LIFE OR DEATH
by Andrea Kane
March 16 – April 10, 2026 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
FORENSIC INSTINCTS
Who killed Ryan McKay’s cousin?
In suburban Westchester County, just outside the frenetic pace of New York City, a deadly murder occurs. After a violent struggle, FBI agent Shane Walsh is dead and his wife, Caitlin, has vanished. At the urging of a mysterious text, the Walshes’ nine-year-old daughter, Kennedy, has been safely whisked away by a close family member.
The FBI is determined to bring down whoever assassinated one of its own and is focusing on Caitlin as a prime suspect. Ryan McKay, Forensic Instincts’ chief technology officer, as well as Shane’s cousin and lifelong friend, vehemently disagrees. Ryan knows the Walsh family well. He insists that Caitlin is innocent, and that she, herself, is in danger.
After convincing his team to cast a wider net, Ryan leads FI on a zigzag course across two continents to locate Caitlin, sidestepping the FBI at every turn, and protecting Kennedy at all costs. But the FBI is on the warpath, and threatens to permanently shut down Forensic Instincts if they don’t back off. Undeterred by the FBI’s threats, FI goes underground in pursuit of their rogue mission.
As the pace quickens, Kennedy becomes the target of unnerving text messages. Both The FBI and the Forensic Instincts teams sense that the end game is near and that the chess match is spiraling to a stunning conclusion. Determined to declare “checkmate” before the killer, Forensic Instincts must not only protect Kennedy but make sure that their team doesn’t end up as collateral damage when the king falls.
Praise for Life Or Death:
“Life Or Death is a riveting read that explodes right from the opening pages with the shocking murder of an FBI agent – then takes the reader on a non-stop, roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense during a desperate search to find the victim’s missing wife and to protect his 9-year-old daughter. Andrea Kane really delivers the goods in this book, the 11th in her Forensic Instincts series.”
~ R.G. Belsky, author of the Clare Carlson mystery series
“An adrenaline-fueled joyride. Andrea Kane doesn’t pump the brakes in LIFE OR DEATH. Centered around family ties, and who can you really trust when shadowy forces close in? Combustible pacing and a cast of characters you can’t get out of your head long after the last page.”
~ James L’Etoile — award-winning author of River of Lies and the Detective Nathan Parker series
“Life or Death, the latest heart-stopping thriller from New York Times bestselling author Andrea Kane, delivers nonstop tension, emotional depth, and a twist-filled chase that spans continents. When an FBI agent is murdered and his wife vanishes, the elite Forensic Instincts team must outsmart the Bureau itself to uncover the truth. Ms. Kane once again proves why she's a master of psychological suspense. Fans of razor-sharp plotting, unforgettable characters, and fast-paced suspense will devour this one!”
~ Marjorie McCown, author of The Hollywood Mystery Series
“Forensic Instincts’ leader, Casey, is recovering from an injury sustained in a previous case when tragedy strikes. An employee’s cousin is murdered, and his wife has vanished. Left behind is their traumatized eleven-year-old daughter, Kennedy. As the FBI and Forensic Instincts compete to solve the case, Kennedy’s close-knit family and the FI team surround her with love and support. Life or Death, the eleventh book in Andrea Kane’s gripping series, draws readers into an emotional high-stakes race for the truth.”
~ Stacy Wilder, author of the Liz Adams Mystery series
Life Or Death Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Published by: Bonnie Meadow Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: March 17, 2026
Number of Pages: 304, HC
ISBN: 9781682320686 (ISBN10: 1682320685), HC
Series: Forensic Instincts, Book 11 | Each is a stand-alone novel
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | RBmedia, Audiobook Links
Read an excerpt:
Bronx River Parkway
Friday, 3:55 p.m.
It wasn’t rush hour—not quite yet. So the drive was an hour plus away. That now left a short distance to go.
Ryan remained quiet and tense, staring out the passenger window as he had throughout the trip to Westchester County.
“Where are we going in New Rochelle?” Marc finally asked, glancing at his GPS, aware that he didn’t recognize the address Ryan had given him.
“To my cousin, Shane Walsh’s, house,” Ryan replied.
Marc nodded as they reached their exit and he eased his car around a loop and off the parkway. “Tell me only what I need to know. I’m not going to pry.”
“You’re not prying. I’m just really freaking out.” Ryan cleared his throat and relayed the entire situation to Marc.
Marc took it all in. “You’ve mentioned that you had a cousin with the Bureau. But that’s about all you’ve said, other than the fact that he has a wife and a young daughter.”
Ryan shrugged. “Shane’s a private guy, so I don’t talk about him much. He’s a Special Agent, Violent Crimes division, at the New York field office. He’s been there since he joined the FBI about eight years ago.”
“Does Hutch know him?”
“I never asked. But I doubt it. Hutch is in charge of all the Violent Crimes divisions. That’s too high up to know every agent who works under him.” Ryan pointed, shifting to the edge of his seat, and reiterating what the GPS was already showing them. “Make your next right. Two blocks down and make a left. Go through a few lights. You’ll see a cul-de-sac on your right. Marigold Terrace. Shane’s house is number 15.”
Marc understood that Ryan’s redundant supply of information was a manifestation of his anxiety. He just nodded again, then pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal to speed them up without accelerating too much. Suburban cops lived for speed traps.
Four minutes later, Marc turned onto Marigold Terrace and eased slowly around the curvy road.
“Three down on your left,” Ryan instructed. “White clapboard house, blue shutters.” His tension intensified as Marc reached Shane’s home. “That’s Caitlin’s car parked in the driveway. And Shane’s parked in his usual spot on the street. If they’re both home…but they don’t want Kennedy there… Shit.”
Ryan flung open the passenger door before Marc had brought the car to a complete stop. He was halfway to the front door, digging in his pocket for the key Shane had given him long ago, when Marc reached his side.
“Ryan, wait.” Marc grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
“Why?”
Marc tugged out the two pairs of latex gloves and shoved one pair into Ryan’s hand. “Put these on.”
Ryan gritted his teeth, while he and Marc worked their hands into the gloves. “Can’t leave any new fingerprints,” he muttered. “In case this is a crime scene.” He sounded ill.
“Is the door unlocked?” Marc asked, quickly assessing the garage door, which was up. He might have suggested accessing the house through there, but Ryan was already in motion. And time was precious.
Ryan jiggled the doorknob. “No.”
“Okay, use the key. I’ve got my Glock. Let’s go.”
Ryan’s hands were shaking as he turned the key and pushed open the door.
He and Marc stepped inside. The foyer was empty and quiet. In fact, the whole house was silent in a way that suggested no one was home.
“Shane?” Ryan called. A pause. “Caitlin?” No response. No sound of footsteps. Nothing.
Marc eased his way in front of Ryan, then crept ahead, sweeping the area with his gun.
Ryan followed behind him, aware that, not only was Marc armed, he was former FBI. He was trained at this. Ryan was not.
They’d barely gone fifteen feet, when Marc caught something in his peripheral vision, and swerved to his right. “Shit,” he muttered.
Ryan peered around him and gasped. Just outside the bathroom was a crumpled body, unmoving and lying in a pool of blood. Beside it, were two shell casings and a cell phone that had been crushed. On the other side of the cell phone was a jagged line of blood.
The inconsistency of the blood pattern struck Marc at once. Reflexively, he whipped out his cell phone and took a few quick photos.
Ryan was in a whole different headspace. Pushing past Marc, he strode over, squatting as he reached the body. “Shane,” he managed.
“Oh my God. Shane.”
Marc was beside Ryan in a heartbeat, restraining him from doing anything that would contaminate the scene. He leaned over Shane’s body, checking for a pulse, a breath—any sign of life.
There were none.
Marc gripped Ryan’s arm, standing and pulling him to his feet. Ryan’s entire body was stiff with shock, but Marc knew that consolation would have to wait.
“Ryan, we’ve got to get out of the house,” he said, visually sweeping as much of the ground floor as he could. “The killer might still be inside. He might have Caitlin.” A hard swallow, as Marc considered the possibility that she might also be dead. That additional jagged line of blood didn’t bode well. “I’ll call 911 as soon as we’re on the front lawn.”
Ryan didn’t budge. He was staring, wild-eyed, down at Shane’s lifeless form. It was only when Marc tugged insistently at his forearm that he regained some semblance of awareness. “No, Marc.” He gave a firm shake of his head. “I have to stay with him.”
“He’s gone,” Marc stated simply, placing a supportive hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “But Caitlin might not be. Let’s get the EMTs and the cops here. We might be saving her life.”
Slowly, Ryan turned, allowing Marc to lead him outside the house and to the front lawn, where he sank down on the grass, still unable to process this horrific occurrence.
Marc kept his Glock at the ready—just in case it was needed. “I’ll watch the windows and the doorways to block any attempt at escape,” he told Ryan. When there was no response, Marc glanced down, giving Ryan a worried look. The poor guy was staring off into space and wasn’t even hearing him.
Stationing himself close to his friend’s side, Marc took out his iPhone and called 911.
“What is your emergency?” was the immediate response.
Marc supplied his name, the address of the crime scene, and then, in staccato phrases, the necessary information.
He disconnected the call, knowing that it would be two minutes, at the most, before the ambulance showed up. He used the time wisely, pressing the button to Hutch’s private cell phone line.
One ring. Then, “Marc?”
“We’re in New Rochelle,” Marc said. “Ryan’s cousin, Shane Walsh, has been killed at his home. He worked for the Bureau, New York field office, Violent Crimes. I called 911, so the locals must already have been dispatched.”
Not even a heartbeat of a pause. “Text me the address.”
“Already done.”
“Then I’m on my way.”
***
Excerpt from Life Or Death by Andrea Kane. Copyright 2026 by Andrea Kane. Reproduced with permission from Andrea Kane. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including nineteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller.
She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Life or Death, forces this eclectic team of investigators to navigate a high wire act between the FBI on one side and a vicious killer looking to terminate the rest of a young family on the other. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence That Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, A Face To Die For, Dead In A Week, No Stone Unturned, At Any Cost, Struck Dead and Life or Death.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan.
Catch Up With Andrea Kane:
AndreaKane.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @akane
BookBub – @writetome1
Instagram – @AuthorAndreaKane
X – @andrea_kane
Facebook – @AuthorAndreaKane
TikTok – @author.ak
RBmedia Audiobooks
Tour Participant Reviews:
‘Wow. What a book! From the first pages, I was hooked, and by the end I was completely wrapped up in Casey’s dilemma and Ryan’s fiercely protective love for his family. On each page, the stakes feel huge, but it’s the emotional pull that really got me.’
~ Hott Books
‘Andrea Kane is just so dang clever! OMG—I absolutely loved this one! I know I say this literally every single time, but seriously… this one really might be my favorite! I love that these books have just a touch of paranormal elements. Job well done, Andrea! I can’t wait for the next book—I’m a fan forever.’
~ Wall-to-wall Books
‘The story is very engaging as once you start the book you can not help but be pulled into the world of Ryan and the FI team, as they are trying to solve Shane’s murder and track down what happened to Caitlin his wife. I really liked the characters in this book, they were real and relatable.’
~ Country Mamas With Kids
‘I have liked this series. Kane has created and interesting mix of people in the Forensic Instincts group, including a woman who has deep insight and can detect truths from items belonging to a victim. Having read all of the books in the series, I know the group well and appreciate each one’s unique abilities. The personal lives of FI members play an important part of this ongoing series, making it more interesting than just a pure investigation novel. I recommend it.’
~ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
‘I love being able to read anything that comes from this author. Her attention to detail is strong – and there is always such great suspenseful content that is packed in. Oh so much going on – but I could not put this book down. If you like a jam packed full of suspense and heart pounding action, this book is for you.’
~ Because I said so
‘This was a fast paced FBI thriller… I don’t typically read crime thrillers like this but I enjoyed this one! If you like shows like Criminal Minds or Bones, you’ll like this.’
~ Reads_and_Riding
‘This story caught my attention from the very first page. This book had me hooked as it goes down the seemingly never-ending mystery of who murdered Shane and whether Catlyn was still alive. Get yourself a copy below its good!!’
~ Sarcastically Yours, Jen
‘In only a couple of chapters, the author had made me a part of the McKay and Forensic Instincts families, and I felt their sorrow. From that point on, I was so invested in the FI team finding the killer, living through their grief, and desperate for them to bring Caitlin home to her little girl. There is plenty of clever misdirection, surprising twists and turns, and some covert outside assistance enters the picture to keep the suspense high and the pages turning.’
~ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
‘As a crime junkie fan, I really enjoyed this book. I also loved the family dynamic involved. There are lots of twists and turns to keep you in your toes as you learn who did what and why.’
~ crystal.s.2
‘Jumping into book eleven of a series can feel risky but Life or Death made it ridiculously easy. What really pulled me in was how personal this mission becomes. The moment the case connects to one of their own the stakes shift and the team closes ranks like family. Andrea Kane made me feel like I walked into an established world and still never felt lost. If this is what book eleven looks like I am more than ready to go back and see what I have been missing.’
~ FullyBookedInKentucky
‘Character driven stories are among my favorite reads. It makes the reading experience genuine when you learn their ins and outs and what drives them. This series is very much character driven, with something cool thrown in. Forensic Instincts, FI, is a team of people who help people who can’t help themselves. Each team member has their unique training and instincts. Some with extra abilities.’
~ fuonlyknew
‘This book was fast-paced and had tons of action that kept me on my toes. There was never a dull moment, and I was totally hooked. There was a compelling mystery, page-turning suspense, and a big twist.’
~ dianas_books_cars_coffee
‘There is something quietly magical about a rainy afternoon, a steaming mug of tea, and a book that grabs you by the collar before you even reached the second chapter. That is exactly what happened to me with Life or Death by Andrea Kane. Finishing this book made me want to go back to the beginning of the series. The team dynamic is so appealing, and Kane has clearly built something rich and layered across eleven books. The blend of procedural tension, family loyalty, institutional conflict, and genuine emotional stakes makes this one of the more satisfying thrillers I have read so far this year.’
~ Nevermore Lane
‘Author Andrea Kane delivers another installment in a series known for its compelling characters and rich storylines. As always, the author adds additional depth to the relationships of the FI team. Life or Death delivers a twist-filled chase, forcing Forensic Instincts to pull out all the stops.’
~ Novels Alive
‘Life or Death by Andrea Kane is a fantastic cat and mouse game as things heat between two government agencies trying to find the killer. Andrea Kane’s characters, plot, and mysterious edge gives this book so much life. It was fun thrill ride for answers. There are high stakes, overseas operations, grief, loss, government agency politics, and an electrifying emotional atmosphere on every page.’
~ The AR Critique
‘I’ve always been a big fan of this series because the characters are just so interesting. It always feels like visiting old friends when I pick up the latest book. I always enjoy watching this team work together to put the pieces together. Ryan and Claire really shine this time’
~ From the TBR Pile
‘I always love returning to the Forensic Instincts world. I get a great crime thriller as well as a comfortable cast of fully developed characters. The crime plot is intricately plotted with plenty of twists along the way, but it also has a very clever misdirection that changes the entire focus of the case. I highly recommend this fast-paced crime thriller and encourage you to try the entire Forensic Instincts series!’
~ Avonna Loves Genres
‘One thing I enjoy about this series is the fact that the author puts the ‘crime’ out front and then the reader is taken through the ins and outs of the investigation – the good, the bad, the ugly, but that final twist in the end when things were wrapping up? Didn’t expect that.’
~ Melissa A’s Blog
Tour Host Info:
Book Formats: Print, Edelweiss
Hosting Options: Review, Interview, Guest Post, Showcase
Giveaway: There will be a tour-wide PICT Giveaway
More: According to the author Life Or Death does not include: Excessive Strong Language, Graphic Violence, Explicit Sexual Scenes, or Rape. However, readers may encounter content that is considered to be another trigger situation. Generally the content is considered to be no more than R-rated content.
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