Customer Reviews

The Killing Room

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Set in Denver and the surrounding countryside, this is the tale of a cop, Jake, recovering from her wounds - both physical and mental - and a psychologist, Nicole, vaguely aware that she wants more than her life is offering her.

Nicole takes a week away from her practice ostensibly to stave off burnout. When she gets lost hiking in the mountains she comes across a beautiful stranger in a hot springs and falls immediately into lust.

After Jake recoups from her physical wounds, she returns to work and catches a case that has no leads. She painstakingly goes over every possible clue until she finds a common thread. That thread leads her to one of Denver's elite psychologists, Nicole. Together with Jake's partner, they try to figure out who the killer is.

This book surprised me on so many levels. It is a first class mystery with lots of twists and turns and unexpected suspects. It is a romance between two women and the author ably conveys the gut-level attraction.

I suspect that over the years, I have read so many lesbian novels that have been formulaic that I really expect every one I pick up to be the same. I guess hope does spring eternal because I keep buying them hoping against hope for something different. But this is one is different, and how! It is well written, with the descriptions of Colorado's spectacular scenery so vivid that they make you want to pack your car and go see what Jake has seen. I can't remember the last time I was so pleasantly surprised by a book - any book!

The Killing Room is yet another great mystery romance novel by the talented Gerri Hill. In true Hill fashion the story is interwined with descriptions of beautiful natural settings of the mountains and surrounding wilderness areas; this time it is the peaks of Colorado. Special victims detective Jake McCoy and her partner are on the case to solve a series of brutal murders in the Denver area. To her surprise the murders all have a connection that leads her to the successful and beautiful psychologist Dr. Nicole Westbrook whom, to her surprise, just happens to be the same woman she unexpectedly met in the mountains while rehabbing from a traumatic shooting earlier. Jake and Nicole make an instant connection, but Nicole's high society, elite, yet closeted lifestyle is no place for a gorgeous, but out lesbian cop. So both struggle with the possibility of a future together.

The murder mystery is intriquing and is developed slowly with the pieces falling into place at just the right time. There is never a dull moment, and the connection between Jake and Nicole is hot. There are long periods where the two are separated, but the mystery behind who is responsible for the killings and a possible police coverup keep the story going. There is plenty of angst and moments where the separation of the two lead characters is almost unbearable. I think my heart actually hurt it was so unendurable.

This is a beautifully written novel, full of astounding descriptions of the Colorado mountains, rivers, and hot springs, and, of course, the love between two women. At 384 pages and 60 plus chapters, one might think the novel long, but it doesn't read that way. I was sad to see the last page because I didn't want the story to end.

If you liked Gerri Hill's first six books, you're going to love her seventh, "The Killing Room". Hill holds true to her ability to create realistic characters and put them in a setting to intrigue, entertain, and, yes at times, titillate. From the first page to the last, "The Killing Room" is filled with the best components of a romantic mystery. It'll make you laugh. It'll make you cry. It'll make you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what's coming next. And when you read the last page, it will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend "The Killing Room" to anyone who enjoys a good romantic mystery, and if you aren't into police dramas, you will want to read it anyway. I did, and I loved it. Finally, my best advice is to expect the unexpected and be ready for an extremely enjoyable read!

If you are a fan of novels by Dean Koontz this is the novel for you. Several women are graphically murdered. The slim clues point to one common thread, they were all being treated by a psychologist for emotional and physical abuse suffered at the hands of husbands or boyfriends. One by one their bodies are uncovered, each one progressively suffering worse horrors. I don't want to give a major plot element away but these murders are simply an extension of another horrendous crime that also is graphically portrayed.

Surrounding these crimes is the intense attraction felt between Jake and Nicole. 38 year old Jake is an all around terrific person, loved by friends and liked by everyone she meets. 36 year old Nicole is a person who feels deeply the need to help others and loves her job but is suffering emotional burnout. All of Nicole's friends are professional associates, closeted lesbians and insist that to succeed she must be too. This traps Nicole is a cycle of meeting women who are either not looking for a serious relationship or who are more committed too their careers than anything else, and none of the many dates she goes on appeal to her.

Jake gets told point blank by Nicole that they have no future because they are in different social circles. What happens is a push me - pull you, where Jake and Nicole alternately reach out for the other or pull back thinking it is hopeless. Nicole eventually cuts off communication at a time when Jake needs her the most, convinced that it is the best for both of them.

The juxtaposition of violence in the external world at the same time a torrid attraction is taking place intimately between Jake and Nicole made for an interesting read.

Excellent writing as always from this Lambda Literary Award nominated author. The almost 400 page novel was a page turner that keeps the reader from doing anything but finishing the book. The ending was perfect for the plot and it is readily apparent why this book has garnered many positive reviews.

"Jake" McCoy is a detective, who has taken some leave time after being injured in the line of duty and Nicole Westbrook is a psychologist and closeted lesbian. The two meet in the wilds of Colorado where Jake is recuperating and Nicole is vacating. Nicole is hopelessly lost when she meets Jake. Their attaction sizzles and they have great sex in a hot spring.

The memory of their encounter lingers in their minds but they never think they'll meet again but, of course, they do.

There is a serial murderer loose in Denver. The women are victims of abuse who have two things in common: a rape crisis center and Dr. Nicole Westbrook.

When Jake goes to meet said Dr. Westbrooke she has no idea that this is the woman she had mind-blowing sex with.

The novel deftly combines a great romance with a great mystery. There is also an interesting sub-plot revolving around Nicole's closeted life-style and her membership in a closeted professional women's organization. As she becomes more involved with Jake, she starts to question her lifestyle; the group and the lie she has had no problem living with for years.

The suspense rises and continues to a surprising wrenching conclusion as Jake races to save Nicole from a mad killer who is hunting her.

Read it. Savor it. Gerri Hill's writing has grown tremendously over the years and this is her best novel to date. It will be hard for her to top the romance, suspense and intensity of this book.

It seems like a long time since I've read a really good book, but 'Killing Room' certainly made up for that! This is by far the best book Gerri Hill has offered. This reader was hooked by the end of the first sentence.

The author introduces two characters from very different backgrounds. First, there is the cop - Jake. Jake is a tough cop with high standards and a love for the simple things. Secondly, there is the uppity psychiatrist - Nicole. Nicole is a black sheep in a clique of high society, professional lesbians.

Nicole's patients are about to put her over the edge. She goes backpacking alone to reconnect. While in the wild, she gets lost and finds herself a guest at Jake's personal "spa" in the hot springs of Colorado. Totally out of character, Nicole shares her body with Jake, but they share nothing else except first names.

Jake returns to work from disability leave, only to find herself leading an investigation that centers around the beautiful Nicole. Even though she doesn't mix business with pleasure, Jake cannot resist the lure of the enigmatic doctor. The only problem is neither Jake nor Nicole believes they are meant for each other.

The hot springs are only the beginning. This book is steamy from beginning to end. The sexual tension between the characters is palpable. The characters are richly developed and dimensional.

This one's a keeper!

This was a really great novel. The characters were very believable and alive throughout the story. I read it quickly not missing a single detail. It's great to read something the reflects some real women. there is an intensity in the passions shared that is very real when women open their hearts to one another. Good writing!

I am new to this author's works. Having read "The Target" first, I may not have approached this journey with her finest work.

But after reading the first 90 pages of "The Killing Room," I had to put my Saturday afternoon plans on hold just so I could finish reading this book.

Although I felt there were a number of mundane chapters early on, the rest of the book well made up for it. Excellent mystery, and excellent character development. Most enjoyable read.

this is one of the best books I have read in a very long time, once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Loving the characters i'm hoping for a sequel.

Excellent read. Gerri is an master of weaving plots to keep you interested in wanting to know the out come. I find it difficult not to read the entire book at one sitting. I highly recomment this book, and I don't think you'll be disappointed. I wasn't.