UNSUB

At a very young age (through her father) Caitlin witnesses and experiences first hand what the life of a homicide detective entails. As a woman it was inevitable...she becomes a cop. During the course of duty an old case (which haunts her father) comes back into their lives and sets Caitlin on a whirlwind ride, one on which no one around her is safe.

Ok I have to admit I had my doubts about this one since I've seen reviews touting similarities to Criminal Minds which is one of my favorite shows. I'm glad I didn't blow this off! Holy anxiety lol

I literally had to get up and pace a few times while reading this. I was shaking during some parts of it, cheering on Caitlin during others, and shocked more than once ... yes this is that good. I will definitely be reading the next one soon.

Honestly the first half of this book was really quite average for me, I was thinking it was fine but nothing special so I'd probably not continue with the series. Then I hit the half way mark and everything just went up a load of notches! The plot intensified, the pace quickened, the mystery got even more compelling and the ending was great. I now want to see where this series is going to go!

4.5 stars

UNSUB was my book club pick for The BookBum Club this month. The theme for August was IT'S THE SOUND OF THE POLICE! Admittedly I don't read a lot of crime novels so when I saw that theme I had no clue what I was going to read. By the way I have noting against crime novels it's just not something I am familiar with so I don't tend to reach for them but I would like to read more so if you have any suggestions I am all ears. Anyways I decided to look on Scribd because I knew I didn't own any crime novels. I saw the audiobook of this book was available and I remembered marking it as to read on Goodreads so I decided to read it.

Like I mentioned I listened to the audiobook of UNSUB which wasn't horrible but I do wish I would have physically read this. The narrator in my opinion wasn't the greatest. She didn't do a good job of differentiating between the characters so I had to really pay attention to what character was talking. Also she didn't portray the emotions very well. Because of this I didn't get that edge of my seat feeling like I would have liked for this type of book.

This has nothing to do with the narrator but hearing the words he said, she said etc. started to really get on my nerves it was used so much in the story.

It was a little slow to begin with and it took me a little bit to get into but once things started happening it picked up and I was drawn into the story. I'll admit that the stuff the killer did went over my head but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.

Caitlin who is one of the main characters kind of bothered me a little bit. She is portrayed as having it together all the time. If any emotion starts to peak through she would tell herself to pull it together and then she would be fine which to me is unrealistic. No one is going to have it that together especially dealing with what she was dealing with.

About halfway through I realized that there were some chapters from the killers point of view mixed in. I don't know why I didn't register that from the beginning. The only reason I realized it was because the killer identified themselves to the reader about halfway through which I am still not sure if I like or not. I was totally expecting the reveal to be one way because the books I've read tend to always have similar outcomes but this was completely different which I guess really isn't a bad thing.

When I finished listening to this book I literally yelled “You have to be kidding me”. My husband looked at me and was like what because he thought I was yelling at him but nope it wasn't him I was yelling at it was the ending of the book. It ends on a freaking cliffhanger. I didn't realize this was part of a series but I immediately looked it up and found out there was another book so that calmed me down a little. However, you guys know I hate cliffhangers. Cliffhangers aren't bad they keep the reader interested so they will continue on with the next book and they set up for the next book but I HATE them.

Overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend to those who enjoy crime thrillers and who don't have a week stomach. I would also recommend not listening to this on audiobook and be sure you have the next book on hand because you will be left wanting more.

Meg Gardiner knows how to tell a story! She does an excellent job at setting the scene and introducing the characters. Just as you settle in the for story, she hits the gas and makes you hold on for dear life until the end of the book. The main idea of the crimes has been used before numerous times, but Gardiner gives it her own twist. Even if you've read books with similar themes, this one will feel fresh and new. My only complaint is that I didn't want to put it down, so I read it in two sittings! With Gardiner, though, I have come to learn that there is no lingering over the book. Fasten your seatbelt and hold on! It's gonna be an awesome ride!

Thanks for the recommendation, Stephen King!!

So many things I liked about this book! First, it took place in San Francisco - I love books that take place where I can picture. Secondly, the lead is a female who kicks butt. She has her issues, her father is a mess, but she's not complaining constantly. She has a good relationship with a man who seems to have his shit together and though he has a daughter from a previous marriage there's none of the typical ex-wife/girlfriend animosity and she seems to have a good relationship with the daughter. She isn't the one who ends up needing to be saved in the end.

The only thing I did kind of wish was different was that I didn't really understand why The Prophet was so obsessed with Caitlin and her father. I guess it was because Mack was so obsessed with catching him and didn't, but I felt like there should have been more. Though I suppose taunting the daughter of the man who couldn't catch him would be pretty satisfying.

Anyhooooo, I'm excited to read the next book despite it not taking place in SF ;)

Slow starter. Found it difficult to get into, there were moments I thought the author was trying to hard. Too disconnected, too gruesome, but it rolled out nicely, and by the end was definitely worth it. Will read book 2.