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gimpyknee's review
2.0
I've read The Silence of the Lambs. I loved The Silence of the Lambs. This is no The Silence of the Lambs.
cbaker8887's review
5.0
HeartSick introduces one of the most diabolical, psychopathic, frightening serial killers in fiction -- the beautiful Gretchen Lowell. Gretchen Lowell makes Hannibal Lecter look like a boy scout. Not only has she killed hundreds of victims, she likes to torture them for days before finally putting them out of their misery. She is one nasty piece of work.
HeartSick also introduces us to Archie Sheridan, the detective who hunted down Lowell, and was also her last victim. There is another serial killer loose in Portland and while Sheridan is placed at the head of the task force to track the killer down, we also get a glimpse into the much damaged psyche of Archie Sheridan as a result of his being tortured, nearly to death by Lowell. In what he calls an attempt to close previous cases he still visits Lowell frequently in jail, but their relationship is much deeper. This book takes us on two plotlines, the relationship between Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell, as well as his hunt for the new serial killer.
This is a very fast paced novel driven by the characters and the relationship between Sheridan and Lowell. It's a murder mystery, a psychological thriller, and maybe even a twisted love story.
HeartSick also introduces us to Archie Sheridan, the detective who hunted down Lowell, and was also her last victim. There is another serial killer loose in Portland and while Sheridan is placed at the head of the task force to track the killer down, we also get a glimpse into the much damaged psyche of Archie Sheridan as a result of his being tortured, nearly to death by Lowell. In what he calls an attempt to close previous cases he still visits Lowell frequently in jail, but their relationship is much deeper. This book takes us on two plotlines, the relationship between Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell, as well as his hunt for the new serial killer.
This is a very fast paced novel driven by the characters and the relationship between Sheridan and Lowell. It's a murder mystery, a psychological thriller, and maybe even a twisted love story.
suebee135's review
4.0
Archie Sheridan was the lead detective tracking the Beauty Killer, a prolific and monstrous serial killer. When he himself is kidnapped by the murderer,Gretchen Lowell, she tells him he will be her 200th victim. Gretchen keeps Archie longer than her other victims but eventually turns herself in and allows Archie to be rescued. This, however, doesn't happen until after she has so cruelly tortured his body and mind, that he will never be the same person he was. Since her arrest Archie has visited Gretchen in prison every Sunday, hoping that she will give him information about her other victims. Archie's obsession has led to his divorce and an addiction to pills.
Now Archie has been asked to come back to investigate another possible serial murderer. He asks to have a young journalist follow along with him on his investigation so she can report on the current case. He also hopes her reports will end the speculation about what happened to him while he was held captive, and if he really is irreparably damaged.
This one is a little gruesome, but if you like thrillers this is a great book.
Now Archie has been asked to come back to investigate another possible serial murderer. He asks to have a young journalist follow along with him on his investigation so she can report on the current case. He also hopes her reports will end the speculation about what happened to him while he was held captive, and if he really is irreparably damaged.
This one is a little gruesome, but if you like thrillers this is a great book.
medgeperry's review
3.0
A solid beginning with a clever small twist at the end. I'll definitely continue the series. I probably would have liked it more if the audiobook narrator weren't so awful
jbrooks1978's review
5.0
Pay attention! You are in for a ride and every little clue means something later, so stay alert. This book is very detailed and not for the faint hearted at times. Loved every minute. Can’t wait to dig into Book 2!
joelkarpowitz's review
4.0
I was discussing with Amelia the other day why exactly it is I like serial killer books. Thomas Harris, Caleb Carr, Chelsea Cain--all of them deal with some twisted stuff, but I really enjoy all these novels. Maybe the idea of exploring darkness fascinates me, or maybe the fact that I was raised by a psychologist has something to do with it. When all else fails, blame it on your father, I guess.
I liked Heartsick. It gets 4 stars not because it was awesomely written--it's pretty standard thriller fare, actually--but because I thought the characters were interesting, unique, and (in more than one case) genuinely intense.
Cain moves the story along quickly. It's a quick read and an enjoyable one for people who like thrillers. Be warned, though, there are some gruesome bits. Several sections of the book are flashbacks to when Gretchen Lowell held Archie Sheridan hostage and tortured him. Some of it's pretty intense. But a good read all the same.
I liked Heartsick. It gets 4 stars not because it was awesomely written--it's pretty standard thriller fare, actually--but because I thought the characters were interesting, unique, and (in more than one case) genuinely intense.
Cain moves the story along quickly. It's a quick read and an enjoyable one for people who like thrillers. Be warned, though, there are some gruesome bits. Several sections of the book are flashbacks to when Gretchen Lowell held Archie Sheridan hostage and tortured him. Some of it's pretty intense. But a good read all the same.
nela's review
2.0
I kind of expected it to be bad, but I was still hoping that this would be my brand of murderer and detective romance. Unfortunately, I was right. This wasn't what I had in mind - mostly because I skimmed the synopsis and for some reason I thought that Gretchen would help them solve the case (missed opportunity, if you ask me). Still, there were a lot of things I didn't like. First, boring, bland, and cliched mystery with a dash of villain monologue. Second, Susan and her pink hair that was mentioned million times. We get it, you're different. Third, unnecessary shitting on teenage girls and other things that didn't age well. Fourth, "he was a man, so he had to look at her legs" just... no.
Writing was fine. Archies struggles were interesting to read about and it's great that we got a female serial killer - too bad that execution was lacking. 2.5 stars. I won't continue with the series, however if this becomes a show I will watch it.
“I’m fucking my married boss,” she said to Archie.
Archie paused, mouth slightly agape. “I’m not sure I needed to know that.”
Susan lit her cigarette and took a drag. “Yeah, but as long as we’re sharing.”
“Okay.”
Writing was fine. Archies struggles were interesting to read about and it's great that we got a female serial killer - too bad that execution was lacking. 2.5 stars. I won't continue with the series, however if this becomes a show I will watch it.
“I’m fucking my married boss,” she said to Archie.
Archie paused, mouth slightly agape. “I’m not sure I needed to know that.”
Susan lit her cigarette and took a drag. “Yeah, but as long as we’re sharing.”
“Okay.”