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E.L. Pender #4
When She Was Bad
A latest thriller featuring former FBI agent E. L. Pender finds him struggling through a morally ambiguous case involving imperiled women clients, a depraved perpetrator, and the unsettling price of justice. By the author of Twenty-Seven Bones. 60,000 first printing.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
32 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Nasaw
23 books147 followersJonathan Nasaw is the acclaimed author of Fear Itself and The Girls He Adored, both Literary Guild Selections. He lives in Pacific Grove, California.
Series:
* E.L. Pender
* James Whistler
Series:
* E.L. Pender
* James Whistler
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 23, 2017
When She Was Bad" examines the terrifying relationship between two hot young lovers who also happen to be coldblooded killers."Multiples in love: imagine the possibilities," said one of the twisted couple's earlier victims. Lily DeVries and Ulysses Maxwell have quite a few things in common. Both were horrifically abused as children, then diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, and eventually incarcerated in the same Oregon mental institution. There, they fell into the hands of the well-meaning, genially sinister director, Dr. Al.
When the ingenious lovers engineer a bloody escape, the only people who have a chance of stopping them are the rumpled, endearingly flawed E. L. Pender and Dr. Irene Cogan, a brilliant psychiatrist who loves Lily almost as much as she fears Maxwell. With the aid of a private investigator, Pender and Cogan take on a pair of killers who win hearts as easily as they slit throats.
This is my first novel by this author.It was the theme of multiple personality disorder that attracted me and as a bonus there are two characters Lily and Lyssy who have multiple personality disorder.Honestly speaking at the start , the events felt forced to me. The death of grandparents was of course for the shock value as much as for the character LiLy as for the reader.Intially I couldn't feel any attachment to Lily or her doctor Irene.But gradually the novel picked up. It was interesting to see how Lily dealt with her condition and Max dealt with his. The doctor was very disappointing, maybe because I have started in the middle of the series, I couldn't feel anything for the doctor what she underwent. The high point was the interaction between Lyssy and Lilith, then Max and Lily.The dramatic scene toward the end was unsatisfactory, not the end but just before the end, that part could have had more tension and thrill added to it. It felt a little lukewarm. The ending was satisfactory.The pace is fast and if there was a little polishing done it could be four stars, however it did build up to a happy ending with almost all the ends tied .I enjoyed it.Good read.
When the ingenious lovers engineer a bloody escape, the only people who have a chance of stopping them are the rumpled, endearingly flawed E. L. Pender and Dr. Irene Cogan, a brilliant psychiatrist who loves Lily almost as much as she fears Maxwell. With the aid of a private investigator, Pender and Cogan take on a pair of killers who win hearts as easily as they slit throats.
This is my first novel by this author.It was the theme of multiple personality disorder that attracted me and as a bonus there are two characters Lily and Lyssy who have multiple personality disorder.Honestly speaking at the start , the events felt forced to me. The death of grandparents was of course for the shock value as much as for the character LiLy as for the reader.Intially I couldn't feel any attachment to Lily or her doctor Irene.But gradually the novel picked up. It was interesting to see how Lily dealt with her condition and Max dealt with his. The doctor was very disappointing, maybe because I have started in the middle of the series, I couldn't feel anything for the doctor what she underwent. The high point was the interaction between Lyssy and Lilith, then Max and Lily.The dramatic scene toward the end was unsatisfactory, not the end but just before the end, that part could have had more tension and thrill added to it. It felt a little lukewarm. The ending was satisfactory.The pace is fast and if there was a little polishing done it could be four stars, however it did build up to a happy ending with almost all the ends tied .I enjoyed it.Good read.
March 18, 2015
This is the fourth book in the EL Pender series but a sequel to The Girls He Adored which is why I jumped. "Max" has spent the last two years in a high security insane asylum being treated for DID under the care of a Dr. whose idea of treatment is questionable. In comes Lily (and Lilith)...she has suffered the same horrible abuse as a child and now as a result, also suffers from DID. Could it be a match made in multiple personalty/psychopathic heaven!?
I finished this book in a day. It was awesome! Nasaw left out all that unnecessary brutal rape that plagued the first book, so it was much more enjoyable to read.
I finished this book in a day. It was awesome! Nasaw left out all that unnecessary brutal rape that plagued the first book, so it was much more enjoyable to read.
August 12, 2010
I was honestly shocked when I looked at other's reviews of this book. Most I was were 4-5 stars and when I saw that my jaw literally dropped. This is one of the, dumbest, for lack of a better and more mature word, book I have ever bothered reading. The book has no plot other than escape, kill, escape, kill...so on and so forth. It's ridiculous to say this book even has merit. I know we are each entitled to our own opinions, but my god - 5 stars??? Are you kidding me?
January 3, 2023
Lily DeVries has developed DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) after an abusive childhood. She is triggered again by the death of her grandparents, and gets herself into a spot of bother that ultimately lands her at the Reed-Chase facility for treatment. It is there that she meets serial killer Ulysses Maxwell (from The Girls He Adored), now considered a success story from the facility's treatment. The murderous identity Max has gone, and in his place is Lyssy, friendly and childlike.
When Lyssy meets Lily, it's love at first sight for him. But Max is still there, co-conscious, ready to take over. As for Lily, her murderous protector identity Lilith is bubbling beneath the surface. When Max and Lilith meet, they orchestrate their escape, enabled by the privileges Lyssy has received. Ex-FBI agent Ed Pender, who stopped Max's rampage, and Dr Irene Cogan (also Lily's doctor, and nearly killed by Max), find themselves once again chasing after Max, and trying to save Lily.
The first two thirds of this thriller are really good. There is a slow, mounting tension as Lyssy/Max and Lily/Lilith meet and conspire to go on the run, thanks to a visit to their doctor, Alan Corder's house, for Lyssy's birthday celebrations. My heart was in my throat, dreading what might happen at this gathering, although . The second portion, as Lyssy/Max and Lily/Lilith (they're always switching personalities) go on the run was equally captivating.
Unfortunately, it's the final third where the pacing flags. There's too much repetition of the fact that Ed Pender is "eccentric" and wears wacky clothes. After about the 30th description of what he was wearing, I was just like, "I get it! Move on!" The finale just has the characters bumbling around Lily's grandparent's property and it felt like it just went on and on and on. Not nearly as exciting as what had come before it. But it caps off nicely, with endings for the characters that you mostly feel they deserve.
I was going to go with three stars because that final third really dropped off (I went to bed with 30 odd pages to go - not a good sign, but had to remember that for most of the reading time, this was very tense, gory and suspenseful. I wish we got more thrillers like this, instead of all the domestic ones that clog up the market now.
When Lyssy meets Lily, it's love at first sight for him. But Max is still there, co-conscious, ready to take over. As for Lily, her murderous protector identity Lilith is bubbling beneath the surface. When Max and Lilith meet, they orchestrate their escape, enabled by the privileges Lyssy has received. Ex-FBI agent Ed Pender, who stopped Max's rampage, and Dr Irene Cogan (also Lily's doctor, and nearly killed by Max), find themselves once again chasing after Max, and trying to save Lily.
The first two thirds of this thriller are really good. There is a slow, mounting tension as Lyssy/Max and Lily/Lilith meet and conspire to go on the run, thanks to a visit to their doctor, Alan Corder's house, for Lyssy's birthday celebrations. My heart was in my throat, dreading what might happen at this gathering, although . The second portion, as Lyssy/Max and Lily/Lilith (they're always switching personalities) go on the run was equally captivating.
Unfortunately, it's the final third where the pacing flags. There's too much repetition of the fact that Ed Pender is "eccentric" and wears wacky clothes. After about the 30th description of what he was wearing, I was just like, "I get it! Move on!" The finale just has the characters bumbling around Lily's grandparent's property and it felt like it just went on and on and on. Not nearly as exciting as what had come before it. But it caps off nicely, with endings for the characters that you mostly feel they deserve.
I was going to go with three stars because that final third really dropped off (I went to bed with 30 odd pages to go - not a good sign, but had to remember that for most of the reading time, this was very tense, gory and suspenseful. I wish we got more thrillers like this, instead of all the domestic ones that clog up the market now.
April 28, 2022
It started really good for me. I really loved the start up until Lyssy's birthday. After that, it just became very boring for me. I don't feel excited while reading it anymore.
Multiple povs is actually ok for me, at the start. But after awhile, I started finding it hard to be interested. I'm kind of disappointed that I wasn't really able to finish this book. Ig really looked good
Multiple povs is actually ok for me, at the start. But after awhile, I started finding it hard to be interested. I'm kind of disappointed that I wasn't really able to finish this book. Ig really looked good
November 30, 2017
REVIEW
When She Was Bad was my first introduction to the works of Jonathan Nasaw. This novel was listed in "SERIAL KILLER NOVELS: TEN OF THE BEST" on Crime Fiction Lover.com. It was in fact the second selection that I chose to read from the ten novels listed, the first being Where Serpents Lie by T. Jefferson Parker.
I investigated this choice prior to purchase, since Jonathan Nasaw was a "new author" to me. The first thing I learned was that there is doggone near a cult following associated with his first nailbiting thriller featuring former FBI agent E. L. Pender, namely The Girls He Adored. In fact, its sequel (When She Was Bad) was generally speaking a huge disappointment to the loyal fans of the first book. Reviews included readers that had loved the first one so much that it had been re-read over the years.
Armed with the above insights I purchased the recommended novel (the sequel When She Was Bad)---reasoning that I could not be disappointed or let down because I had not read the first book. This would permit me to examine my feelings about the reading experience without undue negative influences. So, here goes---
LOVED IT!!! It was "unputdownable"....a solid 5-stars for my money. It is necessary to note that I am reading psychological suspense novels right now that have "been around" and there are tons of reviews to check out on amazon and goodreads. However, I REALLY loved this book. It tackles the subject of multiple personality disorder, or when I was working in a clinical psychiatric setting MPD. Honestly, as a former psychiatric nurse in ICU, I never encountered one single case of substantiated MPD. That doesn't render the condition as described in psychological literature any less fascinating...and the author creates a credible setting, colorful yet believable characters, and a villain in the case of Ulysses Maxwell that is chillingly real. This writer is a master at building suspense, and delivering the shocks when you have just lowered the threat level. His narrative skills have an almost visceral effect with clever writing and adroit slight-of-hand. By the way, the ending of the novel did not appear to be popular among reviewers. I must say that it had the PERFECT ending for me. It is a given that I can now make it a point to read the more popular outing (The Girls He Adored). I can hardly be disappointed.
When She Was Bad was my first introduction to the works of Jonathan Nasaw. This novel was listed in "SERIAL KILLER NOVELS: TEN OF THE BEST" on Crime Fiction Lover.com. It was in fact the second selection that I chose to read from the ten novels listed, the first being Where Serpents Lie by T. Jefferson Parker.
I investigated this choice prior to purchase, since Jonathan Nasaw was a "new author" to me. The first thing I learned was that there is doggone near a cult following associated with his first nailbiting thriller featuring former FBI agent E. L. Pender, namely The Girls He Adored. In fact, its sequel (When She Was Bad) was generally speaking a huge disappointment to the loyal fans of the first book. Reviews included readers that had loved the first one so much that it had been re-read over the years.
Armed with the above insights I purchased the recommended novel (the sequel When She Was Bad)---reasoning that I could not be disappointed or let down because I had not read the first book. This would permit me to examine my feelings about the reading experience without undue negative influences. So, here goes---
LOVED IT!!! It was "unputdownable"....a solid 5-stars for my money. It is necessary to note that I am reading psychological suspense novels right now that have "been around" and there are tons of reviews to check out on amazon and goodreads. However, I REALLY loved this book. It tackles the subject of multiple personality disorder, or when I was working in a clinical psychiatric setting MPD. Honestly, as a former psychiatric nurse in ICU, I never encountered one single case of substantiated MPD. That doesn't render the condition as described in psychological literature any less fascinating...and the author creates a credible setting, colorful yet believable characters, and a villain in the case of Ulysses Maxwell that is chillingly real. This writer is a master at building suspense, and delivering the shocks when you have just lowered the threat level. His narrative skills have an almost visceral effect with clever writing and adroit slight-of-hand. By the way, the ending of the novel did not appear to be popular among reviewers. I must say that it had the PERFECT ending for me. It is a given that I can now make it a point to read the more popular outing (The Girls He Adored). I can hardly be disappointed.
August 27, 2020
While i did like the book, i do think that it was a bit boring especially in the middle. I was really disappointed because i picked the book based on the blurb and i was expecting a really captivating thriller. I don't really like criticizing someone else's work but there was no character i liked, the idea of the book was good but the execution was not well done and the ending was predictable. Overall it was an okay read so two stars!
September 5, 2007
Nasaw is back to his (good) old tricks with this one. Great look into the world of multiple personalities. Ulysses is back in this one.
April 29, 2008
Unlike anything I have read. I didn't realize it was part of a small series, I am reading them over from the beginning. Definitely a different kind of thriller.
February 20, 2017
This book is a genius masterpiece!
July 5, 2017
So many smart and experienced people making incredibly stupid decisions? Come on. And letting Lily completely off the hook? College and therapy "as-needed?" Makes zero sense. The characters seemed anachronistic and not fleshed out enough. Missed many opportunities, in my opinion, to give them more depth and complexities. As it stands, not buying it. Decent plot, Irritating read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2019
Loved this! Read it in a couple days which is very quick for me. I was hooked on it straight away and kept a fast pace the whole way. It was a nice change from the usual detective vs serial killer books I read with the multiple personally disorders on display. Highly recommend checking this out if you’re in to thrillers
October 15, 2022
I had higher expectations, more psycho crazy- make you want to question their every move- type. There were a couple small inconsistencies and like I said I just imagined more of a psycho mixed with a bit or romance. Dont get me wrong theres a smidge of romance a tiny grain of salt romance along with of course murderous Maxwell but it just felt lacking.
May 20, 2020
Amazing. It’s been a while since I last read a Jonathan Nasaw novel and I have forgotten how gripping his crime thrillers are. This is a sequel to “The girls he adored”. Good to read both books in order.
August 1, 2017
Read it all the way to the end. Good story idea, grossly written. Too descriptive of murders and needless sex details for me. Won't read this author again!
April 25, 2019
A great sequel to a great book!!!
January 19, 2020
Sequel to The girls he Adored, good but could have been so much better.
April 21, 2020
Interesting psychological aspects. Bit of a roller coaster and sometimes unbelievable.
September 29, 2020
Another great adventure in the Pender series.
September 30, 2020
Didn't like this one bit, nothing about this was fun or enjoyable to read
October 27, 2020
Best book ever!
Read
April 21, 2021Zero stars. Horribly stereotyped with no understanding of the subject matter at all, and some of the worst writing I’ve had the misfortune to read. Couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
April 30, 2022
4.50 but rounding it up to 5 for the experience.
August 19, 2022
I loved this book so much I read it twice. There are some triggering scenes so I would proceed with caution, but one of my favorite books of all time. I couldn't put it down.
September 14, 2022
Read in 2007. Breathtaking and suspenseful, yet leavened with a perverse and quirky humor.
December 23, 2023
Durchschnittlich, aber geniales Ende 😍😍
November 20, 2013
Lyssy and Lily were both diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder. Lyssy was sent to the mental institution where Dr. Al took a whole new approach of electrocution to subside the multiple personality in his patients. a few years had passed since Lyssy's other personality surfaced, Dr. Al was eager to announce his successful approach. but at the same time, Lily was sent into the institution by psychiatrist Irene and FBI agent Pender. Irene was Lyssy's last victim in The Girls He Adored (2001), which caused her to be terrified of Lyssy. Dr. Al introduced the duo to meet, creating a new friendship; but it was a deadlier move than a simple romance that they expect, at the cost of their lives.
When She Was Bad (2007) was like a twisted tale of romance. the story only started after they got together, with so many alternate personalities overlapping in one another, one could only imagine the fun it brought while the duo escape the institution, escaping the adults by of course, killing everyone in the house, and went on a murderous rampage across the country. Pender had to hunt down the duo, with the help of Irene. it was impossible to not get absorbed into the book. the intensity and adrenaline were absolutely delicious! due to its unique plot, When She Was Bad (2007) was by far the most fast read in the Pender series (2001-2010) and equally entertaining.
my review: here
When She Was Bad (2007) was like a twisted tale of romance. the story only started after they got together, with so many alternate personalities overlapping in one another, one could only imagine the fun it brought while the duo escape the institution, escaping the adults by of course, killing everyone in the house, and went on a murderous rampage across the country. Pender had to hunt down the duo, with the help of Irene. it was impossible to not get absorbed into the book. the intensity and adrenaline were absolutely delicious! due to its unique plot, When She Was Bad (2007) was by far the most fast read in the Pender series (2001-2010) and equally entertaining.
my review: here
September 11, 2012
Oh, I enjoyed this book quite a bit! It was a very fast read, and it made for a rather happy ending for everyone involved - which was nice, since though it’s the fourth installment in the E. L. Pender series, it actually functions as a direct sequel to the first book in the series, The Girls He Adored. Nearly all of the characters reappear here. Though, I was a little disappointed for Max's fate - he was a pretty charming (and very disturbing) killer in the first book... also, the end of this one got pretty preachy about child abuse, but it still made for a very exciting book and one that I'm happy to have read (even if the first one, as so often is the case, was much better!)
December 7, 2008
Those who know me know I absolutely LURVE the sick stuff. For me, Nasaw was always one of the good guys at sloshing out the sick stuff. This one....not so much.
An interesting tale of Max the psycho killer coming back to take care of the psychologist lady. (See, I can't even remember her name!) It was neat that they brought in a new playmate for Lyssy/Max. Not sure I liked the DID theme though, as I always think of Sybil and wonder why they needed to change the name of multiple personality disorder.
Anyway, not as scary or sick as his previous novels. I ended up not caring at the end who lived and who died. Maybe it's just me, but I found this one a little disappointing
An interesting tale of Max the psycho killer coming back to take care of the psychologist lady. (See, I can't even remember her name!) It was neat that they brought in a new playmate for Lyssy/Max. Not sure I liked the DID theme though, as I always think of Sybil and wonder why they needed to change the name of multiple personality disorder.
Anyway, not as scary or sick as his previous novels. I ended up not caring at the end who lived and who died. Maybe it's just me, but I found this one a little disappointing
October 22, 2008
I didn't realize that this book was part of a series, which explained some of the holes left in it. All in all, as this is not my normal genre (I gleaned this one from the $5 Barnes & Noble Bargain Bookshelf), I was surprised how it captured my interest. The multiple personalities angle to the book really kept it interesting and made it more than just a book about serial killing. I really enjoyed it and am going to go back and read more in the series... particularly, "The Girls He Adored" as the information brought up in this book most likely was from that book. It does have a fair amount of perverse sexual material in it, so I would caution anyone offended against this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews