Today I am reviewing The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): It begins with a chilling call to Casey Woods. And ends with another girl dead. College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they’re posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life – a criminal brought to justice by Forensic Instincts.
Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath’s desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey – a connection that grows closer and closer to her.
Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopath won’t stop until he makes sure she’s dead.
My review: One of the benefits of reviewing books is that I often encounter new-to-me authors that I might not have discovered otherwise. My reading horizons are expanded. I love a good thriller or mystery, as you well know by now. But if I had encountered this book in the mystery section of the bookstore, I would probably have passed it by. Why? Because the team behind Forensic Instincts is predominantly young, beautiful and/or hunky; the same formula I avoid like the plague when watching television shows with impossibly beautiful young things working as CSI investigators or lawyers or doctors or FBI Agents. That’s a formula concocted for mass appeal and has very little basis in reality. In fact, this Forensic Instincts series of thrillers is practically screaming for some screenwriter to develop it into a pilot. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that happens. (That’s not a bad thing, by the way.) Anyway, I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to review this book because my initial assumptions would have kept me from a very good read.
Andrea Kane is a very good writer. Even though I was at first skeptical, I found myself caught up in the plot, which is tightly written and compelling. Kane knows how to build suspense, leaving tantalizing clues for the reader as she constructs a plot that careens toward the final pages. The story is told from the point-of-view of each of the members of the Forensic Instincts team as well as that of the killer, giving us rich, taut character development and a back-and-forth that is tightly edited, almost cinematic in quality.
The idea of a team of maverick investigators who, at times, cross lines that the police cannot is ingenious. While they often work alongside the police, this group is full of specialists (a former Navy SEAL, a retired FBI agent, a behaviorist, a tech wizard, an intuitive) who work out of a brownstone in New York City. Kane’s descriptions of NYC and the surrounding area of New Jersey and New York State (including some settings very near to my home!) are right on the money. It’s a compelling read. I couldn’t put it down.
I really think you’ll like this book. As I said before, it’s part of a series; two other books preceded this one. If you like to escape into a thriller that grabs you and takes you on a wild ride, you’ll like The Stranger You Know.
About the author: Andrea Kane’s psychological thriller The Girl Who Disappeared Twice became an instant New York Times bestseller, the latest in a long line of smash hits. With her acclaimed signature style of developing unforgettable characters and weaving them into carefully researched story lines, Kane has created Forensic Instincts, an eclectic team of maverick investigators. Recruited because of their special talents and dynamic personalities, the high-energy members thrive on blatantly disregarding authority. Armed with skills and talents honed by years in the FBI and Special Forces and with training in behavioral and forensic psychology, this unstoppable team solves seemingly impossible cases while walking a find line between assisting and enraging law enforcement.
With a worldwide following and novels published in more than twenty languages, Kane is also the author of numerous romantic thrillers and historical romances. She lives in New Jersey with her family, where she is busily crafting a new challenge for Forensic Instincts.
Lucky you! I am giving away one copy of The Stranger You Know. If you are interested, just leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick a winner on Thursday evening. Good luck!
Happy Monday.
I find myself less likely to pick up books featuring the young and beautiful these days, but it seems that this particular story is a good read.
As an aside, I don’t know if you have access to a television station called TV0. There is a British show on Monday evening called “New Tricks” where a quartet of characters -of a certain age- solve old cases. Two grizzled Brits, one feisty Scot, and the middle-aged woman who leads the team. You might enjoy it, Claudia.
-Karen
I would love to win this book. It sounds like it would be a great read.
Sounds good! I don’t have a lot of time to read these days, but it sounds like something I would enjoy.
While I agree that I would have passed this by, I’ll take a chance. It’s always good to try new things. When my book club decided on “The Count of Monte Cristo,” I groaned and dreaded reading it. Well, it happens to be a terrific book, and I highly recommend it!
Sounds like a great read…count me in! ;)
I need a good book to take me away:)
Know I would enjoy this book, thanks to your great review.
Oh, Claudia….this sounds so intriguing. Pick me..pick me…I love this type of book
I find behavioral and forensic psychology fascinating..I may have to check out this whole series..
Is it my turn? I love a good mystery and a good suspence. please choose me. Thankyou.
I am always looking for new to me authors also and I love mysteries! This sounds good based on your review! So drop my name in the hat!
Please include my name, Claudia!
I love Andrea’s books, and this one sounds so good. She always writes the best books. Thanks for having this giveaway.
This sounds like an intereting read! Count me in.
Though I have never read this author, you make this book sound so good! I would love to read it!
Can a long time lurker, who really enjoys your blog, enter this giveaway? Thank you! As the cold, dreary winter sets in, I’ll be wanting some new books to read, and this sounds like a very good read. I haven’t yet signed up for Bloglovin’ (I’m so computer-challenged it’s not funny) but you will be added to my blog list. Have a lovely day!
I enjoyed your review. It sounds like a good read.
Thanks for introducing me to another author. I always look forward to reading your reviews!
Going on my list. Just finished the Elizabeth George book. Longest book I have read in awhile, but it was worth it. xo Laura
I love reading mysteries! This book sounds like it’s right up my alley. Thanks for the review.
Oh my Claudia, you make this book sound so exciting. I am an avid reader, but have never read her books. I love a good mystery. I always have a book or two going, and one in my purse at all times. Have a great day Suz
I enjoy reading your recommendations. I love the Louise Penny books and I am on the third book in the Three Pines series. Love, love, love them. Thank you. I would like to read this new to me author.
your reviews always make me want to go out and get the book.. you have such a way with expressing the content of the books..
i too love to read and actually hate when they come to an end….
please count me in on the giveaway.. i would love to read this one….
thanks so much for the chance… and as always for being so sharing with us all
big ladybug hugs
lynnl
This sounds really good — two of my favorite TV shows are Criminal Minds and CSI and books like this are right up my alley! I’ll have to look up more of her books.
Claudia — okay, I rarely pick up books to read, but your style of writing a review makes me want to run out and get this one. Oh, and since Michael’s is in the same strip mall as B&N, get a dollhouse too!
I am ready to try a new author…and I love thrillers!
I’m glad that you enjoyed getting to know a new-to-you author! Thanks for being a part of the tour.