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Harbinger Mystery #1
Plain Jane
Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN B004DERF5M
A city paralyzed by a serial killer stalking the night, taking a most gruesome trophy. The only standing in the murderer's way is an FBI profiler...recently released from a mental institution.
A city paralyzed by a serial killer stalking the night, taking a most gruesome trophy. The only standing in the murderer's way is an FBI profiler...recently released from a mental institution.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2010
1772 people are currently reading
2602 people want to read
About the author
Cristyn West
6 books163 followersI find catching serial killers (on paper of course), well... fun.
Do you really need to know anything more about me?
Ok, fine, I am also a veterinarian (for real, not just in my own head like the serial killer thing) and I find the thought of having a romance with a homo chiroptera pretty hot.
See? I told you, you didn't want to know anything else!
For the holidays I am giving away my Patterson-style thriller "Plain Jane" for FREE the only catch? You simply have to promise to give it away to 5 mystery-loving friends! And of course give an honest review here and on Smashwords: http://bit.ly/b60jVe
So head on over and grab your free copy... or 5 (I am even cool with you lying to co-workers and saying you bought it for them! #howcoolisthat!)
Thanks and enjoy
Do you really need to know anything more about me?
Ok, fine, I am also a veterinarian (for real, not just in my own head like the serial killer thing) and I find the thought of having a romance with a homo chiroptera pretty hot.
See? I told you, you didn't want to know anything else!
For the holidays I am giving away my Patterson-style thriller "Plain Jane" for FREE the only catch? You simply have to promise to give it away to 5 mystery-loving friends! And of course give an honest review here and on Smashwords: http://bit.ly/b60jVe
So head on over and grab your free copy... or 5 (I am even cool with you lying to co-workers and saying you bought it for them! #howcoolisthat!)
Thanks and enjoy
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September 29, 2012I'm not going to rate this because I gave up three chapters into it so it isn't fair to rate it. The author has an extremely annoying (to me) habit of referring to characters in a very odd mixture of references. In the opening chapter she alternated talking about "Joanne" and "the brunette" - it took me to the end of the chapter to figure out they were the same person! In the second chapter she continued this by call a cop alternately by his first name and his last name. In the third chapter she upped it to THREE referrers: first name, last name, and "the profiler". I was so confused I quit.
Be forewarned - it might help.
Be forewarned - it might help.
August 30, 2013
After I slogged through this book after having read all the rave reviews about what a page turner it was, (shame on y'all!) I deleted it from my Kindle. It should have been classified as a fantasy for being completely unbelievable. The writer clearly thinks she is clever for all the jokes her characters crack which fall flat. Save yourselves! Run away from this book and this author!
September 26, 2011
Lets skip to the end..."Holy freakin ape-shit Batman, I can't believe ...(Shudder)"
Now I know why I lock my doors at night. If you wake up and someone's in your room, it's only 50/50 it's a good guy. This was a good, fun read. I stayed on the edge of my seat and glancing over my shoulder...and I'm not even a Brunette or a Girl!
This is a really good suspence thriller with more twists and turns than a king snake attacking a garden hose. Both of the main characters started off in the dog house with me, metaphorically speaking but, by the middle of the book, both had grown on me and I liked them. I even liked the supporting characters.
The best discription might be, Nikki Heat meets Silence of the Lambs. It has some gore in it, but, hey, it's not like it's about a bunch of rabbits having a turf war. This book is about a serrial killer. There were times when I didn't know who to root for and just when you think you get the ends to meet, Cristyn West switches the ends.
I enjoyed it page to page but there are some warnings.
1) It's gory. I believe the gore is effective and not overused or overdone but it's got some sick-twisted stuff in it.
2) There is violence. Come on, it's about a serial killer not a monk handing out sugar cookies. Again, the violence is not gatuitus, and is in keeping with the main theme of the story.
3) The hero is flawed and some who read it may be rooting for the police to take him out as one of those "accidental on purpose" casualties of friendly fire. You'll have to judge for yourself if you think he's okay, or demented.. well, demented or demented in an okay way.
4) There are some sexual scences, sexual talk and behavior that links the pleasure of sex and the pleasure of a serial killer getting a kill. There is no way this isn't going to be twisted in some way. I think the author deserves an award for managing this in a way that is tasteful, yet, shocking. Her characters are walking the tightrope between sane police work and the insanity of a serial murderer. How could this not get messy? That said, please, keep this out of reach of children. The sexual themes are well done, but they may be a little out of the reach of young adult minds. It's easy to get the surface dirt out of this, but if you can't see the deeper relationship the author is writing about, wait a few years to read it.
5) The book leaves open some moral questoins in the "does the end justify the means?" vein. Again, good stuff here, but difficult concepts and sometimes shocking answers. If you like your thrillers clean, cut and dried with white hats and black hats clearly marking the characters, don't read this. This is more like Dexter meets Jack Daniels.
bottom line. Great read. Reads fast. I enjoyed it. Some themes, scenes and subject matter may not be sutable for the young, squeamish or institutional thinkers.... on the other hand, if you need to be institutionalized... it might be fine!
Now I know why I lock my doors at night. If you wake up and someone's in your room, it's only 50/50 it's a good guy. This was a good, fun read. I stayed on the edge of my seat and glancing over my shoulder...and I'm not even a Brunette or a Girl!
This is a really good suspence thriller with more twists and turns than a king snake attacking a garden hose. Both of the main characters started off in the dog house with me, metaphorically speaking but, by the middle of the book, both had grown on me and I liked them. I even liked the supporting characters.
The best discription might be, Nikki Heat meets Silence of the Lambs. It has some gore in it, but, hey, it's not like it's about a bunch of rabbits having a turf war. This book is about a serrial killer. There were times when I didn't know who to root for and just when you think you get the ends to meet, Cristyn West switches the ends.
I enjoyed it page to page but there are some warnings.
1) It's gory. I believe the gore is effective and not overused or overdone but it's got some sick-twisted stuff in it.
2) There is violence. Come on, it's about a serial killer not a monk handing out sugar cookies. Again, the violence is not gatuitus, and is in keeping with the main theme of the story.
3) The hero is flawed and some who read it may be rooting for the police to take him out as one of those "accidental on purpose" casualties of friendly fire. You'll have to judge for yourself if you think he's okay, or demented.. well, demented or demented in an okay way.
4) There are some sexual scences, sexual talk and behavior that links the pleasure of sex and the pleasure of a serial killer getting a kill. There is no way this isn't going to be twisted in some way. I think the author deserves an award for managing this in a way that is tasteful, yet, shocking. Her characters are walking the tightrope between sane police work and the insanity of a serial murderer. How could this not get messy? That said, please, keep this out of reach of children. The sexual themes are well done, but they may be a little out of the reach of young adult minds. It's easy to get the surface dirt out of this, but if you can't see the deeper relationship the author is writing about, wait a few years to read it.
5) The book leaves open some moral questoins in the "does the end justify the means?" vein. Again, good stuff here, but difficult concepts and sometimes shocking answers. If you like your thrillers clean, cut and dried with white hats and black hats clearly marking the characters, don't read this. This is more like Dexter meets Jack Daniels.
bottom line. Great read. Reads fast. I enjoyed it. Some themes, scenes and subject matter may not be sutable for the young, squeamish or institutional thinkers.... on the other hand, if you need to be institutionalized... it might be fine!
April 19, 2013
A killer meter maid and a 12 foot high uterus made out of victims uteri says it all. I had so much hope for the FBI guy's tortured soul, but when we find out that he pulled a Hannibal Lector and ate some brains of a victim; I could no longer pull for him. The love triangle is too contrived, forced, and predictable. If this book did anything for me it proved that maybe I could write a book some day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2022
It took me a good few chapters to really get into this book mostly because Kent really got on my nerves for the majority of the book, however eventually he started to grow on me, and I started to like the characters a fair bit. Other than the characters I think the plot of this book was actually really good as it was just so strange.
March 13, 2015
SPOILERS
I wanted to like it, I really did. I just couldn't. I feel like the story itself could have been really suspenseful and interesting, but the writing was so poor that it never materialized.
Characters: The characters were so flat and stuffed into such stereotypical gender roles that it just started making me angry. The relationships were really one dimensional, mostly abusive, and I really wasn't rooting for anyone.
Weird writing choices: I don't even know what to say here, the writing was just....weird! I hated how she kept calling Kent "the profiler". How many times did a sentence start with "How many times...?" -It came across as a very thin attempt at building a shared history of intimacy without actually writing something to make us think there was a shared history of intimacy.
Typos: Independent author or not...sheesh!
Ridiculous sexism and stereotyping: If I took a drink every time I ran across a ridiculous stereotype in this book, I probably would have enjoyed the book a lot more (Until the inevitable alcohol poisoning, that is.) All the men in the book are controlling assholes and the only strong woman in the book is a demented murderer with a uterus fetish.
A few gems:
" The detective wished she could take off her jacket but with Ruben sitting right next to her, she did not want to draw attention to herself." Because a woman who takes off her jacket when she's hot is just asking for it, amiright?
"For an overweight, square-dancing DMV-lifer, Dolores was giving him a run for his money." Because overweight people can't be clever??
"A single woman like Rebecca? She would immediately assume Nicole was there to hurt her. Betray her. Chicks and their damn insecurities." Over and over there was this bizarre assumption that a married woman, even if she's alone, would feel much more secure and confident in any given situation than a single woman.
"If Kent was not mistaken, she checked her personal email before starting her data transmission. Interesting. That was the behavior of a woman hoping a man had written." Yup, I only check my personal email when I'm hopelessly pining over a man.
What I learned from this book: Spelling doesn't count, men can't handle emotions, a woman without a man is not a complete person, and when in doubt, throw in some random, unnecessary cannibalism.
I wanted to like it, I really did. I just couldn't. I feel like the story itself could have been really suspenseful and interesting, but the writing was so poor that it never materialized.
Characters: The characters were so flat and stuffed into such stereotypical gender roles that it just started making me angry. The relationships were really one dimensional, mostly abusive, and I really wasn't rooting for anyone.
Weird writing choices: I don't even know what to say here, the writing was just....weird! I hated how she kept calling Kent "the profiler". How many times did a sentence start with "How many times...?" -It came across as a very thin attempt at building a shared history of intimacy without actually writing something to make us think there was a shared history of intimacy.
Typos: Independent author or not...sheesh!
Ridiculous sexism and stereotyping: If I took a drink every time I ran across a ridiculous stereotype in this book, I probably would have enjoyed the book a lot more (Until the inevitable alcohol poisoning, that is.) All the men in the book are controlling assholes and the only strong woman in the book is a demented murderer with a uterus fetish.
A few gems:
" The detective wished she could take off her jacket but with Ruben sitting right next to her, she did not want to draw attention to herself." Because a woman who takes off her jacket when she's hot is just asking for it, amiright?
"For an overweight, square-dancing DMV-lifer, Dolores was giving him a run for his money." Because overweight people can't be clever??
"A single woman like Rebecca? She would immediately assume Nicole was there to hurt her. Betray her. Chicks and their damn insecurities." Over and over there was this bizarre assumption that a married woman, even if she's alone, would feel much more secure and confident in any given situation than a single woman.
"If Kent was not mistaken, she checked her personal email before starting her data transmission. Interesting. That was the behavior of a woman hoping a man had written." Yup, I only check my personal email when I'm hopelessly pining over a man.
What I learned from this book: Spelling doesn't count, men can't handle emotions, a woman without a man is not a complete person, and when in doubt, throw in some random, unnecessary cannibalism.
October 6, 2010
Plain Jane drew me into the story from page one. I would have read the entire book in one day if my schedule permitted. The reader is taken into the dark, disturbing world from a serial killer’s point of view. It grabs hold of you and won’t let go. Not for the squeamish, but you dare not blink if you want to know what happens next.
Kent Harbinger is the department’s profiler and he’s on the trail of the Plain Jane killer. He has a knack for getting into a serial killer’s head, living and breathing what the killer does. He’s a character that you want to cheer for, hate, yell at, walk away from, and most of all you want to know what he’ll do next. West has crafted extremely well developed characters and a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages. There’s plenty of fast paced dialogue and sexual tension with two detectives, Nicole and Ruben, staying one step behind the profiler, and two steps behind the killer.
Plain Jane is a fresh new perspective at the serial killer genre. If you love cat and mouse, police procedurals, and serial killers, you’ll enjoy this book. I can’t help but wonder if West will continue with these characters in her next book.
Kent Harbinger is the department’s profiler and he’s on the trail of the Plain Jane killer. He has a knack for getting into a serial killer’s head, living and breathing what the killer does. He’s a character that you want to cheer for, hate, yell at, walk away from, and most of all you want to know what he’ll do next. West has crafted extremely well developed characters and a thrilling story that will keep you turning the pages. There’s plenty of fast paced dialogue and sexual tension with two detectives, Nicole and Ruben, staying one step behind the profiler, and two steps behind the killer.
Plain Jane is a fresh new perspective at the serial killer genre. If you love cat and mouse, police procedurals, and serial killers, you’ll enjoy this book. I can’t help but wonder if West will continue with these characters in her next book.
October 10, 2012
Some books beggar belief. This one buggers it.
Penned by an author who seems to have enjoyed a few too many serial killer movies and fancied having a go herself, this details the hunt for the eponymous killer who has a habit of removing and collecting the uterus of each of his victims. The author herself states her intention to shock, but really all that follows is a lot of absurdity, ridiculous contrivance and unintentional hilarity.
Demented FBI profiler, Kent Harbinger (I kid you not), is so good at his job he can get so far into the serial killer's head that he can work out which of a city's several thousand brunettes the killer is going to stalk next. While also getting so far up himself as to annoy and irritate all those around him, including the reader. All except female detective, Nicole Usher, who is so besotted with this a-hole, she submits to his guidance, leaps to his defence and generally swoons helplessly in his presence. In fact, the only element I found the least bit shocking and bordering on offensive was the way in which a female author could come up with such a pathetic female protagonist so lacking in self-respect, backbone, independence and all the other qualities I'd imagine in a woman working in law enforcement. Especially to see her go weak at the knees for an alleged 'genius' who only twigs to the common denominator between the victims after about the seventeenth murder. Of course, the last major case this ludicrous investigator solved was only broken when he ate the brain of a victim and worked out that the killer would need exotic spices to make the organ palatable. Whereupon he ate the brain of the killer once he'd caught up with him, naturally. Sadly, he doesn't have that option here and instead has to blunder his way through a series of credibility-stretching coincidences all the way to the climactic fight around the giant uterus woven from all the uteri Plain Jane has previously collected.
Luckily by this time, Detective Nicole has become so smitten with her hero, she emulates his methods by collecting the uterus of the killer, producing it from her handbag as the final twist. And if you consider that a spoiler, well, just look on it as saving you the bother of reading this unmitigated dross for yourselves.
This was a freebie from an indie author and it's seriously persuaded me to avoid any more free books from independent authors. Better yet, it's preceded with a glowing recommendation from another author - James Rollins - and I now also know to avoid his books too. Lesson for us all: take care what you put your name to, folks.
Penned by an author who seems to have enjoyed a few too many serial killer movies and fancied having a go herself, this details the hunt for the eponymous killer who has a habit of removing and collecting the uterus of each of his victims. The author herself states her intention to shock, but really all that follows is a lot of absurdity, ridiculous contrivance and unintentional hilarity.
Demented FBI profiler, Kent Harbinger (I kid you not), is so good at his job he can get so far into the serial killer's head that he can work out which of a city's several thousand brunettes the killer is going to stalk next. While also getting so far up himself as to annoy and irritate all those around him, including the reader. All except female detective, Nicole Usher, who is so besotted with this a-hole, she submits to his guidance, leaps to his defence and generally swoons helplessly in his presence. In fact, the only element I found the least bit shocking and bordering on offensive was the way in which a female author could come up with such a pathetic female protagonist so lacking in self-respect, backbone, independence and all the other qualities I'd imagine in a woman working in law enforcement. Especially to see her go weak at the knees for an alleged 'genius' who only twigs to the common denominator between the victims after about the seventeenth murder. Of course, the last major case this ludicrous investigator solved was only broken when he ate the brain of a victim and worked out that the killer would need exotic spices to make the organ palatable. Whereupon he ate the brain of the killer once he'd caught up with him, naturally. Sadly, he doesn't have that option here and instead has to blunder his way through a series of credibility-stretching coincidences all the way to the climactic fight around the giant uterus woven from all the uteri Plain Jane has previously collected.
Luckily by this time, Detective Nicole has become so smitten with her hero, she emulates his methods by collecting the uterus of the killer, producing it from her handbag as the final twist. And if you consider that a spoiler, well, just look on it as saving you the bother of reading this unmitigated dross for yourselves.
This was a freebie from an indie author and it's seriously persuaded me to avoid any more free books from independent authors. Better yet, it's preceded with a glowing recommendation from another author - James Rollins - and I now also know to avoid his books too. Lesson for us all: take care what you put your name to, folks.
October 4, 2012
Detective Nicole Usher is desperate. A serial killer is stalking women and has killed over a dozen. These women are special to the killer but Nicole and the rest of her department cannot determine why and have no way of stopping the killings. The killer likes brunettes. Plain, shy and unassuming brunettes are stalked then mutilated for a trophy the killer covets.
No one can know the mind of a killer, unless you are a genius profiler with a talent for doing just that.
Nicole knows that Kent Harbinger can help catch the killer and despite a tragic history she shares with him, she calls him to help.
Kent Harbinger seems as twisted as the killers he catches and although he is ranked as one of the top FBI profilers, his unconventional techniques have rewarded him a long-term stay at an asylum.
His presence in the investigation creates pain for Nicole and resentment in Nicole’s partner and lover but despite this she knows there is no other way.
Kent is the key character in this story despite the fact that Nicole is written in as the protagonist. His method of hunting the same victims as the killer helps him to guess the next target but he seems as mad as the killer. Stealing whatever he needs, breaking into buildings and stalking women are only some of the acts Kent commits during the investigation and Nicole is left to answer for him to her captain and partner. Kent seems to have no conscious and treats Nicole with apathy to the point that the reader cannot fathom a previous romantic relationship between the two.
I hated him and wavered on whether to give this story a three of four star rating. The author pushes the envelope on what the reader will accept in a main character who is supposedly on the side of good and I struggled with this.
Then I remembered something important. The best thing an author has ever done for me as a reader was to make me feel. To create emotion, good or bad, as I immerse myself in their creation. I was immersed in Plain Jane. I wanted the characters to do MY will and when they didn’t the author forced me to understand why. What does it take to get into the mind of a killer? What must you become if you want to catch what most don’t understand?
Ms. West caught me off-guard and that doesn’t happen to me often.
If you enjoyed Silence of the Lambs or the work of Jeffrey Deaver, you will enjoy Plain Jane.
No one can know the mind of a killer, unless you are a genius profiler with a talent for doing just that.
Nicole knows that Kent Harbinger can help catch the killer and despite a tragic history she shares with him, she calls him to help.
Kent Harbinger seems as twisted as the killers he catches and although he is ranked as one of the top FBI profilers, his unconventional techniques have rewarded him a long-term stay at an asylum.
His presence in the investigation creates pain for Nicole and resentment in Nicole’s partner and lover but despite this she knows there is no other way.
Kent is the key character in this story despite the fact that Nicole is written in as the protagonist. His method of hunting the same victims as the killer helps him to guess the next target but he seems as mad as the killer. Stealing whatever he needs, breaking into buildings and stalking women are only some of the acts Kent commits during the investigation and Nicole is left to answer for him to her captain and partner. Kent seems to have no conscious and treats Nicole with apathy to the point that the reader cannot fathom a previous romantic relationship between the two.
I hated him and wavered on whether to give this story a three of four star rating. The author pushes the envelope on what the reader will accept in a main character who is supposedly on the side of good and I struggled with this.
Then I remembered something important. The best thing an author has ever done for me as a reader was to make me feel. To create emotion, good or bad, as I immerse myself in their creation. I was immersed in Plain Jane. I wanted the characters to do MY will and when they didn’t the author forced me to understand why. What does it take to get into the mind of a killer? What must you become if you want to catch what most don’t understand?
Ms. West caught me off-guard and that doesn’t happen to me often.
If you enjoyed Silence of the Lambs or the work of Jeffrey Deaver, you will enjoy Plain Jane.
June 12, 2010
First off, this is my book (What? I'm going to give my book less than 5 stars?) and it Rocks. That is if you like James Patterson's Along Came a Spider or Silence of the Lambs.
But don't take my word for it.
Take NYT Top Ten Best Seller James Rollins' (of Altar of Eden and Sigma series fame)word for it......
"Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, PLAIN JANE marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on.
Don't say I didn't warn you!"
So head over to smashword to read over 25% of the novel before you decide to purchase (for just 2.99)! http://bit.ly/b60jVe
But don't take my word for it.
Take NYT Top Ten Best Seller James Rollins' (of Altar of Eden and Sigma series fame)word for it......
"Wickedly macabre and blisteringly paced, PLAIN JANE marks the debut of a thriller for the new millennium. Brash, funny, terrifying, and shocking, here is a story best enjoyed with all the lights on.
Don't say I didn't warn you!"
So head over to smashword to read over 25% of the novel before you decide to purchase (for just 2.99)! http://bit.ly/b60jVe
January 19, 2020
I incorporate by reference the perceptive observations of the many, many, many other negative reviews of Plain Jane, except that several of them are much, much, much too mild. The word stupid does not do justice to the stupidity of the storytelling, the plotting, the dialogue, the characters or their romance.
Plain Jane is insipid and hopelessly inept romantic fiction at its finest.
Plain Jane is insipid and hopelessly inept romantic fiction at its finest.
October 17, 2016
**** 4 "Womb of the Mother" Stars ****
Review to come.....after I pick my jaw back up after the last 20% of this book.
Review to come.....after I pick my jaw back up after the last 20% of this book.
October 8, 2016
The stars started combusting as this novel progressed. Not the literal stars, but the rating system stars. However, by the end of the book, I was laughing too hard to care that my kindle was smoking from combusting stars...
"Ah," you say, "so this is a comedy?" Unfortunately, it is not. "But the police force employs a profiler who has just been released from the asylum for canibalism (among other things). Therefore it must be satire." Sadly, no. "Ok, FFS, this is definitely a Tyler Perry Medea spoof--I mean, there's a Hannibal Lecter comparison on every page and the antagonist is busy sewing together a giant uterus the size of the Kool Aid Man..." One could only wish...
The greatest aspect of this nearly random stringing-together of words (hold up--a random smattering of words would've made more sense), is reading the desperate 5-star reviews from people who surprisingly figured out how to exit a normal uterus in the first place.
ADENDUM
I just realized this travesty had TWO authors, and not one of them had the decency to research mental illness: "Kent had considered the possibility of an extreme schizophrenic, a true split personality..." Uhm, Ma'ams? I think you mean dissociative personality disorder. Also, you might want to look up folie à deux, which is a shared delusion (such as the delusion that you and your BFF can write a bestseller without knowing about mental health, prosecutorial law, or writing).
"Ah," you say, "so this is a comedy?" Unfortunately, it is not. "But the police force employs a profiler who has just been released from the asylum for canibalism (among other things). Therefore it must be satire." Sadly, no. "Ok, FFS, this is definitely a Tyler Perry Medea spoof--I mean, there's a Hannibal Lecter comparison on every page and the antagonist is busy sewing together a giant uterus the size of the Kool Aid Man..." One could only wish...
The greatest aspect of this nearly random stringing-together of words (hold up--a random smattering of words would've made more sense), is reading the desperate 5-star reviews from people who surprisingly figured out how to exit a normal uterus in the first place.
ADENDUM
I just realized this travesty had TWO authors, and not one of them had the decency to research mental illness: "Kent had considered the possibility of an extreme schizophrenic, a true split personality..." Uhm, Ma'ams? I think you mean dissociative personality disorder. Also, you might want to look up folie à deux, which is a shared delusion (such as the delusion that you and your BFF can write a bestseller without knowing about mental health, prosecutorial law, or writing).
May 8, 2013
Gruesome for the sake of gruesome, main character that was a real asshole, and seriously, if an FBI profiler , I don't think he'd still be working in law enforcement.
The process of how the serial killer found victims was a little far-fetched. And tossing in random characters who you KNOW are nothing but red herrings is just lazy writing, IMO.
I can't honestly recommend this.
The process of how the serial killer found victims was a little far-fetched. And tossing in random characters who you KNOW are nothing but red herrings is just lazy writing, IMO.
I can't honestly recommend this.
June 20, 2011
GREAT read. Grabs hold of you from page one and doesn't let go. The characters are all well-drawn; the plot well laid out; and the suspense was killing me! West's quick pacing & insights into the mind of a serial killer (and profiler) will keep you turning pages long into the night.
Just leave the lights on...
Just leave the lights on...
September 25, 2016
Take your time reading this book.
While reading this book, had to walk away from my Kindle many times. Author accomplished to make us shocked, horrified and very disturbed. Ending is shocking, but when I looked back there was clues about who was the serial killer Plain Jane was. Warning: don't read last one fifth of the book after dark.
While reading this book, had to walk away from my Kindle many times. Author accomplished to make us shocked, horrified and very disturbed. Ending is shocking, but when I looked back there was clues about who was the serial killer Plain Jane was. Warning: don't read last one fifth of the book after dark.
April 15, 2022
Seriously disturbing yet effective
The story isn't for the faint of heart as the title suggests. I read a similar profile from another author but this one really threw me off the hook.
I agree that it's comparable to James Patterson's style of short chapters and switching from one point of view to another. The author has her brand of eccentricity with Kent Harbinger's character.
He and Nicole have a history and she's the only one who believes in him. He acts like a killer to get inside their minds and it's because he's a genius that he's also emotionally unstable.
I like the suspense and mystery. It was a thrilling read.
The story isn't for the faint of heart as the title suggests. I read a similar profile from another author but this one really threw me off the hook.
I agree that it's comparable to James Patterson's style of short chapters and switching from one point of view to another. The author has her brand of eccentricity with Kent Harbinger's character.
He and Nicole have a history and she's the only one who believes in him. He acts like a killer to get inside their minds and it's because he's a genius that he's also emotionally unstable.
I like the suspense and mystery. It was a thrilling read.
February 2, 2017
The two stars are only for KENT because he did have my attention from page one and for the author's writing skills to help me keep going. Apart from those two factors, I don't want to waste my time criticizing a book which was a psuedo spin-off novel from one of my favorite authors of all time Thomas Harris.
Again, there is no one like Hannibal Lecter that I've ever met. 20% through the book, and I was totally rooting for KENT and somewhere even wondering if he could knock Hannibal Lecter from the #1 spot. So glad that didn't happen.
What happened was an endless torture of my senses. There were so many eye-rolling moments in this book that I wanted to keep it down, and move on to the new one. But, as I rarely keep a book unfinished, I pushed on.
There was nothing spectacular or nothing that I already didn't know of. I do watch a lot of crime-related TV shows and read too many crime-mystery-thrillers for this book to even shock me.
I must commend that the author's storytelling has potential, but she seriously needs a good editor to challenge her and look beyond her boundaries. This was a very restrictive book when it came to the author's imagination. I didn't think for once - "This is effed up!" because I want be shocked and grossed the hell out to even consider if an act of gruesomeness was humanely/inhumanely possible.
SHOCK & AWE. SHOCK & AWE. SHOCK & AWE.
In addition to the flat out plot, there were so so so many technical mistakes in analyzing crime scenes. Sometimes, writers and authors fail to understand that readers are keen observers. Such mistakes only insult the readers because they're spending time reading a work of fiction. The red-herrings were just awful. I knew who the killer was the moment it made an appearance. The poor diversions in the plot meant to throw the reader off were just stupid.
I don't even want to begin writing about Nicole and Ruben. I just want to say - they were mere accessories to the plot, nothing more. No character development of any sort when it came to these two and Nicole acted like a love-sick idiot the whole plot. Such female characters only give real, intelligent women a bad name. No inspiration there!
When will female authors learn to portray female characters better?
The story could've done wonders but it felt flat in the end.
Again, there is no one like Hannibal Lecter that I've ever met. 20% through the book, and I was totally rooting for KENT and somewhere even wondering if he could knock Hannibal Lecter from the #1 spot. So glad that didn't happen.
What happened was an endless torture of my senses. There were so many eye-rolling moments in this book that I wanted to keep it down, and move on to the new one. But, as I rarely keep a book unfinished, I pushed on.
There was nothing spectacular or nothing that I already didn't know of. I do watch a lot of crime-related TV shows and read too many crime-mystery-thrillers for this book to even shock me.
I must commend that the author's storytelling has potential, but she seriously needs a good editor to challenge her and look beyond her boundaries. This was a very restrictive book when it came to the author's imagination. I didn't think for once - "This is effed up!" because I want be shocked and grossed the hell out to even consider if an act of gruesomeness was humanely/inhumanely possible.
SHOCK & AWE. SHOCK & AWE. SHOCK & AWE.
In addition to the flat out plot, there were so so so many technical mistakes in analyzing crime scenes. Sometimes, writers and authors fail to understand that readers are keen observers. Such mistakes only insult the readers because they're spending time reading a work of fiction. The red-herrings were just awful. I knew who the killer was the moment it made an appearance. The poor diversions in the plot meant to throw the reader off were just stupid.
I don't even want to begin writing about Nicole and Ruben. I just want to say - they were mere accessories to the plot, nothing more. No character development of any sort when it came to these two and Nicole acted like a love-sick idiot the whole plot. Such female characters only give real, intelligent women a bad name. No inspiration there!
When will female authors learn to portray female characters better?
The story could've done wonders but it felt flat in the end.
November 20, 2012
"Intrigue, Suspense and a whole lot of freaky!"
This is my second novel by Carolyn McCray and I can honestly say; I LOVED this book! I am a huge fan of thrillers and love when you mix a crazed killer with cops and profilers! Between the fast pace, the twist on the typical serial killer profile, the macabre scenes and depictions and the incredibly intricate characters you truly cannot put this book down.
It is very clear that Ms. McCray put quite a bit of thought and planning into this plotline and her characters. The plot just keeps twisting and turning every time you flip a page. It will keep you guessing right up until the end, which comes WAY too quickly-I didn’t want the story to end. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t trying to figure out the end until I was faced with it and my jaw was lying on the floor! Never saw it coming!
Starting out, you are faced with such complex characters that you can’t help but become vested almost instantly. These characters have backstories you can’t even imagine and they come into play in the interactions of the characters throughout the whole book. As the two main characters try to get over a past they share and catch a killer, it’s ingenious the way the female’s personality develops alongside the male profiler.
I have an affinity for crime/drama/murder/mysteries but usually they all follow a pretty typical pattern. The characters are what made this book so different. There is such a fine line between the killer and the profiler in this book. I loved that I constantly was thinking how twisted, horrific, intriguing and mystifying these characters and plot were.
I really enjoyed this book and hope there is a follow-up exploring just how far the female detective is willing to go into the minds of both serial killers and the mind of the profiler who catches them. What fun it would be to watch them continue working side by side!
This is my second novel by Carolyn McCray and I can honestly say; I LOVED this book! I am a huge fan of thrillers and love when you mix a crazed killer with cops and profilers! Between the fast pace, the twist on the typical serial killer profile, the macabre scenes and depictions and the incredibly intricate characters you truly cannot put this book down.
It is very clear that Ms. McCray put quite a bit of thought and planning into this plotline and her characters. The plot just keeps twisting and turning every time you flip a page. It will keep you guessing right up until the end, which comes WAY too quickly-I didn’t want the story to end. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t trying to figure out the end until I was faced with it and my jaw was lying on the floor! Never saw it coming!
Starting out, you are faced with such complex characters that you can’t help but become vested almost instantly. These characters have backstories you can’t even imagine and they come into play in the interactions of the characters throughout the whole book. As the two main characters try to get over a past they share and catch a killer, it’s ingenious the way the female’s personality develops alongside the male profiler.
I have an affinity for crime/drama/murder/mysteries but usually they all follow a pretty typical pattern. The characters are what made this book so different. There is such a fine line between the killer and the profiler in this book. I loved that I constantly was thinking how twisted, horrific, intriguing and mystifying these characters and plot were.
I really enjoyed this book and hope there is a follow-up exploring just how far the female detective is willing to go into the minds of both serial killers and the mind of the profiler who catches them. What fun it would be to watch them continue working side by side!
July 11, 2015
A serial killer is on the loose and he's stealing the uterus of his victims. Yeah - weird. Obviously, the story revolves around finding out who the killer is. Enter FBI profiler Kent Harbinger and his former love, police detective Nicole Usher. Great opening scene, with Kent hot on the trail of the next victim - he's one of those savants who can get into the mind of the killers he's tracking and figure out who the next victim is. But alas, he's too late to save her and he's almost mistaken for the perp when he's found in an alley beating on the victim in a vain attempt to revive her.
This is a very different kind of story. I give it 4.5 stars - not a 5 because I've got to say that I wasn't too fond of the character of Kent, the profiler. Thought he was a jerk - but an interesting jerk. I also wondered what in the hell Nicole ever saw in him - and continued to see in him. But hey, that's real life sometimes. This is a rather bizarre story, but bizarre in a good way. It kept me turning the pages and the ending - well, the ending was REALLY bizarre, but satisfying in a creepy, oddball way. I liked it!
A lot of Indie stuff out there is poorly formatted and poorly written. Being an Indie author myself, it always makes me angry when people paint all of us with that wide brush. Carolyn McCray did an excellent job of producing a clean, error-free story with well defined characters and a quirky take on serial killers. Great job!
This is a very different kind of story. I give it 4.5 stars - not a 5 because I've got to say that I wasn't too fond of the character of Kent, the profiler. Thought he was a jerk - but an interesting jerk. I also wondered what in the hell Nicole ever saw in him - and continued to see in him. But hey, that's real life sometimes. This is a rather bizarre story, but bizarre in a good way. It kept me turning the pages and the ending - well, the ending was REALLY bizarre, but satisfying in a creepy, oddball way. I liked it!
A lot of Indie stuff out there is poorly formatted and poorly written. Being an Indie author myself, it always makes me angry when people paint all of us with that wide brush. Carolyn McCray did an excellent job of producing a clean, error-free story with well defined characters and a quirky take on serial killers. Great job!
July 19, 2010
If you love serial killers with a unique obsession, FBI investigators that flirt with madness and complex romantic relationships then Plain Jane is the book for you. Throw in more twists and turns and surprises and you have an intriguing debut by a promising new thriller writer.
The story centers on Detective Nicole Usher, ex-beau partner Ruben Torres and another ex-beau Kent Harbinger, an expert at profiling, tracking and capturing serial killers. Kent's actions often cross the line but his results have the police making allowances. Similar things can be said about his relationship with Nicole, often crossing the line. The force throwing these three together is the hunt for Plain Jane, a serial killer of small brunettes, and a messy one who always takes a "trophy".
The action is non-stop and the story keeps you guessing until the conclusion and beyond. Be forewarned that the book can be graphic in its violence but satisfying in the end.
If you love James Patterson blended with Thomas Harris (and who doesn't) then Plain Jane is for you.
The story centers on Detective Nicole Usher, ex-beau partner Ruben Torres and another ex-beau Kent Harbinger, an expert at profiling, tracking and capturing serial killers. Kent's actions often cross the line but his results have the police making allowances. Similar things can be said about his relationship with Nicole, often crossing the line. The force throwing these three together is the hunt for Plain Jane, a serial killer of small brunettes, and a messy one who always takes a "trophy".
The action is non-stop and the story keeps you guessing until the conclusion and beyond. Be forewarned that the book can be graphic in its violence but satisfying in the end.
If you love James Patterson blended with Thomas Harris (and who doesn't) then Plain Jane is for you.
May 7, 2011
This book totally freaked me out - in a good way- and made me happy that I'm not a brunette. I don't own a Kindle (yet) but I do have the Kindle app on my Blackberry. I hate reading on it because the screen is too small for my liking but I read this book, from start to finish. I couldn't put it down.
The plot was definitely intriguing. I loved the relationship between Kent and Nicole. The fact that the profiler is definitely a little psycho himself was a great addition to the book. Many books about serial killers often get really technical with forensics and "police talk" so I was pleasantly surprised that Plain Jane didn't. There were a bunch of plot twists that I didn't see coming but it wasn't confusing in any way.
Kent was, by far, my favorite character in this book. His distorted outlook on relationships, his view of people in general, and his intelligence were definitely pluses for me. I thought I'd relate more to Nicole, being a woman and all, but I didn't.
I'll definitely be recommending this book to others. It was pretty great.
The plot was definitely intriguing. I loved the relationship between Kent and Nicole. The fact that the profiler is definitely a little psycho himself was a great addition to the book. Many books about serial killers often get really technical with forensics and "police talk" so I was pleasantly surprised that Plain Jane didn't. There were a bunch of plot twists that I didn't see coming but it wasn't confusing in any way.
Kent was, by far, my favorite character in this book. His distorted outlook on relationships, his view of people in general, and his intelligence were definitely pluses for me. I thought I'd relate more to Nicole, being a woman and all, but I didn't.
I'll definitely be recommending this book to others. It was pretty great.
July 19, 2011
Non stop action and a huge unforgettable novel. I received the ebook free to review,from Smashwords, and although it has taken me a long time to finish it, It is a huge winner.
The characters pull at your emotions and a few offend your sense of fair play. Nicole Usher is a detective working a serial killer case. Her partner Reuben is a total jerk in my book. Nicole's old partner/lover is the famous Kent Harbinger of profiling fame. Able to solve cases almost instantly.
Kent was following a victim when he lost her and she was slashed and murdered. Instead of calling for backup he assumed he would be able to cope with it. Kent walks away from the scene leaving Nicole to deal with the flack.
Her new partner Reuben goes behind her back to her superior to get Kent taken off the case. Nicole goes ballistic and thus ensuring more mayhem will be coming.
This novel is highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers, mystery lovers,and the general reading public.
Taut, Tense and a super thriller. I need to buy the print version!!
The characters pull at your emotions and a few offend your sense of fair play. Nicole Usher is a detective working a serial killer case. Her partner Reuben is a total jerk in my book. Nicole's old partner/lover is the famous Kent Harbinger of profiling fame. Able to solve cases almost instantly.
Kent was following a victim when he lost her and she was slashed and murdered. Instead of calling for backup he assumed he would be able to cope with it. Kent walks away from the scene leaving Nicole to deal with the flack.
Her new partner Reuben goes behind her back to her superior to get Kent taken off the case. Nicole goes ballistic and thus ensuring more mayhem will be coming.
This novel is highly recommended to fans of suspense thrillers, mystery lovers,and the general reading public.
Taut, Tense and a super thriller. I need to buy the print version!!
June 10, 2010
This one had me flipping pages until 2 in the morning. I knew when I saw the quote from James Rollins (one of my favorites) that I would get at least my money's worth out of the book, but I had NO idea what laid in store for me.
I pride myself on being able to figure out books with a twist. I could tell from the beginning that this novel had one. The killer is shrouded in mystery. Aha! A challenge.
Two things happened as I read. First, I was so engaged I forgot to try to figure out who did it. Second, when the reveal came, I was STUNNED! It made so much sense, but I never saw it coming. I tracked it back, (just like right after I watched "The Sixth Sense") and every "t" was crossed, every "i" dotted.
I don't often write reviews, but I felt compelled with this one. I can't recommend it highly enough. Get it now; thank me later! :)
Get it here!
I pride myself on being able to figure out books with a twist. I could tell from the beginning that this novel had one. The killer is shrouded in mystery. Aha! A challenge.
Two things happened as I read. First, I was so engaged I forgot to try to figure out who did it. Second, when the reveal came, I was STUNNED! It made so much sense, but I never saw it coming. I tracked it back, (just like right after I watched "The Sixth Sense") and every "t" was crossed, every "i" dotted.
I don't often write reviews, but I felt compelled with this one. I can't recommend it highly enough. Get it now; thank me later! :)
Get it here!
July 13, 2010
Plain Jane creeps up on you, making it as hard to put down as it is to outguess. The profiler, Kent, is a disturbing, complex character whose job is to get into the minds of the serial killers he tracks, and he succeeds almost too well. His on-again/off-again relationship with Nicole, a police officer who all too often has to cover for his eccentricities, is a classic case of attraction and repulsion, but you can't help hoping they find a way to get together, if only to read more about their steamy and seductive chemistry.
My only complaint is that there were a couple of times when it was a little hard to believe the police force would tolerate Kent's behavior, even given his successes. This only intrudes once or twice, but otherwise I was caught up in the flow of this extremely well crafted suspense thriller.
My only complaint is that there were a couple of times when it was a little hard to believe the police force would tolerate Kent's behavior, even given his successes. This only intrudes once or twice, but otherwise I was caught up in the flow of this extremely well crafted suspense thriller.
July 25, 2010
This is a tight, sexy crime drama with grit and guts. Meant to be devoured rather than savored, we follow profiler Kent Harbinger through urban landscapes as he stalks potential victims of a particularly unsavory serial killer. Harbinger is a treat: antisocial, belligerent, beguiling and unlawful, he is an irresistible bad boy hero. Lots of romantic tension here, too, as his ex-partner, Nicole the cop, tries desperately to tamp down her attraction in order to apprehend the Plain Jane killer.
I saw a few things coming before they landed, but that's okay. There's plenty of twists and turns, ups and downs, locks and loads in these short, rat-a-tat chapters to keep a crime story lover turning pages until well past bedtime.
The author blogs about writing and social media networking. Well worth checking out at http://cristynwest.blogspot.com/2010/...
I saw a few things coming before they landed, but that's okay. There's plenty of twists and turns, ups and downs, locks and loads in these short, rat-a-tat chapters to keep a crime story lover turning pages until well past bedtime.
The author blogs about writing and social media networking. Well worth checking out at http://cristynwest.blogspot.com/2010/...
March 4, 2011
I'm a little torn on how to rate this book. The good points: The plot was entertaining, fast-paced and had a great twist. The characters were unique. Overall, it kept me turning pages.
My problems: I wanted more from the main characters. I needed some background, bits of their personal lives, emotions, etc., so that their choices and actions would make sense. I wasn't clear on why or how the connection between this one FBI profiler and the particular detective squad originated. FBI and cops are not typically workmates. There were some minor inconsistencies within the story and I found it distracting that the characters were often referred to by their job description or appearance ("the profiler", "the detective", "the brunette"), rather than by name.
This is the author's first book. And, in the end, I enjoyed it despite the problem areas.
My problems: I wanted more from the main characters. I needed some background, bits of their personal lives, emotions, etc., so that their choices and actions would make sense. I wasn't clear on why or how the connection between this one FBI profiler and the particular detective squad originated. FBI and cops are not typically workmates. There were some minor inconsistencies within the story and I found it distracting that the characters were often referred to by their job description or appearance ("the profiler", "the detective", "the brunette"), rather than by name.
This is the author's first book. And, in the end, I enjoyed it despite the problem areas.
August 5, 2012
I do most of my reading while riding my stationary bike so I look for books that have a great pace to them. This one did not let me down!
The story quickly draws you in and places you in the mind of an FBI profiler and the detectives that work with them. The case has a lot of twist and turns and keeps the adrenaline pumping.
I was able to deduce factors about the killer much more quickly than most of the reviewers but that didn't change a thing about the reading because I wasn't sure that I was correct until it was finally revealed.
Although there is some gore (it is about a serial killer after all), it is very mild compared to many books/movies. So if you sometimes steer away for that reason, this one might be ok for you.
Overall, very well written as it kept me in suspense and wanting to get to the next part as soon as possible.
The story quickly draws you in and places you in the mind of an FBI profiler and the detectives that work with them. The case has a lot of twist and turns and keeps the adrenaline pumping.
I was able to deduce factors about the killer much more quickly than most of the reviewers but that didn't change a thing about the reading because I wasn't sure that I was correct until it was finally revealed.
Although there is some gore (it is about a serial killer after all), it is very mild compared to many books/movies. So if you sometimes steer away for that reason, this one might be ok for you.
Overall, very well written as it kept me in suspense and wanting to get to the next part as soon as possible.
November 2, 2014
KENT HARBINGER LEAVES ME SO ANGRY AND CONFUSED I LOVE AND HATE HIM, SOMETIMES BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE MAN CAN BE SUCH AN A-HOLE BUT HE IS USUALLY A MISUNDERSTOOD ONE. I GUESSED AT WHO WAS DOING ALL THE KILLING AND HAPPENED TO BE RIGHT, YOU COULD SORTA SEE IT COMING (just a little bit). I WONDER WHERE THE KENT & NICOLE SITUATION IS HEADED, HOPEFULLY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (please let that happen). WELL I'M OFF TO READ MORE IN THIS SERIES (I'm super addicted now) LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE BLOOD-N-GUTS, CREEPY CHARACTERS, PSYCO-KILLERS AND OF COURSE THE MAGNIFICENT SMART-AS-HELL (ta-da) KENT! LOVE THAT GUY. ;D
February 22, 2016
This author has created a character that you will either love or hate, there is no in-between lol. I happen to love him. Some will say that some of the things that hapen in the book are too unbelieveable to be true and couldn't possibly happen in law enforcement... to that I say... "You're reading a FICTION BOOK!".
If you want something that's true, go and read something in the Non-fiction section.
It's called "Suspension of Disbelief" and it's used in TV, Movies, Video Games and yes, I hate to break it to you, but also in Books.
This little series is short but oh so sweet.
If you want something that's true, go and read something in the Non-fiction section.
It's called "Suspension of Disbelief" and it's used in TV, Movies, Video Games and yes, I hate to break it to you, but also in Books.
This little series is short but oh so sweet.
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