Customer Reviews

The Perfect Family (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like the scenario set up here in which the serial murderer is motivated to kill. He is obsessed & envious with people around him who in his view have perfect families: devoted wife, adoring kids, nice house. He is desperately in need to acquire an instant perfect family himself and finds his target in Marissa Jamison, the perfect housewife.

Marissa is a widow having lost her husband, John, a fireman in a car accident about a year ago. She has doubts that it was an accident as the culprit was never caught. More importantly, no car skid marks were found at the accident scene that indicated a calculated move on the part of the culprit to kill her husband. One year on, she still had no clues as to the reason for the death of her husband. Until strange happenings take place around her.

The serial murderer presents "gifts" to Marissa in the form of dead bodies who were once in the way of Marissa as in those who have quarreled with her or had arguments with her. He believed that in doing those deeds, he would redeem himself as the perfect husband to Marissa by helping to get rid of irritants in her life to make her life even more perfect.

The police detectives, Luke & Sarah are baffled as to why strangers whom Marissa has briefly encountered in unpleasant exchanges start getting murdered. They are at their wits end to solve the murders until Sarah had a brain wave and embarks on a dangerous mission to capture the serial murderer in the act. But, for Sarah, her plans go awry.

I have to agree with some reviewers here that character development is quite scanty for the serial murderer, more attention to it would probably lead me to credit this with 5 stars. Perhaps the author was so thorough in developing the romances that she ignored the character development for the murderer.

Also, the romance between the 2 detectives Luke & Sarah was rather cliched, police partner falling for police partner. The author here could have tried to be more original. However, the romance between Marissa and her old school friend, Alex Kincaid, was original and in step with the development of the plot. The romance was cleverly deployed to start when the serial murderers began to give the plot a twist.

Marissa is still recovering from the death of her husband a year ago. Just when she thinks her life might be on track - she has rekindled a relationship with a former boyfriend Alex - then strange things start to happen. A dead body in the park with a big read bow and a tag with the words "To Marissa; Love Blake" pops up and leads the cops to Marissa's door. Marissa is horrified - the dead girl is the same one that cursed her out after a near accident. Then a second body pops up with a red bow - another person she had an altercation with, and the cops think that whoever has done this is doing it for her. As she and Alex begin to develop a relationship, a madman is lurking in the shadows, watching her every move and is determined that if he cannot have Marissa, then no one can. Could he have even been behind her husband John's death too?

Though a little predictable, Cassidy does a great job of adding tension and creating build up which results in a cathartic release once all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. This is a great follow up to "Promise Him Anything," making Cassidy's romantic suspense novels must reads!

"The Perfect Family" was my first book by Carla Cassidy and although I am not a fan generally of the romance genre, I enjoyed Ms. Cassidy's romance-suspense effort.
The strongest part of the book, and what makes it all work, in my opinion, is her heroine. Marissa is very real, a widow with two young children, trying to find her life again a year after her husband's untimely death. Reconnecting with a former high school flame, and discovering that the spark is still very much there after many years, is dampened by individual known as Blake, who harbors an obsession with Marissa and is so intent on having her, that he is willing to kill anyone who gets in his way, or who upsets Marissa. Rather than being a somewhat stereotypical "victim" who wanders out alone with a serial killer on the loose, or who devises some intricate plot to lure the serial killer to her, Marissa does her best to let the police do the work, while she goes about her life, even among the phone calls, flower deliveries and messages left for her at the crime scenes. Her rediscovered love, Alex, is also a pleasant surprise, although their romance does feel a bit rushed.
The romance between the police detectives feels forced and not nearly as well developed as the one between Marissa and Alex. And this is the weakest point of "The Perfect Family", as other reviewers have pointed out. The character development of some central characters, including the stalker "Blake", leave a bit to be desired.
But all in all, I found Ms. Cassidy's book to be entertaining and definitely worth the read.
I will put her on my list of authors that I must read.

oh my gosh, this was so much fun...and scary!! I loved the main character, Marissa...she's been through so much and is very strong but still very human. The way the romance develops between her and her 'old flame' is absolutely *delicious*...the secondary romance between the 2 police officers is great too...the female cop, Sarah, is a really original/atypical character, which I really liked.

But OK, the bad guy is really, really spooky! Made my skin crawl! I want to give more details, but don't want to give it away. Read it!

I'm not a big reader, especially of novels. With a weak attention span, I often get halfway through, put the book down, only to never pick it up again. Yes, even with mysteries and suspense thrillers! But this book, "The Perfect Family", held my interest extensively. The scenes are intense and written in such a way that most definitely allows you to feel the terror, outrage and, yes, even the romance, the characters excperience. Excellently written, a spellbinding plot and "real" characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, because this IS a GREAT mystery!!

This was my first Carla Cassidy book and I loved it! I couldn't put it down! I was sad to see it end. If you like romantic suspense, then this is a book for you. It grips you from the first page and you have no idea who the killer is until the end. The characters are likable and the story moves. I can't wait to read her other books now!

This was my first book by Carla Cassidy and I could not put it down. I couldn't guess who the killer was, it kept you guessing all the way through. As soon as I finished it I picked up Promise Him Anything and couldn't go to sleep until I finished it! Two great books. I'm looking forward to other books by this author!!!

As a serial killer stalks the city, only one thing unites the victims; all were mean to one woman, Marissa Jamison, the woman a serial killer has identified as the perfect wife for his ideal family. The widowed young mother of two feels a mix of guilt and terror as each body, each with a red bow and gift tag addressed to her appears. Even as she begins to feel new joy with an old love rediscovered, her situation moves closer to danger.

*** A total of three plots intertwine in this novel; two romances, between Marissa and Alex and between the two detectives investigating the case; and the murder thread. Though the last is not quite as terrifying as it could be, there is still ample terror, especially as the story climaxes. This is possibly Ms. Cassidy's best book yet. ***

I think this is one of Cassidys best thrillers. I enjoyed "Promise Him Anything" but this book is even better. It kept me wondering who the killer could possibly be and you don't find out until nearly the end. None of the members in our Cassidy Fan Club expected the outcome. I highly recommend this exciting book and will be looking forward to Cassidy's ncxt book

The Perfect Family, by Carla Cassidy, is a riveting story that eerily sucks you in and never lets go. Her characters are compelling and her writing is flawless. She skillfully draws you into the life of a young widow and her two children, and then unleashes a sickening evil upon them. It doesn't get much better than this if you love spine-tingling romantic suspense. Watch for this talented writer's star to continue to rise. I can't wait for her next book!