Detective Nicole Usher is desperate. A serial killer is stalking women and has killed over a dozen. These women are special to the killer but Nicole aDetective Nicole Usher is desperate. A serial killer is stalking women and has killed over a dozen. These women are special to the killer but Nicole and the rest of her department cannot determine why and have no way of stopping the killings. The killer likes brunettes. Plain, shy and unassuming brunettes are stalked then mutilated for a trophy the killer covets. No one can know the mind of a killer, unless you are a genius profiler with a talent for doing just that. Nicole knows that Kent Harbinger can help catch the killer and despite a tragic history she shares with him, she calls him to help. Kent Harbinger seems as twisted as the killers he catches and although he is ranked as one of the top FBI profilers, his unconventional techniques have rewarded him a long-term stay at an asylum. His presence in the investigation creates pain for Nicole and resentment in Nicole’s partner and lover but despite this she knows there is no other way. Kent is the key character in this story despite the fact that Nicole is written in as the protagonist. His method of hunting the same victims as the killer helps him to guess the next target but he seems as mad as the killer. Stealing whatever he needs, breaking into buildings and stalking women are only some of the acts Kent commits during the investigation and Nicole is left to answer for him to her captain and partner. Kent seems to have no conscious and treats Nicole with apathy to the point that the reader cannot fathom a previous romantic relationship between the two. I hated him and wavered on whether to give this story a three of four star rating. The author pushes the envelope on what the reader will accept in a main character who is supposedly on the side of good and I struggled with this. Then I remembered something important. The best thing an author has ever done for me as a reader was to make me feel. To create emotion, good or bad, as I immerse myself in their creation. I was immersed in Plain Jane. I wanted the characters to do MY will and when they didn’t the author forced me to understand why. What does it take to get into the mind of a killer? What must you become if you want to catch what most don’t understand? Ms. West caught me off-guard and that doesn’t happen to me often.
If you enjoyed Silence of the Lambs or the work of Jeffrey Deaver, you will enjoy Plain Jane....more
Detective Nicole Usher is desperate. A serial killer is stalking women and has killed over a dozen. These women are special to the killer but Nicole aDetective Nicole Usher is desperate. A serial killer is stalking women and has killed over a dozen. These women are special to the killer but Nicole and the rest of her department cannot determine why and have no way of stopping the killings. The killer likes brunettes. Plain, shy and unassuming brunettes are stalked then mutilated for a trophy the killer covets. No one can know the mind of a killer, unless you are a genius profiler with a talent for doing just that. Nicole knows that Kent Harbinger can help catch the killer and despite a tragic history she shares with him, she calls him to help. Kent Harbinger seems as twisted as the killers he catches and although he is ranked as one of the top FBI profilers, his unconventional techniques have rewarded him a long-term stay at an asylum. His presence in the investigation creates pain for Nicole and resentment in Nicole's partner and lover but despite this she knows there is no other way. Kent is the key character in this story despite the fact that Nicole is written in as the protagonist. His method of hunting the same victims as the killer helps him to guess the next target but he seems as mad as the killer. Stealing whatever he needs, breaking into buildings and stalking women are only some of the acts Kent commits during the investigation and Nicole is left to answer for him to her captain and partner. Kent seems to have no conscious and treats Nicole with apathy to the point that the reader cannot fathom a previous romantic relationship between the two. I hated him and wavered on whether to give this story a three of four star rating. The author pushes the envelope on what the reader will accept in a main character who is supposedly on the side of good and I struggled with this. Then I remembered something important. The best thing an author has ever done for me as a reader was to make me feel. To create emotion, good or bad, as I immerse myself in their creation. I was immersed in Plain Jane. I wanted the characters to do MY will and when they didn't the author forced me to understand why. What does it take to get into the mind of a killer? What must you become if you want to catch what most don't understand? Ms. McCray caught me off-guard and that doesn't happen to me often.
If you enjoyed Silence of the Lambs or the work of Jeffrey Deaver, you will enjoy Plain Jane. ...more
The action in this book is a lot of fun. Steez is the first book I've read from author Raymond Embrack and I am planning on checking out more! Here is The action in this book is a lot of fun. Steez is the first book I've read from author Raymond Embrack and I am planning on checking out more! Here is the book summary:Gemma Steez is the first female quarterback in pro football. Some call her the Kim Kardashian of sports. Some see a target. A walking nightmare called Red Candy has a plan to take Steez for millions then “bathe in her blood.� With her is an ex-mercenary and a psycho for hire. Add paparazzi TV, a cult of celebrity stalkers, a Mexican cartel out for payback, and a bad girl past that’s come back for her head. But Steez is no soft target. Steez is where style meets badass.
The character of Steez is interesting and dynamic although you don't really get a look at how she goes from a young and troubled girl to a celebrity football player. I still liked her. The villains were the real stand outs in this story, Red Candy is a truly evil character and her ex-hitman boyfriend is a freak. Their relationship adds a lot to the stories' intensity. They hire a psycho to stalk Steez and pretty much terrorize her in the most brutal of ways but he doesn't live up to the level of messed-up that Red candy does so well. As for the rest of the secondary characters, I didn't get much of a feel for them. They felt like background noise.
What kept this from a 4 star rating was the confusing rhythm of the dialog between Steez and her assistant and boyfriend in the beginning. That and some descriptions of L.A. used when describing Steez's lifestyle were somewhat futuristic sounding and at first I started thinking this was set in the near future but this cleared up for me eventually.
All-in-all, I truly liked this story. It became a fast action romp and I couldn't put it down. I have a feeling Mr.Embrack's other books will appeal as well and I look forward to the next one....more
Imagine surviving a brutal attack. One where the obvious conclusion is murder but somehow you get away. Now imagine you are only 15yrs old, terrified Imagine surviving a brutal attack. One where the obvious conclusion is murder but somehow you get away. Now imagine you are only 15yrs old, terrified to get help from the police and unable to confide in your mother. Fifteen years in to the future is where you will begin this story. Mary Elizabeth has a family now. A husband and beautiful son but there is something missing in her soul. Her heart doesn't seem complete and those closest to her have begun to distance themselves. Her husband Charlie knows something has been wrong with Mary Elizabeth for some time but is unable to get her to talk with him, so he avoids the problem. Her young son is obviously much more closer to Charlie. I found the beginning of this thriller to be very dark and oppressive. I identified with Charlie but found I truly disliked Mary Elizabeth. This was at once awkward and authentic to me. There is an unwritten rule most of us subscribe to when we read a thriller or suspense story like Wired. We will ALWAYS identify and like the main character. Most especially if she is a victim. The problem with this is it isn't always reasonable. Given the circumstances of Wired and the role Mary Elizabeth has been given by Martha Randolph Carr, there is no way you will believe a strong, loving, sympathetic character. I promise you this, you will understand her and you will eventually empathize with her.
Here is the book summary:Will the truth set you free or get you killed? Mary Elizabeth and Charlie’s marriage is fading away as Charlie tries to just get along and Mary Elizabeth struggles not to disappear completely. A murdered teenager is discovered at the local teenage hangout on a bluff high above main street bringing back memories to Mary Elizabeth that she would rather forget but may hold the key to saving an entire town. But when the bodies keep popping up everyone must struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and redemption.
Martha Randolph Carr does and exceptional job in the creation of Mary. The building of tension is felt by all characters and I felt it as well. As most people who have read my reviews know, I put great stock in characters. I just have to believe them in most cases. There is always the exception but if you feel as I do, pick up this fantastic read! ...more
Book Summary: My name is Elena and I used to be a human being. Now I am a sex slave. If you are reading this diary then I am either dead or I3.5 Stars!
Book Summary: My name is Elena and I used to be a human being. Now I am a sex slave. If you are reading this diary then I am either dead or I have managed to escape�
****
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave is a gritty, gripping, and tear-jerking novella, inspired by real victims� accounts and research into the sex trafficking underworld.
It is estimated that 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year � 80% of these are women and girls. (Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007)
This is a heart wrenching story of a young girl named Elena who is kidnapped by sex slavers. It is brutal and horrifying. Elena tells her story through a diary she hides from her captors. Her hopelessness, fear and agony are very real. Although the story is very short, it packs a punch. As stated in the book summary, sex trafficking is a very real crime, a hideous business that profits from the destruction of young men and women all over the world. Sibel Hodge has done a very good job giving us facts in a story setting without sensationalism.
Like many of the injustices committed all over the world, the practice of sex trafficking is usually hidden in the underworld of crime but needs more light shed on it before it can be stopped....more
Douglas Dorow debuts with a fantastic new FBI thriller!
Book Summary: The Federal Reserve has never been robbed.
FBI Special Agent Jack Miller, pulledDouglas Dorow debuts with a fantastic new FBI thriller!
Book Summary: The Federal Reserve has never been robbed.
FBI Special Agent Jack Miller, pulled into a high-profile case to mentor a new agent, finds himself in a clash with the toughest opponent of his career. The chase culminates in the bowels of the city, in the storm sewers and tunnels beneath The Ninth District Federal Reserve of Minneapolis.
Dorow's characters are well crafted. They are easy to believe, realistic and sympathetic. FBI Agent Jack Miller is a seasoned agent paired with Ross Fruen, a young agent looking to learn the ropes. Their first case together is a tough one. One man, nicknamed The Governor, has robbed several banks. He doesn't take much money and doesn't usually kill but the last robbery he inexplicably kills a pregnant young woman. The Governor has a plan and his plan is much bigger than simple bank robberies. Miller and Fruen know that their time is short to find him and when The Governor starts targeting them, time runs out.
Douglas Dorow gives us a fascinating crime to figure out and immerses us in the scenery as well. I was able to lose myself in the process of tracking a criminal and become acquainted with the personal life of Agent Jack Miller. His struggles with family and job were very real. Dorow doesn't create a superhero but a man with a family and a love for his job. Some of the things I found endearing about Jack was his humility and his propensity to give everyone nicknames.
Fans of Crime Drama will be happy to welcome Douglas Dorow into the fold! ...more
Summary: Twenty years after surviving a school shooting Tanner Khan and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion. Although they suffSummary: Twenty years after surviving a school shooting Tanner Khan and his fellow classmates reluctantly agree to hold a reunion. Although they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, they come back to their hometown and reunite in the defunct school building. Old flames are rekindled, fears are ignited, and their lives are about to explode in a whirlwind of memories, haunted by the spirit of David Ray, the troubled teen who killed many of the students.
Once they're inside the school, they discover that a dark entity has joined them. It has come to collect a debt long overdue and someone has to pay. Will Tanner and his classmates overcome their fears, putting the pieces of their lives back together, or will they be consumed by their worst nightmare? Find out in this suspenseful thrill ride that will keep you guessing and engaged with a lovable cast of characters.
This story pulled me in and didn't let go. It started off on the day of the school shooting. An ordinary day for these kids and the expectancy I felt as the author took me through this day was stomach clenching. I was introduced to the main characters, one by one, as they arrived at school, greeted their friends and went to class. I was also introduced to David Ray, the troubled kid who will be the cause of so much death and trauma as the day progresses. Jeff Bennington writes of this horrid event with amazing insight. He makes sure we are aware of the underlying psychology of a teenager who has been abused and scorned. He also hints at something deeper, something paranormal in the events to come. I felt as if I was reading about any one of the real life school massacres that have happened over the years. You can't help but think of those horrendous events as you read this. This story eventually brings us forward, twenty years to the present and how our main characters have dealt with the trauma of that day. The authors depiction of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is spot on. Some of the victims have done positive things with their lives and some have remained stuck in that day but all are still affected and all need closure. Deciding to arrange a Twenty Year Reunion in order to face the past and heal, one student brings them all back to the school were their lives were shattered.
Now, up until this point, this story seems written as a drama about surviving the worst that can happen but Jeff Bennington doesn't let you off the hook with a heartfelt and healing reunion. Hell no! Instead you are plunged into horror. The menacing ghost of David Ray has his own kind of closure in mind and it ain't healing. It scared the crap outta me and I loved it.
The plot of this story is fresh and I was compelled to finish it as fast as I could. A truly great read!...more
I have to say that I am finding some of the best writing talent on Twitter! I will only mention Mr. Hicks here, of course, but I wished I had used socI have to say that I am finding some of the best writing talent on Twitter! I will only mention Mr. Hicks here, of course, but I wished I had used social media sooner. I happened to catch a tweet from this author and was intrigued, Checking out his site I saw this gem of a book. I am a sucker for disaster in the making from plagues to quakes and conspiracy to monsters, whatever. I DL'd Season Of The Harvest and am happy to report that I loved it.
Here is the book summary: What if the genetically modified crops that we're being forced to depend on for food weren't really created by man? What if they had a far more sinister purpose?
FBI Special Agent Jack Dawson investigates the gruesome murder of his best friend and fellow agent who had been pursuing a group of eco-terrorists. The group's leader, Naomi Perrault, is a beautiful geneticist who Jack believes conspired to kill his friend, and is claiming that a major international conglomerate developing genetically engineered crops is plotting a sinister transformation of our world that will lead humanity to extinction. As Jack is drawn into a quietly raging war that suddenly explodes onto the front pages of the news, he discovers that her claims may not be so outrageous after all. Together, the two of them must battle a horror Jack could never have imagined, with the fate of all life on Earth hanging in the balance..
From the suspenseful opening of the story, you realize you are not dealing with a human conspiracy. At least, not completely human. Don't let that fool you into thinking this is just another alien invasion-type story, because it is definitely not just that. A conspiracy ranging decades with the science of genetics and human imposters holding powerful positions at it's core, humans have found an all too willing place in the upcoming disaster. The use of genetically modified grain is commonplace. These modifications create pesticide and pest resistant crops as well as a bigger harvest. This is real life, not fiction and Michael R. Hicks makes sure you understand it well. This adds to the story as you follow Agent Dawson on his quest to find a killer. Unfortunately for him, it's not that simple. An organization that was founded to stop grain that has been genetically modified with a retrovirus of unknown purpose is blamed for bomb attacks used to assassinate key people. They are Dawson's only source of answers but are they crazy eco-terrorists or our only hope? I am always unwilling to give plot away in my reviews so I will say only that this is an action filled story with creepy undertones and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I will end this with a direct quote from Mr. Hicks; "You are what you eat"....more
YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION: Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die. Choose!
Sadie O'Connell is aLet's start with the summary:
YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO MAKE A DECISION: Let A Kidnapper Take Your Child, Or Watch Your Son Die. Choose!
Sadie O'Connell is a bestselling author and a proud mother. But her life is about to spiral out of control. After her six-year-old son Sam is kidnapped by a serial abductor, she nearly goes insane. But it isn't just the fear and grief that is ripping her apart. It's the guilt. Sadie is the only person who knows what the kidnapper looks like. And she can't tell a soul. For if she does, her son will be sent back to her in "little bloody pieces".
When Sadie's unfaithful husband stumbles across her drawing of the kidnapper, he sets into play a series of horrific events that sends her hurtling over the edge. Sadie's descent into alcoholism leads to strange apparitions and a face-to-face encounter with the monster who abducted her son--a man known only as...The Fog.
There are so many great things about this story. When Sadie had to make a decision to let this man take her son away I read in agony. A monster is holding her precious boy in his arms, a gun to his head. Sadie has already tried to fight him, over-power him and take Sam back but she isn't physically strong enough. She can't take the gun aimed at her son out of the picture either. What a terrible choice to make even though it's not much of one anyway. Since she has seen his face, she is threatened by the kidnapper. If he sees a description of him anywhere, he will send pieces of Sam back to her.
Sadie is a sober alcoholic. Sober almost seven years but her jerk of a husband accuses her of causing the kidnapping through neglect while drunk. She can't tell anyone what really happened because she would be compelled to describe the kidnapper. She is guilt-ridden by her choices and desperate to get Sam back. Enter cheating spouse who finds a drawing she did of him and suddenly she is the bad guy. Maligned in the press for withholding crucial information, taunted by her husband and falling apart she finds understanding with the lead detective on the case. This is not a budding romance kinda thing that you see in most suspense where the heroine falls for the hero. I liked it that way, there was just too much pain and fear in this story to include a budding romance.
There is enough info in the summary for you to guess how things progress but you wont guess what happens. This wasn't predictable and I ate it up. ...more
3.5 Stars! Fantastic! Summary: Fifteen years ago, Emily Wright barely escaped from a serial killer dubbed the Baby Doll Strangler. She wants nothing to3.5 Stars! Fantastic! Summary: Fifteen years ago, Emily Wright barely escaped from a serial killer dubbed the Baby Doll Strangler. She wants nothing to do with the small town where she was abducted, but when her father is hospitalized she reluctantly returns home to care for her teenage sister.
When her sister's friend is killed and left in front of Emily's house, Emily begins to relive the nightmare she endured long ago. Soon she realizes that her sister, too, is in danger from the killer—and the only person who can help is the man Emily left behind: Deputy Bailey O'Neil. Together, Emily and Bailey must discover the killer's identity before he claims his next victim...
A fantastic debut novel for J.B. Lynn. This story has all the right elements: suspense, fear, plot twists and love. I am so pleased to have discovered a new author in the same category as Sandra Brown and Lisa Gardner. I will be looking for her next book!
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