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The Professor
The Professor presses his palm against her flank, feeling the liquid warmth of her blood, hotter than her skin. Hot, like the life force that he has claimed... The power over life and death is the ultimate thrill.
Someone is murdering women on South Carolina's college campuses: three women, three different schools. The Governor's order to State Law Enforcement Agent Mick O'Shaughnessy is simple: make it stop. More political maneuvering diverts Mick to nearby Douglass College. There, instead of another dead body, he finds Meg Connelly, grad student and faculty advisor for the latest victim.
Determined to finish her master's degree, Meg doesn't need anybody's help - including her estranged family - to succeed. There's something irresistible about Mick, but the last time she let someone get close to her, she lost everything except her self-respect.
As the investigation heats up, so does their relationship. But Mick's interest in Meg doesn't just endanger her heart--it puts her in the sights of the killer.
Once he gets her alone, he can take all the time he needs...
92,000 words
Someone is murdering women on South Carolina's college campuses: three women, three different schools. The Governor's order to State Law Enforcement Agent Mick O'Shaughnessy is simple: make it stop. More political maneuvering diverts Mick to nearby Douglass College. There, instead of another dead body, he finds Meg Connelly, grad student and faculty advisor for the latest victim.
Determined to finish her master's degree, Meg doesn't need anybody's help - including her estranged family - to succeed. There's something irresistible about Mick, but the last time she let someone get close to her, she lost everything except her self-respect.
As the investigation heats up, so does their relationship. But Mick's interest in Meg doesn't just endanger her heart--it puts her in the sights of the killer.
Once he gets her alone, he can take all the time he needs...
92,000 words
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2012
4 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Perkins
17 books138 followersAn award-winning author, Cathy Perkins works in the financial industry, where she's observed the hide-in-plain-sight skills employed by her villains. She writes financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationships in her characters' lives.
A member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, handled the blog and social media for the ITW Debut Authors, and coordinated the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
When not writing, she can be found doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, the setting for CYPHER, HONOR CODE and THE PROFESSOR, she now lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
A member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, she is a contributing editor for The Big Thrill, handled the blog and social media for the ITW Debut Authors, and coordinated the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.
When not writing, she can be found doing battle with the beavers over the pond height or setting off on another travel adventure. Born and raised in South Carolina, the setting for CYPHER, HONOR CODE and THE PROFESSOR, she now lives in Washington with her husband, children, several dogs and the resident deer herd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 19, 2019
THE PROFESSOR by Cathy Perkins was a well-written romantic suspense thriller. The book is set in contemporary times in South Carolina. A serial rapist/killer is targeting young college women. Agent Mick O'Shaughnessy and his partner are sent to track down the killer. Meg is a graduate student working at the college, taking classes and working as a waitress as she finishes her degree. When Mick and Meg meet, there are sparks....
The plot is intense, suspenseful and dark. There are some sinister moments as well as some heart-wrenching ones. Serious themes include murder, rape, stalking and drugs among others. Who is the killer? What clues can Mick pursue to find him? The characters are reasonably well developed, but I would have liked a little more depth. The ending was satisfying, but not a surprise. The focus is on the suspense, not on the romance.
I recommend to those that enjoy romantic suspense stories.
The plot is intense, suspenseful and dark. There are some sinister moments as well as some heart-wrenching ones. Serious themes include murder, rape, stalking and drugs among others. Who is the killer? What clues can Mick pursue to find him? The characters are reasonably well developed, but I would have liked a little more depth. The ending was satisfying, but not a surprise. The focus is on the suspense, not on the romance.
I recommend to those that enjoy romantic suspense stories.
February 4, 2012
This book, provided to me by netgalley, is absolutely the best cops-romantic-suspense story I have ever read. Honestly, it's just completely brilliant, and kept me totally absorbed from beginning to end. I was gripped within the first two paragraphs.
I really like romantic suspense, but 9 times out of 10 I find the suspense part is, well, pretty crappy. It's usually clear within about 30 seconds whom the bad guy is, and then it just falls into the usual cycle of hero and heroine spending hours in bed, and then the heroine doing something that makes her TSTL, and the hero saving the day.. OK, so I like the hero saving the day part, but the rest just leaves me feeling slightly disappointed, no matter how much I enjoyed it. Like that feeling you get when you get given some really fancy chocolates, and they end up being no better than Hershey's Kisses.
Well, this one didn't do that. The focus really was on the suspense, which is realistically where it should be IMO, to make it an exciting read and credible. The romance was complex, real, messy and fabulous. The author managed to convey the Love At First Sight thing without resorting to the old They Touched Their Hands And Sparks Flew nonsense. The heroine was just, well, excellent. Strong, damaged, smart, determined, vulnerable, independent. The hero was lonely, a chick-magnet, loved and repulsed by his job, and didn't know he needed something to care for until he did.
Now, onto the meaty stuff - the suspense was brilliant. The author keeps you hanging until the end, although it doesn't feel they are teasing you, but instead, it follows the natural progression of an investigation, which is incredibly well-described, by the way.
I only had one little problem, in that the heroine should have spoken to the hero sooner about one issue, but even that was a weak spot rather than an out-an-out TSTL moment.
5 stars. Excellent book. Can't wait for this author to write the next one!
I really like romantic suspense, but 9 times out of 10 I find the suspense part is, well, pretty crappy. It's usually clear within about 30 seconds whom the bad guy is, and then it just falls into the usual cycle of hero and heroine spending hours in bed, and then the heroine doing something that makes her TSTL, and the hero saving the day.. OK, so I like the hero saving the day part, but the rest just leaves me feeling slightly disappointed, no matter how much I enjoyed it. Like that feeling you get when you get given some really fancy chocolates, and they end up being no better than Hershey's Kisses.
Well, this one didn't do that. The focus really was on the suspense, which is realistically where it should be IMO, to make it an exciting read and credible. The romance was complex, real, messy and fabulous. The author managed to convey the Love At First Sight thing without resorting to the old They Touched Their Hands And Sparks Flew nonsense. The heroine was just, well, excellent. Strong, damaged, smart, determined, vulnerable, independent. The hero was lonely, a chick-magnet, loved and repulsed by his job, and didn't know he needed something to care for until he did.
Now, onto the meaty stuff - the suspense was brilliant. The author keeps you hanging until the end, although it doesn't feel they are teasing you, but instead, it follows the natural progression of an investigation, which is incredibly well-described, by the way.
I only had one little problem, in that the heroine should have spoken to the hero sooner about one issue, but even that was a weak spot rather than an out-an-out TSTL moment.
5 stars. Excellent book. Can't wait for this author to write the next one!
February 28, 2012
This Is NOT a romance!! Publisher billed this as romance NOT Author!! Like bad covers we complain about, it's the publishers fault!
I did like this book. DO NOT get me wrong.
Just to say up front, this book was billed as a romance, but just because 2 people end up maybe HEA & they kiss, does NOT make a book a romance. That being said... review below.
Reading this book as a murder mystery it was a great book. It would have been a 5 star read if I had I not been expecting something that never came. Publishers fault NOT author.
Meg is a teacher/assistant paying & living her way through her graduat program at a small university in South Carolina. She meets Mick an State Police "Agent" when he comes to her University to investigate a murders involving 3 college female students.
Each girl is kidnapped raped and tortured & eventually killed. The killer has his sights on Meg & decides she belongs to him. He also sees Mick as a threat & decides if he takes Meg, he can hurt Mick as well.
It was pretty spooky & it could happen. Some of it, like quirky comments were pretty funny. I never really liked Meg because she was so damaged & standoffish. It took the whole book to resolve anything, but it was still really good. I'm finding it hard to describe. I think my real problem was that I expected romance and there wasn't any & what was there could have been cut out completely.
It took me back to when I was a little kid, I ordered bubblegum ice cream at a sit down ice cream place. My mom didn't want me to have it. When it came it had no bubble gum in it. My mom said "maybe it's at the bottom" so I ate the whole thing & there was never a single piece. The whole time I was looking for the bubble gum. That was one of those stupid kid trust things that you never forget. When I was reading this book I was waiting for this relationship that wasn't happening & it brought me back to that little mad feeling of being robbed of my bubble gum. Stupid, I know, but you get what I mean.
I did like this book. DO NOT get me wrong.
Just to say up front, this book was billed as a romance, but just because 2 people end up maybe HEA & they kiss, does NOT make a book a romance. That being said... review below.
Reading this book as a murder mystery it was a great book. It would have been a 5 star read if I had I not been expecting something that never came. Publishers fault NOT author.
Meg is a teacher/assistant paying & living her way through her graduat program at a small university in South Carolina. She meets Mick an State Police "Agent" when he comes to her University to investigate a murders involving 3 college female students.
Each girl is kidnapped raped and tortured & eventually killed. The killer has his sights on Meg & decides she belongs to him. He also sees Mick as a threat & decides if he takes Meg, he can hurt Mick as well.
It was pretty spooky & it could happen. Some of it, like quirky comments were pretty funny. I never really liked Meg because she was so damaged & standoffish. It took the whole book to resolve anything, but it was still really good. I'm finding it hard to describe. I think my real problem was that I expected romance and there wasn't any & what was there could have been cut out completely.
It took me back to when I was a little kid, I ordered bubblegum ice cream at a sit down ice cream place. My mom didn't want me to have it. When it came it had no bubble gum in it. My mom said "maybe it's at the bottom" so I ate the whole thing & there was never a single piece. The whole time I was looking for the bubble gum. That was one of those stupid kid trust things that you never forget. When I was reading this book I was waiting for this relationship that wasn't happening & it brought me back to that little mad feeling of being robbed of my bubble gum. Stupid, I know, but you get what I mean.
January 13, 2012
Meh....The Professor is billed as Romantic Suspense, but it's more romantic SUPENSE, with the emphasis and detail on the mystery/suspense part of story line....there is a romance subplot present, but it's only a marginal part of the story, IMO...and felt like it was separate from the mystery plotline. And I'm not sure if this makes sense, but it felt like the romance bits were written by someone who hasn't written romance before...like it doesn't read like romances novels (in their varioius forms) generally do...I guess that's not technically a bad thing, it just made everything feel off...i really don't know how else to explain it...
Add to that there were parts where the book dragged, and other bits (sorta like info dumps) that seemed totally unecessary to the over arching story....those parts weren't long, but they felt so out of place, and not a little boring, that I ended up skimming them...
so 3 stars....It's a pretty decent read for somene who likes suspense/thrillers, but for me, a fan of equal parts romance and suspense in my RS reads, this was just meh...
I received an advance copy of 'The Professor' from netgalley
Add to that there were parts where the book dragged, and other bits (sorta like info dumps) that seemed totally unecessary to the over arching story....those parts weren't long, but they felt so out of place, and not a little boring, that I ended up skimming them...
so 3 stars....It's a pretty decent read for somene who likes suspense/thrillers, but for me, a fan of equal parts romance and suspense in my RS reads, this was just meh...
I received an advance copy of 'The Professor' from netgalley
August 14, 2014
Cathy Perkins writes a serpentine tale of suspense and mystery.
Read full review in the 2012 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2012 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
January 26, 2012
A serial killer is working his way through college campuses. Looking for cute co-eds and brutally murdering them without a second thought. It’s Agent Mick O’Shaughnessy’s job to track the guy down and bring him to justice. The pursuit brings Mick to a local college and right into the sights of Meg. Meg is a graduate student working at the college teaching while she finishes up her degree. Damaged from her past Meg doesn’t want to admit to herself that the handsome agent is just want she may need to be happy for once in her life. Mick isn’t about to let her slip away when he has only just met her and he’s willing to take all the time she may need to feel comfortable and to prove himself to her. Mick isn’t the only man that Meg has peaked the interest of. The Professor also has her in his cross-hairs, and he’s just as determined as Mick to not let her go.
The Professor is a case of wanting something specific and getting something completely different. I picked this one up because it’s listed as romance. The blurb makes it sound like romantic suspense…in a way it was…just without the romance. Suspense sure. You’ve got a cop, a potential victim and a serial killer. The suspense aspect basically writes itself. I liked both main characters Meg and Mick. Both were independent, well rounded characters. Meg has baggage from a relationship gone very bad and had trust issues with everyone. She had a hard time letting anyone, even close friends, into her inner sanctum. Mick is a typical cop, tough, good at his job and overall stubborn. The problem in The Professor lies with the romance. Or lack of it. I’d take a stab that about 80% of the book has the main characters apart. I found it hard to believe in a romance after such a short time when they were hardly ever together. it was also hard to get invested in a story where you don’t know what the other person is doing for chunks of time. The majority of the book is wrote in Micks point of view. This gave the book a very criminal feel…not romancey. When we did get Meg’s POV her outlook is so damaged from her past that the emotions she is feeling are hard to come across.
Without the main characters interacting more, or there being more outright danger for Meg from The Professor that Mick had to save her from, the romance was lost on me. Or even if Meg would have been a bit more proactive with her safety. The Professor himself was pretty well wrote. I found the sections in his POV to be dangerous and I felt his emotions, however schizophrenic they were, very well. I would have liked him to be a bit more active in his pursuit. Perhaps trying and failing for Meg instead of the other girl he was interested in. I wanted a bit more action on his end, which would have resulted in Mick and Meg being together more.
In the end, I was disappointed with The Professor. It is most definitely suspense but the romance lost me.
I give The Professor by Cathy Perkins 2 stars
The Professor is a case of wanting something specific and getting something completely different. I picked this one up because it’s listed as romance. The blurb makes it sound like romantic suspense…in a way it was…just without the romance. Suspense sure. You’ve got a cop, a potential victim and a serial killer. The suspense aspect basically writes itself. I liked both main characters Meg and Mick. Both were independent, well rounded characters. Meg has baggage from a relationship gone very bad and had trust issues with everyone. She had a hard time letting anyone, even close friends, into her inner sanctum. Mick is a typical cop, tough, good at his job and overall stubborn. The problem in The Professor lies with the romance. Or lack of it. I’d take a stab that about 80% of the book has the main characters apart. I found it hard to believe in a romance after such a short time when they were hardly ever together. it was also hard to get invested in a story where you don’t know what the other person is doing for chunks of time. The majority of the book is wrote in Micks point of view. This gave the book a very criminal feel…not romancey. When we did get Meg’s POV her outlook is so damaged from her past that the emotions she is feeling are hard to come across.
Without the main characters interacting more, or there being more outright danger for Meg from The Professor that Mick had to save her from, the romance was lost on me. Or even if Meg would have been a bit more proactive with her safety. The Professor himself was pretty well wrote. I found the sections in his POV to be dangerous and I felt his emotions, however schizophrenic they were, very well. I would have liked him to be a bit more active in his pursuit. Perhaps trying and failing for Meg instead of the other girl he was interested in. I wanted a bit more action on his end, which would have resulted in Mick and Meg being together more.
In the end, I was disappointed with The Professor. It is most definitely suspense but the romance lost me.
I give The Professor by Cathy Perkins 2 stars
March 8, 2014
There were several things that pulled me right into Cathy Perkins’s book The Professor. The setting, back in my single days I worked in Manning, SC. My aunt and uncle lived in Lake City, SC. One of the best school librarian’s I ever worked with grew up in Newberry. It was fun reading a book set in places that I could close my eyes and remember, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do that with a book before.
The emotion felt by the characters, the way the author chose her words, and wove them together in a way that made you feel the way the characters felt. Meg’s past, how it made her the woman she is. Mick’s past that gave him the gumption to be supportive, even though he didn’t know what she’d been through. Then toward the end… Oh my, enough said.
The sinister Professor, learning about him, tidbit by tidbit throughout the book made it hard to put the book down.
I had reached a funk in reading. There are so many publisher required formula books on the market these days, that I’d lost hope of reading something that would capture my imagination and draw me in. I’m glad that I’m a part of a book club that wanted to read The Professor, it returned the joy of reading to me.
The emotion felt by the characters, the way the author chose her words, and wove them together in a way that made you feel the way the characters felt. Meg’s past, how it made her the woman she is. Mick’s past that gave him the gumption to be supportive, even though he didn’t know what she’d been through. Then toward the end… Oh my, enough said.
The sinister Professor, learning about him, tidbit by tidbit throughout the book made it hard to put the book down.
I had reached a funk in reading. There are so many publisher required formula books on the market these days, that I’d lost hope of reading something that would capture my imagination and draw me in. I’m glad that I’m a part of a book club that wanted to read The Professor, it returned the joy of reading to me.
January 26, 2012
This was an incredible thriller, full of suspense and intrigue. We are not only in the heads of our main characters Mick and Meg, but also the killer throughout the story. We watch what he sees and feel his increasing obsession, first with Meg, and then when he realizes the growing relationship with Mick and Meg, he obsesses about defeating “his enemy” and taking Mick’s woman in the ultimate humiliation of the man he deems as his nemesis.
As we watch the killer getting closer and closer to his goal, the question of whether the police will unmask the killer before he can get his hands on Meg will keep you enthralled.
This was a great suspense/police thriller, and we spent a lot of time working with the police through the investigation. I would have like to spend a little more time building on the romance/relationship between Meg and Mick without the looming killer or Meg’s resistance to the relationship; maybe a quiet bbq with his family or a short epilogue.
See more at http://ebookobsessed.com
As we watch the killer getting closer and closer to his goal, the question of whether the police will unmask the killer before he can get his hands on Meg will keep you enthralled.
This was a great suspense/police thriller, and we spent a lot of time working with the police through the investigation. I would have like to spend a little more time building on the romance/relationship between Meg and Mick without the looming killer or Meg’s resistance to the relationship; maybe a quiet bbq with his family or a short epilogue.
See more at http://ebookobsessed.com
May 8, 2012
Great romantic suspense from an author I hope to read more from! I really enjoyed the hunting-for-a-serial-killer premise here, and while the romance seemed to take a backseat at times to the mystery aspects of this book, that's actually what I ended up liking the most about it. Meg and Mick were both likable characters, and I enjoyed that their relationship was sweet and took time to build. Standard romance readers will probably think the romance is too mild, but I am glad these two weren't hitting the sheets every chapter. I was skeptical at first of the implied love at first sight between them, but in the end, I commend the author on a job well done. A nice suspenseful tale with a touch of romance, this was a great, easy weekend read.
February 16, 2014
A fabulous book with a compelling story. A serial killer has killed 3 women so far each from a college campus. Mick is the special agent in charge of going through the evidence from each city to see if this killer can be caught. In the middle of an investigation on a different matter, Mick meets Meg and is impressed with her. All of a sudden he just can't seem to stop thinking about her. The killer is also looking for another victim and seems to have settled on Meg. Emails are sent to both Mick and Meg from the killer. Meg is worried because the emails are weird and creepy. Will Mick be able to save Meg from the killer? Will Meg be able to overcome her past to think about a relationship with Mick? Fantastic story with all sorts of twists and turns.
May 28, 2013
Readers who enjoy a suspenseful story with a romance should check out “The Professor” by Cathy Perkins. When three woman students are murdered, all at different colleges in the area, local law enforcement calls in Mick O’Shaughnessy, agent with the state of South Carolina. While examining the evidence in the case and interviewing witnesses, he meets Meg Connelly, a graduate student and sorority house resident advisor. Lots of twists and turns in this novel while the identity of the killer remains a mystery.
July 14, 2012
Agent Mick O'Shaughnessy is introduced as part of a special task force to solve murders that are affecting small-town college campuses. The crimes are horrific. The killer's unique calling card is the only thing that all three victims have in common. This is so scary that I had to hide behind the leather sofa to read it! And the romance completes this thriller that will keep you reading through the night. If you are a fan of Tami Hoag's, then you will love this book!
January 18, 2012
I love these characters - although I might be a little partial in my opinion :)
March 5, 2012
Great thriller with wonderful romance.
February 2, 2015
Loved this book! The suspense had me biting my nails all the way through! Excellent story, characters, ploy and pacing!
April 13, 2015
Very good intense story.
February 21, 2018
I really, really liked the writing style and the plot, the characters and the story. The only thing that I didn't like was that I wanted to know more detail about what happened AFTER Mick saved Meg...did they hug, kiss or more? I guess I wanted more of the relationship side after the traumatic climax--the good stuff. There were so many pages in the book devoted to developing the story and the characters, and then the climax was almost on the last page.
Currently reading
February 18, 202316% in, my hubby asked a little concern 'What happened?' Apparently, I let a big sigh unconsciously. I just turn off my kindle since my irritation wear me off. I hate the romance aspect in most thriller (or should I say, romance thriller sigh.) since it almost always take a big portion of story and ruin my reading excitement. And an instalove for sure.
Disappointed, since I really enjoy the writing and the thriller part. Aggh.
Disappointed, since I really enjoy the writing and the thriller part. Aggh.
January 28, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2012/01/24/...
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: NetGalley
I was pretty excited about this book, as I am a total sucker for a good romantic suspense, especially ones with creepy serial killers.
Mick has been working on the serial killer case since it came across his desk. The evidence has been lacking and he is stuck tracking down every lead, regardless of how small or insignificant it may be. When he meets Meg, his single-minded focus branches out to include her.
Meg wants to finish school and get a good job when she graduates. Falling in love is not on her to-do list. But there is something about Mick that keeps her coming back for more. When she starts getting creepy emails, Meg and Mick realize that she is the next target on the killers radar.
I’m going to divide this review up into two parts, because in some aspects I really enjoyed this book and in others I thought it fell short. First up: the romance aspect of the story.
I thought the romance aspect of the story fell horribly short. The connection between Mick and Meg is practically non-existent and at times completely unbelievable. Within the first few days of meeting, they seem to know everything there is to know about each other, and it came across to me as a bit of a cop-out. They didn’t have to work to get to know one another, and while it wasn’t insta-love, it did feel as if it was almost a pre-destined mate type pairing between these two.
As the romance progressed between these two, it moved slower than molasses and didn’t really make a whole lot of sense to me. It never felt as if the two spent a whole lot of time together, and yet they were completely devoted to one another. The romance just didn’t sit right with me and didn’t feel as if it was a real relationship between the two.
That being said, I liked both Mick and Meg as individual characters. Mick was so invested in his work and was willing to do anything and everything to make sure that he brought down the serial killer. At the same time, we got a glimpse into his family and saw how much he loved and appreciated them. Meg was a little sheltered, beaten down from her past. Yet when push came to shove, she was strong and ready to fight for her life. She didn’t let her past break her, instead she picked up the broken pieces and made something of herself.
The second aspect of the story that I adored was the suspense and mystery. The killer was creepy and during the times when the story followed him, it was wonderful and thrilling. The case twisted and turned and I liked watching to police track down every lead, follow every clue until they got their guy.
All in all I thought this story was great in some aspects, and not-so-great in others. The suspense of finding the killer, watching him stalk his victims and eluding the police was wonderfully done. It was thrilling and exciting and kept the story moving. However, for me, the romance aspect just didn’t live up to my hopes. It felt flat and forced and moved slower than a glacier. For fans of RS that like a lot of the focus to be on the couple, this book is not for you.
I give The Professor a C-
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: NetGalley
I was pretty excited about this book, as I am a total sucker for a good romantic suspense, especially ones with creepy serial killers.
Mick has been working on the serial killer case since it came across his desk. The evidence has been lacking and he is stuck tracking down every lead, regardless of how small or insignificant it may be. When he meets Meg, his single-minded focus branches out to include her.
Meg wants to finish school and get a good job when she graduates. Falling in love is not on her to-do list. But there is something about Mick that keeps her coming back for more. When she starts getting creepy emails, Meg and Mick realize that she is the next target on the killers radar.
I’m going to divide this review up into two parts, because in some aspects I really enjoyed this book and in others I thought it fell short. First up: the romance aspect of the story.
I thought the romance aspect of the story fell horribly short. The connection between Mick and Meg is practically non-existent and at times completely unbelievable. Within the first few days of meeting, they seem to know everything there is to know about each other, and it came across to me as a bit of a cop-out. They didn’t have to work to get to know one another, and while it wasn’t insta-love, it did feel as if it was almost a pre-destined mate type pairing between these two.
As the romance progressed between these two, it moved slower than molasses and didn’t really make a whole lot of sense to me. It never felt as if the two spent a whole lot of time together, and yet they were completely devoted to one another. The romance just didn’t sit right with me and didn’t feel as if it was a real relationship between the two.
That being said, I liked both Mick and Meg as individual characters. Mick was so invested in his work and was willing to do anything and everything to make sure that he brought down the serial killer. At the same time, we got a glimpse into his family and saw how much he loved and appreciated them. Meg was a little sheltered, beaten down from her past. Yet when push came to shove, she was strong and ready to fight for her life. She didn’t let her past break her, instead she picked up the broken pieces and made something of herself.
The second aspect of the story that I adored was the suspense and mystery. The killer was creepy and during the times when the story followed him, it was wonderful and thrilling. The case twisted and turned and I liked watching to police track down every lead, follow every clue until they got their guy.
All in all I thought this story was great in some aspects, and not-so-great in others. The suspense of finding the killer, watching him stalk his victims and eluding the police was wonderfully done. It was thrilling and exciting and kept the story moving. However, for me, the romance aspect just didn’t live up to my hopes. It felt flat and forced and moved slower than a glacier. For fans of RS that like a lot of the focus to be on the couple, this book is not for you.
I give The Professor a C-
February 12, 2012
I may not know much about romantic suspense, but I do know what I like -- NOT.
The Professor pulls just about every chestnut out of the romantic suspense bag: the hunter-turned-hunted twist, the hunter-targets-relative twist, the detective gets involved with a person of concern twist, etc., etc.
Strangely, it all comes together and there must be a moral in there somewhere: perhaps that the oldest chestnuts are the sweetest.
I usually detest thrillers in which one narrative line assumes the POV of the villain, giving us ever more insights into (usually) his motivation and methods but palming important clues to his identity. Again, with The Professor Ms Perkins makes this old nag plough a straight, deep furrow.
Plot holes there are aplenty, especially those defining the psychology and social background of the villain, but the story works despite these lacunae.
It's a relief to know that there are still authors out there who can pen a captivating romantic suspense novel. There's life in the old genre yet.
The Professor pulls just about every chestnut out of the romantic suspense bag: the hunter-turned-hunted twist, the hunter-targets-relative twist, the detective gets involved with a person of concern twist, etc., etc.
Strangely, it all comes together and there must be a moral in there somewhere: perhaps that the oldest chestnuts are the sweetest.
I usually detest thrillers in which one narrative line assumes the POV of the villain, giving us ever more insights into (usually) his motivation and methods but palming important clues to his identity. Again, with The Professor Ms Perkins makes this old nag plough a straight, deep furrow.
Plot holes there are aplenty, especially those defining the psychology and social background of the villain, but the story works despite these lacunae.
It's a relief to know that there are still authors out there who can pen a captivating romantic suspense novel. There's life in the old genre yet.
February 28, 2012
Someone is killing college girls and dumping their bodies. The whole campus has heard the stories. Rules are in place to protect the young women of the local colleges. Meg Connelly is a student, but she's also a teacher too. She works as an advisor to a sorority house too. Meg tries to remind the girls of the safety rules, but doesn't really apply them to herself. She knows she shouldn't be walking alone at night on campus. Mick O'Shaughnessy is called in as an agent to help find this killer. His first investigation however takes a more political turn than he'd like. It's then that he meets Meg. It's as though they can see into each others hearts and minds. Can Mick protect Meg since she won't protect herself?
This book grabs you by the shirt and pulls you in from page 1. It's exciting, action packed and filled with little "bumps in the night" until all is revealed. The love story winding through this book is very real and well written. You learn so much about people that you didn't even realize could be going on behind the scenes.
I found nothing wrong with this one. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
This book grabs you by the shirt and pulls you in from page 1. It's exciting, action packed and filled with little "bumps in the night" until all is revealed. The love story winding through this book is very real and well written. You learn so much about people that you didn't even realize could be going on behind the scenes.
I found nothing wrong with this one. Kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.
July 18, 2012
GREAT Read!
I don't normally read mysteries, but The Professor sucked me in from the first page. Ms Perkins has created an engaging story that constantly keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. The murderer is smart AND creepy...two traits that aren't always mutually exclusive. Mick is the perfect alpaha male, tempered by intelligence, patience and understanding. Meg is driven to succeed, but has learned to hide her vulnerability behind a mask of polite detachment. These two characters not only complement each other, they create enough sensual tension to ignite the pages. I screamed warnings, cheered for, and sighed with heartfelt emotion as Meg and Mick struggled to overcome and survive every obstacle thrown at them...
I don't normally read mysteries, but The Professor sucked me in from the first page. Ms Perkins has created an engaging story that constantly keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. The murderer is smart AND creepy...two traits that aren't always mutually exclusive. Mick is the perfect alpaha male, tempered by intelligence, patience and understanding. Meg is driven to succeed, but has learned to hide her vulnerability behind a mask of polite detachment. These two characters not only complement each other, they create enough sensual tension to ignite the pages. I screamed warnings, cheered for, and sighed with heartfelt emotion as Meg and Mick struggled to overcome and survive every obstacle thrown at them...
July 12, 2012
When I'm going to read a story I usually know what to expect, but this time I was waiting for a lovestory, instead I got a thriller, but ok, it was a good thriller.
Di solito so quello che sto per leggere e stavolta credevo di avere tra le mani una storia d'amore, non è così, era un giallo, ma era bello, quindi va bene lo stesso.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND CARINA PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW
Di solito so quello che sto per leggere e stavolta credevo di avere tra le mani una storia d'amore, non è così, era un giallo, ma era bello, quindi va bene lo stesso.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND CARINA PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW
January 19, 2012
If you are looking for a mystery that is suspenseful and realistic with just a touch of romance, then you are sure to enjoy this superb debut novel by a promising new author. To read my review in its entirety please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy....
May 20, 2012
Haunting, creepy, suspenseful, and damn sexy. The perfect serial killer book. And the chemistry between the main characters (not the serial killer LOL) was scorching hot. I can't wait until Ms. Perkins releases her next book!
November 19, 2015
The very beginning and last few pages were weak, but the rest of it was good. Weak romance development. Somewhat weak character development, like they were picked from stock options. The bad guy and what he was doing were good, though.
January 18, 2012
Strong writing and an engaging story. My full review is here: http://scienceofromance.blogspot.com/...
June 19, 2012
Great mystery. Reads like an episode of one of my fav tv shows Criminal Minds.
Want to read
December 26, 2011Sounds interesting.
April 23, 2017
I randomly selected this from my Goodreads recommended to read list as it had an interesting story outline. Plus it was really cheap through Kindle. The thriller/mystery is very good and there are several adrenaline high moments. The romance - not so great. It felt too "junior high" and unbelievable. That said, the author shows great promise esp in thriller/mystery genre.
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