The Stranger You Know

By Andrea Kane

College-age girls with long red hair are being brutally murdered, posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life – a criminal brought to justice with the help of Casey Woods and her investigative team, Forensic Instincts.

Call.

Kill.

Repeat.

But the similarities are more than one psychopath’s desire to outdo another.

As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey… Now the Forensic Instincts team must uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey, the ultimate target.

As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make two things clear: He knows everything about Casey. And he won't stop until she’s dead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Oct 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781472044600

Andrea Kane

Andrea Kane's groundbreaking romantic thriller, Run for Your Life, became an instant New York Times bestseller, paving the way for a series of smash hits featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete "Monty" Montgomery, and now her current series features the dynamic FBI team of Special Agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. With a worldwide following and novels published in sixteen countries, Kane is also the bestselling author of fourteen historical romances. She lives in New Jersey with her family, where she is learning new ways to sharpen her firearms and investigative skills like a true FBI special agent. Between target practices, she is researching and writing her next supercharged romantic thriller.

Reviews for The Stranger You Know

[shetreadssoftly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane the Forensic Instincts team is hired by a dying father to find out what happened to his college aged daughter, Jan Olson, fifteen years ago. It's a police cold case that was never solved. While it appears the team only has a scant police file of information to go on, team leader, Casey, who was in college at the time, had a friend, Holly, who was brutally raped and murdered. It appears that the cases are linked and the team is really looking for a serial killer. While the team starts to investigate Jan's disappearance, it suddenly becomes clear that the killer, or an apprentice, is back and killing young women with red hair - a description that fits Casey. Things become even more stressful when the current serial killer calls Casey after each brutal murder and lets her know that she will be the final victim. And even more chilling is the question how does serial killer Glen Fisher, who the team helped put behind bars, tie into these recent killer's actions?

Each member of the Forensic Instincts team brings a special set of skills and abilities that make them uniquely extraordinary to work together with other team members. Casey is the behaviorist, with a "sharp mind and keen instincts about people, their body language, their responses and reactions." Marc is her right hand who is "brilliant at everything from his mental to his psychological to his physical capabilities." Ryan is "both a strategic and technical genius." Claire is a gifted intuitive, a psychic, who prefers to be called a claircognizant. Patrick is a lifelong trained investigator. Finally Hero is a retired dog from the FBI Canine Unit. Hutch, though not a member of the team, is an FBI profiler who has close ties to Casey.

While the team methodically works the cold case they were hired to solve, the new cases push themselves to the forefront and have the team working with other law enforcement agencies in an effort to unite their strengths to solve the cases. In The Stranger You Know Claire's claircognazant abilities are strongly featured and play a major role. This makes it imperative for you to believe in her abilities in order to appreciate her role in the teams efforts. Some of the plot is predictable, but that is often the case with crime/mystery novels so it was noted but didn't deter my enjoyment. There is a palatable tension as the team tries to solve the murders. The team's actions, running headlong on an impetuous beat-the-clock-or-else rush of adrenaline, kept me reading the book straight through to the end.

However, after accepting and acknowledging the teams qualifications, there were a few moments in the narrative where I felt like saying, "Oh really?" because their established competence and expertise didn't quite line up with their actions. (I'd give examples but I don't want to spoil the plot.) I'm also not completely able to accept Claire's psychic abilities to the extent that they played in the plot. The Stranger You Know is the third book in the Forensic Instincts series and, while it works as a stand-alone novel, it would be nice to have more information on the team members and their previous two cases. (I'm going to have to read the first two books on my wish list.)

Highly Recommended

Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher.

[marcejewels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From my blogThe Forensic Instincts team is by far my favourite detective group, yes they are unorthodox and sometimes use research tactics and get their answers illegally BUT to save lives, that is ok, right....... They consists of a behaviorist, a techno-wizard, an intuitive and a former navy SEAL. If you watch the TV show Scandal, you will love these books.Andrea Kane is one of my favourite suspense writers, I enjoy the characters and even if I guess some of the case there are always critical points I miss and are completely a surprise when revealed. I enjoy this series because you can pick up any book and read as a stand alone but for the fans the building of relationships within the team and FBI connects and takes it to the next level, you become attached to the characters. Andrea Kane takes you on a thrill ride during the investigation, you will be on the edge of your seat as the team have to keep up or more lives will be lost. This time the FI team know the killer's ultimate plan is Casey, their leader, and they are doing everything it takes to find him but the killer is always a step ahead of them and starts taunting Casey with telephone calls. Is it a copy cat killer or is the killer being directed from an ex murderer that is locked up?I did think for a moment, why this, did Andrea Kane make a mistake, hmmm, keep reading. I got caught up in the story and forgot about my glimmer thought which in the end was the answer. I love that, like a true crime story, that thought in the back of your head may actually break the case.I do think the end was a little to clean. Also, I can't believe her team would fall right into the killers plan but it just shows when tragedy happens all thoughts can be compromised when to close.Another great story, I am loving being caught up with all of her new books and slowly catching up on her older. I recommend you try her.

[bookscookslooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my third novel by Andrea Kane in the Forensics Institute series - that being all of them. I must admit to liking this implausibly perfect group of individuals that have come together to create a super investigative agency to do what law enforcement can't because they have more money and pay less attention to things like warrants and rights and little things like that. But the purpose of books like these much like the purpose of one hour crime shows is to engage us, make us shake our heads and provide a little heart pumping drama. The Stranger You Know does that despite some utter stupidity on the part of very smart women.In this installment the team has been hired to help find the daughter of a dying man. Her disappearance bears a striking resemblance to the rape and murder of Casey Wood's best friend from college. She hopes that in finding this girl she can solve that case too. As the team starts working red haired girls are being murdered and the killer is calling Casey, taunting her that she will be the finale. As they race to put the pieces together the psychopath gets closer to his end game. Who will survive?This tale can stand alone from the other two novels but I think it helps to have read the previous books if only to understand the relationships between the players. Just knowing the back stories adds a depth of understanding that a reader might not have otherwise. The book does read along at a fast clip with events happening bing, bang, boom! There is a bit of time for romance and a couple of sex scenes not to mention the violence of the murder and rapes but one does not buy thrillers for sweetness and light. I admit to being caught by surprise at a couple of points which I always love in a suspense novel. But the two main women did act at the denouement with complete and utter stupidity that just didn't make sense with their intelligence levels. If an author is going to develop strong, intelligent women please have them act that way. Don't have them revert to idiots just so they can be saved by the big, strong men.

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazon Book Description:
It begins with a chilling phone call. And ends with another girl dead. College-age girls with long red hair are being brutally murdered, posed like victims in a film noir. Each crime scene is eerily similar to the twisted fantasy of a serial offender now serving thirty years to life—a criminal brought to justice with the help of Casey Woods and her investigative team, Forensic Instincts. Call. Kill. Repeat. But the similarities are more than one psychopath's desire to outdo another. As more red-haired victims are added to the body count, it becomes clear that each one has been chosen because of a unique connection to Casey…. Now the Forensic Instincts team must uncover the identity of a serial killer before his ever-tightening circle of death closes in on Casey, the ultimate target. As the stalker methodically moves in on his prey, his actions make two things clear: He knows everything about Casey. And he won't stop until she's dead.

My Thoughts:
This book filled all of my mystery loving needs. The plot of the story is chilling and thrilling. This story builds the relationship between Claire and Ryan who are as opposite as two people can be. She is a psychic and he is a techie. However, opposites clearly attract. I also liked the strong relationships among all of the Forensic Instincts crew and look forward to reading more adventures. 5 stars.

[olivermagnus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Stranger You Know is a disturbing psychological thriller with a serial rapist/murderer intent on making Casey Woods, team leader of Forensic Instincts, his ultimate prize. Casey has built an impressive team at Forensic Instincts and between them and the skills they bring to the table, they are a formidable force. The idea of a team of maverick investigators who, at times, cross lines that the police cannot is intriguing. While they often work alongside the police, this group is full of specialists (a former Navy SEAL, a retired FBI agent, a behaviorist, a tech wizard, an intuitive) who work out of a brownstone in New York City and are called on to consult with traditional law enforcement agencies. This time they are being taunted by an imprisoned serial killer who has a partner on the outside brutally raping and murdering red headed college girls.

This is a chilling story made even more horrifying because the reader spends time following the thought processes of a serial killer and rapist as he plans and justifies his crimes. He's a very sick individual so the plot is disturbing and descriptions are mildly graphic. The psychopath is one step ahead of them all the way, until the very end. The story is told from the point-of-view of each of the members of the Forensic Instincts team as well as that of the killer, giving us rich character development and a back-and-forth that is easy to read.

I found myself caught up in the plot, which is tightly written and compelling. Andrea Kane knows how to build suspense, leaving tantalizing clues for the reader as she constructs a plot that makes you want to turn the pages even faster. Just when it seems that they have finally caught a break in the cold cases, they discover that they have only played into the hands of a convicted serial murder. This is the third of four (currently) Forensic Instincts suspense novels and I certainly will read the next one as soon as I can.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Stranger You Know, the third installment of Andrea Kane's Forensic Instincts series, hits close to home for the team members when a sadistic killer sets his sights on Casey Woods. Their investigation into a cold case bears a startling resemblance to a current string of grisly murders and leads the team to a murderer already behind bars. It soon becomes apparent the murderer is targeting Casey but why? And can they stop the murderous rampage before more innocent lives are taken?

In this third outing, the Forensics Instinct team is tighter than ever and all of their previous differences have been ironed out. While all of the members play vital roles in the latest investigation, it is Claire Hedgleigh who takes center stage as her unique abilities literally give her a front row seat to the killings. Her psychic talents are brilliantly showcased in The Stranger You Know and the in depth exploration of her special skills is incredibly fascinating.

The murderer is one step ahead of Forensic Instincts for pretty much the entire novel and some of the storyline is rather predictable. The team plays right into the killer's hand and some of their decisions fall into too stupid to live category. But in the end, all of the frustration is forgotten as Andrea Kane beautifully redeems The Stranger You Know with some very shocking and unexpected plot twists.

All in all, a pretty satisfying addition to the Forensics Instincts series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the entire series.

[thehistorychic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read/Listened for Review (Netgalley/Brilliance)Overall Rating: 4.50Story Rating: 4.75Character Rating: 4.25Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)First Thought when Finished: The Stranger You Know ended up being an amazing thrill ride that had me biting my nails till the very end!Story Thoughts: I have to admit upfront that I love the Forensic Instincts series. They are brilliantly written and well plotted. The Stranger You Know was no exception. I liked how this one gave us the back story on Casey. The whole team was involved and I loved how each puzzle piece fell into place. No one was safe and there were times I was in genuine fear for their lives (and sanity). Needless to say the story just rocked and I highly recommend it!Character Thoughts: The team at Forensic Insticts is each different in personality and temperament. They each bring something to the story but it is the women that ruled this story. Casey was the center and she was the perfect choice for this story. I also was impressed with Clair. She is often thought of as the "nice" one but she has backbone and gumption! Overall all the characters were fantastic and I can't wait for the next one.Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Angela Dawe / Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins Angela "freaking" Dawe brought it once again. If you have been following my narrator reviews, you know she is one of my favorites. She brought it to the Forensic Instincts team!Final Thoughts: Can't wait for the next one.

[brokenteepee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my third novel by Andrea Kane in the Forensics Institute series - that being all of them. I must admit to liking this implausibly perfect group of individuals that have come together to create a super investigative agency to do what law enforcement can't because they have more money and pay less attention to things like warrants and rights and little things like that. But the purpose of books like these much like the purpose of one hour crime shows is to engage us, make us shake our heads and provide a little heart pumping drama. The Stranger You Know does that despite some utter stupidity on the part of very smart women.In this installment the team has been hired to help find the daughter of a dying man. Her disappearance bears a striking resemblance to the rape and murder of Casey Wood's best friend from college. She hopes that in finding this girl she can solve that case too. As the team starts working red haired girls are being murdered and the killer is calling Casey, taunting her that she will be the finale. As they race to put the pieces together the psychopath gets closer to his end game. Who will survive?This tale can stand alone from the other two novels but I think it helps to have read the previous books if only to understand the relationships between the players. Just knowing the back stories adds a depth of understanding that a reader might not have otherwise. The book does read along at a fast clip with events happening bing, bang, boom! There is a bit of time for romance and a couple of sex scenes not to mention the violence of the murder and rapes but one does not buy thrillers for sweetness and light. I admit to being caught by surprise at a couple of points which I always love in a suspense novel. But the two main women did act at the denouement with complete and utter stupidity that just didn't make sense with their intelligence levels. If an author is going to develop strong, intelligent women please have them act that way. Don't have them revert to idiots just so they can be saved by the big, strong men.

[candyh_64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is a continuation of the Forensic Instincts group and the trials and tribulations they face in their work and in their personal lives. Ms. Kane has a way of drawing the reader in from the first page and keeps the reader on the edge until the book is finished. I highly recommend this book.

[kraaivrouw · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Stranger You Know is a lot of fun. Firmly in the Romantic Suspense genre, this is the third book in Andrea Kane's Forensic Instincts series. I haven't read the others, but there was absolutely no barrier to entry in reading this one.
The premise is this: a serial killer is on the loose, raping and killing redheads. The Forensic Instincts team (a private investigations firm) is called in to help out and before long team leader Casey finds out she's the ultimate target. The book turns out to be a fun cat and mouse thriller. The best thing about it is the characters, all of whom are warm and believable, particularly Claire, the team's psychic intuitive. The likeable characters drive the feeling of suspense and at some points I found myself expecting the worst behind the knock on the door.
Lots of fun, just enough romance, a good read.

[ewhatley_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a thriller that is a little too predictable yet enjoyable. The technology used in tracking and surveillance is especially interesting. I also enjoyed the nasty villain and those who surround him.

[twink_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Andrea Kane is an author whose name I recognized, but hadn't yet sampled their writing. Kane is a fairly prolific writer, with a number of series to her credit. The Stranger You Know is the third entry in her Forensic Instincts series. FI is a group of experts with specialized skill sets and deep pockets, able to go and do what formal agencies can't. In this book, they have been asked to assist by local law enforcement. The founder of FI, Casey Woods, was the bait for a serial killer in the past. He's still behind bars, but it seems his reach extends beyond the prison yard. Someone else is either doing his bidding or is carrying on where he left off. And it's personal. The victims? All redheads - just like Casey. A series of taunting phone calls lets her know that her turn is coming... Kane has populated the FI crew with an interesting group of support players - a computer expert who has wired their headquarters with an electronic presence known as Yoda, an ex Navy SEAL tough guy, an FBI boyfriend, Hero, the bloodhound and most interesting - a clairvoyant. Claire the clairvoyant plays a large role in this latest entry. All members of the FI team are dedicated - and attractive. Kane's writing is easy and flows well. However, the whodunit is easily discerned and I wondered about some methods. But Kane's book is more about the delivery. Her first novels were firmly in the romantic fiction category. She has expanded into the romantic suspense field with her latest series. And quite successfully. The dynamics of the FI team includes a strong shot of romantic interest and tension between two pairs of players. The crime is designed to shock the reader - and Kane does that. The reader is privy to the killer's thoughts and actions. Gentle readers - the violence described is graphic and there are sexual scenes. Action is the order of the day in The Stranger You Know, with the body count increasing at a rapid pace as the killer makes his way to Casey. I did find the final scene a bit rushed. While not my usual style of mystery, this is an excellent entry in this genre. It would be a great series to recommend to readers who enjoy Iris Johansen, Allison Brennan and fans of the Monkeewrench series. It's a quick read, one you can easily tuck in your purse, pick up and put down.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a well-written thriller that is a great addition to the Forensic Instincts series. It begins with the FI team investigating a case for a dying man. They are investigating the disappearance fifteen years ago of the man's daughter who was attending college at Columbia. The case brings back bad memories for Casey since her best friend was also murdered about the same time at Columbia. New information leads the team to believe that a serial killer they recently caught also killed those two young women. He also has a particular need for revenge against Casey because he was caught when she acted as a decoy.The tension builds and builds as red-headed young woman with some connection to Casey are killed. Each death adds to the tension as the team tries to track down the killers because the serial killer - Glen Fisher - is in prison when the new killing spree begins. This story also also builds the relationship between Claire and Ryan who are as opposite as two people can be. She is a psychic and he is a techie. However, opposites clearly attract. Their love scenes contrast nicely with the porn scenes between Glen Fisher and his enabling wife. I liked the strong relationships among all of the Forensic Instincts crew and look forward to reading more adventures.

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 STARSI like Forensic Instincts. This is the third book in the series. It is good except for the crimes committed, that part is not a fun topic. I like the team of characters at Forensic Instincts. The plot has twists some I expected and others I did not guess at all. I should have guessed more answers.Their is case that Forensic Instincts has been hired to look into. It happened fifteen years ago and it ties into a case that is close to Casey past. A father has cancer stage 4 and he wants his daughter found before he dies. Patrick brought the case to FI.Casey friend in college was kidnapped, raped and murdered. The killer was never found. This case is close in details that they think they are connected.Casey knows she is emotionally close to the case but she is still going to take lead because it is her company. Her past, The reason for which she started the company.Clair is looking for clues when she is drawn into a rape scene somehow. Clair calls the cop and tells him what she saw. He has worked with her before so he goes to look for the body and crime scene.Casey it's a phone call saying why waste her talent on a cold case when she can find a warm body. That a blood chain has been started and it will end with her death and rape.FI team does not plan to let that happen. Casey is not going to stop working on the missing girl case because she is being threatened. Of Course they want to stop this new killer too before he kills again. The cops are willing to work with FI on both cases.The murdered girl is small and a red head like Casey. She is a college student. She was on her way home when she disappeared.Mark brings his skills as a Navy seal and former FBI agent to FI. Ryan has lots of teck tools. He is smart, good looking and likes Clair. Clair is a physic who connects with objects and sees the crimes more than she wants, but can't see who he is. Patrick a retired cop and FBI Agent by the book. Casey is smart and a profiler they make a great team. They also have Hero a retired FBI dog because he gets sick in planes.Casey's calls her boyfriend asks for his help. Hutch is a FBI Agent profiler. He lives in Virginia but comes as soon as he can to help catch the guy and keep Casey safe.They work together to solve cases. When they get a case they put lots of hours in it especially if they are trying to save someone.It is a good story and I want to read more Forensic Instincts books. I would like to see and learn more personal information about Mark and the others members of FI.It is well told story that works. I did not want to put the book down but I could not stay up longer and read the rest first thing this morning.There were some love scenes that I skipped over.I will definitely read more books by Andrea Kane in the future.I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it in exchange by NetGalley & Harlequin.publication: September 24th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA 368 pages ISBN: 0778315010

[pattylouise_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Stranger You Knowby Andrea KaneMy" in a nutshell" summary...Glenn is a very bad man and is in jail and can't hurt anyone any more...or can he?My thoughts about this book...This was one of those fast paced crime/drama books that I am usually incapable of putting down until I finish it. If I do have to put it down...I think about it and yearn to get back to it. This book fills all of my mystery loving needs. We have Casey and her crew...her company is Forensic Instincts and they solve crimes.She has a dog, a psychic, a four story building and an amazing crew.She also has a psychotic criminal...who is in prison...but is still after her. He wants her hurt, raped, tortured and dead. He has ways and means and he wants Casey dead more than he has ever wanted anything. I might add that he is creepy...very very creepy!What he does and how he goes about getting what he wants is scary, chilling, outrageous and the stuff nightmares are made of. It makes me further believe in the old adage...don't trust anyone...truly...do not trust anyone!This book is deliciously good...just when you think you are safe...you are anything but. This book is well written...a perfect pace and a joy to mystery lovers. What I loved about this book...The events were freaking unbelievable.What I did not love about this book...You could say that it is just a tad predictable but that didn't bother me at all! Final thoughts...I think this book of Andrea Kane's will be an extremely exciting addition to any mystery lover's library!

[pabkins · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Stranger You Know is the third book in Andrea Kane’s Forensic Instincts series. These books follow a small firm of private investigators. All of them seem to come from some prior law enforcement, military, and or government type backgrounds but are now working in the private sector. I have not read the previous two books in this series and thankfully there really isn’t a need to. I didn’t feel lost at all because there was enough recap spread throughout the first part of the book to catch me up sufficiently on whatever details I might have needed.

Casey and her team are working to find the daughter of a dying man from a very old unsolved missing persons case. When they take on this case it hits close to home for Casey because when she was in college a close friend of her disappeared in much the same manner. Then during the course of their investigation young college girls matching Casey’s physical description start turning up raped and murdered. The killer makes it a point to call Casey, taunting her that she is his ultimate target.

So it’s all hands on deck to try and protect Casey while everyone still works to solve the cold case, and find the killer of this recent string of murders. The crimes of a convicted killer that Casey help put behind bars are coming back to haunt her as they realize he has a direct tie to these current murders. No doubt thriller/mystery fans will see some of the twists and turns coming with the ample clues Kane gives but I come to think of that as expected with these types of thrillers.

There were some interesting characters here, Claire and Casey being the ones that stood out to me the most. There is a romantic element for these two ladies with Hutch (an FBI profiler) and Ryan another member of the Forensic Instincts team. Ryan and Claire were my favorite of these two “couples” since they were more like the opposite of a couple…or a couple that didn’t want to admit that’s what they were. It added a bit of zest and I appreciated the occasional distraction from the young girls bodies who were brutally raped and murdered piling up. I loved the fact that a psychic was included, AND taken seriously as part of the Forensic Instincts team. I normally lean heavily towards the fantasy and paranormal books so Claire being psychic really gave me that element I needed to enjoy The Stranger You Know all the more.

One point that I wanted to bring up because I’ve read several books lately that dealt with the topic of rape. It seems to me that frequently rape is something that is quickly foisted upon secondary or disposable characters but rarely do I see this tragedy befall a main character. Now why is that? Granted, it would be a chancey thing to do to your character, but if the lead character is kept safe from this then does that not take away a small part of realism from the story? Just a thought that I had while reading a few recent titles.

Overall, The Stranger You Know was an enjoyable fast paced thriller that can be read as a stand alone novel.