"Fatal Intrusion" by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story follows Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez and private security expert Jake Heron as they race against time to stop a ruthless killer known as Spider. The dynamic between Sanchez, who plays by the rules, and Heron, who views rules as mere suggestions, adds depth and tension to the narrative.
What I found most captivating was how seamlessly Deaver and Maldonado's writing styles blended together. It's impossible to tell which author wrote which part, a testament to their combined brilliance. The suspense is palpable, with twists and turns that caught me completely off guard. Just when I thought I had figured it out, another twist would come and elevate the stakes even higher. This book is unexpectedly terrifying and thoroughly engaging, making it a must-read for thriller fans.

Very grateful to the publisher for this copy, opinions are my own

I normally like Jeffrey Deaver books, but was not a fan of this one. To me it was hard to follow and very disjointed. Carmen Sanchez is a Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, she realizes she has to think differently to catch the killer.

Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a private security expert who owes her a favor and she’s cashing in. They team up to catch the assailant. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo. This is one of the worst books I have read by Deaver.

Carmen Sanchez is a tough Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she realizes a conventional investigation will not be enough to stop the ruthless perpetrator. With nowhere else to turn, Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert who, unlike Sanchez, believes rules are merely suggestions. The two have a troubled past, but he owes her a favor and she’s cashing in. They team up to catch the assailant, who, mystifyingly, has no discernible motive and fits no classic criminal profile. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo and a singular obsession that gives this chillingly efficient tactician his nickname: Spider. Over the next seventy-two hours, Sanchez and Heron find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match with the killer as they race to stop the carnage. As the victims mount, so do the risks. Because this spider’s web of intrigue is more sinister—and goes far deeper—than anyone could possibly anticipate. This is a brilliant new series and I can’t wait for the next one in what I hope becomes a long running series.

This book is very easy to read, despite a somewhat complex plot, and the storytelling and the characters are excellent. The technology used is over the top, of course, but this is fiction.

The pacing of Fatal Intrusion is relentless, with each chapter raising the stakes higher. The authors expertly blend action with psychological insight, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Sanchez and Heron race against time to prevent further murders. The novel’s intricate plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

In Fatal Intrusion, Deaver and Maldonado have crafted a thriller that is not only a gripping page-turner but also a study of character and morality. This book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and anyone looking for a story that combines intellect with adrenaline. With its intricate plotting, memorable characters, and high-stakes drama, this novel is poised to be a standout in the genre.

I really enjoyed the novel and loved all the twists and turns. Sanchez and Heron is a great duo and I can't wait to read more about them.

Fatal Intrusion introduces Carmen Sanchez and Jacoby ‘Jake’ Heron, who join forces to stop a serial killer in Southern California. When Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez's sister is viciously attacked, Carmen is determined to hunt down the perpetrator to keep her sister safe. Joining forces with cybersecurity expert Jack Heron, they must navigate a labyrinth of anonymity and threats . Their discovery leads from this single botched attempt to the trails of a serial killer.
While some plot points may strain credulity, it was a decent book read and I hope that the future book series will improve and beautiful better.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC for my unbiased review.

Two bestselling authors, Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado, team up for the first in a new series featuring two people with unusual hunting skills. But Carmen Sanchez and Professor Jake Heron also have an unpleasant history.

Carmen Sanchez is a former FBI agent who now works as a Homeland Security Agent as an investigator. Normally, she obeys every rule. But, that was before her younger sister, Selina, was attacked by a man bearing a spider tattoo. Carmen suspects the man has attacked before, but she has no position to take on the case by herself. Jake Heron owes her a favor, though.

Professor Jake Heron is a private security expert who uses his hacking skills to analyze weaknesses for companies. He also teaches about intrusion, how social media can be used to discover everything in a person’s background. And, Carmen’s case interests him because he’s looking for links to the attacker’s victims.

Selina’s attacker has killed before, but she skillfully managed to evade him. Now, the man who calls himself Spider has other targets. His biggest mistake was trying to take out Carmen’s sister, and setting a relentless hunter on his trail. But, what is Spider’s true game? Is he drawing Carmen and Jake into his web?

Deaver and Maldonado’s own skills and interests are on display in this new book featuring an unusual team. Deaver has demonstrated an interest in social media and the Internet and what can go wrong. Maldonado was the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in her police department, and retired as the Commander of Special Investigations and Forensics. Her law enforcement background is obvious in this novel.

But, just a warning. Someone has a great deal of interest in spiders. If serial killers and spider information are not your thing, you might want to avoid tangling with Fatal Intrusion.

This was a fast paced, ever changing thriller, that had me guessing the whole book.
When a "would-be" serial killer targets Agent Carmen Sanchez' sister, all bets are off. There is nothing she won't do to find him and be sure he doesn't come back to finish the job. But the investigation takes law enforcement ( and a tag along consultant) on a chase that no one expected with many twists and turns. I loved how all the pieces came together.
I recommend for those that enjoy a great plot with well developed characters . I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was another hit from the authors. Filled with mystery and suspense the book kept the reader wondering what was going to happen next. This is a book which I would recommend to others.

I wanted to love this bc I’m a big fan of JD but this one was way too busy. Too much story and too much description that made me not want to pick it back up. I might try the next in the series and see how it goes. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Thank you to NetGalley, Jeffrey Deaver, Isabella Maldonado, and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC copy of "Fatal Intrusion".

"Fatal Intrusion" is a pulse-pounding thriller that delivers suspense, action, and intrigue. Its intricate plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez, a tenacious investigator finds herself embroiled in a string of murders that hit close to home when her sister becomes a target. Determined to unravel the mystery behind these seemingly random killings, Sanchez teams up with the unconventional private security expert, Professor Jake Heron. Despite their troubled history, the duo must put aside their differences as they race against time to catch the elusive killer known only as Spider.

I highly recommend adding this book to your list of must-reads. I cannot wait to read their next book!

"Fatal Intrusion" by Jeffery Weaver and Isabella Maldonado is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. When Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez's sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she knows she needs to think outside the box to catch the killer.

Sanchez enlists the help of Professor Jake Heron, a private security expert with a brilliant mind and a disregard for rules. Despite their troubled past, the two form an unlikely partnership as they race against time to stop the ruthless perpetrator known as Spider.

Weaver and Maldonado's storytelling is top-notch, weaving a complex and suspenseful tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the dynamic between Sanchez and Heron adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

"Fatal Intrusion" is a must-read for fans of thrillers, delivering a thrilling ride that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Homeland Security Agent Carmen Sanchez sets out to find the man who tried to murder her younger sister, but all that her sister can remember is that the man has a spider tattoo on the inside of his wrist and that she happened to snag his phone when he was attacking her. Needing help to crack the codes on the murderer’s phone, Carmen enlists the talents of Professor Jake Heron who is a renowned code hacker, but Heron doesn’t play by any legal rules. Soon more people are targeted for murder and it seems that they have a serial killer on the loose who calls himself Spider. Spiders hunt, trap and kill their prey by spinning webs and soon Carmen and Heron are caught in his web fighting to not be his next victims.

3.5 stars.

Phew! I feel like I read ten books at once. This was my first full length Jeffery Deaver novel and, for the most part, I enjoyed this. However, there was WAY too much happening in this story. A murder investigation, cyber crime, a family drama, loads of sexual tension amongst pretty much everyone. Normally, I would love the commitment but this was overkill. Some of the dialogue felt like watching an episode of Law and Order if it was five days long and none of the boring parts where cut out. I liked Sanchez and Heron and loved the cliff hanger ending so I'll probably read book #2 but I fear I may be too dumb for this series.

What a treat! Two outstanding Author’s collaborate in what is likely to be
my favorite Police Procedural and high suspense novel of this year.
Our new protagonist is a Fed named Carmen Sanchez, and she is a
true to life character with a sharp mind and the ability to take down
the bad guy.
When her sister becomes a victim, Carmen turns to an old ‘friend,’
the most quirky of men; he can pretty much figure out crime
and has interesting ways to get answers. They have not been
in touch for a long time, but when Carmen. needs him, they
team up to stop a rage of murders in Southern California.
I loved the storyline, and the scenery of the story. I felt like’
I was in the room when things.are being broken down. It’s
quite an interactive story if you read this way. This is book 1
of the Sanchez and Heron series and I look forward to the
next installment from two great Authors!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Publisher, via NetGalley for
the download of this book for review purposes.

“Fatal Intrusion” by Jeffery Deaver & Isabella Maldonado is about a homeland security who is out to get the person that attacked her sister. The sister was fortunate to survive and noticed a tattoo of a spider which connects the attacker to another murder. There are a lot of layers in this mystery and it delves deeply into the dark web which becomes very intense. I found myself struggling with this book because of the many layers of the story and for me the second half really dragged. The idea behind this story really intrigued me so I will probably give the next book in this new series a try.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Two strong personalities with a linked past meet in this collaboration from Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado. A killer on the loose tests the mettle of HSI Agent Carmen Sanchez and private security expert Jake Heron, especially when Carmen's estranged sister is attacked.

The killer is using the newest and fanciest technology, pushing both Carmen and Jake to the very edge of the rules that Carmen is so determined to obey, and which Jake thinks are there to be broken if necessary. Their different methods of working have to adapt to the other because the killer is always one step ahead.

I enjoyed the pace of this book, it never let up, and both characters were equally enjoyable. There is a thread left unraveled at the end and I hope it means there will be a next book in this series.

Fabulously spellbinding!!
Carmen Sanchez is a HS agent who goes on full search mode when her younger sister is
attacked and almost killed by an unknown assailant after leaving a coffee shop.
when it appears that her sister's attacker may be linked to other killings, she enlists the
aid of a former convict and current cyber security expert Jake Heron to try to determine
patterns and algorithms that may aid in the search and capture.
While searching for the killer, past personal events come in to play as well.
Absolutely great story line with terrific and well-defined characters that jump right off the
pages at you.
Deaver and Maldonado are a one-of-a-kind team and I am sure there MUST be more coming.
Waiting anxiously........

I have read many Isabella Maldonado books and she is one of my favorite when it comes to this genre. I have not read any Jeffery Deaver books until this one. It took me a while to really get into this book for about 50% of the book I was trying to figure out what the unsub was getting at what was the MO what was this leading to . At the 50% mark we get a lead of where this plot is going. The plot however gets bigger and bigger it truly is a web which is very fitting of our unsub. There is some flashback teases we get glimpses at which I was not a big fan of. It also seemed to be a bit excessive in the spider facts.
Although there was a few things I didn't enjoy about the book I am curious to see what would happen in a second book with this civil consultant and HLS Agent. I very much enjoyed this crime fighting duo and would like to see what they get into next.