Author: Alexis Grace

Series: Of Mine

First Published: 27 May 2024

“Trust isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about believing in that person anyway.”

She’s the daughter of a serial killer… they’re FBI agents…

No one knows Freya is actually the daughter of the Cross-Cut Killer, America’s most notorious serial killer. Living under a false identity as a detective is isolating but at least Freya’s safe. That is, until she falls onto the radar of Special Agent River Park and his team.

River, Oz, Elijah and Jude have been chasing the Cross-Cut Killer for years. They’re the best the FBI has to offer, not to mention unfairly attractive. They know exactly who the killer is but he’s always one step ahead of them. Freya is about to change that.

When Freya’s true identity is uncovered, she’s forced to work with River and his team. All Freya wants is to catch her father, getting involved with not one but four FBI agents would be a very bad idea.

But River and his team aren’t prepared for the spitfire young woman who’s too pretty for her own good. She’s hiding more than scars and a woman with secrets might just be kryptonite to a group of profilers.

I picked Killer of Mine up because it was recommended for fans of Criminal Minds. And this was perfect. There was an ideal balance between the why choose romance and the suspense plot to track down a serial killer. The twists in here left me with my jaw dropped. So smart! It made me want to reread it to see if I could pick up all the clues Alexis Grace has sprinkled throughout.

Freya has worked hard over the years to become a detective. She’s determined and gives everything to the cases she’s assigned. Work consumes her. So does the Cross-Cut Killer, one of America’s most dangerous, active serial killers. Freya combs over the case in her spare time, hoping to find clues to help her capture him. Who else could capture him better than his own daughter? The case has gone cold until a new body turns up right in Freya’s district. She checks out the crime scene and catches the attention of Special Agent River Pack and his team, The Serial Crimes Unit (SCU). River, Oz, Eli and Jude are the best team in the FBI. SCU has been chasing the Cross-Cut Killer for years, but he has always been one step ahead. Freya could be the missing piece to help them finally track the killer down. SCU uncovers Freya’s hidden identity and forces her to cooperate or face accessory charges. Despite being under house arrest, Freya wants to catch her father. She needs to remind herself to focus on the case and that getting involved with SCU would be a terrible idea. SCU is not equipped to handle her fiery determination and countless secrets. Freya could be the one to bring this team of profilers to their knees.

Alexis perfectly fuses two of my favourite things—why choose romance and Criminal Minds. The plot feels perfectly balanced between the investigation and the budding romance. Freya is understandably hesitant to let people close and refuses to lose sight of her goal of catching her father. It is a promise she made years ago. I flew through this. I was completely engrossed in the mystery, desperate to uncover why the Cross-Cut Killer had resumed his deadly spree and what dark truths Freya was concealing. The reveals left me reeling. Once revealed, all the little clues and elements that didn’t quite make sense clicked into place. I am so excited for the next one. I need to know what happens next!

Freya is such a strong character. She has been through hell and clawed her way out. She excelled in her field to stop her monster of a father. Honestly, if I were her, I would most likely go into hiding and try to never think about it again. She is hardheaded and doesn’t let people in. We get to see her slowly let her guard down, especially around Jude and Oz. I feel like there is going to be a whole heap of twists and turns coming her way, which will make her happily ever after so much sweeter.

The SCU is the FBI’s elite team of criminal profiles. They are a close team who work long hours and live together. They are a textbook definition of workaholics. But at least they are self-aware enough to recognise that. They plan to date the same woman as they don’t have the capacity as individuals to be suitable partners. River is the leader of the team. He’s your broody, hasn’t-smiled-in-years hero, who will do anything to protect those he loves. Oz is our shy, quiet technical analyst. Eli is our smooth-talking cowboy. He’s an absolute flirt, but is also hiding his own family trauma. And then we have Jude, our genius, boy wonder, with a heart of gold. I love their dynamic. There are some fraying edges as they dive back into this case. I can’t wait to see how their relationship with Freya will help heal them all.

The romance is slow-burn. They don’t get off to the best start with the whole arresting Freya and then keeping her on house arrest throughout the investigation. Freya and Eli have the most tension given their conflicting family trauma, so I am excited to see how this develops.

Put simply, I adored every second of this. I am dying to get to the sequel, Secrets of Mine, to see what happens next with Freya, River, Ox, Eli and Jude on their hunt for the Cross-Cut Killer. I’m also dying to see how their relationship develops. If you love romance and are a Criminal Minds girly like I am; do yourself a favour and pick up Killer of Mine. You will love it.