Overall, I enjoyed this story and had a hard time putting it down! While I was surprised that the pacing was a little different from previous stories I have read by Nancy Mehl, I liked the twists and turns and how she still managed to throw some surprises in, despite the FBI having the name of the man behind the murders for most of the book. I look forward to reading more of Alex's story!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest review

Reviewer: Donna Feyen
Night Fall by Nancy Mehl was a fabulous start to the new series; Quantico Files. In this series we follow FBI agent Alexandra (Alex) as she solves a truly frightening case.

I loved Logan (Preacher). He was one of her FBI partners. The dialogue is fantastic and I love how they think through the case trying to solve it.

Alex is dealing with some issues from her past and I cannot wait to see how they continue to play out in the series.

Mehl once again proves she is at the pinnacle of Christian romantic suspense. Night Fall is filled with characters you’ll come to love and scenes that will have you holding your breath and quite possible a plot twist or surprise here and there.

I an a new Mehl fan and cannot wait to go back and read more of her previous books.

I am so excited that the author has started a new series. She is one of my go to authors for intrigue and suspense stories. This book delivers a heart pounding story that starts off with terrifying action. I felt my skin crawl as I began the book and realized I would not be able to put the book down until I finished it.

The author never disappoints me as she has a gift for writing intense stories that has a message of faith firmly planted in the story. I was intrigued by the story that focused on a cult that believes in everything that goes against Christianity. It delves into a world that is delusional and has followers that are deceived. I could visualize the entire story as the author uses her gift of storytelling.

Alex is my new favorite hero as she faces her past in a race to capture the person who wants to unleash a deadly virus. It is reminiscent of what the world faced recently with COVID 19. How scary it is to think that someone is so sinister to want to destroy others? Alex must face her biggest fear as she unravels the mystery of who the unsub is.

I liked the reference to Criminal Minds as this book reminds me of that show. The FBI has their hands full trying to keep one step ahead of the person who must fulfill his prophecy. I thought The Book the author referred to in the story was brilliant. Her imagination is incredible as The Book becomes the focal point of the investigation. The author gives us curve balls in the story and shocked me with the ending. I am happy to know that there will be a second book coming in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House. The review is my own opinion.

Night Fall is the latest tale from Nancy Mehl. Alex Donovan has just joined a group of FBI agents. Unfortunately, they are investigating a group of murders that will Alex back to a time in her life she has no duesire to revisit!

The culprit of these crimes seems to be following a cultic book that Alex learned of as a young girl. The message of this book points toward a catastrophic end to the World!

Watch as Alex and her co-workers chip away at the evidence and find their way to identifying the individual who is planning on causing these deaths through a deadly virus!

This FBI suspense novel revolves around several psychological issues. The main characters, Alex and Logan, are with the behavioral unit of the FBI. They would generally provide a profile of the villain. In this novel, the identity of the villain is soon known so they work on understanding his actions and character with a view to preventing further murders. Another area of psychological exploration is cult involvement. Alex had been exposed to a weird cult as a teen. While she had escaped that situation, it all comes back on her when she realizes their villain is a member of that same cult. Alex also has PTSD from teen experiences she is still trying to manage.

Another deeply explored issue is the relationship between Christianity and cult belief. We find out how cults can begin and generate associated literature. Cult beliefs are frequently contrasted to beliefs of Christianity in this novel. There is a very clear Christian message included. It is not subtle as the gospel is explained several times.

Another interesting aspect of the plot is the possibility of killing many with an airborne virus. That is a timely subject as the world is still in the midst of fighting a pandemic.

While most of the novel deals with psychological issues, there is some suspense. I was a bit disappointed when the suspense was prefaced by a thought of Alex. “This might be the dumbest thing she'd ever done.” ((3332/3990) No surprise suspense followed. There are some good twists near the end and a revelation that was not surprising.

This is a good novel for readers who like an FBI plot centering on profiling and other psychological issues. I liked it and will be looking for the next in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher, My comments are an independent and honest review.

I received this ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve enjoyed Mehl Karly Quinn series and decided to check out her new series featuring Alexandra Donovan. This is a story that brings forth the concept of God, Angels and Demons plus the idea of even more of a devasting virus that could kill ¾ of the U.S. population. Alexandra (Alex) Donovan has finally been asked to join the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit which has been her dream, since she was a teenager. Her first case as lead is to put together a profile of a killer that has killed multiple times and left their bodies on freight trains. As they are sent some of the messages left behind by the killer, Alex recognizes these messages from the teachings her Aunt to give her from 12-14 years when she asked her to stop. These teachings came out of “The Book” which was something like the bible. This group of people that follow the “The Book” are called “The Circle” which practice a cult like religion. They believe that you are either an angel or a demon in this society. Once Alex realizes that this case is all about destroyer and destroying millions of people, she says they need to visit her aunt and get the book, to see what it says, so that they can find the killer. Before they can even start to fly to Kansas, they find out that a viral of highly dangerous virus has been stolen. There isn’t a cure for this virus instead. Putting facts together they realize both cases connect. It then becomes a race with time to catch the murderer and find the virus before it is release on unsuspecting people.

5 Stars: 5/5 Star Rating
Wow! Nancy Mehl has really hit a homerun with Night Fall. I love Nancy Mehl's writing and this book is my new favorite novel she has written. This book is totally absorbing. I couldn't get enough of the story. I am a huge fan of shows such as Criminal Minds, and this book totally satisfied my desire to know the amazing, compelling BAU agent as she chases after a serial killer with a time clock ticking. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

I'm trying to separate my negative feelings of all things viruses and covid from this book. That element really "got my hackles up" but if that wasn't in the book, or was a fictional thing instead of my reality, I would find this book excellent so we are going to go with that.

This book surprised me. There was a character who I suspected but while I was right to suspect them, I had no clue what was in store. While we know the identity of the main villain very early on, there are still surprises about their character that are revealed later on.

Alex's character development is interesting and not finished because this is a series where the story is spread out over a few books. She's dealing with childhood trauma that she never handled before and I think it's going to be very interesting to see what happens going forward.

I am excited to see where this goes and VERY excited that Kaely Quinn is going to be involved in book 2!

I enjoyed this book a lot. Alexandra is finally fulfilling her dream of being an analyst for the FBI's behavioral analysis unit. However, her dream quickly becomes a nightmare when she is forced to reenter a world she hoped to never even think about again. "Alex" reminded me of Kaely Quinn of the "Kaely Quinn Profiler" series in that she seems to have a tenuous hold on her sanity. Alex is afraid to get help because she doesn't want it to affect her reputation or her work.

The characters were believable and real. I especially liked Logan and Alex. They have a good, trusting work relationship that dips into the personal at times. The suspense and urgency were great. It's a true race against time to stop the world from facing another major crisis. There are twists and turns, some were easy to spot while others were not. It was a great read. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is an extremely complicated story involving a psycho serial killer, a protagonist with PTSD, a cult with very dark roots and a deadly virus set to be released unless the perpetrator is stopped. Wow! So much was going on so quickly that I sometimes lost track of what was happening and where. Alexandra Donovan is newly transferred to the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI, just in time to try to be the hero versus the infamous Train Man, a serial killer who leaves his victims in freight cars. Then, there is the cult that studies something called The Book. The cult is very dark and foreboding and not to be messed with since they tend to kill those who get in their way. The author does a fantastic job of differentiating between the beliefs of the cult and the beliefs in the Holy Bible. Since Alex was raised in a home with an aunt in the cult, she is quite confused about her faith, so part of the book is about her trying to come to terms with Biblical truth. One of the main thrusts of the book was the heavy toll that those who are indoctrinated into a cult pay, especially if they began in childhood. Their adulthood becomes totally influenced by what they were taught as a child and the members in the group here are determined to release a deadly virus in the United States. Thus Alex and her partner Logan have to thwart a serial killer and a deadly virus, all while dealing with their own issues from their past. I must say that I was confused for the first few chapters until I read a synopsis of the book and understood where it was going. Some of the information, especially about the cult, seemed to be repetitive and made the book longer than I thought that it needed to be and also slowed the pacing somewhat. The message of the book, one of making good choices or suffer the consequences of the bad ones, reverberated throughout the book and was wise counsel. Fans of dark Christian suspense will enjoy this book. I look forward to the next book in the series so that I can find out more about Alex and her FBI career as well as about her partner who seemed a mysterious character on the side who was just there to help out Alex when she got into a bind.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Am intriguing idea of a cult with a prophecy a man believes he must fulfill. Add in a heroine who has fought hard to overcome her past and a hero who stays by her side and truly sees her and it’s a compelling read for those who like suspense with a hint of romance and a side of faith.

Alexandra "Alex" Donovan has overcome her past and now is a member of the FBI's elite Behavior Analysis Unit. When bodies all killed in the same way are found on freight trains traveling across the country, the BAU is called in. Alex immediately recognizes the graffiti message the killer is leaving on the train cars and realizes she will have to confront her past in this new job.

As usual, Nancy Mehl fills her pages with twists, turns, and surprise endings that keep you turning pages until you have finished the book. Words like haunting, intense, thrilling and chilling all came to mind as I was reading. Her partner, Logan Heart, was a kind-hearted young man who stood beside Alex as they fought to track down this psychopathic serial killer. The author's detailed research shows up in her understanding of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety attacks. The romance plays a very light thread in the background, and it will be interesting to see if it develops further in the series.

I definitely recommend this intense suspense for those who like page turners!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Night Fall is an intense story. Alex Donovan works for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit. Her current case is to profile a serial killer, whose cult-like delusions make him dangerous. He’s got a deadly virus in his possession and his ritualistic killings are ramping up. The case brings Alex back to her childhood, where she was raised with the very same ideology of the cult. Logan Hart is her partner, and the two team up to stop the killer. But Alex has to battle with her own demons to get inside the killer’s head.

This book is not for the faint of heart. There are several points of view, including the killer’s. Alex deals with her past which was quite disturbing. Not much in the way of romance, so hopefully there will be more between Alex and Logan in book two. The story is fast-paced and a fantastic suspense novel. Be sure to check it out!

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)


I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love the uniqueness of the storyline, how the antagonist came to think of himself as he did showcased Nancy Mehl's ability to write a truly terrifying story that thrills the reader. Night Fall shows that we all have choices, it's what we do with our choices that decide who we become. Adam and Alex are on opposite sides of the battle, though their upbringings were similar, they became distinct individuals, and the good versus evil rang strong and true in this tale. I enjoyed the spiritual nudges throughout the book as the Train Man shows his scorn for Christians and Alex struggles to reconcile a God who she believes has ignored her. Alex's refusal to believe in God and the challenges she faces make her a character you want to get to know, and I can't wait to see what happens next for this FBI BAU agent. It's bound to be a wild ride. I received a copy of this book from the publisher.. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The best so far! Alex Donovan had one dream growing up to be a member of the FBI's elite Behavior Analysis Unit. She thought she had left her past behind her until a case involving the BAU brings her back to her nightmares. Alex and her team must race against time to find "The Train Man" before he kills again and unleashes a deadly virus. This book is fast paced, full of intrigue and danger. We get to see what the life of a BAU agent is like firsthand. I cannot wait to read book 2 in The Quantico Files.

This is a fast read and fantastic. I loved getting to know Alex and the rest of the BAU. I have always loved hearing and watching shows and books that have things that talk about how criminals are caught. This gets into the thoughts of the killer. It was interesting to see how other people can get in to strange beliefs. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Another great read by Nancy Mehl! In fact, I like Alex better than I liked Kaely! One thing I really like about this story is that there's not a lot of romance. Another is there's a good amount of suspense. I like the plot, even if it's a bit disturbing at times. A good book for anyone who likes mystery and suspense without a lot of mushy stuff. ;)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-copy of this book. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Nancy Mehl’s latest thriller is both solidly Christian and somewhat creepy.

Adam Walker and Alex Donovan were raised in very similar situations: broken homes who were committed to following the Book, the basis for a cult known as The Circle. Yet they turned out very differently because of the choices they made during their lives.

God was working in both their lives. Both would hear his voice, but only one would listen. As the plot makes clear: God loves everyone, but each must individually respond to that love.

These themes are explored in a story that takes the reader from Washington DC to Kansas City KS to Ethiopia. The danger is real and the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit will need to work hard to discover the source of the threat and stop it before millions are killed.

Though it picks up many of the ideas that are familiar to those who watch Criminal Minds on TV, the characters are decidedly different. At the same time, the book echoes some of the creepier stories from that show. Unlike the TV show, the book clearly demonstrates God working in the lives of all who put their trust in Him. I give the book 4 stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Alex Donavan has learned to leave her past behind. As an elite FBI agent in the Behavioral Analysis Unit, all her dreams have come true. But when authorities in Missouri contact the BAU about a series of murders, Alex’s nightmares come rushing back.

Can Alex and her team get ahead of the Train Man and stop his plot to bring destruction to the world before it’s too late?

Why I Liked this Book

Mehl knows how to suck a reader into suspense faster than a car spinning on black ice. A protagonist with a troubled background, a strange cult, and deep questions about good and evil keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

The author also avoids cardboard antagonists and spends time helping the reader understand what drives people to act the way they do. Matters of faith arise naturally, and the protagonist starts off more agnostic than anything else. I’d share this book with anyone who loves good suspense, no matter what their spiritual beliefs. Fans of Carrie Stuart Parks, Lynette Eason, and Colleen Coble will love this book.

When she's assigned this new case Alex is forced to face her own childhood trauma. Things she thought she had under control surface when she's confronted with the house and the cult of her teenage years. This cult, the Circle, has damaged not only the killer. Alex's insight in his way of thinking might be the only chance to stop him.
Aside from the threat to the world the comparison and similarities between "The Book" and the Bible are stunningly brought into the story.
The story is set after Covid 19 and the threat of a deadly virus talks right into our times.
This novel is so excellently written that I'll ignore the logical gap at the end regarding the virus.