laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
Book #1 in the Deadly Trilogy
4.5 Stars
Synopsis: Jasper, Mississippi is in the grip of a serial killer who exposes his victims to their greatest fears. FBI profiler Monica Davenport has a reputation for being cold as ice, but it is this skill that enables her to “see” into the minds of the most atrocious monsters. As the body count rises, Monica, along with the only man to ever get under her skin, fellow agent, Luke Dante, must bring down this cruel sadist before he turns his attentions on them.
Review: This is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. Monica’s characterization is amazing with her combination of strength, vulnerability and passion. Luke, on the other hand, is not as well fleshed out. His compassionate nature is hinted at but never completely fulfilled. Nevertheless, he is an endearing character and a perfect complement to Monica. The villain is also especially creepy but I would have liked to know more about his backstory.
Recommendation:This is an enthralling read and will definitely be continuing with the series. Beware it does contain some sexually explicit scenes and language.
Book #1 in the Deadly Trilogy
4.5 Stars
Synopsis: Jasper, Mississippi is in the grip of a serial killer who exposes his victims to their greatest fears. FBI profiler Monica Davenport has a reputation for being cold as ice, but it is this skill that enables her to “see” into the minds of the most atrocious monsters. As the body count rises, Monica, along with the only man to ever get under her skin, fellow agent, Luke Dante, must bring down this cruel sadist before he turns his attentions on them.
Review: This is a riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very end. Monica’s characterization is amazing with her combination of strength, vulnerability and passion. Luke, on the other hand, is not as well fleshed out. His compassionate nature is hinted at but never completely fulfilled. Nevertheless, he is an endearing character and a perfect complement to Monica. The villain is also especially creepy but I would have liked to know more about his backstory.
Recommendation:This is an enthralling read and will definitely be continuing with the series. Beware it does contain some sexually explicit scenes and language.
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Cynthia Eden is an author I've been wanting to read for a long time (I have her entire Night Watch series on my shelf but I have yet to read any) and when I saw that Hachette was offering the first book in her new romantic suspense series for review, I jumped at the chance. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite romance sub-genres and the fact that Deadly Fear is also a reunion story (my favorite plot line!) made me more than excited to read it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's one of those where I wasn't able to guess who the killer until the last few chapters in the book--in most mystery suspense I can guess who the killer is a few chapters in and I am usually right. I really liked the heroine in the story--Monica is smart, tough and a take-charge/in-control type but she also has a vulnerable side and a horrific past that makes you feel for her. We really get to know Monica as Deadly Fear is her story more than anyone else's. Hence, I feel like I didn't get to know the hero, Luke, as much as I did Monica. He was supposed to be a victims expert but I never really got to see that. Monica and Luke are great together though and the connection and chemistry is there. I thought it refreshing that while they each have secret pasts, they are talking about their shared past out loud with each other early on (the second chapter in fact). There is none of that pretending it never happened for so many chapters.
However, my biggest complaint is the use of the "f" word in this book. I'm all for characters using that word and any other cuss words when appropriate and when their character calls for it. In this book, most of the "f" usage was through Luke and when we are reading in his perspective and the cussing thing is just how his character is. I get that. But I thought Luke would've been his cold, rough-talking character just the same without at least a third of those f-words peppered in his speech and thoughts. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery aspect of it is spot on, it has a fantastic heroine and it's a pulse-pounding, suspenseful read. I'm excited to read the next installment of this series.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's one of those where I wasn't able to guess who the killer until the last few chapters in the book--in most mystery suspense I can guess who the killer is a few chapters in and I am usually right. I really liked the heroine in the story--Monica is smart, tough and a take-charge/in-control type but she also has a vulnerable side and a horrific past that makes you feel for her. We really get to know Monica as Deadly Fear is her story more than anyone else's. Hence, I feel like I didn't get to know the hero, Luke, as much as I did Monica. He was supposed to be a victims expert but I never really got to see that. Monica and Luke are great together though and the connection and chemistry is there. I thought it refreshing that while they each have secret pasts, they are talking about their shared past out loud with each other early on (the second chapter in fact). There is none of that pretending it never happened for so many chapters.
However, my biggest complaint is the use of the "f" word in this book. I'm all for characters using that word and any other cuss words when appropriate and when their character calls for it. In this book, most of the "f" usage was through Luke and when we are reading in his perspective and the cussing thing is just how his character is. I get that. But I thought Luke would've been his cold, rough-talking character just the same without at least a third of those f-words peppered in his speech and thoughts. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mystery aspect of it is spot on, it has a fantastic heroine and it's a pulse-pounding, suspenseful read. I'm excited to read the next installment of this series.
4.25 out of 5 stars
mags_louise's review
5.0
I love this story, and have now reread it many times, and every time I just love it more. The story itself really sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat, with so many twists and turns that literally keep you guessing until the very end and even though I should know by now who the killer is before the final reveal, I can never remember purely because the twists and turns are that I good I always start to doubt myself!! but it really is a fab read and totally worth reading especially if your a fan of Romantic Suspense, the author herself or similar authors for example, Karen Rose and Allison Brennan.
xlynt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
swathi_narasimhan's review against another edition
5.0
Another Kickass book by Cynthia Eden. She has become my fav author after I fell in love with the LOST series.
This series looks like its on its way to make a place in my heart.
The leads, Monica Davenport and Luke Dante were so likeable, their romance was free flowing while the suspense Builds up in a rapid pace.
A mad man( the bad guy was a complete surprise), is roaming around killing off people in Jasper County. Will the perfect team of Monica and Luke win or the perfect killer who plays with fear win?
Wonderfully sketched , but a little stretched at places, still kept me engaged. Super creepy and fun read.
This series looks like its on its way to make a place in my heart.
The leads, Monica Davenport and Luke Dante were so likeable, their romance was free flowing while the suspense Builds up in a rapid pace.
A mad man( the bad guy was a complete surprise), is roaming around killing off people in Jasper County. Will the perfect team of Monica and Luke win or the perfect killer who plays with fear win?
Wonderfully sketched , but a little stretched at places, still kept me engaged. Super creepy and fun read.
ufcasey's review against another edition
3.0
This was well written and had a good plot, but there's just something that keeps me from rating this higher. I think it boils down to Luke being a flat, pointless character beyond being a love interest for Monica. Also, the audiobook narrator is kind of terrible; the characters' voices sounded so similar at times that I had a hard time telling which one was talking. So I don't recommend the audiobook.
On the plus side:
- The mystery surrounding the killer was very interesting. He kills people in ways involving their greatest fears. For example (this is not in the book, so it's not a spoiler): a person afraid of heights might die from falling off a tall building.
- The character of Monica was fantastic. I liked how she went about trying to identify the killer by thinking like him/her. In addition, she has a very intriguing backstory.
So while I didn't love this book, I still liked it. Perhaps others might enjoy it more because I fully admit to being a somewhat reluctant reader of the Romantic Suspense genre.
On the plus side:
- The mystery surrounding the killer was very interesting. He kills people in ways involving their greatest fears. For example (this is not in the book, so it's not a spoiler): a person afraid of heights might die from falling off a tall building.
- The character of Monica was fantastic. I liked how she went about trying to identify the killer by thinking like him/her. In addition, she has a very intriguing backstory.
So while I didn't love this book, I still liked it. Perhaps others might enjoy it more because I fully admit to being a somewhat reluctant reader of the Romantic Suspense genre.
iffer's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well-done, engaging serial killer thriller that's sure to entertain fans of crime TV. The main characters fall into standard roles, with standard tragic pasts, but it was done fairly well. I would actuality be more interested in learning about the main character's relationship with her father- figure at the FBI, but that's probably too much to hope for, since this series is only a trilogy. This is definitely a more than 3-star book if, unlike for me, a generous number of steamy sex scenes is a pro and not a con.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
I put this down as a TBR Reading Challenge book since it has been on my to-read shelf for a while.
A very well done romantic suspense novel. The pacing was perfect, with enough "down time" scenes to let this reader's heart-rate return to normal. This was not a comfortable book for me because the killer was sick and the descriptions sometimes a little too detailed. Getting a "killer's eye view" is not my favorite thing to read, but Eden did a great job with it. I was surprised at the end and that was satisfying.
The main characters were well drawn, and the push-away/pull-closer see-saw didn't go on too long. I hate reading 3/4 a book where the leads fall into bed then one pushes the other away. The sex scenes were too much alike, with little variety in the way the leads interacted. Ihey weren't bad, in fact they were intense, but I'd have liked a softer scene between them at least once.
Eden writes very well and her plot was exciting, so I'll definitely read more.
A very well done romantic suspense novel. The pacing was perfect, with enough "down time" scenes to let this reader's heart-rate return to normal. This was not a comfortable book for me because the killer was sick and the descriptions sometimes a little too detailed. Getting a "killer's eye view" is not my favorite thing to read, but Eden did a great job with it. I was surprised at the end and that was satisfying.
The main characters were well drawn, and the push-away/pull-closer see-saw didn't go on too long. I hate reading 3/4 a book where the leads fall into bed then one pushes the other away. The sex scenes were too much alike, with little variety in the way the leads interacted. Ihey weren't bad, in fact they were intense, but I'd have liked a softer scene between them at least once.
Eden writes very well and her plot was exciting, so I'll definitely read more.