Die For Me was another winner by Karen Rose. This book was filled with suspense and had a touching romance as well. The hero and heroine both have unresolved issues from their pasts that they help each other confront. They are both very likeable characters, and I appreciated the way that they did not fight their feelings for one another. The villain was truly evil and the descriptions of his handiwork were quite gruesome. As with the other Karen Rose books I have read, this was an intense, engrossing book. I am already looking forward to reading the next book, Scream for Me.
Vito Ciccotelli, Philadelphia Homicide Detective, is called to investigate a body found in a field. When the body is uncovered, what they find is horrifying. A metal detector indicates the possibility of finding more of this gruesome handiwork. The police department requests the assistance of an archaeologist, Sophie Johannsen. Her sophisticated equipment scans reveal a grid of bodies in the field. As the bodies are exhumed, it is clear that they are dealing with a monster. Several of the bodies have been brutalized using medieval torture methods. After spending hours scanning the field, Vito assits Sophie in putting her borrowed equipment away, and asks her to dinner. The two are immediately drawn to one another, but an incident occurs that causes Sophie to badly misjudge and rebuff Vito. Vito contacts Sophie the next day to try to find out why she so suddenly seemed to dislike him. Their misunderstanding is cleared, and they share a kiss, but Sophie still refuses his company. As Sophie is an expert in medieval warfare, she continues to consult with the police. She believes that information Vito will hear from one of the medieval experts she sends him to will turn him against her. Nothing is further from the truth, and when Vito lets Sophie know that he trusts her and believes in her integrity, she agrees to dinner. Vito and Sophie spend a passionate night together, and when he realizes that other medieval experts are disappearing, he makes certain she is provided with police department protection. Vito spends his nights with Sophie, and they quickly become to care deeply for one another. As they investigate the murders, they find numerous people to question and they soon realize that this brutal killer is using the murders as artwork for a video game. The investigation becomes more personal to Vito when it becomes clear that Sophie is a target of the murderer. While Vito and Sophie learn more about one another and realize how important their relationship is, danger to Sophie escalates, and they must race to apprehend the terrifying killer.
There was much to like about this book. It had a great story filled with suspense, and wonderful main characters whose romance is satisfying. There were numerous likeable secondary characters, and a terrifyingly evil antagonist. I did make a mistake right before I read this book that lessened the suspense. I went to Karen Rose's website to review the book relationship page with all of the major characters listed, and then decided to read the synopsis of the next book, Scream for Me. The first sentence of the synopsis for that book told me the identity of the bad guy in Die for Me. I immediately quit reading the synopsis, and I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I wish I would not have known who the villain actually was. I would have liked to see how long it took me to discover it myself. If you don't want a huge spoiler for this great book, stay away from the synopsis for the next book.