Dr. Gretchen White, a criminologist, believed Detective Lauren Marconi could never go too far. Later Lauren is detained for an execution-style killing while still having fresh blood on her hands. Gretchen remains adamant that she is innocent despite the mounting evidence. Lauren would have known how to commit murder and get away with it. Gretchen is forced to work with Lauren’s boyfriend and the confrontational by-the-book star of Internal Affairs, Lachlan Gibbs, and she begins her investigation. Yet when she delves into Lauren’s well-held secrets, more questions than answers come to light. When Lauren’s ten-year infatuation with the victim is revealed, Gretchen begins to question her judgment. She is more aware than most that things are not always as they seem. Furthermore, it’s critical to solve this riddle since Lauren’s future depends on it.

It started slowly before exploding into a rip-roaring blaze of suspense, equal parts criminal fiction and psychological thriller. Loving seeing Gretchen and Lauren’s connection grow, as well as Lauren’s boyfriend Lachlan’s. As each book goes on, these characters develop immensely, and I like spending time with them. Was on the edge of my seat the entire time since I was unable to figure out who the murderer was; excellent suspense.

Gretchen and Lachlan must go through a complex mystery with several potential suspects and reasons to discover the truth. The narrative is told from a variety of angles, and you’ll find yourself formulating your hypotheses about the killer and his motives. I like how easily the book transitioned from the present with Gretchen and Lachlan to the past to explain why Lauren behaves the way she does. The book’s twists will keep you guessing until the very last word is said, and when it does, you’ll feel relieved yet hopeful that there will be some sort of sequel. When a series is successfully concluded, you know it was a terrific book, but you still wish there had been another to see what happened to the characters’ lives after that. Yet this grim tale dealt with a subject that, at times, was difficult to read about and understand. Fans of suspense and thrillers will undoubtedly adore this novel, just as I did.

Author Brianna Labuskes takes readers on another twisty, suspenseful ride in this third installment to her Dr. Gretchen White series, “See it End.” A gripping story right from the very start, I was hard-pressed to put this one down!! The fast-paced plotline is brilliantly recounted through dual timelines and POV’s and reveals a depraved backstory that carries into the present. All of the characters are well-developed, yet flawed, which makes me love them all the more. I especially enjoy Gretchen’s sarcasm and the unconventional friendship she shares with Lauren Marconi. I give “See it End” two thumbs up! It’s truly a thrilling addition to an already riveting series!!

Did Dr. White’s favorite BPD detective really commit murder? Nothing is as it seems in this third installment of the series where it’s Marconi’s mysterious past that takes center stage.

First of all, the way that Dr. Gretchen White views the world is SO interesting to read - there aren’t a huge amount of stories out there where it’s the sociopath SOLVING crimes, not committing them. I loved all the differing POVs and the jumping timelines that slowly revealed pieces of the past. Sometimes it felt like there were a LOT of different theories going on in Gretchen’s mind, but that makes sense since there really wasn’t much to go on at the beginning of the investigation. I was shocked at how much I DIDN’T know about Detective Lauren Marconi’s history (after all, I’ve already read two books where she & Gretchen solved cases together) - that was very intricately plotted and I’m impressed at how it lined up so neatly when you looked back at their time together.

There were multiple huge reveals in this book and I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that if you’re a fan of thrillers then your bookshelf isn’t complete without some Brianna Labuskes titles 😊

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received this as a ARC so I didn’t know this was book 3 of a series. I went to find the first two books and I’m so glad I did this series is amazing. Book 3 definitely bring more familiar yet sarcastic tones from the one and only Dr. Gretchen White. Can’t wait to read more from Brianna Labuskes.

I was hooked from the beginning when the main character, Dr. Gretchen White, envisions herself stabbing her blind date with a steak knife because he is boring her to death. Can’t everyone relate to that in some way? Fortunately, she walks away leaving him intact. Just as she thinks her evening has suddenly gotten better, she finds out her best friend, Boston PD detective Lauren Marconi, has confessed to committing a murder. Now she makes it her purpose to find the truth no matter what.

This book is described as psychological suspense which is the perfect way to describe it as it has totally messed with my psyche. Dr. White just happens to be a criminologist, so she fits quite nicely into this story of murder and serial child kidnappings. This book has a fairly large cast of characters, and at times it was hard to keep track of what was happening as it bounced around between several timelines. I stayed up late to finish it because I had to know the ending, which I must confess I was beginning to suspect. This did not in any way take away from my enjoyment of the book. However, this gritty story touched on a subject that was hard to read about and comprehend at times. No doubt fans of suspense and thrillers will devour this book as I did.

Many thanks to the publisher, Thomas and Mercer, and to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it three and one-half stars rounded up to four.

This is a good solid series, featuring psychologist Dr. Gretchen White and Detective Lauren Marconi. This can be read as a stand-alone book, although it would be helpful to know the characters’ backstories. I hope the author writes more in this compelling series. Recommended!

Dr. Gretchen White, a consultant for Boston Police Department is returning from a date to find her friend Lauren in her car with bloodied hands. Before exiting the vehicle Lauren asks Gretchen not to investigate. Lauren is a detective with the Boston Police Department.

Gretchen quickly calls detective Lauren’s partner Lachlan Gibbs, with Boston PD’s Internal Affairs Department, to relay the news. But Gretchen learns from Lachlan that Lauren has already turned herself in.

According to the media, someone had entered the home of the victim, Owen Hayes at night, setting off the alarm. His wife, Martha, and daughter had been out to dinner The only person captured entering and leaving the room was Detective Lauren.

Lauren had joined BP a year prior. Before then she a police officer with the Montpelier PD in Vermont. Then eight years ago she transferred to Amherst from Montpelier.

Gretchen is convinced Lauren’s innocent and starts digging for the truth.

Thank you to Brianna Labuskes, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this book.

This series is just...wow. I loved seeing a (slightly) softer side of Gretchen in this book, and the progression of her friendship with Lauren. As usual, the plot kept me guessing, and I was riveted to see how it would all end. Highly recommend!

This is the third book in the #Gretchenseries and my second read by author Brianna Labuskes. I can't stress how much I loved the plot, the pacing and the writing style. The short action-packed chapters. Since I've read the previous book #whatcantbeseen, I guess I had a better sight about things. But I'm sure this book can also be read as a stand-alone.

Brianna Labuskes is an author that I've been wanting to read for a while. I even own a couple of her books but have not gotten around to reading yet. Well, she just climbed up to the top of my 'to read' pile after "See it End".

WOW!! Even though "See it End" is part of the Gretchen White Series, it can read as a stand alone. I haven't read the other two books and was able to keep up with the story without any glitches. I LOVED Marconi and her personality. I'm definitely going back to reading the previous books in the series.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer, Brianna Labuskes, and NetGalley for this amazing ARC

This is my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! The book grabbed me from the first page. I don’t usually like it when books go back and forth in time but it worked for this one. The book is full of suspense from the first page with a twist at the end that I never saw coming. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

amazing amazing amazing! every parents nightmare, so many twists and turns, literally stomach churning, heartbreaking, could not put it down!

I started reading this book thinking that I knew exactly how this was going to go. I have read plenty of books like this before and I really thought I had it all figured out by the first few chapters. Labuskes does a fantastic job of keeping the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat. There is no lack of action in the dialogue driven novel, and that makes it great! There was never a moment of boredom. There is, however, a moment where I was so completely shocked that my mouth fell agape and I may have said an expletive out loud! This is my first book by this author, but the third in the series. I have to go back and read the first two now, and I can’t wait to read more! I will say though, that at the beginning I did feel like I was missing out on something a little from the first two books. But that feeling went away fast and I was engrossed in this book. Also, there’s a ton of times that it is mentioned that Dr. White is a sociopath. By the 5th time, I wanted to scream “we got it!” Overall, a must read for any thriller lover!

I didn't realize this was the third book in a series but it didn't seem to matter because I thought it was excellent as is and I'll definitely go back and read the first two!! Loved loved loved! What great characters Lauren, Gretchen and Lachlan are! I could not get enough and read this in just one day! The writing is excellent. I'm now a huge fan of Brianna Labuskes!

Wow! My first Brianna Labuskes novel but won’t be my last. Loved all of the alternating timelines and POVs. Great characters and details. All woven together flawlessly. This packed with tension and twists that just don’t stop.
Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Loved this mystery series! So many times the third book in a series isn’t as engaging or surprising as the earlier books but this book did not disappoint. The author wove the story together in a way that kept me guessing throughout the plot lines. Highly recommend you read all three books. This book can stand on its own but you will miss out on the ups and downs of the relationships that were built in the previous books.

Gretchen White has a friend even if she isn’t full aware of that fact. When her friend, Lauren Marconi, tells Gretchen she committed a murder and to not investigate, Gretchen cannot suppress her true nature. She must prove the murder was not committed by Lauren no matter what Lauren says. To solve the crime and clear Lauren, she needs the cooperation of someone with police credentials and manages to convince a very unlikely ally — Lauren’s love interest — who also happens to despise Gretchen. How could this not be a successful endeavor?

This story tackles hard to process crimes against children and spousal abuse which can make it too dark for some readers but the author manages to weave humanity into the story in a way that lightens the journey and makes for some humorous moments. It’s the reality of the positive and negative qualities every human possesses that makes these flawed characters relatable. You know a book is great when it wraps up a series effectively but you would still love to have another book to see where the characters’ lives go next.

4.5 stars. If you are looking for a book that you can fall into and read all day long, this is the series for you. These psychological thrillers have unique characters, fun character interactions, lots of twists, and a mystery that makes you think. This third book in The Dr. Gretchen White series is just as good as the others and had me reading way too late into the night. I really need to read the stand alone novels by Labuskes, but I hope there will be a forth book in this series!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Holy Canoli!!! I got this as an ARC and didn't realize this book was third in a series but I had no problem following along. This book was fast paced and I couldn't put it down. I will be reading the first two books of this series so I can get more details. I would highly recommend this book.

Thanks NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this ARC in advanced.

This is the 3rd book in the #GretchenWhite series and it did not disappoint. I've always liked this series because Gretchen is a known sociopath, and it just makes the story that much more interesting. I loved all the characters in this book, and felt like the chemistry was great. I also liked that this story focused on #LaurenMarconi instead of Gretchen. It was nice to learn more of her backstory and it makes more sense why Lauren and Gretchen are friends.

This is a quick read, with short chapters that just create more suspense for readers. I can't way to see what else #BriannaLabuskes has in store for us!

Brianna nails it front and center with this fascinating thriller!
If you want edge of your seat action you've come to the right place.
My word, where do I even begin...Give me a sec!
Ok, after pausing to catch my breath we'll begin with the fact that this has it all. Murder, mystery, suspense, and dare I might add a bit of psychological suspense -if there's even such a thing!
Brianna is no stranger to my repertoire. In fact, I was over the moon with her 1st of this series, "A Familiar Sight" back in January of last year. See blog here: https://thesecretbooksleuth.blogspot.com/search?q=a+familiar+sight
However, she upped the game on me and is playing hard ball with an amazing set of characters and a plot that thickens quicker than my grandma's gravy.
Gives knew meaning to the phrase, "Not everything is as it seems."
Look fans of Brianna know what to expect. You know that train wreck is barreling down at you. You know there's a blizzard of fury, flight and fight, and hell-throw in plenty of investigative chatter.
It all begins with Dr. Gretchen White (Criminologist) and Lauren Marconi (Detective) and this big news of Lauren's arrest for murder.
Wait...What?
How the heck can someone with so much experience be arrested? Nope, not happening on Gretchen's watch.
So, when they say, "Don't investigate" they know the trail is getting hotter. Why on Earth would so many people remain silent?
Sometime many eyes are needed to solve such cases and so bring on Lachlan Gibbs (Internal Affairs and B.F. of Lauren) to sweeten the pot.
Lauren's future is on the line here. There's plenty of noise surrounding this case. Many hidden secrets.
Speaking of hidden there's a husband and wife that might also be on the line. Martha Hayes- Girl, you are quite something.
Speaking of this murder scene it has be pondering the meaning of a true 'Serial Killer' and could a killer such as this kill one of their own?
I'm probably not the smartest cookie on the block but we have to look at this progression and realize that the plot is getting juicier by the minute.
Wait, remember the other old saying...Hindsight is 20-20...and a dissociative disorder may be to blame but so too is the nature -nurture theory because some indidviduals aren't born but made from their familial circumstances.
Remember the BTK killer and his daughter. She swore he treated her with kid gloves. He was a great father to her. Makes one wonder doesn't it.
Well, "you can't run forever" and perhaps escaping might be the only way but what about obscuring evidence, what about admitting truths, and for god's sake what about new identities.
I'll close on this quote, " Why chase normalcy when there were so many fun things out there she had yet to try?"
Bring me this meal ticket any day of the week. This was pure excitement!
Thank you to Brianna Labuskes, Netgalley, and Thomas & Mercer for another wonderful thriller!
See it End is due out: April 18th 2023
Run don't walk to get yourself a copy as soon as able!
#TheSecretBookSleuth