Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Look For Me by Lisa Gardner Published by Dutton on February 6, 2018
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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The home of a family of five is now a crime scene: four of them savagely murdered, one—a sixteen-year-old girl—missing. Was she lucky to have escaped? Or is her absence evidence of something sinister? Detective D. D. Warren is on the case—but so is survivor-turned-avenger Flora Dane. Seeking different types of justice, they must make sense of the clues left behind by a young woman who, whether as victim or suspect, is silently pleading, Look for me.
I am in a mood for the mystery, suspense, thriller books which is a fit with Look for Me. It is dark; everything isn’t pretty or off page like in a cozy mystery. The ninth in the Detective D.D. Warren series continues in the world I know and some characters from previous books join in the hunt for a missing teenager. I enjoy the world of a police procedural with the background of families, friends and even, pets. Having read them all, I am happy to see everyone; they are like old friends.
A survivor from a previous case, Flora Dane, knows what it is to be an abducted teen. She joins the story in a fascinating and brilliant way. I loved her way of gathering information and making smart deductions as much as the police procedures. It was an interesting dichotomy. The past, as always, has its impact on the present.
The body count is so quick and it seems like it is the good guys being eliminated rather than the bad guys. I was engaged throughout in the tragic happenings; the twists and turns making sense in the end. Even the dark needs a few light moments of family or camaraderie between friends or co-workers so I found a quote I liked. I wouldn’t miss any of this series.
Giggle-worthy quote:
Lynda Schuepp had been running the coffee shop for eight years. A brisk woman with wavy brown hair and hands that moved even faster than she talked, she had them in a back room and set up with a security monitor in a matter of minutes. D.D. wondered how much coffee the woman drank on the job. D.D. wished she had some of that coffee.
And a moment later, she did. D.D. really liked Lynda Schuepp. After producing two mugs of latte, the woman left D.D. and Phil to their own devices. She had a shop packed with caffeine-addicted patrons on a sunny Saturday morning. Hands still waving, she hustled out the door.
D.D. took a moment to sip her latte, regain her bearings. “She wears a Fitbit,” she murmured to Phil. “I wonder what her heart rate is at any given time.”
“Please. I wonder how many tens of thousands of steps she gets in each day.”
“Scary,” D.D. agreed.
About Lisa Gardner
New York Times bestselling crime novelist Lisa Gardner began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has parlayed her interest in police procedure, cutting edge forensics and twisted plots into a streak of eleven bestselling suspense novels.
Readers are invited to get in on the fun by entering the annual “Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate” Sweepstakes, where they can nominate the person of their choice to die in Lisa’s latest novel. Every year, one lucky stiff is selected for literary immortality. It’s cheaper than therapy, and you get a great book besides. For more details, simply visit Lisa’s website.
Lisa lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with her family, as well as two highly spoiled dogs and one extremely neurotic three-legged cat. Lisa graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in international relations.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 New Release Challenge
- COYER Winter Switch
I’ve been in more of suspense and thriller stories lately too. I’ve always liked darker stories, so it is no surprise to me. This sounds like a fun series. I’ll have to give it a try.
I’m not sure fun applies to the dark series. But I do really like the intelligence and action in them. It helps me if the good guys have at least some sense of humor and/ or loyalty to friends and family, and empathy.