Series: Callahan and McLain # 4
Format: 352 pages, Kindle Edition
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Publisher: Montlake
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
All Detective Mason Callahan wanted was a quiet fishing trip with the guys—a chance to get away and unwind before Halloween.
Until he finds the body of his boss, Denny Schefte, near their remote Oregon cabin. Now all he wants is to catch the sadist who slit Denny’s throat and covered his face with a mask. Mason was the last person to see him alive and will stop at nothing to find his friend’s murderer.
When the FBI learns of the mask left at the scene, they realize they have a serial killer on their hands—one who is targeting cops. They assign the case to Special Agent Ava McLane, despite her engagement to Mason. Barely recovered from her own nearly fatal injury and her sister’s attempted suicide, Ava hopes she is ready to chase another killer.
But as she delves into the increasingly disturbing case, the killer may be closer than expected—dangerously close.
Targeted is the 4th installment in author Kendra Elliot's Callahan and McLane series featuring Special Agent Ava McLane and Detective Mason Callahan. Targeted serves as the conclusion to the four-book series featuring FBI Special Agent Ava McLane and Oregon State Police Detective Mason Callahan, and no, I have not read the first 3 books yet. One day, perhaps! Mason Callahan heads out on a relaxing fishing trip with fellow law-enforcement buddies to a remote Oregon cabin just before Halloween.
His plans shatter when he discovers the body of his boss, Captain Denny Schefte—throat slit and face covered by a horror movie mask. What begins as a personal tragedy quickly escalates when the FBI recognizes the signature: a serial killer targeting cops and leaving victims adorned with iconic horror masks (think Pinhead, Freddy Krueger, and others). Ava McLane, Mason’s fiancée and an FBI agent still recovering from a near-fatal injury (and family trauma involving her twin sister), gets assigned to the case despite the obvious conflict of interest.
As more officers fall victim and the killer’s taunts grow bolder and more personal, Ava and Mason must navigate professional boundaries, personal fears, and a predator who seems dangerously close to their circle. The story blends high-stakes police procedural work with intimate emotional stakes in the Pacific Northwest setting Elliot knows so well. Elliot excels at creating relatable, resilient protagonists.
Mason is portrayed as strong yet vulnerable—protective without being overbearing, deeply loyal, and emotionally intelligent. Ava continues her arc of growth: she’s competent and independent but learns to lean on her partner while confronting lingering trauma and family dynamics (particularly her complicated relationship with her troubled twin, Jayne). Supporting characters (including Ava’s FBI partner Zander and various law enforcement colleagues) add depth and texture.
The ensemble feels authentic, with subplots like Ava’s family struggles providing emotional grounding without derailing the main investigation. Elliot builds tension masterfully from the chilling opening discovery, weaving in gruesome yet believable crime scenes and a killer whose motives and methods keep readers guessing. Horror movie mask references add a creepy, cinematic layer that heightens unease.
The procedural elements—task force dynamics, evidence chasing, and inter-agency collaboration—are slick and well-researched, making the investigation feel credible and urgent. Twists are surprising without feeling contrived, and the escalating personal danger creates genuine stakes. As the series finale, it delivers a strong resolution to the central mystery while wrapping up Ava and Mason’s journey (with a few threads left open, possibly hinting at future appearances in Elliot’s interconnected universe, like the Columbia River series).
Fans of police procedurals with heart, creepy killers, and resilient couples will find plenty to love here. Highly recommended for a thrilling, page-turning read that leaves you satisfied yet eager for more of Elliot’s Oregon-set stories.
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