"Original Sins" by Erin Young is my first read by this author, and I was introduced to her work through NetGalley. The novel is a gripping thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. Set in the chilling backdrop of Des Moines during a brutally cold winter, the atmospheric setting adds a layer of tension and isolation that perfectly complements the story. The character development is exceptional, particularly with the \, Riley Fisher. As a newly minted FBI agent, Riley is complex and relatable, grappling with her own past traumas while navigating a high-stakes investigation. Her resilience and determination make her a compelling character to root for. The supporting characters, including her enigmatic partner, Special Agent Peter Altman, add depth to the narrative, each bringing their own unique challenges and dynamics to the story. Overall, Erin Young's writing is engaging and immersive, making "Original Sins" a standout thriller. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #original sins

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Original Sins by Erin Young!

Original Sins by Erin Young is an intense and gritty thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. In the dead of a harsh Iowa winter, rookie FBI agent Riley Fisher is thrown into the deep end, hunting a serial predator known as the Sin Eater, all while navigating a death threat against the newly elected governor. As Riley balances her new role, personal struggles, and an uneasy partnership, she slowly uncovers a chilling connection between these two cases. The stakes feel higher with each turn of the page, and the tension builds masterfully towards an explosive finale.

What really stood out to me was Riley’s resilience. Despite the constant opposition from her colleagues, she relentlessly pushes forward, making her triumphs feel hard-earned. The violence is intense—definitely not for the faint of heart—but the twists and emotional gut punches, especially towards the end, took me by surprise. Even though this is the second book in the series, it works perfectly as a standalone. Overall, Original Sins delivers suspense, dark intrigue, and a flawed but compelling heroine, making it a must-read for fans of gripping crime fiction.

* Read as a standalone *

Riley, a rookie FBI agent, moves to Des Moines, Iowa, with its very own serial killer, known as the "Sin Eater." Despite this, she is put on the female governor's death threat investigations with a partner who doesn't want her help. All of this while dealing with her move and the family drama that comes with massive changes.

I really liked Riley as a character and hope this isn't the end of her as a character. The twists and turns kept me guessing!

I was provided a copy by NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

I read this as a standalone, and it totally works. I loved this book and immediately ran to get the first book. It was mysterious, thrilling, and suspenseful. I loved the character building and the arc that Riley had within this story. Even without Riley’s backstory, I felt like I knew so much about her. Great read!

Thank you NetGalley and Flatiron books for the ARC. I read this book as a stand alone not as the second in a series

This book is about Riley Fisher, a veteran law enforcement officer who is a new FBI agent. She is working on a case involving the sin eater. Riley is not really appreciated at first with a boss who implies Riley is there for her connection to the governor rather than her abilities as an officer, and a co worker who is a jerk and a bit crooked. Riley is interesting enough but there are just too many characters in the book to be manageable. The book has a feminist agenda which I often enjoy, but this one was too much for me. The abuse of women is the theme and it is too in-your-face for me.

While this book has some good moments and Riley is interesting there is too much to keep track of. I think the book will appeal to some people; those who are into crime procedurals would enjoy. It’ doe not meet my expectation for a thriller..

I had the pleasure of reading Original Sins, the second installment in the Riley Fisher series, and I must say that I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish. As a fan of police procedurals and thrillers, I was hooked by the underlying mystery from the very beginning. The author, Erin Young, did an excellent job of crafting a complex and intriguing plot that kept me guessing until the very end.

The protagonist, Riley Fisher, is a strong and capable FBI agent who is still finding her footing in her new role. She's intelligent, determined, and has a deep sense of justice that drives her to solve the cases she's assigned to. Her character development is well done, and I found myself rooting for her as she navigated the challenges she faced.

The supporting cast is equally well-written, with Fogg being a standout. He's a seasoned detective with a deep understanding of human nature and a passion for justice. His partnership with Riley works well, and their banter and interactions added a layer of tension and humor to the story.

The plot is expertly woven, with multiple threads that slowly come together as the story unfolds. The twists and turns are well-executed, keeping me on my toes as I tried to piece together the mystery. The climax is intense and suspenseful, with a conclusion that came as a surprise.

One thing that stood out to me was the way the author tackled themes of sexism and office politics within the FBI. It's clear that Young has done her research and is not afraid to tackle these sensitive topics head-on.

Overall, I would highly recommend Original Sins to fans of police procedurals and thrillers. It's a well-written, engaging story with strong characters and a complex plot. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!

I struggled through this book because as good as the underlying story was, the in between parts I found tedious and boring at times. I found myself starting chapters thinking I had somehow missed a couple of pages because it had jumped ahead and was being narrated as if I had more information than I did. I did like that it was a cop novel with a main character as a woman which can be harder to come by, and I did enjoy that I didn't see the bad guy coming at all, it was definitely a twist I didn't predict. However, even though the bones of the story were good, and even though I do love a good cult vibe, I didn't think it was fleshed out enough, and more character development could have been seen through the story also, however this is book two, maybe I would feel slightly different if I had read book 1 already.

Riley Fisher is back! (As an FBI agent) After reading The Fields, I was excited to get my hands on another one. I love that I can quickly read these, like watching a crime show. If you enjoyed the 1st book, no doubt you'll enjoy this one as well.

I felt lost when I first began reading this book as I didn’t realize there was one before this one. I think it would have been better had I read the first one. I wasn’t able to connect with the heroine of the story, nor did I like the majority of the characters in this story. This was a well written story, and thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.
Happy Reading Everyone!

I enjoyed this book a lot. I had read Erin's first book and this book doesn't disappoint and you are constantly left guessing as to who did it and who is involved. I loved the landscape of Des Moine and how our protagonist is just starting off with the FBI. She has to track down the sin eater and has to figure out if it's a copy cat from a few years ago. I finished reading this book over a month ago, and cannot remember specific details as to characters, but I can remember places, like the water park. She has an uncanny talent for "creepy".

Would recommend for fans of…
🍎 True Detective: Night Country
🍎 Mare of Easttown
🍎 The Silence of the Lambs

Erin Young’s Riley Fisher books are quickly becoming one of my favorite detective stories! I really enjoyed her debut, The Fields, and was happy to find that I loved the follow-up, Original Sins, just as much.

Original Sins follows newly-minted FBI agent Riley Fisher as she investigates two seemingly unrelated cases – one involving the governor and another involving a serial attacker – that quickly become entangled. The mystery has a lot in common with many iconic and prestigious detective dramas, and as a result, the novel feels like it’s destined to become an HBO series (the first novel is actually in development for TV right now). It’s gripping – I had to force myself to read slower to savor the story – and Young’s writing has a very cinematic feel, making the novel play out like a movie in your mind as you read

This is definitely not a cozy mystery. Like its predecessor, The Fields, it’s graphic and gory at times and in the case of Original Sins specifically, its plot points are borrowed heavily from events of the past few years. As someone who loves her mystery/thrillers DARK this didn’t bother me at all, but if you’re looking for something lighter, you may want to pass on this one.

Original Sins picks up where The Fields left off, so it’s probably best to read the books in order, but there are only two books so it's pretty easy to get caught up quickly. Original Sins is available now. Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Suspense filled novel that kept me turning pages faster and faster. Amazing thriller and I can’t wait to go back to the first Riley Fisher novel to catch up, as well as anticipate more in this series to come. Highly recommend this one!

This is the second book in the Riley Fisher series. In the first book, The Fields, Riley is a sergeant with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's department.

In Original Sins, Riley is now an FBI agent and is sent to her first post in Des Moines, Iowa. She is sent to investigate the brutal attacks on women by a suspect dubbed the "Sin Eater." However, this case takes many twists and turns and is much more involved than anyone knows.

I loved The Fields. It was one of my favorite books of that year. Original Sins is also an excellent crime thriller. The author spins an amazing story that keeps you guessing and makes you want to read straight through the night to find out what happens. I hope there will be a third book in this series, because I have become engrossed in Riley's life and where her next case will take her. I recommend this book to anyone who loves crime thrillers or books involving FBI agents. Be sure to read The Fields first as I think it will give you better insight into Riley and her life.

4.25/5

Original Sins by Erin Young is the second book in the Riley Fisher series, and though I couldn't really remember what happened in the first book, it didn't seem necessary to read this installment. Riley, as usual, throws herself into some majorly dangerous situations but manages to come out on the other side because of her quick wits and general badassery. I love her as an FMC and was completely engrossed in the storyline and seeing her character build up a little more.

The audiobook is narrated by Kate Handford which I thought was interesting because book 1 (The Fields) was narrated by Soneela Nankani. I'm not sure why they made this change, and I will be interested to see who the next installment will be narrated by. I personally love Nankani as a narrator and would have liked to see her back, but I enjoyed Handford's narration all the same and would be just fine if she continued to narrate. Parts of this book reminded me of Open Your Eyes by Heather J. Fitt, and it is downright disturbing. Triggers are there and should be checked, but this was a solid mystery/police procedural, and I can't wait for the series to continue!

Thnks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

"Original Sins" by Erin Young is a compelling exploration of human nature, love, and redemption set against the backdrop of a small town rife with secrets. Through richly drawn characters and a relentless pace, Young skillfully weaves together multiple narrative threads, delving into the complexities of morality and the consequences of our actions. The novel's nuanced exploration of right and wrong, along with its evocative prose and unpredictable twists, make it a thought-provoking and deeply satisfying read that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned. Erin Young proves herself to be a master storyteller with "Original Sins," leaving readers eagerly anticipating her future works.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers & Erin Young for my advanced review copy. I was selecting books a little too freely one night, when I requested this one. I'm not a fan of police procedurals, especially series (minus Hamish MacBeth). Giving it three stars because I did try to read it, it just wasn't my jam. Recommended for fans of police procedurals, women in law enforcement, serial killers... aka my dad.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Erin Young

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Just when you think you have an idea of who, there’s a turn! This book was well written and the story was brilliant. A great crime/law enforcement read. I really enjoyed the pace of the book and how little pieces were dropped that kept you engaged and wanting to find out all the connections. The ending took me by surprise! I now need to read the first book! Riley’s character is fantastic! I really felt sad for Kody and wonder if we will be hearing more about him.

This is book 2 but you don’t necessarily need to read the first one. Although I would say it’s worth it because this was so well written. I loved the plot and the pacing and the FMC. she does fall an awful lot but who am I to judge.