Thirteen-year-old Lainey Emerson is the middle child in a home police are already familiar with: her mother works too much and her stepfather favor...
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Feb 11, 2011
William
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Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman
This book is not for the faint of heart. It deals with disposable children. Children who have been abandon by society or have abandoned society. Kids who have run away or have been snatched from all walks of life. Internet predators are specifically addressed and this is the story of Special Agent Bobby Dees and his efforts to save these children.
This was an excellent mystery. It was still hard to read. The predator was de More...
This book is not for the faint of heart. It deals with disposable children. Children who have been abandon by society or have abandoned society. Kids who have run away or have been snatched from all walks of life. Internet predators are specifically addressed and this is the story of Special Agent Bobby Dees and his efforts to save these children.
This was an excellent mystery. It was still hard to read. The predator was de More...
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Aug 27, 2011
Alisha
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One thing that Pretty Little Things did that most mysteries tend not to do is keep me guessing right up until the end. Seriously, the identity of the killer totally took me by surprise. I think that's probably because I was watching a Criminal Minds marathon prior to reading this and the UNSUB tends to be someone not introduced at all. I sort of expected that to happen in Pretty Little Things (and really would have preferred it). So, good job to the author for keeping me guessing.
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Jun 17, 2011
Darcy
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This is a hard book to read due to the subject manner, kidnapped kids, and a hard book to review without spoiling one little fact, which I will do later.
Bobby seems like a dedicated professional working in a field that rarely has happy endings. Bobby works in a specialized department that tracks missing kids. It is a thankless job, where often you find bodies, but Bobby is so good he has earned the nickname "The Shepherd" because he often finds even those lost cases. It More...
Bobby seems like a dedicated professional working in a field that rarely has happy endings. Bobby works in a specialized department that tracks missing kids. It is a thankless job, where often you find bodies, but Bobby is so good he has earned the nickname "The Shepherd" because he often finds even those lost cases. It More...
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Jan 19, 2011
Sue
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Author Jilliane Hoffman does it again with her newest thriller “Pretty Little Things”.
When 13 year old Lainey Emerson fails to return home from a sleepover, the police are called in. Detectives wonder why Lainey’s mother waited 2 days to call, and why she doesn’t remember the name of the friend Lainey was supposed to be with. FDLE special agent Bobby Dees, however, has seen this kind of neglect too many times before. Parents too busy or self-absorbed to give their children the attention More...
When 13 year old Lainey Emerson fails to return home from a sleepover, the police are called in. Detectives wonder why Lainey’s mother waited 2 days to call, and why she doesn’t remember the name of the friend Lainey was supposed to be with. FDLE special agent Bobby Dees, however, has seen this kind of neglect too many times before. Parents too busy or self-absorbed to give their children the attention More...
Dec 29, 2010
Judi
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I found the storyline in Pretty Little Things to be topical, ripped from the headlines heady stuff that parents of any teenage kids must dread could happen to their own child with every waking breath. Pretty Little Things was very enlightening about the dangers of the internet and the real and present danger in today’s society and the lengths sexual deviants will go to under the mask of anonymity. It showcases how anyone can fall victim to their schemes and machinations, but especially vulnera
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Jul 11, 2010
Xirxe
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Obwohl nicht spektakulär (keine Toten, Folterszenen oder ähnliches) ist der Auftakt des neuen Buches von Jiliane Hoffman gelungen: Ein Psychopath beobachtet die 13jährige Lainey und tritt über ein Pseudonym mittels Internet mit ihr in Kontakt. Ein heißer Flirt entfaltet sich, ein Treffen bahnt sich an - und die Lesenden zittern mit, weil sie ahnen was geschehen wird. Doch das war's dann für die nächsten 100 Seiten mit der Spannung. Ausführlich wird die Suche nach der verschwunden Lainey beschrie
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Jan 28, 2012
Peyrac
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Jul 09, 2010
Karschtl
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Ein sehr gutes Buch, das ich innerhalb von 2 Tagen verschlungen hatte und bei dem man am Ende eigentlich gern wieder von Neuem anfangen möchte um zu schauen, ob man eingangs nicht ein paar Hinweise auf den Mörder übersehen hatte. Denn mit diesem Ende hätte ich nicht wirklich gerechnet und frage mich immer noch, wie er das so alles bewerkstelligt hat.
Zur Ausgangslage: über's Internet macht der "Mädchenfänger" (der von der Polizei allerdings "Picasso" genannt wird; More...
Zur Ausgangslage: über's Internet macht der "Mädchenfänger" (der von der Polizei allerdings "Picasso" genannt wird; More...
Dec 20, 2009
Anne
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'Pretty Little Things' is Jilliane Hoffman's first stand-alone novel and an excellent thriller. Although a very familiar format - tired-out cop with baggage hunts down psychopathic serial-killer, it really does not disappoint.
The story starts on Halloween, when Lainy goes to meet a guy she has met online, the guy is not what he seems and Lainy has sealed her fate by arranging to meet him and telling nobody where she is going.
This is just the start of a gripping and pa More...
The story starts on Halloween, when Lainy goes to meet a guy she has met online, the guy is not what he seems and Lainy has sealed her fate by arranging to meet him and telling nobody where she is going.
This is just the start of a gripping and pa More...
Dec 26, 2010
Kelly
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Nov 18, 2010
Sarah
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Dieses Buch hatte sich meine Mutter von einer Kollegin ausgeliehen und meinte, nachdem sie es gelesen hatte, ich solle es doch unbedingt auch lesen, da es wirklich, wirklich spannend sei.
Das habe ich dann auch getan und bin ganz ihrer Meinung.
Lainey, ein 13jähriges Mädchen, freundet sich mit einem gutaussehenden jungen Mann im Internet an und lässt sich von ihm dazu überreden, ihn zu treffen. Seitdem fehlt von ihr jede Spur.
Der Polizist Bobby, dessen eigene Tochter seit n More...
Das habe ich dann auch getan und bin ganz ihrer Meinung.
Lainey, ein 13jähriges Mädchen, freundet sich mit einem gutaussehenden jungen Mann im Internet an und lässt sich von ihm dazu überreden, ihn zu treffen. Seitdem fehlt von ihr jede Spur.
Der Polizist Bobby, dessen eigene Tochter seit n More...
Jun 22, 2011
Khim
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Ik kan echt iedereen aanraden om dit boek te lezen. Het is wel het vierde boek, maar ik geloof wel de eerste van een geheel nieuwe reeks. Je wordt al vanaf de eerste bladzijde in het verhaal getrokken. Het gaat over Lainey en ze voelt zich niet begrepen door haar omgeving en zoekt contacten via het internet op via de chat. Daar leert ze een leuke jongen kennen. Ze maakt een afspraakje met hem en -verdwijnt. Agent Bobby Dees krijgt de opdracht deze zaak verder te onderzoeken. Het is niet makkelij
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Sep 25, 2010
Jennifer
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From my book review blog Rundpinne.
Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman is a powerful legal suspense thriller about a serial killer dubbed Picasso, who abducts girls by befriending them via social networking sites on the Internet. Hoffman brings the dreadful reality of cyber-stalking and the sobering statistics of missing children to light through FDLE Special Agent Supervisor Bobby Dee and the CAC (Crimes Against Children) task force. Hoffman tells two parallel stories; findin More...
Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman is a powerful legal suspense thriller about a serial killer dubbed Picasso, who abducts girls by befriending them via social networking sites on the Internet. Hoffman brings the dreadful reality of cyber-stalking and the sobering statistics of missing children to light through FDLE Special Agent Supervisor Bobby Dee and the CAC (Crimes Against Children) task force. Hoffman tells two parallel stories; findin More...
Mar 23, 2011
rebellyell666
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Inhalt:
Bobby Dees – genannt The Shepherd (der Hirte) hat bis jetzt fast jedes Kind wieder zu seiner Familie gebracht. Als Elaine „Laney“ Emerson verschwindet, steht er allerdings vor einem Rätsel – scheint es doch, die Heranwachsende sei ausgerissen, weil sie ihre neue Situation nicht mag. Doch mittels eines Gefühls bleibt Dees dran und entdeckt Schreckliches…
Schreib-/Erzählstil:
Hoffman vermischt ihren gewohnt intimen Stil mit einem jugendlichen, der sehr gut herübe More...
Bobby Dees – genannt The Shepherd (der Hirte) hat bis jetzt fast jedes Kind wieder zu seiner Familie gebracht. Als Elaine „Laney“ Emerson verschwindet, steht er allerdings vor einem Rätsel – scheint es doch, die Heranwachsende sei ausgerissen, weil sie ihre neue Situation nicht mag. Doch mittels eines Gefühls bleibt Dees dran und entdeckt Schreckliches…
Schreib-/Erzählstil:
Hoffman vermischt ihren gewohnt intimen Stil mit einem jugendlichen, der sehr gut herübe More...
Oct 10, 2010
Lori
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I read Jilliane Hoffman's Retribution several years ago, found the book engrossing enough to mentally put Ms. Hoffman on my "must read" list but somehow have missed picking up any of her follow up books until I was sent Pretty Little Things. Ms. Hoffman, herself the parent of teens, takes a timely and concerning subject in internet preying and runs with it.
In the book, I liked the character of detective Bobby Dees the best. He was written as a complex cop, with many layer More...
In the book, I liked the character of detective Bobby Dees the best. He was written as a complex cop, with many layer More...
Aug 18, 2010
Trisha
rated it:
I liked this book. I think that it was on a very popular and serious subject taking place right now, child kidnapping and the internet. A lot of teens think that nothing bad will happen to them if they make friends on the computer and this book shows that they are very wrong.
The book starts off with a girl named Lainey Emerson who is chatting with a guy on the computer who she thinks is around her age. So Lainey and her friend take sexy pictures of herself to make her look older and More...
The book starts off with a girl named Lainey Emerson who is chatting with a guy on the computer who she thinks is around her age. So Lainey and her friend take sexy pictures of herself to make her look older and More...
Sep 17, 2010
Cheryl
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If thirteen year old, Lainey Emerson didn’t have her computer and her best friend, Molly Brosnan, then Lainey would go crazy. Lainey’s mom is constantly working, her little brother is annoying and her step father wants nothing to do with Lainey.
Lately, Lainey has been preoccupied chatting online with Zach aka “ElCapitan”. ElCapitan is Zach’s online screen name. Lainey and Zach have hits things off nicely. In fact Zach has just asked Lainey out of a date. Something goes terribly wron More...
Lately, Lainey has been preoccupied chatting online with Zach aka “ElCapitan”. ElCapitan is Zach’s online screen name. Lainey and Zach have hits things off nicely. In fact Zach has just asked Lainey out of a date. Something goes terribly wron More...
Nov 01, 2011
Tracey
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Pretty Little Things by Jilliane Hoffman
When I selected this book, I based my decision off it's cover. Which nearly every librarian advises you not to, but truthfully, I think it is smart idea. However, the book Pretty Little Things, surprised me. I was intrigued by this book because of the little girl in the corner, it reminded me of suffering, and in no way do I like suffering, but I find the idea of it to be interesting enough. I thought it would be about a girl who's troubled and More...
When I selected this book, I based my decision off it's cover. Which nearly every librarian advises you not to, but truthfully, I think it is smart idea. However, the book Pretty Little Things, surprised me. I was intrigued by this book because of the little girl in the corner, it reminded me of suffering, and in no way do I like suffering, but I find the idea of it to be interesting enough. I thought it would be about a girl who's troubled and More...
Dec 28, 2010
Nicolle
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This was the first book I read of Jilliane Hoffman. She had me at the first sentence, I could not put this book down. The plot of the story is a real-life issue of internet predators. Through this book and its characters I realized how naive I am to on-line chats and techy stuff kids are into. As a parent, my eyes are now WIDE OPEN!
As a reader, I felt the emotion Hoffman was describing of her characters. At times it made me sick to my stomach and scared. A writer who can reach through More...
As a reader, I felt the emotion Hoffman was describing of her characters. At times it made me sick to my stomach and scared. A writer who can reach through More...
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Aug 03, 2011
Heather
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The state of Florida deals with many thousands of runaways every year. How does law enforcement decide which ones merit the most indepth search, particularly when one child in the family has previously runaway and returned in short order.
When thirteen year old Elaine (Lainey) Emerson didn't return home, her parents at first thought she was with a friend and that she'd be back the next day. When her mother reported her missing, it didn't seem that the police were going to make mu More...
When thirteen year old Elaine (Lainey) Emerson didn't return home, her parents at first thought she was with a friend and that she'd be back the next day. When her mother reported her missing, it didn't seem that the police were going to make mu More...
Oct 08, 2011
Yvi
rated it:
WOW, was für ein Buch!
Ich hatte heute morgen erst um 2 Uhr Feierabend, und wollte eigentlich nur noch ins Bett. In der Bahn nach Hause hab ich dann weiter in dem Buch gelesen und konnte es einfach nicht wegpacken. Ich glaube wenn es gegangen wäre, hätte ich es noch beim Laufen weitergemacht. So sehr hat es mich gefesselt. Ich mußte dann unbedingt die letzten 150 Seiten noch in der Nacht beenden.
Spannend bis zur letzten Seite, mein bisher liebstes Buch von Jilliane Hoffman. Wer e More...
Ich hatte heute morgen erst um 2 Uhr Feierabend, und wollte eigentlich nur noch ins Bett. In der Bahn nach Hause hab ich dann weiter in dem Buch gelesen und konnte es einfach nicht wegpacken. Ich glaube wenn es gegangen wäre, hätte ich es noch beim Laufen weitergemacht. So sehr hat es mich gefesselt. Ich mußte dann unbedingt die letzten 150 Seiten noch in der Nacht beenden.
Spannend bis zur letzten Seite, mein bisher liebstes Buch von Jilliane Hoffman. Wer e More...
Mar 22, 2011
Kerry of Musings of a bookworm
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Well what can I say. This is a departure for my usual reading genre, but boy am I glad I took a chance on it. This book in tense and realistic. I really felt for the agent in charge and his wife. It was also nice that the families involved where not cookie cutter families any of them. Lainey's mum, was horrible but with her life you kind of understand why even though you want to slap her. The end of the book was satisfying too because it didn't tie it up in a neat little bow. I liked that it s
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Nov 22, 2010
Ginny
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Pretty Little Things was a very readable thriller especially because it dealt with the very real problem of kids and the Internet. I loved the character of Special Agent Bobby Dees who specializes in finding missing children. The year before his own teenage daughter went missing and he and his wife are dealing with the pain and fallout and how it's affecting their marriage. He is consumed with solving the case of a spate of missing girls. The perpetrator, dubbed Picaso, leaves messages for Dees
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Oct 08, 2010
Jennifer
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Pretty Little Things is a horrifically scary book for any parent of girls. The use of the internet (Myspace in this instance) to lure young teens into meeting. Abducting them. Holding them hostage. Killing them in brutal ways. All while the parents believe the kids have run away. We hear about stuff like this happening on the news. To someone else. It's every parents fear, but still most of us never consider it could happen to our family. Pretty Little Things gets to the heart of the matter, how
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Jan 11, 2010
Gemma
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I really enjoyed reading this book, it didn't seem like a long book (but this could be because I couldn't put it down!) and not as in-depth as her previous book, Retribution. It is however a nice refreshing change on the serial killer front, especially as the book jumped from each person's perspective without giving too much away and leaving enough unexpected twists to keep me reading. The end was slightly disappointing for me but the journey getting there was good enough to keep me hooked. If y
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Jan 13, 2012
Pam
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This book was not only an excellent thriller but also frightening. It deals with children who run away and those who are abducted never to be seen again. Before when no one had even heard of the internet children were snatched off the streets physically. Now, with various social websites out in the virtual world, internet predators are privy to everything that a child posts online making it easier for them to lure their prey directly to them. This is the story of Special Agent Bobby Dees efforts
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Apr 27, 2011
Kasey
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This was a very intense, fast paced novel. I wish every book was this good! Although I enjoyed every minute of this book, the story was very hard for me to as a mother. It was so hard to comprehend how some parents can be so heartless and not let their kids know how much they are loved. I was surprised by the ending. I had a feeling there was a happy ending but it still was not as I thought. I was a little disappointed in the excessive use of foul language.
May 25, 2011
Mirja
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I got the book through a bookcrossing book ring and I'm not too sure what to think of the book. The idea was really good, but I didn't quite like that the book is mostly told out of the police's view. Also the author mentioned her first book quite a lot of times during this book, which bothered me a bit (as it wasn't nesessary for the story). If you put that aside, the story was gripping, but I didn't like it enough to want a copy for my own.
Jul 14, 2011
Maggie
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I think the story was well-structured and I really want to punch the girl at the start of the book for being so juvenile and naive . To trust a stranger on Myspace , wow , yea , great idea. So this character depicts a 13 year old teenage girl perfectly . I love the story and I wish I could keep the book for myself but it wasn't mine and I have to return it or I won't be trusted with my cousins books anymore .
Nov 11, 2010
Brenda
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