4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Remote: The Six was a pretty wild ride from beginning to end. FBI Special Agent Stark is hunting the Tableau Killer, who has been evading detection for a year and a half. In apparent desperation, Garnier is brought in to help with the case. Garnier claims to be a "remote viewer" - someone who can see people/places/scenes in his mind without being there. They continue hunting their suspect but always seem to be a few steps behind him.

The Six is a fast-paced book that I had a hard time putting down. I was drawn in from the beginning, wanting to know more about the Tableau Killer, his motivations, Garnier's ability, and Stark's past. The ending is left open perfectly for a sequel and I can't wait to read that.

Recommended for readers who love fast-paced, dark crime fiction with sci-fi elements.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book has a very interesting concept and I really enjoyed the first half of it . I have a couple of tropes I really dislike in these types of stories ( whether books or on screen ) and this one had both which impacted my rating but it’s totally a personal preference .
I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series when it comes out

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

Fantastic book! I would highly recommend both this book and other books by this author. Be sure to read this book!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Eric Rickstad for the ARC!

"You want me to find a man who doesn't exist, and hand him over to a program that doesn't exist…”

“Remote the Six” was a wild nonstop race against time. The opening pages had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure how this story was going to play out. That level of tension didn’t let up at all; if anything, it amplified as the story went on. Told from dual points of view, each viewpoint only added to the thrill. The frustration of our MMC, Special Agent Lukas, was relatable as he tried to stop a serial killer. And then he is paired up with a new partner, Giles Garnier, who has a special ability to remotely “see” people. Lukas’s doubt was understandable until Garnier describes a crime scene he’s never seen from across the country. I really enjoyed Lukas and Garnier’s partnership, how they worked together even though they didn’t always understand each other. Then there was the mystery of who was Q, really? How were they going to stop him?

The secrets Garnier revealed introduced Lukas to a whole new, unbelievable world. It gave the story a bit of a sci-fi feel, similar to the writing style of Blake Crouch. In some ways it gave me “Stranger Things” vibes too. All in all, this was a fantastic blending of mystery, sci-fi and heart.

Finally, this story ended on such a cliffhanger! I am happy to know this is the start of a series because I need to know where the story is going from here!

“Remote the Six” is out now. This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

An uneasy partnership forms to identify a serial killer

FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark is in charge of the investigation into a string of brutal killings that have been occurring for almost two years. The Tableau Killer has targeted families, tying each family member to chairs and arranging them in varying patterns before brutally killing them all. For all his dedication to the case and his years of experience, Stark continues to remain steps behind the killer. He doesn't know how or why the killer selects his victims, and no forensic evidence has yet turned up to help him get a handle on the situation. When his supervisor brings Gilles Garnier, someone with no known law enforcement experience, in to help Stark he is not happy but is not given any choice in the matter. The skill that Garnier allegedly brings is his talent for remote viewing, the ability to see people, places and events far away without using technology or other tools other than his brain. As far as Stark is concerned, Garnier is no better than someone claiming to be a psychic...he thinks Garnier is, in short, a fraud. As more families are targeted and Garnier is able to "see" things in ways which Stark can't explain, Stark begins to accept that Garnier isn't the charlatan he thought he was. But Garnier's talent isn't consistent, and the killer continues to elude them...and they come to suspect how he stays two steps ahead of them. The reality of what they are up against is more terrifying, and wider in scope, than they could have imagined.
With a burned out protagonist struggling with issues in his personal life and a villain whose intelligence and ability to manipulate others is frighteningly high, this is a thriller which grabs the reader early and propels them into the unfolding and deadly game of cat and mouse. Stark is a solid agent who is frustrated by the political gamesmanship practiced by those above him in the food chain; his job has taken its toll on both his own well-being and his relationship with his wife and son. His traumatic past is rearing its ugly head as well, at a time when he can ill afford the distraction. I found it hard to warm up to Garnier as a character, though it is his abilities as a remote viewer that provide a twist on the FBI/serial killer storyline. The pacing was a little choppy, but overall I found it an entertaining (and chilling) yarn (3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4) that is likely to appeal to readers of Gregg Hurwitz, Kay Hooper and LIsa Gardner. My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for allowing me access to Remote: The Six in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the writing and the fast pace of this book. The serial killer angle was interesting and unique, as was the addition of "remote viewing." I really liked the mystery of why the killer was doing what he was. It kept me reading.

However, I had trouble connecting to any of the characters. I thought Stark was annoying and his behavior inexcusable. He sets up hidden cameras in his house to watch his wife and son, without their consent, just so he can feel better because he's never home. He is so mean and rude to Garnier, even when the guy gets results. It also made no sense to me that he would be the only officer searching for a killer who is killing multiple whole families. I also saw no reason for why Q would go after his family. Garnier was portrayed as pathetic and ill the entire story. He admits in the beginning that he is the worst of the "remote viewers," yet he is just starting to deteriorate, whereas Q apparently has deteriorated so much that he is experimenting with how to get his remote viewing back. But, Q is able to remote view a million times more and better than Garnier. It just made no sense to me.

Another issue I had was this eARC had no formatting. Usually that doesn't bother me, but in this book, it was so difficult to keep track of who was saying what.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. I liked that there was more to the story, mainly because I still had a lot of questions, but I didn't like how it didn't feel like a completed book. You have to read more of the series if you want to understand. I prefer individual books to come to a complete close, even if they are part of a series, and not to end with a continuation.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Suspenseful crime thriller -- the first in a new series I plan to devour!

Always fun to find a new series that hooks immediately, and this one did. It has an original premise and I'm eager to see where it goes from here.

After FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer for eighteen months, he's not managed to find or stop the unsub. His boss calls him in and assigns a partner to help with the case. Gilles Garnier is not any type of law enforcement, but he has a strange ability. And he thinks he knows who this killer is -- but not why they are killing entire families.

The writing is crisp and fast paced and doesn't get bogged down as the narrative drops hints about the mystery man known as "Q" and his relationship to Gilles Garnier. Lots of grisly details about the murder scenes and it takes Lukas quite some time before he can accept Garnier and believe him. Lots of action and the characters evolve as the investigation continues. I don't want to give spoilers so I'll not go into Gilles and his ability. It's rather unique and I always like when I come upon something different in my favorite genre.

I was fortunate to be able to listen to the audio-book while also following along in the e-book, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Ari Fliakos, and he did an excellent job of voicing all the characters using different tones, accents, and timbre. The audio definitely further enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Definitely recommend and am looking forward to the next installment.

The remote viewing in this book was definitely a crazy new idea. I found the book pretty gruesome and did not like there were children involved, for some people I believe it would be a serious trigger. I found Stark interesting but Garnier became very annoying. I recently finished watching the tv series MindHunter and saw a similarity with Stark and Agent Tesh. They both had a wife that was frustrated with their work and travel and had a young son, I believe that is why I felt like I knew Stark. In parts the book became frustrating and perhaps a little too sci-fi for my taste. I hated the ending or it might have been a 4 star but with the ending, I wouldn't recommend this book.

This is a story I did not see coming! Remote: The Six is a psychological thriller that combines policework with paranormal abilities to solve gruesome murders.

The author drops subtle hints throughout the story about how certain events are connected yet leaves you guessing constantly about what is really happening.

Right when you think it's all over, you realize it has only just begun! This is a sit on the edge of your seat, suspenseful cliffhanger.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Blackstone Publishing, for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One of the best books I have read this year and it will be hard to top! Unique and interesting mystery. Fantastic characters you become invested in. Full of intrigue. And that ending! The next book can't come soon enough.

Suspenseful read with twists to satisfy all mystery lovers.
FBI Agent Lucas stark is hunting the tableaux killer - a serial killer who
kills families and sets them in striking poses. The gruesome murders make Lucas
determined to hunt down and capture the sadistic killer. His plans are thwarted a
little when he is assigned a partner, Giles Garnier who turns out to be strange
and at times, driven by inner demons.
Good plot that moves right along with strong characters.
A little too strange in parts but overall, a good read.

This one was interesting and different. It had a mix of sci-fi and thriller, which added different layers to the story. It was a quick read with dark elements.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"The Six" by Eric Rickstad is an exhilarating rollercoaster of a novel that masterfully blends the procedural grit of an FBI investigation with the tantalizing allure of science fiction. From the first page, Rikstand draws readers into a world where reality and the unthinkable intertwine, creating a narrative as gripping as it is imaginative.

The plot centers on a team of FBI agents, each distinctly crafted and compelling, who are tasked with unraveling a mystery that defies the boundaries of conventional crime-solving. Rikstand's expertise in constructing a procedural thriller is evident; the tension is palpable and unrelenting, making it impossible to put the book down.

What sets "The Six" apart is its seamless integration of sci-fi elements. These components are not merely tacked on for effect; they are woven into the fabric of the story, enhancing the narrative rather than overshadowing it. This skillful blend adds layers to the plot, intriguing twists that surprise and delight.

Rikstand's writing is sharp and cinematic, painting vivid images that transport readers into the heart of the action. The dialogue is realistic and engaging, providing depth to the characters and authenticity to their interactions.

In sum, "The Six" is a must-read for fans of the thriller genre, offering a perfect fusion of procedural intensity and speculative wonder. It's a novel that challenges the imagination while keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Highly recommended!"

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the first in a new series by Eric Rickstad, with the audio perfectly narrated by Ari Fliakos. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

A serial killer is rampaging across the country, tying families to chairs-arranged in puzzling tableaus-then murdering them, without leaving a trace of evidence. FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark has been hunting the Tableau Killer but is always two steps behind. He has no idea how or why he chooses families and why they are staged. Stark is forced to take on a new partner, Gilles Garnier, who claims to be a remote viewer who sees things remotely as if they were right in front of him. Stark thinks he’s a con and doesn’t trust him, until he’s able to see things that Stark can’t explain. But will they be able to catch this killer before he strikes again?

This was a chilling book, as you would expect since it’s about a serial killer who targets families. But it’s also fascinating to watch Stark and Garnier try to stop the killer. Just how did he get such abilities and at what cost? I mostly listened to the audiobook of this one and the narration made it even more creepy – I was glued. It ended with a cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next in this series! If you like dark crime books, you’ll love this one.

I didn’t love this book, it was my first by this author and it just didn’t gel with my reading style. I liked the start, the fast pace was really good and though the pace didn’t change, the story started to drag for me.

I am not sure if it was a mixture of my strong dislike for the characters or the fact that I wasn’t feeling how I was supposed to when it came to the story lines but it was less than enjoyable for me.

The abrupt ending paves the way for another book but I feel like I might give that a miss. I am not great at suspending logic so I don’t think I’m the type of reader for this book.

Eric Rickstad is one of my favorite writers. He always creates stories that completely capture my attention and Remote The Six did exactly that.

Following Detective Stark as he tries to find an unsub whose gruesomely murdering families but leaves no trace behind. 18 months with no leads and he's assigned a partner who has a special ability called viewing . Stark doubts these so called abilities but when Garnier continues to know things he shouldn't he can't deny it for long. With his help they are able to catch up the killer but it ends up hitting closer to home than Stark thought possible.

Imagine someone had the ability to close their eyes and watch you any where you are. Imagine all those times you felt like someone was watching you they really were. That's the insane ability the killer and Garnier have and it's completely unsettling. I loved getting the killers point of view along side Detective Starks and really getting to understand the reasons and motivations behind his horrible crimes. Detective Stark himself is a real, relatable and flawed. He makes some questionable decisions out of fear but decisions that I could totally see myself making in the same position.

Remote The Six by Eric Rickstad is a the start of a thriller series that would reel you in with the characters and writing. I can't wait for the next book in the series because book 1 ends with questions I can't wait to find out the answers to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.

The first book of a series, Remote: The Six, follows Agent Lukas Stark and his "partner" Gilles Garnier. The duo use remote viewing and FBI tactics to hunt down a serial killer.

I enjoyed how fast pace the book was. Whether it was the different locations or just the descriptions of the hunt, it kept me reading.

I will definitely be waiting for the next book. I'm glad that it's supposed to come out later in 2025!

A brutal serial killer is terrorizing families, and the FBI is no closer to catching them. Special Agent Lukas Stark is assigned to the case, but his investigation takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to work with Giles Garnier—a man who claims to be a "remote viewer," able to see people and events happening in real time from a distance.

Stark is skeptical, but as the body count rises, he’s left with no choice but to accept that Garnier’s abilities may be real. Even more disturbing, it becomes clear that the killer might possess the same abilities—and a dark connection to Garnier’s past.

This book checked all the boxes for me—it was dark, intense, disturbing, and unique. The level of graphic detail and psychological depth made it exactly the kind of crime thriller I love. The eerie concept of remote viewing added an original twist, making the investigation feel even more unsettling.

The pacing is relentless, and I couldn’t put it down, especially when reading the second part on a late-night flight to Japan—talk about a perfect setting to heighten the chills! That said, I had a few issues, particularly with how the FBI’s handling of the case felt a bit unrealistic. Given the severity of the killings, it seemed odd that Stark was working alone rather than leading a full team.

A gripping, intense, and chilling crime novel with a supernatural edge. If you’re fascinated by remote viewing and love dark thrillers, this will be right up your alley. While I’m eager for the next book, I’m not entirely convinced I’ll stick with the series long-term. A solid start, but with some logic gaps.

Arc review ✨

I have read previous works by this author and I will say, I am a fan overall even if I didn’t love this one as much. I find the stories written so far to be really gripping and thrilling indeed, which as an avid thriller reader, can be hard to achieve sometimes in “thriller” books surprisingly! So I’ll give credit on that for sure. Only thing I will mention again is I did like the Canaan series a bit more. I found the premise of remote viewing here to be a bit out of reach for me to grip onto. It just didn’t interest me as much but overall this was a good read and it will find its audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review!

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

Serial Killer? Murder? FBI agents? Twists? ALL the boxes are checked and this is a fabulous read!

There is a serial killer on the loose and he targets families while leaving behind no evidence. FBI Agent Lukas Stark teams up with Gilles Garnier after failing to catch the killer for over a year and a half. Gilles Garnier has a psychic ability to "remote" view into the lives of people and also view places from afar. Stark is skeptical but has no choice but to work together with Garnier. Will they catch the killer?

This is a well written, fast paced book with flawed but likable characters. There are lots of twists and turns as well. The ending definitely lets the reader know that there will be a second book in the series! All in all, a fantastic start!