No One Home (A Sofia Blake FBI Suspense Thriller—Book Three)

By Ava Strong

FBI special agent Sofia Blake, with a Ph.D. in linguistics, can decipher any hidden codes, messages, or foreign languages the Bureau sends her way, finding patterns where others cannot and making her indispensable in tracking down the most heinous of serial killers. When a famous poet is murdered in San Francisco, the only clue is a torn sonnet discovered with her body. The missing lines could hold the key to finding the murderer. But can Sofia decipher them before another victim is murdered?

“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
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NO ONE HOME is Book #3 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.

Born into a family of speech pathologists and raised with a unique heritage of German, Egyptian, and French roots, Sofia Blake has always appreciated diverse languages and cultures. With her exceptional language skills and natural talent for decoding cryptic messages, Sofia shot to the top ranks of the FBI. It seemed nothing could slow her down—until her travel-journalist sister mysteriously disappeared ten years ago.

Now, haunted by her past and desperate for answers, Sofia vows to use her extraordinary talents to stop more tragedies from occurring.

Is her linguistic genius enough to stop the vilest of killers?

Or will the killers reach her before she can crack their codes?

A page-turning crime thriller full of jaw-dropping twists and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the SOFIA BLAKE mystery series introduces a brilliant new female protagonist and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

More books in the series are also available!

“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
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“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us
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“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
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“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
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“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”
—Reader review for The Death Code
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“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
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“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
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“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
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“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
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“Holy cow, what a rollercoaster… Many times I absolutely KNEW who the killer was—only to be proven wrong each time. I was completely surprised by the ending. I have to say, I am thrilled that this is the first in a series. My only complaint is that the next one isn't out yet. I need it!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An incredible, intense, spellbinding, enjoyable story. It will keep you captivated until the end.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Strong
• Release date: Jan 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781094383415

Book preview

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N O

O N E

H O M E

(a sofia blake fbi suspense thriller —book 3)

a v a   s t r o n g

Ava Strong

Ava Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); the MEGAN YORK FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and the SOFIA BLAKE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.avastrongauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2023 by Ava Strong. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Stone36, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY AVA STRONG

SOFIA BLAKE FBI SUSPSENSE THRILLER

NO ONE THERE (Book #1)

NO ONE LEFT (Book #2)

NO ONE HOME (Book #3)

NO ONE TO HELP (Book #4)

NO ONE LIKE THIS (Book #5)

MEGAN YORK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

YOU’LL BE SORRY (Book #1)

YOU’LL BE NEXT (Book #2)

YOU’LL BE MINE (Book #3)

YOU’LL BE FIRST (Book #4)

YOU’LL BE GONE (Book #5)

LILY DAWN FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

STILL ALIVE (Book #1)

STILL HOPE (Book #2)

STILL AWAKE (Book #3)

STILL HERE (Book #4)

STILL MAD (Book #5)

REMI LAURENT FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE DEATH CODE (Book #1)

THE MURDER CODE (Book #2)

THE MALICE CODE (Book #3)

THE VENGEANCE CODE (Book #4)

THE DECEPTION CODE (Book #5)

THE SEDUCTION CODE (Book #6)

ILSE BECK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT LIKE US (Book #1)

NOT LIKE HE SEEMED (Book #2)

NOT LIKE YESTERDAY (Book #3)

NOT LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOT LIKE SHE THOUGHT (Book #5)

NOT LIKE BEFORE (Book #6)

NOT LIKE NORMAL (Book #7)

STELLA FALL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER

HIS OTHER WIFE (Book #1)

HIS OTHER LIE (Book #2)

HIS OTHER SECRET (Book #3)

HIS OTHER MISTRESS (Book #4)

HIS OTHER LIFE (Book #5)

HIS OTHER TRUTH (Book #6)

DAKOTA STEELE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

WITHOUT MERCY (Book #1)

WITHOUT REMORSE (Book #2)

WITHOUT A PAST (Book #3)

WITHOUT PITY (Book #4)

WITHOUT HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

What am I even doing here? Titus wondered, listening to the eager chatter around him as the rest of the small crowd gathered in the theater waited for the performance to begin. And to think, I could be golfing with my buddies right now, throwing back a few beers and enjoying the breeze off the Pacific.

The small theater was a world of shadows and whispers. Flickering candles cast eerie, dancing patterns on the dark wood-paneled walls, creating an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation. Titus, a cosmopolitan entrepreneur with a taste for finer things, found himself completely out of place in the dimly lit, cramped space.

He glanced over at his girlfriend, Eloise, a petite brunette whose excitement was palpable despite the darkness. Her eyes sparkled as she clutched his arm, her grip tightening with each passing moment.

Isn't this wonderful, Titus? I've been waiting for weeks to see Silvana de Luca's poetry reading, she gushed enthusiastically.

Titus offered her a half-hearted smile, suppressing a sigh. In truth, he would have preferred attending an upscale art gallery opening or enjoying a quiet dinner at one of the city's many fine dining establishments—not to mention golfing. But for Eloise, he endured the crowded, dimly lit theater filled with hushed murmurs and the scent of melting wax.

Eloise was the prize, with her chocolate eyes and her cherry-red lips, looking as delicious to him as a bowl of the finest caviar. Then again, he would soon lose his appetite if this waiting kept up much longer.

Of course, darling, he replied, forcing enthusiasm into his voice. I'm looking forward to it.

Eloise beamed up at him, clearly thrilled by his feigned interest. Titus couldn't help but admire her passion for the arts, even if he didn't always share it. As the lights dimmed further and the chatter subsided, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for an evening of enigmatic verse and dramatic delivery.

Eloise's eyes sparkled in the dim candlelight as she leaned in closer to Titus, her enthusiasm for the event contagious. You know, she whispered excitedly, they say Silvana de Luca is not just a poet, but also an occultist. Some people believe her performances can invoke supernatural forces.

Titus glanced around at the flickering candles casting eerie shadows on the walls of the small theater, and couldn't help but feel a slight shiver down his spine. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to focus on Eloise's words rather than his own misgivings.

Really? he replied, feigning interest while his mind wandered to the stack of paperwork waiting for him at the office. He had agreed to attend this poetry reading with Eloise because he believed it was the only way to win her, but now he found himself regretting that decision. He would much rather be at home, poring over financial reports or discussing business strategies with his colleagues. She was an exquisite work of art, to be sure, but was she really worth such a sacrifice as this?

As Eloise continued to chatter about Silvana's rumored connections to the occult, Titus absentmindedly traced the intricate patterns on the armrest of his chair. He tried to suppress a sigh of impatience, reminding himself that this night was important to Eloise, and he had to support her passions if he was going to have any chance with her.

Apparently, some of her poems are said to contain hidden incantations that can summon spirits or even predict the future, Eloise went on, her voice hushed with awe. I've never seen her perform live before, but I've heard that strange things sometimes happen during her readings.

Titus raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear despite his efforts to appear engaged. That seems unlikely, he said, unable to keep the doubt from creeping into his tone. But I suppose it adds a unique element to her poetry.

Exactly! Eloise exclaimed, mistaking his skepticism for intrigue. It's not just about the words she writes, but the atmosphere she creates. It's like stepping into another world.

Titus forced a smile and nodded, amazed at how well his act was working.

The air in the small, candlelit theater grew heavy with anticipation as the audience murmured quietly among themselves. Titus shifted in his seat, the worn velvet beneath him providing little comfort as he cast a wary glance at the flickering shadows on the walls. Eloise gripped his hand, her excitement palpable and infectious to everyone but him.

Suddenly, a loud thump reverberated from behind the stage, startling the crowd into silence. The abrupt noise sent a jolt of adrenaline through Titus's body, causing him to sit up straighter in his chair. Eloise looked at him with wide eyes, her grip on his hand tightening ever so slightly.

Maybe that's part of the performance, she whispered, trying to sound confident, but he could hear the tremble in her voice.

The curtains began to part slowly, creaking as they revealed an empty stage bathed in an eerie glow from the candles. Titus frowned, feeling a prickling sense of unease crawling up his spine. He glanced around the room, searching for some sign of a trick or deception, but all he found were faces mirroring his own confusion.

Is this some kind of joke? he muttered under his breath, irritation seeping into his voice. We came here for poetry, not amateur theatrics.

Eloise shook her head, her eyes still locked on the vacant stage. Maybe this is meant to build suspense?

Titus scoffed, unable to hide his growing impatience any longer. Inside, he wondered if this whole event was designed as a prank, with him as the unwitting victim. He felt foolish, sitting there waiting for something – anything – to happen while the rest of the audience seemed content to indulge in the charade.

Whatever it is, I'm not impressed, he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Eloise shot him a sidelong glance, her expression a mix of disappointment and concern.

Give it a chance, Titus, she urged, squeezing his hand gently. Remember, this is about the experience, not just the words.

Titus raised an eyebrow, his impatience mounting as he considered Eloise's words. He had to admit, the dark atmosphere and flickering candles lent an eerie ambiance to the theater—one that was perfectly suited to the macabre rumors surrounding the poet. Regardless, the feeling of being toyed with gnawed at him, and Titus couldn't help but resent Silvana for making a fool out of him.

Unconventional or not, this is starting to feel like a complete waste of time, he muttered under his breath. As if in response to his complaint, he became aware of a creaking sound coming from behind the curtain, rhythmic and steady.

Like a rope with a lot of tension on it, he thought.

Then, without any fanfare, the curtains slowly drew back.

Titus, look! Eloise whispered urgently, her grip tightening on his hand.

A dark shape swung precariously from one of the rafters, casting a sinister shadow across the stage. In that moment, Titus experienced a series of conflicting emotions—curiosity, dread, and a perverse sense of vindication that he wasn't the only one who sensed something amiss.

Is that...? Eloise began, but her words were drowned out by a collective gasp as the mysterious object plummeted to the stage below. A small cloud of dust billowed up, obscuring the scene and heightening the tension in the room.

The murmurs from the audience swelled into a cacophony of confused whispers and alarmed exclamations. People rose from their seats, craning their necks to get a better look at the stage, where the dust was still settling. The atmosphere in the small candlelit theater had shifted from anticipation to unease, the flickering flames casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Is she...dead? someone in the back row asked, voicing what everyone was thinking but too afraid to say aloud.

Titus clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the obscured stage. He could feel Eloise's hand tightening around his arm, her pulse racing beneath her delicate fingers.

Titus, please don't, she pleaded, her voice barely audible above the commotion. Let's just leave.

He shook his head, his resolve hardening. No, I need to find out what's going on. This has gone too far. With that, he stood up, pulling his arm away from Eloise's grip, despite her protests.

Stay here, he commanded, his voice laced with a steely determination that brooked no argument. Reluctantly, Eloise released him, her chestnut eyes filled with concern.

As Titus marched toward the stage, he couldn't help but wonder why Silvana would take her performance to such an extreme. Was this some twisted artistic statement? Or was there something more sinister at play?

Beneath the eerie glow of the flickering candles, Titus approached the spot where the object had fallen. His heart pounded in his chest as he knelt down to examine it more closely. He couldn't shake off the creeping sensation that something terrible had happened.

Silvana? he whispered, barely able to hear his own voice above the hushed murmurs of the onlookers. No response came, and Titus felt a shiver run down his spine.

Get back! he commanded the nearby audience members, who were starting to encroach on the scene. They hesitated for a moment before obeying, leaving Titus alone with the lifeless form before him.

As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, he realized that it was indeed Silvana de Luca, sprawled out on the stage, her face a ghastly shade of white. But what truly horrified him was the rope coiled tightly around her throat.

By God, he muttered under his breath, unable to tear his gaze away from the gruesome sight. Panic surged through him as the reality of the situation began to sink in. This was no elaborate performance; it was a staged murder.

Someone call the police! he shouted, his voice cracking with the weight of his discovery. Now!

CHAPTER ONE

The California airport terminal buzzed with life, a hive of activity filled with people coming and going. Sofia Blake strode through the concourse, her dark eyes scanning the crowd, darting from one face to another. Her heart raced in her chest—not from the exertion of her brisk pace, but from the potent mix of determination and uncertainty that fueled her every step.

It had been eight long years since her sister Cecilia, two years her junior, had disappeared, and Sofia couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the verge of uncovering the truth.

As she weaved through the throngs of travelers, Sofia's senses were assaulted by the cacophony of sounds, sights, and smells that filled the airport. The chatter of excited passengers mingled with the drone of announcements booming over the intercom, punctuated occasionally by the sharp beep of a boarding pass scanner. She caught snatches of conversation in multiple languages, her trained ear discerning the subtle nuances of each accent.

Would I even recognize Cecilia if she passed me? Sofia wondered. How much might she have changed since I last saw her?

Sofia had said goodbye to her sister at this very airport, feeling both proud of Cecilia and envious of the adventure she was embarking upon. A travel journalist, Cecilia had been on her way to Egypt to write about the pyramids, the ancient Egyptians, the history and future of the Nile, and other related topics, and it was on her return from Egypt that she'd disappeared.

The police believed that Cecilia never made it back to the United States, but Sofia had recently discovered evidence proving otherwise. Someone had picked up Cecilia from this very airport, and Sofia was determined to find out who.

As she strode through the terminal, memories of Cecilia flooded her thoughts. Their shared laughter, their late-night conversations about