🔥 Book Review: Flashpoint by Catherine Coulter
A high-stakes, dual-plot FBI thriller that blends international intrigue, psychic suspense, and relentless action—marking a strong return for Savich and Sherlock in Book 27 of the series.
Catherine Coulter’s Flashpoint continues her bestselling FBI Thriller series with a gripping narrative that spans continents and generations. With a stellar Goodreads rating of 4.47/5 from over 9,500 readers, this installment is praised for its fast pacing, emotional depth, and genre-blending suspense.
🧠 Plot Overview
The novel follows two intertwined storylines:
- Elizabeth Palmer, an English aristocrat and artist, is still recovering from a near-death experience in a bombing at St. Paul’s Cathedral—a terrorist act that turns out to be a cover for something far more sinister. Just as her life begins to stabilize, she faces three new attempts on her life. Desperate for answers, she flies to Washington, D.C., and is assigned Special Agent Rome Foxe for protection. Together, they must uncover who wants her dead—and why.
- Meanwhile, Autumn Backman, a 12-year-old with psychic abilities, takes a summer job watching over Tash Navarro, a shy boy who turns out to be gifted like her. When Tash’s father, Archer Navarro, is accused of embezzlement and disappears with his new wife, Autumn reaches out to Agent Dillon Savich, the only person she trusts to help. The FBI and Interpol join forces to track down Archer and unravel a deeper conspiracy.
💬 Why Readers Love It
- Dual Investigations: Coulter balances two compelling plots that converge with satisfying twists.
- Psychic Suspense: The return of Autumn Backman adds a supernatural edge that fans of KnockOut and Nemesis will appreciate.
- New Characters: Rome Foxe is a standout addition, offering charm and grit alongside the series’ veterans.
- Emotional Stakes: Themes of trauma, trust, and resilience run deep, especially in Elizabeth’s arc.
📣 Critical Praise
- “A slow burn that quickly ignites into a multi-faceted thriller.” — Novels Alive
- “Coulter skillfully weaves in enough background for new readers while keeping longtime fans engaged.” — ReviewThisReviews
- “A nonstop, action-packed thriller from the one and only Catherine Coulter.” — Goodreads community
Some readers noted that the psychic subplot may feel out of place in a procedural thriller, but most praised the emotional payoff and the seamless integration of suspense and character development.
🏁 Final Verdict
Flashpoint is a dynamic, emotionally resonant thriller that showcases Coulter’s ability to evolve her series while staying true to its roots. If you enjoy FBI procedurals with supernatural twists, international stakes, and strong female leads, this one’s a must-read.
