💣 Book Review: Bombshell by Catherine Coulter
A dual-case FBI thriller that blends high-stakes murder, family peril, and a dash of psychic intuition—featuring fan favorites Savich and Sherlock alongside rising agent Griffin Hammersmith.
Book 17 in Catherine Coulter’s long-running FBI Thriller series, Bombshell delivers a fast-paced, multi-threaded mystery that keeps readers flipping pages. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.11/5 from over 10,000 readers, it’s praised for its energetic pacing, layered plotlines, and the introduction of new talent to the FBI team.
🧠 Plot Overview
Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith, last seen in Backfire, is en route to Washington, D.C., to join Savich’s elite FBI unit. But before he arrives, he detours to visit his sister Delsey, a music student in Virginia—only to learn she’s been found unconscious, naked, and covered in blood after a party. The blood isn’t hers… and no one knows whose it is.
Meanwhile, back in D.C., Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are investigating a bizarre murder: the frozen body of a young man found at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. He’s the grandson of a disgraced former Federal Reserve chairman, and the motive may be political—or deeply personal.
As Griffin uncovers a drug cartel operating within Delsey’s school, and Savich and Sherlock chase leads in a high-profile murder, the two cases begin to converge in unexpected ways.
💬 Why Readers Enjoy It
- Two Interwoven Mysteries: Coulter balances parallel investigations that eventually intersect, keeping tension high.
- Griffin Hammersmith’s Debut: His “preternatural instinct” for reading people adds a fresh dynamic to the team.
- Savich & Sherlock’s Chemistry: Their steady partnership continues to anchor the series with warmth and wit.
- Fast Pacing & Action: From hospital escapes to cartel confrontations, the story moves quickly and cinematically.
📣 Critical Reception
- Kirkus Reviews called it “run-of-the-mill” but acknowledged the appeal of familiar characters and the layered setup.
- ReviewThisReviews praised Coulter’s ability to weave two compelling cases and noted the clever segue into her Brit in the FBI series via the final scene.
- Readers on Goodreads highlighted the suspense and character development, though some felt the villains lacked depth.
🏁 Final Verdict
Bombshell is a solid entry in the FBI Thriller series, offering a mix of emotional stakes, procedural intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. If you’re a fan of Coulter’s signature blend of crime and charisma, this installment delivers the goods—and sets the stage for new adventures.
