Rating: 
Summary: The best yet for Lisa Gardner
Review: Miss gardner introduces Rainie Conner, a small town dedicated police woman and Special Agent Quincy in a blockbuster novel. That the subject was so contemporary, a school shooting; made it all the more interesting because it addressed the problems of our world today. The characters are very well portrayed and carry the reader through the full range of emotions. The 'shooter' is a young boy and also the son of one of Rainie's best friends. Or is he innocent? There is no mish-mash of plot here. Everything is laid on the line and straight-forward. And because of this fact, the pace never slackens, but spirals us down avenues from which there is no return. The interplay of Rainie and Quincy is done suberbly and the 'teaser' for Gardner's next novel promises us yet another visit from these two taut and compelling characters. The disaster that hits this small town is beyond comprehension, but we all know too well that school shootings with innocent children being slaughtered along with their teachers is becoming an all-too-common headline. The devastation that turns this peaceful, trusting community into a mass of pain and terror - and the fact that one of their own is responsible propels the reader on a mind-bending, emotionally heart-wrenching journey. You will not regret picking up this novel - but then your problem will be putting it down.There is nothing I do not like about this writer. Lisa gardner is a rising star...
Rating: 
Summary: A DIFFICULT SUBJECT, BUT A GREAT BOOK
Review: School killings are on the increase these days, but it is certainly not a subject one could say makes for "enjoyable reading." This is a work of fiction, not a true story where the facts and real-life situations are beyond the author's control. Taking that into consideration there are an endless number of other plots the author could have developed; one based on a school killings was simply not my cup of tea. For that reason alone, I simply could not give the book higher than a three star rating. Much to the book's credit is a consistent writing style and a plot (whether you like it or not) filled with suspense. The characters of both FBI profiler Pierce Quincy and Officer Rainie Connor intrigue the reader and grab your attention from the start. From a psychological point of view and based on the information given, there was clearly some very accurate and in-deepth research work undertaken on the profiling of mass murderers during the writing of this book, and that is also worthy of merit. Overall, if you do not mind the subject matter, you will probably enjoy the book. It does have drama and action.
Rating:
Summary: Children Shooting children: why?
Review: School shootings are unfortunately happening with increasing frequency and in multiple parts of our country. This author has researched several shootings and has fashioned a fictional plot from her material. The storey has too many subplots, but the subject of children getting guns and going on shooting rampages is one that needs exploring. The lead detective, Rainie Conner, is young and inexperienced when she finds herself assigned to the shooting in her town just after it happened. It appears that Danny, the 13 year old son of the Police chief, is the shooter who has killed a teacher and two young elementary school girls. From newspaper reports of the case, guilt would seem to be obvious. HOWEVER, and this is what makes the book well worth reading, there is a manipulative psychopath on the loose who has been comunicating with Danny on the internet and has figured out all the buttons to push to accomplish his own agenda. The story line is a warning to parents with children who are not dealing with stress and pressure either at home or school or both and how to watch for the signs of unleased rage. Officer Rainie Conner, herself, a victim of an abusive past is working through her own problems and becomes part of the problem as well as the one who eventually solves the mystery. It was a good book and one that I am glad I read.
Rating:
Summary: Psychological Breakdown (4.3 *s)
Review: School shootings committed by kids, usually teenagers, are truly sad affairs. These tragedies always invite exhaustive examination of the shooter's family, school life, interpersonal dealings, psychological development and state, etc. Where is the breakdown? But what if an adult manipulated a student to commit the shootings? That is what the author suggests could happen in this gripping story.
Rainie Conner, a native of Bakersville, OR, and a deputy sheriff, is stunned to discover Sheriff Shep O'Grady's son, Danny, with two firearms in his hands and one teacher and two students dead when responding to a shots-fired call at the local K-8 school. Rainie's job immediately becomes more difficult when the townspeople remember that Rainie escaped prosecution in the gruesome murder of her mother some fourteen years prior despite a preponderance of evidence pointing to her guilt. Rainie needs all the help that she can get. Fortunately a FBI special agent Pierce Quincy, a person who has spent considerable time exploring school shootings, becomes aware of the case and offers his assistance.
Rainie and Quincy immediately click and slowly start peeling off the layers of mystery. The story is well constructed, moves quickly, and interleaves any number of aspects of the various characters lives, both past and present. The discerning reader might question Rainie's fortuitous access to Danny in a juvenile detention facility. The characters are well explored and the psychology that might lead to this type of violence is looked at. This author's work compares quite favorably with the work of others working in this genre.
Rating:
Summary: Twists, Turns and Surprises
Review: The author manages to weave a tail surrounding our heroine while unravelling a murder. The characters take on personalities that draw you into their lives, hoping beyond hope that you really "don't know who the killer is". This is a novel that, while dealing with current - to date issues also delves deep into the past allowing us a full dimensional portrait of the main characters. This is the first book that I have read by this particular author; I now have her ear-marked for notification of new releases. I think this one may be one to follow.
Rating: 
Summary: Thin plot, poor characterization, no suspense
Review: The Third Victim begins strongly, with a riveting race to the scene of a school shooting. After that, however, this 300+ page novel plods ahead. Rainie Conner, a female police officer in Bakersfield, Oregon, must push back her own demons and move the case ahead against the son of a friend. Conner, who as a teenager found her mother's dead, dripping body in their living room, must somehow come to terms with this new bloody crime scene while reliving her past. And the real killer, as we're told even on the back of the cover, is out to get her. Rainie is a caricature -- 110 pounds of rage and savvy, keeping men at bay, keeping her emotions deep inside. Her dialogue is inane. Pierce Quincy, the FBI love interest, besides having a ridiculous name, is perfect -- perfect suits, perfect hair, perfect eyes. Shep O'Grady is Bakersfield's bumbling, drunk sheriff who knows the truth about what happened to Rainie's mother. Take a pass on this one. Other than in the first and the last few pages, there's little suspense. The Third Victim is part unthriller, part Harlequin unromance. Unlike in typical thrillers, there's nothing -- nothing! -- to keep you reading at the end of each chapter. The characters are empty, the dialogue will make you laugh out loud. I suggest that Lisa Gardner go read a few Hardy Boys novels if she wants to learn about pacing and suspense.
Rating:
Summary: captivating suspense
Review: The Third Victim is definitely Gardner's finest work, with local police woman Raine working to solve the school shooting involving the police chief's son. Gardner's novels are well-researched, which adds to the realism. Add to that her fine writing skills and you have a top notch read on your hands. My only complaint was the 'surprise' twist about the heroine's past. Anyone familiar with Gardner's category roots will recognize that as a retread from Hiding Jessica. It really seemed superfluous and detracted from the mystery itself.
Rating:
Summary: TO BAD THINGS ENDED THE WAY IT DID!
Review: THIS BOOK INTRODUCES RAINIE CONNOR. I READ THE NEXT ACCIDENT FIRST AND DIDNT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HER. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I LIKE HER MORE IN THIS BOOK. (SHE DOESNT SEEM TO BE AS DIRTY, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND IF YOU HAVE READ THE NEXT ACCIDENT). I WAS SO GLAD THAT AT THE END THINGS WERENT HAPPILY EVER AFTER. THIS LEAD RIGHT INTO THE NEXT ACCIDENT.
VERY GOOD BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: TO BAD THINGS ENDED THE WAY IT DID!
Review: THIS BOOK INTRODUCES RAINIE CONNOR. I READ THE NEXT ACCIDENT FIRST AND DIDNT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM HER. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I LIKE HER MORE IN THIS BOOK. (SHE DOESNT SEEM TO BE AS DIRTY, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND IF YOU HAVE READ THE NEXT ACCIDENT). I WAS SO GLAD THAT AT THE END THINGS WERENT HAPPILY EVER AFTER. THIS LEAD RIGHT INTO THE NEXT ACCIDENT.
VERY GOOD BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: first book i read by this author
Review: This is the first book by Gardner I've read and I found it to be much better than the usual book I end up reading on summer afternoons --- it made me forget to reapply my suntan lotion so I ended up with a really red nose! I didn't find that the book was flawless or able to keep me in the dark totally - what book has? After you read a gazillion mystery/thrillers you begin to recognize the signs.... Don't get me wrong tho, this book was enjoyable, exciting, and I couldn't/wouldn't put it down until I was done. Is this a book I want back after I've lent it out? Yes.
Will I read more by this author? Yes.
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