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Book Review of A Righteous Kill (A Shakespearean Suspense) (Volume 1)

A Righteous Kill (A Shakespearean Suspense) (Volume 1)
robinmy avatar reviewed on + 2106 more book reviews


FBI Special Agent Luca Ramirez is the lead agent trying to find a serial killer nicknamed "John the Baptist". JTB has tortured and killed three prostitutes, leaving their bodies in the river. When another body is found in the river, Luca is shocked to find this one is still alive. Hero Katrova-Conner doesn't remember anything after being drugged and thrown into a gray van. She has holes in her hands from being nailed to a cross and an injury in her side from a spear. When Hero recovers from her injuries and returns home, she finds that John the Baptist isn't done with her. He's leaving items in her apartment, telling her that he will be coming back for her. Luca and his partner decide to give Hero around-the-clock surveillance while searching for the murderer.

This is the first book in Kerrigan Byrne's Shakespearean Suspense series. I believe this is her only romantic suspense title and it was written early in her career. It is your typical romantic suspense with the lawman chasing the killer and protecting the heroine. My problem with the story was the main characters. Hero is just unlikeable. She is a sex kitten who is constantly rubbing up against Luca or undressing in front of him just to get a reaction. She also throws tantrums if she's not getting her way. It was ridiculous. Every time she was told to stay away from the scene of the crime, she'd be right there in the middle of it a minute later. Luca was good at his job; but has a major anger management problem. He was in a constant fury for most of the book. I'd think the FBI would be putting him on a short leash.

There isn't a whole lot of suspects in this book. I guess when you're looking for a religious fanatic, it reduces the suspect list. I liked the secondary characters, especially Luca's partner and Hero's family. Hero's siblings are named after characters from Shakespeare's works. There is a quote from various plays at the beginning of each chapter. There are supposed to be more books in this series in the future. Since I love this author's historical romances and I enjoyed Hero's brothers, I'll be giving the next book a try. My rating: 2.5 Stars.