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If Looks Could Kill: Murder Mystery
"Adroitly crafted and ingeniously plotted. This one is a spellbinder." ~John Lutz, author of UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD
Chris Jackson has secrets.
A wildly popular author of suspense novels, Chris hides away in the tiny town of Pyrite, Missouri, where she lives in a converted storefront and practices breaking-and-entering on local businesses.
Most of the citizens of Pyrite happily claim Chris as their very own celebrity. But the new police chief, Al MacNamara isn't one of them. Recently transplanted from the mean streets of Chicago, Mac hates mysteries. And Chris Jackson is a mystery.
Then, the murders begin. Murders that look suspiciously like those in Chris's books. Murders that escalate to a grisly stabbing that exactly mimicks a story no one has read except Chris, herself.
With MacNamara's help, Chris is forced to delve into the dark recesses of her past for answers. Is a madman stalking Chris? Or is Chris right to question her own sanity? Could she be committing the murders herself?
"...has as many layers as an onion and more than a few surprises." ~Gothic Journal
Publisher's As a former trauma nurse, Eileen Dreyer combines her real-world medical knowledge and superb story-telling to bring readers a series of uniquely plotted, spine-tingling, medical mysteries. Fans of Tami Hoag, Elizabeth George, Nora Roberts as well as John Lutz, Michael Crichton and Patricia Cornwell will enjoy these well-crafted medical thrillers.
OTHER MEDICAL SUSPENSE/THRILLERS by Eileen
Nothing Personal
Brain Dead
Bad Medicine
If Looks Could Kill
Chris Jackson has secrets.
A wildly popular author of suspense novels, Chris hides away in the tiny town of Pyrite, Missouri, where she lives in a converted storefront and practices breaking-and-entering on local businesses.
Most of the citizens of Pyrite happily claim Chris as their very own celebrity. But the new police chief, Al MacNamara isn't one of them. Recently transplanted from the mean streets of Chicago, Mac hates mysteries. And Chris Jackson is a mystery.
Then, the murders begin. Murders that look suspiciously like those in Chris's books. Murders that escalate to a grisly stabbing that exactly mimicks a story no one has read except Chris, herself.
With MacNamara's help, Chris is forced to delve into the dark recesses of her past for answers. Is a madman stalking Chris? Or is Chris right to question her own sanity? Could she be committing the murders herself?
"...has as many layers as an onion and more than a few surprises." ~Gothic Journal
Publisher's As a former trauma nurse, Eileen Dreyer combines her real-world medical knowledge and superb story-telling to bring readers a series of uniquely plotted, spine-tingling, medical mysteries. Fans of Tami Hoag, Elizabeth George, Nora Roberts as well as John Lutz, Michael Crichton and Patricia Cornwell will enjoy these well-crafted medical thrillers.
OTHER MEDICAL SUSPENSE/THRILLERS by Eileen
Nothing Personal
Brain Dead
Bad Medicine
If Looks Could Kill
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
498 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Dreyer
74 books766 followersNew York Times bestselling, award-winning author Eileen Dreyer, known as Kathleen Korbel to her Silhouette readers, has published 28 romance novels, 8 medico-forensic suspenses, and 7 short stories.
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
2012 sees Eileen enjoying critical acclaim for her first foray into historical romance, the Drake's Rakes series, which follow the lives of a group of British aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe. After publication of the first trilogy in the series, she has just signed for the next trilogy, following the graduates of the aptly named Last Chance Academy, who each finds herself crossing swords with Drake's Rakes. Eileen spent time not only in England and Italy, but India to research the series (it's a filthy job, but somebody has to do it).
A retired trauma nurse, Eileen lives in her native St. Louis with her husband, children, and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the limelight.
Dreyer won her first publishing award in 1987, being named the best new Contemporary Romance Author by RT Bookclub. Since that time she has also garnered not only five other writing awards from RT, but five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her only the fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Since extending her reach to suspense, she has also garnered a coveted Anthony Award nomination.
A frequent speaker at conferences, she maintains membership in Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and, just in case things go wrong, Emergency Nurses Association and International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She counts film producers, police detectives and Olympic athletes as some of her sources and friends. She's also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn't see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn't pan out.
Get in touch: eileendreyer@eileendreyer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 21, 2019
I must admit that it was not one of my favourite suspense novel books, I didn't like the heroine very much as many things are troubling her and even if the plot is full of action and great suspense it didn't convice me so much.
March 11, 2022
Al "Mac" MacNamara left the Chicago Police Department behind and has taken a job as the Police Chief in a small Missouri town. He is looking forward to a slower pace where jaywalking and shoplifting are the crimes of the day. As Mac learns his way around town and meets the residents, he encounters Chris Jackson, a local who writes mysteries under the pseudonym C.J. Turner. Chris receives a call from a St. Louis detective who informs her that someone is using scenes from Chris' books to kill people. Chris feels guilty that someone would use her books to commit murder. She also starts receiving threats from the killer which Mac takes very seriously.
This story was all over the place. The highlight was the many strange people who lived in that town, including a ventriloquist and his dummy. I loved some of their scenes. I didn't like Chris and didn't understand some of the things that she did. I thought the pacing of the story was uneven. I kept wanting to skip ahead in the story to see if it was going to get better. My rating: 2 Stars.
This story was all over the place. The highlight was the many strange people who lived in that town, including a ventriloquist and his dummy. I loved some of their scenes. I didn't like Chris and didn't understand some of the things that she did. I thought the pacing of the story was uneven. I kept wanting to skip ahead in the story to see if it was going to get better. My rating: 2 Stars.
September 27, 2014
This crime/mystery was all over the place. I'm not even sure what the title has to do with the story but that was only one thing out of the many in this book that didn't make any sense.
Victims were killed by the cop that was investigating the case because she was in the same insane asylum as the
writer of the books that she was mimicking the murder situations because she felt she was that writers conscience? I would almost call that a spoiler except as you read the book you won't find it consistent throughout the story. It happens without any links at the beginning and shows up again at the end. This is a book that adds a 'surprise' to very corner without any consistency to piece it all together.
The characters blended together and although they were meant to have great depths, failed in showing any. Too many things were presented without any explanation so never made any believable sense. The author even spent a few paragraphs explaining how they never found out how the killer found and used a scene from a book that hadn't been published yet. They just could never figure that out. There were loose ends all over the place that made it difficult to follow or care.
Victims were killed by the cop that was investigating the case because she was in the same insane asylum as the
writer of the books that she was mimicking the murder situations because she felt she was that writers conscience? I would almost call that a spoiler except as you read the book you won't find it consistent throughout the story. It happens without any links at the beginning and shows up again at the end. This is a book that adds a 'surprise' to very corner without any consistency to piece it all together.
The characters blended together and although they were meant to have great depths, failed in showing any. Too many things were presented without any explanation so never made any believable sense. The author even spent a few paragraphs explaining how they never found out how the killer found and used a scene from a book that hadn't been published yet. They just could never figure that out. There were loose ends all over the place that made it difficult to follow or care.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2013
TO DRAWNED OUT AND I REALLY DIN'T LIKE EITHER OF THE LEAD CHARACTERS MAC & CHRIS. STORY TAKES PLACE IN THE SMALL TOWN OF PYRITE, MISOURI IN THE OZARKS AROUND THE EARLY 1990'S. THE TOWN REMINDED ME OF TW0 OLD TV SHOWS I REALLY LOVED "PICKET FENCES" & "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, MAYBERRY RFD" WITH A LITTLE TOUCH OF "TWIN PEAKS". THIS TO ME SAVED THE BOOK I MEAN THE RESIDENTS WERE ALL REAL SPACE CADET'S BUT VERY ENJOYABLE. THE MAIN LEADS HAD SO MANY ISSUES THEY WERE MORE MENTAL THAN THE TOWNSPEOPLE THEY MADE FEEL MORE ANNOYED INSTEAD OF HAVING COMPASSION FOR THEM. STORYLINE WAS KIND OF MUDDLED AND BY THE END IT GOT CONFUSING NEAR THE END, WHEN ALL WAS REVEALED I JUST SAID TO MYSELF HUH! WTF!!
January 14, 2018
How on earth did I miss reading this one when it first came out? It's not one of Eileen's medical thrillers, but it sure has plenty of action (and blood!). Fast paced, fascinating in its insights into coping with psychological problems and phobias, and also a first rate mystery, playing fair in the dropping of clues department but with some nice twists to keep the reader from figuring things out too soon.
May 6, 2013
Weirdly, this book is a comfort read for me. I have read it five or six times. I am not completely sure why as there is violence and suspense and darkness. Perhaps it is that the darkness is confronted.
The heroine, Chris, is a novelist. She is described as writing mysteries though the descriptions of the books sound like they are close to horror, as well. As the book begins, someone is copy-catting her books, setting up murders that are almost identical. Although Chris can write a good murder/horror, she herself is fragile due to a very unhappy childhood and adolescence. Some may feel that the horrors of her upbringing are unbelievable but my life experience tells me otherwise (which may be one of the reasons I like this book so much).
The very small town where Chris lives has a new police chief, himself dealing with trauma. Another police officer from St Louis comes to town to help investigate the murders and their similarities to Chris's books.
The small town has all sorts of "characters" and hidden secrets. And, yes, murder does come to town. In the end, Chris and police chief McNamara have to face their issues as they fight for their lives. At the end, the murders resolved and, their lives saved, they move forward into dealing with past trauma.
The heroine, Chris, is a novelist. She is described as writing mysteries though the descriptions of the books sound like they are close to horror, as well. As the book begins, someone is copy-catting her books, setting up murders that are almost identical. Although Chris can write a good murder/horror, she herself is fragile due to a very unhappy childhood and adolescence. Some may feel that the horrors of her upbringing are unbelievable but my life experience tells me otherwise (which may be one of the reasons I like this book so much).
The very small town where Chris lives has a new police chief, himself dealing with trauma. Another police officer from St Louis comes to town to help investigate the murders and their similarities to Chris's books.
The small town has all sorts of "characters" and hidden secrets. And, yes, murder does come to town. In the end, Chris and police chief McNamara have to face their issues as they fight for their lives. At the end, the murders resolved and, their lives saved, they move forward into dealing with past trauma.
June 18, 2013
What a great book! I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was the killer. I had my thoughts toward the middle of the book, but there were so many twist that I started to confuse myself with my actual decision, lol. This book can definitely mess with your head a little. This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more by her.
Poor Chris, I totally felt for her and how she was trying so hard to deal with her issues. I thought Mac's character was great, and I loved that the little bit of caring more than friends flowed into the story, there wasn't any deep romance written in the novel but it really kind of fit nicely when they started to realize a little more how much they were growing close. Both characters fit so well because they both had demons they were trying to fight. Chris tried to stay strong for so long, but when killings started happening she slowly started to break, that is where Mac's so called strength came in, even though he had issues from an accident he suffered while on the job in Chicago PD, he still had enough to help Chris.
Great book, definitely would recommend!
Poor Chris, I totally felt for her and how she was trying so hard to deal with her issues. I thought Mac's character was great, and I loved that the little bit of caring more than friends flowed into the story, there wasn't any deep romance written in the novel but it really kind of fit nicely when they started to realize a little more how much they were growing close. Both characters fit so well because they both had demons they were trying to fight. Chris tried to stay strong for so long, but when killings started happening she slowly started to break, that is where Mac's so called strength came in, even though he had issues from an accident he suffered while on the job in Chicago PD, he still had enough to help Chris.
Great book, definitely would recommend!
August 3, 2013
This would have been a very well written psycho thriller and gotten a rave review from me. Would have been if the author had not resorted to a worn out cliche: Christian bashing. In this book she paints Christians as a bunch of under-educated, murderous child-abusers without a single redeeming trait in a single character. This is both old and insulting. IMHO it is time Christians began to revolt against this type of treatment. It has gone on quite long enough.
Get some imagination, Ms. Dreyer, and find a more plausible enemy.
Get some imagination, Ms. Dreyer, and find a more plausible enemy.
September 5, 2013
Not terrible, but the heroine had much too much drama in her head that wasn't explained until quite late. Lots of description of her being frightened of the dark and how it made her feel, but it felt like Drama Queen overreaction. The villain is a bit inexplicable, even after the screaming explanation.
September 1, 2013
It was suspenseful but not really scary. There were times when I felt "enough already, just tell him!" but I guess that's the whole point of suspense. I felt maybe I was missing part of the story, wondering if there is a prequel or maybe another book that is about Macnamara. Maybe I should look into that...
August 16, 2018
There was too much introspection on the part of Chris, the main character. That got old quickly. It dragged along for me and I ended up skipping or quickly reading parts of it to get to the point of what was going on. I'm glad I finally finished it because I started to give up on it several times.
May 18, 2017
I'm just a big fan of clever. Hate the covers of the books, because they're obviously there just to catch the eye and have NOTHING to do with the contents. I'm on my third copy.
May 31, 2013
One of the worst mystery books I've read in a while. What a long, drawn-out, boring story. Hated it on so many levels. I didn't like the story, the characters or the writing.
June 17, 2013
It was okay but just ok.
Want to read
September 6, 2013Very slow...I got to around page 100, maybe will give it another chance in a while...
November 12, 2013
A little draggy in places, but definitely kept me guessing.
September 14, 2015
If Looks Could Kill review
If Looks Could Kill is a suspense novel written by author Eileen Dreyer. I found the story interesting, but somewhat disjointed.
If Looks Could Kill is a suspense novel written by author Eileen Dreyer. I found the story interesting, but somewhat disjointed.
March 16, 2020
Worst crime fiction EVER!
I can't believe how truly bad this book is! If Looks Could Kill by Eileen Dreyer is just excessive in every way possible when it comes to the main character. Chris Jackson has just too many fears and recriminations to fill several books on psychology and psychiatry. She also rambles about them at such length that I quickly grew bored with her constant insecurities and indecisions. Maybe the author thought these excessive litanies as a way of bonding, of making readers feel for Chris, but they only made her an insufferable egotist.
Needless to say, it robbed any intrinsical crime value this story might have had.
Not only do I NOT recommend this book, but I'd have rate this book half a star if only given the chance.
I can't believe how truly bad this book is! If Looks Could Kill by Eileen Dreyer is just excessive in every way possible when it comes to the main character. Chris Jackson has just too many fears and recriminations to fill several books on psychology and psychiatry. She also rambles about them at such length that I quickly grew bored with her constant insecurities and indecisions. Maybe the author thought these excessive litanies as a way of bonding, of making readers feel for Chris, but they only made her an insufferable egotist.
Needless to say, it robbed any intrinsical crime value this story might have had.
Not only do I NOT recommend this book, but I'd have rate this book half a star if only given the chance.
June 18, 2020
I’m so glad I found Eileen Dreyer! Suspense with humor. A winner.
A great read with wonderful characters that fill the world of Pyrite, MO. The character development and psychological suspense are outstanding and every character, even the least significant, practically walk off the page. The humor is tart and satisfying. All in all, this book leaves the reader wanting more of the same.
A great read with wonderful characters that fill the world of Pyrite, MO. The character development and psychological suspense are outstanding and every character, even the least significant, practically walk off the page. The humor is tart and satisfying. All in all, this book leaves the reader wanting more of the same.
July 28, 2020
At the beginning of this book, I thought it was just a small town mystery with quirky characters. It was the first I had read by this author, so I wasn’t really prepared for the plot twists that came quickly. It turned out to be very suspenseful. Couldn’t put it down. The murderer was only revealed near the end. My only complain, and I know it is a unreasonable one, I wanted to see Chris confront her mother!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2021
Darn good
Chris Jackson , with other aliases , lives in Pyrite . A successful author , of crime mysteries and romance stories , she loves the anonymous life the town let's her live. New police chief , Mac is also looking forward to a quieter life than Chicago where he had faced demons of his own . Suddenly Chris found out that someone was recreating the murders from her books . Who was it? Her? Good thriller .
Chris Jackson , with other aliases , lives in Pyrite . A successful author , of crime mysteries and romance stories , she loves the anonymous life the town let's her live. New police chief , Mac is also looking forward to a quieter life than Chicago where he had faced demons of his own . Suddenly Chris found out that someone was recreating the murders from her books . Who was it? Her? Good thriller .
June 7, 2025
What a page-turner! The setting and its inhabitants, a cast of lovable weirdos and fierce found family, made me care from the first page. The slow revelation of the central mystery is offset by the deftly built tension of the individual crimes, and the ultimate resolution is immensely satisfying. Brava!
January 13, 2018
How beautifully written and how powerfully it draws you in with rich characters--a town full. It has been a very long time since an author so moved me and compelled my involvement. What a story! Unexpected twists yet oddly expected. Why has it taken me so long to find this author?!?!
February 8, 2018
Great book
I thought this was even better than her previous books and I have liked them all. She certainly can keep you on the edge of your seat. This is definitely a five star read. Virgo 70
I thought this was even better than her previous books and I have liked them all. She certainly can keep you on the edge of your seat. This is definitely a five star read. Virgo 70
August 18, 2019
Clever plot and sharp witted characters
The author drew you into her characters by creating a curiosity about them. The mystery revolved around them and challenged me constantly. I love this writing style!
The author drew you into her characters by creating a curiosity about them. The mystery revolved around them and challenged me constantly. I love this writing style!
August 20, 2021
One of the best books I've read in a while. All the scumbags get their just rewards. The good guys work through things and become better. I just really enjoyed it and lost much needed sleep just so I could see where it was going.
October 12, 2023
Great Story that will keep you guessing!
I was hooked from chapter 1. Every time I thought I had something figured out there was another twist. I would definitely recommend this book!
I was hooked from chapter 1. Every time I thought I had something figured out there was another twist. I would definitely recommend this book!
November 1, 2017
2.5 stars
March 24, 2019
Absolutely intriguing
I loved this story and it had the most interesting characters. It is one of those books you find hard to put down.
I loved this story and it had the most interesting characters. It is one of those books you find hard to put down.
May 26, 2019
I loved it. A spell-binding thriller that grabs on and won't let go. You want to keep reading to see what will happen, but at the same time you don't want it to end. i would highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews