Lisa Gardner | NEVER TELL

Plot (via Goodreads):

A man is dead, shot three times in his home office. But his computer has been shot twelve times, and when the cops arrive, his pregnant wife is holding the gun. 

D.D. Warren arrives on the scene and recognizes the woman--Evie Carter--from a case many years back. Evie's father was killed in a shooting that was ruled an accident. But for D.D., two coincidental murders is too many. 

Flora Dane sees the murder of Conrad Carter on the TV news and immediately knows his face. She remembers a night when she was still a victim--a hostage--and her captor knew this man. Overcome with guilt that she never tracked him down, Flora is now determined to learn the truth of Conrad's murder. 

But D.D. and Flora are about to discover that in this case the truth is a devilishly elusive thing. As layer by layer they peel away the half-truths and outright lies, they wonder: How many secrets can one family have?

Review:

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading my first Lisa Gardner book (Look for Me) and was absolutely obsessed with not only Gardner's writing, but the characters of DD Warren and Flora Dane. After kicking myself for not reading this series sooner, I was immediately looking forward to the next installment as soon as I closed the cover. Well, almost a year to the day later and here I am - opening the next thriller by Lisa Gardner to feature these two brilliantly written women and yet now, I'm even more obsessed than ever.

Never Tell is a story that baffled and consumed me simultaneously. I couldn't help but start to attempt to guess what was going on the minute the prologue was over and like DD Warren's sidekick, I was feverish at putting together the pieces of the puzzles along with DD, Flora, and Evie. One thing I loved about the plot to this one was that it kind of tied in two cases relating to the same character and as the novel progresses, the police procedural aspect of this one is bewitching in its realistic approach at solving a crime. I think that when we read crime thrillers (and I am guilty of this, too) we often see the novel travel in multiple different directions before ultimately unveiling the truth and feel as though it is done to throw you off balance or to fill the pages. With this story, it's told in a way that almost makes you feel as though you are the detective and you have to travel down different routes and investigate every detail before you get to the bottom of what has really happened. Gardner captivates this aspect so vividly that at times, it's almost shocking to know this wasn't a ripped-from-the-headlines plot. The way that Gardner was able to weave this story in with DD Warren and Flora Dane and Flora's past was the ultimate cherry on top for me. I found myself gasping, shaking my head in disbelief, and didn't find myself falling behind jumping in this series at the tail end. I would say that this is a great addition for fans of the series, yet if you read it as a standalone it is perfectly conveyed by providing tidbits of information and (not so gentle) reminders of what really brought DD and Flora together. Reader beware - it will make you want to run to your local bookstore and start collecting the series from the beginning.

Being that I am a sucker for alternative perspectives, it's no huge shock that DD and Flora are our two main characters telling this tale, but one thing that Gardner captured brightly was the third perspective of the character of Evie. I loved how her story was one that was needed to be told and this wasn't just a novel about getting to the bottom of what happened the night her husband was murdered. It's as equally a tale of redemption and loss as it is a police procedural and every chapter in this one shines brighter than its predecessor. I not only needed to know more about Evie, but was really feeling the love with her character. Not knowing if I could trust her, I still wanted to protect and be there for her like an old friend as she provided not only one hell of a backstory, but also gave a great portrayal of someone in a situation that she's in. As much as I loved all of these women, my heart just goes out to Flora Dane and her chapters again are my favorite. They are dark, gritty, and harrowing - dazzling in their prose and brilliantly written, I was shocked and intrigued getting to know more about her backstory and how it effects her today. Between the main story and the alternating perspectives, I still enjoyed how Gardner was able to sneak in aspects of these characters personal lives and it really showcased their personalities and made me enjoy them even more.

So, if you're a fan of the DD Warren series or just looking for a great read that will entrap you, look no further because Never Tell is a tour de force that is relentless with its twists and turns and will keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat until the insane finale that left my jaw on the floor and my heart racing. DD and Flora, I can't wait to see you again soon.

Special thanks to Dutton for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5/5