When I read A Familiar Sight, I was fascinated and found it compulsive reading while at the same time, having a lot of questions. The character of Gretchen White, acknowledged sociopath and a psychologist and consultant for the Boston PD, is seductive and disquieting. I knew I'd want to read the next book.



What Can't Be Seen has Detective Lauren Marconi persuading Gretchen to look at her own case. This, Gretchen has never been willing to do. Did Gretchen really kill her Aunt Rowan when Gretchen was eight years old? Marconi wants Gretchen to use her skills as a psychologist and criminologist discover what really happened that night--because Marconi doesn't believe Gretchen is guilty. Gretchen, however, believes she is guilty and has done her best to avoid examining her own case as a result.
Looking into her own case threatens Gretchen's tight control of her own dark impulses. A brilliant woman, she has done her best to prove herself in the world, knowing that her world view is that of a sociopath and that her abilities are always impaired by her lack of emotional empathy.

Detective Shaughnessy believes she got away with murder when she was a child, and Gretchen has used him as a kind of guidepost to controlling her impulses. She is determined not to let her impulses prove Shaughnessy right in his opinion. The two of have worked together on many cases that Gretchen has solved, but he still waits for her to screw up.

Eventually, Gretchen and Marconi come to an arrangement, and the two begin investigating the thirty year old case. The book moves from present to past and back again and is told from differing perspectives in a complex plot that kept me guessing.

The first book had me completely engrossed (despite all my questions), and What Can't Be Seen is even better. I want more of Gretchen White and Detective Lauren Marconi.

Read in December

NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer. Psychological Thriller. May 24, 2022.

I was unable to read this book due to it being in a series. I had not read the first book - I am starting with it. I was really disappointed because I a fan of Brianna's work. I will read this after reading the other book.

The story of Dr. Gretchen White continues although this could be read as a stand alone. We follow Dr. White as a psychologist consultant for the Boston PD as she delves into her own childhood trauma trying to piece together what really happened on a particular night when she was eight years old. Secrets finally reveal themselves with shocking outcomes.

A fast paced suspenseful thriller that is very character driven. The ending wrapped up all of the loose ends for Dr. White and the other characters involved in the story. Thank you to @netgalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing. This title is due out May 2022.

I feel like this had way too much going on just to confuse the reader. Most of the whole story was suspense, ASPD and who might have done it, pretty much like the first book. The only difference is that the first book had a chilling conclusion that made you stop, take a step back and whoa. Still gonna watch out for the third installment, though!

Book 2 in the series. I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1, which I purchased from Amazon. BUT there is something about Dr. Gretchen White that makes you want to keep going. That something that pulls you in and makes you want to know more.

Would I recommend this series - yes. Am I looking forward to seeing what happens next - yes!

Thank you #netgalley and#thomas&mercer for the eARC.

The premise of the book is interesting, though a bit far-fetched. Dr Gretchen White revisits a case where she was accused as a child.

The story is told in two timelines – now and when Gretchen was a child (there is a third brief timeline as well). Dr Gretchen White is now working with Boston PD as a psychologist. Her partner Marconi encourages her to revisit her own case from childhood. At the age of eight, Gretchen was apprehended and accused of stabbing her aunt Rowan to death. Her mother calls the cops and Detective Shaughnessy arrives on the scene to find Gretchen with a knife with blood on her clothes and the knife, and her aunt lying dead. Due to the family’s influence and uncertainty of the sequence of events, Gretchen is not charged, but many believe she did kill her aunt.

Gretchen and Marconi read through the case files and speak to a number of people involved at that time. They find that this is a complex story interlinked with other cases. There are a large number of twists uncovered as the story progresses.

The story had potential, though I found a lot of plot elements force-fitted. The character development is poor, and aspects of mental illness in a couple of important characters is suggested without adequate background and context.

Phenomenal plot. Captivating characters. Original premise. This book kept me hooked right from the start. It was extremely fascinating to read a book with the main heroine being a sociopath (aka murderer) who is also a detective. The ending however was a bit expected.
This is the second book of Dr. Gretchen White series. The good news is that you do not have to read the first book to understand this one.

It took me awhile to get through this book. I didn't enjoy it as much I thought I would. They ending was a bit unrealistic but I kept on ready to see if it would get better. I also realized that this is Book 2 in a series. I usually don't read series because sometimes you miss historical data that might have been in the previous book. I may read the first book "A Familiar Sight" to get some context but as it stand "What Can't Be Seen" by Brianna Labuskes was just a so so read from me.


Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.

I started this book with great expectations since I loved "A Familiar Sight" so much and I wasn't disappointed in the least!

As for the first installment in the series, what I liked the most were the main character, Gretchen, and her interactions with Marconi. It was also very interesting to learn about Gretchen's past and getting to know her family since it gave her character even more depth.
Moreover, this time, the reader get to see the less controlled Gretchen and that allows him/her to gain a better understanding of what she is and what she really could do should she decide to "let go".
I quite appreciated this new insight on her personality.

To unfold the mystery the reader has to pick up clues from three different timelines: Gretchen's present, Gretchen's past and Shaughnessy's past. The switching point of views could be annoying for some but I didn't mind it at all since I really like this puzzle-like approach.
In "What can't be seen", and in this regard it's very similar to "A Familiar Sight", nothing could be taken from granted and the reader should be prepared to second guess every assumption and theory he/she'll make till the end.

At last I'd like to thank the author and the editor for the chance to read the book for free through this platform.

Book one left me wanting to know more about Dr. Gretchen White and this book delivered that and more. I thought the author did an amazing job taking the reader through past and present timelines from the perspective of multiple different characters. The timelines converged seamlessly when the answers were revealed. I thought the book offer twists and mystery throughout. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I had no idea what was coming. I loved the budding friendship between Gretchen and Marconi and their banter. She saw something in Gretchen she didn’t see in herself and in the end we find out why. I was bothered by the fact that Gretchen was described as a sociopath throughout these books because bad behavior does not make a sociopath. The one plot hole I didn’t feel was tied up was that of Anders. He just disappeared when he had once played a more prominent role with Shaunessy. I enjoyed the book a lot, despite it getting off to a slow start.

I have been so frustrated trying to write this review; the first 75%, I was fully on board, it started off strong and hit the ground running. I was enjoying reading it and looking forward to what I hoped would be a fantastic conclusion. What I got instead was a lot of head shaking as I found the last 25% of this book improbable.

I’m rating this a 3, because it really did hold my interest and I appreciated the story up until that last quarter.

I’m looking forward to seeing the author continue to hone her writing, as she is capable of creating really engaging stories.

What Can't Be Seen is a true suspense novel.
And is book two in the Dr. Gretchen White Series.
A Familiar Sight which is book one by Brianna Labuskes was to die for also!

Psychologist and Criminologist Dr. Gretchen White who is a top consultant for the Boston PD... Is back! And I couldn't be happier.
This story is beyond intriguing, the plot is phenomenal, the characters are amazing, the progression of the story is flawless... and the writing is superb!
A captivating story and very intriguing characters this book kept me hooked right from the start.
This book is brilliant and definitely one of those I didn't want it to end.
I had to pace myself, because I was getting close to the end.
Brianna Labuskes, this is my first five star read for 2022!
Thank You!

Thomas & Mercer,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

I really like this author, and I loved the first book in this series, When I saw that this book was available, I was really looking forward to it.

I have a strange weakness for books about serial killers, assassins, or sociopaths when the story is told from their point of view. So this book was right up my alley. Gretchen is a non violent sociopath - she has no sense of empathy, but she mentally knows right from wrong. She knows that if she does something wrong that there may be consequences that interfere with what she does like - a series of trade offs. This is her moral compass,

This story delves into when Gretchen was a child and supposedly murdered her aunt. A friend of Gretchens (and I use that term loosely) convinces her to look into it - Detective Marconi doesn't believe Gretchen was guilty - even though she was caught standing over the body with a bloody knife. So they start to investigate.

I liked so many things about this book. I liked continuing to get a glimpse of how Gretchen thinks. I liked the writing style and the character building. I thought the story itself was really fascinating, with some super interesting characters. This book was full of so many people outside the norm, that you are never sure where the book is going.

The story goes back and forth between the present, when they are investigating, and the past. I enjoyed all three stories (the present was one story, the time of the murder was a second story, and before the murder was another story). I was caught up in all of the timelines.

All that being said, it's time for the not-so-positive. I thouight the book dragged in places. I also struggled with the relationship between Gretchen and Detective Marconi - I tried seeing why they were friends. It didn't feel that real to me - what bonded them together?

The good news is that you do not have to read the first book to understand this one. However, I think it was a better book, and I totally recommend that you do.

I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

This is an author I've read before, but did not read the first of the Dr. Gretchen White series. The timelines alternate between 1983 &1993, also alternates between characters; Gretchen, Patrick Shaughnessy, and Tabitha Cross (Tabby). The pacing was a tad slow in places, despite so much going on. It is a dark murder mystery going back thirty years to Gretchen's childhood.
Gretchen is a nonviolent sociopath with tendencies that include lack of remorse, delusions of grandeur, and repeated failure to accept responsibility. Apparently the only emotions she has she learned from TV. She is a consultant for the Boston PD, a psychologist, is wealthy and antisocial.
Her entire family is bonkers in one way or another. Her mother is Bardot White, father is Anders, a psychoanalyst, sister Fran, and aunt Rowan White. Rowan was brutality murdered, perhaps by Gretchen.
Detective Lauren Marconi attempts to get Gretchen out of a funk and to solve the aunt’s murder once and for all. Her partner is Detective Patrick Shaughnessy. His obsession with the cold case is relentless.
There are more murders involved, but whether they are related is part of the plot. This psychological adventure will twist your wildest imaginations. It is full of perception, secrets, lies, misdirection, cover-ups, and deceit. As adult fiction there are some detailed descriptions. It is a fresh spin on the psychological thriller. The pace did get stronger towards the end. In fact you could get bogged down with tying it altogether. You'll have to pay attention to pick up clues and there were some revelations I didn't expect. Readers who appreciate the study of the mind will find the story fascinating, despite being a schoosh over the top.
Thank you to NetGalley, Brianna Labuskes, and Thomas & Mercer for the advance digital copy of "What Can't be Seen". These are my personal opinions and thoughts given voluntarily.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I gave the first book 5 stars, so when I saw that the second book in this series was coming out, I knew I needed to add it to my TBR right away! What Can't Be Seen is the second book in the Dr. Gretchen White series, and it's just as amazing and original as the first book. Once again, the story revolves around psychologist, police consultant, and sociopath Gretchen White. Many years ago, when she was a child, Gretchen was accused of murdering her aunt. But did she really do it? It's up to Gretchen to solve the case!

Here is a gripping excerpt from Chapter 1:

""You need a case," Marconi said as she dropped into the second chair. In an uncharacteristically singsong voice, she added, "And what better case than your own."
Gretchen looked away so that she wouldn't hurl her cup at Marconi's face. This suggestion that Gretchen investigate the murder that had haunted her since she was a child wasn't new. It was what had thrown Gretchen's carefully constructed world off-kilter three months ago when Marconi had slid that file across the table.
The one from 1993. The one with Gretchen's own name printed in star block letters across the tab.
White, Gretchen Anne."

Overall, What Can't Be Seen is an amazing thriller that will appeal to fans of A Silent Patient or Anonymous Girl. One highlight of this book is the absolutely original premise. Not just a police consultant, Gretchen is a psychopath and formerly accused murderer herself. This makes her character very original and interesting to read about. It's not often that I read thrillers with protagonists like this. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in May!

What Can't Be Seen by Brianna Labuskes Was looking forward to the sequel and learning more about Gretchen White and her backstory. The story and the premise were good, the reveal was easily seen from the narrative. The interactions between Gretchen and Marconi became annoying and childish as the story progressed. That and the back and forth of the timelines and POVs and the repetitiveness dragged the progression of the story down. It was a good read which the author's many fans will no doubt enjoy. Just not my cup of tea.

What a book and what a rollercoaster! It was extremely fascinating to read a book with the main heroine being a sociopath who is also a detective. The set up is very well done with the flashbacks that slowly reveal (and sometimes confuse) the story and helps putting a puzzle together. I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.

After finishing "What Can't Be Seen" I ended up purchasing her first book "A Familiar Sight" with Dr. Gretchen (too bad there weren't more) and the first one was as good.

The only difference is that in What Can't Be Seen my favorite character was Detective Patrick Shaughnessy and Dr. Gretchen was more like a character in the background. I didn't know what to think of her at the time so I was very disappointed in the ending. I still think about Shaughnessy and his actions. Dr Gretchen grew on me only after reading the first book where she is clearly the main heroine. I look forward to the third book with Dr Gretchen.

Thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to this author and for a free copy in exchange of the honest review.

3.5, really. This was fairly middle of the road for me. The plot and mini-reveals worked, the characters were fine, the conclusion is satisfying. I'm mainly annoyed that the main character was kind of obsessed with herself. It became...trying.

I was really looking forward to reading the next book in the Gretchen White series after having read A Familiar Sight but I have to say that I was disappointed in What Can't Be Seen. I felt the pace was too slow, the timelines took too much time to develop and connect, and there was too much back-and-forth discussion between Gretchen and Detective Marconi about whether Gretchen had killed her aunt.

I did enjoy learning more about Gretchen, her background and family and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read the next installment in the series. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, as well as NetGalley for this advance copy.

I enjoyed A Familiar Sight, the first book in this series, and was excited to get to read the second book.
Dr. Gretchen White is a psychologist and does consulting work for the police. She is well educated and wealthy, oh, and she is also a psychopath! Tell me you would not look twice if you saw this little factoid on a resume, or if your new friend shared this fact at dinner. What Gretchen knows though is that most people with this diagnosis are nonviolent. But is Gretchen one of them?
Several months have passed since the conclusion of the first book, and Gretchen is far from being in control of her life. No spoilers if you have not read that one, but she was not expecting information from Detective Marconi that might potentially ruin her life. You see, her Aunt Rowan was murdered when Gretchen was only eight, and the only suspect, the only person holding the bloody knife, was Gretchen. She was never charged, due to her wealthy parents’ connections and a lack of evidence. Everyone who knows about the crime though, and I mean everyone, including Gretchen is sure she was the killer.
Gretchen swears she does not remember what happened, and it seems that only Detective Marconi believes in her innocence. She convinces Gretchen to help her investigate this very cold case, and hopefully discover the truth. A lot of secrets and lies will be revealed, but the most shocking thing to me was the identity of Rowan's killer. I might have screamed at my Kindle at least three times because I did not see 'that' coming. I will be interested to see where this series goes next as What Can't Be Seen provided enough information to change Gretchen’s life.