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rebs24's review
dark
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fagtian's review
2.0
#ReadingChallenge2015: a book written by an author with your same initials.
This book had all the elements I love in a mystery novel, but it didn't work out for me.
This book had all the elements I love in a mystery novel, but it didn't work out for me.
haleyrayreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
marie_gg's review
3.0
I read this book primarily because I enjoy reading Chelsea Cain's article in the Oregonian and I noted that it takes place in my hometown, Portland. It's seriously grisly and twisted...and I found myself having a difficult time understanding the motivation of many of the main characters (including the psychopath). Many of these types of novels have too many characters and not enough character development. I used to read Patricia Cornwell's novels but ultimately gave up on them for similar reasons.
I will read Cain's next novel...after taking a long break...if only to see what happens next. However, I'm ready to go back into my usual genres of literary fiction, memoir, and nonfiction!
I will read Cain's next novel...after taking a long break...if only to see what happens next. However, I'm ready to go back into my usual genres of literary fiction, memoir, and nonfiction!
trisha_thomas's review
3.0
As someone who lives in Oregon, this book was especially fun to read and know all the locations of the high schools and the newspaper and even the make-shift task force offices. The writing wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best either. The end seemed kind of bland to me. I thought there were other, less obvious people who could have been the one to "have done it" and would have been more impressive. But, all in all, it was a fun light read.
alicemc25's review
4.0
Anyone else picture Dr Gregory House when reading about Archie Sheridan? I don't know whether it was his physical description, damaged soul, or just that he kept popping vicodin. Anyway, I really enjoyed this thriller! I've read quite a lot of crime fiction but this one was really quite unique. Very fast paced, towards the end I couldn't put it down at all.
The protagonist, Detective Archie Sheridan is a tortured soul - after he was literally tortured by a psychopath on his last big case. Even though she is now behind bars, Gretchen Lowell still has a twisted hold over him. Persuaded to return to work, Archie has rejoined his old task force to stop a new serial killer who is picking off young schoolgirls in Portland. Working with trusted colleagues, shadowed by a pink-haired journalist and hooked on pain medication, he works frantically to try and catch the killer before he can strike again. But however hard he works to crack the case, he is still struggling to escape the clutches of 'The Beauty Killer'.
This isn't a book for the squeamish; there are some pretty graphic descriptions of torture and death (as you might expect) which full on make your insides curl. Some of it seems a little silly; even if Gretchen Lowell did have medical training, the things she got up to in a basement (whilst keeping Archie alive) seem pretty far-fetched. But the story, the plot twists and the action are all great and make for a really fun and fast read.
The protagonist, Detective Archie Sheridan is a tortured soul - after he was literally tortured by a psychopath on his last big case. Even though she is now behind bars, Gretchen Lowell still has a twisted hold over him. Persuaded to return to work, Archie has rejoined his old task force to stop a new serial killer who is picking off young schoolgirls in Portland. Working with trusted colleagues, shadowed by a pink-haired journalist and hooked on pain medication, he works frantically to try and catch the killer before he can strike again. But however hard he works to crack the case, he is still struggling to escape the clutches of 'The Beauty Killer'.
This isn't a book for the squeamish; there are some pretty graphic descriptions of torture and death (as you might expect) which full on make your insides curl. Some of it seems a little silly; even if Gretchen Lowell did have medical training, the things she got up to in a basement (whilst keeping Archie alive) seem pretty far-fetched. But the story, the plot twists and the action are all great and make for a really fun and fast read.
laden_bookshelf's review
5.0
Whenever I find a great new mystery writer, I get a kind chill - excitement because I'm going to get to read stories I've never read before and - when they're great - twists I won't be able to predict. I got that chill before I even finished Heartsick. Amazing characters with epic backstory and chock full of general awesomeness.
mrsfligs's review
4.0
Words that describe the book: Serial killer thriller
Settings where it took place or characters you met:
1. Setting: Portland, OR, present day
2. Archie Sheridan—a damaged, painkiller-addicted ex-cop who returns to the force to catch a nascent serial killer who is targeting high school girls
3. Gretchen Lowell—an imprisoned female serial killer who is the cause of all of Archie's problems and may or may not have information about the new serial killer in town
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
1. I liked the idea of a female serial killer. You don't come across one too often.
2. I liked the weird dynamic between Gretchen and Archie. The book includes flashbacks to the 10 days that Gretchen tortured Archie before inexplicably turning herself in, and the readers gets a glimpse into the disturbing relationship between the two.
3. I liked the character of Susan Ward, a young punk-rock reporter who is hand-picked to cover the police investigation and write a profile of Archie—and who ends up getting a little too involved in the case.
4. I liked the fast pace of the book, and the fact that there are more "Archie and Gretchen" books to read.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
I'm giving the book 3.5 stars. The book is a fast-paced thriller that departs from the usual "template" by having a female serial killer and a cop/killer relationship that somewhat echoes the dynamic between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs." The reader gets oddly sucked into the relationship between Archie and Gretchen, and I'm curious to see how this plays out in the rest of the series. I liked that Susan Ward was more than a young reporter; she had issues of her own as well as "spunk." I also liked the Portland setting as I went to college in Oregon and am a little familiar with the city. If you like serial killer thrillers, I would highly recommend this one. (Note: As with all books of this type, there are graphic depictions of violence. It certainly isn't a "cozy" mystery.)
Settings where it took place or characters you met:
1. Setting: Portland, OR, present day
2. Archie Sheridan—a damaged, painkiller-addicted ex-cop who returns to the force to catch a nascent serial killer who is targeting high school girls
3. Gretchen Lowell—an imprisoned female serial killer who is the cause of all of Archie's problems and may or may not have information about the new serial killer in town
4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:
1. I liked the idea of a female serial killer. You don't come across one too often.
2. I liked the weird dynamic between Gretchen and Archie. The book includes flashbacks to the 10 days that Gretchen tortured Archie before inexplicably turning herself in, and the readers gets a glimpse into the disturbing relationship between the two.
3. I liked the character of Susan Ward, a young punk-rock reporter who is hand-picked to cover the police investigation and write a profile of Archie—and who ends up getting a little too involved in the case.
4. I liked the fast pace of the book, and the fact that there are more "Archie and Gretchen" books to read.
5 Stars or less for your rating?
I'm giving the book 3.5 stars. The book is a fast-paced thriller that departs from the usual "template" by having a female serial killer and a cop/killer relationship that somewhat echoes the dynamic between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs." The reader gets oddly sucked into the relationship between Archie and Gretchen, and I'm curious to see how this plays out in the rest of the series. I liked that Susan Ward was more than a young reporter; she had issues of her own as well as "spunk." I also liked the Portland setting as I went to college in Oregon and am a little familiar with the city. If you like serial killer thrillers, I would highly recommend this one. (Note: As with all books of this type, there are graphic depictions of violence. It certainly isn't a "cozy" mystery.)
staceykay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75