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shannonjumpreads's review
5.0
Finley is a kick butt woman who is always on a mission! She’s fierce, strong and doesn’t take crap from anybody. Taking the law into her own hands, she fights the demons inside her by bringing justice to the victims who no longer have a voice. The premise of this book—of this series—is so incredibly creative and thought provoking.
I’m completely drawn to Finley’s mind...to her drive and determination to improve the world we live in. Excellent debut from a talented writer!
I’m completely drawn to Finley’s mind...to her drive and determination to improve the world we live in. Excellent debut from a talented writer!
thriller_chick's review
5.0
I LOVE Finley! I can’t wait to get my hands on book two.
Full review on Instagram @thriller_chick
Full review on Instagram @thriller_chick
drskspawn's review
3.0
“Orca” is the first book in Mariëtte Whitcomb’s Finley series, which follows former soldier Finley Duncan Williams and her uncanny ability to get into the headspace of violent killers, rapists, and sadists in order to figure out how they think, they’re patterns, and where they might strike next. Crucially, Finley is also the survivor of torture who returned home to her sister, Elizabeth (affectionately known as Lizzie), only to find her parents had died and her home life had changed forever thanks to a slew of perverse criminals targeting random innocents but, especially, women. The author certainly isn’t pulling any punches here; she describes, in graphic and repeated detail, Finley’s anger and disgust at these individuals, who she refers to impassively as “id”. Before long, the cops are openly discussing cases with her and allowing her access to the case files so she can continue her unique line of inquiry and no repercussions are ever brought against her because she conveniently always ends up either being framed as a victim or acting in self-defence. And boy, you better believe that Finley knows how to defend herself! Not only does she rediscover her passion for Krav Maga (igniting a different kind of passion along the way), but she also always has a gun on her and isn’t shy about whipping it out at the slightest provocation.
Thanks to a generous inheritance, Finley has all the money she needs to buy properties, turn them into safehouses for victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, and to kit out her home into a veritable torture chamber for her victims. With an understated ease, Finley trawls the “dark web” and lures a number of perverted sadists to their doom. Finley is horrifyingly adept at conjuring horrendous tortures for her victims, leaving them for days to suffer for days until they confess their sins and choose a quick, but no less painful, death. Finley spends many a paragraph justifying that she’s not technically a killer and fearing her dark side, but sees herself as an alpha predator, an “Orca” swimming among sharks, and delights in teasing them, seducing them, and dragging out their suffering.
Finley’s surrounded by some interesting characters, such as her bubblier and naiver sister, her uncle (a cop who comes to rely on Finley’s incredible intuitive abilities), and her fair share of lovers. Those Finley falls for are always ex-army, fit and field trained to be her equal, and almost too good to be true, which took me out of the story a bit. Finley is clearly a survivor; she’s written to be the most capable female protagonist ever but it’s obvious that her experiences have changed her. She’s ridiculously successful at working out her damage on numerous sickos and it was clear to me that I am not the intended audience for “Orca”. There’s an agenda here that some may find uncomfortable, but there’s also a stark truth about the times we live in and the trauma some people face, Consequently, survivors of abuse, will find a stronger connection to Finley and her vendetta; Finley offers a fantastical catharsis through having the uncanny means to track down, brutalise, and dispatch the men who would harm others. While it didn’t really click with me and I had some issues with the narrative, I hope that those who read “Orca” focus on the message that they’re not alone, there is help and support and life after abuse, and they’re fully capable of finding ways to come back stronger from even the darkest times.
Thanks to a generous inheritance, Finley has all the money she needs to buy properties, turn them into safehouses for victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, and to kit out her home into a veritable torture chamber for her victims. With an understated ease, Finley trawls the “dark web” and lures a number of perverted sadists to their doom. Finley is horrifyingly adept at conjuring horrendous tortures for her victims, leaving them for days to suffer for days until they confess their sins and choose a quick, but no less painful, death. Finley spends many a paragraph justifying that she’s not technically a killer and fearing her dark side, but sees herself as an alpha predator, an “Orca” swimming among sharks, and delights in teasing them, seducing them, and dragging out their suffering.
Finley’s surrounded by some interesting characters, such as her bubblier and naiver sister, her uncle (a cop who comes to rely on Finley’s incredible intuitive abilities), and her fair share of lovers. Those Finley falls for are always ex-army, fit and field trained to be her equal, and almost too good to be true, which took me out of the story a bit. Finley is clearly a survivor; she’s written to be the most capable female protagonist ever but it’s obvious that her experiences have changed her. She’s ridiculously successful at working out her damage on numerous sickos and it was clear to me that I am not the intended audience for “Orca”. There’s an agenda here that some may find uncomfortable, but there’s also a stark truth about the times we live in and the trauma some people face, Consequently, survivors of abuse, will find a stronger connection to Finley and her vendetta; Finley offers a fantastical catharsis through having the uncanny means to track down, brutalise, and dispatch the men who would harm others. While it didn’t really click with me and I had some issues with the narrative, I hope that those who read “Orca” focus on the message that they’re not alone, there is help and support and life after abuse, and they’re fully capable of finding ways to come back stronger from even the darkest times.
biggsy_books's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
harrieteverend's review
4.0
I had this book come highly recommended to me by a few other indie authors. I was not disappointed to say in the least. I will be honest - it was a little hard for me to get going into the story initially, but once things started to click in place, it became an incredibly fascinating read. Finley is brave, bold and little bit crazy, but she is definitely someone you do not want to mess with in a fight. She is a soldier through and through and will protect the ones she loves and the most vulnerable without a second thought for her own well being. The story itself was intense, gripping and left me craving for more. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this is one to definitely check out!
howdidthatbookend's review
4.0
Read my full review here: https://www.howdidthatbookend.com/orca-mariette-whitcomb/
This book was extremely dark and emotional, but also incredibly interesting and suspenseful. I loved the premise of a former soldier turned vigilante killer.
I love this author’s writing style. Each scene was beautifully written, so much so that I could feel myself there along with Finley. I really enjoyed the relationships the characters had with each other, especially Finley and Lizzie. While this book was very dark and in no way cheerful, it was clear how much Finley cared for her sister and that Lizzie was the only thing keeping the darkness from overtaking Finley.
I don’t know if I fully understood Finley’s motivation to become a vigilante. I know she had PTSD from her time as a soldier and was sickened by the Angel Taker’s actions, but some of her decisions seemed to take the hard route rather than the clear, easier path.
The ending was an awesome cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to get my hands on Book 2 to see what happens next. If you are a fan of dark, suspenseful serial killer novels, this book is definitely for you!
I loved the shark and orca analogies throughout the book. There are evil people in the world (the sharks), but there is always something bigger than the sharks: orcas.
I am definitely looking forward to reading the next two books in the series, both of which have already been published. A quick note: the blurb to the second book gives away the twist of the first book, so don’t read ahead!
This book was extremely dark and emotional, but also incredibly interesting and suspenseful. I loved the premise of a former soldier turned vigilante killer.
I love this author’s writing style. Each scene was beautifully written, so much so that I could feel myself there along with Finley. I really enjoyed the relationships the characters had with each other, especially Finley and Lizzie. While this book was very dark and in no way cheerful, it was clear how much Finley cared for her sister and that Lizzie was the only thing keeping the darkness from overtaking Finley.
I don’t know if I fully understood Finley’s motivation to become a vigilante. I know she had PTSD from her time as a soldier and was sickened by the Angel Taker’s actions, but some of her decisions seemed to take the hard route rather than the clear, easier path.
The ending was an awesome cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to get my hands on Book 2 to see what happens next. If you are a fan of dark, suspenseful serial killer novels, this book is definitely for you!
I loved the shark and orca analogies throughout the book. There are evil people in the world (the sharks), but there is always something bigger than the sharks: orcas.
I am definitely looking forward to reading the next two books in the series, both of which have already been published. A quick note: the blurb to the second book gives away the twist of the first book, so don’t read ahead!
thereisalwaystimeforbooks's review
5.0
Wowzers! I haven’t read a thriller in a while but this was perfect to throw me back in to the genre! This book is fast paced, and incredibly addictive! There are twists all the way though right up to the end, which at me messaging Mariette to express my shock!
I loved Finley’s character, it was a good change to have a female war veteran in the book. In most books it is predominantly male, so this was really refreshing! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you are looking for your next thriller, make it this one!
I can’t wait to dive in to book 2!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend ✅
I loved Finley’s character, it was a good change to have a female war veteran in the book. In most books it is predominantly male, so this was really refreshing! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you are looking for your next thriller, make it this one!
I can’t wait to dive in to book 2!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend ✅
saraennis's review
5.0
I love vigilante stories, and if you make the vigilante female, that’s even better! Let her use her badassery in slightly gory, sometimes brutal ways, and I’m a raving fan. Mariette Whitcomb has brought this all together in the Finley series and I’m 100% here for it.
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