This book started off really well. I was engrossed for the first hundred pages or so, and then things started to lag.

The author tended to repeat himself frequently. I understood that Kathryn was a kinesiologist the first time the author mentioned it; I don't need to be told repeatedly. And just when you think that the book is over, the author throws in yet another convoluted plot. It got rather tiresome, especially the last few plots. It seemed like he'd run out of pages, because they all tied together far too neatly.

I also didn't like how many unnecessary characters introduced into the story. When I read these types of books, I read for the criminals and the takedown. I don't really care that much about the detectives' private lives, and I certainly don't need to read about Kathryn's mother's suspicions or how much Kathryn's dad loves fishing. I like a tight, compact story, and this thing just sprawled.

Still, it wasn't a bad book. With a more strong-handed editor and less "filler," it would have been a very good book ( )

California Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Kathryn Dance is a renowned interrogator with an expertise in kinesics. Kathryn is sent to question prisoner Daniel Pell, known as the “son of Manson” due to his cult activities and the brutal slaying of the wealthy Croyton family in Carmel, mimicking the murders committed by the Manson family years earlier. Pell has recently been linked to another murder and Kathryn hopes to learn more about Pell and his reasons behind the murders. After the interview, Pell manages to escape and begins a murderous rampage, targeting those he feels have maligned him in the past in some way. Kathryn leads the investigation, aided by her good friend Michael O’Neil, chief deputy with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, and Winston Kellogg, a cult expert from the FBI. Kathryn turns to the three women who were part of Pell’s family years before, as well as the one victim he left behind when he murdered the Croytons, in hopes they can offer clues as to where Pell may be hiding.

This series is a refreshing addition to the mystery genre; exploring the intriguing world of kinesics and the role it plays in criminal investigations as well as everyday life. Kathryn Dance is captivating, an intelligent woman who is now widowed and whose priority is keeping her small family together. As always, Deaver offers his reader plenty of forensics information packed within a suspenseful plot. ( )

This was my first book by Deaver. I picked up the hardcover edition at a bargain price. I have to say that I have some mixed emotions. Would I say it was great? No. Would I say it was bad? No. The storyline was good, a Charles Manson type killer escapes from prison & agent Katherine Dance must find him before more people die & he disappears forever. The basis of Dance is an interesting one, a human lie detector who can interrogate criminals & know by body language & speech if they are being truthful or not. When she's not working she is the mother of 2 children. I liked Dance with a few exceptions. This woman is hunting down a killer but there are many comments on the shoes she is wearing with big flowers on them. Apparantly she keeps spare sandals in her closet in her office too. When she interrogates people she slips on a pair of black glasses that shows she means business. These are just a few of the small details that started to annoy me & caused me to take her a little less seriously. She is a widow, yet she still has the same last name as her parents, did she not change her name when she was married? Why? This is never touched on. Aside from the main character, the character of the killer, Daniel Pell, is an intriguing one. 95% of the book was interesting enough to keep me reading but no real suspense. The end got a little better, some unexpected twists. I think the main reason I liked the book was because of the "bad guy", Daniel Pell. I'm giving it 4 stars because in the end, overall, I would have to say I enjoyed it. I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to follow Katherine Dance through future books though. ( )

In this novel by Jeffery Deaver, we are brought into the world of Kathryn Dance, albeit a bit slowly. The novel starts off slow and seems to struggle throughout to stay on point and interesting. There are well-written portions, however overall this book could have benefited from some heavy editing - there are many dragging points and Kathryn belabors her life and her choices and it just does get pretty old. The romance angle seems pretty forced as well. Overall, a decent beach reader, but if you have a choice between this and anything by Harlan Coben - pick Coben. ( )

Kathyn Dance character is not as interesting as Lincoln Rhyme, but this book did have a lot of interesting twists, but in the end did not satisfy. ( )

Daniel Pell, a brutal yet astute murderer, aptly dubbed "The Son of Manson" by the media, has escaped a maximum-security prison. Much like the Manson cult in 1969, Pell terrorized an innocent family, killing them all - except for a young girl who became known as the Sleeping Doll and survived by blending in amongst her dolls. Now, with Pell once again at large, the traumatized girl is in imminent danger. And so is Special Agent Dance, who angered the shrewd serial killer by outsmarting him in an interview - thus leaving Pell utterly infuriated and vengeful. ( )

A good thriller but rather slow in the first two thirds. It started off fast-paced enough, with a dramatic prison break by a vicious murderer. But then it slows down to a snails pace with a lot of "human" stuff about family relationships. Only in the last third does it really pick up. At that point there are a few twists and turns. But nothing to justify comparisons with Harlan Coben.

I also disagree with the author about the level of evidence you need to convict a lawman of the unlawful killing an armed fugitive. However I won't go into details, lest I give something away. ( )

****

A good thriller but rather slow in the first two thirds. It started off fast-paced enough, with a dramatic prison break by a vicious murderer. But then it slows down to a snails pace with a lot of "human" stuff about family relationships. Only in the last third does it really pick up. At that point there are a few twists and turns. But nothing to justify comparisons with Harlan Coben.

I also disagree with the author about the level of evidence you need to convict a lawman of the unlawful killing an armed fugitive. However I won't go into details, lest I give something away ( )

Another page-turner from Deaver. Good villian and a good hero(ine).

The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaversis an amazing labyrinthine crime thriller. Intelligent and highly suspenseful, the twist and turns of this novel kept me guessing and surprised me again and again to the very end. There were a few things here and there I could guess at, which is a nice thing for the author to do so I don’t feel completely stupid, but I could not anticipate many of the plot twist and revelations. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and Deaver might supplant Coben as my favorite crime thriller writer.

Click for the rest of my review: http://thekoolaidmom.wordpress.com/20... ( )

I'm a big Jeffrey Deaver fan, so was pleased to get this book from my son for Christmas. I had not read The Cold Moon, which was the predecessor of this book, but it wasn't necessary to understand the plot. I liked the character of Kathryn Dance very much, and was intrigued by her approach as a kinesic specialist for crime solving and negotiating. The story was well told, as always. I especially enjoyed the settings around Monterey. My son attended Cal State Monterey Bay, so the references to the school, Seaside, Sand City, Marina, etc. meant added enjoyment for me.. ( )

Part detective-part psychologist, Kathryn Dance studies the body language of criminals to decipher their responses during questioning and to build psychological profiles. She meets her biggest test in a cult leader and murderer of all but one member of a family who escapes prison and then tries to come after both Dance and the victim he missed. The interactions between the characters grab the reader and there are many twists and turns (some expected/some not; some believable/some far-fetched). I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. It is the first Deaver that I have ever read and I must admit that it lives up to his reputation. The action was very exciting and the plot was quick and unpredictable. The story revolves around Kathryn Dance, a kinesthetics/Interrogation expert who is leading the manhunt for an escaped cult leader and killer. The chase is centered around Monteray, and the descriptions of the area are very nice. Also the stories of the cult victims were intriguing and at times moving. I must say thought that I was a little bit disappointed by Dance and her family. They were all a little bit unbelievable, a little bit too good to be true. This could be because a lot of character development and explanation was squeezed into the small space between the story of the chase. The relationship between Dance and the police officer O'Reiley is very interesting and well written, and I look forward to more books starring these characters. Hopefully the family will start to feel a bit more real. ( )

Interesting twists to a tale based on using body language to solve crimes. ( )

I thought that this was okay but not fantastic. I found the descriptions of kinesics very interesting. The villain was a complex and interesting character, but everyone else felt the slightest bit wooden to me. That will probably improve if this develops into a series. The novel did have a couple of unexpected twists that were enjoyable. ( )

Typically convoluted plot from Deaver. Somewhat predictable in a few scenes, though. Nice manipulation, betrayal and backstabbing. Good chase scene set in Point Lobos, one of my favorite parks. Villians good and nasty, too. A bit too neat, but then, that's Deaver all over.

But I don't like Kathryn Dance. I bought this book before reading the last Rhyme novel where Dance is introduced. If I had, I wouldn't have bought this one since I find her touchy-feely crap really annoying. And the kinesic stuff is laid on with a trowel, too, as if Deaver now has to legitimize this 'science' the same way he has done for forensics. Not terrible, but I'm sticking to the Rhyme series. ( )

Pell & his 'family - manson-like murders; cross & doublecross; does the 'sleeping doll' hold answer to the crime?; page turner; ( )

Not a Lincoln Rhyme novel - but a great new character. Lots of plot twists and surprises - all the way up to the end. I'm looking forward to reading more books featuring CBI and Dance. ( )

A real page turner with a bonus lesson in body language.

A solid suspense novel featuring CBI agent Kathryn Dance in pursuit of killer and cult leader Daniel Pell. A bit of a roller coaster ride, with a couple of good twists and turns. Recommended. ( )

A good story that keeps you turning pages, especially with all the unexpected twists that go on till the last page. Loved the references of Scottsdale :) ( )