Zoe Bentley Thriller Series (Books 1 – 3)

Author: Mike Omer
Genre: Crime Fiction/Police Procedural
A Killers Mind: 432 pages; In The Darkness: 411 pages; Thicker Than Blood: 427 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, 2018 – 2020

Synopsis
A Killer’s Mind
Three Chicago women are found strangled, embalmed, and posed as if alive. When the FBI calls in forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley, she clashes with her new partner, Special Agent Tatum Gray. As they hunt a calculating serial killer, chilling clues link the murders to Zoe’s childhood—turning the hunter into the hunted.

In The Darkness
When a disturbing online video shows a girl clawing at the ceiling of her own grave, FBI forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley and Special Agent Tatum Gray race to find the killer behind “Experiment Number One.” As more videos appear and victims die, Zoe is also haunted by Rod Glover, a murderer from her past who now threatens her sister. With her family in danger and time running out, Zoe must stop the killers before it’s too late.

Thicker Than Blood
When a young woman is found murdered and drained of blood, FBI profiler Zoe Bentley and Agent Tatum Gray recognize the signature of Rod Glover—the serial killer who has haunted Zoe since childhood. But this time, he isn’t working alone. As more victims appear and time runs out, Zoe must stop Glover and his twisted partner before she becomes the final target.

My review
A Killer’s Mind, In the Darkness, and Thicker Than Blood make up an excellent crime fiction trilogy from Mike Omer. Somehow this series flew under my radar until now, and I’m so glad I finally discovered this dark, tightly crafted trilogy. The series opens strong with A Killer’s Mind, builds momentum with In the Darkness, my personal favorite, and concludes with Thicker Than Blood, which delivers a satisfying and compelling resolution to the overarching storyline.

Well-developed characters, realistic police procedural elements, and intriguing forensic psychology details combine with just enough levity to offset the darkness, creating a highly engaging reading experience. Omer successfully delivers gritty plots, disturbing serial killers, and likable, believable characters, exactly the kind of crime fiction I love.

Each novel focuses on a different serial killer while also advancing a larger, interconnected storyline. I quickly became a fan of Mike Omer’s storytelling style. His writing consistently builds tension and excitement, and these books were hard to put down. While this isn’t a supernatural series, there are definite horror elements woven throughout the last installment, making it especially appealing for readers who enjoy darker crime thrillers with a chilling edge.

Forensic psychologist Zoe Bentley and FBI Agent Tatum Gray are well-developed, compelling protagonists, and I was invested in both their personal histories and their evolving working relationship across the trilogy. The standout character for me was Marvin, Gray’s grandfather, whose sharp wit and snarky humor provided levity amid the dark and gritty storylines.

If I had one criticism, it would be that Zoe Bentley’s reputation as a star profiler felt slightly underdeveloped. While I enjoyed her character and believed in her overall arc, I would have liked more detailed forensic psychology insights that demonstrated how she arrived at her profiles. I really wanted a stronger connection between the clues and her conclusions. Despite this, the series remains highly entertaining, and more of a gripping, fast-paced read than an emotionally heavy one.

This is the first series I’ve read by Mike Omer, and it certainly won’t be my last. I’m a fan and excited to dive into one of his more recent series next.

My recommendation: worth the read!