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Strangers: Mystery Man / Obsession
StrangersJackson, Lisa
505 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
12 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jackson
271 books9,595 followersLisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 17, 2025
Two stories in one. Both are worth the read.
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July 27, 2011I was a little disappointed with this book. Too predictable!
August 15, 2018
This book had two very different stories...
Mystery Man (4/5)
I definitely liked this story the best. The heroine was likable, strong and determined, and the male hero was great as well, even as he was a bad boy. I liked his backstory and the mystery behind him, and it was a little predictable, but the romance was very hot and the chemistry between both characters was well done and believable. I enjoyed this story and these characters the most. It was a fast read and a good amount of suspense and thrills.
Obsession (1/5)
What a turd. Totally different than the other book. The heroine, Kaylie, is about as interesting as a moldy napkin. She acts like she has conviction, but she never really follows through. She's so wishy washy with her decisions. I have to suspend disbelief that she doesn't think about her husband for 7 years and then suddenly she can't resist him? Zane is even worse. He's a manipulator, and he's controlling and he gaslights poor Kaylie. Yes he's handsome and rich but he's also got a temper and he's extremely possessive to the point where he kidnaps Kaylie and bars her from outside communication and freedom because he's "Scared" for her. He's as big as threat as any other man in this book. She constantly defies him and wants to "escape" but somehow his sexual advances and declarations of love subdue her. It's gross. It's a very toxic relationship, and even in the end he's still paranoid and overprotective of her. The author plays off that it'll take time for him to learn his lesson, that they really are MEANT together, but old habits die hard, and what woman would resist his charms when he's gaslighted her into believing she needs him and his overbearing protection? Not romantic at all. The supporting characters are just as dreadful. Her sister Margot is a shameless enabler too. But like a lot of romance trends, it's okay if the guy possesses and controls every second in a woman's life as long as he's rich and hot. Good grief, no thanks.
Mystery Man (4/5)
I definitely liked this story the best. The heroine was likable, strong and determined, and the male hero was great as well, even as he was a bad boy. I liked his backstory and the mystery behind him, and it was a little predictable, but the romance was very hot and the chemistry between both characters was well done and believable. I enjoyed this story and these characters the most. It was a fast read and a good amount of suspense and thrills.
Obsession (1/5)
What a turd. Totally different than the other book. The heroine, Kaylie, is about as interesting as a moldy napkin. She acts like she has conviction, but she never really follows through. She's so wishy washy with her decisions. I have to suspend disbelief that she doesn't think about her husband for 7 years and then suddenly she can't resist him? Zane is even worse. He's a manipulator, and he's controlling and he gaslights poor Kaylie. Yes he's handsome and rich but he's also got a temper and he's extremely possessive to the point where he kidnaps Kaylie and bars her from outside communication and freedom because he's "Scared" for her. He's as big as threat as any other man in this book. She constantly defies him and wants to "escape" but somehow his sexual advances and declarations of love subdue her. It's gross. It's a very toxic relationship, and even in the end he's still paranoid and overprotective of her. The author plays off that it'll take time for him to learn his lesson, that they really are MEANT together, but old habits die hard, and what woman would resist his charms when he's gaslighted her into believing she needs him and his overbearing protection? Not romantic at all. The supporting characters are just as dreadful. Her sister Margot is a shameless enabler too. But like a lot of romance trends, it's okay if the guy possesses and controls every second in a woman's life as long as he's rich and hot. Good grief, no thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2020
This was two books in one.
Mystery Man 4/5
Chelsea Reed is on the hunt for answers from Devlin McVey, her deceased fiance's best friend who was with him when he died but mysteriously disappeared. She seeks him out for answers but doesn't expect the old flame to still be there.
This was good and suspenseful. I found myself wanting more and more and needing answers. The ending was a bit more rushed than I would have liked but still a good romantic suspense novel.
Obsession 3/5
Kaylie is trying to forget her overprotective ex husband Zane. When an old threat comes back into her life, so does Zane and all the unwanted emotions and desires she was hoping would have disappeared after 7 years.
This one was good and romantic but so repetitive and I did feel Zane was a bit controlling and overbearing so it was a bit of a no from me at times. He basically kidnaps her when she doesn't take his warning seriously initially. So that was just a bit offputting. Overall it was just okay but I didn't enjoy as much as the first.
Mystery Man 4/5
Chelsea Reed is on the hunt for answers from Devlin McVey, her deceased fiance's best friend who was with him when he died but mysteriously disappeared. She seeks him out for answers but doesn't expect the old flame to still be there.
This was good and suspenseful. I found myself wanting more and more and needing answers. The ending was a bit more rushed than I would have liked but still a good romantic suspense novel.
Obsession 3/5
Kaylie is trying to forget her overprotective ex husband Zane. When an old threat comes back into her life, so does Zane and all the unwanted emotions and desires she was hoping would have disappeared after 7 years.
This one was good and romantic but so repetitive and I did feel Zane was a bit controlling and overbearing so it was a bit of a no from me at times. He basically kidnaps her when she doesn't take his warning seriously initially. So that was just a bit offputting. Overall it was just okay but I didn't enjoy as much as the first.
July 4, 2017
I really enjoyed reading the two separate stories enclosed under this title. Both were filled with lots of action and angst, with a bit of romance added into the mix.
August 7, 2018
Wasn't one of my favorite Lisa Jackson books I was actually quite disappointed with this one it was hard for me to get all the way through it I just couldn't get into it :(
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May 17, 20252011
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April 4, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14245983
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14245983
June 27, 2016
Mystery Man : little over a year after the boat accident and explosion that killed her fiance and his best friend, Chelsea Reed has a felling that her friend Devlin McVey isn't dead. the P.I. she has hired finds a man who looks like but at same time dont look like Devlin but goes by Mitch Russell on one of the Caribbean islands. She leaves her home in California to search for Devlin. she needs answers to why he had to speak to Jon alone? Why did the boat exploded? As things get to close Mitch has to find away to keep Chelsea safe.
Obsession: Kaylie Melville is a successful talk/news tv star, and movie star. 7 years ago she just film her biggest movie to date when things start to come apart. Zane Flannery was hired as a personal bodyguard to Kaylie when she was 19. As the years went by they became very close. and fell in love. after the death of her parents Kaylee and Zane gets married. at the release of her movie Obsession Kaylie is attack by a psycho and Zane saves her life and the end of their marriage. now 7 years later and Kaylie's life is in danger again and the only person who she can turn to is Zane, but she remembers how over protected he is and she don't know if she should let him back into her lefe
Obsession: Kaylie Melville is a successful talk/news tv star, and movie star. 7 years ago she just film her biggest movie to date when things start to come apart. Zane Flannery was hired as a personal bodyguard to Kaylie when she was 19. As the years went by they became very close. and fell in love. after the death of her parents Kaylee and Zane gets married. at the release of her movie Obsession Kaylie is attack by a psycho and Zane saves her life and the end of their marriage. now 7 years later and Kaylie's life is in danger again and the only person who she can turn to is Zane, but she remembers how over protected he is and she don't know if she should let him back into her lefe
January 6, 2015
There were two different stories within this book which was nice for a change. I have only read a few books that have been formatted in this way. Lisa Jackson included 2 very different and thrilling romance mystery stories and I enjoyed both. I have yet to be disappointed by Lisa Jackson. Throughout many of the reviews that I have read over her books I have come across an ongoing theme that states that Lisa Jackson is very predictable. I can honestly say no matter what novel I read I never think about predictability I never try to figure out the novel ahead of time I let the novel guide me and I am never disappointed. If you have not read this and love Lisa Jackson I would pick this up!
October 5, 2016
Two stories in one book. Each one deserves a short review.
Mystery Man:
Good story, cute and original..... very predictable. Enjoyable read; no thinking required in this mystery.
Obsession:
eh... seemed like a YA book. I kept wanting it to get better. Nope. Just not interested.
Overall:
These weren't suspense and the romance was so PG that I was bored to death. There was so much potential with these stories, the author fell short. I'm willing to give Lisa Jackson another shot, but I'm not holding my breath.
Mystery Man:
Good story, cute and original..... very predictable. Enjoyable read; no thinking required in this mystery.
Obsession:
eh... seemed like a YA book. I kept wanting it to get better. Nope. Just not interested.
Overall:
These weren't suspense and the romance was so PG that I was bored to death. There was so much potential with these stories, the author fell short. I'm willing to give Lisa Jackson another shot, but I'm not holding my breath.
January 16, 2014
Didn't know what to expect, however it was okay; not the best of Lisa Jackson though. I preferred the second story but the sex scenes were a bit repetitious in both though. I guess I was expecting more depth. All the same, it was an okay book to read in my down time.
March 17, 2014
This book is actually 2 separate books, Mystery Man and Obsession. Not really to my liking, too much of a "romantic" writing. I have a problem that once I start a book I have to finish it whether I'm into it or not.
January 23, 2008
I really liked this book. It got me out of a book slump I was in. Their were 2 stories in this book. Out of the two I favored Obsession.
February 5, 2012
Took me a lot longer to get through than I expected. Disappointed in the stories. Too slow moving and predictable.
November 29, 2011
ooolala loved it
January 2, 2012
What a horrible book to try to get through. Way too much romance, way too little, crime and suspense. I'll stick with other authors
February 13, 2012
Good story, but kind of boring. But I was guessing the entire time on whether Devlin and Mitch were the same person or not.
December 30, 2013
I found this to be slow and too "mushy gushy" for a suspense story. However the characters were well done and the plot was decent.
April 29, 2014
Loved these stories.
February 2, 2016
Very light reading
February 16, 2015
Okay. Didn't love the characters.
May 9, 2019
enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews