A Dark Mind

I just finished this book and enjoyed every page of it. What a fast paced, thrilling journey with lots of different things occurring and many twists and turns. This is one of those books you will find hard to put down, and never has a dull moment. It was well written with intense and chilling moments followed by a chapter with some relief and very enjoyable story. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were also an interesting touch. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and the second one was good but this one is definitely the best with the characters now well developed. Am now really looking forward to the fourth in this series. Highly recommend this book for anyone who likes a thrilling mystery with likeable characters.

At first I wasn't too sure that I would like this book ... it jumped around from person to person and from time to time and I had no idea who anybody was - or when. But then it all fell together and was really interesting. There is a serial killer in Sacramento... and he has a really evil mind... a very dark mind. The main character is Lizzie Gardner who is a private investigator. She has an FBI agent for a boyfriend. Lizzy becomes involved in the serial murder when one of her clients is murdered and the husband is fingered as a person of interest. There are several substories in the book - and since I have not read the other 2 in the series I'm sure that some of those stories were from previous novels. This is a stand alone book though even if you have no read the other book in the series. This book also ends with a bit of a hanging twist that I believe will be carried into another book. I will definitely buy the next book because I want to see what happens

This was a riveting, twisted, and suspenseful story of what a dark mind is truly capable of. It will take more than the FBI to finally solve this crime spree that's lasted for years. Lizzy and her crew are once again involved with the evil of the world, but will they all make it out alive? It's certainly not a story that you'll want to miss. I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.

This book had me from page 1. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that it was #3 in a series until I was about a quarter of the way into it. It was so good, that I just couldn't stop to get the first two books. Since completing #3, I've read #1 and just started #2. Great series, nonstop, edge of your seat suspense. What I liked about this book was that I was hooked right away. I find that some books have such a slow start making them hard at times to stick with, but not here. The writer has created such great characters in Lizzy Gardner and her two sidekicks, Jessica and Hayley. I will be reading all of the Lizzy Gardner series and highly recommend these books for anyone who likes a good mystery/suspense novel.

Well done. A lot of research was done getting into the minds of some wicked serial killers. I don't envy the author the research that had to be done. Disturbing. Having said that, this book was well written. We are led along and given just enough details to figure things out, without feeling that the author was unfair, holding back information until the final pages. An intelligent reader will put the clues together, but the enjoyment is also in the journey. A little more development of the characters, as well as relationships between characters. A good read. I look forward to the next book in this series.

I read the 1st two Lizzy Gardner books. I couldn't put the first one down. I had different reaction to the next two. A Dark Mind felt slow to develop and I didn't feel pulled into it until I had read most of it. Jumping around with the characters and not really developing them, it was hard to follow at first. I like Lizzy and Jared together. I like how she cares for Jessica and Hayley. I didn't like the path Hayley took in book 2 and still don't. Everything doesn't have to be rainbows and butterflies, after all it's a murder mystery. That being said I wish it hadn't been so gruesome. I won't be reading the last three in the series.

Spiderman is a memory, a cold case has been closed when the missing daughter is found alive, and not so good for missing Diane Kramer killed by a weight loss guru…can you see where I am going with this? Some series can be read with the reader picking up the past story lines, with Book 3; you realize that this is a series that must be read in order to have the full impact of the characters. If you are looking for a series that grabs you and brings you into the horror, mystery and story line, T.R. Ragan achieves keeping the reader engrossed in the story line, which are actually 5 stories in one: Jessica, Lizzy’s assistant, who wants everything in life to be simple and organized is beginning to come out of the shell and has decided she would like to pursue a career as a profiler with the FBI. Hayley continues on her revenge on Brian and sneaking out at night. She has been released from jail for attacking Brian and removing some of his most important manhood parts and moved in the Lizzy and Jared. A serial killer, Lovebird Killer, is preying on happily married couples. The cruelties on his victims bring Lizzy Gardner wanting justice. One of the couples, Jennifer and Michael Dalton had come to Lizzy asking her to investigate a worker comp case; right after Jennifer signed the contract for Lizzy to begin working, she is brutality murdered and the number one suspect is Michael. The fourth story line begins with a reporter for the local newspaper and friend of Michael’s ask Lizzy to find the real killer. The reporter and Michael have a history The story also follows the romance of Jared, an FBI agent and Lizzy work on issues of getting to know each other again. As was mentioned by one reviewer, think Hannibal Lector, scary, bone chilling and impossible to put down, you have it all in this book. T.R. Ragan really captures the characters and not recommended you read this on a dark rainy night with branches hitting your window.

Hard to put down. Will read more by this author. Kept me guessing right to the end. Can definitely recommend this book

Really love this series so far cant wait to read the other three in the series of Lizzy Gardner love the writer reallys gets in as soon as you start the novel

well worth reading a bit scary in places for me but then a lot of books like this are but i still love to read them.

They call him the Lovebird Killer, because he murders always loving couples. With unbelievable cruelty he tortures and kills the women, letting the men watch till he kills them, too. Since the killer changes his modus operandi every time, he did not get caught yet. PI Lizzy Gardner is working on some routine cases, as suddenly a connection to the Lovebird Killer pops up. Lizzy and her two young assistants, Jessica and Hayley, start a chase for the killer, which brings not only them, but also Lizzy's partner, the FBI-agent Jared, in severe danger. Although I did not read the prequels to this third Lizzy Gardner novel, I did not have any problems to get into the story. There are some hints about what happened in the first two volumes, without telling too much. I do not read hard core serial killer novels very often, but this one was worth the time. It did not rely on horror alone, but got deep into the characters, including the serial killers mind. The protagonist Lizzy obviously went through hard times, but does not allow that experience to get too much hold of her, although it affects her relationship. Lizzy is strong and cares for people like her two assistants, Jessica and Hayley. Jessica is a little bit naïve, but in the course of this case, she learns more about life. Hayley is an interesting character. She spent time in youth correction because she cut the penis of her mother's abusive boyfriend off. Highly intelligent, she nevertheless risks jail again while trying to help her mother. She still has to learn to live a normal life. Each chapter of this breathtaking novel starts with a quote by a genuine serial killer, which is really scary. This fast paced book is gripping from the first page on and impossible to put down.

Once again T.R. Ragan reaches the mark. A fast paced thriller and a sweet romance twist thrown in; what's not to love? I found the quotes very interesting at the beginning of each chapter as they helped me to understand how a serial killer views themselves. I liked the way it all tied up and T.R. Ragan didn't leave a single loose end as some thrillers have. The characters behaved in natural ways I almost felt like I was there while the events unfolded. The most interesting part was near the climax at the end when even the quotes would put fear in your heart at some of the colder more calculating ones. There was never a dull moment in this book. I felt like I physically was unable to put it down. The story was unique and didn't remind me of anything. NOTE: This book is a bit gruesome so if you dislike gore I recommend you don't read it.