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The Setup
If The Risk was the flirtatious smirk across a crowded room, Sidetracked is the first reckless kiss pressed up against the wall—still breathless, still dangerous, and still hiding a switchblade behind its back.
S.T. Abby’s second installment in the viral Mindfck* series keeps the throttle pressed down, refusing to give you even a cigarette break between moral quandaries, body bags, and bedroom heat. At roughly 150 pages, it’s lean, bloody, and addictively readable—like bingeing a true crime podcast with a forbidden romance subplot you can’t stop rooting for.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-light)
When we left off in The Risk, Lana Myers, our vigilante serial killer heroine, had her claws deep in a vengeance mission: hunting down the men who destroyed her life years ago. Meanwhile, Logan Bennett—the FBI profiler assigned to the murder spree—was falling for her, oblivious that his lover and his case study are the same person.
Sidetracked picks up with the heat turned up. Lana is juggling:
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her carefully orchestrated killings,
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her budding relationship with Logan (who is frustratingly, maddeningly perfect),
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and the ever-tightening noose of FBI suspicion.
This is the book where emotions tangle with obsession. Logan isn’t just attracted anymore—he’s invested. He introduces Lana to his world, his friends, and even dares to imagine a future with her. Lana, who has built her existence on rage and secrecy, begins to crack. The duality of “killer” versus “girlfriend” becomes harder to sustain.
Meanwhile, the investigation escalates. Logan edges closer to truths he doesn’t realize will wreck him, while Lana edges closer to finishing her revenge hit list. The collisions are inevitable. The real question is: which explosion comes first—the personal or the professional?
The Leads
Lana Myers — Our Blade-Wielding Black Widow
If The Risk showed us her efficiency, Sidetracked shows us her vulnerability. Lana doesn’t suddenly grow soft; instead, Abby gives us glimpses of the woman beneath the vengeance. Her desire for Logan isn’t just lust—it’s the ache of someone starved of normalcy trying to taste it for the first time in years.
But don’t mistake that for weakness. When it’s kill o’clock, Lana is still precise, still terrifying, and still morally unflinching.
Logan Bennett — FBI Boy Scout With a Gun and a Heart
Logan, bless him, is head over heels. He sees Lana as this enigmatic, strong, beautiful woman—and he wants to see more. He believes he’s peeling back her layers. The cruel irony, of course, is that the layer he most needs to see is drenched in blood.
What makes Logan so compelling in Sidetracked is his optimism. He wants to believe in love, in justice, in people’s ability to overcome darkness. Which makes his attraction to Lana both tragically ironic and unbearably tense.
Supporting Cast
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Hadley & Jake — Logan’s colleagues who bring levity and friendship. They also play the narrative role of raising stakes—because every time Lana interacts with them, we feel the ticking clock of discovery.
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The FBI team — Professional, observant, closing in. They’re not bumbling lawmen; they’re smart, and their competence makes Lana’s dance of deception razor-sharp.
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The Villains — The ghosts of Lana’s past, still alive, still needing to be taken off her list. If Book 1 was setup, Book 2 sharpens the knife.
Quotes
A couple of standout lines that encapsulate the mood without spoiling major reveals:
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“They think I’m sidetracked. That love has made me sloppy. They don’t realize—it’s made me sharper.” — Lana
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“Every time I touch her, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff. And I don’t care if I fall.” — Logan
The first highlights Lana’s refusal to let romance dilute her mission. The second shows Logan’s slow-burn slide into dangerous devotion.
Tropes & Vibes
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Serial killer heroine x FBI profiler hero (still delicious, still taboo)
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Lying by omission (a LOT of it)
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Sleeping with the enemy
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Revenge quest with cathartic kills
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Found family tension (Logan’s friends vs. Lana’s secrets)
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Dual identity (“Lana the girlfriend” vs. “Lana the killer”)
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Fast-paced novella format (read-in-one-sitting energy)
Trigger Warnings
Like its predecessor, Sidetracked is not a safe romance.
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Graphic violence and murder (vigilante style)
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Sexual assault referenced in backstory (not on-page but heavy)
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Childhood trauma
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Profanity and explicit sexual content
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Themes of manipulation, deceit, and moral ambiguity
If those are deal-breakers, steer clear. If you’re here for the bloody thrill ride—you’ll be at home.
Craft Notes
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Pacing: Abby writes novellas that punch like novels. Each chapter ends on either a gut punch or a kiss, daring you to stop (you won’t).
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Tone: Dark, but leavened by Logan’s warmth and Lana’s sardonic humor. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, you’ll fan yourself.
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Romance vs. Thriller balance: The smut is spicy but never derails the suspense. The FBI subplot never overshadows the romance. It’s a tightrope act, and Abby walks it like a pro.
What Works
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The tension: You know Logan will eventually discover Lana’s secret. The dread is half the fun.
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The spice: Logan and Lana’s chemistry ignites here in a way Book 1 only teased.
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The revenge kills: Bloody, inventive, cathartic. Abby doesn’t hold back.
What Might Not
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Cliffhanger territory: While not cruel, Sidetracked doesn’t resolve much. It’s clearly a “Part Two,” not a standalone.
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Morality gymnastics: If you need your heroines squeaky-clean, Lana will break your brain.
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Violence threshold: Even more graphic than Book 1.
Verdict
Sidetracked is where the Mindfck* series really earns its name. Lana and Logan’s romance sharpens, the body count climbs, and the moral lines blur further. It’s intoxicating, frustrating, and undeniably bingeable.
If The Risk hooked you, Sidetracked will reel you in deeper. Just…make sure you’ve already downloaded Scarlet Angel, because the moment you hit the last page, you’ll need it.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 bloody roses out of 5)
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