You Kill Me

Samantha Leiffer Mystery #2

by Alison Gaylin

Usually, Samantha Leiffer wouldn’t be caught dead using one of her mother’s cheesy catchphrases, like sympathy vulture, to describe anything—especially not her ex-boyfriend.  But since her self-help guru mom got her own radio show, her pearls of wisdom—broadcast everywhere—seem stuck in her head.   Is she “magically thinking”—or in real danger?   Mom claims Sam sees danger where it doesn’t exist.  But Sam isn’t so sure.  Is her live-in boyfriend, detective John Krull, just quiet and remote, or deeply troubled?  Is her ex trying to be friends, or stalking her?  When a nerdy stranger gives Sam a note warning her of danger unless she calls him, she thinks he’s just hitting on her—until one by one, people vaguely connected to her start getting killed.   And is someone trying to date her—or kill her?   Suddenly Sam knows she’s not imagining the murderer, who preys on the weak, who waits patiently for death.  With nowhere to run, Sam alone must confront an elusive madman who’s all too real—and closer than she thinks…   Praise for Hide Your Eyes   “Sharp debut suspense…consistently entertaining…”—Publishers Weekly   “Punchy, comic, and clever, Hide Your Eyes will blow your mind.” —Lisa Gardner   “Full of suspense and trendy sex.”—Chicago Tribune

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Murder Mystery

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2005

About the author

USA Today and international bestselling author Alison Gaylin has won the Edgar and Shamus awards, and has been nominated for many more, including the L.A. Times Book Prize, the ITW Thriller, the Strand Book Award, the Anthony and the Macavity. She is currently at work on her 15th novel.

Series:
* Samantha Leiffer Mystery
* Simone Glass Mystery

Reviews

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery part of this book takes too long to develop, and then it comes to an exciting inclusion at the end. The interpersonal part of the book is hit or miss with some really good sections. Some of the character's personalities really changed from book one, and that's a bit jolting.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In post-9-11 Manhattan, Samantha Leiffer is still trying to get a grip on her life. Her current live-in boyfriend, NYPD detective John Krull, isn't really deeply troubled, he's just "quiet". Her ex isn't really stalking her, he claims that he's just trying to stay friendly. And, the nerdy stranger who gives Sam a note warning her of danger unless she calls him, is probably just hitting on her. Until, that is, one by one, people around her start dying. Soon, she's realizes that she's not imagining things and the murderer may be closer than she thinks.

Sequel to Hide Your Eyes.
A great mystery-suspense with a feisty heroine.
Highly recommend.
Went back to read this earlier book because I enjoyed Trashed so much.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the least favorite of the Gaylin books I've read. It moved quickly but was just kind of meh. I didn't realize this was the second book of 2. I'll try to read the first to see what it's like.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t read the first, but got to know everyone quickly. Fun, easy read—very enjoyable. I was surprised and disappointed this was the last of Samantha—I’d like more of her and her compatriots! I will read others by this author in the meantime.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book I allways love your books.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love an interesting fast read. This fits the bill. Will read more Gaylin

[Robyn Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Audible

[Ashtottara Ashtottara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that is suspenseful to keep you engaged till the end.

[Sandy Brandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda had that one figured out early on.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Alison Hardtmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Leiffer has already had enough peril and excitement for a lifetime. Hunted by a vicious killer (in Hide Your Eyes), she emerges in this book with a sexy cop boyfriend, a new apartment and a good chance at happiness. But then 9/11 happens, and something's going on with her boyfriend that she doesn't want to look too closely at. Then there's the guy who's stalking her, leaving her carefully folded messages telling her that someone is watching her.

Gaylin has a light, breezy style that would enhance any chick lit novel, but here she uses it to heighten the rising sense of menace. Her protagonist is a basically happy prekindergarten teacher, who does her best to cling to her sense of optimism despite the very bad things going on around her. This book felt to me like what Elizabeth Peters would be writing, were she a young, contemporary author just starting her career.

[Dobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Gaylin's second novel, the sequel to Hide Your Eyes. Both of these are fun reads with such intriguing twists that I found it easy to overlook the less-polished flaws. Unfortunately, these two novels are the only Samantha Leiffer mysteries. Gaylin's subsequent novels went into a different direction with more focus on the murder-mystery aspect. I am a huge fan of Gaylin's current work - but I'd love to see her revisit this lighter genre as well.

[Fab]

I liked this book but I thought it could have been a little edgier.



If I had realised that Hide Your Eyes was first in the series I would have read that first..



I loved the characters though and although I figured out who the killer was quite early I thought the ending was very good.

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy enough read, but again, there is just something missing from this author's books. I can't quite put my finger on it. I can say though, that the main character sucks. I mean, is she going to be the victim in every novel??? She's so..so..WIMPY! I just can't muster up any sympathy at all for her. I don't care for any of the characters, except maybe for Yale. Maybe he needs his own novel.

[Aween · Rating 4 out of 5]

romantic but sometimes it makes you feel like you do have butterfly in your stomach.
i do imagine what could happen to me if i were in her shoes, when somebody always watching you and know what are you doing. its really makes my nerve trumbling ! haha
thumbs up alison ~!

[Barbara ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know what Samantha's deal is - neurotic, paranoid, lacking self-respect, whatever - but man was she irritating. And even the gay best friend couldn't put any life into this book. BORING! and predictable.

[Elsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

not really surprised at the ending, somehow knew who is the killer when he told Sam the possible password of the locker. Story was written fast-paced, with a right length. if the book was thicker, i think it would be less exciting.

[Ellen Stenzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book of Gaylin's, but I enjoyed it. It started off a bit slow, and then got more interesting as the book went on..made me wonder about the killer's motive. I thought the ending was fast-paced and exciting.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a good book. But don’t let that stop you from reading Alison Gaylin. I read And She Was and Into the Dark first and I loved them. This one has the feel of a first or very early attempt and just doesn’t quite make it. Check out her later stuff.

[Christie]

The first book that made me fall in love with murder-mystery stories.

[Acfilmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chick lit, of course, but surprisingly good. Even good enough to make you want to hunt down the rest of her books.

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isnt your typical romance.
Full of suspense :)

[Phee Sunantarod · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just OK book. Not the one that i'd recommend to other. It took me months to finish because i didnt feel attached at all. Sorry.

[Deanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing.

[Josue Lagos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy buen misterio, aunque falta algo mas de intriga

[megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Alison....YOU kill ME.
Loved the characters she created in this series, wish there had been more! I guess I'll just have to read the Simone Glass series next... :)