ENCOUNTER (FBI Agent Dan Hammer Series Book 2)

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was given an advance copy to read for an honest review. This is the fourth book of Mr. The writing flows keeping this reviewer engaged and finishing the book in a couple of days. The characters are believable and faults exposed so that the reader feels they are a friend by the end of the book. The victims in the story you get to know so that when their death comes, you feel as bad about it as if they had really died. Wickard is a master at is scene setting.

All the senses are used when a new scene is revealed. Readers of serial-killer mysteries, or those who love well written stories will love this book I look forward to more of Mr. May 18, Nancy Silk rated it it was amazing.

He certainly knows how to make your spine tingle. He stands with the most popular authors of this genre as he writes another gripping suspense. Sacred rituals await a teenaged girl as the villain scopes her out at the mall watching her dance around her boyfriend. That evening George Madden drops off his wife, Edna, at the weekly prayer meeting. As usual, he has his own weekly meeting at "An Awesome Psychological Crime Thriller" This is the fourth exciting novel by talented author Douglas Wickard. As usual, he has his own weekly meeting at the prostitute club, "Silk Stockings.

However, as he glances toward a stand of trees, he notices a person dressed in all white running and stumbling through the trees. He stops, grabs a flashlight, and works his way through the brambles to find a young girl, barely breathing, laying on the ground. He hoists her over his shoulder to his car and takes her to the hospital. He feels he's likely to be in deep do-do when he has to explain this to his wife Edna.

Doctor Sydia Garrison who specializes in surgery at Medical University of South Carolina is sickened by the barbaric assault on this young teenager. A local news reporter, Janice Porter, gets a tip from a fellow who works at the hospital, so she quickly attempts to be the lead reporter and goes to the hospital. There she sees the infamous Detective Dan Hammer who has a strong dislike for reporters, which only hampers her a bit to get a report to her boss.

Very soon, as the police search the area where George found the mutilated girl, another young girl's body is found. One can't help read this story non-stop to the very end to see when and if the trauma ends. Highly recommend this suspenseful thriller. May 13, Helen White rated it it was amazing. Nothing Scared is the preview to Encounter and features Detective Dan Hammer while he is still part of the local police force. A suspected serial killer is abducting and mutilating young women, but one survives. In what is quite simply a master stroke Wickard uses clinical medical terminology to describe the mutilations; for example a Doctor describes her examination findings on the survivor in medical terminology, later a technical description of the mutilation is given as part of the autopsy o Nothing Scared is the preview to Encounter and features Detective Dan Hammer while he is still part of the local police force.

In what is quite simply a master stroke Wickard uses clinical medical terminology to describe the mutilations; for example a Doctor describes her examination findings on the survivor in medical terminology, later a technical description of the mutilation is given as part of the autopsy on a victim. This methodology is superbly chilling, and excellently highlights the sheer horror and repulsion of the crimes.

At times I found myself making noises of distress as the extent of the mutilation became apparent. Twice I almost wanted to put the book down to recover from it's assault on my psyche, but the writing is so fast paced and compelling that I was unable to tear myself away. The plot twists and turns like a sidewinder, and one particular act should, if interpreted correctly, have pointed straight to the killer but such is the sheer class of this tale of suspense and terror that the reader only sees this in the aftermath.

The character of Dan Hammer is well crafted, lent humanity by small insights. His almost obsessive need to see his daughter, the raw, visceral physical explosion of lust and desire on the way to a crime scene, the way his weariness and cynicism contrasts with his near hero worship for the FBI profiler sent to assist. All in all superb, chilling, visceral, raw, and a masterpiece. Wickard deserves a place amongst the key writers of suspenseful thrilling crime writing. Jul 04, Tamara Rager rated it it was amazing. The pace of this book is fabulous it moves right along and keeps you interested.

The characters have a hometown feel and you like them. You even like the twisted predator and how he thinks. I like the way Wickard has the book laid out and set up in terms of structure, it keeps the plot moving. I will definitely be reading the rest of Wickard's books. I love a good FBI thriller. I started reading this book at 11pm, intending to maybe read for an hour, then go to sleep.

It is now 6am, and I just finished the book. It grabs you, and does NOT let you go.

ENCOUNTER (FBI Agent Dan Hammer Series Book 2)

Great characters, excellent research, and strong story line. I need to go look for more of Mr. I highly recommend you do so also. I was tempted to do only two stars. However upon consideration I decided that the book held my attention despite all the blood and guts. And, I know some folks find B and G to be really cool stuff - thus the 3 stars.

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Aug 03, J. Sitler rated it really liked it. Wickedly written, suspense full read with engaging characters. You won't believe who the killer is! Jul 17, Mandy Jones rated it it was amazing. I absolutely loved this book. Wickard does an awesome job of keeping the reader guessing who did it. Seriously, I was reading this book and kept thinking I had it all figured out. Then wham, he throws me for a loop and I have to rethink it all over again. This book is definitely not your typical thriller where you can figure out the whole book from the very beginning.

Douglas Wickard is a brilliant author who keeps the readers entertained and enthralled in his books. This book is very descri I absolutely loved this book. This book is very descriptive, clear and precise, and an absolute must read. I can not wait for the next book from him. I give it 5 stars. Mar 19, Margaret rated it it was amazing. This was a great mystery. The characters were interesting: Janice Porter, reporter, Dr.

Sydia Garrison, surgeon, Dan Hammer, detective and Dr. Marjorie Dunlap, medical examiner. I really liked the insertion of thoughts from the killer throughout the story. They added to the suspense and gave subtle clues as to the killer's identity. Leave enough time for reading because once you get started you won't want to stop until the story is over. Jodie Mouton rated it it was amazing Mar 03, Elif Akyol rated it it was amazing May 14, Catherine Burr rated it it was amazing Sep 01, Billy Linville rated it it was amazing Sep 08, Day rated it really liked it Dec 13, Sherry rated it really liked it Oct 26, William taylor rated it really liked it Sep 30, Norma rated it really liked it Jan 23, The beginning is pitiful and dark.

The reader knows that things can only go bad in the long run. A little boy is forced to accompany his father - a well known actor - when he goes for a "massage" and a homosexual encounter. This happens regularly and sets the scene for the future. The characters are well drawn; the detectives are likable people in whom I invested concern.

Mr Wickard expertly shows their private lives and how frustration impinges on their relationships. The characterisation of the The beginning is pitiful and dark. The characterisation of the serial killer's victims are brilliantly portrayed, three of which the reader gets to know intimately. As their stories unfold, there is an inexorable sense of dread in the manuscript. I wanted to yell, "No, don't go there! Such is the skill of this author that I became sorry for the killer, in fact one couldn't but be aware of why the person is committing these vicious and sordid crimes.

A truly terrifying and well crafted novel. This book absolutely blew my mind. It is awesome, brilliant, and enticing. Douglas Wickard did a fantastic job of writing this thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat through out the entire book. I could not put this book down seriously, I would go hide from my kids so I could finish a chapter. Married men are dying in San Francisco. Who is killing these men, where are their bodies, and how do we catch this killer? Inspector Sanchez is determined to solve this myst WOW!!!!! Inspector Sanchez is determined to solve this mystery.

Will she catch her killer? I read a lot of books all sorts of genres but this book, this book seriously just became my number 1 book of the year.

This book was beautifully written with multiple story lines that all come together in the end to bring this thriller to an exciting conclusion. I have to say, I did not figure out who did it, not until the very end when it was revealed. You have to read this book. I mean it, you really, really have to read this book. Douglas Wickard you did it again. I give it 5 stars. The action begins with a prologue that expertly sets the tone for things to come.

The scene is viewed through the eyes of a boy, and without being explicit it sets an atmosphere of mistrust, secretive, slightly sordid homosexual encounters, beneath everything a festering hatred and disgust that become a recurrent theme. The novel deals with the disappearance of several men at the hands of a serial killer. All the victims seem to have the perfect life, position, family, children.

After their disap The action begins with a prologue that expertly sets the tone for things to come. After their disappearance the facade unravels. The victims craved something extra; excitement and freedom from the confines of home life. The portraits are totally believable. Much as people may want to think this is just a construct for a novel, the scenario is repeated in real life more often than you may feel comfortable admitting.

The writing in these scenes is right on target and superbly constructed. Mr Wickard detours into the world of bodybuilding, gyms and secret liaisons masquerading as "massage" with skill. He touches on the underbelly of this mode of life lightly but surely, and again leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions. The scenes with the serial killer gradually escalate and are genuinely, intensely horrifying in their depiction.

We are allowed insights into the killers mind, motives and actions that generate feelings of revulsion, but also a compelling need to keep reading.

Nothing Sacred

Mr Wickard displays genuine talent in his masterful handling of the narrative threads. We are introduced to new protagonists in this novel. Not setting out to win the sympathy of anybody as we learn more about them, particularly Inspector Vanessa Sanchez, we become more and more attracted for good or bad. The characters are human, they face similar stresses and strains. Many will recognise the fight to escape a divorce, or the desire to connect with their children. My feeling was one of admiration and respect for Inspector Sanchez rather than liking, which demonstrates that there are multiple ways of engaging with characters.

Red herrings and clues are expertly scattered and I finished the book in a rush, completely carried along with the excitement and the surprise at the killer. Once again, a tour de force from Mr Wickard. This is a story about professional married men arriving in San Francisco on business for a couple of days, and never making their meetings or even returning home. Alex Kitas is taking a retreat from his perfect life: He arrives in San Francisco to also satisfy his sexual hungers. He enjoys such forays while on business trips, it was his well-planned secret.

But this time, the results were anything but pleasurable and erotic as he lays on a massage table and is suddenly drugged, losing all muscle control, and then glimpses a sharp knife as it makes the first His wife, Rhonda receives no word from Alex and becomes very concerned.

Nothing Sacred by Douglas Wickard

She leaves her children with their grandparents and flies to San Francisco and eventually reports him as a missing person. Vanessa is a very professional law enforcer since her dad, Teddy Romano, had in his past assisted Harry Wright from Quantico on the "Trailside Killer" case. She's a divorced mother of a young girl, and while at a local gym meets Lucas who works at the gym. They eventually start dating and she's hopeful he'll be everything that he appears. On their first date, as they depart, little do they know that someone is watching them from the shadows.

Alex is the fourth missing man, and the fifth is the son of a very rich man who pushes the SFPD to include the FBI in working this case. Many characters in this exciting, pulsing thriller seem to have secrets.

• FBI Agent Dan Hammer Series (2 Book Series).
• Discipleship 101: The Battle of Wills;
• Encounter by Douglas Wickard.

Who will break this case? This novel is uniquely written with much briefly descriptive detail to help you visualize the settings. The story is potent and tense, one you will not want to put down. Without a doubt, Douglas Wickard knows how to write a wicked thriller! Alex and Rhonda Kitas seemed to be that couple who had it all.

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Alex thought his life was doomed from the beginning, he had a celebrity father who had secrets that Alex wasn't suppose to know about. Alex knew about those secrets. Alex worked for a network and took trips often, this trip to San Francisco was going ju On the outside everything seems normal "Encounter " FBI Agent Dan Hammer By Douglas Wickard A perfect life, a perfect wife and children, that's what Alex's life was like, or was it? Alex worked for a network and took trips often, this trip to San Francisco was going just like any other trip he took. Rhonda was doing her usual, walking the kids to school in the morning after Alex got in a cab to go to the airport.

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• Divine Inner Guidance: Your Intuition Can Transform Your Life.
• Encounter (FBI Agent Dan Hammer).
• The Horrible Witches of Ice;
• Der Roman seines Lebens: Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn (German Edition).

She was happy in her life with Alex and the kids, or was she? She always got calls from Alex like clockwork, so when she didn't receive her usual call that morning from Alex, she started to worry. There are so many twist and turns in this well written mystery thriller that you must read for yourself. The author does a wonderful job keeping your attention with strong characters and well thought out action. I'll be reading more from this author.

Encounter, like the other two books of Mr. The characters are introduced in a broad brush stroke initially then filled in with more details as the story unfolds. There are times I feel his scene description tends to slow down the stories progress, yet I was moved through the scene fully sensing its smells, texture and how the ch Encounter, like the other two books of Mr.

There are times I feel his scene description tends to slow down the stories progress, yet I was moved through the scene fully sensing its smells, texture and how the character felt about the setting and tasting the alcohol. If I hadn't have been so busy the last couple weeks, I could have read this page turning book much faster but, not a night: