The Enemy We Know: A Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery

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The Enemy We Know: A Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery

by Donna White Glaser (Goodreads Author)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 95 ratings · 41 reviews

Psychotherapist Letty Whittaker, a professional secret keeper, has a secret of her own. When one of her clients slips free from an abusive boyfriend, Letty becomes the target of his violent rage. Wayne invades Letty's life, slithering his way past the barriers erected between her personal and professional lives, leaving gifts of dead rats, mutilated dolls, and freaky Shake...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published April 25th 2011 by Createspace (first published March 2011)

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Aug 17, 2011 Geraldine Evans rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Counsellor Letty Whittaker thinks it’s just a normal day at the office, until Carrie’s abusive partner Wayne shows up. With a hunting knife. After threatening Letty, he makes his escape when the police turn up.

Then the frightening messages start – Shakespearean sonnets about love and lust. Letty realises Wayne is rapidly turning into a stalker.

Then Wayne is murdered, but the strange happenings that Letty had been experiencing continue. Then she realises that the police regard her as a suspect in...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Coral rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: indies-good-read-2011

Being stalked while sober is a %^&$*! Letty has problems - she's a dang good counselor that has just admitted she has a problem and started AA. She also started a frowned on relationship with a successful Realtor she just met in AA. And a client's boyfriend just busted into her office wielding a knife and demanding to know where Letty has hidden his girlfriend. A well-written mystery that keeps you turning the pages until the end.

http://alchemyofscrawl.blogspot.com/2...

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May 24, 2011 Vicki rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I started this book on my lunch break and figured I'd take 2-3 days to finish it. WRONG! The story sucked me in and I had to finish it before I could go to sleep! Writing reviews is not one of my best things... I don't want to spoil it for anyone! Maybe it's enough just to say I'll be recommending this book to my friends.

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Mar 26, 2011 April rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Letty is a fantastic character, a therapist struggling to keep her professional life professional and her personal life sober.

New to AA, Letty is on a path of regaining control of her addiction to alcohol, but a stalker aims to trip her up at every step. The strength of this character is that she relies on her humor to make the best of the situation, to get her through hard times. It's also a double-edged sword because it helps her deflect from the very real danger she is in.

Author Glaser kept m...more

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Jun 28, 2011 P.T. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I won this book through the Goodreads Firstreads giveaway and I am so happy I did! Just finished it and wow, what an excellent book!

Our girl Letty is a funny, smart, successful psychotherapist with two problems: 1. she's a recovering alcoholic, and 2. she's the target of a client's scary boyfriend. But when the scary boyfriend turns up dead, her problem doesn't end, oh no, it is just beginning.

Like all good mysteries, the book will have you turning the pages with great anticipation til the end....more

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Oct 22, 2011 Grace Krispy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. From the dramatic beginning of this story to the well-paced unfolding of events, I was pulled into Letty's life. Letty herself is relatable and interesting. An alcoholic in the beginning stages of recovery, she has a strength mingled with vulnerability that makes her approachable and gives her character an honest and open feel. The characters were sufficiently developed, although I felt like I could have gotten to know some of them a bit more (especially some of the o...more I really enjoyed this book. From the dramatic beginning of this story to the well-paced unfolding of events, I was pulled into Letty's life. Letty herself is relatable and interesting. An alcoholic in the beginning stages of recovery, she has a strength mingled with vulnerability that makes her approachable and gives her character an honest and open feel. The characters were sufficiently developed, although I felt like I could have gotten to know some of them a bit more (especially some of the other therapists in the group). I certainly had my preferences as to who I liked and who I didn't, and I particularly enjoyed the women in the women's group. They added a lot to the overall feel of the story, and I think they provided good additional development for Letty's character.

I really enjoyed the author's writing style. The book was like gently melting butter, and the further into the story I went, the more I was able to immerse myself. Reading this book was a sincerely pleasurable experience, and it didn't take me long to get through the whole thing. I love it when I look forward to my next opportunity to pick a up book again, and that was the case with this book. The overall feel is mystery with some serious undertones, but a touch of cozy in there as well. The plot was interesting and nicely developed, keeping me engaged all the way through. I was pretty easily able to predict the ending, which was somewhat disappointing. I can see the careful event crafting that was intended to fool the reader, but I think it needed a bit more in the way of smoke and mirrors to keep me guessing. Even so, I enjoyed reading the ending and finding I was right all along. I also really liked that the ending wasn't "pat," and it didn't wrap it all up in a neat little bow. Like the rest of the book, the ending gave the book some additional realism and the reality is that life isn't always neat.

This book looks to be the first in a forthcoming series involving Letty, and I'm really looking forward to the second.

4.5 /5 stars at GraceKrispy's MotherLode review blog(less)

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Feb 02, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-giveaway, kindle

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

What I liked most was the "voice" of Letty Whittaker. The book is written in first-person, so the character of Letty really shines through. There are two things I really like about this character. First is her very human nature. She's a therapist who is also an alcoholic (hence, the 12-step mystery). She struggles with sobriety like any recovering alcoholic. Any bump makes her salivate for alcohol - and there are plenty of bump...more I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

What I liked most was the "voice" of Letty Whittaker. The book is written in first-person, so the character of Letty really shines through. There are two things I really like about this character. First is her very human nature. She's a therapist who is also an alcoholic (hence, the 12-step mystery). She struggles with sobriety like any recovering alcoholic. Any bump makes her salivate for alcohol - and there are plenty of bumps in this story. Second, she has a very wry sense of humor, which is very apparent as the story is told from Letty's personal point of view.

Letty's take on her co-workers is also a lot of fun. Dealing with office politics and personalities is something I haven't experienced for many years, but it all comes back in the vivid characterizations Letty paints of her work and work place.

The story takes off quickly, with the abusive boyfriend of one of Letty's patients arriving at the office and threatening Letty with a knife. From there, a creepy series of stalking events take place. I felt Letty's discomfort and feeling of helplessness with both the stalking and harassment, as well as her panic that her co-workers might discover that she's attending AA meetings. I did start to wonder how this was all going to unfold, as I was almost 50% of the way through the book. I mean - how interesting can it be to have a creepy stalker for an entire book?

Then, the stalker ends up getting killed and the interest levels perks up. Was the stalker actually behind ALL the events Letty experienced? Was she really safe now he's gone? Maybe not, because her ex-boyfriend ends up dead next.

By the time the boyfriend got killed, I was 99% sure I knew who the killer was, and I was right. That didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story all the way to the finish.

At $2.99, this book is priced just right. It's a good read, well written and the characters are really well done. I am looking forward to more 12-step mysteries experienced by Letty and am interested in seeing how the author further develops the great setting and characters she's building on in this first of the 12-step mystery series.(less)

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Dec 14, 2012 Keith Nixon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Letty Whittaker, a psychotherapist, is threatened in her office by a drunk, deranged patient, Wayne, who is angry with Letty for trying to persuade his girlfriend to get out of their abusive relationship. Wayne then subjects Letty to increasing and varied harassment as he blames her for the predicaments in his personal life.

Letty, however, has a secret herself. She is a reforming alcoholic and she struggles to keep this from her employers whilst undergoing the twelve-step programme. She’s also i...more Letty Whittaker, a psychotherapist, is threatened in her office by a drunk, deranged patient, Wayne, who is angry with Letty for trying to persuade his girlfriend to get out of their abusive relationship. Wayne then subjects Letty to increasing and varied harassment as he blames her for the predicaments in his personal life.

Letty, however, has a secret herself. She is a reforming alcoholic and she struggles to keep this from her employers whilst undergoing the twelve-step programme. She’s also in a strange, unrequited relationship with her boyfriend Robert, a reforming alcoholic himself.

Then Wayne ends up dead and Letty is immediately a suspect. However, the harassment continues unabated and Letty has to work out who’s really after her.

I enjoyed this story. It is very well written, well plotted, and the characters vivid and imaginative. Letty herself is one damaged and conflicted lady, she had a challenging life even before Wayne showed up - an alcoholic with suggestions of a difficult upbringing, she can only bring herself to sleep with men when she’s drunk. She has a boyfriend she’s not close to and finds herself attracted to her boss.

It took a few chapters to really draw me in (despite the immediate tension created by Wayne’s attack) in part because there are a large number of characters to get to know and the alcohol reform programme and AA meetings are heavily illustrated. Some trimming of the detail here would have picked up the pace of the plot, I feel.

On the other hand the tension created by Glaser’s description of Wayne’s ratcheting up of the harassment, offset by the lack of belief in her story by the police and her employer was very well done, stirring ‘that’s not fair’ emotions within me. Wayne and Robert’s murders were good twists although it did reduce the number of potential suspects and the guilty party was not a total surprise, but nevertheless the conclusion was well written with a lot of stress and more difficulties for Letty – I feel sorry for her.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **(less)

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Feb 06, 2012 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: freebie, kindle, mystery, murder, psychological-thriller, psychology, psychological-dilemmas, books-i-own-read, book-club, challenges-2012, criminal-charges, death, drama, mystery-crime, part-of-a-series, thriller, suspense, women-of-mystery-club

Goodreads Description- Psychotherapist Letty Whittaker, a professional secret keeper, has a secret of her own. When one of her clients slips free from an abusive boyfriend, Letty becomes the target of his violent rage. Wayne invades Letty's life, slithering his way past the barriers erected between her personal and professional lives, leaving gifts of dead rats, mutilated dolls, and freaky Shakespearian sonnets. Worst of all, Wayne uncovers Letty's deepest shame, infiltrating her AA group and th...more

1 like · like · see review

May 29, 2011 Lynn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is a great story and exactly what I enjoy in a mystery...periods of turn paging suspense, a surprise of 'whodunit', and just enough 'eww' factor. Characters the reader cares about and are interesting are also a plus for this book. I will be very happy when a second Letty book comes out.

1 like · like · see review

Nov 03, 2012 Jennifer Iveland rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very good book. I really really enjoyed it and for the first time in years found myself staying up late to read. It was a book I didn't want to put down. Everyone said it was unpredictable and for the most part, I agree. I did manage to figure out who the killer was before the end of the book but I had changed my mind so many times throughout that I truly wasn't sure until I read it. There was so much that I enjoyed. I love Letty as a main character and I felt like I knew her. Her character was...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Sherrie Emerson is currently reading it · review of another edition

DONE AND EXCELLENT Great Job Donna, can't wait to read the next one.

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Apr 06, 2012 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of mysteries

Recommended to Katy by: Donna White Glaser

Shelves: ebook

Book Details: Genre: Cozy Mystery, a Letty Whittaker 12-Step Mystery Reading age: Adult

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Psychotherapist Letty Whittaker, a professional secret keeper, has a secret of her own. When one of her clients slips free from an abusive boyfriend, Letty becomes the target of his violent rage. Wayne invades Letty's life, slithering his way past the barriers erected between her personal and professiona...more Book Details: Genre: Cozy Mystery, a Letty Whittaker 12-Step Mystery Reading age: Adult

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Psychotherapist Letty Whittaker, a professional secret keeper, has a secret of her own. When one of her clients slips free from an abusive boyfriend, Letty becomes the target of his violent rage. Wayne invades Letty's life, slithering his way past the barriers erected between her personal and professional lives, leaving gifts of dead rats, mutilated dolls, and freaky Shakespearian sonnets. Worst of all, Wayne uncovers Letty's deepest shame, infiltrating her AA group and threatening to expose her to the state licensing board.

And then--good news--Wayne is murdered. The bad news? The police suspect Letty. Worse yet, the sonnets and bloody souvenirs keep coming. Someone else has been watching Letty. Someone eager to drop bodies at her feet like a cat offering dead mole trophies to his mistress.

Someone willing to kill again.

My Thoughts: First off, my sincere apologies for the author for taking so very long to get to this book. It has been on my “to be reviewed” shelf since last year in July. Mea culpa!

This is a really good mystery – while there may have been hints and allegations, I had no idea who the culprit was. Well, I should say, I had no good idea who the culprit was - I had wild guesses based upon who was the least likely suspect, basically. And wouldn’t you know, I came close to figuring it out? I had considered a specific person, and then discarded that suspect in favor of another. Oh, well – the red herrings just kept coming, and that’s great.

I was rather surprised at the ending, after the denouement – it was rather noirish for something that is considered to be a cozy. Or maybe I don’t really understand that a cozy mystery is, although I thought I did. At any rate, I don’t want to give any spoilers, so that’s all I’ll say about it; just that it wasn’t what I expected. Fans of mysteries should enjoy this debut novel, check it out.(less)

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Sep 24, 2011 Nancy Adams rated it 4 of 5 stars

A winning combination of humor and suspense with a good helping of romance, this debut mystery will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers from those who like cozies to those who like it medium-boiled. Therapist Letty Whittaker faces a violent attack by one of her clients followed by his creepy stalking with grit and wit. She's an appealing protagonist, sympathetic yet flawed, easy to root for and identify with. I also loved her adopted feline, Siggy (short for Sigmund Freud), who adds humor of h...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Peg added it

I liked this book. It's realistic, mixing humor with pathos, just like real life. The author has a way with words and a turn of phrase that was pleasing, adding to both the humor and the suspense. Letty is a person we care about, and she is not living happily-ever-after just because she entered AA. It's a struggle. And then there's murder.
Well done, Donna White Glaser. I'll be waiting for another Letty story.

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Mar 04, 2012 SM Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

The combination of therapist and struggling person in recovery made Letty an interesting and flawed character right from page 1. I enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it to others.

I do have to say though, I figured out "whodunnit" early on, but it was still fun rooting for Letty to see things more clearly. The the ending managed to be wholly satisfying, and still completely realistic.

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May 05, 2012 Jeffrey Newman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I am more into paranormal mysteries but I have to admit this was a great read. I was totally shocked by the outcome and how the story twisted in so many places, yet remained in tact so it was exciting and easy to follow. What a protagonist; Letty had no special talents so the reader knows no more than she does as the events unfold. Mysterious irony at its fullest. Cannot wait to read the next in the series when it is out. Kudos to the author!

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Jul 22, 2012 Jenni rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up as a Kindle freebie a few months back and read it over this past weekend. It is definitely worth the current price. What a fun mystery! I enjoyed the main character, Letty, and found a cast of suspicious characters to give plenty of work for my brain in trying to beat the author at the game of figuring out who-dunnit before I got to the end. I thought the issue of Letty being a recovering alcoholic was handled seriously, yet with humor, giving it just the weight needed - not too...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a very good read. I truly liked the characters and the story line was very appealing. I especially liked the authors choices in words. She painted some vivid pictures with her phrasing. I recommend this to those who like a good mystery. There is a little humor which breaks the tension. I look forward to the next in this series.

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Jan 31, 2012 A.B. Shepherd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Letty Whittaker is a therapist and a recovering alcoholic. She's also being stalked by the abusive boyfriend of one of her patients after he threatened her at knife-point. Or at least she thinks it is him. But is it?

This is an excellent psychological thriller with likable and relatable characters. A real page turner! I loved it.

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May 01, 2012 Marjorie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Donna White Glaser knows how to craft an entertaining story. The mix of mystery and humor keeps it fun as well as intriguing from beginning to end. Well-written throughout. Characters who'll have you thinking you either know them, or people just like them. I'll be looking for her next book!

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Mar 29, 2013 Kristy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I will admit, my expectations for this book were really low as it was a free Kindle book. But every once in a while you find that rare gem that is not only well written but has a good storyline, doesn't feel hurried and is about characters you can relate to.

I would read more of this series.

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Apr 26, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Letty has enough challenges to deal with in her life but there is still room for a crazed admirer. I found this book quite good. It kept me interested enough to stay with it when I am very busy and would probably have easily given up on a book had it not caught my interest.

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Feb 01, 2012 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-kindle

This is a GREAT book by a new author. I read the reviews on GR and Amazon, and decided to give this book a try. Ordered it on Kindle and had it in my lap within the minute. This is a fast-paced mystery with equal parts terror, romance, humor, and terror a la humor. Glaser weaves a tight story sans holes that keeps the reader wondering who done it until near the end. Glaser has created a very likeable main character, Letty, who is facing her own personal demons (who isn't?) but who tackles life h...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Micheleann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: donna-white-glasser

i think the book was good , giave it a five star rsatings. and my review on the book . I think the lead character in the book at some points is her own worse emeny seems to be more dangerous than anything else

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May 29, 2011 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, kindle

A very good read. Clever use of Shakespeare's Sonnets in the plot which actually paralleled the theme. I wasn't really in the right mood to read this book. It was one of those stories where everything bad that could possibly happen to the heroine happened--even before the murders started. I was in the mood for light summer reading not more stress so it took me awhile to finish this one. Even so it was a very good story that at any other less stressful time I would have rated closer to 5 stars. O...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Sandy marked it as to-read

Shelves: onmykindle

I haven't read this yet, but the author is from Chetek, where my cottage is, in northern wisconsin.

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May 24, 2012 Breia rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not find this book to be well written or mysterious or thrilling or funny. I thought the story was OK but not entirely new and the writing was pretty juvenile, especially with the main character being a professional. I skimmed the last half after slogging through the first half. The book was entirely too long as well and could use a good pairing down.

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Jul 06, 2011 Janet Cross rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Set somewhere in Wisconsin area – Although there were parts of this book I liked (the smart mouth main character for one) there were other parts that were just too predictable for me. This is a stalker book. Letty is a psychotherapist whose client is a real psycho. He’s mad because she is counseling his abused girlfriend that has finally left him.

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Aug 31, 2012 Kai marked it as never-ever-authors

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Yep. Nope.

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About Donna White Glaser

Donna White Glaser is the author of the Letty Whittaker 12 Step Mystery series. Like her main character, Donna is a psychotherapist and lives northwestern Wisconsin. As if that weren’t enough, she and her husband own a residential construction company where it’s Donna’s job to deal with any overly emotional, what-do-you-mean-you-can’t-put-roof-trusses-up-in-a-thunderstorm? clients. Strangely enoug...more

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