There is a serial killer on the loose in Florida and hunting is his game..and he is definitely not hunting rabbits! This serial killer also has a fascination with Dr. Nadine Finch, an FBI profiler with her own troubled past. He has Nadine now in his sights and his next step is luring her into his territory which also happens to be her mother’s playground. What ensues is a cat and mouse chase. Has Nadine finally met her match?

I just want to kick myself. I didn’t realize this was the second book in the Agent Nadine Finch series. Although, this book can definitely be read as a standalone, so I don’t feel as if I have missed too much in the previous book. All I know is I am definitely going to have to pick up the first book because omg I love Nadine! Nadine is back from a 5 month intensive training program with the FBI and finally ready to see her boyfriend, Homicide Detective Clint. Clint wants to take their relationship one step further, but Nadine has reservations. Luckily for her, she doesn;t have to make a decision yet because she is called in to a serial killer case in Ocala, Fl. a place she swore she would never ever return to because of her tragic past. With a colorful cast of her friends also with tragic pasts of their own, they hunt for their killer before he can target his next victim.

This story really pulls you right from the very first page, which may add, starts off pretty sinister with the opening prologue in the POV of our serial killer. The scenes are pretty graphic in the way he stalks and hunts his prey leaving an arrowhead embedded in their spine. There are certain scenes talked about that also made me squirm especially with alligators feasting on people.

The writing draws you right in and I was unable to put this story down for any reason! I normally like to take breaks, but I had to know what came next, so needless to say I was up all night reading this fantastic story. I definitely NEED more of Nadine as she is one of my favorite characters, especially one in forensics.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book!
Going into this book, I hadn’t realized this was book 2 in a series, but I feel that it is great as a stand-alone, I was able to follow along with the story just fine!
The really cool part of this story was that the investigators were all relatives of killers! I thought that was a pretty interesting aspect to include; I watch a ton of crime dramas and that definitely made it unique!
This was a true psychological thriller and I did not want to put it down.
Definitely recommended!
5 ⭐️

Opening prologue grabs you in.
Very intense and suspenseful. Graphic
Book two in series, continuing characters, and ongoing story from book one. 3.85

Twists and turns galore as a new threat faces Nadine Finch. This is the second book in the series, and I do recommend reading book 1 first for the background.

Really enjoyable thriller! The pages seemed to turn themselves. The setting of the book aided in the creep factor and there were twists I hadn’t seen coming.

Now this was an interesting book! I have to admit that I haven't read book 1 in the series (yet). I will definitely read it now that I have read book 2. While this is the second installment, you can absolutely read this as a standalone. The most fascinating part of book 2 for me was the fact that the team of investigators have one thing in common: they are all relatives of criminals, and I mean criminals of the worst kind...murderers! If I were Nadine, I would ask myself the same question: Do I have the "murderer trait" in my genes? Her and the other team members' inner conflict over this question was super interesting! This is a fantastically written page turner, action packed from the very first page. If you like books which start with extensive world and character building, you might have a bit of an issue with this one. But this novel focuses--just like many books in this genre--on action and mystery. If you like fast-paced thrillers, pick up a copy of this book and choose a day on which you can read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put this book down!!! That's how fast-paced and gripping it was. You just have to hold on to your seat, and, for Christ's sake, don't blink or you will miss something hahahaha. I loved not only the pace of this book, but also the characters. They drew me in with their interesting backgrounds, flaws, worries, etc. And the ending, y'all!!!! I was completely blown away by the last few chapters. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster I couldn't stop and that took my breath away! Hands down, one of the best psychological thrillers I've read lately!

The Haunted Girls by Jenna Kernan. WOW! what a book. Fast paced and thrilling. Based in Florida where I live also. I downloaded from NetGalley when it was offered. I have read this author many times and never disappointed in her books. Now to read the first book of the series.

Series: Agent Nadine Finch - #2 in Series
Genre: Mystery & Suspense
Main Characters: Nadine
Rating: 4 Stars

When there is a horrific murder discovered in the town that Nadine grew up she knows that she must go there and help. Nadine, a profiler who specializes in serial killers, has a unique insight into how killers think as she was raised by a prolific serial killer, her mother. Nadine immediately brings her team on board which consists of her detective significant other Clint, Medical Examiner Juliette and Nadine's assistant Tina to hunt this killer but there is more to this hunter than just terrorizing women. With each victim this killer gets closer to Nadine and Nadine must get inside this killer's mind before he reaches his ultimate goal.

This is the second book in the series and though I haven't read the first one I was able to catch up and following along with the story very easily. Having said that I am definitely going to go back and re-read the first. I enjoyed the team that Nadine has put together as they are all uniquely bonded by having mothers that have killed. Hearing Nadine's thought you see how effected she has been by being raised by a serial killer and fears that her genetics dictate who she will become. If you spend so much time thinking as a killer, how long before that becomes your fate?

I can't wait to see where this character leads as there is much more to her story!

Wow... a fast paced, intense thriller with characters that jump off the page and an absolutely riveting plot.

This is my first book by Jenna Kerman and definitely will not be my last. This novel had me invested and on the edge of my seat till the very last page.

Gripping. A definite must read.

This is a new author for me. I really enjoyed The Hunted Girls. I read a lot of thrillers so felt very at home in the world created in the book. I was fascinated by the idea that Nadine’s mother and uncle were serial killers and other members of her family were felons and her grand-father had been a killer as well. This idea is not something I’d come across in a thriller before and I really enjoyed getting to know her as a character and the way her mind worked. I really connected to her and her fear that due to her family she might had had a genetic predisposition to be a killer. The book is intense at times and really gripping. I thought it was great.

Eeek, this was an intense read!

Nadine is a profiler, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't forget that her mother is a stone-cold killer and someone out there is not letting her forget that either....

Surrounded by an amazing team, Nadine makes inroads into finding the sadistic killer of women, not realising until it is nearly too late that what is important in life is love and friends, and not her past.

This book was expertly crafted and an incredible read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

My Review

This is book two in the Nadine Finch series, it can be read as a standalone but book one is brilliant so why would you not read that too!

This time profiler Dr Nadine Finch has now been dating homicide detective Clint Demko for seven months. He’s pushing for their relationship to move forward while she’s holding back.

She’s barely touched down, returning from a twenty week FBI training course, to find herself asked to help on a case and Nadine is straight back on the hunt of a serial killer. The fact that it’s also in her mother’s killing playground, where she had vowed never to return, makes her insist on certain conditions. Forming her own team and her input remaining confidential.

It was great to have the team back together again, the strength of this series for me is it’s characters. I love how they are connected by members of their families being killers, which is something fresh and exciting. They all have a role to play and they make a great ensemble. Then there is the killers, wow does this author know how to write baddies. I thought the mother and killer from book one were bad enough but this one is intelligent, determined and has their sights set on Nadine herself. Meaning her close circle are putting themselves right in the line of fire.

Fast paced and full of action this is another tense read in what is shaping up to be an absolutely fantastic series. Looking forward to book three now!

The Hunted Girls by Jenna Kernan is the second novel in the Agent Nadine Finch series. Dark and suspenseful  The Hunted Girls will leave you breathless as you join the hunt for a diabolical serial killer. It works well as a stand-alone. However, up on experiencing this  dark, gritty and suspenseful journey into Kernan's world I plan to go back to where it all began.

Plot

I like the idea behind the plot.  I expected the story to be dark, but the darkness I encountered went beyond my expectations.  Suspenseful, chilling and fast paced The Hunted Girls is not meant for the faint of heart. To lighten things the author infused romance in between the moments spent tracking the killer. I enjoyed the romance, which came with its share of challenges and triumphs.

Characters

Dr. Nadine Finch's uncanny ability to delve into the mind of a killer as made her a well sought after profiler. As the the daughter and niece of serial killers, a sister to a rapist and grandparents with a criminal past, Nadine can relate to how the mind of a criminal works.  She fears she may have inherited her family's criminal disposition, as such she keeps everyone at a distance. 

Her team members were interesting individuals. Similar to Nadine they had their share of struggles. This common bond and the need to prove they had nothing in common with their relatives fueled their skills in tracking down psychopaths. 

The villain featured in the story was diabolical. The manner in which he chose his prey and the reason for choosing his current location to carry out his evil acts demonstrated the depravity of his mind.

World Building

The author transported the reader to the city of Ocala in the northern region of Florida.  The location chosen provided the perfect hunting ground for the villain. The area in question played an important role in the story and as events unfold we learn the reason for choosing this location.

Writing Style

I thought the story was well written. It began on a chilling note and I could not look away. The author's graphic descriptions had me feeling  I was  in the story especially when I found myself cringing on two occasions. The fact I learnt the identity of the villain at the same as the members of Nadine's team demonstrated the author's craftiness in wielding  her pen.

Ending

The moments leading up to the end made me edgy.  I was on pins and needles hoping for a favorable outcome. The story ended on a good note, is spite of the outcome as it relates to the villain not being the one I wanted.

Enjoyment

The Hunted Girls satiated my need for a dark and gritty thriller. Fans of  the genre will want to pick up a copy.

This second book of the Dr. Nadine French series does not disappoint. It is filled with excitement, intrigue, and a bit of romance. Having joined the FBI as a profiler, after her last case, Nadine is called back to her home town to investigate a string of bizarre murders. Someone is luring women into the wetlands of Florida, torturing them, shooting them with arrows, and then feeding them to the gators. Nadine agrees to the come with the caveat that she can bring her own team: Tina as administrative assistant, Juliette as ME, and Demko as investigator (and her lover). Through the investigation, it becomes clear that the perpetrator is targeting Nadine and those around her. The chase intensifies and keeps you guessing until the end. I can't wait to see what happens next with Nadine and Demko and the crew.

The Hunted Girls, is a second installment of a series. Although it can be read as a standalone I would not recommend it as there is a lot of history. After finding out that this was the second book of the series I went back and read A Killer's Daughter and I am so glad I did!

The Hunted Girls is set with Agent Nadine Finch investigating the recent death of newlywed, Nikki Darnell. Haunted by her own past, Agent Finch had sworn off the Florida grounds where the body had been found. Agent Finch puts her past aside and sets out to catch a killer. A killer, who has an obsession with Nikki Darnell's haunted past.

I love Jenna Kernan's writing style, the chapter's flowed with ease. Complete page turner! I cant wait to see what else Kernan will come up with in the future!

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

Nadine Finch is back in this second installment and it's just as good as the first one.

We have an assortment of characters who all have parents who killed someone. I liked the premise of this story.

The story flowed and all the characters were fleshed out and well thought up.

This is a serial killer thriller book with twists and turns at every corner.

The opening of the book describes the killing without giving away any details on who the killer is. Despite being clearly dark and gruesome, I found this completely compelling and intriguing.

I liked the character of Nadine. She is clearly complex, intelligent and hard working. I did find it a little strange that she talked a lot about her family history of killing so much, when she had tried so hard to move away from that and make a life and career for herself in forensic psychology. Though, I suppose it is also a career where you are faced with death and killing on a almost daily basis, and it is ingrained in you to ask questions and wonder about people’s life choices.

Call me sick, but I loved the graphic insight into the crime scenez as it really made me feel more involved in the story. I was able to visualise certain things and make assumptions or guess about the killer. I also find it fascinating what we can learn and figure out from a dead body.

This is definitely a page turner and I enjoyed the balance of seeing the way Nadine faced challenges in both her private and professional life.

I would recommend this book to fans of A A Chaudhuri and Keri Beevis.

Tense and fast paced. Very suspenseful and twisty. Loved this amazing book- just brilliant. I raced through it in one sitting, unable to put it down. Please don't miss this one. It is just wow.

I enjoyed this way more than I expected ! I kind of expected things would turn out the way they did, I just didn't expect who was behind it all and how things would unfold. This was the second book in a series - I haven't read the first yet, but it still made sense without reading it. I'll likely purchase the first book after reading this!

Nadine Finch is a profiler, brought in on a case with the FBI due to her past. She comes from a family with a history of murder, and she helped bring down the copycat killer. When her past brings her back to her hometown to help find the next killer, Nadine starts second guessing if she has the gene that makes her more similar to these murderers murderers she hopes. After multiple women are brutally murdered, the case hits closer to home than Nadine expected. But who is he really after and why ?

Thank you to @netgalley and @bookouture for this egalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I really loved the first book in this series so I was excited about the next book. While this is the second book in the series you can read it as a standalone.

Nadine has had a complicated life and she really struggles to let people in. She is so fearful that her family legacy is going to catch up to her that she keeps people at arm's length. Some might see her as cold but she is just trying to protect others. She is an excellent profiler. She is determined, hard-working and very caring. She has already grown so much from the first book and I can't wait for her to get stronger and more confident in her abilities.

I loved Nadine's little team that she has created. This very much reminded me of the BAU team in Criminal Minds. I love seeing the psychological aspects of the profile and this team clearly trust each other. I can't wait to see them become an official FBI team as the series continues.

This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The killer is psychologically disturbed and there are a few graphic scenes. There was one scene in particular that really made me cringe with the pain this victim must have been going through. Jenna's descriptions are so easy to imagine.

Jenna's writing style makes it very easy to read this book. I thought this story was addictive and fascinating. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!