Mind Games + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.

When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.

Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But 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 herself–is killed.

My Review:

published in 2018

Whoa! I’m stunned and my head is still spinning over that twisty-turny nosedive at the end. This might just be Nancy Mehl’s best book to date which is saying something because I adore her stories! But this one is…definitely on a whole other level.

A psychological thriller of a mystery with some of the elements of a Criminal Minds episode but without the TV series’ over-the-top ghoul factor. 🙂 For cautious suspense readers I can honestly say I can’t watch Criminal Minds without getting nightmares but I gobbled up Mind Games for all it’s deliciously shivery suspensey goodness. Fascinating police procedural with one of the most complex heroines I’ve ever met within the pages of a book!

Kaely’s backstory is so complex and intriguing. Her coping mechanisms — her profiling techniques — the brilliance that masks a touching vulnerability. And most surprising of all — her deep and abiding faith. Something that fellow agent Noah can’t understand but Kaely doesn’t shy away from sharing.

“I have a lot of issues leftover from my past. God has never condemned me for them. He just keeps leading me slowly but surely out of the dark, at the pace I need.” (p 165)

Engaging in mind games with a serial killer is the first case Noah and Kaely share but it won’t be their last. Love the way their relationship develops over the course of this book. He’s wary, she’s reserved and learning to trust each other is central to their moving forward both professionally and personally. This isn’t a romance, but I have the feeling that one is going to develop over the course of the series.

Intense, clever, exceptionally paced — Mind Games is the epitome of a page-turner! I guarantee you won’t be able to put this one down until you’ve reached the mind-blowing conclusion.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the Mind Games, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 30 2025.

29 thoughts on “Mind Games + Giveaway”

  2. MIND GAMES definitely sounds like an oldie that’s still a fabulous read. Love this author’s books, but seem to have missed this one. Seems I’m always playing catch-up, but not complaining. It means I’ve always got something to look forward to – even if it means looking back.

    Think we can all live by that quote. ❤ Love that it’s a mystery with a thread of faith making it even more appealing.   Can’t wait for the opportunity to read Kaely and Noah’s story.

    Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  4. A fabulous review, Kav! Now you have to read the rest of the series with Kaely & Noah! I’m a launch team member for her new Erin Delaney series. The 1st book in the series SHATTERED SANCTUARY features ex-cop Erin Delaney, who joins forces with none other than her friend, Kaely Quinn, to hunt down a dangerous psychopath! I especially loved the mountainous setting in this one. Strong faith thread also!

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    1. This is the point where I stopped reading Nancy Mehl…well, until a recent release. Actually, I might have read the second Kaely Quinn too but then it got too much for me so I opted out of future books. I’m not brave like you. 🙂

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      1. Brave? Me? Ha! A snake was coiled around my front porch rails last night when I went out to turn off our water fountain. I screamed “snake!” to hubby & he came out & killed him! I will not tell you how, but anyway now I don’t even want to work around my flowers. So I’m not as brave as I appear. And to be quite honest if I lived alone, I definitely would think twice about reading certain suspense authors. bwahahaha

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      3. {{{Yes snake}}} 😳 This is the 3rd one I’ve seen this yr. I actually killed one myself on my patio. He was small, but I don’t share my favorite reading spots with reptiles, non-venomous or not. I didn’t take the time to ask him whether his bite would poison me! I told hubby, That’s it, we’re moving away from SC. He replied, Where do you want to move where they don’t have snakes? My instant thoughts were Holland or Ireland. lol My Dutch friend told me she was so happy they didn’t have any. Hubby said he’d deadhead flowers for me. He’s the brave one!

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      4. Yes, Ireland doesn’t have snakes so I come by my distaste of them honestly. 🙂 I didn’t know the Netherlands didn’t have snakes either. I haven’t seen any in my city gardening but I’m sure we have at least garter snakes further out in the countryside. And me always dreaming of moving to the country. Ha! I’d never survive.

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      5. I think most women have a snake phobia, but the most I’ve seen on our property in almost 23 yrs is 6 (3 this year)! So not too bad, but that’s 6 too many if you ask me!

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      1. Perrianne, there’s 2 more books in the Kaely Quinn profiler series after Mind Games. Then Nancy wrote a 3 book series featuring Ryland & St.Clair (no Kaely). Then she wrote Shattered Sanctuary which is the 1st in another 3 book series featuring Erin Delaney & brought back Kaely Quinn since peeps loved her character so much. The 2nd Erin/Kaely book releases in Oct & the 3rd in the spring.

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      2. I was thinking of the new Erin/Kaely ones, but haven’t heard much about it. I devoured the Kaely Quinn Profiler series!

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      3. Perrianne, ok I gotcha. Start with Shattered Sanctuary book one where ex-cop Erin & Kaely team up to stop a dangerous psychopath. My review is on Goodreads. 😀

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      4. I’m right there with you but I didn’t get an early copy of Erin Delaney Book 2. I’m officially jealous!

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      5. Aww, so sorry. I’ve been on Nancy Mehl’s launch team since forever, so I’ve been blessed to receive ARCs of all her books. Not sure how long Bethany will be willing to mail paperbacks, though. Expensive!

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  6. I read the third book in this series at some point, and to my surprise really enjoyed it. I don’t normally read much suspense, but Nancy has encouraged me to try more!

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