Wednesday 26 February 2014

Review: Fear Nothing by Lisa Gardner


Fear Nothing (Detective D.D. Warren, #7)
Fear Nothing (Detective D.D. Warren #7) by Lisa Gardner
Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
Publisher: Dutton Books/Brilliance Audio
Length: 12 Hours 46 Minutes
Publication date: January 7th 2014
My rating: 5 stars 



My name is Dr. Adeline Glen. Due to a genetic condition, I can’t feel pain. I never have. I never will.

The last thing Boston Detective D.D. Warren remembers is walking the crime scene after dark. Then, a creaking floorboard, a low voice crooning in her ear… She is later told she managed to discharge her weapon three times. All she knows is that she is seriously injured, unable to move her left arm, unable to return to work.

My sister is Shana Day, a notorious murderer who first killed at fourteen. Incarcerated for thirty years, she has now murdered more people while in prison than she did as a free woman.

Six weeks later, a second woman is discovered murdered in her own bed, her room containing the same calling cards from the first: a bottle of champagne and a single red rose. The only person who may have seen the killer: Detective D.D. Warren, who still can’t lift her child, load her gun, or recall a single detail from the night that may have cost her everything.

Our father was Harry Day, an infamous serial killer who buried young women beneath the floor of our home. He has been dead for forty years. Except the Rose Killer knows things about my father he shouldn’t. My sister claims she can help catch him. I think just because I can’t feel pain, doesn’t mean my family can’t hurt me.

D.D. may not be back on the job, but she is back on the hunt. Because the Rose Killer isn’t just targeting lone women; he is targeting D.D. And D.D. knows there is only one way to take him down:

Fear nothing.

My Thoughts:

I’ve been a fan of Lisa Gardner’s mysteries for years, and Fear Nothing has to be one of her best.  If you’re a fan of a well-plotted, mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend this story! 

Detective D.D. Warren is out on disability after suffering falling down a flight of stairs at the scene of a horrendous murder.  She has no recollection of what happened, only that she fired her gun and woke up with one hell of a shoulder injury.  Pain is now her constant companion, making her existence a nightmare.  This is how she meets Dr. Adeline Glen, a pain specialist highly recommended. D.D. and Adeline soon find that they have more in common that just a doctor patient relationship when the murders continue and they discover a bizarre and suspicious connection to Adeline’s family.

Two things about Dr. Adeline Glen are significant.  First, she can’t physically feel pain, which makes her chosen profession ironic and second, she is the daughter of one of the most infamous serial killer’s in history, Harry Day, who died over forty years ago.  As if that wasn’t enough of a stigma, her older sister Shana Day, a convicted murderer as well. You’d think this wouldn’t have much of an impact on Adeline’s life given that her father committed suicide when she was just a baby and she was adopted by a well respected doctor, but nature versus nurture weighs heavily in Adeline’s mind.  As you read the story it becomes evident why…

One thing I love about Lisa Gardner is the fact that she delves heavily into her character’s state of mind. This story is told in first person for Adeline’s POV, and third person for D.D.’s chapters, which worked perfectly.  Because of the first person narrative with Adeline, I felt an intimate connection with her and the interworking of her mind was fascinating!  Her relationship with her incarcerated sister, and their family history factor heavily into the story.  With the murders resembling the methods used by both Shana and their father, suspicions are swirling everywhere and as a reader I suspected everyone!    

With D.D. dealing with intense pain and complete memory loss, she is understandably frustrated, but she continues to work on the case unofficially with her team, her husband Alex, and with Adeline.  In the previous books, D.D. reluctantly settled down with Alex, a blood spatter specialist, and had a child.  It was lovely to see them as a couple still going strong even dealing with extremely difficult circumstances, and I thought Ms. Gardner did an excellent job portraying their struggles realistically.

This mystery was a good one! Layer upon layer was slowly stripped away until we discover the secrets of the past as well as the identity of the killer.  I was riveted to the pages, and bouncing up and down in parts from the suspense!  Fear Nothing is part of a series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this story.

The brilliant narration of Kirsten Potter really enhanced my enjoyment of this excellent mystery.  She has a low sultry voice which I found very appealing. I’ve listened to another book narrated by Ms. Potter (Never Seduce a Scot) and she is amazing with accents!







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23 comments:

The Bookish Manicurist said...

I've never heard of this author before but this sounds like some of the crime/mystery books I used to really enjoy.

And I love a narrator that can ace accents!

Leanna Elle said...

I haven't read this series, but I have read Lisa Gardner in the past and have always enjoyed her books - love me a good murder mystery!

Keertana said...

I haven't read Gardner before but it's interesting that the detective in this novel is suffering from memory loss while solving this case. I'm always up for an engrossing mystery novel, so I'll have to pick this up for sure. Great review, Rachel - I need to find the audio version of this novel just to listen to Ms. Potter!

Michelle Chew said...

The first paragraph of the blurb is enough to make me want to read the book. Lots of questions in my mind from just reading that one sentence. It's a good thing that this book can be read as a stand-alone because I'll probably skip the rest and read this first. Great review!

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

I've definitely read and enjoyed my share of Lisa Gardner books so I think I'm going to have to add this one to my list! I like the time she spends getting into characters' states of minds.

Unknown said...

I've never heard of Gardner before, but she seems like an author I would have loved a few years ago. This sounds super creepy, and very intense. I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed this book so much, Rachel. great review!

Faye M. said...

Hooooly crap! I love well-written murder mysteries (Okay, that love stems from James Patterson books but I need to read from other people now because apparently his aren't that great compared to many others haha). You just introduced me to another author who I hopefully will come to love. And that kind of detective really does spice things up a bit! Added it to my TBR!!

Faye @ The Social Potato

Jenny said...

I have nothing but the utmost respect for mystery writers. I could no more come up with a layered and complex mystery than fly, everyone would have my attempt at writing one figured from page one most likely. Love that this is such rich thriller, both in terms of characters and plot, so it's going on the list. Win:)

Emma said...

From reputation and working in a library, Lisa Gardner is a very, very popular author and one we hardly see on shelves because of being so good. I for one haven't tried any of her mysteries and I haven't really got in to the genre of mysteries but from some YA books that I've read I have really got gripped with them. I may give this author a try in the near future. Brilliant review, Rachel. :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I still have not read a book by this author. This sounds like a mystery I would love and I need to read this author. Thanks for the recommendation.

Siiri said...

I prefer 1st person POVs just because they let me connect and I'm glad it helped you connecit with the MC. Haha. I always suspect everyone whenever I'm reading an Agatha Christie novel. That woman knew how to write one hell of an intriguing cryme mystery. I'm glad that this book and author worked so well for you and I hope this trend of with this certain author continues for you;)

Unknown said...

Adeline's background has intrigued me so I'll need to look this out :) Always looking for more mystery authors so thanks for introducing us to one of your favourites!

Wendy Darling said...

I haven't read a Lisa Gardner book in a long time--I think since the first or second DD book. Sounds like I should remedy that! 5 stars! How fun. Her books really are such addictive and fast-paced reads.

Btw--I haven't gone through comments on our blog yet, but I totally agree that the second Molly Harper werewolf book wasn't quite as good as the first (it kind of went on a tangent in the last half or third, no?), but it was still super fun. We'll have to see what happens with book three! I love that we are sort of reading them around the same time.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Unknown said...

Great review, Rachel. This series is not really in my radar, and with 7 books into it, it might be too late for me to catch up. I love how diverse your reading choices are, Rachel. I'm so jealous. :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

I like the occupations of these characters! Thanks for sharing how much you've enjoyed Potter's narration - I'll have to look her up on audible. :)

Rachel said...

There haven't been very many YA mysteries that have come close to the quality of Lisa Gardner's work, IMO. It's interesting, but not surprising that she's so popular at your library, Emma. You should give her a go sometime. :)

Rachel said...

I always suspect everyone in Agatha Christie reads, too, Siiri! I love her mysteries and I've read almost everyone of them. Lisa Gardner writes amazing mysteries as well, more modern, obviously and well plotted out. I love her continuing character arcs as well. :)

Rachel said...

DD really grew on me, and she came a long way from being such small side character. I agree, Lisa Gardner writes addictive and fast paced reads!

I agree, with your comment about The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf. My main issue is that Maggie wasn't very likable in the first book and she wasn't much better as the MC in the 2nd one. Still, it was an entertaining read. I have high hopes for the third. It sounds really good!

It is fun that we've been reading these around the same time. I plan on picking up the last one in March. :)

Rachel said...

I always think your reading selection is more diverse than mine, Joy! You always have the most interesting books in your Showcase Sundays! And thanks! :)

Rachel said...

I'm sure if I tried to write a mystery it would be a complete and utter fail, Jenny! Lol! Reading and figuring out mysteries are a different story, though. I've read soooo many that it's hard to get one over on me. I love it when it happens, though. :)

Rachel said...

I haven't read James Patterson, but I wonder what you'd think of Lisa Gardner compared to him. Let me know what you think if you do, Faye! :)

Rachel said...

I think you'd like this one if you've enjoyed Lisa Gardner in the past, Mary. This is one of her best. :)

Rachel said...

I'd love to see what you thought of this series, Keertana, especially this audio version! :)

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