By the Time You Read This

Raisa Susanto #3

by Brianna Labuskes

The sinister puzzle of an FBI linguist’s past is far from finished in a gripping novel of twisted family ties, from USA Today bestselling author Brianna Labuskes.

FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her psychopathic serial killer sister, Isabel, is locked away forever. Then Raisa receives a letter from Isabel. It’s just a single message: By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.

Soon after, Isabel is discovered dead in her cell, forcing Raisa back into her depraved orbit—one that includes a band of true-crime worshippers obsessed with Isabel, her killing spree, and those who survived it.

When a new victim is killed in the same manner that made Isabel notorious, Raisa and FBI forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny aren’t just tasked with finding out who killed Isabel and why. They’re hunting for a protégé following in Isabel’s footsteps. Raisa must uncover the truth—whether or not she’s ready for it—before someone else dies.

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

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2025

Reviews

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Already a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Ms. Brianna Labuskes, By the Time You Read This only cemented my love for her stellar writing. A master of perfecting the art of crime thrillers, this third book in the Raisa Susanto series was yet more proof that she can do no wrong. With a complex plot, believable characters, and a few twists that had me audibly gasping out loud, it managed to outdo the first two books in the series, which was proof positive of this author’s undeniable skill. And let’s not forget the fact that this cast had to go up against Labuskes’s own Dr. Gretchen White for my all-time favorite character. In the end, though, this motley crew had my heart gripped in their fictional hands—including those of them towards the blacker side of morally gray.

As much as I loved these multi-dimensional, flawed characters, though, the plot of this newest installment was clearly the special sauce for why it was an utter home run. With dual alternating timelines and POVs, the serial killer premise absolutely came alive on the page. Intricately plotted and with plenty of deftly planted red herrings, there was no chance of my figuring anything out before each timely reveal. And let me tell you, those revelations? They each had my jaw on the floor. From timeline manipulation to an event I couldn’t have seen coming no matter what, I couldn’t get enough of this unputdownable thriller. Throw in the low-key critique of true crime and the media, and I was head over heels with this rollercoaster ride of suspense.

All said and done, from the mixed media format to the dysfunctional family dynamics, there wasn’t a thing not to love about this fast-paced, addictive novel. Were there moments where I felt a little bit lost in the complexity of the case? Well…yes. But I suspect that was merely part of the author’s tactics at keeping me off balance. You see, once I got my bearings after the biggest “WTF?!” twist, it all started to slot perfectly into place. It was only then that I could truly revel at the mastery of Ms. Labuskes’s skill. So if you’re looking for a twisty novel that will throw you into the world of true crime, you’ve got it right here. Just be sure to start with book one in the series as you won’t want to miss a minute with Raisa. Rating of 4.5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her psychopathic serial killer sister, Isabel, is locked away forever. Then Raisa receives a letter from Isabel. It’s just a single message: By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.

Soon after, Isabel is discovered dead in her cell, forcing Raisa back into her depraved orbit—one that includes a band of true-crime worshippers obsessed with Isabel, her killing spree, and those who survived it.

When a new victim is killed in the same manner that made Isabel notorious, Raisa and FBI forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny aren’t just tasked with finding out who killed Isabel and why. They’re hunting for a protégé following in Isabel’s footsteps. Raisa must uncover the truth—whether or not she’s ready for it—before someone else dies.

Thank you to Brianna Labuskes and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: May 27, 2025

Content warning: stalking, hit-and-run accident, mention of: gaslighting

[Shannon M (Canada) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that ”By The Time You Read This” was a popcorn thriller when I downloaded it from NetGalley, and so it sat on my kindle until I was in the mood to read a popcorn thriller. It is a smoothly written, twisty story, although a bit redundant. At the 50% point, I was almost ready to stop, turn it into a dnf, but I persevered, and the pace picked up after the author’s timeline distortions became apparent.

This is Book #3 in the Raisa Susanto series by author Brianna Labuskes, but it works well as a standalone because the relevant background information from the previous books is incorporated into the first two chapters of this one.

In a review of one of the author’s other books, I wrote that she had ”mastered mindless storytelling”, and again I felt that she was writing a story that had no substance, one that relied on twists and turns, rather than one designed to provide the reader with greater insight into the shared experiences, emotions, and challenges common to all.

So, if you are in the mood for a quick popcorn thriller, this will satisfy your needs, but you may feel unfulfilled after you’ve finished it.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.

[Brianna Bagwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for this eARC!!

"By the Time You Read This" by Brianna Labuskes is a psychological thriller that explores the great lengths one will go to uncover the truth. It’s got just the right amount of mystery and twists!! The family secrets are a plus 😜

While this is a series, and there are two books before this one, this one can be read as a standalone (but you should def read the first two)!!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and unique book that a liked a lot more than I expected to. It centers on Raisa, who is trying to track down what happened to her serial killer sister Isabel, who seemed to give her a heads up that she was going to die. There is also another sister, Delaney, that is tied up in the whole situation as well. Raisa and her compadres are trying to solve a string of current murders while also determining what happened to Isabel.

The book was really fast paced and I appreciated the way Raisa thought about things, and the glimpse into those thought patterns. Her dynamics with those around her felt really authentic. The mystery was sound, with lots of believable red herrings, and I was really surprised when the villain was revealed. It kept me guessing almost to the very end. One thing to note is that the timeframes between Raisa’s and Delaney’s stories are close to each other but not exactly the same- I was confused at one point and had to remind myself to pay closer attention to the dates to see how the puzzle pieces fit together.

Note that I didn’t realize this was part of a series and it reads well as a standalone.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that was fast paced and twisty. It also takes place in the Pacific Northwest, a locale which I am familiar. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto’s twisted family story. Raisa must use her skills and everything she knows of her family to uncover the truth.

All of the books were so interesting as you learn more about what Raisa and her partner do in the FBI. It was a great twist learning about her serial killer sister and the intrinsic relationship of nature/nurture as the psychological thriller progressed from book 1-3.

Thank you to author, Brianna Labuskes, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Pamela Jo Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read! One sister an apprehended and imprisoned serial killer; one sister following in her footsteps; and the third sister, an FBI agent who was just a toddler when the parents were murdered. By which sister, hmmm. The story takes place over an 8-day period following the death of Isabel (the sister in prison), so it has that feel of the movie “Seven” without all the gore. There is some romance in there, but not enough to detract from the criminal theme of the book. I liked it!!

Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway

[Ariel Tuladhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least fave book of the series. I usually love this series but it was way OTT and unbelievable. Coulda been a me problem.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice ending to the series!
For those that love procedurals crime shows, the Raisa Susanto series is perfect.
Part thriller, part crime, By the Tme You Read this follows up where the The Truth You Told ends.

While I believe this could stand alone, the story will mean much more if the first two books are read.

Raisa is confronted once again by her past when a letter arrives from her sister. Her sister Isabella, a known serial killer is behind bars. When an ominous letter arrives stating " By the time you read this I'll be dead" comes from Isabella, Raisa knows she will be pulled back into the chaotic world his sister created.

And so a cat and mouse is started once again.
This head my interest the whole time, though I had some issues with keeping newer characters straight. I loved that it had a few jaw dropping moments, and even some red herrings.
Overall it was enjoyable and well plotted.

Thank you to Netgalley and Brillance Audio for an ALC of this, the narration was perfect!

[RoosBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a standalone, having not read the previous 2 books in the series. That made it bit difficult to get into the backstory of the characters, so I would recommend reading the first two before starting here.
Reisa is the sister of a prolific serial killer who is still pulling strings from behind bars. Their middle sister is *somewhere* and her character could go to either side- is she psychotic and murdery too, or is it just the older sister? This book follows the remaining two sisters as they try to solve the murder of their older sister and see who else is involved in the crimes going on. It is definitely a fast-paced popcorn thriller that is very entertaining.

thank you to NetGalley, the author Brianna Labuskes, and Brilliance Publishing for my ARC of this audiobook.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book about an FBI forensic linguist. It continues with the story about 3 sisters and their horrific past. Raise, the good sister and linguist, continues her investigations with her partner. This author is an excellent writer who is grammatically correct. Her stories draw you in. I hope to see a continuation of this series but solving a different mystery where her sisters aren’t involved!

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

Not as good as the first two books in the series. The story dragged. Perhaps because the plot didn't rely on the linguistic angle as did the first two books. It made for a less interesting story.

[Ray Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Even Deeper Dive Into The Parker Sisters

On arriving home, FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto finds an envelope slid under the door. She knows that it is from her oldest sister, Isabel Parker, who tried to kill her two years ago. She is now in prison. While the wound is healed, she still feels it. She puts the letter down and goes upstairs to bed. She can't sleep, so he goes down and opens the envelope. A single sheet of paper with the message, "By the time you read this, I’ll be dead." Her cell phone rings with a call from Callum Kilkenny, a forensic psychologist and often partner. She lets it go to voice mail. He sends a text to turn on the television. She already knew but turned on the television anyway. Across the bottom of the TV screen, the chyron read: “Serial Killer Isabel Parker Found Dead in Cell."

This novel has three main storyline threads. The first is Susanto and Kilkenny’s unofficial investigation into the death of Isabel in prison. This thread goes dormant as Susanto investigates a series of murders that mimic Isabel Parker’s Modus Operandi. Susanto faces two hurdles. Kilkenny becomes unavailable early in the novel. She tries to continue on her own, but she must do something very challenging. She must team up and work closely with a local police detective, St. Ivany. In the previous novels, Susanto worked alongside fellow FBI agents, but their relationships were strictly professional and not personal. She only crossed that line with Kilkenny. With the complexity of so many suspicious suicides and her sister, Delaney Moore, a strong candidate to be the prime suspect or a candidate to be the next victim, this aspect heightened the tension and the suspension. These aspects captured my attention. The third thread tells the story of Moore. This thread is critical, as it contains information from Isabel's possessions left in her cell that is a gold mine for understanding what is happening. Twists, turns, and red herrings are used extensively. One of these reached the level of what I call a literary grenade, as it changed the entire understanding of what was happening.l

When discussing the background in this novel, it must include all three Parker sisters. I thought that I had learned so much about this trio after the first two novels. Much more is provided in this novel than I expected. Seeing how Susanto overcame the obstacle of forming a solid working relationship with Detective St. Ivany was most telling. This B-storyline provides most of this information. I found this B-storyline thread involving Susanto and Detective St. Ivany quite interesting.

There is not much in this novel that can cause some readers to stop reading. There are no intimate scenes. Profanity and impious language were noticeable but at a low level. Most of the violence consists of describing generically the suicides. Even the only actual violent scene is relatively tame. Although this is the last of three novels, there is sufficient information to suggest that it can be read first.

Although it was not an issue that I disliked, it did cause some confusion. Each chapter title has a number under it. It is the number of days since Isabel’s death. The chapters are chronologically ordered. The Delaney Moore thread starts three days later than the other threads, so they are out of sync. I enjoyed the use of transcripts from podcasts, chatrooms, and other electronic media. Using these techniques enables the reader to receive a substantial amount of information in a concise format. With Isabel's protégé on the loose and killing in Isabel’s modus operandi, the investigation was highly complex. The uncovering of the connections that led to the identification of the protégé and the killer of Isabel kept my interest locked in this novel.

I have read seven of the author’s novels and purchased four more. She is in my Must-Read category. I am looking forward to her next novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend reading it. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received the free prepublication e-book version of this novel from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

[Leah reading & recording · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

While it can be read as a stand-alone, I read the first two books in this series prior to diving into this book and I am glad I did! The result: this book felt like the perfect wrap-up and I'll miss these interesting (and some twisted) characters. I think reading the first two books helped me to appreciate the story and catch onto some of the nuance.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

This might be the best book in the series. I couldn’t put it down. When Raisa’s sister, Isabel, is killed while in custody. She goes out to figure out how did it. There’s so many twists and turns. This book didn’t disappoint. Can’t wait for the next one!!!

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very different from the first two books but I absolutely loved it! I’m a little worried that this might be the end of this series though!

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but I do suggest you read the previous books before embarking on this one so that you understand the characters’ backgrounds as this will provide greater understanding and make it a much more enjoyable read for you.

Raisa Susanto is a forensic linguist, one of three sisters including Isabel and Delaney. In this book, Raisa receives a letter under her door with just a single line on it that states ‘By the time you read this I will be dead”. Raisa wonders that after numerous murders her psychopath sister has committed is she dead, she was finally locked up after all the death and destruction she caused to many people’s lives. Her death is soon confirmed. However, Isabel has achieved quite a reputation in the eyes of true crime addicts and her murderous antics have led several of them to become obsessed, pouring over her crimes.

Soon a body is discovered, and it has Isabel written all over it, but this cannot be true so is there a copycat killer out there and if so, what are their intentions. Raisa and forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny begin working together to try to uncover the truth and to stop this person in their tracks. But things are about to be very complicated, and this will not be an easy journey for either of them. Meanwhile Delaney is in the background and Raisa also has her own misgivings as to what her other sister may be up to.

The pace is fast and there is a lot of ram packed action which will grab the reader’s attention and characters that are realistic and believable. One minute you think you know where things are going and then you are thrown another twist that leads things in a different direction. The ending may also surprise you. The only negative for me was the issues with the timelines and this was quite confusing at different points in the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Sue Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this series! And this book is so good! We are once again in the world of serial killer Isabel Parker. Will she successfully manipulate her sisters yet again? Told in a back and forth timeline between Raisa and Delaney, we get a disorienting version of events. All of the characters are dysfunctional but you can’t help rooting for almost all of them. The ending is so satisfying.

[Angela Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my very first book by Brianna Labuskes and I have a feeling that it will not be my last, in my opinion this crime thriller was up there with the best I’ve read. Page after page was filled with suspense and I really enjoyed the characters and plot twists along the way. One of the things I found most intriguing was that the main character Raisa, was a forensic linguist. I enjoyed that aspect of that type of investigation and found that it added something different to the mystery/crime thriller genre of books I’m used to reading. If I were to pick one negative aspect of the book it would be that I found the timeline of events a little confusing. Around chapter 24 it began to become more clear but there were times before that I was struggling to piece the timeline together. Maybe that was intentional on the author’s part to keep the reader guessing and not being able to predict things easily, I’m just not sure I enjoyed that at times.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime thriller that is a quick read and that you can’t put down!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This psychological thriller is gripping, suspenseful, fast paced and very entertaining.

The characters were well developed and believable. The plot was intriguing, and captivating, it will keep you on your toes the entire time.

Raisa is a FBI Forensic Linguist and her partner Agent Kilkenny a FBI Psychologist, and they are immersed on a hunting of a serial killer. Tell me no more! That’s all you need to know for now.

This is book #3 of the series, and even though it can be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading the other books first, I think there is a lot of good information. Plus why not?

Brianna did an excellent job with this book, and let me tell you, you need to read this series!

I highly recommend!

Thank you so much Thomas & Mercer, Brianna Labuskes and NetGalley for my eARC, opinions are my own.

[Kayla Chard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by this author and also the first book I've read in general in quite some time. I had gotten out of reading for a bit and I'm so excited that this was the book I chose to pick it back up again- I was hooked from the start! This book had me not wanting to stop reading, page after page. I was questioning things, trying to guess plot twists, etc. and was still surprised and in suspense right to the very last chapter.
The only thing I'm not sure I liked was trying to follow along with the timeline; however upon continuing to read, I think that may have been apart of the author's tactics to keep us guessing and wanting more. Overall, I really loved this book and already am wanting to read more by this author! Would lreccommend this book to all mystery/crime lovers!

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a fan of this author for quite some time and read all of this series. This is a dark psychological thriller involving three sisters with the kind of family drama nobody would want. The plot included the strange and unique relationships between three sisters with a serial killer. The family drama of these three sisters with multiple identities was distracting. Perhaps I was in the wrong headspace because it was my least favorite of the series. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer (via NetGalley) for providing the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy of “By the Time You Read This” (Raisa Susanto, #3), by Brianna Labuskes, publication expected 05/27/2025. These are always my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

[Ciara McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not recommend this series enough. I was incredibly fortunate to find the first book only two month before the final book in the trilogy was released. Every book in the Raisa Susanto series was beyond spectacular. The amount of research and thought that was put into this series is *chefs kiss*. I love to keep reading about Raisa and Callum working cases, but to be honest, the final book could not have ended any better. Thank you Brianna Labuskes for taking me on this journey!

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: “By The Time You Read This” is my favorite Raisa Susanto book to date! Briana Labuskes masterfully delves delivers another mystery to solve and delves deeper into the personal lives of her characters, adding rich layers of complexity to Raisa, Isabel, Delaney, and Killkenny. The character development in this installment feels more intimate, making it easy to connect with their journeys on a deeper level. The mystery is expertly crafted, keeping me on my toes with unexpected twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took another surprising direction. I couldn’t put it down!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the early release copy!!

[Meg Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this three part series! From following the characters to new places, learning more about linguistics and ultimately got an ending I can be happy with. Will read more of Brianna’s work.

[Cindy P Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal!! Start with book #1 in series & read all 3, but I think best read in order. Very intelligent writing and keeps you guessing as you try to figure out who is the psychopath. Good development of the main characters and different relationships in series. Ending leaves you satisfied but possibly hoping for 1 more.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic series, and I will read more by this author. Raisa's sister is a brutal killer, and she is finally behind bars where she belongs. When her sister is killed, she feels compelled to investigate. What game could she sister be playing?

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced reader copy.

I really enjoyed this book and plan to go back and read the first two in the series. I enjoyed the viewpoint of Raisa being the sister of a serial killer as well as being an FBA linguist. I liked all of the twists and turns and how the story weaved together. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!

[Michelle Fichtner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Labuskes. Lots of twists and turns to find the fate of the Parker sisters.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself was good, but I didn't like how the different POVs were on different timelines.

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5