This was my first book by Brianna Labuskes, and it was a pleasant surprise. She writes as well as top authors like Patterson. I loved Raisa Sausanto, the FBI forensic linguist, and her relatable character. The unique way of solving crimes through language added intrigue. The plot was filled with great characters and twists that made it a true page-turner.

Labuskes creates suspense that keeps you engaged, and the supporting characters were well-developed, enhancing the story. Just when I thought I had it figured out, she introduced unexpected twists that kept me guessing.

If you enjoy crime thrillers, this book is a must-read. Labuskes has made her mark, and I look forward to her next work. Grab a copy for a thrilling ride!

By the Time You Read This by Brianna Labuskes A gripping psychological thriller that blends mystery and investigation, featuring twists, dark family secrets, and the search for justice. The POV alternates between Delaney and Raisa which were easy to follow the distinct narratives. The book has solid characters including a manipulative psychopath, a forensic psychologist, profilers, and a linguistic expert. Offering a gripping dynamic as they collaborate to solve the case, Callum a forensic psychologist presents a strong contrast to Raisa's forensic linguistics expertise. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The book excels in blending a deep, twisting mystery with the exploration of Raisa’s emotional turmoil. Author does a fantastic job of balancing the psychological aspects of the story with the investigation. The introduction of Callum Kilkenny, a forensic psychologist, provides a sharp contrast to Raisa’s linguistics expertise, creating a compelling dynamic as they work together to solve the case. With taut prose and a relentless pace, this book is a psychological rollercoaster, brimming with twists, dark family secrets, and the relentless pursuit of justice. I enjoyed reading it.

I am absolutely in love with Raisa, Kilkenny, Delaney and their stories. This book has me loving them all even more. Brianna Labuskes really knows how to write a thriller that keeps you on your toes and engaged the entire book. She has turned the worlds of Raisa and Delaney into a a place I want to visit all the time. When I saw this book was being released in 2025 I tripped on my way to Netgalley to see if the ARC was available and I read it as fast as I could. Do yourself a favor and read this book. If you haven't read the first 2, what are you waiting for? You need to read them before this one. And while this isn't a perfect book. because those are rare, it's so darn close. Must read!

I very much enjoyed this third book in the Raisa Susanto series! The twisty, psychological plot line kept me fully involved. In fact, I was reading in the car and when we reached our destination, I asked my fiancé if he would please drive around a little longer so I could finish the book! (He said I could stay in the car and finish!)

You do need to pay attention to the timeframe listed at the beginning of each chapter, or you will end up confused (it took me several chapters before I realized this).

This could be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the first two - you don’t want to skip out on them!

Another fantastic book by this author! I’m hooked!

Note: I received an Advanced Readers Copy through NetGalley of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Great and unique series - addictive and twisty! Solid characters with a lot of history and layers of secrets. A solid take on the brilliant and manipulative psychopath which echos throughout and keeps you guessing until the end. The whole forensic linguist paired with profiler is a winning combination.

By the Time You Read This by B. Labuskes, published by Thomas & Mercer is book 3 in the Raisa Susanto Series. Every book can be read as a stand alone, for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order. The previous books are The Liues You Wrote and The Truth You Told.
I just wanted to take a peek at this book, but now, hours later I just read the last page in this masterpiece that left me breathless. A raw and gritty read, suspenseful from start till finish.
I recommend the book and the series, 5 stars.
Blurb: FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her sister, Isabel, is locked away forever. Then Raisa receives a letter from Isabel. It’s just a single message: By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.
Soon after, Isabel is discovered dead in her cell, forcing Raisa back into her depraved orbit—one that includes a band of true-crime worshippers obsessed with Isabel, her killing spree, and those who survived it.
When a new victim is found dead in the same manner that made Isabel notorious, Raisa and FBI forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny aren’t just tasked with finding out who killed Isabel and why. They’re hunting for a protégé following in Isabel’s footsteps. Raisa must uncover the truth—whether or not she’s ready for it—before someone else dies.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the ARC via NetGalley.

Every book I’ve read by Brianna Labuskes is well-written, tightly plotted, and full of twists and turns that never fail to surprise me.

<b>By the Time You Read This </b> is the third book in the Raisa Susanto series. It is not necessary to have read the first two, as the author does an excellent job of filling in the gaps, but I suggest you read them, so you don’t miss out on the enjoyment of them.

In this third book, Raisa, a forensic linguist for the FBI, receives a message from her oldest sister Isabel which reads, “By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.” Isabel, a prolific serial killer, is incarcerated in Washington State. Or, rather, had been incarcerated. Just moments after reading the note, Raisa gets a call from her partner, Callum Kilkenny. Isabel has been found dead in her cell, seemingly of natural causes. Although Raisa doesn’t mourn her sister’s death, she feels obligated to look into it. At the same time, a third sister, Delaney, has received messages of her own from Isabel, and sets off on a course that will make her question just how much like Isabel she is.

The pacing never drags. From the moment Raisa gets the letter to the very last sentence, I was hooked. Some readers might not like the layout of the book. The POV alternates between Raisa and Delaney, and, although the plot moves linearly through each POV, Raisa’s sections start after Delaney, but the move past . It took me over half the book to realize this, even though the relative times are clearly marked at the beginning of each chapter. It didn’t matter, because it was easy to follow the separate storylines. Throughout the book, there are also articles, interviews, notes, etc. that give more background or underscore and explain the character’s actions. It’s all really well done. This is my fourth book by Labuskes and she has become one of my favorite thriller authors.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well-developed and the story kept me engaged from start to finish. I read the first two books in this detective’s series as well. If you’re a fan of this author, you will definitely enjoy this book. I absolutely recommend this book to others!