Customer Reviews

The Next Victim (Kali O'Brien Mysteries)

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"The Next Victim" is the eighth book in Jonnie Jacobs' series of suspense thrillers starring San Francisco-based attorney for the defense Kali O'Brien. In it, Kali travels to Tucson, Arizona, to investigate the death of her estranged brother John O'Brien, prime suspect in the recent murders of beautiful, wealthy Sloane Winslow, and her housekeeper, pretty young student Olivia Perez. Last time Kali spoke to John, he seemed to be desperate to tell her something, but too drunk to get it out: now he's dead, apparently by a suicidal drugs/alcohol overdose.

Kali wasn't close to her brother: still, she can't believe him capable of murder. But she does come to learn he had many secrets, including investments in porn movie making. She's aided in her investigations by her sister Sabrina; they bounce off Tucson cops Erling Shafer and Michelle Parker. Jacobs writes a highly-competent chick lit thriller here; it does actually get some pretty good suspense going. She writes well; the plot is appreciable in its complexity, the principal characters are well-formed. The discussions of Tucson landscape, weather, flora and fauna are well-done, and interesting. Mind you, the book has got too much relationship/family content to my taste, but I guess that comes with the chick lit territory. Still, Jacobs is an experienced writer, and it shows to her advantage here.

San Francisco attorney Kali O'Brien is camping with her boyfriend Bryce. She gets a phone message from her brother John in Arizona who she has had limited contact with for years. She decides to call him later.

After returning from her trip, she tries to contact him, but the call is short and she doesn't learn anything about why he called. Soon after she is notified he committed suicide. He is also alleged to have killed a woman he knew and the student living with her.

Kali and her sister Sabrina meet up at John's. They can't believe he would kill anyone nor take his life. They set off to clear his name. Then another girl turns up dead that appears to be tied to John. And there's a missing girl also tied to him. Could he really have killed all these people?

In this installment in the series, we get a bigger glimpse into Kali's personal life. I really enjoyed this book. I felt that the interaction of the two sisters was great. The mystery was very believable, and there are so many twists and turns that I couldn't figure out who the killer was until it right before it was revealed. And then I was surprised!

I like that the main character is a lawyer, but I really enjoyed that this book wasn't set around a court case. It was very enjoyable. I had trouble putting the book down. I wanted to know who the killer was.

I highly recommend this book.

love Jonnie Jacobs books. This is another very good read.If you love a good mystery, you will love this book.Only wish she wrote faster !!!!lol

First Sentence: The call came a little after two in the morning and pulled Erling from a particularly pleasant dream.

San Francisco attorney Kali O'Brian is away on the camping trip but, when checking messages, finds a call from her brother in Arizona, with whom she has not had contact for some time. Returning to the city, she learns her bother allegedly committed suicide after murdering a woman and her au-pair. Kali travels to Arizona to settle John's estate and clear his name.

I've always liked Jacob's Kali O'Brien so it was nice to read a new entry. I enjoyed the balance of the investigation and look at the relationship between Kali and her siblings, as she learns things about them she hadn't known. There is an interesting conflict of the lead cop who knows he should recuse himself from the investigation because of an affair he'd had with the victim. It's nice to see Kali taken out of her S.F. environment. Jacobs gives us a good sense of being in Tucson. The dialogue is a bit stilted, but the story definitely kept me turning the pages.

I have always enjoyed Jonnie Jacobs' Kali Obrien books--lots of suspense and really good writing. Her latest book shows us much more about Kali's family when her brother becomes a suspect in a string of murders involving young women in Tucson. Kali and her sister have to put aside their differences to find the truth as the mystery deepens. As well, Kali has to face the problems caused by the distance she's put between herself and her family. The book is told very crisply from different points of view, including the homicide detective investigating the crimes, who's hampered because his secret ex-lover is among the murder victims, causing him constant fear that someone will turn up this fling and endanger his shaky marriage. The mystery was intricately woven and unraveled, but the insight into Kali and her family was just as engrossing. Thanks for keeping me up late again, Jonnie!

In San Francisco former District Attorney Kali O'Brien is horrified when she is informed that her brother John committed suicide after killing his ex-girlfriend Sloane Winslow and her housekeeper Olivia Perez. Though they rarely talked, Kali mourns her brother's death and has problems believing John would kill two people.

In Tucson, Arizona Kali joins their other sibling Sabrina to bury their brother and to settle his estate. However, the two sisters are stunned to learn the estate is tied up in probate while a wrongful death civil suit has been wrought against John. Kali and Sabrina seem even more stunned to learn their late sibling has been linked to the murder of a stripper and the disappearance of a teen runaway. Kali needs the truth so she begins an investigation into the activities of her deceased sibling though she fears what dark capers he did.

In her seventh refreshing tale, readers learn more about Kali's family through her investigation into her dead brother. The anticipation comes from wondering if John will be exonerated or guilty by his sister. Kali and Sabrina face a daunting task with the accusations that shred their family. Jonnie Jacobs provides a great character driven drama that shows why the O'Brien mysteries are some of the best toady.

Harriet Klausner

this title started with a bang, ended with a few terrific twists and turns, but the slow-moving middle made me itchy. I'm almost at a loss for words to describe my disappointment as I am an avid fan of Jonnie Jacobs books.

Of course, I am still recommending this book to all Ms. Jacobs' fans and I really wouldn't have missed reading this title...it does continue Kali O'Brien's story in a very positive way and for that I am left a happy camper!!!

Still looking forward to the next titles from this author....