🎯 Book Review: Point Blank by Catherine Coulter
A high-octane FBI thriller that weaves together treasure hunts, serial killers, and personal vendettas into a pulse-pounding ride.
Book 10 in Catherine Coulter’s long-running FBI Thriller series, Point Blank delivers everything fans have come to expect: fast pacing, dual investigations, and the dynamic duo of Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.15/5 from over 14,000 readers, this installment is praised for its cinematic action and layered storytelling.
🧠 Plot Overview
The novel opens with FBI agent Ruth Warnecki on a quest to locate stolen Confederate gold rumored to be hidden in Winkel’s Cave, Virginia. But her search takes a deadly turn when she stumbles upon a grisly murder scene and is nearly killed herself. The small town of Maestro is shaken, and Ruth’s investigation uncovers secrets that someone is desperate to keep buried.
Meanwhile, Savich and Dane Carver are nearly killed in a bomb explosion during a stakeout in Maryland. Their target? A kidnapped entertainer named Pinky Womack. The case leads them to Arlington National Cemetery, where Savich receives a chilling call from a man who wants both him and Sherlock dead—but offers no explanation.
As the agents dig deeper, they confront a deranged killer with a long memory and a psychotic teenage accomplice. The two plotlines converge in a race against time, with lives hanging in the balance and the past refusing to stay buried.
🔍 Why It Works
- Dual Plotlines: Coulter expertly juggles two investigations, keeping tension high and stakes personal.
- Treasure Hunt Meets Murder Mystery: Ruth’s storyline adds a historical twist that feels fresh and adventurous.
- Villainous Depth: The antagonists—Moses Grace and Claudia—are chillingly memorable, driven by hate and revenge.
- Series Continuity: Savich and Sherlock continue to evolve, offering fans emotional depth alongside procedural grit.
💬 Reader Reactions
- “Explosive action and a satisfying blend of mystery and suspense.”
- “Loved the treasure-hunting angle—felt like a thriller with Indiana Jones vibes.”
- “Some plot points stretched believability, but the pacing and character dynamics made up for it.”
🏁 Final Verdict
Point Blank is a standout entry in Coulter’s FBI Thriller series, offering a mix of historical intrigue, psychological suspense, and relentless action. If you enjoy thrillers with layered plots and strong recurring characters, this one hits the mark.
