Kendra Michaels is an extraordinary woman. Blind for the first two decades of her life, she relied solely on her heightened senses throughout that period. Although she now possesses sight, her observational abilities have only sharpened over time, granting her uncanny perception. Kendra is enlisted to investigate a cold case involving the disappearance of two women. Fifteen years prior, a wheelchair-bound woman was brutally murdered, but the case remained unsolved and went cold.

The Morgan sisters have dedicated countless hours to uncovering the truth behind their mother’s disappearance. Now that they have also vanished, a friend has enlisted Kendra’s assistance in the investigation. Despite the local police’s lack of seriousness in addressing the case of the missing Morgan girls, the recent senseless murder has prompted them to take notice.

Kendra will not be alone in her pursuit of the Morgan sisters. As the danger intensifies, Adam Lynch, Kendra’s former FBI partner and lover, utilizes his extensive connections and exceptional technological expertise to provide invaluable support. The narrative unfolds with a relentless pace, with attention also drawn to the evolving dynamics between Kendra and Lynch.

It is remarkable that this is the eleventh installment in the series, and the quality of the writing continues to soar. Not only does the series feature Kendra and Lynch, but also Kendra’s close friend Olivia and the remarkable canine companion, Harley. The mother-son team, Iris and Roy Johansen, masterfully crafts compelling characters and intricate cases, complemented by the ingenious twists and turns that permeate each book. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this captivating series.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I have read several of the author's book from other series, but not this one. So reading it as a stand alone, it was rather frustrating to me that while there was back story of the main characters, there was no physical description of either the heroine, Kendra or her love interest, Lynch. For the other characters as they were introduced into the the story, yes, but not of them. That is the only negative I have of the entire book.

It is a fast pace, page turning thriller, as Kendra, a music therapist, who was blind at birth until her sight was restored after a surgical procedure, has retained her other very super sensitive senses. She uses her senses to deduct clues to help law enforcement. She is asked to help find two missing adult sisters, whose mother was murdered by a serial killer fifteen years earlier. They had been investigating their mother's cold case and after they disappeared, the detective who had worked on the case, comes to Kendra for help. Soon bodies start dropping and the Bayside Strangler is back. Not to give away any spoilers, but black ops are involved. It is a very exciting story with snappy dialogue. I don't understand the relationship with Kendra and Lynch and why she keeps him on a yo-yo string, but maybe that is because I did not read the previous books.

I was gifted with an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley.com. This is my honest, unbiased and voluntary review.

I was unaware that this was part of a series, and now I need to go back and read others! It can be enjoyed as a stand alone, but the main character is so intriguing, it makes you want to hear more about her cases. This book pulled you into the mystery of the missing sisters and keep you hoping that they were found soon. The twists and turns getting the finale of the story were very interesting and unexpected. A really good mystery with a little romance mixed in!

FLASHBACK is filled with an amazing storyline that can always be found in Iris and Roy Johansen Kendra Michael’s book and as always the danger, intrigue and dialogue will have you spellbound.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=87215

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Another great Kendra Michaels book. I love Iris Johansen’s books and this was another great one.
Well written and holds your interest. I love how the books in this series can be read in order or as stand alone’s if you prefer.

Another book in the Kendra Michael’s series but can be read as a stand-alone. Kendra Michael’s was blind earlier in her life but now has full sight and incredible awareness of sounds, smells and sights that enable her to assist the police on cases. She is approached to look at a case of two missing sisters who had been investigating their mother’s murder fifteen years earlier by a serial killer. The story is fast paced and suspenseful. Kendra is a great character who you’re always rooting for - she’s bright, very perceptive, conscientious, and cares for those close to her. Lynch, an ex-agent still involved in black ops all over the globe, cares for Kendra and comes to help her and protect her, even though she is determined to be independent. All in all, a very enjoyable quick read. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review. The book was released on June 25, 2024.

What a fun series!! This is my first book in the Kendra Michaels series and my first from Iris Johansen. However, I was not lost reading it as a stand alone.

Kendra Michales is a fun main character., she's smart and interesting. Her quirks make great character development. I really enjoyed the relationship with Lynch and her best friend Olivia. This was definitely a fast paced read and I would call it a page tuner," for sure.

2 girls are at the crime scene when their mother's body is found. Kendra is brought in to help find the sisters when they go missing. The twists and turns in this book make for a great read!

I love the writing in this book, as usual with this author. I get the ... not letting the characters get together finally, but come on. Good mystery/thriller.

Wow what a read, what a read. If you love strong hero’s and heroines this is your book. Kendra assist with modern investigations because she can pick up details no one else. When she is asked to look into the disappearance of two daughters of a murdered women, her life gets complicated. Lynch is the man she turns too, to help save her from a serial killer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

Chloe and Sloane Morgan's mother was the second, brutally murdered victim of the "Bayside Strangler" fifteen years ago while they were only children and since that time they have invested their young lives to finding the serial killer who has haunted their dreams nightly. Suddenly the young women have gone missing and the police don't seem very concerned so the now retired detective who handled their mother's case back then and befriended the children who were completely broken by losing their mother to such a devastating loss,
has tracked down Dr. Kendra Michaels (who has a certain expertise in helping police and FBI agents in the past) with the hope that she will help her to find the missing women. When Kendra hears the story she decides to help retired detective Paula Chase never realizing that this case will become so complicated with more senseless murders and also discovering that anyone who looks into this case will become a potential victim themselves. What has happened to Chloe and Sloane? Can they possibly still be alive and why did the FBI give up the hunt for this deviant serial killer years ago?


I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced thriller which was riddled with excitement, suspense and some romance as well. I have read several 'Iris Johansen' books in the past and loved them all but this was my first book from Iris and her son Roy and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read this very entertaining story. This novel had a little bit of everything in it from a serial killer, a black ops agent, the FBI, the SDPD and the most wonderful dog with one blue and one brown eyed dog named Harley who I don't think I will ever forget! I loved most of the book because it was so well-written and executed although sometimes I would get a little annoyed with the snarky banter between Kendra and her romantic interest although it could be very amusing at times. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark murder thrillers with quite a bit of violence but some light humor as well which helped balance out the ugliness of the crimes. I thought this was a terrific novel and I will look forward to reading more books in the Kendra Michaels series!


I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given a rating of 4 EXCITING AND THRILLING 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

I loved the plot of the story I feel like it really caught my attention especially being a Dexter fan. I would have loved more details, perspectives from others a bit more, and felt the connection between our love birds was lacking.

Flashback by Iris Johansen; Roy Johansen will take you on a wild ride, full of mystery and intrigue.
This book kept me glued to my seat.
Johansen is a master at writing stories that will never disappoint readers.
This story takes us on fast pace rollercoaster and I loved every second of it.

Thank You NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

3 stars

I'd like to start off by saying that fiction is fiction and we can't really get too distraught about it being unrealistic considering it isn't based off of facts. That being said, sometimes I still have an issue with how some fiction stories are made to be. I really liked this storyline and plot. I found the characters very interesting and I love a story that involves cold cases. However, the parts with Kendra Michaels using her heightened "senses" to solve and point out certain things were just far too unrealistic to me. She was able to tell too much right off the bat that were really just assumptions. And she solved the cases far too easily. Even with this, I still really enjoyed the book.

We follow Kendra Michaels who is invited from a retired detective to help find two missing women who have spent most of their lives trying to find the person responsible for their mother's murder. She had a life-altering surgery where she was once blind, but it allowed her to get her sight. So her senses are heightened from over two decades of relying on the other senses she had to use and it makes her an amazing investigator. However, the man she is tracking down is far more dangerous than she thought.

This was a page-turner for sure. It was very fast-paced and it felt like something was happening in pretty much every chapter. I found it very interesting, but again with the unrealistic factors of solving things so quickly; that really threw me off. But it was worth the read and I enjoyed the authors' writing.

Flashback by Iris and Roy Johansen is the latest in the Kendra Michaels series. Kendra is a music therapist who frequently assists the police and FBI due to her well honed ability to notice details. Kendra’s unique ability comes from her heightened senses due to her decades long blindness that was cured with a recent medical procedure. In this installment, Kendra (and of course her on again off again love interest Lynch) is helping find two missing women who have been working for years to solve their mother’s murder.

Iris Johansen is an auto-read for me as I enjoy the fast pace and her characters. This book was no different! I do wish the Kendra and Lynch storyline would move to the next level soon! Overall, fun read especially for those who have read previous books and are familiar with the characters and their backstories. Even for those who haven’t read previous books, this could be read and still easily understood and enjoyed.

Wow what an amazing story! I love all the Kendra Michaels books, something about this one though....just amazing! Two girls lost their mother to a serial killer when they were young. After they grew up they started looking for the killer and have disappeared. Their aunt comes to Kendra to try and find them and possibly find the serial killer. Our favorite characters are back, Charlotte, Adam Lynch and PI Jessie Mercado and they help Kendra not only find the sisters, but also the serial killer. Loved the story and couldn't put it down - raced through the story because I just had to see what happened next. I wish I had an Adam Lynch in my life too!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Sisters Sloane and Chloe's mother was a victim of a serial killer called the Bayside Strangler.  After a spate of killings, they suddenly stopped and the police and FBI etc. all stopped hunting for the killer, but the sisters never forgot and never stopped. Now they've disappeared and the Bayside Strangler is back. Coincidence?
Kendra Michaels is approached by one of the original lead detectives on the case for help in finding the sisters. Before she can decide if she wants to take the case, the detective is murdered, and her house tossed. Now Kendra's instincts are humming and there's no way she's walking away especially since she's targeted next in her garage. Sometime lover, sometime partner Adam Lynch is on assignment across the world, but he flies back posthaste to be by Kendra's side.  
As they follow the clues and interview people the murder count mounts, and San Diego PD and FBI are both on the case. Then Adam and Kendra are approached by a biggity bigwig from Washington to seize and desist. It turns out the killer was a covert operative sanctioned by Washington. Through a series of clever sleuthing Adam and Kendra located the sisters and have a big showdown with all the bad guys.
It's a well written police procedural with a touch of government conspiracy. It's great to catch up with the cast and characters who are a part of the series. Kendra's friend Olivia is still blind and is seeking to find a revolutionary procedure that will restore her sight.  I wish her all the luck and can't wait to hear what happens in future books.  The ending is hilarious with Kendra requesting Adam to turn his expensive swimming pool into an aquarium for seals. What next?

This is my favorite series by these two authors. I have been reading this series since 2016 and it keeps getting better and better! Each book has its own individualized suspenseful plot while bringing back side characters from previous books! These authors always do a fantastic job creating an exciting plot that keeps things interesting and I never want to stop reading. I was so intrigued to see if Kendra would find the two missing sisters. Not only were they trying to find the two missing sisters but then a serial killer was back on the hunt from 15 years ago. Kendra is such a fantastic main character and I love to see her use her senses to figure out different clues and shock her coworkers. I am so glad Lynch made his sudden appearance again and I felt like he was in the story a lot more this time, which I was happy about! I loved seeing them try to solve a case together! Finally, I am so glad the sisters got the justice in the end! What a way to end the story. Can’t wait for the next one!

The daughters of a serial killer’s victim go missing years after her murder.

Fifteen years ago, a single mother named Alyssa Morgan disappeared from Tecolate National Park. She was later found dead nearby, likely the victim of a serial killer nicknamed the Bayside Strangler, leaving her young daughters Chloe and Sloane orphaned. The San Diego police, particularly lead detectives Paula Chase and Todd Williams, pursued leads tirelessly but to no avail, and the FBI took charge of the case. The killings soon stopped, however, and the case petered out…..as a result, the Bayside Strangler was never identified nor brought to justice. In the present day, the now-retired Paula Chase becomes concerned when Chloe and Sloane, who as adults have been looking into their mother’s killing on their own for years, suddenly go missing, leaving their IDs, phones, and credit cards behind. Fearing the worst, she approaches the person whose deductive skills have made her invaluable to law enforcement for years, Kendra Michaels. Kendra was born blind but was able to gain her sight in her teens, which has left her not only with heightened awareness in her non-visual senses but with keen visual observation skills as well. When Paula approaches her through a mutual friend, retired police sketch artist Bill Dillingham, Kendra is not convinced that she should get involved but agrees to take the missing sisters’ files on their mother’s killing to review. Within 24 hours Paula Chase is dead, killed by an intruder in her home, and Kendra’s apartment is ransacked…..given the timing, both crimes must be connected to the Morgan sisters’ quest, and Kendra’s decision is made for her. She will find the missing young women and hopefully identify the serial killer at the root of it all. With her black ops-trained sort-of boyfriend (their relationship is complicated, to put it mildly) Adam Lynch and her best friend and gifted researcher Olivia Moore, Kendra will need all of her deductive and observational skills to cut through obfuscations from law enforcement and ascertain the possible connection of a secretive government intelligence group as she races against the clock to find Chloe and Sloane before the Bayside Strangler, who after a fifteen year absence is back and accumulating more victims, can.
This is the eleventh installment in the Kendra Michaels; series, and Kendra is as prickly and stubborn as ever. Her relationship with Lynch still lacks definition; she is fiercely independent and he has an overwhelming presence that she fears will render her a lesser person if she isn’t careful. Her friend Olivia is getting frustrated at Kendra’s vacillating over committing to a man who (in her opinion) is perfect for her friend, and does more than a little nudging in that direction. Readers of the series know that when these two pool their skills and resources, they can achieve great things, and that is true in this latest outing (which can certainly be read as a standalone for those who haven’t read the previous entries). The mystery at the heart of the book….who was the Bayside Strangler, why did their killing spree suddenly stop, and who doesn’t want people looking into the crimes fifteen years later…is well plotted, with interesting bits of San Diego lore woven in, and the relationships between Kendra, her friends, and the various law enforcement personalities with whom they work continue to be engaging. Flashback was a quick and enticing read, one which fans of Iris Johansen and her son Roy’s writings as well as those who enjoy authors like Kay Hooper, Catherine Coulter and Sandra Brown will certainly enjoy. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me early access to this latest in a consistently entertaining series.

You know you’re being treated to the best of crime stories when you crack open anything by Iris Johansen. That’s why her fan base is huge, me included. So now welcome to FLASHBACK. Start of the show is Kendra investigator extraordinaire. Kendra uses all her senses when it comes to culling through evidentiary materials. Good reason for her ability to be so acute. Kendra had been blind for much of her life and then fortunate to regain her sight. Best friend Olivia has been her cohort forever. Olivia is blind. They connect with an almost magical ability. Sometime companion Lynch fills in this triangle. Lynch is in black ops. Kind of a mission impossible guy. The amount of creative energy is palatable amongst this group. And now they have joined forces to find two missing sisters.

In FLASHBACK Iris Johansen’s story is told from two perspectives, current and past. What happened fifteen years ago is overseen with respect and aplomb. What is now is rife with questions and concerns. A monster is back. The Bayside Strangler seems to have returned after a rather long interval.

When faced with judgmental authorities Kendra maintains a fierce composure. In reality this is a women who feels deeply especially for those that have claimed her heart. Not something she admits or does easily. So working with law enforcement or FBI she keeps a stiff back. Her attitude is, let them question my information and her record will speak for itself.

In the meantime Kendra and her little group are keeping their eyes on finding the sisters. We are treated to twists and turns of the investigation. Lynch recognizes Kendra’s unique talents. We, the reader, enjoy many ah ha moments. Lynch has the best skills. Seems there nothing into which he can’t hack. Talent like this may just help the two of them save the day. But in the meantime the casualties are piling up. Time is not on their side.

And in true Iris Johansen we are along for a summer adventure. Looking for lots of memorable characters, look no further. Suspenseful and full of surprises for all of us sofa investigators. Great beach read but remember sunscreen. You won’t be able to put this one down.

I love Iris Johansen’s writing. I love how she builds a world and just takes a hold of you and doesn’t let go till the very last page.
I’ve read only a few books of her Kendra series. My favorite series is the Eve Duncan one. But I really enjoyed this one.
Kendra investigates a case of two sisters that vanished after they started to look for who murdered their mother. Kendra starts to uncover things that suddenly start to put others in danger and herself. Kendra becomes the Bayside stranglers next target.
Kendra and Adam’s chemistry always there pulling them together but Kendra not ready for their relationship.
Enjoyable read. A must read.