A Gripping Serial Killer Thriller (Violet Darger FBI Thriller Book 1)

A very good story that keeps you guessing what will happen next. There are times that you can guess what will happen next and other times that you can't. I really liked it and am looking forward to the next book.

I've read a LOT of books from this genre, and, perhaps naively, thought I'd come across some pretty ugly scenes, and faired pretty well. They really get into the killer's head in this one, which is somewhat unique, but there were times I wanted out so badly; I had to skip a page or two here and there. I will continue through the rest of the series because they did an excellent job of drawing you into the characters' lives.

So: there is no "too long".
I don't need another cardboard personality and I'm tired of "fast-paced" as a miserable excuse for ... running out of ideas or stretching a novel into a series.
Vargas&McBain did their homework to build a plausible plot, create surprising twists and a great deal of suspense and not just gore and splatter to catch attention. Violet is an intriguing character, but the story isn't all about her ...
As for my part, I'm holding my breath for the next installment.

Brilliant and more brilliancy. You can't put this book down and you shouldn't. So riveting and twists and turns that keep you guessing. And, the end is WoW. A must read and there's even more of FBI Darger. Yes.

This is my first L.T.Vargas book but it sure won't be my last. I couldn't put this thriller down. It grabbed be and pulled me in from beginning til end. I've already ordered the next Violet Darger book. Pageturning psychological thriller!!!

What a thriller of a read! I enjoyed everything about this book: great characters, fast paced, interesting plot lines. My heart was in my throat, yet I couldn’t close my Kindle! Usually, I am disappointed that the book has ended too early but the length was perfect!

This is the first of L.T.Carey's stories I've read and it won't be the last. The main character Violet is smart and intuitive, gaining a foothold being out in the field with this serial killer case. It's quite a journey and this killer is a step ahead.. you won't see the the ending coming..

I read a lot of books, almost exclusively mysteries involving murder and mayhem. Good book, only one glaring error stood out and I can’t find a way to contact the publisher/author: A character is murdered (of course) and is laid out in a casket the very next day. Not possible, body wouldn’t even have been autopsied, much less released, much less arrangements made. Otherwise it was very good.

If Violet "smirked" just once more, I swear I was going to delete the entire stupid book. Pages of crap supposedly the inner thoughts of a psycho sex killer?! NOT. The in-fighting about male territorial turf among blues and feebs? Overdone. The guilt-tripping of said LEO's? Not buying it. It was all one big screw up including the ending. NO FBI AGENT ACTS LIKE SHE DID ... running off without a word, immediately after capturing the alleged killer, ALONE? No phone? No nothing? NO WAY. From the minute Violet walked out of her hotel room, leaving an escapee alone in the room ...with her gun, laptop, case files, keys, luggage, everything??? Then, she does it AGAIN?? Dud book. Enraging at times it was so off, it insults women in law enforcement everywhere. Either know procedure better or find a new genre, Vargus.

Violet and the rest of the cast are three dimensional characters. There are no bit players here. You get to know them, you fear for their safety, you applaud their success, and you approve of the budding romance. Or you don't. Either way, it is a well written, enjoyable to read thriller with an unexpected plot twist, and a new unlikely heroine to anchor the story line.

Almost read it cover to cover, one sitting. Kept me spell bound all the way. My only criticism is that I did not think the infinite detail of decaying bodies was required for the story. I just did not enjoy hearing about the parts falling off, etc.

I greatly enjoyed this novel. Being a fan of the psychological thriller, and wrapped up in the true crime "craze" as I am, this novel was a great way to break up my other fiction and non-fiction reading. It straddles a fine line between being sensational and realistic. The time spent inside of the villains mind is wonderful, and does a great job of setting up so many little things that pay off.

If you are a fan of Silence of the Lambs, this book is a spiritual successor.

A whodunit with a lot of twists and turns. The perfect suspect is not the right suspect but you won't know it until the end. Characters are fairly well developed and there are personal elements that keep you interested in the interaction. Altogether a decent read.

I enjoyed the relationship development of the characters and how the story pulled me in. The development of the story from the different perspectives made me want to keep reading even when I needed to pause.

I just got the sample for my kindle and it grabbed me from the first page. It doesnt drop you there it continuous . Am enjoying this book and its way worth giving it a shot. I dont think youll be sorry.

This book wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. I felt no affinity for any of the characters, especially Violet. She annoyed me and seemed way too naive to be an FBI agent. Then there was the over explanation of every little thing. Many times I wanted the story to move along already. It's like, ok I get it, he's sad. All-in-all, if you're looking for a good series go with John Sanford or Mo Hayder.

This is a new series for me and I have read a ton of books in my years.
Well written, great plot and amazing characters. The whole FBI profiler and cop story done Very Well.
Already read the 2nd and now into the 3rd in the series.

I really liked the way this author brings out the characters and the basic story was a good one. I think I would have say that this is a well written book that could have been more interesting if it was a lot shorter.

Unbelievable plot, more like a violent fairy tale. Characters were both dumb and possibly dumber. I won’t purchase anything from this author again. Although the two main characters were FBI agents, perhaps it is a true portrayal. (Given what we know about the fbi now)

I'm halfway through and just can't read any more. I tried. Repetitive, dull and much too long. There's no suspense and though I'd like to know the main character more, I just can't continue reading this immature effort.
UPDATE: After consideration I went back and finished the book, giving it a three star rating for lack of professional editing. The basic story and characters are good, but there were too many chapters, too many unnecessary descriptions, etc. I skimmed and skipped, managing to get to the heart-pounding finish. I also remembered the five star rating I gave Killing Season, so I figured the writers wrote that after and were improving their craft. If the redid this one, it could be a five star effort, too.

I thought this book was horrible, it was slow paced and boring. The protagonist, Violet Darger, for the most part was self absorbed and obnoxious. If you like the word "smirked" you will see it used repeatedly throughout the entire book. Every character "smirked" at least 10 times. Violet smirked throughout the entire book, never smiled, just smirked. If I had time, I would have counted the number of times it was used. It was totally obnoxious. I decided to try to read the second book in the series in hopes I wouldn't see the word "smirked". I was wrong. Within the first chapter, Violet "smirked" again. I couldn't take it, I deleted the book from my kindle. Also why not describe what she looks like?

So, I'm glad to say, the 2nd half of this book is better than the first. And, while not all of it is believable (as in -- why do some characters live, others die, when it's really just a matter of circumstance?), it's not the worse book I've read -- just not the best, either. I'm glad I "hung in there" -- but it wasn't easy to convince myself.

I excitedly began this book like many others of this genre, but could not finish it. It was just wishy washy & was disappointed that the main character, Violet was portrayed as an idiot at times when the author could have really homed in on her exceptional profiling skills.

I liked the story I feel like a couple chapters were just a little bit of a waste as if they were just adding extra non essential "filler" that sort of lost my interest a little but all in all I enjoyed the story and plot line and the characters were great!

This was sooo far from gripping, heroine is a major whiner, on and on about how misjudged she is. Doing and saying some really stupid things, it's hard to believe she is an FBI agent, if I were her supervisor, she wouldn't be for long. Too wordy and boring.

No idea why this book has so many 4 and 5 star reviews, it's dreadful. The characters are boring, including the killer, there is no character development, the plot drags and drags. Several pages are spent describing one cop going to the bathroom. Darger is an awful agent, she makes stupid mistakes, and then gets defensive when they are pointed out to her, she's also paranoid and over emotional. Glad this was free read as part of kindle unlimited, would have been ticked if I paid for this. Should have known, the unlimited program mostly has crap available anyways.

I agree with a lot of reviews stating that this was just way too long. It was a good story, but could have been told with about 100 less pages. I got to 60% before I just started skipping several pages at a time. There is a twist at the end which was pretty good. I will read the next book.

Not 3.... 2.5. The story was ok. Very predictable. It was WAY too long. A ton of unnecessary, detailed descriptions of unimportant events. I skimmed the last quarter of the book because it was killing me.

While the plot is good, there are too many threads and therefore not all get sufficiently developed. Worst of all is the cursing, in particular the use Jesus and or Christ as a curse word. It's offensive and unnecessary. Why doesn't anyone curse using Buddha's name or Mohammed's name?

Read the reviews giving Dead End Girl 2-3 stars and i wont repeat eveyone. Started well, then 300 pages of description where the story is not advanced. Plus no.real idea on ths plot unfolding until the last 40 pages 8th grade work. So bummed as i wanted t like her work.b

Tim and L.T. are great writers. Their stories are dark and this one is no different.
It's got a serial killer, a new and intuitive FBI agent, a seasoned FBI agent (who is brilliant but ailing) and a podunk police force who gladly accept help from the FBI. Some of the scenes are graphic. The thing I most enjoyed when reading this story is the morbid and quick witted dialogue. There is a great flow to the story and suspense.

Wow, what an emotional read. I loved this one and you really can't put it down until you know who the serial killer is and if Violet is going to live through this one.

Violet Darger is an extraordinary FBI profiler but she had been working in the Victim Assistance division and wants to go into really getting out and investigating..Her first case comes up and she is sent to Ohio on a serial murder case. He leaves the bodies in plastic bag at dumpsters. Violet is assigned to work with a profiler who is well known and just as hard to work with, as he likes to work alone.

Violet gets involved in the case and is not liked in the small department, but she won't let go when her "gut" is telling her what to do. She meets up with a detective there and at first they clash, but as it goes on, Violet learns that she needs to try to work with the others.

But will Violet's intuitions get her killed as she is now one of the targets of the serial killer, they called the "Doll Parts Killer"

I loved the character of Violet and her compassion for the victims..Great book, just waiting for the next one!

Violet Darger is an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer who kills and dismembers his victims. It's not an easy case! The story and narration we're a little slow for me at times but I did enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys detective thrillers.

I feel like most suspense novels follow the tried and true novel structure of introduction, complication and of course that juicy body caressing the reader up to that part we all revel in...ah, The Climax. But much too often that climax feels rushed lacking depth causing us to feel frankly unsatisfied and thirsting for more. But L.T Vargus and Tim McBain had other plans for Dead End Girl, stretching that climax out to keep us thoroughly hooked burning the midnight the oil. Fantastic read! This was my first time reading a book by these authors and I'm positive that I'll be a huge fan of Vargus and McBain for a long time to come.

This was an action-packed read! I do not normally read thrillers, but I decided to give this a chance. I saw it on Facebook a while back with good reviews and I had hit a lull on good reads recently so I got it. I was not disappointed. It was really good and filled with twists and turns. The ending was great! Check it out. You will not be sorry!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I devoured it within 4 or 5 days. It pretty much grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go; it was hard to put down. Although I was able to predict some of the plot points before they actually happened, I found the story fresh and intriguing. I especially loved how the point of view continuously changed among the cast of characters, never sticking with just one. I would say this book is kind of a blend of Criminal Minds, Dexter, and Silence of the Lambs all rolled into one. I look forward to reading more!

The plot is great. It is creepy and has you looking over your shoulder wondering about everyone you see. Can someone truly be this crazy and still act normal? I will never stick to a routine again. Thank goodness there are people who can get inside the mind of these monsters.

So, I'm glad to say, the 2nd half of this book is better than the first. And, while not all of it is believable (as in -- why do some characters live, others die, when it's really just a matter of circumstance?), it's not the worse book I've read -- just not the best, either. I'm glad I "hung in there" -- but it wasn't easy to convince myself.

Anther reader wrote the following and I could not have said it better. " I squirmed my way to page 300. Upon realizing I was just a little over half way through this mess, I gave up. The book might have been enjoyable at around 250 pages. At 500+ it was a hot mess of pages and pages of unnecessary bs. She goes into detail after detail and internal dialogue that don't move the story forward. It's like she was just trying to fill pages. Don't bother."

The first 30% of this book was a good read but then it went south and the next 70% was torture. I had to actually force myself to finish it because I don't like to abandon any book and I keep the hope that it will get back on track. This book was just way too long for the story. The story itself was ok, but it kind of got lost in the sauce. I will not be reading this author(s) again.

I watched several episodes of a police procedural called Wallender, in which the main police detective is a mess of a person who seems to cause his cases more damage than should be allowed before he finally seems simple upon the solution (which he would have found earlier if he hasn't been flailing around like a drunken toddler). Others seem to like this character for his flaws, but I despise him. I love a good anti-hero, and I applaud stories that offer up a complete picture of the hero, warts and all, but Violet is a Wallender to me. She may be good a profiling, but she had so many judgment and maturity flaws that she and get superior should know she isn't fit for duty.
And, why can't a we get through a mystery without the lead male and female characters hooking up? Women can work with men and not sleep with them. Happens all the time.
All that said, the story itself (the pursuit and evasion part) was pretty darn good.

Total nonsense. Thoroughly unpleasant and very annoying with a bullying protagonist I disliked from page 5. Authors lack basic knowledge of law enforcement procedure and how things really work or what profilers really do and where. Idiotic plot with the killer who must've read a lot of Plato since he is given to some nonsensical philosophical musings. If you skip half the book, you'll not miss anything and the ending will still be there, dumb as ever. Found myself rooting for the killer that's how much I hated Violet Darger. Should be offered for free.

Gripping from start to finish and my husband is now reading it and went from bed to sofa until 2pm today grr lol BUT I was reading the 3rd book in the series and I was grateful as I was as much gripped by the 3rd as the 2nd and first. My Mother is on the 2nd book and just as hooked.

Brilliant and more brilliancy. You can't put this book down and you shouldn't. So riveting and twists and turns that keep you guessing. And, the end is WoW. A must read and there's even more of FBI Darger. Yes.

Dead End Girl by L.T. Vargus & Tim McBain is an intense crime thriller that takes you inside the characters' heads--including the serial killer. Complex and edgy, this well-written tale keeps you hooked with twists and turns throughout the investigation of this horrific crime spree.

Starts off little slow. Drags in some places. Last half of book definitely made up for first half. Kept my attention, good weekend read. This is very morbid content, not for faint of heart. Think- "silence of the lambs" type of story. The ending was little unbelievable (scene in river), but wrapped up nicely with no loose ends.