PERIMETER MALL, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 11: 30 AM EASTERN
THE TIME HAD COME TO select his next victim. He had to choose carefully and perfectly— he wouldn’t get a second chance. The mall was teeming with life, and that made for a lot of eyeballs, a lot of potential witnesses. But he supposed it also helped him be more inconspicuous. People were hustling through the shopping center, interested solely in their own agendas. They wouldn’t be paying him— or what he was doing— much attention. He was standing at the edge of the food court next to the hallway leading to the restrooms eating a gyro. The lidded and oversized garbage bin on wheels that was behind him would ensure that anyone who did notice him would just think he was a mall janitor on his lunch break. The pitchy voice of a girl about eight hit his ears. “Daddy, I want ice cream.” Trailing not far behind her were a man and woman holding hands. The woman was fit and blond, but his attention was on the man beside her. He was in his twenties, easily six feet tall with a solid, athletic build. He’d be strong and put up a fight. Yes, this was the one. And talk about ideal placement— he was across from the Dairy Queen. He wiped his palms on his coveralls and took a few deep breaths. What he was about to do wasn’t because of who he was, but rather, because he had to do it...
He put up a sign that said it was closed for cleaning and entered, positioning himself next to the door. From there, he could see his target at one of the urinals and another man washing his hands at the sink. Otherwise, it was quiet. Just as if it was meant to be…
The stranger left the restroom without a passing glance. This left him alone with his target. He twisted the lock on the door and then moved behind the man, who paid him no mind.
He took the needle out of his pocket and plunged it into the man’s neck.
The man snapped a hand over where he’d been poked. “Hey!”
~~~
Remnants:
The Brandon Fisher FBI Series
By Carolyn Arnold
Arnold is one of those author's whose series I would follow if I were not involved with book reviews and blogging. So I've missed a couple of books in this series, but this is definitely a stand-alone crime novel and I can say immediately that I recommend it for your consideration!
On the other hand, Brandon Fisher, the main character, seems to be in a very confusing period in his love life... It seems to me that individuals in our country's protection services has a hard time with their personal relations. It's sad, but it certainly is understandable. Take for instance, when a major case breaks wide open and agents are called to respond immediately. And the day just happens to be Valentine's day! There were at least two of Fisher's team who got in trouble when they couldn't make the planned events...
Have to say, however, that when somebody is called to a scene where they have found human bones, it does tend to place that assumed murder scene as a top priority... But this isn't just a crime scene...
The bones are from different bodies...
And even that is not the outstanding part of the investigation, because it gets more complicated, more weird, and more surprising as the FBI team and local police strive to build their investigation around just a few bones, to begin...
While Arnold writes in different genres, it is well-known that she is an expert in writing police-procedural novels. This is no exception and due to the complexity of the evil acts that are occurring, the need for meticulous, detailed activities are a must. So even while readers are gathering details along the investigation, I have to admit that I hadn't a clue about who was doing what!
And there's a reason for that... the clever manipulation of the author's mind in setting up the story is incredible. Indeed I hope that no real criminal out there is capable of putting together a plot that is so unbreakable that readers must wait until the end to even get an inkling of what is actually going on! Kudos to Carolyn Arnold! Nothing I like more than a book that keeps me in suspense through page after page...
Because of this, however, I find no real way to share much about the story, other than to say that once the bones begin to be found, more and more are discovered, until, toward the end, entire bodies are displayed. They have been mutilated, skinned, with some parts of the body retained. There seems to be some type of ritual, and fortunately Fisher's team has a member with a mind for details and he begins putting clues together to assist in forming a profile... But that profile doesn't really fit with all other clues... I told you this was a difficult one!
The psychological suspense is deep...and...wide in this story. Sure you may think you have a psychopath out there somewhere... But the who, what, where, and why are the key elements that cannot be explained. And what readers discover at the end is outrageous, overwhelming, and downright haunting... Whew! The only thing that keeps this from being a horror novel is that readers are so involved in trying to solve the case along the way to really begin to grasp the hidden horror story behind the scenes...
Arnold has outdone herself in this novel; she has placed readers behind the yellow crime scene tape; placed a badge on our chests, and begs us to see if we can unravel the mystery that she has created within what many will think is a routine crime procedural case... NOT! If you enjoy thrillers, mysteries, suspense, as well as police procedural stories, then you just must check this out. You might be as stunned as I was in this surprisingly almost unbelievable tale of...human depravity...
GABixlerReviews
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series--Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures--and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
For more information and a FREE book offer visit: www.carolynarnold.net/free
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