In “By the Time You Read This,” the third installment of Brianna Labuskes’ Raisa Susanto series, we’re plunged back into the complex, disturbing world of the Parker sisters—a world where family ties are as dangerous as they are inescapable. Following “The Lies You Wrote” and “The Truth You Told,” this novel continues to explore the aftermath of Isabel Parker’s decades-long killing spree through the perspective of her forensic linguist sister, Raisa. What sets this entry apart is how deeply it examines the psychological damage inflicted by growing up adjacent to a monster, and the question that haunts both Raisa and middle sister Delaney: how much of Isabel’s darkness might live in them?
A Deadly Game from Beyond the Grave
The premise is instantly gripping: FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto receives a letter from her incarcerated serial killer sister Isabel that simply states, “By the time you read this, I’ll be dead.” When Isabel is indeed found dead in her cell, Raisa is pulled into a twisted investigation involving not just who killed Isabel, but a potential copycat killer continuing her work. As bodies begin to pile up, Raisa must navigate a complex web of obsessed true crime fans, family loyalties, and her own complicated feelings about her sister’s legacy.
Labuskes cleverly structures the novel with alternating perspectives between Raisa and Delaney, interspersed with documentary excerpts, podcast transcripts, and journal entries. This gives the narrative a thoroughly modern, meta-true-crime feel that adds layers to an already complex story. The format mirrors how Isabel’s crimes have become public consumption—dissected, theorized about, and even glorified by strangers.
Strengths: Psychological Depth and Character Development
What truly elevates “By the Time You Read This” is the psychological complexity of its characters:
- Raisa’s internal struggle is rendered with painful authenticity as she fights to maintain her moral compass while confronting the possibility that her sister Delaney might be following in Isabel’s footsteps
- Delaney’s character receives significant development, transforming from a peripheral figure in previous books to a fully realized protagonist with her own demons and moral code
- The supporting cast of true crime enthusiasts, local law enforcement, and potential suspects are richly drawn, each with their own agendas and psychological motivations
Labuskes excels at writing sharp, believable dialogue that reveals character while moving the plot forward. The exchanges between Raisa and detective Maeve St. Ivany are particularly well-crafted, evolving from initial antagonism to grudging respect in a way that feels earned rather than forced.
The Series Evolution: From Suspense to Psychological Depth
The Raisa Susanto series has grown impressively with each installment. While “The Lies You Wrote” introduced us to Raisa’s linguistic expertise and her discovery of her murderous sister, and “The Truth You Told” expanded on the psychological fallout of that revelation, this third book dives even deeper into the moral gray areas of vigilante justice and family loyalty.
Labuskes has clearly grown as a writer throughout the series. Her prose is sharper, her plotting more intricate, and her character development more nuanced. The forensic linguistics angle—Raisa’s specialty—remains a fascinating aspect of the series that sets it apart from other procedurals, offering readers insight into how language can reveal a killer’s true identity.
Some Critical Considerations
Despite its many strengths, the novel isn’t without flaws:
- The middle section occasionally feels overstuffed with red herrings and potential suspects, some of whom could have been streamlined for a tighter narrative
- Certain plot twists—particularly regarding the identity of Isabel’s “Biggest Fan”—may be predictable to readers well-versed in the psychological thriller genre
- The timeline of events becomes somewhat convoluted as revelations accumulate, requiring careful attention from readers to keep track of who knew what and when
However, these issues don’t significantly detract from what is otherwise a compelling, psychologically rich thriller that satisfyingly concludes (or does it?) the Parker sisters’ saga.
The Labuskes Literary Universe
Fans of Labuskes’ other series featuring Dr. Gretchen White (including “A Familiar Sight,” “What Can’t Be Seen,” and “See It End”) will recognize the author’s trademark interest in morally complex protagonists who skirt the line between hero and villain. Like Dr. White, the Parker sisters challenge our understanding of what makes someone “good” or “evil,” suggesting these categories are far more fluid than we might like to believe.
What distinguishes the Raisa Susanto series is its deeper exploration of family dynamics and how trauma reverberates through generations. While Gretchen White is a singular figure dealing with her own psychological makeup, the Parker sisters represent different responses to shared trauma—Isabel embracing her darkness, Raisa fighting against it, and Delaney caught somewhere in between.
For Fans of Psychological Complexity
Readers who appreciate the psychological depth of Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects,” the twisted family dynamics of Tana French’s “The Witch Elm,” or the meta-true-crime elements of Riley Sager’s work will find much to enjoy in “By the Time You Read This.”
The novel excels at exploring how the true crime community can both help and hinder investigations, and the ethical questions raised when tragedy becomes entertainment. Labuskes doesn’t offer easy answers, instead inviting readers to consider the complicity of those who consume these stories, including perhaps the reader themselves.
Final Verdict: A Satisfying Conclusion to a Dark Family Saga
“By the Time You Read This” is a fitting finale to the Parker sisters’ story, offering closure while acknowledging that some psychological wounds never fully heal. The strength of this novel—and the series as a whole—lies in its willingness to explore uncomfortable questions about nature versus nurture, the limits of familial loyalty, and whether it’s ever possible to truly escape one’s past.
Labuskes has crafted a thriller that works on multiple levels: as a procedural mystery, as a psychological study of damaged people, and as a commentary on our cultural obsession with true crime. Though not without minor flaws, the novel succeeds brilliantly at its core ambition—forcing readers to question their own moral boundaries while taking them on a dark, twisting journey through the minds of those who’ve grown up in the shadow of evil.
For those who have followed Raisa’s journey from the beginning, this conclusion will feel both surprising and inevitable—the hallmark of a well-crafted psychological thriller. And for new readers, it’s a compelling entry point that will likely send them searching for the earlier installments to experience the full, disturbing saga of the Parker sisters.