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plumpymuffin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of what I wrote in the review of the first book from the Forgotten Files I could repeat here.
Look into that short review.
This gets solid 4stars for few more (straight, non-kinky) sex-scenes, and this time I did not guess the killer at any point until the big reveal. Could have done with a little less romance, at times the thoughts of the couple where repeating too much.
Still, recommended fast read for a great sick twisted killer.
This was also the book, that drew me to this series.
Look into that short review.
This gets solid 4stars for few more (straight, non-kinky) sex-scenes, and this time I did not guess the killer at any point until the big reveal. Could have done with a little less romance, at times the thoughts of the couple where repeating too much.
Still, recommended fast read for a great sick twisted killer.
This was also the book, that drew me to this series.
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
The Dollmaker by Mary Burton combines a police procedural, crime thriller, and romantic suspense into a fascinating, shocking, and chilling tale. Dr. Tessa McGowan is a forensic pathologist. She’s married, but separated from Virginia State Police Agent Dakota Sharp. Someone is kidnapping women and altering their faces to resemble dolls. Twelve years ago, a tragedy occurred in Sharp’s world that has caused him to devote himself to capturing killers. His one regret is that it cost him Tessa.
Tessa is reasonable, calm, straightforward, and can easily shrug off anxiety. She has changed in the last eight months and wants to make their marriage work. Sharp has a desire to protect and seek justice. He’s a workaholic who doesn’t project emotions making him seem distant to others. His ability to compartmentalize and detach enables him to do his job well. I felt like Sharp was better defined and had more depth than Tessa in this one, but both were well done. It was also great to catch up with characters from book one including Riley Tatum and Clay Bowman. The character that stands out though, is the unknown antagonist that is being sought in the story.
Mary Burton knows how to write a police procedural with plenty of suspense and thrills that allow readers to experience shocking action scenes from the comfort and safety of their homes. From a heartbreaking prologue to a shocking and chilling second chapter, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is a story of multiple murder cases, one of which is a cold case. The author does a great job of bringing together the past and the present with case files, interviews, and photos.
The author is a great storyteller with gripping scenes and a disturbing story intermixed with a couple trying to decide if they can reconcile and be happy together. The plot moves at a fast pace with twists and turns. The antagonist’s identity was a complete surprise to me. The chemistry between Tessa and Sharp was there, but took a backseat to the crime thriller and police procedural parts of the book. There was a steamy scene or two.
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic thriller gripped me from the beginning. It was difficult to put down. The author brings strong characters, a great plot, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel. Written for those who love crime thrillers and detective stories with a little romance, The Dollmaker is thought-provoking and has an antagonist that is dark and sinister. I’m a fan of the series and looking forward to reading the next book.
Kensington Books, Zebra and Mary Burton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 26, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.44 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Tessa is reasonable, calm, straightforward, and can easily shrug off anxiety. She has changed in the last eight months and wants to make their marriage work. Sharp has a desire to protect and seek justice. He’s a workaholic who doesn’t project emotions making him seem distant to others. His ability to compartmentalize and detach enables him to do his job well. I felt like Sharp was better defined and had more depth than Tessa in this one, but both were well done. It was also great to catch up with characters from book one including Riley Tatum and Clay Bowman. The character that stands out though, is the unknown antagonist that is being sought in the story.
Mary Burton knows how to write a police procedural with plenty of suspense and thrills that allow readers to experience shocking action scenes from the comfort and safety of their homes. From a heartbreaking prologue to a shocking and chilling second chapter, I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. This is a story of multiple murder cases, one of which is a cold case. The author does a great job of bringing together the past and the present with case files, interviews, and photos.
The author is a great storyteller with gripping scenes and a disturbing story intermixed with a couple trying to decide if they can reconcile and be happy together. The plot moves at a fast pace with twists and turns. The antagonist’s identity was a complete surprise to me. The chemistry between Tessa and Sharp was there, but took a backseat to the crime thriller and police procedural parts of the book. There was a steamy scene or two.
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic thriller gripped me from the beginning. It was difficult to put down. The author brings strong characters, a great plot, wonderful relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel. Written for those who love crime thrillers and detective stories with a little romance, The Dollmaker is thought-provoking and has an antagonist that is dark and sinister. I’m a fan of the series and looking forward to reading the next book.
Kensington Books, Zebra and Mary Burton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 26, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.44 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
jadexreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lola99999's review against another edition
4.0
This was definitely a thriller, and kind of creepy too. A really good whodunit with very likeable character that you cheer for. A very solid author.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
beastreader's review
5.0
It has been a while since I have read anything from this author. This was a choice. The last couple of books I read from this author had lost its luster for me. Yet, this book sounded like the perfect time to read something from Mary Burton.
Although, this is the second book in the Forgotten Files, it can be read as a stand alone novel. Instantly, I connected with the story and the characters. Again, I was not familiar with Tessa and Dakota's relationship but I found them to be very professional. Tessa is a strong woman. I liked that she said it how it was with Dakota but did not fall all over herself in sorrow either. I felt for Dakota. The tragic event from his past really has shaped him into the man he is today.
The killer had a good presence in this story. The fact that the identity of the killer was kept secret until the end was nice. However, what I enjoyed the most was that the author was not trying to feed me with false information to lead me down a wrong path until the big reveal. Due to this fact, I probably should have seen the killer's identity coming but I did not. I am once again a fan of Mary Burton's. I plan to check out the prior book in this series and can't wait to read the third book as well.
Although, this is the second book in the Forgotten Files, it can be read as a stand alone novel. Instantly, I connected with the story and the characters. Again, I was not familiar with Tessa and Dakota's relationship but I found them to be very professional. Tessa is a strong woman. I liked that she said it how it was with Dakota but did not fall all over herself in sorrow either. I felt for Dakota. The tragic event from his past really has shaped him into the man he is today.
The killer had a good presence in this story. The fact that the identity of the killer was kept secret until the end was nice. However, what I enjoyed the most was that the author was not trying to feed me with false information to lead me down a wrong path until the big reveal. Due to this fact, I probably should have seen the killer's identity coming but I did not. I am once again a fan of Mary Burton's. I plan to check out the prior book in this series and can't wait to read the third book as well.
thereadrose's review
4.0
Plot: Four stars out of five.
Romance: Two stars out of five.
I'm just going to get this part out of the way because this is my third review in a row where I've had this complaint. I didn't find the character of Dakota Sharp interesting. I liked Tessa as a character, but her relationship with Sharp was dull. I felt like I was being TOLD that they have great chemistry, without being shown it very often.
The things I did like? EVERYTING ELSE. Woo! I knew Mary Burton had the potential of being a good author for me! Fun fact about me, I hate porcelain dolls. This book was a hit for me. I really enjoyed the different POV's and even though I guessed the killer, I'm glad that I did.
Btw, if anyone is wondering, these books can definitely be read as a standalone, but the beginning of this book does tell about Riley's past and her current relationship status from the previous book. Other than that, it could be standalone books.
Romance: Two stars out of five.
I'm just going to get this part out of the way because this is my third review in a row where I've had this complaint. I didn't find the character of Dakota Sharp interesting. I liked Tessa as a character, but her relationship with Sharp was dull. I felt like I was being TOLD that they have great chemistry, without being shown it very often.
Spoiler
In fact, I found Dakota Sharp and Clay Bowman (the love interest from the previous story) extremely similar in their dullness and lack of personality.The things I did like? EVERYTING ELSE. Woo! I knew Mary Burton had the potential of being a good author for me! Fun fact about me, I hate porcelain dolls. This book was a hit for me. I really enjoyed the different POV's and even though I guessed the killer, I'm glad that I did.
Spoiler
In a perfect world (in terms of this plotline) I figured out who I wanted the killer to be and that hope came true.Btw, if anyone is wondering, these books can definitely be read as a standalone, but the beginning of this book does tell about Riley's past and her current relationship status from the previous book. Other than that, it could be standalone books.
em_harring's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. The Dollmaker himself was sort of interesting enough, but the romantic subplot was...unnecessary.
erinnejc's review
4.0
This was a good story which kept me turning the pages throughout the night. Great mystery, writing and plotting will recommend to all my friends who love this genre.