Dangerous to Know
Natalie King is back: back from a stay on the psych ward. Her reluctance to live a quiet life has contributed to a severe depressive episode, and now it’s time for a retreat to the country, and a low-key research job at a provincial university nearby.
But Natalie and trouble have a strange mutual fascination. Her charismatic new boss Frank is friendly, even attractive. But it turns out his pregnant wife is an old enemy of Natalie’s. And when Frank’s tragic personal history is revealed – then reprised in the most shocking way – Natalie finds herself drawn deep into a mystery. And even deeper into danger.
Anne Buist followed up her first book in the Natalie King Forensic series with one that has certainly earned its place beside the original. This one picks up very close to where Medea’s Curse ended so you really should read that one before this if you haven’t. Many of the characters from Medea have returned and the author has written this one as if you’ve read the first so there’s not a lot of recap to help you in understanding background context. If you liked the first one though then you’ll be very happy with Dangerous to Know.
Buist knows how to write a book that will have you turning pages faster than you’ve ever done before as you become engrossed in her original plot lines where she’s made sure to provide the reader with plenty of red herrings as well as surprising twists and turns you never saw coming. Just when you think she can’t get any better an explosive climax takes you through to a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Along with a great writing style that provides attention grabbing plotlines, Buist has proven a talent for intriguing and diverse character development. She generally shies away from stereotypes while embracing realism and uniqueness in her people. I like that she made her main character, Natalie, more relatable and flawed than what you normally see in thrillers. I felt she handles her bipolar disorder well without making Natalie into a stereotype or ridiculing mental illness even inadvertently.
She definitely leaves you wanting more when the last page is reached.
Thank you to Netgalley and Legend Press for allowing me to review this book.
*synopsis and pic from amazon.com