Rate this book

The Last Victim (2012)

by Karen Robards(Favorite Author)

3.77 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0345535405 (ISBN13: 9780345535405)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Ballantine Books

series

Dr. Charlotte Stone

review 1: As a teenager, Charlie witnessed the horrific death of her best friend’s mother and suffered the disappearance and later the recovery of her best friend’s body; all later attributed to the “Boardwalk Killer”. Fifteen years later, Charlie has become Dr. Charlotte Stone – a psychologist specializing in serial killers. One day, while working with serial woman killer, Michael Garland, the FBI comes to visit Charlie. They inform her that someone is either copying the Boardwalk Killer or “he” has returned. Aware of her specialty and the fact that she is the only person who has ever lived who witnessed the original Boardwalk Killer, they hope to leverage Charlie’s memories and experience in order to solve the recent killings and kidnappings. Little do they r... moreealize that Charlie has more talents then they are aware. I haven’t read a Karen Robards’ novel in a few years; that said, I enjoyed her ability to tell a thrilling murder mystery while imbuing it with some romance and a touch of paranormal. She has managed to convey the turmoil and guilt of a survivor while simultaneously portraying the determination to find the person guilty of the crimes. This is a well-developed story with a few entertaining twists. I didn’t particularly like the attempt at a love triangle and could have lived without that in this story; I just don’t think that it added anything, in fact it took away a bit from the story. There are several inconsistencies (such as Charlie falling for a serial killer considering her history) that make this story a bit difficult to fully appreciate. If you read it just for a no-brainer then it will be entertaining but if you think too much you may get frustrated by this novel. Also, unlike other murder/mystery writers, Ms Robards doesn’t provide enough information to her readers to solve the crime itself, instead we are given a resolution. I didn’t really like the resolution to the crimes in this book but I was still entertained.
review 2: Last Victim by Karen Robards first book in her new Dr. Charlotte Stone Series.is a psychological paranormal romance and suspense thriller. Charlotte (Charlie) Stone is a leading expert in criminal psychology and specializes in studying serial killers. As part of her research, she’s interviewing Michael Garland a serial killer in prison, when the FBI arrives asking for her help in finding a missing teenager, who they believe has been kidnapped by a copycat of The Boardwalker Killer. Charlie was the only survivor of that killer when she was a teenager and her friend and her family had been murdered by him. She agrees, albeit reluctantly to help, when the killer she had been interviewing is stabbed. She tries to save him, without success and she suddenly sees his spirit leave his body….…….yes, Charlie sees dead people and she helps them into the light from the Afterlife…or something like that.She attempts to help Michael’s ghost to “cross” over but he refuses. He’s now “tied” to Dr Stone and follows her everywhere….I kid you not!!So, whilst Charlie works with Agent Tony Bartoli and his team, the ghost pops up at the most unexpected places, even the bathroom !!! No, there is nothing going on between Charlie and Agent Bartoli…..its Charlie & Michael….what a hero who is a serial killer!!!!!! With ghosts she has helped before helping her find the kidnapped teenager before she’s killed, she finds herself becoming obsessed with Michael..yes, the serial killer she can’t get to follow the light!! She even dreams about him….the weird scene where Michael seduces her when she’s sleeping or dreaming..whatever…is just too bizarre for me. I became irritated after a while with all their encounters!!!I did like Charlie – she’s smart and caring but some of her actions and decisions are a bit out there.The hero – the ghost – Michael Garland…hey, this is a killer of seven people – of course he denies he ever killed anyone, but how did he then get convicted for the crimes????? I cannot be like Charlie and suddenly start liking someone like him, right??????? I liked the two secondary characters, FBI agents, Buzz & Lena. There’s some really funny interaction and some romantic tension going on. And Agent Bartoli is interesting…I did think in the beginning, he would be the romantic hero…but just so not.It’s a well-paced story filled with all kinds of twists and turns and I was surprised when the villain is revealed. I certainly was not expecting that.I am a fan of this author but this was one of her books I didn’t like as much some of her others.Not a bad book – just not a great one. less

Download links for: The Last Victim

Advertising