Fatal Intrusion: A Novel (Sanchez & Heron)

I don't read novels of this genre...or related genres, for that matter. But Amazon in its infinite wisdom recommended it, for free, so I bit. I'm glad I did. In my amateur opinion I found the plot believable, the pacing excellent, the characters well developed, the action engrossing. I enjoyed the read immensely, mostly. The last 10% was a hodgepodge of hat tipping to a sequel or two or six and a clumsy attempt at wrapping up loose ends that did not exist. It was not a denouement. It was a derailment. My suggestion? Read the book but skip the last bit to preserve the glow the first 90% creates.

What can I say except, Wow! I loved this book. Fairly fast moving with plenty of twists and turns. Carmen and Jacoby make a good team, and it will be interesting to see how their partnership evolves. Jeffery Deaver has been one of my favorite authors for a while now, and I recently ran across Isabella Maldonado's books on Kindle Unlimited. Together they make a top notch writing team. Looking forward to next year's offering, although I do wish it were not so many months in the future.

While I know this was a fictional story, there were some thought provoking and relevant ideas woven into the story line. Loved the cultural aspect that was an integral, although understated, part of this story. Leisurely reading is great, but it’s even better when you learn something along the way. I also greatly appreciate the fact that this author described people in a way that did not irrelevantly include their specific “race” or ethnicity. I cannot stand to read books that fail to describe all, but one “race”, as if it that “race” is a misnomer or anomaly. Thank you for making the target a highly intelligent and strongly humble person. Looking forward to reading Book 2.

I could barely catch my breath with all the convoluted action in this book. Silena has a good-looking guy ask her for a pen as she is getting ready to leave the coffee shop. He leaves first and attacks her as she walks home. She manages to kick him on his thigh (a move her Homeland Security sister Carmen taught her), and he limps away as she escapes. Silena tells her sister about this frightening experience and remembers that the man has a spider tattoo on his wrist.

This is the beginning of a thrilling roller coaster ride of deaths. Spider is a serial killer who kills using methods that various spiders use to capture and kill their prey. The Naturalist nerd in me loved learning about spiders and their names, and this adds to the suspense. Spider was mentored by his "counselor, who is himself a murderer for hire with his wife.

Carmen Sanchez is determined to find Spider before he makes another attempt on her sister's life. She asks for help from Jake Heron, a college professor and an "Intrusionist. He is a skilled hacker and Carmen had arrested him several years before for hacking into government files. Now she needs his help to keep ahead of the killers who are also targeting Carmen and Jake.

Glad to see this is the first in a series. Looking forward to what these two great authors will come up with in future books.

I have read all of Jeffrey Deaver's novels, loved them. Newcomer to Isabella Maldonado, so quite interested in what this partnership might deliver. Riveting story, unusual but believable twists, and completely relatable characters. The attention to detail you expect with Deaver, delivered with grace and punch by Maldonado. This is a great new series, and I will pre-order # 2. Plus, I am now reading Ms. Maldonado's works as well. What a great find. Thank you both.

The characters drew me in. The plot moved along believably and without bogging down. The interplay between both the major characters and the supporting ones felt natural. Violence is an integral part of the story, and though the killer's obsession with murder is disgusting, the details are not dwelt on beyond what is necessary to establish his evil, self absorbed nature. There is some bad language.

The story weaves together interesting characters along with today’s I.T. topics. Without having to know more than what is written or taxing your brain, you will meet computer hackers with dark web knowledge, and learn a bit about A.I. possibilities. In the end, a complicated case is solved. The ending is happy and filled with promise. What could be better than that?

As close to 5 stars as it can get, THIS will be a series I’ll continue. Long a fan of Deaver, he’s upped his already stellar game by partnering with Maldonado to produce a fantastic action tale. Entertaining and engaging characters, with a bit of eccentric tossed in, and with tons of action, this book is the literary equivalent of Criminal Minds. Frankly, the entire premise of the story is so believable in today’s high-tech world, it inspires goose bumps. I think you’ll devour this one and come back for more.