Customer Reviews

Catch Me: A Novel (Detective D.D. Warren Series)

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Lisa Gardner has been on my must read list for some time now and I have particularly loved the Quincy/Rainie series. However, in more recent books the DD Warren series has been predominant which I have taken my time to grow to like as much as the Quincy books. Having said that; after Lisa's last book in this DD Warren series I can honestly say I was hooked. DD Warren is a typical no-nonsense Detective, and she has her work cut out for her in this latest book.

Charlie Grant is the main focus of the story and from the very beginning we are shown her sheer terror. Charlie is convinced that on 21st January she will be murdered. Whilst dealing with another crime scene, Charlie confronts DD and asks her to make sure she investigates her imminent death properly.

The nicest thing about this book is we see the slight change in DD's character and she comes across as a much softer woman following the birth of her son. DD and her team are also working on the killing of people involved in sex crimes. This storyline interlinks with the main one regarding Charlie nicely. From the very beginning the plot is very fast paced and there is a sense of frenzy as we read about Charlie trying to out-run the person coming to kill her.

The story picks up considerable pace around the halfway mark and the two stories run alongside each other nicely. The best part about this book for me was seeing much more of DD's personal life and the ways in which she has changed. The story kept me turning the pages quickly and the story kept me guessing until the very end. We do see glimpses of characters from previous books such as retired FBI profiler Pierce Quincy, as well as fleeting glances of J.T Dillon and Sergeant Roan. Although I have grown to love DD Warren, I would still love to see another book released featuring Quincy!

Overall, this was one of the best in the DD Warren series and although part of a series could certainly be read as a stand alone book. I think Lisa Gardner fans will be thrilled with the new, softer DD Warren and new readers will be pleased to read such an engaging book. A definite page turner and I would definitely recommend it.

Boston detective DD Warren is faced with a most unusual case when Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant reports an impending homicide: "In four days someone is going to kill me." The murderer-at-large has already taken the lives of Grant's two best friends on January 21st of consecutive years. As part of a trio of best friends since grade school, Charlie figures she is next on the list, the past year spent on a rigorous schedule of self-defense lessons and graveyard shifts as a 9-1-1 dispatch operator. Charlene does not expect to survive beyond the looming date. Unsurprisingly, Warren's dance card is already full with a new baby, a looming visit from parents and a spate of recent murders of known pedophiles demanding the Boston PD's immediate attention. Now DD must balance the crimes on hand with a case yet to be a case, the assistance of a Special Victims detective much appreciated.

Gardner tells her story through two voices, the soon-to-be victim, and the lead detective, in chapters that reveal Charlie's childhood of unabated abuse at the hands of her mother and current threat from an unknown killer and the thoroughly professional approach of a seasoned investigator happy for the assistance of Detective O, who contributes another perspective, one that includes suspicion of the enigmatic Charlie Grant. The result is a thriller that at first seems predictable- until Gardner pulls the rug out from under any easy assumptions and injects an unexpected angle to her plot. Filled with relevant information about the behavioral adaptations of online pedophiles, police procedures during homicide investigations and the emotional demands on 9-1-1 operators on shift, the action accelerates in a nightmarish scenario that highlights the perverted creativity of criminals and the damage to innocents, in this case the past come alive in pursuit of restitution in the present. Luan Gaines/2012.

Boston homicide detective D.D. Warren is back! And at the age of 41, she's dealing with first-time motherhood. In fact, she's just returned from maternity leave, and her first case back involves what appears to be a serial killer of pedophiles. While the Boston P.D. isn't mourning the victims, they aren't about to turn their backs on some kind of vigilante killer.

Outside one of the crime scenes, D.D. finds a suspicious note on her windshield, and spots a woman watching her. Once D.D. chases her down, she meets Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant, a young woman with an amazing story. In short, Charlene believes that she's about to be murdered in a few days on January 21st, just as her two closest friends were in the two preceding years.

The novel is told in three narrative threads, that of D.D.'s investigation, the continuation of Charlene's story, and a third storyline involving a young boy who is clearly being cyber stalked. It moves at a consistently fast pace that is sure to keep you turning pages. The plot of this novel is very complex. There's a lot going on, and if you figure it all out, you're a lot smarter than me. Stories with as many twists and turns as this one has can seem contrived, but Ms. Gardner has managed to put all of her puzzle pieces together so meticulously that I never felt she was cheating. It was beyond impressive!

As tight as the plotting is, perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this novel is watching the evolution of this central character that we've gotten to know so well over the years. Every time I finish one of these novels, I'm left looking forward to the next case and the next chapter in D.D.'s life.

Plan to stay awake for a few nights after reading the latest installment of Lisa Gardner's D.D. Warren series. You'll certainly be up a night or two reading it, but you'll be up for several more worrying about the children in your life, be they offspring, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, or what-have-you. Gardner pulls out all the stops in CATCH ME, making it arguably the best in the series to date.

D.D. Warren is a hard-nosed, rough-edged Boston homicide detective who has just returned to work following maternity leave, and her first case back is one that hits close to home. Someone is killing child molesters and doing a fine job of it. Naturally, the police are eager to catch the perpetrator, though some would rather give him a medal than see him get arrested. D.D. is confronted by a young woman named Charlene Grant at the scene of the second homicide. Charlie wants D.D. to investigate another murder: her own, which she is sure will take place in a few days. She explains that someone has killed her two best friends on January 21st over the course of the past two years. That date is approaching yet again, and she's convinced she'll be next.

Charlie does not appear to be unstable; she is employed as a dispatcher for a suburban Boston police department, and, as is demonstrated at one point, is a valued employee with a cool head in an emergency. At the same time, though, evidence is slowly but inexorably mounting that demonstrates that Charlie may well be the suspect D.D. is seeking in the pedophile murder cases. Additionally, whether Charlie is murdering child molesters or otherwise, she has a secret that she can never reveal to anyone.

Meanwhile, D.D. is experiencing her own trials and tribulations with a newborn, as she and her child's father balance law enforcement careers with the demands of parenthood and, of course, the event that she desires the least and dreads the most: a visit from her parents. Domestic travails aside, however, January 21st is just around the corner, and D.D. and her team do not know whether to treat Charlie as a suspect, a victim, or both. As the two cases slowly intersect, D.D. quickly finds that there is more than one potential victim to protect as the murderer strikes from a totally unexpected place.

CATCH ME is a terrifying book for two reasons. The first lies in the prologue, which recounts a nightmarish event in the lives of two little girls, who are rousted from their beds by their mother, who, by any standard, is not right --- not by a long shot. The second is a by-the-numbers account of how child molesters locate, stalk and eventually meet their targets, utilizing online gaming sites. As with the best of mystery and thriller novels, Gardner's latest raises interesting questions and inspires passionate emotions. Do laws adequately protect children from exploitation? What steps can a parent take to protect their kids who are online? Are the police enough? This puzzling and confounding mystery will have you guessing practically until the end.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Somewhere a child is ready to flee. A young girl sleeps with her clothes on, has her backpack ready, and shoes by the bedside. Her mother wakes her and tells her "they're" coming and the two must leave right away. But something isn't right with Momma. Something isn't right in her head. She hears and sees things that aren't there. And over the years she has hurt this little girl in ways that no mother should hurt her child. But that fateful night, something intervenes, something does come, and that little girl is saved. Her aunt takes her in and loves her like a little girl should be loved. But did she grow up to be a good girl, or have the sins of the mother been inherited by the daughter?

What would you do if you knew you only had had a four day to live? That you were about to be murdered? Would you go into hiding? Train to take down your killer when he comes after you? Become something you aren't, knowing you will escape punishment because you'll be dead? Or would you seek out a well-respected detective and tell her your story, and explain to her that you would like her to solve your murder?

Well that's exactly what Charlene (Charlie) Rosalind Carter Grant does. On January 21st of the past two years her two best friends were murdered, in cities miles apart. And in four more days it will be January 21st , and it will be her turn to die. She has prepared herself both physically and mentally for this upcoming encounter, but she has no idea how it will go down. Especially since both of her friends didn't seem to put up any fight. Which means they knew their killer! To her, it's obvious the two cases are related, but others aren't as convinced. They see it being more of a coincidence than anything else. Someone has a reason to want these women dead. Charlie just wishes she knew what they did that was so wrong.

Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren isn't the same hard-hitting, no-holds-barred detective that she used to be. She's softened, she's a mom to ten-week-old Jack, and she's moved in with her baby's daddy, Alex. She is just as dedicated to the job as she has always been, but she now realizes that there is life outside of the police department. That it's OK to set the case aside, clear her mind, and go home to her two loves. She fully understands the joys of motherhood. But that doesn't mean she's thrilled about the upcoming visit her parents are making from Florida to see their new grandson. Nope, not thrilled at all.

When leaving the crime scene of a murdered pedophile, D.D. finds an ominous note on her windshield. Everyone has to die. Be brave. As she looks around to see who might have left the note, she sees a figure running away. Who she catches up to is none other than Charlene ("Call me Charlie") Rosalind Carter Grant. She explains to D.D. that she has done her homework and knows that she is the best detective in Boston, and that she wants her to solve her murder. At first D.D. thinks she's certifiable, but as she hears more of the story, she starts to think maybe something really is going on.

Not too much later, an eager sex-crimes detective, Detective O brings D.D. info that they may have a vigilante killer on their hands, one who is targeting pedophiles - killed in the same way as D.D.'s victim. She doesn't buy it. Two similar murders does not make a serial killer. But Detective O pushes until D.D. finally relents and concedes she may be on to something. And when certain clues begin to point towards murder victim to be Charlie, things in Boston really heat up.

It's obvious that Charlie has skeletons in her closet. Demons that she has tried to leave behind. A past she has done everything in her power to forget. She got a second chance at a good life and took full advantage. But with someone obviously hunting her down, she fears those demons have finally found her. The question is, can she outlive her past and whoever wants to do her take her life?

Catch Me once again brings back the formidable Sergeant Detective and her tight-knit team, definitely Boston's finest! While D.D. may be in mommy mode a lot of the time, she is still a detective at heart and determined to find both the vigilante killer and Charlie's intended killer - hopefully before it's too late. Being the sixth book in the D.D. Warren series (see Alone, Hide, The Neighbor, Live to Tell, & Love You More) the characters are well developed and familiar. You can certainly read this book as a stand-alone, but to fully enjoy D.D. and her crew, you should start with reading Alone. Catch Me is a pulse-pounding, earth-shattering thriller that will take you on the ride of your life. But pay close attention, because not everything is as it appears to be. This is, without a doubt, Lisa Gardner at her finest.

In Lisa Gardner's newest novel, released earlier this week, several characters from Gardner's previous novels return, including, Boston Detective DD Warren. Warren is back to work after the birth of her son, and shes back into action at the scene of a murder. It is here that she is confronted by a woman who claims that she is going to be murdered in just (4) days. The woman is Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant, and she has reason to believe she is next on a killer's list. Charlene wants to be sure that DD Warren, one of Boston's best investigators will find her killer after she is dead.

Charlene (Charlie) grew up with a psychotic mother, and at an early age she witnessed plenty of violence including the death of (2) siblings. When her mother is finally put away, Charlie is taken in by an aunt who lives in New Hampshire. In NH, Charlie has (2) best friends and the girls do everything together. But even with best friends, some secrets are too painful to talk about, so Charlie's friends do not know what she has endured. After high school the friends start separate lives, but Charlie has no plans for college, so she stays behind to help her aunt run her B&B. The demons of her childhood, however, are never put to rest. She recalls the vivid details of things she witnessed as a child.

After Charlie learns about the murders of her best friends, (1) year apart, in different states, but on the same day and same time -- 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, she fears she must be the killer's next victim. There seem to be no clues, no forced entry and no motive. Not only does Detective DD Warren have this case troubling her and January 21 quickly approaching, but there are pedophiles luring young children via the internet. These pedophiles are turning up dead as well. As the detective begins to look into Charlies background she has several questions she will need answers to, making DD Warren and the reader wonder if Charlie has something to hide?

This is one of those psychological thrillers that had me guessing until the end, and only toward the very end did I finally figure this one out. It's the kind of story that if read by parents of young children, it will open their eyes to some of the tactics used by pedophiles to lure young unsuspecting kids, and it might make you think twice about what your children are using the internet for.

Although this book is part of a series, it could be read as a stand alone without confusing the reader. I've read all of this author's work, and Catch Me is certainly a page-turner I think many readers might enjoy.

Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant (aka Charlie) has been preparing for January 21st for a year, training for the fight of her life. Her two closest friends in life were murdered on January 21st - one a year ago and the other the year before that and if she's going to be the next victim, she's not going down easy. She even goes so far as to inform the police of what she believes will happen, hoping it will get them invested enough to thoroughly investigate her murder and bring the killer to justice.

Having just returned to work following a maternity leave, Detective D.D. Warren is working a series of cases involving known pedophiles who are being murdered. Outside the crime seen of one of the cases she meets Charlie, who tells her she expects to be murdered in a few days. D.D. investigates Charlie's and finds a troubled past and becomes suspicious. Is there really a threat to Charlie's life or is she really the killer and just trying to throw off suspicion? And, why was she outside of a crime scene? How did she know where to find D.D.? Could she somehow be involved in those killings as well? All she knows for certain is that January 21st is looming and if she doesn't get some answers, all hell is going to break loose!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the characters and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. This book is one of a series about D.D. Warren but it was a stand alone book. Not having read all the others before, I didn't feel lost or as if I had jumped into the middle of the story. It was well written and well paced. I've rated it 4 out of 5 stars because there were bits that were somewhat predictable but for the most part, it kept me guessing what came next.

I highly recommend it.

This book had me guessing right from the start to the end. The sense of not knowing what was really going on was palpable and added immensely to the satisfaction in reading it

This review is based on an Advance Readers Version of the book which I received free from the Publisher through the Goodreads First Reads program.

STORY ATTRIBUTES:

ORIGINALITY (standard, high, stellar) - HIGH - the twist at the end is insightful

ACTION (none, some, lots) - SOME - after all there are several murder
investigations going on

SEX (none, some, lots) NONE

PROFANITY (none, some, lots) NONE

The main characters in this excellent crime thriller are:

D.D. Warren - a Sergeant Detective with the Boston Police Department has recently returned to duty after maternity leave and her first cases are two pedophiles who have been killed in their apartmenst at point blank range. Each victim has been shot twice in the head with a 22 calibre gun. No signs of a struggle and each crime scene has been cleaned up and straightened up afterwards. No fingerprints are present , not even of the victim in their own apartment !!

Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant (Charlie) - an abused child Charlie has had two of her closest friends killed on February 21. Her first friend two years ago and her other friend 1 year ago. Even though they lived 1,000 miles apart. Now Charlie is convinced that she will be killed on January 21 which is 4 days away.

Charlie is caught by D.D. Warren near the scene of the second pedophile murder and when questioned Charlie tells her that she will be killed on February 21 and if D.D. gets the case can she please try to figure out who killed Charlie and her two best friends.

While D.D. Warren is busy with the two murders she certainly doesn't have time to investigate a murder that hasn't happened yet.

In the meantime Charlie has been training how to fight as well as how to shoot a 22 calibre gun in preparation for her murder on February 21.

The cops are starting to come to ask some important questions particularly as it relates to Charlie and her 22 calibre pistol.

There are twists and turns at the end of the book.

The author fully develops her characters and so you become invested in them.

A thrilling story with a twist at the end. An enjoyable read and recommended

I love the D.D. Warren mysteries, and this one does not disappoint!

Twenty-eighty year old Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant, Charlie, thinks she has four days left to live. Two years ago one of her best friends, Randi was murdered on January 21st, then one year to the date, her other best friend Jackie was murdered. They were a trio. The three musketeers: Randi Jackie Charlie, as they were known in school. It is four days until January 21st and Charlie thinks she's next. She's not going down without a fight though, she's planned ahead. Boxing classes, gun lessons, running, preparing in any way she can for January 21st. She's even picked the investigator she wants to solve her murder if the worst happens: Detective D.D. Warren. What would you do with the time you have left?

This is one of two cases Detective D.D. Warren finds herself in the middle of two weeks back from her maternity leave. It's clear to D.D., from the beginning that there is more to Charlie than she is letting on. Is four days enough to get to the bottom of this? The other case D.D. is working on, is the murder of two pedophiles, both shot with no apparent signs of a struggle and no forced entry. D.D. has to balance her job with the new responsibility of caring for her newborn son, now ten-weeks old.

This story had a lot of plot twists and turns. When I was sure of one thing, suddenly it would change and it was something else entirely. I loved that we got to catch up with a lot of past characters. It was such a treat to get a glimpse into their lives again. It was nice to see tough-as-nails D.D. has fallen head-over-heels in love with her baby, Jack. Also, seeing D.D. and Alex together, adjusting to life with a baby was so precious. I love Alex, how he's so patient and smitten with D.D. This is a definite recommend to any fan of Lisa Gardner. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Group for sharing this story with me.

"Catch Me," by Lisa Gardner, focuses on child abuse and its consequences. Charlene (Charlie) Grant is the battle-scarred survivor of a hellish childhood with a psychotic mother. As a little girl, Charlie was perpetually hungry, cold, and tired. She never knew when her mother, Christine, would inflict another wound on her or wake her in the middle of the night to flee a "nameless threat lurking in the shadows." Finally, at the age of eight, the authorities place Charlie with her Aunt Nancy, who raises her with love and kindness. However, visible and invisible scars remain as reminders of Charlie's early years. Now that she is twenty-eight, Charlie is anticipating a grim anniversary. Her best friends, Randi and Jackie, were murdered one year apart, on January 21st. Charlie works the graveyard shift as a dispatch officer at an emergency command center outside of Boston. She has also been taking self-defense and shooting lessons, since she expects the killer to come calling for her next.

A number of Gardner's characters from previous novels make brief appearances in "Catch Me," but Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren takes center stage. She is a forty-one year old mother who has an adorable baby, ten-week-old Jack, and a caring partner, Alex. D.D. prides herself on her professional skills and mental toughness, and she will need all of her resources to cope with two challenging cases. A vigilante is executing predators of young children. In addition, Charlie wants Warren to track down and apprehend the person who killed Jackie and Randi and will probably try to do the same to her.

Gardner is known for her formidable female characters. D.D. is as prickly and bossy as ever, although having a baby may be softening her a bit. Charlie is small in stature, but she is courageous and stubborn. What prevents this novel from being a top-tier thriller is its cumbersome and contrived plot. Most readers will see where the narrative is headed long before the dramatic conclusion, and the story line, although engrossing, is weighed down by extraneous elements that are awkwardly shoe-horned into the book's four hundred pages. Nevertheless, Gardner's admirers will likely greet this police procedural with enthusiasm, since it has all of the ingredients that have made this writer so successful: dysfunctional families, imminent danger, violent confrontations, sardonic humor, and just a touch of romance. "Catch Me" is a page-turner that will be popular with devotees of psychological suspense. (Three and a half stars.)