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FBI Profiler #2
The Third Victim
The past isn't over....
An unspeakable act has ripped apart the idyllic town of Bakersville, Oregon, and its once-peaceful residents are demanding quick justice. But though a boy has confessed to the horrific crime, evidence shows he may not be guilty.
Officer Rainie Conner, leading her first homicide investigation, stands at the center of the controversy. It's hitting too close to home, bringing back her worst nightmares, threatening to expose her secret sins. But with the boy's life at stake, she won't let anything stop her from finding the real killer.
With the help of FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, Rainie comes closer to a deadly truth than she can imagine. Because out there in the shadows a man watches her and plots his next move. He knows her secrets. He kills for sport. He's already brought death to Bakersville and forever shattered the community. But what he has really come for is Rainie -- and he won't leave until he has destroyed her....
An unspeakable act has ripped apart the idyllic town of Bakersville, Oregon, and its once-peaceful residents are demanding quick justice. But though a boy has confessed to the horrific crime, evidence shows he may not be guilty.
Officer Rainie Conner, leading her first homicide investigation, stands at the center of the controversy. It's hitting too close to home, bringing back her worst nightmares, threatening to expose her secret sins. But with the boy's life at stake, she won't let anything stop her from finding the real killer.
With the help of FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, Rainie comes closer to a deadly truth than she can imagine. Because out there in the shadows a man watches her and plots his next move. He knows her secrets. He kills for sport. He's already brought death to Bakersville and forever shattered the community. But what he has really come for is Rainie -- and he won't leave until he has destroyed her....
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
1934 people are currently reading
14440 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Gardner
82 books20.4k followersLisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 941 reviews
August 14, 2025
The Third Victim is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller focused on suspects in a shooting at an elementary school.
In the author's note at the beginning of the book, Lisa Gardner shares that shares that she proposed this book in 1998 after several school shootings occurred in 1997 and 1998. Columbine happened on April 20, 1999. The amount of school shootings, as well as those in many other places, has been staggering.
The content is very tough because it involves the deaths of elementary school children.
The angle on who might be responsible for the deaths is very interesting.
In the author's note at the beginning of the book, Lisa Gardner shares that shares that she proposed this book in 1998 after several school shootings occurred in 1997 and 1998. Columbine happened on April 20, 1999. The amount of school shootings, as well as those in many other places, has been staggering.
The content is very tough because it involves the deaths of elementary school children.
The angle on who might be responsible for the deaths is very interesting.
March 14, 2022
“ ‘Did you hurt those little girls?’ And he answered in a faraway voice, ‘Yes, ma’am, I think I did.’ ”
Lisa Gardner’s controversial suspense thriller was written over 20 years ago but it could hardly be more timely. In a foreword to the edition that I read, Gardner mused, “Like many Americans struggling to grasp five shootings in fifteen months, I wanted to understand why these mass murders had occurred and what could be done to prevent them.” Thinking of school shootings perpetrated by children in particular, she asked an expert “if he believed that the rash of incidents indicated a new trend in juvenile behavior … the man did not hesitate to answer. ‘Absolutely … As for future shootings, the question is not if but when’. ” And now? School shootings are a dime a dozen and mass shootings at large are virtually a daily occurrence with deaths related to gun violence in the USA resting between 30,000 to 40,000 each and every year.
One has to wonder if Lisa Gardner even imagined such an outrageous possibility! Land of the brave and home of the free?
A 13 year old boy has confessed to shooting two of his classmates and an infuriated community is ready to toss him into the adult slammer and throw away the keys. But officer Rainie Conner and FBI profiler, Pierce Quincy are not so sure. As evidence of the involvement of a mysterious man in black and the targeted shooting of a teacher in the school mounts up Conner and Quincy are not willing to close the case.
“We have reports of a man in black at the scene. Shooter may be in the area. Proceed with caution.”
“A man?” … “I thought it would be a student. It’s always a student.”
THE THIRD VICTIM is a brilliant, hold-your-breath kind of thriller that entertains in so many different ways. The portrayal of the collective grief and anger of a community damaged by a school mass shooting is brilliant. And when Gardner’s microscope zeroes in on the accused young shooter, and his terrified sister and devastated parents, the pathos becomes even more real. If you’re a rational reader with any kind of heart, you can be assured that you won’t be rushing to blame. And yet, by the same token, if you’re a rational reader, you cannot possibly help questioning the validity of the 2nd Amendment in a 21st century USA so filled with death-dealing weaponry. As a police procedural, THE THIRD VICTIM is also an unqualified success – jurisdictional squabbles between the local municipal police force, state police and the FBI are a given; the difficulty of marriage and romantic relationships within the law enforcement community; alcoholism; the efficacy of profiling; and the synergy of police brainstorming to put together victimology and possible scenarios. The forensic discussion of ballistics, rifling, and sabots was informative and absolutely riveting (How many of you have heard of sabots before? I know I hadn’t).
An unqualified recommendation to those who love police procedurals and suspense thrillers.
Paul Weiss
Lisa Gardner’s controversial suspense thriller was written over 20 years ago but it could hardly be more timely. In a foreword to the edition that I read, Gardner mused, “Like many Americans struggling to grasp five shootings in fifteen months, I wanted to understand why these mass murders had occurred and what could be done to prevent them.” Thinking of school shootings perpetrated by children in particular, she asked an expert “if he believed that the rash of incidents indicated a new trend in juvenile behavior … the man did not hesitate to answer. ‘Absolutely … As for future shootings, the question is not if but when’. ” And now? School shootings are a dime a dozen and mass shootings at large are virtually a daily occurrence with deaths related to gun violence in the USA resting between 30,000 to 40,000 each and every year.
One has to wonder if Lisa Gardner even imagined such an outrageous possibility! Land of the brave and home of the free?
A 13 year old boy has confessed to shooting two of his classmates and an infuriated community is ready to toss him into the adult slammer and throw away the keys. But officer Rainie Conner and FBI profiler, Pierce Quincy are not so sure. As evidence of the involvement of a mysterious man in black and the targeted shooting of a teacher in the school mounts up Conner and Quincy are not willing to close the case.
“We have reports of a man in black at the scene. Shooter may be in the area. Proceed with caution.”
“A man?” … “I thought it would be a student. It’s always a student.”
THE THIRD VICTIM is a brilliant, hold-your-breath kind of thriller that entertains in so many different ways. The portrayal of the collective grief and anger of a community damaged by a school mass shooting is brilliant. And when Gardner’s microscope zeroes in on the accused young shooter, and his terrified sister and devastated parents, the pathos becomes even more real. If you’re a rational reader with any kind of heart, you can be assured that you won’t be rushing to blame. And yet, by the same token, if you’re a rational reader, you cannot possibly help questioning the validity of the 2nd Amendment in a 21st century USA so filled with death-dealing weaponry. As a police procedural, THE THIRD VICTIM is also an unqualified success – jurisdictional squabbles between the local municipal police force, state police and the FBI are a given; the difficulty of marriage and romantic relationships within the law enforcement community; alcoholism; the efficacy of profiling; and the synergy of police brainstorming to put together victimology and possible scenarios. The forensic discussion of ballistics, rifling, and sabots was informative and absolutely riveting (How many of you have heard of sabots before? I know I hadn’t).
An unqualified recommendation to those who love police procedurals and suspense thrillers.
Paul Weiss
June 28, 2023
Story 4 stars**
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Teri Schnaubelt
Audio 4 stars**
Narrator Teri Schnaubelt
April 8, 2024
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
FBI Profiler series #2. Police procedural thriller. Can be read as a stand-alone. Trigger warnings: school shootings and children victims.
A school shooting in Bakersville, Oregon is a horrific crime but Officer Rainie Conner has the confession of the boy caught with the guns. But the evidence doesn’t all match up and even though it’s her first homicide investigation, Rainie is a professional and wants to make sure everything is correct. FBI profiler Pierce Quincy is brought in to help. Together he and Rainie find there had to be someone else in the school.
You think you know everything about the people in the small town? Maybe not.
Absorbing and intense. Twists take it deeper and the police have more to investigate further back than expected. Intense.
FBI Profiler series #2. Police procedural thriller. Can be read as a stand-alone. Trigger warnings: school shootings and children victims.
A school shooting in Bakersville, Oregon is a horrific crime but Officer Rainie Conner has the confession of the boy caught with the guns. But the evidence doesn’t all match up and even though it’s her first homicide investigation, Rainie is a professional and wants to make sure everything is correct. FBI profiler Pierce Quincy is brought in to help. Together he and Rainie find there had to be someone else in the school.
You think you know everything about the people in the small town? Maybe not.
Absorbing and intense. Twists take it deeper and the police have more to investigate further back than expected. Intense.
September 27, 2020
When I read the first book of Lisa Gardner’s Quincy and Rainie series, I wondered, where’s Rainie? Plus, I wasn’t all that impressed with FBI Special Agent Pierce Quincy. That all changed when I dived into book number two, The Third Victim.
Lorraine “Rainie” Connor is a cop in Bakersville, Oregon. I could compare her to the protagonist in the book I just finished, The Girls in the Snow, by Stacy Green. She’s a teenager who came home to discover her mother had been brutally murdered. Is she messed up? Heck yeah! But she buries the feelings and does her job – until a school shooting in her small town. One difference between Rainie and Green’s protagonist, Nikki Hunt, is that Rainie is not a profiler. Enter Special Agent “Don’t Call Me Pierce” Quincy. He’s the profiler. He specializes in studying perpetrators of school shootings.
It’s Rainie’s first homicide, and it’s a doozy! The case appears to be straightforward because a student confesses to the crimes. But things are much more complex, especially given that Rainie has a long history with the boy’s family. There’s also her own background, long the topic of rumor and suspicion. What really happened the day her mother died? As stated, I didn’t particularly like Quincy in the first book. Not this time. I love this guy! He’s not just very good at his job, but he is also so perceptive and caring. Perhaps that’s because he has been through so much in his own family. I can’t wait to read more! Since the series continues, I wonder how he and Rainie get along, because there are definitely sparks, except in this episode, she is a hot mess.
The plot is so well executed. Turns out there’s a mitigating factor that may let the young suspect off the hook, at least partially. I had no idea how things would turn out. Okay, I had some inkling, but it was quite a ride. What impressed me even more was the character development, not just Rainie and Quincy, but also the members of the boy’s family, and several of the other suspects. Ms. Gardner really gets inside the turmoil that the parents, sister, and townsfolk feel after this unspeakable tragedy. Without being overtly political, she reveals the horrors of shootings in our schools and the emotional shambles left in their wake. She also displays a juvenile justice system that is not necessarily fair to the kid or to society.
I simply could not put this book down! I am a big fan of Lisa Gardner’s D.D. Warren series and have read a couple Tessa Leoni novels as well; The Third Victim is probably my favorite of all her books so far. If I could give more than five stars, I definitely would.
5 stars
Lorraine “Rainie” Connor is a cop in Bakersville, Oregon. I could compare her to the protagonist in the book I just finished, The Girls in the Snow, by Stacy Green. She’s a teenager who came home to discover her mother had been brutally murdered. Is she messed up? Heck yeah! But she buries the feelings and does her job – until a school shooting in her small town. One difference between Rainie and Green’s protagonist, Nikki Hunt, is that Rainie is not a profiler. Enter Special Agent “Don’t Call Me Pierce” Quincy. He’s the profiler. He specializes in studying perpetrators of school shootings.
It’s Rainie’s first homicide, and it’s a doozy! The case appears to be straightforward because a student confesses to the crimes. But things are much more complex, especially given that Rainie has a long history with the boy’s family. There’s also her own background, long the topic of rumor and suspicion. What really happened the day her mother died? As stated, I didn’t particularly like Quincy in the first book. Not this time. I love this guy! He’s not just very good at his job, but he is also so perceptive and caring. Perhaps that’s because he has been through so much in his own family. I can’t wait to read more! Since the series continues, I wonder how he and Rainie get along, because there are definitely sparks, except in this episode, she is a hot mess.
The plot is so well executed. Turns out there’s a mitigating factor that may let the young suspect off the hook, at least partially. I had no idea how things would turn out. Okay, I had some inkling, but it was quite a ride. What impressed me even more was the character development, not just Rainie and Quincy, but also the members of the boy’s family, and several of the other suspects. Ms. Gardner really gets inside the turmoil that the parents, sister, and townsfolk feel after this unspeakable tragedy. Without being overtly political, she reveals the horrors of shootings in our schools and the emotional shambles left in their wake. She also displays a juvenile justice system that is not necessarily fair to the kid or to society.
I simply could not put this book down! I am a big fan of Lisa Gardner’s D.D. Warren series and have read a couple Tessa Leoni novels as well; The Third Victim is probably my favorite of all her books so far. If I could give more than five stars, I definitely would.
5 stars
August 6, 2017
In this story Lisa Gardner tackles the difficult subject of school shootings. Lorraine "Rainie" Connor is a police officer in the small town of Bakersville, Oregon and has just been called to a shooting at the K-8 school. She arrives to find panicked parents rushing to the school looking for their children, screaming students in the parking lot ... some who are wounded, and in the school itself the janitor seriously wounded; one teacher dead; and two eight year old girls also dead. She begins a search of the school and in one of the rooms finds the sheriff being held at gun point by his thirteen year old son. In one of the closets curled in a fetal position and in apparent shock is the sheriff's eight year old daughter. At first appearance the sheriff's son, Danny, would appear to be the perpetrator of this horrific act. But is it a coincidence that the only two living students left in the school are the sheriff's children?
Bakersville is a small idyllic town where everyone knows everyone. Nothing much ever happens in Bakersville. The sheriff department usually deals with bar fights and occasional domestic disputes. This is Rainie's first homicide and it hits close to home and brings back nightmares from her own childhood. Fourteen years previously Rainie had come home to find her mother's headless body still holding a bottle of Jim Beam. She had been shot with a shotgun and at first Rainie was suspected and arrested. Evidence proved that Rainie could not have shot her mother. Bakersville being a small town though there is still some talk that Rainie did in fact kill her mother and what roll the sheriff may have had in getting the case dropped. Her leading the investigation is controversial.
Special Agent Pierce Quincy is a profiler with the FBI and is studying school shootings. He arrives in Bakersville to study the latest in a sad string of school shootings. It isn't long though before he is an active participant in the investigation. Evidence soon shows that there must have been at least one other person involved in the shootings. Someone who may have used the internet to recruit Danny. Someone who brought death to Bakersville and forever shattered the community.
Bakersville is a small idyllic town where everyone knows everyone. Nothing much ever happens in Bakersville. The sheriff department usually deals with bar fights and occasional domestic disputes. This is Rainie's first homicide and it hits close to home and brings back nightmares from her own childhood. Fourteen years previously Rainie had come home to find her mother's headless body still holding a bottle of Jim Beam. She had been shot with a shotgun and at first Rainie was suspected and arrested. Evidence proved that Rainie could not have shot her mother. Bakersville being a small town though there is still some talk that Rainie did in fact kill her mother and what roll the sheriff may have had in getting the case dropped. Her leading the investigation is controversial.
Special Agent Pierce Quincy is a profiler with the FBI and is studying school shootings. He arrives in Bakersville to study the latest in a sad string of school shootings. It isn't long though before he is an active participant in the investigation. Evidence soon shows that there must have been at least one other person involved in the shootings. Someone who may have used the internet to recruit Danny. Someone who brought death to Bakersville and forever shattered the community.
May 19, 2017
I think this is my 5th re-read. I've been a fan of Lisa Gardner for years and this book is the first book Quincy and Rainie appear together. Rainie is a small-town cop, and Quincy is an FBI Profiler drawn to her town when a school shooting happens.
The little town of Bakersville, Oregon is a town where everyone knows everyone and neighbors look out for one another. Not a place where you'd expect a school shooting. But three are dead, and it appears a thirteen-year old Bakersville boy did the deed. Quincy and Rainie discover the shooting isn't as cut and dry as it first appears and the key seems to be with the third victim, the pretty computer science teacher, Miss Avalon.
Rainie is a complex character, a Bakerville native with a colorful past the locals have gossiped and theorized about for years. What really happened fourteen years ago? As Quincy finds himself drawn to Rainie more and more, he pushes for answers. But Quincy has his own personal troubles.
The main murder mystery is solved, but a few things are left in up in the air with Rainie and Quincy. Their story continues in The Next Accident.
As far as the audio version goes, C.J. Critt sounded too old for the voice of Rainie and her performance of Quincy did not give the impression of a smart, sophisticated FBI Profiler. Her performance didn't turn me off of the story, probably because I've read it so many times before, but I wouldn't recommend it. I do completely recommend the Quincy & Rainie series, though! Love the mysteries and their developing relationship! If you haven't read a Lisa Gardner book before The Third Victim is a perfect place to start.
The little town of Bakersville, Oregon is a town where everyone knows everyone and neighbors look out for one another. Not a place where you'd expect a school shooting. But three are dead, and it appears a thirteen-year old Bakersville boy did the deed. Quincy and Rainie discover the shooting isn't as cut and dry as it first appears and the key seems to be with the third victim, the pretty computer science teacher, Miss Avalon.
Rainie is a complex character, a Bakerville native with a colorful past the locals have gossiped and theorized about for years. What really happened fourteen years ago? As Quincy finds himself drawn to Rainie more and more, he pushes for answers. But Quincy has his own personal troubles.
The main murder mystery is solved, but a few things are left in up in the air with Rainie and Quincy. Their story continues in The Next Accident.
As far as the audio version goes, C.J. Critt sounded too old for the voice of Rainie and her performance of Quincy did not give the impression of a smart, sophisticated FBI Profiler. Her performance didn't turn me off of the story, probably because I've read it so many times before, but I wouldn't recommend it. I do completely recommend the Quincy & Rainie series, though! Love the mysteries and their developing relationship! If you haven't read a Lisa Gardner book before The Third Victim is a perfect place to start.
May 26, 2014
Bakersville in Oregon is a small town where nothing much ever happens. So when Rainie Connor a police officer gets a call informing her that shots are being fired inside a school she can't believe it. At first she thinks this must be a mistake, but once she arrives at the school, Rainie soon discovers that this no mistake. Watching as she sees parents, teachers and children all running around frantic she quickly discovers that already there are a couple of children dead and several others injured.
Not knowing if the shooter is still inside the school, Rainie enters slowly and with plenty of caution. As she approaches one of the rooms she can see her boss, Shep the Sheriff of Bakersville and his son, Danny who has a gun in his hand. Rainie is in disbelief at what she is seeing thinking it's not possible that Shep's son is the shooter. But Danny confesses and he is taken into custody.
Working with FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, Rainie begins to get a clearer picture of what really happened that day and things are not looking good for Danny. They also discover there is another suspect, but will they be able to find this person before they strike again or will they run out of time?
Whilst all this is going on, Rainie is trying to cope with a secret from her past that has come back to haunt her. Waking up most nights from nightmares it seems everything is starting to get on top of her. Will Rainie be able to track down the other suspect before it's too late as well as deal with her own demons?
Another fantastic and very gripping read by Lisa Gardner. I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. There is just something about Lisa Gardner's books that are not only thrilling, but they seem to get you hooked from page one right through to the last page. So if you're looking for a nail biting and on the edge of your seat read then make sure you read this book. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
Not knowing if the shooter is still inside the school, Rainie enters slowly and with plenty of caution. As she approaches one of the rooms she can see her boss, Shep the Sheriff of Bakersville and his son, Danny who has a gun in his hand. Rainie is in disbelief at what she is seeing thinking it's not possible that Shep's son is the shooter. But Danny confesses and he is taken into custody.
Working with FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, Rainie begins to get a clearer picture of what really happened that day and things are not looking good for Danny. They also discover there is another suspect, but will they be able to find this person before they strike again or will they run out of time?
Whilst all this is going on, Rainie is trying to cope with a secret from her past that has come back to haunt her. Waking up most nights from nightmares it seems everything is starting to get on top of her. Will Rainie be able to track down the other suspect before it's too late as well as deal with her own demons?
Another fantastic and very gripping read by Lisa Gardner. I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn't put it down. There is just something about Lisa Gardner's books that are not only thrilling, but they seem to get you hooked from page one right through to the last page. So if you're looking for a nail biting and on the edge of your seat read then make sure you read this book. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
August 20, 2023
Op een basisschool worden 2 meisjes en een computerlerares doodgeschoten. De 13jarige zoon van de sheriff wordt aangetroffen met twee rokende revolvers in zijn handen. En kort nadien bekent hij ook.
Toch blijkt er een en ander niet te kloppen. Vooral de dodelijke schotwond van de lerares kan onmogelijk door het kind zijn toegebracht.
Weet het kleine zusje van Danny meer? Want sinds het voorval verbergt ze zich steeds in een kast, en ze wil met niemand over het voorval praten. Ze was ook op de school aangetroffen, weggedoken in een kast.
Politie-agente Rainie Conner wordt door de sheriff met het onderzoek belast, zelfs voor hij kon weten dat zijn zoon bij de zaak betrokken was. Waarom?
En Rainie zelf is eigenlijk nogal labiel. 14 jaar geleden is er iets gebeurd, en men verdacht Rainie ervan haar moeder te hebben doodgeschoten. Uit onderzoek bleek echter dat ze onschuldig was, maar wat was er dan wel gebeurd? De zaak werd nooit opgelost, maar iedereen in Bakersville blijft achter haar rug fluisteren dat ze de moord op haar geweten heeft. Rainie leeft al 14 jaar met haar geheim...
Federaal agent Pierce Quincy wordt naar Bakersville gestuurd om zich met de zaak van de schietpartij op de school bezig te houden, en moet dus samenwerken met Rainie en haar team.
Zal Quincy, die zoveel meer ervaring heeft, de zaak tot een goed einde kunnen brengen? Er moet nog heel wat gebeuren voor het zover is!
Spannende triller!
Toch blijkt er een en ander niet te kloppen. Vooral de dodelijke schotwond van de lerares kan onmogelijk door het kind zijn toegebracht.
Weet het kleine zusje van Danny meer? Want sinds het voorval verbergt ze zich steeds in een kast, en ze wil met niemand over het voorval praten. Ze was ook op de school aangetroffen, weggedoken in een kast.
Politie-agente Rainie Conner wordt door de sheriff met het onderzoek belast, zelfs voor hij kon weten dat zijn zoon bij de zaak betrokken was. Waarom?
En Rainie zelf is eigenlijk nogal labiel. 14 jaar geleden is er iets gebeurd, en men verdacht Rainie ervan haar moeder te hebben doodgeschoten. Uit onderzoek bleek echter dat ze onschuldig was, maar wat was er dan wel gebeurd? De zaak werd nooit opgelost, maar iedereen in Bakersville blijft achter haar rug fluisteren dat ze de moord op haar geweten heeft. Rainie leeft al 14 jaar met haar geheim...
Federaal agent Pierce Quincy wordt naar Bakersville gestuurd om zich met de zaak van de schietpartij op de school bezig te houden, en moet dus samenwerken met Rainie en haar team.
Zal Quincy, die zoveel meer ervaring heeft, de zaak tot een goed einde kunnen brengen? Er moet nog heel wat gebeuren voor het zover is!
Spannende triller!
November 19, 2017
This story is a detective who-done-it of a school shooting in a small town in Oregon.
It follows the formula of a good build-up, a good mystery, and reasonably credible characters – but I found the resolution very unconvincing. OK – we know who did it, so that’s good.
But several things I just couldn’t buy into:
I like logic in my detective stories. This didn’t have it. The author successfully weaves a tangled web, but cannot unravel it.
It follows the formula of a good build-up, a good mystery, and reasonably credible characters – but I found the resolution very unconvincing. OK – we know who did it, so that’s good.
But several things I just couldn’t buy into:
I like logic in my detective stories. This didn’t have it. The author successfully weaves a tangled web, but cannot unravel it.
January 28, 2016
Recently an Aussie friend here on Goodreads renewed my interest in Gardner and I decided to rescue this book from my Beasty Bookshelf (No Belle though!) where it has been sitting idly for ages and ages.
I am glad I did, it reminded me why I loved contemporary thrillers in the first place. There were many twist and turns, surprises that actually surprised me. I tore through this book in almost one go, the torrents of words felt familiar and comfortable, and I let go, relaxed and got so much more than basic thrills ( got New Wordlings, this happens sometimes when inkblot gods gets drunk and therefore are kind to me. )
However I couldn't help noticing this book being the product of its time had limited foresight, not that it bothers me, but since it was featured prominently so it felt incongruous as I read this in 2016. The tech mentioned here felt really archaic like really really archaic. I am being ungenerous haha, I know. Only safe and secure in today can we be smug about yesterday, even though it was us standing bare in that yesterday.
Since we are talking about this, so on similar thought, though the book is set around 1999/2000 and Internet and the whole online scene was still in its nascent stages, was still reasonable hadn't imploded like it is now with social media, even then our crusaders (great chemistry there ; I loved the protagonist, she was something else) so yeah even then they should have checked the computers first, you know, just saying ? Could have arrived at the crucial points sooner and drew better conclusions.
Something struck me as very funny. Basically the general consensus among the non geek characters in the book was that anyone interested in Internet was a little off socially and kinda abnormal. To me that was really funny. If only those characters could see how people are today ; zombies but with smart phones. Phones keeps getting smarter and smarter but the people not so much.
I feel that Lisa Gardner had something to say about a very sensitive subject. To me it didn't feel like a lecture, she wasn't preaching. I think she presented argument from all sides rather objectively.
This was a delicate thing to talk about back in 2001 when the book came out. Sadly school shootings, shootings in general have become such a common place occurrence that people are numb to it by now.
Just how many times does this needs to happen before everyone does what's right and right in front of them.
It's all really simple.
But
People can only dream of solutions but to quote from Penny Dreadful ; Who can survive the dreams?
November 1, 2016
Another great read by Lisa Gardner- 3.5 - to 4.0 for me- Sometimes I get a little tired of the thriller, killer, serial psycho nut jobs that seems not only to focus on 'someone' but also they have to focus on someone (male or female) that is in law enforcement as well.
Having said that- the book kept my interest and of course at some point I will pick up number 3 in this series!
Having said that- the book kept my interest and of course at some point I will pick up number 3 in this series!
September 12, 2020
I recently listened to the first book by Lisa Gardner. It was book number 4, Killing Floor. It was available at Libraries 2 go so I borrowed it. I liked that book and wanted to start from the beginning. The first book wasn't really about Quincey and Rainey was not in that book at all. This is the 2nd book and they are both in the book. This is the book where they meet.
I don't think I've ever read a book where there has been a school shooting. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book and I liked it.
I usually listen to books these days but Libraries 2 go didn't have this as an audio book so I actually read it. I look forward to reading book number 3.
I don't think I've ever read a book where there has been a school shooting. There were a lot of twists and turns in this book and I liked it.
I usually listen to books these days but Libraries 2 go didn't have this as an audio book so I actually read it. I look forward to reading book number 3.
March 12, 2018
Really liked Ms Gardner's writing. This one had a really interesting plot and great characters.
January 22, 2010
Educational, educational, educational--boy, can we tell that Lisa Gardner did a bunch of research on mass murderers vs. serial killers and various homocidal types. Which she dumped on us in dialogue. Ugh.
Very slooooooow plot.
Mostly I was interested in Rainie and Quincy's backstory. Eh.
Very slooooooow plot.
Mostly I was interested in Rainie and Quincy's backstory. Eh.
April 21, 2022
The story base is about school shootings but it also touches on sexual assault, incest, manipulation and so much more
What I found to be the saddest and absolutely real was the forward - this was published in 2001 - she wrote this in an attempt understand the uptick and new pattern of school shooting and violence noting how unimaginable and inconceivable the events at the time were …. This is what is so sad the fact that this year already there have been so many mass shooting , so many incidents of kids killing kids … this has continuously increased ….
I had noted after the first book on the series I wasn’t sure about continuing but had read that it got better and it definitely did! I really like Rainie and I’m glad Quincy has become more substantial and present in the stories!
There are so many twists and plots but they are well written and fit together without confusion or overwhelming the reader
If you like behavior science or the show criminal minds I definitely think you would enjoy this story
Can’t wait to continue on with the series
What I found to be the saddest and absolutely real was the forward - this was published in 2001 - she wrote this in an attempt understand the uptick and new pattern of school shooting and violence noting how unimaginable and inconceivable the events at the time were …. This is what is so sad the fact that this year already there have been so many mass shooting , so many incidents of kids killing kids … this has continuously increased ….
I had noted after the first book on the series I wasn’t sure about continuing but had read that it got better and it definitely did! I really like Rainie and I’m glad Quincy has become more substantial and present in the stories!
There are so many twists and plots but they are well written and fit together without confusion or overwhelming the reader
If you like behavior science or the show criminal minds I definitely think you would enjoy this story
Can’t wait to continue on with the series
July 20, 2014
The more I read of Lisa Gardner the more I like her style of writing. She doesn't hold back and tells a story the way life happens. The real world can, and often does, suck. We all know there are "bad guys/gals" out there and silently pray that they don't enter our own little piece of the world, but for far too many, they do enter, and consume their lives. This is a well told story of a terrible act and the woman who fights against her own demons to bring the true killer to justice. If you want to get a good grasp of the difference between serial killers and mass murderers, Lisa did her research; you can learn something here.
June 14, 2020
Setting: 'Bakersville', Oregon, USA. This is identified as the second book in the Quincy & Rainie series but is the first where the pair actually work together.
In Rainie's hometown of Bakersville, Rainie is one of only three full-time paid law enforcement officers, working under Sheriff Shep O'Grady. When a report comes in of shots being fired at the town's K-8 school (kindergarten to year 8), Rainie races to the scene - on the way, the sheriff designates her as primary officer even though she has had no homicide experience up to then. When she arrives, she finds chaos - two children dead and several wounded, a teacher dead and the caretaker seriously wounded. She then finds that the shooter appears to be none other than Shep's son Danny. But as Rainie begins to investigate, with the assistance of Federal Agent Quincy, things don't seem to stack up and there are rumours of a 'man in black' running from the scene.
In a breathless rollercoaster of action over a period of just five days, Quincy and Rainie must solve the mystery against a backdrop of hysteria and blame in the local community. Rainie is also haunted by the events surrounding her mother's murder when she was a teenager. Hard to put this one down and looking forward to reading more of this series - 9/10.
In Rainie's hometown of Bakersville, Rainie is one of only three full-time paid law enforcement officers, working under Sheriff Shep O'Grady. When a report comes in of shots being fired at the town's K-8 school (kindergarten to year 8), Rainie races to the scene - on the way, the sheriff designates her as primary officer even though she has had no homicide experience up to then. When she arrives, she finds chaos - two children dead and several wounded, a teacher dead and the caretaker seriously wounded. She then finds that the shooter appears to be none other than Shep's son Danny. But as Rainie begins to investigate, with the assistance of Federal Agent Quincy, things don't seem to stack up and there are rumours of a 'man in black' running from the scene.
In a breathless rollercoaster of action over a period of just five days, Quincy and Rainie must solve the mystery against a backdrop of hysteria and blame in the local community. Rainie is also haunted by the events surrounding her mother's murder when she was a teenager. Hard to put this one down and looking forward to reading more of this series - 9/10.
February 6, 2017
Totally addicted to these characters already! While I was definitely on the edge of my seat for much of the suspense, I mostly couldn't wait to get back to Quincy and Rainie and their lives. Can't wait to read more.
September 11, 2020
This is the 3rd thriller I've read by Lisa Gardner and I did not realize it was the 2nd novel in a series until adding it on GoodReads. I read it as a stand-alone novel and it encompassed my full attention without my feeling any gaps to my understanding of the storyline or backgrounds of Officer Rainie Conner and FBI profiler Pierce Quincy.
As a former educator who worked for many years in public schools at the elementary level it was in some ways difficult to read this book at the beginning of a new school year as although I am now retired I know all the emotions and particularly all the opening preparations. In viewing the copyright date of 2001, it is almost beyond comprehension how many school shootings have occurred since the novel was published. As I shared in another review of a novel by Lisa Gardner, her writing is heart-pounding, heart-wrenching, and heart-riveting. She introduces compelling and driven characters and I was again on the edge of my seat until all the mysteries of the investigation were revealed.
Just as people think they can accurately assess a teacher's life so do many believe they can just as accurately assess the lives of individuals that serve in the field of law enforcement. Only those that live with teachers and those that live with a member of a law enforcement truly know the sacrifices that are made by those that serve in these capacities and both are occupations of commitment, dedication and service. Lisa Gardner artistically creates realism that evoked many emotions.
This novel poignantly describes the effect and interpretation of law enforcement and community actions and reactions by the family members that lose a loved one in a school shooting and the emotions of the family trying to cope and understand that their loved one participated in a school shooting. Everyone processes grief differently and in their own time regardless of gender or age. The author has not only written a riveting suspense story but tragically one that has happened all too frequently. Let us all spread more kindness than judgment and innuendo. There was a reason the generations that came before us passed on the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
As a former educator who worked for many years in public schools at the elementary level it was in some ways difficult to read this book at the beginning of a new school year as although I am now retired I know all the emotions and particularly all the opening preparations. In viewing the copyright date of 2001, it is almost beyond comprehension how many school shootings have occurred since the novel was published. As I shared in another review of a novel by Lisa Gardner, her writing is heart-pounding, heart-wrenching, and heart-riveting. She introduces compelling and driven characters and I was again on the edge of my seat until all the mysteries of the investigation were revealed.
Just as people think they can accurately assess a teacher's life so do many believe they can just as accurately assess the lives of individuals that serve in the field of law enforcement. Only those that live with teachers and those that live with a member of a law enforcement truly know the sacrifices that are made by those that serve in these capacities and both are occupations of commitment, dedication and service. Lisa Gardner artistically creates realism that evoked many emotions.
This novel poignantly describes the effect and interpretation of law enforcement and community actions and reactions by the family members that lose a loved one in a school shooting and the emotions of the family trying to cope and understand that their loved one participated in a school shooting. Everyone processes grief differently and in their own time regardless of gender or age. The author has not only written a riveting suspense story but tragically one that has happened all too frequently. Let us all spread more kindness than judgment and innuendo. There was a reason the generations that came before us passed on the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
February 17, 2019
The Third Victim is the 2nd book in the FBI profiler Pierce Quincey thriller by Lisa Gardner. I have read the first book, The Perfect Husband, and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite thriller of all time. I much preferred The Third Victim.
Considering what has been going on in the US currently with regard to mass shootings, this book, originally published in 2001, dealt with a school shooting. In Bakersville, Oregon, police officer Rainie Quinn is called to a shooting in the local K - 8 school. On the way, her boss advises her that she is the primary on the situation. When she arrives, she finds that the crime scene has already been compromised by EMT paramedics and also by her boss, Shep O'Grady. Surprisingly, it turns out that O'Grady's 13-year old son, Dan, is holding his father at gunpoint. Two young girls have been murdered as well as a young teacher.
FBI profiler, Quincey, who is avoiding a family situation, heads to Bakersville to offer his particular assistance (he being an expert in mass shootings). Also, the Oregon state police send Abe Sanders down to work the case as well. This is the basis of the story. The police work through the case to gather evidence. Shep, even though technically off the case, wants to prove his son's innocence. The O'Grady family must deal with the tragedy, their emotions (already frazzled with a family situation), try to keep younger daughter, Becky safe and secure as well. Rainie, Quincey and Sanders work together, sometimes difficultly, gathering evidence to prove and / or disprove Danny's guilt. And in the mix is the mysterious man who stays in the shadows and may have been involved in the murder.
There are varied suspects and various threats that keep this story humming along nicely. The relationships between the police investigators develop nicely and sometimes antagonistically. I like Quincey very much; smart, dedicated and with his own familial issues. Rainie is an interesting character with a shrouded past and Sanders is sometimes a stick in the mud but his character does flesh out nicely as the story progresses. The tension builds to an excellent climax and resolution. Very good story and one that makes me want to keep reading this series. (4 stars)
Considering what has been going on in the US currently with regard to mass shootings, this book, originally published in 2001, dealt with a school shooting. In Bakersville, Oregon, police officer Rainie Quinn is called to a shooting in the local K - 8 school. On the way, her boss advises her that she is the primary on the situation. When she arrives, she finds that the crime scene has already been compromised by EMT paramedics and also by her boss, Shep O'Grady. Surprisingly, it turns out that O'Grady's 13-year old son, Dan, is holding his father at gunpoint. Two young girls have been murdered as well as a young teacher.
FBI profiler, Quincey, who is avoiding a family situation, heads to Bakersville to offer his particular assistance (he being an expert in mass shootings). Also, the Oregon state police send Abe Sanders down to work the case as well. This is the basis of the story. The police work through the case to gather evidence. Shep, even though technically off the case, wants to prove his son's innocence. The O'Grady family must deal with the tragedy, their emotions (already frazzled with a family situation), try to keep younger daughter, Becky safe and secure as well. Rainie, Quincey and Sanders work together, sometimes difficultly, gathering evidence to prove and / or disprove Danny's guilt. And in the mix is the mysterious man who stays in the shadows and may have been involved in the murder.
There are varied suspects and various threats that keep this story humming along nicely. The relationships between the police investigators develop nicely and sometimes antagonistically. I like Quincey very much; smart, dedicated and with his own familial issues. Rainie is an interesting character with a shrouded past and Sanders is sometimes a stick in the mud but his character does flesh out nicely as the story progresses. The tension builds to an excellent climax and resolution. Very good story and one that makes me want to keep reading this series. (4 stars)
May 5, 2022
This was my first Lisa Gardner book, but it won't be my last, for sure!
This book had me wanting to drop everything and keep reading, every chance I got, to find out what the heck was really going on here!
School shooting. 2 young girls and a teacher dead. A boy confesses, and he was there at the scene, with guns. He's arrested, but something doesn't sit right with Officer Lorraine Conner, a friend of the family. Certain things about the crime scene don't seem to go together, and even tho the community is torn apart and parents are demanding a life sentence (or worse) for the boy, she, along with an FBI profiler, feels the need to find out what they are missing when they look at all the evidence and talk to the boy. In the meantime, she has a history of violence in her own family's past, and there is a stranger secretly watching the community, and especially her. Are these different parts all connected somehow?
Gives you chills, and they kept coming as I read.
This book had me wanting to drop everything and keep reading, every chance I got, to find out what the heck was really going on here!
School shooting. 2 young girls and a teacher dead. A boy confesses, and he was there at the scene, with guns. He's arrested, but something doesn't sit right with Officer Lorraine Conner, a friend of the family. Certain things about the crime scene don't seem to go together, and even tho the community is torn apart and parents are demanding a life sentence (or worse) for the boy, she, along with an FBI profiler, feels the need to find out what they are missing when they look at all the evidence and talk to the boy. In the meantime, she has a history of violence in her own family's past, and there is a stranger secretly watching the community, and especially her. Are these different parts all connected somehow?
Gives you chills, and they kept coming as I read.
April 9, 2024
4.5 stars - Crime/Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Romantic Suspense
I've been reading Lisa Gardner's books recently, and I love her writing style. This series is really good, even though I've read them out of order. This is a very well crafted thriller that's gripping, complex, and emotional. C.J. Critt did a great job with the audiobook narration.
I've been reading Lisa Gardner's books recently, and I love her writing style. This series is really good, even though I've read them out of order. This is a very well crafted thriller that's gripping, complex, and emotional. C.J. Critt did a great job with the audiobook narration.
January 1, 2017
This book deals with school shootings, in particular a young boy who opens fire in his K-8 grade school. When the smoke clears, a teacher is dead along with 2 eight year old girls, and a young boy is holding the proverbial smoking guns! But is he really the shooter? Lots of red herrings, guestimations, and finger pointing in this book. Plus add in a female cop with a tortured past - gotta love it. I enjoyed this book more so than the first book in the series. Ms. Gardner covers every aspect from how parents, fellow students, cops, and neighbors cope with this terrible incident in the best way - a true who done it mystery. For me, there was a wow I didn't see that coming - which I truly love in a book.
4 stars and 2 thumbs up!
4 stars and 2 thumbs up!
March 1, 2016
Il très bon thriller... Cette auteur est très douée pour construire des histoires ou meurtre psychologie et sentiment se mêlent très bien.
April 10, 2017
Really enjoying this series!
I think the less you know going into the series the better. I didn't read the description of the second novel before I started and I loved the opening scenes! The book opens up with Officer Rainie who is complaining about how slow the crime is in Bakersville, Oregon. Be careful what you wish for Rainie because a school shooting has just occurred. Rainie is thrown into the politics of the school shooting. She needs to figure out who has committed the crime, well also respecting those families who the shooting has affected.
Even though the reader is made aware that the shooting isn't as it appears to be, there was still a lot of mystery. Even though I had my guesses of what was going on, I was still surprised when everything was revealed.
I also loved the relationship between FBI profiler Quincy and Officer Rainie. This was the first book in the series that Rainie was introduced and I really hearing her backstory. Can't wait to see what happens between these two!
I think the less you know going into the series the better. I didn't read the description of the second novel before I started and I loved the opening scenes! The book opens up with Officer Rainie who is complaining about how slow the crime is in Bakersville, Oregon. Be careful what you wish for Rainie because a school shooting has just occurred. Rainie is thrown into the politics of the school shooting. She needs to figure out who has committed the crime, well also respecting those families who the shooting has affected.
Even though the reader is made aware that the shooting isn't as it appears to be, there was still a lot of mystery. Even though I had my guesses of what was going on, I was still surprised when everything was revealed.
I also loved the relationship between FBI profiler Quincy and Officer Rainie. This was the first book in the series that Rainie was introduced and I really hearing her backstory. Can't wait to see what happens between these two!
January 13, 2023
Great police detective work
Officer Rainie Connor has been assigned her first homicide investigation in her small town of Bakersville, Oregon. With help from Pierce Quincy of the FBI, it will be up to her to solve a school shooting.
A 13 year old boy was taken into custody, but is he really the guilty party? Is Rainie biased because he is the sheriff's son?With the list of possible suspects growing by the day, can the police find the bad guy? Or do they already have him locked away in the youth detention center?
I hesitated reading this when I figured out the subject was a school shooting. But it was handled sensitively as Lisa Gardner is so great at doing.
Fast paced story with it building to a climax at the end. Loved it.
Officer Rainie Connor has been assigned her first homicide investigation in her small town of Bakersville, Oregon. With help from Pierce Quincy of the FBI, it will be up to her to solve a school shooting.
A 13 year old boy was taken into custody, but is he really the guilty party? Is Rainie biased because he is the sheriff's son?With the list of possible suspects growing by the day, can the police find the bad guy? Or do they already have him locked away in the youth detention center?
I hesitated reading this when I figured out the subject was a school shooting. But it was handled sensitively as Lisa Gardner is so great at doing.
Fast paced story with it building to a climax at the end. Loved it.
April 21, 2023
Autorės knyga, priminė Jodi Picoult "Devyniolika minučių", skaitydama vis lyginau vienodas temas, apie vaikų šaudymą mokykloje. Tiek, kad čia paauglys yra veikiamas kito žmogaus valios, ir manipuliacijos, tai padaryti. Pati siužeto liniją įdomi, bet kaip detektyvas nuvylė. Pati pradžia silpnoka, policijos darbas paviršutiniškas. Reinės personožas kaip žmogaus įdomus, bet kaip policininkės, tai nuobodus, jokio išmanymo, ir nežinomybės, norėjau daugiau tyrimo detalių. Einant jau link pabaigos, prikaustė, kaip čia kas ir kur, bet vėlgi buvo toks šoktelėjimas. Kai tyrimas vyksta nykiai, o čia iš karto žudikas aiškus, ir tada staigi jo paieška, ir pabaiga kuri labai greitai pasibaigė.
March 17, 2022
This series works for me. I look forward to finishing it, hopefully not eating as long as I did between book 1 and book 2.
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