The Dylan Reinhart series by James Patterson and his frequent collaborator, Howard Roughan, started life in 2017 with MURDER GAMES. Two things happened to muddy the waters just a touch: it became the inspiration for the television show “Instinct,” which prompted the book to change its title to INSTINCT as well. As a result of the interest in the Dylan Reinhart character, we now have a second installment in the canon, KILLER INSTINCT, which also marks the return of NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham. The TV series was canceled last month, but hopefully the novels will continue. Given the strength of this latest entry, one can only hope.

Dylan is a college professor who is best known as the author of a book on the psychology of murder, which has become the definitive work on the subject. KILLER INSTINCT takes a few pages before Dylan is reintroduced --- there is an extremely interesting seduction and murder featured in a vignette that opens the proceedings --- but once things get rolling, he is front and center. We initially encounter Dylan in his classroom, gently tormenting his class with a final exam. He barely leaves them as they groan behind him before he receives terrible news. New York has been the subject of a terrorist act once again, and he is in the thick of it.

"There are a lot of corkscrews to KILLER INSTINCT, as well as explosions, karate, gunfire and sex. In other words, it is full of everything that those of us who read thrillers want and expect."

Actually, Elizabeth is as well, and when she commits a selfless act of heroism, she is pushed, however reluctantly, into the spotlight. It’s a mixed blessing at best, particularly because she becomes the target of the terrorist behind the attack. Dylan and Elizabeth are thrust together once again, with his psychological knowledge and her canny abilities merging and melding nicely as they race against time to prevent another attack.

We get to know both of them, especially Dylan, a bit better here. He has somewhat of a backstory that he tries to keep secret, but as anyone who lives there or has even visited knows, New York is one great big small town, and the ley lines of relationships, past and present, frequently intersect. In Dylan’s case, one of the names on the list of casualties brings him up short. He soon finds himself calling in old favors, including some surprising ones.

Meanwhile, the terrorist and his team are plotting a second stage to their attack on an unknown target in New York. This results in a race against time that Dylan and Elizabeth have almost no hope of winning, either dead or alive.

There are a lot of corkscrews to KILLER INSTINCT, as well as explosions, karate, gunfire and sex. In other words, it is full of everything that those of us who read thrillers want and expect. Patterson and Roughan never disappoint. The two lead characters follow different trails, meeting up just enough to remind readers that this is a team book. While fans of the aforementioned television show may be disappointed by their loss, they are well-served by the continuation of this series. Anyway, reading is better for you. Right?