Before He Kills

The Author writes well, but the story was nothing more than an episode of SVU or Criminal intent. I also doubt that Blake Pierce has actually ever been to Nebraska. I have Nebraskan roots and have probably been there more than the average non-resident. Now my visits usually take me to actual rural NE (not Omaha, Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska), but it is not filled with backwards sexist morons who wouldn't know a religiously motivated crime when it slaps them in the face. The main characters boss calls looking at obvious clues “outside of the box thinking.” No wonder she has risen up in the ranks so quickly, the well worn male detectives don't know enough follow up on a code stamped into the pole. An obvious code at that. Half naked lady whipped and bound to a wooden pole? It's not a stroke of genius to check the Bible. Plus the verses and motivations did not make any sense. She doesn't even have any character development. Hard as nails female cop with a tragic past and bad relationships (familial and romantic.)The only thing she does is prove herself to these backwards “small town” men, she is flat and boring. The only reason I finished it was because it is so short. I can hang in there for sub 200 pages, much longer and I may have put it down. The bad guy was written decently, until his motive was spelled out. It just didn't make sense.