After Manhattan disappears into a black void, FBI Special Agent Jessica Blackwood is brought in on the investigation. Jessica's old nemesis Michael Heywood, a sociopath and serial killer also known as the Warlock, has escaped from prison and she quickly comes to the conclusion that he is behind this and subsequent attacks. She breaks computational biologist Dr. Theo Cray out of a Miranmar prison to help in the investigation, because Theo is as brilliant as Heywood and can provide insight into the workings of his (master)mind. Together, they must work against the clock to figure out what the Warlock's bigger plan is and how to stop him. I've read Mayne's previous Theo Cray novels, but not the Jessica Blackwood series, and while there are references to events in those books I did not feel like I needed to read them to enjoy this book. Like all of Mayne's books that I have read, it is fast-paced, lots of action, humorous, over-the-top but maybe still plausible (after all, how can we mere mortals really know what the most brilliant minds are capable of?), and overall quite an enjoyable read.

I started reading books by Andrew Mayne earlier this year. He writes really good books. Although I am not familiar with the Jessica Blackwood series, I am familiar with the Theo Cray ones. Combining these two was a good idea. It will keep you in suspense and give you the feeling of not wanting to stop reading. You never know what to expect in this book. I am grateful that netgalley let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first novel from Andrew Mayne…and I’m not sure it was the right one to start with.

Liked:
The dual narrative helped break up the story, although I preferred Jessica’s narrative over Theo’s
Jessica and Theo were both interesting and complex characters
The cover 😍

Disliked:
While the story itself started off interesting, I found the concept maybe a little too complex? It took a minute to wrap my head around (similar to when I watch The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon uses big words 🤣)
Whoa, did we take a bit of a turn from thriller to sci-fi? 😬 yikes…you lost me there. *eye roll*
References to COVID; they were subtle, but completely unnecessary because they did nothing to advance the plot, especially since the narrative doesn’t specifically reference the date/year in the timeline

Overall, this one just didn’t tickle my fancy…I was struggling with it even before it took the sci-fi-like detour…

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing / Thomas & Mercer for the gifted eARC!

Unfortunately I have finished this book. I say unfortunately because I was having such fun reading it I didn’t want it to end. Admittedly I am probably biased but I really enjoy Mayne’s books, they are so creative and different. What I loved about this one was that it combined two of the author’s protagonists in the one story - Dr Theo Cray, computational biologist and FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood who comes from a long line of illusionists and is a master (or is that mistress) of misdirection.

This book starts with New York, well Manhattan Island, disappearing into some sort of black void. It’s like some weird electromagnetic pulse knocked out everything electronic/electric. Next we have Jessica off rescuing Theo from a prison in Myanmar (it’s a long story, just read it). She is convinced the void is the work of Michael Heywood aka The Warlock, her former nemesis who managed to escape from prison during a transfer to another facility, all very convenient.

Anyway, Jessica and Theo follow the few clues that Heywood has left in various parts of the world. We have more voids in Malaysia and Singapore, and we learn that these were initiated by a chemical reaction. We have 30 chimpanzees stolen from a Tokyo zoo. We have emancipated zombie-like people turning up in the Ukraine. Wherever Heywood has led them, they seem to be a few steps behind. But one thing is for sure Heywood has got a devious plan and the means to make it possible - if only they could work out what it is!

Andrew Mayne’s imagination must be an interesting place as he dreams up these wonderfully complex plots. And it was complex, with many moving parts so you do need to concentrate. Also there’s quite a lot of science (or pseudo science?) explained. I’m no expert but I do have a logical brain and it all sounded very plausible to me. If that sort thing doesn’t appeal you may not be the right audience but I certainly lapped it up. Theo is a wonderful character, maybe too clever for his own good and he is given to going off on tangents. Jessica is whip smart. But these two really have to pull a rabbit out of a hat to bring down the evil mastermind that is Heywood, or can they?

I would love to see these two working together again. They are very strong individual personalities but make a formidable team and there may just be some sparks between them but please, Andrew, nothing too mushy. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated ARC which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Okay, Andrew Mayne is such a master of storytelling and has so many imaginative plot lines. Every time I read one of his books I do not think I could possibly be surprised again, and yet every time I still am blown away! I absolutely loved that some chapters were from Theo's POV and some were from Jessica's. The writing in the respective sections felt very consistent with the writing from the previous books in both series. The seamless transition from what felt like one series to the other was so captivating. I think you probably could read this one without reading the previous books, but I do not know why you would want to! I am thrilled that these two have teamed up and I cannot wait to see where this new derived series goes!

This is the beginning of a new series bringing together characters from Mayne's two popular series.

I already know Theo from the two books I've read. But it was my first meeting with Jessica. I found her a very interesting and complicated heroine. Her remarkable skills brilliantly complemented Theo's extraordinary mind. It is an amazing sight to have two such wonderful minds working together to solve a complicated case. It was a lot of fun.

I think that they make an excellent pair. I really like the dynamics between them. And that they work well together in some areas and a little worse in others. That they still have to get to know each other. It added a bit of realism to the story and another interesting dimension. It was also nice to see Theo through the eyes of another person who is also extraordinary on her own.

Usually, I don't like multiple POVs, but in this case it was fine for me. The book is divided into parts that are told alternately by Theo and Jessica. This makes you spend roughly the same amount of time with each of the main characters. And it worked really well. I felt that the point of view changed at the most appropriate moment - when one character can tell you more than the other. And that it's not just there to slow down history and build tension.

The pace of this book is very fast. The book begins with a strong scene and then the story does not slow down for a moment. The author is very talented in holding the attention of the reader. He can surprise you with many ideas. I loved how deeply embedded in the modern world the events in this book are. This book is almost a technothriller. Both the villains and Jessica and Theo use some top-notch technology. And even the main threat combines science and technology.

I will be eagerly awaiting the next books in this series, and in the meantime, I think I'll get to know Jessica a little better and read her series.

What I Loved

The combination of elements- technology, medical, and criminal thrillers with a dose of performance magic is just incredibly fascinating. I spent most of the book simply in awe of everything I was experiencing within the pages. You know, when a story begins with the disappearance of New York City, you might as well strap yourself in because it’s going to be a wild ride, and Mastermind delivered and then some.

Bringing together two main characters that each has a series individually is an intriguing idea. And, even though I haven’t read either of the two series, I had no trouble following them in this story. I loved the way they provide so much insightful knowledge for the reader about each other. So, even though I was meeting each character for the first time, they were also meeting each other for the first time. This worked brilliantly for me as a new reader.

The fast-paced and constant thrills kept me glued to the page. The short chapters and first-person narration added to the smooth quickness, along with the witty banter and explanations that were a bit over my head but read authentic. I love the magician aspect of the story too. I’ve always been fascinated by magic, and to have the main character from a family full of magicians added a unique element that just gave the story an extra spark.

Characters

Jessica Blackwood is a lone-wolf investigator who rubs many people the wrong way while maintaining essential connections that help smooth her path. She is from a family full of magicians, and she grew up learning the tricks of the trade and subtly falls back on those skills as needed.

Dr. Theo Cray has a bad reputation for playing by his own rules to catch serial killers, which has put him on a list of possible accomplices to one of the worst of the worst. I enjoyed the match-up of these two brilliant and strongly determined investigators.

What I Wish
My only wish is that the changes in narrators had been marked. I’m easily confused by multiple narrators and found myself scratching my head more than once as the narration switched between Jessica and Theo.

To Read or Not to Read
If you are looking for a thriller with a mashup of subgenres that will leave you amazed, Mastermind is a book you won’t want to miss.

Many mystery authors choose to write series because doing so gives a longer story arc over which to develop plot and characters. Often books in a series also function as stand-alone novels, and the reader is free to start where she likes. Two fall 2021 titles are series entries that unfortunately do not stand alone: Andrew Mayne's Mastermind, a contemporary FBI thriller featuring agent of the weird Jessica Blackwood, and Miss Kopp Investigates, a historical mystery set just after the end of the First World War. I had not read either series before, and I do not recommend that anyone start either series with these two books. There is simply too much backstory covered in the previous novels for these books to be easily read as one's first intrpduction to the characters.

That is not to say, however, the Mastermind and Miss Kopp investigates are not worth reading. Both are, in fact, fine novels. Those who have read and enjoyed either or both of these series before will definitely want to catch up with Jessica Blackwood and her supporting cast of unusual characters (Mastermind,) and the Fluerette and her sisters (Miss Kopp.). Mastermind starts with a bang when an EMP of unknown origin makes New York City dissappear. Miss Kopp Investigates, on the other hand starts a bit more slowly, but fans of historical fictions will appreciate Stewart's treatment of women's issues in Post World War I America, and how those issues affect the sisters. Highly recommended for readers of each series; Not Recommended as the first book TBR in either series.

Thanks to Andrew Mayne, Amy Stewart, Thomas & Mercer, Mariner Books Houghton Mifflin, and to NetGalley for the ARCs of these books.. The opinions expressed here are my own,.

A Lighting Start To A New Blackwood Series

After a rough night on Times Square, a silver robot poser is returning home via the Brooklyn Bridge. She hears the popping of fireworks. Suddenly, Manhattan disappears. There are no lights, and nothing is visible. There is a black void. Vehicles on the bridge stop dead with their headlights now off. The main storyline shifts to a returning character from a previous series, Jessica Blackwood. Currently she is an instructor at the FBI Academy. Supervisor Sheppard, head of the FBI Crisis Response team, has Blackwood join the FBI team to help investigate the Manhattan event. Blackwood goes in with a team and discovers many survivors in the buildings and one building that still had power. A multiagency task force is formed. A suspect zero is identified, Dr. Theo Cray. The story takes off from here.

The main storyline flow is primarily action with some breaks used to reenforce the significance of what was discovered. This is exactly what I observed and enjoyed in the author’s previous Underwater Investigation Unit series. As in Blackwood’s opinion, Cray no longer is a suspect but an asset in finding the mastermind behind the event. Then, more events start occurring. Tension was maintained with another major agency seemed to be at odds with Blackwood’s view as to who is the suspect and who is an asset. Every step that Blackwood and Cray make, it takes all of their cunning and perseverance overcome issues that seem to be the other agency’s actions. All of this captured my interest and maintained it to the end of the novel. This is the major criteria of mine for a high star rating.

The B-storyline is rich for Blackwood and Cray. The author achieves this in a way I had not seen before. The book is broken into seven parts. These parts alternate between those two as the narrator. The reader will see what is happening from that characters’ perspective, through their thoughts on what is happening, their actions, and what they think about each other. These changes in voice provides a multiple views into their characters and enrichen my reading enjoyment. It was not until I writing this review that I discovered that in a previous series the author has used Blackwood as the heroine along and a returning nemesis. I did not notice any holes or unexplained references so you should be able to read this as the first novel with Blackwood novel.

As for aspect of novels that some readers find objectionable, there are a few vulgar words and some rude language. While reading, it did not pose any concerns for me due to a their relatively low level. There were not any intimate scenes. As for violence, there is plenty. They mostly are described in the more edgy form as it occurs. For me, it helped maintain the tension in the novel. I do not believe that the levels of these aspects should not discourage most readers.

Overall, this was a quick read for me. I could not stop reading this novel even late into the night and upon waking in the morning. All loose ends were tied up by the end. The only downside to this novel is that some aspects stretch if not break credulity. I see this as I would many action movies I have watched. Many of the stunts are not realistic, but I still enjoyed watching the movie. For me, this was not an issue, but for some readers it might be. I rate this novel with five stars and do recommend reading it. If the advertising teasers, previous experience or both interest you, do read this novel. I definitely am looking forward to reading and reviewing the next novel in the series, The Final Equinox.

I received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas and Mercer. My review is based only by my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Mastermind is a fine start to Andrew Mayne's newest series which combines the lead characters from two of his previous series; FBI special agent Jessica Blackwood (the Jessica Blackwood series) and brilliant scientist Theo Cray (the Naturalist series).

A note to readers, be prepared to suspend belief while reading this book. If you're looking for something realistic, this book with its over-the-top super heroes combo and dastardly villain won't be your cup of tea. If you don't mind going wherever the story takes you, you're in for a fun read.

Entire cities begin to disappear all over the world and FBI Special Agent Jessica must find out how and why it's happening, and how to stop it. She enlists the help of Theo Cray and they soon suspect that their arch nemesis The Warlock, a serial killer and cultist, is making good on his announced plan to bring on the end of days. Can they stop him?

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel scheduled to be published September 7, 2021. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Mayne, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After developing some strong series, Andrew Mayne has tried something few authors dare to attempt. In this novel, he’s combined the power of FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood—former magician and illusionist—with the analytical prowess of Dr. Theo Cray, a computational biologist. These two protagonists have done amazing things on their own, but when combined, the story takes on an entirely new depth and excitement. After Manhattan appears to disappear in plain sight, Jessica Blackwood is called to the scene, hoping that she can deduce what’s going on. She’s baffled, but wonders if her nemesis, Michael Heywood, could be behind it. Many within the Intelligence community have a list of individuals who may have assisted Heywood in his plan, including one Dr. Theo Cray. Blackwood travels around the world to find him, which only leads to more ‘blackout’ moments as they spend time in Asia. What follows is a series of events that neither Cray nor Blackwood can explain, though it all points to trouble, particularly if Michael Heywood is involved. A chilling tale that is full of thought-provoking moments, showing just how sharp Andre Mayne’s writing can be.

While she has grown up loving magic, even Jessica Blackwood cannot fathom what’s happened when she is called out to help find Manhattan. Having disappeared in some form of electronic pulse, combined with a fog, the city seems too have been carved from the map. Everyone has Michael Heywood—The Warlock—on their minds as a possible suspect, with his recent escape from custody. However, he could not have done it alone. Many suspects are bandied about, but there’s one that catches Jessica’s eye, Dr. Theo Cray.

After travelling to the far side fo the world, Blackwood locates the doctor, who’s been trying to vaccinate local population so they are not murdered by their own government. While noble in his actions, Cray is not seen as a hero by many and has been tossed in a putrid jail cell. Blackwood is able to help him and uses her own form of deception to get him out of the country, while explaining about Manhattan. When two more ‘events’ occur in Asia, both Blackwood and Cray decide to stay in the region to work through what’s going on.

It’s soon clear that the ‘Void’ moments are only a distraction for what’s really going on, the theft of massive amounts of data. While Blackwood and Cray cannot understand what it’s for, this has Michael Heywood written all over it. They undercover some truly horrible science experiments in both Thailand and Ukraine, which could possibly open up new and disturbing outcomes, but the data is not comprehensive enough to offer any concrete answers.

Returning to the US, Cray and Blackwood must jump through some Intelligence hoops to remain on the case, while being goaded by Heywood to decipher what he has in mind. Slowly, but intentionally, they make some progress and learn that something huge is in the works, a plan that would truly help Michael Heywood shed his ‘Warlock’ moniker for another... Mastermind! A captivating novel that had me guessing at every page.

Since stumbling upon Andrew Mayne, I have learned so very much about a wide variety of subjects, whether it be magic, biology, or even police sleuthing underwater. Mayne is so full of ideas and means by which crime can be solved, allowing his books to open new pathways within the genre while keeping his fans entertained throughout. This protagonist amalgamation was ingenious, something I often encourage authors of multiple series to attempt. The premise was strong, working well alongside the novel’s pace and constant revelations.

One essential area in a book is its characters and how they come to life on the page. With established stories for both Jessica Blackwood and Dr. Theo Cray, it was less about building them up, but sustaining what series fans knew about them. Working alongside one another, it is the character chemistry that is essential, something that Mayne did really well. Neither knew much about the other, allowing for some brief mentions of their respective backstories, but it is the strong connectivity that kept the book going and how they are able to feed off one another, developing themselves as individuals and a unit simultaneously.

While there were many characters who helped move the story along, it was the science that stole the show in many regards. Mayne has never shied away from analysis of events through different lenses and this book was full of that. Exploring biology, computer analytics, virology, and even some currency issues, Mayne floods the narrative with ideas that could spark curiosity amongst readers. I found myself lost in the discussion at times, though was able to surmise some of what was being said, through poignant questions the characters asked throughout the discussion.

There is so much going on within this book, it is difficult to determine where I ought to begin. The premise of the piece was quite strong and kept things moving from the outset. Mayne may appear to be taking things in one direction, only to steer them on a completely opposite pathway before too long. The narrative gained momentum throughout and kept me wanting to turn a few more pages. Chapters of varying lengths kept the story on track and left things dangling at the right times, forcing the reader to push onwards to satiate their curiosity. While the science was intense at times, it all came into perspective and Mayne did a wonderful job of keeping the reader engaged and informed. I can see this Blackwood/Cray partnership being one that I will enjoy, as Andrew Mayne keeps the stories coming.

Kudos, Mr. Mayne, on this stellar collaboration between two of your key protagonists. There’s a lot more to explore and you are sure to impress many of your series fans.

4.5 stars, actually.

Despite a Twilight Zone-worthy plot that normally falls a little outside my reading matter wheelhouse, I must say I enjoyed this book overall. Another plus is that it's the first of a series, so I can look forward to the next installment.

The stars of the show are FBI Special Agent Jessica Blackwood and Dr. Theo Cray, a mental genius and scientist with a shady background that makes him, shall we say, unpopular with the FBI, CIA, leaders of other countries and no doubt the families of people he admits he's killed. The equally intelligent Jessica, too, has plenty of enemies and isn't likely to make the FBI's most wanted employee list.

As this story begins, a huge portion of Manhattan suddenly goes completely dark with a foggy substance; no electricity, no Internet, no phone service and, for the FBI, no clue as to what happened or why and raising the question of whether it might happen again somewhere. When Jessica gets called in to check out the situation - and narrowly escapes death - she becomes certain that the blackout is the work of Michael Heywood, a.k.a. Warlock., who managed to escape prison not long ago. She was responsible for putting him in jail to begin with, so not only is he more than capable of concocting some kind of nefarious plan, he's got his sights trained on bringing Jessica down as well.

In fairly short order, it's determined that some kind of electromagnetic pulse short-circuited all the electronic systems, prompting the investigative teams to conclude that the blackout was an act of terrorism. Switch then to Dr. Cray, who's in Myanmar working on vaccinations and is injured. Jessica saves him, thus providing the two with a history (never mind for the present that neither totally trusts the other). But as other blackouts hit other major cities and other oddities like a large number of missing animals add mystery and danger, it's clear that Jessica needs Theo - and vice versa - to get to the bottom of things and save the free world.

Needless to say, there's plenty of intrigue and full-on action, with chapters shifting perspectives from Jessica to Theo. As the series first, it stands alone fairly well - although several references to things that happened in the past aren't fully explained and were a little confusing to me. Then I learned that there have been several books featuring Blackwood alone; no doubt that's where the references originated (but which doesn't excuse not clarifying them here).

It all comes down to an exciting conclusion that brings the possibility (as expected) for more collaboration between Jessica and Theo. As I said earlier, I'm definitely interested in reading more - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Good job (and oh, BTW, this would make a great movie or TV series)!

Oh boy, was I ever excited to see a new series co-starring Theo Cray! After the ending of the Naturalist series, I suspected there were great and exciting things in store for Cray, but one never really knows. This new series also stars Jessica Blackwood, a character from another of Andrew Mayne’s thrilling books series that I haven’t yet picked up. That will be changing soon because she was an awesome counterpart to Theo Cray!

Mastermind begins with a bang - what appears to have been a terrorist attack has isolated a section of New York City - and then segues into a quick intro to Jessica Blackwood, agent extraordinaire. As I mentioned, I haven’t read the Jessica Blackwood trilogy yet, but that didn’t stop me from diving headlong into this story. The quick intro we get, plus the fairly seamless summary of what she’s been involved with helped me get up to speed. The short of it is as follows: an unknown terrorist organization used some sort of organic EMP to knock out a large section of NYC’s power and communications and the resulting black smoke thoroughly obfuscated the city and anyone inside the area that might have been involved in the attack. The joint government agencies slapped together a list of possible culprits, and none other than one Theo Cray was on it.

Cut to Theo, up to his eyeballs in shit, in the custody of some folks he’s been routinely killing off like a vigilante Rambo. Jessica Blackwood shows up in the nick of time to smuggle him out of the country (and out of the custody of a suspicious new US government agency). They bounce through multiple countries, creepy secret labs, and even more exciting places before the story concludes.

I’ve got to say, this might be the most exciting story I’ve read from Andre Mayne yet. I totally loved the dynamic between Cray and Blackwood and this story picked up right from the get go and the action was intense! While this does seem to heavily relate to the Jessica Blackwood series plot, I didn’t feel like I had missed too much by having not read it yet. It’s a really fun mash up of secret agent meets mad scientist and there is definitely some suspension of disbelief required, but it’s SO AWESOME.  

I can’t wait for the next book in the series, but in the meantime, I have plenty of Mayne’s other books to check out.

Completely OTT and bananas!

I liked the premise, but the crazy scenario combined with the over the top super hero characters had me massaging the pressure points in my head. It probably didn't help that I just finished another mind-bending read. More brain exercises!

We have a black-out in Manhattan, a team-up of FBI specialist Jessica Blackwood and Dr. Theo Cray, the diabolical villain, espionage and stolen monkeys, good vs. evil, need I say more?

The characters were well written with some humor thrown in, but the large number of everything under the sun schemes will keep me from returning to the series.

If you crave some bananas topped with candy corn, you may love it!

First of all, I'd like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl Beneath the Sea and Black Coral by Andrew Mayne and look forward to reading more novels featuring underwater police detective Sloan McPherson.

In Mastermind, I was introduced to some interesting personalities (Andrew has quite the knack for character development), like FBI agent Jessica Blackwood and Doctor Theo Cray, who set out to find the culprit responsible for creating chaos and plunging Manhattan into sudden darkness.

As the communication crash phenomenon seems to be spreading to cities around the globe, this unusual investigation team is not just doggedly tracking down the who, but also the much bigger question of why.

Overall this plotline was somewhat fun and unique with a mashup of mystery, thrills, and a dash of humor . . . however, for the sake of full disclosure, I must admit that compared to the other books I've mentioned above, I felt this one was a bit lackluster.

I'd like to thank the author, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Mastermind for an honest review.

Manhattan suffers what people think is a black out, but it is much more sinister than that. From page one this book takes you on a ride and let’s off the gas just enough to let you catch your breath. Theo and Jessica hop from continent to continent following a trail to find out who is behind the mystery. Each chapter brings you unexpected discovers and clever twists and turns.

Mastermind was so addictive and when I put it down (for work or sleep) I wanted to pick it right back up again. This is my first book by Andrew Mayne and I have already ordered another.

I want to thank NetGalley, Andrew Mayne and Thomas & Mercer for this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

Darkness fell on Manhattan like "Lights Out" at your favorite neighborhood pub. Quick and seemingly without warning.

Now you see it. Now you don't. And it's happening in Seoul and Singapore as well. No explanations. No threatening ransome notes online. Just a quickly drifting fog that encases everything in its pathway. A massive blackout lasting over 12 hours. An act of terrorism? Stay tuned......

Special Agent Jessica Blackwood is currently an instructor at the famous FBI Academy in Quantico. Andrew Mayne gives out snippets of her sharp-ended dialogue with her students. She's the real deal and always on top of her game. She's been called in to assist in sifting through the aftermath of this massive blackout in which someone is hellbent on destroying the electrical grid and the microprocessors. But she needs a bit of backup. That's gonna take some creativity. Good on Blackwood to search it out.

And the search takes her to Myanmar where Dr. Theo Cray, brilliant computational biologist, is being held in a prison there. Theo has been subjected to waterboarding and torture for vaccinating the locals without government approval. Blackwood pulls every trick out of the hat in order to have Theo released. Getting him on a plane out of the country will take us on one wild and crazy ride.

Andrew Mayne does a brilliant combo here with Theo Cray and Jessica Blackwood joining forces in order to outsmart the highly intelligent Michael Heywood known as The Warlock. Heywood was locked tight into a prison facility but made a quick escape during a prison transfer. Both Cray and Blackwood suspect Heywood but proving it is going to take the best of what they have together.

Mastermind is a fascinating jaunt into the vastness of the internet with those multitudes of agencies sworn to protect and those sworn to destroy top secret intelligence. Could there be a mole or multiples engaged in computer espionage?

Mayne always rattles our cages with possibilities out there. Some within this reading will freak you out at their current presence rather than in a futuristic society. It's here. Oh, it's here. Can't wait for the next one lined up with this dynamic duo. Science and WooWooville all wrapped up together.

I received a copy of Mastermind through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Andrew Mayne for the opportunity.

This is a thriller that keeps you guessing. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy version of this thrilling tale. I have not read any of the previous Jessica Blackwood books but will be adding them to my to-read stack.

The story begins with an atmospheric phenomenon occurring in NYC. What caused the Void? Who is behind this attack and what was the objective? So many questions to answer and so Jessica Blackwood is unexpectedly called in to assist with the investigation. The list of persons of interest she is given seems random but is it? She starts seeing the pieces of the puzzle fit together and recognizes the person she needs to interview is special. More questions arise. Can Dr. Theo Cray shed light on why these strange events are happening? Jessica us determined to find out.

This is a different kind of thriller and I really enjoyed it. The things that happen are so unexpected and clever that you are totally drawn into the story. The “bad guy” in this story has a mind that doesn’t behave the way normal people think. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I have read the previous Theo Cray series and enjoyed them. I was unaware that Mayne had also written a series involving Jessica Blackwood. This is the first book to bring the two together. The “mastermind” of the title apparently was in the previous Blackwood books.
This was just too over the top for me. Think James Bond or Die Hard evil genius trying to destroy the world kind of crazy plot line. Mayne seems to understand just how crazy it all is and has a little fun. As he writes it’s like “Batman villain comic-book plots”. Or later, “ trying to understand if this is a movie plot or a real thing.” In fact, while I found the plot totally bonkers, I did really enjoy Mayne’s humor. And every so often, he even threw in a little deep philosophy.
It is a mile a minute pace as Cray connects with Jessica Blackwood, an FBI special agent. It was interesting to have the super hero Bruce Willis type character actually be a woman. They’re both interesting characters and Mayne does a decent job of fleshing them both out.
As the story progresses, it does calm down somewhat from the torrid pace at the beginning. But that doesn’t mean it becomes any more believable.
I won’t bother going back to read the earlier Blackwood books but will continue to seek out Mayne’s other series.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

I’m a huge fan of Andrew Mayne’s writing, so I was super excited to read “Mastermind”, a new book where the main characters from two of his series join forces to solve a puzzling and sinister new mystery: a strong female FBI agent, Jessica Blackwood, and computational biologist Dr. Theo Cray (of The Naturalist series).

After Manhattan falls prey to an inexplicable blackout fog nicknamed the Void, Jessica heads overseas to spring Theo from a Myanmar prison to help her figure out what happened. What follows is a crazy adventure full of twists and turns as they hunt for a brilliant escaped killer who they suspect is the mastermind behind the Void.

This novel starts out with a bang, but the pacing is a bit uneven after that. There was a chunk of the book that drags a bit, but once things ramp up, the action is fast-paced and non-stop. Jessica and Theo are both great characters in their own right, but their chemistry together is nothing short of marvelous. You don’t need to read either of their series to enjoy “Mastermind” – but you definitely should, because Mayne’s work is outstanding!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.