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Dan Forrester #3
Know Me Now
TOM HARPER
A SUICIDE. A MURDER. A CONSPIRACY.
DIGGING UP THE PAST CAN BE DEADLY . . .
A thirteen-year-old boy commits suicide.
A sixty-five-year old man dies of a heart attack.
Dan Forrester, ex-MI5 agent, is connected to them both.
And when he discovers that his godson and his father have been murdered, he teams up with his old friend, DC Lucy Davies, to find answers.
But as the pair investigate, they unravel a dark and violent mystery stretching decades into the past and uncover a terrible secret.
A secret someone will do anything to keep buried . . .
A SUICIDE. A MURDER. A CONSPIRACY.
DIGGING UP THE PAST CAN BE DEADLY . . .
A thirteen-year-old boy commits suicide.
A sixty-five-year old man dies of a heart attack.
Dan Forrester, ex-MI5 agent, is connected to them both.
And when he discovers that his godson and his father have been murdered, he teams up with his old friend, DC Lucy Davies, to find answers.
But as the pair investigate, they unravel a dark and violent mystery stretching decades into the past and uncover a terrible secret.
A secret someone will do anything to keep buried . . .
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2017
10 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Carver
18 books127 followersCJ Carver is a half-English, half-Kiwi author living just outside Bath. Her books have been published in the UK, USA and translated throughout Europe. Her first novel Blood Junction, won the CWA Debut Dagger Award, was shortlisted for the USA Barry Award, and was also voted as one of the best mystery books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Spare Me the Truth, the first book in the Dan Forrester series, was nominated for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. CJ lived in Australia for 10 years before taking up long distance rally driving – she has driven London to Saigon, London to Cape Town and covered 14,000 miles on the Inca Trail.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 18, 2018
This is my first CJ Carver title but I look forward to going back and reading all of her previous books - there are so many, I had absolutely no idea! I am glad though as they will fill the gap until she writes and releases another. Her first novel 'Blood Junction' won the CWA Debut Dagger, usually a seal of approval given only to quality crime writers. I am certainly going to take pleasure in starting right back at her debut and reading them all in the order they were released.
I usually can't go wrong with a crime thriller read as I am a fan of many different types - I sometimes like a book that is straightforward and that I can enjoy without too much thought but I also, at other times, like a title that requires you to think and process throughout the story and is perhaps a tad more complex than others. So, due to this, most thrillers suit me. I would place this one in between the two types but maybe more towards the chilled out, relaxed read without the need for too much brainpower.
I learned after finishing it that it was in fact the third instalment in the series, I didn't feel lost at any point but I do think that I probably missed some of the character development that would've taken place in the previous books. Of course, that is my fault. The writing is excellent, as you would expect from a CWA DD winner. I was unable to tear myself away from it and the reviews of her other titles indicate that they are exactly the same in that respect.
The book itself is fast paced with an addictive quality to it and there are twists and turns galore! It's a mixture of the compelling writing and intriguing push and pull nature of the story that makes you read on and on... and then it's over! There is plenty of drama, danger, secrets and lies and the ending is unique and interesting.
This is a 5-star read for me and one worthy of the attention of all crime lovers. I hope that the series continues as I would definitely be up for reading the next one. Overall, a great read.
I would like to thank CJ Carver, Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I usually can't go wrong with a crime thriller read as I am a fan of many different types - I sometimes like a book that is straightforward and that I can enjoy without too much thought but I also, at other times, like a title that requires you to think and process throughout the story and is perhaps a tad more complex than others. So, due to this, most thrillers suit me. I would place this one in between the two types but maybe more towards the chilled out, relaxed read without the need for too much brainpower.
I learned after finishing it that it was in fact the third instalment in the series, I didn't feel lost at any point but I do think that I probably missed some of the character development that would've taken place in the previous books. Of course, that is my fault. The writing is excellent, as you would expect from a CWA DD winner. I was unable to tear myself away from it and the reviews of her other titles indicate that they are exactly the same in that respect.
The book itself is fast paced with an addictive quality to it and there are twists and turns galore! It's a mixture of the compelling writing and intriguing push and pull nature of the story that makes you read on and on... and then it's over! There is plenty of drama, danger, secrets and lies and the ending is unique and interesting.
This is a 5-star read for me and one worthy of the attention of all crime lovers. I hope that the series continues as I would definitely be up for reading the next one. Overall, a great read.
I would like to thank CJ Carver, Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2017
**4.5 stars**
This is the 3rd novel to feature Dan Forrester and I have to say it’s fast becoming one of my favourite series – a little out of the box, not so usual, with great plots and wonderfully engaging characters, like Lucy who I love with a fiery passion.
This time around Dan faces extreme personal loss and a puzzle that in it’s unravelling will put everyone he loves in danger – and the basis for the events as they unfold, the central theme, is pretty damn terrifying if I’m honest and as usual for C J Carver not at all beyond the realms of possibility. Indeed by the end I was convinced I may well see a headline about it any day now. Although probably not in the Daily Mail, as it involves neither Brexit nor Boobs…
ANYWAY moving swiftly on, the writing is brilliantly immersive and the characters shine as ever – as well as the new mystery, our usual suspects move on in their personal lives, the two things intertwining in intelligent and defining ways, it is a proper page turner with danger and dastardly goings on, some genuine surprises and a wonderful flow that sends you rocketing through it to the final resolution.
I’m not sure what else to say to be honest – I’m not going to spoil it at all (well apart from confirming what it ISN’T about a little bit ago) but if you loved the last two you’ll ADORE this one and if you haven’t read them yet then go go! You could start here if you want to, nothing in this is difficult to grasp if you are a bit behind – but do yourself a favour and line them all up then knock them down. Excellent reads every one.
Highly Recommended.
This is the 3rd novel to feature Dan Forrester and I have to say it’s fast becoming one of my favourite series – a little out of the box, not so usual, with great plots and wonderfully engaging characters, like Lucy who I love with a fiery passion.
This time around Dan faces extreme personal loss and a puzzle that in it’s unravelling will put everyone he loves in danger – and the basis for the events as they unfold, the central theme, is pretty damn terrifying if I’m honest and as usual for C J Carver not at all beyond the realms of possibility. Indeed by the end I was convinced I may well see a headline about it any day now. Although probably not in the Daily Mail, as it involves neither Brexit nor Boobs…
ANYWAY moving swiftly on, the writing is brilliantly immersive and the characters shine as ever – as well as the new mystery, our usual suspects move on in their personal lives, the two things intertwining in intelligent and defining ways, it is a proper page turner with danger and dastardly goings on, some genuine surprises and a wonderful flow that sends you rocketing through it to the final resolution.
I’m not sure what else to say to be honest – I’m not going to spoil it at all (well apart from confirming what it ISN’T about a little bit ago) but if you loved the last two you’ll ADORE this one and if you haven’t read them yet then go go! You could start here if you want to, nothing in this is difficult to grasp if you are a bit behind – but do yourself a favour and line them all up then knock them down. Excellent reads every one.
Highly Recommended.
December 24, 2017
Gah! How did I not know about this series? Seriously? I’ve been missing out massively!
Know Me Now is the third instalment in the Dan Forrester series and the author shows no signs of letting up as it’s every bit as mind-blowing as the previous two books. Which you should totally read, if you haven’t already. Just saying. It’s been an absolute treat for me to be able to read these three phenomenal books one after the other in a matter of days. I’m feeling rather exhausted from all the excitement!
Dan’s father has passed away unexpectedly after a golf session in Germany. As if dealing with that isn’t enough, he also gets word his godson has died all the way up in Scotland. All the signs point to Connor having taken his own life but Grace isn’t convinced. When Dan discovers his father and godson may have been murdered, he brings in the help of Lucy to investigate further. But someone is going out of their way to keep a longstanding secret buried and nobody seems safe.
Obviously I can’t talk about what that secret is as that would ruin the entire plot but it has to be one of the most harrowing and horrifying things I’ve ever read about! It kind of wormed its way into my brain and I can’t stop thinking about it. As with the previous books, C.J. Carver manages to grab my attention from the first page and after having read the previous two books in quick succession, I felt completely safe in the author’s hands, knowing that I was yet again in for an absolutely fantastic time and C.J. Carver didn’t disappoint me.
Know Me Now is another well-paced addition and I found myself unable to put it down. Even when I had to, I found myself thinking about it, trying to figure out the connections and the culprits and as per usual, failing miserably. I was left guessing until the end as to what was going on or who was behind it all. There was a massive curveball I didn’t see coming at all, making me think I missed clues along the way.
I adore Dan and Lucy but it was such a treat to see Grace return. I hadn’t realised how much I missed her. This entire cast of characters works like a charm for me. The only one I still have problems sympathising with is Jenny. I can’t put my finger on it as to why I have issues with her, as her actions and attitude seem perfectly reasonable considering the circumstances, but I do. However, that has no effect on my enjoyment at all!
Terribly exciting, hugely entertaining, incredibly gripping and compelling, a thrill a minute … What more can I say? I’m a fan! The Dan Forrester series has shot right up to the top of my favourite series list and I can’t wait for more! Do yourself a favour and check this series out!
Know Me Now is the third instalment in the Dan Forrester series and the author shows no signs of letting up as it’s every bit as mind-blowing as the previous two books. Which you should totally read, if you haven’t already. Just saying. It’s been an absolute treat for me to be able to read these three phenomenal books one after the other in a matter of days. I’m feeling rather exhausted from all the excitement!
Dan’s father has passed away unexpectedly after a golf session in Germany. As if dealing with that isn’t enough, he also gets word his godson has died all the way up in Scotland. All the signs point to Connor having taken his own life but Grace isn’t convinced. When Dan discovers his father and godson may have been murdered, he brings in the help of Lucy to investigate further. But someone is going out of their way to keep a longstanding secret buried and nobody seems safe.
Obviously I can’t talk about what that secret is as that would ruin the entire plot but it has to be one of the most harrowing and horrifying things I’ve ever read about! It kind of wormed its way into my brain and I can’t stop thinking about it. As with the previous books, C.J. Carver manages to grab my attention from the first page and after having read the previous two books in quick succession, I felt completely safe in the author’s hands, knowing that I was yet again in for an absolutely fantastic time and C.J. Carver didn’t disappoint me.
Know Me Now is another well-paced addition and I found myself unable to put it down. Even when I had to, I found myself thinking about it, trying to figure out the connections and the culprits and as per usual, failing miserably. I was left guessing until the end as to what was going on or who was behind it all. There was a massive curveball I didn’t see coming at all, making me think I missed clues along the way.
I adore Dan and Lucy but it was such a treat to see Grace return. I hadn’t realised how much I missed her. This entire cast of characters works like a charm for me. The only one I still have problems sympathising with is Jenny. I can’t put my finger on it as to why I have issues with her, as her actions and attitude seem perfectly reasonable considering the circumstances, but I do. However, that has no effect on my enjoyment at all!
Terribly exciting, hugely entertaining, incredibly gripping and compelling, a thrill a minute … What more can I say? I’m a fan! The Dan Forrester series has shot right up to the top of my favourite series list and I can’t wait for more! Do yourself a favour and check this series out!
December 12, 2017
It’s so lovely to start a book and realise within a few pages that you are going to love it! It makes you relax into the book and means that you are able to enjoy it more. This is what happened when I started reading Know Me Now. I knew almost instantly that I was going to like it and felt certain that I had found a new favourite author.
The story unfolds slowly but with enough action/revelations to keep the reader interested and intrigued enough to keep on reading. I soon found the book very hard to put down, reading long into the night when I should have been sleeping. You know you are reading a good book when you are thinking about it constantly and trying to work out when you will next get a chance to read a bit. I found myself trying to hide upstairs from the kids or even attempting to read whilst cooking, not a good idea i don’t recommend it, just so I could read a few more pages.
I loved the three main characters, but particularly loved the two women Grace and Lucy. I’m a big fan of strong female characters, especially those that are in normally male dominated jobs like Grace and Lucy are. I admired the way they held their own against quite strong opposition at times and how they were able to get results from tricky situations. The author does a brilliant job at not resorting to typical stereotypical methods normally used by female characters in such books. Instead the women get results by using their intelligence and by showing that they know what they are talking about which made for a very refreshing change.
CJ Carver perfectly describes what life in a small community is like, with everyone knowing everyone else and thinking they know their business. I could definitely imagine how this might hamper a murder investigation with local residents thinking they knew what what was going on when in fact they didn’t. I could almost feel Lucy and Grace’s frustrations coming off the page and felt frustrated on their behalf when their investigation was hampered because of this. The small community environment did however help inject some humour or light relief into the book when you realised just how much everyone knew each other and in what way. Some of these revelations actually had me laughing out loud as they were so funnily described and unexpected.
This is the first book by CJ Carver that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last as I have already bought the first two books in this series to read. It is probably best to read the series in order as there were a few events mentioned in the book that I was unaware of but this wasn’t enough of an issue to stop me enjoying it.
Huge thanks to Emily Palmier-Bignold and Bonnier Zaffre for my copy of this book and for letting me be part of this blog tour.
The story unfolds slowly but with enough action/revelations to keep the reader interested and intrigued enough to keep on reading. I soon found the book very hard to put down, reading long into the night when I should have been sleeping. You know you are reading a good book when you are thinking about it constantly and trying to work out when you will next get a chance to read a bit. I found myself trying to hide upstairs from the kids or even attempting to read whilst cooking, not a good idea i don’t recommend it, just so I could read a few more pages.
I loved the three main characters, but particularly loved the two women Grace and Lucy. I’m a big fan of strong female characters, especially those that are in normally male dominated jobs like Grace and Lucy are. I admired the way they held their own against quite strong opposition at times and how they were able to get results from tricky situations. The author does a brilliant job at not resorting to typical stereotypical methods normally used by female characters in such books. Instead the women get results by using their intelligence and by showing that they know what they are talking about which made for a very refreshing change.
CJ Carver perfectly describes what life in a small community is like, with everyone knowing everyone else and thinking they know their business. I could definitely imagine how this might hamper a murder investigation with local residents thinking they knew what what was going on when in fact they didn’t. I could almost feel Lucy and Grace’s frustrations coming off the page and felt frustrated on their behalf when their investigation was hampered because of this. The small community environment did however help inject some humour or light relief into the book when you realised just how much everyone knew each other and in what way. Some of these revelations actually had me laughing out loud as they were so funnily described and unexpected.
This is the first book by CJ Carver that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last as I have already bought the first two books in this series to read. It is probably best to read the series in order as there were a few events mentioned in the book that I was unaware of but this wasn’t enough of an issue to stop me enjoying it.
Huge thanks to Emily Palmier-Bignold and Bonnier Zaffre for my copy of this book and for letting me be part of this blog tour.
April 14, 2018
This is a rip-snorting page-turner that grabs readers by the throat early on and doesn't let go. An 'airport thriller' read with a bit more. There's tonnes of action and we learn more about the characters we first met in last year's "Spare Me The Truth". Carver is a really good thriller writer, who tells tales with great pace and action. I'm not sure if it quite reaches the heights or originality of the first in the series, but there's some interesting background stuff and issues that texture this tale. A good read.
December 15, 2017
Eeeeeek! To be reunited with Dan Forrester again was most amazing!! This is fast becoming one of my favourite series and I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment…I don’t ask for much, do I!?
The story takes place in three settings: London, Scotland and Germany. The reader is faced with suicide, loss; grief; greed; relationships; the past; conspiracies; ethics; secrets; betrayals and friendships.
BOOM! What an opening chapter! CJ Carver really knows how to grab her readers by the throat and she certainly had me gasping for air! The tension and suspense intertwined masterfully in this book and kept me racing through the pages until the very end. I thought the plot was so clever and scarily believable. I loved the way the reader was led to believe one thing and through the narrative, we learned the truth as it was unravelled before our eyes.
Character-wise, we of course get to reacquaint ourselves with the lovely Dan Forrester! *swoon* – sadly, he has just lost his father and while coming to terms with that, his wife is heavily pregnant and could deliver at any time. Dan’s memory has not returned, so he is still dealing with the amnesia that plagued him following the death of his first born and to top it off, he learns that his godson has killed himself….or has he? It is never easy sailing for poor Dan and he needs to solve a case that will once again leave him questioning everything. I have to say, I think he is a brilliant character. I admire his loyalty, his courage and his relentless desire to find justice for those who need it.
DC Lucy Davies is another one of my faves in this series. I just love her! Lucy has her own things to deal with but this does not prevent her from being her clever feisty self. What I like about Lucy…and Dan, things that others might view as disadvantages – these two use to their advantage. It makes them fight harder and be more determined to get the right result. For the reader, you fast become a huge champion as you just want this pair to succeed!
I really want to talk about the other characters that I really adore, but then I just want others to pick up this series and find out for themselves how so very awesome they are – so I am not going to mention the others…even though I am dying to! Instead, I will move on and say that the twist was SUPERB – I seriously thought I had it all sussed out and then BOOM! Nicely done, CJ!
Soooooo…do I recommend this book…erm….HELL YEAH – I recommend this series! A definite #TopRead2017 for me – you seriously need to be adding it to your TBR. Easily read as a stand-alone, the action-packed, compelling series is just so incredibly awesome, I urge you to treat yourself and grab them all. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Dan and the gang!
The story takes place in three settings: London, Scotland and Germany. The reader is faced with suicide, loss; grief; greed; relationships; the past; conspiracies; ethics; secrets; betrayals and friendships.
BOOM! What an opening chapter! CJ Carver really knows how to grab her readers by the throat and she certainly had me gasping for air! The tension and suspense intertwined masterfully in this book and kept me racing through the pages until the very end. I thought the plot was so clever and scarily believable. I loved the way the reader was led to believe one thing and through the narrative, we learned the truth as it was unravelled before our eyes.
Character-wise, we of course get to reacquaint ourselves with the lovely Dan Forrester! *swoon* – sadly, he has just lost his father and while coming to terms with that, his wife is heavily pregnant and could deliver at any time. Dan’s memory has not returned, so he is still dealing with the amnesia that plagued him following the death of his first born and to top it off, he learns that his godson has killed himself….or has he? It is never easy sailing for poor Dan and he needs to solve a case that will once again leave him questioning everything. I have to say, I think he is a brilliant character. I admire his loyalty, his courage and his relentless desire to find justice for those who need it.
DC Lucy Davies is another one of my faves in this series. I just love her! Lucy has her own things to deal with but this does not prevent her from being her clever feisty self. What I like about Lucy…and Dan, things that others might view as disadvantages – these two use to their advantage. It makes them fight harder and be more determined to get the right result. For the reader, you fast become a huge champion as you just want this pair to succeed!
I really want to talk about the other characters that I really adore, but then I just want others to pick up this series and find out for themselves how so very awesome they are – so I am not going to mention the others…even though I am dying to! Instead, I will move on and say that the twist was SUPERB – I seriously thought I had it all sussed out and then BOOM! Nicely done, CJ!
Soooooo…do I recommend this book…erm….HELL YEAH – I recommend this series! A definite #TopRead2017 for me – you seriously need to be adding it to your TBR. Easily read as a stand-alone, the action-packed, compelling series is just so incredibly awesome, I urge you to treat yourself and grab them all. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Dan and the gang!
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November 13, 2017Review in December as part of the blog tour!
December 21, 2017
Time for a new installment of a great series! We’re back in Dan Forrester’s labyrinthine world of spies, murders and thrills, and CJ Carver definitely serves up a book that builds upon its predecessors, all while putting together a plot that kept me hooked until the end.
In Scotland, Connor Baird, a thirteen year old boy, commits suicide. In Germany, Dan Forrester’s father dies of a heart attack- and the two are connected by the catastrophically unlucky Dan (I think at least four close friends and family members he knows have died in suspicious circumstances by now), who soon gets swept up in a whirlwind of conspiracy, government-sanctioned killers and spies. Did Connor really commit suicide? Did Dan’s father really die of natural causes? With the help of Grace Reavey and DC Lucy Davies, he’s going to find out.
One of my favourite things about the Dan Forrester series is the effort that CJ Carver puts into developing her characters and taking them in fresh and exciting directions. Dan Forrester is a great central character: conflicted, amnesia-stricken, with a mysterious past but who manages to be warm and human at the same time. His love for Jenny, paired with his determination to track down the truth, at whatever cost, make him a compelling and engaging central character, and kept me hooked- as much to find out if he makes it out alive as to find out who the villain is. Likewise, Lucy and Grace remain equally great: Lucy as much of a wildcard as ever, and Grace wrestling both with having moved to the remote depths of Scotland with her partner, Ross, and with being the doctor for a town whose residents keep dying suspiciously young…
The chemistry between the characters, and the shared history that Dan has with his childhood friends- who pop up over the course of the novel- and his father’s friends make for a rich, detailed backstory that fleshes out even the secondary characters, makes them believable and adds extra spice to the plot. The ordinary- Jenny’s pregnancy, for instance- is mixed up with stalking, murder, and things like state-sanctioned killing- which grounds the characters and which makes for really enjoyable reading.
As a result, the plot romps along. Thanks to multiple viewpoints that we get from Dan, Mac, Lucy and Grace, we swing back from Germany to Scotland- and though Dan investigating his father’s death at the start of the book does come across as a bit disjointed, once the connection is made that ties it to Scotland the pace picks up and that part of the story becomes a whole lot more interesting. Also, kudos to Carver: with multiple plot threads to balance and tens of characters to include in her story, the novel could very easily get bogged down with details- but it doesn’t, and that makes for a great overall read, which slowly ramps up the tension and the stakes the closer it gets to the climax.
Overall, this is a great next installment in the Dan Forrester series, and one that I really enjoyed. Carver as a knack for balancing thrills with the minutiae of day-to-day life, and making both just as engaging. Bring on the next book!
In Scotland, Connor Baird, a thirteen year old boy, commits suicide. In Germany, Dan Forrester’s father dies of a heart attack- and the two are connected by the catastrophically unlucky Dan (I think at least four close friends and family members he knows have died in suspicious circumstances by now), who soon gets swept up in a whirlwind of conspiracy, government-sanctioned killers and spies. Did Connor really commit suicide? Did Dan’s father really die of natural causes? With the help of Grace Reavey and DC Lucy Davies, he’s going to find out.
One of my favourite things about the Dan Forrester series is the effort that CJ Carver puts into developing her characters and taking them in fresh and exciting directions. Dan Forrester is a great central character: conflicted, amnesia-stricken, with a mysterious past but who manages to be warm and human at the same time. His love for Jenny, paired with his determination to track down the truth, at whatever cost, make him a compelling and engaging central character, and kept me hooked- as much to find out if he makes it out alive as to find out who the villain is. Likewise, Lucy and Grace remain equally great: Lucy as much of a wildcard as ever, and Grace wrestling both with having moved to the remote depths of Scotland with her partner, Ross, and with being the doctor for a town whose residents keep dying suspiciously young…
The chemistry between the characters, and the shared history that Dan has with his childhood friends- who pop up over the course of the novel- and his father’s friends make for a rich, detailed backstory that fleshes out even the secondary characters, makes them believable and adds extra spice to the plot. The ordinary- Jenny’s pregnancy, for instance- is mixed up with stalking, murder, and things like state-sanctioned killing- which grounds the characters and which makes for really enjoyable reading.
As a result, the plot romps along. Thanks to multiple viewpoints that we get from Dan, Mac, Lucy and Grace, we swing back from Germany to Scotland- and though Dan investigating his father’s death at the start of the book does come across as a bit disjointed, once the connection is made that ties it to Scotland the pace picks up and that part of the story becomes a whole lot more interesting. Also, kudos to Carver: with multiple plot threads to balance and tens of characters to include in her story, the novel could very easily get bogged down with details- but it doesn’t, and that makes for a great overall read, which slowly ramps up the tension and the stakes the closer it gets to the climax.
Overall, this is a great next installment in the Dan Forrester series, and one that I really enjoyed. Carver as a knack for balancing thrills with the minutiae of day-to-day life, and making both just as engaging. Bring on the next book!
October 31, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Know Me Now, the third novel in the Dan Forrester series.
Dan and his wife, Jenny, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their son and mourning the death of Dan's father from a heart attack when his friend Christopher calls and asks for help. Christopher's 13 year old son Connor has recently died and the verdict is suicide but he doesn't believe it, nor does local doctor Grace Reavey who is pushing for an autopsy. When both deaths are found to be murder Dan flies to Germany where his dad died and sends his friend DC Lucy Davies to the Highlands to look into Connor's death.
I thoroughly enjoyed Know Me Now which is an exciting read with a premise which could stray into conspiracy theory territory if it weren't so plausible. The format is just as I like my books with a straightforward third person linear narrative which switches mostly between Dan and Lucy without a hint of the perpetrator until Dan works it out so, boy, was it a shock to find out. Excellent work Ms Carver in keeping everything under wraps and allowing the reader to give full vent to their curiosity.
I'm very unsure about the science in the novel although, in her afterword, Ms Carver seems to think it's possible. As I said it's a conspiracy theorist's dream but all too plausible and scary. Having said this I'm not even sure it's that important in the grand scheme of the novel because the novel is an excellent thriller full of twists, tension and action and this underlying premise only becomes fully apparent in the dénouement. It's a gripping read.
Dan Forrester is an interesting character. An ex MI5 man he has no memory of this work (he lost those memories when his first son died) and now works as an analyst in a company which still has strong ties to and influence with the security services. Make what you will of that but he still has all the smarts and skills acquired in that job. Lucy Davies has synasthesia and appears to be bi-polar but doesn't let it get in the way of her investigations. If anything I think Ms Carver is trying to distance her characters from these disabilities as the series progresses as they play almost no role apart from an initial description.
Know Me Now is an exciting thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
Dan and his wife, Jenny, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their son and mourning the death of Dan's father from a heart attack when his friend Christopher calls and asks for help. Christopher's 13 year old son Connor has recently died and the verdict is suicide but he doesn't believe it, nor does local doctor Grace Reavey who is pushing for an autopsy. When both deaths are found to be murder Dan flies to Germany where his dad died and sends his friend DC Lucy Davies to the Highlands to look into Connor's death.
I thoroughly enjoyed Know Me Now which is an exciting read with a premise which could stray into conspiracy theory territory if it weren't so plausible. The format is just as I like my books with a straightforward third person linear narrative which switches mostly between Dan and Lucy without a hint of the perpetrator until Dan works it out so, boy, was it a shock to find out. Excellent work Ms Carver in keeping everything under wraps and allowing the reader to give full vent to their curiosity.
I'm very unsure about the science in the novel although, in her afterword, Ms Carver seems to think it's possible. As I said it's a conspiracy theorist's dream but all too plausible and scary. Having said this I'm not even sure it's that important in the grand scheme of the novel because the novel is an excellent thriller full of twists, tension and action and this underlying premise only becomes fully apparent in the dénouement. It's a gripping read.
Dan Forrester is an interesting character. An ex MI5 man he has no memory of this work (he lost those memories when his first son died) and now works as an analyst in a company which still has strong ties to and influence with the security services. Make what you will of that but he still has all the smarts and skills acquired in that job. Lucy Davies has synasthesia and appears to be bi-polar but doesn't let it get in the way of her investigations. If anything I think Ms Carver is trying to distance her characters from these disabilities as the series progresses as they play almost no role apart from an initial description.
Know Me Now is an exciting thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
January 15, 2018
Devoured in one sitting
This crime thriller had me hooked after four pages. It is the third in the Dan Forrester series. The first two were reviewed by two different members of my reviewing group and each received a 5-star rating. This attests to the wide appeal of the series and the consistency and quality of writing.
Dan Forrester, the ex-spook with amnesia, is called on by a childhood friend, Christopher Braid, to investigate the apparent suicide of his 12-year-old son Connor Braid. The police and Procurator Fiscal have determined there was no foul play but Braid remains unconvinced.
The investigation allows Dan to call on old friends, DC Lucy Davies and Dr Grace Reavey, for assistance. Dan is still recovering from the shock of his dying father suddenly while in Germany but without hesitation decides his old friend needs him more. To complicate things further, his wife’s pregnancy is almost at full-term.
The plot continues to develop and takes Dan to Scotland and Germany as well as various parts of England and can be read as a stand-alone so there is no need to have read the preceding two novels. The characters are well fleshed out and believable and act as excellent foils, one to the other. The pace varies which adds interest and light and shade and the dialogue is rich and realistic.
It’s the twists and turns through which make the book so attention-grabbing and interesting. This is partly due to the closeness of the relationships which is almost palpable. However, time changes people and relationships and the counterpoint between the past and the present adds to the tension.
Towards the denouement, the reader should prepare himself for not one but several surprises, none of which I was able to guess at. It’s a great read and worthy of the 5-star rating. Here’s to the next in the series…..
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
This crime thriller had me hooked after four pages. It is the third in the Dan Forrester series. The first two were reviewed by two different members of my reviewing group and each received a 5-star rating. This attests to the wide appeal of the series and the consistency and quality of writing.
Dan Forrester, the ex-spook with amnesia, is called on by a childhood friend, Christopher Braid, to investigate the apparent suicide of his 12-year-old son Connor Braid. The police and Procurator Fiscal have determined there was no foul play but Braid remains unconvinced.
The investigation allows Dan to call on old friends, DC Lucy Davies and Dr Grace Reavey, for assistance. Dan is still recovering from the shock of his dying father suddenly while in Germany but without hesitation decides his old friend needs him more. To complicate things further, his wife’s pregnancy is almost at full-term.
The plot continues to develop and takes Dan to Scotland and Germany as well as various parts of England and can be read as a stand-alone so there is no need to have read the preceding two novels. The characters are well fleshed out and believable and act as excellent foils, one to the other. The pace varies which adds interest and light and shade and the dialogue is rich and realistic.
It’s the twists and turns through which make the book so attention-grabbing and interesting. This is partly due to the closeness of the relationships which is almost palpable. However, time changes people and relationships and the counterpoint between the past and the present adds to the tension.
Towards the denouement, the reader should prepare himself for not one but several surprises, none of which I was able to guess at. It’s a great read and worthy of the 5-star rating. Here’s to the next in the series…..
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
January 7, 2018
Hooked from the beginning - so full on with plenty of drama, danger, secrets and lies which unfolds at a great pace.
Love the characters and the relationships with each other, looking forward to the next instalment.
I'd not read any CJ Carver books prior this review, I have since downloaded all of them.
Thank you netgalley, Zaffrel and CJ Carved for allowing me to read and review this book.
Love the characters and the relationships with each other, looking forward to the next instalment.
I'd not read any CJ Carver books prior this review, I have since downloaded all of them.
Thank you netgalley, Zaffrel and CJ Carved for allowing me to read and review this book.
August 14, 2022
Know me now by CJ Carver.
The Dan Forrester series Book 3.
A thirteen-year-old boy commits suicide.
A sixty-five-year old man dies of a heart attack.
Dan Forrester, ex-MI5 officer, is connected to them both.
And when he discovers that his godson and his father have been murdered, he teams up with his old friend, DC Lucy Davies, to find answers.
Brilliant read. Love this author. 5*.
The Dan Forrester series Book 3.
A thirteen-year-old boy commits suicide.
A sixty-five-year old man dies of a heart attack.
Dan Forrester, ex-MI5 officer, is connected to them both.
And when he discovers that his godson and his father have been murdered, he teams up with his old friend, DC Lucy Davies, to find answers.
Brilliant read. Love this author. 5*.
November 29, 2017
For my written review, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
August 30, 2020
I love to hate these books... i enjoyed the first Dan Forrester book but hated the second. This one was OK but the same problems exist. Dan is infallible - an expert at everything and basically the perfect man... you know except for all the lying and cheating. And how many times does he need to talk about his extensive driving capabilities and judge others driving. Ugh. His wife is even worse and acts like this is the first time he has behaved like this, when he has always been a spy guy who puts them firmly at the bottom of his priorities. He constantly puts them in danger and they don't seem to really talk or communicate about anything - not even the name of their child! Luckily his wife and kids were secondary characters in this.
In terms of the story, there are a lot of characters and a lot of tenuous links. It's a bit messy and rushes to tie up the pieces. Grace doesn't add much to the story and Lucy hasn't developed at all since the first book. She exists only to repeatedly get in to danger. I was really surprised to learn the author was female as I think the female characters are all quite basic and uninteresting. The ending with Grace was so convenient it was funny.
Having said all of that, I would probably read another installment and enjoy rolling my eyes at the same things all over again!
In terms of the story, there are a lot of characters and a lot of tenuous links. It's a bit messy and rushes to tie up the pieces. Grace doesn't add much to the story and Lucy hasn't developed at all since the first book. She exists only to repeatedly get in to danger. I was really surprised to learn the author was female as I think the female characters are all quite basic and uninteresting. The ending with Grace was so convenient it was funny.
Having said all of that, I would probably read another installment and enjoy rolling my eyes at the same things all over again!
February 20, 2018
Just lost interest, didn't care about anybody or find much of interest in the story.
May 22, 2023
Sadly a really boring listen
April 7, 2024
It will come as. surprise to absolutely no-one that, whilst this is book three in the series, this is the first Dan Forrester book I have read. The good news is that it really didn't impact my enjoyment of the read. This is a self contained read and, while there is obviously some loop back to what i assume has happened in the prior books, the author gives us just enough for context without giving away too much. that's good news, as is the fact that I have two other books to go back and devour now that I know I will fully enjoy, and a whole host of books to look forward to that came after this one (although in other series). CJ Carver is well and truly on my radar now having given me exactly my kind of read.
Know Me Now starts as it means to go on. Full of atmosphere and mystery and a slow building tension that doesn't really let up until the final few pages. We start out with young Connor Baird. His home life is troubled, his current mood, anxious. He is lost, he is unhappy and he is tired. Not a great combination. And it only goes down hill from there. The author really drew me in, intrigued as to what might happen and maybe even a little bit shocked by what comes to pass. Needless to say that nothing is as straightforward as it first appears, although as readers we already know that. And, sadly for the bad guys in this book, they probably didn't count on the arrival of Dan Forrester or, if they did, the underestimated just how much he was going to churn things up. Despite grieving the loss of his own father, the apparent suicide of his Godson, Connor, is something he just cannot get his head around, and neither can Connor's family. And there this twisted tale of deception, cover ups and conspiracy begins.
I really loved this book. It was just my kind of read, a brilliant blend of mystery, suspense, police investigations, subterfuge and action. From the outset you knew that there was something wrong in Duncaid but I can honestly say that I had no idea where the author was going to take us. She certainly leads readers on a merry dance, and whilst it was easy to get the measure of some of the characters - ever feared assassin of choice, Sirius, for one - some are very adept at hiding their true colours. I had my focus on one suspect, and whilst I wasn't a million miles from the truth, I wasn't bang on the money either. When the truth comes out it is both surprising and not, but there has been that building of suspicion and inference early in the novel. CJ Carver doesn't completely blindside us, but the clues that we are fed are subtle and the evidence as to who is doing exactly what, scant.
I loved the characters of Dan Forrester, DC Lucy Davies and Dr Grace Reavey and it was great spending time in their company, even if on occasion it was spent on the edge of my seat. The going gets tough for all of them at times, but for Lucy especially who finds herself well and truly in the brown sticky stuff at one point. It looks hopeless and there is a real sense of jeopardy and a ticking clock kind of vibe that pulses from the pages. As for Dan, his journey is an emotional one, hit from both sides with two bereavements and the impending birth of a new child which puts even more emotional pressure on top of him. But he doesn't falter. His focus on the case is absolute and whilst he's not superhuman, his determination and perseverance really did make me want him to succeed. We get a glimpse into his childhood as part of the story, and while I don't know how much, if any, of this has fed into earlier books, it did help me to understand him and the dynamic between his friends that he reconnects with as part of this book. Or at least that's what I thought ...
Tense, perfectly paced and with the kind of twists and turns that really grab your attention, as well as an emotional undercurrent that kept me completely invested in the story, I raced through this in around a day. It';s certainly made me hungry to read the other books and I'm looking forward to going back and doing just that. Definitely recommended for thriller fans.
Know Me Now starts as it means to go on. Full of atmosphere and mystery and a slow building tension that doesn't really let up until the final few pages. We start out with young Connor Baird. His home life is troubled, his current mood, anxious. He is lost, he is unhappy and he is tired. Not a great combination. And it only goes down hill from there. The author really drew me in, intrigued as to what might happen and maybe even a little bit shocked by what comes to pass. Needless to say that nothing is as straightforward as it first appears, although as readers we already know that. And, sadly for the bad guys in this book, they probably didn't count on the arrival of Dan Forrester or, if they did, the underestimated just how much he was going to churn things up. Despite grieving the loss of his own father, the apparent suicide of his Godson, Connor, is something he just cannot get his head around, and neither can Connor's family. And there this twisted tale of deception, cover ups and conspiracy begins.
I really loved this book. It was just my kind of read, a brilliant blend of mystery, suspense, police investigations, subterfuge and action. From the outset you knew that there was something wrong in Duncaid but I can honestly say that I had no idea where the author was going to take us. She certainly leads readers on a merry dance, and whilst it was easy to get the measure of some of the characters - ever feared assassin of choice, Sirius, for one - some are very adept at hiding their true colours. I had my focus on one suspect, and whilst I wasn't a million miles from the truth, I wasn't bang on the money either. When the truth comes out it is both surprising and not, but there has been that building of suspicion and inference early in the novel. CJ Carver doesn't completely blindside us, but the clues that we are fed are subtle and the evidence as to who is doing exactly what, scant.
I loved the characters of Dan Forrester, DC Lucy Davies and Dr Grace Reavey and it was great spending time in their company, even if on occasion it was spent on the edge of my seat. The going gets tough for all of them at times, but for Lucy especially who finds herself well and truly in the brown sticky stuff at one point. It looks hopeless and there is a real sense of jeopardy and a ticking clock kind of vibe that pulses from the pages. As for Dan, his journey is an emotional one, hit from both sides with two bereavements and the impending birth of a new child which puts even more emotional pressure on top of him. But he doesn't falter. His focus on the case is absolute and whilst he's not superhuman, his determination and perseverance really did make me want him to succeed. We get a glimpse into his childhood as part of the story, and while I don't know how much, if any, of this has fed into earlier books, it did help me to understand him and the dynamic between his friends that he reconnects with as part of this book. Or at least that's what I thought ...
Tense, perfectly paced and with the kind of twists and turns that really grab your attention, as well as an emotional undercurrent that kept me completely invested in the story, I raced through this in around a day. It';s certainly made me hungry to read the other books and I'm looking forward to going back and doing just that. Definitely recommended for thriller fans.
July 31, 2018
This was a great read. I was immediately hooked by the writing. The opening chapter completely had me on the edge of my seat with it's palpable sense of panic, fear and breathlessness as Connor Baird, a teenager out on his bike trying to escape the tension in his family home, ends up lost and inadvertently stumbling upon a shocking discovery.
There's no let up in the tension and the second chapter introduces us to Dr Grace Reavey who receives a telephone call from a woman who fears she has discovered a dead body. Grace rushes to the scene only to discover the body is that of Connor Baird.
The police believe it to be suicide - there was a similar case recently and the claim it's a copy cat death but Grace is not convinced. I enjoyed the immediate tension between the local police force and the doctor as Grace refuses to issue a death certificate and requests a post mortem only to be told they are more 'practical' here and without the resources. But Grace will not back down and so begins an investigation into the boy's death.
We're then introduced to Dan Forrester, a man whose father has just died of a heart attack and who is also a good friend of the father of Connor. As they say, the plot thickens, the stakes are raised and the mystery becomes more complex and more intriguing!
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this thriller was that there were two storylines - the death of a 65 year old man and the supposed suicide of a 13 year old boy - and they seemed completely separate plot lines. Dan is involved in both threads and this appears to be the only link so for a long time I was watching, waiting and looking to see how the two stories would converge. Carver manages her plot so skillfully that it as the reader begins to see the connections and join the dots we are absolutely breathless ourselves and on tenterhooks as the truth of both deaths finally starts to emerge.
I was also hugely impressed with the way Carver handled her main characters. I really took to Dan, Grace and DC Lucy Davies, who comes up to join the investigation in to Connor's death. The dynamics between them are really well observed, the dialogue is excellent and they felt alive, real and completely believable people. I also enjoyed their back stories, their personal and emotional challenges, their flaws and their strengths. These are multilayered characters to care about and whose journey you want to join. I was impressed with just how intricate the story is, just how many layers there are and just how many angles are explored - yet all executed within highly readable, engaging and gripping prose. Carver's writing is polished, clean and very visual.
This was a fantastic read. If you are looking for an unputdownable thriller which starts with the death of a young boy and then unravels into something much darker from a past that will not be buried, if you like conspiracy, complex mysteries and a plot that you can totally lose yourself in for hours, then this is the book for you. And if you like characters who are so three dimensional, where their personal life affects their professional duties and challenges them to make decisions or face dilemmas, then this is also the book for you.
Know Me Now is over 430 pages but I did not notice. It's a story with mystery, suspense, compassion, heartbreak and tension. It's complex plot is beyond impressive and I really couldn't put it down.
I can't wait to see more of Dan and Lucy and to be entertained with another addictive read from C J Carver. Surprising, gripping and intensely clever, this is one series to look out for!
There's no let up in the tension and the second chapter introduces us to Dr Grace Reavey who receives a telephone call from a woman who fears she has discovered a dead body. Grace rushes to the scene only to discover the body is that of Connor Baird.
The police believe it to be suicide - there was a similar case recently and the claim it's a copy cat death but Grace is not convinced. I enjoyed the immediate tension between the local police force and the doctor as Grace refuses to issue a death certificate and requests a post mortem only to be told they are more 'practical' here and without the resources. But Grace will not back down and so begins an investigation into the boy's death.
We're then introduced to Dan Forrester, a man whose father has just died of a heart attack and who is also a good friend of the father of Connor. As they say, the plot thickens, the stakes are raised and the mystery becomes more complex and more intriguing!
I think the thing I enjoyed most about this thriller was that there were two storylines - the death of a 65 year old man and the supposed suicide of a 13 year old boy - and they seemed completely separate plot lines. Dan is involved in both threads and this appears to be the only link so for a long time I was watching, waiting and looking to see how the two stories would converge. Carver manages her plot so skillfully that it as the reader begins to see the connections and join the dots we are absolutely breathless ourselves and on tenterhooks as the truth of both deaths finally starts to emerge.
I was also hugely impressed with the way Carver handled her main characters. I really took to Dan, Grace and DC Lucy Davies, who comes up to join the investigation in to Connor's death. The dynamics between them are really well observed, the dialogue is excellent and they felt alive, real and completely believable people. I also enjoyed their back stories, their personal and emotional challenges, their flaws and their strengths. These are multilayered characters to care about and whose journey you want to join. I was impressed with just how intricate the story is, just how many layers there are and just how many angles are explored - yet all executed within highly readable, engaging and gripping prose. Carver's writing is polished, clean and very visual.
This was a fantastic read. If you are looking for an unputdownable thriller which starts with the death of a young boy and then unravels into something much darker from a past that will not be buried, if you like conspiracy, complex mysteries and a plot that you can totally lose yourself in for hours, then this is the book for you. And if you like characters who are so three dimensional, where their personal life affects their professional duties and challenges them to make decisions or face dilemmas, then this is also the book for you.
Know Me Now is over 430 pages but I did not notice. It's a story with mystery, suspense, compassion, heartbreak and tension. It's complex plot is beyond impressive and I really couldn't put it down.
I can't wait to see more of Dan and Lucy and to be entertained with another addictive read from C J Carver. Surprising, gripping and intensely clever, this is one series to look out for!
November 30, 2017
Know Me Now is a relatively well constructed thriller. There is nothing ground breaking here but this is a genre that is stacked full of novels and only so many tales you can tell after all. The writing is competent but I didn't find that it particularly drew me in to the story or made me really care about the characters. So much so, the only one that didn't feel flat was Lucy and that was more to do with her synesthesia than anything else.
The first section of the plot deals with the death of teenaged Connor Baird. After storming out of the house following an argument with his mother he gets lost in the rain and poor visibility of the Scottish Highlands and finds himself at a local Industrial Estate. Shortly after his crumpled body is found at the base of the local bridge and the local doctor, Grace, attends. Suspecting that all is now what it seems she orders a postmortem but is blocked by the Police who do not see any foul play in the event. Connor's father, Christopher, then calls on his old friend Dan who immediately drops everything to rush up to Scotland and also calls in Lucy.
This is where it all starts to get a bit murky. My first real issue is that a Detective Constable in the English Police Force would not just be able to walk out of her shift with a few seconds notice no matter how many holidays she is owed. secondly an ex-MI5 operative working as a political/risk analyst would not need a "go bag" although he may well be able to drop everything at a moment's notice. Within the first few chapters I am already having to suspend disbelief which is not a good start in this genre.
It goes from bad to worse when the secondary plot chimes in causing Dan to rush off from Scotland - remember, he was so concerned about his good friend and his deceased Godson that he dashed to Inverness - because someone has intimated his recently deceased father may not have been a victim of a sudden heart attack on the golf course but have been murdered. Of course he can't possibly make the calls he needs to make from his friends house, no he has to rush immediately to his father's residence in Weston-Super-Mare. Oh and did I mention his wife is heavily pregnant and about to drop their third child and his firstborn has died prior to this book. Not only does Dan's behaviour seem completely bizarre but the premise of a potential government secret project that is related to his father's (and his father's close friend) youth is a trifle beyond the acceptable pale.
Sadly the majority of the book follows Dan as he dashes from pillar to post tracking down what happened to his father and then a deathly scramble to tie the 2 divergent storylines together.
Sounds like I hated this book doesn't it. However, it may not be up there with the best of this genre but neither is down at the bottom of the pile. It is amiable guff and the threat level only seems realistic in a couple of places - strikingly involving Lucy. Maybe this would have been a better book if more time had been spent from her perspective. It would have also benefited from sticking to one plot rather than tacking the second one on - I'm not really that bothered which one to be fair but it would have been a smoother, less muddled read.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
The first section of the plot deals with the death of teenaged Connor Baird. After storming out of the house following an argument with his mother he gets lost in the rain and poor visibility of the Scottish Highlands and finds himself at a local Industrial Estate. Shortly after his crumpled body is found at the base of the local bridge and the local doctor, Grace, attends. Suspecting that all is now what it seems she orders a postmortem but is blocked by the Police who do not see any foul play in the event. Connor's father, Christopher, then calls on his old friend Dan who immediately drops everything to rush up to Scotland and also calls in Lucy.
This is where it all starts to get a bit murky. My first real issue is that a Detective Constable in the English Police Force would not just be able to walk out of her shift with a few seconds notice no matter how many holidays she is owed. secondly an ex-MI5 operative working as a political/risk analyst would not need a "go bag" although he may well be able to drop everything at a moment's notice. Within the first few chapters I am already having to suspend disbelief which is not a good start in this genre.
It goes from bad to worse when the secondary plot chimes in causing Dan to rush off from Scotland - remember, he was so concerned about his good friend and his deceased Godson that he dashed to Inverness - because someone has intimated his recently deceased father may not have been a victim of a sudden heart attack on the golf course but have been murdered. Of course he can't possibly make the calls he needs to make from his friends house, no he has to rush immediately to his father's residence in Weston-Super-Mare. Oh and did I mention his wife is heavily pregnant and about to drop their third child and his firstborn has died prior to this book. Not only does Dan's behaviour seem completely bizarre but the premise of a potential government secret project that is related to his father's (and his father's close friend) youth is a trifle beyond the acceptable pale.
Sadly the majority of the book follows Dan as he dashes from pillar to post tracking down what happened to his father and then a deathly scramble to tie the 2 divergent storylines together.
Sounds like I hated this book doesn't it. However, it may not be up there with the best of this genre but neither is down at the bottom of the pile. It is amiable guff and the threat level only seems realistic in a couple of places - strikingly involving Lucy. Maybe this would have been a better book if more time had been spent from her perspective. It would have also benefited from sticking to one plot rather than tacking the second one on - I'm not really that bothered which one to be fair but it would have been a smoother, less muddled read.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
January 9, 2018
This is the third in a crime thriller series featuring former MI5 operative Dan Forrester and Yorkshire-area Detective Constable Lucy Davies. It takes place in the Scottish highlands, where, as a youth, Dan spent his summer vacations. His father and three university friends reunited there each year, and their four children, all approximately the same age, grew up together.
The children now have well-established careers of their own. Gustav created a clinic in Isterberg, Germany; Christopher took up genetic engineering of superstrains of rice and has a lab near Duncaid; audacious former-tomboy Sophie does something for the government in London; and Dan joined MI5. Although this rundown suggests a large number of core characters, Carver does a good job of making them distinct enough to avoid confusion.
Though Christopher and his wife are having a rough patch, their situation grows tragically worse when their thirteen-year-old son Connor dies, in what the police seem too hasty in labeling a suicide. Dan persuades his friend Lucy to take a few days off and join him in Duncaid to look into the case. Carver does such a good job describing the damp, oppressive, grey highland atmosphere, you may feel compelled to put on a jumper—or two—while you ponder why a doctor’s patients are dying too young.
Then news arrives that Dan’s father has been murdered in Germany. The unlikely coincidence that two family members of this tight-knit group died within days of each other strikes them all. What is the connection? Someone is determined that Dan not discover it, and his probing soon puts himself, his wife, and his newborn son at risk. In light of the very tangible threats, his motivation for continuing to investigate—and some of the other characters’ motivations as well—aren’t as believable as they might be.
Lucy has a form of synesthesia, and in situations of high emotion sees certain colors. She’s a bit of an oddball, trying to hide what she views as dysfunctions in her personality. Dan also has a quirk, in that his memory has gaping holes from his past work with MI5. Although Carver tends to provide a dump of backstory about characters that becomes a drag on the narrative, I wish she’d more fully explored these two interesting mental conditions, which could bear strongly on Lucy and Dan’s ability to do their work, for good or ill.
This entry into the crowded Scottish crime fiction field (Tartan Noir!) employs a straightforward, clear style, and the plot clicks right along. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for literary flourishes and subtext, which the book lacks, and it includes perhaps a few too many coincidences. However, it raises questions about biomedical technology and its possibilities well worth thoughtful consideration.
The children now have well-established careers of their own. Gustav created a clinic in Isterberg, Germany; Christopher took up genetic engineering of superstrains of rice and has a lab near Duncaid; audacious former-tomboy Sophie does something for the government in London; and Dan joined MI5. Although this rundown suggests a large number of core characters, Carver does a good job of making them distinct enough to avoid confusion.
Though Christopher and his wife are having a rough patch, their situation grows tragically worse when their thirteen-year-old son Connor dies, in what the police seem too hasty in labeling a suicide. Dan persuades his friend Lucy to take a few days off and join him in Duncaid to look into the case. Carver does such a good job describing the damp, oppressive, grey highland atmosphere, you may feel compelled to put on a jumper—or two—while you ponder why a doctor’s patients are dying too young.
Then news arrives that Dan’s father has been murdered in Germany. The unlikely coincidence that two family members of this tight-knit group died within days of each other strikes them all. What is the connection? Someone is determined that Dan not discover it, and his probing soon puts himself, his wife, and his newborn son at risk. In light of the very tangible threats, his motivation for continuing to investigate—and some of the other characters’ motivations as well—aren’t as believable as they might be.
Lucy has a form of synesthesia, and in situations of high emotion sees certain colors. She’s a bit of an oddball, trying to hide what she views as dysfunctions in her personality. Dan also has a quirk, in that his memory has gaping holes from his past work with MI5. Although Carver tends to provide a dump of backstory about characters that becomes a drag on the narrative, I wish she’d more fully explored these two interesting mental conditions, which could bear strongly on Lucy and Dan’s ability to do their work, for good or ill.
This entry into the crowded Scottish crime fiction field (Tartan Noir!) employs a straightforward, clear style, and the plot clicks right along. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for literary flourishes and subtext, which the book lacks, and it includes perhaps a few too many coincidences. However, it raises questions about biomedical technology and its possibilities well worth thoughtful consideration.
November 20, 2017
All of my reviews can be found at: https://hookedfrompageoneblog.wordpre...
Know Me Now is the third book in the Dan Forrester series by C J Carver and it is a real corker of a read.
The novel opens with the death of a young boy who the police believe has committed suicide. The young boy is Dan Forrester’s godson, but he is unconvinced that he killed himself. Dan enlists the help of his friend, DC Lucy Davies to help him investigate the case. But Dan is also mourning the loss of his sixty five year old father, who has died of a heart attack, whilst he was in Germany. But as Lucy and Dan begin to investigate it becomes clear that there is something evil at work going on and soon, terrible secrets about the past are uncovered.
C J Carver’s writing is utterly engaging. This is the first book of hers which I have read, but I didn’t find any trouble at all in getting into the story, it can be read as a standalone but I’m now keen to read the previous books in the series. I was intrigued by both of the cases in this book, the death of Dan’s godson and his father. As Lucy’s investigation into his godson’s suicide goes ahead Dan travels to Germany to seek answers about his father’s death. The tension was there on every page of the book and I wanted Dan to get the answers that he was after. There is also a historical element to this book as well which was also fascinating, even though at times it was horrific to read about.
I really liked Lucy’s character; it was interesting to see her relationship with her boss evolve in this book. I’m looking forward to finding out more about her when I read the first two books in the series but I’m also intrigued as to see how her character will progress from here. In this series, C J Carver has created really engaging characters who you’ll want to root for.
This was an excellent, roller-coaster of a read which I enjoyed from page one, it didn’t take me long to finish, I read it in just a couple of sittings. I’m going to be catching up on the previous books very soon. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book to read and to Emily Burns at Bonnier Zaffre for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.
Know Me Now is the third book in the Dan Forrester series by C J Carver and it is a real corker of a read.
The novel opens with the death of a young boy who the police believe has committed suicide. The young boy is Dan Forrester’s godson, but he is unconvinced that he killed himself. Dan enlists the help of his friend, DC Lucy Davies to help him investigate the case. But Dan is also mourning the loss of his sixty five year old father, who has died of a heart attack, whilst he was in Germany. But as Lucy and Dan begin to investigate it becomes clear that there is something evil at work going on and soon, terrible secrets about the past are uncovered.
C J Carver’s writing is utterly engaging. This is the first book of hers which I have read, but I didn’t find any trouble at all in getting into the story, it can be read as a standalone but I’m now keen to read the previous books in the series. I was intrigued by both of the cases in this book, the death of Dan’s godson and his father. As Lucy’s investigation into his godson’s suicide goes ahead Dan travels to Germany to seek answers about his father’s death. The tension was there on every page of the book and I wanted Dan to get the answers that he was after. There is also a historical element to this book as well which was also fascinating, even though at times it was horrific to read about.
I really liked Lucy’s character; it was interesting to see her relationship with her boss evolve in this book. I’m looking forward to finding out more about her when I read the first two books in the series but I’m also intrigued as to see how her character will progress from here. In this series, C J Carver has created really engaging characters who you’ll want to root for.
This was an excellent, roller-coaster of a read which I enjoyed from page one, it didn’t take me long to finish, I read it in just a couple of sittings. I’m going to be catching up on the previous books very soon. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book to read and to Emily Burns at Bonnier Zaffre for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.
November 9, 2017
This is book 3 about Dan Forrester, the ex spy who has lost all memory of his time working for the government. However, unlike the earlier novels, amnesia is not a big theme in this story; in fact Dan is able to remember quite a lot about his childhood as his memory returns.
As the book opens Dan is arranging the funeral of his father who has just died of a heart attack and he is also awaiting the birth of his son. Then he receives a call from an old friend whose own 13 year old son has committed suicide. Christopher does not believe Connor would do this and wants Dan to investigate. Dan enlists PC Lucy Davis’s help- she is sent to Scotland to look into the case. Meanwhile Dan learns some disturbing information about his father from Olivia, one of his Dad’s friends and Dan feels compelled to look into his father’s death as well.
The is a fast paced action packed read which is full of suspense. Once I started reading it I raced through it keen to find out what was going on. The author broke the tension nicely by slipping effortlessly between Lucy’s investigation and Dan’s. Every time one of them got into difficulties the author moved on to the other narration ensuring the reader sprinted through each section keen to find out what was going to happen next. This technique worked extremely well.
Conspiracy theories abound and the final denouement was quite chilling, indeed it made me wonder if this really could be happening somewhere in the world.
I loved the main characters and how their close relationship helps them solve the mystery. Dan, Lucy and Dr Grace Reavey are well drawn and I really wanted them all to be my own best friends!
Perfect for thriller fans who enjoy Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay. Although it is the third book in a series it could easily be read as a stand alone novel and if you’ve read the earlier two books this one is a must-read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
As the book opens Dan is arranging the funeral of his father who has just died of a heart attack and he is also awaiting the birth of his son. Then he receives a call from an old friend whose own 13 year old son has committed suicide. Christopher does not believe Connor would do this and wants Dan to investigate. Dan enlists PC Lucy Davis’s help- she is sent to Scotland to look into the case. Meanwhile Dan learns some disturbing information about his father from Olivia, one of his Dad’s friends and Dan feels compelled to look into his father’s death as well.
The is a fast paced action packed read which is full of suspense. Once I started reading it I raced through it keen to find out what was going on. The author broke the tension nicely by slipping effortlessly between Lucy’s investigation and Dan’s. Every time one of them got into difficulties the author moved on to the other narration ensuring the reader sprinted through each section keen to find out what was going to happen next. This technique worked extremely well.
Conspiracy theories abound and the final denouement was quite chilling, indeed it made me wonder if this really could be happening somewhere in the world.
I loved the main characters and how their close relationship helps them solve the mystery. Dan, Lucy and Dr Grace Reavey are well drawn and I really wanted them all to be my own best friends!
Perfect for thriller fans who enjoy Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay. Although it is the third book in a series it could easily be read as a stand alone novel and if you’ve read the earlier two books this one is a must-read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2019
I don't seem to be the only one that didn't realise this was the third book in an ongoing series!
Now I will have to go back and read the first two. More books to be added to my ever-increasing tbr pile!
However saying that this read to me perfectly as a standalone novel so if like me you have yet to read the others don't let that deter you, it just means you will have more books on your own tbr pile as well!
Packed to the brim with murder, conspiracy, secrets and lies it is a full throttle read that is not at all beyond the realms of possibility!
It is one of those books that you find impossible to put down and end up reading long into the night forgoing sleep so you can reach the end and find out what happens next.
I may be slow in discovering this little gem of a book I am so glad I did and I cant wait to find out what the future has in store next for Dan Forrester.
CJ Carver is now on my favourite crime thriller authors on the merit of this book alone.
It really is one not to be missed for any fan of this genre, or in fact anyone!
Know Me Now is currently on sale on amazon for £0.98 so grab a bargain copy now!
A big thank you to the author CJ Carver, publishers Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress....
Now I will have to go back and read the first two. More books to be added to my ever-increasing tbr pile!
However saying that this read to me perfectly as a standalone novel so if like me you have yet to read the others don't let that deter you, it just means you will have more books on your own tbr pile as well!
Packed to the brim with murder, conspiracy, secrets and lies it is a full throttle read that is not at all beyond the realms of possibility!
It is one of those books that you find impossible to put down and end up reading long into the night forgoing sleep so you can reach the end and find out what happens next.
I may be slow in discovering this little gem of a book I am so glad I did and I cant wait to find out what the future has in store next for Dan Forrester.
CJ Carver is now on my favourite crime thriller authors on the merit of this book alone.
It really is one not to be missed for any fan of this genre, or in fact anyone!
Know Me Now is currently on sale on amazon for £0.98 so grab a bargain copy now!
A big thank you to the author CJ Carver, publishers Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
https://debbiesbookreviews.wordpress....
July 18, 2020
Know Me Now by CJ Carver has a brilliant concept that isn't fully revealed until close to the end of the book. It starts fast and keeps the pace all the way through to a thrilling ending.
To be honest, it wasn't my type of book, but I couldn't immediately put my finger on why it wasn't. I liked the concept (once I knew what it was) I liked each of the individual characters. I eventually realised I didn’t really care about the major characters. Even in their darkest moments, I was never afraid for them. I think this was because there were too many main characters, and I felt this made the story disjointed. For many readers this will enhance their enjoyment of the book. There were two separate story lines, and the author keeps you guessing what that connection is until close to the end of the book.
I have read many similar books where the protagonists spend most of the time apart and only connect things towards the end, but for me this was a bit too disjointed. It was like reading two different novels, and two different murder mysteries, both at the same time. I felt each murder could have made a separate novel, with one following on from the other, but to have both storylines going on at the same time (notwithstanding the connection) was too much for my taste.
To be honest, it wasn't my type of book, but I couldn't immediately put my finger on why it wasn't. I liked the concept (once I knew what it was) I liked each of the individual characters. I eventually realised I didn’t really care about the major characters. Even in their darkest moments, I was never afraid for them. I think this was because there were too many main characters, and I felt this made the story disjointed. For many readers this will enhance their enjoyment of the book. There were two separate story lines, and the author keeps you guessing what that connection is until close to the end of the book.
I have read many similar books where the protagonists spend most of the time apart and only connect things towards the end, but for me this was a bit too disjointed. It was like reading two different novels, and two different murder mysteries, both at the same time. I felt each murder could have made a separate novel, with one following on from the other, but to have both storylines going on at the same time (notwithstanding the connection) was too much for my taste.
March 31, 2019
I think this is one of the most creative novels I have ever read. From reading the blurb, I imagined it to be a story of simply chasing down the ‘killer’ but that wasn’t the case. This novel went much deeper, creating connections between all of the 20 or so characters there were (I’m surprised I even remembered most of them). I always admire authors who can create a voice for every character they make and CJ Carver did exactly that.
I will say, at first I thought this book was moving really slow which is unlike any other crime novel I have read which slightly bothered me because I enjoy fast paced books. But now that I have finished it, I realised that it’s been written really well and at a brilliant pace as the information that was provided needed me to take it in slowly. The dramatic events that occurred startled me just like if it was a jump scare, creating the suspense which made me clamp my hand over my mouth. Also, I really liked the concept of Project Snowbank. I don’t support it all but Carver took this novel so deeply using science and I enjoyed that.
Nonetheless, a fantastic book which I think I’ll definitely read again.
I will say, at first I thought this book was moving really slow which is unlike any other crime novel I have read which slightly bothered me because I enjoy fast paced books. But now that I have finished it, I realised that it’s been written really well and at a brilliant pace as the information that was provided needed me to take it in slowly. The dramatic events that occurred startled me just like if it was a jump scare, creating the suspense which made me clamp my hand over my mouth. Also, I really liked the concept of Project Snowbank. I don’t support it all but Carver took this novel so deeply using science and I enjoyed that.
Nonetheless, a fantastic book which I think I’ll definitely read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
Zaffre Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Know Me Now. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Dan Forrester is back in Know Me Now, the third book in the series. Reeling from the death of his father, Dan gets a phone call that his thirteen year old godson has committed suicide. Convinced that both deaths are suspicious, Dan starts investigations that may put the life of everyone he loves in danger.
Know Me Know is a thrilling read in places, but gets bogged down in others. Danger lurks around every corner and, instead of using all of the tools that he has at his disposal, Dan mainly goes out on his own. Having not cut the ties entirely from MI5, I did not buy the premise that Dan needs to take the chances he does, especially with a hugely pregnant wife. The eventual reveal did nothing to improve my opinion of the book, as it seems very implausible that the events would have unfolded in that manner. For these reasons, I am hesitant to recommend Know Me Now to other readers.
Dan Forrester is back in Know Me Now, the third book in the series. Reeling from the death of his father, Dan gets a phone call that his thirteen year old godson has committed suicide. Convinced that both deaths are suspicious, Dan starts investigations that may put the life of everyone he loves in danger.
Know Me Know is a thrilling read in places, but gets bogged down in others. Danger lurks around every corner and, instead of using all of the tools that he has at his disposal, Dan mainly goes out on his own. Having not cut the ties entirely from MI5, I did not buy the premise that Dan needs to take the chances he does, especially with a hugely pregnant wife. The eventual reveal did nothing to improve my opinion of the book, as it seems very implausible that the events would have unfolded in that manner. For these reasons, I am hesitant to recommend Know Me Now to other readers.
November 28, 2017
I will admit that I have not read the previous two books in this series which may have impacted my enjoyment of this book. Unfortunately for me this book fell a little flat compared to the excitement I gained from the first few chapters. I feel like there was little character development and of course this could be because this occurs in the previous books but personally I think books like this should be just as enjoyable if read as a standalone as not every book in the series will have a plot that interests every reader.
I also felt like the blurb gives away one of the major plot twists that does not happen until 75% of the way through the story which meant I was not surprised by it. I found the entire plot convoluted and I felt the same story could have been told in far fewer words.
Overall I would be willing to read another book from C. J. Carver but I doubt I would pick up another in this particular series.
I also felt like the blurb gives away one of the major plot twists that does not happen until 75% of the way through the story which meant I was not surprised by it. I found the entire plot convoluted and I felt the same story could have been told in far fewer words.
Overall I would be willing to read another book from C. J. Carver but I doubt I would pick up another in this particular series.
October 20, 2020
Another thrilling Dan Forester / DC Lucy Davies conspiracy novel! When a young boy dies after witnessing something he shouldn’t, Dan and Lucy decide to investigate. They team up with Grace who wonders why so many people in the area are dying so early. This felt like a continuation of the first novel rather than the second, with Grace and Sirius making comebacks. While it was great to see Grace, her involvement felt too coincidental to ring true. Despite that, there was lots of great action and an intriguing set of deaths in Germany and the UK. I really hope this isn’t the end of the series 🤞 🎧 Peter Silverleaf narrated well. He seems to have slowed his pace to more acceptable levels in this novel, or maybe I’ve just gotten used to him. Either way, he provided some great character voicing.
December 13, 2017
Three friends are reunited to investigate the possible murder of a young boy not realizing just how far reaching his death is. Could it be linked to the death of an older man in another country . This is book 3 in the series and I'm definitely going to get the first two.
The story was interesting and there was lots of drama to keep me interested. The plot was good but there is a lot going on at times so did take a bit if following. I enjoyed it though and could read more about them.
I really liked Lucy she's a great character and I became very invested in her. Dan is also an interesting character and has a lot of depth. Something I think would be more obvious had I read the earlier books but there was enough in this you wouldn't have to.
The story was interesting and there was lots of drama to keep me interested. The plot was good but there is a lot going on at times so did take a bit if following. I enjoyed it though and could read more about them.
I really liked Lucy she's a great character and I became very invested in her. Dan is also an interesting character and has a lot of depth. Something I think would be more obvious had I read the earlier books but there was enough in this you wouldn't have to.
February 1, 2019
Netgalley giveaway
As this book is second in the series you will find them mentioning something from the previous book but it didn’t bother me. The base of the book at the beginning was fast but then it slows down, I couldn’t connect with the main characters mainly Dan . Lucy was my favourite . I think maybe because there were two story line then I wasn’t concentrating. The murder of the teenager boy and finding the killer was the best part. I was not interested in the espionage!!
It took me longer time to finish this book , because it was taking place in two/ three locations and had a lot of important characters . but half way I started to rush through it got very intense. It was full of revelation , It interconnected every story to one shocking end.
As this book is second in the series you will find them mentioning something from the previous book but it didn’t bother me. The base of the book at the beginning was fast but then it slows down, I couldn’t connect with the main characters mainly Dan . Lucy was my favourite . I think maybe because there were two story line then I wasn’t concentrating. The murder of the teenager boy and finding the killer was the best part. I was not interested in the espionage!!
It took me longer time to finish this book , because it was taking place in two/ three locations and had a lot of important characters . but half way I started to rush through it got very intense. It was full of revelation , It interconnected every story to one shocking end.
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