Read As A Stand Alone: Yes
Publisher: Dutton
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review
Release Date: January 28th, 2018
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository* | Google | Kobo | iBooks* |
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Blurb from goodreads:
Bestselling author Lisa Gardner unites three of her most loved characters -Detective D.D. Warren, Flora Dane, and Kimberly Quincy - in a twisty new thriller, as they investigate a mysterious murder from the past that points to a dangerous and chilling present-day crime.
FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective DD Warren have built a task force to follow the digital bread crumbs left behind by deceased serial kidnapper Jacob Ness. And when a disturbing piece of evidence comes to light, they decide to bring in Flora Dane who has personal experience of being imprisoned by Ness.
Their investigations take them to a small town deep in the hills of Georgia where something seems to be deeply wrong.
What at first seems like a Gothic eeriness soon hardens into something much more sinister as they discover that for all the evil Jacob committed while alive, his worst secret is still to be revealed.
Quincy and DD must summon their considerable skills and experience to crack the most disturbing case of their careers - and Flora must face her own past directly in the hope of saving others
My Thoughts:
Gardner wrote a compelling story that didn't let up. It had a fast pace, tight plotting, a topical plot, and fascinating characters, even the secondary ones. I read compulsively, swiping my e-reader's screen eagerly to get to the next page.
When a body is found in Georgia, it links back to a case from years ago and brings together three strong, talented women - FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy, Sergeant Detective DD Warren, and serial killer survivor Flora Danes. They establish a task force in conjunction with the town police. Right from the start, bodies new and old begin to pile up. Gardner sprinkles hints and clues and ever so slowly peels back the layers. There are surprises and twists galore. Gardner kept me guessing, and revising my guesses, and then revising them again.
Quincy, Warren and Danes made a fantastic team and their interactions were delightful, in the sense that they respected each other and worked together and not in competition with each other. They are all competent, intelligent, resourceful women. They can take care of themselves but can also accept, to varying degrees, assistance. We met Danes in an earlier book and she has grown so much; no worries, Gardner provides sufficient background so that you can read this as a stand alone. A new character, Bonita, is introduced in this book, and she broke my heart. Her courage was amazing and she has so much potential. I hope we'll see more of her in future books. She was, for me, the star of the book.
The setting, a small, rural, tourist town in Georgia, is as much a character in the story as any of the people. Gardner posits an unusual use of the town that I did have trouble believing. It struck me as highly unlikely and too coincidental. It certainly took small town togetherness and helpfulness to new extremes! Both the geography and the human population as well as a creepy, slightly Gothic atmosphere, add to the story's tension. And if you get past the credibility issue, it's a frightening new take on criminal enterprise.
"When You See Me" was compelling, engrossing, heartbreaking, heart pounding suspense and a fantastic story.
My review of book 7.5, 3 Truths and A Lie
My review of book 8, Find Her
Always wanted to try this series, so I am glad it's still going strong!
ReplyDeleteIt is, and so good.
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