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Special Agent Tess Winnett #2
The Watson Girl
An entire family is murdered and, by a quirk, a young girl is left unharmed. For fifteen years, she believed the killer had been caught, and he’s now on death row, awaiting execution. While trying to be content with her adoptive family, she’s living in relentless uncertainty and the fear of remembering what really happened that night when she was five years old. She’s
The Watson Girl.
A therapist has asked her to participate in regression session treatments to attempt to bring back those lost memories. The closer she gets to the truth, however, the less time she has to remain alive. Now, the real killer is going to silence her, before she can remember the details of that horrifying night, when she was an innocent witness.
Laura Watson is young, she’s beautiful, and she’s a serial killer's loose end.
Join the smart, relentless, and short-fused FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett and her team in a heart-stopping search for the serial killer who has managed to stay hidden for many years. Explore the inner workings of the murderer’s mind, and find out what motivates such predatory, blood-lusting behavior, while following every twist and turn of an existence spent taking lives.
Laura Watson’s family was murdered fifteen years ago.
That was only the beginning. His beginning.
If you’re the apple of his eye, you’re already dead.
Special Agent Tess Winnett will hold nothing back to stop the killer before he takes another innocent life. She never fails, no matter what’s at stake. Even her own life.
A therapist has asked her to participate in regression session treatments to attempt to bring back those lost memories. The closer she gets to the truth, however, the less time she has to remain alive. Now, the real killer is going to silence her, before she can remember the details of that horrifying night, when she was an innocent witness.
Laura Watson is young, she’s beautiful, and she’s a serial killer's loose end.
Join the smart, relentless, and short-fused FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett and her team in a heart-stopping search for the serial killer who has managed to stay hidden for many years. Explore the inner workings of the murderer’s mind, and find out what motivates such predatory, blood-lusting behavior, while following every twist and turn of an existence spent taking lives.
Laura Watson’s family was murdered fifteen years ago.
That was only the beginning. His beginning.
If you’re the apple of his eye, you’re already dead.
Special Agent Tess Winnett will hold nothing back to stop the killer before he takes another innocent life. She never fails, no matter what’s at stake. Even her own life.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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5047 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 674 reviews
November 23, 2022
There were so many good ratings on this book that I was prepared for a let-down. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. This was a very good murder mystery. There were some great twists and turns and a very strong main character who was able to carry your attention throughout the whole story. A vicious killer whose identity was not revealed until the end of the story made it even more interesting.
I wanted it to be a five star book but the ending seemed rushed and had some unanswered questions that I felt were pertinent to the crux of the story! Overall an exciting book that shouldn't be missed for detective and FBI mystery thrillers!
I wanted it to be a five star book but the ending seemed rushed and had some unanswered questions that I felt were pertinent to the crux of the story! Overall an exciting book that shouldn't be missed for detective and FBI mystery thrillers!
February 5, 2017
Suspenseful, must read book.
After reading Dawn Girl, I was looking forward to find out what happened to FBI agent Tess Winnett. Author created very strong female character, she has her problems, but good at her job. She has a not very supportive boss. One serial killer about to be executed, but he is determined to make Tess understand he isn't guilty of the three killings. Tess investigations finds that he was right. Very clever second rapist doesn't go with the killer at the end, doesn't match with the action at the beginning. WARNING. He had to know how many children was at home, didn't need to look at the stick figures on the back of the van.
After reading Dawn Girl, I was looking forward to find out what happened to FBI agent Tess Winnett. Author created very strong female character, she has her problems, but good at her job. She has a not very supportive boss. One serial killer about to be executed, but he is determined to make Tess understand he isn't guilty of the three killings. Tess investigations finds that he was right. Very clever second rapist doesn't go with the killer at the end, doesn't match with the action at the beginning. WARNING. He had to know how many children was at home, didn't need to look at the stick figures on the back of the van.
March 27, 2018
4 stars
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank You Leslie Wolfe for sending me an autographed copy.
This was a good mystery, centered on FBI Agent Tess Winnett. It opens with a killer murdering a whole family, mother, father and 3 children. But he made a mistake and missed 1 child, because they had a visiting child with them. He realizes his mistake and searches for the child, but does not find her. The next chapter switches to Tess, coming back to work after 3 weeks of medical leave from a work injury that happened in book 1 of this series. This is book 2 of the series and I would have enjoyed it more if I had read book 1 first.
Tess reports to her boss SAC(Special Agent in Charge) Pearson. He had wanted her to stay out the full 6 weeks recommended by her doctor, but she insisted on coming back. They agree to let her come back on limited duty. She is sent to Raiford, Florida state prison, to interview Kenneth Garza, a convicted serial killer, scheduled to be executed in a few weeks. She interviews him and he tells her that he only killed 31 of the 34 families that he was convicted for. She asks him to name the 3 wrong cases. She decides to compare those 3 with the other 31 and finds discrepancies. She asks permission to reopen the cases from her boss, SAC Pearson, who reluctantly gives 48 hours to come up with proof.
She digs into these cases and realizes that there is another serial killer on the loose in Florida. I suspected the killer about a third of the way in, and unfortunately had my suspicions confirmed when I looked for the table of contents, located in the back, not far from a full page explanation of the killer's identity/motivation.
There was a surprise twist at the end. The narrative switches between the killer, Tess and a grown up Laura Watson, the missing child from the first chapter.
A killer quote: "You see, what I wanted was primal. Total, absolute power over a woman."
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank You Leslie Wolfe for sending me an autographed copy.
This was a good mystery, centered on FBI Agent Tess Winnett. It opens with a killer murdering a whole family, mother, father and 3 children. But he made a mistake and missed 1 child, because they had a visiting child with them. He realizes his mistake and searches for the child, but does not find her. The next chapter switches to Tess, coming back to work after 3 weeks of medical leave from a work injury that happened in book 1 of this series. This is book 2 of the series and I would have enjoyed it more if I had read book 1 first.
Tess reports to her boss SAC(Special Agent in Charge) Pearson. He had wanted her to stay out the full 6 weeks recommended by her doctor, but she insisted on coming back. They agree to let her come back on limited duty. She is sent to Raiford, Florida state prison, to interview Kenneth Garza, a convicted serial killer, scheduled to be executed in a few weeks. She interviews him and he tells her that he only killed 31 of the 34 families that he was convicted for. She asks him to name the 3 wrong cases. She decides to compare those 3 with the other 31 and finds discrepancies. She asks permission to reopen the cases from her boss, SAC Pearson, who reluctantly gives 48 hours to come up with proof.
She digs into these cases and realizes that there is another serial killer on the loose in Florida. I suspected the killer about a third of the way in, and unfortunately had my suspicions confirmed when I looked for the table of contents, located in the back, not far from a full page explanation of the killer's identity/motivation.
There was a surprise twist at the end. The narrative switches between the killer, Tess and a grown up Laura Watson, the missing child from the first chapter.
A killer quote: "You see, what I wanted was primal. Total, absolute power over a woman."
October 9, 2017
Witnessing the brutal act of murder of her family, while hiding in a clothes hamper, five year old Laura Watson, goes to live with her father's partner's family. She is raised by them and has it seems come to terms with what has happened to her. However, she remembers nothing of the time this carnage was taking place in her home. Now fifteen years later, Laura is asked to participate in a new field of psychology called regression therapy which will endeavor to bring back those memories so long hidden within her. Laura decides to participate but there is evil headed in her direction. For even though the police think they have caught the serial killer responsible for a multitude of these family killings, they haven't.
Tess Winett and her team trip to the fact that the serial killer, who was caught tried and convicted for over thirty of these family type killings and is scheduled to die is not the same one who has murdered Laura's parents and siblings. Tess and her team, through exhaustive work track the hidden serial killer who has mimicked the original family killer. He has remained hidden and plans his killings with the precision of a psychopathic mind. There is only one problem for him and that is that Laura is still alive and even though she has forgotten everything, she is about to enter a therapy where she just might remember.
The hidden killer is presented in chapters as he speaks to you the reader and allows you to see into his mind, his motivation, and his blood lust. He is terrifying in his accuracy, his planning, and his ability to hide himself and portray himself as a normal person. He plans his killings with precision. To the observer he is normal in every way as psychopaths often are. He is brilliant as he reasons in his mind why it is normal for him to kill. He compares his targets to eating apples, each one of them is a type of apple to be savored and enjoyed.
This was one frightening book as the author takes us into the demented mind of the killer as he plans on taking his next victim and of course doing away with Laura. Not for the faint of heart for sure, but definitely a novel for those who like a psychological thriller that will certainly scare you and keep you engrossed until the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Italics Pulishing for an ARC of this novel.
Tess Winett and her team trip to the fact that the serial killer, who was caught tried and convicted for over thirty of these family type killings and is scheduled to die is not the same one who has murdered Laura's parents and siblings. Tess and her team, through exhaustive work track the hidden serial killer who has mimicked the original family killer. He has remained hidden and plans his killings with the precision of a psychopathic mind. There is only one problem for him and that is that Laura is still alive and even though she has forgotten everything, she is about to enter a therapy where she just might remember.
The hidden killer is presented in chapters as he speaks to you the reader and allows you to see into his mind, his motivation, and his blood lust. He is terrifying in his accuracy, his planning, and his ability to hide himself and portray himself as a normal person. He plans his killings with precision. To the observer he is normal in every way as psychopaths often are. He is brilliant as he reasons in his mind why it is normal for him to kill. He compares his targets to eating apples, each one of them is a type of apple to be savored and enjoyed.
This was one frightening book as the author takes us into the demented mind of the killer as he plans on taking his next victim and of course doing away with Laura. Not for the faint of heart for sure, but definitely a novel for those who like a psychological thriller that will certainly scare you and keep you engrossed until the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Italics Pulishing for an ARC of this novel.
December 19, 2017
4.5 So Many Sides To US All Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
We have all heard the phrase There are two sides to every story... Well in my life, I have always thought more to the idea of Three Sides... Yours, the other person's and then the Over View of what went down, combining the both views...Because I could see where one person had an impression of what they thought happened and then the other had another take... causing both participants to not actually see the Big Picture...And sometimes that was true...
But then again, sometimes a thing was just a thing...
In The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe, we are given Three Voices, experiencing what is happening and it works so well. Each participant is in the throws of needing to fix "things".
FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett has been on a medical leave. She had injuries and trauma from her last assignment which usually require a much longer recovery time. Tess somehow was able to manipulate only a 3 week time off instead of the 6. She is not physically ready and she is having some issues mentally... but Tess was never one to let those types of things to get in her way. You could call her singularly focused when she becomes determined... And Tess needs to get back to work.
Tess knows this is going to be difficult; she is not the most popular agent around... She is not social. She is easily described as disrespectful, arrogant, dismissive and wanting only to keep her perfect record of closed cases. She has no friends in the agency and working with others is not her thing. Tess has deep secrets that have manifested in PTSD which she has not attempted to resolve. Working is her outlet and getting back on the job will save her...
Tess is called into her boss's office. These two are like oil and water. Tess thinks he is annoyed with her because she has a 100% closure rate to his 98%. Those 2% count. He looks at her and starts to read her the riot act; Tess is too quick to use force... she kills all of the bad guys, she walks all over the witnesses and now the Political forces are breathing down his neck because of her actions. He is having none of it.
Tess at first tries to answer back but then realizes she needs to just take it. She has been told she needs to work better with others and close a case without killing the bad guy.
Fine.
Tess is given a standard procedure. She is to do the final interview of the convicted serial killer called the Family Man scheduled to be executed. This is a guy who killed 34 families over the course of many years. Her boss assigns all the files to her telling her in so many words to Get Her Shit Together.
Tess goes to the prison, is prepared to do the usual interview with the standard questionnaire when the admitted killer informs her like has with all the other detectives before... he did not kill all the families they have convicted him of...yes he killed, 31 families not 34. ... and if she really wanted the truth... It is in the files... The Watson family is one of them.
Laura Watson is at a turning point in her life...but doesn't know it yet. Laura was a victim of one of those horrific killings by the Family Man. She was only 4 or 5 when everything happened and some how she hid in a clothes hamper... escaping the deaths of her family. She was taken in by her father's business partner and family. She lost all memory of that night and became part of a loving family. She is an adult now, finishing her bachelor's degree in Engineering and can't wait to start working with the lighting company her adopted father started with her real dad.
Laura's life seems to have been better over the years but she has always wanted to know what happened that fateful night and it has pulled at her with varying degrees of need. She is also in a relationship with man has his own dark past. Her man is sometimes too possessive and protective. He can be a challenge as his scars are deep.
And then there is HIM. We are given the voice and thoughts of HIM. He tells us of what he thinks... how the first time taking someone's life was the victim's fault...and how he was so lucky there was an active serial killer in the news...Why that was the answer! Study and do everything like that idiot and no one will know the difference.... The police with chalk it up to the killer they know and he will be scot-free...
What he didn't realize though.... was his love of the killing... realizing he was a hunter and thrived on it...methodical, organized (in his mind) and loved the thrill of it all. The Watson family was his first...and he thought he had it all handled perfectly. He read everything about how The Family Man did his killings- even down to the type of weapon and bullets. He had studied all of the family's actions, the number of people in the family... timed everything right...But he made a mistake and now all the chickens will come home to roost .....
This book is chocked full of so much, it grabs you from the start and doesn't let go till the end... and even then you are still involved. We get it all and it is done with the alternating voices of the three main players; each with the pain, needs and realizations as they come.
Laura has been carrying the need to know... and also has survivor's guilt. She wants to have the knowledge of that night as a way to have a connection to her real parents...She is also dealing with this rocky relationship and has decisions to make...She is extremely strong and has overcome so much.
Tess has been dealing with a trauma she will never share with others... and it causes her to understand more than most in her position. But it also has caused her to hide and not be accessible emotionally. She is brilliant and so insightful it can be a hindrance to others because she will not let go on a hunch if it feels like it could be the lead to the answer somehow. She is trying, though, to be more inclusive and open...
HIM...what can I say about a killer who relishes sharing his ideas of kills, equates them with different types of Apples...I will forever think of Apple of my Eye differently from this point forward. It also demonstrates that everything is not all that they seem to be...There are different sides to us... some more understandable... but then there can be that one who is nothing like what they present...
This had some twists and turns...It had a detailed process in the discover of the killings and the parts of putting the pieces together were well done... you were there in the room when things would show themselves and it made the experience stronger. All of the secondary characters contributed... relationships between all of them had merit. I will be looking for the next entry...Leslie Watson has made me a reader of hers.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
The Tricks the Mind plays....
One to Protect the Innocent...
One to Discover the Truth...
And One to Allow us to Experience the Justification....
All of this comes together with....
The Watson Girl (Special Agent Tess Winnett #2)-January 21st 2017
A gifted copy was provided by Italics Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
We have all heard the phrase There are two sides to every story... Well in my life, I have always thought more to the idea of Three Sides... Yours, the other person's and then the Over View of what went down, combining the both views...Because I could see where one person had an impression of what they thought happened and then the other had another take... causing both participants to not actually see the Big Picture...And sometimes that was true...
But then again, sometimes a thing was just a thing...
In The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe, we are given Three Voices, experiencing what is happening and it works so well. Each participant is in the throws of needing to fix "things".
FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett has been on a medical leave. She had injuries and trauma from her last assignment which usually require a much longer recovery time. Tess somehow was able to manipulate only a 3 week time off instead of the 6. She is not physically ready and she is having some issues mentally... but Tess was never one to let those types of things to get in her way. You could call her singularly focused when she becomes determined... And Tess needs to get back to work.
Tess knows this is going to be difficult; she is not the most popular agent around... She is not social. She is easily described as disrespectful, arrogant, dismissive and wanting only to keep her perfect record of closed cases. She has no friends in the agency and working with others is not her thing. Tess has deep secrets that have manifested in PTSD which she has not attempted to resolve. Working is her outlet and getting back on the job will save her...
Tess is called into her boss's office. These two are like oil and water. Tess thinks he is annoyed with her because she has a 100% closure rate to his 98%. Those 2% count. He looks at her and starts to read her the riot act; Tess is too quick to use force... she kills all of the bad guys, she walks all over the witnesses and now the Political forces are breathing down his neck because of her actions. He is having none of it.
Tess at first tries to answer back but then realizes she needs to just take it. She has been told she needs to work better with others and close a case without killing the bad guy.
Fine.
Tess is given a standard procedure. She is to do the final interview of the convicted serial killer called the Family Man scheduled to be executed. This is a guy who killed 34 families over the course of many years. Her boss assigns all the files to her telling her in so many words to Get Her Shit Together.
Tess goes to the prison, is prepared to do the usual interview with the standard questionnaire when the admitted killer informs her like has with all the other detectives before... he did not kill all the families they have convicted him of...yes he killed, 31 families not 34. ... and if she really wanted the truth... It is in the files... The Watson family is one of them.
Laura Watson is at a turning point in her life...but doesn't know it yet. Laura was a victim of one of those horrific killings by the Family Man. She was only 4 or 5 when everything happened and some how she hid in a clothes hamper... escaping the deaths of her family. She was taken in by her father's business partner and family. She lost all memory of that night and became part of a loving family. She is an adult now, finishing her bachelor's degree in Engineering and can't wait to start working with the lighting company her adopted father started with her real dad.
Laura's life seems to have been better over the years but she has always wanted to know what happened that fateful night and it has pulled at her with varying degrees of need. She is also in a relationship with man has his own dark past. Her man is sometimes too possessive and protective. He can be a challenge as his scars are deep.
And then there is HIM. We are given the voice and thoughts of HIM. He tells us of what he thinks... how the first time taking someone's life was the victim's fault...and how he was so lucky there was an active serial killer in the news...Why that was the answer! Study and do everything like that idiot and no one will know the difference.... The police with chalk it up to the killer they know and he will be scot-free...
What he didn't realize though.... was his love of the killing... realizing he was a hunter and thrived on it...methodical, organized (in his mind) and loved the thrill of it all. The Watson family was his first...and he thought he had it all handled perfectly. He read everything about how The Family Man did his killings- even down to the type of weapon and bullets. He had studied all of the family's actions, the number of people in the family... timed everything right...But he made a mistake and now all the chickens will come home to roost .....
This book is chocked full of so much, it grabs you from the start and doesn't let go till the end... and even then you are still involved. We get it all and it is done with the alternating voices of the three main players; each with the pain, needs and realizations as they come.
Laura has been carrying the need to know... and also has survivor's guilt. She wants to have the knowledge of that night as a way to have a connection to her real parents...She is also dealing with this rocky relationship and has decisions to make...She is extremely strong and has overcome so much.
Tess has been dealing with a trauma she will never share with others... and it causes her to understand more than most in her position. But it also has caused her to hide and not be accessible emotionally. She is brilliant and so insightful it can be a hindrance to others because she will not let go on a hunch if it feels like it could be the lead to the answer somehow. She is trying, though, to be more inclusive and open...
HIM...what can I say about a killer who relishes sharing his ideas of kills, equates them with different types of Apples...I will forever think of Apple of my Eye differently from this point forward. It also demonstrates that everything is not all that they seem to be...There are different sides to us... some more understandable... but then there can be that one who is nothing like what they present...
This had some twists and turns...It had a detailed process in the discover of the killings and the parts of putting the pieces together were well done... you were there in the room when things would show themselves and it made the experience stronger. All of the secondary characters contributed... relationships between all of them had merit. I will be looking for the next entry...Leslie Watson has made me a reader of hers.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
The Tricks the Mind plays....
One to Protect the Innocent...
One to Discover the Truth...
And One to Allow us to Experience the Justification....
All of this comes together with....
The Watson Girl (Special Agent Tess Winnett #2)-January 21st 2017
A gifted copy was provided by Italics Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
August 8, 2017
Fantastic book!! Thank you to NetGalley and Italics Publishing for a copy of this book to read and review. The Watson Girl is the lone survivor when her family were murdered in their home 15 years ago. She was hiding in the laundry basket and the killer missed her. Now it is almost time for the killer to be executed and FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett is told by the murder on death row that he didn't kill the Watsons as well as 2 other families. Laura Watson is in danger and Tess is the only one who believes it.
October 13, 2021
When she was just a tiny little girl, Laura Watson witnessed the murder of her whole family. Luckily, she was spared. The murderer didn’t find her.
Now, at eighteen years old, she’s trying to get her memory back, of that day. But someone is out to stop her and kill her before her memory returns.
What will be first? The return of her memory or her murder?
Now, at eighteen years old, she’s trying to get her memory back, of that day. But someone is out to stop her and kill her before her memory returns.
What will be first? The return of her memory or her murder?
July 15, 2020
Muito bom. Gostei mais do livro anterior, A RAPARIGA SEM NOME, achei-lhe mais piada porque o que mais aprecio num livro é o bom humor. Mesmo num policial.
Adorei rever Tess, Michowsky, Fradella e Pearson. Oh que personagens tão espetaculares.
Gostei do caso mas os capítulos narrados pelo assassino impressionavam-me demais e deixei de os ler, só passava os olhos por cima e rapidamente. Desde o início tinha as minhas desconfianças em relação à sua identidade, que se provaram certas, mas havia um pormenor a incomodar-me e só aquelas notas finais da autora, em que refere o que aprendeu sobre os psicopatas, é que me dei por convencida. Tudo tem a sua explicação, mesmo a mente de um assassino psicopata louco.
Gostei daquele último capítulo, meses mais tarde, com a Laura mas tive pena que não houvesse um capítulo também para a Tess.
Adorei rever Tess, Michowsky, Fradella e Pearson. Oh que personagens tão espetaculares.
Gostei do caso mas os capítulos narrados pelo assassino impressionavam-me demais e deixei de os ler, só passava os olhos por cima e rapidamente. Desde o início tinha as minhas desconfianças em relação à sua identidade, que se provaram certas, mas havia um pormenor a incomodar-me e só aquelas notas finais da autora, em que refere o que aprendeu sobre os psicopatas, é que me dei por convencida. Tudo tem a sua explicação, mesmo a mente de um assassino psicopata louco.
Gostei daquele último capítulo, meses mais tarde, com a Laura mas tive pena que não houvesse um capítulo também para a Tess.
July 24, 2017
4.5 Stars
The Watson Girl is Laura Watson. Fifteen years ago her entire family plus a neighbor's young son were brutally murdered in their home. Laura hid in a laundry hamper which saved her young life.
The murderer is sitting on death row ... his execution will be carried out in a few days. What they call The Family Man killed more than 30 families.
Special Agent Tess Winnett is instructed to interview the Family Man one more time, especially as there are questions that Tess needs answered. Much to her surprise, the killer denies killing 3 of the cases ... he says he didn't do those.
If he didn't kill them ... then who did? Does that mean there is a serial killer who has gotten away with murders for at least 15 years.
Tess and her team need to start at the very beginning of these cases and look for any anomalies. Is this a true copy cat running around free? Tess gets the honor of informing Laura that the man she thinks killed her family is not behind bars. Laura has agreed to regression therapy as she remembers nothing about that night. Will the killer come after Laura .. now that her memory may be repaired?
This is an excellent crime thriller! It is very well written with alternate chapters in the voice of the killer. The twist is that he seems to be speaking directly to the reader. The phrase Apple Of My Eye refers to something or someone that one cherishes above all others... he killer puts a new twist that phrase.
The characters are all defined with an eye to detail. Tess suffers from PTSD after being an assault victim. Laura is showing her strength in making her own decisions, and more or less telling everyone else to leave her to it. The killer is unique .. or uniquely written. He's the most captivating character of all.
Many thanks to the author / Italics Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most interesting crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
The Watson Girl is Laura Watson. Fifteen years ago her entire family plus a neighbor's young son were brutally murdered in their home. Laura hid in a laundry hamper which saved her young life.
The murderer is sitting on death row ... his execution will be carried out in a few days. What they call The Family Man killed more than 30 families.
Special Agent Tess Winnett is instructed to interview the Family Man one more time, especially as there are questions that Tess needs answered. Much to her surprise, the killer denies killing 3 of the cases ... he says he didn't do those.
If he didn't kill them ... then who did? Does that mean there is a serial killer who has gotten away with murders for at least 15 years.
Tess and her team need to start at the very beginning of these cases and look for any anomalies. Is this a true copy cat running around free? Tess gets the honor of informing Laura that the man she thinks killed her family is not behind bars. Laura has agreed to regression therapy as she remembers nothing about that night. Will the killer come after Laura .. now that her memory may be repaired?
This is an excellent crime thriller! It is very well written with alternate chapters in the voice of the killer. The twist is that he seems to be speaking directly to the reader. The phrase Apple Of My Eye refers to something or someone that one cherishes above all others... he killer puts a new twist that phrase.
The characters are all defined with an eye to detail. Tess suffers from PTSD after being an assault victim. Laura is showing her strength in making her own decisions, and more or less telling everyone else to leave her to it. The killer is unique .. or uniquely written. He's the most captivating character of all.
Many thanks to the author / Italics Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most interesting crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 9, 2020
Mais um thriller que tinha ficado empolgada pois tinha gostado bastante do primeiro livro da autora e posso dizer que este foi ainda melhor.
Laura é uma jovem que há 15 anos a sua família foi morta e apenas ela, com 5 anos, sobreviveu pois escondeu-se. Na actualidade, a nossa agente Tess é encarregada de verificar casos antigos e acaba por ir falar com o homem que foi condenado por matar várias famílias, entre as quais a família de Laura, mas ele diz-lhe que não foi o culpado pela morte desta família. E Tess acaba por investigar, para tentar descobrir quem foi o verdadeiro culpado.
Um ponto que me agrada muito nos livros de Leslie Wolfe é, não só focar-se na investigação policial mas também no foco na parte psicológica e profilers do culpado. Adoro! E ainda melhora com a introdução de capítulos dedicado à visão do assassino.
Para além disso, temos ainda uma pequena introdução do tema da hipnose e, confesso, gostaria que tivesse sido um pouco mais desenvolvido. Mas, mesmo assim, para mim, a história encheu-me as medidas e fiz uma excelente leitura.
Laura é uma jovem que há 15 anos a sua família foi morta e apenas ela, com 5 anos, sobreviveu pois escondeu-se. Na actualidade, a nossa agente Tess é encarregada de verificar casos antigos e acaba por ir falar com o homem que foi condenado por matar várias famílias, entre as quais a família de Laura, mas ele diz-lhe que não foi o culpado pela morte desta família. E Tess acaba por investigar, para tentar descobrir quem foi o verdadeiro culpado.
Um ponto que me agrada muito nos livros de Leslie Wolfe é, não só focar-se na investigação policial mas também no foco na parte psicológica e profilers do culpado. Adoro! E ainda melhora com a introdução de capítulos dedicado à visão do assassino.
Para além disso, temos ainda uma pequena introdução do tema da hipnose e, confesso, gostaria que tivesse sido um pouco mais desenvolvido. Mas, mesmo assim, para mim, a história encheu-me as medidas e fiz uma excelente leitura.
May 3, 2024
O que fariam se toda a vossa família fosse assassinada e só vocês é que sobreviviam?
E se, ao fim de 15 anos, o caso voltasse a ser aberto porque afinal o assassino que tinha sido acusado, na verdade não foi quem cometeu o crime?
Um thriller viciante que acompanha a agente especial Tess Winnett enquanto segue o seu instinto afim de descobrir o verdadeiro serial killer camaleão.
//
What would you do if your entire family was murdered and only you survived?
What if, after 15 years, the case was opened again because after all, the murderer who had been accused was not actually the one who committed the crime?
An addictive thriller that follows special agent Tess Winnett as she follows her instinct to uncover the true chameleon serial killer.
E se, ao fim de 15 anos, o caso voltasse a ser aberto porque afinal o assassino que tinha sido acusado, na verdade não foi quem cometeu o crime?
Um thriller viciante que acompanha a agente especial Tess Winnett enquanto segue o seu instinto afim de descobrir o verdadeiro serial killer camaleão.
//
What would you do if your entire family was murdered and only you survived?
What if, after 15 years, the case was opened again because after all, the murderer who had been accused was not actually the one who committed the crime?
An addictive thriller that follows special agent Tess Winnett as she follows her instinct to uncover the true chameleon serial killer.
March 14, 2020
Gostei muito de continuar a acompanhar a agente especial Tess! Muito ainda há para sabermos sobre o seu passado e fico muito curiosa para ler o livro onde ela apanhe o criminoso que a maltratou. Em relação a esta história, penso que quase todos iremos adivinhar o assassino mas no fundo penso que não será esse o maior prazer em ler este livro. O que mais gostei foram dos capítulos escritos na primeira pessoa pelo criminoso! Ler os seus pensamentos 💭 e ler como se justifica faz nos realmente entrar na mente de um psicopata. Achei o final abrupto e poderia ter sido melhor trabalhado.
February 10, 2020
Parece-me que ultimamente ando a ler demasiados thrillers. Sempre que olho para a minha estante e procuro livros novos para ler apenas agarro nos policiais e thrillers. Não sei ao certo se isto irá durar, mas vou aproveitar esta boa maré para despachar os imensos thrillers que pretendo ler durante este ano. Um deles foi o novo livro da autora Leslie Wolfe, uma escritora que conseguiu marcar o meu 2019 pela positiva, realmente fiquei surpresa com o seu primeiro livro A Rapariga Sem Nome. Para além de que, este tipo de livro lê-se num abrir e fechar de olhos, adoro estes livros que passam a voar e nem nos apercebemos.
Tal como no primeiro livro da autora, novamente Leslie Wolfe traz-nos uma história que facilmente prende o leitor desde o primeiro capítulo. Caso leiam o primeiro livro A Rapariga Sem Nome e depois este, vão estar já familiarizados com as personagens e recordar diversos momentos do livro anterior. A história é nos contada por mais do que uma personagem, sem muitos pontos de vista, apenas os essenciais. Para além de que a leitura fluí que nem uma maravilha devido aos capítulos curtos e a uma escrita acessível.
Na minha opinião é daqueles livros que facilmente recomendo a quem não está de todo habituado ao género, mas que para os fãs do género pode acabar por não se diferenciar no meio de tantos. Visto que a premissa acaba por ser mais do mesmo, este tipo de policiais acaba por seguir quase sempre o mesmo método. Contudo, e preciso de enfatizar bem isto: a história é tão cativante e deveras tão bem construída que se destaca daquilo que já li. Considero-o um livro simples, sem grandes dramas, mas que tem impacto no leitor.
A Rapariga Que Sobreviveu é uma história que a partir do início tem uma premissa que nos faz pensar. O leitor desde a primeira página pretende saber quem é o verdadeiro criminoso. Como também os seus motivos para tudo o que faz, age e pensa. Para além de que todos queremos ver até que ponto a nossa personagem principal consegue aguentar-se firme. Evidentemente de que um thriller não depende apenas do crime em si, trata-se de desvendar o mistério com as personagens, e o que considero mais importante: a personalidade da nossa personagem principal. Adoro personagens femininas em livros policiais, são daquelas personagens que têm sempre garra e um trunfo na manga. Este livro é a prova disso. Temos uma das melhores personagens femininas de sempre.
Se no outro livro achei que tivemos diversas maneiras para facilmente descobrir o criminoso e descobrir quem ele era, neste livro mais fácil foi de descobrir o criminoso. Acho que no fim dos primeiros capítulos, já sabia quem era o criminoso. Honestamente, é um thriller com um final muito previsível, mas nem isso conseguiu estragar a minha experiência de leitura. Sinto que é daqueles livros que lemos e gostámos facilmente, uma leitura que nos faz sair da correria do dia a dia e ter uns momentos de paz.
Enfim, A Rapariga Que Sobreviveu tal como o primeiro livro não ficou muito acima do esperado. Evidentemente sabia ao que ia, assim como já sabia que iria seguir um pouco o rumo do primeiro livro. Apenas fiquei desiludida com um ponto: não termos explorado mais a fundo os problemas da nossa personagem principal. Presumo que nos próximos livros seja um ponto a explorar melhor, e sem sombra de dúvida que confio na autora para continuar a ler os seus livros. Acho que os próximos livros serão melhores que estes dois primeiros.
February 19, 2017
This is the second Leslie Wolfe book that I have read and I must say in my opinion that Leslie Wolfe is to psychological thrillers as Stephen King is to science fiction. She has the ability to create a serial killer that is truly psychotic and has no ability to think of anything but his own crazed needs and then lets the reader into his mind.
The Watson family was murdered all but their 5 year old daughter who was hiding. Agent Winnett goes back to the FBI from medical leave and is assigned interviewing The Family Man before he is executed. He is attributed with killing 34 families but has always sworn it was 31. Tess Winnett is not the type to leave any stone unturned so she goes on a mission to find out the truth.
This is a dangerous journey filled with twists and turns. It is wrought with tension, false leads, doubts and more. We also get to look into the mind of a killer and it is a scary place to go.
I highly recommend The Watson Girl to anyone that loves thrillers but you won't necessarily want to read it after dark.
The Watson family was murdered all but their 5 year old daughter who was hiding. Agent Winnett goes back to the FBI from medical leave and is assigned interviewing The Family Man before he is executed. He is attributed with killing 34 families but has always sworn it was 31. Tess Winnett is not the type to leave any stone unturned so she goes on a mission to find out the truth.
This is a dangerous journey filled with twists and turns. It is wrought with tension, false leads, doubts and more. We also get to look into the mind of a killer and it is a scary place to go.
I highly recommend The Watson Girl to anyone that loves thrillers but you won't necessarily want to read it after dark.
October 15, 2019
It is a unique and strange experience reading a novel, when the main character has the same name as you. Set in Miami, the book is nicely plotted and paced with elements of mystery and suspense. The female characters are intelligent, strong and brave. Similar to a police procedural, it explores the mind of predators with respect to motive and violent behavior. It concludes with a believable and satisfying ending. I look forward to reading more works by Leslie Wolfe.
February 14, 2020
(...)Neste livro temos a história de Laura Watson que, desgraçadamente, assistiu aos homicídios violentos da sua família toda quando tinha apenas cinco anos de idade. Pai, mãe, irmão e irmã, bem como um amiguinho do irmão que lá estava a passar a noite. No entanto, vários anos passados, já com Laura crescida, com namorado e tudo, ficamos a saber que a menina que assistiu a tudo, não se lembra de absolutamente nada do que aconteceu naquela noite. Com o trauma, a mente de Laura fechou-se para o que aconteceu e apenas tem memórias de situações passadas com a família antes dos crimes.
Ao contrário do que aconteceu no A Rapariga Sem Nome, em que tive de ler mesmo até ao finalzinho para perceber quem teria cometido aquele crime, neste percebi quem era o criminoso já na página cento e vinte e quatro e só queria ir até ao fim para ver mesmo se tinha acertado! (...)
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
Ao contrário do que aconteceu no A Rapariga Sem Nome, em que tive de ler mesmo até ao finalzinho para perceber quem teria cometido aquele crime, neste percebi quem era o criminoso já na página cento e vinte e quatro e só queria ir até ao fim para ver mesmo se tinha acertado! (...)
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
January 29, 2020
Este é o segundo livro da série da agente especial Tess Winnett e foi realmente bastante misterioso. Confesso que as minhas expectativas estavam muito elevadas e que esperava alcançar algumas respostas que não foram dadas no primeiro volume.
Laura, uma jovem de 20 anos à data do decorrer de investigação, presenciou a morte de toda a sua família quando tinha apenas 5 anos, o que a deixou traumatizada e, consequentemente, sem memória do sucedido nessa fatídica noite. Tal como é referido na sinopse, tentará recordar-se desse dia com o auxílio de uma psicóloga. Tendo isto como ponto de partida, e uma vez que me interesso muito por psicologia, como é que poderia não estar super motivada com esta leitura? Era algo que simplesmente não podia acontecer.
Comecei a ler esta história partindo do pressuposto de que iria acompanhar estas consultas de forma pormenorizada, o que não aconteceu tanto como eu gostava e esperava que tivesse acontecido. O livro focou-se maioritariamente na investigação do homicídio e da verdade sobre o mesmo. E é aqui que entra a nossa já conhecida agente do FBI Tess. Esta personagem mantém o seu caráter e personalidade tão vincados a que já nos habituou, realçando sempre a sua perspicácia e capacidade analítica aliadas ao seu sentido inoportuno para dizer as coisas. O seu objetivo, bem como da equipa com que trabalhava, passou por tentar descobrir quem foi efetivamente o assassino da família de Laura.
Ainda que grande parte do livro não se tenha focado nesta personagem, consegui perceber que estava completamente despedaçada pelo sucedido há 15 anos e bastante receosa com o presente. A verdade é que mexeram numa ferida que ainda não estava sarada e evidentemente isso teve repercussões. Laura revelou-se uma jovem que, apesar das suas fragilidades emocionais, nunca desistiu de procurar a verdade. Gostei muito dela.
Senti que grande parte do livro não deu grandes pistas para que o mistério fosse resolvido, ou pelo menos para que o leitor não captasse muitas, e isso fez com que a minha curiosidade ficasse mais aguçada a cada página. Muito perto do final do livro houve um pormenor que se tornou crucial para a investigação e foi a partir daí que tudo se desenrolou. Era tão pequeno e estava tão bem escondido mas ao mesmo tempo tão à vista que me deixou, por um lado, estupefacta e, por outro, chateada por não ter percebido a evidência.
O final foi bastante surpreendente! Em parte posso dizer que por vezes desconfiei do verdadeiro assassino, mas sem nunca ter imaginado as suas motivações. Este livro teve, tal como o anterior, a particularidade de nos presentear com capítulos do assassino mas sem nunca dar qualquer tipo de pista ou desvendar a sua identidade. Adorei! Tantos enigmas, mistério e suspense... Cheguei a temer pelo que este assassino pudesse fazer, já que a forma como se exprimia era doentia e demonstrou ser bastante calculista, metódico e perfeccionista. Apesar de reconhecer este seu lado patológico, não pude deixar de perceber que tinha uma mente brilhante.
Esta obra manteve-me interessada e expectante ao longo de toda a leitura, tendo contribuído para isso os capítulos curtos que tanto aprecio. Fico a aguardar ansiosamente o próximo volume porque esta é uma série que já me conquistou. E vocês também se vão deixar conquistar por ela? Espero que sim!
Laura, uma jovem de 20 anos à data do decorrer de investigação, presenciou a morte de toda a sua família quando tinha apenas 5 anos, o que a deixou traumatizada e, consequentemente, sem memória do sucedido nessa fatídica noite. Tal como é referido na sinopse, tentará recordar-se desse dia com o auxílio de uma psicóloga. Tendo isto como ponto de partida, e uma vez que me interesso muito por psicologia, como é que poderia não estar super motivada com esta leitura? Era algo que simplesmente não podia acontecer.
Comecei a ler esta história partindo do pressuposto de que iria acompanhar estas consultas de forma pormenorizada, o que não aconteceu tanto como eu gostava e esperava que tivesse acontecido. O livro focou-se maioritariamente na investigação do homicídio e da verdade sobre o mesmo. E é aqui que entra a nossa já conhecida agente do FBI Tess. Esta personagem mantém o seu caráter e personalidade tão vincados a que já nos habituou, realçando sempre a sua perspicácia e capacidade analítica aliadas ao seu sentido inoportuno para dizer as coisas. O seu objetivo, bem como da equipa com que trabalhava, passou por tentar descobrir quem foi efetivamente o assassino da família de Laura.
Ainda que grande parte do livro não se tenha focado nesta personagem, consegui perceber que estava completamente despedaçada pelo sucedido há 15 anos e bastante receosa com o presente. A verdade é que mexeram numa ferida que ainda não estava sarada e evidentemente isso teve repercussões. Laura revelou-se uma jovem que, apesar das suas fragilidades emocionais, nunca desistiu de procurar a verdade. Gostei muito dela.
Senti que grande parte do livro não deu grandes pistas para que o mistério fosse resolvido, ou pelo menos para que o leitor não captasse muitas, e isso fez com que a minha curiosidade ficasse mais aguçada a cada página. Muito perto do final do livro houve um pormenor que se tornou crucial para a investigação e foi a partir daí que tudo se desenrolou. Era tão pequeno e estava tão bem escondido mas ao mesmo tempo tão à vista que me deixou, por um lado, estupefacta e, por outro, chateada por não ter percebido a evidência.
O final foi bastante surpreendente! Em parte posso dizer que por vezes desconfiei do verdadeiro assassino, mas sem nunca ter imaginado as suas motivações. Este livro teve, tal como o anterior, a particularidade de nos presentear com capítulos do assassino mas sem nunca dar qualquer tipo de pista ou desvendar a sua identidade. Adorei! Tantos enigmas, mistério e suspense... Cheguei a temer pelo que este assassino pudesse fazer, já que a forma como se exprimia era doentia e demonstrou ser bastante calculista, metódico e perfeccionista. Apesar de reconhecer este seu lado patológico, não pude deixar de perceber que tinha uma mente brilhante.
Esta obra manteve-me interessada e expectante ao longo de toda a leitura, tendo contribuído para isso os capítulos curtos que tanto aprecio. Fico a aguardar ansiosamente o próximo volume porque esta é uma série que já me conquistou. E vocês também se vão deixar conquistar por ela? Espero que sim!
June 15, 2020
Gostei deste livro mas confesso que achei o final um pouco... estranho. Nada previsível, e eu até gosto quando assim é, quando me escapam pormenores, mas é estanho que a solução encontrada fosse esta, quando nada indicava para tal. De qualquer forma, gostei de ler este livro e não dei o tempo por mal empregue. O próximo chegou agora mesmo as livrarias e claro que quero ler...
August 7, 2021
I am quite sure that if you read all the reviews of Mystery books I've written so far (or just some of them), you are already tired of me always saying the same thing. The main reason why I enjoy this kind of books is for the chance of diving into the investigation and trying to find out who the assassin is before the characters do, without finding that out so soon that reading the rest of the book becomes pointless.
And yet, sometimes a few books become the exception to that. So far, I've read two of Wolfe's books. Both became exceptions to that. In the first one, it was just impossible to guess who the killer was, because his character isn't introduced until Tess finds out he is the killer.
In this one, I guessed who the killer was after just a few chapters. And that may have blew up some of my joy but still, instead of making me stop reading the book, it made me want to keep reading. All because even if I knew without doubt that he was the killer, I couldn't find a reasonable explanation for everything he did. And I am not talking about the killings (his distorted mind is explanation enough for that), I am talking about the rest. It didn't make sense. And the one reason why I couldn't make any of it make sense was the one thing that gave him away so soon - Wolfe choosing to give him his own chapters, written in the first person.
Chapters that I absolutely loved. It was such an amazing experience that I rarely have the chance to find in a book. Which is, obviously, understandable - few things must be harder to write than the inside of a psycopath's mind. And yet Wolfe did it so freaking well. The ego, the coldness and lack of remorse, the need to kill, the indifference towards human life in general. Wolfe managed to put all that in his chapters, showing us the main traits of a psycopath without needing to break the story pace to explain them. And I couldn't help finding that amazing. Especially because introducing his point of view in the middle of the story made everything even better, more realistic, more dangerous, scarier. I was so afraid for Laura, because she too got chapters of her own and I really liked her and felt sorry for everything she went through, and Tess was clearly in a race against time to find him and save Laura and it would become more and more clear with each new chapter in his point of view.
Because with each chapter, his obssession with Laura, the only person who ever survived him, became more and more clear. An obssession that was the main reason why I couldn't make sense out of his actions. I mean, I was so sure it was him and yet... if I was right, what in hell was stopping him?!
Of course, then the whole story comes to an end and somehow Wolfe makes me feel stupid even though I was right the whole time. Because I spent like a third of the book inside his head and yet I couldn't understand his reasons, which now seemed so freaking obvious?! I mean I did have to be stupid for that to happen... 🙄 I got so mad at myself for that. And even more because the final twist managed to kind of surprise me. I mean, he told us that, word by word, and I just chose to ignore it, because well... Laura couldn't be that unlucky, could she?! And he couldn't be trusted, so why buying what he said like it was the truth?
Anyway, I am still not over the fact that I got tricked into ignoring the obvious and couldn't understand something even more obvious. And of course, I could try to br mad at Wolfe for that but A) it was my fault and B) Wolfe is just amazing and I love her books, so I can't really be mad at her. I mean, yes, some books are exceptions to my "rule", but having an author managing to have to exceptions?! I don't think any other author did that before.
Oh and I was about to finish this review, but I absolutely forgot to mention something worth a paragraph. Somehow Wolfe managed to find space in the middle of all the murderous, psycotic thoughts, dangerous ignorance and on a clock investigation to develop Tess' character. To see her taking one next step in her fight against the demons inside her head. Very little time, that's granted, but I don't really think it could be otherwise. Not if Wolfe wanted to keep the pace at a good rate. But even if it wasn't much, it was good. It felt great and made me happy for Tess. She is such a strong character and I really hope she keeps developing and fighting her demons in the next books, so she can get to a point where she can enjoy life and trust people again, because she really deserves it.
Overall, undoubtely the perfect second book of the series. Another pleasant surprise that was written magnificently. A book I won't forget and that I am pretty sure that will be forever one of my suggestion for anyone looking for a book with a psycopath killer (or just looking for a Mystery book in general).
SCORE: 4.00 out of 5.00 stars
You can also find this review on my blog
And yet, sometimes a few books become the exception to that. So far, I've read two of Wolfe's books. Both became exceptions to that. In the first one, it was just impossible to guess who the killer was, because his character isn't introduced until Tess finds out he is the killer.
In this one, I guessed who the killer was after just a few chapters. And that may have blew up some of my joy but still, instead of making me stop reading the book, it made me want to keep reading. All because even if I knew without doubt that he was the killer, I couldn't find a reasonable explanation for everything he did. And I am not talking about the killings (his distorted mind is explanation enough for that), I am talking about the rest. It didn't make sense. And the one reason why I couldn't make any of it make sense was the one thing that gave him away so soon - Wolfe choosing to give him his own chapters, written in the first person.
Chapters that I absolutely loved. It was such an amazing experience that I rarely have the chance to find in a book. Which is, obviously, understandable - few things must be harder to write than the inside of a psycopath's mind. And yet Wolfe did it so freaking well. The ego, the coldness and lack of remorse, the need to kill, the indifference towards human life in general. Wolfe managed to put all that in his chapters, showing us the main traits of a psycopath without needing to break the story pace to explain them. And I couldn't help finding that amazing. Especially because introducing his point of view in the middle of the story made everything even better, more realistic, more dangerous, scarier. I was so afraid for Laura, because she too got chapters of her own and I really liked her and felt sorry for everything she went through, and Tess was clearly in a race against time to find him and save Laura and it would become more and more clear with each new chapter in his point of view.
Because with each chapter, his obssession with Laura, the only person who ever survived him, became more and more clear. An obssession that was the main reason why I couldn't make sense out of his actions. I mean, I was so sure it was him and yet... if I was right, what in hell was stopping him?!
Of course, then the whole story comes to an end and somehow Wolfe makes me feel stupid even though I was right the whole time. Because I spent like a third of the book inside his head and yet I couldn't understand his reasons, which now seemed so freaking obvious?! I mean I did have to be stupid for that to happen... 🙄 I got so mad at myself for that. And even more because the final twist managed to kind of surprise me. I mean, he told us that, word by word, and I just chose to ignore it, because well... Laura couldn't be that unlucky, could she?! And he couldn't be trusted, so why buying what he said like it was the truth?
Anyway, I am still not over the fact that I got tricked into ignoring the obvious and couldn't understand something even more obvious. And of course, I could try to br mad at Wolfe for that but A) it was my fault and B) Wolfe is just amazing and I love her books, so I can't really be mad at her. I mean, yes, some books are exceptions to my "rule", but having an author managing to have to exceptions?! I don't think any other author did that before.
Oh and I was about to finish this review, but I absolutely forgot to mention something worth a paragraph. Somehow Wolfe managed to find space in the middle of all the murderous, psycotic thoughts, dangerous ignorance and on a clock investigation to develop Tess' character. To see her taking one next step in her fight against the demons inside her head. Very little time, that's granted, but I don't really think it could be otherwise. Not if Wolfe wanted to keep the pace at a good rate. But even if it wasn't much, it was good. It felt great and made me happy for Tess. She is such a strong character and I really hope she keeps developing and fighting her demons in the next books, so she can get to a point where she can enjoy life and trust people again, because she really deserves it.
Overall, undoubtely the perfect second book of the series. Another pleasant surprise that was written magnificently. A book I won't forget and that I am pretty sure that will be forever one of my suggestion for anyone looking for a book with a psycopath killer (or just looking for a Mystery book in general).
SCORE: 4.00 out of 5.00 stars
You can also find this review on my blog
December 18, 2017
"You might have seen me before, but not known me for who I am... not really. I'm the snake in your neatly trimmed grass."
This is my first Leslie Wolfe novel, which, I realize this is the second in a series. I have to be honest and say that this probably did affect my perspective of the novel. There were things that took place in the past that would have added to the character development in this novel. I'm torn with how I feel about this novel. There were some really great aspects about it, but then there were some just almost monotonous parts.
15 years ago, Laura Watson's family was murdered, Laura survived that tragic night by hiding in a laundry basket in the upstairs bathroom. The killer, dubbed The Family Man, is set to be executed at the end of the month. Agent Tess Winnett is assigned to interview the infamous serial killer. During their interview, The Family Man, aka Kenneth Garza, confesses that he did not kill 34 families, he only killed 31. Tess, intrigued, decides to look into the three murders that Garza claims he did not commit, the Watsons, Townsends, and the Myers. After reviewing the cases, and the evidence available, Tess is convinced that Garza is not their man.
Meanwhile, Laura, now all grown up, having been adopted by her father's business partner and his wife, the Welsh's, she is on her way to becoming a key member of the Watwel company. She is contacted by Dr. Austin Jacobs, a neuroscientist, who wants Laura to participate in a study for cognitive memory recovery for individuals who have suffered childhood trauma. Laura thinks this might finally be the answer to understanding what happened that tragic night and why she was the only one who survived. She decides to participate in the study, but there's a catch she must agree to appear in a TV interview to help obtain the funding necessary to continue with the study. What she doesn't realize is that this exposes Laura, and puts her at risk. Tess sees the interview, and she knows that if she's seen the interview then there's the chance that the real killer has seen the interview as well. The race is on to find the real killer and keep Laura safe.
Okay, so what I found to be rather monotonous about the novel was all the chapters involving the police procedural work with Tess, Gary Michowsky, Todd Fradella, and Doc Rizza. I found my ability to focus during all this difficult, I'm not sure what it was. I've read plenty of thrillers and mysteries with police procedural work and it didn't quite bore me the way this did. I realize that Tess is the main character of this novel, and maybe the fact that some of her past was lost on me affected these chapters. The other thing that I found to be very stereotypical and overdone was the relationship that Tess shares with her boss, SAC Pearson. I think one missing opportunity with this novel was the fact that we, the reader, do not get to experience the memory recovery study that Laura is subjected to, in fact, Laura, is a minor character in the novel altogether. I felt that a lot could have been gained by exposing the reader to the lost memories of Laura.
Now, the area of the book that I did really enjoy were all the chapters inside the mind of the killer. I do love a novel that gives you a chance to understand the psychopath at work. I liked that he metaphorically refers to his victims as apples. With Laura, being his forbidden fruit. This added that serial killer vibe to the novel for sure. I felt that Leslie really did her homework in understanding how a pyschopath thinks. She did a great job in developing this character.
"I became really good at what's expected of me, at being the powerful, successful man with a nice family and a good life. That means, my dear friend, should you ever become the apple of my eye, you won't see me coming.
My only grip about the true killer is that it's obvious who it is. I knew very early on who it was. Because of who the killer is I think this in the end affected my opinion of the novel. I almost think I would have preferred it to have been someone else entirely.
I did like the novel, and I think I will check out the others in the series so I can get the full picture. Maybe this will help change some of my opinions of this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley, Italics Publishing, and Leslie Wolfe for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.
This is my first Leslie Wolfe novel, which, I realize this is the second in a series. I have to be honest and say that this probably did affect my perspective of the novel. There were things that took place in the past that would have added to the character development in this novel. I'm torn with how I feel about this novel. There were some really great aspects about it, but then there were some just almost monotonous parts.
15 years ago, Laura Watson's family was murdered, Laura survived that tragic night by hiding in a laundry basket in the upstairs bathroom. The killer, dubbed The Family Man, is set to be executed at the end of the month. Agent Tess Winnett is assigned to interview the infamous serial killer. During their interview, The Family Man, aka Kenneth Garza, confesses that he did not kill 34 families, he only killed 31. Tess, intrigued, decides to look into the three murders that Garza claims he did not commit, the Watsons, Townsends, and the Myers. After reviewing the cases, and the evidence available, Tess is convinced that Garza is not their man.
Meanwhile, Laura, now all grown up, having been adopted by her father's business partner and his wife, the Welsh's, she is on her way to becoming a key member of the Watwel company. She is contacted by Dr. Austin Jacobs, a neuroscientist, who wants Laura to participate in a study for cognitive memory recovery for individuals who have suffered childhood trauma. Laura thinks this might finally be the answer to understanding what happened that tragic night and why she was the only one who survived. She decides to participate in the study, but there's a catch she must agree to appear in a TV interview to help obtain the funding necessary to continue with the study. What she doesn't realize is that this exposes Laura, and puts her at risk. Tess sees the interview, and she knows that if she's seen the interview then there's the chance that the real killer has seen the interview as well. The race is on to find the real killer and keep Laura safe.
Okay, so what I found to be rather monotonous about the novel was all the chapters involving the police procedural work with Tess, Gary Michowsky, Todd Fradella, and Doc Rizza. I found my ability to focus during all this difficult, I'm not sure what it was. I've read plenty of thrillers and mysteries with police procedural work and it didn't quite bore me the way this did. I realize that Tess is the main character of this novel, and maybe the fact that some of her past was lost on me affected these chapters. The other thing that I found to be very stereotypical and overdone was the relationship that Tess shares with her boss, SAC Pearson. I think one missing opportunity with this novel was the fact that we, the reader, do not get to experience the memory recovery study that Laura is subjected to, in fact, Laura, is a minor character in the novel altogether. I felt that a lot could have been gained by exposing the reader to the lost memories of Laura.
Now, the area of the book that I did really enjoy were all the chapters inside the mind of the killer. I do love a novel that gives you a chance to understand the psychopath at work. I liked that he metaphorically refers to his victims as apples. With Laura, being his forbidden fruit. This added that serial killer vibe to the novel for sure. I felt that Leslie really did her homework in understanding how a pyschopath thinks. She did a great job in developing this character.
"I became really good at what's expected of me, at being the powerful, successful man with a nice family and a good life. That means, my dear friend, should you ever become the apple of my eye, you won't see me coming.
My only grip about the true killer is that it's obvious who it is. I knew very early on who it was. Because of who the killer is I think this in the end affected my opinion of the novel. I almost think I would have preferred it to have been someone else entirely.
I did like the novel, and I think I will check out the others in the series so I can get the full picture. Maybe this will help change some of my opinions of this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley, Italics Publishing, and Leslie Wolfe for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.
March 20, 2020
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August 27, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/27/2018)!💝
Blurb:
An entire family was murdered and, by a quirk, a young girl is left unharmed. For fifteen years, she believed the killer had been caught, and he’s now on death row, awaiting execution. While trying to be content with her adoptive family, she’s living in relentless uncertainty and the fear of remembering what really happened that night when she was five years old. She���s The Watson Girl.
A therapist has asked her to participate in regression session treatments to attempt to bring back those lost memories. The closer she gets to the truth, however, the less time she has to remain alive. Now, the real killer is going to silence her, before she can remember the details of that horrifying night, when she was an innocent witness.
Laura Watson is young, beautiful, and she’s the murderer’s loose end.
Join the smart, relentless, and short-fused FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett and her team in a heart-stopping search for the serial killer who has managed to stay hidden for many years. Explore the inner workings of the murderer’s mind, and find out what motivates such predatory, blood-lusting behavior, while following every twist and turn of an existence spent taking lives.
Laura Watson’s family was murdered fifteen years ago.
That was only the beginning. His beginning.
If you’re the apple of his eye, you’re already dead.
Special Agent Tess Winnett will hold nothing back to stop the killer before he takes another innocent life. She never fails, no matter what’s at stake. Even her own life.
Blurb:
An entire family was murdered and, by a quirk, a young girl is left unharmed. For fifteen years, she believed the killer had been caught, and he’s now on death row, awaiting execution. While trying to be content with her adoptive family, she’s living in relentless uncertainty and the fear of remembering what really happened that night when she was five years old. She���s The Watson Girl.
A therapist has asked her to participate in regression session treatments to attempt to bring back those lost memories. The closer she gets to the truth, however, the less time she has to remain alive. Now, the real killer is going to silence her, before she can remember the details of that horrifying night, when she was an innocent witness.
Laura Watson is young, beautiful, and she’s the murderer’s loose end.
Join the smart, relentless, and short-fused FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett and her team in a heart-stopping search for the serial killer who has managed to stay hidden for many years. Explore the inner workings of the murderer’s mind, and find out what motivates such predatory, blood-lusting behavior, while following every twist and turn of an existence spent taking lives.
Laura Watson’s family was murdered fifteen years ago.
That was only the beginning. His beginning.
If you’re the apple of his eye, you’re already dead.
Special Agent Tess Winnett will hold nothing back to stop the killer before he takes another innocent life. She never fails, no matter what’s at stake. Even her own life.
October 2, 2017
This is my first Leslie Wolfe novel and I didn't realize it was the second in the Tess Winnett series until after I had started. I think this worked well as a standalone novel, although there were some references to the character's past that may have been answered in the first novel, Dawn Girl. I will probably check that one out the next time I'm in the mood for a fast-paced thriller. I may have to wait a little bit, though. I can only handle so much serial killer/ psychopath drama before I start to second guess my own neighbors and coworkers.
The Watson Girl is the kind of book I quickly get absorbed in. It's a thriller with a social-skills-challenged female FBI Agent who rivals James Bond with her ass-kicking, as well as her improbable survival skills and gut instincts. It's hard not to compare this novel to Silence of the Lambs. This seems to be a deliberate tip of the hat by the author (unless I'm pronouncing Therese wrong and it doesn't rhyme with Clarice). I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the TV show Criminal Minds.
Thank you to Leslie Wolfe, Italics Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy for review.
The Watson Girl is the kind of book I quickly get absorbed in. It's a thriller with a social-skills-challenged female FBI Agent who rivals James Bond with her ass-kicking, as well as her improbable survival skills and gut instincts. It's hard not to compare this novel to Silence of the Lambs. This seems to be a deliberate tip of the hat by the author (unless I'm pronouncing Therese wrong and it doesn't rhyme with Clarice). I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the TV show Criminal Minds.
Thank you to Leslie Wolfe, Italics Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy for review.
September 5, 2020
Gostei bem mais deste livro com a agente Tess do que o A rapariga sem nome; mais surpreendente, envolvente e de leitura fácil. Conta a história de Laura, a menina que sobreviveu num massacre a toda a sua família; 15 anos depois, quando o considerado assassino está no corredor da morte, começam a surgir dúvidas sobre se será, de facto, ele o verdadeiro assassino da família Watson. Thriller muito bem escrito e não tão óbvio quanto o anterior. Ansiosa por ver o desenvolvimento da personagem da Tess no próximo livro, A rapariga fatal.
April 25, 2020
O primeiro livro da autora não me convenceu. Gostei mais deste, ainda que logo no início seja fácil perceber quem é o assassino. Ainda assim, gostei mais da agente Tess neste livro e nota-se um maior cuidado na construção das personagens, especialmente a personagem do psicopata.
May 16, 2020
Gostei mas de certa forma o final foi um pouco previsivel
December 7, 2020
Este é um interessantíssimo thriller, o segundo da série. Entretanto já tinha lido o primeiro e o terceiro. Sim, eu sei, não segui a ordem (naturalmente) sequencial da série. Manias!!!
Uma vez mais acompanhamos a agente especial Tess Winnett, que, voltando ao trabalho após um longo período de baixa por ferimentos ao serviço, tem como trabalho atribuído a entrevista a um prisioneiro do corredor da morte, a poucas semanas da sua execução.
À medida que o livro avança, vamos teorizando, vamos percebendo que as teorias estão erradas, vamos definindo fortes suspeitos e vamos dando conta que afinal não são passíveis de serem suspeitos (ou serão?).
A revelação final foi em parte uma surpresa, uma revelação que não estava à espera.
Parece-me que uma das razões do sucesso dos trhillers de Leslie Wolfe são as suas personagens femininas. Nesta série, criou uma personagem feminina independente, que apesar de continuar a lutar com os seus demónios internos, é implacável, inteligente e forte, que iguala, ou mesmo, supera a norma das personagens do papéis masculinos nos trhillers.
A forma sofisticada de como os horrores, o terror psicológico da mente do assassino em série é abordado tornam esta leitura muito interessante. A forma como explora a mente do assassino e vamos percebendo a motivação que o impele a ter um comportamento depravado, predatório e sanguinário, mantendo-se capaz de ter paralelamente uma vida normal, perfeitamente inserido na sociedade. A forma como a autora, com a sua escrita, criou um mundo aterrorizante... Tudo elementos essenciais para uma boa leitura.
Um romance de suspense policial com um enredo bastante credível, assustador e muito bem delineado. Uma história com uma evolução gradual de suspense, mistério e ação, mas que nos agarra desde o início.
Gostei bem mais que o A rapariga Sem Nome e equiparo-o ao A Rapariga Fatal.
Atribuo-lhe umas sólidas 4 estelas.
Uma vez mais acompanhamos a agente especial Tess Winnett, que, voltando ao trabalho após um longo período de baixa por ferimentos ao serviço, tem como trabalho atribuído a entrevista a um prisioneiro do corredor da morte, a poucas semanas da sua execução.
À medida que o livro avança, vamos teorizando, vamos percebendo que as teorias estão erradas, vamos definindo fortes suspeitos e vamos dando conta que afinal não são passíveis de serem suspeitos (ou serão?).
A revelação final foi em parte uma surpresa, uma revelação que não estava à espera.
Parece-me que uma das razões do sucesso dos trhillers de Leslie Wolfe são as suas personagens femininas. Nesta série, criou uma personagem feminina independente, que apesar de continuar a lutar com os seus demónios internos, é implacável, inteligente e forte, que iguala, ou mesmo, supera a norma das personagens do papéis masculinos nos trhillers.
A forma sofisticada de como os horrores, o terror psicológico da mente do assassino em série é abordado tornam esta leitura muito interessante. A forma como explora a mente do assassino e vamos percebendo a motivação que o impele a ter um comportamento depravado, predatório e sanguinário, mantendo-se capaz de ter paralelamente uma vida normal, perfeitamente inserido na sociedade. A forma como a autora, com a sua escrita, criou um mundo aterrorizante... Tudo elementos essenciais para uma boa leitura.
Um romance de suspense policial com um enredo bastante credível, assustador e muito bem delineado. Uma história com uma evolução gradual de suspense, mistério e ação, mas que nos agarra desde o início.
Gostei bem mais que o A rapariga Sem Nome e equiparo-o ao A Rapariga Fatal.
Atribuo-lhe umas sólidas 4 estelas.
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