Helpful Score: 2
Plan to stay awake for a few nights after reading the latest installment of Lisa Gardner's D.D. Warren series. You'll certainly be up a night or two reading it, but you'll be up for several more worrying about the children in your life, be they offspring, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, or what-have-you. Gardner pulls out all the stops in CATCH ME, making it arguably the best in the series to date.
D.D. Warren is a hard-nosed, rough-edged Boston homicide detective who has just returned to work following maternity leave, and her first case back is one that hits close to home. Someone is killing child molesters and doing a fine job of it. Naturally, the police are eager to catch the perpetrator, though some would rather give him a medal than see him get arrested. D.D. is confronted by a young woman named Charlene Grant at the scene of the second homicide. Charlie wants D.D. to investigate another murder: her own, which she is sure will take place in a few days. She explains that someone has killed her two best friends on January 21st over the course of the past two years. That date is approaching yet again, and she's convinced she'll be next.
Charlie does not appear to be unstable; she is employed as a dispatcher for a suburban Boston police department, and, as is demonstrated at one point, is a valued employee with a cool head in an emergency. At the same time, though, evidence is slowly but inexorably mounting that demonstrates that Charlie may well be the suspect D.D. is seeking in the pedophile murder cases. Additionally, whether Charlie is murdering child molesters or otherwise, she has a secret that she can never reveal to anyone.
Meanwhile, D.D. is experiencing her own trials and tribulations with a newborn, as she and her child's father balance law enforcement careers with the demands of parenthood and, of course, the event that she desires the least and dreads the most: a visit from her parents. Domestic travails aside, however, January 21st is just around the corner, and D.D. and her team do not know whether to treat Charlie as a suspect, a victim, or both. As the two cases slowly intersect, D.D. quickly finds that there is more than one potential victim to protect as the murderer strikes from a totally unexpected place.
CATCH ME is a terrifying book for two reasons. The first lies in the prologue, which recounts a nightmarish event in the lives of two little girls, who are rousted from their beds by their mother, who, by any standard, is not right --- not by a long shot. The second is a by-the-numbers account of how child molesters locate, stalk and eventually meet their targets, utilizing online gaming sites. As with the best of mystery and thriller novels, Gardner's latest raises interesting questions and inspires passionate emotions. Do laws adequately protect children from exploitation? What steps can a parent take to protect their kids who are online? Are the police enough? This puzzling and confounding mystery will have you guessing practically until the end.
D.D. Warren is a hard-nosed, rough-edged Boston homicide detective who has just returned to work following maternity leave, and her first case back is one that hits close to home. Someone is killing child molesters and doing a fine job of it. Naturally, the police are eager to catch the perpetrator, though some would rather give him a medal than see him get arrested. D.D. is confronted by a young woman named Charlene Grant at the scene of the second homicide. Charlie wants D.D. to investigate another murder: her own, which she is sure will take place in a few days. She explains that someone has killed her two best friends on January 21st over the course of the past two years. That date is approaching yet again, and she's convinced she'll be next.
Charlie does not appear to be unstable; she is employed as a dispatcher for a suburban Boston police department, and, as is demonstrated at one point, is a valued employee with a cool head in an emergency. At the same time, though, evidence is slowly but inexorably mounting that demonstrates that Charlie may well be the suspect D.D. is seeking in the pedophile murder cases. Additionally, whether Charlie is murdering child molesters or otherwise, she has a secret that she can never reveal to anyone.
Meanwhile, D.D. is experiencing her own trials and tribulations with a newborn, as she and her child's father balance law enforcement careers with the demands of parenthood and, of course, the event that she desires the least and dreads the most: a visit from her parents. Domestic travails aside, however, January 21st is just around the corner, and D.D. and her team do not know whether to treat Charlie as a suspect, a victim, or both. As the two cases slowly intersect, D.D. quickly finds that there is more than one potential victim to protect as the murderer strikes from a totally unexpected place.
CATCH ME is a terrifying book for two reasons. The first lies in the prologue, which recounts a nightmarish event in the lives of two little girls, who are rousted from their beds by their mother, who, by any standard, is not right --- not by a long shot. The second is a by-the-numbers account of how child molesters locate, stalk and eventually meet their targets, utilizing online gaming sites. As with the best of mystery and thriller novels, Gardner's latest raises interesting questions and inspires passionate emotions. Do laws adequately protect children from exploitation? What steps can a parent take to protect their kids who are online? Are the police enough? This puzzling and confounding mystery will have you guessing practically until the end.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best books I've read in quite a while. The writing is terrific; the characters are engrossing. I simply could not put it down. I tried so hard to figure out who was the "bad guy" but hadn't a clue what was going to happen until the very end - the best kind of thriller. Great!
This is the first book I've read by Lisa Gardner, I enjoyed the story & will definitely read more of her books. The story kept you going, & when you thought you had it figured out you didn't.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It grabs the reader from the first page, draws you into a harrowing story of love, revenge, and murder, throws you smack into shocking plot twists that you won't see coming, and finishes with a very satisfying ending. What more can one ask from a story in this genre? Well, the recurring character of DD Warren and the superb writing style of Lisa Gardner. Loved it!
Another great book by Lisa Gardner. No boring moments to suffer through, so it's a quick read.
I would be in a serious dilemma if I had to choose which book I liked best by Lisa Gardner. They are all excellent, including this one! I tend to lose sleep when I read one of her books. This has nothing to do with the content and everything to do with my inability to put the book down - they are that good! This one definitely keeps you in suspense until the end! You will not be disappointed!
I loved this book! It had an intriguing plot line, and many characters that developed and intertwined. I could not put it down! I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy engaging mystery.
Fantastic! This is a page turner with excellent suspense and thrills. It meshes multiple crimes which to me is always intriguing. Keeps you guessing almost up tot he end and finishes off strong. Definitely a must read for thriller lovers.
Fast-paced suspenseful story, unfolded in small pieces that the reader can fit together. As more pieces are added, the puzzle has to be rearranged again and again. Just when it all seems clear -- something new! This is the kind of storytelling that appeals to folks who like to figure out "whodunnit" before being told.
The narrator's speaking voice is pleasant, and she enunciates clearly. However, she read two major characters so similarly that I often couldn't tell them apart. When I finally caught on to who was speaking, I wished I could "turn back a page or two" to review what she had said and what it meant.
Having heard one D. D. Warren short story, and then this novel, I'm definitely interested enough in Lisa Gardner's writing to seek out more in this series.
The narrator's speaking voice is pleasant, and she enunciates clearly. However, she read two major characters so similarly that I often couldn't tell them apart. When I finally caught on to who was speaking, I wished I could "turn back a page or two" to review what she had said and what it meant.
Having heard one D. D. Warren short story, and then this novel, I'm definitely interested enough in Lisa Gardner's writing to seek out more in this series.
Lisa Gardner is a very talented author.
In four days, someone is going to kill me . . . Detective D. D. Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside D.D.'s latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition: Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston's top detective to handle the death investigation.
It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle.
Charlie tells a chilling story: Each year at 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood best friends from a small town in New Hampshire; the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.
It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle.
Charlie tells a chilling story: Each year at 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood best friends from a small town in New Hampshire; the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.
Plenty of surprises and twists to keep the reader guessing.
Another great book by Lisa Gardner! All of her books are excellent. She can not write them fast enough for me. Interesting characters and great plot line twists and turns. A must read!
Excellent story! I couldn't put it down.
Linda Gardner at her best! Read it in a day.
This was a great read, with several twists thrown in, as only Lisa Gardner can do. Detective D.D. Warren is trying to become accustomed to being a new mother and still getting back in the swing of things, returning to homicide work from her maternity leave. While investigating an immaculate murder site, shes introduced to Charlene Charlie Grant, who believes that shes going to be murdered in just a couple of daysand she wants D.D. to be the investigator! The reader learns of Charlies past and sees how shes been preparing for her future. But being abused as she was, is it possible that she has multiple personalities? Is it possible shes responsible for the string of pedophile murders? This, and more, is what D.D. and her squad investigates. Its no wonder that the reader isnt sure who is responsible, as many twists and possibilities that D.D. is running into. A quick ride that wont leave you disappointed!
usually I like Gardner's books but I thought this one was draggy. Too much about 'baby Jack', just needed to stick to the main storyline and make each page count but I found too many pages with nothing happening so skimmed most of it.
