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Book Review of What Doesn't Kill Her (Reeve LeClaire, Bk 2)

What Doesn't Kill Her (Reeve LeClaire, Bk 2)
kuligowskiandrewt avatar reviewed on + 569 more book reviews


Reeve LeClaire is a student at U.C. Berkeley. Reeve wasn't always called "Reeve"; she'd changed her name to avoid attention after having been kidnapped and held captive by a predator for the majority of her teenage years. It's worked so far; that is, it's worked until her captor, Daryl Wayne Flint, killed a worker at Washington State's Olshaker Psychiatric Hospital and escaped.

After a fellow student identifies her to the news media, and a domineering FBI agent attempts to question her using strong-arm tactics, Reeve decides to join in the hunt for Flint. Flint, having seen his favorite captive on television news feeds, also decides to hunt for Reeve.

I found it difficult to get into this book at the beginning. As it progressed, I began to enjoy it more. After wondering why, I realized it was because I didn't like or have a personal connection with any of the characters. A good portion of the beginning deals with introducing Flint, his mother, and his psychiatrist NONE of which were ever intended to provide a warm feeling in the readers' hearts. Our initial brief glances at Reeve did not provide enough depth to build a connection with the readers, either at least not this particular reader. As the protagonist was developed, and sympathetic supporting characters were introduced, it became easier to sink into the text. Then, as author Norton increased the tension with having the two main characters effectively hunting each other, the novel really kicked into high gear.

It turns out that this is the second book in this series; I never realized that while reading the book. This certainly means that it is not necessary to have read the first book before reading the second; however, I have to wonder if I would have enjoyed the beginning more had I had the advantage of knowing Reeve LeClaire from that first book.

RATING: 4 stars.

DISCLOSURE: I was awarded a free copy of this book in a random draw. No requirement of a review was made, let alone any conditions on the tone / content of a review, however, it was suggested that "an honest review would be appropriate" upon winning (and given that the book was released almost 2 years ago, perhaps they should have added "prompt").