Impostor Syndrome

A Thriller (The Specialists, Book 2)

De: Andrew Mayne

Narrado por: Susannah Jones, Jennifer O’Donnell

Two fearless investigators unite to stop a media-savvy serial killer from carrying out a cataclysmic crime for all the world to see in a riveting thriller by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

The FBI calls on former agent Jessica Blackwood to look at a puzzling crime. A wildlife officer has found the body of a popular YouTuber encased in an obelisk made of salt in a remote refuge. When the agency is tipped off to a second body, that of a TikTok star chained to the bottom of Nevada’s Pyramid Lake—her hands clasped in prayer—Jessica recruits a trusted colleague of her own: Floridian underwater investigator Sloan McPherson.

It appears to be the work of a ritualistic serial killer preying on influencers. That tracks when a third victim—a fantasy-game live streamer—barely survives a pipe bomb attack. But in navigating the social media world of instafame, manipulation, and deception, Jessica and Sloan know how illusory appearances can be. As the threats multiply across the country, they fear they’re playing with something more extreme than they imagined: a killer’s endgame that could be nothing less than apocalyptic.

©2025 by Andrew Mayne. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Half hearted effort on this one

I was excited for this book and this series. But this book was disappointing to say the least

Love this series!!

Love all of Andrew Maynes books! My favorite character is Jessica Blackwood!! I love it so much

Not Andrew Maynes best

I like that he’s adding Sloan to Jessica and Theo , but really needed Thei in this book

Another great Andrew Mayne story!

I'm a huge fan of Andrew Mayne's writing. His characters are unique, each is fully realized with backgrounds, histories, family and family problems as well as distinct likes and dislikes, and education.
When you read an Andrew Mayne book, you know you're sure to learn about entire new worlds such as police procedures, technology, religion, and so on. He always does an excellent job of researching the worlds he reveals in his writing. I have read many of his novels more than once. I really like his female characters, but they're all good. This book lives up to the high standards Andrew Mayne has set for his novels. The narration is superb as well. I recommend this novel as well as the others that feature Jessica Blackwood and Sloan McPherson.

Excellent story

I enjoy these books by Mr. Mayne. They sre interesting and informativve. Cults are always interesting.

Fantastic!!!

Another brilliant book by Andrew Mayne!!! And two fantastic narrators with Susanna Jones and Jennifer O’Donnell!! Great work, everyone!

Blackwood and Sloan team-up.

Well, it’s the usual fair. I was entertained. I hoped next book would be another team-up. Trasker and Dr Cray would be nice.

Disappointed

In general I like this series of books and find the characters fairly compelling, however this time the story just didn't grab me like others have and I had a hard time finishing it.

I am disappointed that the author didn't take the time to research the topics a bit more. The description of the religious "cult" was a bit over the top and was irresponsible in grouping basically all faith groups into something sinister and juvenile. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does have a short history of polygamy, but hasn't practiced it for 125 years. The author kept referring to what was essentially a fundamentalist, religion as "Mormon", rather than by its own name and only once made the distinction between these types of break-off groups and the mainstream LDS church - which no longer uses the nickname "Mormon"-, and is a worldwide Christian church with millions of members. Aside from a common beginning, they have little to do with each other.

The character names that are found in The Book of Mormon (Lehi, Nephi, Moroni) were also pronounced incorrectly in this novel. If you're going to reference a book of scripture, at least get the names right. I also wonder if the author would make light of a Muslim hijab or a Jewish yarmulke like he did with the "magic underwear" referenced in the book. Likely not, but the garment referred to is just as sacred to members of the Church of Jesus Christ as the former clothing items are to members of those religions.

Beyond the religious references, the story just never really came together to explain the murders welI. I like Sloan and Jessica, and having them together in a book is fun, but I didn't enjoy this story, sorry.

Great characters, disappointing ending

Looove the story, the personalities, the rear-view of past cases or experiences. Hard to deal with the abrupt ending. And I’m sure it’ll be SO long until there may be another installment. Really do enjoy this author, tho.

Great Imposters To The End

I loved how the story wove recent events into the story. It added to the drama. The narrators were amazing.