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Waterman and Stark #3
Just Try To Stop Me
“Compelling, gruesome . . . a great read.” —Mystery Scene
“OLSEN WILL SCARE YOU—AND YOU’LL LOVE IT.”—Lee Child
"OLSEN WRITES RAPID-FIRE PAGE-TURNERS.”—The Seattle Times
Seduction. Mind control. Murder. These are the weapons that have made Brenda Nevins one of the most wanted—and feared—criminals in the world. Now the notorious serial killer has escaped from prison and is plotting her revenge. Using innocent young women as bait, she will lure her unsuspecting victims into her trap. This time, sheriff’s detective Kendall Stark and forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman won’t be able to stop her. The killing will be filmed. The feed will be live. And the blood will be streaming . . .
“OLSEN WILL SCARE YOU—AND YOU’LL LOVE IT.”—Lee Child
"OLSEN WRITES RAPID-FIRE PAGE-TURNERS.”—The Seattle Times
Seduction. Mind control. Murder. These are the weapons that have made Brenda Nevins one of the most wanted—and feared—criminals in the world. Now the notorious serial killer has escaped from prison and is plotting her revenge. Using innocent young women as bait, she will lure her unsuspecting victims into her trap. This time, sheriff’s detective Kendall Stark and forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman won’t be able to stop her. The killing will be filmed. The feed will be live. And the blood will be streaming . . .
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2016
2247 people are currently reading
2702 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
116 books7,077 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
November 21, 2016
OH my ! I just love anything that Gregg Olsen writes.
Always edge of seat , page turner, and I just really enjoy "Waterman & Stark Thriller" series.
I have to ration myself reading time, otherwise I whirl read it in one sitting, and I like to digest the story slowly.
The characters are so ALIVE , REAL and my heart go out to many of them and then it wants to strangle some of the others! I so enjoy the story taking place in my neck of the woods as it really makes it almost personal for me.
I am not going to give away anything, but be warned.. this one is a real PAGE TURNER and BEST SELLER!
Thank you, Gregg Olsen !
Always edge of seat , page turner, and I just really enjoy "Waterman & Stark Thriller" series.
I have to ration myself reading time, otherwise I whirl read it in one sitting, and I like to digest the story slowly.
The characters are so ALIVE , REAL and my heart go out to many of them and then it wants to strangle some of the others! I so enjoy the story taking place in my neck of the woods as it really makes it almost personal for me.
I am not going to give away anything, but be warned.. this one is a real PAGE TURNER and BEST SELLER!
Thank you, Gregg Olsen !
February 6, 2017
Another wonderful read from Olsen. This was much better than the previous book in this series. Brenda is a great character who is twisted. Just the way I like my serial killers. 5 stars
March 24, 2017
I would have given this four stars, but I find it unforgivable when books are so poorly proofread.
September 29, 2018
A real page turner. Kept me guessing right up to the last paragraph!
March 1, 2019
This is very compelling suspense, one that brings back sheriff's detective Kendall Stark, forensic pathologist Birdy Waterman, and the notorious serial killer, Brenda Nevins. Brenda has escaped from prison and is enacting her revenge, while Kendall and Birdy do their best to stop her. I enjoyed being back in the world of Kendall and Birdy, as they are both great characters.
Brenda Nevins is one of the most heinous villains I've come across in a book. Not only is she evil beyond imagination, but she has the ability to gain the admiration of people, even though they know what she's done. She holds them in thrall, and they become almost as bad as Brenda herself.
This book had some great, brave secondary characters, but I was sad over the outcomes for some of them. There is a small section at the end that gives some updates on what happened to the characters in the aftermath of Brenda, and that was a really mixed bag for me. Reading that part brought forth happiness, sadness, and shock.
I would definitely read this 3rd book in order in the series. To fully understand the characters and to be up to date in the storyline, Now That She's Gone seems to me to be a critical one to read. I'll also offer up a little warning that this one is not for the feint of heart. I do hope we will see Kendall Startk and Birdy Waterman again!
Brenda Nevins is one of the most heinous villains I've come across in a book. Not only is she evil beyond imagination, but she has the ability to gain the admiration of people, even though they know what she's done. She holds them in thrall, and they become almost as bad as Brenda herself.
This book had some great, brave secondary characters, but I was sad over the outcomes for some of them. There is a small section at the end that gives some updates on what happened to the characters in the aftermath of Brenda, and that was a really mixed bag for me. Reading that part brought forth happiness, sadness, and shock.
I would definitely read this 3rd book in order in the series. To fully understand the characters and to be up to date in the storyline, Now That She's Gone seems to me to be a critical one to read. I'll also offer up a little warning that this one is not for the feint of heart. I do hope we will see Kendall Startk and Birdy Waterman again!
November 18, 2016
This series is going in the right direction for me. The prior novel I read featuring Birdy and Kendall and serial killer Brenda was "just alright". I had found Brenda to be the only strong character in the book. Yet, this time, Brenda was not the only one. Both Kendall and Birdy were as strong. Birdy may come off as more of the quiet one but she really came through when it counted the most.
Brenda is one evil bitch. She kind of had a hint of another famous serial killer that I love and adore from Chelsea Cain's series named Gretchen. What makes Brenda so captivating and intriguing is her narcissistic self obsession with being famous. There was one hand where I wanted Kendall and Birdy to stop Brenda but on the other hand I didn't want them to catch Brenda. I wanted to see just how far she really would go. I can't wait to read the next book.
Brenda is one evil bitch. She kind of had a hint of another famous serial killer that I love and adore from Chelsea Cain's series named Gretchen. What makes Brenda so captivating and intriguing is her narcissistic self obsession with being famous. There was one hand where I wanted Kendall and Birdy to stop Brenda but on the other hand I didn't want them to catch Brenda. I wanted to see just how far she really would go. I can't wait to read the next book.
January 31, 2019
Don't want to say to much to the ending of this series, especially if someone is out there reading this 3 book series... A little surprised how it ended, especially with ELAN!!! Still a VERY GOOD READ, like all of Gregg Olsen's Books*****
December 20, 2017
Mr Olsen you have done it again. Once again you keep us wanting to know more and more. I look forward to reading more and more of your books.
December 29, 2020
More twists than a corkscrew in a bottle of wine!! This is Book #3 in the series and by far the best. I was lured in by Brenda and read as fast as I could hoping for her demise.
This book must have gone to press unedited - there were so many blatant inconsistencies I won’t take up the space to enumerate them! Still, it was fast paced and I just went “huh” and overlooked the errors.
This series REALLY needs to be read in order, it makes a lot more sense that way.
This book must have gone to press unedited - there were so many blatant inconsistencies I won’t take up the space to enumerate them! Still, it was fast paced and I just went “huh” and overlooked the errors.
This series REALLY needs to be read in order, it makes a lot more sense that way.
July 5, 2017
I won this book from Goodreads Giveaways and am sorry it took me so long to get around to reading it. Brenda, the serial killing villainess, is one twisted witch. Her crimes were horrific, and her ability to manipulate people into helping her was scary. Those parts of the book were well written.
Not so well done? Pretty much anything about the protagonists. And the federal agent who was introduced, made a couple of random appearances, and was largely left out of the story until he was needed to save the day at the end.
And the end...sheesh. The epilogue was a bust. It just seemed like there should have been a more satisfying look at the character's lives AFTER all the drama. At least the FBI guy got another mention.
Not so well done? Pretty much anything about the protagonists. And the federal agent who was introduced, made a couple of random appearances, and was largely left out of the story until he was needed to save the day at the end.
And the end...sheesh. The epilogue was a bust. It just seemed like there should have been a more satisfying look at the character's lives AFTER all the drama. At least the FBI guy got another mention.
August 22, 2022
I really like the Stark & Waterman characters but this book was super disappointing . Way too drawn out with Brenda Nevins who was never a very interesting character. The book was very predictable, the ending was poorly done and there was so much of the same old stuff . I was tired of Brenda’s boobs and Brenda having sex with someone. Just wasn’t a good read at all.
December 23, 2016
I was on the edge of my seat all the way through this. Excellent sequel. I love this author.
August 4, 2020
This is the first book I read by this author and I LOVED IT!
February 1, 2023
This one follows Now That She’s Gone and completed the series. This entire series was dark and unforgiving. I held my breath for so much of it. Brenda is one of the most terrifying characters I’ve ever read about. If you’re looking for a dark crime series, this is the one. I even enjoyed the details of Kendall’s and Birdy’s personal lives.
May 11, 2023
I did not enjoy this book yet I finished it to the end. I guess it’s a cliffhanger where there could be another installment. One I won’t be reading. I kept reading thinking something might happen but it was all predictable and even boring.
Brenda’s character was just too much. So focused on being so pretty without any background on what made her a sociopath. The fact we kept talking to people to find out more about Brenda seemed ridiculous. There was literally no investigation and plenty of pathetic cover ups. I could not recommend this book to anyone.
I was hoping for so much more from this author but this was a disappointment.
Brenda’s character was just too much. So focused on being so pretty without any background on what made her a sociopath. The fact we kept talking to people to find out more about Brenda seemed ridiculous. There was literally no investigation and plenty of pathetic cover ups. I could not recommend this book to anyone.
I was hoping for so much more from this author but this was a disappointment.
April 1, 2021
This book was super gripping and I gave it 5 stars for the intense and good story. But omg SO MANY INCONSISTENCIES in the writing. The two that stood out to me that I had to keep rereading and made it frustrating for me were:
1) Patty’s position in the car. It said she was in the front and suddenly two paragraphs later she awoke in the back. Did she teleport?
2) That amber gave Patty the Mountain Dew. The dialogue suggested that Patty bought it but later they retcon that and say amber bought it and gave it to Patty.
Also WTF happened to Elan? Did they both disappear or did she kill him??
1) Patty’s position in the car. It said she was in the front and suddenly two paragraphs later she awoke in the back. Did she teleport?
2) That amber gave Patty the Mountain Dew. The dialogue suggested that Patty bought it but later they retcon that and say amber bought it and gave it to Patty.
Also WTF happened to Elan? Did they both disappear or did she kill him??
August 23, 2020
Not sure how I finished this, but this genre is not for me anymore. It was fine for those long years when I struggled to read after my accident 20 yrs ago but thanks to some excellent Fantasy and Sci Fi authors I just dont need this level of reading anymore (Reading is a necessary part of my life so I have to read. I'm sure you understand ) Not keen on this authors style either, certainly some aspects so fantastical as to be almost laughable. At least to me.
April 8, 2021
A lot of killing without a lot of meaning
Brenda Nevins has been used time & time again. People don't break out of prison multiple times, & if they do K9 Officers find them. This book is unrealistic, shallow, & hard to read because of the senseless gore. I have liked other books by this author but please can we move on from Brenda Nevins, since the author cannot paint her as a character, a complex human being--just a serial killer with little motive.
Brenda Nevins has been used time & time again. People don't break out of prison multiple times, & if they do K9 Officers find them. This book is unrealistic, shallow, & hard to read because of the senseless gore. I have liked other books by this author but please can we move on from Brenda Nevins, since the author cannot paint her as a character, a complex human being--just a serial killer with little motive.
May 27, 2017
I think this series is done and I'm irked that I invested so much time into it. I didn't care for the ending; I think one of the characters got abandoned somewhere and it became increasingly implausible.
I'm going to read at least one more book by this author, but this wasn't a series that I would ever read again.
I'm going to read at least one more book by this author, but this wasn't a series that I would ever read again.
May 19, 2020
Gregg Olsen's books are very suspenseful. I really like this series with Kendall Stark and Birdy Waterman. Each book in the series is a good continuation of the last book read. I'm reading the last book published in this series so far. I am really hoping there will be another book published soon. I've read other books written by Gregg Olsen, and I very enjoyed each one.
February 7, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It mainly focused on an evil sociopath that can manipulate anyone to do her bidding. I can't even count the number of bodies she left in her wake before apprehended by Kandall Stark and Birdy Waterman.
I highly recommend this one and the entire series.
I highly recommend this one and the entire series.
February 1, 2020
Suspenseful page turner
This is the first time I’ve read Gregg Olsen And I will definitely be reading many more of his books. This was an absolute thriller, it was a little slow in the beginning but it picked up very quickly. I loved it.
This is the first time I’ve read Gregg Olsen And I will definitely be reading many more of his books. This was an absolute thriller, it was a little slow in the beginning but it picked up very quickly. I loved it.
May 9, 2021
I listened to the audio and got lost many times - it seemed the transitions between scenes, characters, chapters, etc weren’t done very well. The premise of the story was good but I found myself trying to figure out what was going on too often to find it and enjoyable read.
January 3, 2017
Outstanding! Olsen is an expert at writing the perfect suspense novel! Jaw dropped a bit at the end. Hoping there are more to the series!
July 1, 2018
I enjoyed this book of the series the best. I would love to see more be written for the series.
May 30, 2020
A great series in the bag. Loved it!
October 11, 2020
Brilliant
October 15, 2020
Gregg Olsen delivers a twisty page turner as usual! Love this author!
January 20, 2019
A Prison Warden (Janie Thomas) is kidnapped by a brutal and ruthless prisoner, her name is Brenda Nevins, a convicted serial killer. But was Janie Thomas really kidnapped?
After finally being put in prison for multiple murders, Brenda Nevins is finally where she belonged. Of course, she thought otherwise. Obviously, all twisted serial killers believe they shouldn’t be locked up.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. There is seduction, murder, and psychological mayhem. You just want to keep reading to see what or who she’s going to use next in her game.
I have read a few of Gregg Olsen’s books, I loved them all, especially the Stark and Waterman thrillers. His True Crime books are greats reads as well.
In this heart-stopping police procedural, fiction and mystery, Kendall Stark, a Sheriff’s Detective, and Birdy Waterman a Forensic Pathologist; race to stop an escaped prisoner hell-bent on getting her revenge, in all the twisted ways her psychotic mind can conjure.
Unfortunately for Kendall and Birdy, they are the targets of her very twisted revenge.
For the killing will be filmed and YouTube will be her social-media platform where the world will witness the horror and brutality. But for Kendall and Birdy they will be the first to see these videos, it’s her way of making them suffer, before the final act.
For those who invite Brenda Nevins into their lives, they always regret it, for seduction and mind control are her weapons and she wields them with sharp precision. She seduces men and women into doing her bidding. She will make you leave your husband and child to be with her, she’s that good.
If you want to peer into the mind of a twisted sociopath and observe her mind at work, give this book a go.
To get even more immersed in Brenda’s world, you might also want to read, Now That She’s Gone.
“All of Brenda’s emotions about others were as bogus as her breasts. She is incapable of recognizing the pain of others because to her, others were only objects. Things to be used. Things to get her whatever it was that she wanted.” - Kendall Stark
The Waterman and Stark series - Gregg Olsen
The Bone Box
The Girl in the Woods
Now That She’s Gone
Just Try To Stop Me
After finally being put in prison for multiple murders, Brenda Nevins is finally where she belonged. Of course, she thought otherwise. Obviously, all twisted serial killers believe they shouldn’t be locked up.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. There is seduction, murder, and psychological mayhem. You just want to keep reading to see what or who she’s going to use next in her game.
I have read a few of Gregg Olsen’s books, I loved them all, especially the Stark and Waterman thrillers. His True Crime books are greats reads as well.
In this heart-stopping police procedural, fiction and mystery, Kendall Stark, a Sheriff’s Detective, and Birdy Waterman a Forensic Pathologist; race to stop an escaped prisoner hell-bent on getting her revenge, in all the twisted ways her psychotic mind can conjure.
Unfortunately for Kendall and Birdy, they are the targets of her very twisted revenge.
For the killing will be filmed and YouTube will be her social-media platform where the world will witness the horror and brutality. But for Kendall and Birdy they will be the first to see these videos, it’s her way of making them suffer, before the final act.
For those who invite Brenda Nevins into their lives, they always regret it, for seduction and mind control are her weapons and she wields them with sharp precision. She seduces men and women into doing her bidding. She will make you leave your husband and child to be with her, she’s that good.
If you want to peer into the mind of a twisted sociopath and observe her mind at work, give this book a go.
To get even more immersed in Brenda’s world, you might also want to read, Now That She’s Gone.
“All of Brenda’s emotions about others were as bogus as her breasts. She is incapable of recognizing the pain of others because to her, others were only objects. Things to be used. Things to get her whatever it was that she wanted.” - Kendall Stark
The Waterman and Stark series - Gregg Olsen
The Bone Box
The Girl in the Woods
Now That She’s Gone
Just Try To Stop Me
September 19, 2021
The preposterous plot twists were just too much to ignore. I know the book is fiction, but still. Here’s an example. The old “cut the brake lines” twist never works in real life. Here’s an explanation posted by Mike Shurkin on Quora:
"A cut brake line was a favorite attempted murder mechanism in American television throughout 80’s and 90’s. It still shows up today, although not as frequently as it used to.
Does it work? Not like they show it.
The typical scenario goes like this:
Evil doer cuts a brake line
Unsuspecting victim gets in the car and drives off
Brakes fail on some scenic mountain road
Car goes out of control
Death or a panic attack results, as the plot requires
Can a brake line be cut? Absolutely.
Will this cause brake failure? Yes.
However, the failure will not happen 10 minutes into your trip. It will be IMMEDIATE.
You will notice the brake pedal go to the floor first time you try it, and the brake warning light will light up on the dash. This will happen before you get out of your driveway."
The author is knowledgeable about crime. He’s written 18 excellent crime novels and 10 excellent true crime books. I don’t know why this one was so lacking in developing the plot.
"A cut brake line was a favorite attempted murder mechanism in American television throughout 80’s and 90’s. It still shows up today, although not as frequently as it used to.
Does it work? Not like they show it.
The typical scenario goes like this:
Evil doer cuts a brake line
Unsuspecting victim gets in the car and drives off
Brakes fail on some scenic mountain road
Car goes out of control
Death or a panic attack results, as the plot requires
Can a brake line be cut? Absolutely.
Will this cause brake failure? Yes.
However, the failure will not happen 10 minutes into your trip. It will be IMMEDIATE.
You will notice the brake pedal go to the floor first time you try it, and the brake warning light will light up on the dash. This will happen before you get out of your driveway."
The author is knowledgeable about crime. He’s written 18 excellent crime novels and 10 excellent true crime books. I don’t know why this one was so lacking in developing the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews