I’m not that surprised with how quickly I got my hands on the second novel in Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ The Naturals series. I am though, surprised that it took me as long as it did to finish it.
That’s not to say that Killer Instincts wasn’t any good. In fact, it was just as good as the first without repeating the whole formula. Sure, it’s the same group of teenagers, but there are some new players this time around. And don’t worry, they are good ones. What does kind of repeat itself though, is the familial involvement. Sure, with that many young characters with questionable pasts, it’s almost a given, but still, not as fresh and exciting as I’d hoped. There were more resemblances to Ellie Marney’s work this time around, though not quite as refined.
It’s only been a few months since the events of the first novel took place, and while nothing exciting is going on to distract them, Cassie can’t help but think of her deranged aunt. And while a new case pops up to whet their appetite, that’s almost immediately soured when Dean reveals that these new serial murders match what his father had done almost to a ‘T.’ Of course, their natural instinct is to get involved, and though Briggs isn’t wholly for or against that idea, it’s newcomer, Agent Sterling who brings the hammer down.
Her father is the director, so her input about the program will hold a lot of weight. She’s a hard-ass, but according to Cassie, she might not have always been that way. The truths revealed about her character over the course of the novel are actually really surprising ones. I know my mouth flew open at a couple of them. These kids are tenacious, so they do break her walls down a little bit by the end of this particular story, but I am curious what that dynamic will look like moving forward.
Th novel is still told through Cassie’s eyes, so it’s hard to get a proper read on what Dean is actually going through, though having to visit your serial killer father again after five years has to mess you up to a certain degree. When reading about the interactions between Dean and his father, it’s easy to understand why he has cut himself off from people. He’s worried he’s the next Daniel Redding, and that’s all Redding really hopes for. I’m sure some of those traits are there, but I really can’t ever picture Dead giving into those impulses. He has empathy, and that’s the most important thing.
The killer’s reveal at the end is a bit of a letdown, but it’s hard to start of a series with such a strong killer and ending. She was able to make up for it with another serial killer’s involvement, but it still kind of fell flat for me. Also still a little annoying is the dance Cassie has gotten herself into between Michael and Dean. It’s clear the edge goes to Dean, though Michael could end up being “better” for her. I guess we’ll see how it all plays out in the last two novels. Overall, I’m glad I’m sticking with this series.