BAD GIRL

Rating:
Summary: Our loosely enforced copyright laws
Review: Although not a badly written book by any means, author Michele Jaffe has clearly spent too many Thursday evenings watching the hit TV series, CSI. This book comes off as clear cut, out-and-out rip- off of the show. It's set in Las Vegas, about the Police Crime Lab (forensics) and features as the protagonist a single mom with a cute six year old daughter...hmmm, sound familar, anybody?

Even if Ms. Jaffe honestly came up with this idea BEFORE the TV series was created, some changes should have been made to the book at the editorial state to avoid the obvious comparisons and the overwhelming sense that it's just a "rip off".

Ms. Jaffe is a better writer than this and should be embarrassed! "Bad Girl" reads like a piece of fan fiction with just the names changed. When the No. 1 TV series in the US is about the Las Vegas Forensics lab, you really have to excercise more judgement than this if you choose to write about the same topic.

In short: embarrassing.

Rating:
Summary: You should never skip breakfast . . .
Review: As a rule, I absolutely hate it when I get halfway into a novel and it suddenly changes into something else. This one starts as a very good police procedural murder mystery -- but at almost exactly the midpoint, the author suddenly *tells* you whodunit, and it becomes a thriller instead. Chicago "Windy" Thomas is an almost excessively competent young woman who has just left her job as a sheriff in Virginia to run the forensics lab in Las Vegas. She's trying to track down a particularly gruesome serial killer who wipes out whole families (except for the fathers) and, of course, she becomes a target herself. She has a cute six-year-old daughter and a control-freak boyfriend, but she's also drawn to Ash Laughton, head of the Metro Violent Crime Unit -- who just happens to also be a computer-software-millionaire. (I'm told there are a lot of similarities between the set-up and a top TV series, but I've never seen it.) Jaffe generally does a good job with the characters, except that I find it hard to believe that Windy was ever able to pass the FBI's personality screens. The pace is breathless, the level of detail is almost clinical, and the ending somewhat redeems the plot giveaway.

Rating:
Summary: Fun,
Review: Bad Girl by Michele Jaffe was a fun book. I think you might agree. Buy it. Try it. See for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping romantic suspense!
Review: Bad Girl is quite a gripping suspense novel. Chicago "Windy" Thomas accepts the offer to head the Las Vegas Police Department's forensics lab. A natural at the aforementioned task, she helps solve various cases at the drop of a hat. That is until she's encountered with one of the most sinister serial killers in recent years. The culprit - whom the press named the "Home Wrecker" - has killed various women and their children. Will Windy be able to solve the complicated case? And are she and her six-year-old daughter in danger? There are various twists and turns throughout the novel.

The dissecting of evidence takes over most of the novel. There were times in which I thought I was watching an episode of CSI. But the second half of the novel floored me till the end. The building of sexual tension between Windy and Ash gives the novel a nice romantic touch. I'm duly impressed with Michele Jaffe's work and I look forward to reading her other books in the future. I highly recommend Bad Girl.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!!
Review: Bad Girl was a fabulous novel! In the book, the main character, Windy takes a job in the police department's forensics lab. In the beginning of the book, she doesn't really get along with her co-workers, but later proves herself to them when she cracks her first case. However, later, one case throws her off a little bit. A serial killer viciously murdered a mother and her kids in their home. When Windy goes after the killer, she puts her daughter in danger, and possibly jeopardizes her own life.
This book came across as very suspenseful, a thriller in fact, with a little burst of romance. I think this book was really well written, and I'm really excited that I discovered this new author. I definitely say, that this novel is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: A very entertaining thriller.
Review: Chicago "Windy" Thomas has moved, with her young daughter, to Las Vegas. Leaving behind the memories of a marriage that ended in tragedy, Windy hopes for a new beginning with her job as the head of the Las Vegas Police Department's forensics lab, as well as the loving relationship with her new fiance, but all that looks beautiful turns ugly as a brutal murder puts Windy in the sights of a twisted killer.

The first murder seemed to be random, an entire family butchered in their own home, a vicious act by a brutal killer. Several days later another family is slaughtered in the same manner as the previous killing. As Windy investigates the crime scene she finds similar clues that prove the killer is taunting them, and the killings are anything but random...they are carefully planned and executed.

Time is running out for Windy, and with the help of detective Ash Laughton, she must stop the killer before he strikes again because the next time Windy and her daughter will be the targets.

Despite misleading cover art and title 'Bad Girl' is a tough, well written thriller that grabs the reader early on and doesn't let go until every loose end is tied up. Entertaining plot, interesting characters, gruesome murders, and shocking plot twists keep 'Bad Girl' zipping along at a nice pace. Readers may be somewhat surprised by the true style of this novel because it is not the fluffy romantic/thriller it appears to be, but instead a serious forensic police procedural that ranks with some of the best in the genre.

Michele Jaffe has written a fun thriller that should earn her new readers and have much comparison to the novels of Iris Johansen.

Nick Gonnella

Rating:
Summary: BAD GIRL is a Good Thriller
Review: Chicago "Windy" Thomas is excited about her move to Las Vegas. It's a chance for her to start a new life with her six-year-old daughter. She has been hired as the new head of the Las Vegas forensics lab and she throws herself into her work, rapidly gaining the attention of Ash Leighton, head of the Violent Crime Unit, when she quickly figures out who the killer is from two suspects who were brought in for questioning.

Then when a family is brutally murdered, neither Ash nor Windy suspect that it's only the beginning. However, after a second family is slaughtered, they realize a serial killer is on the loose.

The clock is ticking as Ash tries to delve in the mind of the killer. One who may be killing just for the pleasure of it. When Windy discovers more facts, the hunt for the killer gets sinister and now her life is on the line. If they don't find the killer quickly, Windy could very well wind up the next victim.

This story had me hooked right from the get go, but then I'm a sucker for a good thriller and BAD GIRL is certainly that. You won't be disappointed with this one, that's for sure.

Rating:
Summary: A very entertaining thriller.
Review: Chicago "Windy" Thomas has moved, with her young daughter, to Las Vegas. Leaving behind the memories of a marriage that ended in tragedy, Windy hopes for a new beginning with her job as the head of the Las Vegas Police Department's forensics lab, as well as the loving relationship with her new fiance, but all that looks beautiful turns ugly as a brutal murder puts Windy in the sights of a twisted killer.

The first murder seemed to be random, an entire family butchered in their own home, a vicious act by a brutal killer. Several days later another family is slaughtered in the same manner as the previous killing. As Windy investigates the crime scene she finds similar clues that prove the killer is taunting them, and the killings are anything but random...they are carefully planned and executed.

Time is running out for Windy, and with the help of detective Ash Laughton, she must stop the killer before he strikes again because the next time Windy and her daughter will be the targets.

Despite misleading cover art and title 'Bad Girl' is a tough, well written thriller that grabs the reader early on and doesn't let go until every loose end is tied up. Entertaining plot, interesting characters, gruesome murders, and shocking plot twists keep 'Bad Girl' zipping along at a nice pace. Readers may be somewhat surprised by the true style of this novel because it is not the fluffy romantic/thriller it appears to be, but instead a serious forensic police procedural that ranks with some of the best in the genre.

Michele Jaffe has written a fun thriller that should earn her new readers and have much comparison to the novels of Iris Johansen.

Nick Gonnella

Rating:
Summary: Favorite color: Sparkle
Review: Excellent book! I am now a Michele Jaffe fan for sure. The story grabbed you on the first page and didn't let go. Fast paced, just enough twists and surprises and a little romance thrown in for good measure. The story line was awesome and the CSI like investigation was interesting to read.

This was one of those books that made you feel like friends had left you when you turn the last page, I highly recommend this read.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I am a big fan of Michele Jaffe's historical novels, and I've been waiting eagerly for her next book to come out. Bad Girl doesn't disappoint -- in fact, I think it may be my favorite of all.

Bad Girl covers completely different territory -- modern-day Las Vegas -- and it does so with style. The characters (especially Windy Thomas and Ash Laughton) are great, and the plotting is really tight, with a number of unexpected twists and turns that heighten the suspense. Jaffe also clearly knows her stuff when it comes to forensics; she manages to weave in critical facts and detail with grace and wit.

All in all, a fabulous mystery/thriller with a healthy dose of romance. I highly recommend it.