- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Special Agent Steven Thatcher has sworn to find the serial killer preying on this small town. As the investigation pulls him one way, his family pulls him in another. A widower haunted by loss, he now worries about his son Brad slipping away. But there's a bright light in his life: his son's teacher, Jenna Marshall, has reached out to help. She's beautiful, kind, and considerate--and slowly, tentatively, she and Steven are starting to fall in love. But both have been hurt before--badly. And as the two try to find the courage to bare their souls, a murderer who has slain many looks for the real treasure he craves. He sets his traps. And waits. For Jenna...
THE FACT THAT HE'D SEEN MORE HORRIFIC SCENES over the course of his career should have made this one easier to mentally process.
Should have.
It didn't.
Special Agent Steven Thatcher loosened his tie, but it didn't do a thing to help the flow of air to his lungs. It didn't do a thing to change what he'd found in the clearing after the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation received an anonymous tip leading them to this place.
It certainly didn't do a thing to bring the poor dead woman back to life.
So Steven centered the knot of his tie right over the lump in his throat. He stepped forward carefully, earning him a glare from the rookie Forensics had sent because the rookie's boss had picked the week they discovered a gruesome, brutal murder to take a cruise to the Caribbean.
Now, looking at the mangled corpse, heavily scavenged by whatever creatures lived in these woods, Steven couldn't help wishing he were on a boat far from civilization, too.
"Watch your feet," the rookie cautioned from his hands-and-knees position on the grass next to the body, irritation in his voice. Kent Thompson was reputed to be quite good, but Steven would hold his judgment. However, the fact Kent hadn't thrown up yet was a stroke in his favor.
"Thank you for the lesson in crime-scene investigation," Steven replied dryly and Kent's cheeks went redder than chili peppers.
Kent sat back on his heels and looked away. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I'm frustrated. I've checked this entire area three times. Whoever left her here didn't leave anything else behind."
"Maybe the ME will find something on the body," Steven said.
Kent sighed. "What's left of it." He looked back at the corpse, clinical detachment on his face. But Steven also noted the flicker of controlled compassion in the young man's eyes and was satisfied. Kent would do his job, but still remember the victim. Another stroke in the newbie's favor.
"Sorry, Steven," said a ragged voice behind him and Steven turned to find Agent Harry Grimes taking labored breaths as he slipped a handkerchief in his pocket. Harry's face was pale, although the green tinge had passed along with the Egg McMuffin Harry had downed on his way to the scene.
New to the SBI, Harry had been assigned to Steven for training. Harry showed a lot of promise, except for his very weak stomach. But Steven couldn't blame him too much. He might have lost his own breakfast had he taken the time to eat any. "It's okay, Harry. It happens."
"Have we found anything?" Harry asked.
"Not yet." Steven crouched down next to the body, a pen in his gloved hand. "Nude, no ID or clothing anywhere around. There's enough left of her to know she was female."
"Adolescent female," Kent added and Steven's head shot up.
"What?"
"Adolescent female is my guess," Kent said, pointing to the corpse's torso. "Pierced navel."
Harry's gulp was audible. "How can you tell?"
Kent's mouth quirked up. "You could see if you put your face a bit closer."
"I don't think so," said Harry in a strangled voice.
Steven balanced himself on the balls of his feet, still crouched. "Okay, an adolescent female. She's been here at least a week. We'll need to run a check through missing persons." He gently rolled the body over and felt his heart skip a beat at the same time Harry cursed softly.
"What?" Kent asked, looking from Steven up to Harry and back at Steven. "What?"
A grimness settled over Steven and he pointed his pen at the remains of the young girl's left buttock. "She had a tattoo."
Kent leaned closer, then looked up, still squinting. "Looks like a peace symbol."
Steven looked up at Harry who wore a look of the same grim acknowledgment. "Lorraine Rush," Steven said and Harry nodded.
"Who was Lorraine Rush?" Kent asked.
"Lorraine was reported missing about two weeks ago," Harry said quietly. "Her parents went in to wake her up for school and found her bed slept in but empty."
"No evidence of forced entry," Steven added, looking at the corpse with new concern. "We had to assume she'd run away. Her parents insisted she never would run, that she'd been kidnapped."
"Parents always insist their kids would never run away," Harry said. "You still don't know that she didn't and just met up with some rough character along the way."
Steven could see in his mind's eye the picture of Lorraine as she'd been, the smiling girl in the photograph on the Rushes' fireplace mantel. "She was sixteen. A year younger than my oldest son." Steven let his thoughts briefly linger on his troubled son who'd undergone such a radical change in personality in the last month. But that was another worry. He'd dwell on his very personal problem of Brad when he'd put Lorraine Rush out of his mind. Whenever that would be.
"Damn shame," said Kent.
Steven pushed himself to his feet and stared down at what was left of what had once been a beautiful, vibrant young woman. Pushed back the primal rage at the monster who could take the life of another so brutally. "We'll need to inform her parents." He didn't look forward to that task.
Breaking the tragic news of a loved one's murder should have been easier after all these years.
Should have been.
It wasn't. (Continues...)
Excerpted from Have You Seen Her? by Karen Rose Copyright © 2004 by Karen Rose Hafer. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Anonymous
Posted May 13, 2009
I could not put this book down. The story is captivating and the main characters are likeable. I will be reading more books by Karen Rose.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 13, 2008
Have you seen her, like all the other books I've read by Karen Rose, was hard to put down. Karen Rose is quickly becoming my favorite romantic suspense author. This book had drama, suspense, humor and romance all wrapped up in a nice tidy package. Wow!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 3, 2007
This was a great book. Steven and Jenna were perfect for each other. I didn't want to put this one down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 31, 2005
This book is one of my all time favorite. It has everyting. Steven and Jenas relationship was beautiful. He children were great. the whole book was just GREAT.This is a book I will keep for a long time. Don't Tell (her first book) was really good to and I am reading I'm watching you right now and love it. You must read these books, but buy them because you wont want to give them back.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.kaylaandchase
Posted January 26, 2012
I Also Recommend:
I just starting reading Karen Rose's books.. They are wonderful, full of suspense.. I highly recommend reading any of her books..She is a great writer and I can't wait to read more.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.frosty1
Posted November 29, 2011
I have to admit, I had a hard time getting in to this particular book in the series. We met several different people right away, and trying to keep them all straight got a bit trying at times. I also didn't feel any chemistry with really any of the characters. After about 1/3 of the way through, I began to piece it together, and I started to feel for Steven, it wasn't until then that I started to enjoy the book. Several parts of this book stick out in my mind, the relationship between dad and sons. There are two completely different family dynamics that you witness, and they are polar opposites. The way that Steven always seemed to be saying "I'm sorry" to Jenna, and seeming to truly mean it. The meddling Aunt and neighbor were highlights to me. I did figure out "who done it" before it was revealed, but I had quite a hard time deducing the perp until a few things slipped. I wasn't put off by knowing who the bad guy actually was, though. All in all, I would say, this is a good book. It wasn't one of my favorites, but I enjoyed it eventually, and was pulling for some of the main characters. I hope Davies gets his own story. He played a pivotal roll in the investigation and in Steven & Jenna's relationship.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.readingislifeTX
Posted November 3, 2011
A page turner. Be prepared to be caught up in the very well written plot and unfolding love story. This book is 1st or 2nd in a series of 6. None of the books in this series disappoints. If you like romantic thrillers Ms. Rose is the author for you. I read all the books in a week and then had withdrawal because I had finished! I wanted to stay with these characters. Ms. rose is a master at her craft.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Special Agent Steven Thatcher and his family are still recovering from his son's abduction six months ago during one of his cases when he lands another case involving a missing teenager. He soon realizes he's dealing with a serial killer when a second teenage girl goes missing. Meanwhile, he's trying to deal with his problems at home as his oldest son has had a personality change and is failing chemistry. When Steven meets with his teacher, Jenna Marshall, there is plenty chemistry to go around. Jenna Marshall is having her own issues as she's failing the star quarterback, which gets him benched. His father and teammates seek vengeance by vandalizing her car and classroom. She and Steven are trying to explore their feelings in the midst of his career demands and her challenges with the vandalism. The two issues eventually converge as the attacks on her property escalate to her personally. The mystery involving the serial killer has a limited number of suspects but it still was a challenging case with a few red herrings thrown in the mix. The crimes were pretty gruesome and heartbreaking as the victims were only 16 years old. I was able to figure out the killer about halfway through but continued to challenge my choice almost to the end. This is a very suspenseful story with just the right balance of romance. Steven and Jenna are sympathetic characters who seem well suited for each other. His children and Aunt Helen also provide some much needed comic relief to the story. This is another winning book by Karen Rose with all elements working brilliantly in tandem. It's well written with good dialogue and I plan to continue the series.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Zall
Posted July 5, 2009
I Also Recommend:
This book was very good, and she is one of my favorite authors. :) Just when you think you figure it out, there's a twist and you have to think it all over again! Karen Rose keeps you with your eyes wide and your breath held the entire time!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2007
This book starts out slow--Don't put it down or you'll regret it. I almost did. Fast paced once the story starts to unfold itself. Not to mention the great 'nail bitting' ending. I never saw it coming.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 2, 2004
This book was fantastic. I couldn't put it down and now that I am finished I wish I had more to read. I am a first time reader of Karen Rose and she didn't disappoint me. I cannot say enough about this book. I loved Steven and Jenna. I also loved the relationship between Aunt Helen and Matt. Great book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 1, 2004
Very good from start to finish - a real page turner. I'm such a fan of Karen Rose and can't wait for her third book to come out. This story has it all, Mystery, Suspence, Love Story and shocking ending. A definent must read. !!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 15, 2004
Have You Seen Her is the first book I have read by Karen Rose, but it surely will not be my last! What a writer. I could not put this book down. Others have written the story plot better than I could have....but what a book to sit down with on a cold winter night by the fire.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2004
Have you seen her? by Karen Rose is a sensational follow-up to her first book Don¿t Tell. Special Agent Steven Thatcher is trying to get his family back on track. His youngest son hasn¿t been the same since he was kidnapped six months ago, his oldest has literally changed overnight. So far his middle child is fairing okay. Even without his high profile job being a widower raising three sons is a challenge. Now a serial killer has come to his small town, pulling him even further away from his family when they need him the most. High school teacher Jenna Marshall is alarmed in the change in her model student Brad Thatcher. She arranges a meeting with his dad to try to help Brad but she wasn¿t prepared to be so attracted to the man. Jenna finds herself drawn more and more into Stevens¿s family. And unknown to her the killer is drawn to her. This book is a well-written romantic suspense novel. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. The romance between Steven and Jenna will tug at your heard and you will find yourself racing along with them to find a future together. I am really glad I found this author. Can¿t wait to read the next book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 29, 2004
Karen Rose has done it again. Have you seen her? is a wonderful read. It will keep you till the end. I truly enjoyed this book as Karen's first book. Truly engaging characters that you can't help but cheer for. This was a great romantic supsense novel. Can't wait till the next one!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 21, 2004
I read this authors first book Don't Tell, and while I liked it I didn't think it was great. This book is such an improvement over her last, the author has shown tremendous growth with this book. Very highly recomended to anyone who likes this genre.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 3, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 12, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 29, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
One by one, the girls disappear from their beds at night. Each one is pretty, with long dark hair. And each one is found brutally murdered.Special Agent Steven Thatcher has sworn to find the serial killer preying on this small town. As the investigation pulls him one way, his family pulls him in another. A widower haunted by loss, he now worries about his son Brad slipping away. But there's a bright light in his life: his son's teacher, Jenna Marshall, has reached out to help. She's beautiful, kind, and considerate--and slowly, tentatively, she and Steven are starting to fall in love. But both have been hurt before--badly. And as the two try to find the courage to bare their souls, a ...