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Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries #2
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From a New York Times bestselling author comes the chilling follow-up to the Thriller Award winner The Body Reader . Months after discovering the mastermind behind her own kidnapping, Detective Jude Fontaine is dealing with the past the only way she knows by returning to every dark corner of it. But it’s a new, escalating series of mass slayings that has become her latest obsession at Homicide. At first, Jude and her partner, Detective Uriah Ashby, can see no pattern to the seemingly random methods, the crime scenes, or the victims―until they’re approached by a brilliantly compulsive math professor. He believes that the madman’s next move is not incalculable; in fact, it’s all part of a sequential and ingenious numerical riddle. His theory is adding up. The body count is rising. But when the latest victim is found in Jude’s apartment, the puzzle comes with a personal twist that’s going to test the breaking point of her already-fragile state of mind. For all she knows, her number may be up.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 12, 2018
3540 people are currently reading
2907 people want to read
About the author
Anne Frasier
37 books2,276 followersAnne Frasier is the New York Times, #1 Amazon Charts, and USA Today bestselling author of the Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries, the Elise Sandburg series, and the Inland Empire novels. With more than a million copies sold, her award-winning books span the genres of suspense, mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal, and memoir. The Body Reader received the 2017 Thriller Award for Best Original Paperback Novel from International Thriller Writers. Other honors include a RITA for Romantic Suspense and a Daphne du Maurier Award for Paranormal Romantic Mystery/Suspense. Her thrillers have hit the USA Today bestseller list and have been featured in Mystery Guild, the Literary Guild, and Book of the Month. Her memoir, The Orchard, was an O, The Oprah Magazine Fall Pick; a One Book, One Community read; and one of the Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Visit her website at www.annefrasier.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 663 reviews
November 24, 2018
The Body Counter
Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries, Book 2
By: Anne Frasier
Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith
A good follow up book but it wasn't as good as book one but still good! A serial killer and it is messing with her slightly unstable mind. I think it went too overboard on our gal's weakness instead of her strengths. I was a bit out off by that. Although I liked the book, I don't think I will read more in the series if she is going to cripple the heroine so much.
The narration was excellent!
Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries, Book 2
By: Anne Frasier
Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith
A good follow up book but it wasn't as good as book one but still good! A serial killer and it is messing with her slightly unstable mind. I think it went too overboard on our gal's weakness instead of her strengths. I was a bit out off by that. Although I liked the book, I don't think I will read more in the series if she is going to cripple the heroine so much.
The narration was excellent!
June 25, 2018
I haven't read the first book in this series, The Body Reader, but you get enough information in this book to get the gist of that story. Detective Jude Fontaine was kidnapped and held captive for three years. But, she got away and is now working again, although her ordeal is still causing problems like nightmares and a dislike of people touching her.
In The Body Counter is she and her partner Uriah Ashby, (Yeah I can't stop thinking Uriah Heep) after a madman that is killing people, at first what it seems like a random pattern. Then, a math professor tells them his theory. Which makes a frightening pattern with increasing numbers of murders.
The book is good, I found the story interesting and engaging. However, part of me feels that this wounded heroine theme, a female detective with demons in the past (not actually demons, unfortunately, that would have been interesting) is everywhere now. I read a lot of books like this and that means that they have to really feel different, or at least truly grab me for me to really like it. This one just didn't grab me. I didn't feel like I needed to read the first book right away or long for the next book. It's OK, but the book wasn't that thrilling nor truly surprising. Would I recommend it? Yes, because the writing is good and just because I didn't love the book doesn't it mean that it won't pull other readers in. If I get the chance to read the next book would I do it because I did enjoy the story and the partnership between Jude and Uriah.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
In The Body Counter is she and her partner Uriah Ashby, (Yeah I can't stop thinking Uriah Heep) after a madman that is killing people, at first what it seems like a random pattern. Then, a math professor tells them his theory. Which makes a frightening pattern with increasing numbers of murders.
The book is good, I found the story interesting and engaging. However, part of me feels that this wounded heroine theme, a female detective with demons in the past (not actually demons, unfortunately, that would have been interesting) is everywhere now. I read a lot of books like this and that means that they have to really feel different, or at least truly grab me for me to really like it. This one just didn't grab me. I didn't feel like I needed to read the first book right away or long for the next book. It's OK, but the book wasn't that thrilling nor truly surprising. Would I recommend it? Yes, because the writing is good and just because I didn't love the book doesn't it mean that it won't pull other readers in. If I get the chance to read the next book would I do it because I did enjoy the story and the partnership between Jude and Uriah.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
May 18, 2018
The murders were gruesome and increasing at an alarming rate. They were more disgusting and shocking than those in the last book. Some of the people involved were known part way through the book. It was just as important with the sequence of these murders to figure out why as well as who was doing them.
Once again Jude and Uriah's relationship was central to the story. The bond they share is interesting. They're incredibly close in their own somewhat distant way. The reason their relationship works so well is that neither of them wants nor consciously expects anything from the other. If they started placing demands on each other, things would fall apart quickly.
In some ways, the overall tone of the book wasn't quite as dark as The Body Reader. Jude was stable but still fragile. Her strength and resilience is remarkable. Little bits of normalcy were beginning to creep back in. I loved her character development. I am very curious to see how Jude changes as the series goes on especially once she learns about the secret that was revealed at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me this in exchange for an honest review!
Once again Jude and Uriah's relationship was central to the story. The bond they share is interesting. They're incredibly close in their own somewhat distant way. The reason their relationship works so well is that neither of them wants nor consciously expects anything from the other. If they started placing demands on each other, things would fall apart quickly.
In some ways, the overall tone of the book wasn't quite as dark as The Body Reader. Jude was stable but still fragile. Her strength and resilience is remarkable. Little bits of normalcy were beginning to creep back in. I loved her character development. I am very curious to see how Jude changes as the series goes on especially once she learns about the secret that was revealed at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me this in exchange for an honest review!
June 19, 2018
Well, after waiting two very long years for the next in this series, I have to say, I didn't love this one near as much as I loved the first. In the The Body Reader you were gripped right from the start, however, with The Body Counter, I can't say that I ever found the level of suspense or even the level of emotional empathy of the captivating nature. That is, not until the very end. The very end might have been the saving grace for me. It has left me intrigued enough to want to move forward with the series to see how this new character Elliot will advance in the storyline.
One thing I can say for Anne Frasier is that she creates very strong characters. Though Jude may not be someone that the reader can easily connect to, it's easy to understand her nature. She's dealing with her tragic past the only way she knows how, and to many, it's not the most conventional, or even healthy way to move on. One thing we get to see here is Jude connecting more, we see her connect to her partner Uriah, with his medical struggles, we see her connect to the stray "roof cat" that has proved to provide her with more comfort than she realized, but most of all, we begin to see her take an interest in Elliot, someone of the opposite sex... a man... only is her trust misplaced?
I'm looking forward to the next in the series where we get to learn more about Elliot and see just how things will progress for he and Jude. This is going to be very, very, interesting.
I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Anne Frasier for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
One thing I can say for Anne Frasier is that she creates very strong characters. Though Jude may not be someone that the reader can easily connect to, it's easy to understand her nature. She's dealing with her tragic past the only way she knows how, and to many, it's not the most conventional, or even healthy way to move on. One thing we get to see here is Jude connecting more, we see her connect to her partner Uriah, with his medical struggles, we see her connect to the stray "roof cat" that has proved to provide her with more comfort than she realized, but most of all, we begin to see her take an interest in Elliot, someone of the opposite sex... a man... only is her trust misplaced?
I'm looking forward to the next in the series where we get to learn more about Elliot and see just how things will progress for he and Jude. This is going to be very, very, interesting.
I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Anne Frasier for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.
January 12, 2025
2,5 ✨✨✨
(Audiobook)
(Audiobook)
May 4, 2021
I loved the first book and admired Jude, but here not so much...
OK, Jude survived some really gruesome imprisonment and I understand that she's rightly unbalanced, but here I got the feeling that she's sliding into madness!
She acted like a robot even with Uriah! She went into the house where she was imprisoned and slept in her old cell!!! ... and, for God's sake, she slept "never better"!!!!
The mystery/crime was good, but I was irkes by Jude's behaviour!
OK, Jude survived some really gruesome imprisonment and I understand that she's rightly unbalanced, but here I got the feeling that she's sliding into madness!
She acted like a robot even with Uriah! She went into the house where she was imprisoned and slept in her old cell!!! ... and, for God's sake, she slept "never better"!!!!
The mystery/crime was good, but I was irkes by Jude's behaviour!
June 21, 2018
Fast paced read with so many twists and turns. What struck me as we revisit with Detective Jude Fontaine is how utterly strong she is, and so very damaged. She endured the unthinkable for the better part of 3 years. How she is functioning is beyond me, and she is a brilliant detective. The story development as well as how this author portrays her blows me away.
Her partner Detective Uriah Ashby is in his own right damaged too. And my opinion is she is stronger than him. Actually it’s described in the book that he is more of a beta guy...and I agree AND she is more alpha. And he draws from her strength and ability to shut down and detach at a crime scene. And in this book they were especially gruesome crimes.
The story was twisted and unique to me with its premise. And I am very interested in what’s going to happen with characters. And with the twist that was thrown out there in the end.
This author has such a strong, unique voice in this genre. She is an auto read for me! If you like dark, twisted mysteries with characters that are damaged and brilliant. This author is a MUST!
This series is epic! Dark, gritty and disturbing, LOVE the twists & turns, love the the damaged yet brilliant characters! Can’t wait for more!
Her partner Detective Uriah Ashby is in his own right damaged too. And my opinion is she is stronger than him. Actually it’s described in the book that he is more of a beta guy...and I agree AND she is more alpha. And he draws from her strength and ability to shut down and detach at a crime scene. And in this book they were especially gruesome crimes.
The story was twisted and unique to me with its premise. And I am very interested in what’s going to happen with characters. And with the twist that was thrown out there in the end.
This author has such a strong, unique voice in this genre. She is an auto read for me! If you like dark, twisted mysteries with characters that are damaged and brilliant. This author is a MUST!
This series is epic! Dark, gritty and disturbing, LOVE the twists & turns, love the the damaged yet brilliant characters! Can’t wait for more!
September 25, 2025
~3.5~
The Body Counter is violent and bloody, more graphic and slower paced than the first book.
Jude is a complex character, and her recovery feels very real. She's careful and deliberate, preferring to hang out with her cat rather than people (can't say I blame her).
I wasn't feeling Uriah in this book; he sort of faded into the background.
I'm also not sure what to think of Elliot, Jude's downstairs neighbor; why does he have to be so shady, though?
Rounding down because the suspense plot was OTT gruesome. I could barely stomach some of the scenes. The psychopath angle was mostly ignored, which was disappointing. The middle dragged a bit too.
The Body Counter is violent and bloody, more graphic and slower paced than the first book.
Jude is a complex character, and her recovery feels very real. She's careful and deliberate, preferring to hang out with her cat rather than people (can't say I blame her).
I wasn't feeling Uriah in this book; he sort of faded into the background.
I'm also not sure what to think of Elliot, Jude's downstairs neighbor; why does he have to be so shady, though?
Rounding down because the suspense plot was OTT gruesome. I could barely stomach some of the scenes. The psychopath angle was mostly ignored, which was disappointing. The middle dragged a bit too.
June 6, 2019
4.5 Stars for this riveting follow up of The Body Reader. In the Body Counter, we are introduced to a new gruesome case with the same awesome detectives and a continuation of their personal stories.
This can be read as a standalone but I wouldn't recommend it. The best part of this book has been experiencing Jude's growth process in overcoming the trauma she endured in the first part of The Body Reader and in The Body Counter Uriah's character has become more complex. The crime solving is interesting and at times shocking but Jude and Uriah are the stars. Their secrets, their personalities, and their relationship have been a slow reveal over the course of the series and to miss any of it it, is to miss out on what has made this series special to me.
The author has a clear and direct voice that makes for an easy read and the character's story is one that I've loved watching evolve.
This can be read as a standalone but I wouldn't recommend it. The best part of this book has been experiencing Jude's growth process in overcoming the trauma she endured in the first part of The Body Reader and in The Body Counter Uriah's character has become more complex. The crime solving is interesting and at times shocking but Jude and Uriah are the stars. Their secrets, their personalities, and their relationship have been a slow reveal over the course of the series and to miss any of it it, is to miss out on what has made this series special to me.
The author has a clear and direct voice that makes for an easy read and the character's story is one that I've loved watching evolve.
January 13, 2025
3+1 Stars
So this one was both better and worse than the first part. On one hand, I loved Fontaine's character arc and her budding camaraderie with her partner, but, on the other hand, the story was relatively lackluster, and the reveal in the end left me asking for more.
One extra star for the last 3 pages. I really did not see that coming.
So this one was both better and worse than the first part. On one hand, I loved Fontaine's character arc and her budding camaraderie with her partner, but, on the other hand, the story was relatively lackluster, and the reveal in the end left me asking for more.
One extra star for the last 3 pages. I really did not see that coming.
July 18, 2022
*4,3
Não achei este volume tão centrado na história de Jude como o anterior, apesar de ter alguns elementos chave relacionados. Este livro é bem mais obscuro e focado no crime que estão a investigar. Embora não tenhas sido nada de extraordinário, foi uma boa leitura.
Estou a gostar cada vez mais da parceria de Jude e Uriah, apesar de ter achado que não estiveram tão próximos neste livro. A descrição dos seus pensamentos também foi mais leve.
O fim foi algo surpreendente, sabia que tinha algo lá, mas não tinha pensado nessa conclusão.
Não achei este volume tão centrado na história de Jude como o anterior, apesar de ter alguns elementos chave relacionados. Este livro é bem mais obscuro e focado no crime que estão a investigar. Embora não tenhas sido nada de extraordinário, foi uma boa leitura.
Estou a gostar cada vez mais da parceria de Jude e Uriah, apesar de ter achado que não estiveram tão próximos neste livro. A descrição dos seus pensamentos também foi mais leve.
O fim foi algo surpreendente, sabia que tinha algo lá, mas não tinha pensado nessa conclusão.
November 21, 2023
So far I like the series I just wish the main character used her cell phone more for safety.
September 27, 2018
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of The Body Counter by Anne Frasier. Frasier is one of my favourite writers in the thriller/suspense genre and always writes stories with a unique angle. Detective Jude Fontaine learned through experience how to read facial expressions and body language after being abducted and then held captive in an underground cell. She has been mentally and physically tortured, beaten and raped and survived. She escaped and killed her abductor and eventually returns to work as a homicide detective despite the reservations of many around her. She has a new partner, Detective Uriah Ashby, who has a dark past of his own. The two of them investigate a serial killer who targets young women, who go missing and then turn up dead later. Jude has a dysfunctional relationship with her father, a well know politician as well as her brother. She is definitely a damaged woman and the story switches back and forth between a captive Jude and present day Jude, and you wonder if she can hold it together and continue to do her job as well as she does. This story is gritty, fast paced with so much going on that it keeps you totally enthralled. Great job Ms Frasier!
June 7, 2019
2.5⭐
November 10, 2020
Two-haiku review:
Theater murders
Three men left with their throats cut
No clues, more murders
Very violent
Characters grew from first book
Enjoying series
Theater murders
Three men left with their throats cut
No clues, more murders
Very violent
Characters grew from first book
Enjoying series
![Profile Image for julia ☆ [owls reads].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1636739475i%2F5520447._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 30, 2019
#1 The Body Reader: ★★★★★
*
3 stars!
*
The Body Counter isn’t as captivating as the previous novel, but it’s still pretty good! The narrative is really engaging and Jude continues to be a very intriguing character. I do find that the mystery arc this time around is a bit too weird and unrealistic for me? It doesn’t seem to be that well developed, especially when certain elements of it are brought up during the investigation as a big clue, but then are dropped along the way and never mentioned again.
The most compelling aspect of the story is the one tied to Jude’s personal journey. Anne Frasier is a wonderful writer and really captures just how shut off Jude is from everyone and how conflicted she is over what happened to her. Her POV chapters are still some of the most interesting ones in the novel and it’s lovely to see how far she’s come in her recovery.
As mentioned above, the main mystery/investigation arc is pretty out there? I’m finding that’s a theme in the series, but this one is a little too unrealistic for me. The pieces take a while to come together and a few are forgotten along the way. Frasier makes it a point to bring in comparisons of real life cult readers to what’s going on here, but that’s never fully realized or addressed in the novel, so it falls flat. I also find it doesn’t really have all that much relevance to the overall story.
The plot does set up some pretty intriguing reveals for the next installment, though. I also really like how it deals with the aftermath of the last book in terms of Jude’s father and how the world reacts to what happened to him. It serves as another form of conflict and the chapters that touch on it are really well done. The introduction of a new character related to that is also really exciting!
In the end, The Body Counter is a good and fast read, but doesn’t live up to the previous installment. It’s still an interesting take on Jude’s life and the development of other characters and the writing is engrossing and easy to follow. The mystery this time around doesn’t work for me, but it’s still pretty fun.
*
Series: #2 in the Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries series.
POV: Told mostly from Jude and Uriah’s POVs.
Content Warnings:
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA:
Up Next: The Body Keeper.
*
3 stars!
*
“You’re going to be okay.”
The Body Counter isn’t as captivating as the previous novel, but it’s still pretty good! The narrative is really engaging and Jude continues to be a very intriguing character. I do find that the mystery arc this time around is a bit too weird and unrealistic for me? It doesn’t seem to be that well developed, especially when certain elements of it are brought up during the investigation as a big clue, but then are dropped along the way and never mentioned again.
The most compelling aspect of the story is the one tied to Jude’s personal journey. Anne Frasier is a wonderful writer and really captures just how shut off Jude is from everyone and how conflicted she is over what happened to her. Her POV chapters are still some of the most interesting ones in the novel and it’s lovely to see how far she’s come in her recovery.
As mentioned above, the main mystery/investigation arc is pretty out there? I’m finding that’s a theme in the series, but this one is a little too unrealistic for me. The pieces take a while to come together and a few are forgotten along the way. Frasier makes it a point to bring in comparisons of real life cult readers to what’s going on here, but that’s never fully realized or addressed in the novel, so it falls flat. I also find it doesn’t really have all that much relevance to the overall story.
The plot does set up some pretty intriguing reveals for the next installment, though. I also really like how it deals with the aftermath of the last book in terms of Jude’s father and how the world reacts to what happened to him. It serves as another form of conflict and the chapters that touch on it are really well done. The introduction of a new character related to that is also really exciting!
In the end, The Body Counter is a good and fast read, but doesn’t live up to the previous installment. It’s still an interesting take on Jude’s life and the development of other characters and the writing is engrossing and easy to follow. The mystery this time around doesn’t work for me, but it’s still pretty fun.
*
Series: #2 in the Detective Jude Fontaine Mysteries series.
POV: Told mostly from Jude and Uriah’s POVs.
Content Warnings:
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA:
Up Next: The Body Keeper.
July 23, 2023
Jude is one her way to recovery, but that’s difficult when you’re in homicide and murder finds you. The relationship between abuse and her partner Uriah is evolving to actual friendship and it’s nice to see it branching out. With murders happening in a dying crime riddled city, Jude is dealing not only with the aftermath of her captivity but also having killed her father. The book is fast paced, lots of red herrings and I never guessed the truth about Ethan 😮😮😮
January 22, 2021
God, this book had me on an even bigger rollercoaster than the previous one which is a rare thing for me, but the author just went bigger and wilder with this book and THAT ENDING..... let me tell you ... my JAW dropped for an entire minute in disbelieve at how I did not catch that.... EPIC sequel.
Highly Highly recommend it to mystery/ thriller fans.
Highly Highly recommend it to mystery/ thriller fans.
May 17, 2018
Jude Fontaine is back. This second entry in the series features a math theory killer resulting in mass killings. Many twists and turns , while some are more than convenient, make for a page turner. The main players go through some character development and the chemistry between Fontaine and her partner grows. There's a cliff hanger that promises more to come. A quick and easy read in a series worth following.
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
July 10, 2018
The Body Counter, shares a chilling murder-mystery with twists and turns to keep you guessing. A serial killer (s) is escalating and the body count is increasing with each kill. Detective Jude Fontaine along with her partner, Detective Uriah Ashby are investigating the case. There seem to be no connections between the victims and there are no witnesses. The killer or killers are also using random methods to kill the victims.
The case has the detectives stumped until a brilliant math professor shares his theory with them. He believes the killer (s) are following a math riddle. The mystery was riveting with colorful suspects, charismatic players and plenty of twists to keep even a seasoned reader guessing.
We also spend time with Jude as she becomes re-acclimated to the world around her. Jude is a strong complex and clever character who is equally broken. She cannot shake the memories of her captivity and captor. She deals with it in a style that is completely Jude and I was both appalled and fascinated.
I was a tad worried switching from book format to audio. I create voices in my head when reading, however, Emily Smith-Sutton's narration captured Jude. The story itself works well on audio, adding to the suspense and connecting me to the characters. Emily did an impressive job with both male and female characters added dimension and emotions. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The case has the detectives stumped until a brilliant math professor shares his theory with them. He believes the killer (s) are following a math riddle. The mystery was riveting with colorful suspects, charismatic players and plenty of twists to keep even a seasoned reader guessing.
We also spend time with Jude as she becomes re-acclimated to the world around her. Jude is a strong complex and clever character who is equally broken. She cannot shake the memories of her captivity and captor. She deals with it in a style that is completely Jude and I was both appalled and fascinated.
I was a tad worried switching from book format to audio. I create voices in my head when reading, however, Emily Smith-Sutton's narration captured Jude. The story itself works well on audio, adding to the suspense and connecting me to the characters. Emily did an impressive job with both male and female characters added dimension and emotions. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
June 11, 2019
"People were resilient. They became who they needed to be in order to survive."
The second book in the Jude Fontaine series. This is a new crime with new victims and bad guys. It was intriguing to go through another crime with Jude. She is still using those skills she picked up while being held hostage all those years but she's also struggling to find out who she was and trying to see who the person in the middle is somewhere.
She still has roof cat and she still has her place and she still has her partner. Their dynamic and learning to work together is even better in this book. The mystery and crime are fast paced and, although super gruesome, easy to get through and want to know where the next step is. I'm so glad I was able to finish this in one sitting - and that I started early. I don't think I would have been able to stop reading no matter the hour! I'll definitely move on to the next one!
The second book in the Jude Fontaine series. This is a new crime with new victims and bad guys. It was intriguing to go through another crime with Jude. She is still using those skills she picked up while being held hostage all those years but she's also struggling to find out who she was and trying to see who the person in the middle is somewhere.
She still has roof cat and she still has her place and she still has her partner. Their dynamic and learning to work together is even better in this book. The mystery and crime are fast paced and, although super gruesome, easy to get through and want to know where the next step is. I'm so glad I was able to finish this in one sitting - and that I started early. I don't think I would have been able to stop reading no matter the hour! I'll definitely move on to the next one!
December 17, 2019
This was #2 in the Jude Fontaine series and it falls short in great reads. The story felt a bit disjointed, especially if following on the same premise where she has the ability to read people, especially dead people, to help her solve crimes. Nothing spectacular in that scope and hardly even touched on. (Wasn’t she suppose to be honing and sharpening her skills?) Overall, I felt the main character development was disappointing, and I kept referring to previously read pages to remember who the minor characters were and how they fit in.
In one particular part of book, the murders that took place were far more gruesome and violently described. I found it to be unnerving and disturbing, and seriously considered whether or not to continue reading. The evil was there, but true motive throughout the book lacked. That being said, the story and plot started to tank, and for me, there wasn’t much mystery to unravel nor much of a big surprise ending. Not impressed with this one.
In one particular part of book, the murders that took place were far more gruesome and violently described. I found it to be unnerving and disturbing, and seriously considered whether or not to continue reading. The evil was there, but true motive throughout the book lacked. That being said, the story and plot started to tank, and for me, there wasn’t much mystery to unravel nor much of a big surprise ending. Not impressed with this one.
December 5, 2019
Bez mučení přiznávám, že by mi asi bylo úplně jedno, jestli by Jude byla jen obyčejná pochůzkářka a okřikovala děti na ulici, že si nemají hrát u cesty. Jude totiž z jakékoli situace dokáže vypotit velice zajímavou situaci a já tu divnou, zničenou ženskou miluju.
Ale když má proti sobě celkem geniálního vraha, tak je asi nutnost, že hltáte stránky za stránkou.
Autorka je zde drsnější, protože se už může mimo únos Jude zaměřit jinam.
Fibonacciho posloupnost byla velice zajímavým aspektem a já jen s hrůzou čekala, na které číslovce se vrah zastaví.
Dokonalost
Ale když má proti sobě celkem geniálního vraha, tak je asi nutnost, že hltáte stránky za stránkou.
Autorka je zde drsnější, protože se už může mimo únos Jude zaměřit jinam.
Fibonacciho posloupnost byla velice zajímavým aspektem a já jen s hrůzou čekala, na které číslovce se vrah zastaví.
Dokonalost
July 18, 2018
Anne Frasier is the pen name of Theresa Weir, widely known for her excellent memoir, The Orchard. Her fiction stands out, in my opinion, for her deep and compassionate understanding of physic pain.
This book is the second in a police procedural series set in Minneapolis about 35-year-old Police Detective Jude Fontaine. (The author does a great job in filling readers in on what happened in the earlier book, so this one can easily be read as a standalone.)
Jude's police career was interrupted when she was kidnapped. She had spent three years prisoner in a small cage, and during that time she was tortured, tased and repeatedly raped before she managed to get out of the cage and kill her captor. Now she has stark white hair and numerous scars making her instantly recognizable to the people of Minneapolis. She became even more well known after - in the last book and shortly after she rejoined the force - she killed her estranged father who not only was the governor, but who was a serial rapist and killer in his spare time, abetted by his son, whom Jude also killed.
When she came back on the job, she was partnered with the head of homicide, Detective Uriah Ashby. The partnership is working out, although Jude is slow to trust anyone, and their relationship is fragile, “still in the building-trust stage….”
Uriah too has had emotional trauma in his past. His wife committed suicide, and he suffers from repeated and debilitating migraines.
Lately there have been a series of killings that show a similar M.O. to one another, but with the number of bodies increasing. A math professor contacts Jude and Uriah and points out that the killer is using the Fibonacci sequence: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13 ….
Jude and Uriah somehow have to keep their own demons at bay as they struggle to find this new demon, because the imperative of the Fibonacci sequence means there will be an ever greater number of dead to come.
Evaluation: This is an interesting and complex story, and the author’s character development of the two troubled main protagonists is excellent. The murders are gruesome, but the horror is never diminished or normalized. I look forward to the next installment!
Rating: 3.5/5
This book is the second in a police procedural series set in Minneapolis about 35-year-old Police Detective Jude Fontaine. (The author does a great job in filling readers in on what happened in the earlier book, so this one can easily be read as a standalone.)
Jude's police career was interrupted when she was kidnapped. She had spent three years prisoner in a small cage, and during that time she was tortured, tased and repeatedly raped before she managed to get out of the cage and kill her captor. Now she has stark white hair and numerous scars making her instantly recognizable to the people of Minneapolis. She became even more well known after - in the last book and shortly after she rejoined the force - she killed her estranged father who not only was the governor, but who was a serial rapist and killer in his spare time, abetted by his son, whom Jude also killed.
When she came back on the job, she was partnered with the head of homicide, Detective Uriah Ashby. The partnership is working out, although Jude is slow to trust anyone, and their relationship is fragile, “still in the building-trust stage….”
Uriah too has had emotional trauma in his past. His wife committed suicide, and he suffers from repeated and debilitating migraines.
Lately there have been a series of killings that show a similar M.O. to one another, but with the number of bodies increasing. A math professor contacts Jude and Uriah and points out that the killer is using the Fibonacci sequence: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13 ….
Jude and Uriah somehow have to keep their own demons at bay as they struggle to find this new demon, because the imperative of the Fibonacci sequence means there will be an ever greater number of dead to come.
Evaluation: This is an interesting and complex story, and the author’s character development of the two troubled main protagonists is excellent. The murders are gruesome, but the horror is never diminished or normalized. I look forward to the next installment!
Rating: 3.5/5
June 14, 2018
Solid Police Procedural
This is book two in the Jude Fontaine mystery. Jude is a police officer who for three years was held captive, raped and tortured. This book is a continuation of Jude’s attempt to reclaim her life; while also navigating the consequences of the events that took place in book one. In this book their are glimpses of the person Jude was in her prior life. The woman who seamlessly navigated social situations, not the scared woman left after years of abuse. The violence Jude suffered left it’s stain on her soul, but she is a survivor. She and her partner Uriah are on the hunt for a serial killer who likes to display the victims for the most impact. There are a ton of twists and turns and this is a butt stayed in the sit until done type book.
Like all of Fraisers’ books this one is about the characters and seeing the relationship between Uriah and Jude blossom, gives me hope for Jude. The book reveal more up about Uriah and his family. I have my fingers crossed that Uriah continues to be Jude’s touchstone.
I listened to the audiobook via kindle unlimited and the narrator gave an excellent performance.
This is book two in the Jude Fontaine mystery. Jude is a police officer who for three years was held captive, raped and tortured. This book is a continuation of Jude’s attempt to reclaim her life; while also navigating the consequences of the events that took place in book one. In this book their are glimpses of the person Jude was in her prior life. The woman who seamlessly navigated social situations, not the scared woman left after years of abuse. The violence Jude suffered left it’s stain on her soul, but she is a survivor. She and her partner Uriah are on the hunt for a serial killer who likes to display the victims for the most impact. There are a ton of twists and turns and this is a butt stayed in the sit until done type book.
Like all of Fraisers’ books this one is about the characters and seeing the relationship between Uriah and Jude blossom, gives me hope for Jude. The book reveal more up about Uriah and his family. I have my fingers crossed that Uriah continues to be Jude’s touchstone.
I listened to the audiobook via kindle unlimited and the narrator gave an excellent performance.
July 23, 2018
I don't think the miss Anne Frasier is capable of a negatve review from me. Every book is unique, leaves me on my toes, and leaves me sitting on the edge of my seat. It also wouldn't be one of her books if I don't end up screaming "wait what?!" at the pages! SO GOOD! Do yourself a favor and pick this series up!
December 16, 2018
I loved book #1 in this series and this was a great follow up.
October 31, 2021
It wasn’t just her ability to read people that had become more acute in her basement prison, where she’d learned to decipher every nuance of her captor’s face and body; her sense of smell still hadn’t adjusted to the onslaught of odors in the world. The alchemy of shampoos and deodorants, lotions and hair products, combined with the odor of tech equipment and the buzz and flickering of the overhead lights, was unnerving.
June 4, 2018
Review written: June 4, 2018
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Heat Rating: N/A
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
In 2016 I read The Body Reader and was so blown way by its emotional intensity, it became the book I recommended that year. Two years later, Frasier gives us The Body Counter. Once again, Jude Fontaine, along with her partner Uriah, is thrust into a deadly game. The Body Counter is like a game of cat and mouse. All the clues are there, but putting them together is not easy. I missed on my guesses which made me very happy.
Unfortunately, The Body Counter does not recreate the emotional intensity of The Body Reader and lacks the immediacy and personal relationship that held the previous book together. In other words, this books is not about Jude, not the way The Body Reader was. In fact, I'd say this book is far more about Uriah.
The black box that is Uriah begins to open in The Body Counter. We learn far more about his backstory, the loss of his wife, his parents, even his childhood. As the killings escalate, Jude and readers see his vulnerabilities and the slow forging of deeply emotional connections between him and Jude.
Jude is still struggling to deal with the consequences and fallout from both her captivity and the later events with her father and brother. Where before, those emotions were all over the place, she now has an iron grip on herself (except when she sleeps) and that throws up a veil between her and the reader. She is calm, cool, collected, supporting others' emotional struggles, but she herself is rarely emotional.
The one place where Frasier consistently conveys Jude's emotions are how she deals with the house (her captor's house) being put in the market. From her frequent excursions there to her reactions (and Uriah's reactions) to others' attempts to unsettle her, to her finally dealing with it, that house is an important player in The Body Counter.
This is a slow burn book. While that is consistent with the beginnings of the murders - they are based on the Fibonacci sequence - it also made it hard for me as a reader to get into the book. It started off pretty slowly. We reached eight in the sequence before things truly changed for me and I became emotionally gripped by the story. At that point, there are enough characters floating around to make some educated guesses as to what is happening. It also meant that characters other than Jude and Uriah were starting to take shape.
Unfortunately, just as they were taking shape, they were also disappearing. It was very difficult to get a handle on any sort of villain. That was disappointing to me because I do so love a good villain. When my guesses proved wrong, I was excited. But I still lacked a real connection to either Jude or the villains of the piece. One character that did stand out to me was Elliott and I hope I will learn more there.
I usually don't mention anything about the cover art when I review a book. In this case, I feel it deserves a mention. I liked but didn't understand the cover art before I read the book, but having read The Body Counter now, I find it particularly compelling and interesting.
The Body Counter may not have packed the emotional punch of The Body Reader , but it was a wonderful book. I'm pretty sure I remember reading that there will be a third book (at least) and I am very eager to read it.
This review is ©June 2018 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Heat Rating: N/A
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
In 2016 I read The Body Reader and was so blown way by its emotional intensity, it became the book I recommended that year. Two years later, Frasier gives us The Body Counter. Once again, Jude Fontaine, along with her partner Uriah, is thrust into a deadly game. The Body Counter is like a game of cat and mouse. All the clues are there, but putting them together is not easy. I missed on my guesses which made me very happy.
Unfortunately, The Body Counter does not recreate the emotional intensity of The Body Reader and lacks the immediacy and personal relationship that held the previous book together. In other words, this books is not about Jude, not the way The Body Reader was. In fact, I'd say this book is far more about Uriah.
The black box that is Uriah begins to open in The Body Counter. We learn far more about his backstory, the loss of his wife, his parents, even his childhood. As the killings escalate, Jude and readers see his vulnerabilities and the slow forging of deeply emotional connections between him and Jude.
Jude is still struggling to deal with the consequences and fallout from both her captivity and the later events with her father and brother. Where before, those emotions were all over the place, she now has an iron grip on herself (except when she sleeps) and that throws up a veil between her and the reader. She is calm, cool, collected, supporting others' emotional struggles, but she herself is rarely emotional.
The one place where Frasier consistently conveys Jude's emotions are how she deals with the house (her captor's house) being put in the market. From her frequent excursions there to her reactions (and Uriah's reactions) to others' attempts to unsettle her, to her finally dealing with it, that house is an important player in The Body Counter.
This is a slow burn book. While that is consistent with the beginnings of the murders - they are based on the Fibonacci sequence - it also made it hard for me as a reader to get into the book. It started off pretty slowly. We reached eight in the sequence before things truly changed for me and I became emotionally gripped by the story. At that point, there are enough characters floating around to make some educated guesses as to what is happening. It also meant that characters other than Jude and Uriah were starting to take shape.
Unfortunately, just as they were taking shape, they were also disappearing. It was very difficult to get a handle on any sort of villain. That was disappointing to me because I do so love a good villain. When my guesses proved wrong, I was excited. But I still lacked a real connection to either Jude or the villains of the piece. One character that did stand out to me was Elliott and I hope I will learn more there.
I usually don't mention anything about the cover art when I review a book. In this case, I feel it deserves a mention. I liked but didn't understand the cover art before I read the book, but having read The Body Counter now, I find it particularly compelling and interesting.
The Body Counter may not have packed the emotional punch of The Body Reader , but it was a wonderful book. I'm pretty sure I remember reading that there will be a third book (at least) and I am very eager to read it.
This review is ©June 2018 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
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