Author: Elizabeth Heiter
Series: The Profiler, #3
Published: December 2015, MIRA
Danger is all around her…
What should have been a routine investigation for FBI profiler Evelyn Baine turns ominous when shes kidnapped by a dangerous cult of survivalists. As her worst nightmares become a reality, she begins to question what shes seeing. Because the longer shes inside their compound, the more she realizes this group is not what it seems to be.
The next terrorist threat is right beside her…
As the FBIs Hostage Rescue Team closes in, Evelyn suspects shes stumbled onto an emerging terrorist threat—and a cult leader who has a score to settle with the FBI. If Hostage Rescue breaches the compound, Evelyns dead for sure. If they dont, the cult may unleash a surprise attack that could leave the whole country shattered.
Creating a Series Character
When I wrote my debut novel, HUNTED, I knew I wanted my heroine, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine, to return for more books. So I purposely created a character who had room to grow, who could change and progress throughout the course of a series in interesting (and perhaps unexpected) ways.
To start, I made her 29 years old, a little young for her position as a profiler for the FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit, but good for me, because that meant she had close to 30 years before the FBIs mandatory retirement age. As a profiler who handles some of the countrys most difficult (and gruesome) cases, I needed her to have a deeply personal reason for the job she chose, something to drive her forward through case after case. I decided it was the abduction of her best friend Cassie when she was twelve years old. In HUNTED, Evelyn learns she was supposed to have been a victim, too.
In the sequel, VANISHED, Evelyn has already tackled a tough serial killer case and earned the grudging respect of her peers. Shes moved tentatively forward in a non-work relationship with Hostage Rescue Team agent Kyle McKensie. So, I throw her a tough challenge: the person who abducted her friend all those years ago is back (you can read about that in my Always With a Book post from last year!).
In my new book, SEIZED, which releases Dec. 29, the book begins with Evelyn having solved the case that has propelled her forward, and shaped her entire life. With that goal accomplished, shes suddenly adrift, wondering if the FBI is really where she belongs. So, naturally, I have a group of cultists (who are adept at shaping peoples identities) take her hostage. Only, once shes inside, she begins to suspect this cult is much more dangerous than it seems. She needs to reach the outside world to warn them, but shes trapped, and her phycial situation really matches whats happening internally for her.
From HUNTED through SEIZED, Evelyn grew a lot: she became (a little!) less socially awkward, opened up to those around her, and let in a possible love interest. Ive finished the first draft of STALKED, the next book in the series, and Evelyn - like any real person - has continued to evolve as she experiences new challenges and tackles new cases. Shes got a lot more room to grow, and Im looking forward to pushing her - and everyone around her - into different stages of their lives, and hopefully keeping the series fresh for many books to come!
Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. Shes a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. Elizabeth is also a regular columnist for International Thriller Writers at The Thrill Begins as part of "Murderers Row."
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Books:
Profiler Series
#1: HUNTED, Available Now - My Review
#2: VANISHED, Available Now - My Review
#2.5: AVENGED - Special online short story - available 12/28/15
#3: SEIZED - Available 12/29/15
***Note from Elizabeth:
The books in my series can be read in order, or as standalones. In between VANISHED, which released last year, and SEIZED, I’ll also have a free short story in The Profiler series called AVENGED. You can read a chapter a day on the Harlequin.com website beginning December 28.
The books in my series can be read in order, or as standalones. In between VANISHED, which released last year, and SEIZED, I’ll also have a free short story in The Profiler series called AVENGED. You can read a chapter a day on the Harlequin.com website beginning December 28.
Lawmen Series
#1: DISARMING DETECTIVE
#2: SEDUCED BY THE SNIPER
#3: SWAT SECRET ADMIRER
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