Member Reviews
Rounding up from 3.5 stars.
This is book 11 in the Kendra Michaels series. It is a quick, fast paced action novel. However, I enjoyed the earlier books in the series more. At this point in the series, I feel like it is just more of the same books as the preceding ones from later in this series. There's too much of the book spent on Kendra asserting her independence and Lynch being unerringly patient. I would prefer more focus on the crime they are pursuing than their relationship.
I am a massive Iris Johansen fan, but I still prefer the Eve Duncan series from her other books.
Thank you to NetGalley and (publisher). I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Flashback is Book 11 in the Kendra Michaels series from the mother-son writing team of Iris and Roy Johansen.
"Chloe and Sloane were young children when their mother was a victim of the Bayside Strangler. After spending fifteen years trying to find him, they suddenly vanish. The police are not interested in looking for them. One of the former detectives reaches out to Kendra Michaels to look at all of the documents the sisters's collected. As Kendra digs into the evidence, she has no idea the killer is back. And now she is also in danger."
Kendra is a character that had her sight restored after being blind since birth. All of her other senses are now heightened and she uses them to find things that others miss. At this point in the series, you expect it but it's still interesting the things that she observes. This story is a little different because the killer seems to have stopped for fifteen years. Kendra and Lynch make some discoveries and stir things up. There is a lot of action and a wild ending. The reveal is unexpected. This can be read as a standalone.
A great addition to the series.
This is the eleventh entry in this Kendra Michaels series, and I found it a fast-paced, good read! Kendra is drawn into a cold case by a retired police detective. The detective has looked at the case because the two daughters of a victim are missing. The daughters had begun investigating their mother's death on their own. It appears that a serial killer committed a string of murders years ago With her keen senses, Kendra notices things others miss. Soon, the retired detective is dead and Kendra takes the case and is in danger. Thanks to Net Galley for the arc.
It’s always nice to revisit characters from other books by the same author. It makes me more invested in the story and characters. Flashback is a welcome addition to former books as Kendra and Adam work closely together on a closed case.
Readers who enjoy mystery and thrillers will like this book, the eleventh in the Kendra Michael’s series. Kendra is an amazing asset to the police and FBI as they seek to find the serial killer. The story seemed a little drawn out at times. Loved Kendra’s amazing ability and insight. Kendra and Lynch make an awesome team solving crime but when will their relationship improve?
Fifteen years ago, Chloe and Sloane Morgan’s mother was a victim of a serial killer called the Bayside Strangler. The sisters were on site when their mother’s body was found. Since the case went unsolved, they grew up investigating the crime on their own and are determined to solve it. When the sisters suddenly disappear, a detective from the original case contacts Kendra and requests her help looking into the disappearance of the sisters and the 15-year-old unsolved murder. Government agent-for-hire Adam Lynch suddenly appears from an overseas assignment to assist Kendra. They have a complicated personal relationship and Kendra often resents Adam’s intrusion into her life but, when Kendra is attacked and almost killed, she realizes she could use his help. Will they be able to locate the sisters alive or have they become the next victims of a vicious killer?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another great Kendra Michaels novel. I absolutely love this series. The only wish I have with them is that Kendra and Lynch need to officially get together and stop drawing it out. Other than that little issue, I couldn't put it down. It keeps you enthralled from the beginning. Iris and Roy Johansen are fantastic authors. Can't wait until the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, Iris and Roy Johansen for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Mystery Thriller that features a formerly blind woman who uses her unique observational skills to draw out a dormant serial killer to save two sisters and untold others.
5/5 stars: Written by the mother and son writing team of Johansen & Johansen, this is the eleventh entry in the Kendra Michaels series which is a Mystery Thriller that features a formerly blind woman, who works as a music therapist, as she uses her uniquely insightful observational skills (a la Sherlock Holmes) to investigate the disappearance of two sisters who've been on a quest to uncover the serial killer who killed their mother 15 years ago. After a retired detective's killed, she jumps in and with from a government agent-for-hire, a private eye and her blind best friend follows the sister's clues as she races to save them and untold others. With plenty of twists and turns, the Johansen's write a gripping fast-paced investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really like how the Johansen's plot unfolded and the deft way they wove everything together. Additionally, the Johansen's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Kendra's tough and sensitive and I love catching up with Olivia, who may be blind but can see all and the ever elusive and Kendra's love interest, Adam. The Johansen's touch on some serious subjects; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Close Your Eyes.
I received this eARC thanks to Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Excellent story and characters. Kendra Michael’s’ series is a favorite and this one doesn’t disappoint. There is real character development amongst the regulars. The new characters were well-described, both the good and bad ones. Looking forward to the next book.
Kendra Michaels, Adam Lynch and the Bayside Strangler! A wickedly good, fast-paced page turner I did not want to put down! I absolutely love these two characters together and look forward to the next book in the Kendra Michaels series (though I wish Kendra would just throw caution to the wind with Lynch)! Thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Publication Date: June 25, 2024
I am finding this book very hard to get through. I love Iris Johansen and have read most of her books but this one for some reason is not keeping my attention.
Roy and Iris Johansen are two of my auto-buy authors. Picking up an Iris Johansen book ten years ago helped reignite my love for reading. HUGE thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.
In "Flashback," Kendra Michaels is back in a gripping new series installment. This time, she's called in to investigate the mysterious disappearance of two sisters whose mother was brutally murdered 15 years ago. Having dedicated countless hours to gathering evidence and conducting interviews, the sisters might have gotten too close to the truth. The case had previously been closed, but with the reemergence of the Baystate Strangler, it seems the killer is back, and the sisters might be his next targets. Kendra herself is on his radar, raising the stakes even higher.
The Johansens have again delivered a suspenseful hit with this 11th book in the series. Kendra, who regained her sight at twenty, uses her extraordinary powers of observation to solve crimes. Her loyal companion Luke, who is her lover and protector, joins her in each case to ensure her safety. Olivia, her best friend since childhood who remains blind, also plays a significant role. The characters, richly developed over the series, continue to grow on readers with each book.
This fast-paced, well-written thriller offers plenty of action and suspense. It features Kendra's complex relationship with Adam Lynch, her enigmatic boyfriend and mystery man for hire. Their dynamic, along with a supportive cast of friends, including Harley the dog, keeps the narrative engaging and the readers on the edge of their seats. "Flashback" is a stellar addition to the Kendra Michaels series that fans will not want to miss.
Can I say, I love Kendra Michaels and her amazing abilities. Always appreciate a string female lead and this book doesn't disappoint, as she is pretty badass throughout the whole book. A great suspense that keeps you turning the pages. Stopping it from being a 5 star, however, is her continued relationship with Lynch, and no real progression. Even her friend Olivia is getting as frustrated as this reader, haha. I mean, really, does she have to always be that difficult? Would be nice to see this start working out instead of the constant tip toeing.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This novel’s heroine is Kendra Michaels. She uses her unique powers of observation, along with her friends, to help find the missing girls. This is set in San Diego and uses several locations and describes them fairly well. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the authors, publisher and Net Galley for the ARC to this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested this book, I hadn't realized that this was the latest book in a long-established series. I enjoyed this book but I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had known this as one of my criticisms of the book is that the chemistry between the main characters was not developed enough. Perhaps this happened in earlier books? Anyways, this was an entertaining read, and because of that, I would recommend going back to the beginning of the series in order to get the most enjoyment out of it.
The mother and son team Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen are back with a another amazing book from the Kendra Michaels Series Flashback!! Once again Kendra is drawn into the world of a serial killer and this one disappeared fifteen years ago after killing 5 women and leaving them bound and posed for everyone to see his work. So when the daughters of one of his victims disappear without a trace because after years of interviews and crime scene photos it looks like their ready to name their mothers killer. A retired police detective Paula Chase asks Kendra if she would look into their disappearance only to end up day hours later! With the help of her best friend Olivia and the dangerous but handsome Adam Lynch and a ex detective Todd Williams who was close to the girls and knows more then he saying and has lead them to answers in their mothers death and the others, its only a matter of time before the Bayside Strangler starts his killing spree again with the deaths of two more women and he isn't done yet! Now Kendra is next on his list! Another awesome Thriller with great storytelling and a a great plot with twists and turns and some more steam between lynch and Kendra! I love both these characters and can't get enough of this duo! The only thing that was missing was a intriguing villian! Iris Johansen has had some of the best book villains of all time but Rod Wallace while a total demented creepy bastard didn't have me on the edge or even keep my interest! He was just another monster who thought too much of himself and was out smarter by a bunch of women. Kendra Michaels has been one of my favorite characters of all time! And I'm always amazed with her talent of noticing stuff that others can't see.But when you've been blind you learn to use others senses and even though she got her sight back she still sees things different and I love that!! Until Next time Luv's😉💋
Fifteen years ago a serial killer murdered Sloane and Chloe’s Mother. Ņow the girls are grown and determined to solve the murders. They may have bitten off more than they can chew. They have disappeared, has the killer found them? Kendra has unusual senses because of the years she spent blind. She is asked to investigate and possibly find the girls. Now there is a target on her back. The Strangler is back and seems to be one step ahead of them. The story is suspenseful and also has a romance, it is definitely a page turner. There is also a twist that comes out of nowhere. This book is part of a series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
This is the eleventh book with Kendra Michaels, who we first met in the Eve Duncan series.
I think this is the best one yet!
Kendra Michaels was blind for a good while. Now she has vision, but still uses those powers that were heightened during her blindness.
Fifteen years ago a serial killer terrorized the Bay area. Chloe and Sloane Morgan’s mother was one of those victims. And the girls saw this. They have never caught the Bayside strangler and the girls have spent all of their time searching for clues in the case.
But now, they are missing and the detective from the original case has gotten in touch with Kendra. Dropping all of the files with her hoping she can help. But the next day the detective is dead and the strangler is back!
What a thrill ride this one was. Government secrets, Killers in bed with cops, it is just a mess! And the killings aren’t stopping.
Excellent!
NetGalley/ Grand Central Publishing June 25,2024
I love the Kendra Michaels series and this was no exception. Kendra, Adam and Olivia work to find two sisters that have disappeared trying to find the murderer of their Mother. Lots of action and suspense that will keep you glued to the book.
Great!
This book is a great addition to the Kendra Michaels series. Kendra and Adam Lynch, boyfriend/mystery man for hire are trying to find two missing women. Of course, along the way they are faced with life-threatening situations and plenty of murdered people, along with clues leading everywhere.
As always, I enjoyed their push-pull relationship, and their group of friends who help them solve crimes, including Harley the dog. Fast-paced, well-written and enough action to keep the readers attention.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.