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Kitt Lundgren #1

Der Engelmörder

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Kitt Lindgren hat eine schwere Zeit hinter sich, als ihr nach fünf Jahren die Dienstmarke zurückgegeben wird: Eine unaufgeklärte Mordserie an jungen Mädchen hatte die Polizistin an den Rand ihrer psychischen Belastbarkeit gebracht. Der Alkohol trieb sie an den sozialen Abgrund. Kaum aber hat sie ihr Leben wieder im Griff - da beginnt das Grauen von neuem. Kitts ambitionierte Kollegin glaubt an die Rückkehr des Killers, Kitt dagegen ist überzeugt, dass jemand anderes seine blutigen Verbrechen nachahmt. Aber wer? Und warum? Erneut wird Kitt auf eine harte Probe gestellt und verfolgt bei ihren Ermittlungen eine Spur, die näher an ihr eigenes Leben heranführt, als sie es sich in ihren dunkelsten Albträumen vorgestellt hat....

508 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,016 reviews2,708 followers
September 10, 2017
I have been enjoying the Stacy Killian series by this same author so when I came across Copycat I thought I should give it a try. This is the first book in the Kitt Lundgren series.
Overall I enjoyed the book very much. It was fairly tense, the mystery was good and the murderer was unguessable! The two main characters, both female police officers were equally unlikeable and equally incapable of controlling their emotions and their private lives. This could have put me off but over the course of the book they managed to develop some sort of a relationship and even produced a few funny one liners. I have never personally worked in a male dominated scenario like the police force so I should probably not be critical of those women who do:) Maybe it really is as presented in this story.
Anyway I am happy to give Kitt another chance to get to know her better in the next book in this series!

Profile Image for Michelle.
1,547 reviews253 followers
January 8, 2024
Was gripped throughout on this one, a real page turner. I will read more from this author for sure.

Four stars.
Profile Image for Lisa.
931 reviews
July 9, 2015
I just loved this book Erica Spindler knows how to write a fast paced thriller the story is about Detective Kitt Lundgren who has baggage after returning to the police force after losing her daughter to Leukemia she is after a serial killer who is called the copy cat 5 years earlier the sleeping angel killer was murdering children now the copy cat gets in her head knowing her daughters nickname + other things as well she is on the edge but gets herself together to solve the crime
Profile Image for Paige  Bookdragon.
938 reviews645 followers
October 30, 2015

I gotta give credit to where it is due.

Copycat, for a thriller book, is not that good. I wasn't thrilled and wasn't even sweating at all. But it has a damn good mystery factor.

Five years ago, Detective Kitt Lundgren almost catched the Sleep Angel Killer. FYI, the Sleeping Angel Killer is a seriel killer who kills blonde, blue-eyed little girls. He's a sick fucktard who breaks in into the child's room and kills them in their sleep.

description

And if you don't find that despicable, then something is really wrong with you.

But Detective Lundgren let the killer get away. Why you ask? Nope, sorry. No spoiler. Read the book.

When a copycat of the SAK started killing little girls in their sleep, it's up to Detective Kitt and her partner M.C to find the killer. And here's another twist. The original SAK killer offers them his help to find his copycat.

I couldn't care less about the heroines in this book. They're okay. And I would have also liked it if some some medical examination is included in this book. I don't know, but I enjoy reading a crime/mystery/thriller book if some characters say some scientific words.

But the "whodunnit" factor is really good in this one. There are a lot of suspicious bastard in this book and it'll make you paranoid about each character's motives.

I'm not sure if I'll read the 2nd book or not. I'm still looking for a book where I can be turned on while medical terms were casually thrown in and at the same time sweating because of fear for the hero/heroine's life.

Profile Image for Shaun.
Author 4 books221 followers
April 12, 2015
Made it to page 150 and then said...no more. Have 50 plus unread books physically sitting on my book shelf and don't want to waste time reading a book that is just "okay" or "meh."

Although this book started off with a promising premise and characters, it quickly spiraled downward. I found both the dialogue and the character interactions to be unconvincing and lame.

I just didn't like any of the characters and not because they were purposely unlikeable, but because they felt like contrived figments of the author's imagination rather than real people. I hated both the protagonist's names as well, which may seem petty--okay it is petty, but honestly...Kitt and M.C.

I also felt that the relationship between these two "supposedly" strong women (both trying to prove themselves in a man's profession and both with a suitcase full of personal baggage)had so much possibility, yet was poorly done. They go from mortal enemies to best buddies in one page.

I'm all about the characters, and these characters didn't wow me on even the most basic level.

That said, I appear to be in the minority. It's competently written and edited, and the overall story has the basic ingredients for suspense/thriller mystery. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the cast and the acting were less than stellar.
Profile Image for CD {Boulder Blvd}.
963 reviews95 followers
March 18, 2018
At first I didn't think I was going to like this one. Both female leads initially weren't to my liking, the ex getting remarried and a few other things had me second guessing this one. But then the plot pulled me in, I warmed to the characters and found myself not wanting to put the book down.

The primary relationship in this book is that of two female detectives that really don't want to be partners but gradually start to respect each other and watch each other's backs. The development of this team was really good and believable. The younger up and coming female detective and the burned out and emotionally damaged female detective who just returns to the job. What started as two characters that I didn't like turned into two characters that I really did like.
Profile Image for Diane.
677 reviews30 followers
December 16, 2013
My first book by Erica Spindler - won't be my last.

I really didn't know who the main killer was until the end. So many (here's "Elvan's" terminology) red herrings, twists, turns - who do you believe, who do you suspect - geesh I really sucked at detective work with this book.

Very difficult subject, so not for everyone to read - not that the murders were all that graphic, but it was the victims that will get to you.

Kitt Lundgren is the main character in this book - a detective with the Rockford, Illinois police department. Recently reinstated from a mandatory rehab - alcoholism, death of her 10 year old daughter (leukemia), and the end of her marriage to her high school sweetheart - Kitt is in her 40's. She gets partnered with a young hotshot female detective who appears to be on the fast track and with a chip on her shoulder and a highly suspicious mind.

The claws come out a few times throughout the book - real cattiness :)

2 thumbs up and 5 stars!

Onto the 2nd book in the Kitt Lundgren series - "Breakneck"
Profile Image for Tonile Reads &#x1f4da;.
169 reviews29 followers
September 29, 2010
This is the second Spindler book I've read in a week and I can't get enough of her incredible stories! This gripping narrative focuses on the life of Detective Kitt Lundgren and how her world falls apart when a case begins to take over her life. 5 years later, the Sleeping Angel Killer returns, although not without reason to believe the police may be dealing with a copycat. When Kitt forms a relationship with someone claiming to be the original SAK, no area of her life will go unturned as she and her partner race to discover the truth before more children die. Brilliant! Am starting the next Kitt Lundgren today!
Profile Image for Madeline.
101 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2021
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!
😦😵😬😳🤯

*Will write review once my brain has recovered and regathered it’s thoughts*

Well... I just realized I never got to writing my review of this book. Though let me say, it was a pretty shocking ending and I don't think I would have been able to form a sentence at the moment.

But alas, I can now write again... and let me say, what a wicked ride. The suspense in the book is tantalizing and slowly builds, the weight of it ever so slightly pressing down, until you literally can't breathe. Spindler captivates you from page one and doesn't let go until the end. I couldn't believe the plot twist in the end and once again.... my life motto comes back to bite.... TRUST NO ONE!

Kudos to Spindler for mastering suspense, romance, heartbreak, deceit, and murder. I thoroughly enjoyed this ride!
Profile Image for Terri.
1,354 reviews702 followers
September 30, 2013
Kitt Lundgren screwed up her life and career and let a serial killer get away due to her personal issues after her daughter's death. And now the killer is back, claiming the latest series of murders is the work of a copycat. Is it true? He demands she is put in charge of the case, to the frustration of MC who is an ambitious cop who doesn't trust Kitt's ability to stay sober and lead.

I really liked this book. The characters were both strong women and their difficulties in working together believable. The Killer(s)? were complex and the book really had me emotionally involved. This has been in my piles for so many years and I am glad I finally read it - it was worth it.
80 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2015
Excellent!!! Really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Louise.
1,548 reviews87 followers
April 10, 2009
From Publishers Weekly
The Sleeping Angel Killer provides the chilling focus to Spindler's 12th bloodcurdling romantic thriller (after Killer Takes All). Kitt Lundgren and Mary Catherine "M.C." Riggio of the Rockford, Ill., VCB (Violent Crimes Bureau) vow to catch a serial killer who sets the suffocated bodies of 10-year-old girls in their own beds, dressed like angels in frilly white nightgowns, hair spread out on their pillows and pink lip gloss applied postmortem to their mouths. Spindler's setting of a "meat-and-potatoes" Midwest town provides a fresh background for two believable and very cool investigators. Kitt, a recovering middle-aged alcoholic, tried and failed to catch the murderer five years earlier, during a 2001 killing spree, while her own child was dying of leukemia and her marriage was falling apart under the strain. Now, when eerily similar crimes recur, someone calls Kitt, identifying himself as the original killer and the new perp as just a copycat. M.C., an ambitious, distrustful newbie, is assigned to help Kitt with the investigation. The detectives must overcome their personal problems in order to catch the monsters, a task culminating in a breathless finale. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Profile Image for Isabella Sharp.
2 reviews
March 25, 2013

Copycat is a cheap, reasonably good read with some promise- however, it's not particularly memorable.

On reflection, one of the first things that jumped out of me about this book was how polished it was, overly so. Maybe I've had an overload of similarly slick crime shows, but I found myself longing after more grit.

The writing is smooth, leading swiftly from one point to the next in a distinctly American style which I thought was a bit overdone. However, at no point did it make me wince, which is good! At no point did I have to consciously make myself carry on reading, but it did drag a little towards the middle.

The book has a good hook- very creepy murders of small children, with no fingerprints, no evidence, and no witnesses. The crimes in Copycat were the one thing that really registered with me; the rest of it was quite forgettable.

The overall plot was very good, lots of twists and turns. The author holds a lot of promise if she can correct some of the faults.
Profile Image for Shyanne Foster.
15 reviews
August 29, 2015
i loved this book so much suspense i couldnt put it down. thinking about reading another one by Erica Spindler...

*Adding onto review*

Ok so I felt That I should have added more to my review so after about a week of thinking i got what I needed and I realized something....
This book wasn't gory.
I know I know. To you guys it's not a big deal. But for a 15 yr old girl who hates all the gory details.... It makes a difference.
And if anybody has a recommendation for one of Ericas books please message me. I can't decide which one to read next
Profile Image for Elvan.
695 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2016
Loved it. Kept me guessing right the way through. Kitt Lundgren is a complicated mess of a detective with dogged determination. MC Riggio is a rash young detective eager to move up in the department and keen to prove to her parents and four brothers that she has chosen the right profession.
An unlikely team that struggle to trust each other adds to the challenges they face when a copycat killer begins murdering young girls.
Great read.
Profile Image for Nicola Marsh.
Author 411 books1,440 followers
October 10, 2010
First Erica Spindler thriller I've read, won't be the last. Loved the red herrings liberally sprinkled throughout.
And having a heroine with a tragic past really builds sympathy for the main character.
Will hunt for the follow up to this.
Profile Image for Amanda.
11 reviews
August 25, 2020
*MAJOR SPOILER AT THE BOTTOM OF MY REVIEW.*

My husband and I started our 2020 book challenge both on Goodreads and against each other and while I had a strong lead over him...other books just weren’t getting my attention, even after 3-5 chapters, I’m behind on my challenge by almost 2 books, then I remembered “Erica Spindler!” I knew it was an easy win to read her books, even while being busy with work and studying I threw myself into this book, I finished the last half in one night; I couldn’t put it down and finished by 11:00 pm.

The thing I absolutely LOVE about Erica’s books is trying to guess who the criminal is before reaching the end.
I was sort of wrong with this one. I concluded it was solely Lance, I never, in a million years, would have guessed Snowe...while his presence was consistent in the book, I truly paid no attention.

Now, on to books 2 and 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cait S.
974 reviews77 followers
June 27, 2022
In reading from oldest to newest on my tbr, I've finally gone back to read some Erica Spindler books. I remember why I liked them, they read FAST and kept me engaged. But also I can tell I'm about a decade or so farther along in my understanding of misogyny. The book relies heaaaavily on just...stupid cliches. At one point having a woman ask another woman, who she assumed had ordered a large pizza for herself, if she was on her period. I rolled my eyes so hard I think I saw the inside of my skull. If you can get by the dumb out-dated commentary, it's a decent mystery.
13 reviews
May 25, 2024
I really liked this book, the relationship between the two detectives is an interesting one. The book gives you lots of ideas about who the copycat could be with twists and turns until the identity is revealed, will you guess correctly? I did!
Profile Image for Roxann Jones.
106 reviews5 followers
July 2, 2019
This Kitt Lundgren Series is going to be the bomb. I read the 1st one, which leads right into the 2nd one. I cant wait: already picked it up at the library. I LOVED this book. Definitely kept me alert and on my toes, so reccomend.
Profile Image for Amy.
416 reviews20 followers
May 2, 2020
Love it. Going to follow this series!
3,472 reviews46 followers
September 4, 2021
An absolutely top notch spine chilling keeps you guessing police procedural.
Profile Image for Janet.
3,280 reviews24 followers
May 4, 2022
Great suspense!
Profile Image for Paige.
49 reviews
January 19, 2024
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Profile Image for Daniel Rudge.
278 reviews10 followers
November 18, 2015
Another winner from Erica Spindler! In Copy Cat, Spindler introduces us to Kitt Lundgren, a recovering alcoholic homicide detective whose world unraveled five years ago while chasing the Sleeping Angel killer. We are also treated to Mary Catherine Riggio, a hard-nosed, driven detective. Riggio is heading up the current serial killer investigation that is eerily similar to the Sleeping Angel Killer. Eventually they are partnered to try and catch the killer, or is it two? It is Spindler's deft hand that brings these two characters to life and the fact that she can make two flawed female leads likeable while at the same time having trust issues with their partner makes this a marvelous read. Lundgren's struggles with her ex-husband, the bottle and her own fears and shortcomings add tension to the story. Riggio's Italian heritage, overbearing mother and quick temper keep the reader fascinated with the evolution of her character. Then there is the story itself. It has so many twists and turns that mysterty lovers will eat up the pages. Great story lines, amazing main characters, and suspenseful tone make this a highly recommended read for both thriller and mystery lovers. The rest of the review comes from the dustjacket. Five years ago, three young victims were found murdered, posed like little angels. No witnesses, no evidence left behind. The Sleeping Angel Killer called his despicable acts 'the perfect crimes.' The case immobilized the close-knit community of Rockford, Illinois and nearly destroyed homicide detective Kitt Lundgren's career and her life. During the investigation, Kitt tragically lost her own child to illness. She was overwhelmed by the death of her daughter, turned to the liquor bottle for comfort, and the final blow was the crushing realization that her drinking let the killer get away. Now, five years later, the Sleeping Angel Killer is back. But Kitt notices something different about this new rash of killings-a tiny variation that suggests a copycat killer may be re-creating the original 'perfect crimes.' But Kitt has no authority in this investigation. Young, ambitious Mary Catherine (M.C.)Riggio is heading up the new Sleeping Angel killer case.M.C. knows that Kitt wants back in and she's smart enough to know that Kitt's obssesion with the case has given the detective an insight that M.C. lacks. But M.C., intent on proving herself, fears Kitt will blow the investigation again. The phone calls. It is him, the Sleeping Angel Killer, and he makes Kitt an unthinkable offer: help in finding his copycat. Forced to rely on each other Kitt and M.C. must decide whether to place their trust in a murderer or risk becoming victims themselves.
Profile Image for Meredith.
819 reviews52 followers
September 13, 2007
Copycat

by: Erica Spindler

Month Read: September 2007

Series:

Pages: 412

Number: 53

Synopsis:

From the Publisher

"I won't talk to anyone else -- only you. Another child, another sweet girl will die. You can stop it, Kitt. Don't you want to stop it?"

Five years ago, three young victims were found dead, posed like little angels. There were no witnesses. Strangely clean scenes. The Sleeping Angel Killer called his despicable acts "the perfect crimes."

The case immobilized the close-knit community of Rockford, Illinois, and nearly destroyed homicide detective Kitt Lundgren's career -- and her life. During the investigation, Kitt tragically lost her own child to illness. She was overwhelmed by the death of her daughter, and the final blow was the crushing realization that she let the killer get away.

Now the Sleeping Angel Killer is back.

Familiar with every nuance of the cold-case file, Kitt knows there's something different about this new rash of killings -- a tiny variation that opens terrifying new possibilities. Is the Sleeping Angel Killer really back, or is a copycat killer re-creating the original "perfect crimes"?

But Kitt has no authority in this investigation. Young, ambitious detective Mary Catherine Riggio is heading up the Sleeping Angel Killer case. M.C. knows that Kitt wants back in and she's smart enough to realize that Kitt's obsession with the case has given the detective insight that M.C. lacks. But M.C., intent on proving herself, fears Kitt will blow the investigation -- again.

Then Kitt starts receiving disturbing phone calls. It's him -- the Sleeping Angel Killer -- and he makes Kitt an unthinkable offer: help in finding his copycat. Forced to rely on each other, Kitt and M.C. must decide whether to place their trust in a murderer . . . or risk becoming victims of a fiend who has taken the art of the perfect murder to horrific new heights.

Bestselling author Erica Spindler stakes her claim as one of today's best thriller writers with this chilling story that explores our deepest fears and the power of one woman to triumph over her demons.
My Thoughts:

I am so thoroughly impressed with this story and this author. It has been a while since I have read a book that I didn't want to put down. Copycat was a fabulous mystery that had me changing my opinion about who dun it. It was an amazingly fabulous ride and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Characterization:

Spindler created strong intelligent female leads, amazingly real, I could see myself hanging w/these women.

Keep/Swap/Library: Library

Rating: A++++
Profile Image for Michelle.
117 reviews40 followers
May 5, 2010
"A terrifying and gruesome thriller novel ... one of the best works of Erica Spindler"

Five years ago, three 10-year-old girls were found dead, suffocated and posed like little angels in their own beds, dressed in frilly white nightgowns, hair spread out on their pillows and pink lip gloss applied postmortem to their mouths. These strangely clean scenes was done by the Sleeping Angel Killer (SAK) which he called as his despicable acts "the perfect crimes." The crime was flawless, everything was perfect and no witnesses were found.

Kitt Lundgren, homicide detective in-charge of the SAK nearly destroyed her career and her life. During the investigation, Kitt tragically lost her own child to illness. Devastated by the death of her daughter, she turns to drinking and lost herself in capturing the SAK. With her obsession to drinking and capturing the SAK, she dealt the final blow and the crushing realization that she let the killer get away.

Present - Another 10-year-old girl was found dead, suffocated and posed like little angel in her own bed, dressed in frilly white nightgown, hair spread out on her pillows and pink lip gloss applied postmortem to her mouth. A young, ambitious detective Mary Catherine Riggio is heading up the SAK case, Kitt was back in the investigation and vows to capture the SAK. But Kitt found out that there's something different about this new rash of killings... it is up to M.C. Riggio and Kitt if they are dealing with a copycat killer re-creating the original "perfect crimes" or is the Sleeping Angel Killer really back?

Read more and found out..
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