investigations. The FBI calls in Jessica, who in turn brings in Sloan, to help solve a pair of spectacular murders.

Impostor Syndrome begins with the discovery of a body enclosed in a block of salt, found by a park ranger in the remote Nevada desert. The FBI investigators asked Jessica for suggestions how the killer could have sealed the body inside the salt block. Soon after the discovery of the first body, the killer sent the authorities an underwater picture of a dead woman tied to cinder blocks at the bottom of a body of water. Jessica then contacts Sloan to help figure out the dead woman’s location. Both victims were relatively well-known social media influencers, as was a third possible near-victim who survived a pipe-bomb attack. The FBI is convinced a serial killer is targeting influencers for unknown reasons and assembles a multi-agency task force to work on the case. Jessica and Sloan soon find themselves on the sidelines of the investigation.

The author has assembled an intricate plot with many twists and surprises. I don’t like spoilers in reviews in general, and especially not when reviewing a book like Impostor Syndrome in which the plot twists provide much of the novel’s entertainment value. As in many serial killer stories, the ultimate revelation here is the murderer’s motive. I’ve read or watched serial killer stories for decades, but I freely admit that I’ve never encountered a backstory as bizarre as what Jessica and Sloan eventually uncover here. I highly doubt anyone will figure this one out. Having said that, the mystery’s solution didn’t have the impact on me that the author might have expected.

What did impact me was how easily Jessica and Sloan solved the entire case in record time. Genre readers are familiar with TV episodes in which investigators solve seemingly baffling crimes in 60 minutes of show time (less commercials). However, Jessica and Sloan put computer whizzes like Penelope on Criminal Minds to shame. As soon as Sloan starts work on the case, she observes the photo of the second victim, looks at a contour map of Nevada, and figures out the near-exact location of the body. The author provides enough detailed explanation of Sloan’s thought processes (“Impostor Syndrome” was extensively researched) to give this passage some genre plausibility. Still, when Jessica and Sloan repeatedly make similar deductions, it becomes clear the author is pushing for a tidy resolution to what should be a far more extensive investigation.

The author also uses the hoary stereotype of the clueless senior investigator, which dates back to Sherlock Holmes’s Inspector Lestrade. Here, the senior FBI agent in charge of the investigation tries to keep Jessica and Sloan on the sidelines while he pursues his own theory of the case. Despite my earlier admonition about not revealing spoilers, this stereotype is so prevalent and obvious that every reader knows immediately that his investigation will go nowhere. Further, his attempts to sideline the only people who seem to know what’s going on will only make their job harder and build suspense for readers.

Despite the book’s flaws, I enjoyed Impostor Syndrome a great deal. Jessica and Sloan are likable protagonists with good chemistry. The author also gives them some lively banter to exchange during their many conversations throughout the book. The killer is smart and clever and presents a genuine menace when Jessica and Sloan’s investigation gets close. Above all, the author has created a highly original scenario with twists that even experienced genre fans will probably miss. I’m not sure what the book’s title has to do with the plot, but Impostor Syndrome is no impostor thriller. It’s the real thing.  

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.