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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck is the only survivor of the deadly Serial Killer they call 'The Reaper'. To deal with all the completely messed up stuff from her dealings with this super bad dude Kendall throws herself into getting justice for victims of serious crime.
Kendall is neck deep in a particularly tragic case when her best friend Gwen is found dead - this derails Kendall and she sets out to find the answers to her friends demise. Teaming up with detective Adam Taylor there is some very worrying evidence against Gwen's finance Ty and to top it all off 'The Reaper' is back and ready to wreak more havoc.
First of all, the synopsis of this book make it sound like you are in for a serial killer thriller, YES there is a serial killer in this book... JUST. The book focusses so heavily on so many things other than the killer, the crimes and even Kendall's traumatic past that you feel a little lost with what you are supposed to be reading. Well I did anyway... the story flowed ok... really it was only ok.
It kind of jumps around and its like the author really wanted all this action and had lots of great ideas for thrilling the reader. When really all that ended up happening was a lot of talk and some boom right at the end that was more like a bang and it was unsatisfying. I literally rolled my eyes when I realised what was happening with the so called 'Reaper'.
If the missing serial killer plot wasn't enough there is Kendall's child abuse case that kind of seems random and she works on it whenever she feels like it oh and we had to have a Russian mob story thrown in as well - honestly it was just all too much and none of it came together nicely.
I read it, I wish I can say it was better but it was a chore unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Kendall is neck deep in a particularly tragic case when her best friend Gwen is found dead - this derails Kendall and she sets out to find the answers to her friends demise. Teaming up with detective Adam Taylor there is some very worrying evidence against Gwen's finance Ty and to top it all off 'The Reaper' is back and ready to wreak more havoc.
First of all, the synopsis of this book make it sound like you are in for a serial killer thriller, YES there is a serial killer in this book... JUST. The book focusses so heavily on so many things other than the killer, the crimes and even Kendall's traumatic past that you feel a little lost with what you are supposed to be reading. Well I did anyway... the story flowed ok... really it was only ok.
It kind of jumps around and its like the author really wanted all this action and had lots of great ideas for thrilling the reader. When really all that ended up happening was a lot of talk and some boom right at the end that was more like a bang and it was unsatisfying. I literally rolled my eyes when I realised what was happening with the so called 'Reaper'.
If the missing serial killer plot wasn't enough there is Kendall's child abuse case that kind of seems random and she works on it whenever she feels like it oh and we had to have a Russian mob story thrown in as well - honestly it was just all too much and none of it came together nicely.
I read it, I wish I can say it was better but it was a chore unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author for an advanced copy for my honest review.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Wrong Woman by Leanne Kale Sparks is an intense, suspenseful, and engaging debut novel featuring FBI Special Agent Kendall Beck and Denver police detective Adam Taylor. This police procedural, romantic suspense, and crime thriller is mainly set in late February and March with a waning winter in Colorado. The book starts with a chilling prologue from a killer’s point of view and then proceeds to engage the reader with multiple cases. Kendall is investigating the disappearance of five-year-old Emily Williams and Adam is investigating a case where a young woman was found dead at the edge of a golf course. When Kendall’s roommate, Gwen Tavich, goes missing, Kendall and Adam meet.
Kendall is a strong female protagonist and has plenty of character depth for a first novel. Her friends are the biggest part of her life besides her job. She’s compassionate and relentless in her pursuit of justice, but she also has flaws such as a temper that can get her in trouble. Readers gradually learn about her past and how that influences her actions and thoughts today. Adam seems more laid back than Kendall, but just as devoted to his work. While readers also get insight into his relationship with a past girlfriend, his character isn’t as fully fleshed out as Kendall’s is.
The opening is strong, chilling, and memorable. The plot and sense of urgency move the story forward. Both story lines have twists that keep readers guessing. The writing was well-done and transported this reader into the dark and gritty world of victims and investigators. While the ending was a little over-the-top, it wrapped things up nicely, but left an opening for a thread to be followed in future books. The emotional toll on victims, families, and investigators was shown throughout the novel.
This novel shows how hard it can be to get an investigation going when an adult goes missing. Themes include abduction, murder, assault, child abuse, torture, friendship, family, grief, severe trauma, and much more. Readers should be aware that there are descriptions of torture as well as descriptions of crimes against a child.
Overall, this was an intense and gripping thriller with complex and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It’s an impressive start for a debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully about Kendall and Adam. Readers of police procedurals and crime thrillers may want to check this one out.
Crooked Lane Books and Leanne Kale Sparks provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------
My 4 star review of this police procedural and crime thriller will be posted 3-4 days after it is published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Kendall is a strong female protagonist and has plenty of character depth for a first novel. Her friends are the biggest part of her life besides her job. She’s compassionate and relentless in her pursuit of justice, but she also has flaws such as a temper that can get her in trouble. Readers gradually learn about her past and how that influences her actions and thoughts today. Adam seems more laid back than Kendall, but just as devoted to his work. While readers also get insight into his relationship with a past girlfriend, his character isn’t as fully fleshed out as Kendall’s is.
The opening is strong, chilling, and memorable. The plot and sense of urgency move the story forward. Both story lines have twists that keep readers guessing. The writing was well-done and transported this reader into the dark and gritty world of victims and investigators. While the ending was a little over-the-top, it wrapped things up nicely, but left an opening for a thread to be followed in future books. The emotional toll on victims, families, and investigators was shown throughout the novel.
This novel shows how hard it can be to get an investigation going when an adult goes missing. Themes include abduction, murder, assault, child abuse, torture, friendship, family, grief, severe trauma, and much more. Readers should be aware that there are descriptions of torture as well as descriptions of crimes against a child.
Overall, this was an intense and gripping thriller with complex and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It’s an impressive start for a debut novel. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and hopefully about Kendall and Adam. Readers of police procedurals and crime thrillers may want to check this one out.
Crooked Lane Books and Leanne Kale Sparks provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------
My 4 star review of this police procedural and crime thriller will be posted 3-4 days after it is published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hard to put down, I kept wanting to know what would happen next! It felt very Criminal Minds to me. Something's holding me back from rating it higher, I guess it's just missing a little something for me? The twist was very good but was still a little unsatisfying since we already knew he was a piece of garbage?? I don't really believe he was the Reaper either...didn't sit right with me....bet he actually isn't... I'm excited to read the next book in this series. I bet a lot of my apprehensions will be satisfied.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Torture, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, Stalking
3.75⭐
Book 1 in the Kendall Beck series
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, police procedural, child molestation, some brutal graphic scenes
For the most part I liked this one and it kept me pretty engaged. We have to follow along with a couple different story lines of missing people and dead people that weave around and into each other.
FBI agent, Kendall Beck is working a case of a missing 5 year old girl, Emily (luckily she's found) when her best friend and roommate, Gwen, goes missing and ultimately turns up dead.
While Detective Adam Taylor is already working on the murder of a woman named Jenna, he is given Gwen's case to solve. Could the deaths be linked to something that happened in Kendall's past?
I liked that each chapter gave the date and time, but that would probably be easier to keep track of when you read it, not listen to it.
Although I found some things predictable, I did not see one little zinger coming and that was exciting.
Narration ~
Erin DeWard ~ 10 hours 39 minutes ~I could really only enjoy this narrators regular voice she used for Kendall. I really wish there was a male narrator for Adam's pov parts.
*Thank you Netgalley, [a:Dreamscape Media LLC|19425262|Dreamscape Media LLC|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and Leanne Kale Sparks for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Book 1 in the Kendall Beck series
Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, police procedural, child molestation, some brutal graphic scenes
For the most part I liked this one and it kept me pretty engaged. We have to follow along with a couple different story lines of missing people and dead people that weave around and into each other.
FBI agent, Kendall Beck is working a case of a missing 5 year old girl, Emily (luckily she's found) when her best friend and roommate, Gwen, goes missing and ultimately turns up dead.
While Detective Adam Taylor is already working on the murder of a woman named Jenna, he is given Gwen's case to solve. Could the deaths be linked to something that happened in Kendall's past?
I liked that each chapter gave the date and time, but that would probably be easier to keep track of when you read it, not listen to it.
Although I found some things predictable, I did not see one little zinger coming and that was exciting.
Narration ~
Erin DeWard ~ 10 hours 39 minutes ~I could really only enjoy this narrators regular voice she used for Kendall. I really wish there was a male narrator for Adam's pov parts.
*Thank you Netgalley, [a:Dreamscape Media LLC|19425262|Dreamscape Media LLC|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and Leanne Kale Sparks for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
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.
I love a good police procedural, and have a special place in my heart for female-lead FBI procedurals. The Wrong Woman fits solidly between those two, and has a thriller feel to the writing.
The MC’s are so likeable in this book. I love their individual paths, and the one they ended up on together (and I’m psyched to see they get another book!) I suspected the actual villain at roughly the 60% mark—but there were enough other potential suspects that I didn’t feel certain about who it was until much closer to the end.
The writing flows. The loose ends are tied up. There’s a kitten. And there’s a quote about Ryan Reynolds that was brilliant.
Thanks to the author and PR By the Book for a review copy of this book!
The MC’s are so likeable in this book. I love their individual paths, and the one they ended up on together (and I’m psyched to see they get another book!) I suspected the actual villain at roughly the 60% mark—but there were enough other potential suspects that I didn’t feel certain about who it was until much closer to the end.
The writing flows. The loose ends are tied up. There’s a kitten. And there’s a quote about Ryan Reynolds that was brilliant.
Thanks to the author and PR By the Book for a review copy of this book!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced