By the Time You Read This by Brianna Labuskes Book Review

About the Book:

FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto thinks she’s through with the past now that her psychopathic serial killer 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 killed 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.

My Review:

I have enjoyed this series with the main character, Raisa, a linguist for the FBI. It is interesting to read about how she uses the ways people use words as the method of investigation. This novel is a continuation of Raisa's relationship with her sisters, one of whom is a serial murderer.

I was not as engaged with the plot of this novel as I was in the previous ones. Delaney's actions were puzzling to me, perhaps because it has been some time since reading about her in the previous novel. The other puzzling and somewhat confusing aspect of this novel was the two timelines. The narrative switches from, say day four for Delaney to day one for Raisa. We sometimes read of the same event from different perspectives. In the end it made sense and allowed us to see deception but I do wish there had been a less confusing way to present the events. Do pay attention to the chapter headings indicating which day is being covered.

I am ready for Raisa to be finished with her sisters and go on to a case unrelated to them. I do like this series, however, and will be watching for the next one.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books in the series: The Lies You Wrote and The Truth You Told.

About the Author:

Brianna Labuskes is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Amazon Charts best-selling author of psychological thrillers and historical fiction. Her books have been translated into several languages worldwide. She grew up in Pennsylvania, lived in Washington D.C. for many years and now calls Asheville, N.C. home. She enjoys traveling, hiking and spending time with her pup. For more: visit her at briannalabuskes.com.

Thomas and Mercer, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)