Member Reviews
When a woman’s remains are found in the Appalachian mountains, the FBI is called in, along with Detective DD Warren. This isn’t her normal jurisdiction, but the FBI have reason to believe this woman’s death is linked to a serial killer of DD’s past, Jacob Ness. She brings along with her a civilian informant named Flora Dane, who also happened to be one of Jacob’s victims, and Keith, a tech genius.
When the FBI uncover more graves containing bones of several other women, DD starts to question if Jacob Ness could’ve killed all these women alone, or if he was working with others. Or was another serial killer on the loose in the same area that Jacob was? They never could’ve imagined what they would uncover and the web of lies running through this small Georgian town.
When You See Me by Lisa Gardner is book 11 in the Detective DD Warren series. This was a well-written crime thriller that jumps between four different perspectives. It’s chalk full of information and clues so you have to pay close attention in order to not miss anything. I really enjoyed this story and so far it’s one of the best in the series yet. 4/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton and Lisa Gardner for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Lisa Gardner. However, this book was a disappointment. Too many unnecessary characters, too far fetched an ending and too many loose ends tied up for a happy outcome. If she wants to continue the series of DD Warren, allow the novel to focus on her. This one added two other competing heroines and diluted the plot line. I felt she was trying too hard by creating romantic interludes and hints of mysterious apparitions. A good thriller focuses on the main detective or investigator so the reader is invested in the outcome. I lost interest in the ending too early in the book. Sorry to harshly critique an author I admire.
If you want an awesome mystery/thriller that gets crazier and crazier the further you get into the story, then this is the book for you!
I loved this book! It was thrilling, mysterious, and kept me on my toes. It is hands-down the most intense book I have ever read by Lisa Gardner. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of it!
I was nervous for just about everyone. There is essentially a bogeyman on the loose and no one is safe. There are very few leads and the case is getting more and more mysterious with each passing day. Anyone could be his next target!!
I loved that the dynamic trio, Detective D.D. Warren, Kimberly Quincy, and Floral Dane are once again back together. They work fantastic together, respect each other, and all bring a different skill set to the case.
I always suggest starting with book one of a series, but I understand it can seem quite daunting now that this series is in double digits. At the very least I highly suggest you start with book eight Find Her where we are first introduced to Flora Dane.
If you have never read a Lisa Gardner book before, you are seriously missing out!
I love knowing that when I pick up a Lisa Gardner book, I’m going to be caught up. This book was no different. I loved the whole cast of characters being brought back and the mystery was gripping. The pacing was excellent and I wanted more when I finished. I couldn’t bring myself to read Flora’s origin book, but I do love watching her grow and survive. These are characters I love telling a difficult story and I love that the author never shies from it.
As someone who prefers to start series with book one, I remember going into Book 8 of this series without realizing it and was instantly hooked. This is my 4th D.D. Warren book and each one has been pulse increasing while simultaneously touching my heart. While I always recommend starting a series from the beginning, these can definitely be read as stand alones... however, watching these characters grow even just from book 8 makes me want to go back to the beginning so I can get a full, more rounded understanding.
I'm absolutely thrilled to have been back with D.D., Kimberly and Flora. They're taken to a small town with ties to Jacob, who although dead, still haunts each of them. We get further insight to Flora and her dealing when she was his victim. We get introduced to a new character who, by the time I finished the book, had unknowingly gripped my heart. Revelations come about, things are (as usual) not quite what they seem and we are once again rooting for the good guys to win.
I can't recommend this series more. Gardner writes with such finesse and truly brings the reader into this world. I came, I read, I felt.
When I discovered Lisa Gardner a couple of years ago, I didn't know what I was getting into, as with any author I've never read before. However, from that first book I read from her, I was hooked and she became one of the authors that I add any book of theirs to my TBR without question. This was a thrilling book that kept me hooked from beginning to end, it will not disappoint.
In this 11th installment of the DD Warren series Lisa Gardner brings together again Flora Dane , Kimberly Quincy and DD Warren to head a task force in a small town in Georgia where a skeletal body has been found by hikers.Jacob Ness had to have perfected his skills somewhere and they think it might have been here.This book grabs you from the first page and didn’t let go until the end.This small town has a super creepy vibe to it. You can feel there is something evil lurking around every corner. Lisa Gardner doesn’t know how to write a bad book. She definitely isn’t afraid of taboo subjects. There are always lots of twists and you’ll never guess who the villain is. Another 5 star edition from the queen of suspense.
The discovery of a set of human remains in the deep woods of Georgia leads in some dark and unexpected directions. The bones belong to a woman reported missing over 15 years ago and an assumed victim of Jacob Ness, a nasty serial predator with a trail of broken bodies behind him. The only know survivor is Flora Dane, a strong woman who now dedicates her time and energy into uncovering Jacob's dark past and helping any other potential survivors. FBI agent Kimberly Quincy is called in after the discovery of the bones. Lucky for her, Flora Dane, Detective D.D. Warren, and Keith, a gifted computer analyst with a true crime obsession will also be joining the team. The small town of Niche Georgia, where the remains were discovered looks placid and pleasant at first glance however there are secrets buried here alongside the bodies. As more bodies are uncovered, questions arise over whether Jacob Ness was working alone or as part of a sinister network or twisted individuals. It soon becomes apparent that not everyone in Niche is willing to cooperate. Niche's Mayor and his wife who own the local bed and breakfast seem to have access to information they are unwilling to share. The team is aided by a young woman however her ability to communicate what she knows is severely limited. Will the team be able to get to the bottom of these senseless killings before more bodies surface?
Told in alternating viewpoints, the newest addition to the D.D. Warren series was full of clever surprises. The inclusion of Flora Dane and Keith were a pleasant surprise and greatly added to the interesting personal dynamics and tension throughout. While new readers were introduced to the back story that has taken course over the last couple of stories, I do think they would benefit greatly from reading the previous books in the series that pertain to Jacob Ness and Flora Dane. This book was dark and the subject matter covered within, human trafficking, makes for an even tenser plot at times however the author is a pro at taking readers right up to the edge and safely bringing them back down. It is evident that a good deal of research, including interview techniques for a non verbal subject, took place leading up to the writing of this story. The complex details about the FBI world interwoven seamlessly into the plot help keep the story grounded in reality. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous books in this series for those looking for a thriller that will keep you reading well into the night.
I've read every Lisa Gardner book except Find Me. Some I have absolutely loved and others, not so much. This new release which features one of my favorite detectives ever, DD Warren, falls somewhere in the middle. I found it to be a very readable mystery, it was light on suspense however and the ending felt underwhelming. This could be because just a case of the issue is with me as I read a lot of mysteries, but I loved her last book and found it riveting. This story brings together DD, Kimberly Quincy (FBI) and Flora (kidnapping survivor) who are all trying to piece together a long-standing murder which may or may not involve Jacob Ness, Flora's kidnapper who she killed. I found this "coincidence" too unbelievable and while I loved the parts with DD and an unknown girl who's mute from the trauma that we read about in the prologue, I think the alternating sections with Flora and Kimberly were less relevant and strong. Maybe it's just because I love DD and would prefer a whole book with just her. I think this works ok as a standalone but there"s quite a lot of backstory between these 3 characters that you miss if you're completely new to the series. Which is another reason I would've preferred less perspectives? On the plus side, the chapters are short and the pacing FAST making this a very binge-able weekend read.
This is the first book by Lisa Gardner that I have read and I was a little nervous jumping into the middle of a series but I was pleasantly surprised that I had no problem enjoying the story and it's characters. Enough backstory is given to provide some depth and history to the characters and help make sense with the plot.
As for the story itself, I was surprised again. What starts off as a basic detective mystery quickly spirals into something much more personal and emotional. Gardner gives glimpses into the mind of a victim in the story, helping the reader to strongly connect to the book and keep turning pages to find out how the horrific perpetrator gets caught. What started off a little on the slow side for me, When You See Me quickly became a book I could not put down and I read about 70% in one day because I just had to get to the ending. I had to know what would happen!
I would recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers, especially detective crime novels. A very enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more Lisa Gardner books in the future!
Scheduled to post 1/21.
Good lord, do I swallow these books whole. WHEN YOU SEE ME is no exception. Gardner writes some compelling, fast-paced stories that are truly difficult to put down.
The thread of Jacob Ness continues to unravel as Quincy and DD, with Flora and Keith in tow, travel to nowhere Georgia to investigate a crime scene. That turns into multiple crime scenes as bodies, new and old, pile up and the layers on this onion keep getting peeled. I also liked the shred of supernatural that's laced into the story. It's next to nothing, but it's there and it adds another layer to all of it.
It's good to see DD's shell cracking more and more as her job niggles under her nails. And I feel like Quincy is the softer side of DD, not as bottled up but still just as capable. And it's nice to see Flora start to move on a little. Not a whole lot. Not much at all. But those baby steps she's been taking for how many books now are finally getting her somewhere. Especially when she thought she'd be stagnant for the rest of her life, it's like a sigh of relief. And Keith. Oh dear Keith. I would say he's lucky he's pretty, but he more than adds value to this team of law enforcement misfits with his computer geekery. Not to mention he functions as a calming, leveling agent for Flora, something that she desperately needs. I really hope he doesn't turn out to be a serial killer.
Gardner doesn't disappoint in WHEN YOU SEE ME, the eleventh addition to the DD Warren series. Bonita fists into your heart and holds on to the very end and I just love watching these characters grow from page to page. Not to mention the storytelling is fantastic. I could not put the book down, as has been the case with every Gardner book I've read. I can't wait until the next one.
5
Another great book by Lisa Gardner! This is book 11 in the Flora Dane series. You could read this as a stand alone as well. She does give you enough of the back story so you don’t feel lost.
Flora Dane, Detective DD Warren and FBI agent Kimberly Quincy are called to the hills in Georgia with the hopes of finding clues to some missing girls. They fear the same man who took Flora had taken and killed them. However while there they uncover so much more!
I have read the last two books in this series and will have to go start from the beginning they are just that good! Gardner knows how to write a thriller that makes you keep turning the pages!!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publishing, and Lisa Gardner for the opportunity to read. review and get back into this wonderful series - another 5 star thriller! Even if you haven't read the previous books, there is enough backstory to allow you to read this as a stand alone and still get in on the action. But it's a great series, so what are you waiting for?
Returning characters from different series - Flora Dane, Detective DD Warren, and FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy - combine to form part of a task force investigating bones found by a hiker in the hills of Georgia. Things are possibly tied back to Flora's kidnapper, Jacob Ness, so her and friend, Keith, are included. When they get to the mountains of Georgia, they find that there is much wrong in the small town of Niche and things just keep getting worse. Who can be trusted? And will they be able to stop all the evil?
Another heart pounding thriller from Gardner - just a must read!
When You See Me (sent 1/12/20)
By: Lisa Gardner
Another hit for Lisa Gardner. I love her DD Warren series and this is extra special because it incorporates Flora Dane and Kimberly Quincy. What’s not to love about a female team working together to solve a horrible atrocity.
The prologue about a 5 year old child that observes the abuse and murder of her mother was a great hook but a little confusing about how it applied to the story. Never fear, it eventually works it’s way into the plot and becomes a heart wrenching essential ingredient. I Don’t want to spoil it for any readers but this book shines light on the human trafficking problem in a “hand wringing” page turner.
I was compelled to keep reading because there was so much to capture your attention. There is a reason Lisa is one of the top rated “thriller” writers. She just never disappoints!
Getting 4.5 “holding my breath” sheep
Jeanie G
When You See Me by Lisa Gardner is a very highly recommended thriller featuring Detective D. D. Warren, Flora Dane, and FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy. It is a great day when Lisa Gardiner has a new character-driven thriller released so set aside time to read this ASAP!
When hikers discover skeletal remains in the mountains of Niche, Georgia, they are identified as those of 17-year-old Lilah Abenito. She was kidnapped 15 years earlier and it has been suspected that she was one of the earliest victims of now-deceased serial predator Jacob Ness. Because of the ties to Ness, FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren, who have a task force following any clues left behind by him, are on the scenes. They bring along Flora Dane, a survivor of Ness, and Keith Edgar, a computer analyst and true-crime follower.
As volunteers search the mountains for the rest of the remains of Lilah, another mass grave of more skeletal remains is discovered. This escalates the search to include the possibility that the team is looking at a serial killer dump site. Is this where Ness buried some of his other victims? An initial visit to the mayor of Niche, Howard Counsel, and his wife, Martha, at their Mountain Laurel B&B, leaves the team with some questions, including the story behind their nameless maid, but even more after Martha suddenly, suspiciously hangs herself. The investigation begins to widen at the same time as threats to the team begin to increase.
As is expected from Gardner, the writing is exceptional. The plot is a page-turning, nail-biting, twisty, tension-filled, and emotionally powerful story that will grip you from start to finish. The crimes from the past seem to be stirring up trouble in the present, but the question is who is involved and how is all of this connected. This is a novel that will be very hard to put down once you start it. I admittedly stayed up late just to finish it and it was worth it.
All these characters are well developed and, quite frankly, loved by many of us, so a new novel with D.D., Kimberly, Flora, and Keith marks an exciting new addition to their stories. The sensitive treatment of Flora's recovery from her trauma at the hands of Ness is handled with compassion and understanding. It is exciting to see some major forward movement in Flora's character development and healing. Along with others, I appreciate the strong female characters.
I really loved this one from start to finish. Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
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Amazon and Barnes&Noble after publication
Two hikers were on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia when they wandered off the path and discovered a body buried in an uncovered grave. Cadaver dogs and a task force were sent to the area. They were able to identify the body as a young woman missing about 15 years earlier. Then another grave was uncovered in that area. It contained the bodies of 3 young women murdered around the same time.
This area had been where a known serial killer had been active until 8 years ago. So the single survivor of this serial killer (she killed him) as well as a Boston police detective and an FBI agent all traveled to the small town nearby to hunt for more bodies and connections to the original serial killer. Soon it became obvious that these older crimes had some connection to that town and may have continued to the present time.
So begins this well written mystery with links to the present time. Chapters are from the point of view of the survivor, Flora Dane, the Boston detective DD Warren, Kimberley Quincy, an FBI official and a young teen mute who has seen everything but is unable to tell the law enforcement officials what happened.
This book kept me interested until the every end. There were many surprises throughout and there are only few clues until the very end. This is my first book by this author but I can see why her books have been on The NY Times Best Sellers list and why she was awarded a Thriller of the Year award from the International Thriller Writers. It is also book 11 in the Detective DD Warren series.
This is one of those books I want to tell everyone to read. Just say READ IT. End of Story. I loved that this book worked perfectly as a stand-alone for me. Not having read the other books in the series, I did not feel as if I was missing out at all. Having said that, now that I have read this book, I am inclined to go back and read both Detective D.D. Warren and Gardner Universe book series. Seriously, how great was it that she combined two of her popular series and combined them? Brilliant!
In this book, Gardner combined three strong and compelling female characters: Detective D.D. Warren, Flora Dane, and Kimberly Quincy. My hand is in the air, enthusiastically waving for more books with this combination of women.
FBI Special Agent, Kimberly Quincy, and Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren have formed a task force to follow deceased serial kidnapper and rapist Jacob Ness. Flora Dane was kidnapped by Ness and having survived her horrifying time with him, is now dedicated to helping the investigators and others who have been harmed as she was.
This trio of women along with Keith, a computer analyst and true crime enthusiast (who has eyes for Flora), has come to Niche, a small town in the hills of Georgia where the bodies are piling up and no one is talking. There they meet a young female, who does not speak except through her art, who has been named "the girl" by "family". Could she be the answer? Is she the missing link or clue they have been looking for? Will they ever find the extent of the damage that Jacob Ness has committed? Is this only the beginning? Is there even evil out there?
The Hills in Georgia are not alive with the sound of music, they are alive with the sounds of evil. Evil, that has been around a long time. Small towns hold secrets. Secrets that the inhabitants will do anything to keep buried. There is a web of lies, deceit, evil, murder, and depravity.
This book was a real page-turner for me. There was tension throughout the book. I loved how the story was told from various points of view. This added to the tension and helped set the mood for the book. This book was dripping with suspense. There is the mystery of course, but the human factor, really made this book unputdownable for me. I was riveted to the pages and didn't want to put this book down. Like the team, I was on the case trying to figure out who the evil man was, hoping for Bonita /the girl's safety, and hoping that everyone makes it out alive.
I really enjoyed that this felt like a fresh, new unique tale. I mention this because lately, I have been feeling as if I am reading the same story just wrapped up in a different package (cover). Not this one. This felt completely original and was a breath of fresh air for this mystery/thriller book lover. Gardner did her research in interviewing a nonverbal subject and spoke with many consultants to get aspects of an FBI investigation correct. You will still need to suspend some disbelief while reading this one, but I didn't mind and I don't think anyone else will either.
Highly Recommend.
Thank you to Lisa Gardner, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Honestly, I loved it! All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fantastic Thriller!!
I absolutely loved this book because it was packed full of suspense which I HAD to read in one day!! Yep, that good. We get another dose of D.D. Warren with a crime suspense thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Girls are being found in shallow graves on a mountain side in a small tourist town and it’s just the place that all of these dark dealings are going down. No one suspects their neighbors would have any part of this. You’ll have to read to see all the surprises in store that kept my heart pounding. A definite must read.
Lisa Gardner has done it again. This book was a taut, suspenseful, engrossing read. I couldn't put it down. It was great to see my favourite characters (Kimberley! D.D.!) return and interact with each other. As always the character of Flora is heartbreaking and Gardner portrays her as a strong survivor who is not to be pitied but someone you are rooting for to heal and find happiness. I am glad Gardner chose to have this character find she some peace with her tragic past and to move forward and grow.
I could read a dozen books with just these characters. They never disappoint. I eagerly await Gardner's next great read.
In this latest psychological thriller, FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren build a task force, which includes victim Flora Dane, and true-crime savant Keith Edgar in an effort to investigate disturbing finds in a small town in the hills of Georgia. Were there more victims of deceased kidnapper Jacob Ness? Arriving at the town something feels off, why does the manager at the hotel tell them they must leave and the local B and B cook and employee disappears? As Flora and Keith grow closer, they renew their efforts to discover where Jacob Ness held Flora, girl’s bodies are discovered and questions are asked as to whether Jacob could have had an accomplice.
Lisa Gardner only gets better and better with each Detective D.D. Warren book. Often when an author is prolific in a series, the main character feels stale or not as exciting as in the early books. Not in this book, the suspense and plot twists will keep you guessing until the very end. Gothic elements - hidden rooms and tunnels, town secrets - all add to the question of who can be trusted? Loved it and didn't want it to end.