of this, but at each crime scene a victim is injected with a mysterious poison. The only symptoms we know of this "poison" is that it makes the victim's throats close up, if not injected with antidote fast enough, and lethargic. That's it. What could it be? Rat poison for all I know! This book has aggravated me to no end. No one talks to each other like this. My favorite character is the literal serial killer. He has motive and seems to be like a nice guy caught in a nervous breakdown. I get to hear more about his backstory and can literally provide a better synopsis on his character than any other one. Amber Young has to be the dumbest person ever. The book is constantly explaining (in dialogue) why the characters are doing what they are doing. In short, the answers are up front. People who read this book probably already know the answer to some of these problems. Like why they should rush someone to a hospital, which Simon claims is something an FBI agent would think of (it's not). When Amber is chasing down a suspect, she says she runs every day and is fast. Okay... but like we never see her run ever. Like at all in the entire book? How convenient... Even the descriptions of buildings and places is so vague, that if you asked me to draw one of the many abandoned buildings and houses they go to, I would draw a box with a roof. Literally Amber describes one of them by saying, "The building was large and blocky". So, are we in Minecraft now? Amber is, also, the quirkiest girl you will ever meet! She is constantly saying how many puzzles she does. She eats, sleeps, and breathes puzzles. She's stressed? She does a crossword! She has some down time? She does a chess game! It's endless, and I am so tired of the laziness in writing that this author has achieved. Last but not least, the entire character list falls short of hitting home. You can't connect to any of these characters. You have no defining characteristics and the story is flat at it's surface. Please do not read this book if you have the choice. And if you do read it, just know that it's free for a reason.

Really enjoyed this book. Thanks k

Enjoyed reading . Good characters. It’s more of a light mystery but worth the read

Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing and interested in what happened next.

East fast entertainment

A terrific mystery that was definitely a page turner.

I read this book in one four-hour setting. Kept me interested and consumed the whole time. GREAT READ!!!!

Loved the new series. Great storyline