scknitter's reviews
1420 reviews

I loved Gillian Flynn's first two books. I like dark, twisted, psychological tales and she definitely delivered in the first two. I admit that I started this book twice. For some reason I just couldn't get past the first two chapters the first time. But, when several friends raved I started it again and boy am I glad I did. It doesn't grab you right away like the previous two but once you get involved it definitely keeps you interested.

There isn't much more I can say without giving lots away. I just wonder how Gillian Flynn comes up with the diabolical thinking her characters exhibit.

A stunning and thought-provoking psychological novel about guilt, betrayal and remorse told in an unusual set of flashbacks by a woman on death row, and in letters to the victim by her bereaved mother. The reader is forced to rethink his idea of guilt and innocence and what punishment is just, as the dark but beautifully written story slowly reveals the true nature of the main characters.

Detective Eloise “Lou” Norton thinks she may finally be able to solve the disappearance and probable murder of her sister 30 years earlier. As she and her new partner investigate the death of a young black teenage girl Lou keeps seeing links to her sister’s case. Determined to prove they are real, and not just wishful thinking, she doggedly pursues clues and leads and goes back and interviews witnesses from her sister’s case. Lou is tough and street smart and is determined to ‘educate’ her new partner in the rough ways of South West LA. But at the same time she is a vulnerable wife, with a philandering husband, and a daughter, who is still filled with guilt for leaving her sister alone years ago. A great new voice in crime fiction I can’t wait to see more from LA Homicide Detective Lou Norton.

Angel Killer is a crime novel with a heck of a twist. The killer is either raising the dead or creating some of the most sophisticated illusions the world has ever seen and the FBI agent brought in from a desk job to help on the case was once a professional magician from a family of magicians and illusionists. A fast- paced and thrilling look into the world of magic and into the mind of a sick individual. I can’t wait to read more about FBI agent/magician Jessica Blackwood.

I was hooked after reading the first page. There are a host of interesting and troubled characters, both adults and teens. Molly is new to town and is working for the local paper trying to find something she feels good about doing after a long bout with severe depression following a still birth. Her husband Justin is a professor at the college and seems to have only Molly’s best interest at heart. Barbara and Steve seem like the ideal couple. He is the police chief and she is super mom to 5 year old Cole and 16 year old Hannah. Stella is a single mom with two children the same age as Barbara and Steve’s. Then there are Jenna and her teen-aged daughter Sandy. Jenna is a mess and always has been. Sandy is trying really hard to rise above her social standing and make something of her life. Where They Found Her is a multilayered thriller which entwines relationship stories with a crime novel. Heart wrenching and lots of secrets make this story of betrayal and sadness a must read for 2015!

Ben Sawyer was forced out of his big city cop job and returned to his small home town in WI as a detective under his father-in-law who is chief of police. He is resented by fellow cops who don’t think he earned his position and when his father-in-law suffers a stroke the acting chief tries to make his life even more miserable than it already is. At the same time a police scam 10 years prior sets off a chain of events that gets out of control and ends up with Ben’s wife in prison accused of murder. Small town cops with big bubba mentalities destroy evidence and attempt to cover up the new crimes being perpetrated by the victim of the old scam. Ben finally earns the trust of another outcast officer and together they are able to figure out who is to blame for the string of crimes and more importantly, why he is intent on revenge. Neal Griffin may be a debut author but this thrilling, cleverly plotted novel exhibits an in-depth knowledge of corruption, vengeance, violence, and good police work learned from over 25 years in law enforcement.

Another great Carter Ross book.

Thrilling, chilling, heart pounding, heart stopping… a wild ride as we follow the escape of a 17 year old kidnapped and tortured by her assailant. Fast paced, well written… Carolyn Adams sets the scene in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and does a wonderful job.