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FBI Thriller #11
Double Take
FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are joined by one of their own and a Virginia sheriff in an extraordinary case that immerses them in the world of psychic visions, mind benders, and communications with the dead.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 12, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 563 reviews
February 8, 2019
I always enjoy Catherine Coulter’s mysteries because of their interesting plotting and characters. This one had a cool storyline involving a wife who may or may not have been missing for three years and a bunch of psychics.
May 4, 2008
Unbelievable...and by that, I mean literally unbelievable.
A rundown of the first chapter: An FBI agent sees an unknown woman get punched in the face, and then the assailant pulls a knife on her. When said FBI agent yells at the assailant, he runs away, after tossing the woman over the side of the pier into the bay. FBI agent, because he's not only an FBI agent but also an honorable man, rescues woman from the ocean, and revives her with CPR. Then, because she tells him to, he doesn't call the police. Instead, FBI agent carries (still) unknown woman to his personal vehicle, drives (still) unknown woman to her mansion home, takes (still) unknown woman upstairs to her bedroom and her master bath, then strips down (still) unknown woman and himself to their underwear and gets into a warm shower with her. Then, FBI agent puts on men's clothes that (still) unknown woman provides for him, and decides he will now call someone he knows in the local police department.
And then, finally, finds out who unknown woman is.
T-o-t-a-l-l-y unbelievable. Not to mention that the dialogue throughout the book is so stilted that I found myself groaning more often than grinning. Where I used to love the Dillon and Savich stories, Ms. Coulter's newer works have left me longing for the books of old.
If you must, check DOUBLE TAKE out from your local library. Or wait until it comes out in paperback. In my opinion, it's definitely not worth the hardcover price.
A rundown of the first chapter: An FBI agent sees an unknown woman get punched in the face, and then the assailant pulls a knife on her. When said FBI agent yells at the assailant, he runs away, after tossing the woman over the side of the pier into the bay. FBI agent, because he's not only an FBI agent but also an honorable man, rescues woman from the ocean, and revives her with CPR. Then, because she tells him to, he doesn't call the police. Instead, FBI agent carries (still) unknown woman to his personal vehicle, drives (still) unknown woman to her mansion home, takes (still) unknown woman upstairs to her bedroom and her master bath, then strips down (still) unknown woman and himself to their underwear and gets into a warm shower with her. Then, FBI agent puts on men's clothes that (still) unknown woman provides for him, and decides he will now call someone he knows in the local police department.
And then, finally, finds out who unknown woman is.
T-o-t-a-l-l-y unbelievable. Not to mention that the dialogue throughout the book is so stilted that I found myself groaning more often than grinning. Where I used to love the Dillon and Savich stories, Ms. Coulter's newer works have left me longing for the books of old.
If you must, check DOUBLE TAKE out from your local library. Or wait until it comes out in paperback. In my opinion, it's definitely not worth the hardcover price.
July 26, 2009
Another great re-read in this series!
March 12, 2013
I bought this at the library for 50 cents! Somebody donated it but it looks like new. :-)
I really enjoyed this thriller. First of all, parts of it take place in San Francisco (one of my favorite places to visit)and it was fast paced and full of interesting characters. Catherine Coulter has written a series of books with FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock as the main characters and this is number 11. Having read and enjoyed Double Take, I now want to go back and read more in the series. I wonder if any of them have been made into movies as they are full of action and would be exciting to a viewer as well.
I really enjoyed this thriller. First of all, parts of it take place in San Francisco (one of my favorite places to visit)and it was fast paced and full of interesting characters. Catherine Coulter has written a series of books with FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock as the main characters and this is number 11. Having read and enjoyed Double Take, I now want to go back and read more in the series. I wonder if any of them have been made into movies as they are full of action and would be exciting to a viewer as well.
November 26, 2012
At first, I thought that I was going to enjoy this book--after all, it was written by Catherine Coulter. I was almost to the end when it hit me--this is one of the poorer books that I have ever read. It was somewhat kaleidoscopie--as if the author had taken characters, events, and settings and just jumbled them up and recorded what showed up on top. I realized that I really didn't care what happened to the characters, and this time, that included the recurring FBI ones--Sherlock, Savich, and their son Sean. This book definitely gets passed on--or perhaps I'll just chuck it.
September 19, 2009
This is a continuing story of Sheriff Dixon Noble and Agent Ruth Warnecki. Dix father in law receives an interesting call from a friend that says after three years of looking, he saw the sheriffs wife in San Francisco. Dix knows he has to find the truth before he can move on with Ruth. Judge Sherlock houses Dix and helps to connect him with women he came to see. Savich and Sherlock also end up with a case in San Francisco involving a psychics widow, Julia Ransom, who seems to have a professional assassin after her. Luckily Special Agent Cheney Stone seems to be in the right place at the right time. These two cases seem to have more than just the city in common, several of the same people are associated with both investigations, Savich and Sherlock don't think it's a coincident.
The completion of the character of Dixon Noble is great to see, Ruth is lower keyed and easier to handle aslo. Julia and Cheney are so natural together, it almost takes you by surprise to see how quickly things have happened. It is easy to forget this is all suppose to have happened in about a week. As usual, Savich and Sherlock are the loving dual and the ending is a beautiful thing, for the car lover in everyone.
This is definitely a series book, there are many references to other places and people, you really do need to read several of the previous books to get all of what is going on. Especially Point Blank, but there is minor references to people in Blow Out, Eleventh Hour, Hemlock Bay and The Edge.
The completion of the character of Dixon Noble is great to see, Ruth is lower keyed and easier to handle aslo. Julia and Cheney are so natural together, it almost takes you by surprise to see how quickly things have happened. It is easy to forget this is all suppose to have happened in about a week. As usual, Savich and Sherlock are the loving dual and the ending is a beautiful thing, for the car lover in everyone.
This is definitely a series book, there are many references to other places and people, you really do need to read several of the previous books to get all of what is going on. Especially Point Blank, but there is minor references to people in Blow Out, Eleventh Hour, Hemlock Bay and The Edge.
May 27, 2013
More "WooWoo" stuff with Savich having more "psychic" encounters, but I'm glad that this book ties up some loose ends from the previous book "Point Blank".
March 19, 2020
This one was a little weird with all the paranormal aspects, but good. If you're a fan of the previous books of the series, you should enjoy this one. It has many familiar characters.
Double Take features Julia Ransom, widow of a renewed psychic. Many believe that Julia murdered her husband, but Agent Cheney Stone rescuers Julia when an attempt at murder is made against her. He soon feels certain that she didn't murder her husband, and is determined to both keep her safe and discover who is after her.
Another storyline involving Sheriff Dixon Noble from Virgina, runs alongside this one. The storylines soon intersect, making for plenty of action.
I really loved seeing the familiar characters in this book, and liked the new ones too. The storyline definitely held my attention, and I was eager to see how it would all connect together and turn out.
Double Take features Julia Ransom, widow of a renewed psychic. Many believe that Julia murdered her husband, but Agent Cheney Stone rescuers Julia when an attempt at murder is made against her. He soon feels certain that she didn't murder her husband, and is determined to both keep her safe and discover who is after her.
Another storyline involving Sheriff Dixon Noble from Virgina, runs alongside this one. The storylines soon intersect, making for plenty of action.
I really loved seeing the familiar characters in this book, and liked the new ones too. The storyline definitely held my attention, and I was eager to see how it would all connect together and turn out.
September 17, 2011
Double Take (FBI Thriller, #11) Catherine Coulter
Suspense/Murder/Mystery
FBI agents Sherlock and Savich are back in this thriller. Julia Ransoms' husband August was murdered. He is not an ordinary guy , he happens to be a medium, he speaks to the dead. She is being fingered in this murder. Special agent Cheney Stone is called in to investigate (with the help of Savich and Sherlock.).
Meanwhile Sheriff Dixon Noble gets a call from his father-in-law Chappy Holcombe. Chappy is distraught, he believes he has seen his daughter Christie. The only problem with that is Christie has been missing for over three years presumed dead. Dixon (Dix) is hot on the scene, where he meets Charlotte Pallack, who bears a striking resemblance to Christie.
Cheney and Dix come together, also with the assistance of Sherlock and Savich to unravel this mystery before another body turns up dead. Can the two cases be related? What is the connection to the mysterious Charlotte Pallack, is there a connection to the late Christie, and finally will Christies' case finally be solved.
Fantastic Nail-biting all night read. I am a HUGE fan of Catherine Coulter, and although this is number 11 in the FBI series, Ms. Coulter has certainly not lost her touch. I look forward to more great reads by Catherine Coulter.
Catherine Coulter
Suspense/Murder/Mystery
FBI agents Sherlock and Savich are back in this thriller. Julia Ransoms' husband August was murdered. He is not an ordinary guy , he happens to be a medium, he speaks to the dead. She is being fingered in this murder. Special agent Cheney Stone is called in to investigate (with the help of Savich and Sherlock.).
Meanwhile Sheriff Dixon Noble gets a call from his father-in-law Chappy Holcombe. Chappy is distraught, he believes he has seen his daughter Christie. The only problem with that is Christie has been missing for over three years presumed dead. Dixon (Dix) is hot on the scene, where he meets Charlotte Pallack, who bears a striking resemblance to Christie.
Cheney and Dix come together, also with the assistance of Sherlock and Savich to unravel this mystery before another body turns up dead. Can the two cases be related? What is the connection to the mysterious Charlotte Pallack, is there a connection to the late Christie, and finally will Christies' case finally be solved.
Fantastic Nail-biting all night read. I am a HUGE fan of Catherine Coulter, and although this is number 11 in the FBI series, Ms. Coulter has certainly not lost her touch. I look forward to more great reads by Catherine Coulter.
Catherine Coulter
December 23, 2010
This was a pretty good book, but not everything was thought out.
I have a few problems with the book in general, not the story so much:
In The Maze we meet Sherlock's parents. Mrs Sherlock is constantly accusing Mr Sherlock of trying to kill her, of having girlfriends, etc. She is completely delusional. Suddenly now she's alright, madly in love with her husband and normal? Also i would like to see Sean more, it seems Coulter uses him as a prop to make little family scenes that warm your heart, but you never get to know him, and it seems, neither do his parents. Taking a nanny along to visit the grandparents?
The sex scene leaves wanting for more (I never thought i would say that), compared to other books it was really nothing. They each go to their own bed at night, and in the morning they're together all of the sudden, with nothing leading up to it, which we find out from the housekeeper? Not Coulter's usual style.
That said the story was intriguing, even though the psychic business was weird. I do like how they were all quirky. Too bad we don't find out August Ransom's quirkiness, he sounds like a saint.
I am also happy Dix Noble found out what happened to Christie, the moment I read in point blank that the wife was missing (and they didn't find her at the end of the book) I knew there would be another book.
I have a few problems with the book in general, not the story so much:
In The Maze we meet Sherlock's parents. Mrs Sherlock is constantly accusing Mr Sherlock of trying to kill her, of having girlfriends, etc. She is completely delusional. Suddenly now she's alright, madly in love with her husband and normal? Also i would like to see Sean more, it seems Coulter uses him as a prop to make little family scenes that warm your heart, but you never get to know him, and it seems, neither do his parents. Taking a nanny along to visit the grandparents?
The sex scene leaves wanting for more (I never thought i would say that), compared to other books it was really nothing. They each go to their own bed at night, and in the morning they're together all of the sudden, with nothing leading up to it, which we find out from the housekeeper? Not Coulter's usual style.
That said the story was intriguing, even though the psychic business was weird. I do like how they were all quirky. Too bad we don't find out August Ransom's quirkiness, he sounds like a saint.
I am also happy Dix Noble found out what happened to Christie, the moment I read in point blank that the wife was missing (and they didn't find her at the end of the book) I knew there would be another book.
January 20, 2020
Six months ago Julia Ransom’s older husband was murdered; to date the murder remained unsolved. The reason for the status of the murder was because the SFPD thought Julia had either committed the murder or paid an accomplice, they just could not find the proof. After all of the hassle, and the accusation, Julie is finally getting her life back together, and for the first time in a long time, she is truly happy.
As she stands on the pier, gazing over the water towards Alcatraz, a decently dressed man approaches her, asking her about the ferry to Alcatraz. As Julie turns to the man, she notices his weapon, but out of the blue another man yells ‘FBI!” and the man grabs Julia tossing her into the bay.
Special Agent Chaney Stone had simply walked out of the restaurant in search of his friend taking a cigarette break when he saw the attack and yelled. The attacker runs away; but Cheney cannot pursue him, he knows he has to save the women. After contacting the SFPD, Cheney realizes that there is a connection between her husbands’s murder and the attack on her and volunteers to be her protector. At the same time, Cheney sees that her husband’s case is reopened.
Meanwhile, back in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble gets a telephone call from his father-in-law, Chappy. Dix’s wife Christie has been missing for three years, but Chappy is insistent that Christie’s Godfather has seen her alive and well in California. Though he is positive that this cannot be his long lost wife, Dix heads to California.
Before long, a link between the attacks on Julia, the murder of her husband and the strange Christie look alike are drawn, as people in the world of psychic mediums begin to fall, and Sherlock and Savage join the ranks; but will they be in time to protect the medium abducted and save Julia before anyone else disappears or is murdered?
As she stands on the pier, gazing over the water towards Alcatraz, a decently dressed man approaches her, asking her about the ferry to Alcatraz. As Julie turns to the man, she notices his weapon, but out of the blue another man yells ‘FBI!” and the man grabs Julia tossing her into the bay.
Special Agent Chaney Stone had simply walked out of the restaurant in search of his friend taking a cigarette break when he saw the attack and yelled. The attacker runs away; but Cheney cannot pursue him, he knows he has to save the women. After contacting the SFPD, Cheney realizes that there is a connection between her husbands’s murder and the attack on her and volunteers to be her protector. At the same time, Cheney sees that her husband’s case is reopened.
Meanwhile, back in Maestro, Virginia, Sheriff Dixon Noble gets a telephone call from his father-in-law, Chappy. Dix’s wife Christie has been missing for three years, but Chappy is insistent that Christie’s Godfather has seen her alive and well in California. Though he is positive that this cannot be his long lost wife, Dix heads to California.
Before long, a link between the attacks on Julia, the murder of her husband and the strange Christie look alike are drawn, as people in the world of psychic mediums begin to fall, and Sherlock and Savage join the ranks; but will they be in time to protect the medium abducted and save Julia before anyone else disappears or is murdered?
April 12, 2021
This was a fun book. Dix is a character from the pervious book. The mystery of his missing wife is still something that haunts him 3 years after her disappearance. This book explores that mystery and a new one. Julia Ransom, wife of a murdered psychic Dr. August Ransom is nearly killed when a professional hit man tries to kill her. She is saved by an FBI agent Cheney Stone and they try to figure out (with Savich and Sherlocks help), why a hit man is after her.
I loved the psychic addition to the books. I liked the writing and how she interweaved the plots. Can't wait for the next one.
I loved the psychic addition to the books. I liked the writing and how she interweaved the plots. Can't wait for the next one.
March 1, 2018
This is was TRULY fast-paced!! It was a "who dunnit" AND a "cat & mouse" thriller AT THE SAME TIME!! I LOVED this book!! I was almost as happy to see Dix & Ruth as I was to see Sherlock & Savich! Cheney and Julia seemed like a couple the 1st night they met!! Theirs was an easy "coming-together", in my opinion. I was glad that EVERYONE got closure( even one of the bad guys). I was SO invigorated once I finished this book that I KNEW I HAD to write a review!!! 5-STARS 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
May 4, 2020
Some of the things in this story line are so unreal and hard to believe. I like the Sherlock and Savich stories but come on, at least make them realistic. I’m beginning to wonder if the whole idea behind Coulter’s story lines are the unrealistic. It’s also written in a easy reading you f adult kind of way. Is it possible? I think so, because it’s not written in a mature way.
I still like her books, just seeing the young adult fairytale type happenings between the characters.
I still like her books, just seeing the young adult fairytale type happenings between the characters.
August 11, 2024
Two separate story lines merge when the investigation into a murder in San Francisco from three years ago has a connection to the disappearance of Dix's wife in Maestro, Virginia, also from three years ago. Savich and Sherlock join Sheriff Dix and FBI Agents Cheney Stone and Ruth Warnecki as they work together to figure out how these two seemingly disparate events are linked. A fast and suspenseful read!
March 11, 2024
More mystery with Sherlock & Savich. Obsession, revenge & a wife & mother missing for 5 years drive this installment. Once again a good mystery.
July 13, 2026
3.5! This was a fun little read, it felt like an episode of csi or castle!
March 11, 2024
I love murder mystery books for the most part but this story failed to catch my attention.
I really tried to immerse myself into the plot but in the end I was unable too. There were just too many characters introduced all at once and I found myself unable to care for the main characters so I decided to DNF this book.
I really tried to immerse myself into the plot but in the end I was unable too. There were just too many characters introduced all at once and I found myself unable to care for the main characters so I decided to DNF this book.
February 7, 2019
So-so book. It passed the time and was easy reading. Not a fave but not one of the worst I ever read.
May 25, 2020
Coulters books never disappoint !
April 6, 2018
I was tired of this book about half way through. I don't know why I continue to read books that pretty well bore me. I did like some of the characters, but it just seemed insipid after a while.
I will be looking for recommendations for really solid literature in the future.
I will be looking for recommendations for really solid literature in the future.
January 31, 2020
This is a good installment in the series, I enjoyed the plot and the on going characters development. There were spots in the book that was a little harder to get through but all in all it kept my attention.
January 18, 2012
Julia Ransom is finally getting over the murder of her husband, famed psychic /medium August Ransom. Finally feeling light and happy. Until a man tries to kill her by throwing off a pier into San Francisco bay. Lucky for her, FBI agent. Cheney Stone is having dinner on the same pier, happens to step outside and sees her go over the railing. He rescues her. And quickly recognizes her. The police and local media knew she was the one who had killed her husband, but they could never pin it on her. Now they simply think her accomplice has turned against her. Even after several more attempts on her life and on the lives of Augusts closest friends and others in the psychic world. But now she has Cheney to protect her. And to finally get the answers to who killed August.
We last met sheriff Dixon Noble in Point Blank, where he rescued injured FBI agent Ruth Warnecki. Dix's wife has been missing and presumed dead for over three years. Now there has been a sighting of her in San Francisco. A woman who could be Christies twin is living there and married to another man. This sends Dix west to check out the woman. With the help of Sherlock's parents, he meets the woman and determines that she looks a lot like his wife, but its not her.
There is a connection between the two cases, and the closer Savitch and Sherlock look at the players involved they quickly pinpoint who has hired the assassin to go after Julia, and its the same person who has knowledge of Christies whereabouts.
This story was well written, the two storylines coming together and separating again, it keeps you on your toes. Lots of misdirection and twists.
I really liked it.
We last met sheriff Dixon Noble in Point Blank, where he rescued injured FBI agent Ruth Warnecki. Dix's wife has been missing and presumed dead for over three years. Now there has been a sighting of her in San Francisco. A woman who could be Christies twin is living there and married to another man. This sends Dix west to check out the woman. With the help of Sherlock's parents, he meets the woman and determines that she looks a lot like his wife, but its not her.
There is a connection between the two cases, and the closer Savitch and Sherlock look at the players involved they quickly pinpoint who has hired the assassin to go after Julia, and its the same person who has knowledge of Christies whereabouts.
This story was well written, the two storylines coming together and separating again, it keeps you on your toes. Lots of misdirection and twists.
I really liked it.
December 21, 2019
I am definitely going to read more of Catherine Coulter's book. This one was very interesting, especially with regard to psychic mediums. Savich. We will see what abilities he has in the future.
November 18, 2011
Number 11 in the FBI Thriller series! I enjoyed this one a lot because it is set in San Francisco, and that's where I live, so I got to go hey I go there! Anyways once again, the new romance was totally unrealistic. This is the story of a woman whose (much older, rich, medium) husband died six months ago. The police think she murdered him but can't prove it. Now, someone is trying to kill her. The more interesting part of it was a continuation of the sheriff Dix story and his missing wife Christie. We get some closure here, without saying what it was and spoiling things. Not only that, but also a continuation of Savich's supernatural thing he's got going on, a story line which I've been loving. Overall, a lot going on, the dialogue isn't as weird and artificial four year old as it can sometimes be, it was a very good book, I whipped right through it and can't wait for the next!!
September 8, 2012
3.5 stars.
Jan 2025 - re-listened. I think it's worth upgrading by 1/2 star.
_______________
3 stars.
March 2022 - re-listened. I'm sort of getting the hang of having a male and female narrator team, especially a couple of experienced ones. However, I did find the whole premise of
More "WooWoo" stuff with Savich having more "psychic" encounters, but I'm glad that this book ties up some loose ends from the previous book "Point Blank".
Jan 2025 - re-listened. I think it's worth upgrading by 1/2 star.
_______________
3 stars.
March 2022 - re-listened. I'm sort of getting the hang of having a male and female narrator team, especially a couple of experienced ones. However, I did find the whole premise of
More "WooWoo" stuff with Savich having more "psychic" encounters, but I'm glad that this book ties up some loose ends from the previous book "Point Blank".
July 21, 2014
Double Take by Catherine Coulter was good for two reasons. The first reason was that I read another book by her last month so I knew some of the characters in this book. I love following familiar characters through different books! The second reason was that like the book above, what happens is just beyond anything I would ever think of! This book takes you into the world of psychics and more! I never saw the ending coming until the bitter end. I would also highly recommend this book because the level of suspense was great and the characters were perfectly lovable or hate-able.
January 13, 2018
I really don't understand how this book has an average of four stars. The storyline was absurd. The dialogue and banter between characters was awkward and confusing at times, making me believe I missed something continually. The writing and way too many characters (with some really bizarre names) was unnecessarily confusing to keep track of, and I felt no connections to them. Didn't give it one star because I was curious enough to finish to find out the ending. Sad since I thought at the beginning the book had promise.
May 10, 2012
I really enjoyed the first couple Catherine Coulter books I read - I thought the pacing was good, characters interesting, etc. After reading 5 or 6 in the last few months, I'm now finding them pretty formulaic and less interesting - a little too predictable. This particular one had the twist of two look-alike women that caused much confusion throughout the case and two seemingly separate cases became entwined - other than that, standard fare.
January 10, 2013
Romance novel tied up in a murder mystery involving continuing characters in law enforcement. Set in San Francisco our intrepid heroes unwind the mysteries surrounding deaths involving psychics...Meh...readable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 563 reviews