Book Review: When You See Me by Lisa Gardner

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  

   Every year before my birthday Lisa Gardner releases her latest novel. It has become a tradition to buy the book and save it to read on my birthday weekend. For the last three years, I have been fortunate enough to receive early copies of Gardner's thrillers thanks to Dutton Books and Netgalley. Now it's time to tell you what I thought of this new suspense novel. Was it the icing on my birthday cake? Let's begin...   

    When You See Me is the latest thriller by Lisa Gardner. It is published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It serves as a sequel book to her popular D.D. Warren and FBI Profiler series of crime novels.

  Around every corner lies a dark memory for Flora Dane. Kidnapped as a drunk and foolish teenager, she endured 472 days of terror at the hands of the notorious serial killer, Jacob Ness. Decades later she encountered his descendant in Find Her. In Look For Me, she ventured forward helping other victims of violent crimes. And in Never Tell she was forced to return to her time as a captive in order to solve a murder of a past associate of Ness's. Now Flora is asked by the woman who saved her so many years before to find the remaining victims of her sadistic kidnapper. When the skeletal remains of a missing woman are discovered in a Georgia forest, FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy calls in backup. Flora Dane and Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren join Quincy on the task force in Niche, Georgia to comb the forest to find what may be a graveyard of victims of Jacob Ness.

    Flora's maybe-boyfriend, Keith Edgar, is also along for the investigation, serving as computer IT and Jacob Ness historian. The task force splits into groups. D.D. and the local sheriff visit the mayor at the B&B he owns with his wife. Flora and Keith interview a reclusive man with a happy trigger finger. And Kimberly heads back into the forests of Georgia to search for more remains. But the individual assignments prove to have shocking outcomes. This town has a dark secret that is may add every member of Kimberly's team to growing list of missing or dead. 

   When You See Me is Gardner at her best. The insane twists and turns that she offers up to her fans are fast and furious. Pulling together players from several series offers long-time fans, like me, the crossover we have waited for. Ever since D.D. Warren interacted with Kimberly Quincy in Catch Me, I have patiently waited for the duo to come in contact again, which they did last year. This novel elaborates on many of Never Tell's story, continuing the investigation into Jacob Ness. The story was very well-paced and added extra layers to Flora which have progressed over the years in Gardner's novels. There are so many shocking moments in this book that I have to refrain from saying more. Suffice it to say the finale was so good that I had no time to catch my breath. 

  I read When You See Me in part with the expert narration of actress, Kirsten Potter. Her skillful delivery of four separate character narratives was read with a sense of urgency that heightened the suspenseful moments. She also handled the humor quite well, especially when D.D. tells her teammates what happens if she does not eat. Another great presentation.

  When You See me is Lisa Gardner's best novel to date. It is thrilling, funny, and delivers a finale unlike any she has written. Five stars later I am ready to recommend this novel to not only my readers but friends and family.... and random strangers at book stores. This was a great birthday gift that Dutton has given me this year that I am grateful for. 


  Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading this week.

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