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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.”
petersenftleben's review
3.0
I don't see how this book was so critically acclaimed and touted as one of the best mystery/thrillers of the year. It's a fairly run-of-the-mill suspense novel. Sure, the gory, detailed descriptions of Gretchen's torture made me cringe a bit, but I still had a lot of questions running through my mind as I read it. It's not such a good sign when my editor comes out and I want to write a revision letter to the author when I should be reading for pleasure.
jannenemarie's review
5.0
Great read. It is disturbing to see how much power Gretchen has over the men. It is just unnerving that Archie plays into her hand all the time. The ending was great and the characters all fit so nicely in this story.
wellingtonestatelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting relationship here. I'm intrigued.
mafryc's review
4.0
Messed up. In a good way. Nailed Stockholm Syndrome really well in the subplot. Read it in one sitting.
bibliomanijac's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The story was so twisted! Some people are comparing it with the likes of "Silence of the Lambs." I don't agree with this. The only similarity they have is that they are books about serial killers. This story is not as gruesome as SotL, but it does contain some spine tinglingly gory moments. I only gave it 4 stars because the beginning was a bit slow, but other than that, the story was really interesting and I really enjoyed the authors writing.
mirable's review
4.0
SLJ Review:
Adult/High School— The shocking opening chapter of this thriller lets readers know they're in for a rough ride through the minds of damaged people, including a drug-addicted police detective and an ambitious newspaper reporter. Two years earlier, a sadistic female serial killer captured and tortured Archie Sheridan, the lead detective on the Beauty Killer Task Force, leaving an indelible impression on his psyche and numerous physical scars. Now a new serial killer is stalking Portland, OR, and Archie is called back to duty to head a new task force. Susan Ward, a bright, offbeat reporter, is surprised to get the inside track on the investigation from him. It seems that he is finally willing to expose his feelings about Gretchen Lowell, the Beauty Killer, but Susan will have to reveal her secrets as well. Vaguely reminiscent of Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs (St. Martin's, 1988), with the setup of the serial-killer psychiatrist trading information while working her own angle, the novel has plenty of gruesome details, building suspense, false leads, and startling imagery in a setting so realistic that readers will feel damp and chilled. This one is for teens who like their stories gritty, grim, and gory.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
Adult/High School— The shocking opening chapter of this thriller lets readers know they're in for a rough ride through the minds of damaged people, including a drug-addicted police detective and an ambitious newspaper reporter. Two years earlier, a sadistic female serial killer captured and tortured Archie Sheridan, the lead detective on the Beauty Killer Task Force, leaving an indelible impression on his psyche and numerous physical scars. Now a new serial killer is stalking Portland, OR, and Archie is called back to duty to head a new task force. Susan Ward, a bright, offbeat reporter, is surprised to get the inside track on the investigation from him. It seems that he is finally willing to expose his feelings about Gretchen Lowell, the Beauty Killer, but Susan will have to reveal her secrets as well. Vaguely reminiscent of Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs (St. Martin's, 1988), with the setup of the serial-killer psychiatrist trading information while working her own angle, the novel has plenty of gruesome details, building suspense, false leads, and startling imagery in a setting so realistic that readers will feel damp and chilled. This one is for teens who like their stories gritty, grim, and gory.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
daffz's review against another edition
4.0
After I picked up this book at the library I saw there were more books in the same series. Before starting this one, I didn't really expect to actually want to read the other ones too. I have to say now that I'm eager to go back to the library to get the next one. The book was exciting with almost never a dull moment and the characters were interesting and well written. The only downside was that the person who did it was extremely obvious after
Spoiler
Susan talked about sleeping with her teacher. The reveal at the end that Gretchen had set the entire thing up from prison almost completely made up for that though, so in the end I'm really satisfied with the story.the_book_noob's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The dynamic between Archie and Gretchen is super screwed up but yet intriguing.
The actual investigation and other characters didn't really interest me all that much though.
I might try the second one. Not sure yet..
The actual investigation and other characters didn't really interest me all that much though.
I might try the second one. Not sure yet..