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Sarah Armstrong #1
Singularity
Book by Casey, Kathryn
459 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2008
2925 people are currently reading
1376 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Casey
32 books638 followersAn award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. ANGEL FALLS, her first historical fiction, was inspired by the life of Ruth Robertson, who in 1949 measured the world’s tallest waterfall.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
Casey’s books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great."
In addition, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. In 2022, Casey was featured on the top ten Netflix limited documentary series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” She’s appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel, A&E, and other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
February 10, 2021
Kathryn Casey’s written a great character in Sarah Armstrong. Texas Ranger Armstrong takes the lead trying to ferret out a possible serial killer in SINGULARITY. Female Rangers are few and far between, but her no-nonsense quick wit keeps everyone on their toes while garnering the respect that is well-deserved.
The storyline moves at a strong pace and the pages keep turning, promising to answer “what’s going to happen next!!”
The storyline moves at a strong pace and the pages keep turning, promising to answer “what’s going to happen next!!”
June 4, 2018
I really liked this book,the writing style, the plot, the characters. I'd never heard of this author before but I will definitely be reading more of hers work.
Sarah Armstrong was a profiler with the Texas Rangers. A single mother whose husband, Bill, died in a car accident, she's worked hard to prove herself while supporting her daughter, Maggie. When a wealthy man is murdered, along with his mistress, suspicion quickly falls on the estranged wife who had means and motive. However, Sarah feels differently. When another murder occurs, she's sure they have a serial killer on the loose.
She's teamed with David Garrity and together they race to find the killer before he strikes again. Unfortunately, Sarah begins to get too close and inadvertently makes herself and her loved ones a target.
Didn't want to put this one down. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Sarah Armstrong was a profiler with the Texas Rangers. A single mother whose husband, Bill, died in a car accident, she's worked hard to prove herself while supporting her daughter, Maggie. When a wealthy man is murdered, along with his mistress, suspicion quickly falls on the estranged wife who had means and motive. However, Sarah feels differently. When another murder occurs, she's sure they have a serial killer on the loose.
She's teamed with David Garrity and together they race to find the killer before he strikes again. Unfortunately, Sarah begins to get too close and inadvertently makes herself and her loved ones a target.
Didn't want to put this one down. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 16, 2018
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Wow. This is the first that I have read of this author and I am hooked. Sarah is a Texas Ranger Profiler, recently widowed with a eleven year old daughter and they are living with her mother on a small ranch in Texas. She is called on a high profile double murder case of a wealthy real estate tycoon and his lover. The murder reeks of a ritualistic, fanatical religious serial killer but with the killer being meticulous there are no clues. Meanwhile a witch hunt for the wife of the deceased is launched with footprints all the way to the Governor's office.
March 15, 2010
PROTAGONIST: Sarah Armstrong, Texas Ranger
SETTING: Texas
SERIES: Debut
RATING: 2.25
WHY: Sarah Armstrong is one of only two female Texas Rangers on the job. She's on a case involving a psychopathic serial killer, and is the only one who doesn't believe the prevailing profile of the murderer. Although not badly written, I ended up disliking this book a lot. She exhibited the most appalling personal and professional judgment. Every time she made one of these bad decisions, I felt my gut churning - it was preposterous to believe that a person in her position could act this way or that the author could think that this was plausible.
SETTING: Texas
SERIES: Debut
RATING: 2.25
WHY: Sarah Armstrong is one of only two female Texas Rangers on the job. She's on a case involving a psychopathic serial killer, and is the only one who doesn't believe the prevailing profile of the murderer. Although not badly written, I ended up disliking this book a lot. She exhibited the most appalling personal and professional judgment. Every time she made one of these bad decisions, I felt my gut churning - it was preposterous to believe that a person in her position could act this way or that the author could think that this was plausible.
December 13, 2019
Always on the lookout for new to us female protagonists by women authors, we were happy to sample “Singularity”, first of currently four novels (from a lengthy true crime bibliography) to feature Texas Ranger and single mom (widow) Sarah Armstrong. She specializes in profiling difficult criminal cases for local law enforcement officers. When a wealthy and celebrated businessman (and his mistress) are murdered in rather striking poses, the cops focus immediately on the offended wife. But Sarah disagrees, and with some partnering with an FBI agent (which created its own set of “attractions”), pursued the possibility of a serial killer at work. The plot goes on to sustain suspense as both the wife and other parties continue under suspicion, with our heroine eventually dangerously targeted as well.
We suspect the author’s background in criminal journalism was a real asset in creating this engaging story. Accordingly, we’ll be happy to pursue the remaining tales to date in this short set.
We suspect the author’s background in criminal journalism was a real asset in creating this engaging story. Accordingly, we’ll be happy to pursue the remaining tales to date in this short set.
March 29, 2023
Singularity by Kathryn Casey is the first book in the sarah Armstrong series. Texas ranger and profiler Sarah Armstrong investigates the ritualistic death of a wealthy businessman and his mistress and finds it is linked to similar killings. A great start to the series. I like that Sarah is determined and tenacious, but also being a single mother finds the time to support her daughters needs. It was interesting to learn a little about the Texas Rangers. An engaging and intriguing mystery.
July 6, 2017
That might be one of the worst "thrillers" I've ever read......Ever.
There were complete story lines that were totally abandoned. But all the hack, corny, cliche',cheesy, parts of a typical "thriller" were all there. And, boy they were there very bigly as President Trump would say.
Now, apparently, Kathryn Casey writes True Crime books also. I'm a fan of the True Crime, so I can't say I'll never read a K Casey book again, but I can say with 99% certainty that I'll never read a Sarah Armstrong novel again.
There were complete story lines that were totally abandoned. But all the hack, corny, cliche',cheesy, parts of a typical "thriller" were all there. And, boy they were there very bigly as President Trump would say.
Now, apparently, Kathryn Casey writes True Crime books also. I'm a fan of the True Crime, so I can't say I'll never read a K Casey book again, but I can say with 99% certainty that I'll never read a Sarah Armstrong novel again.
December 9, 2008
A story of a female Texas Ranger who is widowed and has a young daughter. She is a profiler and is chasing a serial killer. Starts out fast paced and follows through to the end. A very good, quick read.
December 23, 2008
Ehh, not the best thriller I've ever read. Too many one-dimensional characters, lack of continuity in certain spots, writing was only so-so. IF there's another in the series, I probably will not read it.
April 8, 2009
This book was fun and fast to read. The characters are one-dimensional and the plot is entirely predictable. Even with those strikes against it this was a decent book. I don't regret reading it.
March 7, 2018
Have you ever gotten halfway through a movie, realized you don’t care what happens, but yet, still keep watching just to see how it ends? That’s how I felt with “Singularity.”
This was the first novel I’ve read by this author. I highly doubt there’ll be a second.
The book was mildly interesting. It was readable. Didn’t drag, wasn’t overly descriptive. It passed a few nights and really, isn’t that what a novel is supposed to do? That’s about the only positive I have. It was better than watching mindless drivel on TV.
Characters:
A big hook for me, something that pulls me in, is characters I can relate to. I was to connect with them on some level. I wasn’t to identify with them. I want to be able to cheer for the good guy and feel like I have a vested interest in them solving the case. I found none of that in this novel.
The characters were all boring, bland, one-dimensional. Cardboard. Worst of all was the protagonist. Sarah Armstrong is the only women in the Texas Rangers. Therefore you would expect her to be clever, smart, intelligent, shrewd. There was none of that. She comes off as somewhat of a bumbling fool bordering on incompetence. A Texas version of ‘The Keystone Cops.’ She makes several decisions which are wrong. Other times, when she needs to make a crucial decision she defers to someone else. Even when she figures out who the killer is, it’s not through clever detective work but rather through sheer luck. And at the end, she is not even the one to kill the bad guy. It’s someone else.
Several times, the protagonist says, referring to the killer, “He’s on a mission from God.” Again and again. “He’s on a mission from God.” “He’s on a mission from God.” Now, c’mon, admit it. You read a line like that and you immediately think of the Blues Brothers. I kept waiting for a joke reference to Jake and Elwood. There was none. More proof that these characters were one-dimensional and cardboard.
She is widowed. Her husband died a year ago in a car accident. She constantly talks to him. She misses him. She cries for him. She yearns to see him again, to hear his voice. She is still grieving. Yet, despite the heartbreak she supposedly feels, she has no problem hopping into bed with an FBI agent she’s known only a couple of days.
The protagonist seems determined to find the killer. It consumes her. We really don’t know why this case ‘hits home.’ The author never explains that. She eats, sleeps, drinks, the case. Yet, come Sunday, she takes a day off to go shopping with her daughter and to the ice skating rink. Hmm…
Story/Plot:
There was nothing new or original here. The book featured the same old tired worn-out clichés. A body is found. The clear-cut killer appears to be the wife who was filing for divorce. Yet, the protagonist, insists it’s someone else. Detectives insist it’s the wife. The media insists it’s the wife. Her lieutenant insists it’s the wife. However, our ‘hero’ insists its not. Why? Who knows? I guess so we have a story. Add to the stereotypical clichés are the pushy newspaper reporter looking for a scoop, the male chauvinist detective who leaks to the media, the lieutenant who keeps warning our hero to ‘be careful’ and then, sure enough, suspends our hero. Sure enough, the bad guy starts taunting our hero with cryptic notes. Why? Who knows????
The story centers around a serial killer who claims to be doing God’s work by killing, who he views to be ‘sinners.’ At the end, the reason he is doing God’s work is downright silly.
Dialogue:
This was my biggest complaint about this novel. For several reasons.
We all use different words. We speak the same language but use words differently. It could be based on our education, our job, our income, even what part of the country we live in. Most people say “Coke” but in Chicago, they say “pop.” Is it a sub, a hoagie, a hero? Is it a highway, parkway, freeway, expressway or interstate? They’re really all the same.
Yet, in ‘Singularity” there is no difference. FBI agents, Texas Rangers, ‘thugs’, a woman worth half a billion dollars and even a judge all speak identical.
Sarah lives with her mom and her young daughter who is 8 or 9 years old. Three generations of women. Yet, they all speak similarly. That’s not realistic. It appears that the author is an older woman. Unfortunately, that worked its way into unbelievable dialogue. Our protagonist is in her 30s, yet when speaking, especially to her daughter, more like the girl’s grandmother than her mother.
One more issue I had with the writing. And in all fairness to the author, perhaps this blame lies with the editor. I’ve never read a book where the same word is used repeatedly, over and over and over and over in a few pages, then never used again.
At one point, the word “ventured” is used 3 times in 4 pages. Toward the end, everyone repeatedly “scoffed.” In one scene, our hero, her FBI agent partner and her lieutenant are arguing. Everyone “shouted.” I shouted. He shouted. They shouted. I shouted. Shouted. Please come up with a different word. Yelled, screamed, cried, wailed. Something. Pick up a friggin thesaurus. Nope, everyone shouted.
During the big finale at the end, the protagonist keeps saying “Oh, God. No.” Again and again. Over and over. “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” It must’ve appeared 15 times within 6 pages. Heck, I started screaming ‘Oh God, no, not again.”
Lastly, the ending. Totally unbelievable and laughable.
**spoiler**
The bad guy kidnaps the protagonist’s daughter, mother and daughter’s best friend. (I saw that coming on page 125) He is holding them hostage in a room on a college campus with a telescope. He insists that he will release them ONLY in exchange for the protagonist. Why? Who knows? Why his fascination with our hero? We are never told. But here’s the part that is so unrealistic it’s laughable.
They evacuate all the students from the building. They get blueprints and schematics for the entire building. They slip micro cameras through the air ducts so they can see what he’s doing. They get dozens of SWAT agents in place. They get countless FBI agents in place. They put snipers on nearby buildings. They secure a helicopter to distract him. They remove radioactive materials from a lab one floor below. OH—and they do all of this in 12 minutes. Give me a break. Jack Bauer couldn’t do that. A joke.
***end spoiler***
Lastly, I’m not even sure why the book was called “singularity.” Apparently, it has something to do with black holes in space. How that relates to a serial killer is beyond me.
This book deserves one star. However, I’m giving it two. Any book I at least finish gets 2 stars minimum. I usually reserve one star for books I find unreadable.
As I said, this book IS readable. It did pass a few nights. It’s better than the cr*p on TV. But that’s about it.
This was the first novel I’ve read by this author. I highly doubt there’ll be a second.
The book was mildly interesting. It was readable. Didn’t drag, wasn’t overly descriptive. It passed a few nights and really, isn’t that what a novel is supposed to do? That’s about the only positive I have. It was better than watching mindless drivel on TV.
Characters:
A big hook for me, something that pulls me in, is characters I can relate to. I was to connect with them on some level. I wasn’t to identify with them. I want to be able to cheer for the good guy and feel like I have a vested interest in them solving the case. I found none of that in this novel.
The characters were all boring, bland, one-dimensional. Cardboard. Worst of all was the protagonist. Sarah Armstrong is the only women in the Texas Rangers. Therefore you would expect her to be clever, smart, intelligent, shrewd. There was none of that. She comes off as somewhat of a bumbling fool bordering on incompetence. A Texas version of ‘The Keystone Cops.’ She makes several decisions which are wrong. Other times, when she needs to make a crucial decision she defers to someone else. Even when she figures out who the killer is, it’s not through clever detective work but rather through sheer luck. And at the end, she is not even the one to kill the bad guy. It’s someone else.
Several times, the protagonist says, referring to the killer, “He’s on a mission from God.” Again and again. “He’s on a mission from God.” “He’s on a mission from God.” Now, c’mon, admit it. You read a line like that and you immediately think of the Blues Brothers. I kept waiting for a joke reference to Jake and Elwood. There was none. More proof that these characters were one-dimensional and cardboard.
She is widowed. Her husband died a year ago in a car accident. She constantly talks to him. She misses him. She cries for him. She yearns to see him again, to hear his voice. She is still grieving. Yet, despite the heartbreak she supposedly feels, she has no problem hopping into bed with an FBI agent she’s known only a couple of days.
The protagonist seems determined to find the killer. It consumes her. We really don’t know why this case ‘hits home.’ The author never explains that. She eats, sleeps, drinks, the case. Yet, come Sunday, she takes a day off to go shopping with her daughter and to the ice skating rink. Hmm…
Story/Plot:
There was nothing new or original here. The book featured the same old tired worn-out clichés. A body is found. The clear-cut killer appears to be the wife who was filing for divorce. Yet, the protagonist, insists it’s someone else. Detectives insist it’s the wife. The media insists it’s the wife. Her lieutenant insists it’s the wife. However, our ‘hero’ insists its not. Why? Who knows? I guess so we have a story. Add to the stereotypical clichés are the pushy newspaper reporter looking for a scoop, the male chauvinist detective who leaks to the media, the lieutenant who keeps warning our hero to ‘be careful’ and then, sure enough, suspends our hero. Sure enough, the bad guy starts taunting our hero with cryptic notes. Why? Who knows????
The story centers around a serial killer who claims to be doing God’s work by killing, who he views to be ‘sinners.’ At the end, the reason he is doing God’s work is downright silly.
Dialogue:
This was my biggest complaint about this novel. For several reasons.
We all use different words. We speak the same language but use words differently. It could be based on our education, our job, our income, even what part of the country we live in. Most people say “Coke” but in Chicago, they say “pop.” Is it a sub, a hoagie, a hero? Is it a highway, parkway, freeway, expressway or interstate? They’re really all the same.
Yet, in ‘Singularity” there is no difference. FBI agents, Texas Rangers, ‘thugs’, a woman worth half a billion dollars and even a judge all speak identical.
Sarah lives with her mom and her young daughter who is 8 or 9 years old. Three generations of women. Yet, they all speak similarly. That’s not realistic. It appears that the author is an older woman. Unfortunately, that worked its way into unbelievable dialogue. Our protagonist is in her 30s, yet when speaking, especially to her daughter, more like the girl’s grandmother than her mother.
One more issue I had with the writing. And in all fairness to the author, perhaps this blame lies with the editor. I’ve never read a book where the same word is used repeatedly, over and over and over and over in a few pages, then never used again.
At one point, the word “ventured” is used 3 times in 4 pages. Toward the end, everyone repeatedly “scoffed.” In one scene, our hero, her FBI agent partner and her lieutenant are arguing. Everyone “shouted.” I shouted. He shouted. They shouted. I shouted. Shouted. Please come up with a different word. Yelled, screamed, cried, wailed. Something. Pick up a friggin thesaurus. Nope, everyone shouted.
During the big finale at the end, the protagonist keeps saying “Oh, God. No.” Again and again. Over and over. “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” “Oh, God. No.” It must’ve appeared 15 times within 6 pages. Heck, I started screaming ‘Oh God, no, not again.”
Lastly, the ending. Totally unbelievable and laughable.
**spoiler**
The bad guy kidnaps the protagonist’s daughter, mother and daughter’s best friend. (I saw that coming on page 125) He is holding them hostage in a room on a college campus with a telescope. He insists that he will release them ONLY in exchange for the protagonist. Why? Who knows? Why his fascination with our hero? We are never told. But here’s the part that is so unrealistic it’s laughable.
They evacuate all the students from the building. They get blueprints and schematics for the entire building. They slip micro cameras through the air ducts so they can see what he’s doing. They get dozens of SWAT agents in place. They get countless FBI agents in place. They put snipers on nearby buildings. They secure a helicopter to distract him. They remove radioactive materials from a lab one floor below. OH—and they do all of this in 12 minutes. Give me a break. Jack Bauer couldn’t do that. A joke.
***end spoiler***
Lastly, I’m not even sure why the book was called “singularity.” Apparently, it has something to do with black holes in space. How that relates to a serial killer is beyond me.
This book deserves one star. However, I’m giving it two. Any book I at least finish gets 2 stars minimum. I usually reserve one star for books I find unreadable.
As I said, this book IS readable. It did pass a few nights. It’s better than the cr*p on TV. But that’s about it.
April 9, 2022
This is an awesome, awesome crime thriller. I loved the realism, from the characters to the police procedures, and even to the interactions between the FBI and local agencies. You don't find many books of this kind that do things so very right.
Being a Texan myself (not born here, but got here as fast as I could, as they say), many of the locations are familiar to me and authentically portrayed. Even such things as realistically stating the required flight time to get from one place to another, especially in Texas where everything is BIG, met with the approval of this holder of a pilot's license. Yes, it's a novel, but it felt like watching the news, told from the first-person accounting of the main character.
I love, love, love realism in a novel of this kind. If you do too, you will absolutely devour this book.
Being a Texan myself (not born here, but got here as fast as I could, as they say), many of the locations are familiar to me and authentically portrayed. Even such things as realistically stating the required flight time to get from one place to another, especially in Texas where everything is BIG, met with the approval of this holder of a pilot's license. Yes, it's a novel, but it felt like watching the news, told from the first-person accounting of the main character.
I love, love, love realism in a novel of this kind. If you do too, you will absolutely devour this book.
March 11, 2024
This is a great debut to a new mystery series. Sarah Armstrong is a profiler with the Texas Rangers. She lost her husband, Bill, a year ago. Bill was also a Texas Ranger. Sarah lives with her mother and her daughter, Maggie. The Texas Rangers are called in on a high profile murder. Edward Lucas and his mistress have been murdered. Suspicion turns to his wife, Priscilla, but Sarah does not believe she did it. The Governor calls in the FBI, and their profiler, David Garrett, agrees with Sarah, but the FBI Agent n Detective disagree . Sarah and David under pressure from the Governor proceed on the trail of other murders that fit other crimes. They soon learn they are looking for a man called Gabriel. Good start to this series with enough thrills to keep the reader engaged.
September 9, 2021
Singularity
This crime book is riveting and scary. The characters and plot are well developed. The story is fast paced. The settings in Texas are realistic. Good fast, paced mystery.
This crime book is riveting and scary. The characters and plot are well developed. The story is fast paced. The settings in Texas are realistic. Good fast, paced mystery.
September 20, 2023
This is one I picked up on speculation.
The story is fine and I finished it, but it did not resonate enough with me to continue with this author.
The story is fine and I finished it, but it did not resonate enough with me to continue with this author.
February 17, 2021
Loved it!
A strong female character, a Texas ranger, her daughter and her mom and a riveting case. What more could you ask for? I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the Rangers and this flesh and blood example with a well developed character is great!
A strong female character, a Texas ranger, her daughter and her mom and a riveting case. What more could you ask for? I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the Rangers and this flesh and blood example with a well developed character is great!
April 29, 2019
I enjoyed it, but a bit unbelievable near the end.
July 1, 2018
Gripping Serial Murder Mystery!
Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong has two strikes against her. She's a female ranger in a traditionally "man's world," and a "profiler" to boot. While her boss seems to trust and respect her, the "good old boys" she has to work with are not so accepting of her presence or her expertise. When a wealthy local man and his mistress are found murdered at his beach house, this gender bias blinds the local police. They ignore Sarah's professional opinions, and some pertinent facts, in their rush to pin the murder on the usual suspect, the man's widow. Because she stands to inherit, and due to a high profile custody battle between the two families, the case quickly becomes politicized, drawing the attention of the governor who calls in the FBI. While the good old boys focus on the widow, Sarah and FBI profiler David uncover links to similar grisly murders around Texas. This puts Sarah, her daughter, and her mother squarely in the sights of the serial killer. This is a great debut novel, well worth reading. It is the beginning of a series, but this book stands on its own.
Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong has two strikes against her. She's a female ranger in a traditionally "man's world," and a "profiler" to boot. While her boss seems to trust and respect her, the "good old boys" she has to work with are not so accepting of her presence or her expertise. When a wealthy local man and his mistress are found murdered at his beach house, this gender bias blinds the local police. They ignore Sarah's professional opinions, and some pertinent facts, in their rush to pin the murder on the usual suspect, the man's widow. Because she stands to inherit, and due to a high profile custody battle between the two families, the case quickly becomes politicized, drawing the attention of the governor who calls in the FBI. While the good old boys focus on the widow, Sarah and FBI profiler David uncover links to similar grisly murders around Texas. This puts Sarah, her daughter, and her mother squarely in the sights of the serial killer. This is a great debut novel, well worth reading. It is the beginning of a series, but this book stands on its own.
May 28, 2018
"Singularity" is a solid, engaging read. While the police and forensic procedures are a bit condensed time-wise, they are for the most part very accurate. The main characters are interesting and likable, though the secondary villains are not nearly so well rounded, and tend to play one unsupported note. The plot proceeds nicely, with sufficient discoveries along the way to keep the reader's interest. Aside from the unimaginative characterizations of the secondary villains, I found the greatest weakness to be the development and implementation of the religious theme of the murders. Initially, it seemed as if the killer was striking in a motivation that hearkened back to "Seven." Unfortunately, that motivation got muddled and eventually discounted and largely dropped as the book went on. Nonetheless, it certainly rates 4 or 4.5 stars.
July 8, 2018
First novel in a series that is promising. We meet Sarah, who is entirely competent yet not cocky, in how she is is navigating her professional and personal life. She is handling things, but it isn't easy and she questions herself. She has enemies in the various departments she interacts with, she is a widow with a preteen child, she has a high profile case, she has a hunky temporary partner (of course!), and there's a serial killer on the loose, too.
The home story line is well drawn, the police procedural is clever. The bad cops seem too single-minded to be real (I hope.) I will probably read more of these, since there is a series. I am interested in how she puts her life back together after what went down in this book.
The home story line is well drawn, the police procedural is clever. The bad cops seem too single-minded to be real (I hope.) I will probably read more of these, since there is a series. I am interested in how she puts her life back together after what went down in this book.
July 10, 2018
I am not a fan of the serial killer genre, so the fact that I read this rapidly and enjoyed it should tell you something. Sarah Armstrong is a character with possibilities, and her household consisting of a loving mother and a teenage girl who's willing to believe totally inconsistent ideas from one day to the next (like most young teenagers I know) warmed my heart. Although my wife pointed out a plot hole----and another reviewer notes that the Seven Deadly Sins motif shows up and randomly disappears, still, I enjoyed the book and I would consider reading another in the series.
May 18, 2018
Indeed singular
There aren't many books about modern Texas rangers, I haven't seen even one before this about a woman ranger and I loved it. Smart, well thought out, different, and from HOME in all the best ways. Sarah Armstrong does come across as real, her livelihood and life are real, and it is a pleasure to read a mystery that requires more than just logic to solve. One has to believe in the reality of the place and the characters to solve the crime, or even just hang in there and follow Sarah's bootsteps. Brava Ms. Casey. As we say at home: tenga cuidado, you are indeed representing, and doing the Rangers and Texas proud.
There aren't many books about modern Texas rangers, I haven't seen even one before this about a woman ranger and I loved it. Smart, well thought out, different, and from HOME in all the best ways. Sarah Armstrong does come across as real, her livelihood and life are real, and it is a pleasure to read a mystery that requires more than just logic to solve. One has to believe in the reality of the place and the characters to solve the crime, or even just hang in there and follow Sarah's bootsteps. Brava Ms. Casey. As we say at home: tenga cuidado, you are indeed representing, and doing the Rangers and Texas proud.
June 26, 2009
Sarah Armstrong is a profiler for the Texas Rangers, one of only two female Rangers. She gets a call one morning to go to Galveston to view the bodies of a prominent business man and his mistress. Sarah suspects a serial killer, but the Galveston P.D. arrests the man's widow. Sarah pursues her leads with the assistance of an F.B.I. agent. The denouement was completely predictable, but I enjoyed the relationships between all the characters. I like Sarah and her daughter, Maggie, who are struggling with survivor guilt after the death of Sarah's husband. I will read the next in the series.
December 18, 2008
Ok, I didn't read the whole thing but that's because I like actual mysteries--the room full of suspects while the detective (amateur or pro) deconstructs the case and lays out the facts pointing to!--so these police serial killer forensics hoo-hahs bore me to tears. Screw thrillers and suspense stories, I like a knotty mystery to try and unravel. This book just screams "I found a niche nobody has done yet so i will write a typical serial killer book with it"--she's a Texas Ranger! that's right!
October 25, 2020
Powered through this book in one day and loved it. Sarah Armstrong, a Texas Ranger and Profiler, a widow and a Mom...is a character I cared about. Also, there were other characters in her life that I cared about as well and look forward to seeing again in future books in this series. Excellent plot, well-paced. 4.5 stars.
January 30, 2023
I have not read this author before, it was a freebie on Amazon when I found it so I wanted to give it a go.
I will start on the negatives first. Unfortunately this made law enforcement and even a teacher look incompetent and unprofessional.
1. Sarah's famous last words that Gabriel would not find her family. He knew what she looked like and where she worked. My first thought was "he's gonna follow her!"
2. The explosion. They were planning an explosion in a university without finding out what was around the explosion site. All they were concerned with was where the hostages were. Fair enough. But this decision was not based on the structure of the building or what may actually be affected in the area. So if the professor hadn't been there, there would have been a radiation leak.
3. A teacher accepted a phone call from a stranger and agreed to send a student to visit. Yes, with a friend and Grandma. But did not even verify this person was who they said they were. Therefore leading this group to be abducted.
4. Sarah's suspension, based on what? There was a leak and no reason was given that she was suspected other than she is female? So no one bothered to actually look into this then.
5. Priscilla's arrest made them look like they didn't even investigate but did it because a rich family wanted them to. No one else was investigated because it had to be her. She was suspicious yes, but there could have been other suspects. Like upset mistresses.
7. The gentleman that spoke about Annmarie gave them an excellent clue. She was scared when she got into the building. So why were no cameras checked to see her route and what may have frightened her?
Saying this though, I finished it. It wasn't a difficult or complicated read.
Sarah and David worked well together. I enjoyed their investigation process and liked that they reached dead ends, because this does happen in real life. But then having to find different routes to follow. This was done well.
I like that it was a Texas Ranger. I knew of them but don't know a lot. I have never read a book with one as a main character so this was great for me and something different.
I like that it references an actual crime, one I knew nothing about so that added some depth to the story for me.
I also didn't know about migrants using the trains. I dont live in America so I don't really know much about their borders etc. This I found heartbreaking.
Overall, it was OK and worth a read for your own opinion. I would consider reading more as the crime itself intrigued me, just not right now
I will start on the negatives first. Unfortunately this made law enforcement and even a teacher look incompetent and unprofessional.
1. Sarah's famous last words that Gabriel would not find her family. He knew what she looked like and where she worked. My first thought was "he's gonna follow her!"
2. The explosion. They were planning an explosion in a university without finding out what was around the explosion site. All they were concerned with was where the hostages were. Fair enough. But this decision was not based on the structure of the building or what may actually be affected in the area. So if the professor hadn't been there, there would have been a radiation leak.
3. A teacher accepted a phone call from a stranger and agreed to send a student to visit. Yes, with a friend and Grandma. But did not even verify this person was who they said they were. Therefore leading this group to be abducted.
4. Sarah's suspension, based on what? There was a leak and no reason was given that she was suspected other than she is female? So no one bothered to actually look into this then.
5. Priscilla's arrest made them look like they didn't even investigate but did it because a rich family wanted them to. No one else was investigated because it had to be her. She was suspicious yes, but there could have been other suspects. Like upset mistresses.
7. The gentleman that spoke about Annmarie gave them an excellent clue. She was scared when she got into the building. So why were no cameras checked to see her route and what may have frightened her?
Saying this though, I finished it. It wasn't a difficult or complicated read.
Sarah and David worked well together. I enjoyed their investigation process and liked that they reached dead ends, because this does happen in real life. But then having to find different routes to follow. This was done well.
I like that it was a Texas Ranger. I knew of them but don't know a lot. I have never read a book with one as a main character so this was great for me and something different.
I like that it references an actual crime, one I knew nothing about so that added some depth to the story for me.
I also didn't know about migrants using the trains. I dont live in America so I don't really know much about their borders etc. This I found heartbreaking.
Overall, it was OK and worth a read for your own opinion. I would consider reading more as the crime itself intrigued me, just not right now
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this author's first foray into the world of fiction and it would've been an easy 5* from if not for one crashing error right near the end which should've never made it through publication and any sort of editing process. She spelt sights as sites, a proper schoolgirl error and sadly it cost her from me. A couple of times she needed to include a hyphen as well-reality challenged and DNA separating and we lost speechmarks and an apostrophe just the once. That was it for mistakes so not bad all in all. Ooops, I forgot an odd one.....this sentence: "...past the sheriff's office and turned left onto a narrow back road just past the Cut and Curl narrow back beauty parlor"......not sure what happened there but it's a strange mistake.
This aside, I am looking forward to reading more of this series, I liked Sarah and she has a good attitude as well. The story itself isn't really strange nor startling as it is probably culled from many of her true crime cases I've read but I still greatly enjoyed it. I liked the nickname Sarah has for her daughter, that's sweet. Her little girl had me snivelling at one point as well.
As all Americans do, she has the acronym habit of using them without explanation, forgetting us Brits or other foreigners have not a clue what she means. It would be helpful if she wrote them out properly the first time she uses them, to save us needing to look them up on Google !
I was pretty shocked at the dearth of Texas Rangers, considering the massive area they have to cover !
I liked this a lot and I think she's done well crossing over but hope she still also does her true crime books as well.
This aside, I am looking forward to reading more of this series, I liked Sarah and she has a good attitude as well. The story itself isn't really strange nor startling as it is probably culled from many of her true crime cases I've read but I still greatly enjoyed it. I liked the nickname Sarah has for her daughter, that's sweet. Her little girl had me snivelling at one point as well.
As all Americans do, she has the acronym habit of using them without explanation, forgetting us Brits or other foreigners have not a clue what she means. It would be helpful if she wrote them out properly the first time she uses them, to save us needing to look them up on Google !
I was pretty shocked at the dearth of Texas Rangers, considering the massive area they have to cover !
I liked this a lot and I think she's done well crossing over but hope she still also does her true crime books as well.
July 4, 2021
"Singularity" has a lot going for it - a merciless killer with a penchant for posing his victims, a likeable female Texas Ranger with an interesting back story, a little bit of romance, and a dogged approach when it comes to investigating the crimes.
Texas Rangers profiler, Sarah, her daughter, Maggie (12), and her mother, Norah, also have a life outside of the main plotline.
That's the plus side. On the other hand it is plotted rather too carefully, so much so, that some of the time, that you can predict where it is going.
At the two-thirds mark there is a blatant hint (* see end of review) as to how the story is going to work out. It's so obvious that the author, Kathryn Casey, goes out of her way to explain why it can't happen that way.
I liked it a lot, it is well written and, mostly, quite logical in its approach. The ending, however, is forced - again part of the process of careful plotting. Given the choice between tracking the killer down and the reverse, Kathryn Casey goes for the latter. It's a decision authors often have to make and, in this case, Kathryn Casey goes for the obvious rather than a more subtle solution.
Overall it is a solid mystery with a lot of heart and good pacing.
* The killer, Gabriel, writes to Sarah at her Texas Rangers address, but she is adamant that there is absolutely no possibility that he can identify where she lives. Of course, a couple of chapters later it becomes very clear that Sarah's vicinity, if not her home address, has just been widely publicised. And what self-respecting serial killer wouldn't immediately figure that it was time to bring it home.
Texas Rangers profiler, Sarah, her daughter, Maggie (12), and her mother, Norah, also have a life outside of the main plotline.
That's the plus side. On the other hand it is plotted rather too carefully, so much so, that some of the time, that you can predict where it is going.
At the two-thirds mark there is a blatant hint (* see end of review) as to how the story is going to work out. It's so obvious that the author, Kathryn Casey, goes out of her way to explain why it can't happen that way.
I liked it a lot, it is well written and, mostly, quite logical in its approach. The ending, however, is forced - again part of the process of careful plotting. Given the choice between tracking the killer down and the reverse, Kathryn Casey goes for the latter. It's a decision authors often have to make and, in this case, Kathryn Casey goes for the obvious rather than a more subtle solution.
Overall it is a solid mystery with a lot of heart and good pacing.
* The killer, Gabriel, writes to Sarah at her Texas Rangers address, but she is adamant that there is absolutely no possibility that he can identify where she lives. Of course, a couple of chapters later it becomes very clear that Sarah's vicinity, if not her home address, has just been widely publicised. And what self-respecting serial killer wouldn't immediately figure that it was time to bring it home.
September 7, 2019
Sarah Armstrong is a texas ranger and she really enjoys her job but the last year has been really hard on her & her daughter Maggie as her husband was killed in a car accident and they are both battling. Sarah knows that her Mom is being a great help but it is still hard as she can't be both parents no matter how hard she tries. She has been given a new case but not everyone is on board with her idea that the murder could be the work of a serial killer. She hopes that she is given time to find more clues to help find the correct killer but someone is giving information to the media and she just can't seem to get ahead of them. Her new partner for this case is an FBI agent and David wants Sarah but he knows that it has only been a year since her husband's death but he hopes that he will get to tell her how he feels. Sarah isn't too sure about starting a new relationship as Maggie is battling and she isn't ready yet but there is something about David that gives her pause. The killer is sending Sarah letters and taunting her but she knows that given time her & David can find him before he kills again but at what cost to her family? A good read.
September 22, 2019
Suspenseful read
Texas Ranger/Profiler Sarah Armstrong has been called in on a high profile double murder. The man is a wealthy lawyer and his family is very well connected, so the FBI also gets called in to work this case. The local police in Galveston as well as the FBI think it is a slam dunk case of the wife hiring someone to murder the husband and his mistress. Sarah does not agree and is even more convinced when other bodies start falling with the same signature. The author keeps you in suspense with the details and the conflicting opinions between the local police, FBI and Sarah. This is the first book I have read by Kathryn Casey and I love her style and detail. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series and recommend this book to other readers.
Texas Ranger/Profiler Sarah Armstrong has been called in on a high profile double murder. The man is a wealthy lawyer and his family is very well connected, so the FBI also gets called in to work this case. The local police in Galveston as well as the FBI think it is a slam dunk case of the wife hiring someone to murder the husband and his mistress. Sarah does not agree and is even more convinced when other bodies start falling with the same signature. The author keeps you in suspense with the details and the conflicting opinions between the local police, FBI and Sarah. This is the first book I have read by Kathryn Casey and I love her style and detail. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series and recommend this book to other readers.
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