Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    The Stranger You Seek: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Stranger You Seek: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Stranger You Seek: A Novel
    Audiobook14 hours

    The Stranger You Seek: A Novel

    Written by Amanda Kyle Williams

    Narrated by Ann Marie Lee

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateAug 30, 2011
    ISBN9780307966858
    Unavailable
    The Stranger You Seek: A Novel

    Related to The Stranger You Seek

    Related audiobooks

    Thrillers For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Murder, He Wrote

      Dec 12, 2021

      I love a good cosy mystery, so jumped on the first of the Thursday Murder Club books earlier in the year. It was a lot of fun and the characters were brilliant, however as the dead bodies and red herrings piled up, I lost track. Whodunit? By the end,

      1 min read

    • Article

      A Thrill A Second

      Sep 4, 2020

      Gentle Swedish detective Ulf Varg is back in the second instalment of The Department of Sensitive Crimes series. His days are marred by petty bureaucratic red tape, his irritation with his long-winded colleague Blomquist and his unrequited longing fo

      2 min read

    • Article

      Mayhem And Murder Aplenty!

      Nov 19, 2021

      by Qaanitah Hunter, Kaveel Singh & Jeff Wicks (Tafelberg, R280) “Who knew what, when?” has been one of the most frequently asked questions about the eight days “that set South Africa alight”, as this deeply researched retelling puts it. All three wri

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Best Crime Books of 2017

      Dec 20, 2017

      The Best Crime Books of 2017
      20 min read

    • Article

      Murder, She Wrote

      Oct 8, 2016

      Murder, She Wrote
      1 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Feb 19, 2021

      At a local newspaper in South East London in 1957, journalist Jean Swinney receives a curious letter written to the editor. Gretchen Tilbury – abeautiful, well-to-do woman – claims her 10-year-old daughter is the product of a virgin birth. Gretchen h

      5 min read

    • Article

      Paperback ghostwriter!

      Mar 9, 2023

      Paperback ghostwriter!
      9 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Dec 15, 2022

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Behind Closed Doors

      Jun 19, 2022

      Behind Closed Doors
      3 min read

    • Article

      Senior Sleuths Step In To Solve The Crime In ‘The Thursday Murder Club’

      Sep 22, 2020

      With wry British humor, and a cast of intrepid retirees, Richard Osman’s delightful mystery caper offers surprising depth.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Murder He Wrote

      Jan 1, 2021

      Murder He Wrote
      12 min read

    • Article

      Books Of The Month

      Oct 27, 2023

      By Janice Hallett Bestseller Hallett’s latest novel reunites us with the Fairway Players, the beleaguered am-dram group who featured in her debut, The Appeal. As before, young lawyers Femi and Charlotte must work out whodunnit from a bunch of emails,

      2 min read

    • Article

      Paper Trail

      Sep 28, 2023

      Paper Trail
      3 min read

    • Article

      Books Of The Month

      Nov 18, 2022

      By Cole Haddon There’s a hint of Philip K Dick in the opening as Robert Jones sits in a suburban California living room in 1962, listening to the news and thinking that none of this is real. Soon, he’s on the run from men claiming to be FBI agents, a

      2 min read

    • Article

      Last Call For Gumshoes

      Sep 29, 2020

      Last Call For Gumshoes
      20 min read

    • Article

      The Joy Of Crime Fiction: Thriller Writers On Their Favourite Crime Fiction

      Jul 31, 2022

      Author of The Girl on the Train What makes a great thriller/crime novel?Memorable and compelling characters. Plot twists and cliffhangers can feel manufactured, but a great character never does. What’s your favourite thriller of all time?Barbara Vine

      9 min read

    • Article

      100 Years On, It’s No Mystery Why Agatha Christie’s Stories Endure

      Oct 2, 2020

      The Queen of Mystery’s legendary plot twists and beloved characters have inspired legions of fans – especially mystery authors.

      3 min read

    Reviews for The Stranger You Seek

    4/5

    228 ratings57 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Keye Street is a recovering alcoholic, former behavioral specialist for the FBI and currently a private detective including a process servicer and bail recovery agent in Atlanta, Georgia. Needless to say, her job is very unpredictable at best and currently the infamous Wishbone Killer has a personal connection with her. Street's friend and confidant, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser, is in charge of the Wishbone Killer case and is concerned about Keye's safety and welfare. Especially when it is suspected that the killer may know her better than she thinks.The events are a bit predictable, but the characters are interesting enough to keep the storyline moving. Will Keye Street solve the case before it's too late and will the killer be someone she cares about? You'll have to read it and see.Thank you to Amanda Kyle Williams and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
    • 4/5
      Loved this book; a serial killer is on the loose. I guessed the culprit about 3/4 way through the book, but was not sure. It is often the least likely person. In this case it was a bit more complicated. Amanda Kyle Williams has started a great series. Can't wait to read the next one!
    • 4/5
      Author Amanda Kyle Williams has displayed sheer brilliance in her portrayal of detective Keye Street. Making her as memorable as detectives such as Holmes, Stephanie Plum and others, she's bound to become one of your favorite crime-fighting divas ever! Smart, witty, humorous and a complete charmer - Keye serves as the narrator of the novel.The plot of this novel is ever-engaging. There is nary a moment that passes where you don't feel the adrenaline rush. There is a killer on the loose in the great city of Atlanta, and Keye is hired as a private investigator to help solve a series of macabre and gruesome murders, all the while trying hard not to fall off the wagon as a recovering alcoholic. I absolutely loved this novel, especially since it takes place in the city of Atlanta, a city I absolutely love. There are a few things in the novel that I didn't particularly care for, but I liked it enough to want to give it no less than 4.5 stars. But since half stars aren't possible, I gave it 5 stars. I think we'll definitely be hearing more from this author, and I cannot wait to read more from her...because there are certainly some questions I have for author Amanda Kyle Williams. Needless to say, I will definitely be reading more by this amazing author.
    • 5/5
      The Stranger You Seek was a book that caught my interest at page one and didn't let go until the very last page. Keye Street is a woman with many of her own demons, but she soon finds herself getting drawn deep into a murder investigation where the killer is taunting the police. Her past as a FBI profiler begins to come back to haunt her as she attempts to help with the ongoing investigation while unknowingly becoming one of the killer's targets. Of course, the question is if she can find the killer before he finds her.I enjoyed each and every page of this book due to the underlying suspense that was constant throughout the book. From the very beginning, the author pulled me into the story with a creepy and horrifying murder that ratcheted up the suspense level right away. The novel continually kept me turning the pages as I tried to figure out who the killer could possibly be. I loved Keye Street as the main character for a variety of reasons but mainly because she was so scarred and troubled. The author did a great job of realistically portraying Keye's demons which made me want Keye to succeed all the more. I find that I love a good main character that has a few rough edges. That maybe isn't perfect but is working towards getting his or her life back on track. Keye was one of those main characters and I liked her all the more for it. I really appreciated that she wasn't apologetic for her darker past and I felt that the author did a good job of incorporating it into the novel.The mystery itself was quite good. I didn't see the ending coming from a mile away. And I really liked that because I felt like the author wasn't afraid to pull any punches. I didn't expect that last page but I was presently surprised when it happened (those of you that have already read the book will understand). A good mystery will always suck me in and that is exactly what this book did. It had atmosphere in spades, solid characters with depth, and a killer ending! I couldn't ask for more. Except for there to be another book featuring Keye which apparently there is. How exciting!! I went into this book thinking it was a standalone to find out that it will be the beginning to a mystery series. I cannot wait to grab the second book and see what happens next! This was an awesome read that I highly recommend! And can I just say how much I love when I find a new author that I enjoy this much? So exciting (hence all of the exclamation points)!Bottom Line: One of my favorite thrillers that I have read so far this year!Disclosure: Checked out from my local library. I wish I had a bought a copy though because I will be recommending it a lot!
    • 4/5
      Confession time (again!) I wasn't going to read this book. Nothing personal. I just looked at the blurb, saw serial killer and thought... over them. But, long story short, there was this homework assignment, I thought ... proof copy, grabbed the first one I saw, and no homework was done. Could not put THE STRANGER YOU SEEK down. The thing that really grabbed me was the central character - Keye Street. She's got one of those voices that can really appeal to this reader. A recovering alcoholic with a failed marriage, and a partially acknowledged attraction to her best friend, mentor and cop Aaron Rauser she's a fabulously complicated character. One of her own greatest critics, Street's got a very chequered background - going from rising star FBI profiler with two university degrees and an enviable criminal profiling track record, to working for herself, making ends meet serving subpoenas, chasing down bail skippers and looking for missing cows. Obviously there are going to be comparisons drawn with Grace Smith / Stephanie Plum and the like. Whilst there are elements that are just about identical - the job description alone is enough to get you thinking in that direction. Add a slightly madcap family; romantic tension; a hefty dose of personal lunacy and a rushing around investigation style and there is a point in the book where you do wonder about the similarities. For this reader, however, there are some marked differences. Some nuance about the humour, some of the self-awareness in the character, but probably the biggest difference is a real sense of desire to move on. The madcap family (sans Grandmother, but with a mother and father who fill in the personality requirements quite nicely), is built around the adoption, by her extremely Southern American sensibility parents, of Street (Asian American) and her brother (African American). Both the parents have starring roles in the humour department, which was subtle, and clever and frequently laugh out loud funny. Humour, in particular, is something that does not always travel well culturally, and for this Australian reader, much of the conflict between Street and her mother, and between her mother and father, worked really well - with a stand-out being the father's recitation of grace, which had me roaring with laughter.The point of these books isn't just the humour. There's a serious investigation going on, although built around a serial killer, that has some hints and tips along the way that could make a reader wonder if there is something slightly different going on here. Street also isn't just what you see is what you get. There's depth, roundedness, flaws and good points to her character that are very engaging. There's an acerbic, pointed and enlightening internal voice that works, not just to give you a chance to get to know the character, but also makes her quite real. Her supporting cast is relatively well fleshed out also, although, obviously as this is the first book, the concentration is pretty heftily on the main character. The serial killer thread is nicely done this time, with a final twist in the tail that I simply did not see coming.That's not to say that everything is perfect and there are some rather hamfisted attempts at humour which don't quite hit the mark... not the least is a tendency to see sexual desire in every lesbian character that Street encounters, but all in all, thanks to THE STRANGER YOU SEEK, once again, "over serial killers" needs an equivocation clause.....
    • 3/5
      This was a dark and gruesome story of the challenges that Private Investigator Keye Street meets in her search to solve some ugly crimes. It was a story with many unexpected twists and that was especially profound with the ending. There were many passages that really added little relevance to the story. Some of the information was repetitive and some was just unnecessary. Hopefully, the next installment will be a bit more polished.
    • 4/5
      Loved the characters Ms. Williams introduced us to. Great details given about them and she really helped us get to know them and love/hate them. I enjoyed the story line and the ending really surprised me. I don't think she needed to use as much profanity as she did as I really don't think the story needed it. That is probably the only reason this book didn't get 5 stars from me. I will definitely be recommending the book to others and passing my copy along to family and friends to read. I really hope she writes another one with these characters.
    • 3/5
      Keye Street is a recovering alcoholic, former behavioral specialist for the FBI and currently a private detective including a process servicer and bail recovery agent in Atlanta, Georgia. Needless to say, her job is very unpredictable at best and currently the infamous Wishbone Killer has a personal connection with her. Street's friend and confidant, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser, is in charge of the Wishbone Killer case and is concerned about Keye's safety and welfare. Especially when it is suspected that the killer may know her better than she thinks.The events are a bit predictable, but the characters are interesting enough to keep the storyline moving. Will Keye Street solve the case before it's too late and will the killer be someone she cares about? You'll have to read it and see.Thank you to Amanda Kyle Williams and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
    • 4/5
      Let's begin with the broad particulars - I loved The Stranger You Seek. It's an excellent debut thriller with a great plot, fun characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. It's fast-paced, witty, and will keep you turning the pages long after your bedtime.Aside from all the positives mentioned above, I really adored its sense of place. Not all books have that - many are written in generic places - maybe its a real city, but the book does nothing to capture the place's essence. Lots of books set in Atlanta, for instance, that might as well be set in Nowhere because that's how much verisimilitude the book provides.I realize that for many people Atlanta seems fairly generic - big, Southern, more money than many places, Andrew Young used to be the Mayor, Dr. King came from there. I lived in Atlanta for five years and know very well that it is not a generic city. It is a rich, dynamic place with good food, cool neighborhoods with their own particular flavors, and a diversity in its population that will please your soul.Ms. Williams understands these things about Atlanta and her book reflects this understanding. Atlanta has a clear identity throughout and that the book is set ITP (inside the Perimeter) vs. OTP (outside the Perimeter) and Ms. Williams knows the difference was just the icing on the cake. For those who don't know, Atlanta is ringed by freeway which more or less demarcates the city from the 'burbs. Having been an ITP grrl the whole time I lived there (first in an apartment in Virginia Highlands, then in a house we owned in Grant Park) I love the setting and love the author's ability to show the flavor of the city's nooks and crannies.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended. Can't wait for the next one!
    • 4/5
      If you're a fan of Patricia Cromwell and Kaye Scarpetta, you will enjoy this new girl on the block! Keye Street is a tortured heroine with lots of skeletons in and out of the closet. She is a southern Chinese girl with a gay African American brother. I was hooked from that point on. She is strong and she is weak, and you root for her all the way through the book. The plot is filled with twists and unexpected turns with a little romance on the side. It is a fast and thoroughly entertaining read. Great for a rainy weekend on the couch! This book is to be the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the other books. Keye is a great new addition to the crime/mystery genre. Thanks to GoodReads and Bantam Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
    • 5/5
      I read a lot of "serial killer" and police procedurals and tend to be picky on what makes a good one-The Stranger You Seek definitely fits that category. The main character Keye Street is a unique blend of investigator, profiler, alcoholic and other intriguing qualities. Set in Atlanta, the heat contributes to the rising tension and violence. There are graphic descriptions if that is a concern, but I loved the book and look forward to the sequel.
    • 4/5
      The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams is a debut novel about a series killer in Atlanta, pursued by a private investigator whose primary business of late is pursuing bail jumpers, serving summonses, etc. I think I'm at the saturation point with serial killers and profilers. All the profiles have started to sound remarkably alike. Thank God this one did not toss in a yet another short history of the most notable of them (but Ted Bundy did get a mention, I seem to recall). The writing is quite good, well-paced, good tension,with a number of interesting and likable characters. There is occasional, well-placed humor, particularly during a Thanksgiving Day get-together, complete with a laugh-out-loud toast and grace. There is also a very brief but interesting chapter describing the South, very perceptive and amusing. But the serial killer thing for me was a bit of a drag, and I found fault with a couple of sections of the book which may not bother other readers as much. First, sometimes I was confused about whose POV I was hearing. Then there is an opportunity to get a good description of the killer, an opportunity that is not pursued by the characters nor the author very aggressively - I conclude that because the killer's description conflicted with one of the ending twists, and the author was somewhat boxed in by the story's development. Note that I said twistS. I thought one would have been fine, and plausible. But there was a second, and I thought that was a real stretch. BUT, there are a lot of pluses in TSYS, and I will probably read the next installment of this series, but if it's another serial killer thing, maybe not..... 3 1/2 stars, completed 9/28/11
    • 5/5
      I just closed the cover to this book and had to come write a review. Simply put- I LOVED this book. Keye is a perfectly flawed heroine. I found myself laughing out loud at her on a number of occasions. She's definitely my kind of girl! I did suspect what the twist was before I got to it but even that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I can't wait for the next Keye Street book to hit the shelves! Well done Ms. Williams!
    • 4/5
      Requested on NetGalley by MeOverall Rating 4.25Character Rating 4.25Story Rating 4.25Thrilling Rating (OMG End)=AWESOME!NOTE: I really love Thrillers but they have to be done well in order for me to close the book with "WOW! Did that just happen?"! Since I refuse to give anything away--let me just say that The Stranger You Seek had me saying exactly that! Bravo on the ending Amanda Kyle Williams!What I Love: Since I can't really talk storyline or twists/turns (which rocked the house), I am going to talk about some other things done really well in The Stranger You Seek. Pacing in a thriller is critical and this book is paced extremely well. You get caught up in the cat/mouse game and it never loses a beat. Character development was fantastically done and brilliantly executed. You guys know I am a fan of great endings and this one really knocked it out of the park. The whole book was just put together very well.What I Liked: I really liked the inclusion of blogs, message boards, and a techy geek! They are all such important parts of our lives these days and it is really fun to see them written into stories. In this case, I don't think you can actually track killers anymore without someone who is technically savvy at gathering information. AKW did a great job of not minimizing that importance.Complaints: NoneWhy I gave it a 4.25: Very good story with a conflicted leading lady and a very twisted killer! All the things a good thriller is made of :)
    • 5/5
      Keye Street was an FBI profiler who lost her job and husband because she was an alcoholic. After going into rehab she admits four years later that she's sober, but still recovering. Keye, of Chinese anecestry is raised in Atlanta Georgia by her white adoptive parents along with her African American brother, who it happens is gay. She opens her own agency, doing some detective work, locating bail jumpers and trying to stay away from the bottle. A serial killer has been contacting the media and claiming that someone else will die. The Atlanta PD has asked Keye to assist in their efforts to capture the Wishbone killer. As Keye tries to come up with a connection between all the victims she comes closer to danger as she starts putting the pieces together. When the police think they have killer, Keye tries to convince them that while the person they've arrested is guilty of some crimes, he is not the Wishbone killer. The strong supporting cast, including the psychopath killer keeps you surprised as the twists and turns in this story lead you in different directions until the surprising end.
    • 4/5
      Opening line: "The sun had not even burned dew off the grass under the live oaks, but the air was thick and soupy already, air you could swim around in, and it was dead-summer hot." Welcome to Atlanta, home of disgraced FBI profiler-turned-bail recovery agent/private detective Keye Street, recovering alcoholic, Chinese-born daughter of white Southern parents, and all-around smartass. Longtime friend Lieutenant Rauser, under pressure to apprehend the sadistic, taunting Wishbone Killer, asks for Keye's help as a profiler. Inevitably, she is forced back into contact with a hated former colleague, the "official" profiler on the case. Besides the obvious need to pull Keye into an investigation to provide plot, her foray back into profiling offers psychological insight. When Keye was a profiler, she also became an alcoholic and destroyed her marriage, so her involvement brings up a delicious stew of emotional and psychological reactions. Atlanta and the South are fully formed and alive in THE STRANGER YOU SEEK. The atmosphere, the people, the contradictions, and the neighborhood descriptions make for a rich setting. I marked several passages (in addition to the opening line) that capture Atlanta perfectly. As is obligatory in serial killer novels, passages from the psychotic killer's point-of-view are included. These are usually my least favorite part of a thriller (yes, yes, your mommy never loved you and you're a total nutjob...we get it already), but Williams chooses a fresh approach that worked well for me. The pacing is excellent -- this is a stay-up-all-night thriller -- and the twists and developments kept me guessing. Williams has surrounded Keye with a group of quirky friends, colleagues, and family members that play off her personality in different ways. Plot, pacing, and prose are all excellent, but what makes THE STRANGER YOU SEEK stand out from the average thriller is personality, which Keye has in abundance. She's brilliant, funny, and deeply flawed, but she knows those flaws well. An exchange between Keye and Rauser: "He thinks he's a goddamned analyst now because he's in therapy. And he's so righteous. It's painful." "And what was Dr. Dan's diagnosis?" "That I can't be serious. That I have intimacy issues." Rauser chuckled. "How'd you take it?" I sighed. "I told him, 'I got your issues right here,' and I grabbed my crotch and walked out." And, just like that, I have a new favorite series heroine. Lucky for all of us, this is the first novel in a series, with the second and third out in 2012 and 2013. Source disclosure: I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Random House through Shelf Awareness.
    • 4/5
      A great first novel by a new author. This book is suspense filled and grabs you very early on. The main characters are very likeable and give interest to future books of the series. I look forward to future books by this author and seeing where she goes with the development of her characters and how far over the edge of fear she can achieve.
    • 4/5
      Take the city of Atlanta, mix in a serial murderer with an Asian-American private investigator who's an alcoholic and former FBI agent that was adopted as a child by a white-bread Southern family and what do you get? You get Keye Street as the main character in the new suspense thriller The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams.To say that Keye is not your typical Southerner is a bit of an understatement, at least if you base it on physical appearance. In actuality Keye is Southern to the core in so many ways and in others is quite rebellious . . . which is probably a Southern thing in and of itself. She has disappointed her mother because she isn't married and providing grandchildren, which is possibly a Southern thing (or perhaps just a Mother thing). Keye also feels she's has disappointed her family by being asked to leave the FBI due to her alcoholism, winding up divorced (definitely a good thing but disappointing still), and not living up to her true potential by becoming a private detective. But Keye is quite good at what she does and she has several true friends that she can depend on, including Atlanta police department homicide detective Lieutenant Aaron Rauser. Keye spends her time working for law offices and bail bond companies until she is pulled into "consulting" with Rauser on a serial murder case. The big question is can she provide the profile necessary to help in this investigation? Does she still have the necessary focus to help or will she be a hindrance? When Keye's involvement is made public, the question soon becomes can she help the investigation before she becomes a victim?The Stranger You Seek is a great suspense thriller that kept me on tenterhooks until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of subtle humor and laugh-out loud moments with the more serious, investigative scenarios. Ms. Williams' descriptions of Atlanta and its various neighborhoods made me nostalgic (I lived in Atlanta for 18 years and miss it daily). This was a book that I simply had to read cover--to-cover without putting it down. It grabbed hold and didn't let go until the last page. If you enjoy excellent writing and the suspense thriller genre then run out and pre-order The Stranger You Seek today, release date is 08/30/2011. And when you finish reading it don't despair, there's more Keye Street coming; look for Stranger in the Room in Fall 2012 and Don't Talk to Strangers in Fall 2013. I've added both titles to my "got to have it" list . . . can you tell I liked this book?
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book. Keye Street is a dynamic character who is flawed and likeable. The story kept me turning the pages and even cringing in some places. The killer is smart and twisted and poses a huge challenge for Keye and the Atlanta Police Department. The author definitely kept me guessing, even after I was sure I had it all figured out. The one drawback for me, personally, was that it was kind of hard to keep track of all of the characters. Keye's life is such that she intereacts with many people on a regular basis, and I understand that these characters were all used to help develop Keye's character, but it did get a little hard to keep track of; I, personally, would have preferred to see fewer characters more developed instead of a huge cast of less developed. However, that did not take away from my enjoyment of the story.
    • 5/5
      When I read the premise of this book, I was somewhat hesitant to start reading it. I mean the "recovering alcoholic, down on her luck, lost her job only to start out on her own" thing has kind of been done before in a variety of ways. Well I was wrong to feel that way. Amanda Kyle Williams has taken what I thought was a tired idea and infused it with entirely new life.The main character, Keye Street, is infinitely more interesting than the book jacket would have led me to believe. She is Chinese-American, having been adopted into a white, southern family and she has an African-American gay brother. Keye is a former FBI profiler who lost her job due to her alcoholism and is now a private investigator. Most of her work involves skip tracing and the like. The writing transports the reader to the hot Atlanta summer. The atmosphere is almost palpable. Keye becomes involved, by request of the Atlanta PD, in a serial killer case. This case injects some new vigor into her; a change from the monotony of skip tracing. The case becomes all-encompassing, and soon the hunter becomes the prey.All in all it is a very fast-paced, hard-boiled thriller, but with some amazingly funny asides. Keye is a character that the reader can't help but love. Flawed to be sure, but with a heart of gold and unmistakably human. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers, but be warned there are some grisly scenes that are not for the faint of heart.
    • 5/5
      This is one of the best debut books I have ever read. It hooked me from the beginning and made me want to read even though my eyes were closing and I had to be up for work at the crack of dawn the next morning. It is one of those mysteries that managed to lead me astray in guessing whodunit and I am looking forward to the next in the Keye street series.
    • 3/5
      I thought this book was OK. There were some surprises and the writing style was quick and not overly detailed allowing for an easy read. I had a harder time staying with it in the beginning, but enjoyed the second half more and found myself wanting to finish. However, all in all it was too predictable, the characters were too stereotypical, and the writing was at times forced (it just didn't seem to be happening naturally). Also, I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. There was one key character that I won't name so I don't spoil that I couldn't even remember (kind of made for a disappointment since it was a critical part of the story). I continued to forget who Keye (and really, that name was a difficult one to have to read over and over) really was as a character. When there were references to her Asian heritage I had to stop and remember why that would be right. I also thought the relationship with Rauser was unrealistic (even though I am a sucker for romance and was routing for them). Overall I would say a good beach read, but I probably wouldn't recommend it or buy the next one in the series.
    • 4/5
      I was sent an ARC of this book by the publisher and I can see why the folks at Random House are so excited about this debut of a new series. Keye Street is engaging, at turns tough and sensitive. The other characters in this book are engaging, the crime scenes are not for the weak but the storyline is fantastic. Twist and turns and I had no clue who the killer was. At times this book was laugh out loud funny, she has such a different and kooky family. All in all I will definitely read the next book in this series.
    • 4/5
      I became more interested the further I read, and now I'm anxious for the next book by this author! The heroine really grows on you, and the author's sense of humor and love of animals really comes through in her writing. Very entertaining.
    • 5/5
      When a women in Georgia is found dead in her home stabbed multiple times with bite marks on her thighs, Lieutenant Aaron Rauser of the Atlanta Police Department calls in his longtime friend, former FBI profiler Keye Street. With the drinking problem that destroyed her career behind her, she's promised to help out when she's not busy with her PI business, Corporate Intelligence & Investigations. When Rauser starts receiving letters from the killer, Keye realizes just what kind of person she's dealing. A knife-wielding sociopath.With multiple crimes in Florida and Georgia being linked to this most recent murder, an isolated incident becomes a serial killer loose in Atlanta. And with clean crimes scenes, APD has no leads. With more murders still to come, Keye and Rauser are about to find out the killer is closer than they think.I have read many mystery books over the years. I have been introduced to many characters, some more likable than others. But none have spoken to me the way Keye Street did. I don't know what it is, but something about Keye makes you want to like her. This book has plenty of suspense and mystery to satisfy even the most demanding reader. And just when you think you've figured it out, another twist presents itself. All the way to the end.This is an amazing debut novel by Amanda Kyle Williams. The Stranger You Seek has suspense, intrigue, comedy, and even a little romance. And although she is relatively unknown, after reading this book, she will become the stranger you seek.This book is not yet available. It will be available to the public August 30th, 2011.
    • 3/5
      I found the first several chapters of The Stranger Yu Seek disengaging; there was too much description of alot of useless information. I almost put it down, but read on. I was glad I continued. It took me awhile to warm up to the main character, Keye Street, but I did. Her involvement in the pursuit of a viscious serial killer involved her professionally and personally. Keye's relationship with the lead Homicide Detective Rauser could have been developed more prior to the end of the book, not enough emotional layers portrayed. Their relationship was pivitol to the killer and used it against Keye. The plot was well developed as were the sinister characters who did various crimes. I would recommend this book.
    • 5/5
      Another great debut novel that has me waiting for the sequel.The author has a fluid writing style. She introduces and grows her characters very well. I could feel their personalities.This thriller reminded me of the great movie, Body Heat, in that there were numerous plot twists that kept me wondering if I really knew what was going to happen. The truth is that when I thought I knew what was next, I was proven wrong. The ending dies have a nice twist.I fully recommend this book to anyone that likes mysteries or thriller.
    • 4/5
      Amanda Williams introduces her character, Keye Street in a rich bit of prose meant to transport the reader to Atlanta. He style slowed down my interest and I almost put the book down, but I did not. I am glad I stayed with the book because it quickly became a well-written thriller with unpredicted twists and turns. I do not want to say too much about the development of the plot lest any spoilers slip out. The threads do hang together and make you stop and think during the story as well as wanting to read ahead to see what happens. I agree with another reviewer, the missing cow was a wonderful distraction in the course of the story while helping build the suspense. Well done.
    • 5/5
      New twist on the "former FBI, now PI" story. Keye Street was a skilled FBI profiler until her addiction got out of control and she lost her job and her husband. I found this story of a serial killer well done, especially for a first novel. The characterizations were well done - enough information given to catch your interest, but some mystery left to be revealed in future installments. Good sense of place as well - I liked the descriptions of both urban and rural Georgia. All in all, a good read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable read. The main character is interesting and the story kept me reading. Would definitely recommend this to my friends.