Helpful Score: 8
This was a really good, suspenseful read. Jillian Rivers is lured from Seattle to Montana by information that her long dead first husband might still be alive. Once in Montana, her tire is shot out and she is rescued and cared for through a blizzard by hunky Zane MacGregor. Her ordeal is hauntingly similar to a rash of serial killings that have taken place in the area. Can she trust Zane? Is he her savior or her killer? Keeps you guessing until the end!
Helpful Score: 7
Lisa Jackson's latest novel has a chilling premise: a predator is on the loose. He targets single women traveling through Montana in the winter, causes their cars to crash, "rescues" them, and nurses them back to health, only to later leave them in the woods to die of hypothermia and starvation. Sound good? That is what I thought too. Unfortunately, this book is about 300 pages too long, and even after 496 does not answer the question of whodunnit.
The story is told in sections that focus on four different characters. Two are detectives working on the case, one is a potential victim, and there are occasional first person chapters written from the perspective of the killer. The captor's sections are the most interesting, and the only parts that I did not skim. This book is the first in a planned series, and Jackson spends far too much time trying to develop the characters of the female detectives by focusing on the boring minutia of their lives. I don't care what Regan's daughter is eating for breakfast! I don't want to know that Selena is good with computers unless it furthers the plot (which it doesn't)! The fact that Regan's son is grounded does not endear her to me!
In addition, the dialogue in this book is atrocious! The phrase "D*** it all to hell!" appears frequently. Does anyone talk like that anymore?! Jackson seems to be trying to show us how hardened these cops are through their excessive usage of PG-movie swear words. This book could have easily been saved by a good editor.
Instead of the satisfaction of a mystery solved, what awaits us at the end of the book is a "letter to the reader" by the author in which she tells us that we should buy the sequel to Left to Die in August 2009 to find out what happens next. She also plugs three other of her upcoming 2009 releases and hopes that we will "give (them) a look." I don't think so. This was the first Lisa Jackson book I read, and if the rest are like this I will save my money in the future.
The story is told in sections that focus on four different characters. Two are detectives working on the case, one is a potential victim, and there are occasional first person chapters written from the perspective of the killer. The captor's sections are the most interesting, and the only parts that I did not skim. This book is the first in a planned series, and Jackson spends far too much time trying to develop the characters of the female detectives by focusing on the boring minutia of their lives. I don't care what Regan's daughter is eating for breakfast! I don't want to know that Selena is good with computers unless it furthers the plot (which it doesn't)! The fact that Regan's son is grounded does not endear her to me!
In addition, the dialogue in this book is atrocious! The phrase "D*** it all to hell!" appears frequently. Does anyone talk like that anymore?! Jackson seems to be trying to show us how hardened these cops are through their excessive usage of PG-movie swear words. This book could have easily been saved by a good editor.
Instead of the satisfaction of a mystery solved, what awaits us at the end of the book is a "letter to the reader" by the author in which she tells us that we should buy the sequel to Left to Die in August 2009 to find out what happens next. She also plugs three other of her upcoming 2009 releases and hopes that we will "give (them) a look." I don't think so. This was the first Lisa Jackson book I read, and if the rest are like this I will save my money in the future.
Helpful Score: 5
This is the first book I have read by lisa Jaxckson. I am now in pursuit of all her others. Read this book, you won't be sorry. Excellent read.
Helpful Score: 4
This is the first in a series. Good book.
Helpful Score: 4
Nothing is more terrifying than being left alone to die. One by one women are captured, toyed with, and then left to die. Grizzly Falls, Montana is in the grips of a serial killer. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case but this is more than they had in mind. Bring in a copy-cat killer and things go from bad to worse.
Another great thriller from Lisa Jackson. I give it 5 stars.
Another great thriller from Lisa Jackson. I give it 5 stars.
Helpful Score: 3
In this first suspenseful book of a brand-new series, #1 "New York Times"-bestselling author Jackson introduces two female detectives hunting for a twisted serial killer who leaves his victims exposed to the elements to die.
An excellent thriller, but be sure and read the sequel--Chosen to Die--at the same time, because this one has a real cliffhanger ending. Both books are now in print.
Helpful Score: 2
Book has two stories running concurrently. Only one story is finished in this book. The other story will end continue in her book to come out in Aug. 2009. Was disappointed that both stories were concluded.
Helpful Score: 2
Pictures of a dead husband draw Jillian to a town where a serial killer leaves women tied to a tree and left to die. Lots of twists and turns and a little romance. Couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is filled with suspense. Not only is there a serial killer that stalks women, shoots their tires out on a mountain road, rescues them, nurses them back to health, gets them to let their defenses down and fall for the killer, and then ties them naked to a tree in the Bitterroot Mountains to die from exposure. But, there's also a copy-cat killer. The sheriff's department in Grizzly Falls, MT is going into overdrive to try and locate the killers. At the end of the book, one of the killers is caught...but not the other one. We won't find out who the other killer is until CHOSEN TO DIE comes out in August, 2009...Still it's a good book and impossible to put down.
Helpful Score: 2
Picked this book up a few days ago and breezed right through it, great storyline. The only bad part of this book was the ending and the fact that the next in the series won't be out until Aug 09.
Helpful Score: 2
The woman's body is found lashed to a tree, naked, and frozen to death. The calling card for this scene is the same as the others, yet different. The letters carved into the tree above the victim are the same as the others but with the addition of this victim's initials added. The star is still carved into the cold bark, but at a slightly different location. Her wrecked car has also been discovered, the tire shot out and all identifying items removed from the vehicle. The killer has struck again.
Talking with Ivan, who discovered the body, is disappointing. He really doesn't know anything to add to the scene, but that is expected. Ivan claims he was captured by aliens years ago, and isn't playing with a full deck.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. The knowledge that the victims had injuries beginning to heal before they were killed leads them to the idea the killer is the one who "rescues" them and tries to gain their trust before he brutally kills them. The knowledge of the tires being shot out of the vehicles to make them wreck, held from the public, leads them to the conclusion that the killer has a thorough calculated plan, and they try to link the women in some way.
As the detectives are combing the latest crime scene, Jillian Rivers receives photographs of her late husband, a husband declared dead. Needing to find out if he is truly alive, she leaves for Montana. Her car tire is shot out and she plummets over a ravine before she makes her destination. Rescued by Zane MacGregor, she is stuck at his cabin while a blizzard rages on while she begins to recover from her assorted injuries. Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli soon find car in the ravine and fear that Jillian in the next victim. Can they save her in time? Is Zane MacGregor Jillian's savior or murderer?
I am a huge Lisa Jackson fan as her work is unprecidented. Book one of a new series, Left to Die, is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that does not disappoint. Peppered with interesting characters, an icy cold backdrop, and two detectives that have their own secrets makes for one very page-turning book. The hunt and clues will lead you to a very surprising cliffhanger.
Talking with Ivan, who discovered the body, is disappointing. He really doesn't know anything to add to the scene, but that is expected. Ivan claims he was captured by aliens years ago, and isn't playing with a full deck.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. The knowledge that the victims had injuries beginning to heal before they were killed leads them to the idea the killer is the one who "rescues" them and tries to gain their trust before he brutally kills them. The knowledge of the tires being shot out of the vehicles to make them wreck, held from the public, leads them to the conclusion that the killer has a thorough calculated plan, and they try to link the women in some way.
As the detectives are combing the latest crime scene, Jillian Rivers receives photographs of her late husband, a husband declared dead. Needing to find out if he is truly alive, she leaves for Montana. Her car tire is shot out and she plummets over a ravine before she makes her destination. Rescued by Zane MacGregor, she is stuck at his cabin while a blizzard rages on while she begins to recover from her assorted injuries. Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli soon find car in the ravine and fear that Jillian in the next victim. Can they save her in time? Is Zane MacGregor Jillian's savior or murderer?
I am a huge Lisa Jackson fan as her work is unprecidented. Book one of a new series, Left to Die, is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that does not disappoint. Peppered with interesting characters, an icy cold backdrop, and two detectives that have their own secrets makes for one very page-turning book. The hunt and clues will lead you to a very surprising cliffhanger.
Helpful Score: 2
This one was not as good as her other books.
Not as well thought out and can be dis jointed at times.
I did enjoy the Detectives Alverez and Pescoli and look foward to more about them in the future.
The relationship between Zane and Jillian was predictable.
A good easy read, but not that suspenseful.
Not as well thought out and can be dis jointed at times.
I did enjoy the Detectives Alverez and Pescoli and look foward to more about them in the future.
The relationship between Zane and Jillian was predictable.
A good easy read, but not that suspenseful.
Mary N. (midnitebutterfly06) -
Helpful Score: 1
Nothing's more terrifying than being left alone to die.One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work - but soon, very soon, they will. In the woods of Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, they have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come.
Couldn't hardly wait to finish this book to see how it would end!
Couldn't hardly wait to finish this book to see how it would end!
Helpful Score: 1
I was relieved to find that there wasn't as much "romance" in this book as I had feared, but was mostly "mystery". It was pretty fast paced and easy to get through, and it doesn't give you a clue who the serial killer is. I've even ordered the next book in this series to find out who he is!
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much. It was suspensful and the characters were both realistic and colorful. I cared what happened to them and spent my spare moments devouring the pages in anticipation of the next clue to the final outcome. As soon as I finished this book, I picked up its sequel and began to read it with the same anticipation. The only thing which detracted from the story line for me was the description of the sexual aspects of relationships since I prefer to use my own imagination in this regard. It was not enough to put me off, however, and I will look for other books by Lisa Jackson.
Franchesca M. (short-angry14) -
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Lisa Jackson book, and I must say, I was not disappointed. Absolutely better than any Patricia Cornwell book I've ever read. Kept me interested the whole way through. Lots of twists and turns, but not enough to be confusing. Absolutely recommend this one, and can't wait for the follow-up "Chosen To Die"!
Helpful Score: 1
enjoyed it
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. It had me hooked form the very start of it. I can't wait for the second part to come out and am anxiously waiting on it so I can find out what happens next. Lisa Jackson almost reminded me of Sandra Brown with the way this book flowed and read. I would highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Was a good book. New author for me. Will have to get her other books. Although didn't like the ending...you'll see why when you read it. : )
Cristina M. (cristinamoore) reviewed Left to Die (Alvarez & Pescoli, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lisa Jackson does it again! Everything she writes is great! Very well written.
Helpful Score: 1
Jilian Rivers receives alarming messages via phone and email, that her long believed dead husband, Aaron, is still alive, living a good live with half a million dollars he stole over 10 years ago.
Alarmed she's beginning the journey to the town the letter was sent from when her front tire is shot in the middle of nowhere with a snow storm coming up. Injured she lies in her car when a stranger frees her.
Lately there have been women found dead in the woods around Grizzly Falls. The killer's MO is always the same: the front tire is shot and the car crashed. The women found dead have all been tended to. Their wounds were stitched or taped and they all seemed to be of a good health when they were tied to a tree in the woods. Slowly freezing to death.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have squat to go on. No evidence left with the women, no evidence left with the sooner or later discovered cars. The only message left by the killer is a letter with the initials of the victims written on it and a star carved above the head of the women.
Jilian read about the dead women and now finds herself in a frightening situation: She wakes up in a cozy cabin, her wounds tended to and at the mercy of a men, she doesn't know anything about.
There is something about this man and she doesn't know if she can trust or believe him at all. In the end she doesn't have much choice but waits for the moment in which she can break free.
-
At times I thought this is one of Lisa Jackson's best books until I read the last few pages and discovered the book has an open end. The author announces the sequel will be published in August 2009 with the title Chosen To Die. My thoughts were she's got to be kidding leaving us readers here without any closure.
Without spoiling the book too much, it will be about one of the two detectives who the author thinks is an interesting person.
Unfortunately I don't feel the same way and couldn't find anything special about that. Nor do I want to read the same story all over again.
However, the rest of the roughly about 480 pages deserves a recommendation.
Alarmed she's beginning the journey to the town the letter was sent from when her front tire is shot in the middle of nowhere with a snow storm coming up. Injured she lies in her car when a stranger frees her.
Lately there have been women found dead in the woods around Grizzly Falls. The killer's MO is always the same: the front tire is shot and the car crashed. The women found dead have all been tended to. Their wounds were stitched or taped and they all seemed to be of a good health when they were tied to a tree in the woods. Slowly freezing to death.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have squat to go on. No evidence left with the women, no evidence left with the sooner or later discovered cars. The only message left by the killer is a letter with the initials of the victims written on it and a star carved above the head of the women.
Jilian read about the dead women and now finds herself in a frightening situation: She wakes up in a cozy cabin, her wounds tended to and at the mercy of a men, she doesn't know anything about.
There is something about this man and she doesn't know if she can trust or believe him at all. In the end she doesn't have much choice but waits for the moment in which she can break free.
-
At times I thought this is one of Lisa Jackson's best books until I read the last few pages and discovered the book has an open end. The author announces the sequel will be published in August 2009 with the title Chosen To Die. My thoughts were she's got to be kidding leaving us readers here without any closure.
Without spoiling the book too much, it will be about one of the two detectives who the author thinks is an interesting person.
Unfortunately I don't feel the same way and couldn't find anything special about that. Nor do I want to read the same story all over again.
However, the rest of the roughly about 480 pages deserves a recommendation.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was suspensful and kept my interest until the very end. It was long but had a lot of detail with excellent character descriptions. I want to read more about the characters in the next book due out in August 2009 - can't wait for that one.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book! Just wish Lisa Jackson's next book "CHOSEN TO DIE" would be available sooner than August 2009.
Helpful Score: 1
Another good serial killer mystery. Women left to freeze to death tied to a tree. There are 2 things in the book so won't give much away other then it is one you should enjoy reading and keeps you very interested!
Helpful Score: 1
This book kept me guessing constantly, I sent the first half of the book guessing and second guessing who i thought was the serial killer. The whole book was a page turner to wrap up 2 plots unfolding in one story. LOVED IT!
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
The woman's body is found lashed to a tree, naked, and frozen to death. The calling card for this scene is the same, yet different as the others. The letters carved into the tree above the victim are the same as the others but with the addition of this victims initials added. The star is still carved into the cold bark, but at a slightly different location. Her wrecked car has also been discovered, the tire shot out and all identifying items removed from the vehicle. The killer has struck again.
Talking with Ivor, who discovered the body, is disappointing. He really doesn't know anything to add to the scene, but that is expected. Ivan claims he was captured by aliens years ago, and isn't playing with a full deck.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. The knowledge that the victims had injuries beginning to heal before they were killed leads them to the idea the killer is the one who "rescues" them and tries to gain their trust before he brutally kills them. The knowledge of the tires being shot out of the vehicles to make them wreck, held from the public, leads them to the conclusion that the killer has a thorough calculated plan, and they try to link the women in some way.
As the detectives are combing the latest crime scene, Jillian Rivers receives photographs of her late husband, a husband declared dead. Needing to find out if he is truly alive, she leaves for Montana. Her car tire is shot out and she plummets over a ravine before she makes her destination. Rescued by Zane MacGregor, she is stuck at his cabin while a blizzard rages on while she begins to recover from her assorted injuries. Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli soon find car in the ravine and fear that Jillian in the next victim. Can they save her in time? Is Zane MacGregor Jillians savior or murderer?
I am a huge Lisa Jackson fan, her work is unprecedented. Book one of a new series, Left to Die, is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that does not disappoint. Peppered with interesting characters, an icy cold backdrop, and two detectives that have their own secrets makes for one very page-turning book. The hunt and clues will lead you to a very surprising cliffhanger. Highly recommend!
Talking with Ivor, who discovered the body, is disappointing. He really doesn't know anything to add to the scene, but that is expected. Ivan claims he was captured by aliens years ago, and isn't playing with a full deck.
Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. The knowledge that the victims had injuries beginning to heal before they were killed leads them to the idea the killer is the one who "rescues" them and tries to gain their trust before he brutally kills them. The knowledge of the tires being shot out of the vehicles to make them wreck, held from the public, leads them to the conclusion that the killer has a thorough calculated plan, and they try to link the women in some way.
As the detectives are combing the latest crime scene, Jillian Rivers receives photographs of her late husband, a husband declared dead. Needing to find out if he is truly alive, she leaves for Montana. Her car tire is shot out and she plummets over a ravine before she makes her destination. Rescued by Zane MacGregor, she is stuck at his cabin while a blizzard rages on while she begins to recover from her assorted injuries. Detectives Alvarez and Pescoli soon find car in the ravine and fear that Jillian in the next victim. Can they save her in time? Is Zane MacGregor Jillians savior or murderer?
I am a huge Lisa Jackson fan, her work is unprecedented. Book one of a new series, Left to Die, is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that does not disappoint. Peppered with interesting characters, an icy cold backdrop, and two detectives that have their own secrets makes for one very page-turning book. The hunt and clues will lead you to a very surprising cliffhanger. Highly recommend!
You absolutely HAVE to read this book before you read her sequel, :"Chosen To Die". If you read "Chosen To Die" first, this book becomes almost superfluous.
very good book!!!
This book caught my eye in the damaged book thread. I had never heard of the series but gave it a try. Overall it was a good book but it didn't captivate me like many others have. I felt myself putting it down and not coming back for it for long periods of time. For such a long book, I felt like there was a lot of "clutter" to fill the pages.
There are two twists to this book and though I loved the creativity of it, it was a bit confusing. I was also annoyed at some of the writing, on the part of the author. One of the characters is Zane MacGregor. The whole time he is just called MacGregor, even in an intimate setting. I found that a little out of place.
There are two twists to this book and though I loved the creativity of it, it was a bit confusing. I was also annoyed at some of the writing, on the part of the author. One of the characters is Zane MacGregor. The whole time he is just called MacGregor, even in an intimate setting. I found that a little out of place.
Great suspense!
very good book would read again
This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. It kept me hanging on all the way through the book. I read it with breakfast, lunch, dinner and at bedtime until it fell out of my hands because I was so sleepy. What I loved was one mystery was solved, very dramatically, but to know what happens with the other killer you have to read "Chosen to Die", the sequel. I can't wait to get my copy and continue the story. I really like the way this author spins her web to capture the readers attention and hold it. I highly recommend this thrilling book.
Very good book. It kept you guessing and several twists and turns.
I have never read any of liza's books this being the first in series "it was a pageturner , so, am looking forward to the others
Very book, kept you very interested in it.
I liked this book in that it was a good page-turner, with unexpected twists and interesting drama. The story involves two inter-twined stories, with well-flushed-out characters in each. What I was NOT happy about was the fact that one of the stories did not get resolved at the end of the book -- instead, it continues in yet another book by the same author, called "Chosen To Die". I will read that book, but forcing the reader to do so by making them care about the characters in THIS book and then not giving a resolution is just plain sneaky.
GAIL L. (my2luvsemmyandmally) reviewed Left to Die (Alvarez & Pescoli, Bk 1) on + 758 more book reviews
Pretty good book.....just not one of her best!
