Member Reviews
Another Gretchen White book - woo hoo!
I love this series. Dr Gretchen White is a clinical psychologist who consults for the police... But... she is a sociopath! Her sense of empathy is just not there and she often has violent thoughts of killing, which she mostly controls...
Due to their lack of empathy, and sense of connection to people, sociopaths don't make true friends. However, Gretchen has a friendship with Lauren - a police detective. It is not the normal definition of friendship - but it's important to Gretchen. I believe she has feelings that she doesn't really recognize.
In this book, Lauren is accused of a murder. Gretchen doesn't believe it and begins to investigate. I love reading about Gretchen's thoughts as she makes decisions - I feel totally invested in her..
You do not have to read the previous books in this series to enjoy this one - but you should. It will give you a real sense of what Gretchen is like - and it will provide an emotional investment in their friendship that will enhance your enjoyment of this book.
Now is this a true 5 star book? Probably not. But I am giving it 5 because I just love Gretchen so much!
Thank you to the author, the publisher and to #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.
What an interesting character Gretchen White is. This is the third book in the series and I'm hoping for many more. An admitted sociopath, A Psychologist and Criminologist, smart woman who consults with the police especially Loren Marconi. Loren has been arrested for a murder, all things point to her but Gretchen 'has' to investigate along with Loren's guy who Gretchen can't stand. I love it when an author pulls the wool over my eyes and leaves me guessing. Housework stands still while I read 'one more chapter'. Looking forward to the next one, thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an ARC.And especially to Brianna Labuskes for writing this series.
"Don't investigate". Detective Lauren Marconi says these words to Dr Gretchen White.
Lauren's son was kidnapped and believed to be dead when he was 7 years old. Nine years later, the case is still cold, and Lauren is still investigating on her own.
She is arrested for killing the man that she was convinced was responsible for taking her son and 8 other young boys.
Gretchen feels that Lauren wants her to investigate the murder of Hayes........ and teams up with Lauren's boyfriend to find out exactly what has transpired.
I really enjoyed this book. It is the third of a series, and I have not read anything by this author before.
I like her style of writing and plotting out the story, and keeping me enthralled, and I will definitely be looking out for more books by Brianna Labuskes.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope she writes more! I am totally hooked!
I've enjoyed the hell out of these Dr. Gretchen White series. And this is book three.
See It End by Brianna Labuskes was once again a true suspense filled read.
Criminologist Dr. Gretchen White is a wonderful female lead. I've loved following her stories and getting a first look inside her mind is always a wonderful way to spend my evening's.
Brianna Labuskes writing is just fantastic. She never fails to amaze me and keeps me flipping the pages all night. She always leaves me wanting more.
A brilliantly constructed storyline that will have you hooked until the very end.
What a tense, enthralling crime thriller that hooked from the first page and read this book in two sitting…
Full of tension and suspense. A real page turner.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
Thomas & Mercer,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.
This is not only an excellent murder mystery, but it is a great look into the minds of sociopaths on both sides of the blue line. Boys go missing, but the pattern is not noticed at first. There is more than one suspect, but personal anguish and targeted subterfuge result in tunnel vision. Lauren's personal involvement as an officer and the mother of a missing boy is a challenge to the investigation and to the integrity of the police force. When Lauren's prime suspect is killed and she admits to killing him, it seems like an honest revenge murder. But her friend Gretchen has a mind that does not work like that of most people, and she makes connections that are not seen in normal light. Gretchen does not accept Lauren's confession, and this sparks an incredible investigative journey with crazy twists and truths hidden in plain sight. So incredibly well written and utterly engrossing. I feel like I learned some psychology pearls while reading this book!
What. A. Ride!!!!! This book was SO multi layered and a true thriller to the very end!!!!!! I don't know what to say to not give any spoilers away but man alive!! If you are looking for a good thriller and appreciate snarky asides (Dr. Gretchen is amazing!!!) Run don't walk to get this book!!
Best one in the series! Loved everything about this one - even though I figured it out pretty early on. Great character development. I especially have enjoyed seeing the change in Gretchen over the course of the three books. What a complex character! I really hope this wasn't the end of the series. I'd love to see more.
Thank you #netgalley and #thomas&mercer for the eARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of See It End. I love Gretchen because she is such an intriguing character and in every book I keep wondering if one day she will snap! This book started out a little confusing because I had trouble keeping all of the other characters straight in my mind. As the book went on, they started to become more clear and now I have to read the book again because the story was amazing and complex. If you haven’t started this series yet, start with A Familiar Sight and read the series in order. You won’t be disappointed!
I’m really loving these Brianna books. This book is no exception. It absolutely has a a great plot and characters for you to enjoy.
Another great book by this author and I can’t wait for more books! I have become a huge fan! Highly recommend it! Ready for the next one asap! 🥳
My Rating Style: 4.5 rounded up to 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ticked enough boxes for me to LOVE IT!!!!
Do you like a mystery where everyone seems guilty??
Dr. Gretchen White believed Detective Lauren Marconi to bend rules but not truly break them… not the ones that matter - like committing cold blooded murder!!
Lauren waits for Gretchen in her car to tell her “Don’t Investigate - I did it” covered in blood and a dead look in her eye. Before Gretchen can ask any questions Lauren is gone and soon after has handed herself in and is arrested.
Gretchen is convinced of her innocence even though the evidence is damning to say the least. Dr. White’s reasoning - well, Lauren would know how to get away with murder. And so the mystery begins.
Forced to team up with internal affairs agent and Lauren’s boyfriend, Lachlan Gibbs, Gretchen is less than pleased but starts to dig (quite literally) for the truth.
Everything is not as it seems but it really seems like Lauren is guilty - can Gretchen get the result she is hoping for??
WELL - a massive contrast to my previous book which took a big fat L this one was a winner!!! Brianna Labuskes hasn’t let me down in this series yet but I think this one was truly up there with her best!! As always I love Dr. Gretchen White - a diagnosed sociopath always walking the fine line between unadulterated rage and impulsiveness and trying to be ‘normal’. She is quick witted and sharp tongued and it is say it is an absolute delight. 👌
I was super excited to see we were getting to find out more about Lauren Marconi. She has an interesting backstory which up to now we haven’t learnt of. Bombshell after bombshell is dropped it was like being under fire!! I really enjoyed getting to know Lauren in the before scenes but I really did miss her as part of the current storyline (not a negative but just like the character). 🙌
I loved the Before and the Now and also the multiple POVs because who doesn’t love being thrust into a new and exciting story just when things were getting interesting!! This flowed exactly as it should and I found myself speed reading through the chapters and having to run it back because I was going to fast from excitement. 🤗
While I wasn’t a huge fan of Lauren’s beau Lachlan Gibbs the banter between him and Gretchen was really hitting it and at times it made me giggle. Mostly because I am sadistic and I enjoyed the idea of him squirming under Gretchen’s barbs and sarcastic taunts. 🤣
I have a couple of negatives, there was a MAJOR twist that I wasn’t all that much of a fan of, it was a little overkill and kind of wasn’t necessary. It didn’t ruin it but I was a bit Meh about it. Not going to spoil it but I think the ending could have gone a bit of a different way. 🤷♀️
Mostly I thoroughly enjoyed it - it had a bit of everything past, present and perhaps a glimpse of a future for book 4??? Let’s hope so because this was one of the few next in series books that didn’t crap out on me. I really enjoyed it and a real treat was when a moment in book one made an appearance in book 3 from a new POV I LOVED that!!!💖
If you haven’t read the other books in the series I do recommend you read them in order starting with A Familiar Sight and then What Can’t Be Seen. Also check out Brianna’s other books too there is some gold to be had there!!! 🫶
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and Brianna Labuskes for an advanced copy of this novel for my honest opinion.
See It End (Dr. Gretchen White #3) by Brianna Labuskes is a suspenseful and twist filled thriller. Learning more about Maconi's backstory added more dimension to hers and Gretchen's dynamic. A very good addition to the series. Not ready to See It End and am looking forward to #4.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an early review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
4.5 rounded down
SYNOPSIS
When Detective Lauren Marconi is arrested for the murder of suspected child-abductor and pedo Owen Hayes, Dr. Gretchen White must use her special sociopath skills to find the actual killer.
MY OPINION
YEERRRRRRR!!!! After reading so many new releases from authors I like that turned out to be absolute stankers, I was holding my breath when I started this. Thankfully it was a sigh of relief, not disdain, as I absolutely powered through this book in a day. Awesome job Brianna!!! You did that.
One of my gripes with Sharon Bolton's Lacey Flint series is that I was TIREDTTTT of all the cases being personally connected to Lacey. Like there's no way homegirl has that many enemies lmao. I'm glad that Brianna chose to focus the case on Marconi (I'm sorry but I'll always read her name as macaroni) and delve into her background instead of solely focusing on Gretchen. By this point, Gretchen is an established character who has overcome her "big rock"... I would've been disappointed if this story revisited her past AGAIN. Well done. Now I'm ready for a case that revolves are Fred the cyber wizard!!
None of the characters annoyed me, which is really saying something. I enjoyed learning more about Marconi's sordid past and how it shaped her present day personality. The banter between Gretchen and Marconi's adult sleepover pall Lachlan was funny. They had great chemistry. Each character was expertly written and multi-dimensional.
Now you know I'm a hoe for a dual timeline and multiple POVs... check and check!! Oh and the chapters were short, which helped create suspense as I barrelled through this book. Similar to [book:What Can't Be Seen|57831170], Labuskes drops baby bombshells as well. Something is ALWAYS poppin off and it keeps you guessing.
I rounded down because like book #2 the final act was just doing TEW much. I don't want to give it away, but I could've done without one of the big reveals. If the ending had been taken down two notches, I would've slapped the banger alert up faster than my dog slops his dinner.
All in all, a fun, suspenseful ride that I couldn't put down!!! I'm ready for #4 Brianna!!!! LOL
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, fast-paced, suspenseful, distinct characters, multiple POVs and dual timelines (my fave), focused on Marconi's background instead of revolving around Gretchen
Cons: OTT ending, one of the big reveals was doing a lil too much for me
Good book! Wow! Some crazy twists! This book had suspense, intrigue, action , serial killers, murder, and crazy police work! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!