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Chasing Evil Trilogy #3
Edge of Midnight
The writer becomes the story when crime reporter Mia Hale is discovered on a Jacksonville beach, bloodied and disoriented, but alive. She remembers nothing, but her wounds bear the signature of a sadistic serial killer. After years lying dormant, The Collector has resumed his grim hobby: abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies. But none of his victims has ever escaped and he wants Mia back, more than he ever wanted any of the others.
FBI agent Eric MacFarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession and Mia holds the key. She'll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.
FBI agent Eric MacFarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession and Mia holds the key. She'll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 24, 2012
49 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Tentler
12 books355 followersLeslie Tentler is the author of seven novels, including the Rarity Cove series (BEFORE THE STORM, LOW TIDE, and IN DARK WATER), FALLEN, and the Chasing Evil Trilogy (MIDNIGHT CALLER, MIDNIGHT FEAR, and EDGE OF MIDNIGHT). She was a finalist for Best First Novel at ThrillerFest 2012, and is a two-time finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Maggie Award of Excellence. A native of East Tennessee, she currently resides in Atlanta.
Visit Leslie and sign up for her newsletter at www.LeslieTentler.com.
"Taut, page-turning suspense and heart-stopping romance: Leslie Tentler is a rising star of romantic suspense." - New York Times Bestselling Author Allison Brennan
Visit Leslie and sign up for her newsletter at www.LeslieTentler.com.
"Taut, page-turning suspense and heart-stopping romance: Leslie Tentler is a rising star of romantic suspense." - New York Times Bestselling Author Allison Brennan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 13, 2012
4.5 stars. A great chilling romantic suspense, and an author to watch.
Edge of Midnight is for romance fans who like their stories with a good dose of nail biting suspense, a strong emotionally charged romance between the H/h, and a great deal of attention to the details.
Crime reporter Mia Hale escaped the evil hands of a serial killer, but she has no memory of what happened. Special agent Eric Macfarlane with the FBI enlists her help to find the man that is kidnapping and torturing women before dumping their dead bodies.
This is the kind of story that just sucks you in as you try to figure out what happened to Mia, what will she remember, and how are they ever going to find enough clues to bring down the serial killer? Nail biting stuff! The story spends a lot of time piecing together the evidence as well as building a profile for the killer. We also learn that Eric has deep personal ties to the serial killer, and that Mia’s abduction may not have been random at all.
Edge of Midnight was a great balance of romance and suspense. Eric and Mia’s attraction and eventual relationship was well blended into the suspense part of the story. This is the best kind of romance suspense (IMHO). It is a multilayer story where more and more stuff gets revealed as we read on, has a believable romance with passion and steam, plus a great ending that wasn’t overly predictable. I read this one out of order, and had no problem what so ever. This is a great author, I can't wait to read what she writes next.
ARC provided by Netgalley.com
Edge of Midnight is for romance fans who like their stories with a good dose of nail biting suspense, a strong emotionally charged romance between the H/h, and a great deal of attention to the details.
Crime reporter Mia Hale escaped the evil hands of a serial killer, but she has no memory of what happened. Special agent Eric Macfarlane with the FBI enlists her help to find the man that is kidnapping and torturing women before dumping their dead bodies.
This is the kind of story that just sucks you in as you try to figure out what happened to Mia, what will she remember, and how are they ever going to find enough clues to bring down the serial killer? Nail biting stuff! The story spends a lot of time piecing together the evidence as well as building a profile for the killer. We also learn that Eric has deep personal ties to the serial killer, and that Mia’s abduction may not have been random at all.
Edge of Midnight was a great balance of romance and suspense. Eric and Mia’s attraction and eventual relationship was well blended into the suspense part of the story. This is the best kind of romance suspense (IMHO). It is a multilayer story where more and more stuff gets revealed as we read on, has a believable romance with passion and steam, plus a great ending that wasn’t overly predictable. I read this one out of order, and had no problem what so ever. This is a great author, I can't wait to read what she writes next.
ARC provided by Netgalley.com
May 11, 2019
Reporter Mia Hale was found on a Jacksonville Beach, the number "8" carved into her stomach. Mia remembers nothing of her kidnapping and torture. FBI Agents believe she was taken by The Collector, a serial killer who takes souvenirs from his victims before killing them. Mia is the only woman who has escaped his clutches. Special Agent Eric Macfarlane has been searching for The Collector for three years. He asks Mia to undergo hypnosis in hopes she can recall where the killer was keeping her. More women have been taken and time is of the essence.
This is the third book in the Chasing Evil trilogy. The books are loosely connected so it really doesn't matter if you read this series in order. This was a fast-moving romantic suspense story. The killer is upset that Mia got away. He isn't about to let her go that easily. Eric must keep Mia safe while leading the investigation into the disappearance of other women in the Jacksonville area. I liked both the suspense and romance portions of this book. I thought it was the best of the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the third book in the Chasing Evil trilogy. The books are loosely connected so it really doesn't matter if you read this series in order. This was a fast-moving romantic suspense story. The killer is upset that Mia got away. He isn't about to let her go that easily. Eric must keep Mia safe while leading the investigation into the disappearance of other women in the Jacksonville area. I liked both the suspense and romance portions of this book. I thought it was the best of the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
March 1, 2012
4 stars – Romantic Suspense
This is a good romantic suspense thriller. It has a mega creepy serial killer villain, dark, chilling, goosebump inducing suspense, a likable hero and heroine, and satisfying, well paced romance. This should appeal to fans of Karen Rose, Allison Brennan, Kylie Brant, Jami Alden, and Cynthia Eden.
This is a good romantic suspense thriller. It has a mega creepy serial killer villain, dark, chilling, goosebump inducing suspense, a likable hero and heroine, and satisfying, well paced romance. This should appeal to fans of Karen Rose, Allison Brennan, Kylie Brant, Jami Alden, and Cynthia Eden.
September 27, 2018
I have so many mixed feeling after reading this book.
I really like the whole serial killer story. The Collector and what we know about him, he is a really frightening killer. The suspense part is really good. The atmosphere of gore is present all the time and really well-conducted. What's more, we are actually following the investigation with all its dead ends and misleading clues. Let’s be honest, it does not happen so often in romantic suspense. And I'm delighted that this is what we get in this book, it makes it stand out from others stories.
But there are also some things that I’m not so happy about. The book starts great with Mia being found naked on the beach just after she run away from The Collector. Eric comes into to solve the case and here everything goes quite fast. But then I had a feeling that something slows down. I don’t think that it’s about the plot itself, it is probably more about the general pace of the story. Maybe it’s just me and I’m going to face a reading slump, but it took me longer than it should to read this book. It's a pity because it's a really good book that I would like to like more.
A romance is not very credible, but it does not bother me at all. Although it is clearly the instant romance I usually strongly dislike. Somehow Eric and Mia make a really mice couple. And because there is no strong insistent on happy ever after or forever together. And this is definitely a good thing.
Anyway, this is a really well-written story and I will definitely read some other books from this author.
I really like the whole serial killer story. The Collector and what we know about him, he is a really frightening killer. The suspense part is really good. The atmosphere of gore is present all the time and really well-conducted. What's more, we are actually following the investigation with all its dead ends and misleading clues. Let’s be honest, it does not happen so often in romantic suspense. And I'm delighted that this is what we get in this book, it makes it stand out from others stories.
But there are also some things that I’m not so happy about. The book starts great with Mia being found naked on the beach just after she run away from The Collector. Eric comes into to solve the case and here everything goes quite fast. But then I had a feeling that something slows down. I don’t think that it’s about the plot itself, it is probably more about the general pace of the story. Maybe it’s just me and I’m going to face a reading slump, but it took me longer than it should to read this book. It's a pity because it's a really good book that I would like to like more.
A romance is not very credible, but it does not bother me at all. Although it is clearly the instant romance I usually strongly dislike. Somehow Eric and Mia make a really mice couple. And because there is no strong insistent on happy ever after or forever together. And this is definitely a good thing.
Anyway, this is a really well-written story and I will definitely read some other books from this author.
December 13, 2018
Loved this 3rd book in Lelsie Tentler's "Chasing Evil Trilogy"!
May 13, 2019
Edge of Midnight
4 Stars
Crime reporter Mia Hale is the latest victim of the sadistic serial killer known as The Collector. She is also the only one to escape his clutches, but much to the chagrin of law enforcement, has no memory of her abduction. FBI profiler, Eric MacFarlane, has personal reasons for wanting to capture The Collector and knows that Mia is the key. As the two work together and the killer sets his sights on Mia once again, Eric swears to protect her even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
Series note: None of the characters in the Chasing evil trilogy are connected and each of the books can be read as standalones.
An intense psychological thriller with likable characters and a satisfying romance.
Eric and Mia are both well-developed characters with interesting backstories that contribute to understanding both Eric's obsession with The Collector and Mia's determination with contributing to the investigation.
Eric and Mia have solid chemistry and their romance is more believable than in the first two installments, although like Tentler's other stories in the series, the heroine is more emotionally attached than the hero.
In terms of the mystery, the villain is exceedingly brutal and sadistic. His identity is revealed early on and readers are given his POV, which ratchets up the tension and suspense without undermining the procedural elements.
There are one or two moments that require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but these do not minimize the overall effect of the mystery or the romance.
In sum, a well-written and exciting story with just the right mix of action, suspense and romance.
4 Stars
Crime reporter Mia Hale is the latest victim of the sadistic serial killer known as The Collector. She is also the only one to escape his clutches, but much to the chagrin of law enforcement, has no memory of her abduction. FBI profiler, Eric MacFarlane, has personal reasons for wanting to capture The Collector and knows that Mia is the key. As the two work together and the killer sets his sights on Mia once again, Eric swears to protect her even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.
Series note: None of the characters in the Chasing evil trilogy are connected and each of the books can be read as standalones.
An intense psychological thriller with likable characters and a satisfying romance.
Eric and Mia are both well-developed characters with interesting backstories that contribute to understanding both Eric's obsession with The Collector and Mia's determination with contributing to the investigation.
Eric and Mia have solid chemistry and their romance is more believable than in the first two installments, although like Tentler's other stories in the series, the heroine is more emotionally attached than the hero.
In terms of the mystery, the villain is exceedingly brutal and sadistic. His identity is revealed early on and readers are given his POV, which ratchets up the tension and suspense without undermining the procedural elements.
There are one or two moments that require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but these do not minimize the overall effect of the mystery or the romance.
In sum, a well-written and exciting story with just the right mix of action, suspense and romance.
February 14, 2012
This was one CREEPY but terrific read.
I enjoyed this romantic suspense very much and there was nice amount of romance.
I plan on reading more from this author.
I enjoyed this romantic suspense very much and there was nice amount of romance.
I plan on reading more from this author.
February 9, 2012
I have read all three books by Leslie Tentler, and I thought each one was better than the one that came before. I enjoyed all of them, so by the time I read the third one, it was a strong "5" star read for me. I enjoyed the main characters, Mia Hale and Eric McFarlane, and loved seeing their relationship develop. Both Mia and Eric carried plenty of baggage, but it was wonderful watching them turn to one another and to overcome their painful pasts. The storyline was compelling and made it difficultl to put the book down.
Mia Hale comes to consciousness behind the wheel of a wrecked vehicle, not knowing how she got there. She has obviously been tortured and mutilated. She's not the only victim of late, but she is the only one who has survived. It soon becomes clear that Mia was abducted from the parking garage of the building where she works as a crime reporter. The serial killer known as "The Collector" seems to be behind her abduction. Eric Macfarlane travels to Florida to work the case. This FBI agent suffered a tragic personal loss to "The Collector" and is determined to catch him. As Eric works with Mia to try to help her recover her memory of the abduction and subsequent captivity, they feel an attraction that soon develops into more. As they try to determine the identity of "The Collector," they both face danger, and must decide if there is a possibility of a relationship between them if they both survive.
This was a great romantic suspense. The characters and storyline came together to make an enjoyable book. The main characters were very likeable, and it was easy to feel empathy for them. The story was fast paced and kept me interested from beginning to end. I am very much looking forward to Tentler's next releasse."
Mia Hale comes to consciousness behind the wheel of a wrecked vehicle, not knowing how she got there. She has obviously been tortured and mutilated. She's not the only victim of late, but she is the only one who has survived. It soon becomes clear that Mia was abducted from the parking garage of the building where she works as a crime reporter. The serial killer known as "The Collector" seems to be behind her abduction. Eric Macfarlane travels to Florida to work the case. This FBI agent suffered a tragic personal loss to "The Collector" and is determined to catch him. As Eric works with Mia to try to help her recover her memory of the abduction and subsequent captivity, they feel an attraction that soon develops into more. As they try to determine the identity of "The Collector," they both face danger, and must decide if there is a possibility of a relationship between them if they both survive.
This was a great romantic suspense. The characters and storyline came together to make an enjoyable book. The main characters were very likeable, and it was easy to feel empathy for them. The story was fast paced and kept me interested from beginning to end. I am very much looking forward to Tentler's next releasse."
February 1, 2012
Another great book by Leslie Tentler. I didn't want to put it down. Mia is a news reporter who becomes the story. She was kidnapped, tortured and somehow able to escape a serial killer dubbed The Collector. Eric is a FBI agent with the VCU, he's called in by his friend and fellow agent Cam. Cam knows Eric's past and that Eric has spent years trying to hunt down the serial killer. It's a personal mission for him to stop the killer before he kills anymore women. Mia doesn't realize that she has ties to the serial killer that go back to when she was a young girl. Mia is one tough cookie. From her terrible childhood to being stalked by a serial killer, she sure keeps it together. I don't think that I would hold it together like she does. As Eric and his team of LEO's rush to stop the killer, Mia will do what it takes to stop the killer even if it puts her in harms way. Looking forward to reading more of Ms Tentler's book.
March 23, 2013
Raising audiobook narrated by Bernadette Dunne to 4 stars.
3.5 stars for interesting leads and very compelling storytelling. Problem is I am so tired of the same story told by every romantic suspense author. The last six RS I have read by six different authors are all variations of the same plot.
*Serial killer targets heroine
*Cop/agent/SEAL swears to keep her safe
*Heroine ignores hero's warnings and blithely puts herself in villain's evil clutches
*Hero tortures himself with guilt but pulls himself together just in time to save heroine
I've read this plot dozens of times. Some writers (like Tentler) tell it better than others but I really would love something new.
3.5 stars for interesting leads and very compelling storytelling. Problem is I am so tired of the same story told by every romantic suspense author. The last six RS I have read by six different authors are all variations of the same plot.
*Serial killer targets heroine
*Cop/agent/SEAL swears to keep her safe
*Heroine ignores hero's warnings and blithely puts herself in villain's evil clutches
*Hero tortures himself with guilt but pulls himself together just in time to save heroine
I've read this plot dozens of times. Some writers (like Tentler) tell it better than others but I really would love something new.
February 19, 2012
Wow, this one scared me (last 10%). What a psycho villian!! I don't remember reading and shaking this much since I read Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden. Definitely up for something light and fluffy after this one.
September 6, 2019
The final book in this series does not disappoint. This was a solid read with great characters and a twisted killer. Definitely a great series to pick up if you love thrillers. Each book can be read on their own.
June 28, 2019
3.5 rounded up...
Like the author's writing voice and style. The story was good but lulled in the middle losing my interest.
Like the author's writing voice and style. The story was good but lulled in the middle losing my interest.
January 29, 2012
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: January 24, 2012 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harelquin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://leslietentler.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Chasing Evil Trilogy
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Crime reporter Mia Hale has been following a series of disappearances in the Jacksonville beach area when she postulates a connection between the disappearances that even local law enforcement seems to have overlooked. Unfortunately for Mia, her interest in the disappearances has put her firmly in the sights of a sadistic killer who takes her, thinking to add her to his gruesome collection.
When Mia is found wounded and disoriented on a beach in Jacksonville, it becomes evident that not only had she been taken by the serial killer dubbed The Collector, but that she is the first woman ever to escape from his clutches.
When FBI agent Eric MacFarlane discovers that The Collector has come out of hiding and is once again taking and mutilating women, he knows that Mia Hale is the key to the case. Unfortunately, Mia has been left with no memory of her captivity, and outside of the physical scars of the torture she endured, it appears there is nothing she can do to help law enforcement.
Eric has a very personal history with The Collector, however, and isn't about to let a little amnesia stand between him and what could be the only break the case has ever had. Strong-arming Mia into doing whatever is necessary to recover her memory, Eric soon finds himself struggling between his determination to stop The Collector and protecting the fiery woman who holds the key to his capture.
But The Collector isn't finished with the tough and determined Mia Hale, and it soon becomes very clear that Mia is to be the pinnacle of his collection, and Eric and Mia both find themselves firmly in the sights of a brutal and sadistic killer..
Overall, this was an exciting, terrifying read. The Collector was one of the scariest fictional serial killers I've read about, and the pacing was absolutely perfect. Adding in Mia's amnesia and the slow recovery of her memories, as well as Eric's connection to The Collector added a wonderful amount of tension to the story, and several unexpected twists and turns kept me on my toes for the entire read.
I also loved the way that Mia and Eric's relationship developed, with both the pacing of their physical relationship ,and the unexpected emotions developing along the way.
Recommended for fans of brutally terrifying serial killers, of survivors refusing to be kept down, and of sexy FBI agents battling between catching a killer and protecting the woman they're falling for.
A scary 5/5 Stars.
Expected Release Date: January 24, 2012 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harelquin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://leslietentler.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Chasing Evil Trilogy
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Crime reporter Mia Hale has been following a series of disappearances in the Jacksonville beach area when she postulates a connection between the disappearances that even local law enforcement seems to have overlooked. Unfortunately for Mia, her interest in the disappearances has put her firmly in the sights of a sadistic killer who takes her, thinking to add her to his gruesome collection.
When Mia is found wounded and disoriented on a beach in Jacksonville, it becomes evident that not only had she been taken by the serial killer dubbed The Collector, but that she is the first woman ever to escape from his clutches.
When FBI agent Eric MacFarlane discovers that The Collector has come out of hiding and is once again taking and mutilating women, he knows that Mia Hale is the key to the case. Unfortunately, Mia has been left with no memory of her captivity, and outside of the physical scars of the torture she endured, it appears there is nothing she can do to help law enforcement.
Eric has a very personal history with The Collector, however, and isn't about to let a little amnesia stand between him and what could be the only break the case has ever had. Strong-arming Mia into doing whatever is necessary to recover her memory, Eric soon finds himself struggling between his determination to stop The Collector and protecting the fiery woman who holds the key to his capture.
But The Collector isn't finished with the tough and determined Mia Hale, and it soon becomes very clear that Mia is to be the pinnacle of his collection, and Eric and Mia both find themselves firmly in the sights of a brutal and sadistic killer..
Overall, this was an exciting, terrifying read. The Collector was one of the scariest fictional serial killers I've read about, and the pacing was absolutely perfect. Adding in Mia's amnesia and the slow recovery of her memories, as well as Eric's connection to The Collector added a wonderful amount of tension to the story, and several unexpected twists and turns kept me on my toes for the entire read.
I also loved the way that Mia and Eric's relationship developed, with both the pacing of their physical relationship ,and the unexpected emotions developing along the way.
Recommended for fans of brutally terrifying serial killers, of survivors refusing to be kept down, and of sexy FBI agents battling between catching a killer and protecting the woman they're falling for.
A scary 5/5 Stars.
January 2, 2012
Another pulse pounding romantic suspense from Tentler, who is proving herself to be a solid author of FBI procedurals mixed with tender romance. We first meet heroine Mia Hale when she's just made her escape from The Collector, a serial killer who has relocated from the DC area to Jacksonville, Florida. A journalist, Mia had been working on a story about two missing women in the Jacksonville area before she went missing herself. As the first of the Collector's victims to escape alive, she has valuable information, only it's locked in her memory banks. FBI agent Eric MacFarlane lost his wife to The Collector three years ago. And now that the killer has resurfaced in Jacksonville he wants to be there to catch the guy.
One of the most compelling aspects of this tale was the experimental treatments Mia underwent to retrieve her lost memories. So was the way that her own life and The Collector's had intersected in the past. The connection between Mia and Eric was made more poignant by the fact that they both were desperately in need of comfort. Mia because of her ordeal with the killer, and Eric because of the loss of his wife. Eric's need to keep Mia safe was realistic, and the fact that ultimately he too was a target for the killer balanced well with Mia's role of damsel in distress. And though she did need protection, there was never any question that she was tough enough to take care of herself if necessary.
If you like sexy, suspensful romantic thrillers in the vein of Karen Rose, Mariah Stewart, or Cynthia Eden, you'll like Leslie Tentler's latest.
Slightly reminiscent of Mariah Stewart's FBI stories, only sexier.
One of the most compelling aspects of this tale was the experimental treatments Mia underwent to retrieve her lost memories. So was the way that her own life and The Collector's had intersected in the past. The connection between Mia and Eric was made more poignant by the fact that they both were desperately in need of comfort. Mia because of her ordeal with the killer, and Eric because of the loss of his wife. Eric's need to keep Mia safe was realistic, and the fact that ultimately he too was a target for the killer balanced well with Mia's role of damsel in distress. And though she did need protection, there was never any question that she was tough enough to take care of herself if necessary.
If you like sexy, suspensful romantic thrillers in the vein of Karen Rose, Mariah Stewart, or Cynthia Eden, you'll like Leslie Tentler's latest.
Slightly reminiscent of Mariah Stewart's FBI stories, only sexier.
June 7, 2014
Come to me, little girl. You won’t cheat your destiny again.
4.25 CREEPY STARS! I was looking at GR recommendations for romantic suspense books and came across Edge of Midnight. I haven't read the other books in this series so not sure if they are related or not but Edge of Midnight seems to stand on its own just fine. It's actually one of the better romantic suspense/thriller books I've read lately. The villian is CREEPY and some of the details in the book are grisly. There is definitely a romance but the book isn't sexually explicit. I thought the author did a good job of balancing the suspense story with the romance that develops between the two main characters. I also thought the multiple POV worked well (the heroine, the hero, and the villian). While Edge of Midnight had less heat than Cynthia Eden's Deadly series, it definitely had a similiar vibe to me.
Overall, I really enjoyed Edge of Midnight and plan to read other books in this series very soon. I love finding a new author that "gets it right" and for me, this author did. Looking forward to reading more.
April 29, 2019
I prefer it when we don't know who the killer is, but there wasn't a lot of mystery or suspense here. Everything was kinda laid out in front of you the whole time, you knew everyone's motivation and plan... it was odd. The author even wrote the climax as though it were a big reveal, but you already knew all the information that "came to light" at the end. I like being unsure right along with the characters.
Aside from that, I don't really have any complaints. I skimmed a paragraph or two that talked about the stormy sky or something, but overall it was very engaging. Quite an enjoyable read that I would recommend for romantic suspense readers that won't be disappointed by a total lack of mystery.
PS: Holds up very well on reread.
Aside from that, I don't really have any complaints. I skimmed a paragraph or two that talked about the stormy sky or something, but overall it was very engaging. Quite an enjoyable read that I would recommend for romantic suspense readers that won't be disappointed by a total lack of mystery.
PS: Holds up very well on reread.
June 5, 2013
I read all three books one right after the other. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
November 18, 2014
Too long-winded, flat characters, and a romance that lacks any sizzle.
June 17, 2012
Too Much and Not Enough
Three years ago, FBI Special Agent Eric Macfarlane was in Maryland, hot on the trail of a vicious killer who called himself The Collector. As a member of the FBI's Violent Crimes Unit, he was trained to hunt serial killers, but nothing could have prepared him for his wife Rebecca becoming the sadistic monster's fifth victim. The Collector slipped through his fingers, making Rebecca his final confirmed kill...an obscene retribution for which Eric still pays.
The Collector disappeared, and no victims have turned up that match his MO. Then Eric gets a call from his old partner and friend in Jacksonville, Florida. He tells Eric a chilling tale of a young woman, crime reporter Mia Hale, who had been found near the beach after fleeing an accident scene.
The woman had been nearly naked and drugged out of her mind. She showed signs of being restrained and tortured, and was covered in blood. Not all of it was hers. On her stomach someone had carved a number that is horrifyingly similar to numbers that Eric still sees in his darkest nightmares, that he saw on his own wife. But the one desecrating Mia's skin isn't the number five that had marked Rebecca's place in a psychopath's sick roll call. It's eight.
The Collector is back. And he's been a busy man.
Mia is the only victim to have escaped The Collector, but what she knows about the killer is locked away by the drug-induced retrograde amnesia she's suffering. Desperate to bring the monster down, Eric will do anything, push any angle, to get at the information that Mia has locked in her mind. Even if it puts her at risk. This is the one case that Eric can't let go...the one that took everything from him three years ago. And Eric knows beyond doubt that the monster will never stop, never, unless he can catch him before he strikes again.
~*~
I've been a fan of Tentler since her first book, Midnight Caller, and looked forward with anticipation to each subsequent book in this very loosely connected (as in not really at all) trilogy. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me, a fact that I find frustrating, because by all rights, it should have. It's an intense psychological thriller, my favorite sort of romantic suspense. Neither the storyline nor the characters suffered any significant attack of the Ills and Imps. And Tentler can certainly write taut, horrific scenes that are gripping. All of those are big positives, and yet this one just fell short for me despite them all.
The main characters, Eric and Mia, were well developed and three dimensional. Their lives were filled in nicely with depth in their backstory and connections to friends, co-workers, and family. On top of that, I enjoyed them in their roles. I thought Eric's history with The Collector added quite a bit of gravitas to his situation, and the combination of Mia's professional experience and her memory loss melded together well to not only explain her lack of significant trauma from her experience, but forgive her determination to investigate the killer. Without that, she would have annoyed me senseless.
Unfortunately, despite Tenter's skill, I just didn't feel any sexual chemistry between them and the romance elements of the story failed to mesh for me because of it. I couldn't help but feel like they were being forced into their relationship instead of it being an organic extension of genuine attraction and increased sentiment. That's not to say that they didn't have some great scenes together, scenes filled with tension and intensity, but I just didn't buy their romantic relationship like I did for the romantic pairings in Tentler's first two books.
I also had an issue with a couple of story elements related to The Collector. We know from the beginning that this is one seriously screwed up, very bad man, sadistic and brutal. Had my view of him been limited to his crimes and his psychopathy, he would have been a powerful force of terror in the book. Unfortunately, parts of the narrative written from his perspective identified him and showed his relationship with his mother.
Instead of furthering a character study of a cold-blooded monster, he came off as weak and ineffectual in those scenes, a misogynist with Mommy issues. While it explained why he was who he was and how he became what he became, it robbed The Collector of his scary as all hell mojo and lent a pathetic air to his persona that did him an injustice in the book. I wouldn't have minded learning those things about The Collector in hindsight, but being peppered with it sporadically throughout the book had a negative impact.
I thought, too, that the storyline stretched a bit close towards unbelievable coincidence when connections between The Collector and Mia started to be woven into the story. I wish that had been left out of the narrative, because it didn't really work for me and it seemed a bit too far out there to be realistically plausible. It served no purpose beyond displaying an even sharper gradient of evil, and by the time the chips fell and the truth was known, it had become tragic but largely superfluous.
All of the issues I had are obviously quite subjective, and none of them take away from the fact that the book is well told, the characters are well written, and the crimes are well and truly grotesque. For me it just wasn't quite the powerhouse I was hoping for or expecting after the first two books in the series, especially the second one, Midnight Fear. It was okay, though, and I hope to have the pleasure of more from Tentler in the future.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Mira Books publisher Harlequin via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Three years ago, FBI Special Agent Eric Macfarlane was in Maryland, hot on the trail of a vicious killer who called himself The Collector. As a member of the FBI's Violent Crimes Unit, he was trained to hunt serial killers, but nothing could have prepared him for his wife Rebecca becoming the sadistic monster's fifth victim. The Collector slipped through his fingers, making Rebecca his final confirmed kill...an obscene retribution for which Eric still pays.
The Collector disappeared, and no victims have turned up that match his MO. Then Eric gets a call from his old partner and friend in Jacksonville, Florida. He tells Eric a chilling tale of a young woman, crime reporter Mia Hale, who had been found near the beach after fleeing an accident scene.
The woman had been nearly naked and drugged out of her mind. She showed signs of being restrained and tortured, and was covered in blood. Not all of it was hers. On her stomach someone had carved a number that is horrifyingly similar to numbers that Eric still sees in his darkest nightmares, that he saw on his own wife. But the one desecrating Mia's skin isn't the number five that had marked Rebecca's place in a psychopath's sick roll call. It's eight.
The Collector is back. And he's been a busy man.
Mia is the only victim to have escaped The Collector, but what she knows about the killer is locked away by the drug-induced retrograde amnesia she's suffering. Desperate to bring the monster down, Eric will do anything, push any angle, to get at the information that Mia has locked in her mind. Even if it puts her at risk. This is the one case that Eric can't let go...the one that took everything from him three years ago. And Eric knows beyond doubt that the monster will never stop, never, unless he can catch him before he strikes again.
~*~
I've been a fan of Tentler since her first book, Midnight Caller, and looked forward with anticipation to each subsequent book in this very loosely connected (as in not really at all) trilogy. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me, a fact that I find frustrating, because by all rights, it should have. It's an intense psychological thriller, my favorite sort of romantic suspense. Neither the storyline nor the characters suffered any significant attack of the Ills and Imps. And Tentler can certainly write taut, horrific scenes that are gripping. All of those are big positives, and yet this one just fell short for me despite them all.
The main characters, Eric and Mia, were well developed and three dimensional. Their lives were filled in nicely with depth in their backstory and connections to friends, co-workers, and family. On top of that, I enjoyed them in their roles. I thought Eric's history with The Collector added quite a bit of gravitas to his situation, and the combination of Mia's professional experience and her memory loss melded together well to not only explain her lack of significant trauma from her experience, but forgive her determination to investigate the killer. Without that, she would have annoyed me senseless.
Unfortunately, despite Tenter's skill, I just didn't feel any sexual chemistry between them and the romance elements of the story failed to mesh for me because of it. I couldn't help but feel like they were being forced into their relationship instead of it being an organic extension of genuine attraction and increased sentiment. That's not to say that they didn't have some great scenes together, scenes filled with tension and intensity, but I just didn't buy their romantic relationship like I did for the romantic pairings in Tentler's first two books.
I also had an issue with a couple of story elements related to The Collector. We know from the beginning that this is one seriously screwed up, very bad man, sadistic and brutal. Had my view of him been limited to his crimes and his psychopathy, he would have been a powerful force of terror in the book. Unfortunately, parts of the narrative written from his perspective identified him and showed his relationship with his mother.
Instead of furthering a character study of a cold-blooded monster, he came off as weak and ineffectual in those scenes, a misogynist with Mommy issues. While it explained why he was who he was and how he became what he became, it robbed The Collector of his scary as all hell mojo and lent a pathetic air to his persona that did him an injustice in the book. I wouldn't have minded learning those things about The Collector in hindsight, but being peppered with it sporadically throughout the book had a negative impact.
I thought, too, that the storyline stretched a bit close towards unbelievable coincidence when connections between The Collector and Mia started to be woven into the story. I wish that had been left out of the narrative, because it didn't really work for me and it seemed a bit too far out there to be realistically plausible. It served no purpose beyond displaying an even sharper gradient of evil, and by the time the chips fell and the truth was known, it had become tragic but largely superfluous.
All of the issues I had are obviously quite subjective, and none of them take away from the fact that the book is well told, the characters are well written, and the crimes are well and truly grotesque. For me it just wasn't quite the powerhouse I was hoping for or expecting after the first two books in the series, especially the second one, Midnight Fear. It was okay, though, and I hope to have the pleasure of more from Tentler in the future.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Mira Books publisher Harlequin via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
September 7, 2023
As expected, Leslie Tentler did not disappoint 🥹 This was so awesome.
I want to leave a review for future me, but I can’t think of much to say but I loved it. The plot was great. The full circle moments. I liked that Mia had a bit of humor, compared to other heroines in LT’s books that can be quite solemn. Eric was an awesome character. His backstory was tied in smartly into the plot.
I loved when he and Mia gave in to their attraction to each other. That’s usually when the author’s books start to have more life and animation, as they can be serious-toned!
I liked the exploration of hypnosis here too!
My heart broke for all the murdered women, especially Penny, Karen (I think her name was) and Joy, the little girl at the orphanage. I had to keep reminding myself it was only a book.
My criticism would be that the deaths were too many and too close together to be pulled off without trained investigators catching any hints/mistakes. It also didn’t seem sustainable for a serial killer to so obviously and so publicly kill so many women in mere weeks. From the bit I’ve heard of serial killers, they space their killings or hide the bodies well to avoid capture while whetting their dark appetites. But the killer here acted like he was invincible, despite knowing well that he didn’t want to be caught. So that part was a bit unrealistic.
But this took nothing from my intrigue. A cleverly written story with wonderful romance! I hope I find more books from the author!
I want to leave a review for future me, but I can’t think of much to say but I loved it. The plot was great. The full circle moments. I liked that Mia had a bit of humor, compared to other heroines in LT’s books that can be quite solemn. Eric was an awesome character. His backstory was tied in smartly into the plot.
I loved when he and Mia gave in to their attraction to each other. That’s usually when the author’s books start to have more life and animation, as they can be serious-toned!
I liked the exploration of hypnosis here too!
My heart broke for all the murdered women, especially Penny, Karen (I think her name was) and Joy, the little girl at the orphanage. I had to keep reminding myself it was only a book.
My criticism would be that the deaths were too many and too close together to be pulled off without trained investigators catching any hints/mistakes. It also didn’t seem sustainable for a serial killer to so obviously and so publicly kill so many women in mere weeks. From the bit I’ve heard of serial killers, they space their killings or hide the bodies well to avoid capture while whetting their dark appetites. But the killer here acted like he was invincible, despite knowing well that he didn’t want to be caught. So that part was a bit unrealistic.
But this took nothing from my intrigue. A cleverly written story with wonderful romance! I hope I find more books from the author!
April 22, 2017
Plots ok, way too much sex especially since main character has just been tortured. Made me wonder if author was insensitive or uneducated. Well narrated and recommended for those who can suspend reality and compassion for victims to that point.
September 29, 2012
Wow, now this is why I read romantic suspense.
Leslie Tentler has woven an intense story in which she brings together two almost broken, but not quite defeated, characters.
Mia Hale is a crime reporter with a local newspaper. Both fierce and fragile, Mia grew up being tossed between the foster care system and her unstable mother. She is a survivor and has risen above her circumstances by creating a solid life for herself. However, that is all about to change. When she doesn’t arrive at work one morning, her editor reports her missing. She is found hiding on the beach by two police officers after they discover an abandoned stolen vehicle nearby – Mia is alive but badly battered and bloody.
On closer medical examination it is discovered that she has no memory of how she got there, why she was abducted or who the perpetrator was, due to a potent mixture of drugs found in her blood system.
FBI Special Agent Eric Macfarlane, based in Washington with the FBI’s Violent Crimes Unit is drawn into the case when a close friend of his calls him in to assist in the investigation. On reading a copy of the detailed incident report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department, the similarities to another case close to his heart chill his blood - the wounds inflicted on the victim are not the work of an ordinary killer. With this playing on his mind, Eric immediately heads to Jacksonville in pursuit of a suspected killer whose modus operandi bears the same horrendous resemblance to “The Collector”, a sadistic serial killer who appears to have resumed his grim hobby of abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies.
The question is - why is Mia still alive? None of “The Collector’s” victims has ever managed to escape.
Both Eric and Mia are drawn into the investigation, with Mia risking everything to regain her memory. As the body count continues to rise Eric, who has been in self-imposed exile for the last 3 years, is torn between his feelings of guilt for the past, which is beyond his control, and his deepening feelings for Mia.
With absolutely no clues or DNA left at any of the crime scenes, the FBI is at a loose end, but a cleverly constructed press conference sends the killer into a frenzy – exactly the reaction the FBI was hoping for.
A psychological pathology begins to emerge when the killer is identified. Quite obviously having a dysfunctional relationship with women, Eric has an aggressively narcissistic psychopath on his hands who revels in the false sense of power he has over his victims.
What follows is a riveting, nail-biting build-up to a climax fraught with danger and fresh fear. The perverse pleasure "The Collector" gains whilst putting his final two victims through hellish torture is graphic.
I seem to have been on a bit of a serial killer “spree” with the books that I have chosen lately but let me just say that I found this novel emotionally gripping with both characters pulling at my heartstrings - Eric so much that I just wanted to crawl into his arms and never leave.
Leslie Tentler has a really smooth prose style and has found a perfect balance between suspense, danger and romance. I am also in absolute awe of any author who is able to give such depth of emotion to their characters - Leslie is one of those and I am so pleased to have discovered her.
This is her third book in the Chasing Evil Trilogy. Her first, Midnight Caller, was released in February 2011 and the second, Midnight Fear, close on its heels in August 2011.
I highly recommend this read which has been written by a refreshing new author to the romantic suspense scene.
Leslie Tentler has woven an intense story in which she brings together two almost broken, but not quite defeated, characters.
Mia Hale is a crime reporter with a local newspaper. Both fierce and fragile, Mia grew up being tossed between the foster care system and her unstable mother. She is a survivor and has risen above her circumstances by creating a solid life for herself. However, that is all about to change. When she doesn’t arrive at work one morning, her editor reports her missing. She is found hiding on the beach by two police officers after they discover an abandoned stolen vehicle nearby – Mia is alive but badly battered and bloody.
On closer medical examination it is discovered that she has no memory of how she got there, why she was abducted or who the perpetrator was, due to a potent mixture of drugs found in her blood system.
FBI Special Agent Eric Macfarlane, based in Washington with the FBI’s Violent Crimes Unit is drawn into the case when a close friend of his calls him in to assist in the investigation. On reading a copy of the detailed incident report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department, the similarities to another case close to his heart chill his blood - the wounds inflicted on the victim are not the work of an ordinary killer. With this playing on his mind, Eric immediately heads to Jacksonville in pursuit of a suspected killer whose modus operandi bears the same horrendous resemblance to “The Collector”, a sadistic serial killer who appears to have resumed his grim hobby of abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies.
The question is - why is Mia still alive? None of “The Collector’s” victims has ever managed to escape.
Both Eric and Mia are drawn into the investigation, with Mia risking everything to regain her memory. As the body count continues to rise Eric, who has been in self-imposed exile for the last 3 years, is torn between his feelings of guilt for the past, which is beyond his control, and his deepening feelings for Mia.
With absolutely no clues or DNA left at any of the crime scenes, the FBI is at a loose end, but a cleverly constructed press conference sends the killer into a frenzy – exactly the reaction the FBI was hoping for.
A psychological pathology begins to emerge when the killer is identified. Quite obviously having a dysfunctional relationship with women, Eric has an aggressively narcissistic psychopath on his hands who revels in the false sense of power he has over his victims.
What follows is a riveting, nail-biting build-up to a climax fraught with danger and fresh fear. The perverse pleasure "The Collector" gains whilst putting his final two victims through hellish torture is graphic.
I seem to have been on a bit of a serial killer “spree” with the books that I have chosen lately but let me just say that I found this novel emotionally gripping with both characters pulling at my heartstrings - Eric so much that I just wanted to crawl into his arms and never leave.
Leslie Tentler has a really smooth prose style and has found a perfect balance between suspense, danger and romance. I am also in absolute awe of any author who is able to give such depth of emotion to their characters - Leslie is one of those and I am so pleased to have discovered her.
This is her third book in the Chasing Evil Trilogy. Her first, Midnight Caller, was released in February 2011 and the second, Midnight Fear, close on its heels in August 2011.
I highly recommend this read which has been written by a refreshing new author to the romantic suspense scene.
May 30, 2022
Un romantic suspens qui combine à merveille une enquête policière bien ficelée (pour une non-adepte du genre) avec une romance qui m'a embarquée du début à la fin. C'est le genre de roman que l'on dévore très vite grâce au côté haletant de l'intrigue, et qui ravit également les amatrices de romance comme moi. Je me suis attachée aux personnages, et j'ai beaucoup aimé les enjeux de l'histoire. Je regrette une fin un poil trop rapide mais quand on est bien dans un roman, on n'a pas envie de quitter les personnages. A recommander pour tout ceux qui ont envie de se mettre au romantic suspens ! C'est une autrice que je relirai.
April 19, 2012
Early last year, the first book in the Chasing Evil trilogy, Midnight Caller was recommended to me. I read that book and instantly grew enamored of the author's writing. While these books are probably classed as Romantic Mysteries, and romance books are not my normal preference, Leslie Tentler's books are a cut above. Edge of Midnight is another winner for the author, who writes like she has been established in this field for a while. What I particularly like about Leslie's books is that the romance takes a back seat to the mystery plot. And the mystery plots are right up there with the best. In Edge of Midnight, we meet Eric McFarlane, an agent with the FBI's Violent Crime Unit. Eric has been called to Florida to investigate the case of a serial killer who he has run up against in the past. But as in all good mysteries, there is more to the story than at first meets the eye. This book had me staying up late turning pages just to see where the story would take me. I kept thinking, one more chapter and I will quit, but would keep reading anyway. That is always a good sign with a mystery book.
My only caveat about the books is that they are considered a trilogy. I kept waiting for the three stories to tie together somehow. In fact, they are only loosely related, but that is really not a negative as they all stand very well on their own. I hope that Ms. Tentler will continue to write mysteries like these as I will certainly be on board to read them.
My only caveat about the books is that they are considered a trilogy. I kept waiting for the three stories to tie together somehow. In fact, they are only loosely related, but that is really not a negative as they all stand very well on their own. I hope that Ms. Tentler will continue to write mysteries like these as I will certainly be on board to read them.
February 20, 2012
This is the third book in Tentler's Chasing Evil trilogy of Romantic Suspense, and possibly the best. I enjoyed both of the previous books, but this one was truly engrossing. Mia Hale is a reporter who was captured and tortured by a sadistic killer known as The Collector. The only difference between Mia and his previous victims is that somehow she escaped. The problem is she remembers nothing of her kidnapping and torture, or even how she got away. On the one hand, she's desperate to remember in order to help the FBI and the police track the killer down before he kills anyone else. But on the other hand, she's terrified of reliving the torture which left its mark on her body. Enter FBI agent Eric MacFarlane who's been hunting The Collector a long time, and who ultimately finds himself attracted to Mia Hale. (It's a romantic suspense, after all!) This book grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. As book 3, this is the end of the trilogy, but I sure hope it's not the end of Leslie Tentler's stories, because I want more!
August 19, 2012
This is the third book in the Leslie Tentler series. Ms. Tentler is an excellent mystery-story teller, and I have read and loved all 3 of her books. Her other books rated 5 stars from me, however, "Edge of Midnight" left me wanting a little more. Although still a great book, "Edge of Midnight" leaned a little heavy in the romance department, and not heavy enough in the mystery department. This is my only reason for 4 stars instead of 5.
July 4, 2012
This was another winner from Leslie Tentler. This is the 3rd book in her Chasing Fear Trilogy and it was very good. Although it is part of a trilogy you can read them in any order. Out of the 3 b00ks I believe the 2nd book Midnight Fear was the best.
February 10, 2016
3.75 Stars. This was a good solid wrap up to the trilogy. I liked Eric and Mia as individuals, I just didn't quite feel their connection. The overall story was good and I am looking forward to see what else LT has in story for us.
November 1, 2014
Another suspense winner by Tentler! Review to follow.
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