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Allison McNeil #1
Der Killer in ihm
Arnie Milhouse ist Selfmade-Millionär. Und ein Serienmörder, der nie gefasst wurde. Als das FBI ihn mit dem Tod eines Callgirls in Verbindung bringt, weiß Arnie, dass ihm nur wenig Zeit bleibt. Er plant, sein Leben in Annapolis für immer hinter sich zu lassen, doch dann trifft er die schöne, geheimnisvolle Allison, die Interesse an ihm zeigt. Das perfekte letzte Opfer.
Allison McNeil ist nach Annapolis zurückgekehrt, obwohl sie die Stadt nie wieder betreten wollte. Die Erinnerungen an ihre Zeit auf der Marineakademie lassen ihr keine Ruhe. Dennoch sie ist bereit, fast alles zu tun, um in Arnies Nähe zu gelangen.
Schon bald sind beide in einen gefährlichen Tanz aus Verführung und Verrat verstrickt. Aber Arnie ist nicht der Einzige mit einem dunklen Geheimnis. Als auch die Wahrheit um Allison ans Licht kommt, ist der Showdown unvermeidbar.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2014
103 people are currently reading
1576 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Gunhus
27 books550 followersJeff Gunhus is the USA TODAY bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade series, The Jack Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books are available in several languages, been Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists, and reached the USA TODAY bestseller list.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active lifestyle in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 17, 2015
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and author for a preview copy, and apologies in the delay to read this book.
Arnie Milhouse is a murderer. A millionaire with dozens of kills in his past and no one the wiser. But when his name surfaces in connection with the death of a D.C. call girl, Arnie knows it’s only a matter of time before the FBI puts the pieces together. As he makes plans to disappear and leave his life in Annapolis behind forever, he meets a beautiful, mysterious woman who takes an interest in him. The perfect final victim. He can’t believe his luck. Only luck has nothing to do with it. Allison McNeil has returned to Annapolis, a city that she promised herself she would never come back to, not while the cruel memories of her time at the United States Naval Academy still haunt her. But she’s willing to do just about anything to get close to Arnie, even if it means having to face down the demons of her past. Her plans work and soon she and Arnie find themselves locked in a dangerous dance of seduction and betrayal. But Arnie isn’t the only one who carries a secret and the dark truth about Allison McNeil makes a final confrontation between them inevitable. Neither of them know it, but they're on a collision course that only one of them will survive.
KILLER WITHIN is an absorbing study of both a killer's mind as well as his pursuer's motivation. The cat-and-mouse game between the two main characters moves to its conclusion with the outcome unclear until the last pages, the whole book is like a game of chess between the two main characters.
The intermingled multiple mystery plotlines and detailed descriptions of the locale in which this novel takes place combine to make this a breathtaking, scary and interesting work. Once I picked it up I was hard pressed to put it down, that is when you know the book is good, when you cannot wait to get back to reading it.
A great book, and my first read from this author, but not my last. A clear four stars for me.
Arnie Milhouse is a murderer. A millionaire with dozens of kills in his past and no one the wiser. But when his name surfaces in connection with the death of a D.C. call girl, Arnie knows it’s only a matter of time before the FBI puts the pieces together. As he makes plans to disappear and leave his life in Annapolis behind forever, he meets a beautiful, mysterious woman who takes an interest in him. The perfect final victim. He can’t believe his luck. Only luck has nothing to do with it. Allison McNeil has returned to Annapolis, a city that she promised herself she would never come back to, not while the cruel memories of her time at the United States Naval Academy still haunt her. But she’s willing to do just about anything to get close to Arnie, even if it means having to face down the demons of her past. Her plans work and soon she and Arnie find themselves locked in a dangerous dance of seduction and betrayal. But Arnie isn’t the only one who carries a secret and the dark truth about Allison McNeil makes a final confrontation between them inevitable. Neither of them know it, but they're on a collision course that only one of them will survive.
KILLER WITHIN is an absorbing study of both a killer's mind as well as his pursuer's motivation. The cat-and-mouse game between the two main characters moves to its conclusion with the outcome unclear until the last pages, the whole book is like a game of chess between the two main characters.
The intermingled multiple mystery plotlines and detailed descriptions of the locale in which this novel takes place combine to make this a breathtaking, scary and interesting work. Once I picked it up I was hard pressed to put it down, that is when you know the book is good, when you cannot wait to get back to reading it.
A great book, and my first read from this author, but not my last. A clear four stars for me.
August 27, 2015
Arnie discovers that killing a human being makes him feel all-powerful, confident, and he loves that feeling of omnipotency. He starts by killing a young store clerk, moves on to his wife, and a couple of prostitutes here and there. He has an infant son and takes time off to raise him by himself ... with the thought that someday he will teach his son how to gain that confidence that he himself feels after each kill.
Allison McNeil is following Arnie. She has a secret, not one she's willing to share. For the moment, she is posing as a freelance photographer and 'accidentally' bumps into Arnie.
What follows is a dance between two very strong, intelligent, street - smart people. One is pure evil, the other, maybe not pure good, but determined to bring Arnie to an end.
In some respects, I can see how/why Arnie turned himself into a serial killer. The author did a good job in bringing his characters to life for me. I like how, in one area of her life, Allison was fearful, a bit of a weakling, but let her strength shine through to use her steel core that's been buried. And I really liked Charlie, a secondary character, who plays a major part in the story.
There's lot of action, especially toward the end, that has been building from the beginning .... the reader knows something big is coming .... and it does! I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Many thanks to the author who furnished a digital copy of his book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
April 4, 2016
A most enjoyable thriller. I always enjoy a good cat and mouse chase and in this novel I get it double time. Two vastly different characters are both predator and prey each in their own right. The question is, who will win?
Arnie is s serial killer who was abused by his wife until one day he snaps and has been killing ever since. the only person he cares about is his young son. When he finds himself under investigation he will find himself forced into a position of drastic choices. Arnie is one twisted piece of work and we get some interesting psychological aspects. He thinks himself a strong killer who keeps outwitting the police but he isn't quite as smart as the thinks. This wealth has likely helped some and he is good, but just not all that. He is one sick man. What he does with his victims....Eww!
Allison meets Arnie as a photographer but she is not all she seems and has an agenda of her own. But her past is about to collide with her all at the same time. Time is running short for the parties to make their moves. I liked her but also had a hard time trying to connect with her character. Maybe because it isn't easy to find out who she really is.
I like how the movements of different characters continuously causes the other to rethink their next move. Like a game of chess. However after a while the story because predictable. Especially Allison. I wish she had remained an enigma. I think Jeff Gunhus tried but I just ended up pegging her down too early, killing some of the excitement potential.
Overall, quite enjoyable. Not an amazing thriller yet but a good first for the author. I would be very willing to read another thriller by this author. 3 1/2 (going on 4) stars.
*I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*
Arnie is s serial killer who was abused by his wife until one day he snaps and has been killing ever since. the only person he cares about is his young son. When he finds himself under investigation he will find himself forced into a position of drastic choices. Arnie is one twisted piece of work and we get some interesting psychological aspects. He thinks himself a strong killer who keeps outwitting the police but he isn't quite as smart as the thinks. This wealth has likely helped some and he is good, but just not all that. He is one sick man. What he does with his victims....Eww!
Allison meets Arnie as a photographer but she is not all she seems and has an agenda of her own. But her past is about to collide with her all at the same time. Time is running short for the parties to make their moves. I liked her but also had a hard time trying to connect with her character. Maybe because it isn't easy to find out who she really is.
I like how the movements of different characters continuously causes the other to rethink their next move. Like a game of chess. However after a while the story because predictable. Especially Allison. I wish she had remained an enigma. I think Jeff Gunhus tried but I just ended up pegging her down too early, killing some of the excitement potential.
Overall, quite enjoyable. Not an amazing thriller yet but a good first for the author. I would be very willing to read another thriller by this author. 3 1/2 (going on 4) stars.
*I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*
October 23, 2015
Warning : contains slight spoilers that only refer to stuff anyone who read a summary of the book would assume would take place in such a "thriller" because... duh.
Mosly, I liked it.
However, I didn't care for the author's decision to alter the main charcter's character so late in the story - at almost the end of the book, (in the middle of the archetypal battle between the novel's "good and evil").
I'll try to explain what I mean, but I'm pretty sure it won't be very clear or even coherent. (the tiny amount of space Goodreads gives for reviews does not lend itself to successful editing)
The author's decision to throw in a "twist" recharacterization of the main character, by inclusion of a previously unmentioned (or even un-hinted at) catalyst for the development of the main character's focus for her entire adult life and her personality and, consequently, the motivation for every action she took throughout the preceeding 50 chapters of the book, was a really goofyass method of charavter develooment, (particularly where it was applied to the MAIN character/ protagonist of the novel). It felt like a deliberate betrayal of the trust we were supposed to have in the narrator, who for the rest of the book, the reader is not given a reason to doubt. (the story in no way appeared to be told by an "unreliable narrator.")
Upon reading the "twist," I felt like I was being punk'd. "GOTCHA! you were rooting for someone whose personality and motivation aren't what you've been led to believe! LOL!" Who does that?
And after the resolution of the aforementioned woman vs man conflict, once (Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, whoever), was finally really really for-true dead, the required description of the protagonist ' s required growth could not have been more cheesy - nary a sailing metaphor was left alive.
Overall, the book kind of read like it was originally a movie script that was turned into a novel when funding for a film didn't materialize.
But mostly I thought it was an entertaining read.
Mosly, I liked it.
However, I didn't care for the author's decision to alter the main charcter's character so late in the story - at almost the end of the book, (in the middle of the archetypal battle between the novel's "good and evil").
I'll try to explain what I mean, but I'm pretty sure it won't be very clear or even coherent. (the tiny amount of space Goodreads gives for reviews does not lend itself to successful editing)
The author's decision to throw in a "twist" recharacterization of the main character, by inclusion of a previously unmentioned (or even un-hinted at) catalyst for the development of the main character's focus for her entire adult life and her personality and, consequently, the motivation for every action she took throughout the preceeding 50 chapters of the book, was a really goofyass method of charavter develooment, (particularly where it was applied to the MAIN character/ protagonist of the novel). It felt like a deliberate betrayal of the trust we were supposed to have in the narrator, who for the rest of the book, the reader is not given a reason to doubt. (the story in no way appeared to be told by an "unreliable narrator.")
Upon reading the "twist," I felt like I was being punk'd. "GOTCHA! you were rooting for someone whose personality and motivation aren't what you've been led to believe! LOL!" Who does that?
And after the resolution of the aforementioned woman vs man conflict, once (Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, whoever), was finally really really for-true dead, the required description of the protagonist ' s required growth could not have been more cheesy - nary a sailing metaphor was left alive.
Overall, the book kind of read like it was originally a movie script that was turned into a novel when funding for a film didn't materialize.
But mostly I thought it was an entertaining read.
July 6, 2018
2.5 stars. Graphically and gratuitously gruesome. Some of the main characters not fully developed. One of the key characters of interest is killed off...very disappointing. The protagonist, Allison McNeil is well rounded, however. The plot is interesting but too implausible, with too many holes to take seriously.
November 8, 2015
This thriller about a cat-and-mouse game between a serial killer and a hot FBI agent was an okay, fast-paced story, but the writing and execution was strictly average, in my opinion, and while I appreciated the local details about Annapolis and DC, I found too much descended into cliche and the main characters picking up the proverbial Idiot Ball.
The Killer Within opens with the antagonist, Arnie Milhouse, who is just an average schmuck with an abusive junkie nightmare of a wife and a son who is the only good thing in his life. Arnie is making a stop at a convenience store on the way home to his life of miserable, quiet desperation, when he is caught in the middle of a hold-up. In an unexpected turn of events, he ends up killing the stick-up guy, and .
This gives Arnie a taste for blood, and thirteen years later, we discover he is a veteran serial killer. He used the insurance money from his late wife (yup, she became "late" very soon thereafter) to build a business empire, and he's gone from zero to hero — rich, successful Alpha Male who kills and tortures prostitutes and the occasional bystander for fun.
I did not find Arnie's psychology very convincing - someone doesn't just "snap" and go from ordinary schmuck to sociopathic killer just like that. Additionally, if he was truly a sociopath, he wouldn't be so attached to his son. But let that pass as our required suspension of disbelief.
The main character, Allison McNeil, happens to meet Arnie while on a freelance photography assignment in Annapolis. We quickly learn Allie has her own history, and her meeting with Arnie was not coincidence. There is a whole subplot about how Allison was a cadet at the US Naval Academy before she was raped by one of the faculty, who of course was never punished and Allie was blamed and everyone in the USNA hierarchy closed ranks against her. Which sounds like a believable plot from the 1980s or so, but not so much nowadays, when sexual harassment is very much on the minds of the top brass and it's quite unlikely that every single officer Allie talks to would blame her and let someone known to be a serial offender keep raping female midshipmen. I'm not saying rape and harassment isn't still a problem in the military, including at the academies, but the staff in charge just cannot afford to follow the cartoonish "blame the victim" script we see in this story. (It's never even mentioned that even if they think Allie was lying about being raped, then sexual fraternization with a member of the staff would still have been a huge violation for her and for the NCO in question.)
But anyway, the rape subplot is not the main story. The main story is Allie trying to trap a serial killer. There is a lot of cat and mouse before the inevitable confrontation out on Arnie's boat, a bit of a twist where we learn another important detail about Allie's past, and a setup for a sequel, so obviously the author is hoping to make Allison a returning character.
Entertaining enough for a quick listen, but I found Allison to be too much of a cliche, and I didn't really like any of the supporting cast much either.
The Killer Within opens with the antagonist, Arnie Milhouse, who is just an average schmuck with an abusive junkie nightmare of a wife and a son who is the only good thing in his life. Arnie is making a stop at a convenience store on the way home to his life of miserable, quiet desperation, when he is caught in the middle of a hold-up. In an unexpected turn of events, he ends up killing the stick-up guy, and .
This gives Arnie a taste for blood, and thirteen years later, we discover he is a veteran serial killer. He used the insurance money from his late wife (yup, she became "late" very soon thereafter) to build a business empire, and he's gone from zero to hero — rich, successful Alpha Male who kills and tortures prostitutes and the occasional bystander for fun.
I did not find Arnie's psychology very convincing - someone doesn't just "snap" and go from ordinary schmuck to sociopathic killer just like that. Additionally, if he was truly a sociopath, he wouldn't be so attached to his son. But let that pass as our required suspension of disbelief.
The main character, Allison McNeil, happens to meet Arnie while on a freelance photography assignment in Annapolis. We quickly learn Allie has her own history, and her meeting with Arnie was not coincidence. There is a whole subplot about how Allison was a cadet at the US Naval Academy before she was raped by one of the faculty, who of course was never punished and Allie was blamed and everyone in the USNA hierarchy closed ranks against her. Which sounds like a believable plot from the 1980s or so, but not so much nowadays, when sexual harassment is very much on the minds of the top brass and it's quite unlikely that every single officer Allie talks to would blame her and let someone known to be a serial offender keep raping female midshipmen. I'm not saying rape and harassment isn't still a problem in the military, including at the academies, but the staff in charge just cannot afford to follow the cartoonish "blame the victim" script we see in this story. (It's never even mentioned that even if they think Allie was lying about being raped, then sexual fraternization with a member of the staff would still have been a huge violation for her and for the NCO in question.)
But anyway, the rape subplot is not the main story. The main story is Allie trying to trap a serial killer. There is a lot of cat and mouse before the inevitable confrontation out on Arnie's boat, a bit of a twist where we learn another important detail about Allie's past, and a setup for a sequel, so obviously the author is hoping to make Allison a returning character.
Entertaining enough for a quick listen, but I found Allison to be too much of a cliche, and I didn't really like any of the supporting cast much either.
July 29, 2016
4.5 Stars
Thirteen years ago Arnie Milhouse became a murderer. An incident at Rocco's Convenience store turned from wanted to help the young clerk into something altogether much darker and dangerous. Now he has multiple murders under his belt and the FBI are asking questions. It’s time for Arnie to disappear... but before he goes he can’t resist the thought of the perfect final victim.
Allison McNeil is plagued by demons from her past and she’s back in Annapolis where the nightmare that haunts her began. There are issues she needs to face and resolve in order to move on with the rest of her life, She is not prepared for the evil that is Arnie Milhouse and gets much more than she bargained for.
Thoughts
Arnie Milhouse has a horrific and crazy, in the worst sense of the word, past. He’s like the proverbial two sides of the same coin. On the surface a widower and devoted father, caring for his son but underneath lurks an unstable, sinister and evil core. Arnie has avoided being caught up to now but Allison is a very determined woman with her own agenda. When it comes down to the final battle there can only be one survivor.
Allison has secrets and old traumas in her past she hasn’t fully come to terms with and feels totally let down by the system. Snippets and clues slide into the story, skilfully developing the characters and building the tension which explodes in a thrilling conclusion.
Very good action and pacing as the story unfolds with exciting and hair-raising moments. Kept me guessing and there were some unexpected curves thrown in to add to the overall drama. I like Allison and enjoyed the story very much, hope to read more of her adventures in the future.
Thirteen years ago Arnie Milhouse became a murderer. An incident at Rocco's Convenience store turned from wanted to help the young clerk into something altogether much darker and dangerous. Now he has multiple murders under his belt and the FBI are asking questions. It’s time for Arnie to disappear... but before he goes he can’t resist the thought of the perfect final victim.
Allison McNeil is plagued by demons from her past and she’s back in Annapolis where the nightmare that haunts her began. There are issues she needs to face and resolve in order to move on with the rest of her life, She is not prepared for the evil that is Arnie Milhouse and gets much more than she bargained for.
Thoughts
Arnie Milhouse has a horrific and crazy, in the worst sense of the word, past. He’s like the proverbial two sides of the same coin. On the surface a widower and devoted father, caring for his son but underneath lurks an unstable, sinister and evil core. Arnie has avoided being caught up to now but Allison is a very determined woman with her own agenda. When it comes down to the final battle there can only be one survivor.
Allison has secrets and old traumas in her past she hasn’t fully come to terms with and feels totally let down by the system. Snippets and clues slide into the story, skilfully developing the characters and building the tension which explodes in a thrilling conclusion.
Very good action and pacing as the story unfolds with exciting and hair-raising moments. Kept me guessing and there were some unexpected curves thrown in to add to the overall drama. I like Allison and enjoyed the story very much, hope to read more of her adventures in the future.
June 10, 2014
The book was ok. For some reason, it couldn't hold my interest 100% although the plot was good. TOO much going on, maybe? A bit too long?
I read about 70%, then skipped to the last couple chapters because I DID want to know how it ended, but just didn't want to read all the way through.
I believe the author has only recently made the transition from YA novels - the skill is there, and I would absolutely try another by him due to the creative plot and scene descriptions.
I read about 70%, then skipped to the last couple chapters because I DID want to know how it ended, but just didn't want to read all the way through.
I believe the author has only recently made the transition from YA novels - the skill is there, and I would absolutely try another by him due to the creative plot and scene descriptions.
March 24, 2014
Arnie is tired of living a mundane life day in and day out. Tired of being pushed around by his wife, and see his son suffer at her hands. One day, during a convenience store robbery, Arnie met his breaking point. He decided it was time to stand up for himself, release the inner demons he has been silencing for far too long. Things spiral out of control, and within 13 years he has killed several unsuspecting victims, including the one person who hurt his son the most. Except when a call girl whom caters to millionaires like Arnie is found dead, the FBI starts asking questions. It is at that point he realizes he needs to find his one last perfect victim before disappearing with his son for good. And one night at the bar he thinks he found just the one, a beautiful photographer who is in town for a short time. But Arnie isn’t the only one with secrets.
Allison has secrets from her past she wishes she could forget, like her time at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. But in order to heal, she has some unfinished business to attend to first. No one questions her photography alibi, and she soon finds just the person she has waited so long to meet. But things, and people, are not always what they appear to be, and soon Allison will find out how strong she really is, when being strong is the only way to survive.
“Killer Within” is the first book by Author Jeff Gunhus, but it certainly will not be my last. I really hope that Allison continues telling her story, because I am not done reading about her just yet. This is a wonderful book that took no time to suck me in. I had a hard time putting it down at night.
Allison has secrets from her past she wishes she could forget, like her time at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. But in order to heal, she has some unfinished business to attend to first. No one questions her photography alibi, and she soon finds just the person she has waited so long to meet. But things, and people, are not always what they appear to be, and soon Allison will find out how strong she really is, when being strong is the only way to survive.
“Killer Within” is the first book by Author Jeff Gunhus, but it certainly will not be my last. I really hope that Allison continues telling her story, because I am not done reading about her just yet. This is a wonderful book that took no time to suck me in. I had a hard time putting it down at night.
June 9, 2014
I liked this book and the characters were interesting but there were two things that felt a bit off-putting. The first was Allison's reaction to Charlie attempting to kiss her. Although the kiss was obviously intended in a non-threatening kind of way and she could have simply said No to stop it from happening she instead assaulted the poor guy and it just felt harsh and made it a bit hard for me to like Allison in the early stages of the novel. Later on you do find out why she reacted in such a defensive way and after learning more about her past I felt able to gain a better understanding of her actions.
The second was when Allison feels 'compelled to speak to God' despite the fact that she isn't a religious person and then proceeds to pray for various people. I personally found that really annoying.
Having said all that though there is a good twist in the tail of the story which is always enjoyable and Jeff Gunhus writes well.
The second was when Allison feels 'compelled to speak to God' despite the fact that she isn't a religious person and then proceeds to pray for various people. I personally found that really annoying.
Having said all that though there is a good twist in the tail of the story which is always enjoyable and Jeff Gunhus writes well.
March 25, 2017
Decent read..
So, Allison kneed Charlie in his privates when he tried to kiss her. Really? What was the point in that? She couldn’t have just said no? And why was that part, as well as the accident, even part of the book? And, OMG, why was every street and tourist trap described? Everywhere Allison ran we had to know what street, avenue, boulevard, pkwy, cul-de-sac or alley she was in or on. It was totally stupid. Either the author is from Annapolis or he did some serious research.
This was in no way a mystery. You knew right off the bat who the killer was, Arnie, and you also knew that Allison was after him. You didn’t know exactly why she was after him just yet, but you knew the reason why was coming. Oh, and yeah, eventually he planned to teach his 13 year old son, Jason, how to kill. (Something to look forward to in the poor kid’s life.)
I thought Allison was way too wishy-washy. One minute she was sure Arnie was the killer then here came an argument with herself, “what if she were wrong? What if he were innocent.” Time and again she had this same argument with herself. It was silly.
Overall, it was a decent story. I mean, Arnie had some really horrible ways to kill people. And I would have enjoyed that IF one of those people had been Craig Gerty, the man who’d raped Allison when she was 19. But, she took care of that near the end of the book.
I liked Charlie, most of the time. He was 21 and had a crush on Allison and they ended up as friends. Richard, her ex-boyfriend, who she still had feelings for seemed very protective of her but he wasn’t really in the story long enough to see what might happen.
This could have been a much better book, if the author had just kept to Allison trying to trap a killer. Instead we were shown how weak and frightened she was, how she almost went catatonic when she ran into Gerty, how she screamed like a banshee when she saw him on the street, how she got lost in what was going on around her when she would relive the rape. THAT took up too many of the pages of the story that was supposed to be about a serial killer. Write a book about rape or write a book about a serial killer, but not both. From chapter to chapter you had no idea which part you were going to read about. The last 25% was the best of the book. Which was a real bummer.
So, no sex, but the F-bomb was used 41 times.
As to the narrator: Joyce Bean did a great job on the voices and read with emotion. I can’t ask for more than that.
This was a free read, free listen, and you can't beat that.
So, Allison kneed Charlie in his privates when he tried to kiss her. Really? What was the point in that? She couldn’t have just said no? And why was that part, as well as the accident, even part of the book? And, OMG, why was every street and tourist trap described? Everywhere Allison ran we had to know what street, avenue, boulevard, pkwy, cul-de-sac or alley she was in or on. It was totally stupid. Either the author is from Annapolis or he did some serious research.
This was in no way a mystery. You knew right off the bat who the killer was, Arnie, and you also knew that Allison was after him. You didn’t know exactly why she was after him just yet, but you knew the reason why was coming. Oh, and yeah, eventually he planned to teach his 13 year old son, Jason, how to kill. (Something to look forward to in the poor kid’s life.)
I thought Allison was way too wishy-washy. One minute she was sure Arnie was the killer then here came an argument with herself, “what if she were wrong? What if he were innocent.” Time and again she had this same argument with herself. It was silly.
Overall, it was a decent story. I mean, Arnie had some really horrible ways to kill people. And I would have enjoyed that IF one of those people had been Craig Gerty, the man who’d raped Allison when she was 19. But, she took care of that near the end of the book.
I liked Charlie, most of the time. He was 21 and had a crush on Allison and they ended up as friends. Richard, her ex-boyfriend, who she still had feelings for seemed very protective of her but he wasn’t really in the story long enough to see what might happen.
This could have been a much better book, if the author had just kept to Allison trying to trap a killer. Instead we were shown how weak and frightened she was, how she almost went catatonic when she ran into Gerty, how she screamed like a banshee when she saw him on the street, how she got lost in what was going on around her when she would relive the rape. THAT took up too many of the pages of the story that was supposed to be about a serial killer. Write a book about rape or write a book about a serial killer, but not both. From chapter to chapter you had no idea which part you were going to read about. The last 25% was the best of the book. Which was a real bummer.
So, no sex, but the F-bomb was used 41 times.
As to the narrator: Joyce Bean did a great job on the voices and read with emotion. I can’t ask for more than that.
This was a free read, free listen, and you can't beat that.
July 12, 2014
This is the second book the author has written for adults. The book cover is really beautiful. The book revolves around the protagonist Arnie Millhouse and his life with his son, Jason whom he loves immensely. Then there is the gorgeous Allison McNeil who for some reason is really interested in Arnie. Allison is a mysterious woman, going by a fake last name and the aura of mystery around her keeps you wanting more..
I am a huge fan of the show Criminal Minds, which shows how the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) of FBI functions. After having seen countless episodes of it, reading this book became immensely intriguing since Arnie killed people and staged them in ways to trip the profilers. That was really thrilling. Arnie knew how the profilers think and try to solve a case, so he did everything to mislead them and thus always stayed under the radar, never been caught.
This book shows how the mind of a psychopath works. He is a maniac, killing for the sheer thrill of it. Even half way through the book, you wouldn’t understand why Allison is keen on being around Arnie, getting to know him. The author has written in such a way that there is not a single second you are relaxed. The whole time you will be on the edge of your seat!.
There are a lot of key characters in this story namely Richard, Mason, Charlie and Craig Gerty, whose characters are developed well. Allison is not currently in any relationship and that was quite refreshing to read.
You think you know how the story is going to be but no, everything is unexpected. Twists happen when you think it’s least possible. This is one of the best books I have read. Crime/suspense writing at it’s best. I just reviewed this author’s first book for adults - Night Chill. Even compared to that, his writing style has improved leaps and bounds. I will definitely look forward to more of the Allison McNeil series.
I give this book 5 out 5 which by Goodreads standards mean ‘it was amazing’!
I am a huge fan of the show Criminal Minds, which shows how the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) of FBI functions. After having seen countless episodes of it, reading this book became immensely intriguing since Arnie killed people and staged them in ways to trip the profilers. That was really thrilling. Arnie knew how the profilers think and try to solve a case, so he did everything to mislead them and thus always stayed under the radar, never been caught.
This book shows how the mind of a psychopath works. He is a maniac, killing for the sheer thrill of it. Even half way through the book, you wouldn’t understand why Allison is keen on being around Arnie, getting to know him. The author has written in such a way that there is not a single second you are relaxed. The whole time you will be on the edge of your seat!.
There are a lot of key characters in this story namely Richard, Mason, Charlie and Craig Gerty, whose characters are developed well. Allison is not currently in any relationship and that was quite refreshing to read.
You think you know how the story is going to be but no, everything is unexpected. Twists happen when you think it’s least possible. This is one of the best books I have read. Crime/suspense writing at it’s best. I just reviewed this author’s first book for adults - Night Chill. Even compared to that, his writing style has improved leaps and bounds. I will definitely look forward to more of the Allison McNeil series.
I give this book 5 out 5 which by Goodreads standards mean ‘it was amazing’!
June 6, 2014
Awesome story!!
Wow..what a great read! I'm on vacation with my family at the beach and I had to purchase this book. I've read it in less than 2 days. Mr Gunhus, THANK YOU for a truly fulfilling book! You took me on a grand tour of Annapolis...it was just like I was there, running with Allison! And you built a man in Arnie that I didn't know how to take. How can a person love their son so much and do terrible things like Arnie? I wouldn't have a heart if I didn't feel the love for his son right along with him...then in the next chapter...the rage!! These characters that you have so profoundly created will live in my mind for a long time to come. I am only a little mad at myself for reading too fast!
Thank you again and I look forward to reading more!
Readers...This is a book that you will not be able to put away!! Great storytelling and character building makes for an AWESOME READ here!!
Wow..what a great read! I'm on vacation with my family at the beach and I had to purchase this book. I've read it in less than 2 days. Mr Gunhus, THANK YOU for a truly fulfilling book! You took me on a grand tour of Annapolis...it was just like I was there, running with Allison! And you built a man in Arnie that I didn't know how to take. How can a person love their son so much and do terrible things like Arnie? I wouldn't have a heart if I didn't feel the love for his son right along with him...then in the next chapter...the rage!! These characters that you have so profoundly created will live in my mind for a long time to come. I am only a little mad at myself for reading too fast!
Thank you again and I look forward to reading more!
Readers...This is a book that you will not be able to put away!! Great storytelling and character building makes for an AWESOME READ here!!
February 17, 2015
I really liked this story. However, sometimes the writing style put me off sometimes and I found myself wanting to put it down. Then the suspense would pick up and I couldn't put it down. I saw, after reading the book and wanting to know if it was his first which would explain the style. However, I found that he previously wrote young adult books. I think that during the scenes I wanted to put the book down, he had reverted back to this style and it drove me a little crazy.
That being said, the story was definitely fast paced and definitely a good one. I seriously thought Allison had been killed about the middle of the book and I was like wth? He got me there. Ha! The ending had some pretty gory and graphic scenes so that's just a heads up for the squeamish. It was definitely entertaining.
Thank you Amazon Publishing and Net Galley for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for my honest review.
That being said, the story was definitely fast paced and definitely a good one. I seriously thought Allison had been killed about the middle of the book and I was like wth? He got me there. Ha! The ending had some pretty gory and graphic scenes so that's just a heads up for the squeamish. It was definitely entertaining.
Thank you Amazon Publishing and Net Galley for providing me a free e-galley in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2015
DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!!
I’ve had the pleasure of reading several Jeff Gunhus novels, and with each read, I become more impressed with his abilities as a novelist. Killer Within has all the earmarks of a great book! The author builds tension at a steady pace throughout; his descriptions put you not just in the mind of the characters, but he makes you invested in all of them…the good, the bad and the in-between.
His pacing is perfect, and as you get deeper and deeper into the story, you learn only as much as is necessary to keep your fingers flipping pages in an effort to glean more. I spent several hours on the edge of my seat, until finally reaching the conclusion, which held some unusual twists that caught me off guard.
I have absolutely no choice but to highly recommend this novel to all.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading several Jeff Gunhus novels, and with each read, I become more impressed with his abilities as a novelist. Killer Within has all the earmarks of a great book! The author builds tension at a steady pace throughout; his descriptions put you not just in the mind of the characters, but he makes you invested in all of them…the good, the bad and the in-between.
His pacing is perfect, and as you get deeper and deeper into the story, you learn only as much as is necessary to keep your fingers flipping pages in an effort to glean more. I spent several hours on the edge of my seat, until finally reaching the conclusion, which held some unusual twists that caught me off guard.
I have absolutely no choice but to highly recommend this novel to all.
March 6, 2015
What a ride! And on a catamaran no less. I wanted to read this book originally because it is set in Annapolis, Maryland and because it was a genre I enjoy. I will now go find author Jeff Gunhus's other novels (well maybe not the YA books) promptly because this guy can write. This book flowed smoothly alternating between the serial killer and the ex-naval academy, FBI agent Allison McNeil who is trying to catch him. By the last few chapters the literal and metaphorical storm and confrontation had me racing to finish the book and exclaiming out loud several times. It really was a great read; setting, character, plot and pacing were excellent. Highly recommend.
December 21, 2014
This is an absolutely phenomenal book that has many plot twists and turns! Following the story of FBI agent Allison McNeil as she is undercover trying to find out who a millionaire really is and what he is hiding. This is a deep story line that has a great plot twist and many unexpected turns. This book has great detail of everything and was so hard to put down once you got going. This will keep you on edge wanting to know what happened who the charterers really are and what they are about who killed who and who really is the guilty one and out for vengeance and justice.
February 19, 2019
OMG! This book had me hooked at page 1! None of the chapters disappointed and each one kept me guessing. I've had this book on my Goodreads list for about 5 years and finally decided I needed to either delete it or bite the bullet and read it...I'm glad I picked the latter. It usually takes me weeks to finish a book (regardless of how many pages there are); I finished this book in 5 days. I highly recommend this book/author and have definitely added Jeff Gunhus to my favorite authors list.
March 18, 2015
With a psychopathic villain, a beautiful FBI agent with secrets of her own, fast paced plotting, and plenty of action, this was a suspenseful read. Especially recommended to those who are interested in FBI investigations and profiling methods and techniques.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
March 13, 2015
Great read
Had me guessing up to the end. Jeff, appeal to your female readers with a little more romance. That would be nice.
Had me guessing up to the end. Jeff, appeal to your female readers with a little more romance. That would be nice.
September 19, 2017
Excellent read!
This book was a continuous page turner for me. It took me two afternoons to read it and I couldn't wait to see what happened at the end. I'm very happy I found Mr. Gunhus as now I have another author to add to my list. I will definitely be reading any other books I can find by him. I would definitely recommend him to others.
This book was a continuous page turner for me. It took me two afternoons to read it and I couldn't wait to see what happened at the end. I'm very happy I found Mr. Gunhus as now I have another author to add to my list. I will definitely be reading any other books I can find by him. I would definitely recommend him to others.
November 15, 2017
Terrific Thriller
Just when I thought I was going into a drought, finding a interesting story to read, I found this one. Boy, did I enjoy this. Loved the characters, suspense, twists and turns. Ending blew me away. Loved it. It was better than anything Patterson, Gardner or Gerristen has wrirten. as of late. Warning, once you start, it will be hard to put down..
Just when I thought I was going into a drought, finding a interesting story to read, I found this one. Boy, did I enjoy this. Loved the characters, suspense, twists and turns. Ending blew me away. Loved it. It was better than anything Patterson, Gardner or Gerristen has wrirten. as of late. Warning, once you start, it will be hard to put down..
August 16, 2017
This was a great read. This is the first of Jeff's books, but I will be reading his other books.
The book keep my attention and every free moment I was picking up my fire to read. I read every chance I get.
Keep writing.
The book keep my attention and every free moment I was picking up my fire to read. I read every chance I get.
Keep writing.
August 18, 2017
Killer Within
Great book every page wasn't wasted. This was a mystery that you couldn't put put down. It was haunting and kept you wondering what happen next. Hats off for the author. ! ! !
Great book every page wasn't wasted. This was a mystery that you couldn't put put down. It was haunting and kept you wondering what happen next. Hats off for the author. ! ! !
October 8, 2017
WILD RIDE!!!
This story grabs you right from the start and won't let you go until the end! And even when it's done you'll find yourself hoping it's the first of a series because you've grown fond of the characters. Very much enjoyed it!
This story grabs you right from the start and won't let you go until the end! And even when it's done you'll find yourself hoping it's the first of a series because you've grown fond of the characters. Very much enjoyed it!
July 28, 2023
A good, fast paced book that keeps things interesting through the entire thing. I love these types of books after reading large books or a series to keep me out of a slump. I would’ve enjoyed more background on the MC’s past relationship to make the ending more juicy/emotional!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2017
This was a new to me author but I'm going to look for more from. him. I liked it a lot.
June 18, 2018
Loved it!
I couldn’t put this book down! I loved the story and the way the author kept you hungry for more!! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense novels!
I couldn’t put this book down! I loved the story and the way the author kept you hungry for more!! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense novels!
September 23, 2018
Worth skipping this one...
January 21, 2019
A God Read.
I really enjoy the book, I read it in a day, I just couldn't put it down. A good read.
I really enjoy the book, I read it in a day, I just couldn't put it down. A good read.
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