Helpful Score: 2
This book was enjoyable for me: fast paced, exciting, romance. I can see the previous reviewer's issue but for me, having read many horror stories and mysteries, this wasn't too bad. I enjoy Mary Burton, Chelsea Cain, even Mary Higgins Clark WAY back when. This book is NOT like a Stephen King kind of graphic, and is mild compared to "Heartsick" and "Sweetheart." I read JD Robb and the graphic images that Nora Roberts paints for Eve are much more graphic.
I do agree that the heavy emphasis on romance/sex in this book might cause conflicting feelings for some while reading it, but give the book a shot. After all it is fiction and I think Ms Butcher is doing a nice job of crossing genres. I didn't particularly enjoy her "No Control/Escape/Rescue" series but did/do enjoy her "Sentinel" series. If you like her writing style and don't mind a little horror with your mystery, you will enjoy this book. So, in that, the previous reviewer is right, if you can read novels about 'social deviants,' and horror, you will like this. If you prefer chick lit and the softer mystery, like MHC or Krentz/Castle/Quick, you may want to shy away. It is a grizzly plot line.
BTW, if you didn't like this, shy away from her husband's (Jim Butcher) novels. If you do like this, try him! He has an entertaining sense of humor mixed with his novels!
I do agree that the heavy emphasis on romance/sex in this book might cause conflicting feelings for some while reading it, but give the book a shot. After all it is fiction and I think Ms Butcher is doing a nice job of crossing genres. I didn't particularly enjoy her "No Control/Escape/Rescue" series but did/do enjoy her "Sentinel" series. If you like her writing style and don't mind a little horror with your mystery, you will enjoy this book. So, in that, the previous reviewer is right, if you can read novels about 'social deviants,' and horror, you will like this. If you prefer chick lit and the softer mystery, like MHC or Krentz/Castle/Quick, you may want to shy away. It is a grizzly plot line.
BTW, if you didn't like this, shy away from her husband's (Jim Butcher) novels. If you do like this, try him! He has an entertaining sense of humor mixed with his novels!
Helpful Score: 2
I am a BIG fan of Shannon K. Butcher, but this book was too gruesome to be enjoyable. I also had a problem visualizing myself or anyone I know falling in love and having sex while my sister was being held hostage by a serial killer. That being said, the book was well written and the suspense was first rate. So for those of you who can read the kinds of things social deviants do to their victims, you will probably enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 1
a little too much description of the victims and their body parts for me, but I'm super squeamish anyway. however, the book was well written and overall enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 1
Great read and very fast paced serial killer novel with romance elements. It is very detailed and gritty so if you are squeamish, this is not the book for you. Imagine "Kiss the Girls" by Patterson but with some great romance scenes. It reads differently than Butcher's "Sentinel" series. The writing is more straight forward and less flowery.
Love it and look forward to more.
Love it and look forward to more.