Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Book Review

 Killer Instinct 

(The Naturals #2)

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes 

Published Year: 2014

Page Count: 370 pages 

Medium Used: Paperback 

Genre: Action, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Profiling, Murder Mystery, Young Adult, Hit Series, FBI, 2026-read. 

Rating : 3/5 

Not as sensational as the first book in the series. I was totally blown away by book 1. It had a mixture of suspense, psychological profiling, insights into deviant minds bordering on psychopathic tendencies and romantic triangle between the lead characters. In this book, I thought no emphasis was laid on any of the above aspects. 

The author had laid exaggerated importance on the character of the villain who seemed to be the kingpin behind the 5 murders in this book. He had minions - referred to as copycats, students, partners or apprentices - who echoed his MO and signature in their crimes. That guru happened to be the father of one of the teenagers in the Naturals programme funded and managed by the FBI. The teenager Natural was Dean Redding. His father, Daniel Redding, had been languishing in prison for the last five years for a string of murders he had committed. He was a serial killer and he had quite a reputation. Dean was the first person to be soaked into the FBI special programme. He hadn't gotten over his demons from his past and was afraid if his father's strain resided in him too - in some form. And so he was afraid of commitment to Cassie or anyone. He kept to himself but toward the end, the narration showed him opening up a bit. 

There was a convincing and continuing romance drama between the narrator Cassie, emotion reader Michael and profiler Dean from the first book but it got translated/downgraded into more of a sibling rivalry between the two guys in this book - which obviously didn't go well with me. I missed the study of psychological make up of the culprits and the insights from the victim's angle. Dean and Cassie worked together, one taking the role of killer and the other, the victim. It was mind bending and totally unique in book 1. Perhaps if I never read book 1, I wouldn't have known better!!

The spark and magic of inference and conclusion drawing was missing here. The main topic under consideration in book 1 - Cassie's mother's unsolved case - was barely mentioned. This being a sequel and the characters being the same, why didn't it consume her as it did in the first book? It almost felt like reading about a different person. How could the author be so short sighted? The Naturals seemed more focused on breaking rules and getting themselves involved in the current case, brushing shoulders with serial killers, taking immense risks along the way. Some past cases were mentioned but not elaborated upon. 

I liked all the five characters in the Naturals programme. The character I enjoyed reading most was Lia. She was fun, smart, emotional and also dare devilish. She went ahead and took action even when in doubt. She pulled Cassie's leg more than once, toying with her peace of mind and self containment. Then Michael had his open feelings for Cassie, his complicated relationship with Lia, his rivalry with Dean and comfortable stance with Sloane. Cassie is super empathetic and smart - I have learnt to be a better version of myself from churning through her thoughts and perspectives. Sloane had got less traction in this book. She barely made a dent in the overall scheme of things. Michael too took a back seat. Its a Cassie and Dean show all through. 

It was a mediocre thriller for me. I was just skimming through the pages, waiting for the thrill of some unforeseen event. Its not that this is totally a lost cause - it has it strengths. It kept me interested with its fast paced narration and surprising turn of events.  But they just didn't feel enough. Thankfully I didn't Dnf it.