The Fifth Victim

FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 1

By: D.D. Black

Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel

Across the Pacific Northwest, a twisted killer stalks victims representing ancient archetypes: The Ruler. The Warrior. The Scholar. The Priest. Four are dead, leaving FBI investigators puzzled by the macabre, color-coded shrines the killer left behind.

And clues now point to a fifth victim.

With only two weeks until retirement, seasoned FBI Agent Claire Anderson is desperately trying to balance her work and complex home life when she's called in for one last job: lead a special task force to hunt down the enigmatic "Color Killer."

That task force is the FBI's Special-Washington-Oregon-Regional-Detachment—nicknamed S.W.O.R.D. Now, Claire must marshal the talents of an eclectic crew of agents, including a brilliant criminal psychologist, a street-savvy undercover prodigy, a rugged covert-ops specialist, and a quirky tech savant.

Pursuing the killer through the rain-soaked streets and deep forests of the Pacific Northwest, the men and women of S.W.O.R.D. must delve into an ancient lost religion, its shocking view of life and death, and the dark mind of a cunning psychopath. But when clues start intertwining with Claire's own life, she realizes she’s up against a predator who's always one step ahead.

The fifth victim is closer than she ever imagined.

Dive into Book 1 of the blockbuster new FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D Series by D.D. Black, author of the #1 international bestselling series, The Thomas Austin Crime Thrillers.

©2024 D.D. Black (P)2024 D.D. Black

Excellent team work

Gripping from start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed this work by by a great writer and narrators.

Great FBI Story

This audiobook kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I liked the series so much that I listed to the following 3 audiobooks in the series. I was very disappointed when I found that book 5 in the series is not offered on this platform.

The way the group grew and worked together.

I was able to guess the last event and am a bit sorry about that.

Written/audio editing lacking; story good

Started this as follow-on to author's Thomas Austin series. This is a more intelligent story, but in truth the author's storylines are always his best strength. The characters in this book are interesting, & I hope he continues with their development in the next ones. But again, HIRE DECENT EDITORS, please!
As in previous books, many lapses into uncorrected lazy writing, and obviously unchecked narration. Many mispronunciations.

Jumped around

Did not hold my attention. Jumped around it was more about people then story. Some parts did not fit with the story