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angelic712's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t know how she was going to get out of all her trouble and that makes it a successful mystery.
gellysam's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't my cup of tea on this one. I feel like it went on forever and you knew who the killer was but no one was listening and everyone on the force was fighting her the entire way. I just think it wasn't eventful enough until the last few chapters.
lulureads365's review against another edition
2.0
This was a decent story, but it seemed repetitive and was quite graphic. I did not care for Detective Cassie Rowan at all. She came off as impulsive and immature and just plain unlikable. Being that she is the main protagonist, one of the few women in this field, and that these vicious attacks are specifically targeting women, I expected more from her….more maturity, level headedness, intelligence. Her character really took this story down a couple of notches. I’m not sure if I’m going to check out the next installment in this series or not. I love mystery/thrillers with female detective leads, so maybe I will. Hopefully Cassie will have done some growing.
scnole2021's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daisiebooth79's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keerthana_n's review against another edition
4.0
The book is very engrossing and well researched, It is the first book in the Rowan and Palmer series.
The characters are well developed with complex emotions which I hope we can read more about in coming books.
The book is very intense and enjoyable.There are many twists and liked how conversations unfolded between the characters. The ending tied everything together with no loose endings.
Thank You NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review #BeforeHeKillsAgain.
The characters are well developed with complex emotions which I hope we can read more about in coming books.
The book is very intense and enjoyable.There are many twists and liked how conversations unfolded between the characters. The ending tied everything together with no loose endings.
Thank You NetGalley, the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review #BeforeHeKillsAgain.
addy1991's review against another edition
4.0
Received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for feedback.
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I was captivated from the beginning. Not an easy book to read because of the violence/brutality in the attacks on sex workers. DC Cassie Rowan isn't perfect. She lacks tact, has a hard time respecting authority and doesn't always follow rules & regulations. Her doggedness and determination makes her good at what she does but also makes it difficult for her to work with others and them with her.
The scenes were well written and characters ran the gamut from likeable to detested. It stuns me the lengths someone will go to to justify their actions or cover up their wrongdoings. Thank goodness there is an officer like Rowan to shine a light and not sweep the filth under the rug. Am hoping there will be more books with Rowan and Palmer as well as Chan because I would definitely read more!
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I was captivated from the beginning. Not an easy book to read because of the violence/brutality in the attacks on sex workers. DC Cassie Rowan isn't perfect. She lacks tact, has a hard time respecting authority and doesn't always follow rules & regulations. Her doggedness and determination makes her good at what she does but also makes it difficult for her to work with others and them with her.
The scenes were well written and characters ran the gamut from likeable to detested. It stuns me the lengths someone will go to to justify their actions or cover up their wrongdoings. Thank goodness there is an officer like Rowan to shine a light and not sweep the filth under the rug. Am hoping there will be more books with Rowan and Palmer as well as Chan because I would definitely read more!
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book opens with Cassie literally hot on the heels of serial predator, the Furman. Cassie has been working undercover posing as a sex worker on the cold streets, & now it seems that the Furman is in her sights. Alas, the misogynistic prattery of her fellow officers, especially Wicks, allows the Furman to make his escape leaving Cassie with minor injuries & major grievances. Her co-workers are either plain old misogynists (Wicks) or ineffectual enablers (Finch), even the female DCI Warman seems to have it in for Cassie.
Home isn't any easier since she has been looking after her younger teenage brother, Neil, since their parents died & older brother, Alex, swanned off to New York leaving Cassie holding all the responsibility. Cassie & Neil's relationship has become more difficult as he gets older & she returns from a particular gruelling shift to find that he has thrown a party & the house is full of teenagers, including the local drug dealer. Meanwhile psychotherapist Alan Palmer is dealing with a couple of particularly taxing clients whilst his marriage collapses & he tries to keep his daughter's life as normal as possible. Little by little, Palmer finds himself drawn into the Furman case.
There are several quite graphic scenes of sexual violence in this book & alongside the relentlessly nasty Wicks, I found it quite gruelling to read. I think it would have helped if Cassie Rowan was a character that you could empathise with, but she is so impulsive & pig-headed & just fails to learn that sometimes diplomacy will work where brute force won't. It may work in a fictional setting, but I'd bet she wouldn't last a year in the actual job. It all became rather mentally tiring to read. I'd already requested to read an ARC of the second book but probably wouldn't have done if I had read this first. Still, I try to give an author at least two books just in case the series rapidly improves.
TW: graphic scenes of violence/sexual violence, misogyny.
Home isn't any easier since she has been looking after her younger teenage brother, Neil, since their parents died & older brother, Alex, swanned off to New York leaving Cassie holding all the responsibility. Cassie & Neil's relationship has become more difficult as he gets older & she returns from a particular gruelling shift to find that he has thrown a party & the house is full of teenagers, including the local drug dealer. Meanwhile psychotherapist Alan Palmer is dealing with a couple of particularly taxing clients whilst his marriage collapses & he tries to keep his daughter's life as normal as possible. Little by little, Palmer finds himself drawn into the Furman case.
There are several quite graphic scenes of sexual violence in this book & alongside the relentlessly nasty Wicks, I found it quite gruelling to read. I think it would have helped if Cassie Rowan was a character that you could empathise with, but she is so impulsive & pig-headed & just fails to learn that sometimes diplomacy will work where brute force won't. It may work in a fictional setting, but I'd bet she wouldn't last a year in the actual job. It all became rather mentally tiring to read. I'd already requested to read an ARC of the second book but probably wouldn't have done if I had read this first. Still, I try to give an author at least two books just in case the series rapidly improves.
TW: graphic scenes of violence/sexual violence, misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual violence
syren1532's review
4.0
DC Cassie Rowan is working undercover in Liverpool trying to catch a rapist attacking sex workers. She had her hands on him but he got away. Psychoanalyst Alan Palmer is struggling to get back to a full working life after a tragedy with a previous patient. His marriage is also collapsing. He has a new client, Dylan, but is rather disconcerted to find out that he is following him. Cassie is a good police officer but sometimes forgets that there are rules and regulations to follow. One of Palmer’s clients is identified as a person of interest by the police. He’s Cassie’s prime suspect and she is to happy when his alibis check out. Even when the serial rapist is caught she is still convinced that Palmer’s client has something to hide. She and Palmer join forces when Palmer’s mentor is murdered.
A really good read and I hope that there’ll be more books featuring Cassie Rowan.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Margaret Murphy for the ARC in return for an honest review.
A really good read and I hope that there’ll be more books featuring Cassie Rowan.
Thanks to Joffe Books and Margaret Murphy for the ARC in return for an honest review.