Fatal Intrusion by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado

Item: Fatal Intrusion
Rating: 5
Author: BaronessMom

Posted August 12, 2024 by BaronessMom in Mystery, Review / 0 Comments

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Fatal Intrusion

by Jeffery Deaver, Isabella Maldonado

Series: Sanchez and Heron #1
Series Rating:

Published by Thomas & Mercer on August 6, 2024
Setting: Southern California
Genres: Crime Thriller
Pages: 434
Format: Audible Audiobook, Hardcover, Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Publisher
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon

As a wave of murders grips Southern California, an unlikely pair must untangle the mysterious patterns of an elusive killer. A propulsive new series by New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado.

Carmen Sanchez is a tough Homeland Security agent who plays by the rules. But when her sister is attacked, revealing a connection to a series of murders across Southern California, she realizes a conventional investigation will not be enough to stop the ruthless perpetrator.

With nowhere else to turn, Sanchez enlists the aid of Professor Jake Heron, a brilliant and quirky private security expert who, unlike Sanchez, believes rules are merely suggestions. The two have a troubled past, but he owes her a favor and she’s cashing in. They team up to catch the assailant, who, mystifyingly, has no discernable motive and fits no classic criminal profile. All they have to go on is a distinctive tattoo and a singular obsession that gives this chillingly efficient tactician his nickname: Spider.

Over the next seventy-two hours, Sanchez and Heron find themselves in the midst of a lethal chess match with the killer as they race to stop the carnage. As the victims mount, so do the risks. Because this spider’s web of intrigue is more sinister—and goes far deeper—than anyone could possibly anticipate.

Fatal Intrusion by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado is a fast-moving mystery fueled by power-seeking individuals.

Will Carmen and Jacoby find out why Lina was targeted?

Carmen Sanchez

Carmen is a Homeland Security Investigations special agent stationed in Southern California. She is also a former FBI cyber crimes agent. Lina is Carmen’s younger sister. Both of their parents are deceased, so the girls only have each other, not that they are getting along right now.

I like Carmen. She is down to earth and works hard to keep up with all aspects of a special agent’s life. However, Carmen doesn’t allow her career to consume her life. She has a beautiful home and manages to keep her refrigerator stocked.

Jacoby Heron

Jake, as Carmen calls him, is an Intrusionist who provides Personal, Corporate, and Governmental Security Solutions. He has found a way to turn hacking into a paid venture without hurting his clients. Jake is one of the country’s elite hackers. Carmen arrested him a few years back, and he did time for hacking into the IRS. Let’s say that she doesn’t like him, and he is still holding a grudge. But they trust each other.

I like Jake, but he is sneaky. Don’t leave any of your computers or phones out when he is around.

The Mystery

Why is this serial killer all of a sudden picking random people to kill? What is his trigger, and how can they stop him? Why is an elite hacker working with him? A beautiful mom and her weird, overweight young adult kid involved?

The plot twists in this story are crazy. I absolutely love that. Just when you think you have it figured out, “Plot Twist,” and now you don’t. It goes for everything from the serial killer to our agent/hacker duo.

Five Stars

My rating for Fatal Intrusion by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado is five stars. I truly enjoyed the story, writing style, and the banter between our investigators. It’s brilliant.

I look forward to reading the next installment. Yes, I am recommending it to all crime thriller readers.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Fatal Intrusion by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado.

Until the next time,

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About Isabella Maldonado

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in the Fairfax County Police Department just outside DC, she retired as the Commander of Special Investigations and Forensics. During more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and precinct commander. She uses her law enforcement background to bring a realistic edge to her writing, which includes the bestselling FBI Special Agent Nina Guerrera series (soon to be a Netflix feature film starring Jennifer Lopez), the award-winning Detective Veranda Cruz series, and the FBI Agent Daniela Vega series. Her books are published in 24 languages.

About Jeffery Deaver

Jeffery Deaver is an international number-one bestselling author. His novels have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into over twenty-five languages. He has served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America, and was recently named a Grand Master of MWA, whose ranks include Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Mary Higgins Clark and Walter Mosely.

The author of over forty novels, three collections of short stories and a nonfiction law book, and a lyricist of a country-western album, he’s received or been shortlisted for dozens of awards. His “The Bodies Left Behind” was named Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers association, and his Lincoln Rhyme thriller “The Broken Window” and a stand-alone, “Edge,” were also nominated for that prize. “The Garden of Beasts” won the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers Association in England. He’s also been nominated for eight Edgar Awards by the MWA.

Deaver has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, the Strand Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy.

His book “A Maiden’s Grave” was made into an HBO movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin, and his novel “The Bone Collector” was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lifetime aired an adaptation of his “The Devil’s Teardrop.” NBC television recently aired the nine-episode prime-time series, “Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector.”

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