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Summary: A Great Summer Read...
Review: I was impressed by this book. Kava does not shy away from sometimes startling, violent imagery that adds to the realism. Sure, some of the plot points were a bit predictable, yet her array of characters/suspects kept me from putting this book down until I was finished. I really enjoy the Maggie O'Dell character, and look forward to more of her. A little less of Nick Morrelli would suit me fine (though I did appreciate his ineptness at certain moments in the story)
Rating: 
Summary: Perfectly wonderful!
Review: Alex Kava really knows how to spin a yarn. From page one till the very end, the story moves swiftly under Kava's expert use of multiple points of view. The narrative is excellent, with many exciting moments and plenty of plot twists and turns. I disagree with the reviewer who called this a mystery. It's not; it's a suspense-thriller, and does not disappoint in that regard. If you want a mystery, read Perry Mason. If you want some thrills 'n chills, read A Perfect Evil. Agent Maggie O'Dell rocks! Hope to see her back in lots of future books. Watch out Grafton and Cornwell ... you've finally got some real competition.
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Summary: An Almost Perfect Debut
Review: Nebraska at Halloween Time. An unusual early winter storm. A serial killer on the loose. Alex Kava's "A Perfect Evil" uses this setting to unravel a disturbing and compelling story of perfect evil. I admit that I had a hard time putting the book down, finishing it in one day, so that's definitely a sign it's an above average thriller. The plot has been laid out in other reviews, so I won't bore you with more. I can't give the book five stars, though, for two reasons: the dialogue and description of Nick and Maggie's romance is reminiscent of a Barbara Caitland romance novel, which is out of place in such a graphic, well-plotted novel. It tends to lessen the suspense, even though the characters are well developed and likeable. I just wish Alex would have stayed more within the confines of her novel. The other is that even though Ms. Kava takes us on several "red herrings" and twists, the killer's identity is much too obvious early in the book. To her credit, she plants some other possible suspects, but if you've read mysteries a lot, the identity is way too easy to spot. The ending obviously leaves room for her sequel, coming next year: "Split Second." I don't know if she'll keep both Maggie and Nick for the sequel, but I hope she does. They are great characters who I really liked. They could ditch Christine though. Her "conversion" to a likeable character didn't work for me; she still remains a victim of her own ambition, and even though she transformed, I'll bet she returns to her real self if she's in the sequel! But, anyway, this is a very good debut, and one worth reading!Michael Butts
Rating:
Summary: A perfectly evil read!
Review: Alex Kava's debut novel is a knot of plot and passion, a riveting read that will test your faith in everything you believe. Did this evil die in the same electric chair that claimed Charles Starkweather? Or is this something new, a power beyond even the reach of God? If you trust and believe and do good deeds, you are the most vulnerable. Bless you, Reader, for you are doomed to a damn fine story.
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Summary: A PAGE-TURNING SERIAL KILLER THRILLER
Review: Ronald Jeffreys is about to be executed for the murder of three young boys, before he dies he will confess to killing only "one" boy, this shocking admission is told to Father Stephen Francis, the priest who will perform last rites after the execution. Three months later, another boy is found, sending a shocking message...the killing has only just begun. Sheriff Nick Morelli thought the evil of Jeffreys went to the grave, but as more bodies turn up dead, he knows the killer is still out there perfecting his crimes. "A Perfect Evil" is fast-paced, well written, and as exciting as a thriller should be. Thriller fans will be up all night, to discover the identity of the killer, and reason for the crimes. This is Alex Kava's first novel, and she shows great promise to joining the rank's of Tami Hoag, Patricia Cornwell, etc. She is currently working on a sequel to this novel, and readers will welcome the opportunity to have an entire series featuring Nick Morelli. Nick Gonnella
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Summary: An incredible page turner!
Review: I honestly couldn't put this one down until I finished it and I'm not usually crazy about books with serial killers. Once I got to know the characters, I had to find out what happened to them. And these are not picture-perfect characters. They make plenty of mistakes and do some rather stupid things. Sheriff Nick Morelli is incompetent as sheriff and even he knows it. But there's something charming about this guy, that makes you want him to do okay. Agent Maggie is tough but vulnerable, dealing with some scars from a past case where things got too personal with another serial killer she had been chasing. Then there's Christine, the news reporter, who should be fired for some of the things she does to get a story, yet you find yourself rooting for her. I picked up an advance copy when I was at the Book Expo of America in Chicago earlier this summer, started reading it when I got home, and then wouldn't let my family talk to me until I finished. If you're looking for an entertaining page turner, I would highly recommend this one.
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Summary: Top-Notch Thriller!
Review: How exciting, a new author whose first novel can compare wtih Jeffrey Deaver, John Sandford, Kathy Reichs, and Michael Connelly. This book was full of non-stop action and was very hard to put down. Harriett has given you a synposis of the plot above, all I can add is that this is a must read for all Mystery-Thriller fans.
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Summary: Great thriller by a fresh voice in the genre
Review: Just before the state of Nebraska executed him for the heinous murders of three boys, Ronald Jeffrey confesses his sins to Father Francis. Ronald insists that he only killed and raped one of the lads, Bobby Wilson. He swears to God that he never murdered, mutilated, or raped the other two boys. No one including the confessional priest believes Ronald is anything but a serial killing monster. Three months after the electrocution of Ronald, a new corpse of a young butchered boy is discovered in Platte City. Relatively new Sheriff Nick Morelli has no experience with this type of investigation. He asks the FBI to lend him a top profiler. Maggie O'Dell is tired to the bone after a particularly nasty case. Her boss gives her a choice of some R&R or helping Nick. With personal demons that reject any notion of rest, Maggie travels to Platte City to assist the local law enforcement team. As they work together to uncover an evil presence who has murdered again, they fall in love, but as Maggie knows, the aftertaste of a case leaves little room for happiness. A PERFECT EVIL is a near perfect serial killer thriller that will excite fans of the sub-genre and police investigative stories as well. The manhunt story line is fast paced, never slowing down for a moment. However, the plot succeeds because of the depth and understanding of the characters. They seem genuine whether they are police, psychopathic killers, or support cast. Alex Kava has debuted with a winning tale that will leave sub-genre fans anxiously awaiting the obvious sequel that hopefully will close out the few loose ends. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: The title says it all
Review: I read "A Perfect Evil" in one day. There have been very few books so compelling as to keep me reading for hours on end. Sheriff Nick Morelli doesn't think he can handle the murder case in Platte City, Nebraska. Sheriff Morelli gets help from FBI agent Maggie O'Dell. Agent O'Dell is obvisouly qualified and talented. But there is a sense that she is dropped into this story to give Morelli a love interest. The developing relationshiip between Morelli and O'Dell is distracting and out of place in this book. If you put aside the misplaced romance you do get a spine tingler. True evil is currently at work in Platte City. But it appears that evil has been in town for a while. A man was executed for the murders that had taken place in town. Now that new crimes are occuring sheriff Morelli is haunted with the thought: Was an innocent man punished and did Morelli's father know? I highly recommend this book despite the ill placed romance.
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Summary: A Riviting Tale of Suspense
Review: This is a nail biting, on the the edge of your seat book of suspense. It holds you from the first page to the very last page. This is my first experience with this author but it won't be my last. I hope the rest of her books are as good as this one.
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