Rating: Summary: My First Novel By This Author . . . It Won't Be My Last Review: This definitely ranks as one of the best suspense novels I've read in some time. The plot was fast-paced, yet well explained. It was easy to relate to and understand the characters. The variety in the characters was nice too. My favorites were the dynamic Jane MacGuire and the sensitive search and rescue dog Monty. The emotional charge found at many levels: parental, romantic, friendly, in this novel was incredible. Something I have rarely encountered in a mystery. Eve Duncan has a personal stake in this game. She is in a race to discover who really killed her daughter, and to prevent the killer from striking again. The ending is a real surprise. This book kept me enthralled from the beginning until I finished the last word. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: The Killing Game Review: This was the first novel of Ms. Johansen that I had read and most certainly not my last. Although it is a rather large novel, I finished reading it in minimal time. I could not wait to see what was going to happen next. Every new page brought about an unexpected twist that I couldn't have predicted. You are hanging on to every word until the very last sentence of the novel. Iris make you feel as if you are friends with the characters and it pains you when one of them falls prey to the perpetrator. I recommend this book very highly and cannot wait to read more of her novels.
Rating: Summary: Pure cheese Review: I found the story contrived, the characters unbelievable and the entire book a waste of time. Unlike the better practioners of this forumla (ie Patricia Cornwell), Iris Johansen did nothing to make me like or respect her characters. I won't be going back to Eve Duncan and crew for a second chance.
Rating: Summary: Not in suspense for long... Review: I guessed the villain's identity upon introduction thanks to the author's description of him and his dialogue, which matched the killer's speech patterns. There was something formal and slightly distancing about Eve Duncan, and I found it hard to read about the death of a child. Still, Iris Johansen is one of the best and she kept me hooked and turning pages.
Rating: Summary: Disappointing Work Review: I am a great fan of Iris Johansen and have read all her work, but frankly, her new book is a great disappointment to me. For the first time, I didn't finish her book and just skipped through it. I found this book very boring and the heroine's character and behavior are capricious, and is very mean and unfair to John Logan. As one reader said, I am glad that I haven't bought this book and just borrowed it from the library.
Rating: Summary: Enjoyable but not incredible Review: After reading many reviews on both the author and the book, I was very excited to read The Killing Game. This was my first book by the author and I had high expectations. The book is very well written and it keeps you interested throughout the entire novel. Her characters are likeable and the dialogue flows smoothly. The only knock I have against this book is it was never shocking. The end of the book was a let down only from the standpoint that I was never completely surprised. I still recommend reading this book, however, and look forward to more novels by the author.
Rating: Summary: UNBELIVABLE Review: The Killing Game was a book I just could not put down. I'm in High School and supposed to be studing for my final exams, but I couldn't put this book down for more then 5 minutes. I don't read often, but when I do, I like to read something up tempo that will keep me hooked. This book is amazing. I kept reading to find out what happened with Eve and Bonnie. I really began to feel for Eve by the 5th chapter at least, when the killer messed with her more and more. It definetly makes me want to go out and buy more of her books.
Rating: Summary: Different, but in a good way Review: The title may indeed be misleading, but this book does provide a great read. The characters are not new, which for the avid Iris Johansen is fantastic, you'll get right into it, but for all you lay people... Sarah's crisp independence will give us all hope, or at least the dream and yearning for an independent, serene yet interesting life. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: A good (not great) mystery ruined by a love story Review: This book was probably one of the most annoying books I have read in a long time. Although the plot was OK, I quickly tired of the fast paced dialogue between the heroine and the hero(s). It kept my attention, but barely. Every single detail fell conveniently into place and it seemed like all the problems of the characters' world were solved by an instant phone call. Very unbelieveable. It was a quick read, but that's because it was written like a play....all frivolous "Hallmark" dialogue, very little narration. The most annoying part of this book was that they kept referring to their cell phone as "the digital". Very annoying. Waste of 5 bucks.
Rating: Summary: Fast read Review: This book is perfect for waiting in line for the ferry or killing time at the airport. It doesn't take a whole lot of concentration and the plot is interesting enough to keep your attention.While the title implies some pretty gritty stuff, it turns out this is more of a suspenseful romance novel than a grim murder mystery. Although the heroine is being hunted by while hunting for a serial killer, there aren't tremendously gruesome and gratuituous descriptions of the killings which is a relief. The plot is moved along primarily through the use of dialogue which makes for fast and easy reading. And while there aren't a whole lot of surprises in here (I mean does Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis ever actually die in their movies?), the ending was a nice little twist and Johansen does a good job of defining characters deftly with minimum words. Not a deep book by any means, but a decent and quick read.
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