Scan barcode
suggsygirl's review against another edition
2.0
I felt like the main character of this book was the least convincing sex therapist, ever. The main sex scene was incredibly unsexy and the doctor went from fine with a sexless/boring marriage to being permanently hot for every guy she met. The detective was one massive walking cliche and pretty much every other character was one dimensional. The plot made pretty much zero sense and I saw who the murderer was from space. Having said all that it wasn't dreadful, it was just a bit like reading fan fiction and not the really good stuff. Readable and if you don't look too closely passable as a story but you're not going to recommend this to your friend. Not if you like them anyway. Also there were numerous typos and missing words so it needed a better editor/proof reader.
bchipper's review
3.0
For me the story took to long to get me involved and connect with the characters. I spent a week reading the first 2/3 of the book and a day reading the last third. Some of the colourful arty descriptions felt like word count padding.
acorngirl121's review
5.0
I could not stop reading this book. IT was suspenseful, engaging, action packed, and descriptive just enough for me to enjoy it, but not too much to be boring. I couldn't predict the killer until closer to the end...which is when I think we're supposed to. Great job! I've already downloaded the second book in the series!
chrisjay94's review
3.0
I really liked the psychology behind this book. The characters were well-done (almost too much character definition on Morgan and her nose). The sex (therapist, prostitution, etc.) aspect of it wasn't overused or uncomfortable. The one scene between Morgan and Noah was hot!
topdragon's review
3.0
This first in a mystery/thriller series is about a sex therapist who has a client that has gone missing. The client is a high-end call girl and since there is a serial killer on the loose who is targeting prostitutes, the therapist is understandably worried.
I had a hard time getting into this one. There was a lot of getting to know the main character and narrator (the therapist) including her troubled family life. The serial killer aspects seemed pretty standard fare; i.e we know from very near the beginning that the killer is some sort of priest and has a thing for trying to convert prostitutes to becoming pillars of virtue. When it doesn't work, he has to kill them of course. The identity of the killer wasn't had to deduce. Seems I've read similar plots at least a dozen times and nothing makes this novel stand out above the rest. I will say that Ms. Rose can write well; this is no amateur effort. Perhaps the following books in the series will be more engaging.
I had a hard time getting into this one. There was a lot of getting to know the main character and narrator (the therapist) including her troubled family life. The serial killer aspects seemed pretty standard fare; i.e we know from very near the beginning that the killer is some sort of priest and has a thing for trying to convert prostitutes to becoming pillars of virtue. When it doesn't work, he has to kill them of course. The identity of the killer wasn't had to deduce. Seems I've read similar plots at least a dozen times and nothing makes this novel stand out above the rest. I will say that Ms. Rose can write well; this is no amateur effort. Perhaps the following books in the series will be more engaging.
alexamw's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
elodiethefangirl's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jbarr5's review
4.0
The Halo Effect by M. J. Rose
Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist and donates her time once a week to women at the prison. She also sees private patients. one who is writing a sex book and she now has a copy.
Her boyfriend thinks something bad will happen to her once the book is published and the dr. has watched her leave one day and there is a man that follows her. Because the detective called her she rushed down the morgue to identify the woman who was now dead-one of the women who got out of prison and was to head back home to WV.
Her divorce came through also after being married 15 years.
Dr. Nina Butterfield is the owner and friend of hers.
Her daughter, Dolcie is 12 and studying the summer at drama school.
Detective Noah Jordain from the special victim unit is on the case of the woman murdered at the hotel.
They have a serial killer on their hands, same MO.
Morgan remembers her mother and her lifestyle with pain and anguish.
From this point Chloe goes missing and more murders are committed.
Things get a bit too mysterious/thriller/horror for me, this would make a great SUV for TV.
Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist and donates her time once a week to women at the prison. She also sees private patients. one who is writing a sex book and she now has a copy.
Her boyfriend thinks something bad will happen to her once the book is published and the dr. has watched her leave one day and there is a man that follows her. Because the detective called her she rushed down the morgue to identify the woman who was now dead-one of the women who got out of prison and was to head back home to WV.
Her divorce came through also after being married 15 years.
Dr. Nina Butterfield is the owner and friend of hers.
Her daughter, Dolcie is 12 and studying the summer at drama school.
Detective Noah Jordain from the special victim unit is on the case of the woman murdered at the hotel.
They have a serial killer on their hands, same MO.
Morgan remembers her mother and her lifestyle with pain and anguish.
From this point Chloe goes missing and more murders are committed.
Things get a bit too mysterious/thriller/horror for me, this would make a great SUV for TV.
colorfulleo92's review
4.0
A re-read. I've forgotten much of it since reading it in 2018 however I remembered I enjoyed it a lot and have been wanting to re-read it again. I was not disappointing. It's a dark murder case yet so readable and keep you on the edge of your seat. I have the next book on hand and I don't think I'll wait long until devouring it as well!
tbr_never_ends's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0