Random Acts: Does It Take A Killer To Catch A Killer? (Mass Market Paperback)

by Taylor Smith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Smith (Guilt by Silence) proves herself one of Mira's strongest authors, though the plot of her latest woman-in-jeopardy suspense thriller plot involving psycho baby-killers may put off some readers. The murdered Michael Kazarian, enigmatic husband of Laurel Madden, and former lover of Claire Gillespie, looms large in this excellent page-turner. Laurel, a top FBI profiler, and Claire, a star news magazine reporter, are unexpectedly brought together because of the headline-grabbing "Totnap" case. Four infants have been kidnapped in Los Angeles, and two bodies recovered. The grisly circumstances make romance difficult, if not quite impossible, but love has a way, and strong, handsome FBI men Dan Sprague and Gar Doucet are hard to resist. Doucet's dark allure does a number on Claire, and the sexual tension there is deliciously palpable. But sexual tension isn't all. Taylor manages to keep the suspense taut as well, as she keeps readers guessing whether ice-queen Laurel murdered her husband with Doucet's help. The publisher compares Smith to John Grisham and in fact, it's a perfectly plausible comparison?though Smith's a better prose stylist.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Claire Gillespie is a news magazine reporter trying to finish a piece on the Russian mafia in New York when she uncovers some disturbing ties to a kidnapping/murder case in California. Dan Sprague, an old friend of the family, conveniently heads the investigation, giving Claire access to inside information. She is shadowed by an ex-FBI agent who keeps dropping in on her and leaving hints about the killer. When Claire, her niece, and the ex-FBI agent are all trapped by the killer, the ugly truth about the dark side of human nature is revealed. Smith writes a compelling story that is very well abridged. Details and descriptions are accurate, and dialog moves the story forward. Masterful reading by Barbara Rosenblat makes this an excellent listen for thriller fans. Recommended.Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Providence
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 442 pages
• Publisher: Mira (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551664313
• ISBN-13: 978-1551664316
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,002,490 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, December 29, 1998

By	bookworm (CA) - See all my reviews

RANDOM ACTS is sometimes categorized as a romance novel, but there is no whiny heroine waiting to fall into the arms of her sinewy love interest here. Romance is only a small thread in the intricately woven fabric of this story, which is more suspense than anything else. It is a fast-paced novel about, among other things, a serial killer targeting small children. As a parent, I found this a difficult subject to read about. But like an accident on the side of the freeway, I had to sneak a peek, and what I saw grabbed me and wouldn't let go until the final page. While the serial killings are the impetus of the story, there are several equally compelling subplots that lead the reader through a series of twists and turns right up to the end. The characters are well-developed and very human, and the dialogue is realistic. I am so glad to find Taylor Smith among the league of female authors writing novels with strong storylines and stronger female characters. This is not your typical "for women, by a woman" book. It transcends gender to be just a good read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense novels.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Suspenseful Read, December 27, 2003

By	andrewjack (Ohio) - See all my reviews

I had never read anything by Taylor Smith before, however after having read this one, I know it won't be long before I read another.
While the first 50 pages or so are bogged down in backstory invoving Claire Gillespie and the mysterious death of her lover FBI agent Micheal Kazarian, the information is necesarry information.
After Claire Gillespie, journalist for a popular newsmagazine, heads out to California to cover the Southland Snatcher case, where infants are kidnapped in public places right from under their mothers' noses, the action picks up.
Agen Dan Sprague is a likable character and his interaction with fellow agent Laurel Madden is very well-devoloped.
Also, the romance between the two characters was unexpected and handled well. What could have become smutty beach trash stayed right on target, focusing on the three lead characters as they try to stop a killer.
Taut, suspenseful, and engaging, Smith scores high marks with this wonderful thriller.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Completely forced plot & underdeveloped characters, November 16, 2006

By	A. Rowley (Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book based on the four and a half stars at the time and how reviewers raved about it, but I was sorely disappointed. Random Acts begins with two completely seperate story plots that do not converge with one another until 170 pages into the book. The author simply does not develop the characters well, and seems to force both emotional issues to try and get the reader to connect, as well as a completely implausible love scenario that just does not mesh with the rest of the story line. Which by the way, is completely unbelievable due to the author's overzealous approach at trying too hard. I realize that some reviewers thought this book was fantastic. I don't know what they are used to reading, but it was not a good mystery, definitely not a romantic suspense, and just fell short of being anything even mildly entertaining.

Is it worth buying? I hate to rag on this author, but I do not recommend anyone pay good money for this book. If you are curious about it, check it out from the library. That way, you won't be disappointed if you feel the same way as I did about Random Acts.