This looks to be the start of a promising new series from Lisa Black. Dr. Ellie Carr is an FBI crime scene specialist, called in to handle a case of a missing baby--only to discover that it's the child of an estranged cousin. Despite an apparent conflict of interest, she's asked to stay on the case by the FBI and finds herself paired up with a private consultant, Dr. Raechael Davies, hired by the child's father. As to be expected from Lisa Black, the techniques and procedures ring true--and the discussions of how the reward structures of video games are created to keep players playing are chilling in their own way. I loved the interplay between Ellie and Raechel and can't wait to see how their working relationship develops in the future. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Kensington Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

Red Flags by Lisa Black
Locard Institute #1

Great introduction to a new forensic research, study, and investigation series that will provide cases for private investigators with mad skills to solve a variety of cases with and perhaps without government, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

What I liked:
* Dr. Ellie Carr: DC FBI crime scene analyst, divorced, dedicated, difficult backstory that I hope to hear more about, on a case that many might recuse themselves from, would like to know more about her.
* Dr. Rachael Davies: assistant director of Locard Institute, single parent to deceased sister’s toddler, counts on her mother for child care, has a proposition for Ellie at the end of the book
* Ellie’s extended family (most of them): there for Ellie when she found herself an orphan at eleven
* Taylor: Ellie’s first cousin once removed, a bystander in the disappearance of her younger brother, has much to contend with
* The look into the gaming industry and its impact on children, the parental controls that may or may not be sufficient, and the “what-ifs” that were introduced
* The plot, writing, and pacing
* That it made me think and care about the outcome
* The unexpected twist toward the end of the story
* That though it took me awhile to get into the story…I could not put it down once engaged
* That there are more books to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The mental anguish that some of the characters must have experienced
* The cold calculating nature of a few of the characters

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )

Red Flags by Lisa Black is a very highly recommended forensic thriller and the first book in a new series.

Dr. Ellie Carr, a D.C. crime scene analyst and part of the FBI’s evidence response team, is called to investigate the case of a 4 month old missing baby, Mason Carlisle. Once she arrives at the scene, a mansion on the banks of the Potomac, she is shocked to discover that the child’s mother, Rebecca, is her own cousin that she hasn't seen in fifteen years. Rebecca, is a policy adviser to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation while her husband Hunter owns a wealthy lobbying firm.

There is no clear trace what happened to Mason and Hunter hires Dr. Rachael Davies, a Washington DC forensic scientist and assistant dean at the prestigious Locard Forensic Institute to assist in the investigation. Now Ellie and Rachel are working together. The case becomes much more involved and complicated and involves blackmailing a lobbying effort on gaming industry regulations.

Red Flags is a great introduction to a new series. The writing is excellent and the tension rises as various scenarios are looked at and suspects are considered. The case is complicated and information and clues are uncovered as well as clever insights. The investigation is interesting to follow and there are several twists to surprise you or point you in a different direction concerning the case. There are fascinating details for crime scene fans to follow.

Both Ellie and Rachel are equally interesting characters and the investigations are compelling and detailed. The narrative moves quickly and developments are rapid in the plot and the investigations. There are plenty of forensic details and discoveries in the cases. The whole case suddenly involves a multilayered investigation and technical details. The two women work well together and this portends well for the new series. I'm looking forward to the next novel in the series.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/07/red-flags.html ( )

Red Flags is a solid series launch with all the forensic details CSI fans have come to love. A big part of the plot hinges on child safety on the internet, which everyone would agree is extremely important. But no matter how many restrictions are placed on computer games aimed at children, no matter how many things parents try to drill into their children's heads, kids will be kids-- seemingly compelled to do stupid stuff all the while insisting that they'd never be dumb enough to do it. Yes, there is more than one child at risk in this book, and one of the best things about Red Flags is watching those children working out how to save themselves. (Speaking of red flags, if one is waving madly above your head at the thought of child endangerment, I'd like to put your mind at rest without saying any more that might possibly give away the plot.)

If you're a reader who likes plot over characterization, Red Flags should be your cup of tea. There's plenty of misdirection, twists, turns, deceit... you name it. In fact, there's so much going on that a bit of trimming might have helped tighten up a lagging denouement. When all is said and done, Red Flags is a competent thriller with a strong story. However, none of the characters made me want to read more.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley) ( )

FBI, new-series, forensics, abduction, thriller, relatives, suspense, mystery, secrets, government-offices, politics, ethics, online-gaming****

This is an amazingly detailed book that actually took me quite a bit of notating to keep the characters cohesive. The storyline is both complex and seems to compound (and sometimes confound). The interpersonals are well set up to continue into more in series, and that is a very good thing. The publisher's blurb is a good hook and not recap is needed. Loved it!
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )