KnockOut by Catherine Coulter

🥊 Book Review: KnockOut by Catherine Coulter
A pulse-pounding blend of paranormal suspense and FBI action, where a telepathic child, a ruthless cult leader, and a deadly bank heist converge—Book 13 in the FBI Thriller series.

Catherine Coulter’s KnockOut continues her long-running Savich & Sherlock series with a supernatural twist that adds fresh energy to the procedural format. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.18/5 from over 13,000 readers, the novel is praised for its fast pacing, dual plotlines, and emotionally resonant characters.


🧠 Plot Overview

Seven-year-old Autumn Backman has a secret: she can communicate telepathically with select individuals. When she witnesses her grandmother and uncles burying bodies in the dead of night, she knows she and her mother are in grave danger. Fleeing to Titusville, Virginia, Autumn reaches out—telepathically—to FBI Agent Dillon Savich, whom she saw on TV after a heroic bank rescue.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Ethan Merriweather finds Autumn hiding near his home and quickly realizes she’s being hunted by her uncle Blessed, a cult-like figure with the terrifying ability to control others with a glance. As Savich and his partner Lacey Sherlock join the investigation, they must protect Autumn and her mother from a man who wants to exploit her gift—and won’t stop until he does.

In a parallel storyline, Savich is also tracking a violent group of bank robbers, one of whom has a personal vendetta against him. The two cases intertwine in unexpected ways, pushing the agents to their limits.


💬 Why Readers Enjoy It

  • Paranormal Edge: Autumn’s telepathy and Blessed’s mind-control abilities add a supernatural layer to the suspense.
  • Dual Plotlines: The cult pursuit and bank heist investigations run side-by-side, keeping the tension high.
  • Emotional Stakes: Autumn’s vulnerability and courage make her a standout character.
  • Series Continuity: Savich and Sherlock’s chemistry and competence remain a highlight for longtime fans.

⚠️ Critiques

  • Some readers felt the supernatural elements stretched believability within the FBI thriller framework.
  • The pacing, while brisk, occasionally sacrifices deeper character development.
  • The resolution may feel tidy compared to the intensity of the buildup.

📣 Reader Highlights

“Autumn Backman needed a hero. She called Savich—but she didn’t use the phone…” — Goodreads summary
“A chilling villain, a brave child, and a race against time. Coulter delivers another knockout.” — BookBrowse review


🏁 Final Verdict

KnockOut is a gripping installment in the FBI Thriller series, perfect for fans of paranormal suspense, crime procedurals, and strong female leads. If you enjoy stories where danger lurks in both the mind and the shadows, this one packs a punch.

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