BIPOC Mystery Thriller Police Procedural featuring a Homeland Security agent who enlists a professor and quirky private security expert despite their troubled past to untangle a killer's mysterious patterns.

5/5 stars: This is the first entry in Deaver & Maldonado's Sanchez & Heron series which is a BIPOC Mystery Thriller Police Procedural that features a Homeland Security agent who enlists a professor, private security expert and hacker, despite their troubled past, to help her unravel encrypted clues and untangle a killer's mysterious pattern. They'll soon find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match and will discover something far more sinister afoot. With plenty of twists and turns, Deaver & Maldonado's write a gripping fast-paced investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really appreciate how Deaver & Maldonado's plot unfolds and the deft way they wove everything together. As always, Maldonado's law enforcement experience shines through. And I really liked how they used hacking and intrusion testing (pen tests) in the plot. Told in multiple POV, that also includes the killer's, Deaver & Maldonado's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex. Carmen Sanchez and Jake Heron are an interesting pair and I really liked getting to know them and see them work together. Deaver & Maldonado's touch on some very serious topics; so take care and check the CWs. I very much look forward to reading more from this writing duo in the future. Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Fatal Intrusion” by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado

In the sun-soaked streets of Southern California, a chilling wave of murders grips the city. But this isn’t your typical crime spree—it’s a sinister dance orchestrated by an elusive killer who leaves no discernible motive in their wake. In “Fatal Intrusion,” the first installment of the gripping “Sanchez & Heron” series, New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado join forces to deliver a propulsive thriller that defies conventions.

Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez is a no-nonsense professional who plays by the rules. However, when her sister becomes the victim of a brutal attack, Carmen realizes that conventional investigative methods won’t suffice. The connection between her sister’s assault and a series of murders across Southern California demands a different approach—one that transcends the boundaries of protocol.

Enter Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert. Unlike Carmen, Jake believes that rules are mere suggestions. Their troubled past intertwines with the present as Carmen enlists Jake’s help. Despite their differences, he owes her a favor, and she’s ready to cash in. Together, they embark on a relentless pursuit of the killer, whose chilling efficiency earns him the nickname “Spider.” Armed with only a distinctive tattoo and an inexplicable obsession, Spider remains one step ahead of his pursuers.

As the body count rises, Carmen and Jake find themselves in a lethal chess match with the enigmatic killer. The stakes escalate, and the risks multiply. Beneath the surface, a web of intrigue unfolds—one that reaches far deeper than anyone could anticipate.

“Fatal Intrusion” weaves a complex tapestry of suspense, psychological intrigue, and unexpected alliances. Deaver and Maldonado masterfully blend their distinct voices, creating characters who leap off the page. Carmen’s unwavering determination clashes with Jake’s unconventional methods, resulting in a dynamic partnership that keeps readers guessing.

The pacing is relentless, mirroring the urgency of the investigation. Each twist and revelation adds another layer to the puzzle, leaving readers breathless. The absence of a clear motive for the killings heightens the tension, making Spider an enigma worth unraveling.

Deaver and Maldonado’s prose is sharp and evocative. They capture the essence of Southern California—the sun-drenched streets, the hidden shadows, and the secrets lurking behind palm trees. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, revealing the characters’ vulnerabilities and strengths.

“Fatal Intrusion” is a murder mystery which is a character-driven exploration of trust, redemption, and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. As Carmen and Jake delve deeper, they confront their own demons, adding emotional depth to the heart-pounding action.

In this thrilling collaboration, Deaver and Maldonado prove that sometimes the most effective investigations require breaking the rules. “Fatal Intrusion” sets the stage for a series that promises to keep us captivated and engaged.

Kudos to both authors for this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Fatal Intrusion, the first novel to feature Department of Homeland Security Agent Carmen Sanchez and private security expert Professor Jacoby Heron, set in California.

I enjoyed Fatal Intrusion, which is of the relatively straightforward hunt for a serial killer genre, except with Mr Deaver involved it is anything but straightforward. It piles twist upon twist until, by the end, the reader’s head is exploding. It is clever and well thought out.

The novel is mostly told from Carmen Sanchez’s point of view with contributions from Jake Heron and the killer and his associates. This latter is as much misdirectional as informative and I fell for all of it. There is tension between Carmen and Jake, due to an event in the past that isn’t initially explained. Quite often I get annoyed at this deliberate obfuscation but in this case it is intriguing and not at all what I expected. It adds another layer to the plot.

There is plenty of action in the novel with several confrontations and some gun violence, notably at the end of the novel, but more satisfying Carmen and Jake manage to foil the perpetrators on several occasions. I do like when the goodies get ahead of the baddies as it feels like, if not justice then another step closer to it. The novel gave that in spades.

Fatal Intrusion is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Carmen Sanchez is an agent in the Department of Homeland Security Investigations unit. When her sister Selina is attacked, she steps out of her usual character to live my the rules and her investigation uncovers some related crimes in Southern California. While the crimes should be investigated by the local authorities or even the FBI, she is not to be denied in getting to the bottom of the attack. In need of help, she reaches out to Jacoby (Jake) Heron, a professor with whom she had prior contact (although the precise details are never really revealed but hints are given throughout the book). Jake is an expert in security, and in particular internet security who was apparently involved in some less than legal activities, but whose talents will come in handy as together, without a lot to go on, they try to stop a merciless killer whose victims are just part of a much bigger scheme.

Apparently this is the first book in a new series by these two well-known authors (although this is the first book that I have read by Maldonado). The authors have combined to write a well written book with plenty of tension, lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing, and new lead characters that are well developed, play off each other well, and still leave room for the how and why they are working together. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is the first in a new series co-authored jointly by by Jeffery Deaver, who I am very familiar with and Isabella Maldonado, I have never come across her before, but after this, I will look out for her. In Southern California, Selina Sanchez, student and gymnast, is almost fatally attacked out of the blue by a serial killer with a spider tattoo, but having been taught key defense moves by her sister, Carmen, working for Homeland Security, manages to thwart him. Estranged from Selina due to familial issues, Carmen rushes to her, desperate to ensure her safety, organising a move from her home, signing her into a hotel under a false name. Feeling that local law enforcement actions are insufficient, she wants to investigate herself, but her boss, SSA Eric Williamson refuses, pushing her into taking holiday leave.

Special Agent Carmen turns to someone from her past to help her, white hat hacker, intrusion expert and academic, Jacoby 'Jake' Heron. Whilst Carmen is normally a stay within legal constraints person, Jake is more a do whatever is needed kind of a guy. As the two pool their talents, Carmen is hard and determined, with a range of high level of fighting skills, a thinking action woman, as Jake reaches out to c0-opt the greater resources and skills of another white hat hacker. They make the horrifying discovery there is far more at stake that the notion of a sole serial killer operating alone, there is a much wider nightmare agenda at play, one which pitches Jack back to fight an old enemy and brilliant hacker.

The heat is on as Carmen and Jake try to save lives and prevent the ruthless operators they face succeeding in their nefarious goals. The authors have created and established a fascinating set of characters in Carmen and Jake, who form an unlikely, charismatic, formidable and exciting team, so much so that I am eagerly anticipating the next in this entertaining, intense, and gripping mystery series! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Loved it!

This is what I hope is a long series that combine computer hacking and good old police work. When a Homeland Security officer’s sister is attacked, Sanchez teams up with a computer expert, Heron, to find the bad guy. The story bounces around between the characters and their backstories. I thought this was excellent and I am already looking forward to the next installment. I like both authors, but their combination is exceptionally
good.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Fatal Intrusion by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. I was excited to read this book because I had read and loved Maldonado’s books, and I’m happy it lived up to my expectations. I liked learning about the different kinds of spiders, and it was clever how they were woven into the story. I also liked the tech aspects, even though I couldn’t really follow them all. If you like your thrillers action-packed with some shocking reveals you will love this book! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Carmen Sanchez is a Homeland Security agent. When her sister is brutally attacked, she goes after the perpetrator, asking for help from Jake Heron, a private security expert with whom she has a troubled past. With Carmen's background in law enforcement and Jake's in internet hacking they start their quest. And what a quest it is. Carmen and Jake are an interesting pair. Carmen needs to stick to the rules, but Jake doesn't mind bending them. This is a fast paced, violent, thrilling and intriguing read. We get several points of view, including the killer Carmen and Jake are targeting. This is a book where it's best to suspend your belief and just go with it. Lots of twists and turns make this an entertaining and compulsive read. The matching writing style of these two authors is great. I will certainly read the next book in the series.

I look forward to following Carmen Sanchez and Jake Heron in this new series. The book is fast paced and interesting. Relationships as well as situations are explored to make Fatal Intrusion a fairly compelling book.

Chilling and thrilling, Fatal Intrusion is a harrowing tale filled with twists and turns, investigations and technology, and dogged determination by the righteous versus sociopathic motivations by the malevolent. The partnership of Deaver and Maldonado comes out of the gates swinging hard and landing haymakers to kick off this exciting new series.

Homeland Security Investigations Agent Carmen Sanchez gets involved in a case outside her scope and jurisdiction when her sister is attacked in Southern California. As she digs into the case, she realizes it’s more than just a random act of violence. As she makes her case to her boss and the local law enforcement agencies to allow her continued participation, more connected crimes occur. With time of the essence to stop the perpetrator, she turns to Professor Jake Herron, an intrusion security expert who colors outside the lines and is known to cross a legal line or two. Putting aside their complicated past, Sanchez and Herron work the case, finding clues and chasing down every little lead to locate and stop the man they’ve nicknamed Spider. But they’d better hurry. Because the violence isn’t going to slow down anytime soon and the driving forces behind this deadly spree are much larger than they could have possibly imagined.

Fatal Intrusion will grab ahold of you quickly and sink it’s hooks into you for the duration. The plot is fast and suspenseful, and the intensity of the investigative chase is unrelenting. But it’s the compelling and intriguing characters that make this story so scintillating. The bad guys are diabolical, meticulous and depraved. Easy to hate but hard to look away from, worried about what tricks they have up their sleeves next and knowing they must be stopped. Which is where the wonderful yin and yang of Sanchez and Herron come in. Sanchez the rule following career law enforcement officer teaming up with an academic, law-breaking hacker. An unlikely pair that need each other’s strengths and different approaches to progress the investigation farther than either could do on their own. It’s a brilliant match of personalities teaming up to stop the evil spreading in their community.

This is a really fun, exhilarating and captivating novel. Looking forward to seeing where these fantastic authors take this series next.

This is the 2nd book I've read from Deaver/Maldonado, but this is the 1st in hopefully; a Sanchez/Heron series. The plot will keep you on your toes and guessing, with all the shit that goes on in a really good mystery/thriller. Great cast of characters, the good and the bad, but deception rules. The race is on to catch the killer and unfold the real truth about what's going on. A lot of action throughout the book.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NeGalley for the ARC. I really hope this becomes a series and totally recommend reading this book.

What a tangled web Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado have woven with the first book in their collaborative series, Sanchez & Heron #1, Fatal Intrusion! The book is so skillfully written, even the descriptions of various spiders (which I avoid at all costs while recognizing their intrinsic worth to the ecosystem, just not in my house), that the reader is swept along through horrifying murders, thrilling escapes, and a multitude of twists and turns at a relentless pace to the end of the story.
The main characters, Agent Carmen Sanchez and Professor Jake Heron are fascinating and relatable, even through the technobabble of legal issues and computer hacking. The killer nicknamed Spider is chillingly complex as his story is revealed, and the look into the lives of his targets makes their attacks hit home that much more.
Fatal Intrusion has numerous twists and turns that ramp up the considerable suspense and propel the reader to tun the pages anxiously to the very end.
I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read an ARC of this premier book #FatalIntrusionSanchezHeronBand1 courtesy of #NetGalley.

A Complex And Action-Packed Novel

Walter Kemp was in a secluded park on the outskirts of San Diego. He is semi-retired and pursuing his passion as a photographer of reptiles and amphibians. He found his target, a very illusive San Diego mountain kingsnake before the snake slithered back into the underbrush. As he approaches his car in the parking lot, a little white ball rolls past him. He watches it as it rolls under his car. He hears someone behind him. He turns and is hit on his head. After the third hit, everything goes black. The next day, a coed, Selina Sanchez, sits at a café reviewing her chemistry paper. A man walks up and asks for a pen, as his pen has run out of ink. He was too old to be a student and too young to be a professor. He is buff and maybe dating material, but the spider tattoo on his wrist was a turnoff. He finishes his crossword puzzle and walks off. As she gets up, she sees him in the distance. They lock eyes. A little white ball rolls across her path as she walks between two buildings. A man plows into her, causing her to fall. He immediately attacks. Luckily, her older sister had taught her some defensive fighting. She plants a kick on his leg, and he loses much use of that leg and flees. With these two attacks, this complex novel starts.

This complex main storyline only has two threads. The first is the investigation that Special Agent Carmen Sanchez leads. She works for Homeland Security Investigations, and these crimes are not in their jurisdiction. She takes leave to protect her sister and unofficially investigates the crimes. Initially, the only clue is encrypted and will take weeks to analyze, so to help her, she contacts a black hat turned white hat hacker, Jacoby Heron. The other thread is narrated the murderer and his associate, a black hat hacker. The main storyline turns into a battle between the two hackers and a physical confrontation between SA Sanchez and the murderer as she tries to interrupt and capture his attacks. The pace of the action is very rapid. The actions of SA Sanchez seem very believable except for allowing her hacker partner’s very questionable legal actions. Despite this, my attention was captured. There were many twists and turns mainly based on both hackers’ actions. This novel is co-authored. The flavor of his novel was an overload of details. It reminded me of the one Lincoln Rhymes novel I read rather than the previous Maldonado novels I have read.

As this is the first novel, there is much background on SA Sanchez. This information is provided through flashbacks with her sister and hacker partner, Heron. The former provides her personal side, and the latter her professional side. The aspects with which I have issues in her character are that her actions were a little over the top and her willingness to look the other way for Heron’s questionable actions. Parts of her character enhanced my reading enjoyment, but others did not.

Some aspects of this novel can cause some readers to stop reading. While there are no intimate scenes, there are buildups and a jump to after. There is vulgar, rude, and impious language at a noticeable level. While not a problem to me, the level may approach a critical level for some. Violence is always described very descriptively as it happens. While this kept the tension and suspense, it might be a little excessive for some.

The primary issues I have with this novel are over-the-top for the behavior of Carmen Sanchez and the rapid effectiveness of both the white and black hat hackers. I did like the rapid action and the thrill of each encounter with the murderer. These aspects were achieved through the aspects with which I have issues. Another aspect I liked was a loose end that, when I read them, I did not know that it was a loose end until it was cleared up at the end. I selected this novel to read because of the second author, Isabella Maldonado, who, for me, is in the Must-Read category. I have read six previous novels by Maldonado and four by Deaver. If you like action thrillers, I do recommend this novel. I will probably request the next one in the series. I rated this novel with three and a half stars but upgraded it to four stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Bestselling author, Jeffery Deaver has long been a favorite, and when paired with another bestselling author, Isabella Maldonado, this novel is an unexpected cut above. Together they have released a new series, Sanchez and Heron Mystery Series, and the first installment is Fatal Intrusion. Carmen Sanchez, previous FBI agent, and present agent for Homeland Security Investigations, is assigned a troubling case and needs to reach out to an old nemesis, Jacoby Heron, a professor and hacker, for help. The case involves a serial killer who is targeting victims who have been called out on a site found the dark web. Heron not only agrees to help, but also accompanies Sanchez throughout her investigation. One victim survived the attack, and that person just happened to be Sanchez’ sister.

The story involves a lot of computer jargon that is a bit foreign to those of us who are technologically challenged, and it is surprising that computers and computer nerds can accomplish what they do. The serial killer seems to be computer savvy, and has a partner who has a past with Heron. The authors explain things well, and things are actually believable. Both authors are excellent storytellers, and the suspense builds throughout this fascinating novel. The main characters are unique and well-developed, as well as the supporting characters who are mostly bad guys. As is the case in a good thriller, the dénouement is a surprise and readers will be kept on the edge reading to find out the outcome.

While many bestselling authors put their famous name on a book that is mostly written by a lesser-known author, this one has plenty of what is expected from Deaver, as well as Maldonado. It is a new series that will appeal to most thriller readers who like something new in this computer age.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I have been a huge fan of Jeffery Deaver ever since The Bone Collector and I became a fan of Isabella Maldonado after I read A Forgotten Kill. I had high expectations but it didn’t even come close what I went through while reading this book. I don’t want to say anything specific, just that it is stellar! If you are a fan of police procedural mysteries and thrillers, do yourself a favor and read this.

This electrifying thriller keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez and private security expert Jake Heron race against time to stop a cunning killer known as Spider. The dynamic between rule-following Sanchez and the unconventional Heron adds depth to their high-stakes investigation. With a blend of suspense, intriguing characters, and unexpected twists, this novel is a must-read for fans of fast-paced crime dramas.

Thank you for the arc

This book had me in an absolute chokehold from the first page all the way to the very last. The pacing is lightning fast, the story is action packed, and the characters are as dynamic as their snappy dialogue.

When Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez's sister Selina is brutally assaulted, Carmen is bound and determined to figure out who tried to kill her sibling. Carmen unearths an uncanny killing pattern across all of Southern California, and realizes she needs the help of the one person she never wanted to see again - Professor Jake Heron. Jake is an intrusionist, a private security expert who helps his clients identify weakness in their digital and physical security, while teaching intrusion at a college. He owes Carmen a favor, and finds himself dragged into the hunt to find a killer who goes by Spider, named after the tattoo on his wrist. As Spider's body count raises, so do the stakes of finding him, and Carmen and Jake must avoid dying themselves as their enemies multiply.

This book captivated me more than any procedural ever has. The investigative work is detailed and sharp, and you can feel Maldonado's experience in law enforcement shining through. The non-stop action had me constantly on the edge of my seat, and even with it's 400+ pages, I finished it in about 36 hours because I was so glued to the pages. Deaver and Maldonado incorporated so many modern topics into the story, including concerns about privacy in our Internet-intertwined lives, the possible dangers of AI, the toxicity of some online forums, and how easily our personal digital lives can be mined for positive or negative uses. They also deliver some incredibly fun reveals throughout the entire story, and bring it to a perfectly satisfying conclusion.

Fans of Nordic noir and action thrillers will love this serial killer action thriller mashup!

Fatal Intrusion is a whirlwind of a read and the beginning of a great new series that I cant wait to follow.

The book is cleverly written and the twists and turns keep the lights on.

We meet Carmen Sanchez, Honeland Security and Jake Heron an IT specialist .

This pair have their own interesting history that adds to the suspense.

Bodies pile up as they investigate firstly why Carmen's sister was attacked and why the same man is killing randomly.

Or so it seems.

Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado are a force to be reckoned with as they take the reader down a path full of twists, turns and red herrings.

The rest of the journey and its a nail biting one, I will leave to the reader.

Clear your schedule and settle in for an thrilling read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review Fatal Intrusion.

Having read and enjoyed books by both these authors - make that a bundle by Mr. Deaver, long a favorite of mine - you can only imagine my delight at getting my eyes on this one. That it's the first in a series only added to my excitement. Well, now that I've finished, I admit to being a little less excited - but looking forward to the next one nonetheless.

Most of the hitches in the gitalong, I think, come from simply trying to establish the backgrounds and personalities of the main characters - Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez and college professor and computer security expert extraordinaire Jacoby (Jake) Heron. They have a history of sorts, one that Sanchez, at least, isn't eager to reignite; for now, they're sort of in a hold-hands-to-keep-from-fighting relationship. But while they end up forging some semblance of cohesiveness, they never seemed to really "connect" with each other - nor, for that matter, with me; neither is someone with whom I'm eager to go share a beer (though I probably wouldn't turn down an offer from Jake if he asked).

While she's at work, Carmen receives a text that her mostly estranged sister, Selina, is the victim of an almost fatal knife attack. Because of the relationship, Carmen's boss, Eric Williamson, won't assign her to the case, so she asks for leave so she can investigate on her own. Although Selina can't identify her attacker, she did catch a glimpse of a unique tattoo; other clues, including another murder, lead to the suspicion that a dangerous serial killer is on the prowl. Because her department cronies are off-limits (and that Jake owes her a favor), Carmen reluctantly turns to him for help; they form a somewhat uneasy alliance with the common goal of catching a deadly but elusive killer.

In the mix are chapters from the killer's perspective, plenty of twists and a little too much in-depth descriptions of such things as roulette - actually, kind of interesting to me, though, so I won't complain much. The ending wrapped things up as well as brought fodder for the next installment, so I'm now looking forward to seeing how - or if - these two different personalities get it together when their new adventure begins (bring it on - I'm more than ready). Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

Glad to see Jeffrey Deaver creating a new series...appreciate this one on the left coast with two great characters.! As usual, a page turner but a fast read.