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SHE CAN MAKE SENSE OF A COMPLEX CRIMINAL MIND.
Evelyn Talbot, a psychiatrist at a maximum-security prison in Alaska, studies some of the world's worst serial killers. But she's about to meet her most elusive patient at Hanover House yet: Dr. Lyman Bishop, AKA the Zombie Maker given his fondness for performing ice-pick lobotomies on his victims. A brilliant cancer researcher, Bishop is either the most cunning psychopath Evelyn has ever encountered--or he is wrongly convicted.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CRIMINAL CAN SEE INTO HER OWN?
When a new ice-pick fatality occurs, it seems Bishop really was wrongly convicted. Except...Evelyn has a personal connection to the victim and that suggests the killer may be someone from her own past: Jasper Moore, her high school boyfriend who tortured her and left her for dead when she was only sixteen. Jasper also murdered three of her friends--and was never caught. Is he trying to send a message with this copycat crime? The only thing Evelyn knows for sure is that if Jasper is on her trail, she might not be able to escape again . . .

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 3, 2017

465 people are currently reading
4032 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Novak

230 books6,908 followers
It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.

“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”

However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.

Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.

“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”

Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.

When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 585 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession.
1,222 reviews3,675 followers
November 26, 2017
5 Suspenseful Stars



Wow this series just keeps getting better. Hello Again had me totally hooked. I was hanging on the edge and eager to sneak peeks ahead. I stayed up all night just to finish it. I feel Evelyn has really grown in this series from book 1. I also feel that Amarok and Evelyn's relationship has grown a lot too. The romance does take a back seat to the suspense but it's such a thrilling book that I don't even mind. Evelyn took some big steps in this book. I loved that she opened up more to Amarok and that she trust him completely. I really wish she would commit more fully to him though. Amarok was just as awesome as he has always been. I love me some Amarok. Although I will say I was a little annoyed at the whole ex girlfriend part of the plot. I was very upset that Amarok danced with Sam(his ex) even if it was just so he wouldn't hurt her feelings. I would have liked it more if he would have looked at her and said I don't want you go away lol childish I know.



Poor Evelyn, she's got psychopaths coming for her at every turn. Not only is Jasper Moore (her high school boyfriend that tortured, raped and tried to kill her when she was a teen) still coming after her, she also had an ex coworker acting more like a prisoner than a psychiatrist, and she made an enemy out of the Zombie Maker. I have to say that being in Jasper's mind is so creepy. Knowing his plans and seeing him work his way into Evelyn and Amarok's life had me yelling at my kindle. I can't go into too much without spoiling it so I will just say that Jasper is a sick, sneaky, and crafty, sob. The ending ...omg....was so wrong. I needed more, and now I have to wait for the next book. I can't believe Brenda Novak is going to make us readers wait til next year to find out how it all turns out. Patience is not my virtue. Overall this book was well written, thrilling, and everything I have come to expect from Brenda Novak... I can't wait to see what happens next!



https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,537 reviews1,288 followers
August 13, 2019

Psychologist Evelyn Talbot continues her study of some of the most dangerous serial killers in the country at her special facility located near Anchorage, Alaska. Her newest inmate is Lyman Bishop, aka the Zombie Maker, whose weapon of choice is an ice pick, which he uses to crudely perform lobotomies on his female victims. Meanwhile, Jasper Moore, the man who brutally attacked Evelyn as a teen, is plotting his next move that will bring him closer to her.

Admittedly, this is a creepy series given what Evelyn does but this story really disturbed me, so much so it took me longer to finish because I was terrified as to what I’d find next when I turned the page. Getting Jasper’s point of view iced the cake as this guy is charming and clever (think Ted Bundy). Lyman was also one sick fellow, masterful in controlling his emotions so he appeared harmless. What made this so terrifying is we know what’s coming unbeknownst to Evelyn. Despite my trepidation, this was just the kind of brew I like in my thrillers. Thank goodness there’s a little bit of romance to provide some respite between the suspense.

I very much enjoyed this one, even if it scared me silly. I could hardly make it through to the breathtaking climax and I even did something I never do...peeked a little at the epilogue. I know, I know...shame on me but I couldn’t stand it any longer. Fair warning, there’s a bit of a cliff hanger of sorts, only to set up what the next book will portend. I can hardly wait. Well done, Ms. Novak.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Profile Image for Zoe.
2,306 reviews325 followers
October 10, 2017
Riveting, dark, and spine-chillingly eerie!

In this second book in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, we head back to Alaska and the isolated Hanover House where some of the most depraved serial killers are housed and studied, and danger seems to be lurking inside and out.

The writing is seamless and taut. The characterization is spot on with some of the usual gang back including the hardworking, determined Evelyn and the patient, sexy Amarok. And the skillfully-crafted, well-paced plot keeps you on the edge of your seat with twists, turns, violence, murder and a cliffhanger ending that will undoubtedly leave you eager for more.

Hello Again is a clever, gritty and incredibly captivating tale that not only has all the elements you look for in a romantic suspense novel but proves Novak is still one of the best in the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,547 reviews1,677 followers
September 6, 2017
Hello Again by Brenda Novak is the second full length book but third overall with the prequel novella in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series. Hanover House at novella length introduced readers to Evelyn Talbot who is the main character in this series. Evelyn had spent her life trying to find out what makes a psychopath and how to better understand them. She was tortured and almost killed by her high school boyfriend, Jasper, and has been dealing with that as best she can. Jasper had never been captured and Evelyn lived in fear of him each day of her life and of course when this story picked up 20 years after the high school incident Jasper had truly come back.

Evelyn had managed to obtain funding for a facility in Alaska to house some of the top criminals to begin a study on the nature of these killers which is known as the Hanover House. When the facility in Alaska had been vandalized during construction she traveled there to oversee the damage and hire security. Evelyn began a friendship with Amarok, the local state trooper and for the first time in a long time she let herself begin trusting a man and feeling some sort of attraction.

Now in Hello Again Evelyn's story resumes after the ending of the last book, Her Darkest Nightmare, where Evelyn and Amarok had grown closer together while working to solve the brutal homicide. Evelyn has begun studying Dr. Lyman Bishop who is better known as the Zombie Maker for his use of an ice pick to try to perform a lobotomy on his victims. But as Evelyn is working with Bishop it comes to be known that his case very well may be overturned which pushes Evelyn to find out more about the man she believes is guilty and does not want to see walk free. But then a new ice pick murder occurs which seems that maybe the man may be innocent but when Evelyn finds she has a connection to the newest victim she begins to wonder if this killer may be Jasper coming back from her own past.

First, I will say that I urge readers that are interested in this series to go back and start from the beginning. While the books could possibly be understood without doing so a reader would miss so much depth in the story and background information if skipping ahead and this series is one that is just too good not to enjoy thoroughly. Each book has built upon the characters and really continued the overall story from Evelyn's past which made her into the flawed character that she is that I have come to love more with each read. Evelyn is vulnerable after the events in her past that would scar anyone but she's tough and strong and surviving while trying to make the world better by getting to understand her own worst nightmare in these horrible killers.

The series toes the line between being a thriller or a romantic suspense story as there is a relationship that has formed slowly between Evelyn and Amorak. However, the relationship is not overly pushed in the story but has formed rather slowly while the books concentrate on the action and investigations. This style has revolved in part due to Evelyn's history and her nature to not trust men from that history but the slower development fit her character to a tee and I think that leaves the series open for those that enjoy either genre to get invested in the series.

Again after reading this edition to the series my only complaint walking away from Hello Again would be that I don't have the next book in my hands to immediately begin reading. I was as usual caught up in Evelyn's story and engaged all the way through then left with a what are you trying to do to me Ms. Novak feeling at the end. I will be impatiently awaiting the next book and would encourage readers to give this series a try as I think fans of thrillers and romantic suspense reads will really enjoy this story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
832 reviews598 followers
January 14, 2018
 
4.5★★★★Stars

 



Genre:  Mystery/Romantic Suspense
Type:  Book 2 in The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles Series
POV:  First Person – Multiple



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"What made some people more evil than others? And why did those people enjoy inflicting pain on the innocent?"

 

This book picks up right where the first book left off; Evelyn Talbot is a thirty-seven year old survivor of serial killer Jasper Moore.   She continues her study of serial killers at the isolated Hanover House in Alaska.  Evelyn knows she is far from safe as long as Jasper is still on the loose and killing more people.  

 
"So far, Jasper had managed to outsmart them all...They both knew he was out there. Waiting. Planning. That he'd made a second attempt on her life after twenty years left little doubt."

 

Amarok Murphy; is the thirty-year old Sergeant in the Alaska local town.  He is madly in love with Evelyn's and regardless of their seven year age difference he is willing to put all the extra time and work to find Jasper so that they can have some peace.  

 
"When you're looking for a needle in a haystack, you have to sift through a hell of a lot of hay."

 

I love this book so much more than the first one, I think Evelyn has mature so much more and the romantic relationship with Amarok has also grown a lot too.  They have become more intimate with each other and the fact that he is willing to do whatever it takes for her makes me so damn happy.   We do get some angst in this story; Amarok's ex is back in town to claim what she thinks is hers and she will fight tooth and nail for Amarok which kind of made me nervous because in the midst of the chaos and the danger that seems to follow and lurk Evelyn now she has to deal with this crazy woman.

 

Hello Again is the second installment of this addicting romantic suspense from The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series.   I was unable to stop once I started; this book is a total page turner with so many twists and turns, full of mystery and suspense.  We have the main villain (Jasper) with the main plot-line in the story which I really liked but we also get to see other individual cases thought the book that makes it more interesting to read. 

 

The author did an excellent job taking us to the Jasper's mind which I truly loved because it made the story so much interesting.  Really looking forward to more of this character and see where the author takes us in this crazy roller-coaster ride.  Readers who enjoy a good romantic suspense will find this book appealing it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. 

 
"After twenty-one years of keeping to the shadows, he'd be hiding in plain sight."

 

 

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Book Series:
Her Darkest Nightmare (The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, #1) by Brenda Novak Hello Again (The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, #2) by Brenda Novak Face Off (Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, #3) by Brenda Novak

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Profile Image for Carole (Carole's Random Life).
1,937 reviews599 followers
December 26, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I had a really good time with this book. I actually liked this book a lot more than the previous installment and am really glad that I decided to continue with the series. I thought that this book was very exciting and found myself wanting to keep reading for hours at a time just to find out how things would work out.

This is the second full length book in the Evelyn Talbot series and I do recommend reading this series in order since some parts of the story build on events from previous books. Evelyn is continuing her work at Hanover House and has a new psychopath to work with, Lyman Bishop or the Zombie Maker. Lyman is incredibly intelligent and somewhat challenging. Of course, there are other things going on around Evelyn as well so things are always interesting.

I really liked the complexity of the mystery in this book. I wasn't quite sure what I should think about certain events until something else that was connected occurred and everything fell into place. The way things were laid out really kept my interest level high. I thought that the fact that there were several interconnected threads also kept things rather exciting and there were quite a few surprises worked into the story. The relationship between Evelyn and Amarok does have a few developments but I thought that the story was much more balanced with the romantic aspect adding to the story and character development.

I thought that Therese Plummer did a great job with this book. I really enjoyed the pacing of her reading and she has a very pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of time. She was able to handle a fairly large cast of characters very well with distinct voices for each of the key players. I thought the she added a lot of emotion to the story and made some of the intense scenes even more exciting.

I would recommend this book to others. The series is really exciting and filled with wonderful characters. I can't wait to read more of this series so I can find out what is next for Evelyn Talbot.

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and purchased a copy of the book from Audible.

Initial Thoughts
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous book in the series. I am so glad that I didn't give up on the series. It seemed that the focus of the book stayed more on the mystery of the serial killers than on romance. Evelyn and Amarok seem a lot more solid together and I never felt like their relationship took over the entire plot although things did move along in that area. I found Dr. Lyman Bishop to be a very interesting character and I loved how the mystery surrounding him kept me guessing. This was definitely a book filled with excitement. Therese Plummer did an excellent job with the narration.
Profile Image for Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁.
574 reviews342 followers
September 26, 2017
***** 4.5 Stars *****

Cannot be read as a standalone.

Although Hello Again is easy to dive into, I strongly suggest reading the previous books in the series to get a better understanding of all the characters. Each book is connected, and Eveyln's worst nightmare gets bolder and stronger.

I love this series. The characters are all interesting, and the events that occur never bore me. Evelyn's psychological studies and interviews on rapists and murderers keep me glued to the pages. A perfect amount of suspense, mystery, and romance. I can't wait for the next book!

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Profile Image for Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms.
2,796 reviews343 followers
September 27, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Hello Again was so eery, I felt the suspense during the whole story, and it just seems impossible to me that Evelyn will make it through the end. There is more than one enemy now, and my goodness, the ending left me speechless and breathless.

Review - (un)Conventional Bookviews
Story:
The suspense and the psychological thriller aspects were even stronger in Hello Again. Evelyn has more than one person she needs to be wary of, and her newest inmate is so smart and vengeful. He's at least as scary as Justin. Several things happen to bring more heat to Justin's revenge, and on top of that, there are murders that seem different from his MO, but could still be by him.

Amarok and Evelyn's relationship continues to grow, but there is an added complication there as well, as his ex comes back to Hilltop. I just can't wait to see what will happen next. The ending of Hello Again gave me chills.
Characters:
Evelyn is starting to loosen up more, while still being vigilant at work, and when it comes to following up with police to figure out where Justin might be.
Amarok is just awesome! He has so much love and hope. At the same time, he's strong and very smart, and if someone can find out where Justin is, it's him.
Justin is way off in this instalment, which makes him even more dangerous.
Writing style :
Hello Again is written in third person, past tense. The narrator is omniscient, and follows either Evelyn, Amarok or Justin. There is another character that is closely followed for a while as well. The pace is fairly slow, but this really worked for the kind of story it is - and it brings the eeriness to such a level it becomes impossible to ignore.
Feels :
Dread! So much dread, because I can't see how this can ever end well for Evelyn. At the same time, there is love and hope. And

Fave Quotes - (un)Conventional Bookviews

So many of the psychopaths she studied pretended to be more than they were. Most weren't smart enough to pull off the charade.

But the reason Jasper had never been caught wasn't lack of good police work. Seasoned detectives had done all they could; there just weren't any leads.

She leaned away from him so that she could look into his face. She loved the contrast of his blue eyes with his black hair and dark beard growth, the strength of his jaw, the fullness of his lips. But right now she was more interested in what he was saying than his good looks.

Profile Image for Namita.
633 reviews38 followers
January 30, 2019
Hello Again is the second book in Evelyn Talbot series.

Evelyn is a psychiatrist at a maximum-security prison in Alaska, where she studies some of the world's worst serial killers to see what makes them tick. Currently she’s researching her most elusive patient at Hanover House ,Dr. Lyman Bishop, the Zombie Maker who uses lobotomy to subdue his victims

A thoroughly enjoyable addictive read with great characters. Cannot wait to read the next one in the series
Profile Image for Janel.
511 reviews108 followers
December 3, 2017
4.5 stars - I wish I could be Evelyn Talbot, just for one day, to study the minds of psychopaths at Hanover House – but only for a day because the wilderness is not for me and I’d rather not have a psychopathic ex-boyfriend hunting me down! Hello Again is book two featuring Evelyn Talbot and I highly recommend you start at the beginning of the series as the plot is continuous and it will likely weaken your reading experience if you haven’t read book one.

My main attraction to this book, and series, is the insight we get into the mind of serial killers, it’s truly fascinating to see Evelyn analyse them. The insight didn’t go as deep as in the previous book, but I still enjoyed every minute of it – it’s that old cliché: “you want it, but you fear it, but you love it when you’re near it!” And that’s exactly how I felt when I read this novel, I was gripped by the actions of these killers but, at the same time, they terrified me but still, I couldn’t get enough of it – that’s what makes Hello Again such a captivating read.

While we have the chills brought by the killers, you wouldn’t be wrong to place this novel in the romantic suspense category as there is a continuous storyline of Evelyn and Amarok’s relationship, and while I’m not a romance reader I have come to enjoy their relationship. Partly because they’re past the “I like you, should we date” phase and so are more settled in their relationship, but mainly because there’s nothing like some fictional love with the shadow of a serial killer hanging over it. We get to see how Evelyn’s past and profession shades their relationship and the lengths Amarok goes to to find Jasper.

When I started reading this novel, I was instantly transported back to the remote setting of Alsaka – one snowfall and your snowed in and cell phone signal is non-existent. Mix that with a mental health facility for psychopaths and your guaranteed a good read. I really like Evelyn and I have enjoyed seeing her character develop and I can’t wait to see it develop further. Especially because of the cliff hanger ending of this novel – it wrapped up the current plot, so you’re not left with no questions answered, but it’s set up book three perfectly. The game is really on now and I can’t wait to see what happens.

I highly recommend you read this series, it’s guaranteed to delight anyone who enjoys the suspense only a serial killer can provide.

*My thanks to the publisher (Headline) for providing me with a copy of this book*
Profile Image for Sofia Lazaridou.
2,848 reviews136 followers
October 4, 2017
As much as it pains a part of me to say it, I want this series to end. Or at least end the Jasper part of the series. Have a new big bad villain after the third book. I am tired of having Evelyn being afraid at the idea that Jasper is still somewhere out there and he is going to harm her. She has grown a lot from the woman she was before she came to Alaska, but Jasper is still in her mind and she cannot truly move on with her life. Another reason I want the series to end is her relationship with Amarok. I don't feel like they have made much progress as a couple because there is still the chance that Evelyn is going to leave Alaska one day. Are they going anywhere? I am not convinced they are going to get their happy ending together which is a shame. So, as a reader who is invested in the series, I want to see Jasper getting what he finally deserves and for a clear answer on what Evelyn and Amarok are going to do with their relationship. Because in a chapter Evelyn seems committed to Amarok, and in in the other she wonders what she is going to do after the Hanover house. That wouldn't worry me, but it was mentioned a couple of times that Amarok is practically never going to leave Alaska and he will live his whole life there. Evelyn has a family elsewhere and she keeps that in the back of her mind.

As you know by now, each book has a villain besides Jasper and each one is intriguing in his own way. That continues to be the case with Lyman Bishop, a man who doesn't fit the usual mold for the people Evelyn studies. He could almost pass as a non-deadly person and he is making Evelyn's job harder. The thing is that I don't feel as if the author took the opportunity to explore all the possibilities that could happen with Lyman. I feel like the book was pulled into a hundred different directions and none of them was explored as much as it should have. The return of Amarok's ex was supposed to be something huge, but Evelyn barely paid her any attention when she came to town. Evelyn and Amarok's relationship had some development, but it happened mostly off the book and the very interesting villain didn't get much Evelyn time as the other two had.Take into consideration that this review comes from a person who loved the first two books and was very excited about reading this one. I want to see more development on Evelyn. She has become bolder in some parts of her character, but in the end, she is still afraid every day and that fear doesn't let her move on with her life. I understand she can never live her life like nothing happened, but I want her to LIVE more. I will continue with the series despite my rating for this book.
Profile Image for Yukino.
1,103 reviews
October 3, 2021
SERIE THE EVELYN TALBOT CHRONICLES n. 2

Nooo ma si finisce così un libro?
Questo secondo volume mi ha tenuto incollata alle pagine. Abbiamo il pov di Evelyn, di Amarok e di...si proprio .
A complicare il tutto il caso del nuovo detenuto di Hanover House: Lyman Bishop.
Bello davvero. La fine è stata un susseguirsi di eventi che hanno portato a farmi desiderare di avere immediatamente il prossimo ultimo vulume della serie.
Devo dire che sono stata piacevolmente sorpresa. Il primo non mi aveva convinta del tutto, mentre questo secondo capitolo della saga, è stato ben fatto. Un bel mix tra romance e thriller e psicopatici allo sbaraglio.
Non è però da 5 stelle. Di strada ne ha da fare. La storia thriller ha una parte predominante, anche se a volte prevedibile, però non mi ha dato fastidio. Mentre la parte romance questa volta è ben calibrata. Ci sono i giusti tempi, e il rapporto tra Evelyn e Amarok si consolida e non è una cosa messa li a caso, ma riesce ad integrarsi bene con la trama.
Insomma rispetto al primo un bel passo avanti.

Non dico nulla di specifico, perchè non voglio spoilerarvi. Per me è stata una sorpresa. Adesso a me il prossimo! Ma quando esce? non so se ce la posso fare!
Profile Image for Sandra Hoover.
1,434 reviews248 followers
October 8, 2017
4.5 Stars - Fantastic addition to the series! Riveting suspense, great character/relationship development, heart-racing twists & turns...A Must Read!

As I mentioned above, I think Hello Again is a great addition to The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles Series.  Novak has picked up the pace, raised the stakes even higher, and dove deeper into the minds of the criminally insane through Evelyn's research at Hanover House - a maximum-security prison in Alaska where some of the world's worst serial killers are imprisoned and studied.  As the story opens, Evelyn is preparing to meet with Dr. Lyman Bishop, aka the Zombie Maker, a brilliant cancer researcher so named because he performed ice-pick lobotomies on his victims.  After talking with him, she realizes he's one of the smartest, most conniving psychopaths she's ever interviewed . . . a deadly, master manipulator.  Evelyn may have met her match, but when another ice-pick murder occurs, the possibility the wrong man was convicted is pursued.  And yet, Evelyn has a gut-feeling that Jasper, her ex-boyfriend who tortured her and killed three of her friends, may be involved in the latest killing.  Is she right or just being paranoid?  Time is of the essence and lives are on the line.  

Hello Again is a riveting, psychological thriller.  The story flows smoother and the pace is faster than in Her Darkest Nightmare, I think.  I liked that Novak took some big steps forward with character relationship development and the overall story arc.  The flawed characters came across almost a little too real in some chilling scenes, causing me to look over my shoulder a time or two!  Like driving on a curvy, dark country road at night, this story unfolds with twists and turns that left me breathless, heart racing right through the end (which I won't discuss, but omg!).  I'm more intrigued by this series than ever.  An awesome addition to the series!  A Must Read!

Reviewed at Cross My Heart Writings and Reviews
Profile Image for RachelW (BamaGal).
746 reviews75 followers
September 26, 2017

3.75 Stars. A little slow this time around, and too much personal angst muddying the action and plotline. Still a good read overall; and I'm still fully vested in this fascinating, creepy series. I mean, what’s not to like about an institution full of psychopaths and serial killers…not to mention the crazies and killers on the loose… lol

But what a mind boggling ending! I'm still reeling from the implications for the next book…
Profile Image for Kristie.
1,020 reviews421 followers
August 7, 2018
I'm struggling with how to rate this book. The story is interesting and kept me engaged. There were certain threads that I figured out easily enough and others that I didn't.

The problem I have with the story is the MC. She has certain hang ups that are repeated far too often in the story and it gets to be quite annoying. Honestly, I don't know how how her boyfriend tolerates her sometimes. I understand that she has certain insecurities because of her past, but the repetition of her thoughts and statements makes my eyes roll. Also, there are certain times that she is a very intelligent woman, then other times you want to shake her because she can't see the obvious. I suppose that may be true of people in general though, so I could let that slide if she wasn't so whiny at times.

Aside from the MC's annoying personality trait, I found this book to be excellent. I generally like the writing and find the mix of thriller and romance to work well for Ms. Novak. Honestly, I would love the book if I could just cut out Evelyn's whiny relationship bits, which finally wrapped up about 2/3 or so of the way through.

Storyline has a potential for a love triangle that I'm hoping Ms. Novak does not engage in. Also, one big thread is left wide open as a cliffhanger, but the rest of the story ends in a good place so it didn't bother me.

Basically, if you enjoy thrillers and sexy romance, this may be a good series for you. It seems that most people aren't annoyed by Evelyn's repeated insecurities, so maybe it just bothers me more than most. I would still suggest you give it try, but start at the beginning. This is a continuing story, not standalones.

3.5★ based on enjoyment, rounded up because it really was only the one thing that reduced my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sunny.
1,448 reviews
June 26, 2025
This is a wonderful surprise. I liked the previous books, but this one is an excellent balance of all the elements. It is a quintessential murder mystery seamlessly told from multiple perspectives. The overarching storyline gets a real boost in this book and the story advances at a good pace. Jasper has a significant role and his character is murderous. He is chilling coming off the pages.

I also enjoyed the evolution of Evelyn and Amarok's relationship. I liked how Ms. Novak is developing these two characters. Their interactions are grounded in reality and are often humorous. Evelyn has deep seated insecurities and trauma based on her past, but she really forges ahead with Amarok and I could not help but root for her.

There are so many different ways the author can take this story for the next book. I am on pins and needles in anticipation. The ending here is a little "cliffy", but do not let that stop you from reading this top notch mystery.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,443 reviews172 followers
December 27, 2023
Hello Again is the second book in The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. Evelyn's story resumes shortly after the end of the last book, where Evelyn and Amarok solved the murders of two women who had worked at Hanover House. They had grown closer together while working to solve that crime, and he is trying to help find Jasper to put him behind bars. Evelyn has begun studying a new prisoner, Dr. Lyman Bishop who is better known as the Zombie Maker for his use of an ice pick to try to perform a lobotomy on his victims, before torturing and killing them or letting them die. While he is in custody, another victim is found and it appears to be another victim of the Zombie Maker. It seems that his guilty verdict may be overturned, so Evelyn is battling the clock to study him and try to prevent him from walking free. When Evelyn finds out who the victim is, she has a personal connection. Is it a copycat killer? Has Jasper come back into the lives of her family and friends?

In this book, we meet Jasper in the narrative. He is planning his next move to get close to Evelyn and that makes it very creepy. He is a psychopath, charming and convincing others that he is just another guy. Lyman is also a sicko, another one who is able to remain in control at all times and it is easy to believe that he is innocent and was railroaded. He has a sister that he was taking care of and I felt terrible for her as she waited for him to come home and take care of her. This was another chilling thriller, especially as we knew what was coming, jasper tells us. This is another of those books where I did a read/listen as it was easier to read parts than to listen to them. It gave me chills up and down my spine, while I listened to see what would happen next. There is some romance between Evelyn and Amorak, which gave it some down time between the chills and suspense. As the climax comes, I raced through the ending and there is a huge hook for the next book. Fortunately, I have the next book available and won't waste any time beginning it to continue the story. I do recommend that you read the first book in this series, to get the full development of Evelyn's character and the budding relationship between Evelyn and Amorak. Once again the audiobook was narrated by Thérèse Plummer and she does an amazing job with this one. If you like a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, but one that has a sweet romance as a side story, I recommend you pick up Hello Again, after reading Her Darkest Nightmare.
Profile Image for Antonella Imperiali.
1,250 reviews139 followers
January 29, 2022
Molto meglio del primo.
Ritroviamo Jasper e Fitzpatrick: due minacce, diverse, concrete, ognuna pericolosa a modo suo.
Poi c’è Bishop, nuovo inquilino di HH, da studiare, sondare, capire. Crudele. Pericolosissimo.
E poi ci sono loro: Evelyn e Amarok, la nota rosa del romanzo, innamorati più che mai.
Prima metà del libro piuttosto lenta, più uno studio delle situazioni e dei personaggi che storia vera e propria: li seguiamo nelle loro azioni, nei loro pensieri, nei loro ricordi; dalla metà in poi la trama si anima, la suspense sale, i colpi di scena si susseguono fino a far convergere e a sovrapporre le azioni dei protagonisti negli stessi luoghi e negli stessi momenti.
Buon thriller, in definitiva, il cui epilogo fa smaccatamente l’occhiolino al terzo volume della serie.

Abbiamo bisogno di uomini come lei. Benvenuto a Hanover House.

Sì... benvenuto!


🌎 LdM - USA: Alaska
🔠 Alphabet Titoli: H
🌎 LdM - Sfida 2022: Thriller
🇺🇸 Alaska
Profile Image for Betül.
1,061 reviews289 followers
October 20, 2017
description

I absolutely LOVE this series! I don't read suspense novels like I used to but if they were as intriguing and awesome as this book then I would read so many more of them. Brenda Novak writes (Romantic) Suspense novels like no other, and she incorporates just the right amount of romance. I enjoy seeing the progress in Evelyn and Amarok's relationship. Especially Evelyn has grown so much in this book, and I can't wait to see more of it.

There is the main villain who appears in each book but there are also individual cases and serial killers who are being studied by Evelyn. I love that there is a main plot-line that continues throughout the series, each book it gets more intense and I love it. But I am also glad that there is a separate case/killer being analyzed each book. I also love how everything just comes together. I am glad that we get the killer's (Jasper) POV, because I want to know what is going on in his mind. He is one evil twisted guy, and I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve. I need the next book ASAP!
Profile Image for Yellagirlgc.
404 reviews45 followers
January 17, 2018
Just as good as the first book. Psychiatrist and survivor Evelyn Talbot is still working at Hanover House. A prison that houses psychopaths.
This picked up right where the first left off. I still like where its going and am only getting more entangled by the two MC's.
Profile Image for Aisling.
Author 2 books114 followers
October 17, 2017
Phew...well when your main character is a shrink working with serial killers (because of her own traumatic past) you know it's not going to be a relaxing book, right? And it wasn't. I was hooked from page one and zoomed through the book. Excellent red herrings and side stories. The ending really surprised me but was brilliant for a series. This author gets 5 stars for plotting, characters, dialogue, romance (including one very steamy scene) and thriller pacing.
Profile Image for Christine.
197 reviews23 followers
June 6, 2018
Gripping

4.5 out of 5 stars! Another gripping addition to the Evelyn Talbot series, I cant wait to dive into Face Off! This is such a fantastic, well researched series that gives real insight into psychopaths.
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,090 reviews143 followers
September 1, 2017
Brenda Novak has written another edge of the seat creepy story about Hanover House in Hilltop, Alaska and the criminally disturbed inmates of the prison that Dr. Evelyn Talbot studies. While she works with a new patient, Dr. Lyman Bishop, a cancer researcher convicted of killing people after performing an ice pick lobotomy on them, she is reeling with the news of some of her former classmates being killed back in Boston. Does this mean that Jasper is out to kill her friends once more? It has been twenty one years since he killed three of her friends, tortured her and left her for dead. He has never gotten over the fact that she didn't die. He even tried to kill her eighteen months ago. She won't ever have a moment of peace until he is caught. Her boyfriend, Sergeant Benjamin (Amorak) Murphy is getting serious and wants to get married. Does she want to stay in Alaska forever, in Amorak's home state? Her family wants her back in Boston. She has dedicated her life to studying psychopaths but it is very dangerous dealing with them everyday. Jasper is still around but is he really the killer of the classmates? He is living in Arizona and women are dying there. Her old disgraced colleague, Dr. Tim Fitzpatrick, is bugging her to allow him to help her. She doesn't want anything to do with him. As the story progresses, so does the fear factor and I wondered how it was going to end. Oh my goodness! The next book is going to be even more scary I predict!

I recommend this series if you like scary suspense involving the cunning minds of psychopaths. It is evident that Brenda does a ton of research of the subject of psychopathy. She does a wonderful job of explaining what is going on and giving background information. I do recommend highly that you read the novella and first book in the series before reading Hello Again.

Thanks to Brenda Novak for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bobbie.
1,182 reviews10 followers
September 22, 2017
If this book had not been written by Brenda Novak who I adore as an author, I can say right now, I would have never picked up this book....not because it is not good......it is just too damn scary for me! I have a vivid imagination, and Books like this do not help. But, I love Brenda Novak’s Books and for Her I will read anything! This is the second book in the Hanover House, Dr, Evelyn Talbot series. You do not need to have read the first book as this is definitely a standalone. Dr. Evelyn Talbot is a psychiatrist who has opened a facility in Alaska to study psychopathic killers....the worst of the worst because as a teenager she was captured by a killer, and tortured for days. She escaped but many didn’t, and he has been on the lam ever since. I will give no more detail, mostly because I don’t want to think about it, but that is the thing about Ms Novak’s Books.....you do think about them for a long time after you finish reading! If you love a really good suspense book that will keep you entertained and emotionally involved for the whole of the book, this is a great read. Her character development is well rounded and of course, the plot is great. Even though I hate these suspense books with serial killers, this was a great read!
Profile Image for Ionia.
1,471 reviews72 followers
August 6, 2017
This is shaping up to be a very interesting series with a complex plot that keeps getting more dangerous and compelling. I liked Evelyn Talbot in the first book, but in this one she gets even better. The author offers us a chance to get to know her main character much better, recounting the events in her past and showing us glimpses of what could be in store for her future.

Brenda Novak handled the murders in this book with grace. They aren't overly graphic or disgusting, but she gives just enough to terrify you and make you want to double check the locks on your doors at night. I liked the way she depicted the strain on the relationship between Evelyn and her boyfriend, caused by the stresses of the jobs they hold and other, outside factors.

You can tell that a lot of research into criminology went into this book and I found the entire thing interesting and well-written. This book has a tight plot and makes you want to keep turning pages. The ending was unexpected and left me wanting another in the series as soon as possible.

This is the kind of book that will not fade from your memory and will keep you checking to see when the next novel is out. Definitely recommended for those who like suspense thrillers.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. Al opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jan Coad.
58 reviews8 followers
September 30, 2017
HELLO AGAIN is the next installment and Evelyn Talbot is one of my favorite new character's by Mrs. Brenda Novak. Evelyn is the psychiatrist who heads up Hanover House, a maximum security prison in a small town in Alaska.

Through her work interviewing and studying the worst of the convicted serial killers, she hopes to gain an understanding of what makes them tick or why they turned out the way they did.

Evelyn has needed to find these answers since her high school boyfriends tortured her, killed her best friends & then left her for dead. He's never been captured and convicted of his crimes. Although the focus of Hanover House is for the general good of the public, Evelyn is pushed to find answers by her past history with Jasper her high school boyfriend. 
Evelyn is driven to place herself in harms way if she feels she can get the answers she needs. No spoilers from me, but each new installment becomes my favorite and I can't wait to read more.

The ending was my favorite and really well written. I was pulled right into the story from the beginning and didn't turn off my kindle until I'd completed the book.
Profile Image for Jean.
466 reviews72 followers
November 15, 2017
Hello Again is the 2nd book in The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles series. I did not read read the 1st book but I didn't have a problem following along with this one. However I do recommend reading the first book before reading this one.

At 16, Evelyn Talbot was kidnapped and tortured by her boyfriend, Jasper, and watched some of her friends die by his hand. She escaped but so did Jasper. Twenty-one years later, still afraid Jasper will get her, she has opened a prison in Alaska that houses serial killers and psychopaths. She specializes in learning the the psyche of a psychopaths to see what makes them tick. Her newest inmate is Dr. Lyman Bishop aka the Zombie Maker for his use of an ice pick to perform a lobotomy on his victims. Is he a clever serial killer or an innocent that was wrongly convicted?

This book was well-researched and cleverly written. It is a tense, fast-moving, psychological thriller. I definitely recommend reading this book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me a copy of Brenda Novak's "Hello Again" in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for Patricia.
524 reviews125 followers
August 4, 2017
What a fabulously dark thriller! HELLO AGAIN is the 2nd novel in the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles. Evelyn studies serial killers and is a psychiatrist at a prison in Alaska. I want to read the first book, and I can't wait for the third! I highly recommend this book. I received this book for my honest opinion.
697 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2023
Wow! This book really sets up the next one. Can’t wait to read it
Profile Image for Louisa.
8,645 reviews97 followers
July 24, 2017
Really awesome book! We were in the heads of a few killers, which was intresting, and yeah, it was great to be with cast again, and I can't wait for the 3rd book!
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