4.5 stars.

What Lies Behind is a fast-paced and riveting mystery by J.T. Ellison. This fourth installment in the captivating Dr. Samantha Owens series is another meticulously plotted and intriguing police procedural that fans of the genre do not want to miss.

Former medical examiner Sam Owens' curiosity is immediately piqued when a crime occurs in her neighborhood and she readily agrees to her good friend Detective Darren Fletcher's request to take a look at the scene. Sam immediately concludes that what was thought to be a murder/suicide is in actuality a double homicide. When she uncovers hidden evidence that suggests a possible biological threat, a top ranking government official asks them to keep their investigation under wraps. Each clue leads to more dead bodies, and Sam is stunned when their case converges with her fiancé Xander Whitfield's current protection detail of a wealthy businessman. Sam and Darren team up with Xander and once all of the pieces of puzzle fall into place, they are horrified by the diabolical plot they uncover.

As a consultant for the FBI, Sam is also working on a series of unsolved murders spanning twenty years. While there is only a tenuous link between the killings, she and her boss John Baldwin are convinced they are the work of the same killer. Although they have just begun to scratch the surface of their investigation, the case will take on an unexpected urgency by the time the double homicide is solved.

What Lies Behind is a complex murder mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. The plot is brilliantly executed and frighteningly realistic. The characters from the previous novels in the series continue to evolve as new facets of their personalities are revealed while a few new faces help keep the series fresh and interesting. The main mystery is completely solved by the novel's conclusion, but J.T. Ellison ends the story with a cliffhanger that will leave fans impatiently awaiting the next installment of the Dr. Samantha Owens series. ( )

Some interesting plot points, no real character development and a cliffhanger ending. Enough to keep the reader engaged, but still able to put the book down. ( )

If you are looking for some fun summer reading, J.T. Ellison’s newest book in the Samantha Owens series, What Lies Behind, may be just what you are looking for. The main character Samantha Owens is a medical examiner turned FBI consultant. Originally from Tennessee, she relocated to Washington D.C. after meeting her lover Xander Whitfield, a former army ranger. The story begins with a murder and potential suicide that has occurred in Owens’ neighborhood. Homicide detective Darren Fletcher is called to the scene and Fletcher, who has worked with Owens’ on previous cases, calls on Owens to get her opinion on the murder scene. While canvassing the scene, Owens comes across some significant biohazardous material and what seems like a straight forward murder/suicide case, explodes into something more sinister.

While Owens is busy worrying about being exposed to some nasty bug, her lover Xander Whitfield is working on a job through his newly established security protection firm with his partner Chalk. The job is to protect British industrialist James Denon and in what seems like a straight forward job, turns out to be the beginning of a nightmare.

Assassins, bio-threat, subterfuge, and good ole fashion detective work are all a part of JT Ellison’s latest thriller which makes for several hours of fun entertainment. In my review of the series I have expressed that the series is more of a romantic thriller with a veneer of forensics but in this latest addition, I would say that this particular thriller is more a of a spy/disaster thriller. Though Whitfield and Owens do a little ogling with each other, it is kept at a minimum because they are too busy trying to save the world.

Ellison has also included a subplot, which includes a creepy psychopath and appears to foreshadow the next installment to the series. It is a little confusing at times because it seems to be related to events that are taking place in this novel, however, it becomes clear in the ending what is really happening.

It is not really necessary to read the previous novels in the series, but if you want to really understand the background of the characters and how they relate to each other, I would recommend reading the first book in the series, A Deeper Darkness.

If you interested to learn more about the Samantha Owens series, check out my review of the series on my blog, A-Thrill-A-Week (http://athrillaweek.com/j-t-ellisons-dr-samantha-owens-series/). ( )

Lot of drama, mystery, action and terror. Some swear words, and violence. You don't who to trust or where it is going to go.

Dr. Samantha Owens is the main character. She is teaching and newly working with FBI. She is no longer a medical examiner. A crime has taken place close to her home. She spies on it.
Samantha texts her homicide detective friend, Darren Fletcher to see if he got the case.

Xander Whitfield is now working as a personal security. They are out of town. He has to bring his old talents back in use.

Darren Fletcher meets with Samantha and tells her a little about the crime while at breakfast. While eating Sam gets a text asking her to step in as a FBI Agent and go to the briefing for him while he is out of town.

Samantha and Fletcher walk through the crime scene and with in minutes she tells him that it was not what it looked like but a double murder. Also finds deadly viruses in the apartment.

There is a lot of murder, and assassins and terrorists that keep them all busy. You don't want to put the book down till the end.

The setting for most of the book was Washington D.C. and currant year.

I have read all four Dr. Samantha Owens books and like her. She is a strong female character that has gone through a lot. I want to see more of her.

I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. I agreed to give a honest review of What Lies Behind. ( )