When You See Me by Lisa Gardner – a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

When You See Me by Lisa Gardner is the 11^th book in her Detective D.D. Warren series.  I have not read the previous books in this series, but this read very well as a standalone.  I loved When You See Me and upon completing this book, I have to find time to go back and read this series.  All I can say is “WOW’, this was an intense, exciting and fantastic thriller that was nonstop action and I could not put the book down; not to mention it was so very well written by Lisa Gardner. 

The story starts off with a bang, as two hikers discover human bones, and when findings discover that the remains were approximately 15 years old, and could be another victim of deceased predator, Jacob Ness, a task force is sent to Appalachian Niche in Georgia.  The task force consists of previous heroines of Gardner’s other series; FBI Special Agent, Kimberly Quincy, who will lead the investigation.  Kimberly calls in Boston Detective DD Warren, and survivor, Flora Dane, who have been involved in other Ness cases.  Flora was imprisoned by Ness for a year, and ended up killing him, but she continues to have nightmares, 7 years later.  She uses her horrific experiences to work alongside DD to help solve other kidnappings. Keith, who is a computer guru and Flora’s friend, also helps.

When You See Me is a non-stop intense thriller from start to finish.  Just when the task force thinks they have everything, more bodies are discovered, and suspicions arise that these may not be the victims of Jacob Ness, as some of the findings are fresher; bringing in more forensic teams.  When a woman supposedly commits suicide, DD investigates with the sheriff, and she notices a young maid, who cannot talk and acts terrorized.  DD will try to question the maid, who plays a big part in this story, as she is haunted by the ‘bad monster’, and using her hands as clues, which will help DD will gather information from Bonita (the maid) that something sinister is going on in this small town.  DD, Kimberly, Flora and Keith, will protect the young girl, and work together to find out what is happening.

The last third of the book was so intense and exciting, as with Bonita’s help, they will find themselves all in dangerous situations against a madman, and surprise townsfolks who were determined to stop the FBI from discovering their secrets.  Both Kimberly, DD and Flora suffered attacks that had us worried if they would survive.  I held my breath through every twist and turn.

Lisa Gardner did such a fantastic job writing this fabulous thriller, and created some wonderful female heroines who had to step up to survive and resolve the murders. If you enjoy thrillers, suspense, mystery, and fantastic leading characters, look no further then When You See Me.   I need to be reading more of Lisa Gardner, and her fabulous heroines, D.D. Warren, Kimberly Quincy and Flora Dane.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher