Customer Reviews

A Marked Man (MIRA Single Title Hardbacks)

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

 

 

Newsflash to the author: rape/coerced sex is not erotic. It is a FELONY. Does this insensitive writer think that sort of thing is OK if the woman is "turned on"? This point of view is a slap in the face to crime victims.

I picked up this book - from the library; thank goodness I didn't pay money for it - and was looking forward to Cameron's return to Toussaint, LA, the town where she's set several previous novels. It lacked the intrigue, suspense and plotting of any of her previous work. After the above-referenced disgusting scene, I skipped to the last few pages to discover the villian, who was no surprise.

I'd give this zero stars if I could. Steer clear of this book if you're looking for a suspensful, sexy read. There are plenty of authors out there who know the difference between lusty and criminal, which I had never before imagined could be confusing.

This was my first Stella Cameron book, and although I had thought it my last, maybe not. Some of the other reviews list other books that might be better, according to the reviewers. The only reason I finished this book was that I was ill and it was my last library book! Otherwise, I found it lacking in character development, alluding to past occurences but not fleshing them out at all. Key characters, such as Lil, are dropped in the middle of scenes to mess things up with no real explanation as to why they're there or who they are. Bobby Colbert shows up as a red herring and is dropped midway through the book with no explanation. Cyrus (the priest) and Madge (his assistant) are wandering through the book with hints as to a platonic love affair between them, but the thread is never wrapped up. Awkwardly written, confusing subplots, and a really silly, boring ending. Truly disappointing.

New York plastic surgeon Max Savage flees the city after being acquitted of the murders of two of his former girlfriends. He needs to start over in a place as far from his current practice. Thus he opens up a facility in Toussaint, Louisiana. However, his past follows when a local female applying for work at his clinic disappears just after the interview. Local authorities suspect Max, but his alibi exonerates him though nothing can relive his mind that the nightmare has trailed him to this Cajun Parrish.

Annie Duhon arrives in Toussaint from nearby St. Martinville to start over as she has not recovered from a brutal rape that occurred ten years ago. She and Max meet with both attracted and interested, but she fears commitment not just because of the rape, but because she also she has visions that anyone close to her will soon die in an inferno. Still they go to her hometown for lunch not realizing this innocent lunch date places both in danger from each other's "stalker" as Cajun seer Wazoo warns them time after time.

Fans will appreciate the return to Toussaint home of several Stella Cameron romantic suspense thrillers (see A GRAVE MISTAKE). The lead couple is a likable pairing of two fearful protagonists, but Wazoo owns the plot with her often amusing asides. The suspense builds up as murders occur in between the explicit sexual interludes, which makes this more romance (some will insist erotica with notches on the penis) than a suspense thriller although there is plenty of tension. Though the culprit is obvious, Ms. Cameron's Bayou Bengal boosters will enjoy her latest steamy sex and death romance.

Harriet Klausner

I was very disappointed. I could not finish this book. I tried speed reading, hoping as I got more into the book it would get better. After reading 3/4's of the book I finally gave up.

I found neither the plot nor the characters interesting, but the
reason I didn't finish the book is that the author really annoyed
me! I've lived in the south all of my life and have NEVER heard
a southernor pronounce the word "thing" as "thin." We say comin' and
goin' and fussin' and fightin', but we pronounce the "g" at the end
of "thing." Yes, in some parts of the south, it might be pronounced
"thang", but you can count on the "g" being pronounced. Shame on
you, Ms. Cameron.