Book Review: All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (The Naturals #3)

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Mystery

*4.5

Wow. My mind was racing for a while trying to process everything that unraveled at the end. Insane! I am really really impressed and happy!

Continue reading for more details.

Synopsis:

Three casinos. Three bodies. Three days.

After a string of brutal murders in Las Vegas, Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in to investigate. But even with the team's unique profiling talents, these murders seem baffling: unlike many serial killers, this one uses different methods every time. All of the victims were killed in public, yet the killer does not show up on any tape. And each victim has a string of numbers tattooed on their wrist. Hidden in the numbers is a code—and the closer the Naturals come to unraveling the mystery, the more perilous the case becomes.

Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with an equally dangerous and much more painful mystery. For the first time in years, there's been a break in her mother's case. As personal issues and tensions between the team mount, Cassie and the Naturals will be faced with impossible odds—and impossible choices.

Review:

Sloane was totally the shining star of this book and I’m so happy about it! After the last book, I’m so so happy seeing her being able to contribute so significantly to this case. From the numbers to the hacking, she was so amazing and so helpful towards the case. Also, we got to really explore Sloane and her past and it definitely made a lot of things make more sense. Seeing Sloane so open and vulnerable definitely made me wanna give her the biggest hug but everyone was so aware and protective over her so I was at peace seeing her getting so much love and care from her friends. Cassie, I have to say, was really great in this book. She was going through a lot related to her mother, but when I say I’m SO grateful she didn’t act like an obnoxious, self-centered MC. Instead, she really did realize her friends are going through a lot and they need time and her support, not her moping around and weighing everyone down with her issue. That was really responsible for her to do and definitely portrayed her strength. Lia, I also appreciated a lot in this book. She brought Cassie down to life and grounded her to the reality and what was going on around her. She kept her from falling deep into her grief that was brimming and ready to burst through. And at the end Lia gave Cassie her chance to fully embrace the craziness and grief of her mother’s case having a breakthrough. Overall, these three’s dynamics and friendship really shined and grew in this book and I loved it! Also, learning a bit more about Lia and Michael’s past really helped adding depth to these characters and explain their actions and behaviors, can't wait to learn more about Lia especially since she’s so closed off about her past.

“Too young to party, just odd enough to participate in federal investigations of serial murder. Story of my life.”

The love triangle feels like it’s no longer a triangle anymore and has come to a nice conclusion…kind of? Cassie and Dean are such an amazing duo and, like I’ve been saying, they match each other so well. It was so nice seeing Dean be there for Cassie like how Cassie was for Dean in the last book. I really hope nothing happens to these two and they are for real endgame! Michael pissed me off with the way he was acting after Cassie chose Dean. I know it’s because of his past so I understand, but I really loved Michael and Cassie’s friendship. Though, I’m glad towards the end it felt like these two were okay, better than they were at the beginning of the book.

“Home isn't a place. Home is the people who love you most, the people who will always love you, forever and ever, no matter what.”

The casino/Las Vegas setting was such a nice change of scenery. I felt like that really provided for so many more possibilities and was a really good touch. Also this case was absolutely insane! The integration of so many different aspects and parallels really enhanced the overall case as it got larger and more complex and layered. It was really unexpected and just shows how amazing the author is as her cases simply are getting better and better in each of the books. The plot was so fast paced and the first half wasn’t as slow as the last two books and the second half was insane. I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one setting. Things just kept on getting crazier and as more things unraveled, my head was spiraling. I have to say the thought and details that went into this case and how it connected with things that were mentioned and happened in the past was absolutely so clever and insane. Really did keep me on my toes as I had no clue what the end of the case would entail, and no way did I expect what happened. 

“Your statistical track record for decision-making is somewhat concerning.”

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