Denise C. (dscrawford) reviewed The Stranger You Seek (Keye Street, Bk 1) on + 175 more book reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Murder and mayhem - southern style..., October 16, 2011
I love suspense thrillers and this one kept me turning the pages as I wanted to find out two things: first and foremost -- who was this monstrous serial killer dubbed "Wishbone"? and who was this ex-FBI profiler turned private investigator and skip tracer named Dr. Keye Street? With many twists and turns and an almost unbelievable climax, we do get an unequivocal answer to the first question and a desire to learn more about the female protagonist in this debut of what will be a new series by this author.
The setting is Atlanta, Georgia, in the waning days of summer. Mutilated bodies of all ages, races and gender have been found and the killer is taunting the police team led by Keye's friend, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser. He brings Keye into the case when he receives the first letter and wants her to help him by developing a profile and listening to him discuss the case. She was a brilliant criminologist and profiler before alcoholism ended her career with the FBI, but she is drawn in and begins to delve into the psychological and behavioral aspects of the investigation. In addition, Keye continues her private work for local attorneys and bondsmen.
Since I don't "know" Georgia, the atmosphere and detail about the southern culture and lifestyle were intriguing and made me want to visit. I enjoyed the novel because the main character, Keye Street, is imperfect and interesting and I want to follow her into a complete recovery from her past and addictions. I imagine that the rest of the cast of supporting characters, now sort of cardboard stereotypes, will be fleshed out as the series develops. I was a bit chagrined about the romance but it seems inevitable in this type of book. I'll be looking for the follow up novel to see how it all holds up.
I love suspense thrillers and this one kept me turning the pages as I wanted to find out two things: first and foremost -- who was this monstrous serial killer dubbed "Wishbone"? and who was this ex-FBI profiler turned private investigator and skip tracer named Dr. Keye Street? With many twists and turns and an almost unbelievable climax, we do get an unequivocal answer to the first question and a desire to learn more about the female protagonist in this debut of what will be a new series by this author.
The setting is Atlanta, Georgia, in the waning days of summer. Mutilated bodies of all ages, races and gender have been found and the killer is taunting the police team led by Keye's friend, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser. He brings Keye into the case when he receives the first letter and wants her to help him by developing a profile and listening to him discuss the case. She was a brilliant criminologist and profiler before alcoholism ended her career with the FBI, but she is drawn in and begins to delve into the psychological and behavioral aspects of the investigation. In addition, Keye continues her private work for local attorneys and bondsmen.
Since I don't "know" Georgia, the atmosphere and detail about the southern culture and lifestyle were intriguing and made me want to visit. I enjoyed the novel because the main character, Keye Street, is imperfect and interesting and I want to follow her into a complete recovery from her past and addictions. I imagine that the rest of the cast of supporting characters, now sort of cardboard stereotypes, will be fleshed out as the series develops. I was a bit chagrined about the romance but it seems inevitable in this type of book. I'll be looking for the follow up novel to see how it all holds up.
Amazing book! The twists and turns keep you guessing to the end. Keye Street is a P.I. that gets thrown in the path of a killer. Rauser is Keye's friend/partner, together they hope to find the killer before another person dies. I can't wait to read Amanda Kyle Williams other books.
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Keye Street pays her bills by chasing down bail jumpers, spying on cheating spouses, serving subpoenas and working for corporate accounts. She has her own private investigative business, but she misses the adrenaline of her old job, FBI profiler. However, Keye made some mistakes and now she has to live with them. She was addicted to the bottle and there was no room for it in her line of work. She was let go, her marriage crumbled and she valiantly picked up the pieces and carved a new life for herself.
Her best friend is Homicide Detective Aaron Rauser. He asks Keye for her help on a case he is working on. Someone is murdering people, leaving his mark, but there is no evidence and nothing to link up the cases. Keye does her best to help, but the case isn't getting any new clues and more deaths are occurring. The killer, named the Wishbone by the local papers, begins to taunt the police, sending letters to the media. He turns the heat on when he taunts Keye herself, through personal email, then running her off the road, with her ending up in the hospital.
Rauser is sure he knows who the killer is, someone close to Keye and her friends. Although Keye believes it is possible, her investigation moves in another direction when another body is found, while the suspect was in jail. Will Keye and Rauser find the link between the murders before one of them winds up dead?
The Stranger You Seek is a thrilling debut that kept me thoroughly entertained. Keye is a complex, realistic character with heart, determination, her own emotional baggage and the courage to survive. The secondary characters are great support for Keye. I especially liked Keye's father who just told it like it was, with no regard to the outcome. The plot was tight, the writing seamless and I never guessed who the killer was until the author led me to it. I can't wait to read another installment in this promising new series!
Her best friend is Homicide Detective Aaron Rauser. He asks Keye for her help on a case he is working on. Someone is murdering people, leaving his mark, but there is no evidence and nothing to link up the cases. Keye does her best to help, but the case isn't getting any new clues and more deaths are occurring. The killer, named the Wishbone by the local papers, begins to taunt the police, sending letters to the media. He turns the heat on when he taunts Keye herself, through personal email, then running her off the road, with her ending up in the hospital.
Rauser is sure he knows who the killer is, someone close to Keye and her friends. Although Keye believes it is possible, her investigation moves in another direction when another body is found, while the suspect was in jail. Will Keye and Rauser find the link between the murders before one of them winds up dead?
The Stranger You Seek is a thrilling debut that kept me thoroughly entertained. Keye is a complex, realistic character with heart, determination, her own emotional baggage and the courage to survive. The secondary characters are great support for Keye. I especially liked Keye's father who just told it like it was, with no regard to the outcome. The plot was tight, the writing seamless and I never guessed who the killer was until the author led me to it. I can't wait to read another installment in this promising new series!
GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed The Stranger You Seek (Keye Street, Bk 1) on + 758 more book reviews
Good book ! Kept me up reading way past my normal bedtime hour!
You dont need to be a southerner to appreciate the debut novel of Amanda Kyle Williams and her fictional profiler, Keye Street. Set in Atlanta (and various suburbs), the novel finds Keye honing her profiling and detective skills as a P.I. after the FBI fired her when she couldnt handle the workload and crawled into a bottle to escape.
A serial killer is hunting his victims during a sweltering summer. Atlanta PD lieutenant Aaron Rauser asks for Keyes help in profiling this monster. Notes are sent to the police (and to Keye personally) and she realizes that the killer is much, much closer than she ever imagined.
The author treats Atlanta much the way Dennis Lehane does in his novels: as a major character. Theres a few slow bits, such as when Keye takes a job in the boonies (Ellijay) and has to find a missing cow. Its distracting from the plot of the story, but its humorous.
Keye herself is a great character to root for: shes deeply flawed, for one thing. On the job, she is tough and intelligent; at home, she is a mess. The plot moves along rapidly, with the exception noted above. To say much more would spoil the book, and the twists and turns are part of the fun of reading it.
If youre a fan of Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, or Linda Castillo, then pick up this book. Im really looking forward to the next Keye Street novel.
A serial killer is hunting his victims during a sweltering summer. Atlanta PD lieutenant Aaron Rauser asks for Keyes help in profiling this monster. Notes are sent to the police (and to Keye personally) and she realizes that the killer is much, much closer than she ever imagined.
The author treats Atlanta much the way Dennis Lehane does in his novels: as a major character. Theres a few slow bits, such as when Keye takes a job in the boonies (Ellijay) and has to find a missing cow. Its distracting from the plot of the story, but its humorous.
Keye herself is a great character to root for: shes deeply flawed, for one thing. On the job, she is tough and intelligent; at home, she is a mess. The plot moves along rapidly, with the exception noted above. To say much more would spoil the book, and the twists and turns are part of the fun of reading it.
If youre a fan of Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, or Linda Castillo, then pick up this book. Im really looking forward to the next Keye Street novel.
Familiar Atlanta locations and a hard to solve mystery equal fun.
Interesting and quirky characters. Story was interesting but the ending seemed rushed and it appears to be set up for a return of a major figure (not give the ending away). I will read another book featuring this character.
