Customer Reviews

Ace of Hearts

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a surprisingly enticing debut novel by Mrs. Jean Holloway. This book takes you on a HIGHLY charged emotional rollercoaster ride! It is a FRIGHTENINGLY suspense-filled, romantic murder mystery with LOADS of heart stopping twist and turns that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. I must thank one of my girlfriends for recommending this book, because had she not I would have missed this thrilling ride. The characters were quite engaging. The storyline was well developed and the attention to detail made me feel like I was watching a very entertaining, yet spine-chilling movie. I found myself completely and thoroughly caught up in the drama of Detective Shevaughn Robinson's life, professional and personal. The sensual, yet endearing romance between Shevaughn and Tony aided in lightening the mood of an otherwise intense and sometimes disturbing erotic thriller. Tony was a sweet, good looking, compassionate, thoughtful and protective man, who wanted to help his woman in EVERY aspect of her life, professionally and personally. I also enjoyed the budding new partnership/friendship between Shevaughn and Detective Jared Benjamin, he was like the overprotective big brother she never had. Mrs. Holloway DEFINITELY keeps you in suspense throughout this novel, when you think you know what's going to happen, she'll shock you with an unexpected twist and/or turn. I hope she's able to keep me just as captivated with the upcoming sequel!

The year--1981. The town--Portsborough, NY. The theme--murder!

Ace of Hearts begins with a page-turning scene in which you witness the first murderous act of a serial killer who charms women, then kills them in an unspeakable manner.

Enter Shevaughn Robinson, Portsborough's first black female detective. Shevaughn is assigned to the case, which quickly becomes a media frenzy as more bodies start popping up. In her quest to solve the murders, she's aided by Tony O'Brien, a good-looking reporter who shows her that there's more to life than murder cases. As Shevaugn digs deeper into the "Ace of Hearts" murders, the killer becomes obsessed with her...to fatal consequences.

This book was fast-paced and eerily exciting. I felt guilty for wanting more because it's such a wicked thing the killer does to his victims. But I think that's the mark of a good book, when the writer can take the reader out of their comfort zone and still have them captivated, and that's what Ms. Holloway does throughout the book! If you're looking for a tidy, cookie-cutter-ending, this book isn't for you (when a book opens with murder, you know things can't end well!). Ms. Holloway wraps it up with a clever twist that will leave you wondering what will happen next to Dectective Robinson!

Jean Holloway has written an engrossing debut novel and I look forward to her next book!

Shevaughn Robinson has a lot of pressure on her since becoming Portsborough, New York's first African-American female detective. Her job becomes even more challenging when she starts investigating a series of horrific murders. Unbeknownst to Shevaughn, the killer has his eyes set not only on his victims, but on her as well. Shevaughn also has to deal with an investigative reporter named Tony O'Brien who is getting way too close for comfort. Tony may get more than he bargained for when he suddenly finds himself in the middle of a criminal investigation. It's a race against time as Shevaughn tries to catch the Ace of Hearts killer before he claims another victim.

Ace of Hearts is a spellbinding thriller by Jean Holloway. Holloway grabs your attention from the very first page. The character development for this story is what really makes this novel stand out. You feel the anxiety of Shevaughn as she tries to catch this very sadistic killer. There are also some good secondary characters such as Tony O'Brien that add just the right touch to this book. Readers will find themselves glued to the pages as this story unfolds at a rapid pace. There's also a sort of cliffhanger ending to this novel that could lead to another book. Ace of Hearts is emotionally-charged and suspenseful. Hopefully, this is the start of a good detective series by Jean Holloway.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Once I started reading this book, it was hard for me to put it down when I had to! It was full of murder, suspense, and sex.

Detective Shevaughn Robinson was really a character that I felt like I got to know. She was on the case of the murders and really had a hard time with the gore on the scene of the first murder. Also in the book is Tony O'Brien. He is a reporter for NBS news and he wanted to do a story on Shevaughn since she was a female cop who was a minority. They ended up hanging out quite a bit, but Shevaughn wanted to take it slow with him.

The killer is a really sick person, but he is leading up to something big. I was really surprised by how this book ended, and can't wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens!

Dissecting a murder case comes all the more difficult when you're on the hit list. "Ace of Hearts" is a mystery following Detective Shevaughn Robinson as she chases a methodical serial killer. But if she does not figure out this method and the madness behind in time, she may become the latest statistic. "Ace of Hearts" is a fun mystery, a grade-A pick for mystery readers.

Ace of Hearts is spell binding, I must admit I'm completely and utterly obsessed. From page one to the very last my attention was completely held by the story of the sassy detective Shevaughn, her new and unexpected love interest and the killer that threatens them both. This book is not for the faint at heart, the detail and description cause heart palpitations as you realize exactly the nature of this killer and the extent of his sickness. The authors seductive writing style and imagination makes for a spectacular read.

Thrilling. Captivating. Suspenseful. From the prologue, this story will enthrall you with it's murder and romance. Detective Shevaughn (Vaughn) Robinson, the first black female detective in the city if Portsbrough, New York is given her first case: the gruesome murder of a beautiful, young professional. Tony, Detective Robinson's love interest with a twist, becomes the catch of the day as he romances Vaughn, since he is not the only one that wants hers attention. This page turner has a beautiful unfolding love story in the mist of unspeakable lust and crime. The characters are bigger than life. Readers will become attached to the special people in this novel, and will cry for the victims. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster. Ace of Hearts is a murder mystery the reader will not want to put down.

5 Pink Diamonds
Sistah Teesa of the SistahFriend Book Club

Ace of Hearts-Jean Holloway
FireFly Publishing & Entertainment
[...]
4 stars
Reviewed by Lynn: 2-26-09
For ReviewYourBook.com
Great Mystery...
This is the story of Detective Shevaughn Robinson, who is the first black female detective in the City of Portsborough, New York. When reporter Tony O'Brien tries to interview Shevaughn, there seems to be quite a attraction from the very beginning... When the report comes in about the finding of a murder of a female victim, and then a second murder, it just so happens to be someone Tony has been seeing, At that time, he becomes suspect in the gruesome murders of these women. Is it Tony that is leaving the calling card, the ace of hearts., or someone else? Will Tony be found cleared of any of this doing? Will Tony & Shevaughn become a couple after all is said and done? Will the real killer be caught? Who will be next?
The story line was well written, and the attention to the detail kept you wondering right to the very end.
To me, as a lover of a great mystery book, this was excellent reading of suspense and romance intertwined. I think that heavy sexual parts of the story line did not contribute that much to the book and took away from the story line at times. It could have had the romance in the book written in a different way, and I think it would have improved it more.
If you are looking for a great mystery that keeps you wondering, you should check this book out!

Ace of Hearts was an all night read. I could not put it down. Shevaughn Robinson is a great character, someone whom you would love to have as a friend. Jean Holloway gets into the mind of a serial killer with frightening reality. I was captivated from the first page until the end. I anticipate the sequal. Jeann Holloway writes with flare,I highly reccomend this book to readers who love suspense and thrills.

I stopped watching scary movies for the same reason I could not put this book down. REALISM! With each paged turn, details were vivid and awestuck. I was afraid to put it down or pick it up! That's the way I love my horror.

I can't wait her next work... be cautious. Read it in the daytime!!!

-TL James
author of The MPire: In Search of the Lost