LEE: The One That Got Away...

by G.B. Cook

In LEE...The One That Got Away, Detective Sara Ponte is back and the stakes are personal. Haunted by a debt she can never repay, Sara risks her career—and her heart—to free the one man who once saved her family.

When Special Agent Girard comes knocking with a proposition she cannot refuse, Sara is thrust into a deadly game against Lee, a cunning psychopath at the center of a ruthless child trafficking ring. With her reputation on the line, Sara must navigate betrayal, corruption, and forbidden passion. As she and Kimball plunge into Chicago’s criminal underworld, every move could be their last. The deeper they go, the more Sara realizes that the line between justice and vengeance is razor thin—and crossing it could cost her everything.

Gritty, relentless, and emotionally charged, LEE...The One That Got Away is a pulse-pounding detective thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

258 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2026

About the author

G.B. Cook is the author of the Detective Sara Ponte series including Beyond the Shack, LEE: The One That Got Away, Sorcery by Entrails - A Murder Mystery in the Deep South, and more.

With a suspicious mind and a knack for uncovering darkness in ordinary moments, Cook turns everyday details into clues that twist into unforgettable crimes and romantic entanglements.

Some writers see stories. G.B. Cook sees evidence. In her creative mind, a simple button on the office floor isn’t just a button—it’s a listening device, a silent witness, or the start of a story that refuses to stay hidden. Nothing escapes her eye—not even the lies people tell themselves.

Her novels are crime drama thrillers with graphic crime scenes. Complications arise from the messy and morally gray choices her detective chooses to make. She weaves in lies and deception, love triangles and more.

Reviews

[Merit Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

LEE: The One That Got Away delivers a gripping blend of suspense, psychological tension, and high emotional stakes.
This is more than just a cat-and-mouse thriller; it’s a story about redemption, sacrifice, and how far one woman is willing to go to protect those she loves. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag will find much to devour here.

[Luis K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me a little of authors like Michael Connelly and S.A. Cosby. Dark, gritty, and focused on characters who aren’t perfect but keep fighting anyway. If you like those kinds of thrillers, you’ll enjoy this. It had the same mix of crime, heart, and tough choices.

[Brian Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like thrillers with flawed, morally gray characters, this is a must-read. It’s dark, emotional, and full of twists. By the last page, I was already eager for the sequel.

[Irma D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the first chapter and didn’t let go. Sara Ponte is such a strong yet flawed character, and her loyalty to Kimball really drives the story into difficult territory. I loved how nothing was black and white, every choice she made felt heavy with consequences. The ending was shocking, and I can already tell this series will have plenty more to explore.

[Maria C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a fan of crime thrillers, and this one stood out. The pacing was fast, the Chicago setting felt alive, and the emotional stakes were high. The triangle between Sara, Kimball, and Girard added an extra layer of drama that made the thriller side even more intense. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two sittings.

[Rebecca A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girard is one of those characters who sneaks up on you. At first, I thought he was just there to move the plot along, but his history with both Kimball and Lee added layers I didn’t expect. By the end, his choices shocked me, and I realized he was just as morally complicated as Sara and Kimball. I hope he plays a big role in the next book.

[Jami A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

G. B. Cook delivers a story that’s equal parts thriller and emotional roller coaster. The undercover operation, the abduction, the forbidden romance, everything is tangled together in a way that makes it impossible to put down. I especially liked the morally gray choices Sara had to make. Nothing is black and white here, which makes it feel raw and authentic.

[Josephine Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

G. B. Cook delivers a story that’s equal parts thriller and emotional roller coaster. The undercover operation, the abduction, the forbidden romance, everything is tangled together in a way that makes it impossible to put down. I especially liked the morally gray choices Sara had to make. Nothing is black and white here, which makes it feel raw and authentic.

[Sarah Milone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book reminded me of a cross between True Detective and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It has that same dark atmosphere, morally gray characters, and high-stakes investigation. I was impressed by how fast-paced it was while still diving deep into Sara’s inner conflicts. The ending left me unsettled but in the best possible way.

[Starr Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author didn’t shy away from exploring the gray areas of morality. Sara’s choices are never simple, and her loyalty to Kimball often put her in situations that made me uncomfortable but fascinated. That kind of complexity is what makes characters feel human. It also made me question what I’d do in her place.

[Jackie Gledhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The undercover operation was one of my favorite parts of the book. The paranoia, the fake identities, and the constant risk of being discovered kept the tension sky-high. I really felt like I was right there with Sara, watching her try to balance the danger with her own emotions. It was as gripping as any crime show I’ve ever watched.

[Laura D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was darker than I expected, but in a good way. The child trafficking plotline is tough, but it’s written with care and seriousness, not for shock value. I appreciated how the author showed the cost of loyalty and how trauma changes people. It’s not a light read, but it’s a powerful one.

[Barney J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance between Sara and Kimball was messy and complicated, which I actually liked. It felt believable, not just a side plot thrown in. Girard made things even more complicated, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that triangle. It gave the thriller a human side.

[Christine P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me of True Detective in its mood and style. Dark, heavy, and filled with morally difficult choices. I liked how Sara isn’t some perfect detective, she’s just doing her best in an impossible situation. The writing kept me hooked until the end.

[Mark L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Ponte is one of the most realistic detectives I’ve read about in a while. She’s brave but makes mistakes, she carries guilt, and she often doubts herself. That made her feel human and easy to root for. I’d happily follow her into another book.

[Margarita J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends a lot—crime, suspense, romance, and undercover drama. Normally, that might be too much, but it all worked here. The story flowed naturally, and I never felt lost. It was a smart mix of action and character-driven storytelling.

[Jane D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimball fascinated me. He’s not the kind of character you can neatly put in a “good guy” or “bad guy” box. Sometimes I trusted him, other times I hated him, but I never stopped caring what he’d do next. That unpredictability made the story even better.

[Sylvia K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicago really came alive in this book. From the gym and Chinese restaurant to the rundown apartment Sara rents, I could picture everything. The gritty atmosphere made the stakes feel even higher. It gave the whole book a realistic, noir-like vibe.

[Claude I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once the undercover mission got underway, the tension never let up. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” but ended up reading for hours. Every scene felt like it could go wrong at any second. That nonstop pace made the book hard to put down.

[Richard A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of loyalty versus morality hit me hard. Sara’s devotion to Kimball was moving but also dangerous. It made me think about how far someone should go for the people they love. The book doesn’t give easy answers, and I liked that.

[Raymond D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The abduction scene with the drugged pizza was terrifying. It was one of those moments that felt scarily realistic, which made it stick with me. I loved how the tension built, and then everything exploded in chaos. It was one of the best thriller scenes I’ve read in a while.

[Rich A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like thrillers where the detective is forced to make impossible choices, this is your book. Sara has to choose between her career, her family’s safety, and her own heart. That constant pressure made the story gripping. It felt like no decision was ever the right one.

[Merle A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does get violent, and some scenes are tough to read. But they felt necessary for the story and not just added for shock. The realism is what makes the book stand out from lighter thrillers. It’s a reminder that crime fiction can be raw and emotional at the same time.

[Nancy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girard ended up being one of my favorite characters. His history with Kimball and Lee added so many layers to the story. I loved how complicated his relationship with Sara became by the end. He was much more than just a “supporting agent.”

[Oliver R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like when thrillers are about more than just catching the bad guy, and this one definitely was. It’s about identity, guilt, and how trauma reshapes people. The deeper themes gave it staying power in my mind. I was still thinking about the book long after I finished.

[Laura M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twists kept surprising me. Just when I thought I knew how things would play out, the story went in a different direction. That unpredictability is exactly what I want in a thriller. It kept me engaged from start to finish.

[Lorraine J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The romance elements worked really well. They added depth to the thriller without taking over. I felt the chemistry between Sara and Kimball, but I also understood why things with Girard started to grow. It was all handled in a way that felt natural.

[Robert M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara isn’t a superhero detective, she’s real. She makes mistakes, she gets scared, and she doubts herself. That vulnerability made her one of the most believable leads I’ve read in a long time. It made the stakes feel higher because I honestly didn’t know if she’d make it out.

[Yolanda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee is one of the most frightening villains I’ve read about in a while. He’s smart, cruel, and completely unpredictable. Every time he was on the page, I was on edge. He added a real sense of danger to the story.

[Laverne O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of detective novels, but this one felt different. It wasn’t just another “catch the bad guy” story. It focused on the emotional fallout of the choices Sara and the others had to make. That made it feel fresh and memorable.