Retribution

by Wendy Whitman

Revenge can take a lifetime.

After the shattering conclusion of Cary’s quest for justice for the victims of a suspected serial killer in Premonition, Retribution picks up with her cohorts continuing their own investigation to hunt down the person responsible for the heinous murders. The man the media has dubbed the “Deer Killer” continues to haunt bucolic Connecticut—but now, his true agenda has been revealed. As more innocents fall victim to his prey, Detective Hank Nowak’s father enters the picture, only to become entangled in the murderer’s diabolical plot. The past informs the present as Hank, private detective Vito Loggia, and Sergeant Joseph O’Malley race against the clock to stop the killings. Who will be next? More importantly, who will come out on top in this deadly game of vengeance?

“Retribution is a brilliant, thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride through the mind of a serial killer...Well done!” –Brian Cuban, Author of The Ambulance Chaser

“...a fast-paced cat and mouse game between a cop and a serial killer...sit back and enjoy the ride as Retribution cleverly takes you right up to the brink where you can’t wait until Ms. Whitman delivers her next scintillating thriller.”–Deborah Goodrich Royce, Award-Winning Author of Reef Road, Ruby Falls, and Finding Mrs. Ford

"...a serial killer thriller extraordinaire, a pulse-pounding exercise in suburban terror. A neo-noir of the highest level."
–Jon Land, USA Today and New York Times Bestselling Author

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a perfect cat and mouse chase, with a mix of police procedural and a splash of romance. I was lost in this fast paced book with a very creepy psychopath that kept the investigators on their toes! I highly recommend this book you won’t be able to put it down!
Synopsis-

Revenge can take a lifetime.

After the shattering conclusion of Cary’s quest for justice for the victims of a suspected serial killer in Premonition , Retribution picks up with her cohorts continuing their own investigation to hunt down the person responsible for the heinous murders. The man the media has dubbed the “Deer Killer” continues to haunt bucolic Connecticut—but now, his true agenda has been revealed. As more innocents fall victim to his prey, Detective Hank Nowak’s father enters the picture, only to become entangled in the murderer’s diabolical plot. The past informs the present as Hank, private detective Vito Loggia, and Sergeant Joseph O’Malley race against the clock to stop the killings. Who will be next? More importantly, who will come out on top in this deadly game of vengeance?

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: RETRIBUTION
AUTHOR: WENDY WHITMAN
PUB DATE: 07.25.2023 Now Available

The man the media has dubbed the “Deer Killer” continues to haunt bucolic Connecticut—but now, his true agenda has been revealed. As more innocents fall victim to his prey, Detective Hank Nowak’s father enters the picture, only to become entangled in the murderer’s diabolical plot. The past informs the present as Hank, private detective Vito Loggia, and Sergeant Joseph O’Malley race against the clock to stop the killings.

Who will be next?

More importantly, who will come out on top in this deadly game of vengeance?

THOUGHTS: This is my first book from from the Deer Killer Series and worked as a stand alone for me. I loved the fast paced gripping story of this serial killer trope - so dark and so good! I enjoyed every minute of this thrilling and suspenseful novel, and getting in the head of a ruthless and heartless killer. Lots of unexpected twists that made this book a page turner for me.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cat and mouse thriller with a proud psychopath named Brandon as the antagonist who just keeps adding to his list of victims.

This book has a group of people trying to stop Brandon. They include police detective Hank, a private investigator named Vito, and Hank’s dad who is a retired police detective.

There are lots of true crimes and serial killers referenced in this book which gave a realistic feeling to Brandon’s fictional crimes.

The book never lets up in its intensity or action. It also has some pretty explosive secrets so I’m already anxiously anticipating the next book in the series.

This is the second book in the series. You can read it as a stand alone, but it is definitely worth your time to read book one.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first met Brandon, “The Deer Killer,” in the first book 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Brandon is still at large, and his killing spree continues. It becomes very personal for Detective Hank Nowak, as one of the first victims is someone very dear to her. Making things even worse, Hank’s father, a retired cop, gets snared into Brandon’s web too.


Although I’m not usually a fan of serial killer books, I was captivated by being inside a psychopath’s mind - it was chilling! There were also some big reveals in this one, so now I’m very interested in seeing where the author takes the series.

A fast-paced, intense ride to catch a deranged serial killer. 𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑜?

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @wendywhitmanauthor
for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Deborah Levison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendy Whitman’s new thriller, RETRIBUTION, is a surprise: it’s a love story-meets-hard-boiled police procedural. This chilling account of a sinister, deranged psychopath (who is completely fine with that diagnosis, by the way) and his spinetingling cat-and-mouse game with a team of investigators will have readers shocked…and wanting more. Much more.

Whitman’s fast-paced dialogue and clever plotting leap off the page, leaving us—especially those of us whose hearts warm to the furry, four-legged characters—completely gutted. Make sure to read the prequel, PREMONITION, to get the full background on the "Deer Killer." Whitman is killing it with this serial killer series!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨!

Prepare for a wild and non-stop pulse-pounding ride. Love this kind of fast-paced and suspenseful story, a serial killer chase that you won’t be able to stop reading. This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 by Wendy Whitman released July 25, 2023.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵?
I have no idea why I ask these questions😂

𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆!

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retribution is the sequel to Premonition. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Premonition first so you get all of the build up.

The author definitely did not disappoint readers with this follow up. It is written from the killer’s point of view, and has all of the creepy vibes one hopes for with these books. His cat and mouse game with investigators will keep you guessing and not wanting to put this book down. Very great read!!!

[Christy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serial killers are incredibly scary but also fascinating - - learning more about their mindset and psychopathy always makes for an interesting read. Brandon was especially creepy and it was engrossing to hear more about his thought process as he chose his victims and when he berated himself for careless errors. Although this was the second in the Deer Killer series I had no problem following the story line without reading the first. Looking forward to continuing this series!

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in the series. I loved the twisted plot and crime fiction is one of my favorite genres. A fast-paced cat and mouse that kept me engaged and turning the pages. I recommend book 1 first although this can be read as a standalone. A quick read I really enjoyed.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the serial killer thriller trope then add this to your TBR. It’s the second book in the Deer Killer series though it can be read as a standalone and I’ll be picking up the first one. I love it when a bad guy not only keeps the other characters guessing but it also has the reader scratching their head. The pacing is great, plot is engaging and theirs a touch of romance.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read book one but that seemed to be fine. I wasn't lost or anything. I enjoyed the thriller aspect of tis story as I read each page. I will totally need to go back and read book one soon. This was one ride that you wont soon forget.

[Christina McComiskie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic thrill ride I was unable to put down. Easy one of my favorite books of 2023.

[David Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling game of cat and mouse.

In this, the follow-up to Premonition, we find detective Hank Nowak and friends desperately trying to hunt down the "Deer Killer" before he strikes again. Things ratchet up a notch when the latest victim is someone very close to Hank making it very personal. With the uncanny ability to stay a step or two ahead of the investigators, this serial killer is good at what he does. Just when you think it can't get more personal for her, Hank's father, a retired cop, enters the picture only to get caught up in the killers games. So the question is, will they be able to stop this mad man and at what cost?

Let me just say that I had a major problem with the first book in the series. The author committed one of my biggest pet peeves so I was a little leary going into this one. I can now happily say that the author didn't repeat that issue in this one even though there were plenty of opportunities to do so. With that said, I enjoyed this one so much more! The relatively short chapters and fast pace kept me engaged and curious to see where this one would go. The characters are relatable complex and well developed and the plot was well laid out.
While I was tentative about the series before, I am now eager to see where the story goes from here.

Thank you to the author, Post Hill Press and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.