Rating: 
Summary: The Best Kate Austen Mystery to Date...
Review: "Murder Among Strangers" is the 4th book in the Kate Austen Mystery Series by Jonnie Jacobs. The interweaving plots/subplots in this latest book are just great. I, and apparently other reviewers, feel that it is the best Kate Austen book thus far. Jonnie Jacobs seems to get better with each novel..."Murder Among Strangers" focuses on the series of neverending events that take place when Kate stops to help a woman who has been stranded in the rain when her car fails. Kate is kidnapped by the woman and her boyfriend and in many ways a friendship of sorts develops between Kate and the woman. It is a friendship born out of wanting to survive, fear, and gratitude. Kate Austen is about as realistic as a character gets. In many ways, she is far too easy going and passive for my tastes, but that is what makes her so real. At times, it seems as though everyone from her child to her friends to the dog are "bossing" her around - but that is more realistic than some "super woman" heroine who lives an idyllic life. Kate's relationship with Detective Michael Stone is not always perfect as this book reveals. He is slightly tempted when a young co-ed at the police department shows great interest in him. The situation snowballs and he is faced with many uncomfortable decisions. Jonnie Jacobs' portrayal of Anna "It's in my room, Anna exclaims, as though she's just scored in Jeopardy" and Libby are brilliant. She truly has captured the dialogue and mannerisms so realistic of kids today. This is a series that just keeps getting better. Let's hope that a new Kate Austen book will be coming out soon!
Rating: 
Summary: Why is caring equating with stupidity?
Review: "Murder Among Strangers" is the 4th book in the Kate Austen Mystery Series by Jonnie Jacobs. The interweaving plots/subplots in this latest book are just great. I, and apparently other reviewers, feel that it is the best Kate Austen book thus far. Jonnie Jacobs seems to get better with each novel... "Murder Among Strangers" focuses on the series of neverending events that take place when Kate stops to help a woman who has been stranded in the rain when her car fails. Kate is kidnapped by the woman and her boyfriend and in many ways a friendship of sorts develops between Kate and the woman. It is a friendship born out of wanting to survive, fear, and gratitude. Kate Austen is about as realistic as a character gets. In many ways, she is far too easy going and passive for my tastes, but that is what makes her so real. At times, it seems as though everyone from her child to her friends to the dog are "bossing" her around - but that is more realistic than some "super woman" heroine who lives an idyllic life. Kate's relationship with Detective Michael Stone is not always perfect as this book reveals. He is slightly tempted when a young co-ed at the police department shows great interest in him. The situation snowballs and he is faced with many uncomfortable decisions. Jonnie Jacobs' portrayal of Anna "It's in my room, Anna exclaims, as though she's just scored in Jeopardy" and Libby are brilliant. She truly has captured the dialogue and mannerisms so realistic of kids today. This is a series that just keeps getting better. Let's hope that a new Kate Austen book will be coming out soon!
Rating:
Summary: loved this book
Review: I've enjoyed this series, in part because I like Kate so much. This book is the best so far. It starts off with a bang when Kate is kidnapped, and my heart was pounding for pretty much the rest of the book. It is not a melodramatic, chase kind of book, however. Rather it explores what happens when an ordinary person inadvertenly falls into a bad situation. There are a number of threads (including chapters told from Kate's significant other's point of view), and they all tie up smoothly in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Murder Among Strangers
Review: Jonnie Jacobs is a masterful writer who blends appealing, multi-faceted characters with page-turning suspense. While her previous Kate Austen books were delightful mysteries, this one brings the series to a new level of excitement with more plot twists than a reader would imagine possible. Any reader who thinks they know the extent of character Kate Austen's sleuthing talents, will appreciate again her strength and depth in every chapter as she finds herself in peril after peril. Love-interest Michael finds himself in peril on the job in this title, too. Anna and Libby continue to enhance the Kate Austen stories with their realistic personalities. Each Jacobs book tops the previous one, and I eagerly await the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible story, heart-pounding read
Review: Jonnie Jacobs just gets better and better. I loved Murder Among Us, and her latest Kali Obrien book Motion to Dismiss, but this new one is by far the best thing she's ever written. Kate is an East Bay mom who stops to help a stranded motorist and gets kidnapped for her trouble when she notices a body in the trunk of the car. That's just the beginning! She rescues herself, but someone is killed and the police don't believe her story. I loved the way Jacobs wove the point of view of Kate's boyfriend Michael into the story. It just kept me up until I finished it in one gulp! Definitely a keeper. I am anxiously waiting for the next Kali book.
Rating: 
Summary: A great read!
Review: Murder Among Strangers has been said to be a little stronger than the last four in her series. I found it riveting, suspenseful and hard to put down. Kate stands in the living room with her daughter Anna. The site of a cable van triggers memories for them both. This is where Kate begins to tell her story. The transfer from the present to the past is effortless and when the story shifts back and forth between Kate and her recent love interest Michael the transition is just as smooth. It's cold and rainy, and Kate sees a woman stranded on the roadside. When she stops to play the Good Samaritan, Kate finds herself in desperate need of help. Also in this one, Michael her solid, faithful love interest has to deal with the added stress of a problem at work that unfortunately finds it's way to their home. The mystery and characters weren't the only ones on the move. I had to carry this one with me everywhere to get it finished. I couldn't put it down until I knew the outcome, which was just as satisfying as the mystery itself.
Rating:
Summary: An Enthralling Mystery!
Review: Murder Among Strangers is a wonderful mystery! This book will keep you on the edge of your "sofa" as you read it. There is an underscored tension to this story. Kate and Michael's relationship has hit a new plateau. Also, in this book the reader gets to learn more about Michael. There is a tangled web of suspects (not to mention Kate!) to choose from. Miss Jacobs keeps the reader guessing until the very end. This book is the most suspenseful of all the Kate Austen mysteries. Thank you Miss Jacobs for a great read!
Rating:
Summary: Murder Among Strangers
Review: This is the 4th installment of the Kate Austin mysteries. The story begins when Kate stops to help a stranded motorist and ends up kidnapped her self. Even after Kate escapes the real trouble begins. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the surprising climax. The relationship between Kate and Mike Stone is tested, as it has never been before. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout this book. Just when I thought a problem was solved, up popped another. It was a very well told story and fast-paced. Jonnie Jacobs is a masterful writer who blends multi faceted characters into a well-blended mystery. Pam Stone
Rating:
Summary: Incredible story, heart-pounding read
Review: This is the best in an excellent series. The story begins when Kate stops to help a stranded motorist and ends up kidnapped. At first I thought this would be just another "woman in trouble, must escape" book, but it's not. Kate does escape, but her troubles aren't over by a long shot. Without spoiling the book, I'll just say that people doubt her story (including her significant other) and she is accused of murder. The story is as much about the effects of crime as crime itself. And I couldn't put it down. The narration switches between Kate (1st person) and her lover, who is a police detective (3rd person.) The author handles this so seamlessly, I barely noticed. One of the things I like best about this series are the characters - they are believable and real.
Rating: 
Summary: Just ordinary...
Review: This is the first mystery book I read and I really didn't feel anything extraordinary.. the plot is so predictable and it unfolds in an ingenious way.. no surprises .. no excitement ..
Jacobs' writing style is probably what made me continue reading it.. I liked the way she draws her characters .. simple and skillful.
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