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The Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mysteries #4
The Blood We Spill
She wants to help. They want to kill. Psychotherapist Letty Whittaker is struggling to bring her life back to normal. She’s getting there. But when her best friend disappears into the depths of a religious cult, Letty is forced to cut ties with her safe life and plunge into a world of fanaticism, hypocrisy... and danger. What Letty discovers is a community in upheaval. The cult's second-in-command has disappeared without a trace. As its members vie for dominance in the power vacuum, the leader's demands for his “children” to reject worldly evils and commit their lives—and money and properties, of course—to the church grow increasingly bizarre. Determined to track down her own strangely elusive friend, Letty digs into the legion of dark secrets hidden within the community, unearthing more than she ever bargained for.
- GenresMystery
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2014
37 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Donna White Glaser
18 books101 followersDonna White Glaser is the author of the Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery series. Like her main character, Donna is a psychotherapist and lives northwestern Wisconsin. As if that weren’t enough, she and her husband own a residential construction company where it’s Donna’s job to deal with any overly emotional, what-do-you-mean-you-can’t-put-roof-trusses-up-in-a-thunderstorm? clients. Strangely enough, she often comes up with ideas for creative murders and hiding bodies during business hours. Currently she is at work on the fourth Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery-THE BLOOD WE SPILL. Donna would love to hear from you via her website at www.donnawhiteglaser.com or on Twitter: @readdonnaglaser.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 20, 2014
Great.
I have always been interested in cults so this was interesting. However the suspense and laughter are what keep me coming back. Write. Write. Quick. I'm waiting for the next one.
I have always been interested in cults so this was interesting. However the suspense and laughter are what keep me coming back. Write. Write. Quick. I'm waiting for the next one.
November 14, 2017
I've read two other books in this series and they make for enjoyable and relatively quick reads. I enjoyed this book and while it wasn't stellar or earth shattering, it was a solid read.
Letty, the main character joins a cult in order to find out what happened to a friend's daughter. I usually do most of my reading on my commute to and from work and there were several times where I wished my commute was a little longer so I could keep reading. The were two things that were a little weird about this book: 1. Letty's relationship with her love interest (were they initially trying to abstain from sex)? 2. Letty's interest in finding her own relationship with God felt really weird when written along with her having the "hots" for her boyfriend.
Overall I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a light mystery that has a stronger plot than your typical cozy mystery.
Letty, the main character joins a cult in order to find out what happened to a friend's daughter. I usually do most of my reading on my commute to and from work and there were several times where I wished my commute was a little longer so I could keep reading. The were two things that were a little weird about this book: 1. Letty's relationship with her love interest (were they initially trying to abstain from sex)? 2. Letty's interest in finding her own relationship with God felt really weird when written along with her having the "hots" for her boyfriend.
Overall I would recommend this series to anyone looking for a light mystery that has a stronger plot than your typical cozy mystery.
March 5, 2018
The Blood We Spill
Oh yes, this was an amazing book! Does it ever get the mind going? Yowza, Sorry guess that's not a real word. But I thoroughly was into this one! Thank you for writing it😀
Oh yes, this was an amazing book! Does it ever get the mind going? Yowza, Sorry guess that's not a real word. But I thoroughly was into this one! Thank you for writing it😀
April 29, 2024
I enjoyed the previous books in the series. This one was farcical. Not even Letty would be this dumb.
September 29, 2016
Another great Letty book, I loved it :-)
June 30, 2015
Still suffering recurring panic attacks following the murder of a close friend just months ago, psychotherapist and recovering alcoholic Letty Whittaker is struggling to bring her life back to normal. Her bff, Beth, disappears into the depths of a religious cult to assist another AA member, Reggie, in gaining information about Reggie’s daughter. Letty makes a conscious decision to also go undercover in the cult, initially to help Reggie, but then she gets caught up in the mystery of what else is going on in the cult. She discovers a community that is fragmenting, with a leader going off the deep end, and some kind, if misguided followers caught in the middle.
I struggled a little more with this book and enjoyed it slightly less than previous entries in the series. I wanted to grab Letty by the shoulders, shake her, and tell her, “Get your arse to a meeting, immediately book an appointment with your supervising therapist and CALL YOUR SPONSOR!”
Even more than in book 3, Letty displays some poor judgment that made me question her viability as a therapist. I was also disturbed that she seemed to walk away from her AA support system so easily. And yes I know she’s fictional, but I like the character so much, I wanted to protect her from her own stupidity. In her favor, she did visit a therapist to mentally prepare with dealing with cult life, and she did have Beth and Eli, her almost-boyfriend, to help her.
Despite my frustrations with Letty’s actions, I still found the book gripping and highly readable. I missed the descriptions of the meetings, but it was interesting to see Letty and Beth, and Eli, out of their element. There was some edge of the seat excitement that kept me turning pages, and the ending, although abrupt, was very satisfying and left me wanting more.
I struggled a little more with this book and enjoyed it slightly less than previous entries in the series. I wanted to grab Letty by the shoulders, shake her, and tell her, “Get your arse to a meeting, immediately book an appointment with your supervising therapist and CALL YOUR SPONSOR!”
Even more than in book 3, Letty displays some poor judgment that made me question her viability as a therapist. I was also disturbed that she seemed to walk away from her AA support system so easily. And yes I know she’s fictional, but I like the character so much, I wanted to protect her from her own stupidity. In her favor, she did visit a therapist to mentally prepare with dealing with cult life, and she did have Beth and Eli, her almost-boyfriend, to help her.
Despite my frustrations with Letty’s actions, I still found the book gripping and highly readable. I missed the descriptions of the meetings, but it was interesting to see Letty and Beth, and Eli, out of their element. There was some edge of the seat excitement that kept me turning pages, and the ending, although abrupt, was very satisfying and left me wanting more.
March 27, 2016
Great Book
Donna White Glaser has a wicked sense of humor and uses it. You can read any of her books as stand alone but to get full enjoyment I suggest reading them in order. Letty is a therapist and a recovering alcoholic with PTSD. She is serious about helping others and fiercely loyal to her friends often to the detriment of her well-being. If I needed a friend to help me with a problem I would choose Letty.
Reggie and Beth decide they need Lettys help. Beth wants to help Reggie whose daughter has disappeared into a cult. Beth wants to go undercover and hopes her BFF Letty will go with her. Letty refuses because the last time she tried to "help" someone she was almost killed. When Letty finds out that Beth went ahead with her plan, she knew she couldn't let Beth do this by herself.
Glaser's background in psychotherapy contributes to the believability of her characters. She gets everything right about AA and working the program, PTSD, why some are attracted to cults and how programming works. The plot is interesting and fast paced and as stated in the title, with just the right amount of humor. So if you like suspense, humor and a bit of romance, you will enjoy this book.
Donna White Glaser has a wicked sense of humor and uses it. You can read any of her books as stand alone but to get full enjoyment I suggest reading them in order. Letty is a therapist and a recovering alcoholic with PTSD. She is serious about helping others and fiercely loyal to her friends often to the detriment of her well-being. If I needed a friend to help me with a problem I would choose Letty.
Reggie and Beth decide they need Lettys help. Beth wants to help Reggie whose daughter has disappeared into a cult. Beth wants to go undercover and hopes her BFF Letty will go with her. Letty refuses because the last time she tried to "help" someone she was almost killed. When Letty finds out that Beth went ahead with her plan, she knew she couldn't let Beth do this by herself.
Glaser's background in psychotherapy contributes to the believability of her characters. She gets everything right about AA and working the program, PTSD, why some are attracted to cults and how programming works. The plot is interesting and fast paced and as stated in the title, with just the right amount of humor. So if you like suspense, humor and a bit of romance, you will enjoy this book.
September 8, 2015
This Letty Whitaker takes a different twist, even though it is again, Letty and Beth getting themselves caught up in danger. Letty decides not to get involved but then Beth goes off and disappears into what they fear is a cult, while trying to help a fellow AA member rescue her daughter. In this story, Letty takes a leave of absence from her therapist job and goes "undercover" into the "Elect's" ranks. Her boyfriend, Eli, fortunately shows up unexpectedly, so you at least feel that Letty and Beth have some backup. Things go horribly awry and they discover there is even more to this sect than just a religious sect brainwashing their follows. I really like these stories and am anxiously awaiting the next installment.
October 28, 2015
This is the 4th book in the 12 Step Mysteries series. I read the first 3 in order before reading this one, so picking up on references to previous characters and events was easy. Letty Whittaker is the likable main character. She is a psychotherapist and a recovering alcoholic that tries to keep her professional and personal lives separate and her own "demons" at bay. Donna White Glaser uses the right amount of suspense and humor to make this series a good read.
July 13, 2014
I really do think that this series gets stronger with each book.
Most mysteries with female leads end up winding me up as many authors think that their leads making stupid decisions and assumptions, plus constantly tripping over their own feet is funny. It's not. Luckily that is not the case with the 12 Step Mysteries.
Most mysteries with female leads end up winding me up as many authors think that their leads making stupid decisions and assumptions, plus constantly tripping over their own feet is funny. It's not. Luckily that is not the case with the 12 Step Mysteries.
April 8, 2015
Exciting, chaotic romp
I LOVE this book. I really liked the prior stories, but this one has a true, edge of the seat, crazy ending. Almost sorry it ended. The heroine, Letty, is a truly good person with a penchant for getting into serious trouble, but fights the good fight any way she can. Laugh out loud descriptive prose kept me in stitches. Thank you Ms Glaser!
I LOVE this book. I really liked the prior stories, but this one has a true, edge of the seat, crazy ending. Almost sorry it ended. The heroine, Letty, is a truly good person with a penchant for getting into serious trouble, but fights the good fight any way she can. Laugh out loud descriptive prose kept me in stitches. Thank you Ms Glaser!
May 2, 2015
A true mystery all the way
I hated to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up!
The story was intense but probable. I love Letty, she seems like a great friend. I root for her success. This is a story that moves right along and you get caught up in the story and the characters. I loved it, can't wait for the next step.
I hated to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up!
The story was intense but probable. I love Letty, she seems like a great friend. I root for her success. This is a story that moves right along and you get caught up in the story and the characters. I loved it, can't wait for the next step.
October 15, 2014
GREAT READ
A great story, I had some heart pounding minutes in the story. Very few editing errors so I gave one less star. Many characters in this book. I would l like to know a few of them better. Well worth the money!
A great story, I had some heart pounding minutes in the story. Very few editing errors so I gave one less star. Many characters in this book. I would l like to know a few of them better. Well worth the money!
April 29, 2015
Loved it!
Another adventure from Letty. The dry humor she has combined with the 'interesting' supporting characters make me want to read more. I may be a little addicted to this series. Looking forward to the next one!
Another adventure from Letty. The dry humor she has combined with the 'interesting' supporting characters make me want to read more. I may be a little addicted to this series. Looking forward to the next one!
November 12, 2014
Wow! What a page turner!! I couldn't wait to find out what happened next! Poor Letty! I'm just glad that Eli stuck it out and popped up at the right time. Can't wait for the next in the series!!
October 27, 2014
Letty is another winner
I really like this heroine. The author makes it easy to relate to her. I also like her style, her boyfriend and her best friend. All in all a good read.
I really like this heroine. The author makes it easy to relate to her. I also like her style, her boyfriend and her best friend. All in all a good read.
January 2, 2015
Full of action
Interesting plot line with lots of action and suspense. Although there are quite a few typing errors. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Interesting plot line with lots of action and suspense. Although there are quite a few typing errors. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 5, 2015
Great read
I really enjoy the story line and characters. I especially like the humor thrown in. Keep up the good work.
I really enjoy the story line and characters. I especially like the humor thrown in. Keep up the good work.
July 6, 2016
Enthralling
This book kept my mind spinning with all the possibilities of what would happen next. Intriguing insight of traps people fall into. Loved the book
This book kept my mind spinning with all the possibilities of what would happen next. Intriguing insight of traps people fall into. Loved the book
November 13, 2016
Possibly my favorite! After 3 amazing novels in the 12 step series, the author ups her game, and Letty's, once step higher. 5 raving stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews