Catch Me: A Novel

I've read/heard most of Lisa Gardner's novels, and she is always good for a suspenseful plot, no doubt. With Catch Me, though, she's woven one too many strands together.

Without spoiling anything, there's internet pedophilia, Munchhausen's By Proxy, hereditary insanity, a serial killer, not to mention invisibily ink, all pressed into one story.

Plus, it's a little too heavy on the New Mom stuff (D.D. Warren's son is ten weeks old in the novel) and on mentioning / including almost every protagonist from other novels (Pierce Quincy, his daughter, J.T. Dillon, etc. - might be smart marketing but I find it annoying). The story sounds as if there was a deadline coming up and pages to fill.

Lisa Gardner's got many novels out that are better than this one ...

Is it enjoyable? Yes. For a large part, that is due to the superb reading skills of Kirsten Potter, though.

This is another excellent thriller by Lisa Gardner. It's the latest in the DD Warren series, and there are references and links to other characters in other books.

The premise is interesting: a woman goes to the police for help, believing that she will be murdered in four days' time. That's based on the fact that her two best childhood friends were murdered a year apart on the same day.

The story alternates between the first-person perspective of Charlie, the woman who thinks she'll be murdered, and the third-person narration concerning Detective DD Warren. The flip back and forth between first and third person works quite well.

I thought I had figured out the plot twist fairly early on, but was completely surprised. This is not one which is easy to figure out. The prologue is, as always, the key to the entire book.

Detective DD Warren struggles with her new-found status as the mother of a 10-week old baby, and there is a very realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the challenge of walking the line between family and career. It was a little surprising that she would be back at work only 10 weeks after having given birth, but maybe that's the world of policing in Boston.

Charlene ("Charlie") grant is a sympathetic but seriously emotionally damaged character, and the clever use of the first-person narration leaves the listener wondering how much is real and how much is mis-perception or mis-remembrance. It's a very effective use of an interesting narrative tool.

There's lots of fascinating information about internet predators and the tricks and skills used by pedophiles and other undesirables.

The narration is very well done. Kirsten Potter does a marvellous job with the various voices, and her narration is steady. She's not overly breathy or nasal, and she doesn't mispronounce words or pause in all the wrong places. She contributes to the success of the book.

The book is a complete page-turner (well, metaphorically anyway). The whodunnit is a complete surprise,but works very well. There are enough odd threads in the book to leave the listener hanging and guessing.

The threads are all interwoven nicely, and there are no dull spots. This is a great book, well worth the credits. This one will appeal to fans of JT Ellison and Karen Rose.

I would definitely recommend this novel to a friend. The author doesn't disappoint. It's well worth the audible price.

The plot definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait till the end to see what was going to happen to Charlie Rosalyn Carter or/and Abigale. I was terrified, in awe, sympathetic, and last suspicious of her, so....Sorry, couldn't help it... I cheated ... I skipped to a few chapters before the ending, because I thought I'd figured out the ending, but I wasn't even close. I immediately went back to where I'd previously left off to continue listening. Even with a bit more insight of the ending, I was still intrigued by each character and how they came to be...so realistic. This novel does not disappoint.

Kirsten Potter made the characters come to life.

There were many. The characters were so real.

Lisa Gardner is a very detailed and realistic author. Catch Me was my first novel by Gardner. I'm so glad I've discovered her. Now, I have to go back and read the rest of the series of Detective Sergeant Dee Dee Wallace.

A gritty psychological thriller, well written, well narrated, well researched. The action is immediate and had me captivated from early in the listen. The story is inventive with plenty of twists that don't seem awkward or contrived. Gardner handles the repulsive problem of child abuse reasonably, although it is a very sensitive subject and particularly violent in this story. The chilling details necessary to build the plot are alarming and should be taken into consideration if you are planning to listen.
My first Gardner novel--chosen because of other readers' reviews--and I was not disappointed. I can understand why Gardner has a loyal following.

I really enjoyed Lisa Gardner's "Love You More". But, wasn't convinced that she could snare me again with "Catch Me". It had a slow start, but midway through the book I was putty in her hands. This book built to a very satisfying ending. Both books let you into the world of detective D.D, Warren, but also give you an up close look at another person who feels like the book's central character. This time it was Charlene Carter Rosalind Grant who appears to be the next up for a date with a serial killer on January 21. It was difficult to figure out if she was a person worth rooting for or a study in psychological deviations triggered by a brutal childhood with an insane mother.

Over the two books you get to see personal growth with the irascible detective. This caught, hooked and addicted reader is now searching for the next book in the series.

This is the story of a young woman who is certain she is going to be murdered on January 21. She is isolated, emotionally flat, yet Kirsten Potter had me rooting for her to make it to the end of the book. DeeDee Warren is a little softer, a little more human in her new role as mother. She has more dimension and believability, and shows some of her own vulnerability as a daughter who never meets her parents' expectations. These glimpses of her personal life do not detract from the intensity with which Charlie counts down to the 21st, nor the complicated path of the investigation that unexpectedly weaves into DeeDee's pursuit of someone who is killing pedophiles. Kirsten Potter does another amazing job bringing the whole cast to life, giving them the feel of living, breathing, multidimensional characters. And when you think you know how it's going to end, Lisa Gardner throws in one last "gotcha" that I truly did not see coming. Excellent listen!

If I had any other book at the time, I never would have made it through the first 2 hours.

Lisa Gardner is one of the best suspense writers ever! This book was exciting from beginning to end. She has remained constant with this series. Each is a good as the last! And they are fantastic!! Kirsten Potter is the perfect D.D. Warren, making everything about this audiobook 5 stars!

Fascinating story line for those of us who love police drama! Very well written & exceptional narrator! Can't wait for Lisa's next book!

If your child's therapist has sent her home telling her not to eat what you cook or take any meds you give her and your daughter is 16 and then she tells you just what the therapist told her and she NEVER NEVER NEVER wants to see that therapist again, you may need to let a few years pass before you listen to this book. I certainly did. Given the recent incident, I would never have bought it had I known it concerned Munchausen's. The dumb thing in my case was my child's age. I don't think there has ever been a child over 6 or 8 that will take the abuse. It ends when they are toddlers and learn to talk.

The book kept me guessing to the end so it was a real whodunit. Writing was acceptable. The new parents crying baby and lack of sleep was a bit overdone but it was a good listen--9 years after the crazy shrink.