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Veronica Sloan #1
Die Farbe des Todes
Eine Mordserie erschüttert Washington. Die Opfer: Personen, die eine geheime Technologie testen. Die Ermittler: Detective Veronica Sloan und Special Agent Jeremy Sykes. Die Spannung: kaum auszuhalten!Washington, 2017. Nach einem verheerenden Terroranschlag hat sich das Leben in den USA stark verändert. Eine neue Technologie erleichtert die Aufklärung von Mordfällen. Detective Veronica Sloan ist eine der Ersten, die die Methode erfolgreich anwendet. Da wird im Keller des Weißen Hauses eine Leiche ohne Kopf gefunden. Sloan nimmt die Ermittlungen auf. Unterstützung erhält sie von Special Agent Jeremy Sykes.
416 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2012
102 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 6, 2013
I love a really good mystery or thriller. I was lucky enough to get a review copy from the author through NetGalley. I actually purchased my print copy even before I finished reading my digital copy.
I absolutely loved Don’t Look Away! It is set in the future just enough years for all the technology to be believable without being too out there. I also love books set in the future, and this one was very well done.
Veronica Sloan is a totally kick-ass character and I loved her from the very beginning. She and her partner Mark Daniels have worked well together for years and are pulling into what appears to be a typical murder except the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. Once Ronnie is attacked by the killer, FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes is called in to assist in the investigation. Jeremy and Ronnie trained together and have clashed from day one. They have amazing chemistry and I couldn’t wait for them to finally get together.
I have to say I guessed the wrong killer in the beginning. I love when that happens with a thriller. I did figure it out right before the killer was revealed, but not the reason why. Leslie Smith totally kept me on the edge of my seat reading this book. I can’t wait to see where she takes this series in the future. Don’t Ever Stop, book 2 in the series is currently set to release on July 15, 2013.
I absolutely loved Don’t Look Away! It is set in the future just enough years for all the technology to be believable without being too out there. I also love books set in the future, and this one was very well done.
Veronica Sloan is a totally kick-ass character and I loved her from the very beginning. She and her partner Mark Daniels have worked well together for years and are pulling into what appears to be a typical murder except the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. Once Ronnie is attacked by the killer, FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes is called in to assist in the investigation. Jeremy and Ronnie trained together and have clashed from day one. They have amazing chemistry and I couldn’t wait for them to finally get together.
I have to say I guessed the wrong killer in the beginning. I love when that happens with a thriller. I did figure it out right before the killer was revealed, but not the reason why. Leslie Smith totally kept me on the edge of my seat reading this book. I can’t wait to see where she takes this series in the future. Don’t Ever Stop, book 2 in the series is currently set to release on July 15, 2013.
March 8, 2015
Don't Look Away by Leslie A. Kelly is a futuristic crime investigation. I believe it's year 2024. On October 22nd in 2017 domestic terrorists blew up the Washington monument, the White House and after they set up triage in the Washington Mall they blew that up too. The president was assassinated, not planned by an extra. All US Citizens are microchipped in the arms. 5,000 individuals were part of an experiment where they had an eye augmented so it can record everything and download it once a week then picked up by someone working for Phineas Tate its inventor. Ronnie Sloane and Mark Daniels of the District of Columbia Police Department are chipped. Ronnie too additional courses in Texas with FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes.When a woman working for the architect for the new White House Project was murdered and she's one of the 5000 and her head is missing. Sloane and Daniels are called in to investigate. Sloane gets hit by a 2×4 sending her to the hospital and the bring Sykes into the picture. Read on to discover how Sloane and Sykes rise to the occasion.
September 13, 2014
Check out my other reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
I love a good crime drama. Maybe it's because my dad was a crime scene investigator while I was growing up and I've come to love the whole process of catching a killer. I don't know. But when I saw that this was a crime drama with a (semi) futuristic twist to it, I jumped at the chance to read this novel. And then I let it sit on my TBR shelf for months. Months and months. For some reason, I just wasn't inclined to pick it up. I think subconsciously, I was wary. But I had no reason to be ... this is the first novel I've read from this author and I don't read reviews on a novel that I'm going to read because I don't want to taint my first impressions and feelings. I really had no reason to not pick this book up. I just didn't.
When I finally did pick it up, I wasn't disappointed. It really grabs you from the first page and immerses you into this world in the not too distant future and it is eerily close to home. With how things are in the world today, this book could be considered a bit foreshadowing if things play out as everyone fears. Anyhow, it was really cool ... the technology and the reasoning behind it ... it seemed feasible. Everything in this novel seemed like it could come to pass ... it was really kind of creepy.
Anyhow, about a fourth of the way through the novel, I just kept hitting these patches of reader quicksand. You know what I'm talking about ... the story feels like it ran into a brick wall and is struggling to plow its way through ... it was just rough. I felt like I had to force myself to read further and further. Reading shouldn't be like that. But it kept this sluggishness up for pretty much the rest of the book. The beginning of the novel felt like it was just going to blow my mind and then this. I was pretty disappointed when I put this one down. Maybe I've hit a reading plateau and if I were to pick this up at another time, I would enjoy it. I don't know. What I do know is that while this book isn't badly written, it just wasn't for me.
November 21, 2013
Don't Look Away, by Leslie A. Kelly, is a thrilling romantic suspense that takes place in the not too distant future.
Detective Veronica Sloan, her partner Mark Daniels and FBI agent Jeremy Sykes team together when there is a gruesome murder in the sub-basement of the under-construction White House (destroyed in the worst ever terrorist attack of 2017) and the victim was a participant in a top-secret program. A program that the 3 cops are in as well.
Horrific murders, a love triangle, and nail-biting suspense make this a must read. Ending with a cliffhanger I look forward to the next book in the series.
Detective Veronica Sloan, her partner Mark Daniels and FBI agent Jeremy Sykes team together when there is a gruesome murder in the sub-basement of the under-construction White House (destroyed in the worst ever terrorist attack of 2017) and the victim was a participant in a top-secret program. A program that the 3 cops are in as well.
Horrific murders, a love triangle, and nail-biting suspense make this a must read. Ending with a cliffhanger I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 4, 2013
This book was a good read. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Sometimes it was a little drawn out but overall I really liked it. I'm looking forward to the next one in this series.
May 4, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Barring all the typos I stumbled across, and the slow start, this book got interesting as it progressed. Being a more futuristic type of book, even if it's set only a few years in the future, it was kind of hard to pick up on all the new lingo and all the "history" of the present timeline.
Veronica was not an easy character to relate to, and sometimes came off extremely judgmental; but then she'd correct herself by revisiting earlier snap judgments she makes about people, and properly accept that she was wrong. I don't know what to think about her.
And then we even have a sort of love triangle--I don't like love triangles. And in this case, I think it would have been handled well if there had been better chemistry between the respective points involved. At least Veronica points out the obvious, resenting the fact that they are in the middle of a murder investigation, a rather cruel and gruesome one at that, and the two men around her are too busy posturing and trying to pee their territory around her.
Anyway, I wasn't really all that impressed by the O.E.P. technology that was presented in this book. The hype and the curiosity that came about made me think that there was a lot more to the optical tech than we actually ended up finding. In the end, it was all just a fancy, more glamorized kind of body cam that really only snaps non-motion pictures once every second.
While that DOES make for a nice way to watch a crime happening from a victim's perspective, as we can see, there are loopholes and workarounds. If the perpetrator knows that the O.E.P. technology exists and has been implanted in the victim, said perpetrator can take many precautions to ensure that he or she can still get away with the crime. Simply remove the head and hide it, or bash in the skull and completely ruin the optical chip, or just wear a mask or find some way to blind the victim.
Truthfully, I was actually expecting something a bit more advanced and... well, fancier.
Time to adjust my mindset, I suppose.
Though at the very least, the criminal investigation wasn't bad, though I would have liked to see more of it. While our two main characters spend their time looking at photos from their victims' O.E.P. files, a lot of the actual investigating happens behind the scenes, conducted by Veronica's police detective partner. And while the main culprit wasn't really predictable, the way some of the events in the story progression occurs was predictable.
Finally, this book kind of ends on a cliff-hanger, which means I need to pick up the second book ASAP. I don't like cliff-hangers.
***
Booklikes-opoly
Roll #4:
Our MC, Veronica, is a police detective.
Page Count: 323
Cash Award: +$3.00
Updated Bank Balance: $30.00
See Also: Fourth Roll Activities
Barring all the typos I stumbled across, and the slow start, this book got interesting as it progressed. Being a more futuristic type of book, even if it's set only a few years in the future, it was kind of hard to pick up on all the new lingo and all the "history" of the present timeline.
Veronica was not an easy character to relate to, and sometimes came off extremely judgmental; but then she'd correct herself by revisiting earlier snap judgments she makes about people, and properly accept that she was wrong. I don't know what to think about her.
And then we even have a sort of love triangle--I don't like love triangles. And in this case, I think it would have been handled well if there had been better chemistry between the respective points involved. At least Veronica points out the obvious, resenting the fact that they are in the middle of a murder investigation, a rather cruel and gruesome one at that, and the two men around her are too busy posturing and trying to pee their territory around her.
Anyway, I wasn't really all that impressed by the O.E.P. technology that was presented in this book. The hype and the curiosity that came about made me think that there was a lot more to the optical tech than we actually ended up finding. In the end, it was all just a fancy, more glamorized kind of body cam that really only snaps non-motion pictures once every second.
While that DOES make for a nice way to watch a crime happening from a victim's perspective, as we can see, there are loopholes and workarounds. If the perpetrator knows that the O.E.P. technology exists and has been implanted in the victim, said perpetrator can take many precautions to ensure that he or she can still get away with the crime. Simply remove the head and hide it, or bash in the skull and completely ruin the optical chip, or just wear a mask or find some way to blind the victim.
Truthfully, I was actually expecting something a bit more advanced and... well, fancier.
Time to adjust my mindset, I suppose.
Though at the very least, the criminal investigation wasn't bad, though I would have liked to see more of it. While our two main characters spend their time looking at photos from their victims' O.E.P. files, a lot of the actual investigating happens behind the scenes, conducted by Veronica's police detective partner. And while the main culprit wasn't really predictable, the way some of the events in the story progression occurs was predictable.
Finally, this book kind of ends on a cliff-hanger, which means I need to pick up the second book ASAP. I don't like cliff-hangers.
***
Booklikes-opoly
Roll #4:
Our MC, Veronica, is a police detective.
Page Count: 323
Cash Award: +$3.00
Updated Bank Balance: $30.00
See Also: Fourth Roll Activities
December 3, 2020
Unfassbar!! Ein wirklich guter und vor allem spannender Thriller!! Ich hatte anfangs ein paar Schwierigkeiten in die Geschichte reinzufinden (ob wohl einen der Prolog schon total eingesogen hat). Auch der Schreibstil war manchmal etwas verwirrend, aber das sind die einzigen Kritikpunkte die ich äußern kann!! Spannend bis zum Ende, nie langweilig und man will es nicht aus der Hand legen! Mir hat es vor allem gefallen, dass es sich um eine weibliche Protagonistin handelt. Das war mal etwas anderes. Zum Fall kann ich nur sagen: wahnsinnig gut durchdacht! Es spielt ja theoretisch in der Zukunft und ich fand die ganzen Technologien die in diesem Buch zur Sprache kamen wirklich interessant. Die kleine Liebesgeschichte am Rand fand ich auch sehr schön und garnicht fehl am Platz. Wirklich eine große Krimi Empfehlung! Durch den Cliffhanger bin ich nun auch super gespannt auf den zweiten Teil!
May 27, 2024
It Is All In My Head, Officer
VeronicaSloan1;3.5 ⭐️
The hardest part about placing a story in the future, is choosing your window. Written in 2013, the author set her timeline in 2022, imagining a different outcome from 9/11.
Alternate history has a place in thriller genres, but the reality has to veer into a fully developed world where the events could happen.
So my “beef” with Ms Kelly, is that she didn’t shoot far enough ahead, to make it believable, for me. Presenting Jayne Mansfield - a bombshell with a brain - as her FMC, was interesting. Jayne’s daughter is Mariska Hargetay, of Law & Order: SVU fame; did that influence the author? IDK.
But, the crimes were grisly enough, and the clues were laid and we reached an ending. All you can ask for in a thriller.
VeronicaSloan1;3.5 ⭐️
The hardest part about placing a story in the future, is choosing your window. Written in 2013, the author set her timeline in 2022, imagining a different outcome from 9/11.
Alternate history has a place in thriller genres, but the reality has to veer into a fully developed world where the events could happen.
So my “beef” with Ms Kelly, is that she didn’t shoot far enough ahead, to make it believable, for me. Presenting Jayne Mansfield - a bombshell with a brain - as her FMC, was interesting. Jayne’s daughter is Mariska Hargetay, of Law & Order: SVU fame; did that influence the author? IDK.
But, the crimes were grisly enough, and the clues were laid and we reached an ending. All you can ask for in a thriller.
January 1, 2019
I received a free copy from NetGalley. Futurist technology in a crime drama. DC attacked by terrorists and now the US is under very strong "security" measures. Some of it isn't as fictional as one would hope. Strong female main character. Interesting plot. Highly disliked the ending, as too much was left unfinished, so that you would go read the next book in the series.
March 2, 2023
I wanted to like this book. It is an interesting approach, written about a future time which now is the past for us, and the actual story seemed interesting. I just don't want to read that kind of language. If that doesn't bother you, you will probably like this book. I only read 3% but that exceeded my tolerance for language for a year. The story itself was rather gripping.
February 26, 2013
Erster Satz: Während Leanne Carr ermordet wurde, bemühte sie sich die ganze Zeit, die Augen offen zu halten.
Leslie Parrish ist für mich eine ganz besondere Autorin. Durch ihre Black Cats Reihe bin ich überhaupt erst auf dieses Genre aufmerksam geworden und seitdem lässt es mich nicht mehr los. Als ich gesehen habe das die Reihe nach drei Bänden abgeschlossen ist, war ich wirklich enttäuscht. Umso erfreuter war ich natürlich als ich gesehen habe das es eine neue Reihe der Autorin gibt. Etwas verwirrt bin ich nur, weil ich die Reihe unter ihrem Namen nicht finde. Es scheint so als hätte sie die unter anderem Namen veröffentlicht. Wenn mir jemand dazu einen Hinweis geben kann, wäre ich sehr dankbar.
Die Farbe des Todes spielt im Jahr 2022 in Washington. Schon die ersten 30 Seiten zeigen dem Leser deutlich das sich die Welt, vor allem die USA, sehr verändert hat. Die Sicherheitsvorkehrungen sind enorm gestiegen. Vieles hat sich nach dem größten Terroranschlag auf die USA im Jahr 2012 verändert. Veronica Sloan's Welt ist in diesem Tag zerbrochen, der Verlust den sie erlitten hat so groß, das er sie nachhaltig verändert hat. Ich gehe hier mit Absicht weder näher auf den Terroranschlag ein, noch auf ihren Verlust, denn ich fand es spannend dies während dem lesens zu entdecken. Als nun ein Mord im Keller des Weißen Hauses geschieht, wird sie ungewollt direkt mit ihrer Vergangenheit konfrontiert.
Das Opfer hieß Leanne Carr, die Sekretärin eines Bauunternehmens und zudem eine der 5000 Test Personen des OEP-Programms. Da Veronica eine der wenigen OEP-Ermittlerinnen ist, wird sie zu dem Fall hinzugezogen. Durch diese geheime Testphase bekommen die Morde eine ganz besondere Note, denn die Opfer haben winzige Kamerachips in ihren Gehirnen die alles aufzeichnen was der betreffende Mensch sieht. Es sollte also ein leichtes sein den Täter zu identifizieren. Eigentlich... denn der Täter weiß scheinbar von dem Programm und das Leanne eine der Testpersonen war, dernn er hat dafür gesorgt das diese sein Gesicht niemals gesehen hat und zudem ist ihr Kopf im ersten Moment nicht auffindbar und damit auch nicht der Chip.
Dieses kleine Puzzlestück macht die Ermittlungen besonders spannend, vor allem da Leanne nicht das einzige Opfer bleibt. Der Plot hat es also durchaus in sich, doch auch die Charaktere haben mich schnell in Beschlag genommen. Veronica ist das typische Beispiel dessen, was Verlust aus einem Menschen machen kann. Sie lässt niemanden zu sehr an sich heran. Liebe kommt für sie nicht in Frage, ihr reicht ab und an der Sex mit einem beliebigen Mann. Sie hat sich so in sich selbst verbarrikadiert, das sie nicht einmal bemerkt was ihr Partner Mark Daniels für sie empfindet. Ab und an tat mir der Gute wirklich leid, vor allem weil er sehr sympathisch war.
Dennoch bekommt der Leser eine kleine Romanze aufgetischt die hier eindeutig noch am Anfang steht. Special Agent Jeremy Sykes ist ebenfalls ein OEP-Ermittler und kennt Veronica seit ihrer gemeinsamen Ausbildung für diese Misionen. Schon damals gab es eine gewisse Spannung zwischen den beiden und als sie sich nun wiedersehen, wird klar das diese noch nicht verpufft ist. Veronica fühlt sich zu ihm hinzugezogen, traut sich aber nicht ihn wirlich an sich heran zu lassen, denn tief in ihrem Inneren spürt sie, das dieser Mann ihr mehr bedeuten könnte als all jene vor ihm. Als Jeremy Veronica in diesem Fall als Partner zugewiesen wird, hat sie allerdings keine andere Möglichkeit als sich damit auseinander zu setzen.
Auch bei dieser Reihe steht die Liebesgeschichte keineswegs im Vordergrund. Die Autorin schöpft den Plot vollends aus und lässt die Gefühle und Beziehungen der Charaktere einfach mit einfließen. Das hat zur Folge, das man sich einfach nicht vom Geschehen losreißen kann. Eindeutig ein Buch das man in einem Rutsch fertig lesen kann, und mit einem Ende bei dem man gar nicht anders kann als weiterlesen zu wollen. Die Fortsetzung erscheint erst im August, da werden wir uns also noch gedulden müssen.
Fazit
Leslie Parrish hat mich auch mit dieserm Reihenauftakt vollends überzeugt. Die Farbe des Todes ist genauso spannend und mitreißend wie die Black Cats Reihe und ich bin schon sehr gespannt wie es weitergeht. Zerstückelte Leichen, implantierte Mini-Kameras die das gesamte Leben aufzeichnen und Charaktere die man einfach mögen muss und dazu noch ein Terroranschlag der tiefe Wunden gerissen hat. Wunden sie selbst nach 8 Jahren noch immer deutlich zu spüren und zu sehen sind.
Leslie Parrish ist für mich eine ganz besondere Autorin. Durch ihre Black Cats Reihe bin ich überhaupt erst auf dieses Genre aufmerksam geworden und seitdem lässt es mich nicht mehr los. Als ich gesehen habe das die Reihe nach drei Bänden abgeschlossen ist, war ich wirklich enttäuscht. Umso erfreuter war ich natürlich als ich gesehen habe das es eine neue Reihe der Autorin gibt. Etwas verwirrt bin ich nur, weil ich die Reihe unter ihrem Namen nicht finde. Es scheint so als hätte sie die unter anderem Namen veröffentlicht. Wenn mir jemand dazu einen Hinweis geben kann, wäre ich sehr dankbar.
Die Farbe des Todes spielt im Jahr 2022 in Washington. Schon die ersten 30 Seiten zeigen dem Leser deutlich das sich die Welt, vor allem die USA, sehr verändert hat. Die Sicherheitsvorkehrungen sind enorm gestiegen. Vieles hat sich nach dem größten Terroranschlag auf die USA im Jahr 2012 verändert. Veronica Sloan's Welt ist in diesem Tag zerbrochen, der Verlust den sie erlitten hat so groß, das er sie nachhaltig verändert hat. Ich gehe hier mit Absicht weder näher auf den Terroranschlag ein, noch auf ihren Verlust, denn ich fand es spannend dies während dem lesens zu entdecken. Als nun ein Mord im Keller des Weißen Hauses geschieht, wird sie ungewollt direkt mit ihrer Vergangenheit konfrontiert.
Das Opfer hieß Leanne Carr, die Sekretärin eines Bauunternehmens und zudem eine der 5000 Test Personen des OEP-Programms. Da Veronica eine der wenigen OEP-Ermittlerinnen ist, wird sie zu dem Fall hinzugezogen. Durch diese geheime Testphase bekommen die Morde eine ganz besondere Note, denn die Opfer haben winzige Kamerachips in ihren Gehirnen die alles aufzeichnen was der betreffende Mensch sieht. Es sollte also ein leichtes sein den Täter zu identifizieren. Eigentlich... denn der Täter weiß scheinbar von dem Programm und das Leanne eine der Testpersonen war, dernn er hat dafür gesorgt das diese sein Gesicht niemals gesehen hat und zudem ist ihr Kopf im ersten Moment nicht auffindbar und damit auch nicht der Chip.
Dieses kleine Puzzlestück macht die Ermittlungen besonders spannend, vor allem da Leanne nicht das einzige Opfer bleibt. Der Plot hat es also durchaus in sich, doch auch die Charaktere haben mich schnell in Beschlag genommen. Veronica ist das typische Beispiel dessen, was Verlust aus einem Menschen machen kann. Sie lässt niemanden zu sehr an sich heran. Liebe kommt für sie nicht in Frage, ihr reicht ab und an der Sex mit einem beliebigen Mann. Sie hat sich so in sich selbst verbarrikadiert, das sie nicht einmal bemerkt was ihr Partner Mark Daniels für sie empfindet. Ab und an tat mir der Gute wirklich leid, vor allem weil er sehr sympathisch war.
Dennoch bekommt der Leser eine kleine Romanze aufgetischt die hier eindeutig noch am Anfang steht. Special Agent Jeremy Sykes ist ebenfalls ein OEP-Ermittler und kennt Veronica seit ihrer gemeinsamen Ausbildung für diese Misionen. Schon damals gab es eine gewisse Spannung zwischen den beiden und als sie sich nun wiedersehen, wird klar das diese noch nicht verpufft ist. Veronica fühlt sich zu ihm hinzugezogen, traut sich aber nicht ihn wirlich an sich heran zu lassen, denn tief in ihrem Inneren spürt sie, das dieser Mann ihr mehr bedeuten könnte als all jene vor ihm. Als Jeremy Veronica in diesem Fall als Partner zugewiesen wird, hat sie allerdings keine andere Möglichkeit als sich damit auseinander zu setzen.
Auch bei dieser Reihe steht die Liebesgeschichte keineswegs im Vordergrund. Die Autorin schöpft den Plot vollends aus und lässt die Gefühle und Beziehungen der Charaktere einfach mit einfließen. Das hat zur Folge, das man sich einfach nicht vom Geschehen losreißen kann. Eindeutig ein Buch das man in einem Rutsch fertig lesen kann, und mit einem Ende bei dem man gar nicht anders kann als weiterlesen zu wollen. Die Fortsetzung erscheint erst im August, da werden wir uns also noch gedulden müssen.
Fazit
Leslie Parrish hat mich auch mit dieserm Reihenauftakt vollends überzeugt. Die Farbe des Todes ist genauso spannend und mitreißend wie die Black Cats Reihe und ich bin schon sehr gespannt wie es weitergeht. Zerstückelte Leichen, implantierte Mini-Kameras die das gesamte Leben aufzeichnen und Charaktere die man einfach mögen muss und dazu noch ein Terroranschlag der tiefe Wunden gerissen hat. Wunden sie selbst nach 8 Jahren noch immer deutlich zu spüren und zu sehen sind.
October 2, 2013
***copy provided by publisher through NetGalley***
A murder is taking place in one of the sub-basements of the White House. The victim, despite the pain she is in, tries to keep her eyes open, knowing the last images she sees before her death might help identify her killer.
Her body is found in pieces with one important one missing—her head.
The detective assigned to the case is Veronica “Ronnie” Logan, the only D.C.P.D. detective qualified to deal with such a sensitive case. Because the victim was one of the 5,000 people enrolled in a special program where a chip is implanted into the brain, merging with the optical nerve, recording every image the individual sees...
And Leanne Carr might have gotten a glimpse of her sadistic executor before she died.
There’s a reason that Leslie Kelly (in all her incarnations) is one of my favorite authors. I especially love her romantic suspense novels, so it’s no surprise I loved this new addition to her writing opus. This one read more like a thriller than romantic suspense, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. I. Loved. It.
It had everything I might want from a book—a feisty, strong, somewhat scarred heroine, a great plot, a very good mystery (the fact I didn’t know who the killer was until the author chose to reveal the identity was an additional plus), wonderful story-telling, great world-building (the story takes place in a not-so-distant future, but a much different one, thanks to events between now and then that had shaped the society and the entire nation), some (almost) sci-fi elements (with the I.D. chips and the optical-nerve implants), a love-triangle of sorts, and a wonderful leading man (that appeared somewhere in the middle, but was the leading man for me) that provided some romance to keep things lively. ;)
I adored Veronica. There’s no other was to describe my ‘feelings’ toward her. I absolutely adored her. I guess under some other author’s quill I might find her bitchy and rather annoying whit all her hang-ups and baggage, but in this context, with this ‘creator’, I completely understood her. I understood where she came from, why she behaved the way she did, why she kept everybody at a distance...Who wouldn’t? I most certainly would if something like that happened to me.
And I was so utterly glad Ms. Kelly (Smith) created a fitting hero for this amazing heroine. Someone who understood her completely, someone who knew when to push and when to leave her be, someone who knew when to give her space and when to crowd her. Yes, I adored Sykes, too.
And I can’t wait to read more about these two, and maybe get a somewhat happy ending for them. And Ronnie’s partner, because he sure deserves it.
And though the book ends rather satisfyingly—the good guys survive, the killer is dead...It also ends in a cliffhanger. The murders (yes, multiple murders) were apparently part of a bigger picture, and boy am I champing at the bit to read the sequel and see that bigger picture.
A wonderful and complex story that some might find lacking in the romance department, but anything more than what we were served might have overshadowed the other elements and aspects of the story. Great plot, flow of narration, and characterization. Loved it!
A murder is taking place in one of the sub-basements of the White House. The victim, despite the pain she is in, tries to keep her eyes open, knowing the last images she sees before her death might help identify her killer.
Her body is found in pieces with one important one missing—her head.
The detective assigned to the case is Veronica “Ronnie” Logan, the only D.C.P.D. detective qualified to deal with such a sensitive case. Because the victim was one of the 5,000 people enrolled in a special program where a chip is implanted into the brain, merging with the optical nerve, recording every image the individual sees...
And Leanne Carr might have gotten a glimpse of her sadistic executor before she died.
There’s a reason that Leslie Kelly (in all her incarnations) is one of my favorite authors. I especially love her romantic suspense novels, so it’s no surprise I loved this new addition to her writing opus. This one read more like a thriller than romantic suspense, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. I. Loved. It.
It had everything I might want from a book—a feisty, strong, somewhat scarred heroine, a great plot, a very good mystery (the fact I didn’t know who the killer was until the author chose to reveal the identity was an additional plus), wonderful story-telling, great world-building (the story takes place in a not-so-distant future, but a much different one, thanks to events between now and then that had shaped the society and the entire nation), some (almost) sci-fi elements (with the I.D. chips and the optical-nerve implants), a love-triangle of sorts, and a wonderful leading man (that appeared somewhere in the middle, but was the leading man for me) that provided some romance to keep things lively. ;)
I adored Veronica. There’s no other was to describe my ‘feelings’ toward her. I absolutely adored her. I guess under some other author’s quill I might find her bitchy and rather annoying whit all her hang-ups and baggage, but in this context, with this ‘creator’, I completely understood her. I understood where she came from, why she behaved the way she did, why she kept everybody at a distance...Who wouldn’t? I most certainly would if something like that happened to me.
And I was so utterly glad Ms. Kelly (Smith) created a fitting hero for this amazing heroine. Someone who understood her completely, someone who knew when to push and when to leave her be, someone who knew when to give her space and when to crowd her. Yes, I adored Sykes, too.
And I can’t wait to read more about these two, and maybe get a somewhat happy ending for them. And Ronnie’s partner, because he sure deserves it.
And though the book ends rather satisfyingly—the good guys survive, the killer is dead...It also ends in a cliffhanger. The murders (yes, multiple murders) were apparently part of a bigger picture, and boy am I champing at the bit to read the sequel and see that bigger picture.
A wonderful and complex story that some might find lacking in the romance department, but anything more than what we were served might have overshadowed the other elements and aspects of the story. Great plot, flow of narration, and characterization. Loved it!
May 19, 2013
Most debut novels can be disappointing, especially when it is a suspense thriller. Leslie A. Smith not only delivered in her first Veronica Sloan installment, she managed to surprise, intrigue and capture the imagination of her readers.
In Don't Look Away (Veronica Sloan, #1), Detective Veronica Sloan isn’t shocked by much. Having lived through the worst terrorist attacks in history—which destroyed much of Washington, D.C.—she’s immune to even the most vicious brutality. But even she is stunned by the discovery of a murder in the basement of the under-reconstruction White House.
Sloan and FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes have been assigned to investigate the homicide because the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. Veronica has been training for just this kind of case, waiting to use her special skills, anxious to learn if a recording device implanted in a victim’s head can help solve their murder….before the killer strikes again.
I love my mysteries. Not the cozy mysteries though. I like them fast, action packed, and at times, gory. There are times when books can be so gory I could only call them Hannibalish and sometimes that can turn my stomach to the point of ditching a book.
Not so with Don't Look Away.
This is not a cozy mystery, so for those who do not have the stomach for some blood, gore and more, I suggest you take a cup of tea to settle it first before you even begin to open that book.
It was the very first page that made me continue turning the pages. The way the author used the very title to describe a victim's last fifty-eight minutes was a surprise. The training was NOT TO LOOK AWAY so the sci-fi gadget attached to her brain would record all of the gory details of her murder.
The hunt for the killer was well thought out and did not drag. Instead, it encourages the readers to read on and hunt along with Ronnie, or for those who like to cheat, turn to the last chapter and cut through the chase. If I were you, don't do this, it will only make matters worse for now you would have to go back to where you came from and find out why the ending ended like that.
Keeps you guessing all the way. Ronnie had some training in profiling criminal minds so it was lovely to see some of the familiar psychological terms thrown in. Best of all, the author certainly knew how to use those terms and use them the right way to reach the right conclusions so she could solve the case.
Don't Look Away was well written, had breathtaking imagery, and a story that keeps the readers speculating till the very end. And the end is just a teaser of what could only mean a book two.
Review based on ARC sent by Netgalley
In Don't Look Away (Veronica Sloan, #1), Detective Veronica Sloan isn’t shocked by much. Having lived through the worst terrorist attacks in history—which destroyed much of Washington, D.C.—she’s immune to even the most vicious brutality. But even she is stunned by the discovery of a murder in the basement of the under-reconstruction White House.
Sloan and FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes have been assigned to investigate the homicide because the victim was a participant in a top-secret experiment. Veronica has been training for just this kind of case, waiting to use her special skills, anxious to learn if a recording device implanted in a victim’s head can help solve their murder….before the killer strikes again.
I love my mysteries. Not the cozy mysteries though. I like them fast, action packed, and at times, gory. There are times when books can be so gory I could only call them Hannibalish and sometimes that can turn my stomach to the point of ditching a book.
Not so with Don't Look Away.
This is not a cozy mystery, so for those who do not have the stomach for some blood, gore and more, I suggest you take a cup of tea to settle it first before you even begin to open that book.
It was the very first page that made me continue turning the pages. The way the author used the very title to describe a victim's last fifty-eight minutes was a surprise. The training was NOT TO LOOK AWAY so the sci-fi gadget attached to her brain would record all of the gory details of her murder.
The hunt for the killer was well thought out and did not drag. Instead, it encourages the readers to read on and hunt along with Ronnie, or for those who like to cheat, turn to the last chapter and cut through the chase. If I were you, don't do this, it will only make matters worse for now you would have to go back to where you came from and find out why the ending ended like that.
Keeps you guessing all the way. Ronnie had some training in profiling criminal minds so it was lovely to see some of the familiar psychological terms thrown in. Best of all, the author certainly knew how to use those terms and use them the right way to reach the right conclusions so she could solve the case.
Don't Look Away was well written, had breathtaking imagery, and a story that keeps the readers speculating till the very end. And the end is just a teaser of what could only mean a book two.
Review based on ARC sent by Netgalley
August 11, 2014
For Full and Detailed review, go to http://cynthology.blogspot.com/2014/0...
Don’t Look Away manages to combine science fiction with a murder mystery to give us a highly engaging thriller. Set in a highly secure USA in the year, 2022, Leslie A Kelly’s book sees the country swaddled in a rash of security measures since the worst terror attack in human history decimated Washington DC and the White House in 2017.
Veronica Sloan, a tough cop from the DCPD, has the Optical Evidence Programme device implanted in her head, making her a willing participant in a radical experiment that will permit the visual memories in her mind to be downloaded and seen by others, in the event of an accident, felony or homicide. Veronica and her partner, Mark Daniels, are summoned to DC to investigate the murder of Leanne Carr, who was brutally tortured before her death. Leanne too had undergone the optical implantation.
During the course of the investigation, Veronica is grievously injured by the killer. Jeremy Sykes, an FBI agent and an OEP implantee, carries on the investigation. The modus operandi is repeated a few days later when two other OEP implantees are murdered. The investigators must now race against time to find the killer.
I was fascinated with the science fiction bits, especially the 3D projection of the visual memories captured by the OEP device. Kelly has also written a crackling Prologue, one that grabs your attention instantly. The reliving of the murder victims’ visual memories was a tricky one that Kelly has managed to pull off well. One, two and three-word sentences also heighten the effect and take us into the mind of the victim.
If there is anything that got tedious for me, it was the sexual tension between Veronica and Jeremy, and between her and Mark. The repeated sexual references take away from the story’s focus. Also the character of Veronica, hardnosed, with “balls in her pants”, yet sexy and beautiful, is too much of a cliché to be credible.
Another thing that took away from the character of Veronica was the reflections she was prone to. The “Oh” and “Ha” running riot through her mind talk was off-putting. At one point she even thought of the head of forensics as a “science geek”.
The book ends on the prospect of another sequel, Don’t Ever Stop. I'd love to read another murder mystery involving the OEP device. But only if the love triangle is give a much-needed rest.
Don’t Look Away manages to combine science fiction with a murder mystery to give us a highly engaging thriller. Set in a highly secure USA in the year, 2022, Leslie A Kelly’s book sees the country swaddled in a rash of security measures since the worst terror attack in human history decimated Washington DC and the White House in 2017.
Veronica Sloan, a tough cop from the DCPD, has the Optical Evidence Programme device implanted in her head, making her a willing participant in a radical experiment that will permit the visual memories in her mind to be downloaded and seen by others, in the event of an accident, felony or homicide. Veronica and her partner, Mark Daniels, are summoned to DC to investigate the murder of Leanne Carr, who was brutally tortured before her death. Leanne too had undergone the optical implantation.
During the course of the investigation, Veronica is grievously injured by the killer. Jeremy Sykes, an FBI agent and an OEP implantee, carries on the investigation. The modus operandi is repeated a few days later when two other OEP implantees are murdered. The investigators must now race against time to find the killer.
I was fascinated with the science fiction bits, especially the 3D projection of the visual memories captured by the OEP device. Kelly has also written a crackling Prologue, one that grabs your attention instantly. The reliving of the murder victims’ visual memories was a tricky one that Kelly has managed to pull off well. One, two and three-word sentences also heighten the effect and take us into the mind of the victim.
If there is anything that got tedious for me, it was the sexual tension between Veronica and Jeremy, and between her and Mark. The repeated sexual references take away from the story’s focus. Also the character of Veronica, hardnosed, with “balls in her pants”, yet sexy and beautiful, is too much of a cliché to be credible.
Another thing that took away from the character of Veronica was the reflections she was prone to. The “Oh” and “Ha” running riot through her mind talk was off-putting. At one point she even thought of the head of forensics as a “science geek”.
The book ends on the prospect of another sequel, Don’t Ever Stop. I'd love to read another murder mystery involving the OEP device. But only if the love triangle is give a much-needed rest.
June 8, 2013
“Don’t Look Away” has a fascinating concept. Set in Washington, DC in the year 2022, selected people have recording devices implanted in their heads. This experiment may actually make it possible for a murder victim to identify her own killer. Detective Veronica “Ronnie” Sloan is one of the few people with the special skills necessary to make the most of any of these experimental recordings. When the case gets complicated, Ronnie and her partner Mark Daniels get unwanted assistance from FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes. Sparks fly professionally and personally between Ronnie and Sykes, which makes things even more complicated on this frightening case.
I love the original concept of the book and the “sci fi” elements of the book are well-done and come across as very believable. While it could be classified as a romantic suspense novel, this is NOT a cozy. There is a lot of violence, strong language, and some fairly steamy love scenes. The book is well-written, even though some of the dialogue between Sloan and Sykes and Sloan and Daniels seems a bit forced. However, the storyline was strong enough to get my attention from the start and kept me interested in the book until the very end.
Ronnie is an interesting character and not the typical female lead character. She is very independent, sometimes aloof, and afraid of commitment due to terrible events she had experienced. The author tells us many times how tough Ronnie is, but I would have liked to see more scenes of her in action. Her resilience and bravery comes through, but she doesn’t really come across as dangerous.
The ending of the book leaves things unresolved, which creates the perfect set-up for a sequel. Although the execution of the unique plot is lacking in some areas, it is still a great book for fans of suspense with a strong female character. Readers who enjoy J.D. Robb will want to give this book a try.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of IBPA, in exchange for an honest review.
I love the original concept of the book and the “sci fi” elements of the book are well-done and come across as very believable. While it could be classified as a romantic suspense novel, this is NOT a cozy. There is a lot of violence, strong language, and some fairly steamy love scenes. The book is well-written, even though some of the dialogue between Sloan and Sykes and Sloan and Daniels seems a bit forced. However, the storyline was strong enough to get my attention from the start and kept me interested in the book until the very end.
Ronnie is an interesting character and not the typical female lead character. She is very independent, sometimes aloof, and afraid of commitment due to terrible events she had experienced. The author tells us many times how tough Ronnie is, but I would have liked to see more scenes of her in action. Her resilience and bravery comes through, but she doesn’t really come across as dangerous.
The ending of the book leaves things unresolved, which creates the perfect set-up for a sequel. Although the execution of the unique plot is lacking in some areas, it is still a great book for fans of suspense with a strong female character. Readers who enjoy J.D. Robb will want to give this book a try.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of IBPA, in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2013
Received from: LK Books via netgalley.com (in exchange for an honest review)
After losing so many to the terroristic attacks on Washington, D.C. five years ago, Veronica Sloan won’t allow herself any committed relationships. She is a detective on the DCPD. She is also a member of an elite squad trained in the Optical Evidence Program. Her partner, Mark Daniels, has been implanted, but hasn’t been trained in retrieval using the program. After a brutal murder in the sub-basement of the under-reconstruction White House, Sloan and Daniels are called upon to investigate. When she is also attacked by the killer, FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes, has been called in to assist. Sloan and Sykes had trained together on the OEP program and had been fighting a case of the lusts ever since. Together they need to race to find the attacker before he can kill again.
This was a page-turner that keeps you guessing. Veronica Sloan is an alpha female working in a field dominated by alpha males in a town that exceeds in alpha males and she does it very well without being a total bitch. Her love life means a quick release and no strings, except when it comes to Sykes. She doesn’t want strings, but sometimes life isn’t about what you want. Sometimes, it’s about what you need. She does extremely well at leading this investigation while maintaining her emotional balance in a world gone mad.
I loved that this was a thriller/mystery with a bit of romance. This was a little something different from my usual choice of romance to entertain me. I think I need to do this more often! Some may say it is dystopic, but that’s only because it is set in the future. The changes between what we have now in America, and what is presented, are exactly as you may believe they could be in only ten short years.
Great character development and a believable dystopia provide the base for this new series. I’m looking forward to DON’T EVER STOP from Ms. Smith.
After losing so many to the terroristic attacks on Washington, D.C. five years ago, Veronica Sloan won’t allow herself any committed relationships. She is a detective on the DCPD. She is also a member of an elite squad trained in the Optical Evidence Program. Her partner, Mark Daniels, has been implanted, but hasn’t been trained in retrieval using the program. After a brutal murder in the sub-basement of the under-reconstruction White House, Sloan and Daniels are called upon to investigate. When she is also attacked by the killer, FBI Agent Jeremy Sykes, has been called in to assist. Sloan and Sykes had trained together on the OEP program and had been fighting a case of the lusts ever since. Together they need to race to find the attacker before he can kill again.
This was a page-turner that keeps you guessing. Veronica Sloan is an alpha female working in a field dominated by alpha males in a town that exceeds in alpha males and she does it very well without being a total bitch. Her love life means a quick release and no strings, except when it comes to Sykes. She doesn’t want strings, but sometimes life isn’t about what you want. Sometimes, it’s about what you need. She does extremely well at leading this investigation while maintaining her emotional balance in a world gone mad.
I loved that this was a thriller/mystery with a bit of romance. This was a little something different from my usual choice of romance to entertain me. I think I need to do this more often! Some may say it is dystopic, but that’s only because it is set in the future. The changes between what we have now in America, and what is presented, are exactly as you may believe they could be in only ten short years.
Great character development and a believable dystopia provide the base for this new series. I’m looking forward to DON’T EVER STOP from Ms. Smith.
August 4, 2013
Oh my goodness!! Leslie Kelly really knows how to write those dark suspenseful thrillers. I just finished Don't Look Away, and I can't seem to slow down my heart rate. I need to breathe. Throughout the reading of this book, I had to remind myself to take a breath. I anticipated the moves of the killer, and tried to guess who would be next with each turn of he page, and BAM she would flip the script. I started out with a list of possible suspects, but I couldn't narrow it down until the last few pages of the book. Even when I was sure I knew who it was, there still two choices left.
I love the development of all the characters, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Kelly is a master wordsmith who is skilled at creating twists and turns that make you cringe and shake. She used conflict as a means of driving the plot. Some scenes are gruesome, and scared me. My favorite was the one where both Ronni and Sykes are at the Tate Scientific Research Center, where they are able to use their devices to investigate the victims' movements, and what happened up to the moment of their deaths. It was as if they were looking death in the face, by becoming the victim. Even writing about this, I catch myself holding my breath, and feel my heart pounding. The scenes Kelly writes make you shake in terror, and they suck you right in, so that when you finally come back to the real world, it takes a moment for you to realize you were reading a book. I love it!
Check out my blog for a more in depth review: http://peacenlovepaula.blogspot.com/2...
I love the development of all the characters, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Kelly is a master wordsmith who is skilled at creating twists and turns that make you cringe and shake. She used conflict as a means of driving the plot. Some scenes are gruesome, and scared me. My favorite was the one where both Ronni and Sykes are at the Tate Scientific Research Center, where they are able to use their devices to investigate the victims' movements, and what happened up to the moment of their deaths. It was as if they were looking death in the face, by becoming the victim. Even writing about this, I catch myself holding my breath, and feel my heart pounding. The scenes Kelly writes make you shake in terror, and they suck you right in, so that when you finally come back to the real world, it takes a moment for you to realize you were reading a book. I love it!
Check out my blog for a more in depth review: http://peacenlovepaula.blogspot.com/2...
October 16, 2013
Seldom have I come across a book with such a hook for a start.
A victim. A killer and no way out. What more do you need?
Well then you need Veronica. A kick butt heroin with drive, determination and a partner to die for.
The thing is she has a crush on a fellow trainee, Sykes -- whom she has not seen for months.
When said FBI agent is allocated to the case the sparks begin to fly. With sexual tension rampant, a murderer on the loose with an agenda that makes the hair on your arm stand erect and a few issues of her own Veronica starts to put the case together by immersing herself into the lives' of the victims.
She does this for she, like them has a chip that is implanted - a chip designed to ease some of the more debilitating symptoms of Alzheimer's and is now instead a controversial military weapon who makes the bearer able to record everything they see in the same manner as a camera… EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.
She can see what the victims saw. She can see everything they saw..can she keep from looking away?
A brilliant stroke of ingenious writing. A hook in paragraph one. An angle new and fresh though plausible and logical. A triangle built more on respect than lust. A murder most foul. I
loved the authors ease in writing this thriller.
From the first page to the last it read like an old comfy t-shirt. It is simply a perfect fit.
No doubt that this book will impress most if not all lovers of this genre.
I received a copy for review from Netgalley
WaAr
A victim. A killer and no way out. What more do you need?
Well then you need Veronica. A kick butt heroin with drive, determination and a partner to die for.
The thing is she has a crush on a fellow trainee, Sykes -- whom she has not seen for months.
When said FBI agent is allocated to the case the sparks begin to fly. With sexual tension rampant, a murderer on the loose with an agenda that makes the hair on your arm stand erect and a few issues of her own Veronica starts to put the case together by immersing herself into the lives' of the victims.
She does this for she, like them has a chip that is implanted - a chip designed to ease some of the more debilitating symptoms of Alzheimer's and is now instead a controversial military weapon who makes the bearer able to record everything they see in the same manner as a camera… EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.
She can see what the victims saw. She can see everything they saw..can she keep from looking away?
A brilliant stroke of ingenious writing. A hook in paragraph one. An angle new and fresh though plausible and logical. A triangle built more on respect than lust. A murder most foul. I
loved the authors ease in writing this thriller.
From the first page to the last it read like an old comfy t-shirt. It is simply a perfect fit.
No doubt that this book will impress most if not all lovers of this genre.
I received a copy for review from Netgalley
WaAr
May 2, 2013
This was an exceptionally compelling story. The premise behind it, set in the future, after a terrorist attack that makes 9/11 look like it was planned by school kids, the country goes on super high alert, implanting its citizens with microchips containing vital (and very personal) stats. Some of the chosen few become part of an experimental program, OEP, which implants an ocular recording device on their eye. When the gruesome murder of a young woman, also a participant in the OEP program, is discovered in the basement of the “under construction” White House, Veronica “Ronnie” Sloan is called in to go through the victim’s recordings. Along for the ride, is her almost stereotypical cop partner, Mark Daniels, who may (or may not) be secretly in love with her. When Sloan is also attacked, and left for dead, her nemesis-that-she-lusts-after, Jeremy Sykes, is called in to help with the investigation.
When I started reading this story, I was almost disappointed because I thought I had called it within about the first quarter of the book. Boy, was I wrong. Ms. Smith does an excellent job of revealing hints along the way, without giving too much away. If you want mystery, intrigue, strong characters, and an almost frightening look at a potential future for this country, you will not be disappointed with this book! Looking forward to the next installment in the Veronica Sloan series.
This review is also posted on my blog at http://sparkzoflight.blogspot.com
When I started reading this story, I was almost disappointed because I thought I had called it within about the first quarter of the book. Boy, was I wrong. Ms. Smith does an excellent job of revealing hints along the way, without giving too much away. If you want mystery, intrigue, strong characters, and an almost frightening look at a potential future for this country, you will not be disappointed with this book! Looking forward to the next installment in the Veronica Sloan series.
This review is also posted on my blog at http://sparkzoflight.blogspot.com
July 13, 2013
4.5 stars
This procedural thriller was set in the mid 20's future, five years post the worst terrorist attack in US history. Sloan and her partner Daniels are called in to take over a murder scene that happened under the site of construction of the new White House. A woman was brutally carved up and decapitated in the subbasement, but the woman was special-she was part of an elite group of citizens in the OEP program-as were Sloan and her Daniels. The Optical Evidence Program was a scientific marvel-cameras were connected to the subject's brain and their eyes captured everything, almost like a video camera. Things started getting hairy when more OEP participants start dying up and down the I-95 corridor, and Sykes, a magnetic nemesis from training, is brought in from NYC to be Sloan's partner for the case.
This book was a page turner from start to finish. Ronnie Sloan was tough, vulnerable, smart, and despite her best efforts, sexy. I love a good thriller, and this delivers. The new world created here is hauntingly familiar and sadly realistic. There were some true humorous moments as the author added in some future innovations for current companies, such as the Wal-Mart Villas or the Google Face Recognition online search.
Great read, and I am picking up the next book immediately!
This procedural thriller was set in the mid 20's future, five years post the worst terrorist attack in US history. Sloan and her partner Daniels are called in to take over a murder scene that happened under the site of construction of the new White House. A woman was brutally carved up and decapitated in the subbasement, but the woman was special-she was part of an elite group of citizens in the OEP program-as were Sloan and her Daniels. The Optical Evidence Program was a scientific marvel-cameras were connected to the subject's brain and their eyes captured everything, almost like a video camera. Things started getting hairy when more OEP participants start dying up and down the I-95 corridor, and Sykes, a magnetic nemesis from training, is brought in from NYC to be Sloan's partner for the case.
This book was a page turner from start to finish. Ronnie Sloan was tough, vulnerable, smart, and despite her best efforts, sexy. I love a good thriller, and this delivers. The new world created here is hauntingly familiar and sadly realistic. There were some true humorous moments as the author added in some future innovations for current companies, such as the Wal-Mart Villas or the Google Face Recognition online search.
Great read, and I am picking up the next book immediately!
May 13, 2013
Don't Look Away is the series debut novel by Leslie A. Smith, a pseudonym of a best-selling author looking to branch out. Set in 2022, this dark suspense tale introduces the reader to Washington D.C. homicide detective, Veronica Sloan, her partner (Marc Daniels), and the FBI agent (Jeremy Sykes) she teams with. There's been a murder in the subbasement of the under-construction White House (destroyed in a 2017 terrorist attack)--and the victim was a participant in a top-secret project. A project that the three cops are also in. The murders pile up, the suspect list grows, and the suspense and tension ratchets up with the life-and-death stakes.
Ms. Smith presents a believable future scenario laced with intriguing characters, taut mystery, and more to come. This "case" is solved, but there is a cliffhanger at the end the is sure to both hook and "frustrate" the reader. Frustrate because it will be July before the next book arrives. These characters and the "voice" remind me a lot of J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas/In Death books. That's a good thing, as far as I'm concerned.
Ms. Smith presents a believable future scenario laced with intriguing characters, taut mystery, and more to come. This "case" is solved, but there is a cliffhanger at the end the is sure to both hook and "frustrate" the reader. Frustrate because it will be July before the next book arrives. These characters and the "voice" remind me a lot of J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas/In Death books. That's a good thing, as far as I'm concerned.
September 26, 2013
A romantic suspense story set in the not too distant future. Terrorists have finally done their worst and America has closed ranks and gone batsh*t paranoid. Citizens are tagged and now some of them have volunteered to have their vision downloaded. Someone's killed a volunteer and our kicka$$ heroine is the detective who'll hunt for her killer.
One the suspense part I just have one thing to say: this is one of the few times that the author really took me for a loop in the guessing game. Every character we meet I wanted to say "it was him!!" so I was never really sure of my answer on whodunit and that makes a good suspense for me.
One the romance side- I wish we had been there for their background. Because the OTP had met before and had all kinds of interactions I felt a little left out on their feelings because they were pretty set in them by the time we get into the story. I think I would have like a flashback rather then a vague description of what went on between them before our story began.
Other then that, I havta say if you're looking for a quick RS book then this is for you.
One the suspense part I just have one thing to say: this is one of the few times that the author really took me for a loop in the guessing game. Every character we meet I wanted to say "it was him!!" so I was never really sure of my answer on whodunit and that makes a good suspense for me.
One the romance side- I wish we had been there for their background. Because the OTP had met before and had all kinds of interactions I felt a little left out on their feelings because they were pretty set in them by the time we get into the story. I think I would have like a flashback rather then a vague description of what went on between them before our story began.
Other then that, I havta say if you're looking for a quick RS book then this is for you.
August 26, 2013
Murder thriller set in near-future Washington. In a United States scarred by a new 9/11-style terrorist attack on the Capitol, a young woman is lured to the basement of the new White House. There a masked perpetrator cuts up her body, taking her head as a souvenir.
Leanne was a participant in a classified program to record individual's vision. Police hope to find clues to who killed her by reviewing what she saw in the weeks leading up to her death. But first they must find her head! The program was top secret but did the killer know about it?
Some elements of the fictional future seemed unlikely to me e.g. the working class is well off. Examining the first recording would have taken an unrealistic time (over ten hours) without fast-forward, although the narrative does mention detectives using fast-forward subsequently. Nothing in the narrative explains why, if they do record vision, they don't record audio.
I read an advance review copy from the publisher.
Leanne was a participant in a classified program to record individual's vision. Police hope to find clues to who killed her by reviewing what she saw in the weeks leading up to her death. But first they must find her head! The program was top secret but did the killer know about it?
Some elements of the fictional future seemed unlikely to me e.g. the working class is well off. Examining the first recording would have taken an unrealistic time (over ten hours) without fast-forward, although the narrative does mention detectives using fast-forward subsequently. Nothing in the narrative explains why, if they do record vision, they don't record audio.
I read an advance review copy from the publisher.
February 15, 2014
A great start to a new series. I'm not usually into sci-fi futuristic type books, but this like JD Robb's In Death series isn't so far fetched that it is still enjoyable to read. This book has great characters and an intriguing mystery.....but is has some pretty gruesome parts to go along with murder mystery. The story is set in the early 2020's after another terrorist attack on US soil several years prior. The technology is fascinating and scary (I think) at the same time. Some reviewers have made comments trying to make story more political than it is. Yes, the microchips implanted in every American and the optical implanted devices in selected Americans is controversial but it is just part of the story. The story itself does not get into the politics of the issues, that is not what the story is about. If you like police procedure/mystery type books with a tad romance and some cool technology then give this series a try. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 29, 2014
Veronica is a DC Detective and a member of a select top secret group that have been fitted with a implanted device that records what their eyes see. The time is in the near future when terrorists have infiltrated the Washington Mall and White House tunnels and detonated massive explosions. Rebuilding is underway and security is tight with all citizens now sporting an implanted ID chip. When the secretary of the rebuilding project is found murdered in a White House sub basement Veronica and her partner are called in to investigate. The Secretary also had the recording implant and Veronica needs to get it to down load her last sights in hope of identifying the killer, bit the victim's head is missing. Working with her partner and an FBI agent also in the TS program Veronica faces attacks and injury as they track down the killer. The first of a series and a good read.
May 21, 2013
Don't Look Away is the first in a new detective series by Leslie Smith. Set in the near future, DC cop Veronica Sloan is paired with FBI agent Jeremy Sykes to catch a serial murderer. Brought together as participants in a futuristic top-secret project, they need to find out who is murdering other people that are involved in the same top-secret project. Sparks fly as the agents try to deal with not only the murders but also the new reality of life in 2017 after a terrorist plot has destroyed Washington DC. While there are elements of romance in the book, the main focus of the book is the mystery. Given the cliff-hanger ending, I can't wait to see the next installment!
The book will probably be appealing to fans of Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb's in Death series.
The book will probably be appealing to fans of Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb's in Death series.
May 11, 2013
I was really surprised by how much I liked this book. I don't usually read a lot of suspense but I love Leslie Kelly's books and when I heard she was now writing these kinds of books I decided to try one. I am so glad I did! It was very chilling, but I loved the main character Ronnie as well as Daniels and Sykes. I was not sure which of those two I liked better at first but I ended up glad she seems to be ending up with Sykes.
The world the book is set in really gave me chills because it seemed so possible. It is not science fictiony, just a little in the future, but changed enough to really make you think about the ways the country could go.
Read this book you wont be sorry.
The world the book is set in really gave me chills because it seemed so possible. It is not science fictiony, just a little in the future, but changed enough to really make you think about the ways the country could go.
Read this book you wont be sorry.
September 6, 2014
Don't Look Away was such a great romantic suspense that I was thrilled to have received it from Netgalley. I loved the book, and was not surprised to find that the author also writes the Black CATs Series under the Leslie Parrish name. Her books are great under both names!
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of Don't Look Away, and I thought the main characters, Veronica Sloan and Jeremy Sykes, were wonderful. The storyline kept me intrigued, and I couldn't put the book down. There was plenty of suspense, and I loved the chemistry between Veronica and Jeremy. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes next.
I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of Don't Look Away, and I thought the main characters, Veronica Sloan and Jeremy Sykes, were wonderful. The storyline kept me intrigued, and I couldn't put the book down. There was plenty of suspense, and I loved the chemistry between Veronica and Jeremy. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes next.
August 18, 2015
Good beginning to the series
The plot for this book was timely and grabbed my attention. I liked the main character, although, at times, I wanted to shake her and say, "Get over yourself!" The editing, while not perfect, was better than a lot of the books I've gotten through Kindle deals, and it wasn't bad enough to stop me cold. Fans of Lisa Hughey might enjoy these books.
The only thing I didn't like was the cliffhanger ending. I like each book in a series to be wrapped up in itself, then the following book to have its own plot. Having said that, that is just a personal preference.
The plot for this book was timely and grabbed my attention. I liked the main character, although, at times, I wanted to shake her and say, "Get over yourself!" The editing, while not perfect, was better than a lot of the books I've gotten through Kindle deals, and it wasn't bad enough to stop me cold. Fans of Lisa Hughey might enjoy these books.
The only thing I didn't like was the cliffhanger ending. I like each book in a series to be wrapped up in itself, then the following book to have its own plot. Having said that, that is just a personal preference.
September 13, 2015
Excellent and well written story that grabs you from the very first page. The author describes very vivid, detailed and gruesome murders so it is not for those with weak stomachs. The first chapter was incredible! The suspense, agony, fear builds up and it continues from there. There were sections of the novel where you could sense and feel the fear- the author is very talented and skilled. Honestly I am relieved that I am not a detective, special agent or a police woman because when they are tracking down killers it can be so terrifying and Ms. Kelly knows how to build and create that fear as you read this tense and fast paced novel. Recommended!
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