Reviews for The Sleeping Doll (Kathryn Dance Series #1)

The average rating for The Sleeping Doll (Kathryn Dance Series #1) based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-02-10 00:00:00 Nick Egekwu This book introduces us to Special Agent Katherine Dance of California Bureau of Investigation. She is an expert on interrogation and kinesics - the study of the way in which certain body movements and gestures serve as a form of non-verbal communication. The book starts with an interrogation scene where Dance is interrogating Daniel Pell - cult leader, master manipulator and cold-blooded murderer. Pell is serving a life sentence for murdering an entire family. Only a little girl - asleep in her bed and hidden by her dolls survived the massacre. Anyway, some new evidence has come to light which can implicate Pell in another murder. Thus, the interrogation! But Pell has other tricks up his sleeves and flees, not before killing or grievously injuring some cops. And thus begins the battle of wits between Pell and Dance. The characters are pretty fleshed out. Katherine Dance is not a super-agent, she is also a widow who is raising two kids on her own. She misses her late husband, struggles with her loneliness and also grapples with her son's hostility towards any man who the kid fears will take the place of his father. Daniel Pell is a very chilling character - control freak, ruthless and knows how to fight. What makes him more dangerous is his intelligence, attention to details and meticulous planning. The author has done a good job of portraying how Pell manipulates vulnerable people, especially young women, and moulds them into ideal "followers". The interaction between Pell's previous "family members" was also nicely portrayed. I liked the fact that a few characters in the novel were book lovers and collectors. The story has plenty of action, suspense, excitement and tension. Be prepared for Deaver's trademark twists. How devious the human mind can be! Can you really trust someone? Oh! I forgot to mention - Deaver's other creation - Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs would play a "cameo" in the novel. Overall it is a very enjoyable read. I have read and enjoyed quite a few of the author's Lincoln Rhyme and stand-alone novels: his books usually never disappointment. But you need to keep in mind that this book is just a thriller which promises to entertain. Do not expect anything more and you won't be disappointed. I would recommend it to all thriller lovers. By the way, I had read the second book in the series a long time back. It is pretty good too.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-11-22 00:00:00 Paul De Groot This was my first book by Jeffery Deaver and I enjoyed it very much. I really liked his main character, Kathryn Dance. She is strong and smart and able to out think all the baddies including the ones who were supposed to be on her own side. Most crime novels finish straight after the death or capture of the main criminal. This one went on for a couple more very interesting chapters as ends were tied up and twist followed twist to the story. A great incentive to read more of his books.