What do you think?
Rate this book
Forensic Instincts #3
The Stranger You Know
From a New York Times–bestselling author, this “must-read for thriller-lovers,” features a killer working his way to his true prey, one victim at a time (Heather Graham, New York Times–bestselling author of Crimson Summer).It begins with a chilling phone call to Casey Woods. And ends with another girl dead. College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they’re posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial killer now serving thirty years to life—a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts. Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath’s desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey—a connection that grows closer and closer to her. Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of the killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopath won’t stop until he makes sure she’s dead.“Andrea Kane burst onto the thriller scene with the force of a wrecking ball. The Stranger You Know now establishes her as one of the very best.” —Michael Palmer, New York Times–bestselling author of Side Effects“A truly great story that will have everyone looking forward to even more Forensic Instincts books.” —Suspense Magazine“Takes the reader hostage until the last page.” —Rick Mofina, USA Today–bestselling author of If Angels Fall
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
171 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Kane
48 books854 followersComing in March 2019 from Andrea Kane: DEAD IN A WEEK.
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-nine novels, including fifteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge—and keeping her readers up all night.
Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including No Way Out, Twisted, and Drawn in Blood.
Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, Dead in a Week, adds the Zermatt Group into the mix—a covert team of former military and spy agency operatives. With a week to save a young woman from ruthless kidnappers, this globe-spanning chase, from the beerhalls of Germany, to the tech gardens of California, to the skyscrapers of China, and finally the farmlands of Croatia will keep readers guessing until the very end. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, followed by The Line Between Here and Gone, The Stranger You Know, The Silence that Speaks, The Murder That Never Was, and A Face to Die For.
Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include My Heart’s Desire, Samantha, Echoes in the Mist, and Wishes in the Wind.
With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages.
Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan. Otherwise, she’s either writing or playing with her Pomeranian, Mischief, who does his best to keep her from writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 4, 2019
I'm beginning to believe that books by Andrea Kane are just not my kind of thing. This is my third book by this author and just like the previous times I just wasn’t enamoured.
This is my second book in this series, I liked it a bit more than the other one - A Face to Die for but still i didn't fully enjoy the whole experience. 'Till now the best book from this author is Twisted from her other series.
The thing is that both books in the Forensic Instincts series are pretty boring and unremarkable to me. The reason I generally prefer romantic suspense these days is that the suspense part is not always enough to keep my attention. And this is the case with Forensic Instincts books. The plot is just not eventful enough. The serial killer case in The Stranger You Know is nice but let’s be honest, it is pretty similar to all the other serial killer cases in tones of other books. There is nothing distinctive about it. Except for a rather slow pace of the story and general lack of action.
And I have some problems with attaching to the characters. This is my second time with them and I still don’t really care about them. What is even worse, I don’t recognise one character from the other. Well, reading the series out of order sometimes blurs the things. Still, after two books (and not a short ones) I should at least know who is who. The only characters that look a bit interesting to me are Claire and Ryan. And even they are not really that different to be remembered. Also, I just don’t like Casey. And at the end of the book, she does some pretty stupid things.
I will, probably still give another chance to this series, but I have quite low expectations not.
This is my second book in this series, I liked it a bit more than the other one - A Face to Die for but still i didn't fully enjoy the whole experience. 'Till now the best book from this author is Twisted from her other series.
The thing is that both books in the Forensic Instincts series are pretty boring and unremarkable to me. The reason I generally prefer romantic suspense these days is that the suspense part is not always enough to keep my attention. And this is the case with Forensic Instincts books. The plot is just not eventful enough. The serial killer case in The Stranger You Know is nice but let’s be honest, it is pretty similar to all the other serial killer cases in tones of other books. There is nothing distinctive about it. Except for a rather slow pace of the story and general lack of action.
And I have some problems with attaching to the characters. This is my second time with them and I still don’t really care about them. What is even worse, I don’t recognise one character from the other. Well, reading the series out of order sometimes blurs the things. Still, after two books (and not a short ones) I should at least know who is who. The only characters that look a bit interesting to me are Claire and Ryan. And even they are not really that different to be remembered. Also, I just don’t like Casey. And at the end of the book, she does some pretty stupid things.
I will, probably still give another chance to this series, but I have quite low expectations not.
September 6, 2013
Wow, this one kept me guessing all the way till the end. I had guessed some things, but there was one big glaring fact that escaped me until it was pointed out.
I loved how everyone at Forensic Instincts has seemed to put their petty issues behind them and are clearly a team. It is a good thing because Casey really needed them all. I thought with the last book we were done with the bad guy, but no, he is still obsessed with Casey. I hated how with each new act this evil mad was able to poke at Casey. But as bad as things were for Casey I think they were worse for Claire because with her talents she had a close up look at what was going on.
While I enjoyed what was going on with the horrific crimes, I think I found what was going on with Ryan and Claire more. They have been at each others throats from the beginning, so these new developments are fun. With that being said, I didn't like how a woman from Ryan's past showed up, even worse was how Ryan acted. It was fun how all the other guys gave advice to Ryan, but the best was when the women met for drinks to work things out.
I liked the last scene and as bad as things were for Claire and Casey I am glad that they have each other to lean on.
I loved how everyone at Forensic Instincts has seemed to put their petty issues behind them and are clearly a team. It is a good thing because Casey really needed them all. I thought with the last book we were done with the bad guy, but no, he is still obsessed with Casey. I hated how with each new act this evil mad was able to poke at Casey. But as bad as things were for Casey I think they were worse for Claire because with her talents she had a close up look at what was going on.
While I enjoyed what was going on with the horrific crimes, I think I found what was going on with Ryan and Claire more. They have been at each others throats from the beginning, so these new developments are fun. With that being said, I didn't like how a woman from Ryan's past showed up, even worse was how Ryan acted. It was fun how all the other guys gave advice to Ryan, but the best was when the women met for drinks to work things out.
I liked the last scene and as bad as things were for Claire and Casey I am glad that they have each other to lean on.
April 25, 2015
At the request of the local police, Casey Woods and her Forensic Instincts team are helping investigate a series of murders. The victims are all redheaded college age women who have been raped and strangled. The killer starts contacting Casey, telling her that he is coming after her. Evidence points to a known murderer who is currently serving a life sentence. As Casey and her team search for the killer, more bodies are discovered, and the killer lets Casey know that she is next.
This is the third book in Andrea Kane's Forensic Instincts series. We are getting to know the cast of characters better in this book, seeing their relationships change. The mystery is interesting, but I thought it was sometimes very predictable. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the third book in Andrea Kane's Forensic Instincts series. We are getting to know the cast of characters better in this book, seeing their relationships change. The mystery is interesting, but I thought it was sometimes very predictable. My rating: 4 Stars.
April 14, 2019
The Forensic Instincts team takes on a cold case as a dying father needs closure for his daughter's disappearance fifteen years ago. Team members Marc, Ryan, Patrick, and Claire, and leader Casey begin backtracking and leads start to point to a serial killer, Glen Fisher, serving a life sentence in prison.
Red haired college women are being abducted, raped, and killed in the same manner as Glen Fisher committed his crimes. Casey receives phone calls from the murderer right after each kill and he says he is coming for her. Is this murderer an accomplice of Fisher or an equally sadistic copycat?
This is my second book of the Forensic Instincts series and the characters are becoming more well developed. I like books with serial killers and FBI agents so I enjoyed this one. I suspected who the killer turned out to be. Now I'm ready for another in this series.
Red haired college women are being abducted, raped, and killed in the same manner as Glen Fisher committed his crimes. Casey receives phone calls from the murderer right after each kill and he says he is coming for her. Is this murderer an accomplice of Fisher or an equally sadistic copycat?
This is my second book of the Forensic Instincts series and the characters are becoming more well developed. I like books with serial killers and FBI agents so I enjoyed this one. I suspected who the killer turned out to be. Now I'm ready for another in this series.
September 25, 2020
Good suspense novel in the Forensic Instincts series. It's not completely necessary to read the other books first, but it does give background. This case is personal for the team so it gives a bit more depth to the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy.
July 3, 2013
4 STARS
I like Forensic Instincts. This is the third book in the series. It is good except for the crimes committed, that part is not a fun topic. I like the team of characters at Forensic Instincts. The plot has twists some I expected and others I did not guess at all. I should have guessed more answers.
Their is case that Forensic Instincts has been hired to look into. It happened fifteen years ago and it ties into a case that is close to Casey past. A father has cancer stage 4 and he wants his daughter found before he dies. Patrick brought the case to FI.
Casey friend in college was kidnapped, raped and murdered. The killer was never found. This case is close in details that they think they are connected.
Casey knows she is emotionally close to the case but she is still going to take lead because it is her company. Her past, The reason for which she started the company.
Clair is looking for clues when she is drawn into a rape scene somehow. Clair calls the cop and tells him what she saw. He has worked with her before so he goes to look for the body and crime scene.
Casey it's a phone call saying why waste her talent on a cold case when she can find a warm body. That a blood chain has been started and it will end with her death and rape.
FI team does not plan to let that happen. Casey is not going to stop working on the missing girl case because she is being threatened. Of Course they want to stop this new killer too before he kills again. The cops are willing to work with FI on both cases.
The murdered girl is small and a red head like Casey. She is a college student. She was on her way home when she disappeared.
Mark brings his skills as a Navy seal and former FBI agent to FI. Ryan has lots of teck tools. He is smart, good looking and likes Clair. Clair is a physic who connects with objects and sees the crimes more than she wants, but can't see who he is. Patrick a retired cop and FBI Agent by the book. Casey is smart and a profiler they make a great team. They also have Hero a retired FBI dog because he gets sick in planes.
Casey's calls her boyfriend asks for his help. Hutch is a FBI Agent profiler. He lives in Virginia but comes as soon as he can to help catch the guy and keep Casey safe.
They work together to solve cases. When they get a case they put lots of hours in it especially if they are trying to save someone.
It is a good story and I want to read more Forensic Instincts books. I would like to see and learn more personal information about Mark and the others members of FI.
It is well told story that works. I did not want to put the book down but I could not stay up longer and read the rest first thing this morning.
There were some love scenes that I skipped over.
I will definitely read more books by Andrea Kane in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it in exchange by NetGalley & Harlequin.
publication: September 24th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA 368 pages ISBN: 0778315010
Description below taken off of NetGalley
It begins with a chilling phone call to Casey Woods. And ends with another girl dead.
College-age girls with long red hair. Brutally murdered, they're posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life—a criminal brought to justice with the help of Forensic Instincts.
Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath's desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey—a connection that grows closer and closer to her.
Now the Forensic Instincts team must race to uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey as the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make one thing clear: he knows everything about Casey. And Casey realizes that this psychopathic won't stop until he makes sure she's dead.
November 18, 2013
The Stranger You Know is Andrea Kane’s third installment in the Forensic Instincts series. I haven’t read the first two books, but I had no problem picking this book up and getting up to speed with the freelance forensic investigation team lead by behaviorist Casey. Hired by a father who doesn’t have long to live to investigate the cold case disappearance of his daughter from Columbia University several years previously, Casey and her team of specialists connect a group of murders and missing persons cases that fit a pattern: nearly every victim is a college aged red-headed female. The team consists of Casey, a retired FBI scent dog, a tech wizard, a former Navy Seal, a claircognizant, and sometimes an FBI profiler.
A year earlier, Casey and Forensic Instincts were called in by NYPD to help catch a brutal rapist. Casey was used as bait since she fit the offender’s profile, and along with one of her team members they brought the violent Glen down. Now Glen sits in prison, plotting his revenge against Casey. His reach knows no bounds, even behind bars, and his sadistic nature and rage haven’t abated at all during his imprisonment. Glen gets his kicks toying with Casey, taunting her as more women are tortured and murdered, getting closer and closer to Casey being the last and ultimate victim. But the question is, who is murdering these red-headed women since Glen is locked up? Is it a copycat killer or someone Glen is giving orders to?
Written in third person point of view, you get a look inside of a lot of the characters’ heads. This book focuses on Casey and the group’s psychic, Claire. I really enjoyed reading the way Claire’s abilities helped the team as she received impressions from objects and visions of the murders. Having a psychic on the team isn’t something that you see in most books like these, and it was refreshing. The crimes are written in some detail, so they are a mildly graphic.
I give The Stranger You Know a 4 out of 5. The pace was fast throughout the book, and even though this is the third installment in the series, it stands alone with no problems. The characters’ voices are distinct and easily distinguished. In a refreshing change of pace, the killer is revealed a little over halfway through the book, and the game changes from “Who done it” to “Catch me if you can” as the team races to keep Casey safe while preventing more murders. I enjoyed this book and the characters interactions so much, I definitely want to go back and read the first two books while I wait for the next book in this series.
(Also posted on Bewitched Bookworms)
A year earlier, Casey and Forensic Instincts were called in by NYPD to help catch a brutal rapist. Casey was used as bait since she fit the offender’s profile, and along with one of her team members they brought the violent Glen down. Now Glen sits in prison, plotting his revenge against Casey. His reach knows no bounds, even behind bars, and his sadistic nature and rage haven’t abated at all during his imprisonment. Glen gets his kicks toying with Casey, taunting her as more women are tortured and murdered, getting closer and closer to Casey being the last and ultimate victim. But the question is, who is murdering these red-headed women since Glen is locked up? Is it a copycat killer or someone Glen is giving orders to?
Written in third person point of view, you get a look inside of a lot of the characters’ heads. This book focuses on Casey and the group’s psychic, Claire. I really enjoyed reading the way Claire’s abilities helped the team as she received impressions from objects and visions of the murders. Having a psychic on the team isn’t something that you see in most books like these, and it was refreshing. The crimes are written in some detail, so they are a mildly graphic.
I give The Stranger You Know a 4 out of 5. The pace was fast throughout the book, and even though this is the third installment in the series, it stands alone with no problems. The characters’ voices are distinct and easily distinguished. In a refreshing change of pace, the killer is revealed a little over halfway through the book, and the game changes from “Who done it” to “Catch me if you can” as the team races to keep Casey safe while preventing more murders. I enjoyed this book and the characters interactions so much, I definitely want to go back and read the first two books while I wait for the next book in this series.
(Also posted on Bewitched Bookworms)
September 1, 2013
The Stranger You Know
by
Andrea Kane
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Glenn is a very bad man and is in jail and can't hurt anyone any more...or can he?
My thoughts about this book...
This was one of those fast paced crime/drama books that I am usually incapable of putting down until I finish it. If I do have to put it down...I think about it and yearn to get back to it.
This book fills all of my mystery loving needs.
We have Casey and her crew...her company is Forensic Instincts and they solve crimes.
She has a dog, a psychic, a four story building and an amazing crew.
She also has a psychotic criminal...who is in prison...but is still after her. He wants her hurt, raped, tortured and dead. He has ways and means and he wants Casey dead more than he has ever wanted anything. I might add that he is creepy...very very creepy!
What he does and how he goes about getting what he wants is scary, chilling, outrageous and the stuff nightmares are made of. It makes me further believe in the old adage...don't trust anyone...truly...do not trust anyone!
This book is deliciously good...just when you think you are safe...you are anything but. This book is well written...a perfect pace and a joy to mystery lovers.
What I loved about this book...
The events were freaking unbelievable.
What I did not love about this book...
You could say that it is just a tad predictable but that didn't bother me at all!
Final thoughts...
I think this book of Andrea Kane's will be an extremely exciting addition to any mystery lover's library!
by
Andrea Kane
My" in a nutshell" summary...
Glenn is a very bad man and is in jail and can't hurt anyone any more...or can he?
My thoughts about this book...
This was one of those fast paced crime/drama books that I am usually incapable of putting down until I finish it. If I do have to put it down...I think about it and yearn to get back to it.
This book fills all of my mystery loving needs.
We have Casey and her crew...her company is Forensic Instincts and they solve crimes.
She has a dog, a psychic, a four story building and an amazing crew.
She also has a psychotic criminal...who is in prison...but is still after her. He wants her hurt, raped, tortured and dead. He has ways and means and he wants Casey dead more than he has ever wanted anything. I might add that he is creepy...very very creepy!
What he does and how he goes about getting what he wants is scary, chilling, outrageous and the stuff nightmares are made of. It makes me further believe in the old adage...don't trust anyone...truly...do not trust anyone!
This book is deliciously good...just when you think you are safe...you are anything but. This book is well written...a perfect pace and a joy to mystery lovers.
What I loved about this book...
The events were freaking unbelievable.
What I did not love about this book...
You could say that it is just a tad predictable but that didn't bother me at all!
Final thoughts...
I think this book of Andrea Kane's will be an extremely exciting addition to any mystery lover's library!
December 2, 2013
I enjoyed the journey through this book - well, as much as one can when reading about a twisted serial killer. The scene between Claire and Leilah was especially good - they hash things out over Ryan like grown women instead of immature teenagers and then move on! And talk about things that aren't men! It's a miracle and that's a sad fact.
Then it all goes downhill for me when the
Overall, not my favorite in the series, but not a total disaster either. I will still pick up the next book and hope for better things.
Then it all goes downhill for me when the
Overall, not my favorite in the series, but not a total disaster either. I will still pick up the next book and hope for better things.
October 14, 2013
I didn't realize this book was the third in a series featuring Forensic Instinct until I read some of the reviews posted here. It worked just fine as a standalone read. The team put me in the mind of a tweaked up Criminal Minds squad, more specialized and not affiliated with the FBI or police.
There were some cool tools implemented by the tech-whiz of the unit. Present him with a problem, and he will come up with something to listen to it, record it, distract it, open it, whatever you need. This is the guy I would want on my side. Think of the possibilities of a bug that looks and feels like a wad of discarded chewing gum. Not recognizable as a listening device, and no one who comes across it accidentally is going to want to touch it. Brilliant!
The author's description of places was particularly good. I do have a small quibble with the predictability aspect, but the story had me hooked nevertheless.
This was a first-reads giveaway, thank you. I enjoyed it.
There were some cool tools implemented by the tech-whiz of the unit. Present him with a problem, and he will come up with something to listen to it, record it, distract it, open it, whatever you need. This is the guy I would want on my side. Think of the possibilities of a bug that looks and feels like a wad of discarded chewing gum. Not recognizable as a listening device, and no one who comes across it accidentally is going to want to touch it. Brilliant!
The author's description of places was particularly good. I do have a small quibble with the predictability aspect, but the story had me hooked nevertheless.
This was a first-reads giveaway, thank you. I enjoyed it.
June 16, 2015
Disclaimer: I listened to this book instead of reading it. Based on other reviews and a general liking for the story, I am trying to separate the story from the narration but it's difficult.
My review is mostly about the audio version. For plot details, read someone else's review :)
I've never listened to a book that made me repeatedly wonder if the narrator was a computer generated voice. I'd be convinced that it was, then a character would speak and I'd wonder again because the people were well performed. But all of that in-between stuff, the actual story behind the conversations, sounded like a slightly more realistic version of Siri. And the sex scenes (and why, oh why, do people think we have to have sex in every police book??) are the worst. It's like listening to your GPS describe sex.
My review is mostly about the audio version. For plot details, read someone else's review :)
I've never listened to a book that made me repeatedly wonder if the narrator was a computer generated voice. I'd be convinced that it was, then a character would speak and I'd wonder again because the people were well performed. But all of that in-between stuff, the actual story behind the conversations, sounded like a slightly more realistic version of Siri. And the sex scenes (and why, oh why, do people think we have to have sex in every police book??) are the worst. It's like listening to your GPS describe sex.
September 6, 2020
Ok, I read the first one and fell in love with her writing, the characters and the series. Lockdown was a very quick read, more or less introducing a few characters, not pertinent to this series. The second one in this series pulled me in, as a mom. Really good, glad how they both ended. The third one, wow. Pulled me in and wouldn't let go. Very chilling, edge of your seat reading, makes you always wanna pay attention to your surroundings. I won't give spoilers, but this one was as equally good. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. Love Andrea Kane. As these three have now been rereads/re listens for me, more or less as refreshers, I liked the narrator for the first two books, this lady who read the third book, it took a few chapters to adjust to her. I'm off to read/listen to the fourth book. Bye
March 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and realized I have been reading the series though I didn't know it. Casey and Forensic Instincts are quite a group of people who are able to solve murder cases. This time the killer or killers are after Casey. She has put away a killer and now another is trying to get her. It moved very quickly and was hard to put down. I enjoyed the ride. Love this author.
July 13, 2015
Terrifying...
Scared to even answer the phone now*
Scared to even answer the phone now*
March 27, 2016
I love this series and I can totally see this as a tv series. Completed the book in a day and as much as I hate the body counts, I love how I was guessing throughout the book. Awesome read.
September 19, 2017
Wow! An American author I did not know and she delivers! Great craftsmanship is indicated in constructing a group largely like TV’s “Scorpion,” of a former SEAL agent, FBI agent, a couple of computer and IT specialists and its most problematical member, a clairvoyant named, of course, “Claire.” I should not forget Yoda, the do-everything computer and Casey Woods, the red-haired leader, coordinator and den mother of the group and her dog, Hero. The group is collectively known as “Forensic Instincts.” Kane also throws in a plot that is sheer genius: a serial killer starts with young college girls with red hair and rapes them, eviscerates them and leaves evidence of further tortures behind, strangling them to make sure they can’t talk. He is Glen Fisher. He gets thrown in jail and is there for fifteen years when the patterns begin to repeat. This time he accompanies each murder with a written threat of more to come, clues as to where the bodies will be found and a blatant statement that Casey will be the last to be killed. This keeps the suspense building as each murder holds more clues as to who’s next and what’s going to happen. Claire’s powers are tested and she consistently gives the group, (FI) clues but not answers. FI also stays one or three steps ahead of the FBI, the NYPD and everybody else trying to solve the murders, especially since they continue once Glen Fisher is in prison. The crucial discovery is made that Fisher has developed not only an agent who carries out his orders with enthusiasm, but also in-prison agents who keep him supplied with information and burner phones so he can have his orders obeyed. (A slight plot wobble: nowhere is it thoroughly explained how King manages to afford all these agents since he is without income.) Then there is Suzanne, Fisher’s acquiescent wife, who gives him information to abet his crimes and plan his escape. Kane skillfully tightens the screws. So effective is she at portraying the abilities and the independent attitude of FI that the reader almost forgets to wonder what, given all the murders and clues that add up, are the FBI and NYPD doing? FI figures that bureaucracy stands in their way: warrants, official approval of tactics—everything that gets in the way of solving the case the FI ignores and goes its own way. This adds a swashbuckling flavor to the whole enterprise and adds to the fun. I am still deeply into my exploration of Nordic noir, but this diversion was a most welcome one and I have made the promise to myself to read more Kane Forensic Instincts novels. You should, too!
June 23, 2020
This was a big disappointment. A CSI in print. It was everywhere..and simultaneously nowhere.
Casey woods is a PI who runs her own maverick team of professionals who.include an ex SEAL an FBI guy a tech wiz and also a psychic. These guys have been asked by NYPD to help them with a series of rape and murder of college girls all of who fit a certain physical description. The synopsis made me eager to read it. However, I've got a whole gamut of issues with this book.
1. Casey is the person in charge,.but this is only in words. I didn't get this feeling of charge at all. In fact she had the least role.
2.Claire the psychic. Personally I am a cynic regarding the use of a medium that's not tangible in such serious situations . But she has a greater role to play than Casey. What I didn't get was her missing out a victim.completely because she was busy making out with her bf. I'm wondering if there was so much at stake, how could.she be so irresponsible. Plus all her reactions are so juvenile .. 'its evil'.
3 Ryan the tech wiz. Predictably his tech stuff fail at the right time and work at the end. Andrea tried so hard to make her book savvy and glitzy that she forgot to put in real feelings . It also got a little annoying.
The book's so cold. I felt nothing. There was no empathy/ emotion across the book.
The other guys are just there.
Storyline glitches:
1. This was a collaboration with NYPD but as in movies their presence is minimal.
2. Till the end they cannot figure out who helped the psycho in jail. Really?
3. Follow up on each case is so poor. Thanks to all the crime episode we know what to expect.
This book had such a great potential, unfortunately it just falls flat.
Casey woods is a PI who runs her own maverick team of professionals who.include an ex SEAL an FBI guy a tech wiz and also a psychic. These guys have been asked by NYPD to help them with a series of rape and murder of college girls all of who fit a certain physical description. The synopsis made me eager to read it. However, I've got a whole gamut of issues with this book.
1. Casey is the person in charge,.but this is only in words. I didn't get this feeling of charge at all. In fact she had the least role.
2.Claire the psychic. Personally I am a cynic regarding the use of a medium that's not tangible in such serious situations . But she has a greater role to play than Casey. What I didn't get was her missing out a victim.completely because she was busy making out with her bf. I'm wondering if there was so much at stake, how could.she be so irresponsible. Plus all her reactions are so juvenile .. 'its evil'.
3 Ryan the tech wiz. Predictably his tech stuff fail at the right time and work at the end. Andrea tried so hard to make her book savvy and glitzy that she forgot to put in real feelings . It also got a little annoying.
The book's so cold. I felt nothing. There was no empathy/ emotion across the book.
The other guys are just there.
Storyline glitches:
1. This was a collaboration with NYPD but as in movies their presence is minimal.
2. Till the end they cannot figure out who helped the psycho in jail. Really?
3. Follow up on each case is so poor. Thanks to all the crime episode we know what to expect.
This book had such a great potential, unfortunately it just falls flat.
July 2, 2017
I’m a sucker for a couple of things one being forensics and the other being the paranormal. The Forensic Instincts series would appear to be a blend of both. The FI team is comprised of a core group of individuals: Casey is the founder and she is the behaviorist, the body language expert, the psychology person while Claire is the sensitive, the psychic, the woo-woo person. Others in the team are Marc, Ryan, and Patrick who each bring something slightly different to the group. One is skilled in computers and surveillance, another is a former Navy SEAL, and the other a police detective.
This is the third book in the Forensics Instincts series by Kane and I enjoy the books more with each one I read. I am already looking forward to the next in the series which my library graciously delivered to me just this week. While I definitely recommend the series I strongly suggest reading the books in the order they were released as each book builds on the next. We learn more about each character with every case and we appear to gain more team members as well (though I am not sure the character I am thinking of in this novel will become a regular now that I think about it.)
This book in particular has plot points that refer to previous novels in the series. At only three books in I can’t tell if this will be a recurring theme. I remember the situation referenced in this novel and yet I couldn’t tell you which book it occurred in because it did not actually seem to involve the case being worked on in that book–or if it did I have completely forgot the connection to it! The story gives enough background that you could read this book without having read others in the series if this book caught your attention while browsing at the library or your favorite book store. I think you’ll enough it more if you have all the background on the character and the current case.
The series is definitely recommended if you enjoy mysteries with female leads or novels with a bit of a paranormal flair thrown in. The first book in the series is The Girl Who Disappeared Twice if you are so inclined to read from the beginning.
This is the third book in the Forensics Instincts series by Kane and I enjoy the books more with each one I read. I am already looking forward to the next in the series which my library graciously delivered to me just this week. While I definitely recommend the series I strongly suggest reading the books in the order they were released as each book builds on the next. We learn more about each character with every case and we appear to gain more team members as well (though I am not sure the character I am thinking of in this novel will become a regular now that I think about it.)
This book in particular has plot points that refer to previous novels in the series. At only three books in I can’t tell if this will be a recurring theme. I remember the situation referenced in this novel and yet I couldn’t tell you which book it occurred in because it did not actually seem to involve the case being worked on in that book–or if it did I have completely forgot the connection to it! The story gives enough background that you could read this book without having read others in the series if this book caught your attention while browsing at the library or your favorite book store. I think you’ll enough it more if you have all the background on the character and the current case.
The series is definitely recommended if you enjoy mysteries with female leads or novels with a bit of a paranormal flair thrown in. The first book in the series is The Girl Who Disappeared Twice if you are so inclined to read from the beginning.
October 11, 2022
Ok, so this one is a bit different, no less good. Glen Fisher was taken off the streets and put away for a long time thanks in part to a sting operation helped along by Casey Woods and her Forensic Instincts team mate Marc Deveraux. And the killings of red haired college age girls stopped. Now though the killings have started again and Glen Fisher is still in prison, the difference this time being, the end result is going to be the violent death of Casey Woods herself. The entire team at FI mobilize to protect Casey, and figure out the killer before his end game gets played. A well written series that with each book just keeps getting better and better Andrea Kane is a great storyteller
November 28, 2022
I started with A Face to Die For which has more nuance and gives more character development. I went back and read the first 2 and then this one.
The plot was kind of interesting but came across as shallow somehow.
The descriptions of the attacks were kind of graphic but lacked real feeling which made me uncomfortable. The protagonists suddenly did uncharacteristically naïve things in the end which (unrealistically) allowed the evil doers to suddenly have their advantage too easily.
I generally prefer more depth in my fiction, but read a lot of The Atlantic magazine, Washington Post and NYTIMES so need lightish fiction sometimes.
The plot was kind of interesting but came across as shallow somehow.
The descriptions of the attacks were kind of graphic but lacked real feeling which made me uncomfortable. The protagonists suddenly did uncharacteristically naïve things in the end which (unrealistically) allowed the evil doers to suddenly have their advantage too easily.
I generally prefer more depth in my fiction, but read a lot of The Atlantic magazine, Washington Post and NYTIMES so need lightish fiction sometimes.
May 1, 2024
The plot of this book isn’t bad. However, I find this book trying too hard to be like Criminal Minds. The author is overly descriptive and it takes away from the writing. To anyone who writes a book, please do not use similar names for main characters. Trying to keep Claire and Casey straight was a nightmare for most of the book. The ending was a huge letdown. It felt like the author got tired of writing or had a deadline and just quickly wrapped it up. The entire book built up to this one moment and it ended so quickly with almost zero action. Really disappointed overall and struggled to finish.
September 7, 2024
The Stranger You Know is the third installment in the Forensic Instincts series. As we get to know the characters better, there is more and more consensual sex. I prefer the "fade to black" type of sex scene. The ones in this book are a bit more graphic and make me wonder if this is actually a romance series posing as a thriller. Be forewarned, there are numerous brutal rapes and murders. If these subjects trigger you, stay away. I enjoyed Books #1 and #2 more than this one. The Stranger You Know was predictable in all the wrong ways. And Casey's bull-headed nonsense was grating. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to reading Book #4.
November 15, 2017
Red-headed college girls are being raped and murdered. Casey Woods, owner of Forensic Instincts, had a friend who was a victim and the murderer was never caught. Now murders are being committed similar to those committed by Glen Fisher. A sadistic murderer, he was caught using Casey as a decoy and is now in prison. But he has never forgotten Casey and swore he would get even. Since Fisher is in prison, who is the copycat killer? Calls are made to Casey after each death is committed and the killer tells her that her time is coming.
May 10, 2019
This is my 3rd Forensic Instincts book and it’s the one that convinced me not to continue reading the series. The characters are all shallow, instead of elaborating on their personalities and allowing us to get to know them better the author simply harps on the same details about them over and over. Plus, the technical and tactics details were just beat to death and the dialogue was unrealistic. Overall it seemed rushed and lacked suspense.
September 13, 2020
I am reading these in order to date, and this one is just a little bit more creepy than I like, and had it been the first one I read, I would have put the series down--as it is I have #4 out of the library and I will read that and decide. Casey is getting stalked by a serial killer, and it is just a bit too gruesome for me. The Forensic Instinct team is still a good one, and this is written similarly to the other two that I have read in terms of story line and quality.
March 19, 2023
I’m getting disappointed with this series. It was much more interesting when I started reading it a few years ago. Now all I can see are the glaring mistakes. Guess I’m getting fussier. In this book, someone from the first book is back to stir things up. Casey, the owner of Forensic Instincts, took down a rapist targeting redheads. The same thing is happening even though he is still behind bars. I think I’ll try one more book and see if they get any better.
November 6, 2017
I liked this one the best so far of this series, probably mostly because it didn't go back over all of the details of the company again and again like the last one. I was captivated by the story, though it was definitely disturbing and quite graphic at some points. I still just really like these characters, I guess, and I'll keep reading them!
November 20, 2017
Have read Andrea Kane before and usually found it quite gripping. Not so in case of this book. It was very repetitive in terms of the murders. Very little in terms of the reader connecting to the characters. I have not read Forensic instincts 1 and 2 so that might be a reason but i feel every series should not necessarily engage the reader only if it is read in order.
September 22, 2021
It was hard to believe an unexperienced AI didn’t write this.
Each sentence is somehow detached from the next, and the dialogs seem to imitate human speech, but not very convincingly.
Brings to mind the lighthouse-keeper’s script from Rick and Morty.
Copy received through a Goodreads giveaway
Each sentence is somehow detached from the next, and the dialogs seem to imitate human speech, but not very convincingly.
Brings to mind the lighthouse-keeper’s script from Rick and Morty.
Copy received through a Goodreads giveaway
September 29, 2021
I LOVED this book. It was very involved and kept me guessing. Huge twist at the end that made my jaw drop. I’m usually good at picking up foreshadowing but this went right over my head. Great character development that I really felt like I knew the team. I didn’t know this was a serious or that this was the third so I’m ready to read the other. Hoping for them being just as good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews