Kill Again

Claire Waters #2

by Neal Baer, Jonathan Greene

With their electrifying debut, Kill Switch, Neal Baer, executive producer of Under the Dome, and Jonathan Greene delivered "suspense on the order of The Silence of the Lambs" (Denver Post). Now the former executive producers of NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit are back with a stunning new thriller featuring forensic psychiatrist Claire Waters—and a razor-sharp madman who's ready to Kill Again…

Haunted by a brutal childhood, Dr. Claire Waters finds solace in helping other survivors of abuse. Her favorite patient, Rosa Sanchez, is finally getting her life together after being victimized for years. So it's a shock when Rosa is handcuffed and led away by a man Claire assumes is law enforcement. But as she soon realizes, Rosa has been abducted.

Stunned, Claire turns to her friend Nick Lawler, a homicide detective in the NYPD. Relegated to desk work because of his failing eyesight, Nick will have to risk his career to find Rosa—and track down a deranged criminal who reduces his victims to nothing but bones. A brilliant gamesman obsessed with order and perfection, scrawling words and phrases across the walls of his basement apartment, the killer has been preparing for this moment all of his life—when every letter is in place, every piece is in play—and the object of his obsession, Dr. Claire Waters, is in the game. Win, lose, or die...

Kill Again is a harrowing psychological thrill-ride filled with terrifying twists and turns, captivating characters, and mindbending puzzles that will keep you guessing until the final, shocking climax.

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

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 2015

About the author

Neal Baer M.D. is a pediatrician, television writer and producer. He is best know for his work on the television shows ER and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

KILL AGAIN re-unites Dr. Claire Waters, a forensic psychiatrist and Nick Lawler, homicide detective.

This time around Claire reports that one of her clients was kidnapped ... and she was too far away to stop it. She calls on Nick for help. When her client turns up ... she's dead and evidently someone boiled her until nothing is left but bones. And then more bones turn up....

I actually enjoyed this one better than the first in the series ... KILL SWITCH. Claire was much more in line with what a therapist should be . Nick is not as arrogant as he was in the first book ... but he's slowly losing his eyesight.

Nick and Claire share some of their stories and I get to see Nick as something more than 'just' a detective. It was enjoyable seeing how he interacts with Claire now .. and his teenage daughters. It also showed Claire interacting with her parents; maybe for the first time understanding why she always felt that something was missing from her life.

The mystery portion was good ... didn't find out who the bad guy was until the very end...where the story was wrapped up to my satisfaction.

Definitely would recommend this one ... and it would be okay as a stand-alone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and the Authors for furnishing the ebook to read and review in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Nora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Irgendwie hab ich beim Kauf verpeilt, dass es schon Band 2 ist. Deshalb ist mir der Einstieg etwas schwer gefallen.
Und irgendwie war ich auch sehr enttäuscht, dass Titel und Klappentext irgendwie mehr versprechen. Für mich hörte es sich an, als würde ein Serientäter an jedem seiner Opfer ein Rätsel hinterlassen. Allerdings kamen die Ermittler erst nach ca. drei Vierteln des Buchs auf die Idee, dass es diese Rätsel gibt...
Aber trotzdem habe ich bei der Jagd nach dem richtigen Mörder mitgefiebert. Das Ende war etwas schnell, dafür dass die Story vorher eher ein langsames Tempo hatte.

[Cecily Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying these intense investigative thrill rides with pretty messed up serial killers and a strong female lead. I hope to read more from this author in the future because they are definitely engaging satisfying reads.
Great Read!

[Rachael Dux · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, enjoyable!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 out of 5 stars -- Second in series featuring Claire Waters, forensic psychiatrist, and Nick Lawler, a former homicide detective now confined to a desk job due to his macular degeneration and limited vision.

In this novel, Claire and Nick are on the hunt for a psycho who dismembers and then boils the bones after Claire's special patient, Rosa, is kidnapped and murdered. Their search for this lunatic is both frustrating and dangerous as they get closer to solving the case.

The pace is somewhat slow and the reader will need to suppress credulity with the notion of Claire and Nick working as partners in conjunction with the police department -- though neither officially and them often defying the boss's orders (don't all fictional detectives seem to do this??). The gory chill factor is high with the grisly descriptions, and the "who" done it comes basically out of nowhere at the end. Of course Claire is almost killed a couple of times but Nick saves the day. Their romance, though not unanticipated, was not something I wanted to see.

Not sure if a third book in this series is planned, but I will likely skip it. I don't really like Claire (too perfect) and not sure where any further story would go.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-book ARC to review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time that I have heard of this series. Now that I had finished Kill Again, I do plan to go back and check out Kill Switch. Having said this, I have never seen Under the Dome but I used to watch Law and Order: SVU. Which used to be one of my two favorite versions of this show. The other being Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

Yet, despite not having read the first book in this series, I instantly attached myself to Claire and Nick. I could tell and feel the connection they shared. I liked that it was a damaged relationship. It made them more human. Claire can kick some butt. She is a bad ass. This book felt like I was watching an episode of Law and Order:SVU. It was gritty, realistic, plot-worthy, strong lead characters, and a high note ending.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been years since I read the 1st book in this series, Kill Switch but I found myself settling back into the location and characters almost effortlessly. We meet again Claire, who is a psychiatrist and helping patients. When her patient Rosa goes missing she calls Nick, a detective to help her, again. Once I picked up this book, I did not set it down until I finished it. A great read for a rainy day!

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The TV background of the authors serves them well in producing a tightly plotted, fast paced book about Dr. Claire Waters, a forensic psychiatrist and homicide detective Nick Lawler. This book was just as good as the first book in the series (“Kill Switch".) After the thrill ride of “Kill Again”, I think those who haven’t read “Kill Switch” will be racing to read it.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Stuff 'n' Things

I have had this book on my to-be-read pile for years and I don't know why I waited so long to read it because I was gripped from the start. I haven't read the first in the series but this didn't cause a problem at all and certainly didn't detract from my reading experience.

I love the two main characters, Claire and Nick. They are interesting, flawed and totally believable. The pace is great and it's one of those books where you say "just one more chapter!" and before you know it, it's way past your bed time. The plot was gripping and I didn't guess who the killer was until the end when everything came together and finished satisfactorily for me.

It's a shame there haven't been any more books in this series - well none that I can find - because I would definitely read them however, I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good serial killer thriller and my thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed in "Kill Again" because I distinctly remember enjoying "Kill Switch" a lot. As a comparison, the plot of this sequel was convoluted and the authors seemed set on including far too many topical issues and thriller tropes into the story. For example, the novel touches on: illegal immigration; prison violence; sexual assault; gun violence; kidnapping; police impersonation; serial killers; degenerative diseases; mother/daughter dynamics; single fathers; concussions; undercover police; office politics within law enforcement; chimeras (yes, seriously); college courses; carjacking; car accidents; safehouses; etc. It was too much. (Sometimes Law & Order: SVU features one "ripped from the headlines" topic per episode, and this novel seemed to try to include about 20.)

[Sabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is "WOW!" because this book is even better than the first! I'm usually good at guessing who the culprit it but I would never have been able to guess who it was this time. Definately a page-turner! The only flaw was that although two of the victims were asked for a description of the culprit for an artist's sketch, that's all we ever hear of the physical description. Nothing more and nothing less. We have no idea what he looks like and the police sketch is never mentioned again. Overall, I loved the series and look forward to more books to come from this dynamic duo!!

[DesSaint · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is nothing more infuriating than someone that writes well, who does not really know the subject he is writing about.
This is a crime thriller yet the author apparently does not know the difference between parole and probation.
Neal, you keep referring to someone's probation officer after they have been let out of prison.
Probation does not supervise released prisoners. That's the job of a parole officer.

[Beverley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy from NetGalley. This is the second in a series and I had not read the first. I did okay without having read it but wish I had. Personal and professional come together for a fast paced tale. The characters are interesting and well developed. Excuse me while I go put the first one on my holds list at the library.

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book and thought it was very well done, except for one major annoyance... and that was that the author kept on referring (seemingly endlessly) to her prior book. While that did figure into the story, it was simply too much.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire and Nick take on a serial killer who likes to boil his victims

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining novel.

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about a psychologist and a police officer

[Christa Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read the first book in this series & still really liked this one.

[Melody Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, it really kept you guessing and plot twisting till the end.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psycho loose and the cops and docs are there to save the day. Clean, entertaining, and interesting with a good and clear narration.

[Debbie Oxier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. Fast-paced, plenty of action and kept me guessing until the end as to the Bad guy's identity. Claire was a psychiatrist, Nick was a detective who was slowly going blind. The two of them end up teamed up to catch a killer. When Claire witnesses a patient of hers being taken away in cuffs by who she thinks is a law enforcement official, she tries to find out what's behind it. Given the woman's history, she knows something's amiss. However, no one seems to know where she is. She didn't turn up at any police station, her parole officer hasnt heard from her, so Claire goes to the only person she thinks can help, Nick. When her patient ends up dead, only her bones found and identified, the race is on to locate the killer. The plot was entertaining, but it was the characters that sold the story for me. Nick was the father of two girls, his wife having committed suicide with his gun. With his condition, he's struggling to keep his career alive in order to support his kids, although he's been relegated to a desk job. This case puts him back in the thick of things. Claire once saw her best friend kidnapped before her eyes and the previous year had gone up against another killer. She's just getting back to normal when she's drawn into this new case. There's a nice romance that develops between the two. I also found the secondary characters appealing as well. This was one story I couldn't put down. If you're a fan of suspense, you don't want to miss it.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Order. Perfection. Flawlessness. He mused on these words, as he often did, because they were exactly what he strived to find in the radomes of his own life, and they had always, for one reason or another, eluded him. Until now.

When a client of Claire Waters' is taken in front of her office in what appears as an arrest, Claire is determined to find out what happened. Her client Rosa has overcome many difficulties and Claire knows that there is no reason why the police would be having to take her in. When she discovers the worst, she asks Nick Lawler, a detective that has his own woes to help her find out what happened to Rosa. The trail leads them to a gruesome discovery and a mind that is void of any human attributes. This is a fast paced thriller that leaves you guessing time and time again. Until the perp is revealed, all falls into place, but will Claire and Nick survive when the perp puts his target on them?

With character development and a plot that is driven, I was turning pages waiting to see what would happen next. For a thriller of this kind, I thought the language and content was pretty clean or it was at a minimal that I did not notice it. It is one of those books that I feel like I stayed at a Holiday Inn and I could actually see myself fighting crime! Fun read.

A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire was a forensic psychiatrist. Music had always been Claire’s therapy. Claire had nightmares since she was a child.They had gone away for three months but now they were back. Two weeks ago they came back. Claire was teaching with Professor Wolf McClure. Claire was enlightening Professor McClure’s students on recent advances in psychiatry and genetics. The students were headed into law enforcement. Miguel Colon was Claire’s hero coming up from gang member parents and working toward the FBI. Claire was a fellow in Forensic Psychiatry fellowship at Manhattan State University. She also still had her patients. Rosa is her model patient. Claire calls a detective she knows named Nick to help her find Rosa. Nick was slowly going blind and on desk duty. Claire had seen Rosa handcuffed and taken away by someone she thought was law enforcement. Rosa ends up dead with only her bones found. Then Nick and Claire find many other woman had died in the same way.The killers object of obsession is Claire.
I enjoyed this story. It dragged a little but not enough to make me not want to finish the story. The suspense in this story was off the hook. I liked the characters especially Nick and Claire and all the twists and turns they both went through. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "puzzling" psychological thriller

Forensic psychiatry fellow Claire Waters and Nick Lawler, a NYPD homicide detective working behind a desk in the Homicide Analysis Unit because he is going blind, are brought together again after working together in the authors' first book in this series KILL SWITCH.

This time around, one of Dr. Waters' patients is kidnapped in plain sight and later found dead - killed in a most horrific fashion. As Claire and Nick delve into the case, they find many other women have died in the same fashion. Are they looking for a prolific serial killer or a copycat?

It was easy to tell that both authors of this story work in television. The scenes are easy to visualize and the momentum is fast-paced.

Having one of the characters have a disability is an interesting twist and I enjoyed reading how Detective Lawler deals with his oncoming blindness.

I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns throughout the book - not just at the end.

NOTE: I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley, Neal Baer, Jonathan Greene and Kensington for an arc of KIll Again for my review.

Absolutely made for TV!!! Could easily be a right out of Criminal Minds, NCIS, CSI or any of the Police shows. Baer and Greene start you out in the lair of the evil, it's well written and oh so Hollywood.

The stars of this one are Dr. Claire Fletcher and Nick Lawler a NYPD Homicide Detective. She's haunted by a traumatic childhood experience and he's relegated to desk duty, due to his failing eyesight.

Nick's daughters Jill and Katie add realism to the story. A great support cast of characters in this one.

They make a real good team, although I seriously doubt that the NYPD would be unable to make them obey rules opposed on them and at times they get just way to unrealistic.

It's got plenty of action, full of twist and turns, add romance and a fast pace. In all it's still a good read and will have to check out the first book in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley*
Kill Again is the second book in the author's Claire Waters series. Although I didn't read the first book, I didn't feel that it was needed since enough background was given (although now I want to go back and read the first book to understand how the relationship between Claire and Nick started). In Kill Again, Claire witnesses one of her patients being kidnapped and her first instinct is to call her friend Nick, who is a detective with the NYPD. After hearing Claire's story, Nick is immediately engaged and enlists help from his colleagues. Claire and Nick have an interesting relationship, a spark of chemistry leaking into their professional work.

Every so often, the author steps into the mind of the killer and we are privy to his evil thoughts. Kill Again is suspenseful and engaging, with great characters. Overall, a great thriller!

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of Kill Again by NetGalley & Kensington Books in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is the second book in the Claire Walters series. Claire is a forensic psychiatry fellow at a hospital in New York who joins forces with NYPD detectives after witnessing one of her patients kidnapped by someone posing as a policeman. The detectives allow her to play a major role in the case due to her work in solving a case in book one. Soon they are on the track of a serial killer, who makes it personal when he comes after Claire and her family and the family of one of the homicide detectives.

This is a fast-paced book with a lot of twists and turns, but there is also a lot that's unrealistic in the story line. If you can suspend your disbelief, you will enjoy this book.

[Philip Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great who done it. Cop who is slowly going blind teams up with psychiatrist to catch a serial killer. Psychiatrist uses her smarts to create profile and soon they catch the psycho. But with the perp under lock and key there is another killing. Same MO. In a Nano second the team figures there is another perp. Small world as psychiatrist realizes the criminal is a student in a class she teaches. This killer is one who thinks he is smarter than everyone else. Smart criminal? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Of course in addition to the course she teaches she is also the perps next target. A cracker Jack of a plot keeps the reader engaged and manages to portray a liking for some characters and despise of others. A very worthy book.

[Kim Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


TO KILL AGAIN is a gripping thriller which is the 2nd in a series. The characters are developed well enough in this novel that it can be read as a stand alone.
Claire is a psychologist who witnesses one of her patients, Rosa, being led away in handcuffs. When she attempts to find Rosa she realizes that is was not the police who took her. She enlists the help of Nick, a police officer who is on desk duty due to failing eyesight, to help her find Rosa. Together they make a team to be reckoned with, but will they find their suspect ?
Loved this book!

[Mainlinebooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a television writer and producer, I expected more from Neal Baer. Although the mystery was enjoyable, it didn't have the gripping pace that made me want to race back to the book to see what future events would unfold. As Claire, a young psychiatrist, views her patient being kidnapped on the street, she enlists the help of Nick, a police officer, who is sidelined from normal duties due to progressive macular degeneration in his eyes. Together they attempt to find the truth going against the orders from Nick's boss. This part felt too scripted; they seemed to delve into repeat cycles of disobeying the boss, which became tiresome and trite.