Into the Black Nowhere: A Novel

Meg Gardiner

Jan 2018 · An UNSUB Novel Book 2 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

From award-winning author Meg Gardiner, co-author of Michael Mann’s Heat 2--In this exhilarating thriller inspired by real-life serial killer Ted Bundy, FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix faces off against a charming, merciless serial killer.

In southern Texas, on Saturday nights, women are disappearing. One vanishes from a movie theater. Another, from her car at a stoplight. A mother is ripped from her home while checking on her baby. Rookie FBI agent Caitlin Hendrix, newly assigned to the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, fears that a serial killer is roaming the dark roads outside Austin.

Caitlin's unit discovers the first victim's body in the woods, laid out in a bloodstained white baby-doll nightgown. A second victim in a white nightie lies deeper in the forest's darkness. Around the bodies, Polaroid photos are stuck in the earth like headstones, picturing other women with their wrists slashed. The women in the woods are not the killer's first victims, nor are they likely to be his last.

To track the UNSUB, Caitlin must get inside his mind; he is a confident, meticulous killer, capable of charming his victims until their guard is down, snatching them in plain sight. He then plays out a twisted fantasy—turning them into dolls for him to possess, control, and ultimately destroy. Caitlin's profile leads the FBI to focus on one man: a charismatic, successful professional who easily gains people's trust. But can they apprehend him before it's too late? As Saturday night approaches, Caitlin and the FBI enter a desperate game of cat and mouse, racing to capture the cunning predator before he claims his next victim.

Ratings and reviews

3.5 stars This thriller opens with a chilling scene that is sure to suck a reader in. From there, it moves quickly to Caitlin and the FBI being called in to hopefully find the missing woman. Knowing a fair amount of Ted Bundy's story, some things in the book were predictable, so the element of surprise was lost. The characters were interesting, but having not read the first book, I was a bit in the dark about some things that were mentioned in this one, and from what I gathered, there were some unresolved issues still hanging in the air from that first book. Regardless, a good cat and mouse chase is always intriguing and I enjoyed this story and it's spine-tingling elements. Without going into details, I will add that the epilogue absolutely threw me for a loop - definitely wasn't expecting that.

Fans will enjoy this newest installment, book number two of the UNSUB series. Into the Black Nowhere by Meg Gardiner is a great nail-biting thriller and I enjoyed every minute of it. My favorite character was Caitlin Hendrix, a member of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. She is a smart tough agent but is realistic when she shows some weakness also. The killer in this novel was so good at reading and manipulating people that he was able to pick up on Caitlin’s weakness during their interaction. I found the book was hard to put down especially when you get to the high-paced and intense “chase” of the killer. Throughout the book the killer toyed with the FBI, drawing them to himself for a showdown at the end. And what a showdown it was! There was no getting bored with this one as the author brilliantly kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Author Meg Gardiner has written a novel that makes for an edgy and exciting read. If you are a fan of well-written crime thrillers then this is a story you don’t want to miss. I would definitely read more from this author and recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller. Four out of five stars for Into the Black Nowhere!!! Thank you Meg Gardiner, Dutton Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book to read.

I purchased this book on my phone & it was a great read! I pulled it out every chance I had. The story line, the character's & the suspense kept me on the edge at every turn of the page. I'm looking forward to purchasing her next read to see what happens next. Meg Gardner...awesome, author!!

About the author

MEG GARDINER is the author of thirteen critically acclaimed novels, including UNSUB and China Lake, which won the Edgar Award. Originally from Santa Barbara, California, she lives in Austin, Texas.