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Karin Schaeffer #3
The 12th Victim
The police call him... the working girl killer. But no woman is safe...
The 11th victim is found only a short distance from Karin Shaeffer’s house. At the crime-scene she discovers a local prostitute stabbed to death, the knife left embedded between her breasts.
It is the signature of the ‘Working Girl Killer’ – a serial killer who has terrorised New York City for the last three years. The police are clueless but when Karin’s best friend becomes the lead investigator, she finds herself drawn into the investigation as a consulting detective.
But next time the killer is going to strike all too close to home...
(Also published as VANISHING GIRLS, US edition)
The 11th victim is found only a short distance from Karin Shaeffer’s house. At the crime-scene she discovers a local prostitute stabbed to death, the knife left embedded between her breasts.
It is the signature of the ‘Working Girl Killer’ – a serial killer who has terrorised New York City for the last three years. The police are clueless but when Karin’s best friend becomes the lead investigator, she finds herself drawn into the investigation as a consulting detective.
But next time the killer is going to strike all too close to home...
(Also published as VANISHING GIRLS, US edition)
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
48 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Katia Lief
29 books231 followersThe first thing I ever wrote that received any notice was a one page story for my third grade English teacher. I don't recall what the assignment was, but I somehow found myself writing about a woman at a dinner party who suddenly realizes her teeth are invisible. She sits there, wedged between two chattering guests, wondering how she will eat, how she will talk, and generally how she will get out of the situation without having to open her mouth and reveal her dilemma. My teacher showed the story to my parents with a note to this effect: Katia could be a writer.
What if her note had instead encouraged me to be a dentist?
But it didn't. And so here I am.
So far I've published two literary novels (as Katia Spiegelman, the name I was born with), and seven suspense novels--five as Kate Pepper (a pseudonym) and two as Katia Lief (the name I live by). And to complicated things even more, I'm adding a new pen name to my arsenal-Karen Ellis-with my new novel A MAP OF THE DARK, coming January 2, 2018.
I have loved writing every one of my novels, and hope you will enjoy reading them.
What if her note had instead encouraged me to be a dentist?
But it didn't. And so here I am.
So far I've published two literary novels (as Katia Spiegelman, the name I was born with), and seven suspense novels--five as Kate Pepper (a pseudonym) and two as Katia Lief (the name I live by). And to complicated things even more, I'm adding a new pen name to my arsenal-Karen Ellis-with my new novel A MAP OF THE DARK, coming January 2, 2018.
I have loved writing every one of my novels, and hope you will enjoy reading them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 11, 2017
Another great Karin Schaeffer book! This one had way more suspense than the prior book and it read much better. Highly recommend!
October 14, 2024
This is the third book in the Karin Schaeffer series. After the trauma that filled her life as a detective in previous books, Karin is now working as a private investigator. She and Mac are married and they have a young son named Ben. Mac is suffering with the flu so on her way to the pharmacy she comes across a crime scene being working by her friend, police detective Billy Staples, who is suffering from a PTSD panic attack. He's been trying to track down a sadistic criminal, known as the Working Girl Killer, because he kills prostitutes.
There's another body in the same area, an eleven year old girl who is the apparent victim of a hit and run driver. When Karin goes to the girl's house to inform the family, she discovers her wealthy parents have been murdered. Karin begins to involve herself more and more with the crimes as events surrounding them continue to escalate. Before long, even her family is affected in a horrific way.
Karin is one of the most haunting characters I've ever read about. She's been shattered by death and pain and readers want her to be able to find some sort of peace. This wasn't my favorite of the four book series but I enjoy the characters and the well written story.
There's another body in the same area, an eleven year old girl who is the apparent victim of a hit and run driver. When Karin goes to the girl's house to inform the family, she discovers her wealthy parents have been murdered. Karin begins to involve herself more and more with the crimes as events surrounding them continue to escalate. Before long, even her family is affected in a horrific way.
Karin is one of the most haunting characters I've ever read about. She's been shattered by death and pain and readers want her to be able to find some sort of peace. This wasn't my favorite of the four book series but I enjoy the characters and the well written story.
February 27, 2016
I’m going to be honest and say this is probably my favourite book in the Karin series thus far.
Whilst I have enjoyed all the Karin stories I have had this strange love-hate relationship in which I have wanted more. With this one, however, the things which had annoyed me with the prior books seemed to disappear. I felt as though the prior books contained a lot of starting and starting, the story not flowing as well as I would have liked, yet with this one such is not the case. Events seem to move at a much smoother rate and at a speed I was much happier with.
In fact, I think the only thing which annoyed me this go around was Mac’s character. I’d been somewhat annoyed with him in the last book but in this one I suddenly found myself disliking his character. It did not affect my enjoyment of the story, but I am somewhat disappointed that I’ve come to dislike his character as in the first book I really enjoyed the way he was there for Karin.
Still, this book is my favourite thus far. It’s such a great crime story, with so much going on. I especially loved the questionable motives of characters we have come to love in past book. Overall it works to make the book a much more interesting read than the first two.
My only regret is that I do not have the next book to read!
Whilst I have enjoyed all the Karin stories I have had this strange love-hate relationship in which I have wanted more. With this one, however, the things which had annoyed me with the prior books seemed to disappear. I felt as though the prior books contained a lot of starting and starting, the story not flowing as well as I would have liked, yet with this one such is not the case. Events seem to move at a much smoother rate and at a speed I was much happier with.
In fact, I think the only thing which annoyed me this go around was Mac’s character. I’d been somewhat annoyed with him in the last book but in this one I suddenly found myself disliking his character. It did not affect my enjoyment of the story, but I am somewhat disappointed that I’ve come to dislike his character as in the first book I really enjoyed the way he was there for Karin.
Still, this book is my favourite thus far. It’s such a great crime story, with so much going on. I especially loved the questionable motives of characters we have come to love in past book. Overall it works to make the book a much more interesting read than the first two.
My only regret is that I do not have the next book to read!
July 16, 2012
Although having faced many tragedies in her life, Karin Schaeffer, former police officer, thinks her life is finally smoothing out. Her husband Mac MacLeary is operating his business as a private investigator. Karin is helping him out as well as trying to take some classes to further her education.
Mac has come down with the flu and Karin orders him to bed. When Mac receives a text from his friend Detective Billy Staples, he immediately gets dressed ready to go meet Billy. Karin insists that Mac return to bed and tell Billy he just can't meet him. Mac argues with Karin and finally admits to her that Billy is having flashbacks at crime scenes and loses control. Billy is terrified. Mac had promised Billy not to reveal the problem to anyone but Mac is just too sick to go out to meet Billy. Karin insists that she will go and meet Billy and the crime scene that awaits her is a real shock.
A serial killer is on the loose in the city and he is killing young women. When Karin arrives at Billy's crime scene she finds that, there is not just one victim but two. A woman who has been strangled and finished off with a knife between her breasts. The second victim is a very young girl who has been struck by a car. The child was not even wearing shoes and it is a mystery as to why and how she came to be in the neighborhood.
Karin is concerned about Billy and wants to help him with the investigation as well as make some suggestions that might improve his mental health. It is not long before Karin has a lot more to worry about than Mac with the flu, Billy's mental health, and the small girl in the hospital. The serial killer has struck very close to Karin's family.
This is a very complicated story with a lot of twists and turns but eventually the truth comes out and a story is revealed that shocks the entire city. This book can be read as a stand-alone but once you read Vanishing Girls you may want to read the other Karin Schaeffer novels and learn more about Karin and the trials she has had to face. The titles are Next Time You See Me and You Are Next. As for me, I am anxiously awaiting the next Katie Lief story.
Mac has come down with the flu and Karin orders him to bed. When Mac receives a text from his friend Detective Billy Staples, he immediately gets dressed ready to go meet Billy. Karin insists that Mac return to bed and tell Billy he just can't meet him. Mac argues with Karin and finally admits to her that Billy is having flashbacks at crime scenes and loses control. Billy is terrified. Mac had promised Billy not to reveal the problem to anyone but Mac is just too sick to go out to meet Billy. Karin insists that she will go and meet Billy and the crime scene that awaits her is a real shock.
A serial killer is on the loose in the city and he is killing young women. When Karin arrives at Billy's crime scene she finds that, there is not just one victim but two. A woman who has been strangled and finished off with a knife between her breasts. The second victim is a very young girl who has been struck by a car. The child was not even wearing shoes and it is a mystery as to why and how she came to be in the neighborhood.
Karin is concerned about Billy and wants to help him with the investigation as well as make some suggestions that might improve his mental health. It is not long before Karin has a lot more to worry about than Mac with the flu, Billy's mental health, and the small girl in the hospital. The serial killer has struck very close to Karin's family.
This is a very complicated story with a lot of twists and turns but eventually the truth comes out and a story is revealed that shocks the entire city. This book can be read as a stand-alone but once you read Vanishing Girls you may want to read the other Karin Schaeffer novels and learn more about Karin and the trials she has had to face. The titles are Next Time You See Me and You Are Next. As for me, I am anxiously awaiting the next Katie Lief story.
December 30, 2014
A fast-pace thrill ride in the third Karin book. It's hard to tell who to trust when a girl is hit by a car fleeing the scene of her parents' murder. At the same time, Karin is drawn into the investigation when another case hits close to home when she stumbles on a body.
April 19, 2015
Book #3-but I did not read the first two but got "sucked" into the plot right away. Good speed and I loved the character development.
July 1, 2018
3 1/2. enjoyable.
December 26, 2012
Karin Schaeffer, ex-NYPD and now a private detective, working with her husband at MacLeary Investigations, in the newest book by Katia Lief, becomes embroiled in the hunt for a serial killer dubbed The Working Girl Killer. As you might guess, the victims have all been killed in the same manner, with the same exact type of weapon, and were all prostitutes. Seven young women had been found dead across Manhattan, then two in Brooklyn.
At 38, Karin is now seeking an undergraduate college degree in forensic psychology. She has not had an easy time of it, having survived the murder of her first husband and her daughter six years ago, and just recently had a miscarriage. She dotes on their little boy, Ben, though still grieving for her losses. As the book opens, Ben receives a text from Billy Staples, a detective at their local precinct in Brooklyn and Mac’s closest friend, from a crime scene that Billy believes to be where the serial killer has left his latest victim. Eerily, a little girl is found badly injured several blocks away after what is believed to be a hit-and-run.accident. The cops feel the two things could somehow be connected, as the location and timing seem to rule out coincidence.
Billy had been fighting his own demons. He has been hunting this killer for over a year. At the same time, Mac and Karin believe he is having hallucinations, suffering from PTSD after a horrifying incident when the woman he loved had tried to kill him, instead leaving him blinded in one eye; he had been forced to shoot her dead. The current investigation triggers all his symptoms again, and envelops Karin as well to a very personal degree.
It is an interesting plot, telling a very dark tale that stayed with this reader for quite a while after turning the last page. I have to admit, however, that after having read - - and loved! - - the authors two previous books, “You Are Next,” and “Next Time You See Me,” I felt this one did not live up to the expectations I had for it. And though it was an interesting read, in the end I was disappointed.
At 38, Karin is now seeking an undergraduate college degree in forensic psychology. She has not had an easy time of it, having survived the murder of her first husband and her daughter six years ago, and just recently had a miscarriage. She dotes on their little boy, Ben, though still grieving for her losses. As the book opens, Ben receives a text from Billy Staples, a detective at their local precinct in Brooklyn and Mac’s closest friend, from a crime scene that Billy believes to be where the serial killer has left his latest victim. Eerily, a little girl is found badly injured several blocks away after what is believed to be a hit-and-run.accident. The cops feel the two things could somehow be connected, as the location and timing seem to rule out coincidence.
Billy had been fighting his own demons. He has been hunting this killer for over a year. At the same time, Mac and Karin believe he is having hallucinations, suffering from PTSD after a horrifying incident when the woman he loved had tried to kill him, instead leaving him blinded in one eye; he had been forced to shoot her dead. The current investigation triggers all his symptoms again, and envelops Karin as well to a very personal degree.
It is an interesting plot, telling a very dark tale that stayed with this reader for quite a while after turning the last page. I have to admit, however, that after having read - - and loved! - - the authors two previous books, “You Are Next,” and “Next Time You See Me,” I felt this one did not live up to the expectations I had for it. And though it was an interesting read, in the end I was disappointed.
May 20, 2016
It's the first time that i have just rushed into my local bookstore and chose a book after reading it's synopsis. And I find myself so lucky to have picked my first Katie Lief read. It was an awesome experience. Full of mystery, excitement, action, thrill and heart touching moments.
July 8, 2015
Boring most of the time, not much happened....The author has a very slow style......Not gonna buy another one of her..........
October 8, 2022
This is the third of a four-book series featuring ex-cop Karin Schaefer. This is far and away the best book in the series, and I’ve decided not to read book four.
It appears that someone is murdering prostitutes. At the very least, the women vanish, and no one seems to know where they go. Things heat up particularly when the cops get a report about a hit and run in the neighborhood. Little Abby burst out of her home to save her life from someone who murdered her parents. In so doing, she inadvertently flung herself in front of a moving car. That put her in a coma for weeks and nearly killed her.
Karin’s Babysitter, a young woman originally from India, dies in her apartment when someone bursts in and kills her one night. Now, the case of the vanishing girls is personal too Karin.
The babysitter planned to reunite with her 12- year- old daughter who will visit the United States from India. Alas, the woman is dead. It's up to Karin to rescue the young girl from the human traffickers in India to whom her uncle has sold her. When the little girl comes to the United States, she makes friends with the newly awakened Abby. The story gets increasingly interesting from there. There are plenty of suspects, the writing is dazzling in a place or two, and it's quite good throughout. This is easily the best book of the first three I've read. I don't plan to read the 4th because it's set outside the United States and the first hour or so I put into it bored me. Incidentally, if you are a devout Catholic, and if you are disturbed by allegations of abuse levied against priests and other local leaders of your faith, this may be a good book to simply let slide by. The author seems to have a strong reaction to pedophile priests.
It appears that someone is murdering prostitutes. At the very least, the women vanish, and no one seems to know where they go. Things heat up particularly when the cops get a report about a hit and run in the neighborhood. Little Abby burst out of her home to save her life from someone who murdered her parents. In so doing, she inadvertently flung herself in front of a moving car. That put her in a coma for weeks and nearly killed her.
Karin’s Babysitter, a young woman originally from India, dies in her apartment when someone bursts in and kills her one night. Now, the case of the vanishing girls is personal too Karin.
The babysitter planned to reunite with her 12- year- old daughter who will visit the United States from India. Alas, the woman is dead. It's up to Karin to rescue the young girl from the human traffickers in India to whom her uncle has sold her. When the little girl comes to the United States, she makes friends with the newly awakened Abby. The story gets increasingly interesting from there. There are plenty of suspects, the writing is dazzling in a place or two, and it's quite good throughout. This is easily the best book of the first three I've read. I don't plan to read the 4th because it's set outside the United States and the first hour or so I put into it bored me. Incidentally, if you are a devout Catholic, and if you are disturbed by allegations of abuse levied against priests and other local leaders of your faith, this may be a good book to simply let slide by. The author seems to have a strong reaction to pedophile priests.
July 27, 2017
In Katia Lief's Vanishing Girls, the third installment in the Karin Schaeffer Mystery thriller series, get ready to be thrown into a twisted and violent world of child sex trafficking. It's close to Christmas time in New York City, when Karin's husband Mac is sick with the flu, and their close friend Billy is dealing with a major case of PTSD, Karin comes to the scene of a horrible crime. Another woman is found dead on the streets and a young child was hit by a car, putting her in a medical-induced coma. As a criminal forensic specialist, not yet part of the NYPD, she talks about the issue with her babysitter Chali Das for her son. As it made sensational news once again, Chali wanted to tell her something, before her daughter Dathi visits her from India. But before she could, it was too late, when she was killed. Now this meant something personal to Karin, when she contacted with Dathi and her folks in India about the harrowing news. While dealing with the loss of her baby girl from a miscarriage, she aches to have a child for her own and did everything she could to save Dathi from her uncle selling her for child trafficking across the globe. And she took care of Dathi under her home, while she bonded with Abby Dekker, who dealt with the loss of her family, and waking from her coma. That's when Karin started to piece the puzzle together when Dathi went missing as she learned a shocking conclusion about who killed Chali and the others in the end.
October 21, 2022
Serial killer or just coincidence
This the third book I have read by this author and this one did not disappoint. A series of going girls are being murdered. They are calling them the street walkers killer. As the investigation heats up investigation s of a group of men who are profiles take trips on planes to Brazil where children nearly only teenagers date their appetites. Next suspicion is centered on a Catholic priest and a secret he wishes to not divulge. Lot of research on this book.
This the third book I have read by this author and this one did not disappoint. A series of going girls are being murdered. They are calling them the street walkers killer. As the investigation heats up investigation s of a group of men who are profiles take trips on planes to Brazil where children nearly only teenagers date their appetites. Next suspicion is centered on a Catholic priest and a secret he wishes to not divulge. Lot of research on this book.
November 15, 2017
This was a Book Club read that turned out to be really good. Murder Mysteries are my favorite.
The book is very well written with several twists and unexpected turn that just added to the mystery throughout the book. One of those books that are hard to put down.
Very interesting characters which add a little extra to the story line.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Looking forward to more from this author.
The book is very well written with several twists and unexpected turn that just added to the mystery throughout the book. One of those books that are hard to put down.
Very interesting characters which add a little extra to the story line.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Looking forward to more from this author.
June 15, 2025
Das Buch hatte leider seine Längen, obwohl es am Ende für die gesamte Geschichte sehr wichtig war. Als sich das Buch zum Ende hin gesteigert hat und sich alles aufgelöst hat, konnte ich es kaum noch aus den Händen legen, aber davor war es schleppend.
Behandelt aber auch sehr wichtige Themen!
Behandelt aber auch sehr wichtige Themen!
August 3, 2025
Great plot, okay writing.
August 4, 2025
gelesen 2013 sehr spannend
Agnes und Steffi fanden es auch spannend.
Buch in Deutsch gelesen
Agnes und Steffi fanden es auch spannend.
Buch in Deutsch gelesen
October 5, 2025
highly recommend
June 22, 2012
Ex-policewoman, Karin Schaeffer, is back! As we begin the new tale, Karin receives a phone call that’s meant for her detective husband, Mac. Mac is down with a horrific case of the flu, so Karin decides to intercede on his behalf. Apparently, two women have been found on a Brooklyn street. One is a young girl who is the victim of a hit-and-run, while the other is a young woman who has been found slain with a dagger sticking out of her chest.
This particular MO is familiar to the city, seeing as that for the last two years the perpetrator known only as the “Working Girl Killer” has hunted prostitutes in Manhattan, and has already savagely slaughtered nine women in total. But with this new crime, the killer seems to have ‘jumped the river’ and is now operating in Brooklyn.
Seeing as that Mac is not ‘well enough for duty,’ Karin heads out to meet with Billy Staples, a Brooklyn policeman and friend, to check out the scene. Billy has a great deal of trouble dealing with horrific crimes such as these. Long ago Billy lost everything at the hands of a psychopath and sometimes falls into a paralyzing darkness (suffering from PTSD) when he comes across a crime that brings back the nightmares.
As Karin investigates she notices that there are differences with the latest crime scene that make it look as if another killer - perhaps a copycat - could be responsible. As she finds herself being pulled further into the crime, Karin also has to juggle her family. But when the killer strikes too close to home, Karin must soon find a way to solve the case and protect the ones she loves from becoming the next victims.
The plotting and timing of this story is absolutely perfect, and the author does an incredible job keeping the reader’s interest and making it completely impossible for readers to solve the mystery. Although I recommend reading the full series to get the ‘who’s who’ down, the building of danger and the ‘up in the air’ ending makes this a story that die-hard suspense fans will absolutely love.
Until Next Time, Everybody.
Amy
August 20, 2012
Having read the other 2 books in Katia Lief’s Karin Schaeffer series I was looking forward to this one. With the synopsis telling us that young women are being murdered and Karin and Mac’s best friend Billy becomes the lead detective it sounded interesting. The last book in the series was okay, it was certainly readable but I felt it was lacking a certain something. This third instalment was only 368 pages so whatever the book was like it wouldn’t take me long to get through.
It doesn’t take long for the reader to re-establish themselves with Karin and her husband Mac. They live with their young son Ben and Mac is suffering from a serious bout of flu when Karin gets a call from their close friend Billy. Billy is the lead detective on a new case but is suffering from post traumatic stress. This ultimately starts the story with a more personal element and the crime scene seems to be secondary to this. However, it soon becomes apparent that Billy’s attacks are more frequent and this leads to Karin’s involvement in the cases.
At around the halfway mark, I found myself enjoying the book but it just seemed to trundle along and there was no real urgency to the story. I found myself getting irritated by the constant referral to Billy’s stress attacks and this lessened the enjoyment somewhat. The crimes themselves could have worked out really well as all the key ingredients were there. We had murder, human trafficking and numerous suspects but it just didn’t seem to gel together well enough.
The elements of the book I enjoyed the most was the main characters themselves and I think Karin, Mac and Billy make great key characters in a series like this. If the crime elements were notched up a bit then the end result would be a lot better. I certainly didn’t dislike this book, but just felt with all the competition out there in this genre, there wasn’t enough to make it that memorable. I will certainly read the next instalment to see what happens to Mac and Karin but otherwise, may well have not bothered.
It doesn’t take long for the reader to re-establish themselves with Karin and her husband Mac. They live with their young son Ben and Mac is suffering from a serious bout of flu when Karin gets a call from their close friend Billy. Billy is the lead detective on a new case but is suffering from post traumatic stress. This ultimately starts the story with a more personal element and the crime scene seems to be secondary to this. However, it soon becomes apparent that Billy’s attacks are more frequent and this leads to Karin’s involvement in the cases.
At around the halfway mark, I found myself enjoying the book but it just seemed to trundle along and there was no real urgency to the story. I found myself getting irritated by the constant referral to Billy’s stress attacks and this lessened the enjoyment somewhat. The crimes themselves could have worked out really well as all the key ingredients were there. We had murder, human trafficking and numerous suspects but it just didn’t seem to gel together well enough.
The elements of the book I enjoyed the most was the main characters themselves and I think Karin, Mac and Billy make great key characters in a series like this. If the crime elements were notched up a bit then the end result would be a lot better. I certainly didn’t dislike this book, but just felt with all the competition out there in this genre, there wasn’t enough to make it that memorable. I will certainly read the next instalment to see what happens to Mac and Karin but otherwise, may well have not bothered.
July 5, 2012
There are some mystery novels that are impossible to put down. This is the latest book in the You Are Next series and it is fantastic. Vanishing Girls is enticing and surprising. The mystery starts when Karin Schaeffer takes a call meant for her detective husband who is sick with a bad case of the flu. Two women have been killed in Brooklyn and the perpetrator might be the notorious “Working Girl Killer” who has been murdering prostitutes in Manhattan for the last two years. As Schaeffer further investigates, she begins to wonder if this isn’t the Working Girl Killer, but a copycat. The next murder is close to her home, and the pressure is on to solve the case before the killer can strike again.
The characters are all interesting and keep you on your toes and the plot is enticing. Anyone could appreciate this novel and enjoy reading. To fully understand all the characters and previous occurrences, readers should get the first books in the series. I give this novel five out of five stars.
The characters are all interesting and keep you on your toes and the plot is enticing. Anyone could appreciate this novel and enjoy reading. To fully understand all the characters and previous occurrences, readers should get the first books in the series. I give this novel five out of five stars.
March 30, 2017
Please mind before reading. Entire review is a spoiler with the suspense almost written down. Please don't read my review if you have not read the book.
I could not understand the ending. All the while Billy was showing shady traits, and all of a sudden the suspect changed just like that. I did not like the flow of the story line. Katia could have very well put up multiple suspects. Billy should not have been brought under the lime light at all. He was going through PTSD, he could not have possibly murdered people. There was no reason to hint otherwise.
Because of that, the entire thrill went away. It could have been better. The portrayal of Karin, Dhati, Abby were wonderful. Mac felt like a needless side character. Everyone else was literally non existent except for the Father X, who was quite obvious for a suspect. Even the Parsons felt shady right from the start.
Except for Billy line up, everything went well. But just coz of Billy, my rating is 3 stars
I could not understand the ending. All the while Billy was showing shady traits, and all of a sudden the suspect changed just like that. I did not like the flow of the story line. Katia could have very well put up multiple suspects. Billy should not have been brought under the lime light at all. He was going through PTSD, he could not have possibly murdered people. There was no reason to hint otherwise.
Because of that, the entire thrill went away. It could have been better. The portrayal of Karin, Dhati, Abby were wonderful. Mac felt like a needless side character. Everyone else was literally non existent except for the Father X, who was quite obvious for a suspect. Even the Parsons felt shady right from the start.
Except for Billy line up, everything went well. But just coz of Billy, my rating is 3 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2012
Well written, but for me this was not a fast page turner. Possibly because the main character, Karin Schaeffer, is not in charge of solving the murders, as she's involved mostly because she tries to help a friend. This is, however, a more realistically written perspective of what it would be like to be a PI, who's a former cop with a tragic past, who ends up peripherally involved with a murder case while trying to maintain a normal family life and her mental health. The story did have just enough mystery to make me curious to see how certain plot lines turned out. I also appreciated the realism, the interesting characters and personalities, and the strength of Karin Schaeffer's character. Yet, while I've not read the prior 2 books in the series and the book has merit, I don't think I feel compelled to go back and fill in the gaps.
January 10, 2014
This is the 3rd book in the Karin Schaeffers story's
Karin and Mac have a a house keeper called Chali to help look after there son Ben, while both of them do the PI work,she is saving money so that her daughter Dathi can Come to live in the States
Billy who you remember from the last book getting shot is having flash backs of the shooting and he calls Mac, but Mac has flu and so Karin goes to see to him and while there a young girl has been hit by a car and another working girl had been killed.
The young women are all prostitute at the same time the young girl family is dead and Chali worked from the once babysitting. she tries to tell Karin but never got to tell her, the next day she dont turn up for work and karin waits and then goes to find her only to find her dead.
This book as lots of twist and turns to it and you wont be able to put the book down
Karin and Mac have a a house keeper called Chali to help look after there son Ben, while both of them do the PI work,she is saving money so that her daughter Dathi can Come to live in the States
Billy who you remember from the last book getting shot is having flash backs of the shooting and he calls Mac, but Mac has flu and so Karin goes to see to him and while there a young girl has been hit by a car and another working girl had been killed.
The young women are all prostitute at the same time the young girl family is dead and Chali worked from the once babysitting. she tries to tell Karin but never got to tell her, the next day she dont turn up for work and karin waits and then goes to find her only to find her dead.
This book as lots of twist and turns to it and you wont be able to put the book down
January 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It sucks you in and keeps you guessing all the way to the very end. It highlights the tangled way relationships can intersect with others in ways that you would never expect. While there is someone murdering prostitutes with a Bowie knife, an Indian immigrant working as a nanny is found dead with an imitation Bowie knife in her chest. Are the cases linked? Same killer laying a false trail? An imitator? I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys mystery/crime thrillers.
March 5, 2013
3.5/5 Stars
My favorite Katia Lief book to present, I found this book to be a bit tighter than her previous books. There continues to be a bit too much melodramatics for my liking. As a result, her books rarely, if ever, will get over the 3.5 stars mark.
I found this storyline to be a bit too much on the predictable side, as well. Furthermore, I thought aspects of it tied up with a nice red ribbon which tends to drive me crazy in books.
My favorite Katia Lief book to present, I found this book to be a bit tighter than her previous books. There continues to be a bit too much melodramatics for my liking. As a result, her books rarely, if ever, will get over the 3.5 stars mark.
I found this storyline to be a bit too much on the predictable side, as well. Furthermore, I thought aspects of it tied up with a nice red ribbon which tends to drive me crazy in books.
February 4, 2023
This is a pretty good crime thriller with a weaving story that leads in a very surprising direction which is hinted at throughout but that you're also directed away from with a few red herrings and overlapping sub-plots. There is plenty to keep you guessing as the story progresses as well as moments of true humanity and inhumanity as the issue of child marriage and children being sold into marriage rears its ugly head a few times.
September 20, 2012
Not one of the better ones from Katia Lief, it took me a while to get into it and I kept picking it up and putting it down, but as I had enjoyed the others in the series I decided to finish it. It was a bit predictable but I got there in the end.
September 16, 2013
Another enjoyable read in the Karin Schaffer series. The story kept me interested all the way through. However one element of it (re the daughter) was a touch far fetched for even me to believe. Roll on the next book to see what happens with that.
October 11, 2017
Well that was some rollercoaster ride & boy what a thrill ride it was too. This book was quite the page turner, loved it from start to finish. Great story plot & amazing characters. Edge of seat with anticipation of what will happen next. What more could u want. It truly was a fantastic read.
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