Customer Reviews

Beautiful Rage (Five Star First Edition Mystery)

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

 

 

In Snowden County, Virginia, forty-three year old Sheriff Lucia Dove works a missing teen case. Apparently, good girl Julie Boyer came home from school and vanished not long afterward. The only clues are her Internet romance with Floridian Lyle Taylor. Lucia works closely on the investigation with Lieutenant Jack Fincham assisting her. The two cops have the hots for one another, but hide it as he is unhappily married to an alcoholic in denial and has a child. Lucia had a child out of wedlock, but she died in an accident.

Jack's wife apparently commits suicide, but FBI Agent Mike McQuigg, Lucia's nasty ex-husband, thinks murder occurred. He legally searches Jack's home only to find a razor with DNA evidence linked to two other female teen homicides in the area. Lucia believes that Jack is being set up and wonders why Mike got involved in the case starting with the missing Julie. She begins her own inquiries not sure where it will take her, but when she gets there she is in for quite a shocker.

This solid police procedural contains an interesting lead protagonist who struggles with any wrong doing to children because of her daughter's death even if she agreed with the official ruling of accident. The story line is fast-paced and the simmering desire between Jack and Lucia is hotter than the Arizona desert in summer. Though the identity of the serial killer will stun the audience who may think that it seems too way out, fans will appreciate this tense thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Scoppettone's storytelling in Beautiful Rage lacks her usual passion, and the action and characterizations seem forced. All the elements of a good novel are here, but the spark seems to be missing. This is most noticeable in the dialogue, which is especially wooden and stiff.

I will give Ms. Scoppettone another chance, as I've been made to understand that she herself isn't very fond of this book. My copy of This Dame for Hire is next up on my reading list.

I really liked this book a lot. It's not the usual serial killer tale. The characters are strong and the story's a good one, fast-paced and compelling. It isn't at all like Scoppettone's previous crime novels. Read it -- you'll like it!

I am glad to hear that this wasn't the author's favorite book, as it certainly wasn't mine. SPOILER....SPOILER..SPOILER.....

This one was just bad. From Lucia and Jack making googly eyes at each other while young girls are being slaughtered, from Jack's overuse of the "cute" nickname "Arizona" for Lucia as he "can't stand" her name, about ten times a minute, which got old for me really fast. I thought his calling her that was really disrespectful, whether he couldn't stand her name or not, it was still her name. From Jack's telling his kids, "when your mom told you I was having an affair yesterday, it wasn't true yesterday, but today it is..." WTH? Plus, as mentioned, kids are being killed all over the place, so Lucia and Jack decide that's a good time to get cozy?

Jack describes his wife as being a falling down drunk but his 14 year old daughter is just now noticing? Plus, Jack learns that same 14 year old is and has been dating and having sex with an 18 year old, and Jack's reaction? NONE. Who cares if an 18 year old is committing statutory rape of his very young daughter, as long as Jack can be lovey dovey with "Arizona," which ever so conveniently is free to move in with them, with the kids' full consent, after the drunk mother dies.

The killer's identity, motive and fate were just beyond ridiculous, like the persons involved wouldn't be the first ones the police would talk to.

There was nothing I liked about this book AT ALL. I had to give it one star but zero is better. Don't waste money or time on it.

Anything by Sandra Scoppettone is really good and just keeps getting better. Beautiful Rage is her very best so far.