A review by phantomparagrapher7
In The Way by Ava Strong

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 
Ava Strong’s In The Way is a gripping psychological thriller that brings a literary twist to the serial killer genre. When iconic death scenes from classic literature begin unfolding in real life, FBI Agent Elle Keen must unravel the clues and outsmart a murderer who is using books as inspiration for their deadly crimes. 
One of the standout aspects of this novel is its ability to be read as a standalone, despite being part of a series. As someone who often finds myself accidentally reading books out of order (no matter how hard I try not to! LOL), I truly appreciate when an author crafts a story that doesn’t leave me feeling lost. This made In The Way even more enjoyable, as I could fully immerse myself in the mystery without needing prior knowledge of the series. 
Elle Keen is a phenomenal protagonist—sharp, intuitive, and deeply compelling. Her knack for decoding puzzles and literary references makes her the perfect match for this chilling case. As someone who enjoys cracking codes and solving riddles myself, I found Elle’s investigative style particularly fascinating. Her intelligence and determination kept me engaged, and I couldn’t help but imagine how thrilling it would be to have her job at the FBI. 
The novel is fast-paced, with non-stop suspense that keeps you turning pages late into the night. The killer’s method—recreating famous death scenes from classic novels—adds a chilling layer to the mystery, making each crime scene feel eerily familiar yet horrifyingly unique. 

Overall, In The Way is an enthralling crime thriller that combines literary intrigue with a relentless game of cat and mouse. With a strong, intelligent lead and a plot full of suspense, this book is perfect for fans of psychological mysteries with a dark, clever edge.