Irresistible (Conrad Voort Novels (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: Good, but Dead for Life is better, and...
Review: Black does an outstanding job of creating a complex villain with a heart-wrenching past here, just as he does in Dead for Life. I have to say, however, that I have come to find Voort's character a little annoying. Depsite Black's efforts to describe Voort, I do not feel like I really know him, beyond the superficial--wealth, clothes, possessions, blonde hair, blue eyes, prestigious family history, etc. And there is way too much description of the superficial, especially the clothes that Voort---and Mickie, his (also rich) partner, wear, and the gourmet food they eat. It probably does not help that Voort is blonde, a look that is more associated than dark hair with spoiled, arrogant, wimp, bore--at least in men. The stuff that works the best for Voort are his flashbacks to lessons from his father and his occasional prayers. He is clearly a man of values, but somehow he comes off a bit like the richy rich that some of his fellow cops call him. Mainly, he just comes off too non-desript, depsite Black's efforts to paint him as some kind of prince. Still, because of the unusually rich development of his villains, and because of the tremendous writing overall, Black is among the best and most entertaining writers out there.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but Dead for Life is better, and...
Review: Black does an outstanding job of creating a complex villain with a heart-wrenching past here, just as he does in Dead for Life. I have to say, however, that I have come to find Voort's character a little annoying. Depsite Black's efforts to describe Voort, I do not feel like I really know him, beyond the superficial--wealth, clothes, possessions, blonde hair, blue eyes, prestigious family history, etc. And there is way too much description of the superficial, especially the clothes that Voort---and Mickie, his (also rich) partner, wear, and the gourmet food they eat. It probably does not help that Voort is blonde, a look that is more associated than dark hair with spoiled, arrogant, wimp, bore--at least in men. The stuff that works the best for Voort are his flashbacks to lessons from his father and his occasional prayers. He is clearly a man of values, but somehow he comes off a bit like the richy rich that some of his fellow cops call him. Mainly, he just comes off too non-desript, depsite Black's efforts to paint him as some kind of prince. Still, because of the unusually rich development of his villains, and because of the tremendous writing overall, Black is among the best and most entertaining writers out there.

Rating:
Summary: Had a hard time with this one!
Review: Did not really like the author's way of writing. Had a hard time getting into this book and figuring out what was going on. More than halfway through the book, I started to kind of enjoy it. Generally like a book that grabs me by the first page. Not the best!!

Rating:
Summary: Steamy & Engrossing!
Review: I've never read a novel written by Ethan Black but after reading this thriller I will be reading his books! He uses such great detail and they way he puts things - It's Engrossing! This novel was steamy and a wonderful thriller! One of the best books I've ever read! If you are into reading thrillers you should READ this!

Rating:
Summary: Millionaire Policeman
Review: IRRESISTIBLE By Ethan Black 7/18/01 Have you ever seen anyone who was irresistible? She was to most men but Conrad Voort; Manhattan sex crime specialist was not like most men. And he was lucky because he was marked as one of the victims. This novel will make anti-abortion people happy, that's what it's all about.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS EVERY MAN'S IDEA OF THE PERFECT DATE!!!
Review: The second in the 'Conrad Voort' series of novels by Ethan Black is IRRESISTIBLE, and this is even better than THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB. Of course, I have a thing for female serial killers, and the one in this book definitely gets the heart pounding! Nora Clay was gang-raped at a young teen by the sons of the most respectable families in her hometown. The incident was covered up in lieu of the families making restitution to Nora and her mother. Nora became pregnant from the tragedy and had to have an abortion that would leave her sterile for the rest of her life. As an adult and as a series of circumstances begin to unfold, Nora decides to seek revenge against the fathers of several aborted children in the New York City area, luring them like a black widow spider with sexual seduction, consummating the act, then killing them with extreme prejudice and violence. When sex crimes detective Conrad Voort is called in to investigate the first murder, he discovers a message''I know you''written on the bedroom wall of the victim in a black magic marker. He isn't sure if the message is meant for him or someone else. It isn't long, however, before a second and third murder occurs. As Voort and his partner, Mickie Connor, try to find a pattern with the killings, he's draw back into a partial relationship with Camilla Ryan, the woman who was once the love of his life and who was also friends with the first victim, while juggling a relationship with another woman who just might be pregnant. Voort definitely has his work cut out for him this time around; but, to make matters even worse, what he doesn't know is that his name is on the killer's list of potential victims. When Nora Clay decides to strike, he won't even know in what the direction the danger is coming from. IRRESISTIBLE is a taut, edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs you in the first chapter (think of the opening scenes in the movie, Basic Instinct!). After two novels, I'm beginning to like the character of Conrad Voort, though I have to admit to being a little jealous of his heritage, wealth, good looks, his skills as a police officer, and his ability to attract the beautiful ladies. Still, he's a nice guy who always tries to do the right thing. Mr. Black knows how to tell a good story and keep the suspense building, without giving too much away. The characters are realistically drawn with their own individual quirks, demonstrating that most people are a mixture of subtle grays, rather than being either black or white with regards to their good and bad qualities. Even Voort, from a man's point of view, seems to have it made; yet, he's unable to sustain a long-term relationship with the opposite sex, no matter how hards he tries. IRRESISTIBLE clearly shows that Ethan Black is getting better and better with each succeeding novel, and I'm now considering whether or not to buy in newest book, ALL THE DEAD WERE STRANGERS, in hardcover, rather than waiting for the paperback edition to come out. I don't think I want to wait a year to read it.

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS EVERY MAN'S IDEA OF THE PERFECT DATE!!!
Review: The second in the �Conrad Voort� series of novels by Ethan Black is IRRESISTIBLE, and this is even better than THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB. Of course, I have a thing for female serial killers, and the one in this book definitely gets the heart pounding! Nora Clay was gang-raped at a young teen by the sons of the most respectable families in her hometown. The incident was covered up in lieu of the families making restitution to Nora and her mother. Nora became pregnant from the tragedy and had to have an abortion that would leave her sterile for the rest of her life. As an adult and as a series of circumstances begin to unfold, Nora decides to seek revenge against the fathers of several aborted children in the New York City area, luring them like a black widow spider with sexual seduction, consummating the act, then killing them with extreme prejudice and violence. When sex crimes detective Conrad Voort is called in to investigate the first murder, he discovers a message��I know you��written on the bedroom wall of the victim in a black magic marker. He isn�t sure if the message is meant for him or someone else. It isn�t long, however, before a second and third murder occurs. As Voort and his partner, Mickie Connor, try to find a pattern with the killings, he�s draw back into a partial relationship with Camilla Ryan, the woman who was once the love of his life and who was also friends with the first victim, while juggling a relationship with another woman who just might be pregnant. Voort definitely has his work cut out for him this time around; but, to make matters even worse, what he doesn�t know is that his name is on the killer�s list of potential victims. When Nora Clay decides to strike, he won�t even know in what the direction the danger is coming from. IRRESISTIBLE is a taut, edge-of-your-seat thriller that grabs you in the first chapter (think of the opening scenes in the movie, Basic Instinct!). After two novels, I�m beginning to like the character of Conrad Voort, though I have to admit to being a little jealous of his heritage, wealth, good looks, his skills as a police officer, and his ability to attract the beautiful ladies. Still, he�s a nice guy who always tries to do the right thing. Mr. Black knows how to tell a good story and keep the suspense building, without giving too much away. The characters are realistically drawn with their own individual quirks, demonstrating that most people are a mixture of subtle grays, rather than being either black or white with regards to their good and bad qualities. Even Voort, from a man�s point of view, seems to have it made; yet, he�s unable to sustain a long-term relationship with the opposite sex, no matter how hards he tries. IRRESISTIBLE clearly shows that Ethan Black is getting better and better with each succeeding novel, and I�m now considering whether or not to buy in newest book, ALL THE DEAD WERE STRANGERS, in hardcover, rather than waiting for the paperback edition to come out. I don�t think I want to wait a year to read it.

Rating:
Summary: If You Like Detective Fiction - This Is Tops!
Review: This is the second novel in a series featuring Conrad Voort, the richest detective in New York. It is about a female serial killer who hates men. What makes this novel (and the other books in the series) so enjoyable is that it mixes police work with the personal (romantic/sexual) life of hero Voort - and that life is a fascinating, well-written one. I read this genre all the time but I found Ethan Black's novels more enjoyable than most. My problem is that he doesn't write them fast enough and so far there are only three published.

Rating:
Summary: Ethan Black keeps getting better.
Review: This novel was wonderfully woven to reveal only a little bit of information at a time (alternating back and forth from past to present). It is very easy to start right out thinking that this is another run of the mill story about a girl who was obviously, in one manner or another, sexually abused as a child or teenager and is now going around killing men as a result, but it's not that predictable. The aforementioned abuse is correct, but beyond that, nothing about this book is predictable. From the catalyst that starts her on her killing spree, to how she comes to choose the names of men on her list who she feels have to die, the author has thrown in some surprises and plot twists that make this book a refreshing change from many in this genre.

Rating:
Summary: The title says it all
Review: This was probably the best book I've read so far this year. I recently discovered Ethan Black and enjoy his style of writing. What I like most about his books is the character development of his villains. I actually found myself feeling sorry for Nora Clay despite all the horrible things she was doing. Usually making a villain sympathetic doesn't work, but Black somehow pulls it off. The plot was very clever and had me racing to find out how it all turned out. The death scenes were very violent and gory but very well-written, and the ending was just too perfect. Conrad Voort is one of the more interesting detective characters to come along in years, and I found myself as wrapped up in the love triangle subplot as I did the main serial killer plot. I highly recommend this book. You will not be able to put it down because you will just have to know what happens to these characters.