Dead End (2020)

About the Book

Book:  Dead End

Series: Kaely Quinn Profiler #3

Author: Nancy Mehl

Genre:  Christian Mystery/Suspense Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2020

When a body is discovered in a field in Iowa, the police uncover fourteen additional corpses ranging from 20 years old to recent. The remains point to a serial killer with an MO the authorities have seen before–Ed Oliphant, a man who has been in prison for over 20 years . . . and is Special Agent Kaely Quinn’s father. After several failed interview attempts to discover if Ed has been training someone to be a copycat killer, the police turn to Kaely in St. Louis.

Kaely promised herself she would never step foot in her hometown or set eyes on her father again. She’s always refused to confront her past, but if she wants to prevent any more deaths, she must come face-to-face with the man she’s hated for years.

As more bodies are discovered, Kaely races against time and her own personal turmoil to uncover the killer. Will this most personal case yet cost Kaely her identity and perhaps even her life?

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My Thoughts

Dead End by Nancy Mehl is an outstanding novel. I have enjoyed every minute in the Kaely Quinn Profiler series, and I’m really sad my time with Kaely Quinn is over. I have been waiting for Ed Oliphant’s appearance since book 1, Mind Games, and let me tell you, Nancy Mehl delivered! Ed Oliphant is 98% terrifying and 2% amazing. I very much appreciate Kaely’s profiler persona — she really is quite intelligent and talented — but what I enjoyed the most in book 3 was seeing Kaely as a daughter who had to confront her father and their past. I also really liked how Kaely and Noah’s friendship blossoms into a great romance. All I can say is it’s about time! LOL! And, the mystery is awesome. Readers, let me tell you, I thought I knew whodunnit but my guesses were completely wrong. I love it so much when I’m thrown by a murder mystery. It makes the novel that much more fun. Dead End is an absolute home run, and I highly recommend this excellent read.

One of the big questions this novel forces the reader to wrestle with is are ALL humans — psychopaths included — capable of being saved? The simple Christian response is, “Of course!” But life is not that easy nor that black and white. Psychopaths do not feel as typical humans do. They are not capable of feeling love or compassion or guilt the way you or I do. Essentially, they are the god of their own worlds. When you know this about psychopaths, the answer to salvation becomes a little bit harder to answer. My response is that anyone is capable of being saved, not because of anything people necessarily do or say, but because of Jesus Christ. Sin is sin, no matter what. Do I think it is easier for a person who can feel love or compassion or guilt to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? Yes! But, then I remember what Jesus says in Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Even a psychopath is capable of salvation because Jesus can do anything! I’m not going to tell you how Mehl responds to this tough question, but I will tell you that the “answer” is remarkable and something I won’t soon forget!

Dead End is highly captivating, thoroughly engaging, and exceptionally satisfying. This is a novel you won’t want to put down. Purchase yourself a copy of this book today. You will not be disappointed that you did.

***Note*** While Dead End can easily be read as a standalone novel, I highly recommend reading each book in the series. I have enjoyed watching as Kaely grows as a profiler, friend, and Christian over the course of the three stories. In my opinion, the impact of book 3 is better because I read the books in order.

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on March 31, 2020, to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.