The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe.
An entire family is murdered and, by a quirk, a young girl is left unharmed. For fifteen years, she believed the killer had been caught, and he’s now on death row, awaiting execution. While trying to be content with her adoptive family, she’s living in relentless uncertainty and the fear of remembering what really happened that night when she was five years old.
A brilliant read. Gripping and twisty. I certainly didn't see that coming. I loved Tess as she didn't quite. 5*.

The Watson Girl is the 2nd book in the Special Agent Tess Winnett series. I did not read the previous book. Even though this can be read as a stand-alone, I felt like I was missing something about Tess' backstory. That could be the reason why I did not like this character. She had no respect for anyone. The way she was speeding to get to the prison showed she had a sense of disregard both for others and for the law. The way she she got the evidence would not be admissible in court and could have ruined everything. I struggled to finish this one but stuck it out hoping for a great ending. But sadly the ending was so unbelievable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Italics Publishing and Leslie Wolfe for a copy of "The Watson Girl" in exchange of an honest review.

The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe is the second in a series. I had not read the first book but had no problems following and losing myself in this second book. It was a fast read for me because I had trouble putting it down. It’s a slick crime thriller that doesn’t disappoint.

I think I first received a book from Leslie Wolfe on an Amazon Prime First Reads. I LOVED this author so much, I've sought out her books in a number of ways. And, she's been added to my favorite new authors and have purchased more books. I was thrilled to be able to read this book, about the death of Laura Watson. Wolfe's character, Tess Winnett is amazing. I loved everything about this book and couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more of Wolfe's books.

Thanks for the opportunity to have read this brilliant and thrilling book. The book started with a bang, (almost literally!) and was a gripping read until the end. I ended up holding my breath each time the killer was mentioned! Well done and recommended.

*I received this book from NetGally in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent Book! Wolfe wrote an amazing story that was absolutely terrifying! She researched Psychopaths and used that research to craft one of the scariest characters I've read about thus far. This book left me speechless and wrapped everything up so well that I have no complaints. Fantastic Book, Fantastic Writing, Fantastic Story!

I love mysteries and finding a new series with a smart, capable female lead who faces worthy foes are my favorite kind of series. Tess Winnett fits the bill perfectly. I also found how the villain hid his crimes fiendishly clever, although he oddly also made some rather bone-headed mistakes too. But all in all, I enjoyed this fast-paced book and look forward to the next book in the series.

I read this book as a standalone and I believe it is I art of a character arc so during it I did sometimes feel I missed something but other than that I really loved this book.
The storytelling was great from both the serial killers and tess and I didn't guess the ending until a few chapters before the end.
You really were sucked into the killers point of view and why he was don't it and its unsettling.
Tess is severely independent and extremely vulnerable at the same time and I really want to read the third book as I am hoping she starts to trust and for life to get better for her.
I hadn't read I crime thriller in a while and it reminded me how much I love the mystery!
Can't wait to read the next book :)

This was an interesting thriller! The second in this series, Special Agent Tess Winnett is seen again (previously in “Dawn Girl”), and this time, she is returning early to work, to interview the “Family Man”, a death row inmate who is slated for execution.

The book, however, does not open with Tess as the main character, it focuses on the killer from fifteen years earlier, on the night of a murder, and after taking out an entire family, realizes he missed one member who is still alive! Laura Watson is indeed now a young woman in a relationship with her boyfriend, unaware that the killer on death row, may not be the man who murdered her family. Could there be a copycat? If so, who, and why?

Tess and her team investigate, interrogate and keep pressing until they get the answers she feels from the beginning of the book. And switching perspectives between the killer who has a field day “feasting” and taking women’s lives, to Laura who is afraid to undergo regression therapy to see if she can remember anything, to Tess who is convinced of Laura’s imminent danger, this book keeps moving like a runaway train.

You’ll begin to theorize certain people as the book progresses, only to eliminate them as one by one, people are revealed to be not whom they appeared to be. The book ends with a shocking reveal that threw me for a loop! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! And now, onto book three with Tess Winnett, “Glimpse of Death”.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Italics Publishing and Leslie Wolfe. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I appreciate the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy to do so. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"You might have seen me before, but not known me for who I am... not really. I'm the snake in your neatly trimmed grass."

This is my first Leslie Wolfe novel, which, I realize this is the second in a series. I have to be honest and say that this probably did affect my perspective of the novel. There were things that took place in the past that would have added to the character development in this novel. I'm torn with how I feel about this novel. There were some really great aspects about it, but then there were some just almost monotonous parts.

15 years ago, Laura Watson's family was murdered, Laura survived that tragic night by hiding in a laundry basket in the upstairs bathroom. The killer, dubbed The Family Man, is set to be executed at the end of the month. Agent Tess Winnett is assigned to interview the infamous serial killer. During their interview, The Family Man, aka Kenneth Garza, confesses that he did not kill 34 families, he only killed 31. Tess, intrigued, decides to look into the three murders that Garza claims he did not commit, the Watsons, Townsends, and the Myers. After reviewing the cases, and the evidence available, Tess is convinced that Garza is not their man.

Meanwhile, Laura, now all grown up, having been adopted by her father's business partner and his wife, the Welsh's, she is on her way to becoming a key member of the Watwel company. She is contacted by Dr. Austin Jacobs, a neuroscientist, who wants Laura to participate in a study for cognitive memory recovery for individuals who have suffered childhood trauma. Laura thinks this might finally be the answer to understanding what happened that tragic night and why she was the only one who survived. She decides to participate in the study, but there's a catch she must agree to appear in a TV interview to help obtain the funding necessary to continue with the study. What she doesn't realize is that this exposes Laura, and puts her at risk. Tess sees the interview, and she knows that if she's seen the interview then there's the chance that the real killer has seen the interview as well. The race is on to find the real killer and keep Laura safe.

Okay, so what I found to be rather monotonous about the novel was all the chapters involving the police procedural work with Tess, Gary Michowsky, Todd Fradella, and Doc Rizza. I found my ability to focus during all this difficult, I'm not sure what it was. I've read plenty of thrillers and mysteries with police procedural work and it didn't quite bore me the way this did. I realize that Tess is the main character of this novel, and maybe the fact that some of her past was lost on me affected these chapters. The other thing that I found to be very stereotypical and overdone was the relationship that Tess shares with her boss, SAC Pearson. I think one missing opportunity with this novel was the fact that we, the reader, do not get to experience the memory recovery study that Laura is subjected to, in fact, Laura, is a minor character in the novel altogether. I felt that a lot could have been gained by exposing the reader to the lost memories of Laura.

Now, the area of the book that I did really enjoy were all the chapters inside the mind of the killer. I do love a novel that gives you a chance to understand the psychopath at work. I liked that he metaphorically refers to his victims as apples. With Laura, being his forbidden fruit. This added that serial killer vibe to the novel for sure. I felt that Leslie really did her homework in understanding how a pyschopath thinks. She did a great job in developing this character.

"I became really good at what's expected of me, at being the powerful, successful man with a nice family and a good life. That means, my dear friend, should you ever become the apple of my eye, you won't see me coming.

My only grip about the true killer is that it's obvious who it is. I knew very early on who it was. Because of who the killer is I think this in the end affected my opinion of the novel. I almost think I would have preferred it to have been someone else entirely.

I did like the novel, and I think I will check out the others in the series so I can get the full picture. Maybe this will help change some of my opinions of this novel.

I want to thank NetGalley, Italics Publishing, and Leslie Wolfe for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.

4.5 So Many Sides To US All Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
We have all heard the phrase There are two sides to every story... Well in my life, I have always thought more to the idea of Three Sides... Yours, the other person's and then the Over View of what went down, combining the both views...Because I could see where one person had an impression of what they thought happened and then the other had another take... causing both participants to not actually see the Big Picture...And sometimes that was true...
But then again, sometimes a thing was just a thing...

In The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe, we are given Three Voices, experiencing what is happening and it works so well. Each participant is in the throws of needing to fix "things".

FBI Special Agent Tess Winnett has been on a medical leave. She had injuries and trauma from her last assignment which usually require a much longer recovery time. Tess somehow was able to manipulate only a 3 week time off instead of the 6. She is not physically ready and she is having some issues mentally... but Tess was never one to let those types of things to get in her way. You could call her singularly focused when she becomes determined... And Tess needs to get back to work.

Tess knows this is going to be difficult; she is not the most popular agent around... She is not social. She is easily described as disrespectful, arrogant, dismissive and wanting only to keep her perfect record of closed cases. She has no friends in the agency and working with others is not her thing. Tess has deep secrets that have manifested in PTSD which she has not attempted to resolve. Working is her outlet and getting back on the job will save her...

Tess is called into her boss's office. These two are like oil and water. Tess thinks he is annoyed with her because she has a 100% closure rate to his 98%. Those 2% count. He looks at her and starts to read her the riot act; Tess is too quick to use force... she kills all of the bad guys, she walks all over the witnesses and now the Political forces are breathing down his neck because of her actions. He is having none of it.

Tess at first tries to answer back but then realizes she needs to just take it. She has been told she needs to work better with others and close a case without killing the bad guy.

Fine.

Tess is given a standard procedure. She is to do the final interview of the convicted serial killer called the Family Man scheduled to be executed. This is a guy who killed 34 families over the course of many years. Her boss assigns all the files to her telling her in so many words to Get Her Shit Together.

Tess goes to the prison, is prepared to do the usual interview with the standard questionnaire when the admitted killer informs her like has with all the other detectives before... he did not kill all the families they have convicted him of...yes he killed, 31 families not 34. ... and if she really wanted the truth... It is in the files... The Watson family is one of them.

Laura Watson is at a turning point in her life...but doesn't know it yet. Laura was a victim of one of those horrific killings by the Family Man. She was only 4 or 5 when everything happened and some how she hid in a clothes hamper... escaping the deaths of her family. She was taken in by her father's business partner and family. She lost all memory of that night and became part of a loving family. She is an adult now, finishing her bachelor's degree in Engineering and can't wait to start working with the lighting company her adopted father started with her real dad.

Laura's life seems to have been better over the years but she has always wanted to know what happened that fateful night and it has pulled at her with varying degrees of need. She is also in a relationship with man has his own dark past. Her man is sometimes too possessive and protective. He can be a challenge as his scars are deep.

And then there is HIM. We are given the voice and thoughts of HIM. He tells us of what he thinks... how the first time taking someone's life was the victim's fault...and how he was so lucky there was an active serial killer in the news...Why that was the answer! Study and do everything like that idiot and no one will know the difference.... The police with chalk it up to the killer they know and he will be scot-free...

What he didn't realize though.... was his love of the killing... realizing he was a hunter and thrived on it...methodical, organized (in his mind) and loved the thrill of it all. The Watson family was his first...and he thought he had it all handled perfectly. He read everything about how The Family Man did his killings- even down to the type of weapon and bullets. He had studied all of the family's actions, the number of people in the family... timed everything right...But he made a mistake and now all the chickens will come home to roost .....

This book is chocked full of so much, it grabs you from the start and doesn't let go till the end... and even then you are still involved. We get it all and it is done with the alternating voices of the three main players; each with the pain, needs and realizations as they come.

Laura has been carrying the need to know... and also has survivor's guilt. She wants to have the knowledge of that night as a way to have a connection to her real parents...She is also dealing with this rocky relationship and has decisions to make...She is extremely strong and has overcome so much.

Tess has been dealing with a trauma she will never share with others... and it causes her to understand more than most in her position. But it also has caused her to hide and not be accessible emotionally. She is brilliant and so insightful it can be a hindrance to others because she will not let go on a hunch if it feels like it could be the lead to the answer somehow. She is trying, though, to be more inclusive and open...

HIM...what can I say about a killer who relishes sharing his ideas of kills, equates them with different types of Apples...I will forever think of Apple of my Eye differently from this point forward. It also demonstrates that everything is not all that they seem to be...There are different sides to us... some more understandable... but then there can be that one who is nothing like what they present...

This had some twists and turns...It had a detailed process in the discover of the killings and the parts of putting the pieces together were well done... you were there in the room when things would show themselves and it made the experience stronger. All of the secondary characters contributed... relationships between all of them had merit. I will be looking for the next entry...Leslie Watson has made me a reader of hers.

The Watson Girl
Leslie Wolfe

Outstanding novel.
A chilling look into the mind of a serial killer. Well researched and written from 2 points of view. The first person killer's and the third person for the other characters. Sounds like it should jump but is doesn't. A brillent way to present the psychopath's thought process and the terror of his victems.
I liked the way that Special Agent Tess Winnett would keep after the killer. She used her experence and "gut instinct" to finally solve a very difficult murder mystery.
All the characters were well written with plenty of background to flesh them out.
I just love a good thriller and this one was great.
The cover was perfect for the story. The girls face fit my idea of what a scared Laura Watson would look like.
My version was on my Kindle and I carried it with me everywhere till the story was done.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So glad I did.

Great read, gripping story, interesting look at the human psyche

*thank you to NetGalley and Italics Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars.
Quite enjoyable. Though I had guessed the killer half way through the book, it was still a pretty good read. I liked Tess, the FBI agent and Laura aka 'The Watson Girl'. There was a slight twist at the end in Laura's apartment, but thats all I will say. Im not sure how I felt about the killer also being one of the narrators. While it was interesting to a degree, there were parts where my mind wandered. Still, its worth reading if the description appeals to you. Im glad I did.

Crime drama involving the FBI and protagonist Special Agent Tess Winnett.!A serial killer.! a discrepancy in three of the cases that cast doubt that the serial killer is really the perpetrator.! Great storyline premise!

I became enthralled in the race to find the REAL perpetrator. However, there is a lot of redundancy which slows the pace and my interest waned. Character development is sadly lacking, and that is always a huge disappointment. No motive is made known. The reveal of the whodunit is easily predictable and obvious, as there are no other characters in the mix to chose from....there is no twist or red herring. The climax, however, although contrived, is exciting. The denouement is satisfying. This could have been a whopper of an exciting read, but the last 20% or so it seemed to lose the way and unravel

. I liked Tess Winnett; the author is developing her into an interesting, flawed character. I would read another book in this series to see how Tess deals with her emotional baggage.

I am sorry I could not connect with this book at all, I struggled to remain interested and was unable to finish. A pity as the story and cover were right up my street. Dissapointing. I recieved this book for free for an honest nd unbiased review, it did not hold my attention and was far fetched to say the least.

The Watson Girl by Leslie Wolfe is the second book of a series about FBI agent Tess Winnett. I haven't (as yet) read the first story but it wasn't necessary in order to follow and enjoy The Watson Girl. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. I was given an early copy to review.

This is is very well written crime thriller. The account of the murders from the killer’s perspective is definitely refreshing and interesting. His reference to eating apples to his desire to kill is quite chilling! Although I could guess the identity of the killer quite early in the book, despite the red herrings, the book still has lots of actions and mystery to captivate and engross the reader.
I would definitely recommend this book. I would love to read more from this author.

Witnessing the brutal act of murder of her family, while hiding in a clothes hamper, five year old Laura Watson, goes to live with her father's partner's family. She is raised by them and has it seems come to terms with what has happened to her. However, she remembers nothing of the time this carnage was taking place in her home. Now fifteen years later, Laura is asked to participate in a new field of psychology called regression therapy which will endeavor to bring back those memories so long hidden within her. Laura decides to participate but there is evil headed in her direction. For even though the police think they have caught the serial killer responsible for a multitude of these family killings, they haven't.

Tess Winett and her team trip to the fact that the serial killer, who was caught tried and convicted for over thirty of these family type killings and is scheduled to die is not the same one who has murdered Laura's parents and siblings. Tess and her team, through exhaustive work track the hidden serial killer who has mimicked the original family killer. He has remained hidden and plans his killings with the precision of a psychopathic mind. There is only one problem for him and that is that Laura is still alive and even though she has forgotten everything, she is about to enter a therapy where she just might remember.

The hidden killer is presented in chapters as he speaks to you the reader and allows you to see into his mind, his motivation, and his blood lust. He is terrifying in his accuracy, his planning, and his ability to hide himself and portray himself as a normal person. He plans his killings with precision. To the observer he is normal in every way as psychopaths often are. He is brilliant as he reasons in his mind why it is normal for him to kill. He compares his targets to eating apples, each one of them is a type of apple to be savored and enjoyed.

This was one frightening book as the author takes us into the demented mind of the killer as he plans on taking his next victim and of course doing away with Laura. Not for the faint of heart for sure, but definitely a novel for those who like a psychological thriller that will certainly scare you and keep you engrossed until the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Italics Pulishing for an ARC of this novel.

This is my first Leslie Wolfe novel and I didn't realize it was the second in the Tess Winnett series until after I had started. I think this works well as a standalone novel, although there were some references to the character's past that may have been answered in the first novel, Dawn Girl. I will probably check that one out the next time I'm in the mood for a fast-paced thriller. I may have to wait a little bit, though. I can only handle so much serial killer/ psychopath drama before I start to second guess my own neighbors and coworkers.
The Watson Girl is the kind of book I quickly get absorbed in. It's a thriller with a social-skills-challenged female FBI Agent who rivals James Bond with her ass-kicking, as well as her improbable survival skills and gut instincts. It's hard not to compare this novel to Silence of the Lambs. This seems to be a deliberate tip of the hat by the author (unless I'm pronouncing Therese wrong and it doesn't rhyme with Clarice). I recommend it to anyone who enjoys the TV show Criminal Minds.