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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ PREDATORS DESERVE TO BE PUNISHED. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
FBI Agent Georgia Dennis has dedicated her life to stopping those that prey on the vulnerable, using her profiling skills to get ahead of those that hurt others.
Her final case with the Complex Crimes Unit will be no different--even if the dead women and girls bear a striking resemblance to Georgia. To the victim she had once been.
The last thing she needs is her jerk of a boss, Michael "Hell" Hellbrook, second-guessing her as the case brings her own past boiling to the surface.
★ HE WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HER. ★
Hell had always taken the safety of his team very seriously. Especially Georgia's--she's the only agent on his team who has an actual family waiting for her at home. The only way to keep her safe as the killer draws closer is to keep her at his side--even if the flames that have always burned between them erupt and threaten to scorch them both.
But as Hell and Georgia dig deeper into a killer's secrets, someone else is watching. Someone whose descent into madness threatens everyone around them. Everyone Georgia loves.
Now Georgia and Hell have to answer the question:
Is this watcher their killer, or someone much, much closer?
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆Don't miss other PAVAD titles: Beginning, Waiting, Watching, Wanting, Second Chances, Hunting, Redeeming, Running, Revealing, Stalking, Ghosting, Burning, Gathering, Falling, Hiding & Seeking. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
PAVAD: PREVENTION & ANALYSIS OF VIOLENT ACTS DIVISION:
PAVAD—the Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division—is a special directorate of the FBI located in St. Louis.
PAVAD was formed by Edward Dennis to combat today’s modern crimes in a modern nation. PAVAD consists of only the best of the FBI’s best, and addresses cases involving everything from kidnapping, money-laundering, extortion, all the way up to RICO violations. The PAVAD directorate has more than a dozen teams ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice to every corner of the United States…
FBI Agent Georgia Dennis has dedicated her life to stopping those that prey on the vulnerable, using her profiling skills to get ahead of those that hurt others.
Her final case with the Complex Crimes Unit will be no different--even if the dead women and girls bear a striking resemblance to Georgia. To the victim she had once been.
The last thing she needs is her jerk of a boss, Michael "Hell" Hellbrook, second-guessing her as the case brings her own past boiling to the surface.
★ HE WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HER. ★
Hell had always taken the safety of his team very seriously. Especially Georgia's--she's the only agent on his team who has an actual family waiting for her at home. The only way to keep her safe as the killer draws closer is to keep her at his side--even if the flames that have always burned between them erupt and threaten to scorch them both.
But as Hell and Georgia dig deeper into a killer's secrets, someone else is watching. Someone whose descent into madness threatens everyone around them. Everyone Georgia loves.
Now Georgia and Hell have to answer the question:
Is this watcher their killer, or someone much, much closer?
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆Don't miss other PAVAD titles: Beginning, Waiting, Watching, Wanting, Second Chances, Hunting, Redeeming, Running, Revealing, Stalking, Ghosting, Burning, Gathering, Falling, Hiding & Seeking. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
PAVAD: PREVENTION & ANALYSIS OF VIOLENT ACTS DIVISION:
PAVAD—the Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division—is a special directorate of the FBI located in St. Louis.
PAVAD was formed by Edward Dennis to combat today’s modern crimes in a modern nation. PAVAD consists of only the best of the FBI’s best, and addresses cases involving everything from kidnapping, money-laundering, extortion, all the way up to RICO violations. The PAVAD directorate has more than a dozen teams ready to mobilize at a moment’s notice to every corner of the United States…
526 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
1779 people are currently reading
1853 people want to read
About the author
Calle J. Brookes
99 books381 followersWho is Calle Jaye Brookes?
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
Calle Jaye is fun, playful, ironic, professional and sophisticated. She’s super-educated in the field of fiction and would spend most of her time walking around in “Book World” (or”eBook World”).
Does she have slight control freak tendencies? Yep. Why else would she chose to self-publish?
In her day job she gets to read romance novels. In her night job she gets to write them!
Her favorite color is bold purple. She likes rock like Kid Rock, Shinedown, and Nickelback. Add in a bit of Anastacia and Adelle, too.
She collects rocks. Watches crime dramas. Abhors Lifetime Movies and Titanic (especially Leo…) and refuses to read or write about sparkly teen vampires.
She’s married to a cop she strongly suspects is a vampire. They’ve made vampire babies, too.
They live in Indiana with their vampire relatives and their vampire dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
December 26, 2013
I had totally mixed feelings for this book and I am still conflicted with the rating I gave it. I liked the story and characters but I hated how it was written. The author threw you into the book and acted like you were inside her head and knew all the history of the characters and the area of the F.B.I. the book was written about. It really drove me crazy how it was assumed that we as readers would know things that were never explained before in the book. For me the book would have been a lot better with some back story or some kind of explanations about what was going on. There were a number on places where I just wanted throw my Kindle across the room because the book was so poorly written when it comes to the author explaining things and assuming we are all the little voices in her head that know everything that is going on, went on and will be going on without ever really getting ant clear explanations half the time. I see there are more books in the series and with this being the first I am almost afraid to even attempt to read the others. I loved the characters but I hated the writhing style so much I am thinking I will save my money and wait and see if the others end up free like this one before I even think about giving Ms. Brookes another chance with her annoying writhing style.
February 13, 2018
The first book in the PAVAD: FBI - Romantic Suspense series by Calle J. Brookes. PAVAD (PREVENTION & ANALYSIS OF VIOLENT ACTS DIVISION) is onsite to investigate a serial killer who kills girls by stoning them. Dr. Georgia Dennis finds she is forced to work closely with her boss, Michael “Hell” Hellbrook, who has only shown her scorn since being assigned to PAVAD, a unit her father created.
FBI procedural type plot with a reasonable dose of romance. I think the balance of the suspense, romance and procedural was pretty good. I had a few minor issues but overall I did enjoy it and on to the next in the series.
FBI procedural type plot with a reasonable dose of romance. I think the balance of the suspense, romance and procedural was pretty good. I had a few minor issues but overall I did enjoy it and on to the next in the series.
August 29, 2016
This was free on Amazon.
I wanted to enjoy this book and on one hand I did. But there were elements of it that just didn't quite gel with me. For one thing there seemed to be a lot of worry from Hellbrook about the women on the team; even though they are all meant to be fully trained FBI personnel they seem to be unable to defend themselves and have to be protected at all times.
Another thing is that there are a lot of characters that get introduced in this book. This is fine but what doesn't help is when the author uses different names for the characters which can be a little confusing.
As to the story-line, I could understand the main story of someone killing brunette girls to an extent. But there was no discussion as to why the killer started killing so many girls and given that the PAVAD team are meant to be profilers I would have thought there would be more about this. Also how on earth could they have missed that the attempts on some of the team's lives were being done by a different person. It just didn't gel with me and the storyline felt a little forced.
I've got the next book in the series as this was free as well so we will see what it is like.
I wanted to enjoy this book and on one hand I did. But there were elements of it that just didn't quite gel with me. For one thing there seemed to be a lot of worry from Hellbrook about the women on the team; even though they are all meant to be fully trained FBI personnel they seem to be unable to defend themselves and have to be protected at all times.
Another thing is that there are a lot of characters that get introduced in this book. This is fine but what doesn't help is when the author uses different names for the characters which can be a little confusing.
As to the story-line, I could understand the main story of someone killing brunette girls to an extent. But there was no discussion as to why the killer started killing so many girls and given that the PAVAD team are meant to be profilers I would have thought there would be more about this. Also how on earth could they have missed that the attempts on some of the team's lives were being done by a different person. It just didn't gel with me and the storyline felt a little forced.
I've got the next book in the series as this was free as well so we will see what it is like.
February 21, 2020
Watching (PAVAD: FBI Romantic Suspense, #1) by Calle J. Brookes
This is the first book in the PAVAD Series, I am really enjoying this series so far. The writing is really good and I love all the character being introduced and I assume some will have their own stories. Really good suspense story line along with romance.
I have rated Watching 4 stars, and I will continue to read the rest of this series.
This is the first book in the PAVAD Series, I am really enjoying this series so far. The writing is really good and I love all the character being introduced and I assume some will have their own stories. Really good suspense story line along with romance.
I have rated Watching 4 stars, and I will continue to read the rest of this series.
November 28, 2013
not really a story about a special unit of the FBI. More a coming up love story besides some crime ...... not really, not happening. If you like drama, wild and unrealistic storys, unprofessionel professionals, than you should read the book ! Which unit chief calls his teammember PRINCESS .....give me a break.
May 25, 2017
It was interesting enough. Reminded me of a criminal minds episode.
One thing for me is that I felt there is an imbalance between the seriousness of the case and the romantic tension, so at some points it felt a bit awkward for me. Maybe I'm comparing it to a CM episode too much. All in all it was enjoyable so I plan to look for the two prequels and continue with the series
One thing for me is that I felt there is an imbalance between the seriousness of the case and the romantic tension, so at some points it felt a bit awkward for me. Maybe I'm comparing it to a CM episode too much. All in all it was enjoyable so I plan to look for the two prequels and continue with the series
September 18, 2022
Watching is book one in the PAVAD: FBI-Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division series by Calle J. Brookes. Profiler Dr Georgia Dennis of the Complex Crimes Unit of the FBI was surprised when her boss Michael Hillbrook took her out on a field assignment to look for the killer of young teenage girls. Due to their stormy relationships and her father. However, their relationship changed as they became more involved in the case. The readers of Watching will continue to follow the twist and turns in Dr Georgia Dennis and Michael Hellbrook's investigation to find out what happens.
Fantastic, I found another excellent romantic suspense author. I am not sure why it has taken me so long to find Calle J. Brookes's books. However, the Watching will not be the last. I engaged with the plot and the characters from the first page, and I could not put this book down. I love Calle J. Brookes's portrayal of her characters and how they interact throughout this book. Watching is well written and researched by Calle J. Brookes. I like Calle J. Brookes's description of the Watching settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Watching will understand the role of a profiler in a law enforcement investigation. Also, the readers of Watching will realize the consequences of undiagnosed mental illness for everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
Fantastic, I found another excellent romantic suspense author. I am not sure why it has taken me so long to find Calle J. Brookes's books. However, the Watching will not be the last. I engaged with the plot and the characters from the first page, and I could not put this book down. I love Calle J. Brookes's portrayal of her characters and how they interact throughout this book. Watching is well written and researched by Calle J. Brookes. I like Calle J. Brookes's description of the Watching settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Watching will understand the role of a profiler in a law enforcement investigation. Also, the readers of Watching will realize the consequences of undiagnosed mental illness for everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
Want to read
February 27, 2023purchased Amz August 9, 2017
May 18, 2017
Plot: 3/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
January 13, 2018
This is a great beginning to a special crime fighting unit. It's facinating how evidence is gathered, how profilers piece together information to narrow search & the specialist team contribute.
The wonderful characters draw you in & I found myself fearing for their safety, wanting them to take a chance or helplessly observing the situations unfold.
The wonderful characters draw you in & I found myself fearing for their safety, wanting them to take a chance or helplessly observing the situations unfold.
November 7, 2014
3.25+ RATING
Originally, I wanted to read the second book in the PAVAD series, Wanting. After downloading the sample and reading a portion of the sample, there were several events mentioned that I assum took place in the first book. Since I usually like to read sequential series books in order and the first book was free at Amazon, I decided it was better to start with the first book, Watching.
I can't help but compare Watching to a more in-depth Criminal Minds episode, without as much creep factor. There is a love story but it is a low steam book with more sexual tension than actual sex. The story did drag on at times and seemed long depsite the average page count. I think this is a result of there being two different story lines. The primary story line concludes at one point and a secondary story line continues on for the last quarter of the book. The result made the story really drag at times.
In the end, I think the book (and series) have a lot of potential but unfortunately Watching came across as too long and a bit boring. I'm still going to read the second book in the series because the blurb seems quite interesting with the heroine being an FBI agent with Aspergers syndrome. I'll wait until I finish Wanting before I decide if I'll read more of this series.
Originally, I wanted to read the second book in the PAVAD series, Wanting. After downloading the sample and reading a portion of the sample, there were several events mentioned that I assum took place in the first book. Since I usually like to read sequential series books in order and the first book was free at Amazon, I decided it was better to start with the first book, Watching.
I can't help but compare Watching to a more in-depth Criminal Minds episode, without as much creep factor. There is a love story but it is a low steam book with more sexual tension than actual sex. The story did drag on at times and seemed long depsite the average page count. I think this is a result of there being two different story lines. The primary story line concludes at one point and a secondary story line continues on for the last quarter of the book. The result made the story really drag at times.
In the end, I think the book (and series) have a lot of potential but unfortunately Watching came across as too long and a bit boring. I'm still going to read the second book in the series because the blurb seems quite interesting with the heroine being an FBI agent with Aspergers syndrome. I'll wait until I finish Wanting before I decide if I'll read more of this series.
February 3, 2017
There was potential, is how this review needs to start... the issue is that it is so lackluster and repetitive. The same theme was done over and over, will they, wont they, what next, etc. I found this boring and by 75% of the book I was zoned out and thinking of the next story. There was so much here but honestly the book could have shaved off 100 pages because it was too much of the same thing
October 21, 2025
A great mystery/crime series based around the setting up of a new unit within the FBI, namely PAVAD, the Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division and the staff joining the unit various capacities, action, romance and decent storylines make for a decent read.
January 16, 2017
Cute story but way too much foul language.
September 24, 2021
This was a new author for me. I was really looking forward to reading this one as it is one of the genre's I enjoy. Overall the book had a well thought out plot and was fast paced enough to keep you turning pages. The main drawback that I found and to me was a major one was the focus seemed to be on the head of the unit Michael Hellbrook and one of his agents Georgia Dennis. Their sexual attraction to each other just didn't play for me. I found it hard to believe that unit chief would let his attraction for one of his team members play out so vividly in the work place with the whole team around. If this hadn't been so focus on that I would have given the book five stars.
As always I suggest you read the book yourself and draw your own conclusions.
As always I suggest you read the book yourself and draw your own conclusions.
August 30, 2018
Good!
This was the first book I've read by this author. I don't read crime/thriller books often,but when I do I have a bad ha it if binge reading a series. This was the first crime book I've read in a while. I did enjoy the story. I don't think it was as polished as it could have been. It was drawn out at parts, repetitive at others, but the story was addictive. The characters were appealing. If you like a crime novel, that isn't bombarded by lots of technical words then you'll enjoy this one.
This was the first book I've read by this author. I don't read crime/thriller books often,but when I do I have a bad ha it if binge reading a series. This was the first crime book I've read in a while. I did enjoy the story. I don't think it was as polished as it could have been. It was drawn out at parts, repetitive at others, but the story was addictive. The characters were appealing. If you like a crime novel, that isn't bombarded by lots of technical words then you'll enjoy this one.
August 29, 2018
Two psychopaths...one love
Good read. Great suspense. Opposites attract. Love was a slow burn that finally combust. And the psychopaths in this book were well done. I would have preferred that the author gave voice to both of the psychos not just one. Supporting characters also a delight. Editing required.
Good read. Great suspense. Opposites attract. Love was a slow burn that finally combust. And the psychopaths in this book were well done. I would have preferred that the author gave voice to both of the psychos not just one. Supporting characters also a delight. Editing required.
February 16, 2021
This could have been a good story. But it's not.
I DNF'd at 50% because so many things just didn't work.
Like the hero (the heroine's boss) knowing that the heroine had survived an attempted rape at 16, but he still gropes her while she was asleep. That's just... Ick.
And Stephenson. I couldn't figure out if the author intended for him to be comic relief or not. I mean, really? The FBI certainly does a mental health assessment on its agents, and somehow this guy--who makes one horrible decision after another--is an FBI agent?
This is a guy who, for no reason, attacks one of the other agents (and then basically thinks, "Oops. I didn't mean to do that") so then decides to attack three more, so they'll all think it was the UNSUB. Then, impressed with how one of the women handled herself, he goes into her motel room to... IDK... look around? Again, he does something stupid that makes it obvious someone was there, so to cover up any DNA that might incriminate him, he "accidentally" burns down the motel all the agents are staying in.
Frankly, if I knew for certain that the author intended this to be funny, I might finish the book, but I strongly suspect that's not what she's doing, so I'm done.
I DNF'd at 50% because so many things just didn't work.
Like the hero (the heroine's boss) knowing that the heroine had survived an attempted rape at 16, but he still gropes her while she was asleep. That's just... Ick.
And Stephenson. I couldn't figure out if the author intended for him to be comic relief or not. I mean, really? The FBI certainly does a mental health assessment on its agents, and somehow this guy--who makes one horrible decision after another--is an FBI agent?
This is a guy who, for no reason, attacks one of the other agents (and then basically thinks, "Oops. I didn't mean to do that") so then decides to attack three more, so they'll all think it was the UNSUB. Then, impressed with how one of the women handled herself, he goes into her motel room to... IDK... look around? Again, he does something stupid that makes it obvious someone was there, so to cover up any DNA that might incriminate him, he "accidentally" burns down the motel all the agents are staying in.
Frankly, if I knew for certain that the author intended this to be funny, I might finish the book, but I strongly suspect that's not what she's doing, so I'm done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2016
This was such a nicely written book! The plot and the characters captivated me from the very beginning and kept my interest up until the end. I loved the main characters' love story, the way he feels towards her, how you can almost sense how confused she is by the changing direction of their relationship. Definitely a book worth reading, and I will most likely buy some of the others in this spinoff series.
A couple of so-so points:
Some inconsistencies (nine months since Linda died, then six months since Linda had touched him; they added her to an already completed team, later she says Hellbrook probably felt protective of the woman whose place she had taken). Some common grammatical errors (Your/you're, than/then, their/they're).
A couple of so-so points:
Some inconsistencies (nine months since Linda died, then six months since Linda had touched him; they added her to an already completed team, later she says Hellbrook probably felt protective of the woman whose place she had taken). Some common grammatical errors (Your/you're, than/then, their/they're).
March 16, 2015
Good Story.
Only complaints:
1)The relationship went a bit too fast.
2) It definitely felt like there could have been more to the story like teasing the couple, teasing Hell, getting to know each other better, looking into the rest of the "cult" like community who stoned as punishment.
3)Sometimes the characters went from natural (from my P.O.V) to a more proper speech.
4) Switching character P.O.V. with no indicator until you start reading. (I know it's a frequent occurrence, doesn't mean I have to like it)
I'd still read the rest of the series though!
Only complaints:
1)The relationship went a bit too fast.
2) It definitely felt like there could have been more to the story like teasing the couple, teasing Hell, getting to know each other better, looking into the rest of the "cult" like community who stoned as punishment.
3)Sometimes the characters went from natural (from my P.O.V) to a more proper speech.
4) Switching character P.O.V. with no indicator until you start reading. (I know it's a frequent occurrence, doesn't mean I have to like it)
I'd still read the rest of the series though!
December 31, 2013
This book is a great free read. It follows a sweet and sexy FBI profiler named Georgia Dennis. She and her boss Michael “Hell” Hellbrook are trying to catch a psycho that has been stoning his young victims to death. While trying to find the identity of the killer, Georgia finds herself the new target of the killer. There are lots of plot twists and some steamy romance throughout the book. The story moved fast, which I really liked. Overall a pretty good weekend read.
May 13, 2018
Not a cliffhanger
August 28, 2017
Chief Michael “Hell” Hellbrook (Georgia’s CCU boss/partner), Dr. Georgia Dennis (Edward’s daughter, Complex Crimes Unit CCU profiler, FBI), & agent Elias Stanton, were at the gruesome crime scene.
The 40’ pit was a long way down. A suspended cage held its victim.
Victim # 1 Hailey Ann Michaels (14) trauma to the head.
Victim # 2 Kirby Jaysons broken ribs, bleed to death.
Victims # 3 & # 4 Stephanie Miller (MS age) & Lindsay Graywater.
Victims # 5 & # 6 Claire Reid (29, missing, school teacher), & Maggie Evans.
Dr. Julia “Jules” Bellows (Georgia’s BFF, pathologist) informed everyone Stephanie was pregnant.
Michael & Dr. Dennis went to the Turn Around Bar St. Louis).
They ask Jenna (bar patron) if she knew Katherine “Katy” Montehue (34, Keith’s sister, nursing asst. Carterville)?
Katy was in the hospital in Rapid City.
What happened to Agent Carrie Sparks (computer analysis)?
What news did Dan have for Hell & Dr. Dennis?
Will the serial killer be caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Ebookstage; Lost River Lit Publishing, L.L.C.; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The 40’ pit was a long way down. A suspended cage held its victim.
Victim # 1 Hailey Ann Michaels (14) trauma to the head.
Victim # 2 Kirby Jaysons broken ribs, bleed to death.
Victims # 3 & # 4 Stephanie Miller (MS age) & Lindsay Graywater.
Victims # 5 & # 6 Claire Reid (29, missing, school teacher), & Maggie Evans.
Dr. Julia “Jules” Bellows (Georgia’s BFF, pathologist) informed everyone Stephanie was pregnant.
Michael & Dr. Dennis went to the Turn Around Bar St. Louis).
They ask Jenna (bar patron) if she knew Katherine “Katy” Montehue (34, Keith’s sister, nursing asst. Carterville)?
Katy was in the hospital in Rapid City.
What happened to Agent Carrie Sparks (computer analysis)?
What news did Dan have for Hell & Dr. Dennis?
Will the serial killer be caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written who-dun-it murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Ebookstage; Lost River Lit Publishing, L.L.C.; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 28, 2019
I enjoyed this book. The characters were fun (though sometimes hard to keep track of) and the plot was interesting. I got a Criminal Minds vibe from it too which I have yet to determine whether that is a good thing or not.
I thought the main two characters - Georgia and Hellbrook - were developed quite well. I sometimes found their hesitance to be together annoying, but I could understand it knowing about Georgia’s past.
I’d say that strangely, my favourite character was Stephenson. I didn’t like him that’s for sure, however, he seemed to me like the deepest character. He was one of the antagonists and yet, somehow I was able to feel slight sympathy for him even though he did some really bad things.
One of the things I’d wished we’d seen in the book was more background on the relationship between Georgia and Bryan and also some more bonding scenes with Matthew seen as he played a dominating factor in Georgia’s life and her motivations.
I only really had one major problem with this book and that came with the story itself. Sometimes I’d get really confused as to who the person they were after was. We had the original killer and then we had Stephenson. Sometimes it just felt as though we’d never find the original seen as the story had strayed quite a bit. Not to mention that when they did finally get him it was quite underwhelming to say the least. The real climax was more with the Stephenson kidnapping thing than with the original murres. The original case was rather predictable but Stephenson was not so much. I think they should have just stuck to one or the other.
Overall, I quite liked this book. It wasn’t anything too special in my opinion but I think it has broadened my horizons when it comes to “crime novels” if you can count this as one.
I thought the main two characters - Georgia and Hellbrook - were developed quite well. I sometimes found their hesitance to be together annoying, but I could understand it knowing about Georgia’s past.
I’d say that strangely, my favourite character was Stephenson. I didn’t like him that’s for sure, however, he seemed to me like the deepest character. He was one of the antagonists and yet, somehow I was able to feel slight sympathy for him even though he did some really bad things.
One of the things I’d wished we’d seen in the book was more background on the relationship between Georgia and Bryan and also some more bonding scenes with Matthew seen as he played a dominating factor in Georgia’s life and her motivations.
I only really had one major problem with this book and that came with the story itself. Sometimes I’d get really confused as to who the person they were after was. We had the original killer and then we had Stephenson. Sometimes it just felt as though we’d never find the original seen as the story had strayed quite a bit. Not to mention that when they did finally get him it was quite underwhelming to say the least. The real climax was more with the Stephenson kidnapping thing than with the original murres. The original case was rather predictable but Stephenson was not so much. I think they should have just stuck to one or the other.
Overall, I quite liked this book. It wasn’t anything too special in my opinion but I think it has broadened my horizons when it comes to “crime novels” if you can count this as one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2018
This is an FBI action/adventure story, and a suspenseful mystery that focuses on a female investigator who is an FBI psychologist, her co/worker and friend who is also an FBI psychologist, and the the St. Louis FBI center director, who is also intensely, intimately involved in the action. This is a romance, but not a pot boiling erotic romance. The focus is definitely on the search for a very intelligent, and incredibly devious serial killer who is killing young girls of a particular body type and coloring in the St. Louis area, a man who is killing women by the ancient biblical method of stoning. The chase is intense, and the leads are many, but once the man is captured, the FBI team cannot simply fall into their desk chairs and sigh, mopping their brows. There is another suspect on the loose, and a lot more mayhem beginning, much of it intimately involving the FBI team.
This story is an incredibly intense, many faceted crime thriller with a complex plot that will keep the reader guessing from one end to the other. It can be read in a single day, if you have all day, and 1/2 the night. The story ends with an incredibly tense moment and it's quite a satisfying ending.
This story is an incredibly intense, many faceted crime thriller with a complex plot that will keep the reader guessing from one end to the other. It can be read in a single day, if you have all day, and 1/2 the night. The story ends with an incredibly tense moment and it's quite a satisfying ending.
August 15, 2018
PAVAD—the Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division is part of the FBI that is tasked with finding serial killers and has their head office in St. Louis, Missouri.
In Watching Dr. Georgia Dennis is on assignment as part of Michael 'Hell' Hellbrook Complex Crimes Unit ~ CCU. She is working as a profiler on a series of murders in South Dakota where the killer stones his young victims to death at the bottom of pits in the woods. Georgia and Hell have a problem with each other and she has spent almost six months doing office work.
This all changes the first night they really talk and learn to understand each other and the roll her father has played in the problems in their working relationship. They also find that they are strongly attracted to one another.
The team returns to the home base in St. Louis and the action continues with changes in the unit, another attack on the women of the team and a great birthday party to conclude a great murder-mystery romance involving strong men and women of the FBI.
In Watching Dr. Georgia Dennis is on assignment as part of Michael 'Hell' Hellbrook Complex Crimes Unit ~ CCU. She is working as a profiler on a series of murders in South Dakota where the killer stones his young victims to death at the bottom of pits in the woods. Georgia and Hell have a problem with each other and she has spent almost six months doing office work.
This all changes the first night they really talk and learn to understand each other and the roll her father has played in the problems in their working relationship. They also find that they are strongly attracted to one another.
The team returns to the home base in St. Louis and the action continues with changes in the unit, another attack on the women of the team and a great birthday party to conclude a great murder-mystery romance involving strong men and women of the FBI.
April 13, 2019
A politically connected profiler must overcome her supervisor's hostility in order to catch a serial killer. In the meantime, she is endangered by a threat much closer than she realized.
these characters obviously never heard the maxim "don't mess where you eat". The rank unprofessionalism that defines the romance of this story really detracted from the investigation and my enjoyment of the book. Female law enforcement officers have enough to contend with in the first place without the advances of their co-workers welcomed or not. PDA is not acceptable in that venue especially in these ligation happy times. the romance was unbelievable and frankly, rather juvenile. The suspense was not up to par either. The serial killer's apprehension was too convenient; certainly not the result of brilliant police work. The other mystery had potential but was clumsy and ultimately silly. again it certainly did not reflect well on this supposedly elite unit of the FBI. Readable? Yes. but far from satisfying.
these characters obviously never heard the maxim "don't mess where you eat". The rank unprofessionalism that defines the romance of this story really detracted from the investigation and my enjoyment of the book. Female law enforcement officers have enough to contend with in the first place without the advances of their co-workers welcomed or not. PDA is not acceptable in that venue especially in these ligation happy times. the romance was unbelievable and frankly, rather juvenile. The suspense was not up to par either. The serial killer's apprehension was too convenient; certainly not the result of brilliant police work. The other mystery had potential but was clumsy and ultimately silly. again it certainly did not reflect well on this supposedly elite unit of the FBI. Readable? Yes. but far from satisfying.
April 21, 2018
I gave this book 3.5 stars.... for the following reasons:
I had a hard time following the storyline.... it felt like something was missing... details, lots and lots of details! I mean it was like the characters were in one place then teleport to another place without the details to fill in the transport.
I felt lost most of the time as if I could not put 2 and 2 together. I blame this on details and combining sentences together. It was slow to start but jump all over the place. Don’t get me wrong I love when a story jumps from place to place and you have to put it together to see the bigger picture, but this one was hard... blaming the details.
I don’t know if I am going to try the second book in the story or just leave this author alone for awhile... sometimes it’s in the details that will let you know 😏
I had a hard time following the storyline.... it felt like something was missing... details, lots and lots of details! I mean it was like the characters were in one place then teleport to another place without the details to fill in the transport.
I felt lost most of the time as if I could not put 2 and 2 together. I blame this on details and combining sentences together. It was slow to start but jump all over the place. Don’t get me wrong I love when a story jumps from place to place and you have to put it together to see the bigger picture, but this one was hard... blaming the details.
I don’t know if I am going to try the second book in the story or just leave this author alone for awhile... sometimes it’s in the details that will let you know 😏
January 16, 2019
This story was creepy!!! While I know it's just fiction, the fact that there really are wackos like Byrum, religious nut jobs killing young girls and women in the name of God because of some perverted sense of judgement and righteousness, is scary enough making stories like this frightening.
The suspense in this book was so much better than the first two prequels but the romance part was awful, so much so that I actually started skimming through some of it. I know that some authors like to play up the whole "opposites attract" scenario but it failed miserably here. Georgia and Hell are an terrible couple and their romance was ridiculous.
While I'd like to give this book a 4star rating because of the storyline and suspense, because of the awful romance part, it's only getting a 3star rating from me. JMHO
The suspense in this book was so much better than the first two prequels but the romance part was awful, so much so that I actually started skimming through some of it. I know that some authors like to play up the whole "opposites attract" scenario but it failed miserably here. Georgia and Hell are an terrible couple and their romance was ridiculous.
While I'd like to give this book a 4star rating because of the storyline and suspense, because of the awful romance part, it's only getting a 3star rating from me. JMHO
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2021
3.5. This is a “Hate to Love” romantic suspense story. The love story takes places between two FBI profilers. That must certainly adds an unique twist to a relationship.
Unbeknownst to them, past significant events in their lives intersected. Their present was defined by heated conversations, bitter remarks, jealousy, and witty bantering. While reluctantly working a serial killer case together, their relationship changes. They do some “experimenting” and realize they misjudged each other. This newly dating couple suddenly find themselves facing a begrudgingly and dangerous unknown enemy.
The storyline kept my attention with unexpected turns. My problem with the plot was that children were put in harms way. I never like it when an author takes that direction. Therefore, I couldn’t rate this intriguing book higher.
Unbeknownst to them, past significant events in their lives intersected. Their present was defined by heated conversations, bitter remarks, jealousy, and witty bantering. While reluctantly working a serial killer case together, their relationship changes. They do some “experimenting” and realize they misjudged each other. This newly dating couple suddenly find themselves facing a begrudgingly and dangerous unknown enemy.
The storyline kept my attention with unexpected turns. My problem with the plot was that children were put in harms way. I never like it when an author takes that direction. Therefore, I couldn’t rate this intriguing book higher.
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