Customer Reviews

Dead Ringer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reporter Kendall Shaw nearly died at the hands of a serial killer last summer. Since returning to work, she's done her reporting from the safety of the anchor's desk. But when a young woman is found strangled by the James River, Kendall feels compelled to cover the story. She wants to prove that she can handle the tough stories - not only to herself, but also to her demanding boss and former boyfriend, Brett.

Homicide detective Jacob Warrington and his partner Zack Kier have little to go on at the murder scene. The killer left no physical evidence and the only clue they have is a small gold charm engraved with the name `Ruth'.

When more victims are discovered, each with a gold charm of their own, an unsettling pattern emerges. Each victim was killed in the same manner, and they all bear an uncanny resemblance to Kendall Shaw. As Jacob tries to keep Kendall from becoming the next victim, he finds himself fighting a growing attraction to her.

Does the killer have his sights set on Kendall? And could a mystery from her past be the key to solving the crime?

While I enjoyed Dead Ringer, I felt two of the subplots should have been more fully developed. One promising subplot with Kendall's boss Brett saw no real resolution. Another subplot, this time involving Kendall's roommate Nicole and one of her photography clients, was more fleshed out, but it didn't feel believable to me. However, Dead Ringer offered up some great twists, an interesting protagonist, and a terrifying killer. These three elements made it a difficult book to put down.

Television reporter, Kendall Shaw barely survived an attack by a madman and when women who bear a striking resemblance to her start turning up dead, it appears she may have reason to worry again. Detective Jacob Warwick doesn't want to be drawn to Kendall but can't seem to stop himself so when a demented killer sets her in his crosshairs, Jacob will do whatever he can to protect her. But can he convince her to take a chance on love?



An edgy romantic suspense that keeps you turning the pages, Dead Ringer is not to be missed! After reading I'm Watching You, I wanted more and Mary Burton certainly delivered and has left me wanting more again! After immersing myself in Kendall and Jacob's story, Ms. Burton has left me impatiently wanting more of Tess, Nicole and David. An author worth stalking Mary Burton's Dead Ringer should be on every romantic suspense lover's reading list. Definitely Joyfully Recommended!

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

DEAD RINGER is the second book I've read written by Mary Burton. In this book, the author brought over characters from her previous book, I'M WATCHING YOU. Even though this isn't a series where books must be read in order, I found it way more enjoyable to do so.

Kendall Shaw has recovered from the hands of a killer from the previous book. She's now anchorwoman on Channel 10 News, a promotion that has her behind a desk. When another killer strikes, she goes back in action, filming on location. This puts her face to face with Jacob Warwick, the detective who saved her life--again, in the previous book. There is an attraction between them, but can it work? Jacob has serious commitment issues. After the accident, Kendall started having flashbacks of a time that remains a mystery. It's that mystery that will tie her to a serial killer.

Kendall might not believe the two bodies that have turned up resemble her, but Jacob sees it. As another body turns up, he's close on the killer's trail. Problem is time is running out for Kendall.

Even though I am not a huge fan of the detective/reporter romance, I found the story to be a page-turner. I can't wait to read book three, DYING SCREAM. Again, there will be secondary characters from this book appearing as main characters in it. Love that!

I liked the first book in this series, I'm Watching You, but thought this book was much better. I enjoyed the twists, and for once was not completely certain who the bad guy was by page 10. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Dying Scream.

This book follows Burton's I'm Watching You, with news anchor Kendall Shaw and her good friend and pregnant roommate, photographer Nicole Piper, again being the target of a serial killer.

Lindsey O'Neill Kier and her husband Detective Zack Kier are also characters in this book. Set in the Richmond, Virginia area, Detectives Jacob Warwick and Zack Kier are investigating the murder of a woman with a necklace with the name Ruth on it, found in the James River with evidence that her wrists were bound and that she was strangled. Warwick notices a strong resemblance to news anchor Kendall Shaw, a woman he has had a strong attraction to ever since he rescued her.

Kendall denies the resemblance and the danger, and just continues on with her job, reporting on the murders. Kendall, adopted at age three, has had recurring nightmares from her past and has begun hypnosis to help her recover those memories, and has started trying to find the truth about her past. Nicole is facing the birth of her baby alone with Kendall, and is seriously considering adoption. Her ex-husband was terribly abusive, and she is not sure she can ever love a baby connected to him.

Widower Detective David Ayden has developed a special interest in Nicole, but has not admitted even to himself that it might be more. Kendall has also aroused the interest of a handsome new neighbor, Cole. Her ex-boyfriend and boss Brett is also getting more controlling and wants back in her life. Detective Warwick is fighting to hide his continued attraction to Kendall, and not succeeding.

The intensely disturbing scenes of the killer murdering and torturing his victims are uncomfortable. There seem to be a surfeit of nasty people surrounding these women-like Dana, a wealthy real estate saleswoman who kidnaps Nicole at gun point to "take" her baby.

The suspense is riveting, and the romantic turns for all the characters sweet. If you like spine tingling creepy killers, and intense romance, this is one for you.

Armchair Interviews agrees, however the murders of the women were just too disturbing and violence unrealistic.

You know you have sure winner anytime you pick up anything by Mary Burton and Dead Ringer is no exception. While I feel her books are a little bit formulatic - there is always an element of suspense to each story that somehow manages to make it unique every time. I find the opening (introductory paragraph) particularly scary - a psychopath who keeps telling his victims that he sincerely loves them - while in the process of killing them - gross and enticing.

In Dead Ringer, a psychopath is on the loose. He is killing women - who are strangers to each other - yet they all have one thing in common - they all seem to look alot like local anchorwoman Kendall Shaw.

From the other side, Kendall has latched on the murders and decides to investigate - all the while denying that the psychopath is doing this as perhaps some kind of practice run before her goes after her.

Of course, it would not be a Burton novel is there was not, somewhere lurking, a handsome (just happens to be single) guy who puts the pieces together and figures out beyond a doubt that this sicko's ultimate target is indeed Kendall (which Kendall still refused to believe).

What goes on from there is a very credible, intriguing and fun ride as both people team up to solve this case before it is too late. While the attraction between Kendall and Jacob (great names!) is palpable, it is not really take center stage in the storyline until well towards the end of the book.

Rather, the intriguing storyline and the hunt for the killer is the main focus and for this reason, I would highly recommend this book - it will grab you and keep you guessing.

Of course, we know that Kendall and Jacob will end up together (or do they?) but the mystery of "who is doing the killing" will not be quite as obvious.

This is just the second book I have read by this author, and I am addicted now.
Dead Ringer was a mystery within a mystery, the characters are very real, I loved this book and plan
to buy more of her books.

I really enjoyed the first book of this trilogy, but this one wasn't nearly as good.

The killer's identity was obvious from the first time he appeared in the book, as was Kendall's back story and connection to the victims. This left the book with no suspense at all. Add that to a lukewarm romance and it was disappointing.

I also was distracted by the number of times someone "shoved out a breath." I really can't stand when authors come up with a line to describe a personality or character trait and overuse it to the point that it hits you in the face with how often you're seeing it.

Looking forward to the third book, and hoping it's better.

STORY BRIEF:
A serial killer is strangling women who look similar to Kendall, a TV news anchorwoman. Jacob is the homicide detective working the case. He is attracted to Kendall but feels she is out of his league. Nicole is a pregnant single woman who lives with Kendall. The issues of adoption are an undercurrent. Kendall was adopted and decides to learn more about her past. Nicole is deciding whether or not to give up her baby for adoption. Kendall has been having nightmares and doesn't know if they are memories or omens.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
This was ok. It was typical for mystery and suspense. I had no major problems with it. The weaknesses were: I didn't feel an emotional connection somehow. There was almost no romantic relationship development. I would have liked more. The story was mostly the solving of the mystery as opposed to Jacob and Kendall interacting with each other. I also would have preferred a little more interesting conversation or things that surprised or delighted me.

DATA:
Story length: 380 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2. Total number of sex scene pages: 3. Setting: current day Richmond, Virginia area. Copyright: 2008. Genre: mystery suspense with minimal romance.

Dead Ringer kept me guessing. Ms. Burton has a complex web of plotlines that all twist and turn, but her muliple characters added to the reality and interest of the book. Her characters are easy to connect to and I loved her suspensful back stories. She handles the killer's POV with excellent skill and taste. The voice of Allen was genuinely creepy and not at all like the book's regular voice which added suspense. I fell into the action and was swept past the normal critiquing voice that runs in my head. In fact, it shut up and I enjoyed the ride. How nice. I read the book in two days and plan to go back and read first book, 'I'm watching you'. Overall, a fabulous read. Kudos to Ms. Burton