Paradox

Paradox by Catherine Coulter is the twenty-second An FBI Thriller. I am new to the series, but I did not have any trouble thanks to the author providing the necessary background information. Paradox has an appealing opening that had me looking forward to reading more. It was thrilling and exciting with someone trying to kidnap Sean Savich and Chief Ty Christie observing a man being murdered. I was soon disappointed when the pacing started to lag and there were repetitive details that were totally unnecessary. The overly detailed descriptions also did not suit this story. We are introduced to numerous characters and are provided a backstory on each one (or so it seems). Paradox needed a faster pace and more action. I found the mystery to show more be predictable. The twists and turns were not unexpected. I was easily able to solve the mystery (that may have something to do with the hundreds of mysteries that I have read too). I wish the rest of the book had lived up to the first few chapters that had me riveted. While I wanted a little more oomph, others have enjoyed Paradox. Paradox is perfect to read on an airplane, on vacation or at the beach. I just wanted more thrills, chills and chases. show less

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This next installment in the extremely successful FBI series by Catherine Coulter starts off with a bang as FBI agents Sherlock and Savich wake as they realize that someone is in their house. As it turns out, the assailant is in their five-year-old son's bedroom, but manages to get away as Sherlock saves young Sean. Savich quickly realizes that not only is Sean still in danger, but a case from their past has come staring them right in the face.

Meanwhile, Chief Ty Christie of Willicott Maryland is on her porch one dawn and witness a murder on a boat out on the lake. She rushes to try and secure the scene, and has the lake dragged so that the body can be located. show more Not only is the body found, but an even more gruesome discovery is made, that of dozens of bones among the reeds, as well as a curious belt buckle, which later plays major significance. A missing FBI agent is thought to be involved, thus bringing in Sherlock and Savich. Before long, a connection is made between the murder and the psychopath they are now chasing. What ensues is a lot of speculation, as well as creepy scenes as the main suspect is a dangerous mix of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

As I prepare this review, I must state that I have read this entire series to-date, and I am not only quite familiar with Savich and Sherlock, but I am also quite enamored with them. The teamwork they display is unrivaled, especially as they work with others with regard to the solving of these crimes. The heat displayed between these two primary characters in the beginning of this series has indeed died down, but the romance is as strong as ever. Sean is a delight as he is as sharp as his dad, Savich, whose intuition is right on target in this story.

I was absolutely riveted to this story! I literally could not put the book down and devoured it in two sittings. Only sleep prevented me from reading it straight through. Catherine Coulter pens such likable characters and excellent scenes so the pages practically turn themselves. This is an engaging read, quite fast-paced and, most assuredly, truly thrilling. The twists and turns were at breakneck speeds, although admittedly not completely unexpected. Still, great fun and the conclusion was outstanding! As eager as I was for this book - and it as well worth the wait - I am just as eagerly awaiting Book #23.

Note: This is the 22nd book in the series, and does serve well as a standalone, but for an extra sense of continuity, Paradox brings back two villains from a previous book, Knockout, Victor Nesser and Lissy!

Many thanks to Gallery Books and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. show less

As usual Catherine Coulter has given us a thriller I couldn’t put down until my brain would not cooperate any longer and I fell asleep, dropping my Kindle on my face. This latest FBI thriller opens with an attempted kidnapping of Savich and Sherlock’s son Sean. Meanwhile in Willicott MD, Chief of Police Ty Christie witnesses a murder on the lake in front of her house. While dragging the lake for the victim hundreds of bones are found along with a gold Star of David belt buckle. Are these things somehow connected and if so, how? Ms Coulter does not disappoint as she weaves her tale with many twists and turns and much suspense. I figured things out at the same time the characters did. As usual she ties up everything quite nicely but show more leaves us wanting more Savich and Sherlock. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this awesome book. show less

I love the FBI agent husband/wife team of Savich and Sherlock, who team up together to catch the bad guys and solve awesome mysteries. I got hooked on Catherine Coulter last year through a NetGalley release which had a super twisty ending and have been working my way through her backlist, and was excited to see a new book coming out!

In PARADOX, Savich and Sherlock are awakened in the night by a threat. As they try to figure out who could be a danger to their son, a different mystery pops up in rural Maryland (there’s always multiple angles going on in this series, which makes things extra exciting.) Without spoilers, I really enjoyed all the discoveries and twists and turns in this one.

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, attempted show more kidnapping

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader. show less

Another interesting, complicated book in the FBI Thriller series. One of the great things about this series is that there are two story lines going on that usually intertwine in some way. This story begins with someone trying to kill and/or kidnap Sean, Sherlock's and Savich's five year old son. As they figure out who it is from a previous case they were involved in, they become embroiled in the chase for this mentally ill suspect. The second story involves FBI agent Sala Porto, who is missing. His girlfriend has been murdered, witnessed by Police Chief Ty Christie while drinking coffee on her lakeside dock. While dredging for the body, the nets bring up bones, many bones, from the bottom of the lake. The assumption is that a serial show more killer has been using the lake as a personal dumping ground.

Once again, there is a lot of action with some twists. It is fun trying to figure out how the characters and events will eventually fit together. There were new characters who I hope will appear in future books. This story did not end with anyone falling in love, but there was relationship building involved. There is a bit of psychic activity involved (i.e. visions, dreams and gut feelings) but it does not overwhelm the police work. The things that irked me just a bit is that the FBI agents and police are all good looking, extremely fit and well dressed; that is not what most people relate too. The other thing, as mentioned by another reviewer, is the use of the word "bespoke". By the time I read it for about the third or fourth time, I was cringing. Of course I had to look it up to see where it came from and what it meant. Overall I enjoyed this book. I always watch for this series by Catherine Coulter as I know it will be a quick, enjoyable story. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a quick crime/mystery thriller that is sure to entertain. The publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada - Gallery Books, provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions stated are my own. show less

This is the first book I've read in the series. I enjoyed reading it. There were two interesting mysteries that were intertwined. The book opens with someone trying to kidnap the son of FBI agents Sherlock and Savich. He fails in the first attempt, but Sherlock and Savich are on guard and trying to figure out who he is. There is a second mystery when an attorney is murdered at a nearby lake.

Having one of the main FBI characters named Sherlock was a bit confusing for me. I felt a jolt of surprise every time I read the name. I really liked the character Ty, the Police Chief from a small lakeside town. She needs her own book.

This book is good enough that I would read other books in the series. I received a free copy from the publisher in show more exchange for my honest opinion. show less

Paradox
By
Catherine Coulter

What it's all about...

An escaped prisoner...totally insane...is on a killing spree. Anyone who wronged him is on his list of people who are going to die. Unfortunately he lands in a small resort town with nothing but vengeance on his mind. When Police Chief Ty sees what she believes is a murder happening there is quick action to dredge the lake to find the body. This leads to a discovery of bones! Lots of bones and one mysterious belt buckle.

Why I wanted to read it...

This book has maintained an incredibly fast pace throughout. No one is safe from Victor. He manages to escape almost every effort to retain him.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

The pace, the characters, the plot...all of these kept my show more interest in this book high. There are memorable characters in this book...Agents Savich and Sherlock...Police Chief Ty...Gunny/Leigh...everyone is united in their quest to find out more about the bones in the lake and the capture of Victor!

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love a fast paced chilling mystery with a villain that needs to be despised and eradicated ...should love this book.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it. show less