Customer Reviews

Murder Among Strangers

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an interesting blend of police procedural, woman-in-jeopardy, and cozy -- and it works wonderfully. It's darker and more complex than the previous books in the series, which I've also enjoyed. The narrative alternates between Kate's narraton and that of Michael, her policeman S.O. This is skillfully done and adds rather than detracts from the story. Kate stops to help a young woman stranded by the road and discovers a body (the woman's husband) in the trunk. Just when Kate realizes she's made a mistake in stopping, the woman's boyfriend returns. They throw Kate into the trunk with plans to dispose of her along with the body. Just when I thought I knew where this was going (another ho-hum wom-jep), the story takes a twist (0ne of many) and Kate escapes, only to be later accused of murder herself. The book, particularly the first and last parts, radiate with suspense. I litterally couldn't stop reading

Jonnie Jacobs is a masterful writer who blends appealing, multi-faceted characters with page-turning suspense. While her previous Kate Austen books were delightful mysteries, this one brings the series to a new level of excitement with more plot twists than a reader would imagine possible. Any reader who thinks they know the extent of character Kate Austen's sleuthing talents, will appreciate again her strength and depth in every chapter as she finds herself in peril after peril. Love-interest Michael finds himself in peril on the job in this title, too. Anna and Libby continue to enhance the Kate Austen stories with their realistic personalities. Each Jacobs book tops the previous one, and I eagerly await the next one!

Many people consider California the state of choice as the sun seems to shine there. However, on occasion driving rain occurs. On one of those nights, Kate Austen on her way home sees a car stopped in the middle of the road. The lone inhabitant of the vehicle is a frightened, cold young woman. Sheryl Ann tells Kate that her boyfriend Bobby went to find them help for their flat tire.

Kate persuades the bewildered Sheryl Ann to take a blanket out of the trunk. At the moment the trunk is opened Bobby returns and quickly realizes that Kate saw the corpse that was lying inside the trunk. He knows they must dispose of Kate. They abduct her planning to murder her later. However, the two women have illogically bonded already. Sheryl Ann frees Kate before she vanishes. The police arrive only to find the bullet-ridden body of Bobby. They suspect Kate killed the "victim" and even her police officer significant other has doubts about Kate's story.

The fourth Kate Austen mystery is better than the precious previous three novels in this delightful series. The characters are sharper and much clearly defined. The compelling story line is exciting and fast-paced while the narration propels the plot forward. MURDER AMONG STRANGERS shows Jonnie Jacobs has the ability to hypnotize her audience by making them care about Kate, her children, and her significant other within the inside of a mesmerizing novel.

Harriet Klausner

Kate Austin is a single mom with a 6 y.o. daughter of her own, a teenager Libby, who would be called a ward in an old Victorian novel (she is the daughter of a friend who passed away)and a live in significant other, Michael. Michael is a homicide dectective for the local police department. She stops to help a stranger and accidently uncovers a crime. As the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished, Kate is kidnapped and that is just the beginning. Any number of twists and turns, including Kate under suspicion of murder, carry us through this book. Most of the story follows Kate, but periodically we also follow Micheal as he struggles to solve Kate's problem and a few of his own. It is well told and fast paced.

Murder Among Strangers is a wonderful mystery! This book will keep you on the edge of your "sofa" as you read it. There is an underscored tension to this story. Kate and Michael's relationship has hit a new plateau. Also, in this book the reader gets to learn more about Michael. There is a tangled web of suspects (not to mention Kate!) to choose from. Miss Jacobs keeps the reader guessing until the very end. This book is the most suspenseful of all the Kate Austen mysteries. Thank you Miss Jacobs for a great read!

I've enjoyed this series, in part because I like Kate so much. This book is the best so far. It starts off with a bang when Kate is kidnapped, and my heart was pounding for pretty much the rest of the book. It is not a melodramatic, chase kind of book, however. Rather it explores what happens when an ordinary person inadvertenly falls into a bad situation. There are a number of threads (including chapters told from Kate's significant other's point of view), and they all tie up smoothly in the end.

Murder Among Strangers has been said to be a little stronger than the last four in her series. I found it riveting, suspenseful and hard to put down.

Kate stands in the living room with her daughter Anna. The site of a cable van triggers memories for them both. This is where Kate begins to tell her story. The transfer from the present to the past is effortless and when the story shifts back and forth between Kate and her recent love interest Michael the transition is just as smooth. It's cold and rainy, and Kate sees a woman stranded on the roadside. When she stops to play the Good Samaritan, Kate finds herself in desperate need of help. Also in this one, Michael her solid, faithful love interest has to deal with the added stress of a problem at work that unfortunately finds it's way to their home.

The mystery and characters weren't the only ones on the move. I had to carry this one with me everywhere to get it finished. I couldn't put it down until I knew the outcome, which was just as satisfying as the mystery itself.

This is the 4th installment of the Kate Austin mysteries.

The story begins when Kate stops to help a stranded motorist and ends up kidnapped her self. Even after Kate escapes the real trouble begins. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the surprising climax. The relationship between Kate and Mike Stone is tested, as it has never been before.

I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout this book. Just when I thought a problem was solved, up popped another. It was a very well told story and fast-paced. Jonnie Jacobs is a masterful writer who blends multi faceted characters into a well-blended mystery.

Pam Stone

This is the best in an excellent series. The story begins when Kate stops to help a stranded motorist and ends up kidnapped. At first I thought this would be just another "woman in trouble, must escape" book, but it's not. Kate does escape, but her troubles aren't over by a long shot. Without spoiling the book, I'll just say that people doubt her story (including her significant other) and she is accused of murder. The story is as much about the effects of crime as crime itself. And I couldn't put it down. The narration switches between Kate (1st person) and her lover, who is a police detective (3rd person.) The author handles this so seamlessly, I barely noticed. One of the things I like best about this series are the characters - they are believable and real.

A hard-to-put-down book, the fourth in the series and the best so far. Kate Austen's attempt to be a good samaritan leads to her kidnapping, subsequent murders, and questions about her involvement by the police, even by her significant other, Lieutenant Michael Stone. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the surprising climax. The relationship between Kate and Mike is tested as never before in this tale of unintended consequences. The well-worth reading previous books in the series are: Murder Among Friends, Murder Among Neighbors, and Murder Among Us.