I enjoyed A Familiar Sight, the first book in this series, and was excited to get to read the second book.
Dr. Gretchen White is a psychologist and does consulting work for the police. She is well educated and wealthy, oh, and she is also a psychopath! Tell me you would not look twice if you saw this little factoid on a resume, or if your new friend shared this fact at dinner. What Gretchen knows though is that most people with this diagnosis are nonviolent. But is Gretchen one of them?
Several months have passed since the conclusion of the first book, and Gretchen is far from being in control of her life. No spoilers if you have not read that one, but she was not expecting information from Detective Marconi that might potentially ruin her life. You see, her Aunt Rowan was murdered when Gretchen was only eight, and the only suspect, the only person holding the bloody knife, was Gretchen. She was never charged, due to her wealthy parents’ connections and a lack of evidence. Everyone who knows about the crime though, and I mean everyone, including Gretchen is sure she was the killer.
Gretchen swears she does not remember what happened, and it seems that only Detective Marconi believes in her innocence. She convinces Gretchen to help her investigate this very cold case, and hopefully discover the truth. A lot of secrets and lies will be revealed, but the most shocking thing to me was the identity of Rowan's killer. I might have screamed at my Kindle at least three times because I did not see 'that' coming. I will be interested to see where this series goes next as What Can't Be Seen provided enough information to change Gretchen’s life.

I can't give my biggest criticism of the book, because to do so would spoil both this book and predecessor. That said, even with the criticism, I still enjoyed finding out the truth about Gretche--excuse me, Dr. Gretchen's--biggest mystery.

What Can't Be Seen by Brianna Labuskes is the second book in the Dr Gretchen White series following A Familiar Sight.

Thirty years ago eight year old Gretchen was accused of killing her Aunt Rowan White. She can't remember that day so Gretchen and her friend (Detective Marconi) reopen the case to find out if Gretchen was blamed for a crime she did not commit. While searching for new evidence they contact Detective Shaughnessy (the previous detective) on the case and a very astonishing twisty story begins to unfold.

What Can't Be Seen is a serious thriller, but has low key dark humor vibes. An example of this is Gretchen while describing her family dynamic.
"All I know is our particular gene pool should have been diluted with bleach and drained".

Final thoughts...
The first half if the book is great, but the last half is a little drawn out. Overall, it hits many high notes and is worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this free e-book in exchange for my honest opinion
Publication date is May 24, 2022

What Can’t Be Seen is a psychological thriller about a psychologist looking to discover the truth behind her own case – because she murdered her aunt when she was 8 years old, or so everyone thinks. It’s time to find out what really happened.

I’m usually not a fan of novels where detectives are trying to solve a murder, but this one really hooked me because of the interesting premise. I was hooked through every chapter – as it alternates between the past and present and different characters POV’s. I was unable to predict what happened and this book blew me away with the twists. I think this author does a great job at writing a captivating story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
This 2nd book in the Dr. Gretchen White explains a lot about her character. As a Psychologist and Criminologist for the Boston P.D. she has solved many cases for Detective Shaughnessy, but her past as an 8-year old child having supposedly murdered her aunt hangs over her like a dark cloud.
Shaughnessy was the Detective on that case, so they go back many years.
She worked with Detective Marconi on the last case, but this time Marconi wants to reopen Gretchen's case, believing she was innocent. As a sociopath, Gretchen doesn't really do friendship, but Marconi chips away at her until she just about submits.
I thought the first half or so was a bit boring, but it got more interesting as the truth finally came out, although I did find it a bit farfetched. It's a good book, but nothing special.

'We need people in our lives who don't expect us to be anything but who we are.'

Psychologist and police consultant Dr. Gretchen White and Detectives Shaughnessy and Marconi are back again with yet another case; this time though the action hits a little too close to home.

Gretchen has been on a downward spiral for the past three months, following the events of the first book, after Det. Marconi broaches the subject of re-opening Gretchen's own case - the stabbing of her aunt, Rowan White, thirty years ago in which an eight-year old Gretchen was the prime accused. Despite exhibiting psychopathic tendencies at an early age, this event shaped the rest of Gretchen's life, earning her the tag of a killer and putting her in the cross-hairs of Det. Shaughnessy, who ironically became her moral compass. While she has always toed the line just to prove Shaughnessy's accusations of her as a killer wrong, Gretchen fears that re-opening the case may just prove him right.

A sequel to 'A Familiar Sight,' (a book that I loved and couldn't stop gushing about) the plot for this book was relevant in the sense that it gave a much needed peek into the psyche of Gretchen and her traumatic childhood. Detectives Shaughnessy and Marconi play a more important role in the story. Shaughnessy's link to Gretchen's past is revealed, explaining why he has always lurked by the sidelines of her life while Marconi, through her astuteness and loyalty, forges something of a friendship with the otherwise difficult Gretchen.

The first half of the book is quite slow and at some points repetitive too. But as in the first book, the author is quite generous with the plot twists and suspense factors, keeping one hooked throughout. The narrative deals with obsession and manipulation, and it does get pretty intense at times. The ending however was totally unexpected and I am still reeling from the shock of it.

Overall, an enjoyable, entertaining, suspense-filled read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A great follow up to A Familiar Sight, although works well as a stand alone book as well.
Dr. Gretchen White returns, this time ready to work on her own case. Did she really commit the crime she was accused of when she was eight years old? Why does everyone seem to know more than they are letting on? Very satisfying wrap up, and interested to see where Dr. White goes to from here.

What Can't Be Seen by Brianna Labuskes Was looking forward to the sequel and learning more about Gretchen White and her backstory. The story and the premise were good, the reveal was easily seen from the narrative. The interactions between Gretchen and Marconi became annoying and childish as the story progressed. That and the back and forth of the timelines and POVs and the repetitiveness dragged the progression of the story down. It was a good read which the author's many fans will no doubt enjoy. Just not my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

What Can't Be Seen by Brianna Labuskes is a thriller with unexpected twists and turns. Dr. Gretchen White is a top consultant for the Boston PD. Even though her past holds a very traumatic event, she has become a respected psychologist and criminologist. The character of Dr. Gretchen White is not always likable, but Detective Lauren Marconi sees beyond her flaws and pushes for answers to her past. There are several people who hold the answers, but will these secrets ever be uncovered? Gretchen and Marconi work to find the truth of Gretchen's involvement in the death of her aunt almost thirty years ago. It was a gruesome death and Gretchen was found holding the bloody knife as she stood next to her aunt's body. This is an intriguing psychological mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Publication Date: May 24, 2022

I was delighted when I saw the second installment of this series was available so I snapped it up immediately. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Gretchen White is back and better than ever, we begin the book with Gretchen in a pretty bad place, having a serious bender over the bombshell Detective Marconi dropped on her at the end of the last book, no spoilers you have to read it ‘tsk tsk’.

The dynamic duo are able to get it together and start investigating a riveting case, Gretchen’s own. All her life she’s been led to believe in no uncertain terms she’s a cold blooded killer since the age of 8, but… is everything as it seems.

Detective Patrick Shaughnessy has some secrets of his own and his behaviour is erratic and weir. We are introduced to some diabolical characters that are Gretchen’s ‘family’. It is a ride, twist after, twist after twist.

We go back and forth in time hearing from multiple view points to get to the very deep dark thrilling bottom of ‘That Night’ the night Gretchen’s young life changed forever! Nothing and I mean nothing, is as it seems and when you think holy hell that was wild, even that isn’t what it seemed.

Gretchen and Marconi’s semi-friendship/working relationship is tested to it’s limits. All you want to know is will Gretchen find out what she wants to hear or is this a rabbit hole best left alone!!

It’s a must read for anyone who loved the first book. Brianna Labuskes has done a brilliant job of keeping this story on a knifes edge the entire time.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Thomas and Mercer for an advanced copy for my honest review.

I was so excited to read this one and I hope it will become a full series! Our favorite sociopath, Dr. Gretchen White, is back investigating a case close to home. Her home, because she's determined to uncover once and for all whether she truly murdered her aunt, Rowan White. At the tender age of eight, she was discovered standing over her aunt's body, holding a bloody knife. Seems pretty obvious, right? Oh, but it is anything but obvious! Along with the ever patient Detective Lauren Marconi, she starts digging deep into her family's past, uncovering secrets she never could have imagined.

The story is told in multiple points of view - by Gretchen now, by Detective Shaughnessy several decades ago, and by Tabby (whose sister was killed) a few decades ago. If I make it sound confusing, it's not. The different perspectives tie in together and help form the complete story. If you read the previous book, you may find yourself seeing Detective Shaughnessy in a different light this time around. Even though he's not opposed to working with Gretchen, he's made it clear that he believes she was guilty and can never be fully trusted. That's why Detective Marconi is so great - she does trust Gretchen (much to Gretchen's chagrin), even though she barely knows her and has every reason to doubt her. I love the interactions between them - they come across as real people, not like cliched characters in a book.

And the secrets they uncover! Such a twisted family. At least Gretchen acknowledges and accepts her sociopathic tendencies - she's nothing compared to some of her relatives! She's always believed herself to be physically non-violent. Mostly. But what if that's why she can't remember the truth of that terrible night - because she's been lying to herself her entire life? You have to read this awesome story that keeps you guessing right up until the end!

I loved the first installment of this new series A Familiar Sight and this one featuring our new favorite sociopath Dr Gretchen White was even better than the earlier one. As promised, we are going back to investigate the crime that happened when Gretchen was 8 years old and has defined her life and her identity ever since. This was a complex novel, with a handful of villains, a handful of motives and a billion twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down until I knew for sure.

The intriguing Dr. Gretchen White returns in her role as profiler for the Boston police department. Gretchen has long believed she understand the criminal mind so well because she is, herself, a sociopath. That opinion was shared by Boston detective Patrick Shaughnessy, the cop who believed she got away with killing her own aunt when she was just a child. Now, detective Lauren Marconi is determined to prove that Gretchen is innocent, even as Shaughnessy is waiting in the wings for Gretchen’s real personality to surface for all to see. I love an antihero, and Gretchen White is one of my favorite, complex, multifaceted and slightly creepy