What You Don't See

Cass Raines #3

by Tracy Clark

Former cop Cass Raines knows the streets of Chicago all too well. Now she's a private investigator and getting an exclusive glimpse into how the other half lives--and how they die . . .

Wealth. Power. Celebrity. Vonda Allen's glossy vanity magazine has taken the Windy City by storm, and she's well on her way to building a one-woman media empire. Everybody adores her. Except the people who work for her. And the person who's sending her flowers with death threats . . .

As Vonda's bodyguard, off-duty cop Ben Mickerson knows he could use some back-up--and no one fits the bill better than his ex-partner on the police force, Cass Raines. Now a full-time private eye, Cass is reluctant to take the job. She isn't keen on playing babysitter to a celebrity who's rumored to be a heartless diva. But as a favor to Ben, she signs on. But when Vonda refuses to say why someone might be after her, and two of her staff turn up dead, Ben and Cass must battle an unknown assailant bent on getting to the great lady herself, before someone else dies.

Cass finds out the hard way just how persistent a threat they face during the first stop on Vonda's book tour. As fans clamour for her autograph, things take an ugly turn when a mysterious fan shows up with flowers and slashes Ben with a knife. While her ex-partner's life hangs in the balance, Cass is left to find out what secrets Vonda is keeping, who might want her dead, and how she can bring Ben's attacker to justice before enemies in the Chicago Police Department try to stop her in her tracks . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

297 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2020

About the author

Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, Macavity, and Shamus Award finalist, Tracy is also the 2020 and 2022 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award and the 2022 Sara Paretsky Award, which honors crime writers from the Midwest. Tracy was also nominated for the 2022 Edgar for Best Short Story for “Lucky Thirteen,” which was included in the crime fiction anthology “Midnight Hour.” She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and serves on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference. HIDE, her new, police procedural, featuring Det. Harriet Foster of the Chicago Police Department, released in January 2023. The second entry in that series, FALL, releases in 2024. Tracy loves old black-and-white movies, a good nap, and a really spicy ginger snap served with ice-cold milk. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing and admits to finding characters in the most unusual places.

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cass Raines is a former cop, now working as a private investigator. Cass' friend, off-duty cop Ben Mickerson is working as bodyguard to Vonda Allen and requests some back up from Cass.

Vonda is a very wealthy celebrity ... but not everyone likes or respects her. The people who work for her consider her a heartless diva. Then there's the person sending her flowers with attached death threats.

It's a bit hard to protect someone when the victim of a stalker won't tell her bodyguard why someone might be threatening her. When two of her staff wind up dead, Cass and Ben are working blind .... leading to a catastrophic event.

This is a rapid moving mystery with a well-paced plot. The characters are deftly drawn and I enjoyed how the two ex-partners relate to each other. As the victim is the one you love to hate, there are plenty of suspects who have reason to make her life miserable .... until they want her dead. Although 3rd in the series, this is okay as a stand-alone. However, there are references to events in the previous books .... and to make it a better reading, I would recommend starting with the very first book.

Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Kellye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my favorite books of the year. Love the author's writing style and Cass as a character. As with any good series, this one brings back some many threads from past books--resolving some fully, edging others a bit further along--while still creating a standalone story with amazing stakes.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Chicago PI is called in to act as a bodyguard for a media bigwig. Someone is sending her threatening notes and flowers. Everybody is very unpleasant.

[Lynn Cahoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started the series with this book and didn't have a problem following the story. I love the strong female lead in this series. Clark adds in a realistic touch of Chicago as well.

[Richard T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a precious few authors – Stephen Hunter, Daniel Silva and Lee Child – whose books I eagerly look forward to each year. After reading Tracy Clark’s “What You Don’t See,” I am adding her to the list.
In Cass Raines, a former Chicago Police Officer turned private investigator, Clark has created a heroine that is the equal of any of my other favorite characters. Tough, streetwise, complicated and yet compassionate, Cass is a fully realized character with both strengths and flaws.
In her third outing, Cass is hired by her former partner, Ben Mickerson, to help provide security for media diva, Vonda Allen. Having received flowers accompanied by death threats, Allen is loath to tarnish her brand, so she is willing to go to great lengths to avoid all publicity – especially any that might prove negative.
However, when a book signing goes tragically wrong and Ben is stabbed and seriously injured, Cass decides that all bets are off. As she probes deeper into the past of Vonda Allen, she discovers that there were plenty of people with various motives – all of whom might have wanted the diva dead.
With some crackling dialogue and ingenious plot twists, “What You Don’t See” belongs at the top of your TBR list.

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent P.I. mystery with a strong, smart heroine, Cass McRaines, an ex-wife Chicago police officer who is drawn into a security detail with a friend from the force. Vonda Allen, a media superstar, has requested protection from a stalker, but won't allow any investigation of the reasons behind the threats. Seeing Allen up close was like seeing the wizard behind the curtain, no longer the kind, empathetic star but closer to how the threatening letters start, "Dear Bitch." Mystery is well-defined with red herrings and twists that will keep you guessing . Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori Rader-Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and character. I'm not supposed to mention the brief cameo I spotted.

[Coffee&Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving this author's style and this latest novel in the Cass Raines series is so good. The second I hear Tracy Clark has a new book coming, I have to run to Netgalley to request an advance copy because a) I am impatient and I don't want to wait if I don't have to and b) I love to be able to help spread the word about a book pre-publication, specifically one I enjoy. Thanks so much to the publisher and the author for the chance to read this book ahead of publication.
Clark made me a little nervous about the injury of a pivotal character, but I sincerely enjoyed the detective work in this novel. I really didn't see the "whodunit" until the last few chapters.
Really well written, great pace and suspense. The reader feels like they're solving the crime right along with Cass.
I can't really say if this book stands alone... you really should know Cass from the beginning. She's got great history, so start with book one (you have time) and catch up to this one. Your face will be glad you did!

[SuperWendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love female PI series, and Cass Raines is my new favorite. This time out she takes a security job as a favor to her former partner. A magazine editor on the cusp of getting her own talk show is receiving threatening notes and creepy flower arrangements. The problem being that Cass's client is a vile woman, a total witch. When things get personal, Cass quits - but keeps digging. Putting her in the crosshairs of her former client and the Chicago PD. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Runner, the fourth book in this series, and liked it so much, I went back to read this prior book. I really like the main character, Cass, and the mystery in this book kept my interest. The main characters, as well as the side characters, are vividly described and make for an engaging story. I hope this series continues because it's very well-written with characters you can connect with.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this mystery a lot, but what I liked best was the main character, Cass Raines. She’s a cop, who in this book is moonlighting as a bodyguard and private investigator for media magnate Vonda Allen, who has been receiving threats. She’s tough and smart and never comes across as that stereotypical “sassy female cop” some mystery writers always try to produce. Always very real, and funny. I also really enjoyed her friend and sometime partner Ben Dickerson.

The story itself is your traditional mystery fare, but made more interesting with excellent writing, a good plot, and exceptionally likable characters. The plotting and Cass’ investigation were fun and fast-moving, and while the end wasn’t a huge surprise, it was very well-executed and rewarding. Tracy Clark is a mystery writer to watch. This book made me curious to learn more of Cass’ backstory, so I’ll be picking up the first book in the series.

The only negative to me (and it’s a minor one) is that the book began in the head of the killer. This was fun to read and I would have liked to see a little more of that narration interspersed throughout the book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Tracy Clark and Kensington books for this fun introduction to Cass via an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this is the first time I am reading this author. I will say I was taken in by this story and the different characters. Cassandra is asked by her former partner to help with her former partner in what should be an easy job. She is a private investigator now and both worked for the Chicago Police force at one time. The key here is an easy job.
Her former partner Ben Mickerson is working for a publisher named Vonda Allen. Providing protection at a book signing Ben is stabbed and Cass stays with Ben hoping to save his life instead of following the person. Later Cass decides to start her own investigation and she begins by looking into Vonda and her past which is not so good. There is a cast of characters from the cop who almost got her killed when she worked as a cop, to Angela Hughes and the other people who come in and out of the story when needed. I liked Cassandra with her being streetwise and yet she was still dealing with her own issues. Plenty of twists and turns to keep this story moving along which made for a very good book and very much worth the read. I received this book from Netglley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Shelley Kubitz Mahannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What You Don't See" is Clark's third outing in showing her protagonist Cass Raines to the reader. And this book continues on the same strong footing that the previous books did. Cass is drafted into doing a favor for her former partner Ben Mickerson. And what should be an "easy" security job quickly turns deadly. Clark's books continue to be her love letter to Chicago and by this time, her cast of characters feel like family to the reader. (Also noteworthy, I read this in one sitting. It was unputdownable. Literally.)

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassandra (Cass) Raines is a former Chicago Police Officer now private investigator. She's joining her former partner, Ben Mickerson, in what is supposed to be an easy, but very profitable assignment. Vonda Allen made it to the top publishing her vanity magazine, but now seems to have garnered death threats.

Unfortunately, their first outing with the narcissistic publisher at a bookstore ends in a life and death struggle with Ben ending in the hospital. She failed to follow the assailant, opting instead to stay with Ben in an attempt to save his life. But now it's personal. Cass begins her own investigation.

It's obvious the author has an intimate knowledge of Chicago and I loved the ride-alongs. Cass is streetwise, complex, takes no s**t from anyone, but is compassionate. A survivor. A defender. Dialogue is smart, sassy, and peppered with bits of sharp-witted retort.

Characters range from the loathsome (the cop who almost got her killed) to immensely empathetic. I really enjoyed the author's descriptive writing style, in particular, the snappy repartee between Cass and Angela Dotson-Hughes. Unnecessary to know what color she is. She is fun, sharp, fast, serious.

There are red-herrings, and I loved the unexpected twist near the conclusion, spiking into a well-crafted climax. Cass is also dealing with the father who abandoned her when she was twelve--just a couple little sub-plots here--all neatly tied together. I love it when the conclusion melds so beautifully, leaving the reader with a satisfied smile.

I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. My first experience with the series and author, but felt it can work fine as a standalone. I'm hooked and looking forward to Book 4. Engaging, entertaining, clean, sweet read. Coming up on release date--look for it! 4.5 stars

See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...

[Kunni Biener · Rating 4 out of 5]

the third in a series, I am going back to look for #1 Well written, tightly written, interesting. a good read.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cass Raines was once on the Chicago police force. Now, she’s a private investigator. Her former partner, Ben Mickerson, is working off-duty as a bodyguard for a wealthy magazine owner and celebrity, Vonda Allen, and he asks Cass to be his backup. Although it’s a lucrative job, Cass is reluctant to accept, but she agrees as a favor for her friend. They both quickly learn that the threats Vonda has been receiving are deadly serious and it’s unclear as to why Vonda refuses to talk about it. It becomes increasingly ugly and when it becomes personal, Cass is forced to conduct her own investigation, despite opposition from members of the Chicago Police Department

What You Don’t See is the third book in the series by Tracy Clark. For the most part it was easy enough to become engaged with the story. However, it was apparent to me that it would have been more enjoyable if I had read the first two books. There were references to several events that occurred in earlier books and I would have liked to know more about them.

Cass is an interesting character and I have a feeling earlier books revealed more of her backstory. The plot is well-done and the various parts are slowly revealed, which makes the story move along at a nice pace. Besides the mystery itself, there are a number of side stories to keep track of. This gives the book depth and keeps the reader engaged. Overall, I enjoyed What You Don’t See and now I plan to backtrack to the previous books in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

[Grace Koshida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chicago PI Cass Raines is coerced by her off-duty cop former partner Ben Mickerson to work with him as bodyguards for media empire star Vonda Allen. Someone is sending Vonda nasty letters and flowers but Vonda and her assistant are reluctant to go to the police or provide Cass and Ben with any possible suspects. Then two of Vonda's staff are killed by an unknown perp. Were these deaths just random muggings or shootings, or are they linked to Vonda's creepy admirer? When Ben is seriously injured during a book signing event, Cass is on her own to find out Vonda's secrets and who might want to kill her.

Vonda and Cass clash from the beginning since our PI protagonist is not willing to take crap from anyone, including her newest client. Her investigation heads back 30 years to Vonda's more humble beginnings as a college student and the sudden death of Vonda's mother. Several of Vonda's former classmates help point Cass in the right direction.

Wow, this series continues to improve with each book, and Cass is a complex, formidable protagonist. The story ends with an unexpected twist at the end that is satisfying and well-crafted.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Kensington Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

[Sheila Sobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cass Raines, former homicide cop turned private investigator, is not much different from the subject of her current assignment, magazine mogul Vonda Allen. Both are smart, fearless women who challenged male dominated environments and succeeded. When former partner, Detective Ben Mickerson enlists her to help provide security services for Ms. Allen, who has had her life threatened, the two women’s differences become quite clear. Ms. Allen lacks the empathy that gives Cass her strength. Therein lies the problem for ensuring Vonda Allen’s safety. Everyone who works for her or who has crossed paths with her, has a motive for wanting her dead. When Ben gets stabbed and his life hangs in the balance, it becomes all too personal for Cass. Another major loss in her life would be devastating. "What You Don’t See" is a tightly woven mystery, as finely crafted as a spider’s web. Tracy Clark’s The Chicago Mysteries series just keeps getting better and better. I received an advance reader's copy for review purposes.

[Jill Burgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb says this is the third in the series of Cass Raines, a kickass Chicago investigator. Normally, I’m apprehensive of not reading the previous novels, but in this case, there was no way I was putting this book aside once I started it! As a Chicagoan I love reading novels set in familiar places and I could see Cass as clear as day, going about the investigation into who is targeting a prominent celebrity publisher whom everyone knows and whose persona as a take no hostage business woman is legendary. A former cop herself, Cass, is asked by her ex cop partner, Ben, to help him keep the publisher Vonda Allen, safe. Reluctantly Cass agrees thinking of herself as a baby sitter until all hell breaks out and she has to use every skill and knowledge she has to keep herself alive and keep the police department she knows at a distance. Gritty, realistic and totally believable. Now, one to books one and two, and then maybe the third again.

[L.C. Rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this, the third installment of Tracy Clark's Chicago Mystery series, cop-turned-P.I. Cass Raines is reunited (albeit with reservations) with her former partner, Ben Mickerson, who's taken an off-duty gig as a bodyguard to much-hated media mogul Vonda Allen. It quickly becomes clear that Cass's initial instincts were on-point; this will be one job she's going to wish she'd passed on. Even as Allen receives repeated death threats, she refuses to help Cass and Ben figure out who might be behind them. Then a couple of her staff members turn up dead, Ben gets stabbed while guarding Allen at a book signing event (which leaves him fighting for his life), and it's up to Cass to find and stop the murderer before the next body drops. It's another solid entry in the Chicago Mystery series that will leave you clamoring for Book #4.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vonda Allen didn't get to where she is- a media mogul (almost) - without making enemies. That's evident from the death threats she's gotten and by what happens at a bookstore event. Cass Raines, a cop turned PI, agrees to help her former partner Ben, who is providing security but then Ben's the one who ends up in the hospital and Cass is pulled in deep to find out who's behind all this. She's a smart, savvy PI who I really like. There are great atmospherics, especially for Chicago fans (and I admit to doing a bit of googling on several places). Well written and faced paced, this has some wonderful twists (no spoilers!). Thanks to Nergalley for the ARC. I had not read the earlier books but this was great as a standalone, making it a new series for me to follow.

[Kim G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book of Cass Raines series, I loved this mystery the most. The surprisingly twisted investigation Cass had to handle was fascinating keeps you wanting to read more. I had suspected someone else as the culprit, but as I kept reading, the person became clear to me who the twisted person was. Just the steps Cass took to investigate was so exciting to read. Cass is independent and tough when she has to like to move on her terms, but she also vulnerable. Being an ex-cop showing respect and care when talking to a witness for her investigation shows that she does care about their situation. All the characters were engaging in the mystery. Tracy Clark's writing is terrific.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Cass Raines, private investigator, joins the ranks with VI Warshawski and Kinsey Milhone, as excellent investigators in the genre. Here, Cass is asked by her former partner, to body guard a media mogul (think early Oprah). There are a few killings and her former partner gets stabbed. Cass navigates obstacles with former police foes and also manages to get an ally. Her technique is sharp and while she doesn’t really work well with others, she actually does. Her experience and smarts gets her the respect she deserves. I’m also looking forward to reading more about her friend and family relationships.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a native Chicagoan (as I am) then you should be reading Tracy Clark’s Cass Raines series, of which this is book 3. If you are not a native Chicagoan you should even more so be reading these books because Cass Raines is pure Chicago and not only will you read a terrific mystery but you will get a great flavor of a unique city. Private Investigator (and former cop) Cass Raines, along with a supporting cast of friends and not-friends, inhabit a fully realized and engaging world of hard working, hard living, hard loving characters. Highly recommended!!

[VickiLee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure being back with Cassandra Raines for the third time. This time Cass, a P.I., along with her old police partner Ben, take a job to watch over and protect a nasty and vile magazine editor. As expected, chaos ensues.

I didn’t find the story particularly tense or titillating but it was a good read nonetheless. Cass is her usual spitfire self and the rest of the characters were in good form.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this dragged a bit at the beginning, but once Cass decided to figure out who stabbed Ben at the book signing -- and why -- I was hooked. Things started happening as she dug into Vonda's history. Whst had been threatening letters and the death of a ciuple of employees began to show a real pattern of bad behavior -- and "accidental" deaths. The side stories -- Farraday's downfall, Ben's sister and her theories -- added to the main storyline, too.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this is if you like police procedurals like Bosch or Luna's Alice Vega series.
Strong female lead. Series isn't faltering and getting bogged down with too much past or relationships. Great writing pulls you in and connecting with characters right away.
I can see this as an Amazon/Netflix series. Has become one of my favorite series.

[Freddireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta read the first 2

Author unknown to me before and I read a Lot of crime books...my loss. Her character s, their engagement s with each other, all pure gold. All threads seen up at the end and I wish it would have just kept going. Great 👍 read!

[Lynelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! The main character Cass is a sassy and smart PI with well developed supporting characters. Fast paced, a few surprises and I loved that the back stories were told within the story versus jumping back and forth in time, a tool I find annoying and yet used by so many authors.

[Susan Seaberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I won't get into the particulars, cause that would dampen the impact for others.....but good clean writing, excellent story telling and a bit of humor! I love Cass and her family! Thank you!