Member Reviews
FBI Agents Savich and Sherlock are awakened one night with a masked man in their son’s bedroom. The intruder escapes but they are both shaken as they try to figure out who has targeted them. Is it a past enemy? A new danger? They have no idea but as they dig into the incident they find that its tied to another crime, one that also involves an FBI agent. Chief Ty Christie never anticipated her morning coffee on her deck would be the front row seat to a murder on the lake. When she calls it in and divers go out to find the body, they find not just the victim but human bones as well…lots of them. With Savich and Sherlock on the case and FBI Agent Sala assisting Ty, the link between a deranged murderer and their case chills them to the bone. Can they find the mastermind behind the murder of a federal prosecutor as well as figure out who used the lake as a dumping ground or will the lake be their watery grave in the end?
Wow, just wow. Catherine Coulter delivers another fine installment in her FBI series with PARADOX and I couldn’t put this one down. It was a fast-paced thrill ride from start to finish and I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to see where Savich and Sherlock are going next in the case. Ms. Coulter does an amazing job in creating fresh stories in this long series and each time I think you can’t top the last book, she pulls out the stops and delivers another powerful book that will rock you to the core. I love this series and it isn’t just the cases that mysteries that draw me in, its also the characters. I have read the series since the start and I loved Savich and add in his wife, Sherlock, well you got a couple who literally melt my heart each time they pop up in this series as well as in the Brit in the FBI series this author co-writes as well. The characters are well written, unique and highly entertaining. I love meeting the new characters the author introduces in the series, case in point, Ty Christie and Agent Sala. Ty is intriguing, tough yet tender and can do her job with all she has. She complements Sala perfectly as they try to figure out who tossed the bones in the lake and why. I am hoping we get to see more of these two characters in future books.
PARADOX is a fast-paced adventure that readers will enjoy. The reader will be caught up on who the mastermind is behind the break in of Savich and Sherlock’s home and attempted kidnapping of their son as to the answer of the case that is Ty’s-is a serial killer using her tiny town’s lake as a dumping ground? The two cases intersect unexpectedly and I, for one, was glued to see where it all went. I loved all the twists and turns the author threw in as well as it kept the story moving smoothly, quickly and kept my heart jumping as I tried to see if Savich, Sherlock and the gang would prevail in the end. I highly recommend this series and even after twenty-two books into the series, PARADOX delivers a fine adventure. Now I want to see where the author goes next for the FBI crew and the cases they need to solve.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement
I've enjoyed Ms. coulters books for years and this one didn't disappoint. Some of it is rain out, but overall, there is a good mystery with new characters and old the I adored.
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Paradox. I have enjoyed this series over the years. Sherlock and Savitch are a dynamic duo: married, FBI partners. It is these endearing characters that have made this series so compelling. PARADOX starts off with a bang and the enthralling action continues to rise as more (albeit outlandish) events occur. The author seemlessly and thrillingly weaves two unrelated crimes of passion together. The reader is hooked on who did what when and where to whom...perfect mystery! There are a number of involved players and red herrings, but it is not complex. Rather, this reader would classify Paradox as a light, interesting crime mystery- a fun beach read!
The big delta is its length and pace. An easy crime mystery should cap out in the high 300’s. Paradox labored on close 450 pages, and it would have been more captivating if it had been slimmed and trimmed. Way too many unnecessarily trivial details and descriptions did not enrich the story, but only bogged it down.the earlier books in this series were more concise and tight....and much more compelling as a result. However, if one can skim over the obvious “fluff and fillers” and get back to the meat of the plot line, then one will find Paradox a satisfying crime drama.
This book touched on the paranormal, which is something new for this author in this series. The book opened with a foiled, attempted kidnap of Sean, the young son of FBI Agents Dillon and Sherlock Savich. Both Sherlock and Dillon, awakened when their house alarm turned off, rushed to prevent the kidnapping from happening. However, the would-be kidnapper escaped. Meanwhile, at a secluded lake in Maryland, Chief Ty Christie of Willicott, Maryland, witnessed a would-be murder from her cottage deck on Lake Massey in the early morning fog. The search for the body revealed, along with the body of a prominent attorney, what everyone believed were the bones of many victims and a unique silver belt buckle. How does this all come together? Following the clues, they had at hand and uncovered quickly, Dillon and Sherlock Identified the suspected murderer as a mental hospital escapee, who had an earlier run-in with Sherlock and Dillon, and who was now out to get revenge. In addition, the dead body in Lake Massey turned out to be a respected, well-known attorney, who had persuaded the judge to find the murderer in question mentally ill and had him committed to the mental hospital, from which he now escaped. What troubled to everyone involved was that this attorney saved the young man’s life by keeping him out of prison and a death sentence. Why murder her then? Assisted by Chief Christie, another FBI agent who was with the now-deceased attorney until just before her death, and local law enforcement, Sherlock and Dillon rushed back and forth across the larger Washington, DC area, searching for and uncovering clues about what exactly happened and who was responsible for the attorney’s death as well as those of the other dead bodies found in Lake Massey.
This book read well, as do just about all the author’s books. Some might complain that there was a lot of Chief Christie, the FBI agent who was with the now dead attorney and other law enforcement and not enough of Dillon, Sherlock, Dillon’s trusted computer Max and the other usual agents with whom they work regularly and who figure in all their books. However, I think there was just enough of the FBI duo and their familiar counterparts to keep the story theirs, and the story needed the other characters to make it all happen. It was interesting to see how the two cases intertwined, and, in the end to see how it all really happened and how everyone mentioned or included was brought into the tale. There was also a bit of a surprise at the end, though not too big. In addition, I enjoyed watching the interplay between Chief Christie and the other FBI agent, and figured there would be more about their relationship in future books. The story is set in the Maryland/DC area, with which I am very familiar. Thus, I found this an added benefit to the book. One thing that threw me was the continued “discussions”/” talk” between Victor and Lissy. At times, I felt it was a bit overdone, though it usually seemed about right. I am not sure yet, but I am pretty sure this will not be one of my favorites in the series, though it was well done and kept my interest. With the touch of paranormal, it was different—as well as with all the time spent on others than the two main FBI agents, Dillon and Sherlock. If you enjoyed the rest of the series, you will enjoy this. If you have not read any of the other books, I think this can be read as a stand-alone, though there are a few things that my confuse you--most of which are not essential to the story plot. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
This was my first experience reading Catherine Coulter and how lucky I am that she has written so many books for me to read. The title most certainly matches the storyline. I can’t help but wonder how an author lays out such an intricate plot. There must be a blueprint drawn up first like an architect would draw or maybe a mathematician with a long long equation. One thing about this deep and complex plot is that it is not hard to follow. This is a book you must focus on when reading because it has plenty of twists and turns but then this isn’t a cozy. It’s a complex novel of the crime fiction genre.
When you read a book and immediately like the characters and the relationships between them, I think this is due to the skill of the author in defining and describing them to a point where you can get to know them. I immediately liked Savich and Sherlock. I felt the same about Ty and Sala. Well, this isn’t fair…I felt the same way about Gunney and her Godfather too. Heck, I guess I liked them all, except for the bad guys, of course. Another thing that was done well is the technique of combining two very serious, very complex crimes at the same time. This switching back and forth can often be confusing and very frustrating but somehow Coulter manages to keep her storyline weaving throughout all the time. Making you only anxious to read more about each crime and wanting to get back to it to know what is happening. Quite a feat or maybe just excellent writing.
***This book was provided to me by NetGalley and all opinions are definitely my own.
Would have loved to read this, unfortunately after I was approved to read it, it now states that it's archived. So it is a little disappointing.
This book is the 22nd in a series, but I haven’t read any before this one. Maybe that would make a difference in understanding some of the background, although this is a stand alone book. A good twisty mystery. I like the FBI agents and the police chiefs. I hope I don’t have nightmares about Victor/Lissy, creepy! A quick, entertaining read.
I received this free from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Wow! Paradox is so twisty and suspenseful and just incredibly hard to put down once you start. Sherlock and Savich have a crazy person after them for revenge. Their son is in danger as are any number of people. Then there is a lake full of bones. Who are these people? How did they die? Who killed them? Are both mysteries connected? This book keeps you guessing until the very end.
I requested this book via Netgalley and was thrilled to receive an ARC.
Paradox was just what I was expecting, fast paced, well plotted case and great characters. As usual it's all about Sherlock and Savich, but they are at their best here. I sincerely hope Catherine Coulter can keep this series alive without watering down Sherlock and Savich nor having them grow stale.
This book was a roller coaster that kept me engaged and guessing about where it was going from start to finish. Savich and Sherlock always deliver, and the additional characters really added to the story.
I believe I've read every book Ms. Coulter has written, and with good reason: She's a master of suspense. This book was no different. The characters were deftly drawn, and the story line keeps you gasping for air. The investigation of what ended up being several murders portrayed a chilling killer with no remorse, and those racing to catch him pulled out all the plugs... riveting! Great book; highly recommended.
Sherlock and Savich wake up to an alarm that tells them that someone is in Sean’s bedroom. Sherlock runs into the bedroom seeing a man standing over Sean’s sleeping form. Th man flees without Sean through the bedroom window. Sherlock and Savich are shaken even though Sean is safe. They know the man will come back for Sean. Who was the man? The police arrive and are told about the incident. Meanwhile captain Ty Christie in Willicott, Maryland has her coffee on her back deck looking at the lake and sees a couple rowing across it. The man hits the woman over the head and throws her into the lake. He escapes even though Captain Ty has called it in and requested help. Who was the man? Why did he kill the woman? When the lake is dragged for the woman’s body which is found, human bones are also discovered. What are those bones doing in the lake? Who put them there?
The novel is captivating. It is a fast paced, eerie novel with surprising twists and turns that held my attention to the very end of the book. It was a suspenseful story that I didn’t want to stop reading! The author has never disappointed me with her FBI series. This one is excellent!
Dynamic and Gripping
Agents Savich and Dillon have a new thriller that combines madness, revenge, secrets, new and growing affections and two unique small children! Someone's after the agents and their son; they're also involved with another murder, witnessed by a police chief that includes a haunted house. Enjoyed the new characters and the fast paced action! Page turner.
Voluntarily read ARC, they Netgallry and publisher, for honest review
Catherine Coulter has done it again! This is another exciting adventure for Savich and Sherlock. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. Full of mystery and suspense. I highly recommend the FBI series. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left this review
Paradox is a story that hits Sherlock and Savich where they can be hurt the most - the kidnapping of their child, Sean. They solve the case in their usual style and also keep their son safe.
Catherine Coulter delivers another entertaining FBI series episode with a clever and unexpexted twist.
PARADOX - according to the dictionary means "a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth." This is exactly what author Catherine Coulter has given her readers. There are so many twists in this book that you are forced to the edge of your seat and holding on for dear life.
I have been a fan of the FBI Thriller series since it's inception, but even this one left me astonished at the turn of events. Ms. Coulter is known for her explosive twists. This one will leave readers with an awed respect of her story telling ability.
~Annetta Sweetko, reviewing for Fresh Fiction
The complete review may be read at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=66464
This book was given to me for review from Simon and Schuester via Netgalley.
Paradox by Catherine Coulter is book twenty-one in her FBI Thriller series. As a complete newcomer to the series I felt a bit like a fish out of water because there was little to know character background or fleshing out. It does make me want to stat the series to get the background, but this is a big ask because its twenty books to read. On its own, Paradox is a fast paced thrill ride that is a lot like a Jeffery Deaver or Karin Slaughter book. Coulter always keeps the story moving balancing action with scene and world building. The A and B storylines are artfully intertwined and meld at the exact climatic point. The X Files like chapter heading makes sure that the reader will always know where they are in the story. For fans of the series, this feels like more of the same. For any newcomer, do not start here. Its better to go back to the beginning. Paradox is a 4.5 out of 5 stars. For more on Paradox and more reviews subscribe to the Caffeinated Entertainment Youtube channel.
-Me
This is the 23rd book in Coulter’s FBI Thriller series, but the first I have read. When offered the chance to receive an ARC of the novel, I jumped at the chance as I have seen the author’s name quite often, and book sites showed consistently good reviews. I obviously don’t agree. Agents Sherlock and Savitch (the recurring characters) are awakened by their home alarm system and manage to chase off the intruder, who they determine to be Victor Presser, obviously a protagonist from an earlier book in the series. Victor has escaped from a mental health facility, and clearly still has issues. At the same time, chief Ty Christie witnesses a murder across the idyllic lake where she lives. It turns out the victim was a defense attorney turned federal prosecutor. The attorney had been spending time there with another FBI agent, Sala Porto (even the names in this book confounded me), who was knocked out and locked up and left to die. In dragging the lake for the body, many other bones are brought up leading law enforcement to believe a serial killer was as work, but when, for how long, and who? So there you have the background. What ensues is a choppy story that is not particularly well written. I did finish, and truthfully the ending saved the book from a lower rating. Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Terrible. This author’s writing style is so amateurish I can’t understand how she has written so many books that are so well reviewed. Her story idea is good but her dialogue writing and her prose to describe scenes and tell a story are absolutely terrible. I’ve tried twice to read her books, I definitely won’t try another.