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The Naturals summary
Brief summary
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a thrilling mystery novel about a group of teenagers with unique abilities who are recruited by the FBI to help solve cold cases. As they delve into the world of criminal profiling, they uncover dark secrets and face danger at every turn.
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The Naturals
Summary of key ideas
An Unnatural Situation
In The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, we meet Cassie, a girl with a remarkable ability to read people. She can tell when someone is lying, a skill she has developed from a young age, due to a tragic event in her past. After her mother's murder, Cassie becomes obsessed with finding the truth and the person responsible. This obsession leads her to a secluded house in the woods, where she meets a group of teenagers with unique abilities, all of whom are part of the FBI's secretive Naturals program.
The program is designed to train teenagers with exceptional skills related to solving crimes. Cassie's ability to read people makes her a natural at profiling, and she is recruited to help solve cold cases. The other members of the program have their own extraordinary gifts, including a human lie detector, a statistics prodigy, a human polygraph, and a brilliant puzzle solver, but they also have their own dark histories and secrets.
Uncovering Secrets and Solving Crimes
As Cassie gets to know the other Naturals, she starts to uncover their secrets and the traumas that led to their unique abilities. Michael, the human lie detector, is haunted by his sister's murder. Dean, the statistics prodigy, is struggling to deal with the death of his parents. Lia, the human polygraph, is hiding a traumatic past. Sloane, the puzzle solver, is dealing with a loss that has left her emotionally detached. As they delve into their first case together, they not only solve the crime but also form a close-knit bond.
The case involves a serial killer who targets young women and leaves behind cryptic messages. As the Naturals work together, they realize that the killer is someone within their own secluded community. The tension mounts as they try to uncover the killer's identity while also dealing with their own personal struggles and complicated relationships. Cassie, in particular, finds herself drawn to both Dean and Michael, creating a love triangle that adds another layer of complexity to the plot.
A Race Against Time
As the Naturals get closer to uncovering the killer's identity, the killer becomes aware of their investigation and starts targeting them. The group realizes that the killer is one of them, and they have to race against time to unmask the murderer before it's too late. They are faced with betrayal, danger, and loss, but their unique abilities and unwavering determination keep them going.
In a nail-biting climax, the Naturals confront the killer, and the truth about the murderer's identity shocks them all. In the end, they manage to survive the deadly encounter, but not without significant emotional and physical scars. The first case may be solved, but the Naturals know that their journey is far from over. They are left grappling with the aftermath of the case and the uncertainties of their future in the program.
Conclusion
In The Naturals, Jennifer Lynn Barnes crafts a riveting tale of crime, friendship, and self-discovery. The story is filled with unexpected twists, complex characters, and an atmospheric setting that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. As the first book in a series, The Naturals sets the stage for more thrilling adventures and deeper explorations of the characters' abilities and personal histories. It's a compelling start to a series that promises to keep readers engrossed in a world where the natural and the unnatural collide.
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What is The Naturals about?
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a thrilling mystery novel that follows a group of teenagers with extraordinary abilities. When Cassie is recruited to join a secret FBI program, she discovers that her natural talent for profiling could help solve cold cases. As she delves deeper into the world of criminal investigation, she uncovers shocking truths about her own past. With twists and turns at every corner, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The Naturals Review
The Naturals (2013) is a thrilling mystery novel about a group of teenagers with unique abilities who help solve cold cases. Here's why this book is definitely worth your time:
- Featuring a cast of complex, intriguing characters, it offers a fresh take on the typical crime-solving narrative, keeping readers engaged throughout.
- The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to piece together the clues alongside the protagonists.
- Through its fast-paced plot and attention to detail, the book manages to captivate readers, ensuring that every page turn brings a new revelation or suspenseful moment.
Who should read The Naturals?
Readers who enjoy mystery and crime novels
Young adults interested in psychological thrillers
Those who like stories with complex and relatable characters
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The Naturals FAQs
What is the main message of The Naturals?
Trust your instincts in solving crimes with FBI academy young profilers.
How long does it take to read The Naturals?
Expect a thrilling mystery to unfold in a few hours. Blinkist summary is a quick read.
Is The Naturals a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Naturals is compelling with twists that keep you engaged. A must-read mystery.
Who is the author of The Naturals?
Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the talented author behind The Naturals.
What to read after The Naturals?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Naturals, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher