Rating: 
Summary: Huge let-down after these reviews!
Review: The idea of writing about what the family members of a murderer go through was excellent, but this book failed to deliver. I did not ever feel that I got to know Maddy and Caleb, or anyone else in the book. Yes, we know that Caleb is an ex-cop turned true-crime novelist. And Maddy is Ellis Purcell's daughter, and has to remind herself and others daily that she wants to get her floundering real estate agency running. However, I would not consider these things as something by which to define someone. The lack of detail about the characters makes it a rather dull read. The romance felt artificial and forced. I never felt as though Caleb and Mandy were falling in love; up until the end I kept on expecting some "sign" to show that they were heading towards a relationship, but it never came. All they really had was sex, which was mediocre at best, but sex does NOT equal love. As to the mystery/suspense/thrills/chills: I knew within the first five chapters who the killer was, and so will many other readers. Regardless of that, this book is by no stretch of the imagination, action packed. Throughout the book one person is killed "present day", and there are vague references to a dozen or so murders in the past. You really do not know any details about the murder that occurred in "present day" during the book until the last few chapters, and even then it is murky at best. This is hardly what I would call chilling/thrilling. I would not recommend this book. Nevertheless, if you do want to read it I would suggest buying it used or checking it out at the library. C. Callaghan
Rating: 
Summary: Surprise ending...
Review: The Sandpoint Strangler's reign of terror had ended with the suicide of the fiend; but the fiend was more than a killer. He was a father too. His daughter never could believe her dad could be a villain who destroyed lives. Then she learns that Barbie can bring nothing but trouble when she stumbles across evidence that points a bloody finger at someone in her family being that demon while searching for her old dolls. At the same time, Caleb Trovato, the true crime author whose investigation had previously exposed the Strangler, finds himself dragged into what looks like a re-emergence of the Strangler, or a copycat killer. His investigation leads him to Madison, but he must not let her know who he is, or else not only will she hinder his work, the romance beginning to spark between them will be another victim. Unfortunately, the truth and his ex wife lie between them. **** With a sense of horror to rival Hitchcock or Stephen King, Ms. Novak holds readers enthralled to the pages of her latest thriller. With a sexy and dangerous edge, Caleb will wrap the female readers around his finger, just as he does Madison and her daughter. Then ending's surprise twist may threaten to stop your heart before the last page, but it's worth it. ****
Amanda
Rating:
Summary: terse romantic suspense
Review: The Seattle police felt that Ellis Purcell committed the serial murders of eleven women though they never found the evidence to prove their case. The investigation went cold when Ellis, dubbed the Sandpoint Strangler, committed suicide. His adult daughter Madison firmly still believes he was innocent. Her marriage to Danny ended and she struggles to raise her six year old daughter Brianna by herself while trying to make a go of it in real estate. However, Madison's belief in her dad is shook when she finds evidence in her parents' attic that links him to the murders of the women. At about the same time that Madison finds damaging proof of her father's guilt, true crime author Caleb Travato, who was a cop on the Strangler task force, leaves San Francisco for Seattle to help his ex-wife Holly find her missing sister Susan. He rents a cottage on Madison's property, but hides his identity from her because he knows she will toss him out. As he searches for the missing Susan and tries to learn what his landlady is hiding, Caleb falls in love with Madison and she reciprocates. As the Strangler truth shockingly surfaces, Madison knows he must reveal his identity to his beloved and her daughter whom he cherishes as his own, but realizes that she may never trust him again. Though the Strangler seems too weird, fans will be grateful for this terse romantic suspense with the emphasis on the tension. Except perhaps for self-centered dopy Danny, the cast makes the story line as readers will like the responsible caring lead couple and appreciate the support players especially the "hopelessly" clinging Holly, Brianna and her widowed grandma, and a tough cop. The audience will receive plenty of satisfaction from Brenda Novak's high octane serial killer tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great Feel-Good Thriller
Review: WOW! Great story telling! What a twist, I didn't see that coming.
Cold Feet is now my favorite 'feel-good thriller'! I say 'feel-good thriller' because I loved the believability of the romance, as well as the page turning suspense. A terrific read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Feel-Good Thriller
Review: WOW! Great story telling! What a twist, I didn't see that coming.
Cold Feet is now my favorite 'feel-good thriller'! I say 'feel-good thriller' because I loved the believability of the romance, as well as the page turning suspense. A terrific read.
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