The Dollmaker

Dr. Tessa McGowan had never seen anything quite like it. But the mutilated bodies on her exam table tell a stunningly macabre tale: someone with a twisted mind is kidnapping women and altering their faces to resemble real, life-size dolls. As a forensic pathologist, it’s her job to aid the agent leading the case—even if that agent is her estranged husband.

Twelve years ago an unspeakable tragedy destroyed Dakota Sharp’s world. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, he’s devoted himself to capturing killers. His only regret is that it cost him Tessa. Now, as the Dollmaker case brings them together—and raises his suspicions that he’s crossed paths with this deranged psychopath before—they may just have their second chance. But it seems Dakota’s not the only one who wants to make Tessa his own…

She may be the Dollmaker’s next target, but Tessa has no intention of winding up as another toy on his shelf. Can she and Dakota stop this ghastly killer before his next deadly playdate?

My Review

It has been a while since I have read anything from this author. This was a choice. The last couple of books I read from this author had lost its luster for me. Yet, this book sounded like the perfect time to read something from Mary Burton.

Although, this is the second book in the Forgotten Files, it can be read as a stand alone novel. Instantly, I connected with the story and the characters. Again, I was not familiar with Tessa and Dakota's relationship but I found them to be very professional. Tessa is a strong woman. I liked that she said it how it was with Dakota but did not fall all over herself in sorrow either. I felt for Dakota. The tragic event from his past really has shaped him into the man he is today.

The killer had a good presence in this story. The fact that the identity of the killer was kept secret until the end was nice. However, what I enjoyed the most was that the author was not trying to feed me with false information to lead me down a wrong path until the big reveal. Due to this fact, I probably should have seen the killer's identity coming but I did not. I am once again a fan of Mary Burton's. I plan to check out the prior book in this series and can't wait to read the third book as well.