Look Behind You

I try and steer clear of serial killer stories because many of them start to blend together. This was different and I enjoyed it (apart from the grisly details). The characters were all well defined and there even was some sexual tension throughout, which was refreshing. I learned a lot from the lead character, specifically how many things one can deduce just by focusing on their senses. I even had a theory. I was sure I knew who the killer was, but nope! It was a surprise, even though I believe I was led there by the clever authors. Well done.

Look Behind You is book five in the Kendra Michaels series. I have only read the previous book, Night Watch in this series, but I have read several of Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan books.

I was curious to see how I would about this book. Night Watch was OK, but not as interesting as the Eve Duncan books usually are. Eve is such a wonderful character and I haven't warmed up to Kendra in the same way. However, I did find that the storyline in this book was much more interesting than in Night Watch, and I have slowly started to come to like Kendra. It helps that I think the female characters in this book are pretty awesome, besides Kendra do we have her best friend Olivia and showing helping Kendra is private detective Jessie who once was a show more bodyguard to a famous singer. However, my big problem is Adam Lynch. I just can't seem to warm up to him. And, yes like I wrote in my review for Night Watch does he remind me of Quinn, Eve's significant other. Just less interesting. Lynch macho man style just annoys and bores me. I hope one day to warm up to him. But, his over protecting style and know it all just makes me grind my teeth.

Nevertheless, the story is not at all bad, the hunt for the serial killer is interesting and intense and I was really baffled over the identity of the killer. Truly, and utterly stunned! Too bad that Adam had to get back from China. I was thinking of giving the book four stars, but a big heart to heart between Adman and Kendra made me realize that I was not totally enjoying the book. But, still, the revelation of the killers must be rewarded so I give it 0.5 more stars just because of that! It really sucks when the main character falls for someone and you don't feel any chemistry between them. Still, it's a good book and I wouldn't mind reading the ones I've missed.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! show less

I just finished reading "Look Behind You" by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen. This is the fifth book in the Kendra Michaels series but it did very well as a stand alone. I've never read this series before but I have to find the back novels now! References to past scenarios and character points make me curious to check out the rest of the series but I never felt like I was lacking information to complete the read.The authors give enough details to fill in the story but not so much time on the 'procedural' parts that I lost the human aspect (some series get lost in the tech/shop talk). It had well developed characters that I could actually believe exist; good, bad, and ugly. It kept me guessing until the very end! I was pinning it on show more someone else! A very good read. ** Big shout out to St. Martin's Press for this GOODREADS giveaway that I won. They have such great prizes. * show less

This is the fifth in the Kendra Michaels series. And if you haven’t read the previous ones, you should. They are certainly worth it. Kendra Michaels who was blind the first twenty years of her life has a unique ability to observe things that others may miss. Because of this, she sometime works as a consultant with the FBI. She reluctantly assists this time around when a series of murders take place and objects left behind are souvenirs from past unsolved serial murder cases from other cities. The killer, Zachery is playing a game that took years in the making and the ultimate prize would be the death of Kendra. It now becomes a cat and mouse game but who chasing who? This is a fast paced, don’t want to put the book down suspense. show more And there is enough interaction between the characters to not make this a heavy and dark thriller. show less

A serial killer terrorizes San Diego and Kendra Michaels finds herself drawn into the FBI investigation. As the team discovers the meaning of peculiar objects left behind at each murder scene, the body count continues to rise and Kendra realizes that the killer is challenging her, taunting her.
When the investigators become the targets and Kendra suspects one of their own may be the killer, will she become the next victim?

This narrative, the fifth in the Kendra Michaels series, balances the darkness of the psychopathic serial killer with often-humorous banter between Kendra, Adam Lynch, Jessie Mercado, and Olivia Moore. With well-developed characters, the ominous tale draws readers in and keeps the pages turning while the relentless pace show more of the action keeps them on the edge of their seats. Unexpected twists continually ramp up the suspense until the final shocking reveal in this unputdownable book.

Highly recommended. show less

Iris Johansen is able to write stories with very strong female leads, Kendra Michaels is no exception. Kendra, born blind but had her sight restored as a young adult, has heightened senses that prove extremely valuable when working with the FBI. Her job as a music therapist is her love, but when called upon, her morals will not let her ignore the serial killers out there.

In this story, Kendra is called in when the third body is found and the cases are linked. She reluctantly agrees and before you know it, they are able to link the deaths to 23 other cases around the United States. Kendra puts all her talents to use and when her friend, Olivia is threatened, Lynch hops on a plane from China to join the hunt. With the "dream team" made up show more of investigators from the other crime cities they continue their search but do not seem to be getting any closer. Kendra breaks rank and her and Lynch head off on their own investigation. Will they find the murderer before more people end up dead? Will any of those close to Kendra be killed? Is Kendra in danger? Once again "a keep you on the edge of your seat" mystery/thriller kept me turning the pages quickly to reach the surprising conclusion. The familiar characters are basically the same, but the romantic suspense between Lynch and Kendra continued to build in this story. Her friendships with Jessie and Olivia, both strong women in their own right, were tested a bit in this story but they come out okay. A great read for any suspense lovers out there. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. show less

This was my first book by either author. Honestly, I was looking forward to it. I have heard nothing but great things about both authors. So when the opportunity to read this book arose, I jumped on it. Overall, this book was an okay book. For it's genre, it fell a little flat for me.

I kind see why this pair always has such hype. The plot of the story is very intriguing. So much so, I couldn't pass this one up. The delivery of the story is where the book fell some for me. I would have assumed, this being a part of a series, the main characters would have been more developed and shown more chemistry with one another. None of the characters seems to flow with one another. Their interactions and the telling of their story was choppy and show more slow moving.

I will say, I didn't figure out who the killer was beforehand. I usually do. However, there were no clues either. No hints. Usually with these type of books there are some bread crumbs to pick up here and there, but there were none in this one. The story kept moving along, then, BAM! it was over. I felt a little cheated, if I am being honest.

I am not saying that this is necessarily a bad book. But for a book in crime thrillers and suspense, it is not the best example for the genre. show less