Deadly Recall

Jessie Cole #2

by T.R. Ragan

PI Jessie Cole is about to discover that there’s no revenge too wicked as New York Times bestselling author T.R. Ragan’s gripping series continues.

When you search for the missing, there’s no telling what you’ll find. PI Jessie Cole learned that painful truth firsthand when her sister disappeared. Now a new case will test Jessie and Ben once again.

Owen Shepard, the public face of one of the country’s biggest health insurance companies, has become the target of a vengeful father. The man blames Shepard for his child’s death and plans to make the CEO know what it’s like to live with a broken heart—and watch others die. After killing two employees, the desperate father kidnaps Shepard’s daughter. Tasked with finding her, Jessie and crime reporter Ben Morrison are running out of time to save her.

Meanwhile, Ben is still seeking insight into the man he used to be before a car crash erased his memories. And each discovery is leading Jessie and him down a frightening road. What they find could scar both of them forever.

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

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2018

About the author

T.R. Ragan (Theresa Ragan) is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling mystery and thriller author.

Readers interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter or getting their name in a TR RAGAN book should check out her website at www.trragan.com

Facebook • Twitter • Instagram: @trraganauthor

LIZZY GARDNER SERIES
Abducted
Dead Weight
A Dark Mind
Obsessed
Almost Dead
Evil Never Dies

FAITH MCMANN TRILOGY
Furious
Outrage
Wrath

JESSIE COLE SERIES
Her Last Day
Deadly Recall
Deranged - 10/18
Buried Deep - 4/19

Reviews

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Straightforward novel about a PI who’s investigating three cases: a child abduction case, a case of revenge and retribution, and the history of a reporter suffering from amnesia.

Book two opens with PI Jessie Cole and Ben Morrison coming to terms with the events that occur in book one. While Jessie feels like she has closure, journalist Ben Morrison to wonder more about his past. Jessie decides she is going to help Ben piece together his life before the accident that caused Ben to lose his memory.

At the same time, Jessie is approached by a woman whose daughter was stolen shortly after she gave birth. Seven years have passed, and the mother is still holding out hope that her daughter is alive.

Jessie also takes on the case of finding out who is kidnapping and killing employees from a drug company.

In addition to working non-stop, Jessie is struggling to raise her 15-year-old niece, Olivia, as well as to have a relationship with Colin, a police officer.

Making things more interesting is that Jessie hires Zee, a woman who was kidnapped in book one. Zee is schizophrenic and employs less than conventional methods to the work that she does for Jessie.

Needless to say, there is a lot going on in Her Last Day! At times, there is almost too much and I think that’s why I didn’t love this book as much as the first one. The only case that really interested me was Ben’s past. The cases dominate, so there is not much development in Jessie’s personal life--I felt like Ben got a lot more attention than her. I was surprised Zee to see again, but it was a good surprise as I love her character! Nonetheless, I look forward to the next installment--I just hope there is more of Jessie and more compelling cases.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of this series. This book starts up where the first book left off.
There are several different stories in this one. Jessie Cole is a P.I and Ben Morrison is a crime reporter.

Ben was in a car accident, and lost his memory and bits and pieces of his past comes back to haunt him. Is Ben a murderer? He is having flashbacks and he has Jessie to look in his past to find out more about the flashbacks he is having.

Jesse's talent is to find missing people and she is asked to find a mother's daughter. The mother's daughter was kidnapped from the hospital when she was born seven years ago.

Also Jessie has to stop a man from taking revenge on the CEO, Owen Shepard, who works for one of the countries biggest insurance company. The man blames Shepard for his child's death. He wants him to know what it's like to live with a broken heart. He kills two employees then kidnaps Shepard's daughter. Jessie and Ben
are running out of time and are in a race to save her.

I was intrigued from the very beginning. It is action packed with riveting suspense to the very end. The first book is even better and I would start with that book first, Her Last Day. This definitely is a fast paced thriller with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing and I found it to be an addicting read. It's a real page turner.

I thought it was very well written. This author is amazing.
The characters are very well developed. They are realistic and authentic.

I am looking forward to reading book 3 in this series. I want to find out more of Ben's history.

I want to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and T.R. Ragan for the copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the Jessie Cole series. These are fundamentally dark thrillers. As with book one, there’s a lot of moving parts taking place simultaneously. Multiple story lines that seemingly have nothing to do with each other until they all converge in the end.

Jessie is a private detective who has no problem taking on the hardest or most disturbing of cases. Assisting her is Zee. (Who she met in book one.) Zee makes a great addition to this book...and hopefully will continue for the entire series.

Ben, local journalist and Jessie’s friend continues to have retrograde amnesia, but recently is beginning to have flashbacks. This could really be promising news! Just maybe his memory is returning. On the other hand, this could also be a curse. Maybe, he really doesn’t want to know everything about his past. And maybe…some things are better left far behind.

An exciting, fast-paced thriller. I must say, I enjoyed book one a bit more, but I’m still hooked on this series and will be looking forward to the next installment.

A Traveling Sister read with Brenda and Susanne 🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and T.R. Ragan for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars* (rounded down)

Jessie Cole and Ben Morrison are back. Working together again to solve the abductions of several people by a man with vengeance on his mind. Vengeance against a drug company owned by Owen Shepard, who he blames for the death of his own daughter. For Jessie and Ben, trying to find who is responsible is a race to the finish as yet another young girl’s life hangs in the balance.

In addition to working the case, Jessie also tries to help Ben delve into his past which ends up scaring both of them and if I’m being honest, gave me a few nightmares as well.

“Deadly Recall” is the second book in the Jessie Cole series by T. R. Ragan. I enjoyed this novel more than the first and liked getting to know Jessie and Olivia. The character of Zee adds a certain balance and fun to the storyline and I hope to see more of her! Though the character of Ben is not my favorite, I am interested in seeing what becomes of him.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and T. R. Ragan for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 4.8.18.

[Nazanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75 Stars

We met Jessie, Ben, and Zee in the first installment. Jessie is a private investigator and works on cold cases. Seven years ago, Ashley’s newborn daughter was abducted. At the time police couldn’t help much but after these years Ashley can’t forget about her and needs to know what happened to her daughter, so she went to Jessie for help. These part of the story was so predictable!

10 years ago Ben had an accident that stole his memories. He suffers from amnesia. He’s married and has two children. He is a crime reporter. He received a letter. The writer wanted Ben to tell his story to others that how he lost his girl, how his daughter needlessly suffered and died too young because of greed. And asked Ben to contact authorities to do something and if they didn’t pay attention, an innocent life will be taken! I Think finding the perp was so accidental!!

Let’s not forget about Zee! The girl who was kidnapped in the first book and suffers from Schizophrenia, remember? Well, she thinks being a PI is a good job for her so she has her own cases to solve too!

What I like about this series is that it’s not just one story or case to solve! It’s like they work with each other but on different cases that sometimes are entwined with each other! in the first book I was liking Ben! He was a mystery to me but at the end I liked him but in this one, we know him more, some of the mystery from his past was solved but not completely and it made me think about him as a shady person! I don’t want to dislike him but with things that I found about him, about his past? I just don’t know! But I liked that he trusted Jessie that much that he could talk about the images he’s seeing even though they are bloody memories!

Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Jessie Cole" series and it’s better if you read it in order. It’s well-written and despite it wasn't as exciting as the first book I enjoyed it, hope you like it as well!

Thanks to T.R. Ragan, Netgalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars


This is second in a series that features Private Investigator Jessie Cole and crime reporter Ben Morrison. Although second, this can easily be read as a stand alone. There's just enough information so that the reader is not totally lost, but not enough to ruin the reading of HER LAST DAY, book 1. As always, I highly recommend reading these books in order.

Jessie Cole specializes in looking for the missing. A potential client contacts her to ask for an investigation into her daughter's abduction. Her daughter was a newborn infant and she's been gone for 7 years. This new case will test Jessie and Ben to the limits. And they might not like what they find.

Meanwhile, a man blames Owen Shepard for his daughter's death. Owen is head of one of the largest health insurance companies. When the company refused the use of an experimental drug, something seemed to snap. The man has written a letter, sent it to Ben. The letter states he wants an apology and his word that all experimental drugs will be approved for use. If his demands are not met, innocent people will die.

The man means it with everything he has. Two bodies are found murdered .. but Owen doesn't respond ... until "his" daughter goes missing.

Ben lost his memory in the wake of a car accident. It's been 12 years and he doesn't remember anything before that time. But he's having visions or hallucinations or his memory is coming back. But he's seeing himself at crime scenes. Are these scenes he's followed in his career ... or is he a killer? Ben wants to know and Jessie starts looking into his background.

Sometimes the truth can hurt ....

I really like this author's style of writing. The plot is thought out and put together in details that are easy to follow. The suspense starts on the first page and maintains until the very surprising ending. Her characters are stand-outs. They are flawed, but it only makes them stronger and very interesting to follow.

This author has written two previous series which I have had the honor of reading. She has never disappointed me and I always look forward to her new books. Warning: there is a small cliffhanger, which has only whet my appetite for the next in this series ... DERANGED which will be available October 2018.

[Li'l Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns!

When crime reporter, Ben Morrison receives a chilling letter, his first phone call is to the police, the second is to his friend, PI Jessie Cole.

Dear Mr. Morrison,
Greed killed my daughter. She was my angel and my life, and I refuse to let her go without letting the world know that greed is killing people every day. People need to know that their daughters or their sons could be next. My research has shown that you’re an experienced journalist who appears to have no real agenda other than telling the story. And that’s why I’ve come to you. I need you to tell my story.

I know you have children of your own. Have you ever had to watch your child suffer? In the beginning, my daughter was angry with her body for deceiving her. Exhausted and in terrible pain, it wasn’t long before her anger turned to fright, and she began to wonder if she would ever get better. She had no choice but to quit her internship at a large tech company. No more sports or morning runs through the park with her friends. Her joints were swollen. There were many days where the pain was so intense she lay in bed without speaking a word. She couldn’t get to the bathroom without assistance. We all felt helpless. Once we found the right medication, our hope was renewed, and we were able to breathe again. At least until she experienced her first seizure and reminded us things could always get worse, which they did. On my wife’s way to see our daughter in the hospital, an uninsured driver hit her car head-on. She died instantly. They told me she didn’t suffer. My daughter was prescribed a new drug. She did everything she could to keep me from diving headfirst into a pit of despair after my wife’s tragedy. And it was working, too, until I received a letter from Direct Health Inc. (DHI) stating their refusal to pay for the costly medication that was keeping my daughter from experiencing seizures. They said the drug was experimental. The doctors immediately stopped administering the medication. To pay for the costly drugs, I sold my house, begged for money on social media, and worked long hours so I could keep my insurance since I still needed what little help it offered. Eventually the money ran out. The hospital, the doctors—everyone involved—watched my daughter’s decline, and they did nothing. Unlike my wife, my daughter didn’t die instantly. She suffered for another year . Have you ever had to watch someone you love slowly deteriorate? The lumps that appeared on her body were painful to the touch, but I couldn’t help her to the bathroom without touching her . She couldn’t walk without feeling as if there were dozens of needles sticking into the bottoms of her feet. The pain was excruciating. She couldn’t move without crying. Her suffering did not continue for days or weeks, but for months. If you talked to the people who know me best, they would say I am a calm and rational being. But that was then, and this is now. I’m mad as hell. My daughter needlessly suffered and died too young because of greed. Since I have been unable to get the insurance company’s attention, I want you to contact DHI and see that I get an apology and reassurance that all experimental drugs will be covered for all patients henceforth. If, and this is a very important if, I do not see a photocopy of such letter on DHI’s company letterhead signed by the president and chief executive officer, Owen Shepard, on the front page of the Sacramento Tribune on or before Wednesday, October 18, an innocent life will be taken.
Sincerely, MAH

Ben makes multiple phone calls requesting to speak with Owen Shepard but gets no response. When the demands MAH aren't met, Ben receives a second letter along with a thumb drive enclosed in the envelope. The video on the thumb drive sends a chills coursing up his spine.

“Tyler,” the voice said. “Tell whoever is watching why you’re here.” Both of Tyler’s shoulders slumped as if he’d been asked the same question hundreds of times already. “I don’t know,” he said , trying to get free. His arms were behind him, out of sight, most likely bound with tape or rope. In the background, Ben thought he heard the sound of a magazine being loaded into a pistol. Sitting taller, eyes wide, the young man looked directly into the lens of the camera. “ Why are you doing this?”“You know why.”“I told you. I’ve only been working for DHI for a short time. I never met Owen Shepard. He wouldn’t know me if we bumped into each other.” A long pause. Ben hoped this wouldn’t end badly, but instinct told him it couldn’t end any other way. “I had nothing to do with Han—” A gunshot sounded. Tyler McDonald’s skull exploded. A second later, the screen went from red to black.

Now, time is of the essence. The police, Ben, and Jessie are in a race against the clock to find the man responsible for sending the letters and murdering an innocent man— before he kills again.

******
Deadly Recall by T.R. Ragan is the second book in the Jessie Cole series. The storyline is exciting, fast paced, and full of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I got to know Jessie, Colin, Ben, Olivia, and Zee in book one and grew to likey them even more in this book. They are fun, sensitive, and determined characters, each with their own flaws which adds to thier unique personalities. The ending left me with a tantalizing cliffhanger! I definitely be reading more thrilling adventures with Jessie Cole and Co!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two, fantastic as love reading this author's books, can't get enough.theres a few stories to this book.jessie has a new assistant see she's funny in this book as she's hears voices and doesn't take orders well she gets Olivia Jessie's neice into trouble.jessies an investigator and her case is a mother child disappears from a hospital.then a case where the killer daughter dies a horrid death and out for revenge.and Ben the reporter who lost his memory in a car accident in the first book.wants to find out more about himself his sister is hiding information.looking forward to book three.highly recommend all her books.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Deadly Recall is the 2nd book in the Jessie Cole series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I highly recommend reading the first book before reading this one. Jessie Cole is one busy private investigator. She is working on multiple cases: a baby abduction, a man seeking vengeance on an insurance company and helping a friend with amnesia regain his memories. This is a quick read but it sure packs a lot in. Fast-paced story with great writing and an amazing cast of characters. Each of them flawed but likable. Can't wait to read the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy of T.R. Ragan's "Deadly Recall" in exchange for an honest review.

[Malina Skrobosinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another eventful installment in the Jessie Cole series. I can't say I enjoyed it as much as the first, but it was definitely enjoyable. T.R. Ragan has a way of intermixing the storylines in a fashion that at first you would almost find it overwhelming, but at the same time, you have to pause and realize, isn't that just the way life is? Something is always coming at us from every different direction, we as individuals always seem to be juggling multiple aspects of our lives until some point it all intersects and you have to make a decision of what becomes the priority. That's how I see T.R Ragan's writing... there are different parts of the story that while you might find them to be the more important, they end up having to take a back seat as something else swoops in and becomes the front runner.

Jessie and Ben are moving on with there lives since the discovery of Jessie's sister Sophie. Jessie has been committing herself to her work, and has a new case, one that involves an infant abducted at the hospital 7 years ago. A young mother, has been desperate for answers, but the father, he's ready to leave things in the past. During the investigation Jessie finds some unsettling circumstances surrounding the abduction of young baby Dakota. She also finds herself in danger as someone has been following her.

Ben has also been trying to stay focused on work, only it's proving much more difficult for him these days. Since the flash backs began after seeing the television program on Jessie's sister Sophie, they haven't stopped... in fact, they are progressing, and they are becoming increasingly more sinister. He's been continuing therapy trying to come to terms with these flashbacks, and the realization that he has murdered someone... The Heartless Killer. Only, the realization is that he feels no remorse for taking a life, in fact, it felt good.

"His pulse would race as he recalled an evil darkness settling over him like a good friend. His muscles would tense, his jaw would harden, and then, like the blossoming of a flower, he would slowly come alive."

In an attempt to face this evil head on, Ben hires Jessie to look into his past, he needs to know who he really is, and the things he has done, once and for all.

Meanwhile, Ben receives a letter in the mail from a man who has lost his daughter and blames a major pharmaceutical company, DHI, for not covering the experimental medication necessary to keep his daughter alive. He states that if he does not receive an apology on the front page of the Sacramento Tribune from the head of the company, Owen Shepard, that he will begin killing people. When his demands go unanswered, and people start dying with still no action being taken, this disgruntled father, who calls himself, MAH, takes desperate measures and kidnaps Owen Shepard's daughter, Emily. Ben and Jessie once again team up to help locate Emily before it's too late.

Most surprisingly in this novel is the return of Zee Gatley, one of the victims of The Heartless Killer in the first novel. Zee and Jessie have remained friends since their encounter with The Heartless Killer, and now, Zee has come to ask for a job... she is interested in becoming a private investigator. Jessie is of course reluctant given Zee's medical history of having schizophrenia, but is assured by Zee that the medication is helping and that the "voices" no longer speak to her. Little does she know that this is not entirely true. Jessie agrees to give Zee a job and assigns her the task of looking into Mrs. Norton, a woman who is suspected of a fraudulent Worker's Compensation Claim. Zee is to watch this woman and take video or pictures of her doing any heavy lifting or anything that would disprove her claim as being "injured" and unfit for work. Seems easy enough, what could go wrong? Only Zee has her eye set on a mysterious man that lives next door to Mrs. Norton... he seems to be up to some suspicious activity, and despite Jessie's pleading not to intervene, Zee just can't seem to leave it alone, and once again finds herself in a sticky situation.

I'm looking forward to the next installment where we will hopefully learn more about Ben and his past as he continues to deteriorate, and I'm hoping that we see more of Colin... and that he and Jessie can finally begin the relationship that both have been longing for. I'm also looking forward to seeing Zee and Olivia continue to grow as characters.

I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and T.R. Ragan for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie Cole returns!! I have been a big fan of TR Ragan since I discovered the Lizzie Gardener series and this series does have similarities to that one.

This book can be read as a stand alone as there is a lot of recapping throughout the story. But I would suggest reading book 1 first to learn more about the characters.

This time Jessie is investigating the disappearance of a baby from the hospital 7 years ago. She also takes on a junior who gets herself into all sorts of trouble. At a the same time Jessie is asked to help stop a grieving father who is killing employees of the insurance company that he believes allowed his daughter to die. There is so.much happening that you will fly though this book.

A great second book and looking forward to the 3rd. Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a series that follows PI Jessie Cole and I really enjoyed the first book, she’s a character that intrigued me and while you learn quite a bit about her in the first book, there was still many questions left unanswered. I’m pleased to say that this may have answered a few of my burning questions about both her and Ben, but it still left plenty of room for more in the next books!

Much as with the last book there were several various plot threads to keep you on your toes. Jessie is hired to help find a killer so clearly it’s an intense case, and then Ben is still curious about his own past so Jessie is looking into that and then finally Jessie is also hired to help a mother find her daughter that was kidnapped as a newborn. I know that sounds like a lot, maybe even too much but Ragan is a pro and everything flows together seamlessly, definitely never a dull moment in this one.

Sometimes with the second book in a series that had a really strong start things start to get shaky but there was none of that here. It was a solid follow up and I’m eager to see what happens next!

Deadly Recall in three words: Dark, Multilayered and Gripping.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again this author delivers a gripping, fast paced thriller. This is the second book in the Jessie Cole series. Jessie, a private investigator, is hired to find a child who disappeared from the hospital soon after birth and should now be seven years old if she is still alive.
At the same time, Ben Morrison, a crime reporter who was left with no recollection of his former life before a major accident 10 years earlier is having flashbacks of disturbing scenes he is unable to place. He asks Jessie for assistance in trying to find out about his parents and a sister who wants nothing to do with him.
On top of all this is a disturbed man who is killing people off that are linked to an insurance company that he holds responsible for his daughters death.
Intriguing characters, a great storyline and threads to keep me hanging out for book 3!

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of Deadly Recall, the second novel to feature Sacramento based PI Jessie Cole and reporter Ben Morrison.

Jessie is a cold case missing person specialist so is happy to take the case of Dakota Bale who was snatched from hospital shortly after her birth seven years ago. In the meantime Ben receives a letter from MAH stating that if DHI, a medical insurance company, does not publish an apology for refusing to pay for experimental drugs and amend their policy innocent people will die. If that is not enough he is starting to have flashbacks to his pre-amnesia days and doesn't like what he's seeing so he asks Jessie to look into his past.

I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Recall. It is a straightforward read and not particularly profound but it is compelling, thanks mainly to good plotting and characterisation. The various plotlines held my interest throughout with their ingenious twists and turns and timely reveals, especially Ben's story. He lost all memory of his previous life 10 years ago in a car crash but recently some unpleasant images are coming back - are they memories or imaginings? He doesn't know but fears the worst. It will be very interesting, given the revelations in this novel, to see where Ms Ragan takes his character.

As I said it is not a particularly profound novel as the answers come easily to Jessie, mostly she asks and is told but the intricacies of the plot are sufficient that the reader too wants these answers quickly to see what is coming next. It is also an extremely readable novel with an inviting and intimate style of writing.

While Ben has his dark side Jessie is a "lighter" personality. She is hardworking, dedicated and a bit of a worrier, especially about her parenting of niece Olivia. She needs some fun in her life and that may come in the form of schizophrenic new assistant, Zee Gatley, whose escapades may give Jessie a heart attack but certainly inject some light humour into proceedings.

Deadly Recall is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

We are back with the same characters as book 1 for another gripping read full of twists and turns. I like how the books in this series have multiple cases/mysteries going at a time, it kept me thinking the whole way through.

I loved Zee, PI Jessi Cole was hired to find her in book 1 and she is now one of the main characters. she suffers from schizophrenia. Her character is smart, funny and quirky. It's good to see an author writing a character with a disability being written so well.

I'm looking forward to more of these characters and I'm both intrigued and a little scared to learn more of Ben's past.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Recall was a thrilling read with an engaging plot and amazing characters.

For PI Jessie Cole there's nothing more rewarding than searching for the missing and she's got more cases than she can keep up with these days. A grieving mother seeks out Jessie to find out what happened to her daughter who was kidnapped on the night she was born seven years ago. Then the daughter of the CEO of a health insurance company is kidnapped by a man who blames the company for his daughter's death and has killed two of its' employees so far. Meanwhile crime reporter Ben Morrison is still looking to connect the dots of his forgotten past and enlists Jessie's help to find out who he was before the accident that stole his memories.

Jessie has spent the three months since her sister's remains were recovered in the first book learning how to accept what happened, work through her grief, and move on. She continues to focus a lot of her energy into her work and at times lets it eclipse everything else. I liked how dedicated she was and it was relatable as someone who has a tendency to focus too much on work. Jessie continues to worry about her niece and how she's handling everything. I appreciated that Jessie was shown to not always have the answers when it comes to her personal life.

Ben has been experiencing a number of flashbacks about grisly scenes since first seeing Sophie Cole's photo on a cold case TV show three months ago. He is becoming increasingly worried about the past he can't remember and has a hard time accepting others' explanations that he must be remembering crimes he covered at work. There were a few revelations about Ben that surprised me and I'm curious to see where his character is headed in future books.

The character I was very happy to see return from Her Last Day was Zee, a young woman with schizophrenia that Jessie helped rescue from a serial killer in the first book. Zee returns in this book to come work for Jessie as an assistant at her private investigator's office. Zee is such an interesting young woman and she brought some much needed levity to the scenes in which she appeared. Olivia, Jessie's fifteen year old niece, returns and it's clear she's struggling a bit with her feelings over her mother's remains being found in the first book. I liked her relationship with Jessie as it was realistic for a teenager and I enjoyed the friendship she sparks with Zee. I was happy to see the return of Higgins, the adorable dog Olivia rescues in Her Last Day. Colin, Jessie's sort of boyfriend and a detective, returns which was nice to see as I'm rooting for their relationship.

There are four major plot points in this book much like the first book had. They are, the kidnapped baby, the avenging father going after the CEO of DHI, Ben looking into his past, and the job Jessie assigns to Zee. It was neat watching Jessie have to juggle all the different cases and deciding which she would focus on. I think the author did a great job giving each enough page time without the book feeling overwhelmed. Each storyline had moments that surprised me and I ultimately liked how each of them turned out. My favorite plot was the one involving Zee conducting surveillance as you just never know what she'll get into.

Deadly Recall has cemented the Jessie Cole series as one packed full of intriguing plots with fascinating characters. I'm looking forward to future books in the series and would definitely recommend the series for anyone looking for thrillers with a strong female lead.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[CD {Boulder Blvd} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was a fairly easy read, it definitely had good points and potential, I just don't think it fulfilled its potential.

Jessie is juggling 3 cases which has the book jumping between different unrelated cases and I think there wasn't enough focus for the primary case.
Plus, it was extremely easy to guess where each of the cases were going, so no surprises.

First we have an insurance client who is getting revenge against an insurance company for the death of his daughter. My main problem here is that I think the police/FBI could have solved this as they would have been doing the same things that Jessie, her inexperienced assistant and her 15 year old niece were doing. Only they would have had technology that would have been pulling the information and breaking down background noises in the video. It didn't make sense that they weren't making progress. Plus any work they were doing was not mentioned as if they were incompetent or not involved.

One of the other cases was a missing baby abduction that Jessie was working on. This wasn't really developed much.

The third case was one that Zee worked on solo which was fun filler.

There was some headway into finding out about Ben's past but there's still a lot open with who he was or what he may have done.

Not much development on Jessie's relationship with Colin...he rarely made an appearance.

At the end of the book I felt like I wanted more resolution on what happened to the bad guys/victims. Each of the cases seemed to end quickly.

I will read the next book, in fact I'm going to start it now...

[D.S. Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another absolutely brilliant book!

He’d lost everything, including his soul. His insides twisted. What have I done? What have I become?

There are so many layers each time that all unfold then fold in together perfectly!
As with the first I absolutely love all the characters.


They were both afraid—scared to death—of everything. And quite possibly of nothing at all.

I also really enjoy the fact that there is a much larger story arc between the two and on to im assuming the third and possibly even the rest.

Yet again I highly recommend 😁

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! T.R. Ragan has quickly become one of my top favorite female authors! Private Investigator Jessie Cole is a great character!! She previously went through a very traumatic event, and I love how a positive came from that with her now helping others! She's great at solving crimes and finding missing people. Ben is also a great character, and his story comes with a lot of mystery from his amnesia. Working alongside P.I. Jessie Cole is also trying to figure out who he once was. In this story, the CEO of the biggest health insurance company is targeted. The man who targets him I have compassion for. Although I definitely don't condone how he's trying to cope. But I have compassion for what he's been through and his emotions. I'm not gonna say all else that takes place, but know that this is a really good mystery-thriller! It has the ability to be triggering, so be careful.

[Trish R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as Her Last Day was this was even better. This one paid close attention to 3 different cases; a baby that was kidnapped 7 years before, the killer who was killing to get the attention of a large insurance company and at Ben’s request Jessie’s trying to find out about the years BEFORE he was in an accident that left him with partial amnesia. AND there’s a little romance going on with Jessie and Colin, too.

I think my favorite character in this book was Zee. She was in the last book too but not as prominent. She is always getting into trouble and always arguing with the voices in her head: Francis, Marion and Lucy. She’s a wonderful character. As is Olivia, the fifteen niece of Jessie. Another great character, not written as a sulky bratty teenager.

Another wonderful and mysterious part is always wondering about who and what Ben really is/was. That’s the part that intrigued me the most. Was he good or bad? Would I find out in this book or would I have to wait for his character to be in a third book. It was fun waiting until the end to find out. And you’ll find out all about Ben when you read this.

As to the narration: I have to wonder about some reviewers who gave Kate Rudd one and two star reviews. One said she was robotic, which makes me wonder if she listened to the book at all. KR did everything the book called for; she laughed, cried, yelled, sounded grumpy, whispered, sounded raspy from the character screaming for his life, sounded like she was in great pain from being poisoned, sounded like a man in anguish from his daughter being kidnapped by a killer. What more could you ask for? And her men might sound a lot alike BUT at least they sound like men. Which is more than most female narrators’ voices give you. If there's 500 men in the same book and they all sound alike that's fine with me. Just as long as they sound manly. Nothing worse than a man who sounds girly.

[Ankita Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Recall was as thrilling as the first book in the series, Her Last Day. 


I'd been waiting for this book to appear on the NetGalley shelf, because I so wanted to know what happens to Jessie and Ben after the events of Her Last Day. 


And Deadly Recall did not disappoint me at all. It was fast-paced, thrilling and just my kind of read. 


I loved that there were multiple cases to solve, and how there was just no time to pause. I loved all the action. 


And the characters, wow. I loved Zee with her eccentricity and her determination to make it work, to rise above her schizophrenia and be what she wants to be: a private investigator, just like Jessie. I loved Ben's character because there was so much conflict there. A car accident 12 years ago had left him with retrograde amnesia, but had it also changed who he was? 


All in all, Deadly Recall is a definite must-read for all the mystery/thriller lovers out there!

[Tracy T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by T.R. Ragan! I really enjoyed this book a lot. Great Narration by Kate Rudd (audible review)

I like Jessie a lot. There were 3 different stories going on during this book so there was no time for filler nonsense and it kept you entertained all the way through. There is lots of dialogue throughout the entire book. Some great secondary characters too. One of my favorites is Zee and all 3 of her personalities! LOL they are great.

I am hoping Ben's book is next, I am looking forward to and afraid of his story. I don't want him to be evil.

I am glad Olivia is not a bratty teenager. Please keep her that way T.R. Thanks.

As for the narration it was great! I am a fan of Kate Rudd she does such a great job on the male voices and gives everyone their own distinct voice and reads with emotion. She has a very nice reading voice too.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous murder/mystery series. ALL the characters are quirky, complex and are so well-developed. It hooks you right in. I just love Zee, one of the supporting characters. She came into the series in the middle of the first book, has schizophrenia, struggles valiantly with it, is humorous and endearing. She fits right in! Jessie Cole, the heroine, is a work in progress. I am very much enjoying her growth, tenaciousness and spirit. And, Ben. He is an investigative reporter who has become good friends with Jessie, but struggles with his own demons. Oh my! I am so worried about Ben! Going straight to the next book. Can't wait to see what is going to happen next!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally engrossing, great read.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot thickens in this second book in the Jessie Cole series. So many different threads going at the same time with multiple characters and they all work together like a well oiled machine.

First up Jessie has been asked by a mother to find her daughter who was kidnapped from the hospital right after she was born 7 years ago.

Then Ben has two things fall into his lap. First is Ben is sent a letter at the newspaper from a grieving father telling him that if he doesn't get an apology from the CEO of the health insurance company that denied his daughter medication that could have saved her life people are going to pay. Second is the bones of what turn out to be a killer from many years are found and this triggers some disturbing flashbacks for Ben.

There is a lot of dark aspects in this series but it also incorporates just the right amount of humor too and that came from a surprising source. One of the victims in the last book was schizophrenic named Zee Gatley. After her ordeal and getting back on her meds she has decided she wants to live as normal as a life as she can – so she goes to Jessie and asks for a job at her PI firm. Zee and the voices in her head get into some hairy, yet funny situations and you can help but root for her..

Along with the cases Jessie and Ben are working on we finally get a better glimpse into Ben's childhood and it is so ugly. Ben has slowly been mentally coming apart with flashbacks which is putting a strain on his marriage. I have no idea where the author is planning to go with Ben but I can see its going to be a disturbing ride that I am apprehensive on what we are going to find at the end of it.

This is an addicting series with strong characters. The cases are always both fascinating and disturbing. I cannot wait to see what's next.

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't get to read the first book in this series. Other than a few confusing parts where the characters reference something I'd missed I wasn't left horribly in the dark. Jessie Cole is a private investigator that's raising her deceased sisters fifteen year old daughter. While dealing with her niece Olivia's mood swings and awkward silences she has a full roster of cases to investigate. Her supporting cast is Ben, new hire Zee and ex boyfriend Colin.

In Deadly Recall Jessie is looking for an abducted infant and trying to catch a killer. Though there was killing involved there were parts I had to laugh so it was an enjoyable mix. She also makes the time to walk her dog and pet her one eyed cat. Some people read and collect BB's (Book Boyfriends) while I sometimes meet BFF's (Book Friends Forever) and Jessie is now apart of that collection.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sreedevi Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.. The plot the characters the crimes stories everything is just amazing 😄

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of doing something about what happened to your daughter, you took the easy way out. Feeding your anger. It's easy to be violent, angry and mad. It's a lot harder to fix something.

Jesse Cole and her tribe make reading fun. The plot, the characters, there is a connection that always brings me back for more. Jesse is passionate about what matters. In , Her Last Day she was determined to find out what happened to her sister. Raising her daughter Olivia now, she wanted Olivia to have closure and to know what really happened to her mother. Deadly Recall is dealing with Olivia and the aftermath and another case. Another case involving a vigilante who is targeting the pharmaceutical industry. A company that is being held responsible for the death of his daughter.
The president of the company has hired Jessie to find the distraught father before he makes good on his threat.

As in the Her Last Day, a few characters are brought back. Ben, a journalist who saved Jesse's life is trying to find his own life. A life that has been erased from his memory. A life that is dark and maybe dangerous. You are pulled into Ben's search of the unknown which is always is thrilling not knowing what you will find. Another character from Her Last Day Zee is my favorite come back. She suffers from multiple personalities and has joined Jesse's investigative team. What goes thru her head and her big heart makes her a favorite and one that you cheer for.

Now I am ready Deranged. Bring it on!

A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of intertwined storylines coming together in the end

This is the second book in the Jessie Cole series, taking up three months after the events in book one HER LAST DAY.

Private investigator Jessie Cole and amnesiac journalist Ben Morrison continue working together in this offering. There's a devastated father trying to get a huge pharmaceutical company to pay attention to his demands after his beloved daughter dies, a kidnapped baby that's been missing for seven years, Jessie has her niece helping in her office along with a young woman first introduced in the first book, and Ben has Jessie looking into his past.

I enjoyed the first book but liked this one even more - more info on the characters and lots of action.

I'm now off to read book three DERANGED. I recommend this series if you like psychological thrillers.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Juggling Act

This book had a lot going on. There were at least five different crimes being investigated all at the same time. The abducted baby storyline had such a bizarre outcome. The main plot of the father seeking vigilante justice was intense. It was both sad and crazy. Zee was once again quirky and lovable. She turned out to be incredibly intuitive as well. Ben’s back story just keeps getting crazier. I’m still not a fan of the amnesia storyline. Overall, this was a very engaging and fast paced thriller. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.