It’s always nice to discover authors who write the way I like my books to read. This was my first one by Mary Burton and I must say I like her writing style. It kept me reading till the end. Hard to put down even.

Not for the faint of heart though. There are some super creepy scenes. Wow. I almost couldn’t bring myself to read them. I thought of getting the other books in the series, but am having second thoughts because of that.

Content: A few very intimate scenes between the two main characters.

An excellent addition to this series. Tessa and Dakota are an outstanding duo dedicated to finding the Dollmaker. The rest of the characters are amazing (with a villain that is absolutely vile). The suspense is perfect and the action on point. Love everything about it.

After reading the first book I had to read this one which something I never do , and I'm so glad that I did , it was as creepy as I was hoping it would be and just as good .

Thank you for providing me the opportunity to review "The Dollmaker”. I am appreciative and leave my sincerity review voluntarily

•Homicide investigation
•Police Procedural
•Alternating POV
•Murder Mysteries
•Hidden Identity/ Whodunnit
•Obsession and crime
•Drugs
•Macabre tale


“People were easy to fool if you fed them believable lies”

“Death isn’t terrible. Death is stillness. It’s peace.

I love the characters in it. The author has done such a brilliant job by creating some genuine and some horrifying characters. Love every detail in book and how the plot unfolded. Agent Dakota is investigating about the man who died and his death had some connection with family secrets. While another death comes in spotlight, a woman died but she seems to be perfect like a living doll. Perhaps she reminded Agent Dakota of Kara, his half sister. Though characters seems to be harbouring a secret of their own. The author has not only described the creepy details of murder so well but also taken us in the inner life of each character. And shared glimpse of personal and professional life so well.

With some unsolved murders and inbuilt mysteries in the plot, the book will keep you at the edge of your seat. You will find yourself hooked from page one. The crazy obsession of man has kept many lives at stake blurring the line between imagination and reality. There is also a hint of spice and estranged marriage. I loved the ending and epilogue. I haven’t read any book like this before so go blindly into it. You will love it. The book is mystery/ thriller with suspense, crazy obsession and part romance.

Thank you Netgalley, Author, and Publisher

A serial killer that wants the women he takes to be his “dolls”. And makes them look like dolls. Scary and frightening and an amazing book. Can the police stop him before he kills more? Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I loved the cover and title but didn't realize this book was already published a while ago. I hadn't read book 1, but I read reviews saying this can be read as a standalone.

As far as serial killer thrillers go, this was solid writing, plot, characters and a fine police procedural. Maybe it just wasn't my favourite for reasons I'm unsure of - but it was a solid book nonetheless. Maybe I would've enjoyed it better if I had read book 1 first for characterization purposes.

Book Title: The Dollmarker
Author: Mary Burton
Series: The Forgotten Files #2
Publisher: Kensington Books-Zebra
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Mass Market Pub Date: December 26, 2023
First Published: November 15, 2016 by Montlake Romance
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 352

“The Dollmaker” is book #2 in Forgotten Files series. The third book in this series "The Hangman" is also available in case anyone wants to binge read this series.

I did not read Book #1 "The Shark". ] I did check a few reviewed and it seem they can be read as a standalone both have in common past and present thus the forgotten files. In that story teen prostitutes were being killed in New Orleans and now the killings have started again in Virginia.

In this story there are two murders that also connect the past and present.

Virginia State detective Dakota Sharp and his wife Dr. Tessa McGowan a forensic pathologist, are currently separated. Tessa is working on a case where a young woman’s face has been tattooed to make her look like a doll. Once the murderer is done with his design he kills his victims.

Dakota is still dealing with the death of his step sister Kara, who died twelve-years ago of a drug overdose. He has never accepted the cause of death and his obsession has caused his separation with his wife.
In that case, Kara and her friends went to a Halloween Party and the friends dressed as dolls. ... (Not sure if they dressed like Barbie or that creepy doll ‘Talky Tina’ from Twilight Zone – oops perhaps I am the only one who remembers Talky Tina as that was back in 1963 but she is a famous doll! However Kara did not dress as a doll.

Present now the killer is after Tessa! This brings Dakota into this case.

I read a lot of thrillers and the ratings on this were so amazing I was looking forward to reading it.
However, it wasn’t the Big Wow I expected.
I believe if I had read it back in 2016 when it was first released I probably would have rated it higher!

Want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for granting me this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date is scheduled for December 26. 2023.

This novel is the second book in a crime thriller series and the author definitely delivers another solid mystery. The book can be read as a stand-alone, but the characters are so interesting and cover a range of personalities, quirks and flaws that I strongly suggest reading the previous one first. I like that the author continues to incorporate different types of victims and their loved ones, but especially that some characters not only survive but overcome their demons. Lots of surprises too. I look forward to reason the next one and I'll be reading some of her other series now as well.

Net Galley Feedback

The Dollmaker by M. Burton, re-published by Kensington Books,nis book two in the Forgotten Files Series.
Dakota Sharp is a 41 year old agent with the state police. And attending the funeral of his step-father he had to come back where he grew up. The ex.military man has had a rough past, has no family left. But he's looking into the case of his murdered sister Kara.
Told in diary style, it took me a minute to get into the story. A fantastic read full of twists and unexpected turns, fast paced and complex, 4,5 stars.

I noticed that this book was originally published in 2016, and I already read it then. I do remember that I did enjoy it, as all of Ms Burton's books, and can recommend this for anyone who loves a good read.

This is the second book in the Forgotten Files series. Mary Burton didn’t disappoint. This was a really good book and I’m looking forward to more in the series⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Dr. Tessa McGowan is a forensic pathologist who has moved back into town and wants to give her marriage a fighting chance. Her husband, Dakota Sharp, will need some convincing.

Dakota is married to the job. Since his sister was found of a suspected drug overdose, he hasn’t been able to get it out of his mind. Tessa was her friend and experienced a terrible accident the night she went missing. Can they pair find their way back together?

Now, a suspected serial killer has emerged and the they will need to work together to capture him. He’s leaving his victims dressed as dolls and they all have a tie to Tessa and Sharp’s sister. Who is this and can they find him before Tessa is targeted?

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this second installment to her Forgotten Files series, author Mary Burton delivers yet another riveting thriller that I was hard-pressed to put down! This time around, Virginia State Detective, Dakota Sharp, takes center stage, as he hunts down a killer with a bizarrely disturbing MO that seemingly ties back to him on a more personal level. As Dakota delves deeper, unresolved questions surrounding the death of his long-deceased sister quickly rise to the surface, and before long, Dakota fears that his estranged wife, Dr. Tessa McGowan, could be the killer’s next target.

Right from the get-go, I was drawn into this suspenseful, macabre story, fully immersed as it all played out. I am usually quite adept at sifting through all the red herrings that authors place along the way, so I was able to quickly deduce the killer’s identity the moment that character entered upon the scene. That said, I am never 100% certain that I nailed the true culprit, so it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this book or from the actual hunt taking place. In fact, the opposite is true—I actually appreciated both the story and character development all the more!

I look forward to reading more books by this author as well as additional installments to this series!!

Wow. This one was exciting, absolutely loved it.
Tessa is very likeable, Dakota is rough and gruff and doesn’t think he deserves to be happy. Together, they will try to figure out who the Dollmaker is and if he was responsible for Kara’s death.
The storyline was very interesting and caught your intention enough that you can’t put this one down.
Can’t wait for the next one.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read and review this one.

I read The Dollmaker as a stand-alone, as I have read several books before by Mary Burton. In general, I am not a fan of the romantic thriller genre, however this storyline kept my interest. Dr. Tessa McGowan (a forensic pathologist) and Dakota Sharp (a Virginia State Detective) are married but separated. He has unresolved issues about the death of his step-sister Kara, who was found dead 12 years earlier. Two seemingly unrelated cases bring the two to work together. Someone is abducting young women and changing their faces to resemble a doll. Tessa and Dakota are in a race against time to identify the perpetrator, each from their own distinct perspective, especially since Tessa may be next on the list. It’s a fast moving read, and it’s creepy and disturbing to hear the killer’s perspective.
With thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Dakota Sharp is investigating a grisly murder that may have ties to his past. Dr Tessa McGowan is forensic pathologist working on the case and a potential target of this sick serial killer. Together they must stop this killer. Mary Burton is the queen of romantic suspense! You’ll be glued to this book until the very last page!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

The Dollmaker is the second book in the Forgotten Files series by best-selling author, Mary Burton. While its the second book, its not necessary to have read the first one, although I recommend you do as it is excellent. What appealed to me about this one was the interesting and creepy sounding serial killer. I liked the first one for the same reason. I liked the chapters which are from the killer's perspective and getting a glimpse into their mind and headspace was very creepy. The main characters in the story are great and I enjoyed the romance element which was different and didn't take over the story or distract from the chilling crimes. I'm really enjoying Mary Burton's books and feel she is an author to watch. I'm looking forward to reading the next book, The Hangman.

Mary Burton, creates a dark, suspenseful and terrifying story in The Dollmaker. This is a fast paced and thrilling police procedural mixed with some insight into the killer which was actually quite disturbing to read. This is creepy and tense and great for any thriller fans.

Great book!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! This book had everything! It had high suspense, intrigue, action, murder, serial killer, mystery, great police work, A great who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The Dollmaker by Mary Burton is book 2 in the Forgotten Files series.

Just a warning to some readers: this book was first published in 2016, so it’s not a new release per se.

In The Dollmaker, forensic pathologist Dr. Tessa McGowan and agent Dakota Sharp must work together to unravel the mysteries behind the macabre doll-like killings before Tessa becomes the next victim.

The author unraveled the story with precision and the tense scenes held my interest. It had some creepy aspects to the story. I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and the story moved quickly.

I would recommend this book and this author. A good story with an interesting premise.

#TheDollmaker #NetGalley @KensingtonBooks