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naomilane's review against another edition
4.0
I needed a good contemporary with lots of suspense and mystery. Well, that did it! I am a big fan of Cynthia Eden but so far I’d only read her PNR books. Let me tell you something, the woman can write. Cynthia is an awesome writer, Deadly Fear was fabulous, seriously. I’ve never read a book this creepy and scary. At times, my heart was beating like crazy and I always kept my lights on...
Cynthia wrote an amazing story, with lots of twists and a solid plot. I think writing romantic suspense books like that isn't very easy because the author needs to be really careful with what he writes. He can’t give anything away but at the same time he has to give us some clues of who the killer is and at the same time he has to write the story in itself, with the romance and all you know? This doesn’t sound easy! Cynthia did all this and she did it perfectly!
I’m all for the romance in a book, I’m a big romantic and I need my share of love in a book but Deadly Fear is more focused on the mystery and not the romance. There is a romance in it and it’s great but the book was way more focused on the killers and the victims. Oddly enough, this didn’t bothered me at all. I was so into the story that I didn’t mind the lack of romance. Some people may not find that the romance was lacking but I did, not in a bad way but, like I said, it wasn’t on the front.
Luke and Monica are great and I loved them together and individually. But this wasn’t a romantic book, this was a book about murders and serial killers and in the middle of all that there was Luke and Monica relationship. They got together pretty fast but it was good, since they knew each other already. They had a nice relationship, first it was all about sex then feelings got in the way but once again this wasn’t explored. I mean, I don’t know how to explain myself correctly. Even if it wasn’t the main focus of the book and all it was great and it was a nice touch for the story.
But what really did it for me was the plot. I’m stunned because Cynthia did a great job! We’re sucked into the story right at the beginning, it starts right away and everything is part of a puzzle. Some scenes that you don’t get right away get clearer later in the book and well, yeah, Cynthia did a freakin great job. Everything was perfectly done. It was a very intense story. The killer’s POV was great. I loved it, it made the book creepier and it helped us understand lots of things.
I’m usually pretty good at guessing who the killer is and I must say: I was right!!! But, it took some time. I had lots of suspects, Cynthia lost me at some point, she’s that good but a certain scene made everything clear for me and I just knew (but I didn’t know everything, Cynthia still surprised me at the end). The super creepy part was the way the killer acted. What he did to his victims was awful but I must say it was well done too (not the kills, the writing). The letters were the worst, ugh, I still got chills.
So there it is. Monica was awesome and kickass. We know right away who she really is and this was great. She’s a survivor and I loved seeing her opened up to Luke throughout the book. She’s fierce and when she’s after a killer, she’ll do anything to catch him. Luke was pretty awesome too. Less mysterious than Monica but a great MC. I loved his protective side and his fierceness. The secondary characters were good as well. Kenton and Sam, I know they have their own book and I cannot wait to read more about them!!
Cynthia wrote an amazing story, with lots of twists and a solid plot. I think writing romantic suspense books like that isn't very easy because the author needs to be really careful with what he writes. He can’t give anything away but at the same time he has to give us some clues of who the killer is and at the same time he has to write the story in itself, with the romance and all you know? This doesn’t sound easy! Cynthia did all this and she did it perfectly!
I’m all for the romance in a book, I’m a big romantic and I need my share of love in a book but Deadly Fear is more focused on the mystery and not the romance. There is a romance in it and it’s great but the book was way more focused on the killers and the victims. Oddly enough, this didn’t bothered me at all. I was so into the story that I didn’t mind the lack of romance. Some people may not find that the romance was lacking but I did, not in a bad way but, like I said, it wasn’t on the front.
Luke and Monica are great and I loved them together and individually. But this wasn’t a romantic book, this was a book about murders and serial killers and in the middle of all that there was Luke and Monica relationship. They got together pretty fast but it was good, since they knew each other already. They had a nice relationship, first it was all about sex then feelings got in the way but once again this wasn’t explored. I mean, I don’t know how to explain myself correctly. Even if it wasn’t the main focus of the book and all it was great and it was a nice touch for the story.
But what really did it for me was the plot. I’m stunned because Cynthia did a great job! We’re sucked into the story right at the beginning, it starts right away and everything is part of a puzzle. Some scenes that you don’t get right away get clearer later in the book and well, yeah, Cynthia did a freakin great job. Everything was perfectly done. It was a very intense story. The killer’s POV was great. I loved it, it made the book creepier and it helped us understand lots of things.
I’m usually pretty good at guessing who the killer is and I must say: I was right!!! But, it took some time. I had lots of suspects, Cynthia lost me at some point, she’s that good but a certain scene made everything clear for me and I just knew (but I didn’t know everything, Cynthia still surprised me at the end). The super creepy part was the way the killer acted. What he did to his victims was awful but I must say it was well done too (not the kills, the writing). The letters were the worst, ugh, I still got chills.
So there it is. Monica was awesome and kickass. We know right away who she really is and this was great. She’s a survivor and I loved seeing her opened up to Luke throughout the book. She’s fierce and when she’s after a killer, she’ll do anything to catch him. Luke was pretty awesome too. Less mysterious than Monica but a great MC. I loved his protective side and his fierceness. The secondary characters were good as well. Kenton and Sam, I know they have their own book and I cannot wait to read more about them!!
jacquelinec's review against another edition
3.0
Let me preface this review with this bit of info: I'm not a big romantic suspense reader. I can count on one hand the number that I've read and, so far, none of them have been favorites of mine. That said, I did enjoy Deadly Fear but it didn't feel me with the urge to seek out more romantic suspense.
My issues with the book mostly lie with the repetition and lack of subtlety. I do understand that it's especially important for a suspense novel to lay out details and facts in such a way that the reader isn't confused and to ensure proper foreshadowing. However, the characters constant noting of previously stated things only served to get on my nerves. Especially when they seemed to be surprised by an event or another character's behavior when they should have seen it coming a mile away. I like my suspense, novels and films, to subtlety show characterization and hint at motivation and, unfortunately, that wasn't always the case with Deadly Fear.
The romance portion is another story altogether. Monica isn't the most lovable character, but I found myself warming up to her gradually. Her coldness was effective enough to keep me from connecting with her but, given her history, her demeanor is understandable and her HEA with Luke well deserved. Luke is a pretty typical tough-guy alpha. The sexy, rough-around-the-edges sort that you would expect from this sort of novel. His perseverance and constant love in the face of the ice princess that is Monica is beyond admirable. As for the love scenes, Deadly Fear has some of the steamiest sex that I've read outside of erotica. Sure it's graphic, but it's never off-putting...
Finish reading this review at my blog, The Eclectic Book Lover.
My issues with the book mostly lie with the repetition and lack of subtlety. I do understand that it's especially important for a suspense novel to lay out details and facts in such a way that the reader isn't confused and to ensure proper foreshadowing. However, the characters constant noting of previously stated things only served to get on my nerves. Especially when they seemed to be surprised by an event or another character's behavior when they should have seen it coming a mile away. I like my suspense, novels and films, to subtlety show characterization and hint at motivation and, unfortunately, that wasn't always the case with Deadly Fear.
The romance portion is another story altogether. Monica isn't the most lovable character, but I found myself warming up to her gradually. Her coldness was effective enough to keep me from connecting with her but, given her history, her demeanor is understandable and her HEA with Luke well deserved. Luke is a pretty typical tough-guy alpha. The sexy, rough-around-the-edges sort that you would expect from this sort of novel. His perseverance and constant love in the face of the ice princess that is Monica is beyond admirable. As for the love scenes, Deadly Fear has some of the steamiest sex that I've read outside of erotica. Sure it's graphic, but it's never off-putting...
Finish reading this review at my blog, The Eclectic Book Lover.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
Book #1 in the Deadly Trilogy
4.5 Stars
Synopsis: Jasper, Mississippi is in the grip of a serial killer who exposes his victims to their greatest fears. FBI profiler Monica Davenport has a reputation for being cold as ice, but it is this skill that enables her to “see” into the minds of the most atrocious monsters. As the body count rises, Monica, along with the only man to ever get under her skin, fellow agent, Luke Dante, must bring down this cruel sadist before he turns his attentions on them.
Review: This is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. Monica’s characterization is amazing with her combination of strength, vulnerability and passion. Luke, on the other hand, is not as well fleshed out. His compassionate nature is hinted at but never completely fulfilled. Nevertheless, he is an endearing character and a perfect complement to Monica. The villain is also especially creepy but I would have liked to know more about his backstory.
Recommendation:This is an enthralling read and will definitely be continuing with the series. Beware it does contain some sexually explicit scenes and language.
Book #1 in the Deadly Trilogy
4.5 Stars
Synopsis: Jasper, Mississippi is in the grip of a serial killer who exposes his victims to their greatest fears. FBI profiler Monica Davenport has a reputation for being cold as ice, but it is this skill that enables her to “see” into the minds of the most atrocious monsters. As the body count rises, Monica, along with the only man to ever get under her skin, fellow agent, Luke Dante, must bring down this cruel sadist before he turns his attentions on them.
Review: This is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. Monica’s characterization is amazing with her combination of strength, vulnerability and passion. Luke, on the other hand, is not as well fleshed out. His compassionate nature is hinted at but never completely fulfilled. Nevertheless, he is an endearing character and a perfect complement to Monica. The villain is also especially creepy but I would have liked to know more about his backstory.
Recommendation:This is an enthralling read and will definitely be continuing with the series. Beware it does contain some sexually explicit scenes and language.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Cynthia Eden is an author I've been wanting to read for a long time (I have her entire Night Watch series on my shelf but I have yet to read any) and when I saw that Hachette was offering the first book in her new romantic suspense series for review, I jumped at the chance. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite romance sub-genres and the fact that Deadly Fear is also a reunion story (my favorite plot line!) made me more than excited to read it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's one of those where I wasn't able to guess who the killer until the last few chapters in the book--in most mystery suspense I can guess who the killer is a few chapters in and I am usually right. I really liked the heroine in the story--Monica is smart, tough and a take-charge/in-control type but she also has a vulnerable side and a horrific past that makes you feel for her. We really get to know Monica as Deadly Fear is her story more than anyone else's. Hence, I feel like I didn't get to know the hero, Luke, as much as I did Monica. He was supposed to be a victims expert but I never really got to see that. Monica and Luke are great together though and the connection and chemistry is there. I thought it refreshing that while they each have secret pasts, they are talking about their shared past out loud with each other early on (the second chapter in fact). There is none of that pretending it never happened for so many chapters.
However, my biggest complaint is the use of the "f" word in this book. I'm all for characters using that word and any other cuss words when appropriate and when their character calls for it. In this book, most of the "f" usage was through Luke and when we are reading in his perspective and the cussing thing is just how his character is. I get that. But I thought Luke would've been his cold, rough-talking character just the same without at least a third of those f-words peppered in his speech and thoughts. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery aspect of it is spot on, it has a fantastic heroine and it's a pulse-pounding, suspenseful read. I'm excited to read the next installment of this series.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's one of those where I wasn't able to guess who the killer until the last few chapters in the book--in most mystery suspense I can guess who the killer is a few chapters in and I am usually right. I really liked the heroine in the story--Monica is smart, tough and a take-charge/in-control type but she also has a vulnerable side and a horrific past that makes you feel for her. We really get to know Monica as Deadly Fear is her story more than anyone else's. Hence, I feel like I didn't get to know the hero, Luke, as much as I did Monica. He was supposed to be a victims expert but I never really got to see that. Monica and Luke are great together though and the connection and chemistry is there. I thought it refreshing that while they each have secret pasts, they are talking about their shared past out loud with each other early on (the second chapter in fact). There is none of that pretending it never happened for so many chapters.
However, my biggest complaint is the use of the "f" word in this book. I'm all for characters using that word and any other cuss words when appropriate and when their character calls for it. In this book, most of the "f" usage was through Luke and when we are reading in his perspective and the cussing thing is just how his character is. I get that. But I thought Luke would've been his cold, rough-talking character just the same without at least a third of those f-words peppered in his speech and thoughts. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery aspect of it is spot on, it has a fantastic heroine and it's a pulse-pounding, suspenseful read. I'm excited to read the next installment of this series.
4.25 out of 5 stars
mags_louise's review
5.0
I love this story, and have now reread it many times, and every time I just love it more. The story itself really sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat, with so many twists and turns that literally keep you guessing until the very end and even though I should know by now who the killer is before the final reveal, I can never remember purely because the twists and turns are that I good I always start to doubt myself!! but it really is a fab read and totally worth reading especially if your a fan of Romantic Suspense, the author herself or similar authors for example, Karen Rose and Allison Brennan.
xlynt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
swathi_narasimhan's review against another edition
5.0
Another Kickass book by Cynthia Eden. She has become my fav author after I fell in love with the LOST series.
This series looks like its on its way to make a place in my heart.
The leads, Monica Davenport and Luke Dante were so likeable, their romance was free flowing while the suspense Builds up in a rapid pace.
A mad man( the bad guy was a complete surprise), is roaming around killing off people in Jasper County. Will the perfect team of Monica and Luke win or the perfect killer who plays with fear win?
Wonderfully sketched , but a little stretched at places, still kept me engaged. Super creepy and fun read.
This series looks like its on its way to make a place in my heart.
The leads, Monica Davenport and Luke Dante were so likeable, their romance was free flowing while the suspense Builds up in a rapid pace.
A mad man( the bad guy was a complete surprise), is roaming around killing off people in Jasper County. Will the perfect team of Monica and Luke win or the perfect killer who plays with fear win?
Wonderfully sketched , but a little stretched at places, still kept me engaged. Super creepy and fun read.
ufcasey's review against another edition
3.0
This was well written and had a good plot, but there's just something that keeps me from rating this higher. I think it boils down to Luke being a flat, pointless character beyond being a love interest for Monica. Also, the audiobook narrator is kind of terrible; the characters' voices sounded so similar at times that I had a hard time telling which one was talking. So I don't recommend the audiobook.
On the plus side:
- The mystery surrounding the killer was very interesting. He kills people in ways involving their greatest fears. For example (this is not in the book, so it's not a spoiler): a person afraid of heights might die from falling off a tall building.
- The character of Monica was fantastic. I liked how she went about trying to identify the killer by thinking like him/her. In addition, she has a very intriguing backstory.
So while I didn't love this book, I still liked it. Perhaps others might enjoy it more because I fully admit to being a somewhat reluctant reader of the Romantic Suspense genre.
On the plus side:
- The mystery surrounding the killer was very interesting. He kills people in ways involving their greatest fears. For example (this is not in the book, so it's not a spoiler): a person afraid of heights might die from falling off a tall building.
- The character of Monica was fantastic. I liked how she went about trying to identify the killer by thinking like him/her. In addition, she has a very intriguing backstory.
So while I didn't love this book, I still liked it. Perhaps others might enjoy it more because I fully admit to being a somewhat reluctant reader of the Romantic Suspense genre.