3⭐️

Agent Riley Fisher has left her job of authority at the Sheriff’s Department to join the FBI with her placement happening as the restrictions from the pandemic were being pulled back. Working in a small field office in Des Moines, she quickly finds herself working a case involving a man accused of violently attacking woman in the mid ‘90s who had recently started up again.

Originally known as the Sin Eater by the press, the man was known for brutally attacking and humiliating women he found to be unholy before taking a trophy for himself. As the attacks have picked up again, violent threats have been levied against governor Jess Cook and her family. Given her past relationship with Governor Cook, Riley finds herself trying to figure out if the threats on the governor are from the Sin Eater as well.

I did that thing where I requested a book on Netgalley without realizing it was a part of a series again. I found the first book of the series interesting enough and was looking forward to seeing what direction Original Sins would take. The biblical nature of the crimes drew me in and I liked the way this quickly turned into a cult like story. I also appreciated that the ending wasn’t entirely cut and dry.

This book was just okay for me. What I liked about the first book was Riley was this kickass woman in charge at the sheriff’s station who could handle herself even with her traumatic past. And all that personality felt like it was lost in this book. By moving her from the small town to the FBI in the city, there wasn’t anything about her that stood out anymore. She was equal part timid and stupidly reckless and I just found myself not caring about the story line anymore.

Thank you Netgalley and Flat Iron Books for providing this ARC to me!

Original Sins is a propulsive, well-written thriller/police procedural. I couldn’t put it down, thanks mostly to Young’s skill in ending a chapter with enough of a cliffhanger that you have to read at least one more chapter. It was equal parts creepy and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.

I didn’t realize that this was the second Riley Fisher novel, and that’s on me. Fortunately, I found that reading the first in the series wasn’t a prerequisite for enjoying Original Sins.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!

ORIGINAL SINS takes you on wild ride, as Riley tries to solve her first case as an FBI agent. I was hooked from the start. I liked Riley's character, I thought she was resilient. I don't want to give much away but I will say that when got to the conclusion, I was more than satisfied. I definitely plan to go back and read this author's previous book, THE FIELDS. Overall, ORIGINAL SINS had a great twist! I couldn't stop thinking about this one. I can easily recommend it, if you enjoy police procedurals as much as I do.

Many thanks to FlatIron Books and NetGalley for my gifted copy. This review will be shared to my Instagram @coffee.break.book.reviews in the near future.

'Original Sins' by Erin Young
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication: February 13, 2024
Special thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was pretty quickly drawn into this book - crime thriller/police procedural is not my normal genre so this was a pleasant surprise.
Picking up after 'The Fields', we again meet Riley Fisher, this time as a newly active FBI agent assigned to an office in Des Moines, Iowa. Struggling with a move, leaving her family behind, and a newly assigned partner she doesn't quite trust, Riley is still gaining her footing when an infamous serial killer returns to terrorizing the city.
The Sin Eater, known for killing women in Des Moines throughout the 90s appears to have returned and is not only targeting young women, but also the newly elected female mayor, Jess Cook. Given her past with the mayor, Riley is assigned to the case and struggling to capture the Sin Eater with help of her partner Det. Altman and leader of a special task force, Det. Verne. As the story unravels we learn that The Sin Eater and his actions spread much wider than anyone could have anticipated.
While trying not to give away the ending, I enjoyed the social commentary the author provides with the character and evolution of The Sin Eater. The meaning behind the title I also felt was beautifully revealed and enjoyed the deeper meaning.

Love the title for this books. Kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole book. Was a great dark thriller. This is the first book I have read of Erin’s and I loved the writing style.

I absolutely loved this book! The plot kept me guessing the whole time. There were a few times that I had convinced myself I had figured out "whodunnit" but was proven wrong... in the best way possible. I loved the multi-perspective story telling that really helped bring the characters and their motivations to life. Would definitely recommend to my crime/thriller loving friends.

A strong and engaging murder mystery that really gathers speed when what seems like a serial killer plot is revealed to be something else entirely. A good cast of characters and a thriller of an ending.

Incredible thriller with a beautiful writing style. I was captivated by the storyline and couldn't wait to find out how all of the pieces came together. I have experienced some issues with visualizing the stories that I read but this one read like a movie. I will be looking for all of the stories Erin Young publishes!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for my ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Riveting, soul crushing, men vs women, incredible women who work for the FBI, and a big ending equals the perfect book for true crime lovers.

Title: Original Sins - A Riveting Psychological Thriller

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Erin Young's "Original Sins" is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last. With a skillful blend of suspense, intricate characters, and a plot laden with twists, Young delivers a masterclass in the genre.

The narrative unfolds with a meticulously crafted plot, exploring the depths of human psychology and the consequences of secrets buried in the past. Young's writing is both sharp and evocative, creating an atmosphere of tension that lingers throughout the story. The pacing is impeccable, building suspense with each chapter and propelling the reader toward a series of unexpected revelations.

The characters in "Original Sins" are complex and compelling, each harboring their own secrets and flaws. The depth of their development adds layers to the story, keeping readers invested in their fates. The protagonist's journey is both harrowing and relatable, making it easy to empathize with her struggles.

What sets this thriller apart is Young's ability to delve into the darker corners of the human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. The plot weaves through intricate layers of deception, leaving readers questioning the true nature of the characters until the final, satisfying conclusion.

Young's writing is not only suspenseful but also thought-provoking. The narrative raises profound questions about morality and the enduring impact of past actions. As the story unfolds, it challenges readers to reassess their perceptions of right and wrong, adding a cerebral depth to the thrilling narrative.

In summary, "Original Sins" is a standout psychological thriller that showcases Erin Young's mastery of the genre. With a riveting plot, well-crafted characters, and a narrative that keeps readers guessing, this novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a psychological thriller that goes beyond the conventional boundaries of the genre.

Oh. My. Gosh. This book, yall. THIS BOOK. The moment I picked it up, I couldn’t put it back down. What a ride! Writing style? Chefs kiss. Mystery? Gripping. Characters? Compelling. Absolutely loved every aspect of this journey and cannot recommend it enough to thriller and mystery fans. It’s a bit of a dark ride – but the title gives that away. It had me on the edge of my seat so quickly I nearly slid right off.
Can we talk about the name for the serial attacker? THE SIN EATER? Oh my gosh, so good right? I would be terrified if I lived somewhere with that stalking around. But what does the Sin Eater do? They stalk and attack women in Des Moines, Iowa. Riley Fisher, our FBI agent on the case, doesn’t feel like she can trust or rely on anyone, which makes for a difficult time. Ultimately she ends up as protection for the newly elected government official who is also a woman, intent to protect her against the Sin Eater. That’s all you’re getting from me.
The pandemic is prevalent in this story. Politics is prevalent in this story. Fear and anxiety is prevalent in this story. There are so many factors at play, and Young weaves them together effortlessly in such a dynamic and compelling manner. This felt very one of a kind to me, a read I have not experienced before. I will say again that I cannot recommend this one enough. I will be buying a physical copy to re-read when it comes out and I highly recommend you do the same!
Thank you so very much to Flatiron Books, Erin Young, and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my review. I am so thankful I had the chance to read this!

Someone is violently attacking single women in her city - is a newly minted FBI agent up to the job of stopping them?

Riley Fisher is not new to law enforcement; she followed in the heels of her grandfather to rise from patrol officer to an investigator with the rank of sergeant in Cedar Falls, the small Iowa town where she grew up. When her work on an investigation caught the attention of an FBI behavioral analyst, Riley was offered the opportunity to join the FBI. She made the difficult decision to seize the chance to carve out a new life and leave behind the relative safety and security of her job (as well as the not always welcome ties to the family of which she had become the de facto caretaker). She is granted her request to be posted to the resident agency in Des Moines, which is a couple hours away from Cedar Falls….close enough to her family if needed, but far enough away to maintain some measure of independence. Riley soon is questioning her decision, however. Her somewhat cold new boss, Connie Meadows, believes that Riley got the job through having friends in high places, and the other agents with whom she will be working aren’t particularly welcoming either. When the security team of the state’s new female governor, Jess Cook, contact the FBI for help due to a recent alarming threat against Cook’s family, Meadows assigns Riley to accompany a more senior agent, Peter Altman, in looking in to the matter. Given that Cook narrowly escaped an attack by an angry extremist right inside the capitol, no one is taking any chances with this latest threat. Meanwhile, the city is unnerved by a recent spate of violent attacks against women that have yielded no suspects. Veteran Detective Julius “Fogg” Verne of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations is leading the investigation into the attacks, and is feeling a tremendous amount of pressure from above and from the city at large. Elements of the most recent crime lead him to believe that these crimes are related to unsolved cases perpetrated years earlier by someone the press had dubbed the Sin Eater, which opens up new paths of investigation as well as heightened concerns. Riley sees some similarities between the threats to Governor Cook and the violent assaults of the Sin Eater, and although her reluctant partner Altman doesn’t give her observations much credence, a task force is formed that has the two FBI agents combining efforts with Fogg. Altman is happy to push Riley away from him and towards Fogg, and since Riley actually finds it a better working partnership she is OK with that. Personal problems continue to pull not only at Riley but at others in the group, threats against the governor ratchet up in intensity, and victims’ families are turning up the heat on the police to find whoever is behind the brutal attacks before someone else falls victim. Riley will need to combat her own questions about her abilities, less than supportive work partners, the ever-present hint of sexism and a healthy dose of office and inter-office politics while battling demons from her past and a family that doesn’t want to let go as she works to solve the two cases.
I was hooked by the underlying mystery from the very beginning, and enjoyed getting to know the character of Riley Fisher. She is at a crossroads in her life and career, and how she negotiates her way through both adds to the enjoyment of a solid thriller. Fogg is another interesting member of the cast, a dedicated officer of the law who has always been able to maintain enough detachment from the evils he sees each day to prevent them from coloring his personal life but is finding it increasingly difficult to do so. The two make a good team, each dedicated to the job and talented at it. The underlying mystery rolls out steadily, has more than a few twists, plenty of potential suspects, and a conclusion that came as a bit of a surprise. I enjoyed reading Original Sins and look forward to another installment of the series (this is the second novel featuring Riley Fisher, the first being The Fields). Readers of Linda Castillo, Lisa Unger and Allison Brennan should give this book a try, as should anyone who would enjoy a strong if flawed female protagonist fighting to make her way in a field still largely dominated by men. Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for allowing me access to an advanced reader’s copy of Original Sins in return for my honest review….it was a pleasure to read!

In the midst of a brutal winter in Des Moines, Iowa, FBI rookie Riley Fisher must navigate a brutal serial killer as well as a kidnapping plot against the state's governor. The serial killer, known as the Sin Eater, eluded law enforcement nearly thirty years ago and has recently re-emerged, stalking and attacking women throughout the city. On her first assignment as an FBI agent, Riley, a former small-town sergeant, is teamed with a man she isn't sure she can trust and is struggling to prove herself. While hunting for the Sin Eater, Riley is also tasked with investigating a death threat against the newly-elected female governor. When Riley finds a disturbing connection between the two cases, she is drawn toward a terrifying revelation

"Original Sins" is the second book in the Riley Fisher series by Erin Young. With Riley's new job in a new location, it works well as a standalone novel. This book is a fast-paced, compelling thriller that will hook you from the very first chapter and keep you guessing until the last page. Riley is an extremely likable main character who you can't help but root for. The story is told in third-person from the points of view of several different characters. With two storylines, there were a lot of characters, so it was a bit confusing at times to remember who was who. Overall, an enjoyable crime thriller, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I did not read the first installment in this series, and I don't think that is necessary. The premise of the novel intrigued me. Riley is a rookie FBI agent in Iowa hunting a serial killer, the Sin Eater. The killer is back after being dormant. Riley and team work to figure out who the killer is and why he is back before he kills again.

I do agree that this is very much like Tana French as far as writing, plot and mysteries. But, I lost interest about half way through as the story bogged down in details, connections and just too much going on that was not very interesting or pertinent to the story. So for me it started great, had a slow middle but neatly tied up all loose ends in the end.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Holy mother of thrillers! This book filled me with so much anxiety and giddy anticipation, I could hardly put it down to focus on my real life. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but that didn’t detract from the story at all.

Riley is a rookie FBI agent on her first assignment, which is to hunt down a prolific serial attacker. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why these women are being brutally attacked, but when a threat is made against the new female Governor, Riley slowly comes to the realization that these crimes are connected. She must protect the Governor, the Governor’s family, and stop any other women from these vicious assaults.

I love thrillers and this one hit the spot. The plot is fast-paced and the characters are written to make the reader really form an opinion about them. I eagerly await the next in the series (I hope there is one, at least) and I urge all you thriller lovers to give this 5-star book a try. I promise you’ll love it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the advanced copy.

Erin Young doesn't hold back in this one. Set in the height of the pandemic, in the height of violent protests (from the incel community, buckle up!), newly-minted FBI Agent Riley Fisher is in Des Moines trying to prevent a terrorist attack on a female senator while also tracking down a serial killer. Young does everything right, but serial killers/pandemic stories just aren't for me, so I'm giving it 4 stars and putting it down after getting halfway through.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A hard story to read due to the extreme violence against women. However, it's a well-told story, and I do enjoy this author's writing. Her descriptions and imagery are stunning, taking you right into the story along with the characters. Main character Riley has a different job in a different city from book #1, and with that we also get new side characters, so although this is #2, you could read it as a standalone and not be lost. The middle dragged a bit for me but once it got back on track, there was no putting it down until the end. I wish more had developed in this one with Logan and Ethan, maybe we'll see that in #3. Looking forward to more from Erin Young.

This was everything I hope for in a thriller - consistently engaging, steady pace, strong character development, unpredictable plot. I especially loved the twists because they weren’t built up with all this huge drama; they were just allowed to be surprising enough in themselves.

It was also thought-provoking in a subtle way and managed to discuss social issues without being so on-the-nose. I could tell that the author really took her time crafting this novel and I applaud her mastery of writing techniques that seem to be getting increasingly rare nowadays as books feel more and more rushed. Absolutely recommending this to anyone who asks me for a gripping crime novel!

I’ve had The Fields on my bookshelf for months and didn’t realize this was a sequel when I started reading it, but now I can’t wait to go back and read that one to learn about Riley Fisher’s background!

I loved reading The Fields! So I was super excited seeing a new novel by Fields.

Original Sins by Erin Young is an extremely well written police procedural. The mystery is truly compelling and our characters are very interesting, strong and well developed. A twisted mystery filled with suspense and shocks in this amazing novel. I was anxious and on the edge of my seat for the majority of this novel. Every single page was gripping, atmospheric and suspenseful.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Flatiron Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Original Sins
By Erin Young
Pub Date: Feb. 13, 2024
#2 Riley Fisher series
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thriller
This is a dark suspense ,crime fiction thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend!
4 stars