Deadly Obsession

Charlie Stone #3

by Shirley B. Garrett

Book 3 in the The Charlie Stone Crime Thriller Series FBI-trained profiler Dr. Charlene “Charlie” Stone is in double trouble as she works to help apprehend a fiendish serial sniper known as the Marksman, while at the same time trying to discover who is leaving threatening notes on her windshield. Is it the Marksman? A former patient? Or is her lover, Detective Ryan Roberts, trying to scare her into moving in with him? The situation becomes more complicated when the stalker kidnaps Charlie’s friend and business partner, Marti Hathoway, in an attempt to lure Charlie into his trap. Matters turn even deadlier when the Marksman takes aim at Charlie. Can she save Marti, identify her stalker, stop the Marksman, and survive? "Shirley Garrett uses her professional expertise to great advantage in Deadly Obsession, crafting a page-turning mystery as well as a memorable series character in Dr. Charlene Stone. In her capacity as a criminal profiler and Alabama police consultant, "Charlie" Stone proves herself to be as compelling as she is capable when she finds herself at the center of a case that is both shocking and riveting, in which the self-described "Marksman" has declared open-season on the citizens of Huntsville. Author Shirley Garrett wratchets the psychological tension to the breaking point. This one will keep you reading late into the night."---Baron R. Birtcher, LA TIMES Bestselling author of literary thrillers Dr. Shirley B. Garrett, Psy.D, ASG was a 2018 finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award in the thriller category. She’s an author, artist, professional speaker (ASG), and retired psychologist. She uses her twenty-eight years of insight from treating patients in the areas of mental health, and substance abuse to add authenticity to her writing. The Charlie Stone Crime Thriller Series includes Deadly Compulsion and Deadly Lessons Dr. Garrett’s, Phoenix O’Leary Hot Flash Series includes Hot Flash Divas and Hot Flash Desires. When Dr. Garrett isn’t writing under the supervision of her black cat, Pookie, she enjoys ballroom dancing and traveling with her husband. Visit her website at

239 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2019

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder mystery thrillers are not my usual cup of tea, I typically turn to science fiction or fantasy novels for my reading entertainment, but I ran into a friend of mine carrying a copy of the book and when I inquired about it I was told “You really need to read this! --So good!”. Following my friends’ recommendation, I purchased a copy and I read it, and I was glad I did. It was very good.
I must admit I had reservations, especially as I worked my way through the first chapter. The murder mystery thriller genre stories have a whole different feel and voice to them compared to science fiction space operas or tales of magic, elves, and fairies, so I felt a bit lost for a while. But I soon became immersed in the world of Dr. Charlene Stone, known as Charlie, as she worked with the FBI as a psychological profiler, trying to help stop not only a madman serial murderer, but another hidden mystery nutcase who becomes obsessed with stalking her, and is becoming increasingly violent and dangerous. Murders abound through the book, as do hints and flirtations of romance as Charlie must not only deal with trying to identify two very different but very bad guys but deal her own feelings towards those that she works with along the way. Eventually Charlie finds herself targeted by both bad guys at once and the tension really climbs then. Will Charlie be able to resolve both situations in time?
I had a few minor niggles with one or too things but nothing earth shattering. It seemed like every time the bad guy identified as the Marksman had a scene, it always had him being bothered by flying insects of some kind. It would be flies in one scene, mosquitoes in another, and gnats in the next. I found myself wondering what is it about this guy and flying bugs? And also, I seem to recall a couple of his scenes where he was taking aim at a victim from a hundred plus yards away and he would clearly hear sounds or spoken exchanges originating near his victims. But even if these things caused me a momentary “huh?”, I found them not that jarring enough to break the spell that Ms. Garrett was weaving.
Good book, a good read!
Scott H.