ciska's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes I wonder where authors get their inspiration for their stories. But I am not so sure I want to know that for this book. The scenes and descriptions of the murders are gruesome, which on the other side makes the read interesting and hard to put down.
I liked Vito, the way he is dealing with the people around him. Not a cop with a bad attitude but a hard working man and he still gets the girl.
I did enjoy the puzzle though there were a bit to many factors in the game, making it difficult to keep it all organized.
Still all questions get answered except who Jared is. Most other characters are important to the story but I would not have had a problem with a but ore information for some and a bit less for others. I think it had to do with the amount of people involved. I am never really good with that.
I liked Vito, the way he is dealing with the people around him. Not a cop with a bad attitude but a hard working man and he still gets the girl.
I did enjoy the puzzle though there were a bit to many factors in the game, making it difficult to keep it all organized.
Still all questions get answered except who Jared is. Most other characters are important to the story but I would not have had a problem with a but ore information for some and a bit less for others. I think it had to do with the amount of people involved. I am never really good with that.
ppchili93's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Who knew Karen was a giant homophobe? There is a part later in the book where the FMC meets her new lover's family and his dad jokes about thinking his son was gay...the FMC laughs and says, "don't worry, he's very manly."* We get it. Your MMCs are masculine, manly, tough, MEN. Also, two of the secondary villains end up being a queer couple and their queerness is mentioned...mmm...about 100 times. One - a lesbian amputee - blackmails a Georgia judge for covering up his son's crimes. The other - her lover - covers up her partner's murder and continues the blackmail scheme after her death, even continuing in a way that helps the serial killer run his con. A bit weird, no?
To be honest, this book left a bad taste in my mouth almost immediately. First, we never get super clear answers about Vito and his deceased fiancée(?). He literally hid his relationship with a fellow cop for years and then killed her (by accident) and still didn't tell anyone. The fact that he was, at the time, investigating her brother's murder? Huge conflict of interest, no?! Also, did he love her, did he not? It's repeated several times that he'll, "love her forever," but in what way? Why mention her not being who he thought she was and having Vito meet Sophie on the second anniversary of her death? The fact that Vito kept rationalizing wanting another woman again by saying, "isn't two years long enough?"* Weird. Second, I couldn't bring myself to like the FMC. She was this giant, beautiful, "Amazonian" blonde, and a brilliant archeologist and historian but she cracked a terribly thoughtless joke about the first discovered victim (she apologizes and feels genuinely bad, but her knee-jerk response was still telling to me) and it kept going downhill after that for me. She proceeds to push Vito away because 1) she thinks he's a cheating cheater (he's not), and then 2) she thinks he's going to thinks she's a slut because she slept with her married professor as a graduate student. I felt for her backstory (being the child of your mom and your grandmother's lover has to be a big Freudian burden), but she and her endless "amazing" abilities were just annoying to me.
The rest of the book was similarly off-putting. If this featured a better romance and stronger, more likable characters, I think the darkness of the crimes would be more balanced. As it is, the book felt very dark and upsetting and purposeless. The serial killer, Simon Vartanian, was completely horrifying. The explicit descriptions and scenes of him torturing his victims using medieval torture devices like a flail, chair of nails, iron boots, or the rack were honestly a bit much. Finally, Simon is revealed to be an amputee as well and one of his disguises was posing as a wheelchair user...making two of the novel's villains disabled and/or using disability as a shield for nefarious purposes. Doesn't seem right when you consider its simultaneous stance on queerness.
*not direct quotes
To be honest, this book left a bad taste in my mouth almost immediately. First, we never get super clear answers about Vito and his deceased fiancée(?). He literally hid his relationship with a fellow cop for years and then killed her (by accident) and still didn't tell anyone. The fact that he was, at the time, investigating her brother's murder? Huge conflict of interest, no?! Also, did he love her, did he not? It's repeated several times that he'll, "love her forever," but in what way? Why mention her not being who he thought she was and having Vito meet Sophie on the second anniversary of her death? The fact that Vito kept rationalizing wanting another woman again by saying, "isn't two years long enough?"* Weird. Second, I couldn't bring myself to like the FMC. She was this giant, beautiful, "Amazonian" blonde, and a brilliant archeologist and historian but she cracked a terribly thoughtless joke about the first discovered victim (she apologizes and feels genuinely bad, but her knee-jerk response was still telling to me) and it kept going downhill after that for me. She proceeds to push Vito away because 1) she thinks he's a cheating cheater (he's not), and then 2) she thinks he's going to thinks she's a slut because she slept with her married professor as a graduate student. I felt for her backstory (being the child of your mom and your grandmother's lover has to be a big Freudian burden), but she and her endless "amazing" abilities were just annoying to me.
The rest of the book was similarly off-putting. If this featured a better romance and stronger, more likable characters, I think the darkness of the crimes would be more balanced. As it is, the book felt very dark and upsetting and purposeless. The serial killer, Simon Vartanian, was completely horrifying. The explicit descriptions and scenes of him torturing his victims using medieval torture devices like a flail, chair of nails, iron boots, or the rack were honestly a bit much. Finally, Simon is revealed to be an amputee as well and one of his disguises was posing as a wheelchair user...making two of the novel's villains disabled and/or using disability as a shield for nefarious purposes. Doesn't seem right when you consider its simultaneous stance on queerness.
*not direct quotes
lbcecil's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series. Karen Rose is a master at romance and twisted crime
sewcialist_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Better than the other Karen Rose I've read so far ([b:I Can See You|5586327|I Can See You (book #10)|Karen Rose|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255610595s/5586327.jpg|5757660] and [b:You Belong to Me|8697191|You Belong to Me (Romantic Suspense #12)|Karen Rose|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329382779s/8697191.jpg|13569845]). Vito and Sophie play off each other very well. Going to read the next Vartanian book with anticipation!
jonetta's review against another edition
5.0
Quick Summary
It all started to unravel when a man stumbles upon a killer's graveyard only because his wife thought he needed exercise. By the time Sophie Johannsen, a local archeologist, finished her analysis, the body count was outrageous. Detective Vito Ciccotelli (Chick) had his hands full and not just with solving the case.
The mystery/suspense?
Utterly chilling. This was one of the most twisted serial killers ever. Woke up at 4:00 am because I just had to make sure they got him before he offed someone I cared about.
The romance?
Vito and Sophie were zapped the first moment they met and really didn't try to avoid it. Aside from a few bumps, this was a fine and sexy romance.
And speaking of the main characters....
Sophie is a 5'11" blonde, beautiful Amazon with a big brain and snarky wit. Vito is tall, dark and a little broody but with a sense of romance that had her (and me) melt. Oh, and he has a dimple in one cheek.
And everyone else?
It's a big cast and Sophie and Vito are just two of the very well-developed characters in this story.
What about the rest of the series?
I'm 7 books in and it's a perfect record. These are the most consistent stories in all the series on my shelf. If you haven't read Karen Rose and you love this genre, you're really missing something special. Just make sure you start from the beginning.
Bottom line
Another chilling mystery, great romance and interesting story. This author is my auto-buy.
It all started to unravel when a man stumbles upon a killer's graveyard only because his wife thought he needed exercise. By the time Sophie Johannsen, a local archeologist, finished her analysis, the body count was outrageous. Detective Vito Ciccotelli (Chick) had his hands full and not just with solving the case.
The mystery/suspense?
Utterly chilling. This was one of the most twisted serial killers ever. Woke up at 4:00 am because I just had to make sure they got him before he offed someone I cared about.
The romance?
Vito and Sophie were zapped the first moment they met and really didn't try to avoid it. Aside from a few bumps, this was a fine and sexy romance.
And speaking of the main characters....
Sophie is a 5'11" blonde, beautiful Amazon with a big brain and snarky wit. Vito is tall, dark and a little broody but with a sense of romance that had her (and me) melt. Oh, and he has a dimple in one cheek.
And everyone else?
It's a big cast and Sophie and Vito are just two of the very well-developed characters in this story.
What about the rest of the series?
I'm 7 books in and it's a perfect record. These are the most consistent stories in all the series on my shelf. If you haven't read Karen Rose and you love this genre, you're really missing something special. Just make sure you start from the beginning.
Bottom line
Another chilling mystery, great romance and interesting story. This author is my auto-buy.
couchnest's review against another edition
5.0
Medieval torture, video games and a series of brutal murders? Yes, please! This book by Karen Rose did not disappoint and I highly recommend it. We (the readers) will know who the bad guy is and even get his POV.
Karen Rose writes excellent series. Highly recommend.
Karen Rose writes excellent series. Highly recommend.
dixie1090's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Die for Me
4 Stars
When several graves are uncovered in a field, Philadelphia detective, Vito Ciccotelli, calls in local archeologist and medieval historian, Sophie Johannsen to aid in the investigation. With the bodies piling up, Vito and his colleagues will have to race against the clock once the sadistic killer sets his sights on Sophie.
A tense and exciting if predictable read.
In terms of the plot, it is relatively easy to guess the villain’s identity. Nevertheless, the story is well-developed and suspenseful. Rose’s research into medieval weaponry and torture devices, as well as the computer game industry and forensic investigation, is exceptional and makes for interesting reading. It should be noted that the descriptions are quite graphic and violent, and the books deals with some disturbing themes. As such, it may not be for everyone.
As in most of Rose’s books, there are numerous characters to keep track of from Sophie and Vito’s respective families, colleagues and friends to the killer’s victims and other assorted witnesses. That said, each and every character plays an important role in the story and none are superfluous. Moreover, Rose’s villain is as diabolical as they come and his actions and motivations make for some spine-chilling scenes.
The romance between Sophie and Vito is the weakest aspect of the book. Sophie is not a particularly likable heroine. She is cold, curt, abrasive and self-absorbed. While she does eventually change her outlook on life and become more agreeable, she never quite manages to evoke any sympathy. Vito, on the other hand, is sexy and charming, and his devotion to his family makes him extremely engaging. To be honest, aside from the physical attraction, it is unclear why he wants to be with her.
All in all, a solid addition to Rose’s thrilling if hauntingly dark series.
4 Stars
When several graves are uncovered in a field, Philadelphia detective, Vito Ciccotelli, calls in local archeologist and medieval historian, Sophie Johannsen to aid in the investigation. With the bodies piling up, Vito and his colleagues will have to race against the clock once the sadistic killer sets his sights on Sophie.
A tense and exciting if predictable read.
In terms of the plot, it is relatively easy to guess the villain’s identity. Nevertheless, the story is well-developed and suspenseful. Rose’s research into medieval weaponry and torture devices, as well as the computer game industry and forensic investigation, is exceptional and makes for interesting reading. It should be noted that the descriptions are quite graphic and violent, and the books deals with some disturbing themes. As such, it may not be for everyone.
As in most of Rose’s books, there are numerous characters to keep track of from Sophie and Vito’s respective families, colleagues and friends to the killer’s victims and other assorted witnesses. That said, each and every character plays an important role in the story and none are superfluous. Moreover, Rose’s villain is as diabolical as they come and his actions and motivations make for some spine-chilling scenes.
The romance between Sophie and Vito is the weakest aspect of the book. Sophie is not a particularly likable heroine. She is cold, curt, abrasive and self-absorbed. While she does eventually change her outlook on life and become more agreeable, she never quite manages to evoke any sympathy. Vito, on the other hand, is sexy and charming, and his devotion to his family makes him extremely engaging. To be honest, aside from the physical attraction, it is unclear why he wants to be with her.
All in all, a solid addition to Rose’s thrilling if hauntingly dark series.