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THE MURDER OF A FEDERAL AGENT...

Retired detective Jon Stanton is enjoying his new life when a single call shatters his peace: one of his oldest friends, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has been murdered in a small town in Utah. Investigating a double homicide, Stanton believes he had gotten too close to the killer and paid the ultimate price.

A BRUTAL SLAYING WITH NO DISCERNIBLE MOTIVES...

Stanton believes the key to finding the killer is in the initial double homicide. A female victim tied to a tree and ravaged holds the answers Stanton is looking for. He flies to Utah, leaving his new fiancé, to walk into the darkness one more time.

But the killer has plans of his own...

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2013

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About the author

Victor Methos

76 books1,814 followers
Victor Methos is the Edgar Award nominated bestselling author of over forty novels. He has been a criminal and civil rights lawyer in the Mountain West, conducting over 100 trials, and produces two books a year with his dog Fraiser by his side.

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5 stars
1,569 (49%)
4 stars
1,109 (35%)
3 stars
366 (11%)
2 stars
94 (2%)
1 star
29 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Laur.
581 reviews114 followers
August 25, 2021
Wow! Methos delivers up a pure evil and dark tale of finding and hunting down, a violently wicked Sociopath, in the 6th of the Jon Stanton series.

The first murder is terrifyingly descriptive and gruesome. When an FBI agent and friend is murdered in the hospital by the killer for getting closer than the killer presumably wanted, Stanton is THE ONE the FBI calls for help. He’s the one who is THE BEST when they need a monster caught. What makes him the best? Within him lures a big, dark, inescapable reason. However though, this time, the hunter becomes the hunted.

Not really a mystery, but definitely a thriller. This sicko is pure Sociopath of the worst kind. The reader will also learn some interesting ”real fact” about this mental condition, which I found extremely interesting. Methos, is one of my favorite authors, and this series is one of his best. Although part of a series, the book could be read as a stand alone. Free to read on Kindle Unlimited. 4.5 stars.
132 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2019
I really can't say there was much of an exciting plot for most of the book. There were too many continual distractions that made me grateful this was a short book. The man-hunt is a slow lecture of who Stanton believes the killer is. It comes across as a psych evaluation and too often causes a loss of momentum made on the thriller scale. It does get grippy but you've got to reach the 80% mark for anything close to exciting but I'm glad I read it as, overall, it's a great series.
Profile Image for Dee.
226 reviews
January 13, 2023
DNF@50%

Getting into the mind of the villain is just weird especially after all the previous books were narrated and Jon got to use his skills without all this junk. I didn’t like this one and I’ll still continue with the series hopefully it’s back to being narrated. This book almost ruined the whole series for me and also what’s with Jon always ending up with life threatening injuries?! The author should at least ease up on the injuries 😅🤭
Profile Image for Michelle Redder.
199 reviews10 followers
May 11, 2023
'Infringing on the human rights of others always led to a loss of one's own human rights. You couldn't hurt someone else without hurting yourself. But people, it seemed, rarely learned from the past.

This was a very quick read, but in my opinion the best one of the series, (so far). I was up way too late trying to finish it but I just had to know what happens in the end. Very good!
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,437 reviews284 followers
December 4, 2024
Okay this series might have worn itself out. He keeps hurting people he loves and leaves another fiance and I just don't like it as much anymore. Maybe I overdosed. I may have to set this aside and come back to it. Right now I am just not liking it. His whole personality has seemed to change. I think he is getting some kind of illness too. I don't like that.

I finished it but dang I had issues. Killing those puppies was too much for me. He was so evil. But those poor puppies. Also she did leave him and I am over that part of it. And I don't really like Jon as much as I did. Bummer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
101 reviews
August 14, 2020
YOU CAN’T TAKE THE FBI OUT OF A MAN

Jon Stanton was FBI, then an investigator, then retired in Hawaii. He thought he could stay retired. He thought he could stay away from catching evil men. He couldn’t.
7 reviews
April 1, 2018
Disturbing

This book was rather disturbing in that Mr. Methos chose to give his readers access to the villain's mind and thought processes and after reading a few paragraphs in which we are given the villain's point of view, I skipped the rest. I would prefer that Jon Statton follow the villain by using his unique abilities to rout him out. Could it be that Mr. Methos did not have enough material to cover Jon?
It is also getting rather tedious that Jon is always attacked to within a hair's breadth of his life.
Profile Image for Jennie Moore.
27 reviews
April 23, 2020
I just discovered Victor Methos a couple of weeks ago and have been binge reading all of his Jon Stanton novels like a chain-smokin' fool with cigarettes! The poor guy gets his butt kicked and really seriously injured every single time, but regardless of the severity, he comes back slugging. But he has a gift of insight and understanding of the deviant mind that always serves him well. LOVE JON STANTON!!!
Profile Image for Christina Garcia.
56 reviews1 follower
December 4, 2013
I love the John Stanton series. I think the author does a perfect job in writing about this detective. From the first book of his ( white angel murder) that I bought I was hooked!!!! And I am always looking for the next puzzle piece in this character that he has created. I have bought all of the J.S series and have loved each book!!! Simply amazing
Profile Image for Linda.
1,012 reviews
October 8, 2019
I would have given 5 stars except the story seemed rushed like he had so many words to use and he could not exceed his quota. This story shows just how obsessed Jon is with the evil characters he chases and usually catches. The trouble with this one is that it blew up yet another relationship and left us wondering what Jon was going to do. will he accept the offer he receives or will he actually retire. I for one can’t see him doing anything but chasing evil murderers but he doesn’t have to do it so close to the edge. This is what the 5th book in which a normal man would have died. Victor Methos is a superb writer and he can wrap you up in the first paragraph. This one seemed rushed but it was still outstanding.
April 29, 2020
Another Bloody Denouement

I shudder to think from where Mr. Methos draws his inspiration for these novels; they always take a deep dive to dark places in men's souls.This novel was constructed a little differently than most of his previous works, and at first I was taken aback by that, but it all seems to have worked out nicely in the end.
Suffice to say Jon Stanton, the protagonist of these books, manages to escape the clutches of yet another "Big Bad" one more time. But the question arises; can he do this again and again? Hanging In the balance is Stanton's new love Emma and his two sons.
I'm guessing we will all discover the answers when we read Methos' next tome!
Profile Image for Alley Quinn.
169 reviews10 followers
May 2, 2023
In the Mickey Parson’s series, he mentioned that Jon Stanton was a good friend but he worried about him being a psychopath because Jon was really able to put himself into the mind of the killer. This novella demonstrates that perfectly. Every other Jon Stanton novel is third person POV but this was first person POV and honestly I didn’t like looking into Jon’s mind like that. Although as always I did enjoy the first person POV of the villain.

Because I already knew there are more books in this series, I knew Jon and Emma’s relationship wouldn’t last. It still makes me sad though. I liked her character.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
30 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2021
I'm not sure about how I feel about this book. It was different having the story told through 2 sets of eyes. The book was very short which made me glad it was a Kindle unlimited selection. I don't know about anyone else but can someone tell me why Emma is still in this series? Yes, I know she left at the end, but they've split up before and got back together. I guess I need to keep reading to find out what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
131 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2022
The Jon Stanton books are addicting!

I started with the first book and have been turning pages ever since! I love the characters. Jon Stanton seems like a man I would like to know. Law enforcement anywhere would benefit with a man like Jon in their department. I'd like to thank Victor Methos for a great series. I'm binge reading like some people binge Netflix. I've found the books are ALWAYS better. 😉
62 reviews3 followers
November 17, 2023
Never a dull moment

The pace just kept up and never dragged. I appreciate the quality of the writing. In some thrillers the writing seems a tad juvenile. This author’s writing is sophisticated and well developed but yet doesn’t bog you down. Things tend to get pretty gory, but I think a lot of us reading that genre expect that and don’t mind it. Somehow this novel seemed too short. I would have enjoyed a longer pursuit of the villain.
1 review
March 9, 2020
Not finishing it

I had been reading this series up until now. The first books were good, kept my attention and I enjoyed them. Then came this one. It's like he wasn't getting enough readers so he filled this one with stupid brutal sex scenes. I will not try the next one. I am done.
40 reviews
April 15, 2020
Action packed

Never a dull moment for our hero Stanton. I feel bad that it cost him a paradise on Earth, but this hero cleanses the Earth for the milder of us. I actually prefer the legal thrillers of courtroom justice, but police mysteries are ok. I like the way Victor Methos tells a story.
20 reviews
July 31, 2023
I have been enjoying this series so much. But so much of the story is missing. They seem to be setting Jon up to be a sociopath himself, except he just doesn't act on it. Kinda Dexter like. So many times the people around him mention the "darkness" etc. And spoiler here, how was he found in the middle of the forest in that trap /pit.
January 6, 2018
A man with a gift and a curse...

Jon Stanton is a godly man who has a gift to see what others can’t into the troubled minds of the worst kind of criminals... this gift comes with the curse that he will never be able to leave them behind.
20 reviews
July 25, 2018
Disturbing, but Compelling

The level of gore in the crime descriptions had me thinking this was the last Jon Stanton book for me, but Mr. Methos' enticing character development and continuning plot development of hope against all odds has me hooked again. On to book7!
Profile Image for Tonya Brooks.
29 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2020
Hmmm...

I like this main character, I can understand and identity with his insight to life and his "calling."
But please, could he find a women that isn't so insecure that she needs to change him!? For God's sake embrace his uniqueness!
21 reviews
June 12, 2020
The best so far.

I chose the 5 star rating because I really enjoyed this book the most of all of the Jon Stanton series. I had a hard time putting it down when daily activities intervened.
Profile Image for Laurie.
365 reviews9 followers
March 30, 2021
FBI?

Even in retirement he still manages to almost die! How many lives does he have? This book goes at a moderate clip and then poof the climax sneaks up on you and takes you for a wild ride!
Profile Image for Angela.
3,025 reviews31 followers
August 1, 2022
Another fantastic addition to this series

This was a gruesome, intense, and intriguing story that you certainly won't want to miss.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
37 reviews
October 3, 2022
Groundhog Day?

Jon Stanton still making the same mistakes, book after book after book.

At least the author finally shared the story of his childhood friend that is in his background bio. Or did he?
46 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2017
Always A Good Read

As always Mr.Methos has written another book that is thoughtful & captivating. I just wish his books were longer. Every one of them is also informative.
February 22, 2018
Great story






Always enjoy Victor Methos' books. I have read everything I can find by him since I found the first book by accident.

92 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2018
I Feel

Well it's true it's getting more gruesome but it's still mighty fine. I can't give up on this writer yet. Have to do more...
122 reviews
May 25, 2019
They just keep coming!

Evil is out there and you don't have to look for it. It finds you. This book gives you a look at pure evil. Give it a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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