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.

This was quite a complicated and multifaceted tale with a full cast of compelling, intriguing, and complex characters. I quickly fell into this brilliantly contrived, tautly written, and brain-tickling vortex that alternated between the killer and those doggedly working to find him and end his spree. The storylines packed a visceral punch and were cunningly crafted, quickly paced, and occasionally cringe-worthy. I was rabid to know all the deets about everybody and everything, and even when I knew who the killer was and why - I was still rabid to know how it would resolve. Basically, I was rabid and close to hissing at any interruption of my perusal. Pity my poor little husband. Despite her prolific body of work, this was my first exposure to the shrewd and haunting storytelling and profoundly insightful character development of Allison Brennan. I was an instant fangirl, although I wouldn’t want to get too close as I would imagine her interior life may be a bit scary to inhabit.

Detective Kara Quinn, while on forced leave from the NYPD and visiting her grandmother in another state, she stumbles across the body of a young nurse. Word quickly reaches FBI SA Matt Costa, the new leader of the Mobile Response Team. Matt determines that this is the work of a man they call The Triple Killer. He has killed 6 people over a 6 year time period ... on March 3, March 6 and March 9. Matt means to catch the killer ... if only they can figure out his pattern of death. Quinn volunteers to work with Matt since she feels she has a vested interest since she's the one who found his latest victim. The stakes have never been higher, because if they fail, one of their own team may be next… It's a fast-paced thriller with a cleverly written plot filled with twists and turns at every corner. The characters are solidly drawn and the newly formed team members all work well together. The ending is explosive. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series. Many thanks to the author / Harlequin Books / Mira / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

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.