destiel74's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was a good little mystery. The story was similar to the ones I've read before, but the ending did cause it to stand out a little. I will be getting book 2.
n0sferatu_woman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lakecake's review against another edition
4.0
One chapter in, six ribs broken....yeah!
So, to update, after finishing the book, it was just as good as those six broken ribs implied. I don't know what that says about me...maybe I don't want to!
So, to update, after finishing the book, it was just as good as those six broken ribs implied. I don't know what that says about me...maybe I don't want to!
wolfchanreads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
marco5599's review against another edition
0.5
So..
Another serial killer on the loose and somebody decides it's a good idea to have the investigation lead by a detective (Archie) who narrowly survived a previous serial killer case, hasn't been able to do anything since and is clearly not over the whole thing.
And that's not all.
Oh no. This wreck of a guy has to team up with a reporter (Susan) for pr reasons. Yes, pr reasons. A not so experienced journalist by the way, on a case that involves someone who will most likely be front page news in the upcoming weeks or more. Nationwide probably.
Still not done yet.
Archie, who swallows more painkillers a day than I suck on mints in a month, is, literally and figuratively, a walking collection of scars. Despite this he still visits Gretchen, the serial killer responsible for his battered body and soul, in jail, on a weekly bases and when his wife told him to stop doing so, because it doesn't exactly help him in any way (duh), he, I kid you not, chose the psycho killer over the mother of his two kids.
There's more.
There's Susan. She bangs her married boss. She has pink hair and dresses like she's about to interview Metallica, so hey, you can't say she's a bland character either, can you? Same goes for Gretchen. Aptly called the Beauty Killer. Yup, she's female, a hottie, an amateur surgeon slash doctor, connaisseur of FBI profiling and a full-blown psycho who loves to torment her prey. Wouldn't be surprised if she was something of a rocket scientist in her free time as well.
I mean, come on.
Maybe, in some universe, these type of characters can be called complex, fascinating or something like that. But not in mine. In my universe these are simply ridiculous. And this includes their actions. The torture for instance. An attempt to be gruesome so desperate, it becomes laughable. Like so much in this book. All one big joke. Not a sick one, as mentioned somewhere, but a dumb one.
Next.
P.S.
I'm a mint sucking monster. Go figure.
Another serial killer on the loose and somebody decides it's a good idea to have the investigation lead by a detective (Archie) who narrowly survived a previous serial killer case, hasn't been able to do anything since and is clearly not over the whole thing.
And that's not all.
Oh no. This wreck of a guy has to team up with a reporter (Susan) for pr reasons. Yes, pr reasons. A not so experienced journalist by the way, on a case that involves someone who will most likely be front page news in the upcoming weeks or more. Nationwide probably.
Still not done yet.
Archie, who swallows more painkillers a day than I suck on mints in a month, is, literally and figuratively, a walking collection of scars. Despite this he still visits Gretchen, the serial killer responsible for his battered body and soul, in jail, on a weekly bases and when his wife told him to stop doing so, because it doesn't exactly help him in any way (duh), he, I kid you not, chose the psycho killer over the mother of his two kids.
There's more.
There's Susan. She bangs her married boss. She has pink hair and dresses like she's about to interview Metallica, so hey, you can't say she's a bland character either, can you? Same goes for Gretchen. Aptly called the Beauty Killer. Yup, she's female, a hottie, an amateur surgeon slash doctor, connaisseur of FBI profiling and a full-blown psycho who loves to torment her prey. Wouldn't be surprised if she was something of a rocket scientist in her free time as well.
I mean, come on.
Maybe, in some universe, these type of characters can be called complex, fascinating or something like that. But not in mine. In my universe these are simply ridiculous. And this includes their actions. The torture for instance. An attempt to be gruesome so desperate, it becomes laughable. Like so much in this book. All one big joke. Not a sick one, as mentioned somewhere, but a dumb one.
Next.
P.S.
I'm a mint sucking monster. Go figure.
wizardmacdonald's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whaney's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting listen. A lot of things are left unsaid so you keep wondering what is really going on in Archie's head. Why did he choose Susan? What's really going on with Gretchen? Even at the end of the book there seems way more to the story that wasn't told. So, I'll be looking for the next one.
elinacre's review against another edition
4.0
dark, psychologically twisted characters. well-written, suspenseful plot. can't wait to read more in this series!
denaiir's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
This was such a good thriller, exactly what I am looking for: sick, twisted, full of serial-killers and damaged cops. My favorite style!
The audiobook was not very good so it dampened my enjoyment a little bit, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but it was still riveting and I can't wait to get more of Gretchen Lowell!
This was such a good thriller, exactly what I am looking for: sick, twisted, full of serial-killers and damaged cops. My favorite style!
The audiobook was not very good so it dampened my enjoyment a little bit, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but it was still riveting and I can't wait to get more of Gretchen Lowell!
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Read for #BoutofBooks and #BookClub (bought for myself)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25 (Especially the sicko Gretchen)
First thought when finished: I am sufficiently creeped out in a Hannibal Lector kind of way!
What I thought of the Case: Heartsick has two cases: One that has already completed and one that is currently happening. It is an interesting way to tell a tale but I think it really works. We meet Gretchen Lowell "psycho supreme" who kidnapped, tortured, and then released our main lead. Female serial killers are pretty darn scary and Gretchen is probably one of the scariest. She made my skin crawl at times. The parts of the story that contain her are often uncomfortable but they work so well. The current case I wasn't as invested in BUT I did feel it had a nice twist towards about the 3/4 mark. I felt it played out pretty predictably but the writing was solid!
What I thought of the Characters: I loved (maybe that isn't the right word) Gretchen Lowell. She was so well written! I also really liked how broken Archie was written. I think he truly showed some remarkable amounts of "clarity" despite all his other issues. In fact, I think what Gretchen says to him is true--he has all the markers to be a serial killer but I think he will use his cat/mouse abilities for the greater good. I liked Susan and hope that she is in the future books. I think she has some great potential to be useful to Archie. Overall, this is a great character driven thriller!
Final Thought: Heartsick is a great thriller that I don't recommend reading at night!
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25 (Especially the sicko Gretchen)
First thought when finished: I am sufficiently creeped out in a Hannibal Lector kind of way!
What I thought of the Case: Heartsick has two cases: One that has already completed and one that is currently happening. It is an interesting way to tell a tale but I think it really works. We meet Gretchen Lowell "psycho supreme" who kidnapped, tortured, and then released our main lead. Female serial killers are pretty darn scary and Gretchen is probably one of the scariest. She made my skin crawl at times. The parts of the story that contain her are often uncomfortable but they work so well. The current case I wasn't as invested in BUT I did feel it had a nice twist towards about the 3/4 mark. I felt it played out pretty predictably but the writing was solid!
What I thought of the Characters: I loved (maybe that isn't the right word) Gretchen Lowell. She was so well written! I also really liked how broken Archie was written. I think he truly showed some remarkable amounts of "clarity" despite all his other issues. In fact, I think what Gretchen says to him is true--he has all the markers to be a serial killer but I think he will use his cat/mouse abilities for the greater good. I liked Susan and hope that she is in the future books. I think she has some great potential to be useful to Archie. Overall, this is a great character driven thriller!
Final Thought: Heartsick is a great thriller that I don't recommend reading at night!