The Trapped Ones by Stacy Green @authorstacygreenwhisenand @stacywhisenand.bsky.social @katehandford @hachetteuk @bookouture @hachetteuk.bsky.social @bookouture.bsky.social #NikkiHunt #TheTrappedOnes

the setup…
FBI Special Agent Nikki Hunt and her team are called to a gruesome scene at the Weber family’s Stillwater farmhouse. Dave and Joan were brutally stabbed to death, their son Bryce clinging to life and an unknown female dead from an apparent fall from the second floor into the foyer. She’s later identified as Jessica Chandler and it’s baffling as to why she was even there. Bryce is a star on the University of Minnesota’s swim team and a member of a fraternity, living in the frat house. Finding out who might want these people dead and why feels like an insurmountable challenge.

the heart of the story…
The name of the game seems to be subterfuge and misdirection. The biggest dilemma was figuring out who to trust among the host of people close to Bryce and his connection to Jessica. But he’s in a coma, unable to speak. The frat brothers, his roommates and best friend feel unreliable. Even Jessica’s recent behavior is complicated. And who would want his parents dead?

the narration…
Kate Handford is a master storyteller here and adeptly managed a host of distinctive characters. I enjoy her being the voice of the series.

the bottom line…
It’s all about the procedurals as the team was taxed to untangle this puzzling murder. I enjoyed the journey but was disappointed at how it ended, the final solution feeling rushed, told instead of playing out. Otherwise, I was captivated by the story, especially as Nikki’s personal life seems to have stabilized.

Book Info

• Release Date: May 3, 2022
• Series: Nikki Hunt #5
• Narrator: Kate Handford
• Audio Length: 8 hours, 19 minutes
• Publisher: Hachette UK – Bookouture

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