Scan barcode
rosanna17's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Very simple book and easy read. I felt I was able to get an insight to how police work. It was nice to know the characters seemed real and had actual human emotion. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was a really good read. I'm glad I found it.
michu93's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thebrownbookloft's review against another edition
3.0
While I was on vacation, I read Stalker by Faye Kellerman. This is the 12th in the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. It was fast paced and fun to read, although I found Cindy’s actions as a Mysteryrookie cop to be less than believable.
I read the Kindle edition. Book originally published Aug 2000 by Morrow/Harper Collins.
I read the Kindle edition. Book originally published Aug 2000 by Morrow/Harper Collins.
stefaniefrei's review against another edition
5.0
Do not read if you have to leave into the darkness alone – or stay at home on your own
Normally, Faye Kellerman’s Decker/Lazarus – series are police procedural. “Stalker“ comes as a veritable thriller and I am talking about gripping, evil, conspiracy, interchanging fast-paced action with dark foreboding. On the one hand, there is Peter Decker, LAPD-Lieutenant, investigating a series of car jackings with his team. The cases are somewhat off, from taking easy prey on mothers with young children to steal their cars to a small number of cases gone awfully wrong. On the other hand, there is Cindy Decker, rookie cop with LAPD and Peter’s 25-year-old daughter. Her big mouth and ivy league education do not make her live with her colleagues easy. But then, some of the things happening to her are decidedly off. She may have been absent-minded enough to put the photo with her 6-year-old sister Hannah away from its usual location. But did she also re-arrange her clothes? If only it had stayed that simple.
Despite of being number 12 in a series, this one might be read standalone, which is also because the main character is Cindy, not that much her father as in the previous books (we saw her in some amateur investigations in number 6, “Grievous Sin“, but rather as a side kick). It allows for a change of position, younger, female, beginner, which also makes her the potential victim of the namegiving stalker – one of those crimes which constantly keep the victim wondering whether something is really happening and when the next blow might be expected. And those blows will come, and at what a pace! Fortunately, the author has not forgotten to also include the other characters quite a lot in this one book (some of the series have one or the other seem like on vacation): not only Peter, but his second wife Rina, formerly Lazarus, Cindy’s stepmother, Peter’s former partner Marge, her present partner Scott Oliver, even something from Cindy’s step-brothers, Rina‘s sons from her first marriage, and Peter’s and Rina’s young daughter Hannah. So this is really a book for old and new fans.
I admit that the explanation for the criminal activity is, although plausible and realistic in its essentials, a bit over-constructed (lots of persons, lot of interdependencies, lots of different reasons/story lines leading to the grand finale). But who cares when you just cannot put down the book for quite a number of pages? I admit that after book number 11 (the one before) which I rated with 4 stars I was not sure how far I should be continuing in the series. With this one, Faye Kellerman really got to me again! Solid 5 stars for a completely new turn in the series without losing on its strengths – the characters.
Oh, and for those sensitive about it: thriller yes, but no pedophiles, sex-criminals, slashers (unless you count a couch).
Normally, Faye Kellerman’s Decker/Lazarus – series are police procedural. “Stalker“ comes as a veritable thriller and I am talking about gripping, evil, conspiracy, interchanging fast-paced action with dark foreboding. On the one hand, there is Peter Decker, LAPD-Lieutenant, investigating a series of car jackings with his team. The cases are somewhat off, from taking easy prey on mothers with young children to steal their cars to a small number of cases gone awfully wrong. On the other hand, there is Cindy Decker, rookie cop with LAPD and Peter’s 25-year-old daughter. Her big mouth and ivy league education do not make her live with her colleagues easy. But then, some of the things happening to her are decidedly off. She may have been absent-minded enough to put the photo with her 6-year-old sister Hannah away from its usual location. But did she also re-arrange her clothes? If only it had stayed that simple.
Despite of being number 12 in a series, this one might be read standalone, which is also because the main character is Cindy, not that much her father as in the previous books (we saw her in some amateur investigations in number 6, “Grievous Sin“, but rather as a side kick). It allows for a change of position, younger, female, beginner, which also makes her the potential victim of the namegiving stalker – one of those crimes which constantly keep the victim wondering whether something is really happening and when the next blow might be expected. And those blows will come, and at what a pace! Fortunately, the author has not forgotten to also include the other characters quite a lot in this one book (some of the series have one or the other seem like on vacation): not only Peter, but his second wife Rina, formerly Lazarus, Cindy’s stepmother, Peter’s former partner Marge, her present partner Scott Oliver, even something from Cindy’s step-brothers, Rina‘s sons from her first marriage, and Peter’s and Rina’s young daughter Hannah. So this is really a book for old and new fans.
I admit that the explanation for the criminal activity is, although plausible and realistic in its essentials, a bit over-constructed (lots of persons, lot of interdependencies, lots of different reasons/story lines leading to the grand finale). But who cares when you just cannot put down the book for quite a number of pages? I admit that after book number 11 (the one before) which I rated with 4 stars I was not sure how far I should be continuing in the series. With this one, Faye Kellerman really got to me again! Solid 5 stars for a completely new turn in the series without losing on its strengths – the characters.
Oh, and for those sensitive about it: thriller yes, but no pedophiles, sex-criminals, slashers (unless you count a couch).
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting so much from this book, we can all imagine what it must feel like to be stalked, and yet it fell short for me. So much could have been done with the subject but there were only four or five stalking incidents a couple of which were only touched on briefly, if you blinked, you'd have missed them. And for this reason it lacked the build up of friction and terror for me. It wasn't completely bad, just didn't have me completely hooked.
ruby_reads1's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Marge is a legend 💪👸🏼
pepper1133's review against another edition
3.0
I had a few issues here. That being said, I plan on reading a few more in this series, as I can see hints of brilliance here. Cindy is a complicated character, and you can't quite get a good feel on what her deal is, but that's ok--it makes for some interesting juxtapositions in the story. There are a few red herrings here and "coincidences" that make you groan. But overall, the characters are interesting enough to warrant reading another book or two.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
em_beddedinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
One of the better ones in the series. I have been erratically following the Decker Lazarus saga for quite a few years now , possibly a book or a couple a year. To me , what happens with them and their progeny is the main attraction , rather than the crime which is just a sideline.
I love reading the series out of order.
In this particular book , Cindy has just joined the PD as a rookie and is given much flak , especially as she is a female progeny of someone higher up ... And people are envious and uncomfortable.
Suddenly she gets involved in a financial scam/ shootout case her father , Peter Decker and his associate , Scott Oliver , along with Marge are involved in.. and things turn grim.
Cindy's home is vandalised , car is tempered with , she develops a relationship with one of her father's associates and things move to a head-on collision .
Was a very interesting read.
One of the better ones in the series. I have been erratically following the Decker Lazarus saga for quite a few years now , possibly a book or a couple a year. To me , what happens with them and their progeny is the main attraction , rather than the crime which is just a sideline.
I love reading the series out of order.
In this particular book , Cindy has just joined the PD as a rookie and is given much flak , especially as she is a female progeny of someone higher up ... And people are envious and uncomfortable.
Suddenly she gets involved in a financial scam/ shootout case her father , Peter Decker and his associate , Scott Oliver , along with Marge are involved in.. and things turn grim.
Cindy's home is vandalised , car is tempered with , she develops a relationship with one of her father's associates and things move to a head-on collision .
Was a very interesting read.