SERIES: Kaely Quinn Profiler #1
GENRE: Inspirational Suspense/Thriller
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2018
PAGES: 336
FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn’s methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She’s done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, it seems her old life has followed her.
When a body is found that fits the poem’s morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle.
With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.
Other Books In This Series
“Let the mind games begin.”
Wow. Wow. WOW.
Buckle up for this one, y’all! I’m not even sure how to review it because I don’t want to give away any spoilers and all I really want to keep saying is ‘Wow’. lol.
That ending.
Wow.
Ok. I’ll try to pull myself together here and give you helpful information. (But seriously, y’all, wow.)
Kaely Quinn is one of the most complex characters I’ve met in a long time – perhaps the most complex heroine I’ve ever encountered in fiction. Her backstory alone has multiple emotional layers that are continuing to be revealed as the story – and the series – progresses. The more we learn about Kaely, the more fascinating her character becomes. Her partners Alex and Noah – one former, one current – are great counterpoints to here character, especially as they respond to & respect her unique process as they work to solve the case.
The poem sent to Kaely – which foreshadows the events of this riveting thriller – is chilling, precipitating a race against time to stop the murders before they happen … if they can figure out who is the next target. So much great psychological profiling as Kaely and Noah try to stay a step ahead, and if you’re a fan of “Criminal Minds” on TV you’re going to love this too.
I read A LOT of books, and it’s not often that I am surprised by one so thoroughly. That alone earns it all 5 stars as far as I’m concerned. Once you reach a certain point in this book, forget putting it down to sleep – you’ll be absolutely glued to the page. And if you’re like me, once you reach the end, you may just say “wow” a few hundred times before actual vocabulary is restored to you.
Bottom Line: Mind Games is Mehl’s best book yet! You may want to read this with all the lights on – and don’t plan on putting it down until you’ve reached the very last word. There is some romantic potential here in future books, hints in this one, but it definitely doesn’t overpower the storyline. Layered, complex, and compelling – the plot and the heroine – this is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and FBI procedurals alike. Wow.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 5 stars / In a class by itself

Nancy Mehl (www.nancymehl.com) is the author of more than thirty books, including the Road to Kingdom, Finding Sanctuary, and Defenders of Justice series. She received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.
Other Books by Nancy Mehl
Writing Mind Games is a dream come true. I’ve been interested in FBI profiling for years. I’ve read about it, studied it, and watched every TV special I could find on the subject. So when the chance finally came to write the book I’ve always wanted to write, I jumped at it. Thankfully, through the help of another writer, I was hooked up with a retired FBI profiler. I was so excited. Until I found out I had almost everything wrong. Yes, I had some understanding about profiling, but I knew nothing about the FBI and how it works.
First of all, the FBI doesn’t call the men and women who profile criminals, profilers. They’re called Behavioral Analysts. The plot for Mind Games had my analyst running around the country solving crimes while she was stationed in St. Louis. Uh, no. Behavioral analysts do travel, but they all work out of Quantico in Virginia. So…I rewrote.
There were ways around my conundrum, but one solution led to more and more problems. We finally worked through them. Then I spent the next few months learning acronyms. CIRG, CJIS, NCAVC, HRT, UNSUB, CNU, THU, ViCap, CODIS, SWAT, ERTU, OPU, THRU, ERT… Well, the list goes on and on. The FBI is made up of many specialized units. And a plethora of acronyms, it seems.
I rewrote Mind Games three times before my source said we were good to go.
If you assume I’m out of the woods now, you’d be wrong. I haven’t had the nerve to open up the manuscript I sent her for book two in my Kaely Quinn Profiler series. I figured I had Fire Storm right but… Well, I can tell from her email comments I’ll be doing more rewriting. Sigh.
So is it worth it? A resounding yes! I love learning, and as long as my analyst friend hangs in with me (she has the patience of Job), I’ll keep at it.
I hope you enjoy Mind Games. It’s edgy but fun. Kaely Quinn is a quirky character. She was thrown out of Quantico because her version of profiling is… Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out!
To celebrate her tour, Nancy is giving away a grand prize of a copy of Mind Games and the three books in Nancy’s Defenders of Justice series, plus a $20 Starbucks gift card!
Two additional winners will also receive a copy of Mind Games!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
[promosimple id=”d73b”]
This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!
What about you? What interests you most about this book?
This sounds like EXACTLY the kind of book I love to read and aspire to write – someday! LOL! Love reading about the research involved. I had a relative who worked for both the FBI and NSA, and I’d love to pick his brain sometime, but have been a little reticent – there’s the famous line, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you!” 😉 Looking forward to reading this whether or NOT I’m a winner! Great post!
hahaha!! I have a relative in a similar situation 🙂
This sounds like a great read.
Thank you for your review on “Mind Games” by Nancy Mehl and for being part of the book tour.
I was sold on reading this book from the cover before I read your review. Love it! After reading your review I know I have to read it. Sounds like an amazing book!
yay! It is!!
I love suspense and I know Nancy Mehl is good at writing riveting suspense. I also enjoy her Suspense Sisters blog. I’m anxious to read this newest book.
you’ll love it!
I’ve been eyeing this book and it’s Celebrate Lit reviews recently thinking I should’ve signed up for it! Your response reminds me of mine w/ Ghost Heart. Can’t wait to read Mind Games. Thanks for sharing about it.
oh Anne, you’ll love it!
I have a feeling that this book will end up on my Top Ten list of favorite books of the year. I absolutely loved it!
And I agree, it’s her best yet!
it will mine for sure – so good! I’m still thinking about it.
This book sounds so interesting. I old love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Carrie…SOLD! I must have this book. Plus, it’s set in St. Louis and written by a fellow Show-Me State author, so..to Amazon I go. 🙂
I don’t read much mystery/suspense fiction, but I do love the TV show Criminal Minds, which is about a team of behavioral analyst I believe.
Nice job not giving away spoilers. I read it too (fellow reviewer). I LOVED IT, just like you!!
it was so tough not to give spoilers and still gush haha!
It sounds great!
We have Nancy’s books in the church library.
Which book is #1 and which book is #2?
Can’t wait to read it.
Mind Games is #1
Thanks for letting me know. I was wondering.
That ending! Yes! I can’t NOT read the next book after reading that ending. Mind games, mind games, mind games . . .
I spoiled it all to my husband because I had to talk about it to someone. That final page. Wow.
Haha me too!!!
Wow! That’s a lot of gushing, Carrie! I’ll have to read it with the lights on and during the day. It sounds fantastic!
I have a nephew who is an FBI agent, and my husband’s cousin’s husband (did you get that?) is an FBI agent. They stayed with us for a couple of days last year and gave us an FBI ornament for our tree. I haven’t got our decorations on our tree yet, so I can’t show you yet (besides, then I might have to kill you–like Regina said!) LOL
Wait…..Kaely’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer?!? Yep! Hooked already.
This sounds fascinating. I’ll have to look for it. Thanks for the giveaway op!
Oh my! I’ve not heard of this book before and now I cannot wait to read it! Thanks for the review!