Look For Me
by Lisa Gardner
7.96 / 10 40K ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2018
- Publisher
- Dutton
- Pages
- 400
- ISBN
- 9781780897684
A family of five is brutally murdered, leaving behind a chilling crime scene and one missing member: sixteen-year-old Roxanna. Was she a lucky survivor who escaped the massacre, or is her disappearance a sign of something far more sinister? Detective D.D. Warren is on the case, but she isn't the only one searching for answers.
Flora Dane, a survivor-turned-avenger who helps women who have endured similar traumas, also joins the hunt, as Roxanna had recently become part of her support network. With different methods and reasons, D.D. and Flora race against time to uncover the truth behind the horrific crime and find Roxanna, who, whether victim or suspect, is silently pleading: Look for me. This compelling thriller delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the foster care system, and the lengths to which individuals will go for justice.
Flora Dane, a survivor-turned-avenger who helps women who have endured similar traumas, also joins the hunt, as Roxanna had recently become part of her support network. With different methods and reasons, D.D. and Flora race against time to uncover the truth behind the horrific crime and find Roxanna, who, whether victim or suspect, is silently pleading: Look for me. This compelling thriller delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the foster care system, and the lengths to which individuals will go for justice.
Original edition
Look For MeOriginally published in 2018 English Dutton
Other editions (46)
The chilling tableau of a family home transformed into a slaughterhouse greets Detective D.D. Warren. Four bodies lie still, brutally gunned down, their lives extinguished in a sudden burst of violence. Yet, one member of the family is conspicuously absent: sixteen-year-old Roxanna Baez. Was she a lucky survivor, escaping the carnage by a hair's breadth, or does her disappearance hint at something far more sinister, perhaps even complicity in the bloodshed? This question hangs heavy in the air, a cold, unsettling mystery that demands immediate answers.
D.D. Warren, still recuperating from past wounds but thrust back into the relentless rhythm of her work, finds herself grappling with the disturbing details of Roxanna's troubled past. The girl's life, marked by the complexities of the foster care system and a mother who had only recently regained custody, begins to unfold through glimpses of her school essays – a haunting, heartbreaking narrative interspersed throughout the investigation, revealing a history rife with emotional twists and turns.
As D.D. delves deeper, her path inevitably crosses with Flora Dane, a survivor-turned-avenger who has dedicated her life to helping other victims. Flora, with her own traumatic history of abduction and captivity, has cultivated a network of resources beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement. She reveals that Roxanna had recently joined a support group for survivors, a detail that further complicates the already convoluted case.
The dynamic between D.D. and Flora is a delicate balance of tension and grudging respect. They are two formidable women, each driven by a fierce desire for justice, yet approaching it from vastly different angles. D.D. adheres to the rigid protocols of police work, while Flora, having endured unimaginable horrors, operates with a more primal, often unconventional, sense of purpose. Their collaboration is fraught with sharp exchanges and unspoken understandings, a compelling interplay of their unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
The investigation becomes a frantic race against the clock. As D.D. meticulously sifts through evidence, oscillating between believing Roxanna is a victim and suspecting her of involvement, Flora uses her own methods, reaching into the shadowy corners where the official channels cannot. The stakes escalate when individuals close to Roxanna begin to be targeted, painting a grim picture of a cunning and ruthless adversary.
Through Roxanna's raw, personal essays, the reader is drawn into the unsettling reality of her life, a world where the facade of a "perfect family" crumbles under the weight of addiction and the systemic failures of child welfare. These fragmented insights into her psyche offer a chilling counterpoint to the unfolding police procedural, deepening the emotional resonance of the search. The question remains: is Roxanna silently pleading for someone to "Look For Me" as a desperate victim, or as a cunning perpetrator seeking to evade capture?
The truth, when it finally emerges, is a web of family secrets and twisted fates, a narrative so intricate and intense that it challenges the very definitions of victim and villain. The journey to uncover Roxanna's fate is a relentless, page-turning descent into the darker aspects of human nature, leaving an indelible mark long after the final revelations.
D.D. Warren, still recuperating from past wounds but thrust back into the relentless rhythm of her work, finds herself grappling with the disturbing details of Roxanna's troubled past. The girl's life, marked by the complexities of the foster care system and a mother who had only recently regained custody, begins to unfold through glimpses of her school essays – a haunting, heartbreaking narrative interspersed throughout the investigation, revealing a history rife with emotional twists and turns.
As D.D. delves deeper, her path inevitably crosses with Flora Dane, a survivor-turned-avenger who has dedicated her life to helping other victims. Flora, with her own traumatic history of abduction and captivity, has cultivated a network of resources beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement. She reveals that Roxanna had recently joined a support group for survivors, a detail that further complicates the already convoluted case.
The dynamic between D.D. and Flora is a delicate balance of tension and grudging respect. They are two formidable women, each driven by a fierce desire for justice, yet approaching it from vastly different angles. D.D. adheres to the rigid protocols of police work, while Flora, having endured unimaginable horrors, operates with a more primal, often unconventional, sense of purpose. Their collaboration is fraught with sharp exchanges and unspoken understandings, a compelling interplay of their unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
The investigation becomes a frantic race against the clock. As D.D. meticulously sifts through evidence, oscillating between believing Roxanna is a victim and suspecting her of involvement, Flora uses her own methods, reaching into the shadowy corners where the official channels cannot. The stakes escalate when individuals close to Roxanna begin to be targeted, painting a grim picture of a cunning and ruthless adversary.
Through Roxanna's raw, personal essays, the reader is drawn into the unsettling reality of her life, a world where the facade of a "perfect family" crumbles under the weight of addiction and the systemic failures of child welfare. These fragmented insights into her psyche offer a chilling counterpoint to the unfolding police procedural, deepening the emotional resonance of the search. The question remains: is Roxanna silently pleading for someone to "Look For Me" as a desperate victim, or as a cunning perpetrator seeking to evade capture?
The truth, when it finally emerges, is a web of family secrets and twisted fates, a narrative so intricate and intense that it challenges the very definitions of victim and villain. The journey to uncover Roxanna's fate is a relentless, page-turning descent into the darker aspects of human nature, leaving an indelible mark long after the final revelations.
What other readers say
Liked
Reviewers largely praise the book for its engaging character dynamics, particularly the witty banter and formidable partnership between Detective D.D. Warren and the survivor Flora Dane. Many found Flora to be a compelling addition, bringing an edgy and impulsive energy to the investigation, while D.D. Warren shows a more nuanced, maternal side. The narrative is described as intriguing, suspenseful, and a compelling page-turner, with a generally well-paced storyline that keeps readers invested. A significant strength highlighted is the book's thematic depth, moving beyond a standard police procedural to sensitively examine the complexities of family relationships and the challenges within the foster care system, often through poignant essay excerpts from a key character. New readers to the series also appreciated the author's ability to provide sufficient backstory, making it accessible even without prior knowledge of the earlier books.
Disliked
However, some readers found the mystery to be predictable, with the culprit's identity becoming apparent well before the ending, which could diminish the suspense for them. A few reviewers also noted instances of repetitiveness in the narrative, particularly across multiple viewpoints, leading to a sense of tedium or a desire to skim certain sections. There were comments that Detective D.D. Warren, despite being the series protagonist, felt less central in this installment, with some wishing for more focus on her personal life. Additionally, one review raised significant concerns about the author's language in describing sensitive topics related to the abuse of a minor, finding it problematic and mischaracterizing the nature of the acts portrayed.
In short
Overall, the book offers a mixed experience, balancing strong character interactions and poignant thematic exploration with some criticisms regarding plot predictability and narrative pacing. It is highly recommended for established fans of the D.D. Warren series, especially those who enjoyed Flora Dane's previous appearances and their developing dynamic. Readers who appreciate crime thrillers that delve into complex family issues and social commentary, particularly concerning the foster care system, will likely find this book compelling. It also serves as a good entry point for newcomers seeking a character-driven police procedural, even if some elements of the mystery might not be universally surprising.
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