The Truth You Told is the second book in the Raisa Susanto series, which features an FBI linguist who studies writing patterns to give feedback on evidence and help give information on potential suspects. This book does speak to crimes and relationships we learned about in the first book, so I found it beneficial that I read that one first.

This book revolves around the Alphabet Killer who is about to be executed but may still hold some secrets related to his crimes, and some anomalies which may point to another killer in the mix. Raisa works closely with Callum Kilkenny, who is an FBI profiler that captured the attention of the Alphabet Killer, and his wife, Shay, became one of his victims…. or was she? Raisa believes the letter related to Shay's kidnapping and murder were not written by the Alphabet killer.

I liked the pace and the timeline of the book as it went back and forth from the present investigation to Shay's POV from when she was working at a bar in Houston where she met Kilkenny while he was in town for the case. We learn about Shay's family and other family secrets, where we also met several characters that could have been involved with her disappearance. The book was a nice slow reveal as the two stories came together to tell us what really happened to Shay. I definitely enjoyed this one!

Thanks NetGally and Thomas and Mercer for the advanced copy of this book.

4⭐️
If you’re looking for a good FBI/crime book this is for you. This Dual POV story about a serial killer on death row. When they find out that some of the murders may have actually been committed by a copycat killer. So they are racing to find out if there is a copycat killer before the execution. This is a book you need to pay close attention, because there are so many suspects to keep track. There were many points when I thought I had solved the story, but I was pleasantly surprised in the end.

Enjoyed this fast-paced thriller. Even though it’s the second book in a series, it was easy to follow as a standalone book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found out about halfway through that this is a sequel (so if you want to read it, read "The Lies You Wrote " first). It kept me on my toes in a way a book hasn't in a very long time. You do need to be able to pay attention to the introduction of characters...had I paid just a tad more attention to one of them, I probably would have solved it before finishing, however it was still a very good read. I highly recommend it!!! I received an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for a review.

This was dark, chilling, and completely unputdownable! I enjoyed the linguistic aspect of this case. Callum and Raisa are a great team and this was fun to read!

I really loved reading this book. If you're thinking about reading it, make sure to start with "The Lies You Wrote" first.

A serial killer is on death row, but there are new murders that seem like copycats. Callum Kilkenny, a forensic psychologist, lost his wife to the killer. Or was it a copycat? Everyone is searching for answers before the execution. Will they uncover the truth?

Pay close attention to all the characters, as many are suspects. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to guess the ending and was surprised by the outcome.

The author truly did a fantastic job with this book

The Truth You Told
Raisa Susanto, Band 2
by Brianna Labuskes
Pub Date: September 10, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A serial killer on death row challenges a forensic linguist to solve his final puzzle in a novel of breathtaking mind games by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Lies You Wrote.
The Truth You Told is a captivating thriller with a complex and engaging plot. The story unfolds through the perspectives of two characters - one in the present and the other in the past, building up to an essential moment in the plot. The dual narrative makes the book enjoyable, keeping the reader engaged throughout.
The characters are well-developed, and the side characters play an integral role in the story's progression. Despite the abundance of information, every detail in the story adds depth and value, and it never feels like it's dragging.
The ending is satisfying, and while the twist is not mind-blowing, it is still clever and well-executed.
If you are a fan of FBI/serial killer books, I recommend adding this series to your TBR list.

The Truth You Told is book #2 in the Raisa Susanto series. I do recommend you read them in order as book 1 really goes into Raisa's background and her training. The Truth You Told deals more with Callum Kilkenney and his wife Shay, who was murdered by serial killer Nathaniel Conrad. However, now Conrad says Shay was not one of his victims. So, who killed her? Raisa and Callum are determined to find out the answer before Conrad is executed.
This is an intriguing and exciting novel that will keep you guessing. I really didn't know who it could be until nearly the very end. There are quite a few characters, but I enjoyed learning more about Shay's past and family.
I really like Raisa and Callum and look forward to reading more in this series.
Recommend if you like FBI/serial killer books!

The Truth You Told is a captivating FBI/serial killer thriller, the second book in the Raisa Susanto series. The backstory of the first book really helps your connection to the characters so I wouldn’t recommend reading this one as a standalone. There’s no shortage of characters to keep track of either! The plethora of characters and abundance of information can feel overwhelming at times and make the story feel convoluted.

If you’re the type of reader who likes to feel like you’re part of the action, taking notes and solving the crime right along with the FBI - then this is the book for you! It’s like Criminal Minds in book format 🤓 Only instead of studying behavior, you’ve got Forensic Linguist Raisa Susanto on the case!

Through a dual narrative & past/present timeline, the author weaves a complex & engaging story that keeps you wanting more. The clever twists are unpredictable in this unique storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a nice sequel. I enjoyed the tie ins from the first book and the story is compelling from start to finish. But just as I felt about the first book, there were so many characters and so many moving parts that it felt too complicated and convoluted. I think it gets to be a bit difficult to follow with the introduction of too many characters and subplots. Overall I did enjoy this book though and will recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

US pub date: 9/10/24
Genre: thriller
Series: Raisa Susanto, book 2
Does I need to read book 1 first?: YES. If you skip book 1, this book will spoil that one's plot.
Quick summary: Forensic linguist Raisa Susanto has a soft spot for colleague Callum Kilkenny, whose wife Shay was murdered by a serial killer. When that killer reveals he wasn't responsible for Shay's death, Raisa and Callum will have to work together to find the truth.

Wow was this book twisty! I loved diving deeper into the forensic linguistics world with Raisa, and that subject matter made this thriller feel distinct from all the others I've read lately. I also really liked Raisa and Callum's friendship and teamwork - they made a great pair.

I don't want to say too much more for fear of spoilers, but I read this one over just a few days, and I really enjoyed the ride. Do yourself a favor and start with book 1 of the series!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sequel to The Lies You Wrote. You don’t have to read the first book but it would give you a leg up!

This novel was told with multiple POV. It helped the story unfold giving you details to keep you on your toes. The story was tricky and kept you guessing. Had my attention the whole time!

Despite all the build up I wasn’t completely shocked by the ending. I think that was because the amount of characters and details was a tad overwhelming. However it was still satisfying and clever.

If you like a good crime read this book is for you!

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC. Excited for this to hit the shelves in September!

The Truth You Told is the second in the Raisa Susanto series. While most of the first book centers around Raisa and her past, I feel we get a better insight into Raisa in this novel. By far my favorite of the 2…

It’s been 3 months since the climatic ending of book 1, and we find Raisa trying to keep it together. She’s been thrown into a “new” investigation that has more ties to the first novel than one would expect. She must help support Callum whilst trying to investigate what was a closed case. Days and minutes are counting down until a serial killer will take all the secrets to his grave unless Rasia can solve the puzzle and the crime.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read of this novel. I am crossing my fingers there will be a 3rd.

The Truth You Told relies on analepsis to tell its story. The flashbacks to Shay’s life leading up to her murder provide a context to the present investigation. We spend a good amount of time with her, as we do with FBI agents Kilkenny and Susanto. All the characters are well developed. The protagonists are interesting and likable. The mystery is interesting and there is a touch of psychological thriller at work here. It is certainly a book that one keeps reading to find out how it ends.

The novel has a complex plot and sometimes buckles under that weight – it is sometimes hard to follow the story. Suspects are revealed, although sometimes it feels as if the author is trying too hard to make us look in a couple places in order to surprise the reader when the pieces fall into place. It is a busy storyline. Overall, a good story with strong characters.

A serial killer on death row challenges a forensic linguist to solve his final puzzle in a novel of breathtaking mind games by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Lies You Wrote. In just one sitting, reader will become a page turner!

He did it.... right? He was put in jail and the clues all match up. He did it.....right? The serial killer that killed Detective Callums wife did it! Right?

Or did he, right before his execution he says he didnt kill Shay, Detective Callums wife. So who did?

After going back to revisit the clues, FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto believes him. So now who did it? Was it a partner or a copy cat? They have to find out before someone else dies. Will they?

Interesting read, detailed and from different points of view.

This was a strong sequel in the Raisa Susanto series, it had everything that I was hoping for from the first book. The characters had a great overall feel to them and I enjoyed how everything worked with the genre. I enjoyed the puzzle elements to this book and how it worked with the serial killer and thought it was a realistic concept. I was hooked from the first page and can’t wait for more from Brianna Labuskes.

This is a nice suspenseful story. There are complex characters with disturbing backgrounds. Who is the serial killer? is it him or her? Leaves you guessing till the end! I enjoyed the twists in this story. Highly recommended!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this pre publication book called The Truth You Told by Brian name Labuskes
This was an absolutely excellent read didn't read the first but once I get over this exciting one, I will!
A very clever plot with an amazing amount of twists and turns to totally confuse you 🤣

What if the serial killer on death row only killed SOME of the victims attributed to him?

Raisa Susanto is back! Callum Kilkenny is in this novel as well, plus some other characters from the first book in the series. The backstory on Callum as we know it changes when 72 hours before his scheduled execution the Alphabet Man claims he didn’t murder Callum’s late wife, Shay - & the serial killer’s story actually makes sense. But then of course that raises a very important question with a ticking clock… who did kill Shay?

Brianna Labuskes is an auto-read author for me now: I’m a sucker for a mixed-media novel with more than one timeline, & this was a story I didn’t want to put down. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like getting invested in a character who I knew up front was going to die, but I loved the way Shay was authentically & imperfectly portrayed, & getting to know what her life was like when she met Callum made this unique & not just focused on the murderer. The repeating theme of sisterhood & its many forms was a connecting thread between vastly different women, & the linguistic angle keeps your attention with how beneficial it is to have a language analyst in a world where crime is often utilizing texting & the internet.

Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.