The Wrong Victim

Thin on “police procedural” plausibility and long on emotive and romantic angst.

What's it about (in a nutshell): The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan is a crime thriller about a boat explosion that killed nine people, one of which is a retired FBI agent. When the FBI's mobile team comes to investigate, will they be able to find the culprit before more lives are lost? Expectations before I began reading: I've read the other two books in this series, so I was expecting something similar: a good complex mystery, some heartstring-pulling, and an update on the relationship status of the two main characters, Kara and Matt. Actual Reading Experience I loved every minute of this fast-paced thriller, from the case to the more personal interactions. The pages flipped quickly as I couldn't wait to make sure everyone came out of this dangerous mission in one piece and the culprit stopped. My heartstrings felt a tug more than once as the stories of those left behind were told. I have read the other two books in the series but noted that this installment, like the last one, can be easily read as a stand-alone novel. I especially loved the unexpected conflict between Kara and another team member (not Matt). It brought an intensity and intriguing quality to a normally in-sync team. I'm a huge Kara fan, so the conflict did not endear me to the character that tormented her throughout the story, but it did add a lot of growth to many characters and the team as an entity. I also found the case to be satisfyingly complex and challenging. There are parts that I could never have guessed and other parts that I did imagine but still found the investigation fascinating. The fact that I figured out part correctly only increased my tension as I waited for the team to figure it out before more lives were lost. What I Wish: I have no wishes. This book gave me everything I could have wanted – so many thrills and page-turning suspense, characters I loved and characters I didn't, and even bits of personal exchanges that brought growth and depth to specific team members. Characters: The characters are incredibly well-developed with complex backstories, relatable interactions, endearing flaws, and nail-biting bravery. Kara is my favorite. She grew up in Washington state with parents who were con artists. When her father went to prison and her mother left, Kara lived with her grandmother until deciding to go to the police force in LA after graduation. When her undercover work for the LAPD left her with a bounty on her head, a deal was worked out to loan her to the FBI and their new mobile team. She is determined, intelligent, observant, and good at what she does. Matt is the leader of the mobile FBI team. He is a good delegator, well-respected by his team, and a thoughtful leader. I love that he stands back and lets his team play to their strengths, only stepping in when decisions are needed. The rest of the team is intriguing, as well. They come from very different backgrounds, and each of them has fascinating specialties that all work together to make the team the success it is. And, boy, what an update on the relationship between Kara and Matt. The relationship just gets more and more complex through no fault of their own, and I can't help but root for them and believe that they will find a way to make it work. To Read or Not to Read: If you love a fast-paced thriller with a complex case, characters that you can root for, and a bit of controversy, The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan is just the book for you.