The sequel to Chelsea Cain’s superb Heartsick is just as satisfying as the first book. Sweetheart, despite the cute name, isn’t a romance. It might be more apropos to call it an anti-romance. Still, if you read the first, you must read the second. Sweetheart picks up shortly after Heartsick. A body of woman has…
Archie Sheridan is a tortured hero. Literally. Two years ago, female serial killer Gretchen Lowell kidnapped Archie, tortured him, removed his spleen, and them turned herself in. Oh, and she also carved a heart on his chest. It should go without saying that Heartsick is not for the squeamish. Also, while there are twisted relationships…
When I was a child, a friend’s mother decided that we had insufficient exposure to “culture” and she set out to remedy this deficiency. We spent many Saturday mornings being marched off to well-intentioned poetry readings, lectures, and art openings in my hometown. I remember endless cheaply tiled rooms filled with beige furniture. Works were…
I started reading The Hunted thinking it was a romantic suspense novel. After I finished, it seemed quite clear that this was simply a suspense as there was no real romance at all – sex yes, but not much emotion or chemistry. This meant that I had to readjust my opinion after the fact, which…
I’ve been reading Lisa Scottoline’s legal thrillers off and on from the very beginning. Some work better for me than others, and Lady Killer is one of the best I’ve read in a while. For the first time in several years, Scottoline revisits the attorneys of Rosato & Associates with a tale that forces lawyer…
Play Dirty isn’t really a romance novel – I’d call it a suspense novel with romantic elements. The suspense plot is very exciting and I found myself turning the pages faster and faster as the book progressed. However, the romantic element of the story definitely takes second place and at the end of the book…
In recent years innovative romance author Theresa Weir has turned to writing straight suspense under the name Anne Frasier. As in her romances, her suspense plots mix familiar murder mystery elements with dark and unique touches. In Garden of Darkness, Frasier returns to the haunted town of Tuonela, Wisconsin for another round of disturbingly well-written…
The Missing is a creepy horror story that deftly depicts many different characters and their internal monsters. With lyrical and at times poetic writing, it features haunting portrayals of an ancient predator that arises and devours a small town. If you like horror, Langan might be a new author to check out. The story opens…
I had not read a Kay Hooper novel in many years. I was not familiar with her Bishop/Special Crime Unit series. The suspense in Sleeping with Fear was written strongly and effectively, but the story wasn’t otherwise as well-rounded as I would have liked. The novel opens with a bang: Riley Crane awakes with a…
Get ready to have your conscience pricked. A hot, new hitwoman recently entered the business and she could become a legend if she so chooses. So what would hold her back? She was once a cop. Nadia Stafford was born into a law enforcement family and joined the ranks after graduating high school. Also driving…