I have three deadly problems: 1. I’ve seriously offended a maniacal killer. 2. I just had a bullet removed from my brain. 3. My new daughter is growing up too fast–and she’s in the line of fire. Living on an obscure, technology-free island off California means safety from the murderer who hunts Kellen Adams and her new family…or does it? Family time becomes terror-time, and at last, alone, … terror-time, and at last, alone, Kellen faces a killer playing a cruel game. Only one can survive, and Kellen knows who must win…and who must die.more
Terrific suspense with lots of action, family drama and a very cool heroine who just had a bullet removed from her brain. Let’s just say things are a little different these days for Kellen Adams, one of the most fascinating kickass heroines to come along in a long while.
Strangers She Knows by Christina Dodd is the third book in Cape Charade series. Each book in this fast paced series can be read on its own since the author provides a recap (just enough to catch you up, but not too much as to spoil the other books in the series for new readers). Kellen Adams Di Luca has gone through so much in the last few years. She is denied her wedding night and honeymoon when the bullet in her brain shifts requiring immediate surgery. Kellen does survive the surgery, but she has a long recovery. She returns home still weak and with one hand that is refusing to cooperate. The therapist recommends piano lessons which is torture for Kellen and everyone else in the family including Luna, Rae’s dog (everyone’s a critic). When Mara resurfaces and is determined to get revenge, Kellen is not strong enough to go after her on her own. The family moves to the remote Isla Paraiso with a cook, Olympia Paolerio and the two islands caretakers, Jamie and Dylan Conkle. The family explores the island thanks to the three bikes Max had shipped in for them and they get reacquainted. The pacing in the first half is more laid back (feel the island vibe) with the second half ramped up like a person after drinking three espressos in a row. Kellen is trying to survive a maniacal killer. You can feel the suspense, tension and pain. Rae is still her fearless and intelligent self but now puberty is hitting (her poor parents). She manages to get into scrapes even on an island. I like how Rae is still a young girl at times who needs her parents. Max and Kellen are just beginning their marriage and they have no privacy. They are learning each other’s quirks and foibles. It was interesting to learn more about Mara. She is a complex woman and her upbringing explains a lot. I really enjoyed the addition of Ruby’s diary. I thought it enhanced the story as added depth and interest plus gives us a second mystery. I enjoyed the various references to Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Strangers She Knows is one of those books that you will not be able to put down. I am sorry to see the Cape Charade series come to an end. Strangers She Knows is a riveting suspense with a mad murderer, a temperamental tween, a remote refuge, panicked parents and an explosive ending.
good book
I love Christina Dodd’s voice and I love how she always has the right about of suspense to romance balance. #goals
Page turner, read in 3 days!
Strangers She Knows concludes the Cape Charade series. Kellen Adams, her husband Max and daughter Rae have retreated to Isla Paraiso off the California coast to hide from an escaped serial killer they had helped put in prison. Mara Philippi follows their convoluted trail to the island where the only inhabitants are Kellen’s family and a couple who provide fresh produce and are caretakers of the property. In the midst of a fierce storm, the final confrontation takes place and there can be only one survivor and Kellen has to make sure that it is her.
I have really enjoyed this series! Kellen Adams Di Luca had brain surgery to remove the bullet from her brain and after a couple years she is still recovering…slowly but surely. Rae is growing into a typical teen who is much too smart for her and her parent’s good and when the threat that has been circling since the wedding comes back to bite them. Mara has escaped from prison and now she is coming for Kellen. Max, in fear for his family, sends his mother to Italy and takes Kellen and Rae to a remote island off California for the summer while Kellen sends a tracker from her military days after Mara. This story, just like the previous ones in the series, is full of twists and turns, however, this one will wrap everything up at the end. You could read this as a standalone as everything is explained but this was a great series and even the novellas in between are great.
While part of a series, it’s easily read as a standalone.
A thrilling ending to a great series!
very good loved it
I’m not big on “thrillers”, but Dodd manages to balance the thrills (and plenty of them) with enough calmer times that this suits me just fine.
Exciting with fascinating characters.
This is wonderful, well-written, fast paced romantic suspense novel with likable, engaging characters and a heart warming romance. It is an excellent conclusion to Ms. Dodd’s outstanding Cape Charade series.
Having read the previous installments in Christina Dodd’s Cape Charade series, Strangers She Knows was a must read for me and it did not disappoint!
Shortly after her wedding, Kellen Adams had surgery to remove a bullet from her brain. Nearly two years later she is still in rehab and learning to be part of a family. Then she learns that the serial killer she helped put away for murder has escaped from prison.
To keep themselves and their family safe, Kellen and her husband, Max, decide to take a trip and then hide out on a private island while law enforcement tracks down the killer. Now the fun truly begins!
Read Strangers She Know to enjoy some thrills, murder, humor and even a bit of history.
I received a copy of Strangers She Knows from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Awesome book
When we last left Kellen she was recovering from brain surgery, although it was touch and go for a while.
A psychopath with a vendetta, Mara Philippi, has escaped a maximum security facility for the criminally insane. This psychopath has targeted Kellen, her husband Max, and their daughter Rae. Moving to an island off the Northern California coast, the family feels like they’re safe for now, and are awaiting confirmation that Mara has been captured. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen and the family is in more danger than they know!
What a great read. I’ve been engrossed in this series from the beginning and have been anxiously awaiting this final chapter in the saga. Idyllic picnics, bike riding, fresh air and sunshine, are overshadowed by murder, mayhem, possible ghosts, terror, and storms. The climactic scene between Kellen and Mara was wonderfully written and thought out.
Finding and reading the diary of Rose, the daughter of the family who built the house on the island was perfect. The addition of this story within the story was masterful. Without that, who would have triumphed?
This is the final book (oh please I hope not…at least a short story to tie down the loose ends) of the Cape Charade series. I think reading all the books in this series in order helps with the enjoyment of the whole story line. You could read Strangers She Knows without reading the first two full length novels, since there is some backstory in this book, but I think your reading pleasure would be enhanced by reading them in order.
I absolutely loved the conclusion of Kellan, Max and Rae’s story. It was full of the fast paced adventure that I love about Christina’s work. Kellan and Max cannot catch a break, some time has passed since Kellan had her brain surgery and she is still recovering. Alas, bad guys have no respect for the good guys, and danger lurks around the corner… I don’t want to give anything away. This book gives us closure and hope for their future. Enjoy the wild ride…. make sure you clear your schedule… you won’t want to put it down.
This is Book 3 in the Cape Charade series. This is the end of this series so be sure to go back and grab the other books and novellas if you haven’t read them yet. Plus, you really need to read the first books, so you understand exactly what’s happening in this book. Other wise you are going to be scratching your head at time. Just like in all her books, you are sitting on the edge of your seat as you read this book. Kellan has had such a hard life and especially in her married life, you have to feel sorry for her. But I have to say that this story makes up for everything that she’s gone through. The interaction between her and her family makes you laugh and cry. There’s definitely lots of intrigue and excitement in here. I loved it and hate to see the end get here. But I wonder what character will be getting their story next.
Strangers She Knows
Any book by Christina Dodd is automatically on my wish list. The third book in the Cape Charade series, Strangers She knows, was at the top of my list. I like mystery, romance, humor, suspense, and strong female characters, just to name a few. This book has all these qualities, plus some plot twists and a delightful child! I received an advanced copy of this book from Christina Dodd and this is my honest opinion.
Kellen Adams Di Luca is recovering from surgery to remove a bullet from her brain. She collapsed right after she married Max Di Luca, who had raised their daughter Rae. Her slow recovery affects the use of her right hand. They are back at Yearning Sands Resort where Max is the manager. They are notified that serial killer Mara Phillipi has escaped from prison and Kellen is her target. Max whisks them around the world to throw Mara off their trail. They eventually make it to a small island in the Pacific owned by his family. Much to 10 year-old Rae’s chagrin, there is no internet nor cell service! The helicopter radio is the only source of communication. But the family’s safety is paramount. Max and Kellen decide not to tell Rae about Mara.
The island has a history of the Morgrade family: an abusive father, a Japanese Mother, several sons and a daughter during World War ll. Max hires a cook/house keeper. A couple take care of the island itself—growing food, maintaining the grounds, etc… Jamie does not like people and refuses to interact with the family. Her husband Dylan drinks and uses drugs to escape the boredom. While exploring the attic, Rae finds Ruby Morgrade’s diary. The entries become a source of entertainment for the family. Max finds a 1955 Ford F-100, Inline 6, and works on getting it cleaned up and started.
Meanwhile, Mara zeroes in on Kellen. She has promised to take away everything Kellen loves. Rae befriends Mara, not knowing how dangerous she is. Mara dispenses drugs that alter personalities. She targets Dylan. Max flies him to the mainland in the helicopter when Dylan is found incoherent and covered in blood. Mara slips Rae half of the same drug. She manages to make it to the main house and tells her parents. Max flies her to the mainland — and Kellen is left alone. Mara and Kellen are in a chase to the death.
Although this is the third book in the series, it can stand on its own. I would recommend reading the first and second books: Dead Girl Running and What Doesn’t Kill Her. Loved this whole series! I can’t wait to hear about Christina’s next book adventure!
This, the third and final book of the Cape Charade series, works well as a standalone book as there is enough information for you to understand some of what has gone before. That being said I’m sure that reading the first two, would’ve given me more insight into the characters, their relationships and the circumstances leading up to the events in this book.
Max, Kellen and Rae Di Luca flee to a remote island to avoid being caught and killed by Mara Phillipi, a psychopath from a previous book, who has escaped from prison. They take with them a cook and their dog, Luna. The only other inhabitants on the almost deserted island are a husband and wife team of caretakers, and a friendly ‘ghost’.
With no way of communication with the outside world, apart from the radio in the helicopter they arrived in, it takes a while for the family to settle into their more relaxed way of life. They pass the time by exploring the island on bikes, and by reading the journal of one of the islands previous residents.
Mara finds them, wrecks the helicopter and drugs Rae, who Max has to take off the island in a small boat during a storm, leaving Kellen on the island to deal with the killer. The final showdown between the two women is tense and terrifying, with Kellen being at a disadvantage as she’s still recovering from brain surgery.
The book is a thrill ride, packed with action, suspense, and mystery. I’ve added the first two books of the series to my to-read list.
Well, this was a “sit on the edge of your seat” book from start to finish. Can you imagine being frightened all of the time? Hoping that your loved ones will be safe. This is how Kellen lived a lot of her years and she had good reason to be looking over her shoulder.
It seemed I could see the characters in this story. The good ones as well as the bad ones. When I say that, to me it means their personalities make them so real, I can picture them. Maybe I’m making up my own picture, but the author sure did a good job of giving me the tools to do so. There was so much action in this book. I personally think it is very hard to write action as if it were a movie scene. But I could see the action here just like I could see Christina Dodd’s characters.
Guess this says something about good descriptive writing and well-defined characters doesn’t it?
Guess it means I think you’ll like the book:)
Christina Dodd has several books published, at least 2 or 3 are series. I couldn’t find anything but good reviews for her books.