ISBN-13: 9780230015890Publisher: Macmillan
Published: August 2007
320 pgs
Gretchen Lowell Series #1
Homicide detective Archie Sheridan is emotionally damaged after he was kidnapped and tortured by a beautiful, demented serial killer, Gretchen Lowell. Though Archie is saved by Gretchen in the end, no one knew why she decided to save his life and turn herself in thereafter. And as strange as this may sound, Archie could not get her out of his mind. Two years had passed and Archie is still relying much on painkillers to get on with his life (it is more of an addiction than a medication to him). He returns to the force after another serial killer began murdering young girls and he intends to nail whoever that person is, along with the same force he had been working with when they tracked Gretchen down.
Susan is a young spunky news reporter and she is asked to profile him as he works on the case. I find she is another interesting character besides Gretchen Lowell and Archie Sheridan. For starters, she has pink hair (which I think what made her stand out as compared to other fictional characters of the same profession that I read) and she has some issues which arises from her adolescent years (in which I do not wish to say more to avoid any spoilers). Nonetheless, she has a great attitude when work is concerned but it seems she has not much luck when it comes to relationships.
To add complexity to the story, it seems Gretchen, Archie and Susan have their own agendas in mind and they kind of made use of one another's vulnerability or profession to get what they want from the other (Note: Archie visits Gretchen every Sunday in prison so this explains the communications between them). The twist of the story comes when Susan's past catch up on her and Archie has to race against the time to catch the killer before Susan became the next victim. But what I find most intriguing is the captor-captive relationship between Gretchen and Archie; I could not understand what made Gretchen decided to spare Archie's life and why Archie developed a strange feeling towards her; I hate to think there are any romantic feelings between them so perhaps Stockholm syndrome is the answer here.
Speaking of relationship, I hope to see some sparks fly between Susan and Archie as I think they would make an interesting couple. As for the ending, it definitely makes me want to read more and I can foresee myself reading the next installment, Sweetheart, sooner than I expected (hopefully my reading mood will not waver then). To sum up everything, I enjoyed reading Heartsick and it is one of the best thrillers I read this year.
So have you read anything that feature a lady serial killer like Gretchen Lowell, or a female Hannibal Lecter for that matter? I am intrigued to read more about these characters so if you have came across any books that feature them, please share them with me.
Before I end this post, I want to thank Julia for introducing this exciting series to me! This is our buddy read so do visit her blog to check out her review too.
Other reviews:
avidbookreader
Fantasy Book Critic
Julia's Books Corner
Monkey Bear Reviews
Mysteries in Paradise
The Bookworm
The Dreamin' Demon
The Movieholic & Bibliophile's Blog
(I am sure there are a lot more reviews out there that I may have overlooked. Please let me know if I missed yours.)
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Your welcome for introducing you to the world of Gretchen Lowell series, thrilling books. I'm so excited about this book after I was finish with it. And so happy that you join with me in joint-reading of Heartsick. The book was intriguing and kept me turning the pages.
I'm looking forward to reading the next installment, and hope that you will be joint-reading with me on the rest of the series as well :) Great review, Melody!
I don't think I've read anything with lady serial killers, that should be real interesting :)
I LOVE the cover and the title. Thanks for the review Melody!!!
Great review! Thanks for linking to mine. I really enjoyed this book, and also its sequel, 'Sweetheart'.
I was reading your review and thought it sounded familiar but the cover threw me. Read a little further and ah ha ... there is the cover I know. 5 stars, wow, glad to hear how much you enjoyed this one!
Wow, this sounds really interesting. Thanks for the review!
I can't think of a series starring a female serial killer either and much less one where there's a relationship that develops between the two main characters. This sounds really different. I may just have to check it out! :)
Hooray, a mystery recommendation! *takes notes* I've been on the lookout for these ;)
Glad you liked this one, great review!
I really enjoyed this one too.
I do wonder why Archie has those feelings for Gretchen.
My review is here, i'm linking yours to it :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2009/01/heartsick.html
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
So glad you enjoyed this book. I read all 3 and really loved them! (You'll be hooked now).
Julia - Thanks again for recommending and reading this book with me! As always, I enjoyed our buddy read sessions. :)
Violet - I hope you'll read this book soon! It's so intense!
Sarah - My pleasure, Sarah! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed reading Sweetheart!
Wanda - Yes! I loved this book to pieces, LOL!!
Swapna - It's a great page-turner!
Iliana - I can't wait to hear what you'll think of the book when you get to it, Iliana! :D
Nymeth - Hooray for adding this book on to your wishlist!! :)
Naida - Thanks for the link, Naida! :)
Diane - Yes, I'm already hooked! ;) I'm wondering if there'll a Bk 4 to this series?
What an intriguing story. I'd love to read this later. Thanks for the review!
I got this book from the library; Katiebabs told me about it. It sounds good!
Alice - I don't think I've ever read a female serial killer so that's why I'm so excited with this series. ;)
Tasha - It IS good! Can't wait to hear what you'll think of it!
Glad I already own this one, or you'd be tempting me to break my book buying ban! :D
Debi - Yay! I hope you'll read it soon! :D
Now that I think I have never read anything by a lady serial Killer. But I did read "Succubus" in which this girl does torture this guy because she lusts over him.. now I can't really remember the details ;)
but it is a horror!
This one sounds good. Something I most definitely try if i get my hands on it!
I LOVED this and Sweetheart. I really need to go pick up Evil at Heart.
http://reviewsofthings.blogspot.com/2008/11/love-hurts.html
Veens - I think I've read Succubus but just haven't got around to reading the second installment yet. :)
Jen - I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this series! Thanks for the link!