Customer Reviews

The Perfect Murder (Last Stand)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got an early copy of this book from a book club and was so excited. I really wanted to like The Perfect Murder, but couldn't. I only read 1/2 of it and skimmed thru the rest just to find out the how it ended. I've really enjoyed every book in this series and the characters too, but I just couldn't seem to care about Jane or like her as a heroine. Sebastian didn't do much for me either and I didn't feel any real chemistry between the two of them. I usually devour Brenda Novak's books but something about this story was just boring to me. I had really been looking forward to it and it took me 3 days just to get 1/2 way thru it before I gave up. I don't mind reading about a heroine who was flawed and has redeemed herself, but I guess maybe I remember too much about her and what she was like in the previous book where she was married to Oliver Burke to like her much. I wouldn't wish a serial killer husband on anyone but I didn't really feel sorry for her or what she went thru, and that just shows me how much I didn't care about her or her story. I don't feel her character deserved a whole book basically. Sometimes the hero can redeem a lackluster heroine, but Sebastian didn't do that for me. He was a bit one dimensional in my opinion. I'm not sure why, but I just didn't believe his devotion to catch this killer. On the subject of the killer, Malcolm was a boring & irritating villain. The whole story just kind of plodded along going from point A to point B without much action or entertainment along the way. I just all around didn't care for this book, but I have high hopes the Brenda Novak's next book will be better

Sebastian Costas has been working to locate the man who murdered his ex-wife and his son to the detriment of his job and his relationship with a long-time girlfriend. He has followed the man whom police authorities believe dead from New York to California and now he feels he is closing in on the suspect.

Jane Burke's dead husband was both dentist and serial killer and Jane struggles to overcome the trauma of his unspeakable behavior. She is a new hire at The last Stand, a charitable advocacy operation for abused and disadvantaged women. While her partners are away, Jane offers to help find two missing young women. Their captor's modus operandi bears a striking similarity to that of the man Sebastian is trying to locate.

Ms. Novak writes a gritty novel, and of the series, this is the grittiest. At times I had an uneasy feeling just reading about the unspeakable evil of the antagonist.

Sebastian is likable, as is Jane, however, she seemed not to have learned from her own troubling experience. I found her a bit too naive, a bit too lacking in street smarts which detracted somewhat from my overall enjoyment of this book. Despite this, The Perfect Murder is an electric read, full of plot twists and the usual dose of romance. Readers will enjoy this top notch storyteller and her skillful plotting. A number of secondary characters come alive in this sixth Last Stand book. Don't miss it.

Jane Burke has been through a lot, but the `survivor' tattoo on her hand says it all. Jane's ex-husband was a serial rapist and murderer who almost killed her. She never thought she'd be able to pick up the pieces and get on with life again. Now, Jane works for The Last Stand, a charity organization that fights for victims. Jane is desperate to prove that she is ready to become an investigator, so when two young women go missing, she gets her chance. Jane's investigation leads her to Sebastian Costas. Sebastian is convinced that his ex-wife and son - Emily and Colton - were killed by Emily's second husband, Malcolm Turner. It looks like Malcolm may be involved in Jane's kidnapping case. Sebastian wants a shot at the man who destroyed his life and got away with it. In the process, he may get an unexpected start at love with Jane.

The Perfect Murder is an excellent edge-of-your-seat story. There are lots of twists and turns and the suspense is intense from beginning to end. I highly recommend reading Trust Me, book one in The Last Stand series before The Perfect Murder. Otherwise, your opinion of Jane and understanding of her past may be affected. Malcolm is a revenge seeking sociopath. It's scary how easily he fools everyone around him. His insanity and his twisted relationship with one of his captives is fascinating. The psychological effects of her ordeal are scary, realistic, and intense. I was as riveted to Malcolm and his captive as I was to the story and Jane and Sebastian's romance. Jane is strong and capable with a hard edge that only a person who suffered a traumatic and painful past could have. I like Jane and Sebastian as a couple very much. Sebastian is sexy and charming. He's a very personable character. Brenda Novak has penned another exciting and intense novel with The Perfect Murder. I can't wait to see what twisted villain she comes up with next!


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

First of all, i did not like jane at first but she seems so much stronger in this book! I love how much she has evolved! Im glad i gave this book a chance ... However i fail to really understand the initial chemistry between sebastian and jane ... At first it seemed out of place but once i became comfortable with the two characters they seemed to bond very well becuase of their traumatic past ... I enjoyed the mystery althought i was highly upset with certain events that occured.. Perhaps its jus me but i say go for it!! Brenda novak is one of the few writers that always has me on the edge of my seat

I have thoroughly enjoyed each book in the Last Stand series and highly recommend picking up a Brenda Novak book to romantic suspense and thriller lovers. You won't be disappointed. Can't wait for my Amazon order of Body Heat to arrive to be engrossed in Brenda's new series.

In my opinion, this was the PERFECT ending to the Perfect and Last Stand series. I didn't want to put the book down but didn't want to finish it, either. Jane, a new employee at the Last Stand is looking for a kidnapper. Sebastion is looking for the man who killed his ex-wife and son. Turns out they are one and the same,and Sebastion and Jane work together in finding and trapping him. If you like romantic suspense, pick this one up!

All brenda's books have been an easy & interesting read. I hope you will try her.

I've enjoyed this series a lot, but this was by far my least favorite of the series.

Jane did not make a good lead. There was nothing spectacular about her other than the past she overcame, and that seemed too ridiculous to be credible. And Sebastian was not a strong character -- I didn't care for him through most of the book, but I really started to dislike him when he felt the need to stick his nose into the Burke family business and confront Wendy about things that were none of his concern.

The romance between these two characters was not believable in the least. And I have to say, I don't understand Brenda Novak's obsession with birth control gone wrong. In every single book, the woman frets about birth control then somehow manages to have sex without using it, causing her to immediately begin to wonder if she's pregnant while the man, who barely knows her, can't wait to raise this supposed baby. It'd be one thing if it had happened once or twice...but this whole scenario takes place in pretty much every book she writes. It's almost turned into a joke of a subplot, along with the speed with which her romances move.

I'm glad this series is wrapped up because I don't think it could've gone any further (and I couldn't take another book featuring the arrogant, know-it-all Skye), but I'm looking forward to her next series.

Sebastian Costas is on a mission to find Malcolm, the man he believes murdered his ex-wife and son. A former cop, Malcolm faked his own death so convincingly no one believes he is alive. Sebastian, however, tracks him to California where his path crosses with the annoying Jane Burke of the Last Stand.

Jane, a character from earlier novels,was the unwitting wife and victim of her psycho rapist murderer husband dentist Oliver Burke. Now a champion for victim's rights, she is training with the Last Stand and takes her first (unauthorized) case, the kidnapping of two young black girls. Sporting spiked hair and tattoos memorializing her tawdry affair with her deceased brother-in-law, also a victim of her husband, Jane finds herself falling for Sebastian.

This novel is flawed in many respects. First, that an ex-cop who so carefully orchestrated his death and the murders of a woman and child, would go stalking his former high school sweetheart, is preposterous. Equally hard to understand is why Sebastian's ex, planning to jettison Malcolm, her abusive, gambling addict husband would choose to keep a half million dollars in cash in her home, particularly with Sebastian, her sympathetic investment banker husband hovering in the wings. The kidnapping scenario is equally unbelievable. It is hard to fathom that Malcolm, a racist who frequents prostitutes, would risk kidnapping not one but two young black girls. The one victim's behavior also strains belief as the Stockholm syndrome is not well orchestrated. Moreover, the portrayal of the minority characters was painfully cliched and the transformation of a violent pimp into a misunderstood hero with a heart of gold was one of the worst examples of trite political correctness. Frankly, I was kind of rooting for Malcolm at the end with the hopes he would off both Jane and Sebastian.

The Last Stand itself is getting old. Its founders and employees are all sickeningly sweet and righteous. They really have no authority...they are not cops or investigators (with one exception). They are guided by a sanctimonious sense of duty which wears.

While I generally enjoy this author's books,The Perfect Murder was perfectly disappointing.

Another great Last Stand book by Brenda Novak. I enjoy her mysteries - she provides great characters and a great read.