Dead Weight

Lizzy Gardner #2

by T.R. Ragan

A missing girl, a cold case, and one angry teenager keep Lizzy Gardner busy in this suspenseful sequel to Abducted by T.R. Ragan

Her First Cold Case…Lizzy Gardner, a private investigator known as the “one who got away,” has spent over a decade trying to get over her past and move on. Although she knows that the man responsible for ruining her life is now dead, letting it all go is easier said than done. Hoping murder and mayhem are behind her, she delves into her first cold case: twenty-one years ago, a girl went missing and the girl’s dying mother is more desperate than ever to know what happened to her only child.
A Missing Woman…
After a woman walks into Lizzy’s office and offers her a large sum of money to keep a close eye on a fitness guru, a man she believes is responsible for her sister’s disappearance, Lizzy realizes she might have taken on more than she can handle.
An Angry Teenager…
Lizzy calls in the help of her two assistants, forcing Hayley and Jessica to work together. Hayley might be of more use to Lizzy if she wasn’t wandering the streets of Sacramento in the dead of night

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

ebook

First published July 17, 2012

About the author

T.R. Ragan (Theresa Ragan) is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling mystery and thriller author.

Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter or getting their name in a TR RAGAN book should check out her website at www.trragan.com

Facebook • Twitter • Instagram: @trraganauthor

LIZZY GARDNER SERIES
Abducted
Dead Weight
A Dark Mind
Obsessed
Almost Dead
Evil Never Dies

FAITH MCMANN TRILOGY
Furious
Outrage
Wrath

JESSIE COLE SERIES
Her Last Day
Deadly Recall
Deranged - 10/18
Buried Deep - 4/19

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in this series was brilliant. I don't think this one gripped me as much but it was nice to catch up again with characters that I had already met before.
I think it was the story line that disappointed me. People's insecurities about being obese didn't hold much interest for me, probably as I have so many of them myself!
There wasn't the scare factor that the first book had which is what I like in a thriller.
I did enjoy the romance between Lizzy and Jared which is progressing nicely in this second book.

[Malina Skrobosinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest, I didn't much care for the storyline in this one. The weightloss guru, and the obese missing characters, I just didn't have much interest in this. I'm not even really sure how I feel about the main character, Lizzy Gardner at this point.

The only part of this novel that really held my attention was Haley's undoing. Haley is a troubled young woman, she has suffered quite the tragic past. Having been sexually abused as a child, then allowing herself to be abducted and tortured by Spiderman, this has seriously affected Haley. She however has done what she can to convince those around her that she's stronger than she appears and that she's more in control than she really is. Haley's character is one that jumps off the page, more so than that of our main character, Lizzy Gardner.

I plan to read onward if anything to see what happens to Haley in hopes that we'll see more of her in the series.

[Angela DeSilva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟!
This is the second book in this series, and it was really good! The first book had me a little more hooked, though, so that's why this one isn't a full 5 star rating. This story was a great mystery-thriller and highly entertaining! I don't know how I feel about heavy people being somewhat focused on and this guru for them. But everything else was cool. This book has a fair amount of possible triggers, though. So be careful. I'm really enjoying this author!! She knows how to grasp the reader's attention and to keep it held. There is a lot of sensitive material she writes about, but she makes it into awesome thrillers. This book also featured revenge, and I don't believe in getting revenge, but I was able to sympathize with why the character felt the need for it. All in all, great, and I look forward to the third book!!

[Mei-Ling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A certain character (H) reminded me a bit of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,especially with her methods of vengeance. I was a bit surprised that she seemed ok at the end of Abducted, but was soooo way off the deep end in this book.. There is (IMO) a bit of unneccessary dialog/descriptive prose, but overall it was an engaging plot & the characters were engaging. Quite the cliffhanger ending with H being in jail,so I'll probably read the next book (I hope there is one).
Note:
I read Abducted & Dead Weight on my Kindle.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but not great plot. Weight loss guru under suspicion for questionable practices to get massive weight loss for certain clients. But, as is so often the case, all is not as it seems.

Meanwhile Hayley, who lost a pinky finger to Spiderman in the previous book, is on a personal crusade to rid the city of sexual predators. She is saving Brian for last. Brian, you may recall, is her mother's boyfriend but has been abusing Hayley for years.

These two stories don't really tie together. There is another case Lizzy is working. The mother of a girl who disappeared 20 years ago is dying and she wants closure. She wants to know what happened to her daughter. Again, all is not as it seems. All good plot elements but they don't hang together. I have a feeling Ragan hits her straps in the third book of the series so I'll be reading that soon.

[La-Lionne]

I decided for once to try an audiobook. What a mistake that was. I don't like the person that is reading this book. It's just awful. Not only it ruined this book for me, but it also ruined the characters from the first book that I got to know and love. They sounded completely different than I had envisioned. Some of them are read in high pitched voice and sounded whiny. Then there is background noise like cats mewing. It was so weird. Then there was an attempt to imitate male voice. Weirdest thing ever. The word 'fuck' sounded like it burned the tongue of who ever read it.
I will need to read ebook to be able to get into the story.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our heroine private eye Lizzy is on the case of a missing lady, who's weight issues have led her to try every diet there is, to no avail. Her sister believes she's in the nefarious clutches of a guru who can turn people's lives around with his program.

The best part of this was one of Lizzy's part time assistants, who is taking the past into her own hands.

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.R. Ragan's second Lizzy Gardner novel "Dead Weight" starts right away where the first left off. Gardner remains haunted by the memories of the serial killer she named Spiderman who nearly succeeded in finally snuffing out the one who got away. Gardner is flawed, her family is falling apart and she attracts like-minded women who all have been wronged. Somehow, she makes it work. Hayley and Jessica become sidekicks and more important subplots in the novel. Gardner's seen her share of media hype since bringing down the killer who preyed on Sacramento for a couple decades. She gets more work. And that's a good thing. She's been scraping along for years. One case involves a woman who disappears while trying to lose weight. Her sister insists she is missing because of a weight-loss guru and has done scads of background work to prove her case. She pays Gardner a ton just to follow the guy around. The case almost serves as background. The most interesting part has to do with Hayley, who got herself caught by Spiderman in an attempt to bring him down. She's angry at life but mostly at a guy named Brian who dates her loser drunk and drug addicted mom and secretly pays her visits in the dead of night. That worked, for him at least, when Hayley was a child and unable to resist him. But she's older and meaner now. Brian had better watch out. And there's conflict between Jessica and Hayley that further explores their characters. Jessica has her own skeletons, but Hayley teeters on the abyss between good and evil. She wants revenge. But will she get it only to cause herself more pain? Ragan is a master at explaining the human condition and recovering from trauma. She's as honest as Gardner. Her work is at times hard to take but endlessly engaging.

[Irrlicht · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the first book in this series, but there were some characters I really liked and wanted to “see” again.

Most of all Jessica and Hayley, because I think they were more interesting than the main characters and I really wanted to know what happens to them.

Unfortunately the case itself is not very interesting, the story just dragged along and... yeah.

There were a few intriguing characters related to the case, but not enough to actually get me “involved” with them, and at the end of the book it was pretty clear that we’ll never see them again, so there.

I liked that Jared is actually “just” the boyfriend in this and not the FBI agent again, and I also liked that Lizzy got a bit jealous of the model-like, picture-perfect “suburb housewife” neighbour, without transforming into a she-hulk, throwing annoying tantrums left, right and centre.

Alas, that’s the most positive I can say about it.

I didn’t even mind Jessica sort of finding her way and having yet to grow a pair, but what really put me off was Hayley going full-on Lisbeth Salander (only without the computer hacking).

Meh.

No more Lizzy Gardner books for me, I’m afraid.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not as good as the first in the series. I had so much hope for this series because of the premise. I love Lizzy's backstory and her reason for becoming a detective. Unfortunately it isn't well written. Jared is barely present. The mystery isn't very startling and doesn't surprise. Overall the book feels like a first draft rather than a well-edited sophomore effort.

[Muzmuz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warning: fat shaming, child rape, stalking and murder.

This book was as good as the 1st one but with a lot less on the graphic description.
To some it might feel a little bit boring since the 1st book was so graphically described you might have wanted to puke.

Never the less it was an enjoyable fast read.
So far I have been enjoying reading this series and hopefully I manage to finish it off by next month

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these characters and their interactions as much as the mystery/suspense aspect. Solid writing. I will continue with this series.

[Reindert Van Zwaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An okay follow up of the first installment, not too much repetition of what I knew already. I liked the development of characters that we saw in the first book. However, the plot was a bit strange and not as well worked out as the first book in my opinion.

[Jo Anne B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I ready this right after the first one on in the series and I liked being able to see how the characters grew and their relationships evolved. Again my favorite character is Hayley. In this book, she really went to the dark side and got revenge on some men emulating some of the same tactics that Spiderman did on her. It is sad to see how victims then become their abusers. I hope to see Hayley overcome her battle with her dark side but her terrible home life with her mom and Brian seems like that will keep her down. I love her and Jessica's sarcastic relationship that is deep rooted in sincere feelings for each other. I also love how Lizzy won't give up on her and sees the good in her. Lizzy and Jared's relationship is awesome. He seems like such a great guy. I really enjoyed the storyline about the weight loss killer. It was such a different strategy of a killer. Jessica got out of her comfort zone in this one too and seems to be getting more daring on her P.I. work. I look forward to the next one!

[Mendi Estes-sample · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was interesting. Sadly, this book wasn't as gripping as the first. Chains again. Really? The cat was my favorite character. I didn't like Haley's vengeance plot line. Lizzy is just kinda sorry... Letting things go... Not cleaning her carpet in her office or paying her employees. I thought business had picked up because people knew who she was? She didn't seem to grow from the first book. I am still not feeling the romance between Lizzy and Jared. He seems more like just an extra walk on character. The sex scene and him and Lizzy kissing etc was just corny. What was up with the hole neighbor thing anyway? The names of the rapists were just laughable as well as the ending with Brian. I did finish this book and will read the next in the series. They are quick reads. Switching scenes was hard to follow at times... I listened to the book on my phone. The quick change in scenes at times didn't build suspense. All in all, a 2 star book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from this author it's not as good as the first book but love the characters Hayley sad past.Lizzy and Jared romance.gonna read more in this series.won't be disappointed reading this authors books get hooked on them.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series and seeing the character development as they investigate new cases. Haley is still *the best*.

[Brandie Lea Slicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the series so far!

With Hayley seeking retribution and 2 cases of missing women, one cold case, in my favorite state of California; this Lizzy Gardener Series was my favorite so far! I hope to see some resolution in the next series!

[Angie Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second ( the first being Abducted) trip into Mystery/Suspense/Thriller as I have never really been interested in the genre but Ragan pulled me right in.

This was a great follow up to "Abducted". I loved getting to spend more time with Lizzy and the rest of the crew. I loved seeing Lizzy's evolution after "Abducted" and as painful as it was, I liked knowing what happened to Hayley. The storyline was gripping and exciting. She had me right up until the very end. I have seen some who think her storyline is scattered a bit and I can see how that might be said. However, I still found this to be an entertaining read and have a feeling Ragan's plot development can and will get better.

I love how her characters are so real, so fallible, and so believably human. "Dead Weight" was very hard to put down and I tore through the story, riveted. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loved "Abducted".

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise sold me honestly. I hadn't read the first book and thankfully that wasn't a prerequisite. I don't know what bothered me about this story. The pacing, the deferring, the abundance of characters (& their development) or the ridiculous character "Hayley", who not just a distraction but bordered unbelievable. I just feel that the author experimented a lot with unnecessary avenues (if that makes sense.) Overall, due to said complaints I give it a 2/5. Still, an enjoyable ride.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't as good as the first but it still kept me interested. The crazy, unimaginable things these women go through make you feel a little on edge, even in your own home. I'm excited for the third one.

[J-me · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but in comparison to Abducted this story didn't have a chance. I bought the next book in the series and already it's a better start. this book is good book, just not the thrill I was needing.

[Sonia Donelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/i...

Il peso di uccidere di T.R. Ragan – thriller e secondo volume della serie Lizzy Gardner, pubblicato da Newton Compton lo scorso 16 maggio.

Che cosa è successo all’autrice che sapeva creare suspense e colpi di scena? Me lo sto chiedendo mentre osservo lo schermo bianco del pc, cercando le parole adatte per parlarvi di questo libro. La tela dell’assassino, titolo d’esordio della serie dedicata alla detective privata Lizzy Gardner, e pubblicato da Newton Compton due anni fa, era stato un successo planetario. T.R. Ragan aveva creato una storia ad alto impatto adrenalinico, con personaggi ben delineati e una protagonista di quelle che entrano prepotentemente nel cuore. Il primo volume della serie prometteva faville per i romanzi successivi, c’era tanto materiale da poter sfruttare, però ne “Il peso di uccidere” mi è mancato lo spessore narrativo. Ma procediamo con ordine. Dove eravamo rimasti? Sono passati sei mesi dalla morte di Spiderman, il terribile assassino che era riuscito a rapire per ben due volte la nostra Lizzy. Nonostante il trauma, la nostra detective privata non si è arresa, ha continuato imperterrita a lavorare nella sua agenzia investigativa. La sua relazione con Jared potrebbe passare al livello successivo, ma lei non si sente pronta. Ama Jared tantissimo, ma non riesce a dirglielo. Ci sono cicatrici che, anche se invisibili, pregiudicano la nostra vita. E Lizzy non è ancora fuori dai suoi tormenti personali. Spiderman è morto ma lei non riesce a togliere i chiavistelli dalla porta di casa, il lavoro è l’unica fonte di distrazione, le permette di non pensare. Manda avanti la sua agenzia con le due giovani collaboratrici che avevamo conosciuto nel primo libro: Jessica e Hayley che, nello scontro finale con Spiderman, ha perso un dito della mano e lotta ancora con i suoi fantasmi del passato: la famiglia disfunzionale nella quale è cresciuta e il suo rancore nei riguardi del compagno della madre che l’ha ripetutamente violentata. La sua sete di vendetta supera i confini della legalità. L’esperienza con Spiderman l’ha resa una spietata vendicatrice, ed è per questo che nel secondo volume della serie la sua storyline prende il sopravvento rispetto a quella che, sulla carta, dovrebbe essere la protagonista, ovvero Lizzy. I casi che la detective sta seguendo sono molteplici, e li ho trovati poco approfonditi, frettolosi, come se la nostra attenzione dovesse focalizzarsi più su Hayley e le sue scappatelle notturne per punire coloro che in passato le hanno fatto del male.

Carol Fullerton è sparita da vent’anni, la madre della ragazza, con un tumore terminale, vorrebbe rivedere la figlia un’ultima volta prima di morire, per questo si rivolge all’agenzia investigativa di Lizzy. Due decenni prima, Carol era svanita nel nulla e le indagini si erano presto chiuse senza prove, la sua scomparsa era stata archiviata come una sparizione volontaria. Ma Lizzy, che si ritrova a riaprire il caso e a battere le piste di questa misteriosa scomparsa, non è convinta che Carol si sia allontanata in maniera consapevole. Mentre le ricerche di Carol proseguono arenandosi in vicoli ciechi, sulla scrivania di Lizzy arriva un altro caso. Diane Kramer è da mesi svanita nel nulla, e la sorella Andrea si rivolge a Lizzy perché è convinta che dietro la sua sparizione ci sia lo zampino del guru della forma fisica, Anthony Melbourne. Diane è sempre stata ossessionata dal suo peso, ha provato diverse diete senza mai ottenere alcun risultato, e la sorella sostiene che a far scomparire Diane sia stato proprio Anthony che ha creato un discutibile regime alimentare e un programma dietetico da denuncia. Ma non ci sono prove a sostegno di questo sospetto.

“Diane ha provato tutte le diete possibili e immaginabili: Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, Medifast, Jenny Craig, Atkins, diete a zona, South Beach.”

Per ritrovare Diane, la sorella Andrea chiede a Lizzy di focalizzare le sue ricerche spiando dall’interno le mosse di Melbourne, e l’unico modo per farlo è entrare a far parte del suo piano di allenamento.

E adesso torniamo alla domanda iniziale: che cosa mi è mancato in questo libro? Partiamo dalla trama non distinta, con troppi casi da risolvere e un intreccio narrativo semplicistico e poco approfondito che hanno apportato una certa pesantezza alla storia. Una sorta di minestrone insipido che non lascia alcun sapore in bocca, e poi la scelta di approfondire di più la storia di Hayley, per cui la nostra Lizzy resta quasi in ombra. I casi di Carol Fullerton e di Diane Kramer sono stati poco approfonditi, strutturati male, con una caratterizzazione dei personaggi davvero superficiale, quasi noiosi. È Hayley che assume il ruolo di protagonista in questa storia, ed è sempre Hayley che vediamo “braccata” alla fine del libro. Siamo lontani anni luce dalla suspense de “La tela dell’assassino”, e di materiale da sfruttare per rendere il romanzo più incisivo ne avevamo parecchio. Mi spiace, soprattutto perché conosco la penna di Ragan, e so che è realmente capace di fare meglio. Speriamo nel prossimo volume della serie.

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this anywhere near as much as the first in the series, although it was still a good read. Part of it I think was the lack of distinct plot; Lizzy has multiple cases on the go which eat into her 'key' case of the missing obese woman and then Hayley has a far more in depth storyline. Now I really did get caught by Hayley's narrative, but it clearly wasn't intended to be the key narrative line. The fitness guru and missing woman however failed to grip me in the same way.

There were also some nonsensical red herrings, even after I had finished the novel and the finale seemed dropped on you rather than delivered with the finesse of the first novel. That said, the writing is still tense and the characters well delivered by and large. The adolescent esque drama between Hayley and Jessica bored me somewhat, as indeed did the raving about the guru. However, the emotional turbulence was well captured on multiple fronts.

I'll certainly continue in the series to see what happens to Hayley next if anything.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Sacramento, California, USA; early 21st century.
This is the second book featuring Private Investigator Lizzy Gardner - together with her friends and colleagues Hayley and Jessica, who survived an ordeal in the previous 'outing', Lizzy is approached by a terminally-ill woman still searching for her daughter, who went missing nearly 20 years ago.
Meanwhile, a woman is chained by the leg in an isolated cabin, undergoing a radical weight-loss program she signed up for. But now Andrea Kramer has approached Lizzy alleging that weight loss guru Anthony Melbourne is responsible for her sister Diane's disappearance....
This was a good read with some unexpected twists and turns and interesting character developments from the first book. Although I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first in the series, I still intend to read several more that I have on Kindle - 8/10.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful awesome read!!

I love the Lizzy Gardner series. Even more than her, this time, I loved the main character Hayley Hanson. She went thru too much for one person to maintain her sanity. You just want to mother her, a poor child walking the streets at night. A good solid read again from T. Ragan.

[SofiaBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romanzo non paragonabile al primo libro della serie, mi è piaciuto molto meno.
Questo volume al contrario dell’altro è un giallo e non un thriller , con bene due casi da risolvere.
La storia d’amore è quasi inesistente,come anche la vita privata della nostra protagonista.

[Barbara E Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.... Hayley.....

Really great book. I like the way some this turn out really well.... and some things don't... Much like life itself. The characters are strong and storyline is very believable. Gotta read the next one to find out what happens to Hayley!!!

[Tiffany Remsburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book more because there were less characters to keep track of this one bordered on too many POVs for me. There was a lot happening and sometimes I needed to take a minute to remember where a story line left off. Still a good read and I did not see the plot twists coming.