Customer Reviews

Lady Killer

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

 

 

This was a strong romantic suspense that offers it all. Great suspense, wonderful chemistry between the two main characters but at times I felt that there was just too much information to process. Secondary character's are important to the plot but even then I think there were just too many of them.

There is a serial killer hunting in San Francisco. He's picking high profile victims and he has dubbed himself "Lady Killer." Jessica Crawford is a reporter for a local newspaper. The investigating reporter that normally would handle the serial killer case is in rehab so Jessica takes over and writes an article under a different byline and it sends the killer into a rage. Before she knows it she is center in a real life drama which will soon strike closer to home then she comfortable with.

Cole "Tag" Rawlings has finally come back to life after dealing with an emotional and personal tragedy. He meets a woman at his brother's surf resort and after an afternoon of wonderful steamy sex realizes that he's ready to get on with his life. Problem is when he was done taking care of an emergency he returns only to find her gone. He decides at that moment that he has to get back on with the business of living and that means earing a paycheck. He takes a job in San Francisco at newspaper where he will be the investigating reporter. What he doesn't expect to find is his mystery woman nor the mess that he find her in. A serial killer may just be stalking her and despite his best efforts to stay mad at her he keeps feeling things that are anything but anger, and the fact that a killer has her in his sights is unacceptable. Together they will put the pieces of the puzzle together that will lead them to a serial killer before he has a chance to kill again.

As I stated earlier this was a strong romantic suspense but the added background information such as the running of a newspaper, how to surf the internet, or even how to surf waves bogs down the read. Much of this could have been left out and the book would have still been good. Perhaps even better. This was a fast moving read and although you know who the killer is it dosen't detract from the story. I recommend this book and author for a good solid read.

It depends what you are looking for in this book. If you are looking for a serious murder mystery only, this is probably not the best choice. If you are looking for a fluff/chick lit book only, this book probably isn't for you either. But, if you are open to a combination of both, then it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Yes, there is a serial killer and that story is good. I also enjoyed learning about how a newspaper is run, Internet dating, the thrills of extreme surfing and other aspects of our modern techno-savvy culture.

This is the first novel I've read by Meryl Sawyer, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was an interesting twist to know who the killer is throughout the story - I usually read "whodunit" stories and have to guess. The story flowed nicely, but the ending was a bit rushed. The sex scenes were pretty good, and the tension between the main characters was mostly believable. I look forward to reading a few more of Sawyer's novels soon.

Meryl Sawyer is usually a good writer, but this book is so slow. She tells us background information on every topic that comes up in the book and since the main characters are newspaper reporters there are many topics that have nothing to do with the main story line. Not only are we treated to information on surfing, internet dating, how e-mail works, how newspapers work (in great detail) we are also given background on recent current events, such as who Martha Stewart is. Anyone who ever turns on the t.v. or reads a paper will know most of this stuff, but the author presents it like a high school kid doing a research report. Plus there appears to have been very little editing because half the time the information is repeated a few chapters or paragraphs later. The plot moves very slowly. Not worth reading.

I was pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed this book. However, the editing in this book, as in the other two of Ms. Sawyer's I've read, is terrible.

There is a lot of repetition, as with her other books. In this book people sigh repeatedly, which is irritating.

One of the characters is so unlikable I found it hard to believe anyone would actually care for her. The hero and heroine are stronger than in her other tales, in my opinion.

The heroine switches between using the term 'Daddy' and 'Father', which bothers me.

Cole is the hero who mourns the loss of his love Chloe. The names are so similar that bothered me, too.

Still on the negative side, at one point a character says 'I love you so!'. Really? Who speaks that way?

Over all, LADY KILLER is worth a read.

Shelley Dawn, author of Dark Nights and Sweet, Sweet Jessie

Lifestyle columnists Jessica Crawford is asked to pitch hit for her newspaper's investigative reporter who is in rehab. She writes a series of articles under his byline regarding a serial killer stalking San Francisco, angering the serial killer and causing him to kill the investigative reporter.

While in Hawaii for some R&R, a little research and some extreme sports, Jessica arrives under an assumed name to do a story on an extreme surfing company on Kauai. While there, she hooks up with a sexy surfer who she assumes is an out of work musician. When she writes a scathing article on the resort, and comes face to face with her one night stand, she discovers that he is actually NY Times former reporter Cole Rawlings.

As the two work together to investigate the serial killer and find a common link between the victims, someone close to Jessica is found murdered and it's apparent that Jess is the stalker's next victim.

Sawyer combines an interesting plot and charismatic couple to come up with a romantic and suspenseful tale. Unfortunately, many inaccuracies jump out at the reader - most obvious is the big game between two California teams - the 49'ers and the Dodgers - a game many would pay good money to see (but what sport would actually be played?). I liked that she identified the killer early on - too many authors do everything to keep the identity a secret, only to cheat the reader with the most implausible person of all just to maintain the suspense.

Meryl Sawyer has written some wonderful stories. I loved "Tempting Fate" and "The Hideaway. "Lady Killer" is not in the same orbit. The story is all over the place: surfing in Hawaii, newspaper work,female bonding a la "Sex and The City", cooking, boyfriends- you name it, And a serial killer computer nerd on skates. Needed editing and Focus. Not worth the time to read.

Sawyer always picks interesting topics for her books. I thought this was her best. Lots of off beat characters and an unusual villian makes this a cut above the other suspense novels out there.

I just finished reading this book and I loved it. The heroine was strong but sympathic. The hero was tough and sexy. The villian was perfectly portrayed as a--lady killer! Great read!