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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Kate Conlan has the unfortunate habit of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Such as the first morning back at work from leave, she just has to be the one who spotted the twitchy man. In stopping him, her tights were torn and she received a swollen lip.
Just as she reached her office, she was summoned to the office of Ted Sabin, her boss' boss. A special witness in a special case for her to look after. Whilst Kate loves her job as a victim's advocate, she does NOT do children. But in this, she has no choice.
The Cremator, as the press dubbed him, striked again the previous night. His third victim, tortured, murdered, and then set alight at the park, was suspected to be the daughter of a prominent businessman. The FBI was called and they have sent their best profiler, John Quinn, to assist in this case.
Kate had worked with John in her past life, of which she escaped and closed the door to five years ago. Seeing him once again brought all those pain back to the forefront of her mind. And yet, to stop the Cremator they have to work together. Can they stop the Cremator in time before he strike again?
Just as she reached her office, she was summoned to the office of Ted Sabin, her boss' boss. A special witness in a special case for her to look after. Whilst Kate loves her job as a victim's advocate, she does NOT do children. But in this, she has no choice.
The Cremator, as the press dubbed him, striked again the previous night. His third victim, tortured, murdered, and then set alight at the park, was suspected to be the daughter of a prominent businessman. The FBI was called and they have sent their best profiler, John Quinn, to assist in this case.
Kate had worked with John in her past life, of which she escaped and closed the door to five years ago. Seeing him once again brought all those pain back to the forefront of her mind. And yet, to stop the Cremator they have to work together. Can they stop the Cremator in time before he strike again?
Reading this book has confirmed two things for me: I love mysteries, and I am never ever reading anything in this series ever again.
Why the 4 stars then?
For starters, Tami Hoag is a very gifted writer. Maybe more importantly, she is also an incredible plotter as well. This book was fast paced, intense, and one of the most frightening things I have ever read. Back in high school I discovered this in a box of crime fiction paperbacks that my grandma had stored in her basement. The plot sounded good, and I love mysteries so I decided to take it home and read. A day or two later and I was half way through. A year later my bookmark was still in the exact same place.
This story kept me up late into the night. I couldn't go to sleep until I had reached a "safe" point in the story (lovers of thrillers and suspense novels know what I mean). And unfortunately, there weren't many of those in Ashes to Ashes.
My mind just couldn't take it anymore so I put it down and up until a year later had forgotten all about it. Going through my book stacks though, I found it again and realized that I needed to know how it ended. So right then and there I sat down and finished the darn thing. I saw it to the end and thankfully there was no outrageous cliffhanger and my mind can be at peace.
Why the 4 stars then?
For starters, Tami Hoag is a very gifted writer. Maybe more importantly, she is also an incredible plotter as well. This book was fast paced, intense, and one of the most frightening things I have ever read. Back in high school I discovered this in a box of crime fiction paperbacks that my grandma had stored in her basement. The plot sounded good, and I love mysteries so I decided to take it home and read. A day or two later and I was half way through. A year later my bookmark was still in the exact same place.
This story kept me up late into the night. I couldn't go to sleep until I had reached a "safe" point in the story (lovers of thrillers and suspense novels know what I mean). And unfortunately, there weren't many of those in Ashes to Ashes.
My mind just couldn't take it anymore so I put it down and up until a year later had forgotten all about it. Going through my book stacks though, I found it again and realized that I needed to know how it ended. So right then and there I sat down and finished the darn thing. I saw it to the end and thankfully there was no outrageous cliffhanger and my mind can be at peace.
I liked it. It was a good thriller, kept me on the edge of my seat. There were some frustrating parts (THE DOG LADY) but I guess they were deliberately written that way. I had no idea who the killer may be, and when I found out at first I thought that it was too random. Then it kinda made sense, but I still feel like it wasn’t really what I expected. Oh, and I couldn’t stand Angie, I know she’s just a broken, abused child but idk, she annoyed me a bit. Overall good read.
No Ma'am, shut it down.
Solid serial killer mystery. With consideration that this book was published in 1999, the romance element was not necessary. It didn't work or fit.
Most of scenes read like a 8th graders love letter. Example "Kate, I'd give you the moon and unhook the stars and take them down, and give them to you for a necklace.". And that's after seeing a burnt and charred victims body. So yeah there's timing issues as well.
Solid serial killer mystery. With consideration that this book was published in 1999, the romance element was not necessary. It didn't work or fit.
Most of scenes read like a 8th graders love letter. Example "Kate, I'd give you the moon and unhook the stars and take them down, and give them to you for a necklace.". And that's after seeing a burnt and charred victims body. So yeah there's timing issues as well.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Insomnia checkout from the library and a mistake. The romance bits made me cringe.
This book was first published twenty years ago. I still remember the opening scene because not only is it our introduction Kate, but it tells us at the core who Kate is. Hoag is brilliant in showing and not telling who the characters are. Kate is still one of my favorite characters of Hoag and everything I would want my kid to be when they grow up (if I ever decide to get around to having someone else have one (laugh)).
The other character I love just as much is Sam Kovac. If you want a tired, but still cares detective with a wise cracking mouth: Sam is your cop. I think he is just awesome.
Hoag plants plenty of red herrings and twists. Oddly enough even though I remembered the beginning very well, I actually forgot who the killer was. (laugh) I did not see it, though I kind of did see one betrayal but I think that is more because I am a cynical person more than anything.
There is a dash of romance that has a history. It is a nice break from the crazy killings and the politics of police work. Hoag brings both into its imperfect glare. This is why I love Hoag so much. Hoag does not allow the story to be perfect because life is not - especially police work.
Ashes is a great introduction to the Kovac and Liska series. It is available everywhere and in all formats.
I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall
The other character I love just as much is Sam Kovac. If you want a tired, but still cares detective with a wise cracking mouth: Sam is your cop. I think he is just awesome.
Hoag plants plenty of red herrings and twists. Oddly enough even though I remembered the beginning very well, I actually forgot who the killer was. (laugh) I did not see it, though I kind of did see one betrayal but I think that is more because I am a cynical person more than anything.
There is a dash of romance that has a history. It is a nice break from the crazy killings and the politics of police work. Hoag brings both into its imperfect glare. This is why I love Hoag so much. Hoag does not allow the story to be perfect because life is not - especially police work.
Ashes is a great introduction to the Kovac and Liska series. It is available everywhere and in all formats.
I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall
Couldn't hold my attention but I'm trying another book by this author.
FINALLY!! Back to reviewing following a long absence due to a difficult pregnancy and a huge bout of newborn induced sleep deprivation! I haven't had much of a chance to do anything except rock a screaming baby lately, so its so nice to be able to read a book. Or I should say, listen to an audiobook. Finding time to sit and read is still a little bit beyond me at the moment. But hopefully soon!
I had listened to another book by Tami Hoag last year, and I always wanted to read another. So when I wanted something that would hold my interest in the endless hours of feeding my baby, I immediately thought of her and randomly picked and downloaded Ashes to Ashes.
Ashes to Ashes is the story of a serial killer, and the joint effort to find them. "The Cremator" is what the media have dubbed this killer, because of the people that he is setting alight. But he gets sloppy, and there is a witness to one of his crimes. Kate, the crime victim advocate, attempts to look after the witness, Angie. Kate's past comes back to haunt her when an FBI agent Quinn is called in to investigate the case. In the meantime, more of Kate's clients begin to disappear, she thinks that the killer may have a vendetta against her.
This was a great audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator and the exciting story. One thing I really enjoy about Hoag's books (so far) is that she introduces different complex characters, and any of them could be the killer. It isn't blatantly obvious like so many other books, and that is really important to me. I love the surprise aspect, and because I read so many thrillers, I'm getting really good at figuring who the killer is!
Enjoyed the cute love lost, love found again romance aspect of this book. And I enjoyed how it was set amongst the murder mystery, but didn't take anything away from it.
Would I recommend Ashes to Ashes?
Absolutely! To any thriller fan! Really liked the audio version, and I am looking forward to reading more by Tami Hoag!
I listened to this audiobook through Audible, at my own expense.
I had listened to another book by Tami Hoag last year, and I always wanted to read another. So when I wanted something that would hold my interest in the endless hours of feeding my baby, I immediately thought of her and randomly picked and downloaded Ashes to Ashes.
Ashes to Ashes is the story of a serial killer, and the joint effort to find them. "The Cremator" is what the media have dubbed this killer, because of the people that he is setting alight. But he gets sloppy, and there is a witness to one of his crimes. Kate, the crime victim advocate, attempts to look after the witness, Angie. Kate's past comes back to haunt her when an FBI agent Quinn is called in to investigate the case. In the meantime, more of Kate's clients begin to disappear, she thinks that the killer may have a vendetta against her.
This was a great audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator and the exciting story. One thing I really enjoy about Hoag's books (so far) is that she introduces different complex characters, and any of them could be the killer. It isn't blatantly obvious like so many other books, and that is really important to me. I love the surprise aspect, and because I read so many thrillers, I'm getting really good at figuring who the killer is!
Enjoyed the cute love lost, love found again romance aspect of this book. And I enjoyed how it was set amongst the murder mystery, but didn't take anything away from it.
Would I recommend Ashes to Ashes?
Absolutely! To any thriller fan! Really liked the audio version, and I am looking forward to reading more by Tami Hoag!
I listened to this audiobook through Audible, at my own expense.
Tried to read a Tami Hoag before, but I did not get through. This one one, however, was a very entertaining read. The characters are interesting and plot unexpected. The end developed a bit too quick compared to the rest of the book.