One of the two most delightful author discoveries I've made in the last five years has to be Lisa Gardner. Like most Good Reads, this one was recommended by a fellow Reader (with a capital R) - my good friend over at The Painted Turtle. Better yet, Gardner is prolific, with four different protagonists that each have their own series.
Catch Me, released last month, is a great place to jump in if you've never read Gardner. While the protagonist of the story is the new character Rosalind Carter, a police dispatch officer, all of Gardner's existing characters appears in some role. Sergeant Detective D.D. Warren plays the largest role, tasked with solving Rosalind's murder before it happens. Almost two years prior to the story opening, one of Rosalind's best friends was found murdered in her own home, with no signs of forced entry and not a mark on her body. Exactly one year later, Rosalind's other best friend was found murdered in the same way. As the date creeps nearer once again, Rosalind is convinced she's next. D.D. Warren is working to solve two very cold cases in order to prevent a third while juggling a very new and demanding position (further details omitted to avoid spoilers) and a not-entirely-welcome visit from her parents. Meanwhile, Rosalind is in training to win the fight of her life.
Gardner's trademark technique is to completely freak me out without ever resorting to graphic violence or gross-out details. She has a way of tapping into my deepest fears and weaving them into fantastical plots. She also hosts her annual Kill a Buddy, Maim a Friend contest, where you can enter a friend (or not) to be a character, and subsequently be killed off, in a future Gardner novel. Feel free to nominate me, friends; I nominated The Painted Turtle!
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