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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pedestrian and Derivative, July 21, 2008
This review is from: The Rhyme Killers (Paperback)
The kindest words I can find for this book are mundane and pedestrian. The unkindest would be to point out that if you've read Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series (at least, up until Cornwell seemed to go off the trolley) through "Black Notice," you've READ this book already (and far better written; but I shan't say which book specifically, so as not to spoil the plotline for anyone who does wish to buy this book), down to the smallest detail and through the big "reveal" at the end, which in this instance, wasn't particularly unexpected. At 286 pages of quite large print, I literally knew on page 120 precisely what the "twist" was going to be at the end. I suspect that the only reason Cornwell hasn't pursued this (as "close" to her plotline[s] as it is) is because this book was Vanity Press published (in other words, self-published), and I doubt that Cornwell is particularly worried about these authors stealing her thunder. Moreover, the characters aren't particularly engaging and aren't consistently drawn; the heroine's new male partner ("Avis Rent" - I'm not kidding) constantly refers to himself as "a brother" in the first chapter ("a brother does this, a brother doesn't do that," and so on), and then never mentions it again; it's also pretty stereotypical. He then basically disappears in the entire second half of the book, for no apparent reason. There's a honking big non sequitur in the latter part of the book, disclosing a past for a tertiary character which serves no purpose whatsoever other than to use up print. (In the film biz, you would call it a "film stretcher.") The heroine has the ubiquitous character traits; allegedly driven, lonely, workaholic, etc. etc. etc. There's just NOTHING about this character that is particularly new or interesting; nothing unique other than a bit of flawed behavior that shows up repeatedly...but the authors don't really do anything with it. In summary, this book reads like a Lifetime Made-For-TV Movie, as they were in the 90's, starring an older Jaclyn Smith, with little plot, less characterization, and no big surprises, no stunning plot twists, nothing unexpected and nothing untoward. The "heroine-in-jeopardy" theme has ALSO been done innumerable times, and far better, than it was done in this book...and again, that's not even taking into account the "Big Borrow" from Cornwell's Scarpetta series. You can find far better to read.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some Rhymes Tell a Crime, June 14, 2008
This review is from: The Rhyme Killers (Paperback)
Detective Sergeant Katharine Knight is on the trail of a fiend, a serial killer who likes to torture his victims psychologically as well as physically. Worse, this serial killer is highly intelligent, perhaps more intelligent than the police trying to capture the serial killer. Yet, Katie Knight's passion for stopping this killer may well be the edge the police need to catch the murderer the press have dubbed "The Pied Piper" because of a rhyme found with each body. This thriller is far more than another mystery novel about a serial killer. Flashbacks throughout the story gave me clues as to how the serial killings started. You also quickly learn that there is a complex relationship associated with the serial killings, though the authors take their time in revealing the details of the relationship. This book is literally a page-turner, with surprises from beginning to end. The writing is taut and the authors tell the story well. A story as complex as "The Rhyme Killers" is ripe for plot holes, but I was unable to detect but one thing that required a bit of forgiveness on my part. Unfortunately, I am unable to go into detail because I do not wish to provide a plot spoiler. However, I suspect others reading the story will pick up on the portion that stretches plausibility to the limit. I was also surprised that a couple of ladies who look like they could be someone's grandmothers or favorite aunts wrote such a graphic story. The violence and description of the bodies is quite detailed and horrific. The serial killer is truly evil, and events surrounding him are vividly gory. I enjoy novels that surprise me. "The Rhyme Killers" surprised me and kept me turning pages, a testament to the craft of Judy Gooden and Naomi Helterbran. Fans of mysteries featuring serial killers and graphic detail will find "The Rhyme Killers" is a winner. Enjoy! Note: The authors provided me with a review copy of their book.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
With an ending no one will see coming, June 8, 2008
This review is from: The Rhyme Killers (Paperback)
A killer with a bizarre signature style and a bizarre pattern never seen before. "The Rhyme Killers" tells of Philadelphia's top homicide detective in Katie Knight with her partner Avis Rent quest to hunt down this strange murderer with his unforeseeable tactics, she also must deal with a misogynistic old police chief who wants to return the department back to an all-male force like it used to be. With an ending no one will see coming, "The Rhyme Killers" is a deftly written mystery and sure to appeal to mystery fans everywhere.
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