Warning. Don’t expect to get anything done once you crack open the latest Lisa Gardner spectacular crime novel. WHEN YOU SEE ME is vintage Lisa Gardner. Gardner once again brings back our favorites crime team and introduces several new ones. Welcome to Georgia and WHEN YOU SEE ME.

DD, Flora and Keith are the team called in to see if once again all roads lead to Jacob Ness. WHEN YOU SEE ME is an excellent addition to one of my all-time favorite series and authors. You can jump in at any time in the series, but I would wholeheartedly suggest starting at the beginning and become part of this amazing crime investigation family. And yes, after working together these brilliant characters become a family where they look out for each other. They know how their minds and hearts work and their thoughts seem to mesh.

Lisa Gardner brings the crime into stark relief almost immediately. As always listen carefully as Gardner does not waste words. If it’s written, it’s important. Watch out. I know that moment when I said oh crap, you’re kidding.

DD is a master of sarcasm and quick wit. As a member of the Boston Police Department she has met her share of nasty bad guys and has been roughed up plenty often. This is no job for a gentle lady, a title that certainly doesn’t fit DD. However, DD has a big heart and in WHEN YOU SEE ME that is very apparent. DD has that certain quality – the je nais cest quoi. It sets her apart from many investigators and she is teamed up with Kimberly, who is FBI. In many ways they are used to being in charge and in WHEN YOU SEE ME their individual talents are demanded. There is something rotten in Niche, Georgia. Dead bodies – or to be more accurate – skeleton remains are being discovered – rather uncovered.

So in Niche Georgia there is almost a phenomenon occurring. This small town is like so many. Everyone knows everyone and therefore knows their business both personal and professional. Many are related, so sorting out who knows what is a master challenge. Add to that there is no way to know whom to trust. All DD, Kimberly and their imported teams know is that it appears as if there is a killing field right there in Niche. The citizens are appalled at the recent discovery of young women’s bones. They are equally uncomfortable with this invasion of their privacy. Quite a dilemma.

Suffice it to say – nothing is like it seems in Niche. And there is a great deal of evil in their midst. DD and her team came to investigate the likelihood that this is the handy work of Jacob Ness. But there are certain facts that just don’t jive with Flora’s monster and his workmanship. It seems as monsters have a signature of their own and these bodies don’t fit with Jacob’s. Scary place to visit and seems to be a scarier place to live. Suffice it to say you will never look at small towns again the same way.

WHEN YOU SEE ME is a masterpiece of craziness gone awry. Lisa Gardner has even constructed an unlikely heroine. Conversation between characters is real and honest – both verbally and not. Crime novels should make sure all bases are covered and in WHEN YOU SEE ME has definitely done that. WHEN YOU SEE ME is a book you won’t want to put down and certainly one you shouldn’t miss.