Author: Lisa Regan
Published: June 6th 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Shelf: Review Copy
Book Blurb:
FBI analyst Kassidy Bishop is assigned to the “For You” killer’s task force after a series of sadistic murders bearing the same signature arise in different parts of the country.
The homicides are both calculated and savage, occurring in different states, but bearing the same signature: the words “for you” scribbled at each crime scene. The case chills Kassidy, bringing back memories of her own encounter with a violent criminal five years earlier.
Kassidy’s mentor, legendary agent Talia “The Confessor” Crossen knows the task force assignment is Kassidy’s chance to prove to her colleagues that she belongs in the Behavior Analysis Unit. For five years, other FBI agents and profilers scoffed at Kassidy’s appointment to the BAU, believing she was only offered the position in exchange for her silence about the brutal assault that almost killed her.
The stakes rise when the task force links the killer’s signature to Kassidy. As more and more bodies turn up, Kassidy must delve into her past and the mysterious death of her twin sister, which holds the key to uncovering the killer’s identity.
The closer Kassidy comes to finding the killer, the closer she comes to a deadly confrontation that could cost her everything—including her own life.
Excerpt:
When the man’s cries and pleas for help died off, Wyatt opened the door. He pulled a chair to the doorway and pointed the gun at Sorenson, flattening his affect against the stench. Sorenson was perched atop the dryer like a slovenly Buddha. His eyes were wild, and the hairs which had escaped his combover floated around his head, giving him a demented appearance.
Wyatt smiled.
“What do you want?” Sorenson asked. The man’s voice was hoarse from having cried out continuously for almost thirty hours.
“You don’t get to ask questions,” Wyatt said.
“You can’t do this. I—”
“I can do anything I please,” Wyatt interrupted.
Sorenson puffed up like a fat bird readying itself for an intense preening session. He opened his trap to speak, but Wyatt stopped him with a shake of his head. Wyatt smiled inside, realizing the power he wielded with a look or a small gesture.
“Not that you particularly deserve it,” Wyatt said. “But I’m going to give you a chance to save your life.”
Wyatt pulled a photo from the inside pocket of his jacket and tossed it to Sorenson. It landed in the trash on the floor, and Sorenson heaved his bulk off the dryer to retrieve it. The machine made a loud dwuong sound, its surface relieved of Sorenson’s weight. The man must have been sitting atop the dryer for several hours because when his feet found the floor, his flabby knees buckled. Sorenson did not bother appearing victimized. Instead he reached for the photo. Holding it in both hands, he studied the woman’s image.
“Do you remember her?” Wyatt asked.
Without looking up, Sorenson shook his head. “No. No. I don’t know her.”
“Yes. You do.”
Sorenson looked at Wyatt. Fear gave him an unnatural pallor. Blue veins in his face and neck stood out in stark relief. He shook the photo in Wyatt’s direction. “I don’t know this woman. You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Wyatt motioned for Sorenson to return the photo, and the man tossed it at his feet. Carefully, he picked it up and wiped its surface against his pant leg. “I’m disappointed in you Martin but not surprised. You don’t see anyone. You go around maiming people and you forget them the instant they are out of your sight. You don’t care who you hurt. So,” he said, then paused to hold up the photo, “I’ll ask you a final time. Do you remember her?”
Sorenson stared at Wyatt, his pomposity returning—as if at any moment Wyatt would come to his senses, realize the absurdity of the situation and release him. Silently, Wyatt counted to twenty. When Sorenson did not answer, Wyatt backed his chair away and shut the door.
My Review:
This is a very well written and intriguing novel. The author goes a very long way to make her story believable and captivating. Regan backs up her well researched and put together plot with some very vivid descriptions. Everything is laid out in a way that you can’t help but picture it (even if you may not particularly want to). She writes with a flare that allows you to immerse yourself in the plot of the story without tripping over the writing. Regan has the ability to evoke a variety of emotions in her readers. She kept me in suspense throughout while at the same time she completely broke my heart (and put it back together again).
Regan flips between the perspectives of the female protagonist and the male antagonist in such a way that you can picture what’s happening on all fronts. As a reader you know the crimes, how they’re being committed, and why the detectives can’t quite pin down what’s happening. This adds greatly to the definite forward flow of the story.
I appreciate the strong female lead in a crime mystery. It’s different than the norm for the genre but works very well with the way that Regan has developed this phenomenal character. There is a uniqueness in the main character and her past that makes this story stand out amongst the others of its genre. The male antagonist is also fully developed in all ways, and just plain creepy to top it off. These two very well developed main characters are backed by a supporting cast that you get to know as part of your own world. Many of them could hold their own as the main character in their own novel.
This was a brilliant standalone novel. Regan keeps you intrigued and guessing throughout, with no strings left hanging at the end. That said, I’d love to see more from these characters and could easily see it becoming a well-loved series.
About the author:
Lisa Regan is a suspense novelist. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime and Pennwriters. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher was recently nominated for the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards in three categories: Best Novel, Best Thriller and Best Heroine for Claire Fletcher.
Connect with the author online:
Website: http://www.lisaregan.com/
Blog: http://www.lisalregan.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Regan/189735444395923
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Regan/e/B009YY091I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
