It Takes One by Kate Kessler

May 20th, 2016 Kimberly Review 52 Comments

20th May
It Takes One by Kate Kessler
It Takes One
by Kate Kessler
Series: Audrey Harte #1
Narrator: Cindy Harden
Length: 12 hours and 55 minutes
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4 cups

They say there are no secrets in a small town... Criminal psychologist Audrey Harte is returning home after seven years. She'll have to face the whispers and the rumors that have haunted her family since she left. Because when Audrey was thirteen, she and her best friend Maggie killed Maggie's abusive father. Her first night back in town ends in a fight with a drunken Maggie, with her old crush Jake to witness it all. Audrey can't believe it can get worse. Then Maggie turns up dead. Now, Audrey has to find out who the murderer is - before everyone decides that she is to blame. And before the murderer can set their sights on her.

It Takes One is the first in a brand new thriller series where a criminal psychologist uses her own dark past to help law enforcement catch dangerous killers.

ARC REVIEW Audiobook

I am always on the lookout for a good criminal thriller and It Takes One by Kate Kessler promised to deliver thrills, secrets and murder. It Takes One offered an interesting protagonist, an intriguing case and shed light on the “ins and outs” of small-town mentality.  The first novel in the Audrey Harte series, I look forward to more cases and adventures with this snarky, strong woman.

Audrey Hart is a criminal psychologist. She has a Ph.D. and regularly appears on a popular TV show, where she shares her expertise regarding adolescent killers in LA. Audrey enjoys her life in Los Angeles where no one knows what she did and no one whispers behind her back. Audrey has not been home since the fateful night when she and her best friend Maggie killed Maggie’s abusive father. Coming back is difficult, her sister Jessica hates her for what she did to the family, her father is an alcoholic, and Audrey feels like she disappoints her mother.

Kessler did a great job of hooking me, and Audrey’s first night back in town was a tad crazy. She introducing us to several characters. Maggie, Aubrey’s childhood friend whose life has not been as successful as Audrey’s, in fact, she never left their hometown. Then there is Jake, Audrey’s old high school crush, Audrey’s mother, drunken father, and judgmental sister Jessica.  Thankfully, along with her education, Audrey has developed a strong personality and attitude.

Labeled as a thriller, the tale was more small-town story wrapped in secrets and a fresh murder mystery. The tale delivers plenty of twists and turns, but it also has a little romance and shares the complexities of returning home and facing the judges, the snoops, and the gossipers. Oh lordy, they would see me and cross the street because I would give them my bitch face. You know the folks I am referring to, the ones who remember Johnny stole a car when he was sixteen and it doesn’t matter that he grew up, earns a decent wage, and loves his wife because once a thief always a thief. *rolls eyes dramatically*

The mystery kept me engaged and while I figured out who committed the murder, the reason threw me and was quite good. I appreciated that Kessler kept things realistic. Her ability to draw me into the story, characters, and the quirky town has me added book two to my audio wish list. My only complaint was that while fleshed out the good people of this small Maine town all seem to have serious issues ranging from mental to physical. There must be something in the water, and I have no intentions of visiting.

Cindy Harden narrates the story. This was my first time listening to this narrator and I enjoyed her characterization of Audrey. She nailed her snark, fears, and fearlessness. She easily switched voices for each character and there was only one moment between Audrey and Jake where I felt she failed to switch voices for a brief line or two.

It Takes One is the first book in the Audrey Harte series, and with the way the story ended I’m excited to see how things develop. The story wrapped up nicely, closing the current case and laying out Harte’s plans for the future.

Audiobook review: It Takes One by Kate Kessler Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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52 Responses to “It Takes One by Kate Kessler”

  1. Olivia

    I have recently just read two thriller books and since then I have been interested in picking more of them up. This one does sound more like a mystery though, so maybe it would be something for me to try later. I like the sound of the secrets and intrigue in a small town though!

  2. Bookworm Brandee

    This sounds fascinating, Kim. I love a strong heroine and one that’s a criminologist is a bonus. 🙂 It does worry me that so many of the townsfolk have ‘issues’ but still…I love a small town setting, even if they are a judgemental lot. I’ll have to check out Kessler.

  3. Lorna

    For whatever reason, my mind went to author Anne Perry-the author who helped a friend kill her mother when she(Anne)was a teen. I am wondering why she came home in the first place if he is so successful? I take it that the next one is still in the same small town? You have me intrigued as usual!

  4. Lauren

    Thanks for sharing, sounds like something I might be able to sink my teeth into but its part of a series? Not sure how a mystery would drag out well

  5. Tyler H. Jolley

    Oh yes, the small town stuff. Whenever I go home I’m always remembered as the dentist’s kid. That’s it. Never more. Cracks me up.

  6. AngelErin

    I love thrillers and this one looks so good! I’m so glad it kept you engaged and you enjoyed it. 😀 😀

  7. Melanie Simmons

    This sounds really good. I’m going to have to check this out. I love the idea of a story about a criminal psychologist. I’ve only read a few small town series. They usually add some great humor.

  8. Katiria Rodriguez

    Ohh awesome review Kim. I have been very curious about this book when I first heard about it a couple of months ago. And now I am intrigued about it after reading your review. I also love myster thriller books and this one really looks and sounds absolutely fantastic and right up! Thank you for your great post Kim.

  9. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    Ohh. absolutely, this sounds like a perfect read for me. I’ve been so distracted lately, I desperately need something that will occupy my thoughts completely. I’m in. Thank you for the recommendation.

  11. Cyn

    Oh this sounds interesting! I’ve been watching this tv show called Haven that’s set in small town Maine that’s sorta murder mystery/paranormal, this kind of reminds me of it. Glad to hear this was a good listen!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh my hubby and I loved that show. We began watching it a few years ago since it was based on Stephen King’s Colorado Kid

  13. Jessica

    Nice! I love this author as she writes under many names now! This one’s in my TBR pile because I also enjoy a good thriller!! So excited to read this one! Glad to hear you enjoyed it too! Great review!

  14. Braine

    I love thrillers, it’s all I can read for a month now. Three days to finish a romance or fantasy and a good crime thriller is an afternoon. Gots ta hunt this series down like a killa!

  15. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh that plot sounds quite twisty and I’m glad to see that Audrey was snarky and smart. I also think I’ll join you in giving those characters a bitch face. LOL This sounds like something I would totally enjoy.

  17. Sophia Rose

    Oooh, I have been looking for small town thrillers since I read Shiloh Walker and Kay Hooper. I’ll have to give this one a go.

    Haha, yes, the crazy is in the water.

  18. Stormi

    At one moment in my life I wanted to be a criminal psychologist so when I see books featuring them it makes me want to read it. This one sounds really good. 🙂

  19. kindlemom1

    I love that you described this as a criminal thriller Kim, that is something you don’t hear every day. I think I would like this one.
    Wonderful review and have a great weekend!

  20. Laurel-Rain Snow

    You had me at criminal psychologist, but the story of small town horrors kept me intrigued. This does sound like my kind of read. Thanks!

  21. Jenny

    “Oh lordy they would see me and cross the street because I would give them my bitch face.”

    HAHA! You make me laugh Kim:) I grew up in a super small town, so I know these kind of people well. *rolls eyes right along with you* This sounds like such a good read though, a huge yes to twists and turns as well as a murder mystery with a side of romance:)

  22. Kristin

    Not so bad if you thought you were getting a thriller but ended up with a small-town mystery… don’t you like both??? This actually sounds pretty good, especially because Audrey sounds like she won’t make excuses for being a success. Everyone else can kiss her butt??? Hopefully??? 🙂

  23. Silvia

    Sometimes a good criminal thriller is all you need! And, I must say, I agree with Priscilla, the author bio sold me! Well, your review did its part, too 😉