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37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
First rate excellent romantic suspense, July 24, 2006
This review is from: Close Enough To Kill (Paperback)
Former college football hero and Memphis homicide detective Jim Norton takes a pay cut to move to Adam's Landing, Alabama to be closer to his pre-teen son. Now the Chief of detectives, he finds himself embroiled in a homicide investigation that quickly has become a serial crime encompassing several states. Working with Sheriff Bernie Granger, he finds that his initial attraction to her much rowdier sister is nothing compared to his growing feelings for his boss, who is nurturing a school girl crush on him too. But will their past romantic mishaps and divorces ruin the romance before it has even begun?
As they investigate the first two known victims, and enter the data into VICAP, they discover that the body count is much higher, and more victims from their hamlet keep disappearing one by one. The MO of the killer is to send love notes, then presents, then explicit drawings, until the victim is kidnapped and brutally raped, until he decides to "break up" with her when he has found new prey.
Barton has hit a home run with this tense and psychological drama. Norton's character previously appeared in "Killing Her Softly," and was such a compelling character, that he warranted his own story - make no mistake, this one is a complete stand alone, and better than its predecessor. The reason for the perp's crime spree was far more interesting than most I have read, and she did a great job of keeping his identity unknown until the end.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling! Had me guessing until the very end., January 28, 2007
This review is from: Close Enough To Kill (Paperback)
There is a serial killer on the loose in Adams County, Alabama. Sheriff Bernie Granger already has her hands full with a new arrival in her police force, Memphis police detective Jim Norton. His arrival, however, becomes a blessing in disguise since Jim already has plenty of experience dealing with serial killer cases.
The serial killer has already established a clear pattern when he picks his victims. He sends them letters, and then gifts, and then a phone call, before he snatches them. Many days later, the bodies are found in some isolated place. As bodies start to pile up, the serial killer gets even bolder since the police have no clues to point to a suspect. He selects Bernie's sister as his next victim! Bernie and Jim do what they can to protect her but can they really succeed? Against a ruthless killer who has, so far, eluded them?
This was a really, really great read. I was guessing until almost the very end.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Romantic Suspense, July 5, 2006
This review is from: Close Enough To Kill (Paperback)
Many authors can give you a great ride up the mountain, pushing you higher and higher until you reach the summit. But alot of them push you off the top and leave you empty after you have invested several hours and much emotion in their characters. Fortunately, Beverly Barton does all that and gives us closure. She eases me over the last bumpy seas and gives me a glimpse of the smooth sailing ahead. Thank you, Beverly, for your epilogues.
Bernie Granger is Sheriff of Adams County, Ala. her father was sheriff before her. Now at 32 after a bad marriage and a few years as sheriff she has a serial killer on her hands. Does she go with her instincts or depend on her father's. Bernie must find her own way and ultimately try to save the life of someone in her own family.
Detective Jim Norton is the new chief of Investigations in her small dept. Jim has taken this job and moved to Adams Co. because he wants to stay close to his 13 yr old son. At 40 and alone he finds more than a boss in Bernie. Her family has what he wants a safe, secure harbor.
From the first abduction and murder it is apparent to Jim that this is not an isolated incident. As the first leads come in they realize this killer maskerades as a secret admirer, leaving notes and small gifts before kidnapping his target. Later the woman is left with her throat slit on the side of the road.
As I said before Beverly knows how to take us up the mountain a step at a time, and always gives a party at the summit, but I do love the closure. Don't miss this one. She just gets better and better.
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