The Alliance

Matt Brolly brings a thought-provoking and unique premise to The Alliance. There are four killers in four different cities resulting in four murders at the same time and in the same way. FBI Special Agent Shannon Wallace is facing an unusual threat where a group of killers are working in unison.

A survivor witnesses each murder. How will they decide to share their stories? Their stories create a media storm, but The Alliance is just getting started. As Shannon sets up teams in the four cities, she and Special Agent Jacob Trevone head up the team in San Antonio. Is there a connection between the survivors or those murdered?

Shannon has an exemplary record in the field with the FBI and has only recently moved to headquarters to join the Behavioral Analysis Unit. She seems to live for work and is animated by a challenge. Her devotion to work has affected her private life and doesn’t always make her relatable. The characterization was well-done and readers see changes in Shannon, the investigators, and some of the survivors. Additionally, as readers get insights into the various characters’ journeys, it is easier to understand each character’s motives.

This crime thriller was an interesting look at psychopathy, society, and manipulation. However, the story switches points of view somewhat frequently between Shannon, the lead San Antonio detective Lieutenant Michael Boyd, and one of the survivors. This leads to some pacing issues. Despite this, I was pulled into the story line and couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.

The plot has a few twists and turns and is dark. Readers can test their investigative skills as the police search for answers, including motives, relationships, and who is behind this. While the ending was action-packed, it wasn’t fully what I desired or expected. Additionally, there is a thread that could point to this being the first book in a series. Several themes are woven into the story-line including murder, social media impacts, orchestration of events, power, friendship, aloneness, secrets, trust, lack of empathy, and notoriety.

Overall, this is a dark and gripping psychological thriller with a unique plot that kept me hooked. Matt Brolly is one of my favorite authors and though this one book isn’t my first choice, it is well-done and full of suspense, action, and investigations by the police and FBI. I recommend it to fans of police procedurals and psychological thrillers.

Thomas & Mercer and Matt Brolly provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be April 23, 2024.