A Dark Mind (Lizzy Gardner Series, Book 3)

Enjoying the series, I'm now on the fourth and they are really good. Suspenseful and hard to put down.

Once again I found myself skipping pages because the suspense was too great to read at a normal pace. Then I went back and finished what was unread. I can't wait to start my next book in the series.

Loved the flow of suspense. One of the best books to keep you up all night. Hayley my favorite character. Loved them all. Can't wait to read more by this auther.

Spiderman is a memory, a cold case has been closed when the missing daughter is found alive, and not so good for missing Diane Kramer killed by a weight loss guru…can you see where I am going with this?Some series can be read with the reader picking up the past story lines, with Book 3; you realize that this is a series that must be read in order to have the full impact of the characters.If you are looking for a series that grabs you and brings you into the horror, mystery and story line, T.R. Ragan achieves keeping the reader engrossed in the story line, which are actually 5 stories in one:Jessica, Lizzy’s assistant, who wants everything in life to be simple and organized is beginning to come out of the shell and has decided she would like to pursue a career as a profiler with the FBI.Hayley continues on her revenge on Brian and sneaking out at night. She has been released from jail for attacking Brian and removing some of his most important manhood parts and moved in the Lizzy and Jared.A serial killer, Lovebird Killer, is preying on happily married couples. The cruelties on his victims bring Lizzy Gardner wanting justice. One of the couples, Jennifer and Michael Dalton had come to Lizzy asking her to investigate a worker comp case; right after Jennifer signed the contract for Lizzy to begin working, she is brutality murdered and the number one suspect is Michael.The fourth story line begins with a reporter for the local newspaper and friend of Michael’s ask Lizzy to find the real killer. The reporter and Michael have a historyThe story also follows the romance of Jared, an FBI agent and Lizzy work on issues of getting to know each other again.As was mentioned by one reviewer, think Hannibal Lector, scary, bone chilling and impossible to put down, you have it all in this book. T.R. Ragan really captures the characters and not recommended you read this on a dark rainy night with branches hitting your window.

This was a riveting, twisted, and suspenseful story of what a dark mind is truly capable of. It will take more than the FBI to finally solve this crime spree that's lasted for years. Lizzy and her crew are once again involved with the evil of the world, but will they all make it out alive? It's certainly not a story that you'll want to miss.I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.

Author T.R. Ragan has said delving into the depths to research antagonists for her Lizzy Gardner series proved somewhat harrowing. But her success proves evident with each ensuing novel. In "A Dark Mind," Gardner and her FBI boyfriend Jared encounter an especially depraved psychopath investigators have dubbed the Lovebird Killer for his propensity to target, torture and kill couples who have an especially strong bond. Ragan starts each chapter with a quote from a killer, offering insight into the chilling lack of empathy and emotion exhibited by real-life serial murderers. Despite her trials and efforts tracking and collaring criminals, things still haven't gone all that well for Lizzy personally. Her sister blames her on multiple levels for her messed up life, and her parents are steaming piles who are unable to move beyond the damage done by her abduction at 17. Through this, Lizzy gathers an eclectic group of assistants, dominated by the enigmatic Hayley, who has her own demons to exorcise. In general, this novel moves forward with the pace of a well laden freight train. Nothing stops the story, and I stole every spare moment to read until I was done. Then, of course, I ordered the next installment and started reading again. I did this until I'd finished the entire series. Going back several weeks later to post these reviews is kind of a trip.

Now that the characters have become more fleshed out and back stories have developed the series has begun to hit a pace. I still have issues with the way the stories are written, jumping from place to place, time to time, and person to person but hopefully this will either work itself out or I'll live with it..Again, there was little serious interaction between Lizzy and Jared for long stretches -- he seems good at calling and saying he'll be out of town for some period of time and Lizzy goes on her way. I really like the development of Haley and Jessica as well. In many ways, they have become the focus of the stories..Side note: When I picture Haley in my mind I can't help but have a picture of Negasonic Teenaged Warhead from the Deadpool movie (played by Brianna Hildebrand). I think the personalities are a great match. If they ever make a movie from this series I hope they give Brianna a call for Haley's role.

At first I wasn't too sure that I would like this book ... it jumped around from person to person and from time to time and I had no idea who anybody was - or when. But then it all fell together and was really interesting.There is a serial killer in Sacramento... and he has a really evil mind... a very dark mind.The main character is Lizzie Gardner who is a private investigator. She has an FBI agent for a boyfriend. Lizzy becomes involved in the serial murder when one of her clients is murdered and the husband is fingered as a person of interest.There are several substories in the book - and since I have not read the other 2 in the series I'm sure that some of those stories were from previous novels. This is a stand alone book though even if you have no read the other book in the series. This book also ends with a bit of a hanging twist that I believe will be carried into another book. I will definitely buy the next book because I want to see what happens

Lizzy has moved in with Jarrod. Her workload has increased substantially and she has taken on Jessica and Hayley to help. During the course of investigations all 5hree of them are threatened by various persons z d Jarod is kidnapped by a serial killer known as the Lovebird Killer whose final endgame was to get to Lizzy a d kill her using his unusual methods. An intriguing tale which keeps one hooked from beginning to end.

Makes for a good read but, like other writer's, so many use the supposed main character, i.e. Lizzy Gardner, as a victim at some point in the story & it just feels so predictable & repetitive.Rarely too does the reader get the hyped up twist at the end that we won't believe!I liked reading 'A Dark Mind' but, frankly, didn't understand some of the titles to every chapter. Thought the quotes from interview transcripts and/or court files from the more infamous serial killers was a nice touch. Felt there were perhaps one or two characters too many to have to recall & of little substance to the story which made them less credible but got to really like getting to know one of the strongest characters that have left a memorable impression for further Lizzy Gardner books and that was the gutsy young Hayley.I recommend the Lizzy Gardner series even though I haven't purchased them in chronological order & am not binge reading the ones I have bought. But each makes for a murky fictional world to immerse oneself into if, like me, you enjoy psychological thrillers part crossed with investigative & (vaguely) police procedural. I look forward to my next T. R. Ragan read.

There’s a great deal of violence and bad language in this series and I suspect that the people of Sacramento may take exception to their city being the centre of almost all of it.However, it is a real page turner if somewhat confusing with the sheer number of characters contained and the way it flits too and fro rapidly as well.

Whilst I found the constantly switching persona's and timelines difficult to keep up with, I really enjoyed this. It's dark, twisted and interestingly convoluted. Ragen certainly knows how to ratchet up the tension and it shows throughout this novel. It's tightly written and I could never quite tell where it was going to go next, although I had my guesses. Hayley gets a larger part here which is excellent as she is one of my favourite characters, and Ragen continues to build and expand on her deeply troubled character. I was half afraid she'd vanish into the justice system forever, but it's actually very cleverly plotted out.

Once again T.R. Ragan reaches the mark. A fast paced thriller and a sweet romance twist thrown in; what's not to love? I found the quotes very interesting at the beginning of each chapter as they helped me to understand how a serial killer views themselves. I liked the way it all tied up and T.R. Ragan didn't leave a single loose end as some thrillers have. The characters behaved in natural ways I almost felt like I was there while the events unfolded. The most interesting part was near the climax at the end when even the quotes would put fear in your heart at some of the colder more calculating ones. There was never a dull moment in this book. I felt like I physically was unable to put it down. The story was unique and didn't remind me of anything. NOTE: This book is a bit gruesome so if you dislike gore I recommend you don't read it.