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Red Flags (A Locard Institute Thriller Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Lisa Black (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 318 ratings
See all formats and editions
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Black launches a pulse-pounding new series with a taut, compelling forensic thriller that introduces Dr. Ellie Carr and Dr. Rachael Davies, who must combine their expertise to solve deadly crimes . . .

When D.C. crime scene analyst Dr. Ellie Carr is called to investigate the heartrending case of a missing baby, she’s shocked to discover that the child’s mother is her own cousin. Close during their impoverished childhoods, Ellie and Rebecca eventually drifted apart. Rebecca is now half of a Washington power couple, and she and her wealthy lobbyist husband, Hunter, have been living a charmed life in an opulent mansion—until their infant son is taken.

“Every contact leaves a trace.” That’s the basic principle of forensic science followed by pathologist Dr. Rachael Davies. A reluctant Ellie is teamed with Rachael, employed by Hunter to help with the investigation. Rachael is assistant dean at the prestigious Locard Forensic Institute, named in honor of the French criminologist who inspired the profession. But in this case, discovering where those traces lead quickly becomes a dangerous journey through a web of greed and deadly ambition.

At first antagonists, then allies, Ellie and Rachael race to find the baby alive and bring the kidnappers to justice. What seemed like a simple ransom grab reveals links to a lobbying effort to loosen regulations on a billion-dollar gaming empire. Unless they can piece together the evidence before the Senate hearing, Rebecca’s son—and others like him—will face an unthinkable fate . . .

“This solid series launch from bestseller Black introduces forensics experts Ellie Carr and Rachael Davies…Black packs the novel with fascinating details for crime scene buffs, who will eagerly await the next case for the intrepid CSIs.”
—Publishers Weekly
 
"With her first-hand knowledge of forensics added to her skill as a writer, Lisa Black doesn’t miss. Red Flags is a real nail-biter, a can’t-miss thrill ride from start to finish."
—Jeff Lindsay, author of the Dexter and Riley Wolfe series
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    A Locard Institute Thriller
  2. Print length
    354 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Kensington Books
  6. Publication date
    July 26, 2022
  7. File size
    3080 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for RED FLAGS:
 
“Black packs the novel with fascinating details for crime scene buffs, who will eagerly await the next case for the intrepid CSIs.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“A diabolical plot, the kidnapping of kids, and a zealous lobbying group all play roles in Black's twist-filled narrative. There is more than enough suspense to keep readers fully engaged until the shocking ending.” —Booklist
 
“While Red Flags is a forensic thriller, it’s also a very clever fair-play mystery with a deeply satisfying ending. Black layers interconnecting mysteries, even as she sensitively explores Ellie and Rachael’s complicated family lives. Ellie and Rachael’s friendship develops from a realistic and understandable professional standoffishness to warmth as they learn not only to work together but to rely on one another. This series debut balances their personal stories perfectly with the suspenseful action. I’m so looking forward to enjoying more of Ellie and Rachael’s adventures.” —Criminal Element

“As the pages are turned the tension rises. The investigation is interesting and the detail about forensics is a bonus. The twists offer different red herrings to keep readers guessing.”—Crimespree Magazine
 
“Black, who writes elegantly from personal experience as a criminologist herself, has fashioned a wondrously structured tale with the pace and energy of a great crime film.” —BookTrib
 --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Lisa Black is the New York Times bestselling author of the Gardiner and Renner Novels and the Locard Institute Thrillers featuring Dr. Ellie Carr and Dr. Rachael Davies. As a forensic scientist at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office, she analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes. Now she is a latent print examiner and certified crime analyst for the Cape Coral Police Department in Florida, working mostly with fingerprints and crime scenes. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, and has testified in court as an expert witness over 65 times. Her books have been translated into six languages and she was named finalist for the prestigious Sue Grafton Memorial Award for Perish. She lives near Fort Myers, Florida. Visit Lisa Black online at Lisa-Black.com. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09KP363YS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Books (July 26, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3080 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 318 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lisa Black

Lisa Black

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Lisa Black's books have reached the NYT bestsellers list, been translated into six languages and have been optioned for film. Perish was shortlisted for the inaugural Sue Grafton Memorial Award by Putnam and Mystery Writers of America. Lisa will be a Guest of Honor at 2021 Killer Nashville.

She is a certified crime scene analyst in Florida and a former forensic scientist for the Cleveland coroner's office. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the International Association for Identification, and the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts, and has testified in more than fifty homicide trials.

She still aspires to drive Nancy Drew's convertible and marry Ellery Queen.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
318 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

RevengePony
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story with an unexpected ending
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
The bookseller did not reveal that the bindery had totally messed up the book with missing and out of sequence pages. I informed Amazon and they replaced the book at no charge. I was then able to finish it and get to the surprise ending.
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Avonna
4.0 out of 5 stars Intense and Intricately Plotted Forensic Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
RED FLAGS (Locard Forensic Institute Thriller Book #1) by Lisa Black is an intense and intricately plotted first book in a new forensic thriller series featuring two female forensic experts and the Locard Forensic Institute.

FBI analyst Dr. Ellie Carr from the D.C. Evidence Response Team is called to the scene of a kidnapping. When she arrives, it is to find the missing baby belongs to her cousin, Becca who Ellie has been estranged from for many years. What Ellie discovers is her cousin is now a part of a D.C. power couple of lobbyists on the verge of making millions when their friend’s kid focused on-line gaming company goes public. Ellie has been all over the house and can find no evidence of a break-in.

Becca’s husband, Hunter hires the Locard Forensic Institute and Dr, Rachel Davies. Ellie is reluctant at first to work with Rachel, but in working the kidnapping, they begin to trust each other. As more children are kidnapped, Ellie and Rachel are in a race to discover who the kidnappers are and why they are focusing on the children of the gaming company involved in a Senate hearing on children’s’ on-line gaming regulations.

I always enjoy Ms. Black’s intelligent main characters and her detailed explanations of different types of forensic science. There is a lot going on in this book and while some is extremely interesting, especially the chat and ad regulations in children’s on-line gaming, there are times when the information, especially about IPOs slowed down the pace a bit. The plot is a web of several interconnecting yet different motives and crimes that all come together in an ending that surprised me. Ellie and Rachel’s professional relationship is realistically portrayed and paced throughout from standoffish and suspicious to understanding and the start of a friendship and partnership.

I am looking forward to following both Ellie and Rachel in their personal lives and on their future investigations in this new series.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good thriller
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a very entertaining read. It is fast paced with a lot of twists and turns that keep you trying to figure out exactly who is doing what. A well conceived story that moved along at A fast pace. A good read.
2 people found this helpful
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B. H. Oehlert III
3.0 out of 5 stars Too much to handle
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I did like the book. I bought it after reading and liking her previous efforts.
The plotting is interesting and the mystery compelling.
The insights into government and the gaming industry are illuminating.
Why only 3 stars? The book overwhelmed me with new characters and their interrelationships. If there had been 2 or more previous books that introduced us to the family and some of the other characters in one series and at least 1 other Locard book; then their merger as a new series would have merited 5 stars.
I fear that if I recommended the book to a friend, they might become an ex-friend.
All that being said, I still plan to read book 2.
2 people found this helpful
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Gabrielle Sutherland
5.0 out of 5 stars Kept me guessing till the end
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a great book! The characters were well developed. The story was interesting and credible. I had no idea whodunit and how, which kept me going.
One person found this helpful
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Julie K
4.0 out of 5 stars Wild ride
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
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This book was somewhat predictable but still a good book that kept my interest. There were many twists and turns along the way that I didn't see coming and all wrapped up in the end...which I like to see.
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Robin H
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
I can usually dissect plots pretty early on in a story.
This one had me going all the way to the end.
Great characters, great storyline!
One person found this helpful
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Patricia Arnold
5.0 out of 5 stars My first Lisa Black book
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
I was intrigued but never lost! It got to the point that I didn't want to put the book down. A great read!!
One person found this helpful
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