Publisher Description
Military aide Luke Steele and FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner go undercover once again to unravel a string of murders that may be tied to a nuclear threat capable of igniting a war.
Military aide Luke Steele grapples with self-doubt after a tragic loss during his last mission. But when a trusted American journalist is killed in Istanbul, Luke must push past his grief to prepare for a new assignment.
The Turkish police report the journalist as the eighth victim of a serial killer. But US intelligence considers the suspicious death a murder at the hands of an international threat and fear that the journalist could have had top-secret information that is now in the hands of an enemy of the United States.
The president tasks Luke to join with FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner to investigate. As the two delve into the cause of the journalist’s death, they unravel a conspiracy that reveals a chilling plan for the assassination of the president and a potential nuclear strike on the United States.
Going undercover as a couple, Luke and Amberlyn travel to Istanbul to connect with a Russian source who holds key information to the case—if they can find him in time.
In the crucible of danger, Luke must rediscover his confidence and trust the bond he has forged with Amberlyn as they fight to save the president of the United States and stop a perilous nuclear plot poised to kill millions.
Thrilling Reads Review
Victim #8 is the second installment in the Luke Steele series, and it’s a gripping, high-stakes thriller that blends political intrigue, covert operations, and just the right amount of romantic tension. Even though I hadn’t read the first book, I was able to dive right in without feeling lost. Abramson skillfully weaves in the necessary backstory, giving readers enough context to understand the characters while keeping the pace brisk.
Military aide to the president Luke Steele is struggling to rebuild his life after the devastating loss of his mentor during a mission gone wrong. The only person who truly understands his grief is FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner, who lost her best friend that same day. There’s a subtle will they/won’t they chemistry simmering beneath the surface, but it never overwhelms the plot or slows the momentum.
The story kicks into gear when an American journalist is found murdered in Istanbul. The Turkish authorities believe he’s the eighth victim of a serial killer, but U.S. intelligence suspects something far more dangerous. With the president’s visit to Turkey looming, Luke and Amberlyn are sent to uncover the truth. What they find is a deadly conspiracy involving an assassination plot and a potential nuclear strike on U.S. soil.
Abramson blends several thriller tropes—serial killer procedural, political thriller, and romantic suspense—but she handles them with precision. The result is a fast-paced, high-octane story filled with tension, twists, and action. If you’re looking for a clean, adrenaline-fueled thriller with international stakes and likable leads, Victim #8 is well worth the read.
I also had the pleasure of interviewing Traci on my Meet the Thriller Author podcast, where we talked about her career and dove deeper into the making of Victim #8. You can listen to the episode on your favorite podcast platform or on my website: https://get.thrillingreads.com/mtta-224-traci-hunter-abramson-interview/
