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Lying Close
Minnesota BCA Investigator Jon Frederick studies the A hunting accident. A country home break-in. The disappearance of a runaway. Not so shocking, until he considers all of these crimes occurred within 30 miles of each other, in less than a year’s time, in rural Minnesota. The summer of 2019 brings heat, rain, passion, and deception. A smoldering, romantic tryst between a local Christian man and a Muslim Somali woman becomes entangled in the case. Jon soon discovers someone close to the investigation is leaking information, placing lives in danger. The investigation leads Jon to the most publicized unsolved assault in recent Minnesota history.
- GenresMysteryFictionTrue Crime
336 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2020
13 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Frank F. Weber
10 books175 followersFrank Weber is a forensic psychologist who has completed assessments for homicide, sexual assault, and domestic abuse cases. His work has ranged from assessing murderers chained to the cement floor in the basement of a prison and assessing psychopaths to providing therapy for wealthy professionals who’ve engaged in multiple affairs. He has testified as an expert witness in numerous sexual assault and homicide cases, written seven different treatment workbooks, and in 2015 published a training series for psychologists which has been accredited by the MN Board of Psychology. He has received the President’s Award from the Minnesota Correctional Association for his forensic work, and recently received an award for excellence in his clinical work. Frank Weber has used his unique understanding of how predator’s think, victim trauma, and actual court cases to create a thrilling mystery.
Raised in Pierz, Minnesota, Frank is one of ten children. Frank has been blessed to share his life with his wife, Brenda. His debut novel, Murder Book (North Star Press), will be available in May, 2017.
Raised in Pierz, Minnesota, Frank is one of ten children. Frank has been blessed to share his life with his wife, Brenda. His debut novel, Murder Book (North Star Press), will be available in May, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 3, 2020
There is something a little special about reading books centered around your home state and area - yet Lying Close is so much more. I enjoy reads that surprise me - take out of what I consider to be the "norm" for their genre and level up.
I enjoyed the mix of imperfect characters, crazy happenings, and the all too real feeling that this could actually happen...
See my full review here.
https://bookjourney.net/2020/10/02/ly...
I enjoyed the mix of imperfect characters, crazy happenings, and the all too real feeling that this could actually happen...
See my full review here.
https://bookjourney.net/2020/10/02/ly...
November 2, 2020
Kaiko Kane is a bad guy like no other. I enjoy the different perspectives that each chapter of this book revealed to me; Mia, Jon, Clay, Serena & even Kaiko all had their own chapter. This book had a few layers that needed to be peeled away in order to get down to the truth. Not a boring or even predictable story. I enjoyed this book & found it to keep my interest throughout the entire story.
September 13, 2020
Move over Alex Cross you have got some serious competition. Jon Frederick is back in the fourth book by Frank Weber. This book will grab you and hold you as the many twists and turns lead you and Jon on a suspenseful roller coaster. Crime after crime there seems to be a common denominator and Jon is the only one that can link them together but, the links also lead very close to home. Making you wonder who you can trust. I love the way Frank writes. He writes with such knowledge that you can't help but learn from his writing. It makes the stories more real and believable. I guess that's why I can never get enough of his books. It makes me feel like i'm living in his world.
September 29, 2020
If it is possible after only three novels to have the fourth serve as vintage work by the author, then LYING CLOSE by Frank Weber fits that ranking. Weber has made himself known for his dysfunctional yet likable characters, his page-turning, suspenseful style, and details that include topical news of the day and the latest in forensic police work.
The story takes place in central Minnesota, right in the middle of small towns and gravel roads – but then it will drive itself down the highway and the reader will be looking at seedy neighborhoods of Minneapolis. This leads to the variety of a Frank Weber story.
The recurring characters in LYING CLOSE start with Jon Frederick, the resourceful investigator who knows all the procedures as well as how to circumvent them when it seems wise to do so. His wife Serena is his devoted confidante who serves as a beacon and occasional conscience for Jon. There’s Jon’s long-time friend Clay Roberts, who will make impulsive decisions that likely as not backfire, but in ways not expected by him or the reader. There’s Jada, Jon’s one-time fling, who employs her news reporting skills that sometimes assist Jon in his cases, and in other times will thwart them. The new characters – and there are going to be no spoilers here – are young, enthusiastic, decidedly bossy, totally and soulfully bankrupt of any emotion, completely dedicated to family – or a combination of any or all of these.
The suspense is paced well. Weber has a nice way of cycling the tempo of the story so that the reader keeps interested. At times there’s the quiet conversation over a drink in a bar, and the next thing you know, that bar isn’t so very quiet for so many other reasons, often nefarious and treacherous.
References to real-life crimes are a hallmark of Weber’s books – in this one you may be reminded by name (again, no spoilers – get the book to see what I mean) of kidnappings and murders of recent times in Minnesota. And hey, some of these might actually intertwine with Jon Frederick’s mindset and work habits.
It’s not all police business in LYING CLOSE. Weber, too, has a way with humor that’s witty to the point that the reader may have to stop and think as to why something is funny – or sometimes its just out and out chuckle time.
LYING CLOSE is an excellent fourth novel from forensic psychologist Frank Weber that serves as a fine page turner. It has just been released – look for it.
The story takes place in central Minnesota, right in the middle of small towns and gravel roads – but then it will drive itself down the highway and the reader will be looking at seedy neighborhoods of Minneapolis. This leads to the variety of a Frank Weber story.
The recurring characters in LYING CLOSE start with Jon Frederick, the resourceful investigator who knows all the procedures as well as how to circumvent them when it seems wise to do so. His wife Serena is his devoted confidante who serves as a beacon and occasional conscience for Jon. There’s Jon’s long-time friend Clay Roberts, who will make impulsive decisions that likely as not backfire, but in ways not expected by him or the reader. There’s Jada, Jon’s one-time fling, who employs her news reporting skills that sometimes assist Jon in his cases, and in other times will thwart them. The new characters – and there are going to be no spoilers here – are young, enthusiastic, decidedly bossy, totally and soulfully bankrupt of any emotion, completely dedicated to family – or a combination of any or all of these.
The suspense is paced well. Weber has a nice way of cycling the tempo of the story so that the reader keeps interested. At times there’s the quiet conversation over a drink in a bar, and the next thing you know, that bar isn’t so very quiet for so many other reasons, often nefarious and treacherous.
References to real-life crimes are a hallmark of Weber’s books – in this one you may be reminded by name (again, no spoilers – get the book to see what I mean) of kidnappings and murders of recent times in Minnesota. And hey, some of these might actually intertwine with Jon Frederick’s mindset and work habits.
It’s not all police business in LYING CLOSE. Weber, too, has a way with humor that’s witty to the point that the reader may have to stop and think as to why something is funny – or sometimes its just out and out chuckle time.
LYING CLOSE is an excellent fourth novel from forensic psychologist Frank Weber that serves as a fine page turner. It has just been released – look for it.
August 7, 2025
Frank Weber weaves a captivating mystery full of suspense while sowing the seeds of twists to come with grace.
The story had me caught from the moment I picked it up, and I could not put it down until I was finished!
However, while the author has obviously done plenty of research on the history of Minnesota, it definitely threw off the story's pacing to have historical facts spouted off by the characters at random, out loud or through their narrative. It made most of them come off as robotic and difficult to connect to or understand the motivations behind their actions.
This book also ambitiously delves into some very deep and intriguing societal issues, though I am not sure the author possesses quite enough tact to pull it off effectively.
Another round of editing would do wonders for this one, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
The story had me caught from the moment I picked it up, and I could not put it down until I was finished!
However, while the author has obviously done plenty of research on the history of Minnesota, it definitely threw off the story's pacing to have historical facts spouted off by the characters at random, out loud or through their narrative. It made most of them come off as robotic and difficult to connect to or understand the motivations behind their actions.
This book also ambitiously delves into some very deep and intriguing societal issues, though I am not sure the author possesses quite enough tact to pull it off effectively.
Another round of editing would do wonders for this one, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!
May 31, 2021
Frank Weber keeps getting better and better. His tightly wound BCA thrillers keep his audience on the edge of their seat. He even ties in current day events occurring in Minnesota police incidents. The plot is deeper than the reader thinks making for a surprising conclusion. His characters, many of which are flawed, come off as real people. The connection to small and medium size towns in Minnesota add to the enjoyment of reading his books. Can’t wait to read his 5th book out this year!
November 5, 2021
Lying Close - mystery
This book is perfect for someone who knows the St. Cloud area and enjoys murder/crime stories.
I love murder mysteries, but this had too many characters and
twists that confused at times. Mostly like the characters and learned a bit about Muslim immigrants, which was interesting.
Resolution wasn’t achieved in my opinion. I have read all this
authors other books and enjoyed them.
This book is perfect for someone who knows the St. Cloud area and enjoys murder/crime stories.
I love murder mysteries, but this had too many characters and
twists that confused at times. Mostly like the characters and learned a bit about Muslim immigrants, which was interesting.
Resolution wasn’t achieved in my opinion. I have read all this
authors other books and enjoyed them.
March 5, 2023
I had to stop reading this book. Frank Weber’s books are a little too dark for me. He writes captivating stories, true crime, set in Minnesota. He draws from his experiences as a forensic psychologist. Many people find his books fascinating. If you like true crime and stories told from multiple POVS, read Weber’s books.
July 12, 2021
I love the nitty grittiness of this book! I really felt like I could visualize the characters and their mannerisms.
I definitely enjoyed reading about my local area and the beers from our local breweries! We have some great beers here and Round House is in my top 5!
I definitely enjoyed reading about my local area and the beers from our local breweries! We have some great beers here and Round House is in my top 5!
July 25, 2021
At first I didn’t know what I was getting into. The book was a little difficult at first to get attached, but then it started to pick up. I really enjoyed the difference in the book from the others as it illustrated the storyline of a meth lab.
December 30, 2024
I will say I read this series out of order so I didn’t read the first book till the second to last but it was still great. If you want to read a great Minnesota author and like forensic psychology Frank Weber is an author you will love.
August 10, 2022
This books was a slight tick better then that one’s. Maybe they will get better each time.
January 9, 2023
Can’t get enough of his books.
February 9, 2023
Good read, I liked the story told through multiple character perspectives.
Met the author at a craft fair in Battle Lake MN, signed my copy, will check out his other books
Met the author at a craft fair in Battle Lake MN, signed my copy, will check out his other books
April 11, 2023
Great book because it is local and familiar. Also, easy to read and follow.
May 6, 2023
Another great Frank Weber novel. This one had such an in-depth storyline. What a great read!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews