I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. I liked the cover and I like serial killers. I got more than I bargained for. I had never read anything by Erin Young. I didn't realize this was book 2 of a series, and other than not knowing details of Riley's background, which there were enough of here to get the gist of it, this book was fine as a standalone. It is a good FBI procedural with a complicated plot, and a realistic portrait of America post-pandemic. There were a lot of characters that I frequently got confused when listening to in small snatches. Once I listened for a long period this resolved. Narrator Kate Handford did an excellent job bringing Riley to life and was easy to listen to. Riley is a smart feisty heroine. Having been a police sergeant she left the force and joined the FBI. Assigned to a position with an unfriendly partner she's not sure she can trust and a boss that doesn't like her, she wades right into two cases she believes are connected- a threat against the Iowa's governor and her family and the case of a serial killer named the Sin Eater. It involves violent homegrown terrorists, religious fanatics, con men, and women haters, the things we are reading about in the news daily. It demonstrates how easily some people can fall under the influence of these people. I think it will haunt me for awhile. ( )

Original Sins is the newest book from Erin Young.

This second book in a series brings back Riley Fisher, now a FBI rookie. She needs to hit the ground running as she's been assigned to protect the new governor, who has received death threats. And a historical serial killer named The Sin Eater, seems to be back...

Riley is an engaging lead character. She's smart, intuitive and driven. But she's being stymied by a co worker. He doesn't want to work with Riley, leaving her out and taking off on his own tangents. Riley wonders if it's her personally - or is it all women? This is a theme throughout the book in Riley's beliefs, actions and in her work. I also enjoyed the personal life Young has written for Riley.

This book is set in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm familiar with this area and it was fun to say "I've been there". But also a little worrisome about such a dark crime being committed in this area!

The book is busy with two crimes, a raft of suspects and supporting players. Young gives the listener many paths and a choice of culprits to consider before the final ah ha moments. Gentle readers - there are some triggers in the book.

I chose to listen to Original Sins. The reader was Kate Handford. She did a great job of presenting Young's work. Handford speaks clearly, is easy on the ears and sets the perfect pace. She has lots of movement in her voice and she easily expresses the emotions of the characters and the action of the plot. She has created a voice that suits the mental image I had for Riley. Voices for male characters are believable. ( )

While this is the second book about Riley Fisher, it can be read as a standalone (I have the first book on my TBR, but I haven't read it yet!). Riley Fisher is a newly appointed FBI agent, though she has several years of law enforcement experience under her belt. Assigned to a small office in Des Moines, she gets caught up in a plot against the female governor and an investigation into a serial killer while dealing with a stand-offish boss and a secretive fellow agent. Great suspense and drama that kept me hooked until the end!

Thanks to Flatiron Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. ( )