Leigh Brody is a detective who is now investigating a murder that brings her back and makes her face the reality of her past.
Did she help a murderer?
Is someone targeting her?
How did she end up a mom?

This thriller will pull you in with twist after twist. It will lead you one direction and end in a shocking turn of events.

Recommended read.

The negative: it took me a little to get into, but it was worth the continuation.

THE KILLER SHE KNEW - I am sorry I missed the first two books of this series since this one is so well written. Hardly do I find suspense-filled scenes that have me hold my breath. This book had two, a slight hold and one major hold. The characters are well written, especially US Marshall Ford. Interesting and intriguing story lines with good dialog, and no hollywood garbage. Source: Netgalley. 5*

This suspenseful thriller had me hooked from start to finish. Leigh Brody's relentless pursuit of the truth, set against a storm-ravaged backdrop and the haunting shadows of her past, made it an unputdownable read. With emotional depth and expertly crafted twists, I couldn’t stop turning pages until the final reveal.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Nichole Severn for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

So much to unpack! This is the third in the Leigh Brody series. I loved the first one, mostly enjoyed the second, and now this. I raced through reading this, but there were some things that stood out to me that didn't quite gel. I never like to give spoilers, will try to be thorough in this review without spoilers!

Leigh Brody is sent to her alma mater, University of New Hampshire, to investigate the death of a student. The death is a replica of something that happened 20 years ago when Leigh was a freshman. At the time, Leigh's boyfriend, Dean, was the main suspect. But Leigh alibied him for the time of the crime- and this alibi was a lie. She is investigating with Federal Marshall Ford. To add to the tension, a hurricane is happening, and the students, faculty and Leigh and Ford are trapped in the building for the duration. Not only does the power go out, but they soon discover that all the wires have been cut. They are now cut off and having to investigate this crime, when others begin happening. Ford explains that he is here because he has been chasing this criminal for years. The suspect kills and takes over the identity of his victims, moving on towards some unknown goal, which seems to revolve around Leigh. Leigh has also brought her 15 year old adoptive daughter with her- so there are many things going on.

What worked:
1. Ms. Severn continues to be a master of creating dark, creepy, heart-pulsing atmosphere. I believe she really amped it up in this story!
2. I continue to be drawn to Leigh's character. She has so many ghosts, and is still working on them. However, we get to see her gain a bit more
self-realization in each book. This development is very realistic- sometimes heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking. But she is a character
that propels the story forward.
3. The investigation that is in the moment. It is very thorough, fast paced, and detailed. The tension and desperation of the characters can be felt
on every page.

My Struggles: These are my own struggles with the story. Many other readers felt the story was cohesive.
1. This story relies heavily on the past, and a murderer that takes over the identity of others. While the case in the present is fast paced, I struggled
with the overall concept. I think it is a great idea- but the detail that is given to the present is skimmed over for the past and the 20 year leadup
to this event. As they start figuring out what is happening- there is not a lot of information on how it was done so successfully. The main
suspect-we are given their thoughts on why he might be doing this- but no explanation of how he has successfully done this- for 20 years!!! I
felt like this could have been its own- very interesting book- that would lead up to this and make more sense. I had many eye rolling moments. I
do believe it is a good premise- but definitely needed to be fleshed out more.

2. The final reveal. When we find out who the culprit really is, I was not surprised. I had guessed this in the first third of the book because it
seemed so apparent (following similar trends in thrillers). However, this is where I had more eye-rolling. Leigh is this outstanding profiler, yet the
clues and conversations had with this character seemed so obvious. There is an instance when it was so obvious to me after she is rescued
from an attack.

So for the intensity and pace of the present case, I would give this a 4. However, with my struggles and what I felt was a disjointed approach without many details with the past, I am lowering my rating. I will still read the next one- because I want to see what happens with Leigh- I just hope that we stay in the realistic present!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A FBI serial killer case, The Killer She Knew (2025) by Nichole Severn is another Leigh Brody mystery. After decades away, FBI Profiler Leigh is sent back to her old Alma Marta, where once again a young student is found murdered. Similar to a killing years earlier, Brody’s alibi of a since disappeared suspect, comes back to haunt her. No knowledge of books in the series is required so this is a standalone review. A middling serial killer tale, with the requisite twists and turns, if somewhat dubious characters’ behaviour at times, makes for a three star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to Storm Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

Leigh Brody is an FBI agent who finds herself called back to her college campus in order to help investigate the murder of a student who was killed in the same way as another student 18 years earlier when Leigh was a student. Back then, Leigh gave a phony alibi to her boyfriend who was the prime suspect. Then he disappeared. Leigh seeks to discover if he has come back to commit this latest crime, and if indeed he was guilty of the earlier murder. When more bodies turn up, and a lockdown due to a hurricane cuts off all power and communication, Leigh is fighting to find answers, and to not become a victim herself.

I very much enjoyed the first two titles in this series, but this one, less so. The book starts off with a rebellious teenager creating multiple problems for Leigh who has recently adopted her. None of what happens with the girl is particularly pertinent to the rest of the story, and for that reason, it was a slow start to the point that I almost didn't finish the book. However, the pace picks up considerably later on and the ending was a complete surprise.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Leigh Brody is a FBI agent, Alive Dietz found murder in a way that is linked to Leigh past. A thriller that brilliant builds.

Found this book a bit frustrating as it's stops and starts due to Leigh adopted daughter and history.

What a fantastic thriller - so fast paced - loved it

Never read this series from Nichole Severn but this book can be read standalone as I didn’t feel like I missed out. Great crime mystery, lots of complications and twists, lots of lies and what a great ending

Unputdownable - a must read for murder/ mystery fans . Definitely recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

This is a brilliant crime mystery series, I’ve read the other two and they seem to be getting better. FBI agent Leigh Brody is on another case, a young girl has been murdered on a college campus in New Hampshire. It’s fast paced, easy to read and the words flow. The author keeps you interested and makes the story a page turner. What a great ending too. A 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Leigh Brody is a high powered FBI agent with expertise in profiling and gut feelings. She now has a troubled 15 year old adopted daughter in tow as well. Dedicated to her work she does neglect said daughter and feels guilty about it. Then a dead girl is found at Leigh's old college where she herself suffered serious trauma 18 years ago. She gave false evidence about the death of another young woman and the potential killer went free. The killer seems to have struck again. Other murders seem to be linked and the conclusion is that the killer learns about the victims, turns themselves into the victim and does the deed. Added to this a hurricane ensures that everyone is locked in the school, tensions arise, there's romance (really?), there's guilt and more death. Predictable I'm afraid and certainly suspends belief at times. In addition, it's the third in a series and I think that the earlier ones would give a better background to, especially, Leigh's character. For me it was an ok read, but nothing more. Sorry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This was the first book I read in this series and was instantly hooked. FBI Agent Leigh Brody’s past has seemingly come back to haunt her in the most suspicious of ways.

Without giving spoilers, when Leigh was in college, a young girl was murdered. Leigh and her then-boyfriend played a role, in one way or another. Almost 20 years later, another murder happens in the same way, which causes Leigh to question everything she thought she knew.

I love a good thriller and this book did not disappoint. I was piecing things together until the very end and I was surprised with how it all came together. There were a couple of chapters that I thought were unnecessary to the overall plot, but this was a great read.

A Fun and Gripping Read

This book is about Leigh, a top-notch serial criminologist with a ton of skeletons in her closet. She's called in to help solve a college student's murder, only to find out it’s a repeat of a murder that happened 18 years ago—when she was a student at the same campus.

The author really brings Leigh to life, showcasing her struggles and resilience, and throws in a bit of romance to spice things up. Leigh’s need to survive her traumatic past is front and center, making her journey all the more gripping. While some plot points are a bit predictable, the book keeps you hooked from start to finish. Overall, it’s a good read.

This was a strong third entry in the Leigh Brody FBI Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the previous two books. The characters were everything that I was looking for and was glad I was able to get back in this world. Nichole Severn has a strong writing style and was glad I was able to read this.

Wow, this was my first time reading a Nichole Severn book and it won't be the last!

The setting of this book is exciting and the characters are likeable. The action is intense and thrilling, I held my breath multiple times. I found the twist to be quite satisfactory, even though this genius did figure it out before the end. 😅

I can only hope for more of Agent Brody in the future!

Highly recommend if you like FBI thrillers, strong female leads, isolation/trapped tropes, a good twist or if you're just looking for a great book to read!

What a wild ride this book was. There were so many twists and turns. I found myself holding my breath a few times. There’s lots of action and suspense. I was glued to the pages. The writing is phenomenal. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

NICHOLE. My heart. The emotional roller coaster you have sent me on with this one!

Once again, Leigh Brody is phenomenal in all she does. Even more character growth for her, which was amazing, and made me so happy for her. But I desperately need for her taste in men to improve.

I kept getting hints of a bad guy in Ford, but then I would turn around and love him. I was rooting for him and cheering Leigh on for being open to a love interest. I could not make up my mind on where I stood with Ford. He was too good to be true, but then would get weird out of nowhere. The truth behind that…..never saw it coming. This was a new twist and I did not pick up on the ever so obvious hint you gave. Bravo, madam.

I want to like Ava, but I was a young child when I experienced loss and trauma, so I can understand her bratty attitude at times. I just wish Leigh would talk to her about her life so Ava could get a better understanding of where Leigh’s head is at with her job. But I am thankful that their relationship didn’t stay the same!

I know it’s really early of me to be asking this…but do you have more for Leigh Brody?!

I received a free copy of, The Killer She Knew, by Nichole Severn, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Leigh Brody is a FBI agent. Years ago she protected a man from a murder, now another student has been murdered, is her past catching up to her? This book had an ending I did not expect, a really good read.

We are back with FBI special agent Leigh Brody and once again, we are in for a rollercoaster ride. This edge of your seat story thriller begins when a young woman’s body is found in Leigh’s Alma Mater. A crime that reminds her of one that occur during her time there and one in which she gave a false alibi to her then boyfriend. Now she wonders if that was a mistake on her part , and if this latest death is related to the one 18 years ago.
To complicate matters , as a hurricane approaches and the infrastructure is affected, another young woman goes missing. Will Leigh be able to save this latest victim.
This action packed thrilled is a great addition to the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Storm Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

The past and present collide in this new addition of Leigh Brody FBI Mystery.

This series gets better with every new storyline. Leigh is one tough Agent. She sees things that no one else sees. Patterns that lead straight to the killers. So much suspense to keep you on edge. I will say I did figure out the bad guy before the reveal.

I can’t wait to see what fantastic adventure comes next.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. It is another excellent, tense thriller from Nicole Severn. The third in a series with FBI agent Leigh Brody. Each one has got better than the previous book. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would read them in order. This has several twists and turns in the story but I did begin to identify the culprit before the end.
I look forward to reading more of Leigh and Ava as she pursues law enforcement.