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cutenanya's review
1.0
If you ask me what the heck went wrong with this book that deserved only 1 star, I'd say the DUMBNESS of the heroine is the cause. I can tolerate plotholes, I can even endure the pain of a love triangle where an ordinary heroine just suddenly gets the attention of every cool guy that passes her by, but a DUMB heroine? NEGATIVE. Just doesn't work for me. To illustrate how DUMB this heroine is, let's just begin with the little episode where
1) She let Jessica plunge to her death. When your subordinate is acting as bait on a highway, even if the owner of the car does not fit the profile, you still should not turn the speaker or GPS off until your subordinate is completely out of danger, meaning she is standing right in front of you, or at least within visible distance. Jessica boarded a stranger's car and simply because the person LOOKED like a woman, they assumed Jessica would be harmless. Hello, it is possible the driver is a man disguised as a woman, it IS also possible the killer has a female accomplice. I just don't see how a FBI agent with enough experience and training to train another agent could make such foolish mistakes, and the other FBI agents on the mission too!
2) The subplot that really pissed me off was the part where she killed the serial killer. Heck, she's acting out of self-defense, no question about it, she could just call Max, tell him what happened and investigate the murders right off! That would be WAY BETTER than her destroying the evidence! Being a seasoned FBI agent, she should have known better than to contaminate and DESTROY (literally) a crime scene. Now, even the worst serial killer has family, how the heck did she know they don't want their son's body? And then there is the question of whether the killer has kept any woman imprisoned at the moment. Had she alerted the police as any normal citizen would have, she would have a better chance saving any woman whom the killer might have kept captive. In other words, this woman is out of her mind!
I should have stopped reading right then and there but I would like to know if she would be punished in the end by the law for her stupidity, recklessness, and selfishness. Guess what, NOTHING! I want the freaking trial! A word at least on what happened after she killed someone, trespassed another agent's home, tricked and lied her way into a marriage,and so forth. Unbelievable! I wish Goodreads has the option of 0 star!
Recommend this book to others? HELL NO!
Spoiler
1) She let Jessica plunge to her death. When your subordinate is acting as bait on a highway, even if the owner of the car does not fit the profile, you still should not turn the speaker or GPS off until your subordinate is completely out of danger, meaning she is standing right in front of you, or at least within visible distance. Jessica boarded a stranger's car and simply because the person LOOKED like a woman, they assumed Jessica would be harmless. Hello, it is possible the driver is a man disguised as a woman, it IS also possible the killer has a female accomplice. I just don't see how a FBI agent with enough experience and training to train another agent could make such foolish mistakes, and the other FBI agents on the mission too!
2) The subplot that really pissed me off was the part where she killed the serial killer. Heck, she's acting out of self-defense, no question about it, she could just call Max, tell him what happened and investigate the murders right off! That would be WAY BETTER than her destroying the evidence! Being a seasoned FBI agent, she should have known better than to contaminate and DESTROY (literally) a crime scene. Now, even the worst serial killer has family, how the heck did she know they don't want their son's body? And then there is the question of whether the killer has kept any woman imprisoned at the moment. Had she alerted the police as any normal citizen would have, she would have a better chance saving any woman whom the killer might have kept captive. In other words, this woman is out of her mind!
I should have stopped reading right then and there but I would like to know if she would be punished in the end by the law for her stupidity, recklessness, and selfishness. Guess what, NOTHING! I want the freaking trial! A word at least on what happened after she killed someone, trespassed another agent's home, tricked and lied her way into a marriage,and so forth. Unbelievable! I wish Goodreads has the option of 0 star!
Recommend this book to others? HELL NO!
mierke's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
justlily's review against another edition
4.0
This was definitely a page turner! The main character had a great voice, helped by some solid writing, and a mystery I didn't figure out until the end.
I did struggle with believability in a few places where it just seemed far fetched, but otherwise an interesting and engaging start to the series.
I did struggle with believability in a few places where it just seemed far fetched, but otherwise an interesting and engaging start to the series.
jacki_f's review
3.0
Brigid Quinn is a recently retired FBI agent. One of the major cases that she worked on was a serial killer whose victims included a colleague of Quinn's who was intended to serve as bait to catch him. This case has haunted her, so when it appears that the killer has finally been apprehended she seizes the opportunity to dive back into the action. However she and the investigating agent start to question whether they have the right man. It also appears that Quinn herself may be the target of someone unknown.
This is a fast paced story which has lots of twists and turns and a very intriguing, albeit pretty nutty, main character. I read it in two sittings and was wondering what would happen in between. Lots of atmosphere, good use of its Arizonan setting and a pleasing whodunnit.
I've given it three stars because I'm torn between the parts I liked and the parts I didn't. Firstly, there are some continuity errors and while these aren't critical, they did pull me out of the action from time to time. Secondly and more importantly, the main character's actions just stop being believable at some stage in the second half of the book. Obsessive agent or not, I can't accept that she would take the risks that she does or draw the conclusions that she does. Nor do I believe that it would be so hard to find someone to listen to her. Nevertheless, a fast paced and an original story.
This is a fast paced story which has lots of twists and turns and a very intriguing, albeit pretty nutty, main character. I read it in two sittings and was wondering what would happen in between. Lots of atmosphere, good use of its Arizonan setting and a pleasing whodunnit.
I've given it three stars because I'm torn between the parts I liked and the parts I didn't. Firstly, there are some continuity errors and while these aren't critical, they did pull me out of the action from time to time. Secondly and more importantly, the main character's actions just stop being believable at some stage in the second half of the book. Obsessive agent or not, I can't accept that she would take the risks that she does or draw the conclusions that she does. Nor do I believe that it would be so hard to find someone to listen to her. Nevertheless, a fast paced and an original story.
spestories's review
5.0
A very twisty plot and novel characters. I have read a few crime thrillers set in the Southwest and this is a great book.
emckeon1002's review
3.0
A preposterous premise (a loosely associated team of serial killers), and a character (ex-FBI always brings Jim Comey to mind) who's the protagonist, but kills one of the "team" only to hide her deed from a new husband who wouldn't understand that she capable of such....hmmm? I think I'll pass on the next Brigid Quinn.
tequilalina's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
suebee135's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re looking for a fast paced thriller that you just can’t put down, look no further. Rage against the Dying, the debut thriller by Becky Masterman, will not disappoint you.
Ex-FBI agent Brigid Quinn is adjusting to her new life as a newlywed in Tucson, Arizona. Forced into early retirement after shooting an unarmed suspect, the 59 year old Quinn has seemingly moved on. That is until the Route 66 Killer, the case that has haunted her for years, becomes news once again. Not only the most frustrating unsolved case of Brigid’s career, the Route 66 Killer cost the life of her protégé Jessica Robertson. Now a suspect has confessed and Brigid is once again drawn into this disturbing case. Laura Coleman, the new FBI agent assigned to Route 66, has asked for Brigid’s help but no one can foresee the horror that lies ahead.
This novel has everything: suspense, dark humor, and of course some blood and guts. I sincerely hope Brigid’s story does not end here. Unlike any character I’ve ever read, she is strong, smart, funny, and a little bit of a loose cannon. I can’t wait to see her again.
Ex-FBI agent Brigid Quinn is adjusting to her new life as a newlywed in Tucson, Arizona. Forced into early retirement after shooting an unarmed suspect, the 59 year old Quinn has seemingly moved on. That is until the Route 66 Killer, the case that has haunted her for years, becomes news once again. Not only the most frustrating unsolved case of Brigid’s career, the Route 66 Killer cost the life of her protégé Jessica Robertson. Now a suspect has confessed and Brigid is once again drawn into this disturbing case. Laura Coleman, the new FBI agent assigned to Route 66, has asked for Brigid’s help but no one can foresee the horror that lies ahead.
This novel has everything: suspense, dark humor, and of course some blood and guts. I sincerely hope Brigid’s story does not end here. Unlike any character I’ve ever read, she is strong, smart, funny, and a little bit of a loose cannon. I can’t wait to see her again.
carolpk's review against another edition
4.0
We readers are a fickle lot. Just last week I read a book in which the author tried to evoke a strong female character. In doing so she put her in situations that seemed unbelievable, where she should have been killed or maimed beyond a doubt. It didn’t work for me. So why does Rage against the Dying, a debut featuring another kick-butt woman character who also has nine lives work so well for me? It’s all in the story! This one hits the ground running and is a beaut of a thriller.
Ex-FBI Agent Brigid Quinn had hunted sexual predators and had dealt with all kinds of scum. Her retirement might have come a bit early as events led to her mutual agreement to leave the bureau. She’s gray haired, recently married to a former priest of all things, and still a heck of a woman to contend with. Loose ends and a cold case bring her back into action and I mean action.
Did I mention the pugs? There’s two of these face licking canines and they just add to the whole. I’m not even a dog lover but wished one was sitting on my lap, comforting me. The husband, Carlo is almost as good. Brigid and Carlo’s relationship is one I’d love to see explored in a future story and I’m certain there will be another.
Though it’s violent, I found myself along for the ride no matter what, eyes wide open and speeding to its finish. Smart dialogue, real flawed characters, with just a touch of humor, love and caring keeps it from being too depressing. Get yourself on the list. An excellent debut by an acquisitions editor for a press specializing in medical textbooks for forensic examiners and law enforcement. Becky Masterman did her homework and it shows.
Ex-FBI Agent Brigid Quinn had hunted sexual predators and had dealt with all kinds of scum. Her retirement might have come a bit early as events led to her mutual agreement to leave the bureau. She’s gray haired, recently married to a former priest of all things, and still a heck of a woman to contend with. Loose ends and a cold case bring her back into action and I mean action.
Did I mention the pugs? There’s two of these face licking canines and they just add to the whole. I’m not even a dog lover but wished one was sitting on my lap, comforting me. The husband, Carlo is almost as good. Brigid and Carlo’s relationship is one I’d love to see explored in a future story and I’m certain there will be another.
Though it’s violent, I found myself along for the ride no matter what, eyes wide open and speeding to its finish. Smart dialogue, real flawed characters, with just a touch of humor, love and caring keeps it from being too depressing. Get yourself on the list. An excellent debut by an acquisitions editor for a press specializing in medical textbooks for forensic examiners and law enforcement. Becky Masterman did her homework and it shows.