Not Like He Seemed

Ilse Beck FBI Suspense Thriller #2

by Ava Strong

NOT LIKE HE SEEMED (An Ilse Beck FBI Suspense Thriller) is book #2 in a new series by mystery and suspense author Ava Strong.

FBI Special Agent Ilse Beck, victim of a traumatic childhood in Germany, moved to the U.S. to become a renowned psychologist specializing in PTSD, and the world’s leading expert in the unique trauma of serial-killer survivors. By studying the psychology of their survivors, Ilse has a unique and unparalleled expertise in the true psychology of serial killers. She had no idea, though, that she would become an FBI agent herself.

The FBI desperately needs Ilse’s help in catching the “Alphabet Killer”—an unhinged serial killer who seems to be arranging his victims’ bodies into the shapes of letters. Is he spelling a word? Hinting at who will be his next victim?

Or is he far more cunning and deranged than anyone could imagine?

Ilse, meanwhile, plagued by her own past, realizes the time has come to face her demons and revisit the site of her childhood home in Germany. But will the trip help her expunge her own dark memories—or push her over the edge?

A dark and suspenseful crime thriller, the ILSE BECK series is a breathtaking page-turner, unputdownable from the first word. A compelling and perplexing mystery, rife with twists and jaw-dropping secrets, it will make you fall in love with a brilliant new character, while it keeps you shocked late into the night.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Crime

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

Ava Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the MEGAN YORK suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Ava loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit her website.

Reviews

[Kimba Tichenor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I opted to read a second book in this series but will not be reading a third. Any potential the series seemed to have died for me with this book. The two leads are no more than stereotypes. The female lead is a psychologist who obviously got into the profession to heal herself and save on therapy bills. As for her skills with her clients, it would seem every client triggers her personal issues. Frankly, they should demand a refund. The male lead is your typical married to the job FBI agent. Yet, he is largely incompetent at his job, given the obvious suggestions that he apparently needs from a non-expert.

[Abigail Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a short easy read because the end of the month was nearing and I needed to finish a book before the month end. And since I had to finish reviewing this book I decided to read it.
I went into the book not expecting much but it completely exceeded my expectations!! I felt the tension and suspense and I was gripping my seat throughout most of the book.

Ava Strong added in a few parts with Tom's friend (I think his name was Rudiger) where I couldn't hold in my laughter, those parts really helped with all the tension I felt throughout the rest of the book.

Most of the time with book series I read the 1st or the 2nd book and don't continue because I feel like the rest of the books in the series aren't as good as the first of second one...but in this case I am really excited to continue the series and see what other mysteries Ilse Beck solves.

Pick this one up if you are looking for a quick,short read that will keep you in suspense but at the same time make you laugh a bit.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a review:)

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ilse Beck #2 was certainly better than the first book in the series! Ilse was not written to obsess over and over about her lack of memory of her childhood, and the beginning of Not Like He Seemed gave us more insight on Ilse's past. I imagine in the next book, Ilse will be brave enough to visit her abusive father. Tom Sawyer became more personable and likeable in this installment, and in the next books of the series, I'd like to learn more about why Tom Sawyer becomes so upset when crimes involve children and who he lost that he is so hesitant to get attached to anyone enough to care if they leave his life. Lots of twists and turns here, and Ilse's big decision at the end of the book surprised me a bit.

[Cidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ilse has had a troubled childhood in Germany where her father kept his children in a cellar and abused them, some of whom died. Ilse somehow, I don't know how, escaped and ended up in America with a degree in psychology and works for the FBI as a therapist. A serial killer seems to be targetting men who were teachers and is dissecting them whilst they are alive and bleeding to death. He uses their body parts to move about and form letters. Nice. Ilse is teamed up with agent Sawyer and together they are fighting time to find the killer and his victims, all teachers so far. It takes some time to put the pieces of the puzzle together and it is quite a ride to go through this book, very unpleasant at times and I wasn't too sure I liked Ilse as she seems a bit needy and wants to be in control whilst Sawyer is a good solid hard working agent looking at all the angles for the cases and enlisting the help of others, whereas Ilse is more of a lone player. I much prefer him to her! I leave it up to you to finish it as you might be eating your meal when reading about it.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman trying to understand her past and at the same time work with people who suffered deep physical and psychological traumas as she did. Ilse gets involved with Tom Sawyer's hunt for serial killers and starts to learn the workings of the FBI and which are her strong and weak points when dealing with the culprits. She feels her insights in psychological profiling are very helpful but she lacks knowledge in other areas. She also has very clear in her mind that she has to face her trauma and find the answers she needs to live her life in full. The killer was also an abused child and he needed help that was never given to him. How could she help and help herself? Looking forward to reading the next book!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed

There is so much going on that the author tries to keep jumping around. We have llse ( Hilda from Germany ). She’s a not so great therapist, that gets called in to aide a Rag-Tag, FBI agent in a serial murder case.They fumble their way through the case. She never does as he asks her, but likes to go on her own. she’s not prepared to see the horrendous, ugly murder scenes, but nonetheless doesn’t do as he asks and stay out of the way. Then we have a murderer that is absolutely grotesque.

The author bounces around that German aspect of the storyline to the FBI scenes for no apparent reason.

The editing needs redone since there are some obviously flaws. Bitch author did not keep me enrolled. I had no trouble putting the book down and picking it up at a later time. It was really quite unbelievable in so many respects.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Like He Seemed by Ava Strong shows an interesting and evolving relationship between characters Ilse and Sawyer, the FBI agent she consults for. They are on another case trying to find "the
alphabet killer". The killer is gruesome as he leaves lettters' made by victims body parts. The authors descriptions leave little to the imagination which pulls you right into the story. Furthermore, high tension and the overlap between Ilse's past and the current case keep you interested in this well crafted story line. I really enjoyed and recommend this novel!

[Spicydish · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the heroine of this story said that she was sorry once, she said it a thousand times. Ilsa, a psychologist, has a lot of mental baggage herself after she and her siblings suffered unspeakable torture for years at the hands of her sadistic father. What ruined my enjoyment of this suspenseful novel was the gruesome descriptions of torture and dismemberment. I don’t think I can continue the series.

[Sofii Cufone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debo decir que esta serie de libros me está atrapando cada vez más.
La trama de a poco va mejorando pero en comparación con el anterior libro es más entretenido y con mucho más suspenso y terror.
Los personajes están bien, sigo teniendo un amor-odio con Ilse pero espero que con el pasar de los libros pueda ver su evolución y poder tomarle cariño.

[Kathy Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

nerve jingling

Action and suspense on the page, you’ll see it happening before you. Great story, the book stands alone, but the series is unfolding for me with this second book . Agent Sawyer and Dr. of psychology
Working together. I’m sure anyone will find the story intriguing and riveting.. ENJOY

[bandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Good characters and storyline. I did feel Ilse was stupid to go to the suspect's house, no training, no weapon, endangering the agent. But well written, sad and scary at the same time. Would recommend.

[Tiffany Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Continues!

Book two continues! It carries on the edgy grip from book one. I am so overjoyed at how I've found something that has kept my interest this far. I am starting book 3 immediately!!!

[Allison T MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay! Now I MUST read the next book, no question about it!

I'm hooked, this story has my full attention and is keeping me from doing the usual mundane tasks that are being neglected, so roaring through to the conclusion still several books ahead. Chores be damned!

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilse Beck is once again called on to use her skills in psychology to help the FBI track down a serial killer. The case is filled with leads as Ilse and Agent Tom Sawyer race to stop the killer from adding to the death toll.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

thriller and suspense !

Love these books and the chemistry between Ilse and Sawyer ! Can not wait to continue to the next book in this series !! Ava Stong is one of my favorite writers now that I have discovered her

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

If you enjoy a really good psychological thriller then these books are for you. Written so wall.
Nothing to dislike.
The continuity running through the book is so good I would love to see this as a series on Netflix.

[Ryan Pratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. Especially for a free book. If you can look past the spelling mistakes and the rather boring reader of the Audiobook, the story will keep you interested. I wouldn't say "hooked", though.

I found it interesting enough to seek out other books in the series.

[Pam French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still engaging

Ilse learned some valuable lessons in this book. Her writing is realistic, characters are believable. Already have book 3 ordered.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex storyline and characters, no profanity or sexual situations intimately described, and still an engrossing plot. Narrator was clear and interesting.

[Jill Teer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay.

I was disappointed by the overuse of the words "winced" and "wincing.
Entertaining read, though. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Debbie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick listen to. I enjoyed it.

[Lopsided · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does not use F word but there are other random curse words like damn it or shit. Another good book that pulled me right in and held my interest. Listened at 1.75 speed.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The therapist protagonist needs a lot of therapy. Quick, engaging read even though the character development is quite annoying - good on audio.

[Debbie Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good!

Just finished and had to buy the next one so I wouldn’t have to wait! Interesting story that I’m in a hurry to find out more!

[Susan Mabry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good audiobook for my road-trips!😂Keeps your attention yet your eyes stay on the road!… I liked this book as much as the first one!

[Joan Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good detective vs psychologist. Enjoyable.

[Kim Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

Great story. Hard to put down. Looking forward to Book 3 in the hopes Dr. Beck will follow her calling.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book...didn't care much for the creep. Kinda weird.

[Elizabeth Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

Full of twists and psychological turns. Kept me engaged all the way through. I definitely recommend this book and the whole series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Ilse Beck Mystery FBI Thriller Series. Great book!!