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Detective Casey White #7
Taken Before Dawn
The early morning light illuminates the girl’s ivory skin. Little cuts are carved into her cheeks—one under each eye. But her body is still. The perfectly round wound above her heart has stopped it beating forever…
When Detective Casey White is called to a murder scene on an empty stretch of coastal road, her whole team is in a panic. Could the body be their missing colleague Samantha? The promising investigator was last seen two days ago, going home after an evening of dancing with friends. Her family are beside themselves with worry.
Casey’s relief is short-lived when she sees the short dark hair of another woman. Pauline Rydel has been missing for a week. Devastated that anyone would take this innocent life, and terrified Samantha will be next, the tear-shaped cuts on the victim’s face make Casey’s heart stop. She’s seen these marks before…
On one of her very first cases a murderer known as the Midnight Killer stole young women in the darkest hours, kept them alive for seven days, and abandoned their bodies at dawn. Casey was seconds away from catching him when she made a deadly mistake that’s haunted her ever since. After all these years, is he back?
Knowing every second counts, Casey is pouring over forensics when another body is found. This time, markings on the back of the victim’s neck spell out Casey’s name.
With everyone in this small community scared for their daughters’ lives, Casey must face up to the past in her most personal case yet. But even if she sacrifices herself, will it be too late to save one of her own?
When Detective Casey White is called to a murder scene on an empty stretch of coastal road, her whole team is in a panic. Could the body be their missing colleague Samantha? The promising investigator was last seen two days ago, going home after an evening of dancing with friends. Her family are beside themselves with worry.
Casey’s relief is short-lived when she sees the short dark hair of another woman. Pauline Rydel has been missing for a week. Devastated that anyone would take this innocent life, and terrified Samantha will be next, the tear-shaped cuts on the victim’s face make Casey’s heart stop. She’s seen these marks before…
On one of her very first cases a murderer known as the Midnight Killer stole young women in the darkest hours, kept them alive for seven days, and abandoned their bodies at dawn. Casey was seconds away from catching him when she made a deadly mistake that’s haunted her ever since. After all these years, is he back?
Knowing every second counts, Casey is pouring over forensics when another body is found. This time, markings on the back of the victim’s neck spell out Casey’s name.
With everyone in this small community scared for their daughters’ lives, Casey must face up to the past in her most personal case yet. But even if she sacrifices herself, will it be too late to save one of her own?
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2022
1189 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
B.R. Spangler
51 books297 followersB.R. Spangler is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Mysteries and Crime Thrillers.
A resident of Virginia with a wonderful family, including five cats, two birds and a lizard. During the day, the hours are filled with engineering work. Off hours, time is spent writing, editing, and thinking up the next great story.
With too many stories to write, books are split across pen names, writing crime thrillers, science fiction, horrors, paranormal and contemporary fiction.
A resident of Virginia with a wonderful family, including five cats, two birds and a lizard. During the day, the hours are filled with engineering work. Off hours, time is spent writing, editing, and thinking up the next great story.
With too many stories to write, books are split across pen names, writing crime thrillers, science fiction, horrors, paranormal and contemporary fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 6, 2023
You certainly can’t say this book isn’t full of suspense! And……….some intense chilling thriller moments!
This is the 7th book in the Detective Casey White series. Though you can read the books as stand alone reads, I do recommend you read the books in order. It helps to have the back story to Casey’s life. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see where the author is taking Casey and Jericho.
Taken Before Dawn starts out with Casey and her team being called out to a murder scene. Once she arrives and takes in the scene, she is worried it relates to a old cold case of hers from 10 years ago. What she finds as she works the case is eye opening and intense.
If you are looking for a heart gripping new series to read, you need to pick up B.R.Spangler’s Detective Casey White series.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and author, B.R.Spangler, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the 7th book in the Detective Casey White series. Though you can read the books as stand alone reads, I do recommend you read the books in order. It helps to have the back story to Casey’s life. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see where the author is taking Casey and Jericho.
Taken Before Dawn starts out with Casey and her team being called out to a murder scene. Once she arrives and takes in the scene, she is worried it relates to a old cold case of hers from 10 years ago. What she finds as she works the case is eye opening and intense.
If you are looking for a heart gripping new series to read, you need to pick up B.R.Spangler’s Detective Casey White series.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and author, B.R.Spangler, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 8, 2022
After a night out, Samantha is snatched. Samantha is part of Detective Casey White’s team and several of them were out together that night. Casey is now on the job, Not only has Samantha disappeared, telltale marks on a very recent murder victim bear strong resemblance, and irrefutable proof that a serial killer from Casey's past is back in play. The killer was called "The Midnight Killer”. Casey does not doubt that Samantha is in the killer’s hands. With a race against time, Casey and the rest of her team search feverishly for Samantha with hopes of finding her alive.
The killer was active when Casey was working on the Philadelphia police force, and kept victims alive for seven days before they were killed. This gives them hope that if this killer does have Samantha, they have a short window of time to find her alive. When another victim has a clue that points right to Casey, the pressure is truly on. Everyone is terrified that not only will Samantha be killed, but other victims, including Casey, could possibly lose their lives.
As I have been reading this series from the very beginning, Casey has become a character that I have come to know and love especially with her painful past as her daughter was kidnapped at three years of age. That case has been solved, and it is that part of Casey’s personal life that comes up from time to time in this newest book in the series. In fact, as concerned as Casey is about what is going on right now, she is also contemplating her future, and this affects other characters in this compelling book and series.
While reading this compelling story I was hit with more than one chilling revelation. So chilling, that goose bumps hit me more than once. B. R. Spangler is a fabulous writer and has made this series better and better with each book. Although this newest book could be read as a standalone because enough snippets of Casey’s past come to light, the series really would be better if consumed from the beginning and read in order. With excellent pacing, relatable characters, personal connections between the characters, a thrilling plot and an exciting conclusion, Taken Before Dawn is a stunning seventh book in an utterly engaging series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The killer was active when Casey was working on the Philadelphia police force, and kept victims alive for seven days before they were killed. This gives them hope that if this killer does have Samantha, they have a short window of time to find her alive. When another victim has a clue that points right to Casey, the pressure is truly on. Everyone is terrified that not only will Samantha be killed, but other victims, including Casey, could possibly lose their lives.
As I have been reading this series from the very beginning, Casey has become a character that I have come to know and love especially with her painful past as her daughter was kidnapped at three years of age. That case has been solved, and it is that part of Casey’s personal life that comes up from time to time in this newest book in the series. In fact, as concerned as Casey is about what is going on right now, she is also contemplating her future, and this affects other characters in this compelling book and series.
While reading this compelling story I was hit with more than one chilling revelation. So chilling, that goose bumps hit me more than once. B. R. Spangler is a fabulous writer and has made this series better and better with each book. Although this newest book could be read as a standalone because enough snippets of Casey’s past come to light, the series really would be better if consumed from the beginning and read in order. With excellent pacing, relatable characters, personal connections between the characters, a thrilling plot and an exciting conclusion, Taken Before Dawn is a stunning seventh book in an utterly engaging series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 21, 2022
Omg what a read!!!
I love this series that features Detective Casey White and her team. Guaranteed page turners. I thought that this series could not get any better I was so wrong. Taken Before Dawn is on another level. This time it is very personal and a disturbing cold case rears it's ugly head. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense, plenty of heart in your mouth moments and definitely got my heart racing. The best in the series so far and I can't wait find out what is next for Casey and Jericho. Another fantastic five star read and a heart pounding addition to this gripping and very addictive series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I love this series that features Detective Casey White and her team. Guaranteed page turners. I thought that this series could not get any better I was so wrong. Taken Before Dawn is on another level. This time it is very personal and a disturbing cold case rears it's ugly head. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense, plenty of heart in your mouth moments and definitely got my heart racing. The best in the series so far and I can't wait find out what is next for Casey and Jericho. Another fantastic five star read and a heart pounding addition to this gripping and very addictive series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 21, 2023
Everytime I read the latest detective Casey White I am like this is the best one so far
So I don't want to be predictable and say what this is thd best one so far. Bit OMFG THIS WAS EPIC!
Casey finds herself after a killer she had been searching for, for over ten years the midnight killer! It looks like he's back for Casey. Bit he also has Sam. With a time limit of 7 days and bodies dropping will she get to the bottom of it.
Honestly this was the most brutal and descriptive thus far. It was crazy. I enjoyed the continued drama, everytime I went to go to sleep I found myself saying one more chapter. It was intense, half way through I was thinking are we nearing the end then BAM DRAMA BAM MORE DRAMA. The prose ad per was amazing
This was my favourite Casey White book it was just so dark and gruesome, with chunks of flesh being cut out of people's bodies and tear drops being sliced into people's faces. It was just so crazy, so obviously trying to work out the possible killer was hard, funnily enough I guessed it early (ish) in the book so random. But it's Casey's involvement that makes it insane and also quite sad!
The characters are so well developed and it was great reading the inter personal relationships so I totally recommend starting on book 1!
That's as much as I can write without listing spoilers. This is a 5*+ book. Highly recommend
Review can be found on my blogstagram @JazzReadsReviewsRepeats
So I don't want to be predictable and say what this is thd best one so far. Bit OMFG THIS WAS EPIC!
Casey finds herself after a killer she had been searching for, for over ten years the midnight killer! It looks like he's back for Casey. Bit he also has Sam. With a time limit of 7 days and bodies dropping will she get to the bottom of it.
Honestly this was the most brutal and descriptive thus far. It was crazy. I enjoyed the continued drama, everytime I went to go to sleep I found myself saying one more chapter. It was intense, half way through I was thinking are we nearing the end then BAM DRAMA BAM MORE DRAMA. The prose ad per was amazing
This was my favourite Casey White book it was just so dark and gruesome, with chunks of flesh being cut out of people's bodies and tear drops being sliced into people's faces. It was just so crazy, so obviously trying to work out the possible killer was hard, funnily enough I guessed it early (ish) in the book so random. But it's Casey's involvement that makes it insane and also quite sad!
The characters are so well developed and it was great reading the inter personal relationships so I totally recommend starting on book 1!
That's as much as I can write without listing spoilers. This is a 5*+ book. Highly recommend
Review can be found on my blogstagram @JazzReadsReviewsRepeats
October 9, 2022
OK can I ask a question? Why have I never read a book by B.R. Spangler before?!?? I consider myself fully reprimanded!!! Do I need to spell it out? Yes I seriously enjoyed reading Taken Before Dawn.
I really took to Casey from the off. She’s a woman with trauma in her past but it’s part of her and how she works. And to add to that she’s got an amazing support network around her both in and out of work; to me it felt like working with family, well it is to a fashion! But why the hell did she not say yes the instant Jericho popped the question?! He sounds like a dream 😍😍😍
Taken Before Dawn took me on a right rollercoaster. Quite early on, I couldn’t believe the turn of events playing out before me on my kindle! Oh my!!! I was befuddled how the hell is this story was going to turn out?!?!? And half way through, I needed a breather, the pace of the story was racing me through!
Having never read any of the Casey White books before, I didn’t feel I’d missed out by diving into Book 7. But I am keen to go back and read more from Casey. Spangler drew me and kept me hostage like his evil murderer and the victims. I couldn’t believe how tense I was reading Taken Before Dawn. When I hit the climax and could finally relax at the end. I could feel the muscles in my shoulders and torso had been tightly contracted whilst I sat in my reading position.
Spangler has brilliantly curated a tense crime thriller that kept me engrossed, trying to second guess where I was headed with one helluva finale. You’ve got a new fan 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I really took to Casey from the off. She’s a woman with trauma in her past but it’s part of her and how she works. And to add to that she’s got an amazing support network around her both in and out of work; to me it felt like working with family, well it is to a fashion! But why the hell did she not say yes the instant Jericho popped the question?! He sounds like a dream 😍😍😍
Taken Before Dawn took me on a right rollercoaster. Quite early on, I couldn’t believe the turn of events playing out before me on my kindle! Oh my!!! I was befuddled how the hell is this story was going to turn out?!?!? And half way through, I needed a breather, the pace of the story was racing me through!
Having never read any of the Casey White books before, I didn’t feel I’d missed out by diving into Book 7. But I am keen to go back and read more from Casey. Spangler drew me and kept me hostage like his evil murderer and the victims. I couldn’t believe how tense I was reading Taken Before Dawn. When I hit the climax and could finally relax at the end. I could feel the muscles in my shoulders and torso had been tightly contracted whilst I sat in my reading position.
Spangler has brilliantly curated a tense crime thriller that kept me engrossed, trying to second guess where I was headed with one helluva finale. You’ve got a new fan 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
August 26, 2022
This is the seventh book in the B.R. Spangler series. Great series, I highly recommend this author! In Taken Before Dawn Casey White investigates the disappearance of her friend Samantha and solves the ten year old cold case of the Midnight Killer. Didn’t want to put it down. Very suspenseful. Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
March 20, 2023
This was…wow. Dark, disturbing and unputdownable. I literally found myself yelling at a certain point.
I’m really hoping that there will be more because man this series is absolutely fabulous. Detective Casey White, Jericho, Tracy and all the surrounding players are truly so riveting to read.
This book really hit it out of the park.
I’m really hoping that there will be more because man this series is absolutely fabulous. Detective Casey White, Jericho, Tracy and all the surrounding players are truly so riveting to read.
This book really hit it out of the park.
August 22, 2022
The crime scene Detective Casey White is called to makes her blood run cold and not just because of the body discovered by the side of the road. As she looks at the cruelly disfigured victim Casey knows she has seen this before and she knows exactly when.
Heading back to Philadelphi to catch up with her old partner Casey breaks the news that their still anonymous murder suspect, known only as the Midnight Killer, is back and apparently continuing where they left off a decade earlier. With ten years of scientific improvements and the help of the FBI they are both hopeful she can get a result this time.
When Casey and her partner, ex-sheriff Jericho Flynn, learn one of their friends is missing, apparently abducted in a chillingly familiar way, it seems things couldn't get any worse. The killer however has other ideas, there will be horrors to come which neither Casey nor her team could ever imagine, and they are determined to enjoy every one of them.
In the seventh Detective Casey White book the author has seriously raised the bar in a series which has always made compulsive reading. The main protagonists and their elusive prey provide a mystery which twists and turns as it gives the reader hope and despair in equal measure. There are new characters and life changing situations aplenty and it's difficult to know where Casey will go next but I for one will absolutely be along for the ride.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a brilliant read which I can recommend both highly and unreservedly.
Heading back to Philadelphi to catch up with her old partner Casey breaks the news that their still anonymous murder suspect, known only as the Midnight Killer, is back and apparently continuing where they left off a decade earlier. With ten years of scientific improvements and the help of the FBI they are both hopeful she can get a result this time.
When Casey and her partner, ex-sheriff Jericho Flynn, learn one of their friends is missing, apparently abducted in a chillingly familiar way, it seems things couldn't get any worse. The killer however has other ideas, there will be horrors to come which neither Casey nor her team could ever imagine, and they are determined to enjoy every one of them.
In the seventh Detective Casey White book the author has seriously raised the bar in a series which has always made compulsive reading. The main protagonists and their elusive prey provide a mystery which twists and turns as it gives the reader hope and despair in equal measure. There are new characters and life changing situations aplenty and it's difficult to know where Casey will go next but I for one will absolutely be along for the ride.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a brilliant read which I can recommend both highly and unreservedly.
August 26, 2022
You Probably Won't Want To Read This Right Before Bed. In this next chilling installment of this series, we get what is quite possibly Spangler's most chilling villains to date - and the most direct threat to Detective Casey White since I picked up this series around book 4 or so. One sequence in particular, taking up somewhere around a quarter of the book or so, is so truly chilling that the title of this review was warranted - you're not going to want to try to go to sleep while reading/ soon after reading this particular section. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll be a bit oblique and note that there is a popular horror franchise that is actually *less* chilling, though around the same type of idea, as what is going on here. Before and after this section, the book is actually more of a "standard" Casey White series police procedural. We get to see the team doing its thing both professionally and personally, including how later developments in the series (again, being vague to avoid giving anything away) continue to play out. Certainly one of the better books in this series, which is saying quite a bit itself, and arguably the best to date - which is saying *quite* a bit. I know this thing releases almost a full month after I'm writing this review, but BR... Imma need number 8 like, *now*. Very much recommended.
September 15, 2022
4.5⭐
Detective Casey White is back with possibly her most disturbing case yet.
As having recently reunited with the daughter who was kidnapped as a child Casey faces the possibility of losing her once again.
When after a body is found on a empty stretch of highway Casey, Jericho and Tracy's gravest fears are raised. As their close friend Samantha has disappeared. But thankfully the body isn't hers.
Nevertheless, she's someone's daughter and it seems a serial killer is back one who Casey came close to catching ten years ago.
So when the team realise a profoundly personal message has been recorded on the body and with time running out for Samantha. Casey is willing to risk everything to find her. But what if everything includes losing those she loves most?
And with a fast-paced storyline and twists galore. This was a cracking addition to the series, and it's a story I'd happily recommend to others.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Detective Casey White is back with possibly her most disturbing case yet.
As having recently reunited with the daughter who was kidnapped as a child Casey faces the possibility of losing her once again.
When after a body is found on a empty stretch of highway Casey, Jericho and Tracy's gravest fears are raised. As their close friend Samantha has disappeared. But thankfully the body isn't hers.
Nevertheless, she's someone's daughter and it seems a serial killer is back one who Casey came close to catching ten years ago.
So when the team realise a profoundly personal message has been recorded on the body and with time running out for Samantha. Casey is willing to risk everything to find her. But what if everything includes losing those she loves most?
And with a fast-paced storyline and twists galore. This was a cracking addition to the series, and it's a story I'd happily recommend to others.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
October 17, 2022
Taken Before Dawn by B.R. Spangler is the seventh book in the Detective Casey White series and this book was brilliant and the best so far. I highly recommend this author and all her books within this series. They have not disappointed that have been a 4/5 star reads.
Big Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for a review,
Big Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for a review,
October 9, 2024
This one took me a minute to read. I just couldn't get into it. I feel like it is because I like following Casey through the case, and with this one we didn't really get it since she got kidnapped by the killer in chapter three. I'm glad she was able to escape and get to Samantha in time, but I wished the action happened sooner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
Wonderful! I love this series and this book is the best by far. Thrilling. Suspenseful. A tour de force. Loved it!
February 18, 2023
Insanity. This book was pure insanity! I love this series and the characters. This one one has by far been the most intense one for me to read. I was on the edge of my seat and flying through to see how things ended up. My favorite of the series thus far!
September 14, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Taken before Dawn, the seventh novel to feature Detective Casey White of the Outer Banks, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office.
Casey and the team are panicked when called out to a murder scene. The victim is not Samantha, their missing friend, but the equally innocent Pauline Rydel, who has been missing for a while. Any relief Casey felt about the victim not being Samantha quickly turns to dread when she sees Pauline’s injuries as they are the same as those inflicted by a serial killer she failed to catch in Philadelphia ten years ago, a killer dubbed the Midnight Killer by the press.
I thoroughly enjoyed Taken before Dawn, which is a high octane read, full of tension, stress, twists and turns. The novel is told from the investigative point of view, mainly Casey in the first person so the reader has no idea about the killer, his aims or motives. This is my favourite approach as the reader knows what Casey knows, can identify with her in her hunt and investigate alongside her if so minded. It also preserves the sense of suspense, giving the twists more impact and the reader a bigger jolt.
I must admit that I admire the author’s audacity and imagination, taking the reader to unexpected places and eliciting more than one OMG from me. It’s fast paced and offers plenty of bang for your buck. Of course, realism isn’t a thing, but who cares when it’s entertaining and compulsive reading.
The characters on the law enforcement side are all one big happy family and it’s pleasant to avoid the usual infighting and pettiness that seems to populate the genre. How long this will last remains to be seen as there are hints of big changes.
Taken before Dawn is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Casey and the team are panicked when called out to a murder scene. The victim is not Samantha, their missing friend, but the equally innocent Pauline Rydel, who has been missing for a while. Any relief Casey felt about the victim not being Samantha quickly turns to dread when she sees Pauline’s injuries as they are the same as those inflicted by a serial killer she failed to catch in Philadelphia ten years ago, a killer dubbed the Midnight Killer by the press.
I thoroughly enjoyed Taken before Dawn, which is a high octane read, full of tension, stress, twists and turns. The novel is told from the investigative point of view, mainly Casey in the first person so the reader has no idea about the killer, his aims or motives. This is my favourite approach as the reader knows what Casey knows, can identify with her in her hunt and investigate alongside her if so minded. It also preserves the sense of suspense, giving the twists more impact and the reader a bigger jolt.
I must admit that I admire the author’s audacity and imagination, taking the reader to unexpected places and eliciting more than one OMG from me. It’s fast paced and offers plenty of bang for your buck. Of course, realism isn’t a thing, but who cares when it’s entertaining and compulsive reading.
The characters on the law enforcement side are all one big happy family and it’s pleasant to avoid the usual infighting and pettiness that seems to populate the genre. How long this will last remains to be seen as there are hints of big changes.
Taken before Dawn is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 27, 2022
People hurt each other every day. Sometimes it’s only with a few words or a look in their eyes, but it hurts nevertheless.
Sometimes you are hurt, not because of what someone says, but because of the way they say it. People often talk without using their brain and the damage is done.
And then there are those who love to hurt someone physically and enjoy every minute of it. They just cannot help it. They crave it, but they can hide it very well. No one ever suspects them.
Finally there are those who kill. In my opinion the nicest murderers (if you can use nice in combination with murderer) are those who do it fast, inflicting the less pain possible.
What if you have to deal with a case that combines both?
When a body is found and detective Casey White is called to investigate, she is shocked. Her thoughts go back a few years, when she was chasing someone who used the exact same Modus Operandi. She is afraid the nightmare is about to start all over again.
The clock is ticking because the whole case is becoming very, very personal. Seven days is all they have, because that’s how long the victims are kept before they are dumped…
I loved this book. This series is very addictive and this story was my favourite one up till now.
I am very proud of myself too, because I was convinced (once again 😉) I had found out of few things. And hooray, I was indeed right. It did not disturb me at all. It was great to keep on reading and once and again a little bit of doubt crept into my mind, but I was determined and kept focused on my suspect. I could give myself a pat on the back. 😊
There was still more to keep me interested until the end, because more revelations were about to surface. 😊
Very good story. 5 stars
Thank you
Sometimes you are hurt, not because of what someone says, but because of the way they say it. People often talk without using their brain and the damage is done.
And then there are those who love to hurt someone physically and enjoy every minute of it. They just cannot help it. They crave it, but they can hide it very well. No one ever suspects them.
Finally there are those who kill. In my opinion the nicest murderers (if you can use nice in combination with murderer) are those who do it fast, inflicting the less pain possible.
What if you have to deal with a case that combines both?
When a body is found and detective Casey White is called to investigate, she is shocked. Her thoughts go back a few years, when she was chasing someone who used the exact same Modus Operandi. She is afraid the nightmare is about to start all over again.
The clock is ticking because the whole case is becoming very, very personal. Seven days is all they have, because that’s how long the victims are kept before they are dumped…
I loved this book. This series is very addictive and this story was my favourite one up till now.
I am very proud of myself too, because I was convinced (once again 😉) I had found out of few things. And hooray, I was indeed right. It did not disturb me at all. It was great to keep on reading and once and again a little bit of doubt crept into my mind, but I was determined and kept focused on my suspect. I could give myself a pat on the back. 😊
There was still more to keep me interested until the end, because more revelations were about to surface. 😊
Very good story. 5 stars
Thank you
May 12, 2023
The plot was good, and I still like the characters, despite sometimes having to stretch my suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. However, Spangler is simply not a good writer when it comes to sentence construction. Reading two of his books back to back created a situation where I could not even begin to ignore it.
He likes to write sentences with modifying phrases separated from the main portion of the sentence by a comma. Most sentences are constructed in this way. Sometimes the phrase is first, and sometimes it's last. Sometimes there are multiples. Having a sentence formed in this way sometimes is fine. Doing it constantly is not. Worse, the phrases are, more often than not, incorrectly formed. The antecedent of the information may be hazy because the phrase is misplaced it misworded. Sometimes the verb tense is wrong. Often the author uses "their" (or a similar possessive pronoun) to lead into a verb phrase, causing the wording/reading and meaning to be awkward, even confusing. It's terribly frustrating for this reader. I'll post a couple of notes for reference (also The Lighthouse Girls for more examples).
A few pro tips:
*Vary your sentence structure. Using different types of sentences increases reader engagement and interest and can be used to control pacing and other factors.
*Use active verbs. This author overuses being verbs and fails to reach for more interesting active verbs.
*Be sure that subject and verb agree. Also check that multiple verbs are all in the same tense, even in a phrase.
Enough. I've got to read some better writers before I try to tackle the rest of this series. Note to self: only one at a time.
He likes to write sentences with modifying phrases separated from the main portion of the sentence by a comma. Most sentences are constructed in this way. Sometimes the phrase is first, and sometimes it's last. Sometimes there are multiples. Having a sentence formed in this way sometimes is fine. Doing it constantly is not. Worse, the phrases are, more often than not, incorrectly formed. The antecedent of the information may be hazy because the phrase is misplaced it misworded. Sometimes the verb tense is wrong. Often the author uses "their" (or a similar possessive pronoun) to lead into a verb phrase, causing the wording/reading and meaning to be awkward, even confusing. It's terribly frustrating for this reader. I'll post a couple of notes for reference (also The Lighthouse Girls for more examples).
A few pro tips:
*Vary your sentence structure. Using different types of sentences increases reader engagement and interest and can be used to control pacing and other factors.
*Use active verbs. This author overuses being verbs and fails to reach for more interesting active verbs.
*Be sure that subject and verb agree. Also check that multiple verbs are all in the same tense, even in a phrase.
Enough. I've got to read some better writers before I try to tackle the rest of this series. Note to self: only one at a time.
August 25, 2022
Wow, well done to the author B R Spangler, this book is a very enjoyable and thrilling read and, in my opinion, the best one in the series so far. Here Detective White investigates an abduction where the victim is known to her and makes the case very personal. When White sees similarities to cold, unsolved cases from her past, she is determined that the culprit will not get escape justice a second time. The book started off so well and grabbed my attention immediately. I found this to be a very well written book, I loved the plot line, I thought the book flowed really well and came together beautifully at the end. I’ve always liked the authors writing style, he has a great way of making his characters jump out of the pages and become alive in my mind and I can picture the scenes when reading. I was absorbed from the first page to the last and the twists in the story made this a fab and thrilling read. It was a very fast paced read, full of suspense that had me eager to find out what was coming next. I love the glimpses into the characters lives outside of work, and reading of their relationships and rapport with each other, Overall, a great read that I loved. This series is fast becoming one of my favourites and I eagerly await the next book, If you like solid police, crime procedural books give this series a try - although I’d suggest you start from the beginning to get to know the characters and their histories.
December 23, 2022
One of their team goes missing and then a body is discovered. Detective Casey White's latest case takes her back to murders from 10 years ago. Could the Midnight Killer really be back?
Taken Before Dawn is the 7th book in the Casey White detective series, set in the US.
Assistant medical examiner Samantha vanishes after a night out and Casey fears the worst when a body is discovered. The injuries on the body instantly remind Casey of a series of murders from a decade earlier so she heads to her old office to dig out the case files and reconnect with former colleagues. She hasn't forgotten the killer and he hasn't forgotten her either...
The pace is fast as the plot quickly develops. Casey's investigation puts her into direct danger and the first person narrative makes the urgency and fear spring to life vividly. There are some forensic details but they are not extreme, and some violence (including torture) which is relevant to the plot and appropriate to the genre.
This book would work as a standalone but there are continuations of personal plot threads from previous books such as Casey's search for her kidnapped child and her relationship with Jericho.
Taken Before Dawn is a gripping detective and serial killer thriller.
Taken Before Dawn is the 7th book in the Casey White detective series, set in the US.
Assistant medical examiner Samantha vanishes after a night out and Casey fears the worst when a body is discovered. The injuries on the body instantly remind Casey of a series of murders from a decade earlier so she heads to her old office to dig out the case files and reconnect with former colleagues. She hasn't forgotten the killer and he hasn't forgotten her either...
The pace is fast as the plot quickly develops. Casey's investigation puts her into direct danger and the first person narrative makes the urgency and fear spring to life vividly. There are some forensic details but they are not extreme, and some violence (including torture) which is relevant to the plot and appropriate to the genre.
This book would work as a standalone but there are continuations of personal plot threads from previous books such as Casey's search for her kidnapped child and her relationship with Jericho.
Taken Before Dawn is a gripping detective and serial killer thriller.
September 19, 2022
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily. This one will give you the creeps as Detective Casey White and her team search for the ever elusive Midnight Killer. Casey has to confront her past as the past and present collide. This was a tense and electric thriller that will snag you from the first pages! This killer is beyond depraved and creepy, but you will not be able to put the book down once you start it even as the goosebumps on your arms bring the chills to your body! As far as the police procedurals, I would rank this book as a solid 10! This is the first book I have read in this series, and I plan to go back to check out the other 6. The characters are solid and easy to get to know through the author's description. You may need to watch cartoons after you read it! The twists will leave you stunned!
September 23, 2022
I read this book my adrenaline was high. Casey has ran across an old acquaintance, the Midnight Killer. It was a series of unsolved murders from her days in Philly and now her past has come to the coast.
If I bit my nails, they would all be gone as I feverishly read. I worked the case with the characters and hoped one little tidbit would surface to flush out who the insidious culprit was.
The narrative contains many twists and even a major plot curveball.
I love the setting of the Outer Banks and Casey is tough as nails. Jericho was romantic and Casey faces a few new changes in her life and career. I can’t wait to read the next book to see how the author irons out those details.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
If I bit my nails, they would all be gone as I feverishly read. I worked the case with the characters and hoped one little tidbit would surface to flush out who the insidious culprit was.
The narrative contains many twists and even a major plot curveball.
I love the setting of the Outer Banks and Casey is tough as nails. Jericho was romantic and Casey faces a few new changes in her life and career. I can’t wait to read the next book to see how the author irons out those details.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.
August 29, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the copy of Taken Before Dawn. This is the seventh book in a series and while I usually don’t have an issue reading a series out of order this one started rough for me. I’m not sure why I couldn't connect to the writing characters, and the story was dark so I skimmed a few passages. I kept reading because I always have hope that a book will turn around and catch my interest and this one did! When they started to zero in on the killer I really enjoyed the writing and the story. It might have just been my mood, so I have not given up on this series yet because the book really ended up being good. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 3, 2022
Book 7 in the fantastic Casey White series.
When Casey and the team are called to the body of a young woman dumped on the side of the road they fear it could be their missing friend and colleague. When they examine the body Casey sees marks that are strikingly similar to a case she worked 10 years previously in Philadelphia. It can't be the same killer though. Can it?
What follows is a fast paced thriller that soon gets very personal with twist and turns galore to keep the pages turning. I was hooked from the start and absolutely flew through it.
I love this series and can't wait to read the next one
When Casey and the team are called to the body of a young woman dumped on the side of the road they fear it could be their missing friend and colleague. When they examine the body Casey sees marks that are strikingly similar to a case she worked 10 years previously in Philadelphia. It can't be the same killer though. Can it?
What follows is a fast paced thriller that soon gets very personal with twist and turns galore to keep the pages turning. I was hooked from the start and absolutely flew through it.
I love this series and can't wait to read the next one
September 21, 2022
Kidnapping, torture, murder and a serial killer
All occur in this chilling thriller.
What makes it worse for Detective Casey White
Is a colleague is taken, so not right!
A body is found on a coastal road
Not her friend but what she sees makes her cold.
A killer who disappeared ten years before
Appears to have started killing once more.
With family drama and decisions to make
This had me enthralled, with so much at stake.
If you enjoy crime thrillers this is a book you need
Like earlier ones in this series it is a brilliant, riveting read!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
All occur in this chilling thriller.
What makes it worse for Detective Casey White
Is a colleague is taken, so not right!
A body is found on a coastal road
Not her friend but what she sees makes her cold.
A killer who disappeared ten years before
Appears to have started killing once more.
With family drama and decisions to make
This had me enthralled, with so much at stake.
If you enjoy crime thrillers this is a book you need
Like earlier ones in this series it is a brilliant, riveting read!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
September 23, 2022
This book will make you think twice about walking alone at night. When a dead body turns up on Route 12, Detective Casey White is concerned that it may be a missing colleague. Turns out it's not Samantha, but the means of torture and death are similar to an open serial killer case she had worked in Philadelphia. Is it possible the Midnight Killer is back.
Perpare yourself for lots of suspense, intense scenes of what happens to the kidnapped victims, twists and turns as the team works to find the killer, and the camaraderie of the law enforcement along with the FBI as they work the case. At the same time, Casey is having to deal with changes in her personal life.
Perpare yourself for lots of suspense, intense scenes of what happens to the kidnapped victims, twists and turns as the team works to find the killer, and the camaraderie of the law enforcement along with the FBI as they work the case. At the same time, Casey is having to deal with changes in her personal life.
August 27, 2022
A dead girl dumped on the side of the road then a friend goes missing; is there a connection? Detective Casey White vows to find out. It turns out they are connected and also connected to a cold case from ten years ago that Casey worked when she was a detective in Philadelphia. What she doesn’t know is why the killer or killers is now in the Outer Banks. Casey soon finds out as she is next to be abducted and tortured.
After escaping, Casey must now find her friend before she is killed, and find the killer or killers before there are more killings, and find out why.
After escaping, Casey must now find her friend before she is killed, and find the killer or killers before there are more killings, and find out why.
August 29, 2022
I love this series. and as normal this book is very gripping. Casey is at home with jerico when her daughter Tracy phones her to tell her that Samantha is missing and a woman s body has been found on the highway fitting Samantha description but its not her but Casey gets a shock as the marks on her are from one of her cold cases the midnight killer. he is back and he has Samantha and she has only days to find her she asks her old partner Steve for help with the case wont say no more but so good very twisty and addictive
September 28, 2022
Samantha is missing or on a walk about – but when a body is found that fits her description Detective Casey White and team are getting worried. The body is not Samantha but the victim resembles her, and not only that it points to a serial killer where the trail got cold 10 years ago. The media called him the “Midnight Killer”, is he back? Casey has to dig into her memory and old case files.
You can read this as a standalone, but sooooo much better if you know some background on the characters.
You can read this as a standalone, but sooooo much better if you know some background on the characters.
October 25, 2022
This is the seventh book in the Detective Casey White series which I have been following since book four and as with the other books in the series this one doesn't disappoint.
A suspenseful thrilling chilling read that gets right to the nitty gritty of the case. This case sees Casey experiencing a sense of de ja vu and this time it's personal.
Casey is a fantastic character it's been great to follow her own development and that of both her personal and professional relationships.
A gripping read to add to an already fantastic series.
A suspenseful thrilling chilling read that gets right to the nitty gritty of the case. This case sees Casey experiencing a sense of de ja vu and this time it's personal.
Casey is a fantastic character it's been great to follow her own development and that of both her personal and professional relationships.
A gripping read to add to an already fantastic series.
March 5, 2023
Dull
A murder from years before re-elected threatening Casey and one of her friends.can she finally end the nightmare. Disappointed in this dull and plodding story. Seems like everyone does their own thing without supervision, back up or common sense. Someone from the ME's office disappears? No investigation, gee maybe she"ok come back. Identified the killer at first appearance. Pass
A murder from years before re-elected threatening Casey and one of her friends.can she finally end the nightmare. Disappointed in this dull and plodding story. Seems like everyone does their own thing without supervision, back up or common sense. Someone from the ME's office disappears? No investigation, gee maybe she"ok come back. Identified the killer at first appearance. Pass
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