A Familiar Sight

Dr. Gretchen White, Book 1

By: Brianna Labuskes

Narrated by: Kate Marcin, Chris Andrew Ciulla

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A shocking murder carries echoes of the past for a psychologist in a startling novel of suspense by a Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author.

Psychologist and criminologist Dr. Gretchen White is a specialist in antisocial personality disorders and violent crimes. She’s helped solve enough prominent cases for detective Patrick Shaughnessy that her own history is often overlooked: Gretchen is an admitted sociopath once suspected of killing her aunt. Shaughnessy still thinks Gretchen got away with murder. It’s not going to happen again.

When a high-profile new case lands on Shaughnessy’s desk, it seems open and shut. Remorseless teenager Viola Kent is accused of killing her mother. Amid stories of childhood horrors and Viola’s cruel manipulations, the bad seed has already been found guilty by a rapt public. But Gretchen might be seeing something in Viola no one else does: herself.

If Viola is a scapegoat, then who really did it? And what are they hiding? To find the truth, Gretchen must enter a void that is not only dark and cold-blooded, but also frighteningly familiar.

©2021 Brianna Labuskes. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Original story

A different point of view to a mystery murder story. Loved her narration; his, not so much because his pronunciation was hard to understand at times.

Superb beginning of great series ! Solid 5 !

The author is really on to something here. I hope that she continues this as a series. The three main characters are first rate, and the narration is equally solid. I do hope the double track narrative can be left behind for a greater concentration on the interior landscapes of both of the female protagonists. They are a fine team and I would like to hear from them more. First 5 star of 2021 for me.

Well written

plot well thought out, with antagonist as someone likeable -Dr Gretchen- and engaging enough to keep reader enthralled. Twist ending surprised me. Well done! One problem - now i want more of Dr Gretchen White & her morgue friend & Fred!

Hard to follow

The back and forth of this story in timelines is very hard to follow and I feel it could have been handled better. Going from present in one chapter to past in next (and in reverse starting at 5 months then as book progresses to couple years in past.) I did like Gretchen as a character and her persistence to be Voila’s voice. The child that is troubled and then framed.

Sociopaths are people too

Things that seem black and white are actually not. The sociopath has found a way to get what she wants out of life, in a way that is socially acceptable.

I found it interesting that she felt out of place when it came to emotions, and some social situations. Believable and interesting characters.

As for the plot, I enjoyed all the twists and turns, and trying to figure out who might have done it, with that theory constantly changing.

So enjoyed this story!

From the very beginning through the end I loved this book. There were a few times I was holding my breath and wished I was there. Thank you to the Narrators, Chris Andrew Ciulla and Kate Marcin.

Twists bud turns

Gretchen is a likable psychopath. Hard to achieve but this author does it well. When I thought I figured out a scenario, the twist comes and leads a different direction. Ready for the next in the series.

Full of suspense

I am pretty good at guessing who committed the murder within 3 chapters of a book, but this one had me changing my mind with every chapter. The ending was shocking, I never guessed correctly. I absolutely love it!

A Familiar Sight

Good story, but I thought it would never get to the end!! Just too long.

Interesting!!

This narration was very good. The character development was spot on for most characters. I wasn't a fan of the way the story went neck in time over and over again, but it worked for the story. I thought I had it all figured out, but I certainly didn't. I will read the next book by this author with these characters!