The Stranger You Seek

A Novel

By: Amanda Kyle Williams

Narrated by: Anne Marie Lee

The papers have called me a monster. You’ve either concluded that I am a braggart as well as a sadist or that I have a deep and driving need to be caught and punished.

In the sweltering heat of an Atlanta summer, a killer is pushing the city to its breaking point, preying on the unsuspecting, writing taunting letters to the media, promising more death. Desperate to stop the Wishbone Killer before another victim meets a shattering end, A.P.D. lieutenant Aaron Rauser turns to the one person he knows can penetrate a deranged mind: ex–FBI profiler Keye Street. And you must certainly be wondering if I am, in fact, the stranger you seek. Keye was a rising young star at the Bureau until addiction derailed her career and her life. Now sober and fighting to stay so, Keye picks up jobs where she can get them: catching adulterers, serving subpoenas, chasing down bailjumpers, and dodging the occasional bullet. With multiple victims, little to go on, and an entire police force looking for direction, the last thing Keye wants is to be pulled into the firestorm of Atlanta’s worst nightmare. Shall I convince you? And then it suddenly becomes clear that the hunter has become the hunted—and the stranger she seeks is far closer than she ever dared imagine.

An electrifying thriller debut, The Stranger You Seek introduces a brash, flawed, and unforgettable heroine in a complex, twisting novel that takes readers deep into a sultry Southern summer, a city in the grips of chaos, and a harrowing cat-and-mouse game no reader will ever forget.

©2011 Amanda Kyle Williams (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

“An exceptionally smart, harrowing, and funny character-driven debut by a welcome new thriller writer.” (New York Times best-selling author Karin Slaughter)

“Keye Street is a kick-ass protagonist! Strap yourself in for a twisting, turning carnival ride of a plot through the New South—this is compulsive reading!” (Vicki Lane, author of The Day of Small Things)

“The Stranger You Seek is a riveting debut with rapid-fire pacing, expert plotting, and an introduction to the memorable and winning Keye Street. Both Williams and Street should be around for the long haul, so discover them now from the start.” (Alafair Burke, author of Long Gone)

Riveting thriller

What did you love best about The Stranger You Seek?

The book was full of places that I know because of living in Atlanta.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This was a thriller. It kept me listening even though I should have been doing other things.

What does Anne Marie Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well, I didn't like her southern accent. Also, if you are from this area you know that DeKalb isn't pronounced with the "l". It's like De-kab.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times it made me laugh.

gripping book from beginning to end

Would you consider the audio edition of The Stranger You Seek to be better than the print version?

since I am at work I listen to the audio , so yes

What other book might you compare The Stranger You Seek to and why?

no comparision

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoy sally and the cow , neil her geek guy making his brownies, Diana and keyes having a dinner and telling politely to keyes x employer to get lost , few others

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

held me glues to the end , sometimes I laugh and sometimes I cried

Any additional comments?

cannot wait for book 2 to listen to

Great Listen

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end trying to figure out who is behind the murders...with a bit of humor mixed in

great narrator

The story was too violent for me. I skipped a bunch of chapters. great main character.

My current favorite heroine and series...

Any additional comments?

The dark subject of serial killers, stalkers and human monsters is mitigated by Anne Marie Lee's excellent southern-style reading. I've thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to more.

This was a good mystery read!

By: Amanda Kyle Williams
Published By: Bantam
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating:5
Series: Keye Street #1

Review:


"The Stranger You Seek" By Amanda Kyle William was a well written, intriguing, quick paced,mystery, thriller and suspenseful read. We find Keye Street had been 'down on her luck' (former FBI profiler) and running a private investigating service in Atlanta, Georgia and gets a call from her friend(Rauser) at the APD to help investigate a series of brutal, sadistic murders. "Keye Street probably has the most demons living inside of her, and she dances perilously close to the edge on multiple occasions." To the author’s credit, her damaged persona made her even more appealing. Keye was "relatable, enjoyable, and downright frustrating at times." You will find that this novel 'oozes' southern charm in this Atlanta locale where you area taken on a ride of many twist and turns starting with page one. The characters were all fantastically done and brilliantly executed and the ending was really some turn. Also I like how this author was able to add humor that was 'interspearsed throughout the novel.'

If you are in for a good mystery-thriller-suspenseful read I would recommend "The stranger You Seek" for you.

whining voice

What disappointed you about The Stranger You Seek?

everything

What was most disappointing about Amanda Kyle Williams’s story?

i just couldn't get into it

How did the narrator detract from the book?

absolutely

What character would you cut from The Stranger You Seek?

all of them

Any additional comments?

don't waste a credit unless you love 'from down south' whiny narrators

Graphic, Gruesome and Tedious

What disappointed you about The Stranger You Seek?

Author didn't make me care about any of the characters. Too much angst from the main character. Plot was done better in so many other books.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins.

Would you be willing to try another one of Anne Marie Lee’s performances?

No,

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Voice was annoying.

Any additional comments?

Save your money and read something else.