I just finished reading Killer Instinct, the second book in James Patterson’s Instinct series, and let me tell you—this one grabbed me right from page one. Literally. It starts with a murder.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely—especially if you’re already a James Patterson fan or you love crime fiction. This book is like a Law & Order: SVU marathon, but with shorter chapters and less Ice-T. The short chapters kept the story flying along, which is crucial for someone like me, who basically has 2,432 browser tabs open in my brain at all times. I need fast-moving stories or I start mentally reorganizing the pantry while I read.
I liked Elizabeth's character, but Dylan Reinhart really won me over. His sarcasm? That’s my second language. And as a fellow teacher, I felt a kinship with him—because yes, sometimes you have to get creative to keep students in line. (And no, I don’t mean ex-CIA-level creative. But…never say never.)
There were some emotional moments. I was genuinely disappointed when Tracy, Dylan’s husband, left after Dylan came clean about his CIA past. I mean, come on, Tracy—if you love someone, you stay. You compromise. You don’t just pack up because your spouse used to be a spy. That’s prime dinner party conversation material!
The plot moves fast, with terrorism, secret identities, and more twists than a pretzel factory. I was especially fascinated (and slightly alarmed) by the idea of a device called a Halo—a necklace that can hide your face from cameras. Is that real? I don’t know, but now I want one. Not because I’m planning anything sketchy, but because I look terrible in security footage.
My favorite quote? Hands down:
“A straight girl shacking up with two gay white guys who have a black South African baby,” Tracy said, “And we’re all eating Chinese food. This is either a Benetton ad or the pilot for a sit-com that’s trying way too hard.”
That line made me laugh out loud. It’s moments like that—humor tucked into intense scenes—that really made this book shine for me.
Compared to Murder Games, the first in the series, I liked this one more—probably because I read it in print instead of listening to the audiobook. Turns out, I process mysteries better with my eyes than my ears. Who knew?
If I were casting a movie adaptation, I’d pick Nathan Fillion as Dylan Reinhart. He’s got that perfect blend of charm, sarcasm, and “I might secretly be a genius.” And for Elizabeth? Easy—I’d cast my cousin Kristina Jimenez. She’s beautiful, brilliant, and let’s be honest, it’s about time someone in the family got a starring role.
Overall, I’m giving Killer Instinct an 8 out of 10. It was a solid, entertaining read, and I enjoyed it a lot—but not quite enough to re-read. It’s heading to the book exchange pile next time I hit the nail salon. Hopefully, someone else picks it up and enjoys it as much as I did.
