Rating: 
Summary: 1/2 * Swift and sharp
Review: Avid romance fans may jump on the conclusion that Beverly Barton's latest contemporary romance suspense is likened to Linda Howard's Dream Man. They are only half-correct as The Fifth Victim is a vortex of sex, deceptions and gruesome mutiliations that is disturbingly dark. FBI agent Dalla Sloan's hunt for the serial killer of his niece leads him to Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee where the killer is set to repeat the cycle of sacrificial killing of 5 women as in the other states. He finds an unexpected ally in the form of half- Cherokee psychic Genny Madoc who aids her cousin sheriff Jacob Butler to ferret out the culprit. This would have been a slasher flick if not for Ms. Barton's keen observation of small-town mayhem and secrets, flashed out by the sinuous relationships between her side-characters like the debauched reverend and his wife as well as the abusive mayor. Genny is the pivotal beacon of morality who guides the wounded Dallas with hope and love. Casting the abrupt ending and the profuse use of paranormal element aside, Ms. Barton brilliantly notches up terror and suspense with the precision of a blade - swift and sharp.
Rating: 
Summary: exiting romantic suspense
Review: Courtesy of A Romance Review Cheroke Pointe, Tennessee Genevieve Madoc (Genny) awoke with a start one night and knew that a woman was being killed and sacrificed on a makeshift altar. With her "sixth sense" and ability to witness the kill via the eyes of the killer, she soon helps her cousin, Sheriff Jacob Butler to find the body. FBI Agent, Dallas Sloan has been personally tracking down this particular killer since his niece was killed, in the same way, eight months ago. There have been other similar victims in other states over the years. He knows the scene too well and knows the killer won't stop until this round of four more women is sacrificed. Before Dallas reaches Cheroke Pointe, Genny has a vision of him coming to her and she knows that he is the man she has been waiting all her life. The Fifth Victim is a nerve-shaking tale that is both captivating and intriguing. The serial killer is clever and his method of killing is scary. Ms Barton has created an atmosphere that captures the attention of readers via Genny, Dallas and the killer. Moreover, the most interesting part in reading romantic suspense is to find the killer along with the characters of the story. Ms Barton has given out enough hints and evidence to help readers to look for the right killer. Although I thought I had pinpointed the right suspect in the middle of the book I wasn't sure until I finished the rest of tale. The Fifth Victim is a wonderful read and I can't wait to read the next two books of the Cheroke Pointe trilogy that feature Genny's best friend and her cousin respectively.
Rating: 
Summary: Chilling tale of suspense
Review: Deep in the mountains of Cherokee Point, Tennessee, Susie Richards has been murdered, a chilling human sacrifice. Local psychic Genny Madoc has witnessed the murder through the eyes of the killer. Sheriff Jacob Butler, Genny�s cousin, has learned to trust in her visions, and finds the victim in the Cedar Tree Forest, where Genny said she would be. FBI agent Dallas Sloan has been seeking the murderer of his niece, and believes these murders to be that of a serial killer. A pattern in these killings develops, as the criminal murders four women, and when he moves on to the fifth victim, removes her heart and eats it. Then the killer moves on to a new locale, and the pattern starts all over again. When Dallas learns of the sacrificial murder in Cherokee Point, he believes another round has begun. Dallas heads to Tennessee, and arrives in a blinding snowstorm, going off the road, and forced to find shelter from the storm. He does, at Genny Madoc�s house. She learns that Dallas has been in touch with Jacob regarding the murder, and offers to let him stay until the storm lets up. As Genny and Dallas get to know one another, a strong bond develops between them, although Dallas finds Genny�s visions a bit hard to accept. As three more murders occur, he realizes she�s right on target every time, and starts to accept her abilities. While Dallas and Jacob work together to find a common link to the murders, they come to believe that Genny has been targeted to be the fifth victim. Together they work to keep her safe, but even that proves to be not enough. Will the race against time save Genny? The small town of Cherokee Point has many secrets amongst the interesting characters that call this place home. Will one of them prove to be the killer? Genny and Dallas are a wonderful couple, she �knowing� Dallas is the man of her future, although it takes him awhile to pick up on this. But, when he does there�s no stopping him. Fans of Beverly Barton will enjoy this intense suspense, the first in a trilogy that promises more thrills and chills to come!
Rating:
Summary: Chilling tale of suspense
Review: Deep in the mountains of Cherokee Point, Tennessee, Susie Richards has been murdered, a chilling human sacrifice. Local psychic Genny Madoc has witnessed the murder through the eyes of the killer. Sheriff Jacob Butler, Genny's cousin, has learned to trust in her visions, and finds the victim in the Cedar Tree Forest, where Genny said she would be. FBI agent Dallas Sloan has been seeking the murderer of his niece, and believes these murders to be that of a serial killer. A pattern in these killings develops, as the criminal murders four women, and when he moves on to the fifth victim, removes her heart and eats it. Then the killer moves on to a new locale, and the pattern starts all over again. When Dallas learns of the sacrificial murder in Cherokee Point, he believes another round has begun. Dallas heads to Tennessee, and arrives in a blinding snowstorm, going off the road, and forced to find shelter from the storm. He does, at Genny Madoc's house. She learns that Dallas has been in touch with Jacob regarding the murder, and offers to let him stay until the storm lets up. As Genny and Dallas get to know one another, a strong bond develops between them, although Dallas finds Genny's visions a bit hard to accept. As three more murders occur, he realizes she's right on target every time, and starts to accept her abilities. While Dallas and Jacob work together to find a common link to the murders, they come to believe that Genny has been targeted to be the fifth victim. Together they work to keep her safe, but even that proves to be not enough. Will the race against time save Genny? The small town of Cherokee Point has many secrets amongst the interesting characters that call this place home. Will one of them prove to be the killer? Genny and Dallas are a wonderful couple, she 'knowing' Dallas is the man of her future, although it takes him awhile to pick up on this. But, when he does there's no stopping him. Fans of Beverly Barton will enjoy this intense suspense, the first in a trilogy that promises more thrills and chills to come!
Rating:
Summary: Made a believer out of me.
Review: I am a male who enjoys a good mystery. I had never read a book by Beverly Barton, not because she is a woman (I love J.A. Jance and other female authors), but because her books were listed as "romance." "The Fifth Victim" was a great read. As a result, I ordered "Grace Under Fire" but put off reading it because the description emphasised romance. I just finished "Grace Under Fire" and am ordering some more Barton books. Great reads!!!
Rating:
Summary: Made a believer out of me.
Review: I am a male who enjoys a good mystery. I had never read a book by Beverly Barton, not because she is a woman (I love J.A. Jance and other female authors), but because her books were listed as "romance." "The Fifth Victim" was a great read. As a result, I ordered "Grace Under Fire" but put off reading it because the description emphasised romance. I just finished "Grace Under Fire" and am ordering some more Barton books. Great reads!!!
Rating:
Summary: Made a believer out of me.
Review: I am a male who enjoys a good mystery. I had never read a book by Beverly Barton, not because she is a woman (I love J.A. Jance and other female authors), but because her books were listed as "romance." "The Fifth Victim" was a great read. As a result, I ordered "Grace Under Fire" but put off reading it because the description emphasised romance. I just finished "Grace Under Fire" and am ordering some more Barton books. Great reads!!!
Rating:
Summary: Relies too much on the paranormal
Review: If you like the paranormal, and I don't, then you might enjoy this story. FBI agent Dallas Stone arrives in Cherokee Pointe to investigate the gruesome sacrificial murder of a young woman. This murder has similarities to the unsolved serial murder of his niece two years ago. Genny Madoc lives a simple life in Cherokee Pointe but her psychic abilities allow her to 'see' the murder and draw her into this investigation. Dallas and Genny are strongly attracted to eachother as they search for a killer before he gets his fifth victim. Although pleasantly presented this police procedural relies too heavily on the paranormal findings in decifering the case and finding the murderer.
Rating:
Summary: Relies too much on the paranormal
Review: If you like the paranormal, and I don't, then you might enjoy this story. FBI agent Dallas Stone arrives in Cherokee Pointe to investigate the gruesome sacrificial murder of a young woman. This murder has similarities to the unsolved serial murder of his niece two years ago. Genny Madoc lives a simple life in Cherokee Pointe but her psychic abilities allow her to 'see' the murder and draw her into this investigation. Dallas and Genny are strongly attracted to eachother as they search for a killer before he gets his fifth victim. Although pleasantly presented this police procedural relies too heavily on the paranormal findings in decifering the case and finding the murderer.
Rating:
Summary: strong romantic suspense
Review: In Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee "gifted" Genny Madoc "sees" the ritual murder of a teen through the eyes of the killer. She informs her cousin, county Sheriff Jacob Butler who knows to trust in her visions. He finds the corpse of Susie Richards based on her input. On his own time, FBI Agent Dallas Sloan has been hunting the killer of his niece for about a year. He believes a serial killer murdered four women and drank their blood, before a final homicide in which the culprit cut out the heart and probably ate it. He thinks this killer has followed this pattern four times in different locale and once he learns about the death in the Smoky Mountains, he believes round five has begun. Dallas arrives in an unofficial capacity and finds himself half in love with the bewitching Genny though he scoffs at her powers. As three more die, he and Jason conclude that the killer wants Genny next. Both men willingly risk their lives to keep her safe. Though some of the antics of Genny's wannabe lovers seem unreasonable and the man that her best friend loves seems inane, readers will appreciate this strong romantic suspense. The lead couple is a delight as she knows and he doubts, but both need each other. The serial killer is an intriguing character who seems so shadowy and frightening while the police procedural is top rate. Readers will be pleased with this taut tale and look forward to the two upcoming novels starring the heroine's best friend and the sheriff respectively. Harriet Klausner
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