Review: The Third to Die

Review at a Glance

• Title: The Third to Die
• My Rating: 4.75
• Genre: Mystery Thriller
• Format: aARC*
• Publication Date: February 4, 2020
• Author: Allison Brennan

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Book Blurb

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

Detective Kara Quinn, on leave from the LAPD, is on an early morning jog in her hometown of Liberty Lake when she comes upon the body of a young nurse. The manner of death shows a pattern of highly controlled rage. Meanwhile in DC, FBI special agent Mathias Costa is staffing his newly minted Mobile Response Team. Word reaches Matt that the Liberty Lake murder fits the profile of the compulsive Triple Killer. It will be the first case for the MRT. This time they have a chance to stop this zealous if elusive killer before he strikes again. But only if they can figure out who he is and where he is hiding before he disappears for another three years. The stakes are higher than ever before, because if they fail, one of their own will be next…

My Thoughts

Sometimes, I really love being a book blogger. Sometimes, I get these books that are the perfect for me and I don’t even realize it’s happening. Then I read them and can’t contain my excitement.

The Third to Die is that type of book for me.

First of all, let me talk for a moment about my love of female detectives. There is something about a woman in law enforcement that really takes a story to another level for me. I get to experience an investigation while feeling a particular empathy with the character that I can’t feel when the detective is a man.

I especially loved Detective Quinn because of her attitude. Not only was she a crazy good under cover detective, but she had more confidence in her pinky finger than I have had most of my life. I have been wanting a female lead who is good, knows she’s good, and doesn’t feel the constant need to doubt herself.

It’s almost as if writers (and women in general) feel like females need to be self-doubting or humble in order to be likable. It makes me wonder if we, as women, can’t be confident in ourselves and also liked by others?

Detective Quinn is entirely sure of herself and her abilities. She has a clear sense of right and wrong and follows it without compunction. She is good at her job and isn’t scared to let others know it. At times she could probably learn to listen to others more, but I was amazed that I never felt that she was cocky. I really just loved her, in case you couldn’t tell.

The serial killer storyline was new and a little twisted, making it a great book. It’s perfectly paced and I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t know and couldn’t guess what was going to happen next, mostly because Allison Brennan made it clear early in the novel that anything could happen.

If you haven’t grabbed The Third to Die, and you are a fan of suspense, go get it now.

*Special thanks to Allison Brennan and MIRA Books for a copy of The Third to Die in exchange for an honest review.