🔍 Book Review: Double Take by Catherine Coulter
A layered FBI thriller that blends psychic intrigue, murder mystery, and emotional reckoning—with a cast of characters caught between past trauma and present danger.
Book 11 in Catherine Coulter’s FBI Thriller series, Double Take delivers a dual investigation that intertwines two emotionally charged cases: one involving a psychic’s widow and another centered on a woman who may—or may not—be a missing wife. With a Goodreads rating of 4.12/5 from over 11,000 readers, this installment is praised for its suspenseful pacing, character depth, and supernatural undertones.
🧠 Plot Overview
Six months after the murder of her husband, renowned psychic August Ransom, Julia Ransom is finally beginning to heal. But her fragile peace is shattered when she’s attacked and thrown off San Francisco’s Pier 39—only to be saved by Special Agent Cheney Stone, who suspects a link between the assault and August’s unsolved murder.
Meanwhile, in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble—last seen in Point Blank—is haunted by the disappearance of his wife Christie, who vanished three years earlier. When he hears of a woman named Charlotte Pallack in San Francisco who bears an uncanny resemblance to Christie, Dix travels west, desperate for answers.
As Cheney and Dix’s paths cross, they team up with Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock to unravel the mystery behind Charlotte’s identity and the forces behind Julia’s attack. Their investigation leads them into the shadowy world of psychics, deception, and deadly secrets.
🔍 Why It Works
- Psychic Intrigue: Coulter explores the world of mediums and mind-readers, adding a supernatural edge to the procedural format.
- Emotional Stakes: Both Julia and Dix are grappling with grief and uncertainty, making their arcs compelling and relatable.
- Dual Narrative: The two cases unfold in parallel, eventually converging in a satisfying and suspenseful climax.
- Series Continuity: Savich and Sherlock continue to anchor the series with their sharp instincts and steady partnership.
💬 Reader Reactions
- “A solid entry in the series—twisty, emotional, and fast-paced.”
- “Loved the psychic angle and the mystery surrounding Charlotte Pallack.”
- “Some plot points felt a bit far-fetched, but the tension and character interplay made up for it.”
🏁 Final Verdict
Double Take is a compelling blend of psychological suspense and FBI procedural, perfect for fans of thrillers with emotional depth and a touch of the uncanny. If you enjoy stories that explore identity, grief, and the blurred line between truth and illusion, this one delivers.
