Chelsea Dutton survived a brutal attack that left her two roommates dead. Five years after the attack, Chelsea still cannot remember her past very well… and not just the night of the attack, but her earlier life too. She lives in constant fear because the accused attacker has never been caught. After running into someone from her past, she starts to be happier and relax a little. Unfortunately, it’s a short lived happiness, because she soon starts to receive messages only her attacker could know about.

The characters were great. Chelsea is the best developed since she’s the main character, but the other characters felt real too. There’s just enough info to feel like you know the character, but there’s a little bit missing too, so you draw some conclusions that may or may not prove to be true.

This book contains some twists and turns, and will have you guessing until the end. There are hints throughout the book as to how it will end, but it’s still a bit of a guess. I mean, I wasn’t 100% sure I had it figured out.

Also, I enjoyed the writing style. It had a great flow and was a quick read. I love a good thriller, and this one was an exciting read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley to read and review. The below is my honest, unbiased opinion. Thank you, Jennifer Jaynes, the publisher, and NetGalley, for allowing me to review.

On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life. With only fragments of shattered memory, she’s been trying her best to move past the nightmares ever since. Now in Boston, she lives a somewhat reclusive life, working from home as a medical transcriptionist and bingeing on mindless television shows. She can’t shake the fear that her attacker is out there, waiting to finish what he started, and Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust. When someone from her past reemerges, Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and worries that her every move is being watched. As the messages mount and her memories begin to return, she’s led to a very terrifying and lonely place. But she needn’t be afraid. She won’t be alone there for long.

DISTURBED is a captivating psychological thriller with all the elements I look for in a good book: immersive plot, developed character, mystery elements, fast-paced, and a one-siting read. Both the plot and setting were creepy, terrifying, and all-consuming. Jaynes is a master at giving JUST the right amount of detail to keep you clinging to the pages of your book, while also peeking over your shoulder to make sure that ping in your gut that's telling you someone is watching you is just your imagination...

A terrific 5 star read!

I received a copy of Disturbed from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

You ever read a book that totally blows your mind, and leaves you wondering what the hell you just read? This is one such book. Seriously, Disturbed is the kind of book that dares you to figure out the who and the why, and even gives you some clues. Turns out, none of it matters! This is all about pacing, and creating characters that not only enhance the story, but keep the reader guessing until the very end. What happened to Chelsea that night? Why did she survive? Those are the recurring questions, and Jaynes even gives us a character from the past to enhance the mystery of it all. Disturbed slowly pulls you along slowly adding tension until the very end.

If you're looking for the perfect thriller that does everything right while staying original, without faltering, well this is one that I highly recommend. Everything about Disturbed is perfect. The plot, the pacing, and don't even get me started on the ending. This is a writer that knows how to create something unique, and yes, even a bit creepy. Once you start reading it, you simply can't stop. Once Jayne's has her hooks in you, you're in for the duration of the novel. With these novels, I always think I have everything figured out halfway through, but with this one? Totally wrong! Yeah, it was upsetting, but sometimes it's okay to be wrong. Especially when you're reading a book like this. What you should do is stop reading this review and pre-order yourself a copy https://www.amazon.com/Disturbed-Jennifer-Jaynes-ebook/dp/B06Y69D9KT/ref=nav_ya_signin?ie=UTF8&qid=1507470686&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Jennifer+Jay+Disturbed&

It’s been five years since Chelsea was brutally attacked in the apartment she shared with her two roommates. Amy and Christine were killed that Halloween night during a party with frat boy Ethan and his friend Boyd. The case has gone cold; the killer at large. No one has seen or heard from Ethan since. Chelsea has scraped together a meager existence in the time since, struggling with bouts of depression, working from home, spending time with her only friend: Elizabeth.

When Boyd re-enters her life seemingly out of nowhere, old demons return to Chelsea. But she has that funny feeling in her tummy whenever he’s around. After explaining his impending divorce to her, they start a relationship. But soon, Chelsea starts receiving ominous notes written in the same red marker as the note from the night of the killings. The message: You made me.

Detective Lang, who suffered a disabling injury just three days into his investigation of the Springfield Coed Killings, is back on the case with the new evidence that the killer may still be lurking about, watching Chelsea. Someone is afraid those memories she’s been missing since the attack may resurface. Can Lang get the answers he needs before Chelsea is silenced forever?

What seems like it should be a straight-laced plot is a murky lake of deceit. Sometimes the lies we tell ourselves can be the most damaging of all. Chelsea’s amnesia could hide a wealth of information, if only she could access it.

This was a quick read, very fast paced. However the writing was often so simplistic, straightforward, and to-the-point that it came off as unfeeling, with the tendency to tell rather than show. Further, what the author does show lacks subtlety in a way that is almost patronizing, beating the reader over the head with exposition of things the reader already picked up on. While the plot was interesting and engaging, I had guessed the killer and the twist just over a third of the way into the novel. What’s more is that the story has been done before. I can forgive a tired plotline if the characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging, but unfortunetely, I can’t quite say that about this novel.

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and author Jennifer Jaynes for an ARC of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

2/5 stars. For an in-depth explanation of this review, including spoilers, please visit my blog: https://greykatreviews.wordpress.com/2017/10/05/discussion-disturbed/

What a story. Like all stories we try to figure out who is who or who did what. With this story you have no idea, even when you think you do, you don't. I loved the characters from the beginning. The plot keeps you reading all the way through. This is why Jaynes is a bestselling author. She is an iconic storyteller and I feel privilege to be able to read her work. Can't wait for the next installation of this series.

A psychological thriller....

A horrible Halloween massacre that left 2 dead and 1 clinging to life.

Five years later the only surviving victim starts getting notes with a message that only the killer would know .

The police detective that found the survivor is now retired but when it looks like the killer is back he dives into finally figuring out what really happened all those years ago. What he eventually discovers.......

If you like psychological thrillers with unconventional endings try this book.

Let me level with you from the start…I initially requested an advanced copy of <i>Disturbed</i> because I really liked the cover. Of course, I did subsequently read the description and it only reaffirmed my decision. A lone survivor of a brutal college massacre? On Halloween night? The killer was never caught? The girl (naturally) is still suffering from paranoia? Five years later she receives a mysterious note bearing the same message left behind at the original crime scene? Sign me up. See, sometimes you <i>can</i> judge a book by its cover!

Since this book has not yet been released, I’ll do my best to refrain from spoiling it for anyone who’s just looking for enough broad strokes and insight to determine whether it’s 238 pages well-spent. (Mini) Spoiler Alert: It is. But that’s not to say it’s not without its faults—one huge one, in particular.

There are some books that take a while to formulate an opinion about, and some that just hook—or repel—you from page one. The book opens on the night of the murders, from the perspective of Detective Lang, who’s on the scene. I was hooked from the second sentence:

<blockquote><i>“A slice of streetlight illuminated blood spatter on the cheap beige carpet and the motionless body of a teenage girl.”</i></blockquote>
A tad macabre? Sure. But I didn’t pick this book for a cheerful literary romp. Jaynes weaves her story fluidly and carefully, with an attention to detail that could come dangerously close to flimsy filler, but never does. Her use of imagery is poetic (<i>“…a crooked scarlet trail led into a darkened hallway.”</i>), but falls short of schmaltz. Even dialogue that could read as hackneyed (<i>“How come happiness is so fleeting, yet sorrow is not?”</i>) manages to illicit emotion.

This strong writing follows us throughout our victim’s (heroine’s?) misadventures. After scarcely avoiding death on that early November 1st, Chelsea is a veritable shut-in at 23. She still bears the vicious scars of her repeated stabbings. She holds a well-paying job that rarely requires her to leave home, where she lives with her furry friend Harry. Her only true connection to another person is her best friend Elizabeth, a slightly older nurse whom she met during her recovery period following the attack. Chelsea has recurring nightmares, conjures images of the murderous Ethan, suffers from inexplicable blackouts, and goes running in the final minutes of dawn with a knife wrapped in cheesecloth and hidden in her bra…so yea, she’s having the time of her life. Following the attacks, she suffered from a form of amnesia and remembers very little of her life before—a plot device that I initially scoffed at as cliché, before realizing that I don’t think I’ve ever actually read a book where the protagonist had amnesia, so I left that one out of the minus column.

It’s only when Chelsea has a chance encounter with Boyd, who narrowly escaped that murderous night himself when he fortuitously left the party early to go to work, that she rouses from her stupor and starts to experience life again. This metamorphosis is almost immediately overshadowed by the sudden appearance of a note on her windshield, saying only, <i>“You made me.”</i>…the exact same message that the killer left the night of the murders. This plot development necessitates the reappearance of Detective Lang, who was wounded on-duty just days after that fateful night. But this cold case has been gnawing at him for five years and he’s only too happy to pick up where he left off.

This is where I’ll leave the remainder of the plot to the author and share the Good and the Bad of <i>Disturbed</i>.

<b>The Good:</b>

-As previously mentioned, Jaynes knows how to turn a phrase and paint a picture in succinct, expressive, and realistic language.

-This may seem like a small thing, but there’s a line in the book when Chelsea and Elizabeth are talking and in-dialogue they refer to “the T,” which is explained to be the local subway system through off-dialogue exposition. I’m so sick of authors creating stilted, unrealistic dialogue where they have a character explain things to the reader, the awkwardness never fails to take me out of the scene, so this was refreshing.

-Jaynes attention to detail is pretty impressive and leaves little room for the reader to question their suspension of disbelief. Such as, <i>“…used toilet paper and quickly cleaned the blood from around the vent and flushed the bloody paper down the toilet.”</i>

-I wasn’t sure how she would write a satisfying ending to this story with the amount of real estate she had left toward the end of the book. The solution? It ends in a fashion that begs for a sequel. Typically I’m too impatient to read books that I know will not have a definite conclusion, but I do look forward to this follow-up.

<b>The Bad:</b>

-There’s no easy way to say this…the bad in this book was the “twist.” I found it to be clichéd beyond belief and disappointing of a writer whose work I was enjoying. But that’s not the worst part of it. The worst part was I guessed the twist roughly 20 percent in and was rewarded by chapter after chapter of “misdirection” that actually did nothing but confirm my guess. I don’t want to brag, but I’m not one to see M. Night Shyamalan’s twists a mile away, far from it. So the fact that I guessed this one so early is not a ringing endorsement. That’s not to say you can’t still enjoy this story knowing the twist early on, but it did cheapen the experience for me quite a bit.

-Every character in this book was much older than their age, and not in a “wise beyond their years” way. Chelsea and Boyd were supposed to be 23 years old, but you would swear they were 40 based on their dialogue, actions, and lifestyle. Boyd had already been married, given it the old college try, and gotten divorced. I know 23 year olds who still can’t do their own laundry. There’s mature for your age and there’s miswritten. I kept forgetting that Lang was actually only 43 because he was written as a grizzled 60+ retiree back “for one more case.” He looks at a woman in his life and muses, <i>“God, at the age of forty, she was still a stunner.”</i> The behavior of these characters was reminiscent of how I viewed adults when I was 10 and 23 was the height of maturity, while 43 was knocking on death’s door. It was increasingly distracting.

<b>TL;DR:
If you’re looking for a well-written mystery that will keep you saying, “Just one more chapter” and won’t mind if you spoil the twist for yourself early on, I would definitely give <i>Disturbed</i> a stab…get it?</b>

This book had me hooked from page one. The murders of two college girls and their friend found within inches of death on Halloween night was a great mystery...who did it? I loved how this story played out and the twists at the end made it even better. I do hope there is a second part as I was disappointed that there was no epilogue wrapping everything up with a nice little bow.

Wow, just wow. I've been trying to get my head round this amazing story. I absolutely loved it. Usually i can guess some twists but i didn't see the ending coming at all. It took me completely by surprise. I can't recommend this book enough.

Chelsea Dutton lives in a bubble, working for her Boston home, she does her best to keep the outside world, and all its dangers far away. It’s only been a handful of years since the attack that left Chelsea’s roommate dead and Chelsea in critical condition. She can lock herself away, but nothing can stop her from remembering that terrible day or from believing that her attacker is out there, somewhere, watching her. She’s proven right when she starts getting chilling messages that imply she’s being watched. Jaynes ratchets up the tension in this thriller perfect for a chilly night – providing you leave all the lights on

OH MY GOODNESS!

Seriously, just when I thought Jennifer Jaynes' writing couldn't get any better she writes Disturbed.

I kind of hated Chelsea, she drove me crazy and missed all the big signs. But then I kind of loved her, for being unapologetically herself.

There is so much more to this story than meets the eye, and it easily just bumped up to my number 1 read of the year!

Seriously, as soon as this is live (9/20/17) you must buy it and read it. And then harass Jennifer for a sequel. 😍

I flew through Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes, knowing something was amiss. Jaynes has a way of telling a story so you are completely under her spell but, yet, you have no idea where it is going… you are compelled to continue! I found myself searching for more pages after the conclusion. Disturbed is a superbly written, fast-paced psychological thriller. Jaynes writing keeps getting better and better… her story ideas are completely outstanding. Even knowing from nearly the beginning that something is amiss, Jaynes took my feet right out from under me!

I love how we get these tiny little hint of morsels, bit-by-bit. So we know there’s some lovely dish being formed in Lang’s mind but we don’t seem to have the menu or the plate to put them on to arrange into something. It’s a fantastic way to tell a story… I feel as if I’m getting these tasty little bites of information but not enough to get full or even really satisfied… just enough to keep my hungry for more. And I was hungry for more!

Jaynes is an author that I am going to continue to follow. As an avid reader, I can guess, yes, guess most of the outcomes of most of the books I read especially the thriller-type books. However, Jaynes writes book that will leave you guessing, and while you might think you have an inkling or wonder, you are never positive, or for me, ever accurate. For that, she will keep me coming back again and again.

I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that... my opinions.

I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Another awesome 5-star novel.

DISTURBED left me, er, well, disturbed! Reading Jennifer Jaynes's novels is an absolute pleasure, and DISTURBED wasn't the exception. As I read it, I wondered who the mysterious killer was. I came up with seven different theories, then flipped a coin, asked my Magic 8 Ball, and even tried to throw darts. And one of my theories was right ... ish! Man, the ending is almost impossible to guess and it will surprise you. I promise.

Highly recommended.

4.5★s

When Chelsea Dutton’s life was shattered five years previously, she hovered on the brink of death for some time, gradually getting stronger. But mentally she didn’t cope. Her two room-mates had been brutally murdered while she’d been left for dead. The killer had never been found. Living in Boston, working from home and keeping company with her cat Harry and best friend and one-time nurse Elizabeth was Chelsea’s life; but she was depressed and still looked over her shoulder whenever she was outside…

Chelsea’s memories of the event still hadn’t returned, so the fragmented pieces of her past frustrated her. But it was when she unexpectedly met up with someone from that time that things began to change in her life. And when creepy messages started appearing, she was terrified. The detective who had found her that night was called back into the cold case – but would they be any more successful this time around? And was the killer out there somewhere – determined to finish the job?

Disturbed by Jennifer Jaynes is an intense psychological thriller that totally creeped me out! Gritty, suspenseful and filled with innuendos and red-herrings, the unexpected twist at the end shocked me. Chelsea’s character was well done – a sweet, naïve young woman who’d had a dreadful upbringing and her life sure didn’t improve! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my digital copy to read and review.

If anybody can grab your attention and keep it from page one it is Jennifer Jaynes. I smugly thought I had it all figured out, but nope, not even close! Chelsea Dutton has had a rough life to put it mildly. She has finally reached a point in her young life where she can live somewhat normally, and deal with the past when it rears it's ugly head. Or so she thinks. When suddenly it all comes back with a fury she is caught up in a downward spiral that will keep you turning pages until the very end. And oh what an ending! Don't miss this thriller, it's going to stay with you for a while!

DISTURBED by bestselling author Jennifer Jaynes is a riveting standalone psychological thriller that is sure to please. I have read all of her books, I really loved the Stranger Series, but this book will not disappoint, a real page turner, full of suspense. Just when you think you have it figured out, a new twist, to blow it out of the water!

On Halloween night five years ago, Chelsea Dutton’s college roommates were viciously stabbed to death, and Chelsea was critically injured. She was found hiding in her apartment’s bathtub, barely clinging to life.

Detective Robert Lang, 5 years with the Homicide Department was called to the crime scene of an apartment building, after building tenants heard screams and called 911…the occupants were 3 young women who attended Springfield College.

“Lang rushed inside to find a young woman cowering in the corner of the tub. She was curled tightly in the fetal position, shivering. The room was freezing. The odor of blood and the sickly-sweet scent of vomit hung in the air…a message scrawled on the bathroom mirror in what appeared to be a red marker.”

“YOU MADE ME”

Chelsea was covered in blood and had suffered multiple stab wounds…but she was still alive. She had a long road ahead of her to recover. Her boyfriend, Ethan became the only suspect in the murders as his fingerprints were on the knife block, but he disappeared that night and hasn’t been seen since.

She had a nasty scar on her cheek that extended from the side of her nose to her left ear. Chelsea had been diagnosed with amnesia and lost memories, nightmares and flashes. Now 5 years later, she still lived in fear with the thought of the killer’s return. After the murders of her roommates, Chelsea left Springfield and moved to Boston, where she lives an isolated life working from home as a medical transcriptionist. Elizabeth, a nurse she met after the murders, is the only person she can trust.

But then Chelsea starts receiving disturbing messages and believes she is being watched!

Disturbed is a crime fiction novel, with intriguing characters, a fascinating plot kept me on edge and a twist at the end that I did not see coming.

I wish to thank Jennifer Jaynes for the ARC. Waiting patiently for your next novel!

*Available for Pre-order. This item will be released on November 7, 2017.

Two girls were murdered and another one left for dead five years ago. Chelsea has slowly rebuilt her life and tried to put the horrific memories behind her but the scars remain both physically and mentally. She accidently comes across someone who was at the party the night it happened and reconnects with him. Could Boyd be guilty? She is sure he isn’t as all evidence points to Ethan who has not been seen or heard of since.This is a very well written book, like all of Jennifer’s stories. From the very beginning it envelops you in and entices you to keep turning the pages. Characters that come to life through the pages and you feel for Chelsea and her situation. You know that out there is the person who did this but can’t quite put your finger on why or how. A cleverly thought out highly enjoyable read. I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Jennifer Jaynes has a fantastic talent with her writing and storytelling abilities. I have read 3 of Jennifer's books so far and was immediately captivated with Never Smile At Strangers. Each book has been an incredible read and Disturbed is no different. It is very well written, thought out and delivered. It shows just how far some people will go when they feel slighted.

Awesome work Jennifer. Will go hunting for your others to read before I forget!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a THRILLER! I had a feeling, and I was happy to see my theory played out. Well sort of. The ending totally blew mind. The police find Chelsea is a tub covered in blood and she has no memory of what happened. Two other girls were murdered also and Ethan is missing. The case goes cold, but one detective is determined to solve it. This story unfolded as one chilling tale with enough suspects to keep you guessing. Unputdownable!

This book is a true psychological thriller! I received this book as an ARC in order to provide an honest review. This is my fifth Jennifer Jaynes book and it is easily my favorite. That is saying something because I REALLY loved the Stranger Series. This book was a quick read, which was accelerated by my need to know what would happen next. From the beginning of this book I found myself trying to determine who the villain of this story truly was. I went back and forth many times and just when I thought my hunch was coming to fruition Jaynes threw me for a loop I did not see coming. This book is full of interesting and endearing characters. Even those characters that you would hope you never run into in the real world make you want to learn more about them. Once again Jaynes has delivered a thrilling story with a bombshell ending! I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next.