Rated: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ {5.00}
Action: ♠♠♠♠ / Emotion: ♣♣♣♣ / Romance: ♥♥♥♥ / Sensuous: ♦♦♦.♦ / Suspense: ♠♠♠♠♠
Action: 4.0 / Emotion: 4.0 / Romance: 4.0 / Sensuous: 3.5 / Suspense: 5.0 // Laughter: 2 / Grins: 3 // Tears: 1 / Teary: 2
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2008 : RITA Finalist: Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
♥ 2007 : RT Reviewer Choice Nominee: Best Contemporary Mystery
♥ 2007 : RT Book Reviews: Top Pick
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Setting: San Diego, California (and its environs)
Era: Present Day [2007]
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What Makes One Book Resonate Within You and Another Not? There is just something about the way Allison Brennan tells a story that resonates within me. Brennan's stories are so filled with her understanding of human nature that the characters feel real. On top of that, the suspense is so intense and edgy that it becomes impossible to put the book down.
See No Evil, Allison Brennan's second book in The No Evil Trilogy is an engrossing, attention grabbing read full of romance, spine-tingling suspense and endearing characters. If you love Romantic Suspense featuring manipulative, cold-blooded killers, then this is a must read for you.
♥ 2007 : RT Reviewer Choice Nominee: Best Contemporary Mystery
♥ 2007 : RT Book Reviews: Top Pick
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Setting: San Diego, California (and its environs)
Era: Present Day [2007]
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
What Makes One Book Resonate Within You and Another Not? There is just something about the way Allison Brennan tells a story that resonates within me. Brennan's stories are so filled with her understanding of human nature that the characters feel real. On top of that, the suspense is so intense and edgy that it becomes impossible to put the book down.
See No Evil, Allison Brennan's second book in The No Evil Trilogy is an engrossing, attention grabbing read full of romance, spine-tingling suspense and endearing characters. If you love Romantic Suspense featuring manipulative, cold-blooded killers, then this is a must read for you.
One of the most well-used tools that writers use is to reveal just a touch of information about the characters to draw readers into the story and then leave them hanging. While this method of writing is effective, it is also frustrating. Sometimes it would be nice to understand what is going on without having to read half of the book before the author finally makes it clear what was going on earlier in the story.
Brennan uses this style as she introduces the four teens (the "Acknowledgments" Page revealed their demographic) involved in a murder. Not only are we left to wonder who Faye, Cami, Robbie, and Skip are, but also why they were part of a team sent to kill Paul Judson (whoever he is). Brennan dropped several different hints as she wrote this Prologue. One, this is Faye's first kill. Two, Cami appeared to be in charge. Three, Faye wanted to know who was really pulling their strings.
Brennan then begins fleshing out the personalities of Emily and her mother and stepfather. The reason Emily didn't want to enter the house was because her stepfather, Judge Victor Montgomery, a man her mother married three years ago, has been forcing Emily to perform oral sex acts every Wednesday while her mother is out planning another one of her charity events. It was so easy to feel sorry for Emily, who had no choice but to enter that house because she was under a court-ordered curfew after getting drunk and vandalizing the courthouse.
Not only was it easy to hate Victor Montgomery but it was even easier to hate Emily's mother, Crystal Montgomery, a woman who cared more about appearances and money than her daughter's welfare. In fact, as the story continued, that hate for Crystal intensified as it became evident that Crystal was a narcissistic, money-worshiping liar that cared nothing for her first husband, Matt Chandler, nor her child. Even though Crystal played an important role in this book, it was a relief to find that Brennan kept this viper predominately in the background. Again, this speaks well of Brennan's skill at spinning an intriguing story, because it was easy to put Crystal on the list entitled "co-villain."
The member of the cast that was placed in the number one position on the list entitled "villain," was Emily's court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Garrett Bowen. Brennan did an incredible job of fleshing out the personality of this man, who portrayed an ugly kind of psychiatrist -- a man who cared more about money and fame than about the teens given into his care. The first hint that Dr. Bowen was ineffective was the plethora of prescriptions to be found in Emily's medicine cabinet.
Because of the strong political ramifications of this high-profile case, Will tried to hustle Julia away from the house before she compromised the investigation, but because of the mutual respect that existed between them, Will told Julia to hire a good lawyer. Julia placed a call to Iris Jones, a woman she didn't like as a defense attorney or as a person, but "Iris was as good at her job as Julia was at hers" (page 33).
When Iris met Julia at the hospital where Emily was, she wanted to hire Dr. Dillon Kincaid to do the psychiatric evaluation on Emily for three reasons: {1} he was a hottie; {2} he was one of the best; and {3} to keep him off the prosecution's team since he was regularly contracted by the District Attorney, Andrew Stanton, to consult on their cases. When Iris told Julia that she had retained Bruce Younger to investigate Emily's case, Julia shocked her by saying that she had already contacted the private investigator, Connor Kincaid, because he had a relationship with Emily (having found Emily when she ran away from home three years ago).
Brennan continued to draw the reader deeper into the story by stressing the animosity between Julia and Connor. When Julia had called Connor and left a voice mail, she knew he might not take the case because he believed she was the reason he no longer had a career with the San Diego Police Department. Brennan made us wait for the details regarding Connor's forced resignation from the police department. Brennan skillfully wove the story about Connor's role into the investigation of Detective Wayne Crutcher, that resulted in the loss of a career he loved, in a piecemeal fashion throughout the book. While it made sense for Brennan to slowly draw out the details about the villains in this book, why did she have to make us wait for the story that created the friction between Connor and Julia as well?
The reason Brennan is such a fascinating storyteller is because she develops the characters with rich descriptions and imbues them with a sense of ordinariness as they march through the pages of the book with purpose. For instance, look at the scene between Julia and Connor when they go to her house to continue to work on the investigation.
Brennan uses this style as she introduces the four teens (the "Acknowledgments" Page revealed their demographic) involved in a murder. Not only are we left to wonder who Faye, Cami, Robbie, and Skip are, but also why they were part of a team sent to kill Paul Judson (whoever he is). Brennan dropped several different hints as she wrote this Prologue. One, this is Faye's first kill. Two, Cami appeared to be in charge. Three, Faye wanted to know who was really pulling their strings.
She felt as if they were all puppets, just pieces in someone else's game. (Faye, page 1)Brennan draws readers deeper into the story as she continues to leave readers asking questions about what exactly is going on when she introduces a totally different teen in Chapter One. Spoiled, rich, sixteen year old, Emily Chandler Montgomery is sitting in her car in the garage of her luxurious home remembering the conversation that took place with her therapist -- or so it was easy to assume -- since Brennan didn't reveal exactly what Emily was remembering until many pages later. To be quite honest, this is a particularly brilliant piece of writing because Brennan has successfully lead readers down a path she wants them to take.
Brennan then begins fleshing out the personalities of Emily and her mother and stepfather. The reason Emily didn't want to enter the house was because her stepfather, Judge Victor Montgomery, a man her mother married three years ago, has been forcing Emily to perform oral sex acts every Wednesday while her mother is out planning another one of her charity events. It was so easy to feel sorry for Emily, who had no choice but to enter that house because she was under a court-ordered curfew after getting drunk and vandalizing the courthouse.
Not only was it easy to hate Victor Montgomery but it was even easier to hate Emily's mother, Crystal Montgomery, a woman who cared more about appearances and money than her daughter's welfare. In fact, as the story continued, that hate for Crystal intensified as it became evident that Crystal was a narcissistic, money-worshiping liar that cared nothing for her first husband, Matt Chandler, nor her child. Even though Crystal played an important role in this book, it was a relief to find that Brennan kept this viper predominately in the background. Again, this speaks well of Brennan's skill at spinning an intriguing story, because it was easy to put Crystal on the list entitled "co-villain."
The member of the cast that was placed in the number one position on the list entitled "villain," was Emily's court-appointed psychiatrist, Dr. Garrett Bowen. Brennan did an incredible job of fleshing out the personality of this man, who portrayed an ugly kind of psychiatrist -- a man who cared more about money and fame than about the teens given into his care. The first hint that Dr. Bowen was ineffective was the plethora of prescriptions to be found in Emily's medicine cabinet.
When she was depressed, take this one. When hyper, this. When she couldn't sleep, something else. Different pills for different moods, to regulate her temperaments. . . . how could pills fix problems when all Emily really needed was someone nonjudgmental, someone she trusted, to talk to? (Julia, page 46)When Deputy District Attorney, Julia Chandler, burst into the scene she secured a place in my heart for two reasons. One, she cared more about her niece than money and two, she was a woman of action -- bold, brassy, and would not back down to anyone while she fought for right and justice. Julia went to the crime scene at the Montgomery mansion shortly after the arrival of Detective Will Hooper and Dr. Jim Gage, the crime lab director (both introduced in Speak No Evil). Julia was worried about Emily because the evidence pointed towards a murder/suicide scenario. Judge Montgomery was brutally murdered (in the manner Emily had described to the person who asked "How would you kill him?" back in chapter one) and was now on suicide watch in the psychiatric wing of Scripps Memorial Hospital having ingested pills and alcohol.
Because of the strong political ramifications of this high-profile case, Will tried to hustle Julia away from the house before she compromised the investigation, but because of the mutual respect that existed between them, Will told Julia to hire a good lawyer. Julia placed a call to Iris Jones, a woman she didn't like as a defense attorney or as a person, but "Iris was as good at her job as Julia was at hers" (page 33).
When Iris met Julia at the hospital where Emily was, she wanted to hire Dr. Dillon Kincaid to do the psychiatric evaluation on Emily for three reasons: {1} he was a hottie; {2} he was one of the best; and {3} to keep him off the prosecution's team since he was regularly contracted by the District Attorney, Andrew Stanton, to consult on their cases. When Iris told Julia that she had retained Bruce Younger to investigate Emily's case, Julia shocked her by saying that she had already contacted the private investigator, Connor Kincaid, because he had a relationship with Emily (having found Emily when she ran away from home three years ago).
Brennan continued to draw the reader deeper into the story by stressing the animosity between Julia and Connor. When Julia had called Connor and left a voice mail, she knew he might not take the case because he believed she was the reason he no longer had a career with the San Diego Police Department. Brennan made us wait for the details regarding Connor's forced resignation from the police department. Brennan skillfully wove the story about Connor's role into the investigation of Detective Wayne Crutcher, that resulted in the loss of a career he loved, in a piecemeal fashion throughout the book. While it made sense for Brennan to slowly draw out the details about the villains in this book, why did she have to make us wait for the story that created the friction between Connor and Julia as well?
The reason Brennan is such a fascinating storyteller is because she develops the characters with rich descriptions and imbues them with a sense of ordinariness as they march through the pages of the book with purpose. For instance, look at the scene between Julia and Connor when they go to her house to continue to work on the investigation.
She put her briefcase down on the kitchen table. "Can I get you something?"
"Whatever."
She opened her refrigerator and stared. He looked over her shoulder. "It's empty," he said. "Have you been robbed?"
A laugh escaped before she could pull it back in. Connor was pleased that he'd made her chuckle. "I don't eat here much."
"Obviously."
"But I have filtered water. And ice." She pulled two glasses from a cabinet and pressed buttons on the door of the refrigerator for ice and water.
Connor picked up his cell phone. "Dillon's on his way. I'm having him pick up some food or we'll all starve." (page 206)
Another wonderful scene featured Patrick and Connor in brotherly camaraderie. Patrick hardly ever appears on the pages of the book, but when he does, he's a heart-winner. If Brennan doesn't eventually give Patrick his own book, it will be a major disappointment.
Isn't it funny, that this second book in The No Evil Trilogy is almost more of a standalone read than the first book of the trilogy! Although Patrick, Dillon and Connor Kincaid were featured in this book, the rest of the family remained behind. However, the only reason one could truly understand the brief references to other members of the Kincaid family; namely, mother, father, Patrick Kincaid, Sr., and sisters, Nell, Lucy, and Carina, was because of the details revealed in Speak No Evil. In fact, it greatly helped to have read the first book in the trilogy to understand the relationship between Andrew Stanton and the Kincaids. Andrew was married to Nell Kincaid. They had a son, Justin, who was murdered eleven years ago. Justin's murder affected the entire family. Nell divorced Andrew and moved to Idaho. Andrew and Connor shared a particular hostility because Connor revealed that Andrew was with his mistress when Justin was murdered.
Dillon played a starring role in this story. As the psychiatrist who was treating Emily and as the brother of Connor, Dillon was closely involved in the investigation into the murder of Victor Montgomery. It is so easy to see Dillon playing the hero in his own book (Fear No Evil) because he is such a strong-willed, determined, and compassionate man who fights for the underdog and is quite often, the voice of reason.
Connor, in his own right, is hero material as well, even though he is portrayed as a hotheaded rule breaker. You cannot help but admire Connor for his perseverance as he dealt with the loss of a career that meant everything to him. The police department took a great big hit when it forced Connor to resign as he was one of the best street cops on the force. Connor left the force with a great big chip on his shoulder, but he could not hide the compassionate, protective nature that was so much a part of his make up. Connor spent time at the youth center trying to help kids who thought gangs were the answer to their problems.
One of Connor's success stories was featured in the book. Billy Thompson was a high school senior who lost his basketball scholarship because Paul Judson, his high school principal, accused him of cheating. Billy was considered the prime suspect in Judson's murder, but his solid alibi prevented an arrest. As a court-appointed client of Dr. Bowen, Connor had reason to call on Billy at his auto shop to ask his help during the course of the investigation. Connor and Julia were trying to find out how members of Dr. Bowen's online website, Wishlist, created for teens with anger management issues, was tied to several murders, including Judge Montgomery's.
As is typical in Brennan's books, she spends a lot of time in the mind of the villain. However, in this case, there was more than one villain. There were six. The number one villain, who always remained unnamed, was not even the most cold-blooded member of the villain cast. Sometimes it was frustrating reading about the way the number one villain manipulated his team of teens and his "wild card," the co-villain (she was never identified by name either). Brennan very blatantly pointed to Dr. Bowen as the number one villain, so it was easy to become frustrated because she kept using pronouns whenever the number one villain was in point of view voice during the telling of this story. But, in true Brennan-isque fashion, there was a valid reason for the constant use of pronouns whenever the villain and co-villain appeared on page.
The most cruel villain was Camilla "Cami" Wohler, the beautiful member of the teen team, who used her beauty and her genius-level IQ to could control men. Brennan did a fantastic job of portraying the coldness of this selfish, manipulative girl who took revenge against any who opposed her. Brennan sure seems to know how to get into the psyche of a sociopath, as evidenced by the personality and thought processes Cami displayed throughout this book. (By the time the book ended, however, having meet Cami's mother, it was puzzling that Cami was so vindictive. Reading between the lines, one could only conclude that she was so spoiled and used to getting her way, that she retaliated if she didn't.)
The two male members of the teen team, while important, were just fillers in the story and were minimally developed. Dennis "Skip" Richardson, Jr. and Robert "Robbie" Haxton often appeared in the book to emphasize the differences between Cami and Faye.
The most interesting and conflicted member of the teen team was Faye Kessler. Brennan proved herself to be an excellent researcher as she delved deeply in the psyche of a self-cutter. She painted a sad and compelling picture of what Faye was feeling (or not feeling) when she cut herself. There was also a very interesting dynamic running between Cami, Faye and the number one villain. Even though Faye was portrayed as a killer, she was also given admirable characteristics (like love and loyalty) that provoked sympathy and compassion for this unattractive, ignored girl who just wanted to be loved.
This search brought forth intensive degrees of suspense that deepened as each chapter passed. It was nearly impossible to put this book down as the plot thickened and Julia and Connor searched for a way to clear Emily's name.
Julia was truly impressive as she struggled to come to terms with her change from a strait-laced, rule-following, deputy district attorney into a 'do anything to save her niece' law-breaker. This change in status made Julia see Connor's actions in a much different light from the one she focused on him five years ago when she forced him to testify against his brothers in blue.
In conclusion, this well-written, suspenseful romance story was particularly appealing for so many reasons: {1} Connor Kincaid, a hunky, alpha, former cop who displayed a strength of character that carried him though some bad times and a compassionate, protective nature towards family and kids in need; {2} Julia Chandler, a determined deputy district attorney who fights for right and justice, with a 'no holes barred, will do anything to save her niece, even break the law' attitude; {3} Dillon Kincaid, a hot, dynamic psychiatrist who was featured as the voice of reason; {4} a team of six villains whose appearances highlighted Brennan's skills at getting into the mind of sociopaths; {5} plenty of investigative procedures to speed the story along at a fast pace; {6} a strong emotional connection to several members of the cast; {7} a beautifully-written romance woven seamlessly into the story; {8} sizzling lovemaking scenes; {9} an edge-of-your seat suspense inducing story; and {10} intriguing secondary characters that added great depth to the book. See No Evil is another of Allison's must-read books.
--Vonda M. Reid (Saturday, August 17, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.) [325]
"You're secure." Patrick Kincaid told her after he checked out her security system. "It's a good system, though I improved it, of course." He blew air on his fingers and wiped them on his T-shirt.One more well-developed, memorable scene involved Julia and the guardian of court records in the basement of the building where they worked. Brennan very concisely created Selene Borge, a spunky woman who ruled her domain with absolute confidence. A fun, yet tense scene ensued as Julia approached Selene with a double latte and a request for files.
Connor hit him in the arm. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't let your head get too big. Your hat won't fit." (page 291)
Isn't it funny, that this second book in The No Evil Trilogy is almost more of a standalone read than the first book of the trilogy! Although Patrick, Dillon and Connor Kincaid were featured in this book, the rest of the family remained behind. However, the only reason one could truly understand the brief references to other members of the Kincaid family; namely, mother, father, Patrick Kincaid, Sr., and sisters, Nell, Lucy, and Carina, was because of the details revealed in Speak No Evil. In fact, it greatly helped to have read the first book in the trilogy to understand the relationship between Andrew Stanton and the Kincaids. Andrew was married to Nell Kincaid. They had a son, Justin, who was murdered eleven years ago. Justin's murder affected the entire family. Nell divorced Andrew and moved to Idaho. Andrew and Connor shared a particular hostility because Connor revealed that Andrew was with his mistress when Justin was murdered.
Dillon played a starring role in this story. As the psychiatrist who was treating Emily and as the brother of Connor, Dillon was closely involved in the investigation into the murder of Victor Montgomery. It is so easy to see Dillon playing the hero in his own book (Fear No Evil) because he is such a strong-willed, determined, and compassionate man who fights for the underdog and is quite often, the voice of reason.
Connor, in his own right, is hero material as well, even though he is portrayed as a hotheaded rule breaker. You cannot help but admire Connor for his perseverance as he dealt with the loss of a career that meant everything to him. The police department took a great big hit when it forced Connor to resign as he was one of the best street cops on the force. Connor left the force with a great big chip on his shoulder, but he could not hide the compassionate, protective nature that was so much a part of his make up. Connor spent time at the youth center trying to help kids who thought gangs were the answer to their problems.
One of Connor's success stories was featured in the book. Billy Thompson was a high school senior who lost his basketball scholarship because Paul Judson, his high school principal, accused him of cheating. Billy was considered the prime suspect in Judson's murder, but his solid alibi prevented an arrest. As a court-appointed client of Dr. Bowen, Connor had reason to call on Billy at his auto shop to ask his help during the course of the investigation. Connor and Julia were trying to find out how members of Dr. Bowen's online website, Wishlist, created for teens with anger management issues, was tied to several murders, including Judge Montgomery's.
As is typical in Brennan's books, she spends a lot of time in the mind of the villain. However, in this case, there was more than one villain. There were six. The number one villain, who always remained unnamed, was not even the most cold-blooded member of the villain cast. Sometimes it was frustrating reading about the way the number one villain manipulated his team of teens and his "wild card," the co-villain (she was never identified by name either). Brennan very blatantly pointed to Dr. Bowen as the number one villain, so it was easy to become frustrated because she kept using pronouns whenever the number one villain was in point of view voice during the telling of this story. But, in true Brennan-isque fashion, there was a valid reason for the constant use of pronouns whenever the villain and co-villain appeared on page.
The most cruel villain was Camilla "Cami" Wohler, the beautiful member of the teen team, who used her beauty and her genius-level IQ to could control men. Brennan did a fantastic job of portraying the coldness of this selfish, manipulative girl who took revenge against any who opposed her. Brennan sure seems to know how to get into the psyche of a sociopath, as evidenced by the personality and thought processes Cami displayed throughout this book. (By the time the book ended, however, having meet Cami's mother, it was puzzling that Cami was so vindictive. Reading between the lines, one could only conclude that she was so spoiled and used to getting her way, that she retaliated if she didn't.)
The two male members of the teen team, while important, were just fillers in the story and were minimally developed. Dennis "Skip" Richardson, Jr. and Robert "Robbie" Haxton often appeared in the book to emphasize the differences between Cami and Faye.
The most interesting and conflicted member of the teen team was Faye Kessler. Brennan proved herself to be an excellent researcher as she delved deeply in the psyche of a self-cutter. She painted a sad and compelling picture of what Faye was feeling (or not feeling) when she cut herself. There was also a very interesting dynamic running between Cami, Faye and the number one villain. Even though Faye was portrayed as a killer, she was also given admirable characteristics (like love and loyalty) that provoked sympathy and compassion for this unattractive, ignored girl who just wanted to be loved.
"No one listens to kids. Parents and teachers are too busy to be bothered. And Dr. Bowen didn't really care what we said, just cared if he could fix us for some magazine article or something. (Faye, page 343)The bulk of the action that took place in the book involved the investigative steps that Julia, Connor, Dillon, and Will took as they tried to uncover the truth behind the many deaths that were tied to the Wishlist; namely, {1} high school football star, Jason Ridge; {2} San Diego High School cheerleader, Shannon Chase; {3} high school principal, Paul Judson; and {4} Superior Court Judge Victor Montgomery.
This search brought forth intensive degrees of suspense that deepened as each chapter passed. It was nearly impossible to put this book down as the plot thickened and Julia and Connor searched for a way to clear Emily's name.
Julia was truly impressive as she struggled to come to terms with her change from a strait-laced, rule-following, deputy district attorney into a 'do anything to save her niece' law-breaker. This change in status made Julia see Connor's actions in a much different light from the one she focused on him five years ago when she forced him to testify against his brothers in blue.
He was the best at getting to the bottom of anything, but he played loose with the rules. Isn't that why he'd lost his job in the first place?At the same time, Connor was having to come to grips with his own bitterness and the blame he attributed to Julia for the role she played in his eventual resignation from the SDPD. Through Connor, Brennan also revealed that she has an excellent understanding of the obstacles that policemen face each and every day while they are on the job.
But isn't that what she was asking him to do now? . . . Did that make her any better than him? (Julia, page 64)
For the first time Julia had an inkling of what Connor Kincaid had felt five years ago when she had given him almost the same ultimatum. (Julia, page 118)
This was no longer a gray area. Julia was breaking the law. (Julia, page 168)
The cards were stacked against them. Criminals had no rules to follow, but cops were strangled by regulations, rules that sometimes got them killed or, if they broke the rules to save their life, got them sued. (Connor, page 239)One of the reasons Brennan's writing is so appealing is because of the way she weaves romance so smoothly into an incredibly suspenseful novel. Right before Julia was forced to issue Connor an ultimatum regarding his investigation into his partner, Wayne Crutcher, they shared a passionate kiss. That simmering attraction never went away. So as Connor and Julia began working together again, the heat rose to the top. Look at the way Brennan revealed that these two determined protagonists fought their very obvious attraction.
But Dillon was right. It wasn't just Julia he was angry with. The system had let him down, as had his former friends and colleagues who dropped him and forced him to resign. (Connor, page 240)
Never had a man, friend or foe, infuriated her as much as Connor Kincaid did. (Julia, page 62)The attraction finally lead to passionate kisses and sensual lovemaking. Right along with the romance, Brennan is gifted at writing spicy, sizzling love scenes that appeal to romance readers. Hopefully, Brennan will continue to do so, because when authors start leaving the love scenes out of their books (Mariah Stewart), I tend to quit reading them.
Every time he saw her, he became angry and conflicted. With himself, with her. (Connor, page 128)
In conclusion, this well-written, suspenseful romance story was particularly appealing for so many reasons: {1} Connor Kincaid, a hunky, alpha, former cop who displayed a strength of character that carried him though some bad times and a compassionate, protective nature towards family and kids in need; {2} Julia Chandler, a determined deputy district attorney who fights for right and justice, with a 'no holes barred, will do anything to save her niece, even break the law' attitude; {3} Dillon Kincaid, a hot, dynamic psychiatrist who was featured as the voice of reason; {4} a team of six villains whose appearances highlighted Brennan's skills at getting into the mind of sociopaths; {5} plenty of investigative procedures to speed the story along at a fast pace; {6} a strong emotional connection to several members of the cast; {7} a beautifully-written romance woven seamlessly into the story; {8} sizzling lovemaking scenes; {9} an edge-of-your seat suspense inducing story; and {10} intriguing secondary characters that added great depth to the book. See No Evil is another of Allison's must-read books.
--Vonda M. Reid (Saturday, August 17, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.) [325]
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Chapter By Chapter Synopsis: Allison Brennan -- See No Evil
Since this blog is more about providing a written record of the books I've read (so that I can come back and "remember" what the book was about) than building a massive following and trying to make a cent or two, I'm trying something new. Rather than read the book and try to write a detailed, comprehensive review that will recall to mind the events that occurred in the story (without including too many spoilers), I decided to try to write a synopsis after reading each chapter. So here is a Chapter by Chapter Synopsis of See No Evil. Even though an effort was made to keep the spoilers to a minimum, by its very nature, this process will be very revealing.
Prologue
Brief and vague description of Faye and her friends, {1} Robbie, {2} Cami, and {3} Skip at the home of Paul Judson. Brennan inserts a deep sense of curiosity into readers as she presents a scene in which Faye and Skip walk up to Judson's home and Skip shoots him before Faye can use her knife on him. Brennan also inserts an aura of suspense as Faye questions why they were killing Judson.
Superb writing. Brennan revealed through memories of therapy sessions the horror that Emily Chandler Montgomery must endure at the hands of her predatory stepfather, Judge Victor Montgomery. Emily's wealthy mother, Crystal Montgomery, is more concerned with appearances than with her daughter and had even used Emily as the poster child when her annual charity project was for runaway kids. Brennan really draws the reader into the story and inspires compassion for Emily as she gives voice to her disgust, fear and rage regarding Victor's sexual proclivities -- and her inability to find a means of escape.
The suspense aspect of the story arises because of the way Emily remembers the voice of her therapist. The subtle nuances the therapist used regarding imagining the death of Emily's abuser made one think of the quote from Faye in the prologue. In spite of this degree of sinister-ness, Emily's therapist did have some memorable words that rang all too true.
Dr. Jim Gage, the crime lab director, is joined at the Montgomery house by Detective Will Hooper (sans Carina Kincaid, his partner, who is on vacation with her fiancé), to begin processing the murder of Judge Montgomery and the attempted suicide of sixteen year old Emily. Even though the scene is particularly gruesome, Brennan inserts a bit of humor at Will's reaction to the mutilation of the Judge's genitalia.
As Jim and Will work the scene, they throw out possible scenarios for what might have happened to the Judge and Emily, who was transported to the hospital. Brennan continues to develop the idea of puppets on a string because the manner of the Judge's comeuppance matches the words Emily spoke to her therapist. However, Jim and Will discuss the slim likelihood that San Diego's equivalent of a Mafia don, Herman Santos, could be a possible suspect because the judge had sentenced him to death by lethal injection.
Chapter Three
In another well-written, attention grabbing, information generating scene, Brennan describes the heroine, Deputy District Attorney Julia Chandler, arriving at the Montgomery home to check on the status of her beloved niece, Emily. Julia runs into Will, for whom she has the utmost respect, and tries to finagle information about the crime from him. Will, however, is concerned about the legalities and political repercussions of this case and gives Julia basic details but warns her, as a friend, to get an attorney for Emily.
It is blatantly obvious that Julia and Crystal hate each other. Even though Will could figure it out for himself, Julia point-blank tells Will and Jim during their conversation that Crystal, who had been married to Julia's brother, Matt, for ten years was all about two things -- herself and keeping the Chandler money. Julia gave up her half of the Chandler inheritance to get visitation rights with Emily when Matt died.
Julia, therefore, placed two difficult phone calls. Even though he never wanted to hear from her again, Julia left Connor Kincaid a voice mail, knowing that he cared about Emily since he was the P.I. who found her when she ran away three years ago. The second call Julia made was to Iris Jones, a woman she disliked as a person and as an attorney, but who was as good at her job as Julia.
Chapter Four
Brennan really knows how to increase the tension and suspense in the story by introducing a variety of villains, two of whom remain unidentified. As the number one villain stares out his window, drinking Chivas, congratulating himself on his brilliance in creating a plan that gives him the revenge he wants without getting his hands bloody, you can't help but wonder who this is. Is it Dr. Garrett Bowen, the psychiatrist Emily was ordered to see? Brennan says it all so succinctly:
In a surprising move, Cami, is given a point of view voice, also wrapped up in her own power over life and death. She is proud of her ability to manipulate men (like Victor and Skip) to want her. After having sex with Skip, Cami gets a call from him (whoever he is) about a change of plans.
Chapter Five
Brennan continues to build the suspense and present more information about the relationship between Julia, Emily, Matt and Crystal. As Julia sits in Emily's hospital room and remembers when Matt married Crystal and that if Matt hadn't had that terrible car accident, he would have divorced Crystal because he finally saw her for who she was -- a money-worshiping narcissist. (Since this is a mystery, it's easy to assume that Crystal is responsible for Matt's accident and to assume that she is "the wild card".)
Brennan is also creating an emotional attachment to both Julia and Emily as Julia remembers when Emily ran away and her struggles to mother a troubled teen. Julia did not believe Emily would commit suicide because she had talked her into refraining from taking all the pills Dr. Bowen had prescribed to suppress her multitude of symptoms rather than treat the disease. Julia feels like a failure because Emily never told her why she ran away. Julia was positive she was the only person who cared about Emily after Victor called her into chambers one time to suggest that she wasn't managing Emily's trust fund in the best manner possible.
When the dynamic Iris Jones burst into the psychiatric unit of Scripps Memorial Hospital where Emily was being kept, it was impossible not to be impressed with her forthright, 'all speed ahead' demeanor. Julia couldn't help but agree to the steps that Iris was taking to prove Emily's innocence. First, Iris wanted to hire Dr. Dillon Kincaid as Emily's psychiatrist for two reasons: {1} because he was good, and {2} to keep him from working for Stanton. Iris retained Bruce Younger, a top investigator, to follow the steps the police were taking as well as investigate the case. Iris would prefer to use Connor, but was shocked that Julia had called him to work Emily's case.
Brennan is so good at weaving the romance into her suspenseful stories. When Connor arrives home, he finds Julia waiting on his porch to use his love of family to manipulate him into taking Emily's case. Connor throws quite a few smart remarks at Julia as she described Victor's death and why Emily was considered a suspect. Connor hates that he cannot distance himself from Emily's case, having stayed in touch with her through the years, because he is too attracted to Julia, the woman who cost him his career five years ago.
This scene was especially moving for me because Julia's situation with her niece so closely resembles my family situation, that I couldn't help but identify with Julia.
In the midst of the investigation process to get to the truth of Emily's role in Victor's murder, Brennan is making sure that readers are very aware that Julia is attracted to Connor. How's this for a sure sign that Julia is attracted to Connor:
After the interview Julia told Dillon and Connor about how Crystal had trapped Matt into marriage and played mind games with him until he figured out what a selfish gold-digger she was. Matt died in a car accident six years ago, before he could divorce Crystal but not before making Julia executrix of Emily's trust fund. Dillon asked Connor to find out what Emily meant when she said that Victor was murdered just as she had envisioned it while he tried to find out what she had been lying about.
Chapter Eight
Brennan is doing an excellent job of leading one to believe that Dr. Garrett Bowen is the villain. Brennan paints a picture of a man who is more concerned about appearances than his charges when Dillon goes to Dr. Bowen's office to find out what he can about the psychiatrist who had been treating Emily for the past year. Dillon immediately understood why Emily didn't trust Dr. Bowen with her secrets and begins to get irritated when Dr. Bowen baits him. As the conversation continued and Dr. Bowen spat out a textbook assessment of Emily and Crystal's relationship, Dillon did not correct Dr. Bowen when he assumed that Dillon was working on behalf of the prosecutor's office.
Chapter Nine
Brennan painted an excellent description of Patrick's office when Connor went to see him to try and get information regarding the case. What a great conversation between the brothers. And Patrick found a way to help Connor by allowing him to see the file. Connor pulled two pertinent "Wishlist" e-mails from the file.
Connor had a difficult time walking through the police department, greeting old acquaintances and remembering his last six months as an officer when he was investigating a case being sabotaged by a high ranking member of the force. As Connor explained to Patrick, he wanted to prove that Emily was innocent so that she would not have to live with the same stigma of suspicion that he was forced to endure.
Connor went to an auto shop near the Tijuana border to talk to Billy Thompson, a high school senior who lost his basketball scholarship because of Paul Judson (high school principal), and was considered the number one suspect in Judson's murder. Billy had an alibi and the Judson case was still open. Connor knew Billy from the youth center, knew he was a good guy with a lot of bad breaks. When Connor got past Billy's defenses, he learned that Billy had written the e-mail on "Wishlist" when he joined the e-mail group at the recommendation of his court appointed shrink for anger management -- none other than Dr. Bowen.
As Connor was leaving the auto shop, Will showed up. Will lectured Connor about interfering with a police investigation and getting Patrick fired. Connor could tell from Will's tone, that Emily's arrest was imminent.
Chapter Ten
Brennan continues to delve into the minds of the kids committing the villain's crimes by presenting them meeting at Cami's penthouse apartment. Faye is remembering how she met Cami, how they were soul mates because they were both self cutters. Faye admires Cami, but is not as cold-blooded. Faye has compassion for Robbie, who shows up at the meeting drugged out to deaden the pain of his father's latest beating. Cami, who hates drugs with a passion, lets Faye know she will have to get rid of Robbie if he messes up.
Andrew Stanton enters Julia's office to reprimand her for hiring Connor to interfere in a police investigation. When Julia defends her actions, Andrew puts her on administrative leave . . . or she could resign.
Story continues at a strong, steady pace as Connor joins Dillon in his kitchen to discuss the case. While Dillon is ruminating about a profile on the killers, Connor remembers having to bring his mentor and ex-partner to justice and losing his job as a result. Brennan doesn't let the romance factor fall by the wayside either. When Julia arrives, Connor has a thought similar to Julia's earlier thought about Connor.
The suspense increases as Cami pays a visit to the villain and gives him the details of Victor's kill as he gives her a painful orgasm. After Cami leaves, the villain details his disgust of Cami and his fascination with Faye. He then lets readers know that he plans to go after the person who had wronged him within two days.
Chapter Twelve
Connor is frustrated because Dillon put Julia (drunk on three beers) in his care to get her home. Connor took Julia to La Honda, a restaurant owned by his mother's best friend, Felicia, another Cuban escapee. As they ate, Julia was very emotional as she confessed to Connor that she had failed at keeping Emily safe, the last request made to her by her best and only friend, her brother, Matt. Julia was feeling guilty for being so hard on Connor five years ago, when he broke the law to bring justice to two dead girls.
The romance is still ever present as Connor takes Julia to his place when she fell asleep. He cannot believe he desires the woman who caused him to lose his job. Brennan, finally begins to tell readers what happened to Connor five years ago -- but only gave us enough details to wet our appetite.
Connor had been called to San Diego Mission de Alcalá where two fourteen year old illegal girls had been killed and dumped because they did not perform. The sad priest told Connor that the police turned their heads to allow this to happen and he could not let the cold case alone. Connor caught his partner and mentor, Wayne Crutcher, taking a bribe and punched him. Internal Affairs was called in and Wayne was transferred and Connor turned his documentation over to Internal Affairs.
The villain visits Faye in her bed at her father's home. Faye remembers the other times when he came to her and gave her his trust by asking her to cut him during sex.
Chapter Thirteen
Not only is Brennan including romance in this mystery, but she's including lust as well. Julia wakes up disoriented after sleeping on Connor's couch (and dreaming about him). When Connor teases Julia, she retaliates by giving his a big, bold display of her legs as she crosses to get her skirt from the chair. Julia wishes there wasn't that negative history between them when she sees the lust in Connor's eyes.
Julia heads to her office to get Victor's autopsy report from Frisco and to begin pulling all of Victor's cases that involve Bowen. Meanwhile, Connor joins Dillon at the hospital to talk to Emily. Dillon has convinced Dr. Browne to keep Emily for 36 more hours to keep her from Will and from arrest.
Connor and Dillon console Emily and explain that Julia loves her and is trying to help her before asking her about the Wishlist. Emily explained that she wrote that angry e-mail on Wishlist when she realized that Victor was intentionally trying to humiliate and harass her to get control of her money. As Dillon and Connor left the hospital, Dillon quoted the Wishlist passcode to Connor, Isaiah 35:4.
When Faye, Cami, Robbie and Skip meet on the beach to discuss their next assignment, Faye is feeling powerful because she is the calming influence among the group. Faye is starting to feel very powerful and believes she is the one controlling this group of people.
Chapter Fourteen
The tension begins to mount as Julia goes to the dingy basement archives to bribe the well-described clerk, Selene Borge, with a latte from Starbucks. Loved the interaction between Julia and Selene as Julia asked Selene for Dr. Bowen's cases and then Victor's cases. Selene tells Julia she can't turn over Dr. Bowen's records because juvenile files required a judge's consent and handed over the list she'd just printed and then she left Julia alone to make copies of those files.
Dillon has a confrontation with Andrew, who is furious because Dillon is working against him and keeping Emily away from the police. Dillon realizes Andrew's case is only circumstantial and stands up to Andrew and his threats. Dillon is one of the only Kincaids who will have anything to do with Andrew since the murder of Justin Stanton, Andrew and Nell's son, eleven years ago. Dillon told Andrew to not let his hatred towards Connor for uncovering his affair after Justin's death to jeopardize this investigation.
Dillon then goes to the county club where Dr. Bowen is dining and confronts him about the Wishlist. Dr. Bowen gives Dillon detailed data about why he created Wishlist, more detail about cutters, and takes affront to Dillon's disagreement with his methods.
The investigation continues. Connor went to the high school Emily attended to talk to Wendy Roper, her closest friend. Wendy knew about Victor and finally admitted to knowing about Emily's wishlist for Victor, written in moments of drunken anger. When Wendy told Connor about Crystal just wanting Emily's trust fund, Connor wondered if the case was all about money.
Julia meets Grace Simpson at Crab Catcher to get information on Jason Ridge's case. Grace gives Julia access to all her notes and contacts and tells Julia that Maggie O'Dell, Jason's girlfriend, knew more than she would say. Julia agreed to give Grace an interview in exchange for her help. As she was leaving the restaurant, Grace suggested Julia attend the Chandler Foundation charity event tomorrow night because Jason's parents would be there.
Brennan reveals some more of Connor's story using a romantic angle and Julia's point of view. Julia's boss at the time, Bryce Descario, was worried about his election in two years and wanted the case cleared up and told Julia to do whatever it took to make Connor testify in this politically sensitive investigation. When Connor came to her office, Julia was torn because she was attracted to Connor and there were so many variables and political maneuverings in the case. But what Julia remembers the most was the fierce, passionate kiss Connor laid on her.
Chapter Sixteen
Brennan is doing a great job with the romance aspect of the story and adding little tidbits that flesh out the characters and give them a feeling of being real. Connor is waiting at Julia's old Victorian house for her to arrive home and befriends her tabby cat, Scruffy, remembering the Kincaid family cat, Tuxedo, when they lived in Texas. Connor's thoughts turn to that time he kissed Julia five years ago and then the hell he'd lived through for six months when he was forced to investigate his colleagues. When Julia arrived they went inside to work the case. Connor teases Julia about having no food in her refrigerator and not knowing how to cook. When Julia brought documents from her fax machine, Connor noticed from the invitation that the charity event was to be held at Bowen's home.
Brennan never lets the suspense fall away either as she jumps to the villain's home where he is trying to calm his cohort in crime, worried that she will lose her cool at the charity event and mess up his well-laid plans of two years. The villain had stopped her from killing the man who wronged her so he could humiliate him first before taking his own revenge.
When Dillon arrived at Julia's, he wanted to give the information they had to Will. Julia begged Dillon for twenty-four more hours to prove Emily's innocence. Connor, Dillon and Julia began studying the files, when Julia found the connection in the Jason Bridge case.
Chapter Seventeen
Julia went to interview Michelle O'Dell's parents. Brennan beautifully described Gina O'Dell's home located in neighborhood near air force base, giving the story a homey feel. Gina offered Julia refreshments and told her how Michelle and Jason met, when they broke up and mentioned that Michelle lost another friend to suicide that year. Shannon Chase had hung herself in the foyer of her house when her parents went out for dinner and a movie. Before going home to get ready, Julia stopped by the library and did more research on Jason and Bowen and found information on Shannon.
Chapter Eighteen
Romance: As Dillon, Julia and Connor head to Bowen's home in the prestigious Rancho Santa Fe area, Connor can't help but notice how attractive Julia is and experiencing a bit of jealously that Dillon was Julia's escort, leaving him to search Bowen's office. Connor accidently touches a nerve when he comments about Julia's measly salary compared to the hall million dollars the Chandler Foundation gave to the San Diego Arts Foundation every year.
Suspense: As Dillon and Julia are looking at the artwork, they notice a painting above the fireplace and Bowen comes over to admit that his nephew, Tristan, painted it. Bowen asks them why they were at the event and baits Julia until she loses her temper.
Suspenseful Spoiler: Connor had copied files from Bowen's computer and was caught by Cami as he was leaving the office. Cami was dressed as a sex-pot and tried to seduce Connor while at the same time belittling him for wearing a borrowed tux. When Skip came into the office, Cami, who was angry because Connor had rejected her and called her a girl, played on Skip's jealously to try and get him to hurt her. And then Brennan presented the shocker -- Cami, Skip, Robbie and Faye were all getting into place to make Bowen the next victim. (I had been so sure Bowen was the villain!)
The Plot Thickens: When Dillon and Julia approached James and Stephanie Ridge, James was adamant that Jason would never have taken drugs or steroids. Julia later told Dillon she wanted to talk to Stephanie alone when James hushed her up when she revealed that all of Jason's problems started when he broke up with Michelle.
Emotion / Morality: At Julia's house, Connor was trying to convince himself he wasn't jealous of the easy relationship between Dillon and Julia. After looking at Bowen's files on Julia's computer and finding nothing, Connor got angry at Julia for leaving him out of the loop when he learned she and Dillon planned to prepare Emily for her interview with Will later tomorrow afternoon. When Dillon and Connor headed home, they addressed Connor's interest in Julia in spite of her role in the loss of his career. Loved the details that Brennan shared about the difficulties law enforcement officers faced.
Brennan sure knows how to increase the suspense and interest in the story. For 250 pages she has been pointing the finger at Garrett Bowen as the villain and now she introduces two new characters and leaves us to wonder how they are tied to Garrett and the actual villain (whoever that may be). After the guests left and the caterers cleaned, Garrett is alone in his home, thinking about the anniversary of Monica's death eight years ago. As Garrett ruminates about the home his long dead wife, Janine, decorated and his eventual acknowledgment for his role in revising the way psychiatrists treated anger, he runs into his former patients, Faye, Robbie, and Skip. Brennan adds even more intensity as she describes the way Faye, Robbie, and Skip kill Garrett and the last voice he hears before he dies. Wow! Just Wow!
The suspense is incredible and Brennan adds even more variables into the formula. Faye brings pictures to the villain, who couldn't be there to see Dr. Bowen's demise because he had to establish an alibi. Three things stood out. One, the villain is furious because "she" (whoever she is) was there and two, Faye took a picture of her. Third, you have to wonder who is calling the shots because the villain wants to spend more time with Faye, but "she" wanted the group to split up for a while. Faye is upset when the villain tells her this will be their last time together for a while and hands her his knife.
The tension increases when the villain calls his cohort and rages at her for attending the party and showing up at Dr. Bowen's death scene. The co-villain explained she'd changed a lot and nobody recognized her and that she had to be there. Two more pieces of the puzzle were revealed when the co-villain gets hostile when the villain mentioned Jason's name. The villain was worried because Julia was smart and if she connected the Wishlist to Jason, they could be in trouble. The villain called Cami because he needed her team to take care of Julia.
Chapter Twenty
The tension continues to escalate as the characters continue their investigation. First, Connor awoke after a night of dreaming about Julia naked in his bed to a call from Billy to meet him at the gym. When Connor goes to the gym, loved the way Brennan inserted the good that Connor is managing to achieve as he plays a game of pickup ball with three kids that he helped turn around, Jesus, Mitch and Travis. When Billy arrived he told Connor about a blond bombshell that came to his shop about a week before Judson died. The blond knew all about Billy's reaction of Judson, gave him a blow job and wanted to test him. Billy turned her down.
Second, Julia calls Michelle again and gets no answer and leaves a message. Julia goes downstairs and begins to draft a timeline about Jason's activities and Judson's death. As Julia ponders the pieces of the puzzle, she knows she needs to talk to Stephanie Ridge and find out what happened with Jason and if he was tied to Wishlist.
Finally, Will and Gage are at the Bowen mansion investigating his apparent suicide. Will knows something is off and is frustrated because Dillon is not working this case for him. Will calls Dillon to tell him about Bowen's death and wants to know what Julia and Connor's investigation has turned up. Dillon still defends Emily and tells Will he will talk to him at the hospital later. Gage points out two pieces of evidence that imply that Bowen may not have committed suicide: {1} there are scrapes on the banister, but it had been wiped clean of fingerprints; and {2} the paper on which Bowen's suicide note was written was unique as compared to the rest of the paper in the house.
Chapter Twenty-One
A very emotional interlude. Dillon called Connor as he was headed to the hospital to tell him about Bowen's apparent suicide. Connor turned around to go pick up Julia because of all the questions she'd been asking about Jason and Wishlist. Brennan wrote an exciting scene as a black truck tried to run her off the road. Connor arrived just in time to stop the driver from exiting the truck and tried to follow the black truck when it sped off. Connor lost the truck to traffic at Highway 1.
When Connor returned he pulled a shaking, crying Julia into his arms, which led to a passionate, sensual, intense kiss. They broke apart when they heard the sirens of cops answering their 9-1-1 call. Connor said, "We're not finished." (page 269)
Two officers that hated Connor and Julia for their roles in prosecuting one of their own showed up. The animosity was so powerful it rose from the pages. Officer Davies took Julia's gun and began questioning her. Julia lost her temper when Officer Rich Rayo went to arrest Connor and poked Rayo in the chest and defended her rights. Connor had to pull Julia away and drove back to her house to calm down. As Julia and Connor talked, Connor realized he did not want to become a bitter replica of Davies and Rayo and accepted the olive branch that Julia offered. Connor pulled Julia into his arms and asked her to trust him when he told her the necessity of full disclosure to Will regarding this investigation.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hate taking the time to write this. The story is so intense, just want to read. Julia and Connor went to the hospital to witness Dillon and Will as they interviewed Emily. At Dillon's prodding about Wishlist and Judge Small, who sentenced Emily to 3 years probation and let a rapist off with just a warning, Emily remembered a member on Wishlist approaching her back in January.
Connor told the group about the blond who approached Billy for recruitment when Dillon and Will joined Connor and Julia and they began connecting the dots between the death's of Small, Montgomery, and Bowen. Julia believed that Victor was a smoke screen. Will invited Dillon to go with him to talk to Garrett Bowen's son, Eric, who revealed Garrett was a very solitary man who craved acknowledgment and was more upset at the death of his sister, Moncia, than his wife.
The suspense continues to build when Tom Chase returned Julia's call as she and Connor were in her kitchen working on the timeline. Tom Chase was a bitter broken man because the system failed his daughter to save a star quarterback. A new suspect is placed on the board for readers when Tom calls his wife, Laura, who divorced him to tell her that the Deputy District Attorney was looking into Shannon's case after two years of no interest.
Patrick arrives at Julia's house because Connor was worried about her security. Patrick told Connor and Julia that Bowen did not sent Emily the request asking her what she would do to her tormentor.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Even though it's barely there, loved the dialogue between the brothers when Patrick finished modifying Julia's security system. Dillon joined the group at Julia's house to tell them that Judge Small had supposedly driven his car off the Coronado Bridge at 3:00 a.m. when he fell asleep at the wheel. Dillon also revealed that Bowen had been hit by a Taser gun that was registered to Victor.
The villain was beginning to see the flaws in his plan. He wondered how Julia had so quickly connected Jason to Shannon. He already had tickets to Brazil for himself and Faye, he just needed to tie up some loose ends.
After Patrick left, Will showed up at Julia's to tell the team that Stanton and Chief Causey were releasing Emily tomorrow. As the group began discussing the case, trying to figure out how Judson fit in with the other murders and what the motive was, Connor revealed the tie he found between the Ridges and Victor. The Ridges contributed money to Victor's campaign fund and he turned over Jason's case to Judge Small.
Connor had to convince Julia that they would keep Emily safe by sending her Montana to stay with Nick and Carina while they used her release as bait to draw out the killers. After Will and Dillon left, the heat escalated. Brennan wrote a very passionate, sensual, sizzling scene as Connor and Julia made love. Connor laid awake wondering how they were going to make this relationship work.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Brennan writes a chapter in which everything is falling apart. The four teens met at Cami's apartment and Faye can tell from Robbie's and Skip's actions and anger that they will have to be killed. When Cami takes Robbie out to the quarry to facilitate his death, she feels no remorse. However, Robbie had given Cami the pictures she wanted and she is now out for revenge because no one makes a fool of her.
Faye, on the other hand experiences much remorse at having to kill her friend, Skip. Faye is so consumed with feelings of unworthiness that she doesn't care if he kills her. When she arrives at the villain's house, he puts her in the shower to wash away Robbie's blood, only to find that Faye had cut herself -- deeply. He took care of her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Connor drove Julia to the car rental agency and gave her a passionate kiss because he was worried about leaving her alone. Julia headed over to Stephanie Ridge's house to talk with her. Stephanie got defensive and angry and denied that Jason had raped Shannon. But Julia got two pieces of vital information. One, Michelle O'Dell had been at the charity event and two, Stephanie knew about Wishlist.
When Julia went to call on Gina O'Dell, she was left standing outside the door as she told one lie after another as she asked for a current picture of Michelle. Gina revealed that Michelle always stayed with the O'Dell's when she came back to San Diego.
To finish off the confusing picture that was being painted around Michelle O'Dell, Michelle finally returned Julia's phone call. Julia was given another round of non-answers from Michelle about Jason and Shannon. Michelle also denied being in San Diego over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Connor is at the hospital after finding out all he could about Tom and Laura Chase. Connor could verify all the information on Tom, who moved to Maine after his daughter's suicide, but Laura seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Connor shared his information with Will as they waited for Dillon to release Emily and Chief Causey to make a statement to the press so they could get Emily out of town.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Julia is saying good-bye to Emily and learns that Crystal had lied about the custody fight when Julia told Emily she wanted her to come live with her when this was all over. As Julia asks Emily about Jason Ridge, Shannon Chase, and Michelle O'Dell, Connor recognized Michelle's picture as the girl who hit on him at the party and that she said her name was Cami. Will got a call and notified everyone that Dennis Richardson had been found stabbed in his bedroom.
Faye overheard the co-villain tell the villain about Faye's brutality in killing Skip. The villain loved her, protected her, he told the co-villain that he didn't know where she was. The co-villain told the villain he needed to convince Faye to confess so they would be free. So Faye went to the police station and confessed to killing Victor.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dillon had never seen such dead, empty eyes as he interviewed Faye, who admitted to killing Judson, Victor, Bowen, Skip and Robbie. Dillon had to leave the interview room when Faye realized he was a shrink and spat on him. Will continued the interview and Dillon could tell something was off, but he didn't know what. Dillon warned Chief Causey and Stanton that Faye needed to be under 24/7 suicide watch.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The villain headed over to Cami's to find Faye. When Cami pointed to the tv where the news was broadcasting that Victor's killer surrendered, he knew Faye had overheard his conversation. The villain felt bad that he and Cami had so manipulated Faye that she had turned herself in. He knew Faye would never survive being prodded by shrinks and doctors. (It's amazing, but I can't help but feel sorry for Faye.)
Cami was furious at the villain for choosing Faye over her. She confronted him before he left, then she called the co-villain and after they exchanged threats, Cami told her to get rid of him.
Connor and Julia went to her house. Crystal showed up in full ire expecting Julia to back down as usual. Instead Julia dismissed her from the Chandler Foundation and offered to buy her silent exit. Julia also demanded custody of Emily. Then Julia and Connor went inside and made passionate, hot, emotional love.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Will, Julia, and Connor were observing Faye as Dillon explained about all the cuts on her body. Dillon did not believe Faye had sewn up her own arm and she had Amytal, a drug used on surgical patients, in her system. Julia went into room to talk to Faye because she would not talk to a doctor. During the session, Dillon realized that Faye loved someone and that she was protecting that person.
Will asked Connor to join him to go interview Eric Bowen. And finally, we know who the killer is. Eric explained that he lived in opulence because his mother left him a fortune on her death. He was not close to his father who turned into a workaholic when his wife died. Eric explained that Aunt Monica died two years later and Garrett started Wishlist because Tristan, Monica's son, began cutting himself and would not talk about it. Now seven years later Tristan was a rising star in the art world.
Cami walked through the hospital like she belong there, entered Faye's room slipped her a knife and feed her anticoagulants. Faye couldn't help but use the knife.
Chapter Thirty
Lots of stuff happening quickly. Don't want to stop reading to write. First, Cami calls the villain (why isn't Brennan using his name since we all know who he is) and told him Faye was dead and that it was Julia's fault. Second, Harriet Jameson of the Palo Alto Police Department called Julia to let her know that Michelle was not in Stanford, the address was a mail drop box. Julia wondered about the need for the elaborate hoax. Third, Will and Connor went looking for Tristan Lord at his home and his art studio. Connor could see the images hidden in Tristan's disturbing paintings and figured out the "an eye for an eye" message.
The suspense increases as all the parties head for the hospital when they learn that Faye had committed suicide. Julia was abducted from the parking lot.
Chapters Thirty-One and Thirty-Two
The big finale as Julia faces off against the villain and Cami. Connor is outside with the SWAT team.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tying up loose ends.
Brief and vague description of Faye and her friends, {1} Robbie, {2} Cami, and {3} Skip at the home of Paul Judson. Brennan inserts a deep sense of curiosity into readers as she presents a scene in which Faye and Skip walk up to Judson's home and Skip shoots him before Faye can use her knife on him. Brennan also inserts an aura of suspense as Faye questions why they were killing Judson.
She felt as if they were all puppets, just pieces in someone else's game. (Faye, page 1)Chapter One
Superb writing. Brennan revealed through memories of therapy sessions the horror that Emily Chandler Montgomery must endure at the hands of her predatory stepfather, Judge Victor Montgomery. Emily's wealthy mother, Crystal Montgomery, is more concerned with appearances than with her daughter and had even used Emily as the poster child when her annual charity project was for runaway kids. Brennan really draws the reader into the story and inspires compassion for Emily as she gives voice to her disgust, fear and rage regarding Victor's sexual proclivities -- and her inability to find a means of escape.
The suspense aspect of the story arises because of the way Emily remembers the voice of her therapist. The subtle nuances the therapist used regarding imagining the death of Emily's abuser made one think of the quote from Faye in the prologue. In spite of this degree of sinister-ness, Emily's therapist did have some memorable words that rang all too true.
The only way to be free of him is to picture him without any power over you. (therapist, page 4)Chapter Two
When you get angry, you let your enemies have control. (therapist, page 6)
When you keep your feelings inside, anger wins. Your enemy wins. (therapist, page 7)
Dr. Jim Gage, the crime lab director, is joined at the Montgomery house by Detective Will Hooper (sans Carina Kincaid, his partner, who is on vacation with her fiancé), to begin processing the murder of Judge Montgomery and the attempted suicide of sixteen year old Emily. Even though the scene is particularly gruesome, Brennan inserts a bit of humor at Will's reaction to the mutilation of the Judge's genitalia.
As Jim and Will work the scene, they throw out possible scenarios for what might have happened to the Judge and Emily, who was transported to the hospital. Brennan continues to develop the idea of puppets on a string because the manner of the Judge's comeuppance matches the words Emily spoke to her therapist. However, Jim and Will discuss the slim likelihood that San Diego's equivalent of a Mafia don, Herman Santos, could be a possible suspect because the judge had sentenced him to death by lethal injection.
Chapter Three
In another well-written, attention grabbing, information generating scene, Brennan describes the heroine, Deputy District Attorney Julia Chandler, arriving at the Montgomery home to check on the status of her beloved niece, Emily. Julia runs into Will, for whom she has the utmost respect, and tries to finagle information about the crime from him. Will, however, is concerned about the legalities and political repercussions of this case and gives Julia basic details but warns her, as a friend, to get an attorney for Emily.
It is blatantly obvious that Julia and Crystal hate each other. Even though Will could figure it out for himself, Julia point-blank tells Will and Jim during their conversation that Crystal, who had been married to Julia's brother, Matt, for ten years was all about two things -- herself and keeping the Chandler money. Julia gave up her half of the Chandler inheritance to get visitation rights with Emily when Matt died.
Julia, therefore, placed two difficult phone calls. Even though he never wanted to hear from her again, Julia left Connor Kincaid a voice mail, knowing that he cared about Emily since he was the P.I. who found her when she ran away three years ago. The second call Julia made was to Iris Jones, a woman she disliked as a person and as an attorney, but who was as good at her job as Julia.
Chapter Four
Brennan really knows how to increase the tension and suspense in the story by introducing a variety of villains, two of whom remain unidentified. As the number one villain stares out his window, drinking Chivas, congratulating himself on his brilliance in creating a plan that gives him the revenge he wants without getting his hands bloody, you can't help but wonder who this is. Is it Dr. Garrett Bowen, the psychiatrist Emily was ordered to see? Brennan says it all so succinctly:
The police would scramble about with their theories, but they wouldn't be able to prove anything. The media would learn the secrets of the murdered and expose their reputations to humiliation and embarrassment. Through it all, he'd sit in his house and enjoy the product of his handiwork, all without getting a drop of blood on his own hands. (Number One Villain, page 37)To add even more pieces to the puzzle, the villain is worried about the wild card, who nearly messed up his plan eighteen months ago. The wild card comes to the villain's home, angry because she believes he screwed up. This villain is so wrapped up in his own grandeur, he compares himself to God. He loves the way the kids worship him.
In a surprising move, Cami, is given a point of view voice, also wrapped up in her own power over life and death. She is proud of her ability to manipulate men (like Victor and Skip) to want her. After having sex with Skip, Cami gets a call from him (whoever he is) about a change of plans.
Chapter Five
Brennan continues to build the suspense and present more information about the relationship between Julia, Emily, Matt and Crystal. As Julia sits in Emily's hospital room and remembers when Matt married Crystal and that if Matt hadn't had that terrible car accident, he would have divorced Crystal because he finally saw her for who she was -- a money-worshiping narcissist. (Since this is a mystery, it's easy to assume that Crystal is responsible for Matt's accident and to assume that she is "the wild card".)
Brennan is also creating an emotional attachment to both Julia and Emily as Julia remembers when Emily ran away and her struggles to mother a troubled teen. Julia did not believe Emily would commit suicide because she had talked her into refraining from taking all the pills Dr. Bowen had prescribed to suppress her multitude of symptoms rather than treat the disease. Julia feels like a failure because Emily never told her why she ran away. Julia was positive she was the only person who cared about Emily after Victor called her into chambers one time to suggest that she wasn't managing Emily's trust fund in the best manner possible.
When the dynamic Iris Jones burst into the psychiatric unit of Scripps Memorial Hospital where Emily was being kept, it was impossible not to be impressed with her forthright, 'all speed ahead' demeanor. Julia couldn't help but agree to the steps that Iris was taking to prove Emily's innocence. First, Iris wanted to hire Dr. Dillon Kincaid as Emily's psychiatrist for two reasons: {1} because he was good, and {2} to keep him from working for Stanton. Iris retained Bruce Younger, a top investigator, to follow the steps the police were taking as well as investigate the case. Iris would prefer to use Connor, but was shocked that Julia had called him to work Emily's case.
"I'm surprised he's given you the time of day." (Iris, page 53)Chapter Six
Brennan is so good at weaving the romance into her suspenseful stories. When Connor arrives home, he finds Julia waiting on his porch to use his love of family to manipulate him into taking Emily's case. Connor throws quite a few smart remarks at Julia as she described Victor's death and why Emily was considered a suspect. Connor hates that he cannot distance himself from Emily's case, having stayed in touch with her through the years, because he is too attracted to Julia, the woman who cost him his career five years ago.
This scene was especially moving for me because Julia's situation with her niece so closely resembles my family situation, that I couldn't help but identify with Julia.
I should have fought harder for custody. But I'm just her aunt. I know the law. It was stacked against me." (Julia, page 59)Chapter Seven
In the midst of the investigation process to get to the truth of Emily's role in Victor's murder, Brennan is making sure that readers are very aware that Julia is attracted to Connor. How's this for a sure sign that Julia is attracted to Connor:
Never had a man, friend or foe, infuriated her as much as Connor Kincaid did. (Julia, page 62)Julia went to the hospital to find Dillon in a stand-off against Will. As Emily's doctor, Dillon would not let Will interview Emily until he had deemed her stable enough. After Will left and Dillon told Julia she could not interrupt his interview of Emily for any reason, Dillon went in to talk to Emily. Connor had to grab Julia's hands to stop her from beating on the observation window when they heard what Victor had been doing to Emily for the past three years.
After the interview Julia told Dillon and Connor about how Crystal had trapped Matt into marriage and played mind games with him until he figured out what a selfish gold-digger she was. Matt died in a car accident six years ago, before he could divorce Crystal but not before making Julia executrix of Emily's trust fund. Dillon asked Connor to find out what Emily meant when she said that Victor was murdered just as she had envisioned it while he tried to find out what she had been lying about.
Chapter Eight
Brennan is doing an excellent job of leading one to believe that Dr. Garrett Bowen is the villain. Brennan paints a picture of a man who is more concerned about appearances than his charges when Dillon goes to Dr. Bowen's office to find out what he can about the psychiatrist who had been treating Emily for the past year. Dillon immediately understood why Emily didn't trust Dr. Bowen with her secrets and begins to get irritated when Dr. Bowen baits him. As the conversation continued and Dr. Bowen spat out a textbook assessment of Emily and Crystal's relationship, Dillon did not correct Dr. Bowen when he assumed that Dillon was working on behalf of the prosecutor's office.
Some sort of invisible line had been drawn. Dillon wasn't sure exactly what Bowen's game was, but something was off. (Dillon, page 88)Brennan is apparently going to delve into the mindset of the various teens who are performing nefarious deeds for the villain. Faye is featured in this chapter as she sits alone at the lunch table at school listening to the rumors running rampant about Emily. Brennan seems to be painting a picture about why Faye was so susceptible to the villain. Faye feels overlooked and unloved -- first by her father, and then by Trent Payne, the cute football player who asked plain-looking Faye out just to get in her pants. When Skip walked up to Faye to tell her about their next meeting, he tells her that Mike Olson, the guy she had a crush on, was just as much a jerk as Trent.
Chapter Nine
Brennan painted an excellent description of Patrick's office when Connor went to see him to try and get information regarding the case. What a great conversation between the brothers. And Patrick found a way to help Connor by allowing him to see the file. Connor pulled two pertinent "Wishlist" e-mails from the file.
Connor had a difficult time walking through the police department, greeting old acquaintances and remembering his last six months as an officer when he was investigating a case being sabotaged by a high ranking member of the force. As Connor explained to Patrick, he wanted to prove that Emily was innocent so that she would not have to live with the same stigma of suspicion that he was forced to endure.
Connor went to an auto shop near the Tijuana border to talk to Billy Thompson, a high school senior who lost his basketball scholarship because of Paul Judson (high school principal), and was considered the number one suspect in Judson's murder. Billy had an alibi and the Judson case was still open. Connor knew Billy from the youth center, knew he was a good guy with a lot of bad breaks. When Connor got past Billy's defenses, he learned that Billy had written the e-mail on "Wishlist" when he joined the e-mail group at the recommendation of his court appointed shrink for anger management -- none other than Dr. Bowen.
As Connor was leaving the auto shop, Will showed up. Will lectured Connor about interfering with a police investigation and getting Patrick fired. Connor could tell from Will's tone, that Emily's arrest was imminent.
Chapter Ten
Brennan continues to delve into the minds of the kids committing the villain's crimes by presenting them meeting at Cami's penthouse apartment. Faye is remembering how she met Cami, how they were soul mates because they were both self cutters. Faye admires Cami, but is not as cold-blooded. Faye has compassion for Robbie, who shows up at the meeting drugged out to deaden the pain of his father's latest beating. Cami, who hates drugs with a passion, lets Faye know she will have to get rid of Robbie if he messes up.
Andrew Stanton enters Julia's office to reprimand her for hiring Connor to interfere in a police investigation. When Julia defends her actions, Andrew puts her on administrative leave . . . or she could resign.
For the first time Julia had an inkling of what Connor Kincaid had felt five years ago when she had given him almost the same ultimatum. (Julia, page 118)Brennan writes so beautifully -- even when she's on a soap box. Using the mind of the villain, Brennan writes an awesome soliloquy about vengeance.
Vengeance was a powerful motive because no one questioned it. Righting wrongs was human nature. (Villain, page 119)The villain is so busy patting himself on the back for being so smart about the way he is wrecking vengeance, that he believes if he were ever caught, people would riot in the streets for his release. This guy has a serious God complex.
Seeing all the players' moves was crucial, and like God, he was the only one in this game who knew every player. He knew why they made their choices, what motivated them, how to defeat them.Chapter Eleven
He was the chess master. (Villain, page 120-121)
Story continues at a strong, steady pace as Connor joins Dillon in his kitchen to discuss the case. While Dillon is ruminating about a profile on the killers, Connor remembers having to bring his mentor and ex-partner to justice and losing his job as a result. Brennan doesn't let the romance factor fall by the wayside either. When Julia arrives, Connor has a thought similar to Julia's earlier thought about Connor.
Every time he saw her, he became angry and conflicted. With himself, with her. (Connor, page 128)Julia tells the brothers about Stanton putting her on administrative leave. After Dillon reveals his profile of the leader of the group of young killers, he suggests that they look into similar violent cases going back two years because he's sure the Judson and Montgomery kills are not the only two perpetuated by these killers. Dillon wants to confer with Patrick regarding checking into the Wishlist, which is tied to Bowen and wants to warn Chief Causey to refrain from using Bowen as a consultant on this case.
The suspense increases as Cami pays a visit to the villain and gives him the details of Victor's kill as he gives her a painful orgasm. After Cami leaves, the villain details his disgust of Cami and his fascination with Faye. He then lets readers know that he plans to go after the person who had wronged him within two days.
Chapter Twelve
Connor is frustrated because Dillon put Julia (drunk on three beers) in his care to get her home. Connor took Julia to La Honda, a restaurant owned by his mother's best friend, Felicia, another Cuban escapee. As they ate, Julia was very emotional as she confessed to Connor that she had failed at keeping Emily safe, the last request made to her by her best and only friend, her brother, Matt. Julia was feeling guilty for being so hard on Connor five years ago, when he broke the law to bring justice to two dead girls.
The romance is still ever present as Connor takes Julia to his place when she fell asleep. He cannot believe he desires the woman who caused him to lose his job. Brennan, finally begins to tell readers what happened to Connor five years ago -- but only gave us enough details to wet our appetite.
Connor had been called to San Diego Mission de Alcalá where two fourteen year old illegal girls had been killed and dumped because they did not perform. The sad priest told Connor that the police turned their heads to allow this to happen and he could not let the cold case alone. Connor caught his partner and mentor, Wayne Crutcher, taking a bribe and punched him. Internal Affairs was called in and Wayne was transferred and Connor turned his documentation over to Internal Affairs.
The villain visits Faye in her bed at her father's home. Faye remembers the other times when he came to her and gave her his trust by asking her to cut him during sex.
Chapter Thirteen
Not only is Brennan including romance in this mystery, but she's including lust as well. Julia wakes up disoriented after sleeping on Connor's couch (and dreaming about him). When Connor teases Julia, she retaliates by giving his a big, bold display of her legs as she crosses to get her skirt from the chair. Julia wishes there wasn't that negative history between them when she sees the lust in Connor's eyes.
Julia heads to her office to get Victor's autopsy report from Frisco and to begin pulling all of Victor's cases that involve Bowen. Meanwhile, Connor joins Dillon at the hospital to talk to Emily. Dillon has convinced Dr. Browne to keep Emily for 36 more hours to keep her from Will and from arrest.
Connor and Dillon console Emily and explain that Julia loves her and is trying to help her before asking her about the Wishlist. Emily explained that she wrote that angry e-mail on Wishlist when she realized that Victor was intentionally trying to humiliate and harass her to get control of her money. As Dillon and Connor left the hospital, Dillon quoted the Wishlist passcode to Connor, Isaiah 35:4.
When Faye, Cami, Robbie and Skip meet on the beach to discuss their next assignment, Faye is feeling powerful because she is the calming influence among the group. Faye is starting to feel very powerful and believes she is the one controlling this group of people.
Chapter Fourteen
The tension begins to mount as Julia goes to the dingy basement archives to bribe the well-described clerk, Selene Borge, with a latte from Starbucks. Loved the interaction between Julia and Selene as Julia asked Selene for Dr. Bowen's cases and then Victor's cases. Selene tells Julia she can't turn over Dr. Bowen's records because juvenile files required a judge's consent and handed over the list she'd just printed and then she left Julia alone to make copies of those files.
This was no longer a gray area. Julia was breaking the law. (Julia, page 168)One of the juvenile cases, Jason Bridge, drew Julia's deep curiosity so she stopped at the La Jolla Library on her way home to investigate further. After reading an article about this high school football star, who died of heart failure from a steroid overdose during a football game, written by crime writer, Grace Simpson, Julia called Grace to get more information about this case. Julia had to promise to share her information on Victor's case to get Grace to meet with her.
Dillon has a confrontation with Andrew, who is furious because Dillon is working against him and keeping Emily away from the police. Dillon realizes Andrew's case is only circumstantial and stands up to Andrew and his threats. Dillon is one of the only Kincaids who will have anything to do with Andrew since the murder of Justin Stanton, Andrew and Nell's son, eleven years ago. Dillon told Andrew to not let his hatred towards Connor for uncovering his affair after Justin's death to jeopardize this investigation.
Dillon then goes to the county club where Dr. Bowen is dining and confronts him about the Wishlist. Dr. Bowen gives Dillon detailed data about why he created Wishlist, more detail about cutters, and takes affront to Dillon's disagreement with his methods.
You should have your license pulled. Giving your patients essentially the right to counsel each other. You've created a forum for anger to fester, not diminish." (Dillon, page 185)Chapter Fifteen
The investigation continues. Connor went to the high school Emily attended to talk to Wendy Roper, her closest friend. Wendy knew about Victor and finally admitted to knowing about Emily's wishlist for Victor, written in moments of drunken anger. When Wendy told Connor about Crystal just wanting Emily's trust fund, Connor wondered if the case was all about money.
Julia meets Grace Simpson at Crab Catcher to get information on Jason Ridge's case. Grace gives Julia access to all her notes and contacts and tells Julia that Maggie O'Dell, Jason's girlfriend, knew more than she would say. Julia agreed to give Grace an interview in exchange for her help. As she was leaving the restaurant, Grace suggested Julia attend the Chandler Foundation charity event tomorrow night because Jason's parents would be there.
Brennan reveals some more of Connor's story using a romantic angle and Julia's point of view. Julia's boss at the time, Bryce Descario, was worried about his election in two years and wanted the case cleared up and told Julia to do whatever it took to make Connor testify in this politically sensitive investigation. When Connor came to her office, Julia was torn because she was attracted to Connor and there were so many variables and political maneuverings in the case. But what Julia remembers the most was the fierce, passionate kiss Connor laid on her.
Chapter Sixteen
Brennan is doing a great job with the romance aspect of the story and adding little tidbits that flesh out the characters and give them a feeling of being real. Connor is waiting at Julia's old Victorian house for her to arrive home and befriends her tabby cat, Scruffy, remembering the Kincaid family cat, Tuxedo, when they lived in Texas. Connor's thoughts turn to that time he kissed Julia five years ago and then the hell he'd lived through for six months when he was forced to investigate his colleagues. When Julia arrived they went inside to work the case. Connor teases Julia about having no food in her refrigerator and not knowing how to cook. When Julia brought documents from her fax machine, Connor noticed from the invitation that the charity event was to be held at Bowen's home.
Brennan never lets the suspense fall away either as she jumps to the villain's home where he is trying to calm his cohort in crime, worried that she will lose her cool at the charity event and mess up his well-laid plans of two years. The villain had stopped her from killing the man who wronged her so he could humiliate him first before taking his own revenge.
When Dillon arrived at Julia's, he wanted to give the information they had to Will. Julia begged Dillon for twenty-four more hours to prove Emily's innocence. Connor, Dillon and Julia began studying the files, when Julia found the connection in the Jason Bridge case.
Chapter Seventeen
Julia went to interview Michelle O'Dell's parents. Brennan beautifully described Gina O'Dell's home located in neighborhood near air force base, giving the story a homey feel. Gina offered Julia refreshments and told her how Michelle and Jason met, when they broke up and mentioned that Michelle lost another friend to suicide that year. Shannon Chase had hung herself in the foyer of her house when her parents went out for dinner and a movie. Before going home to get ready, Julia stopped by the library and did more research on Jason and Bowen and found information on Shannon.
Chapter Eighteen
Romance: As Dillon, Julia and Connor head to Bowen's home in the prestigious Rancho Santa Fe area, Connor can't help but notice how attractive Julia is and experiencing a bit of jealously that Dillon was Julia's escort, leaving him to search Bowen's office. Connor accidently touches a nerve when he comments about Julia's measly salary compared to the hall million dollars the Chandler Foundation gave to the San Diego Arts Foundation every year.
Suspense: As Dillon and Julia are looking at the artwork, they notice a painting above the fireplace and Bowen comes over to admit that his nephew, Tristan, painted it. Bowen asks them why they were at the event and baits Julia until she loses her temper.
What else did he know? Did he use people's fear and anger against them? Had he manipulated Emily like this? Subtly jabbing, picking at old scabs? (Julia, page 228)When Marisa Wohler, Camilla's mother, Bowen's date, walks up, Julia's instincts are tickled. Before Marisa can answer Julia's question, Bowen leads her away, avoiding eye contact. What a well-written scene, delivering suspenseful undercurrents, while keeping readers guessing and revealing Cami's ties to Bowen to Dillon and Julia.
Suspenseful Spoiler: Connor had copied files from Bowen's computer and was caught by Cami as he was leaving the office. Cami was dressed as a sex-pot and tried to seduce Connor while at the same time belittling him for wearing a borrowed tux. When Skip came into the office, Cami, who was angry because Connor had rejected her and called her a girl, played on Skip's jealously to try and get him to hurt her. And then Brennan presented the shocker -- Cami, Skip, Robbie and Faye were all getting into place to make Bowen the next victim. (I had been so sure Bowen was the villain!)
The Plot Thickens: When Dillon and Julia approached James and Stephanie Ridge, James was adamant that Jason would never have taken drugs or steroids. Julia later told Dillon she wanted to talk to Stephanie alone when James hushed her up when she revealed that all of Jason's problems started when he broke up with Michelle.
Emotion / Morality: At Julia's house, Connor was trying to convince himself he wasn't jealous of the easy relationship between Dillon and Julia. After looking at Bowen's files on Julia's computer and finding nothing, Connor got angry at Julia for leaving him out of the loop when he learned she and Dillon planned to prepare Emily for her interview with Will later tomorrow afternoon. When Dillon and Connor headed home, they addressed Connor's interest in Julia in spite of her role in the loss of his career. Loved the details that Brennan shared about the difficulties law enforcement officers faced.
The cards were stacked against them. Criminals had no rules to follow, but cops were strangled by regulations, rules that sometimes got them killed or, if they broke the rules to save their life, got them sued. (Connor, page 239)Chapter Nineteen
But Dillon was right. It wasn't just Julia he was angry with. The system had let him down, as had his former friends and colleagues who dropped him and forced him to resign. (Connor, page 240)
Brennan sure knows how to increase the suspense and interest in the story. For 250 pages she has been pointing the finger at Garrett Bowen as the villain and now she introduces two new characters and leaves us to wonder how they are tied to Garrett and the actual villain (whoever that may be). After the guests left and the caterers cleaned, Garrett is alone in his home, thinking about the anniversary of Monica's death eight years ago. As Garrett ruminates about the home his long dead wife, Janine, decorated and his eventual acknowledgment for his role in revising the way psychiatrists treated anger, he runs into his former patients, Faye, Robbie, and Skip. Brennan adds even more intensity as she describes the way Faye, Robbie, and Skip kill Garrett and the last voice he hears before he dies. Wow! Just Wow!
The suspense is incredible and Brennan adds even more variables into the formula. Faye brings pictures to the villain, who couldn't be there to see Dr. Bowen's demise because he had to establish an alibi. Three things stood out. One, the villain is furious because "she" (whoever she is) was there and two, Faye took a picture of her. Third, you have to wonder who is calling the shots because the villain wants to spend more time with Faye, but "she" wanted the group to split up for a while. Faye is upset when the villain tells her this will be their last time together for a while and hands her his knife.
The tension increases when the villain calls his cohort and rages at her for attending the party and showing up at Dr. Bowen's death scene. The co-villain explained she'd changed a lot and nobody recognized her and that she had to be there. Two more pieces of the puzzle were revealed when the co-villain gets hostile when the villain mentioned Jason's name. The villain was worried because Julia was smart and if she connected the Wishlist to Jason, they could be in trouble. The villain called Cami because he needed her team to take care of Julia.
Chapter Twenty
The tension continues to escalate as the characters continue their investigation. First, Connor awoke after a night of dreaming about Julia naked in his bed to a call from Billy to meet him at the gym. When Connor goes to the gym, loved the way Brennan inserted the good that Connor is managing to achieve as he plays a game of pickup ball with three kids that he helped turn around, Jesus, Mitch and Travis. When Billy arrived he told Connor about a blond bombshell that came to his shop about a week before Judson died. The blond knew all about Billy's reaction of Judson, gave him a blow job and wanted to test him. Billy turned her down.
Second, Julia calls Michelle again and gets no answer and leaves a message. Julia goes downstairs and begins to draft a timeline about Jason's activities and Judson's death. As Julia ponders the pieces of the puzzle, she knows she needs to talk to Stephanie Ridge and find out what happened with Jason and if he was tied to Wishlist.
Finally, Will and Gage are at the Bowen mansion investigating his apparent suicide. Will knows something is off and is frustrated because Dillon is not working this case for him. Will calls Dillon to tell him about Bowen's death and wants to know what Julia and Connor's investigation has turned up. Dillon still defends Emily and tells Will he will talk to him at the hospital later. Gage points out two pieces of evidence that imply that Bowen may not have committed suicide: {1} there are scrapes on the banister, but it had been wiped clean of fingerprints; and {2} the paper on which Bowen's suicide note was written was unique as compared to the rest of the paper in the house.
Chapter Twenty-One
A very emotional interlude. Dillon called Connor as he was headed to the hospital to tell him about Bowen's apparent suicide. Connor turned around to go pick up Julia because of all the questions she'd been asking about Jason and Wishlist. Brennan wrote an exciting scene as a black truck tried to run her off the road. Connor arrived just in time to stop the driver from exiting the truck and tried to follow the black truck when it sped off. Connor lost the truck to traffic at Highway 1.
When Connor returned he pulled a shaking, crying Julia into his arms, which led to a passionate, sensual, intense kiss. They broke apart when they heard the sirens of cops answering their 9-1-1 call. Connor said, "We're not finished." (page 269)
Two officers that hated Connor and Julia for their roles in prosecuting one of their own showed up. The animosity was so powerful it rose from the pages. Officer Davies took Julia's gun and began questioning her. Julia lost her temper when Officer Rich Rayo went to arrest Connor and poked Rayo in the chest and defended her rights. Connor had to pull Julia away and drove back to her house to calm down. As Julia and Connor talked, Connor realized he did not want to become a bitter replica of Davies and Rayo and accepted the olive branch that Julia offered. Connor pulled Julia into his arms and asked her to trust him when he told her the necessity of full disclosure to Will regarding this investigation.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hate taking the time to write this. The story is so intense, just want to read. Julia and Connor went to the hospital to witness Dillon and Will as they interviewed Emily. At Dillon's prodding about Wishlist and Judge Small, who sentenced Emily to 3 years probation and let a rapist off with just a warning, Emily remembered a member on Wishlist approaching her back in January.
Connor told the group about the blond who approached Billy for recruitment when Dillon and Will joined Connor and Julia and they began connecting the dots between the death's of Small, Montgomery, and Bowen. Julia believed that Victor was a smoke screen. Will invited Dillon to go with him to talk to Garrett Bowen's son, Eric, who revealed Garrett was a very solitary man who craved acknowledgment and was more upset at the death of his sister, Moncia, than his wife.
The suspense continues to build when Tom Chase returned Julia's call as she and Connor were in her kitchen working on the timeline. Tom Chase was a bitter broken man because the system failed his daughter to save a star quarterback. A new suspect is placed on the board for readers when Tom calls his wife, Laura, who divorced him to tell her that the Deputy District Attorney was looking into Shannon's case after two years of no interest.
Patrick arrives at Julia's house because Connor was worried about her security. Patrick told Connor and Julia that Bowen did not sent Emily the request asking her what she would do to her tormentor.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Even though it's barely there, loved the dialogue between the brothers when Patrick finished modifying Julia's security system. Dillon joined the group at Julia's house to tell them that Judge Small had supposedly driven his car off the Coronado Bridge at 3:00 a.m. when he fell asleep at the wheel. Dillon also revealed that Bowen had been hit by a Taser gun that was registered to Victor.
The villain was beginning to see the flaws in his plan. He wondered how Julia had so quickly connected Jason to Shannon. He already had tickets to Brazil for himself and Faye, he just needed to tie up some loose ends.
After Patrick left, Will showed up at Julia's to tell the team that Stanton and Chief Causey were releasing Emily tomorrow. As the group began discussing the case, trying to figure out how Judson fit in with the other murders and what the motive was, Connor revealed the tie he found between the Ridges and Victor. The Ridges contributed money to Victor's campaign fund and he turned over Jason's case to Judge Small.
Connor had to convince Julia that they would keep Emily safe by sending her Montana to stay with Nick and Carina while they used her release as bait to draw out the killers. After Will and Dillon left, the heat escalated. Brennan wrote a very passionate, sensual, sizzling scene as Connor and Julia made love. Connor laid awake wondering how they were going to make this relationship work.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Brennan writes a chapter in which everything is falling apart. The four teens met at Cami's apartment and Faye can tell from Robbie's and Skip's actions and anger that they will have to be killed. When Cami takes Robbie out to the quarry to facilitate his death, she feels no remorse. However, Robbie had given Cami the pictures she wanted and she is now out for revenge because no one makes a fool of her.
Faye, on the other hand experiences much remorse at having to kill her friend, Skip. Faye is so consumed with feelings of unworthiness that she doesn't care if he kills her. When she arrives at the villain's house, he puts her in the shower to wash away Robbie's blood, only to find that Faye had cut herself -- deeply. He took care of her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Connor drove Julia to the car rental agency and gave her a passionate kiss because he was worried about leaving her alone. Julia headed over to Stephanie Ridge's house to talk with her. Stephanie got defensive and angry and denied that Jason had raped Shannon. But Julia got two pieces of vital information. One, Michelle O'Dell had been at the charity event and two, Stephanie knew about Wishlist.
When Julia went to call on Gina O'Dell, she was left standing outside the door as she told one lie after another as she asked for a current picture of Michelle. Gina revealed that Michelle always stayed with the O'Dell's when she came back to San Diego.
To finish off the confusing picture that was being painted around Michelle O'Dell, Michelle finally returned Julia's phone call. Julia was given another round of non-answers from Michelle about Jason and Shannon. Michelle also denied being in San Diego over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Connor is at the hospital after finding out all he could about Tom and Laura Chase. Connor could verify all the information on Tom, who moved to Maine after his daughter's suicide, but Laura seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Connor shared his information with Will as they waited for Dillon to release Emily and Chief Causey to make a statement to the press so they could get Emily out of town.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Julia is saying good-bye to Emily and learns that Crystal had lied about the custody fight when Julia told Emily she wanted her to come live with her when this was all over. As Julia asks Emily about Jason Ridge, Shannon Chase, and Michelle O'Dell, Connor recognized Michelle's picture as the girl who hit on him at the party and that she said her name was Cami. Will got a call and notified everyone that Dennis Richardson had been found stabbed in his bedroom.
Faye overheard the co-villain tell the villain about Faye's brutality in killing Skip. The villain loved her, protected her, he told the co-villain that he didn't know where she was. The co-villain told the villain he needed to convince Faye to confess so they would be free. So Faye went to the police station and confessed to killing Victor.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dillon had never seen such dead, empty eyes as he interviewed Faye, who admitted to killing Judson, Victor, Bowen, Skip and Robbie. Dillon had to leave the interview room when Faye realized he was a shrink and spat on him. Will continued the interview and Dillon could tell something was off, but he didn't know what. Dillon warned Chief Causey and Stanton that Faye needed to be under 24/7 suicide watch.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The villain headed over to Cami's to find Faye. When Cami pointed to the tv where the news was broadcasting that Victor's killer surrendered, he knew Faye had overheard his conversation. The villain felt bad that he and Cami had so manipulated Faye that she had turned herself in. He knew Faye would never survive being prodded by shrinks and doctors. (It's amazing, but I can't help but feel sorry for Faye.)
Cami was furious at the villain for choosing Faye over her. She confronted him before he left, then she called the co-villain and after they exchanged threats, Cami told her to get rid of him.
Connor and Julia went to her house. Crystal showed up in full ire expecting Julia to back down as usual. Instead Julia dismissed her from the Chandler Foundation and offered to buy her silent exit. Julia also demanded custody of Emily. Then Julia and Connor went inside and made passionate, hot, emotional love.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Will, Julia, and Connor were observing Faye as Dillon explained about all the cuts on her body. Dillon did not believe Faye had sewn up her own arm and she had Amytal, a drug used on surgical patients, in her system. Julia went into room to talk to Faye because she would not talk to a doctor. During the session, Dillon realized that Faye loved someone and that she was protecting that person.
Will asked Connor to join him to go interview Eric Bowen. And finally, we know who the killer is. Eric explained that he lived in opulence because his mother left him a fortune on her death. He was not close to his father who turned into a workaholic when his wife died. Eric explained that Aunt Monica died two years later and Garrett started Wishlist because Tristan, Monica's son, began cutting himself and would not talk about it. Now seven years later Tristan was a rising star in the art world.
Cami walked through the hospital like she belong there, entered Faye's room slipped her a knife and feed her anticoagulants. Faye couldn't help but use the knife.
Chapter Thirty
Lots of stuff happening quickly. Don't want to stop reading to write. First, Cami calls the villain (why isn't Brennan using his name since we all know who he is) and told him Faye was dead and that it was Julia's fault. Second, Harriet Jameson of the Palo Alto Police Department called Julia to let her know that Michelle was not in Stanford, the address was a mail drop box. Julia wondered about the need for the elaborate hoax. Third, Will and Connor went looking for Tristan Lord at his home and his art studio. Connor could see the images hidden in Tristan's disturbing paintings and figured out the "an eye for an eye" message.
The suspense increases as all the parties head for the hospital when they learn that Faye had committed suicide. Julia was abducted from the parking lot.
Chapters Thirty-One and Thirty-Two
The big finale as Julia faces off against the villain and Cami. Connor is outside with the SWAT team.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tying up loose ends.
❀ . Top . ❀ . Review . ❀ . Synopsis . ❀ . Series . ❀ . Characters . ❀ . Quotes . ❀ . Comments . ❀ . Links . ❀ . End . ❀
Books In The Series: "The No Evil Trilogy"
| # | Date | Title | Hero | Heroine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01. | 02-2007 | Speak No Evil | Nicholas P. "Nick" Thomas; Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff | Carina Maria Kincaid; San Diego Homicide Detective |
| 02. | 03-2007 | See No Evil | Julia Chandler, Deputy District Attorney | Connor Mateo Kincaid, Private Investigator, former SDPD |
| 03. | 04-2007 | Fear No Evil | Dillon Kincaid; Forensic Psychiatrist | Katherine "Kate" Donovan, FBI Special Agent |
❀ . Top . ❀ . Review . ❀ . Synopsis . ❀ . Series . ❀ . Characters . ❀ . Quotes . ❀ . Comments . ❀ . Links . ❀ . End . ❀
Characters Found In "See No Evil"
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Connor Kincaid | [Hero] a pit bull when he cared about something; tracked down Emily when she ran away (28) pushed off police force (34) family meant everything to him; 5-y-a Julia forced him to resign (55) worked with high school dropouts who thought gangs were the answer to their problems (56) arrogant; chip on his shoulder a mile wide (62) "He was the best at getting to the bottom of anything, but he played loose with the rules." (64) collar-length hair; rich, clean fragrance of soap, raw masculinity; saw everything at a quick glance (66) biggest of the Kincaid brothers; broader, taller, darker; dark good looks of his Cuban mother; hot-blooded temper of his combined Irish and Latin genes (67) "Con" (75) loose cannon (117) hated sitting still; wanted to be doing something; didn't take orders well; didn't like traitors (123) unreadable dark eyes; hard, unyielding face; tight, hard body; sexy (132) hot-tempered copy stuck in middle of internal investigation 5-y-a; age and experience calmed him (145) one of the best street cops; had knack in working with kids (148) collar-length black hair (155) broad chest; hot cop in uniform; piercing black eyes to match his black hair; square jaw; long nose; hard, sleek muscles (198) dark blue truck (264) |
| Julia Chandler | [Heroine] deputy district attorney; take-no-prisoners reputation; high-profile background as a Chandler; putting names to faces was required since preschool; naturally sharp memory (22) stickler for the rules; Stanton's shining star; did not see eye-to-eye with Crystal (24) worked for District Attorney's Office (27) good at her job (33) grew up in home without love (46) executrix of Emily's trust fund (48) 34-y-o (49) voice a low rumble, quiet, sexy; perfected the take-no-prisoners image; richly textured blond hair, put up tight on her head; long, elegant aristocratic bones; curvy figure hidden underneath sensible, expensive lawyer suits; legs that never ended; long, wavy hair; pretty face (54) full breasts; narrow waist; long, long legs (55) the epitome of control; river rising to the bait; always right; standing by her oh-so-perfect ethics; everything was black and white; dark emerald eyes; wasn't one to back down (59) hot; sexy; smart (60) needed to get away form the house, the money, the image and find herself and her own dreams (65) Aunt Jules (67) waves of dark blond hair fell halfway down her back (128) the law grounded her, gave her strength and purpose (146) gave up involvement in Chandler Foundation for one day a week with Emily (195) hated politics (197) 5-y-a she was 29-y-o overworked DDA 3 years out of law school (198) 5'9" (199) renovated Victorian house perched on cliffs along coast outside of La Jolla (201) Volvo (204) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Robert "Robbie" Haxton | [Teen Team Villain] the driver (1) had sex with Faye; scarred body (108) did drugs; father beat him; 3 months before he got his money; joined group 10-mo-a (112) attended private school in downtown San Diego (163) Robert Haxton (245) Ritalin, Wellburtin, depressed, ADHD (246) |
| Faye Kessler | [Teen Team Villain] hates guns; self-cutter (2) villain's puppet; toed the line; only one who understood the villain; would do anything villain wanted; never asked why; never questioned; loved villain unconditionally (38) quiet; reticent; known as geek; had few friends at school; arrested for shoplifting; teachers found her odd, but extremely gifted; ignored by father; mother left when she was 7-y-o (89) unattractive; never had dated; no one looked at; got straight A's (90) bonded with Cami (107) had sex with Robbie; scarred body; went to private high school; ugly; gangly; rich single parent; only child; father member of exclusive gold club in San Diego County (108) kept the villain's secrets (139) soulful eyes; quiet understanding (140) 17-y-o (338) pale; slender; shoulder length mousy brown hair, clean but limp; dark, dead eyes; not attractive; face too long, nose too large, forehead too high (338) hated shrinks, doctors, anyone who poked at her (348) pale blue eyes (362) |
| Dennis "Skip" Richardson, Jr. | [Teen Team Villain] arrogant; sure of himself (2) "he liked to hurt her, and hated himself for it" (41) beautiful grayish blue eyes with little flecks of darker gray; long lashes (91) Dennis Richardson, Jr. (340) brainiac with it came to computers (343) |
| Camilla "Cami" Wohler | [Teen Team Villain] the lookout (1) villain's puppet; toed the line; gave the boys what they needed (38) ornate penthouse apartment; brilliant; graduated form high school early; could have gone to any college, but tired of school; genius-level IQ; could control men (107) part of an independent study program with Stanford; pretty poised; rich single parent; only child; mother member of exclusive gold club in San Diego County (108) 18-y-o; self-cutter (109) hated drugs (111) dead eyes (114) worshiped and admired villain; manipulated everyone around her; craved pain (138) jealous; arrogant; wouldn't sit calmly on sidelines; enjoyed control, power, thrill of kill (139) Camilla Wohler (230) 19-y-o; derisive tone (231) |
| Number One Villain / "he" | [Villain] picked a killing team; planned the executions; everyone involved recognized and worshiped his brilliance (36) beautiful home; "mother had told him he was destined for greatness"; Midas touch; strong, muscular physique; not an ounce of fat; handsome (37) Dillon's profile: able to convince others of the rightness of what they're doing; completely in control; focused; methodical; a planner; thinks about details; thinks ahead; does not fear being caught; enjoys irony; plays on people's emotions and is able to turn emotions on and off at will; has little empathy for others (133) abused as a child by a male authority figure (134) |
| the wild card / "she" | [Co-Villain] had once been beautiful; lush hair; anger and grief had eaten away the light in her eyes (39) |
| . . . | . . . |
| Tom Blade | [One Appearance] SWAT Team Leader (398) sharp cop; promoted to position 6-mo-a (399) |
| Blair | [One Appearance] Jim's assistant; working Victor Montgomery case (16) last name: Duncan (Speak No Evil) |
| Selene Borge | [One Appearance] the guardian of court records; 6' tall; 50-y-o; black woman; dreadlocks; wore jeans against the dress code, bright shirts, giant hoop earrings; didn't take shit from anyone; had a soft spot for Julia; lived on hot lattes from Starbucks; French-Jamaican accent; from Jacaica; spoke fluent French, Spanish, German; moved to America when she was 4 (166) |
| Eric Bowen | [Rare Appearances] Garrett's son; psychiatrist in training (283) huge 3-story town house near UCSD campus (369) a younger version of his father (370) |
| Dr. Garrett Bowen | [Major Secondary Character] prescribed Xanax, antidepressants, Imitrex for Emily (20) psychiatrist Emily seeing (32) renowned leader in anger management; expert witness; oft-appointed court psychiatrist; handled an array of celebrity and charity cases; numerous publications in every major psychiatric journal; minor celebrity in his own right; two-book deal; made a big deal about charity cases he handled; client list favored wealthy; opulent office; widower (81) mid-40s; manicured hands; expensive, yet business-casual attire; hair graying perfectly at the temples (82) passive-aggressive tone, trying to elicit a response (84) creeped Julia out; on the surface he was attractive, professional, intelligent; Julia didn't trust or like him (176) house in prestigious Rancho Santa Fe area (224) |
| Janine [Bowen] | [No Appearance] Garrett's long-dead wife; designed and decorated the architectural masterpiece that had been written up and photographed in numerous magazines (242) |
| Dr. Browne | [Several Appearances] physician at Scripps Memorial Hospital; told Julia about Emily's condition (44) warm eyes sympathetic (45) |
| Chief Causey | [Rare Appearances] SDPD; Dillon would give an informal profile (135) |
| Matt Chandler | [No Appearance] Julia's brother; Emily's father (24) married a woman like his own mother (45) died in car accident (47) pale green eyes, just like Emily's; took care of the Chandler Foundation; knack for numbers; made sacrifices for the family so Julia wouldn't have to (65) died in car accident 6-y-a (77) Julia's best friend (115) |
| Mr. & Mrs. Chandler | [No Appearance] Matt and Julia's parents; one social obligation after another; image was more important than substance; had discreet affairs (65) |
| Laura Chase | [One Appearance] Shannon's mother; divorced husband (287) |
| Shannon Marisa Chase | [No Appearance] Michelle's friend; lovely girl; sweet; committed suicide; devastated her parents, who got divorced (222) cheerleader at San Diego High; shared classes with Jason Ridge; 16-y-o; hung herself in the foyer of her house (223) raped by Jason Ridge on football field; ostracized at school; humiliated by her friend (287) 1988-2005 (409) |
| Tom Chase | [Several Appearances] Shannon's father (286) sold construction company (290) lives in Maine (299) |
| Wayne Crutcher | [No Appearance] Connor's dead ex-partner; traitor (123) left 2 dead girls behind; Connor's mentor, trained him to be a cop; took bribes to allow importation of sex slaves from Mexico (124) Detective; helped Connor with his exam and smoothed his path into his move from street cop to detective (149) |
| Officer Davies | [One Appearance] answered 911 call when Julia ran off road; animosity towards Connor (269) |
| Bryce Descario | [No Appearance] Julia's former boss; district attorney; told Julia to force Kincaid to cooperate on the case (196) |
| Officer Diaz | [Several Appearances] SDPD; responding officer; shot in line of duty by gang member last month (12) |
| Donnell | [One Appearance] Julia's secretary (170) |
| Felicia | [One Appearance] owned and operated La Honda; Connor's mother's best friend; escapee from Cuba; small round woman (143) |
| Anita Ferrar | [No Appearance] coroner's office spokewsoman; reported on Jason Ridge's death (178) |
| Fione | [No Appearance] Julia prosecuted for killing and mutilating women; sentenced to death; in San Quentin (205) |
| Brian Forster | [No Appearance] Connor decked in school when he was 13 for saying "Kincaid? What kind of spic name is that?" |
| Anton Foster | [No Appearance] head of the art department (201) |
| Juan Fuentes | [No Appearance] raped Melanie Ruiz; Julia prosecuting (114) |
| Dr. Jim Gage | [Several Appearances] crime lab director; working Victor Montgomery crime scene (11) |
| Ollie Grant | [No Appearance] detective who worked the Jason Ridge case (191) |
| Becca Harrison | [No Appearance / Speak No Evil] La Jolla Library volunteer; found dead in parking lot 6 weeks ago (176) |
| George Haxton | [No Appearance] Robert's father; a pillar of the community; mild-mannered (246) |
| Will Hooper | [Major Secondary Character / Killing Fear] [San Diego Homicide] Detective; working Victor Montgomery case alone (11) appeared laid back and casual; a shark; easygoing, flirtatious manner; blue eyes (23) honorary member of Kincaid family (34) |
| Mrs. Hutchinson | [No Appearance] Julia's neighbor (264) |
| Yancy Inez | [No Appearance] raped and mutilated women (63) |
| Harriet Jameson | [One Appearance] Palo Alto Police Department; returned Julia's call (377) |
| Jesus | [One Appearance] played ball at youth center with Connor; tall; skinny; fast on his feet; Cuban American kid who played hard; landed scholarship to Berkley (256) |
| Iris Jones | [Several Appearances] Julia didn't like as an attorney or as a person; attorney-at-law; good at her job (33) impeccably dressed; Anne Klein suite; black hair pulled back into ponytail; makeup sparingly applied; 39-y-o; beautiful; diminutive height; force to be reckoned with; only defense attorney Julia had lost a trial to (49) |
| Paul Judson | [One Appearance] severely near-sighted; Skip shot (2) high school principal; 57-y-o (99) |
| Blaine Kessler | [No Appearance] Faye's father; virtually ignored Faye since her birth (151) |
| Carina Kincaid | [No Appearance] [Heroine of Book 1 / Speak No Evil] Will's partner; [San Diego Homicide Detective]; on vacation with her fiancé (11) |
| Dr. Dillon Kincaid | [Major Secondary Character] [Hero of Book 3 / Fear No Evil] usually works for Stanton; hottie; good at psychiatric evaluations; good at his job; impeccable credentials; Julia greatly respected (51) Irish good looks of father; brown hair; blue eyes; fair skin (67) as straight as they came; extremely ethical (122) quiet, studious manner (133) only one in Kincaid family who still had relationship with Andrew (172) drove Lexus (224) handsome face (226) eleven years as psychiatrist (341) |
| Lucy [Kincaid] | [No Appearance] [The Lucy Kincaid Series] Connor's sister (55) |
| Patrick Kincaid | [Secondary Character] Connor's brother; worked in e-crimes division of SDPD (92) looked fresh out of the academy; a quiet confidence; amazing technical skills; tall; skinny; almost gangly in appearance; a marathon runner; ten years older than he looked (94) division chief of understaffed e-crimes department; office crammed with computer equipment; short-cropped hair (95) "he blew on his fingers and wiped them on his T-shirt" (291) |
| Patrick Kincaid, Sr. | [No Appearance] Connor's father; Irish good looks; brown hair; blue eyes; fair skin (67) |
| [Rosa] Kincaid | [No Appearance] Connor's mother; dark good looks; Cuban (67) escapee from Cuba (143) |
| Rena Klein, R.N. | [One Appearance] nurse who found Faye dead (383) |
| Brian Kyak | [No Appearance] UCSD football coach (178) |
| Trinity Lange | [No Appearance] [reporter]; interviewed Dillon (83) |
| Monica [Lord] | [No Appearance] died 8-y-a; cancer (241) Garrett's sister (285) Tristan's mother (373) |
| Tristan Lord | [Rare Appearances] Bowen's nephew; artist; tall, oddly attractive young man; shaved head (229) 18 when mother died; started cutting himself; 7 years later he's a rising star in the art world (373) lived in converted warehouse on the edge of renovated cultural district (378) had no record; Garrett paid all his bills (379) |
| Frisco Lorenz | [No Appearance] Julia giving Fuentes case to him; better at rape cases (119) deputy district attorney (157) |
| Mitch | [One Appearance] played ball at youth center with Connor; long; lean; 6'5"; Travis' brother; in gang when Connor busted for possession, conceal weapons, 13-y-o; turned life around; dropped out of high school; worked full-time in blue-collar job; spent free time at youth center helping Connor keep younger kids out of gangs (256) |
| Crystal Montgomery | [Major Secondary Character] Emily's mother; planned annual charity auction; doesn't care about daughter; appearances only (7) phony (8) redecorated every 2 years (9) "her daughter, an afterthought" (13) poised; classy; emanated old money; Chandler money bought her style; 40s; former fashion model; wore chic business suit; a petite version of a Professional Barbie; a viper in disguise (26) sociopath; narcissist; pathological liar; married to Matt 10 years (29) remarried 3-y-a (45) brilliant actress; cracks appeared in marriage; money-worshiping narcissistic bitch; didn't care about Emily or Matt (47) trapped Matt into marriage by getting pregnant; played mind games (77) |
| Emily Chandler Montgomery | [Major Secondary Character] drove Volkswagen Bug; pampered, spoiled rich kid (5) 16-y-o (13) Julia's niece (22) beautiful; smart; destined for something wonderful; honor student; ran away 3-y-a (27) "Em" (29) vandalized courthouse last year; court order to see psychiatrist (32) too skinny, fragile teen; blond hair (46) looked like Julia (59) pale green eyes, just like Matt's (65) determination; inner fortitude; will turn 18 day before graduation form high school (160) trust fund worth over fifty million and growing (189) |
| Victor Montgomery | [One Appearance] Judge; Emily's stepfather; creep; fake; hypocrite; forced sex on Emily; drove Jaguar (6) physically fit; tall (16) respected jurist; tough on criminals; compassionate to victims; liked wealth and social position (47) Superior Court Judge (347) |
| David Mortimer | [No Appearance] league doctor; tried to save Jason Ridge's life (177) |
| Gina O'Dell | [Rare Appearances] Michelle's mother; lived in modest San Diego neighborhood near air force base; trim; attractive woman; late 50s; moved with the pain of arthritis (218) lived in home 32 years (221) |
| Michelle "Maggie" O'Dell | [Rare Appearances] Jason Ridge's ex-girlfriend (178) beautiful girl; long blond hair; exquisite blue eyes; could have been a model; smart; attending Stanford; graduated a year early (219) stunning woman; body of playboy model (326) |
| Richard O'Dell | [No Appearance] Michelle's father; lived in modest San Diego neighborhood near air force base (218) golfed on Saturdays; retired military; supply sergeant (221) |
| Mike Olson | [No Appearance] high school student; Faye had crush on him (91) |
| Trent Payne | [No Appearance] asked Faye out just to get in her pants; parent bought him Cadillac truck for his 16th birthday; cute football player (90) |
| Hannah Peterson | [No Appearance] [deputy district attorney]; the person Andrew told Julia to hand her cases over to (118) |
| Officer Rich Rayo | [One Appearance] testified for defense in case against Wayne Crutcher (271) |
| James Ridge | [Rare Appearances] Jason's father; said Jason would never used drugs, including steroids (178) DEO of major corporation (323) attended charity event (234) |
| Jason Ridge | [No Appearance] Deferred Entry of Judgment nearly 2 years ago; Dr. Bowen his psychiatrist; 8 months ago, first game of the season, died on football field; autopsy revealed steroids in his system; heart failure (169) loved football; a natural athlete (178) handsome boy; dark windswept hair; vibrant blue eyes (324) |
| Stephanie Ridge | [Rare Appearances] Jason's mother; attended charity event (234) well dressed; simple gold jewelry; sleek, styled dark bob; simple, elegant makeup (323) |
| Dean Robertson | [No Appearance] SDPD; worked missing persons (94) |
| Wendy Roper | [One Appearance] Emily's closest friend; known since early childhood; dark hair; beautiful; lanky; dressed impeccably (186) |
| Melanie Ruiz | [No Appearance] raped by Juan Fuentes; Julia's case (114) |
| Herman Santos | [No Appearance] Judge Montgomery sentenced to death by lethal injection; closest thing San Diego had to a Mafia don; 3-y-a executed 2 cops (12) brash; arrogant (174) |
| Scruffy | [animal] orange and white tabby (202) Julia rescued him from little boy about 6 kicking him (217) |
| Grace Simpson | [Rare Appearances] crime reporter; wrote article on Jason Ridge; Mystery Surrounds Football Star Death (177) a packrat (192) |
| Vernon Small | [No Appearance] Judge; issued the DEJ to Jason Ridge; dead; Julia didn't like; too easy on the bad guys; too hard on the good guys (255) a weasel; looked at Emily like Victor did; creepy (280) police report says he was driving at 3:00 in the morning, fell asleep, drove right of Coronado Bridge (292) |
| Evelyn Squires | [No Appearance] of Carlsbad; Jason Ridge's grandmother (177) |
| Andrew Stanton | [Secondary Character] district attorney (22) Connor's ex-brother-in-law (93) dressed impeccably; aura of importance befitting a man in his position; pain behind his eyes (172) same height as Dillon; hated Connor for exposing his affair after Justin's death (175) |
| Nell [Kincaid Stanton] | [No Appearance] Justin's mother; Connor's sister; Andrew's ex-wife (172) moved to Idaho to be alone (328) |
| Justin Stanton | [No Appearance] Andrew's son; murdered 11-y-a (172) |
| Suarez | [No Appearance] suspected human trafficker; shot by Connor (197) |
| Nick [Thomas] | [No Appearance] [Hero of Book 1 / Speak No Evil] Carina's finance; a cop (301) |
| Billy Thompson | [Rare Appearances] looked at regarding Judson murder; high school senior; lost his basketball scholarship (99) accused of cheating; had solid alibi; worked at auto repair shop near Tijuana border; Connor knew from youth center; 6'5"; lean black muscle; shaved head; huge hands; looked older than 19-y-o (100) trophies, diploma, honor certificates, newspaper articles featuring Billy in office (101) really tried to change his lot in life (103) |
| Lieutanant Todd | [No Appearance] had been Connor's direct supervisor (150) |
| Travis | [One Appearance] played ball at youth center with Connor; long; lean; 6'5"; Mitch's brother; in gang when Connor busted for possession, conceal weapons, 12-y-o; turned life around; dropped out of high school; worked full-time in blue-collar job; spent free time at youth center helping Connor keep younger kids out of gangs (256) |
| Trebone | [No Appearance] a police informant; surrendered after Connor shot Suarez (199) |
| Tuxedo | [Animal] 7-y-o Carina gave cat to Connor; black with white chest who looked like he was wearing a tuxedo; a stray; moved from Texas to Virginia, where Tuxedo disappeared (202) |
| Rachel Vasquez | [One Appearance] plain clothes cop; going with Emily to Montana; deep dimples in both cheeks (335) |
| Sarah Wallace | [One Appearance] Julia's personal secretary; had office down hall from Chandler Foundation; most of her job was sending regrets and managing the trust correspondence for Emily (195) |
| Marisa Wohler | [One Appearance] guest at charity event; Cami's mother (229) |
| Bruce Younger | [No Appearance] Iris had on retainer; a top investigator (52) |
| Isabel Younger | [No Appearance] I.D. of second nurse who visited Faye; supposed to be off-duty today (384) |
Locations, Organizations, Etc. Found In "See No Evil"
| Location / Organization | Description |
|---|---|
| Blue Code | you don't turn on your own (239) |
| Calipatria | location where more dead girls (illegals) found (198) |
| Carlsbad | suburb of San Diego (177) |
| Chandler Foundation | managed by Matt (65) |
| Coronado Bridge | bridge Judge Vernon Small drove off of when fell asleep at the wheel (292) |
| Crab Catcher | restaurant up the coast in La Jolla, far from the courthouse; where Julia met Grace (190) |
| Exploit Your Anger for Health, Wealth and Happiness | Dr. Garrett Bowen's book to be published in 3 months (81) |
| Good Shepherd Church | in San Diego; where Jason Ridge's memorial service held (179) |
| La Gracia | street in Rancho Santa Fe where Bowen's house sat (241) |
| La Honda | restaurant owned and operated by Felicia; Connor took Julia there to eat (143) |
| La Jolla | where Julia lived (155) |
| La Jolla Country Club | where Bowen having lunch (171) |
| La Jolla Library | Julia went inside to look up records on Jason Ridge (176) |
| La Jolla Rockets | high school; playing against San Diego Sprints when Jason Ridge died (177) |
| Mystery Surrounds Football Star Death | Grace Simpson wrote article on Jason Ridge (177) |
| Palo Alto District Attorney's Office | Julia called in effort to locate Michelle O'Dell (329) |
| Rancho Santa Fe area | location of Dr. Garrett Bowen's home; prestigious (224) |
| San Diego | book setting (12) |
| San Diego Arts Foundation | fund raiser to bring big exhibits to town as well as scholarships for underprivileged youth who show artistic talent (225) |
| San Diego Mission de Alcalá | the first mission in the California chain; an active Catholic parish and tourist attraction; Connor answered call to mission (148) |
| San Diego Sprints | high school; playing against La Jolla Rockets when Jason Ridge died (177) |
| Scripps Memorial | hospital where Emily was taken (33) |
| Wishlist | an online message group; supposed to be anger management or something; talk about your problems and they'll disappear (103) |
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"See No Evil" Quotations
| 4 | The only way to be free of him is to picture him without any power over you. (Wishlist) |
| 6 | When you get angry, you let your enemies have control. (Wishlist) |
| 7 | When you keep your feelings inside, anger wins. Your enemy wins. (Wishlist) |
| 59 | I should have fought harder for custody. But I'm just her aunt. I know the law. It was stacked against me." (Julia) |
| 60 | it was intensely disheartening that so many people in the world were out for the easy buck that lying had become second nature. (Connor) |
| 72 | But Julia knew what the victims went through. They were scared, true, but more than that they were deeply humiliated. The hurt didn't end with the physical pain. They suffered emotionally for the rest of their lives. (Julia) |
| 83 | Dillon disliked the press attention he'd received, mostly because of the media's propensity to sensationalize every detail, often to the detriment of victims and survivors. (Dillon) |
| 89 | What Faye knew and what she felt were two completely different things. Sometimes her feelings bubbled up and she couldn't control her actions. (Faye) |
| 115 | When she needed someone, anyone, to talk to, there was no one. (Julia) |
| 116 | "You love my daughter unconditionally. That's what kids need." (Matt) |
| 119 | Vengeance was a powerful motive because no one questioned it. Righting wrongs was human nature. (villain) |
| 140 | He didn't mind wanting her, but he feared needing her. (villain) |
| 142 | cops looked not only at the evidence but used their experience and instincts to figure out who was lying and who was telling the truth. (Connor) |
| 148 | "If you look where you don't want to look, you'll see the truth." (priest) |
| 239 | The cards were stacked against them. Criminals had no rules to follow, but cops were strangled by regulations, rules that sometimes got them killed or, if they broke the rules to save their life, got them sued. (Connor) |
| 343 | "No one listens to kids. Parents and teachers are too busy to be bothered. And Dr. Bowen didn't really care what we said, just cared if he could fix us for some magazine article or something." (Faye) |
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Comments, Snarky Remarks, and Politically Incorrect Responses to Reviews Encountered Online
"Allison Brennan -- See No Evil"
So many times I want to respond to a reviewer's comments about a book . . . but common courtesy and the rules of the site prevent me from spouting off. But here on my own site, I'm doing so.
"Allison Brennan -- See No Evil"
So many times I want to respond to a reviewer's comments about a book . . . but common courtesy and the rules of the site prevent me from spouting off. But here on my own site, I'm doing so.
| Reviewer | Link / Brief Synopsis | Response Wanted To Make |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon ★★★☆☆ ChibiNeko | The writing just didn't live up to the storyline. . . . | Man, ChibiNeko is fixated on bashing this book . . . and making sure that she supports anybody else who disliked the book. (She left supporting comments on {1} Jorge Frid's negative and {2} msdillo's particularly brutal posts.) Does she think she is going to convince those of us who love Allison Brennan and See No Evil to hate it if she comments enough times that the book is no good? Enough Already! Doesn't she realize that she can no more change our mind to hate the book than we can change her mind to like the book. |
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"Allison Brennan -- See No Evil" Review and Information Links
| Rated | Posted | Site | Notes, Comments, Etc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | Allison Brennan's Website | Author |
| -- | -- | Allison Brennan's Facebook | Author |
| -- | -- | Allison Brennan's Twitter | Author |
| -- | -- | You Tube | See No Evil trailer |
| . . . | . . . | . . . | . . . |
| 4.00 average | {41 reviews} | Amazon | as of: August 18, 2013 |
| -- | -- | American Author's Association | Biography |
| 4.40 average | {35 ratings} | Barnes & Noble | as of: August 18, 2013 |
| Article | 02-08-2010 | Barnes and Noble | Allison Brennan Article |
| Article | 01-04-2011 | Janet Gable Bashman | Writing Powerful and Evocative Settings by Allison Brennan |
| -- | -- | Books n Bytes | List of Allison Brennan's Books |
| Thread | 06-13-2010 | Coffee Time Romance | A.B.'s detailed response about "Series, Trilogies, Stand-Alones" |
| Article | 08-24-2012 | Criminal Element | Allison Brennan's article on what makes a Romantic Thriller // excellent |
| Article | 10-06-2008 | Dear Author | --Mary-Frances Makichen // If You Like Allison Brennan // awesome |
| -- | -- | Fantastic Fiction | List of Allison Brennan's Books |
| -- | -- | Fict Fact | List of Books In The No Evil Trilogy |
| -- | -- | Fiction DB | List of Allison Brennan's Books |
| PR review | 02-12-2007 | Fresh Fiction | --Sue Burke // Compelling, Suspenseful Romantic Thriller |
| Quotes | -- | Good Reads | Quotes from See No Evil |
| 4.16 average | {2,037 ratings} | Good Reads | as of: August 17, 2013 |
| 3.86 average | {44 ratings} | Library Thing | as of: August 18, 2013 |
| 4.50 | 03-19-2009 | My Reading Room | --Crystal Fulcher {a23} {lt4} {s12} // good |
| Interview | 11-20-2012 | Mysterious Writers | Allison Brennan Interview (tied to Kiss Me, Kill Me) // very interesting |
| -- | -- | Order of Books . com | List of Allison Brennan's Books |
| 4.1 average | {193 ratings} | Paperback Swap | as of: August 18, 2013 |
| -- | -- | Publisher's Marketplace | details about Allison Brennan's books, PR quotes, awards, etc. |
| Article | 03-30-2010 | RT {Romantic Times} Book Reviews | Message From The Author // excellent |
| 4.50 / Top Pick | 03-01-2007 | RT {Romantic Times} Book Reviews | --Jill M. Smith // 2007 Contemporary Mystery Nominee |
| 4.44 average | {16 reviews} | Shelfari | as of: August 18, 2013 |
| positive | Spring 2007 | Spinetingler Magazine | --Toni McGee Causey // excellent, unique details |
| -- | -- | Stop, You're Killing Me | List of Allison Brennan's Books |
| Interview | -- | Suspense Magazine | Allison Brennan / March 2008 Author of the Month |
| -- | 12-27-2005 | To Be Read | Allison Brennan's feelings about the day of first publication |
| Article | 02-28-2008 | Wow! Women On Writing! | Suzanne Pitner Interview of Allison Brennan / so impressive |
| Interview | 05-19-2006 | Writer Unboxed | Therese Walsh Interview of Allison Brennan / excellent detail |
| 5.00 | 08-18-2013 | Wolf Bear Does Books | shorter post on Amazon, Fiction DB, Good Reads, Library Thing, Shelfari |
❀ . Top . ❀ . Review . ❀ . Synopsis . ❀ . Series . ❀ . Characters . ❀ . Quotes . ❀ . Comments . ❀ . Links . ❀ . End . ❀
♥ Disclaimer: I Purchased This Book
♥ Very Subjective Rating
♣ Will add your review link of See No Evil to table, just ask
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