Customer Reviews

Split Second (FBI Thriller)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Whether you are someone who has been a fan of bestselling author Catherine Coulter's thrillers or even her romance novels, SPLIT SECOND will give you a little of both.

From the very beginning of the book Coulter shows you how quickly even a trip to the store can turn into a life or death situation, but with the return of characters like FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock you know that they are willing to risk their lives in order to do their job and do it well.

This becomes something that tests them both professionally and mentally when they are faced with what seems like a deranged serial killer who is intent on causing unspeakable pain and horror. As the story develops, though, there seems to be something more at play--and when the identity of the culprit is realized, there is a race against time in order to stop more senseless deaths.

Joining Savich and Sherlock on the case are two other dedicated agents,Cooper McKnight and Lucy Carlyle. As with Savich and Sherlock, however, this case brings out a more personal element that threatens to destroy everyone around it.

With SPLIT SECOND the action comes fast and furious as do the personal relationships that we see develop throughout the story. There is also another element that Coulter is known for that comes through as well: the human component. We get to know slivers of the characters---both the heroes and the bad guy(s)---that helps us in understanding the way they react to situations and even what drives them.

There's no other way to say it: SPLIT SECOND is a literary winner that reminds us how the life we know can change in an instant. Coulter has delivered another home run for readers.

I just finished this new FBI book and it was great! I have all of her other books both in this series and her romance novels. If you have read any of her books especially the FBI Series you will love this one! It has all everything you expect from a Catherine Coulter novel and more! The characters are some of our old friends that we have come to love and respect mixed in with new friends that we will remember and see on down the road in future books as part of the ever growing FBI family! For those of you who have never read any of this series (if thats possible, Lol) you don't have to read any of the other books to enjoy this one. But you will definately want to!

Love the characters in Coulter's FBI series. But a magical ring? Really? She had a good plot going. I don't feel she needed to throw in the magical nonsense. Hope she rethinks the next book and comes back strong.

I am almost through with Split Second and I cannot understand why Catherine Coulter took a great story line and added junk about a magical ring that will 'save the day'. Granted I'm not through with it yet [almost] but I am very disappointed that she thought she had to make something up so far fetched

While reading the first part of the book, I was raving to my husband what a great book it was and that he should read it when I was done. Well, then the magical ring entered the story and I knew he would have no interest in it. At that point the book was just okay.

I'v read all of this FBI series and like them, but the author keeps bringing more paranormal in. This one got a little odd and the main character kept switching personalities - competent FBI agent, then secretive space cadet - and the people around her choosing to ignore the changes. People whose lives would depend on her stability. Lost some realism for me.

I was excited to read this as I enjoy Catherine Coulter's books. It started out great and I really enjoyed it but somehow 2 of the 3 seperate story lines becomes too much. Sometimes less is more. The main plot was good, but as other reviews have mentioned the ring was too much of a twist in this one.

The FBI series is what I think of as good summer reading- entertaining with likable characters, if a little formulaic. But in this one, the ring subplot nearly derails the book. Took it from a good read to nearly ridiculous.

SPLIT SECOND is the fifteenth book in the FBI series. In this addition, Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are not the agents in charge. Savich creates a new team by assigning Lucy Carlyle and Cooper McKnight to work together on a series of murders that are clearly connected. Carlyle and McKnight have not taken any pains to hide their animosity and Savich knows that as the unit's leader, he is responsible for making sure that all members of the team can work smoothly no matter the situation. Carlyle and McKnight are less than pleased but, as new members of the unit, they have to prove their ability to suppress their personalities and focus on the assignment at hand.

Across the United States, young women are being murdered. Nothing has been found to connect the women until one victim manages to fight back. She scratches her attacker and the DNA is a goldmine of information for the police and a trip back in time for everyone who followed the story. The man called "Todd" has a direct blood connection to Ted Bundy.

It isn't difficult enough for Lucy Carlyle that she is one of the two lead agents in this case. She is also dealing with the very recent death of her father. Lucy has been raised by her father and grandmother, growing to maturity in a comfortable world. Then, her grandmother dies. Soon after, her father suffers a coronary and as Lucy sits with him in the cardiac care unit, he suddenly begins shouting, revealing that he saw his mother kill his father, and then dies. Milton Carlyle has been missing for twenty-two years. The family story is that he suddenly walked away from the family, disappearing without a word. Now Lucy has to confront the terrible secret her father carried for most of his life.

Lucy needs to know more so she moves to her grandmother's mansion in Maryland and begins a careful search of the house. Working carefully so as not to miss anything important, she has avoided the attic. But that space must be searched and Lucy comes to a large trunk. In it she finds layers of men's clothing and, at the bottom, a skeleton. Sewn into the cuff of the pants in which the body is dressed is a ring, ugly, but compelling.

Although SPLIT SECOND is the fifteenth book in the series, it is the first that I have read. From first page to last page, the book moves quickly, introducing many characters along the way. The author makes sure that each character is memorable, including those in the separate story concerning the robbery of a small market in Georgetown. Because the story is so tightly written, revelations can be spoilers but the author succeeds in showing how much things can change in a split second.

Lucy Carlyle and Cooper McKnight are engaging characters and I hope that they share more investigations. I plan to read other books in the series so that I can become acquainted with Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock who have roles in this story but are not center stage.

I received this book from the publisher.

I have read Savich & Sherlock from the beginning, with recent books dipping into the paranormal (not my cup of tea), but I will not bash the magic ring, the far fetched serial killer following in her daddy's footsteps, or the other plots. I will say I was disappointed in the writing. Cliches, overworded descriptions, stilted and ridiculous conversation, forced relationships...This felt like and read like, it was a rush to write and not well edited. I will not be spending further money or time on another Catherine Coulter book.
I am disappointed to add another author who used to be a sure thing, to my never again list. Welcome Ms. Coulter, you're in used to be good company with Patrica Cornwell and Lori Foster.