Review: Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison

Title: Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison
Taylor Jackson Series Book Eight
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 368
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With FIELD OF GRAVES, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison goes back to where it all began…

All of Nashville is on edge with a serial killer on the loose. A madman is trying to create his own end-of-days apocalypse and the cops trying to catch him are almost as damaged as the killer. Field of Graves reveals the origins of some of J.T. Ellison’s most famous creations: the haunted Lieutenant Taylor Jackson; her blunt, exceptional best friend, medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens; and troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin. Together, they race the clock and their own demons to find the killer before he claims yet another victim. This dark, thrilling and utterly compelling novel will have readers on the edge of their seats, and Ellison’s fans will be delighted with the revelations about their favorite characters.

Review:

Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison is a riveting addition to the Taylor Jackson series.  This enthralling mystery is a prequel that provides readers with an insightful peek into the background of Lt. Jackson and Dr. John Baldwin.

Taylor is a hardworking detective whose meteoric rise through the ranks is well deserved.  Having recently returned to duty following her self-defense shooting of a fellow officer, she is still struggling with nightmares and the occasional panic attack.  When someone begins murdering young college women, Taylor and her team work around the clock to capture the person responsible for the deaths. 

The evidence recovered from the victims’ bodies is puzzling but it is unique enough to link the crimes together and the police soon fear a serial killer is on the loose.  FBI profiler John Baldwin joins the investigation as a consultant, but he is battling his own demons from a case that went horribly wrong several months earlier.  When another body is discovered and they learn another young woman is missing, Taylor, John and the rest of the investigators finally uncover the link between the victims but will they find the catch the killer before it is too late?

While Taylor has the unconditional support of her boss and her team of detectives, she is well aware that other members of law enforcement are not so forgiving.  She is still wrapping up the final details stemming from the shooting and the corruption case she uncovered. With a grand jury appearance looming over her, Taylor focuses her full attention on the troubling murders.   The dump site has been elaborately staged and it is apparent the killer performed some of ritual on the body. The cause of death is equally disturbing and Taylor is stymied as she tries to understand the possible motive for the murders. While she welcomes John’s assistance, she is afraid his baggage might interfere with his ability to put together a viable profile of the killer.

Deeply depressed for months and drinking heavily while contemplating his next move, John is not exactly jumping at the opportunity to help solve the case.  His reluctance to join the investigation slowly disappears as he becomes intrigued by the various elements of the murders.  Taylor is quick to notice how deeply troubled he is and she does not hesitate to confront him about some of his behavior.  Much to her surprise, John is soon fully immersed in the case and as they are closing in on the killer, he is able to accurately piece together the reasons for the murders.

Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison is a compelling police procedural that has an unusual storyline and a multi-faceted cast of characters. Although initially a little slow paced, the novel quickly builds up steam and hurtles to a rather dramatic and pulse-pounding conclusion.  Although this latest release is the eighth book in the Taylor Jackson series, it can easily be read as standalone. I highly recommend this outstanding mystery to fans of the genre.