Into the Fire

Nancy Mehl has written the Kaely Quinn Profiler trilogy with Mind Games as Book 1. 

Kaely Quinn (aka Jessica Oliphant) is one of the top FBI profilers, but, because her methods strike some professionals as bizarre, she has few friends after her transfer from the BAU at Quantico to the bureau in St. Louis other than her boss (SAC Solomon Slattery) and her former partner (Alex Cartwright) who is no longer at the St. Louis office.

There's a new serial killer on the loose who challenges Kaely by using a poem sent to the reporter who exposed "Kaely" as the daughter of a serial killer and wants to write a story about her father. This reporter has followed her to St. Louis and refuses to take no for an answer. Is he the UNSUB or is this poem that's supposedly been sent to him revealing the clues to murders the killer plans to commit leading up to the final death of Kaely Quinn? 

Special Agent Noah Hunter is assigned the lead on the case but is instructed to team up with Kaely – and to protect her. He's heard all the criticisms and gossip and isn't looking forward to pairing with her, but it doesn't take him long to realize she's got a genuine gift for this work and she resents having a "babysitter" since she figures she can take care of herself. He's not thrilled about it either, but since Solomon made it clear it was Noah's job, he has no choice.

Slowly, she unintentionally makes an inroad to his heart, but he works to keep her at arm's length at her insistence and his intent. He's a widower and can't imagine another woman ever taking the place of his wife. She's a single woman who can't imagine any "romantic entanglements" at this point in her life. She has definite trust issues even though she truly cares about the small circle of people in her life – especially her special friendship with her former partner who wanted more from her than she could give him.

She keeps questioning herself about how she couldn't have known something was wrong with her father – even though she was just a young girl when he was arrested – or how her mother didn't know. She is plagued by her nightmares which fail to reveal what might be hidden in her subconscious. Someday she hopes to be free from them, and she trusts her faith in God to eventually reveal what she needs to know. 

Nancy Mehl has written a suspense-filled intensive mystery with multiple suspects and internal conflicts from the bureau. Kaely Quinn is a solid and fascinating character while her former partner Alex is a rogue hero-type and Noah Hunter is a by-the-book guy who establishes a belief in and loyalty to Kaely as he begins to appreciate her forthright dedication and honesty.

This is an exciting story that compels the reader to the next page making it a quick read for mystery lovers. Loved this one.

Father, please continue to provide those stories for Nancy to write. And please bless her efforts to honor you in the process. Encourage and uplift her and fill her with your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.