Not Really Dead

Special Agent Tess Winnett #4.5

by Leslie Wolfe

One number, one letter: 3D. Two characters, nine cuts, their edges always crossing, carved sharply into Danielle’s bleeding flesh. She’d seen it before. On his other victims’ bodies.

“Wow. I think I just fell head over heels in love with a fictional character. Tess Winnett is one of the smartest FBI agents and profilers I have come across yet and with analytical skills to rival Sherlock Holmes. Hats off to Leslie Wolfe for easily the best thriller I have read in this genre for many, many years!” – Manie Kilianon, five stars review on Amazon.

The crimes: horrifying

After a high-profile victim survives a brutal attack in her own home, FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett accepts to handle the investigation off-book. With every question she asks, the truth unveiled poses more questions but leads to only one possible conclusion: The Word Killer is back.

The evidence: disturbing

The Word Killer has emerged after years of absence, more blood-thirsty and vicious than ever. Yet his identity remains hidden, a mystery figure among the city’s millions, despite DNA evidence left at each crime scene. An impulsive murderer, disorganized and lightning-fast, fuelled by an all-consuming rage that cannot be quenched. The worst kind of killer there is.

Then why did his latest victim survive? Why was Danielle still alive?

The memories: agonizing

A strong sense of deja-vu brings unwanted memories from a buried past Tess never wanted to relive. But if she wants to save the lives at stake when the killer’s latest deadline expires, she has to embrace who she has once been: the victim, the survivor, the fighter.

If she makes one mistake, lives will be lost. If she doesn’t see him coming, lives will be lost. And the blood will be on her hands.

The best-selling author of The Watson Girl is back with another suspenseful, gripping crime thriller. If you’re a fan of David Baldacci, Melinda Leigh, and James Patterson, you will enjoy Leslie Wolfe’s enthralling police procedural that will keep you reading until dawn.

What Readers and Reviewers Are Saying About Leslie Wolfe
“Wolfe's strong female characters, who all appear to be flawed, never disappoint. ”
“The action is immediate and nonstop, and just when you think you have it all figured out, Wolfe tosses in a twist so masterful that it’ll make your head spin. ”
“Wow... Leslie Wolfe is an incredible storyteller. Can't wait for more of Agent Tess Winnett.”
“Leslie Wolfe has a wonderful ability to make you feel as if you were right there watching the events unfold in this fast paced and nail-biting thriller.”

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Serial Killer, Mystery Thriller

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2020

Reviews

[Kat (Books are Comfort Food) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novella, short and sweet but still packed a punch. It amazes me sometimes by how much an author can pack into fewer pages.

This book is about a rape and attack of a young woman that escapes her captor. The bigger picture is good and is resolved by great police work. Even though short, I’m glad the author made it a worthwhile ending.

Recommended as a stand-alone or part of the series.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a mess. Shoddy police work where the detective (and why was there only one) didn’t even find the connection of the victims dining on the same restaurant. A woman being attacked by the same killer, but nooooo, she cannot tell the police about it and everyone is fine with that. And the main protagonist solving it all in record time, posing as bait.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a bit meh! I’ve read the four previous Special Agent Tess Winnett books and the Holt and Baxter Las Vegas crime books and they were all better than this. Well - they were BOOKS, this was a novella which I didn’t realise until I was racing towards the conclusion thinking - oh, is that it?

It was quite predictable, it was formulaic, the ending was sudden, Tess herself seemed to magically know where to look and the bad guy was not fleshed out very well. Enough said. At least I got this on Kindle Unlimited!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a short story... (less than 100 pages), but I knew it was a novella going into it. I felt because of that though, that the story was rushed. The usual twists and turns that this series usually has, had also gone missing. Overall I will have to say that it was just okay, and fans of the series will enjoy it for who and what it is.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast paced short story that packed a punch!

This was my first time reading this author and I was quite surprised that she grabbed my attention so quickly! From the first chapter onward to the last chapter the story builds in crescendo and just delivers attachable characters right along with it!

A little backstory for you readers:

A psycho serial killer is on the loose that the FBI has dubbed the "Word Killer" as he loves to carve certain words in his victims. FBI agent, Tess Winnett, is hot on his trail even though the case is not really her case to be working, but she is like a "dog with a bone" and will not let it go as she wants to solve the case herself.

With the help of a couple of friends she starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together especially when she finds out that one of the victims didn't die in the latest attack, so she starts chomping down on the bit a little harder to see if she can get the case solved before anyone else dies.

I love Tess Winnett as she is a go-getter along with grit and attitude! Nothing will stand in her way of getting the job done even if it means stepping on toes to get there!

I have a few more of this author's works on my kindle so I am going to start reading some more of these stories that contain "Tess" as I want to see what "baddie" she brings down next! Four stars for this one!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/15/2020)! 🎁

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was a real pleasure connecting with FBI Agent Tess Winnett after a twelve month break - I've missed her. Not Really Dead started with a bang and, in usual Leslie Wolfe style, continued at a cracking pace. I must say I am extremely fond of Tess and it was great seeing her back in action. She is a terrific protagonist!

I also liked that Donovan had a bigger role to play in this story although Detectives Gary Michowsky and Todd Fradella were MIA, which was a shame because I always enjoy the interactions Tess has with these two men. The last page was a bit of a letdown but my biggest disappointment was the fact that Not Really Dead was less than 100 pages long when I wanted (needed) another full-length Tess Winnett novel!

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense. Riveting. Emotional. Suspenseful. Addictive. Dark. Complex. This story has one shocking surprise after another. This book brings it ALL! Truly a MUST for your TBR list!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

[Pisces51 · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOT REALLY DEAD [2020] (Tess Winnett Book 5) By Leslie Wolfe
My Review Five Stars*****

I read this (novella?) last night in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely. It is pertinent to note that I discovered the talented Leslie Wolfe over two years ago, notably when I read the superlative thriller The Watson Girl in 2017. It impressed me so much that I immediately purchased the first book in the FBI Tess Winnett Books [Dawn Girl] and the follow up novel in this series as well [Glimpse Of Death]. All three of these psychological thrillers were simply outstanding and the author had earned an enthusiastic new fan for sure. In 2018 I bought Book 4 entitled Taker Of Lives which continued the exploits of FBI Agent Tess Winnett. Frankly, it was a crushing disappointment to me, albeit it garnered generally very positive reviews from most readers. I was definitely an outlier but that novel really left a sour taste in my mouth when it came to the protagonist FBI Agent Winnett. As a footnote, I read a standalone novel by Leslie Wolfe that same year (2018). It was called Stories Untold, and I LOVED it. I might add that it is classified as a psychological thriller, but it was an unbelievable emotional drama as well. I will never forget that particular novel, its characters, or its message.

So this year I noted that Leslie Wolfe had a new Tess Winnett story, technically Number 5 in the FBI Agent Tess Winnett Books. I opted to give Tess another chance and I am so happy that I did. Frankly, it reminded me all over again that Leslie Wolfe is indeed a sensational writer. Not Really Dead pulled me in as a reader immediately, and then I was treated to a taut, refreshingly original plot line, and a short yet complex and highly entertaining thriller. In my opinion it is definitely a 5-Star read. That said, any one who reads this Book 5 in the series as a standalone example of the FBI Agent Tess Winnett Books (which includes four prior full length novels) needs to know that the full back story, and the subsequent arc of the main character, simply cannot be gleaned from this currently (albeit excellent) novella.

I would highly recommend that anyone who liked this outing which featured Tess Winnett read all four of the preceding books in this series. Yes I KNOW I said bad things about Book 4 Taker Of Lives but popular opinion was not on my side (currently it's rated 4.5 Stars on Amazon). And as for Books 1, 2, and 3 believe me they are outstanding examples of crime fiction at its best. Leslie Wolfe is truly a master of the genre.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Not Really Dead' was an interesting quick read. Tess seems to get in the middle of things, and it's not entirely her fault. Fast paced, full of suspense and great characters. A great add to your tbr list.

[Pdxsrw · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I want too much. I prefer realism over cotton candy "don't have to think too hard" writing. I'm not sure why this book is tagged with "like William Gibson" because it is not. It is fast paced, and perhaps that's how Wolfe gets away with the plot holes and gains the benefit of the doubt many times over.

[Catarina Azevedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foi a história que menos gostei. Apesar de na história anterior ter sido interessante, apesar de curta, senti que esta aconteceu demasiado rápido e que precisava de mais conteúdo. 3.5⭐️

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Really Dead
by
Wolfe, Leslie
(Tess Winnett #5)


Not Really Dead (Tess Winnett, #5) is a novella and the most recent of Leslie Wolfe’s books.

Tess has just wrapped a case and, much to her disgust, is handed an insurance fraud case. In usual Tess fashion she only gives this case a cursory glance before being drawn into an off-the-records sexual assault case. Like a moths to a flame Tess draws her colleagues into her world to track down this murdering rapist.

Tess even uses herself as bait. This is where Leslie Wolfe’s writing style comes to the forefront as the end is abrupt; however, the ending leaves us with many, many questions and wanting more of Tess Winnett.

I am usually not a fan of novellas and short stories however, Not Really Dead is better than many and it is Special Agent Tess Winnett again.

I have rated Not Really Dead as a four star, which is one star more than my usual rating for short stories and novellas.

If you are a Tess Winnett/Leslie Wolfe fan you will love Not Really Dead

At the time of writing my review other Goodreads readers had awarded Not Really Dead an average of 4.30 stars from 92 ratings and 24 reviews.

[Steve Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett goes against the orders of her boss and neglects her assigned insurance fraud case in favor of a serial killer case assigned to another agent. The case lands in Tess' lap when a sexual assault victim shows up on the doorstep of a close friend, bartender Cat, as Tess had done years earlier after her own attack. The serial killer fled the scene, mistakenly thinking his victim was dead. The victim asks for secrecy because of her close link to a man running for president. Tess feels compelled to grant her wish because of the similarities to her own past. Already in trouble with her boss, it is unlikely Tess would really seriously jeopardize her own career as well as that of several coworkers, but she continues to be a risk taker. Before it's over her life, as well as her job, may be on the line. Rather than pad the book with background and side stories, the author keeps this offering in the series shorter and faster paced at novella length.

[Lawrence FitzGerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

good prose, ok characterization, ok world building, ok story, no theme. Yeah, just okay, but it was short!

Had a boring front end (but relatively short!) like so many much longer novels.

See, here's the deal. I like the "nothing appears as it seems" method of story telling. But authors spend a lot of words making everything appear normal (while doing characterization and world building) before they drop a clue that things ain't really normal. Usually, from there onward the pace picks up and it becomes more enjoyable. But the really good authors have "the poet's eye for the telling detail" and this allows them to develop character and world building more quickly and, importantly, do so between the clues so the pace is always faster.

As an author, you've got to throw out some interesting bait and set the hook early.

[Francisco Eustáquio · Rating 3 out of 5]

N.

[Cindy R Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very exciting read

This book had my interest from the first few pages. Very good throughout the whole thing, until the surprise ending.

[Geneva Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll give it 3.5 stars. Very quick read, easy to finish.

[Shirley Spain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced, exciting read. My kind of book!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I pre-ordered this, I didn’t know it was a short story

This is a quick, easy read with a straightforward storyline, but a unique twist to the serial killer’s victimology. Protagonist Tess Winnett is a prickly contrarian, an FBI special agent, and an ace profiler. Yes, she’s a cliché who likes working alone, breaks rules, goes rogue, and jeopardizes other professionals’ jobs. Yes, author Leslie Wolfe’s crime books have had procedural flaws, believability issues, and logic holes. So does this short story. I could jot down three fast “WTF-questions,” but I already loosed a hint above. 3 stars for this palate cleanser and now, on to the next book.

[*Marsha,Marsha,Marsha* It's always Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shoddy Ending

I'm going with 3.5 stars because of the ending. I have no clue what Wolfe was thinking but that was a shoddy thrown together ending that was my plain lazy. I was left with many questions that will never receive answers. Mainly what on earth did Danielle do about her fiance '? This book felt rushed and shoved and forced d to the finish line. Why? I wish I knew. This story has none of her other books flair for nail biting drama. None of the detail nor fleshing out of characters lives. In short it is an okay book. And that is it. What we didn't learn about Danielle and Stephan could be a whole new book. And we deserve to know their story.

[António · Rating 3 out of 5]

sendo uma história curta, a classificação fica necessariamente prejudicada uma vez que não há espaço para grandes desenvolvimentos das personagens e situações. é como se fosse um resumo de um livro maior. o que gostei mesmo foram as conversas entre a Tess e o chefe 🤣

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Leslie Wolfe's Tess Winnett series and even though this book was released as part of a group of books, Drop dead crime, which is well worth the read too. I had to get it so I could 're read it again. Glad I did because I didn't really remember it but still enjoyed it. I think the story needed to be longer to really show of Leslie's talents and Tess's skill but you could read it all in one sitting so it does have its pluses for being short. Tess is a strong willed FBI agent that is happy to go it alone which makes for a great character.
Tess is in trouble with her boss yet again, for taking down a suspect and the last thing she wants to do is go behind his back and work the 'Word killer' case. But that is exactly what she does when she gets a phone call from long time friend and hero Cat. A young girl as Been attacked and ended up at his bar, just as Tess did all those years ago. With a letter and number craved into her back Tess can't help but make the connection to the word killer. Can Tess work out what the mystery behind the codes are before someone else loses there life?
I can't wait for it to be released as an audio book so I can add it to my Tess Winnett series.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad but she's suddenly changed her Tess Winnett series, which I really enjoy, into little novellas , which I'm none too pleased about. I never bother with books with fewer than 200 pages as I like to at least have the time and pages to get into a story. You just about get into these 104 page offerings and it's all over with. AND this one ended at 83% so I didn't even get to 100 pages !! However, cos' this is where she's taken the series I've carried on downloading them. I do wait till they come up free, though. It seems a waste of money when they're done with so fast !! Let's hope she reverts back to writing them as the full-length novels in the future.
The formatting was odd on the Kindle. Just before the end of many chapters the spacing suddenly widened to at least double the size it had been......
She wrote the word admirative at one which I marked as should be admiring but the red squiggly line hasn't underlined it in my review so perhaps it IS a real word....and that was it for any mistakes I'd highlighted so presentation is very good.
I have instalment 6 downloaded but that's another half a book and I think she's done the same with 7, too. If this persists we'll part company.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful, gripping crime thriller...

Best-selling author Leslie Wolfe weaves a suspenseful, gripping crime thriller. With intriguing twists and turns it captivates the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a riveting and mesmerizing story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.

I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the story in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.

Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.

[neide · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting quick read, Not Really Dead is a novella featuring our favorite FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett. We find our heroine stumbling across the Word Killer, or as to say, the serial killer's only survivor victim. Not really wanting to deal with an insurance fraud case, nor caring that the Word Killer case was already assigned to another agent, Tess throws herself at solving the case and will do everything to solve it. Even if that includes risking her own life.

While I quite enjoyed reading this novella, I also wanted more from it. Don't get me wrong, Leslie Wolfe didn't lose her touch by writing a small story. It is still a good story, but it was also short and I wanted more of Tess. I missed the presence of Detectives Todd Fradella and Gary Michowsky in this novella, but very much appreciated how involved Donovan was in this short book. And of course, to all credit is due, it is always nice to read more of Doctor Rizza and Cat.

[Kate Cappola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Tess Winnett series that is a novella at 80 pages. It initially started out with a great plot, the word killer carves letters and numbers into his victims then writes one of the cardinal sins in blood on the walls. All of the victims have been found dead, until the most recent victim shows up on the doorstep of Cat’s bar. This is all too familiar to Tess, who was in the same situation 12 years ago. This plot had the potential to be amazing but unfortunately fell flat. It felt incredibly rushed. It could’ve been set up for a much longer novel with such a strong plot. The “profiling” by Tess was also mediocre. The perpetrator kills woman because he hates his mother for abandoning him, the most classic and uncreative of the motives. I expected more from Wolfe after her prior books with excellent depth of writing in victimology, psychology and motivations. A good plot but fell flat in the end!

[Margarida · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6 ⭐️ Não costumo ler muitas novelas, por isso surpreende-me a capacidade da Leslie Wolfe em criar uma história curta, mas ainda completa e estruturada.
Apesar do formato, a autora consegue apresentar informação suficiente e relevante, de forma clara e sem que a história se torne irrelevante dentro da série da Tess Winnett.

Aquilo que mais pesa na minha avaliação deste tipo de livros é o caso policial em si. Gosto muito de tudo o que envolve procedimentos, teorias, métodos de investigação… mas preciso que o caso me desperte interesse e curiosidade. Neste livro, na minha opinião que não houve grande desenvolvimento ao nível do enredo, mas mesmo assim achei o caso interessante, dentro do que se pode esperar de uma novela. O que mais gostei foi o momento em que a Tess e o Donovan agiram de forma prática para apanhar o suspeito.

[Tatiana Lammers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was previously published as a part of collection of stories Drop Dead Crime: Mystery and Suspense from the Leading Ladies of Murder, and was my favorite in the collection.
I am a big fan of Tess Winnet's series, so this one was like a special treat. It felt great to read about the characters I've grown to like so much throughout these series. This is a great read for the fans of mystery thrillers with a strong female lead.

[Alicia Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this on preorder without realizing it's a short story. Finished it in two train rides. The plot is just as fantastic as all Leslie Wolfe's books. The main gripe I have is that it's a little too short and thus there wasn't much build-up in the killer's profile, unlike the other books in the Tess Winnett series. I like that Donovan the analyst and Cat the surrogate father to Tess both have a larger role to play in this story. On the other hand, both Gary and Todd are painfully missing from the action. All in all, a good book to read and am frankly looking forward to another Tess Winnett story.