The Third to Die: A Novel

Allison Brennan

Feb 2020 · A Quinn & Costa Thriller Book 1 · Sold by MIRA

About this eBook

A notorious serial killer is back

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

Detective Kara Quinn is on an early morning jog in Liberty Lake when she discovers the body of a young nurse. The manner of death reveals a highly controlled rage.

Word quickly reaches FBI special agent Matt Costa that this murder fits the profile of the elusive Triple Killer, who compulsively strikes every three years, targeting three victims, each three days apart. This time they have a chance to stop him. But only if they can decipher the meaning of his pattern to figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he strikes again.

The stakes have never been higher, because if they fail, one of their own team may be next…

Don’t miss THE MISSING WITNESS, the brand-new page-turning thriller from New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan!

A Quinn & Costa Thriller

Book 1: The Third to Die
Book 2: Tell No Lies
Book 3: The Wrong Victim
Book 4: Seven Girls Gone
Book 5: The Missing Witness

Ratings and reviews

The mind of a killer and the way it's detailed in this book is off the chart. This author truly has a way with bringing out that part of her character and it made this read that much more appealing. Kara on vacation, a forced one at that, is sucked into a murder investigation. It just happens to be a serial killer which in turn brings out a newly formed FBI Mobile Response Team. This is the first book in the series and my first read by this author. The mystery/thriller part of the read is beautifully done, includes suspense and yeah the killers pov is part of the mix and what keeps things interesting. This author also includes a ton of detail on the team itself and at times I found myself stretched to remember how they all fit into the story. Then of course the romance is thrown in and while there isn't a cliffhanger it is clear it's a lead to the series. While I enjoyed the story I have to agree with other reviewers that said it felt familiar, not in it being copied just that it wasn't unique. I would like to see where she takes the series and probably will read more of her work.

The Third to Die by Allison Brennan Mobile Response Team #1 Detective Kara Quinn has worked undercover most of her twelve years with the LAPD. She is good at her job but as a result of her last assignment is “on leave” for two weeks and has gone “home” to spend time with her grandmother. Not a woman to sit and relax she is soon assisting the FBI’s Moblie Response Team in finding the Triple Killer. This story has a great deal of police procedural information included as they look for the killer. As this is a new series each of the team of the new MRT has to be introduced and a bit said about them, too. Will they catch their man? Will they be able to save any of the people the killer is out to take the lives of? Will they figure out why the killer kills and why he chooses those he does to murder? Quite an interesting tale but not a happy ever after for everyone. What I liked: * The concept for the team and that it is not quite complete yet * Matt: seems wise and mature enough to be in charge of the team * Kara: dedicated police woman that is a bit of a chameleon. I want to know more about her * The dynamics between the various people working the case * The side story of Catherine the profiler and her situation (though I wonder if she has been in a previous book) * The potential for a relationship between Matt & Kara * The groundwork put in place for the series What I did not like: * The bad guy...what a creep. Toward the end he did sound mentally “younger” than his years...more teenager than adult at times * That some very good people ended up dead at the hands of the serial killer * Having to wait for the second book to find out what the next case will be. Thank you to NetGalley and Mira for the ARC – This is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

The Third to Die is the start of a brand new series by Allison Brennan, and she certainly knows how to build tension. This one pulls you in right out of the gate with the perspective of a serial killer, and from there we get introduced to the key players. The story has good flow, and the tension steadily rises throughout the book. There were a few lags here and there, but overall, the story held my interest and kept me engaged. As the start of a series, the characters that make up the Mobile Response Team are interesting and the type that I'll look forward to seeing again in future books. All in all, this first in the series is well-written, entertaining, and a great intro to the characters. I'll be interested to see where it all goes from here.

About the author

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over forty-five novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.