Customer Reviews

Killer Charms

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

 

 

Of the 3 Darling books I think I liked Killer Charms the best. But maybe it is because I had altered my expectations of a Stillings book. It would be very hard for her to top Damsel in This Dress or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie. (I do miss those catchy and original titles) Logan and Andie took awhile for me to warm up to. But once the story took off, they were great. The paranormal sub-story seemed a bit out of place at times, and near the end I wondered how it would actually tie in with the main story. The suspense was great and the villain was a baddie. I was caught off guard by the surprise twist, which I liked. I really like that she brought the characters from the other 2 Darling books back and made them a real part of this book.

My main disappointment: Stillings' humor has gotten less with each successive book. Killer Charms had very little to speak of. Considering her 1st several books were filled with laugh out loud moments and scenes, I really miss that in her later books. Her 1st several books were original and had her unique talented voice. Killer Charms was more of a traditional, if you will, romantic suspense.

I'm still a fan.

KILLER CHARMS
MARIANNE STILLINGS
Contemporary Romance
Avon Romance

Rating: 4 Enchantments

In order to get out of Vice and into homicide where her grandfather, father and brothers had all made their names, SFPD Detective Andie Darling needs to get the dirt on supposed clairvoyant and con man Logan Sinclair. Yet there's something about the Scotchman that has her intrigued, more than she should be. But when she finds herself being blackmailed by a superior into manufacturing dirt on the handsome clairvoyant or risking not only her career but her older brother's as well, Andie suddenly finds herself in more turmoil than she ever imagined.

Logan Sinclair is a `famed' clairvoyant who rose to fame with several celebrated books. Now he's using his supposed gift to help line his pockets with jewels and cash, and he has his eyes on the `Star of Avril' necklace and the beautiful Drew Mochrie. But Logan is more than a conman, in truth, he turned off his true gift at age nineteen after an accident that killed his parents and he learned to block his abilities. But when he walks into the mansion Andie is renting, he's suddenly assaulted with voices, real voices from the other side that have a message for Andie. The woman she was dreaming about was quite real.

Featuring one of the best lines I've read lately, "I'm half American." "Which half?" KILLER CHARMS is a contemporary romance with a twist of paranormal and suspense that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the story picks up its pace. I liked Logan and Andie together and the banter between them. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Logan, deciding he needs to push Andie away, takes her out to dinner at a Scottish restaurant, and orders her traditional food, without telling her what is until she`s ready to eat. My only fault with the book was around the midway mark when the murder occurs and suddenly a new character's point of view is introduced, that threw me out of the story a bit.

By day, Marianne works as a senior tech writer for a major Northwest aircraft manufacturing company, but at night, she creates romantic suspense with a humorous edge. Marianne lives in the Northwest with her husband and family, continues to believe in happy endings and intends to keep writing them as long as she has breath in her body, and her fingers don't cramp up. You can visit Marianne online at http://mariannestillings.com

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
November 2008

SFPD vice inspector Andie Darling is very ambitious and her goal is to leave Vice for Homicide as soon as possible. She sees a great opportunity to prove her worthiness to brass when she is assigned to go undercover to catch psychic con artist Logan Sinclair cheat someone.

Logan finds Andie unique as she acts immune to his magnetism. However his failure does not alarm Logan who has not lost sight of his goal; starting with obtaining the Star of Avril necklace. Andie suffers from vivid nightmares starring a woman she has never met. Logan informs his skeptical client that the woman Emma Harte exists. However, a killer has plans that could include murdering Andie; Logan will risk his life to keep her safe.

The third delightful Darling thriller will give readers plenty of SATISFACTION starting with Logan AROUSING SUSPICIONS in the mind and heart of the only female Darling sibling. The fast-paced romantic suspense uses humor especially between the lead couple to somewhat lighten the growing tension. Filled with twists, some involving a bit of the paranormal, fans will relish this "Darling" drama as the heroine wonders if her self- proclaimed protector is her beloved enemy.

Harriet Klausner

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but it was still good.

It was the story of Logan Sinclair and Andie Darling. I thought they had good chemistry and I was intrigued by Andie's haunting but the main "mystery" of the book was not developed enough for me. I never understood why Andie's boss wanted the Star of Avril and why he was so intent on setting up Logan. It seemed very contrived.

I also found myself wishing for more explanations. Andie's brother apparently left the police force because he killed his partner. He said he did and nothing more was said. Why did he do it? Was he a murderer or wasn't he?

I also wish more had been done with Logan's legitimate psychic gift. He never seemed to come to terms with his ability and the death of his parents and I didn't like that. I wish there had been more closure. Maybe he could have gone to visit his grandmother.

While I thought the book was well written, the characters likable and the story engaging, I felt there were too many loose ends and I hate loose ends.

Inspector Andie Darling is hoping to prove Logan Sinclair is a fake and move up in the ranks of the police department. Logan is known around the world as a clairvoyant, but what is not reported is how he defrauds women of some of their earthly goods. She goes undercover to catch the thief, but gets more than she bargained for.

Logan Sinclair traveled from Scotland to take care of some business. Meeting Andie wasn't in his plans. He keeps to himself, but Andie captures his attention. Sure he can shake her out of his system, he does everything he can to put her off, but instead he finds himself needing her.

Andie finds herself wanting to believe in Logan, but then she finds herself getting blackmailed - bring down Logan, or else. Add in her eerily realistic "dreams" of a woman who died 100 years ago, and Andie doesn't know where to turn.

Killer Charms is a well-layered story, with suspense, drama and romance. The characters are fully three-dimensional, with complicated emotions and reasons for everything they do. The love story is believable and handled with finesse.

Killer Charms has is part of the Darling Detective stories, and I can't wait to find the others and read them as quickly as I read this one.

Niki Lee
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I haven't read a Marianne Stillings book I didn't adore & I have read them all. The Port Henry and Darling Detective Trilogies are original, entertaining & have everything I am looking for in a great story: charismatic characters, romance, mystery, humor and I love the paranormal twist. What a fabulous author! I hope to read many more of her books in the future. This lady has talent!

Stop! If you don't like cops, don't understand cops, or don't ever fantisize about cops... move on because this is not the book for you.

If you don't mind the two main characters lying to one another (or "keeping secrets") for approximately half the book, you might truly enjoy Killer Charms like I did.

Logan Sinclair is utterly sweet. I want to describe him and the plot for you but am unconfident in my ability to do so without spoiling way too much.
Andie Darling is his perfect match. They are equal in wit, bastardness vs. bitchiness, and in the protectiveness in which they guard their heart. Also, both have higher moral compasses than they let on in the begining. Don't let their first impressions fool you. Andie is a beautiful bombshell detective who really wants to prove that she is as capable a cop as her brothers, father, and grandfather. Possibly better? And despite her outrageously good looks, I found myself unable to resent her in the least.

Five stars in a review from me is rare and yet I would consider 10/10 if that was possible.

Logan Sinclair is a world renowned medium. Having written several books on the subject as well as performed numerous séances, he is in high demand. The demand for family members to talk to loved ones beyond the grave has made Logan a very rich man, not withstanding the fact that underneath his rugged Scottish exterior beats the heart of one of the most successful con men ever born. Or is he?

Andrea "Andie" Darling has been given the case of a lifetime. Wanting to transfer from Vice to Homicide is Andie's idea of a dream come true and all she has to do is deliver on her investigation of Logan Sinclair. Andie baits the hook and lies in wait for him to take the bait. She does not count on becoming attracted to him. Nor does she count on wanting his gifts to be real.

Andie and Logan warily sum each other up. Logan knows there is more to Andie "Devon" than she is letting on. Andie knows there is more to Logan than what he is letting on. Add in a vindictive and blackmailing boss with Logan's true clairvoyance and you have a match made in paranormal heaven.

I first discovered Marianne Stillings' talent as a writer when reading her release, SIGHS MATTERS. Her ability to weave a realistic tale with suspense and humor and sensuality just soothes my romance loving soul. KILLER CHARMS is no different. Readers are treated to the story of Logan Sinclair, a Scottish con man, and Andie Darling, the police officer trying to pin something on him in which to bring him to justice. Neither wants a relationship nor do they want to be attracted to each other. But the attraction is there and with it comes all the feelings and emotions of two people in love. Then to add suspense, Andie encounters a vile blackmailer who threatens the very people she loves. What will it take to bring an end to all this? Loyalty darling.

KILLER CHARMS is about finding out the true nature of the one you love. With a flair for suspense and humor, Marianne Stillings has combined both for a truly remarkable read. KILLER CHARMS won't kill you but it will definitely charm your socks off! ***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***