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Alice Madison #3
Τόσο πολύ αίμα
Αφού έχει ήδη δύο χρόνια υπηρεσίας στην Αστυνομία του Σιάτλ, η επιθεωρητής του Τμήματος Ανθρωποκτονιών Άλις Μάντισον νιώθει επιτέλους πως ανήκει κάπου, πράγμα που της χαρίζει μια πρωτόγνωρη ηρεμία.
Όταν γίνεται μια διάρρηξη που συνοδεύεται από μια φρικιαστική δολοφονία και η υπόθεση ανατίθεται στη Μάντισον, η αστυνομικός ανακαλύπτει ότι δεν έχει να κάνει με έναν συνηθισμένο φόνο. Αναλαμβάνει να εντοπίσει έναν κατά συρροή δολοφόνο, που με τα αριστοτεχνικά σχεδιασμένα βίαια εγκλήματά του βασανίζει το Σιάτλ εδώ και χρόνια.
Καθώς βυθίζεται όλο και πιο βαθιά στην υπόθεση, η Μάντισον πληροφορείται ότι κάποιος παρακολουθεί τη χήρα ενός από τα θύματα. Μήπως ο δολοφόνος ετοιμάζεται να χτυπήσει ξανά; Η πίεση είναι τρομερή, αλλά κανένα εμπόδιο δεν θα ανακόψει την προσπάθεια της Μάντισον να σώσει το επόμενο αθώο θύμα. Μια σειρά γεγονότων και συμπτώσεων θα ακολουθήσει, αλλά τίποτα δεν θα είναι πια όπως δείχνει...
Όταν γίνεται μια διάρρηξη που συνοδεύεται από μια φρικιαστική δολοφονία και η υπόθεση ανατίθεται στη Μάντισον, η αστυνομικός ανακαλύπτει ότι δεν έχει να κάνει με έναν συνηθισμένο φόνο. Αναλαμβάνει να εντοπίσει έναν κατά συρροή δολοφόνο, που με τα αριστοτεχνικά σχεδιασμένα βίαια εγκλήματά του βασανίζει το Σιάτλ εδώ και χρόνια.
Καθώς βυθίζεται όλο και πιο βαθιά στην υπόθεση, η Μάντισον πληροφορείται ότι κάποιος παρακολουθεί τη χήρα ενός από τα θύματα. Μήπως ο δολοφόνος ετοιμάζεται να χτυπήσει ξανά; Η πίεση είναι τρομερή, αλλά κανένα εμπόδιο δεν θα ανακόψει την προσπάθεια της Μάντισον να σώσει το επόμενο αθώο θύμα. Μια σειρά γεγονότων και συμπτώσεων θα ακολουθήσει, αλλά τίποτα δεν θα είναι πια όπως δείχνει...
416 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
14 people are currently reading
980 people want to read
About the author
Valentina Giambanco
12 books118 followersValentina Giambanco was born in Italy. She started working in films as an editor's apprentice in a 35mm cutting room and since then has worked on many award-winning UK and US pictures: from small independent projects to large studio productions. Valentina lives in London.
Her books were originally published under the name of V.M. Giambanco
Her books were originally published under the name of V.M. Giambanco
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 21, 2021
Best book in the Alice Madison series so far!!! I simply loved it! Excellent plot and smooth narration! This one involves a serial killer (my favourite type of murder mysteries) and its so fast paced that I literally couldn't put it down. Loved the characters too- Brown is my favourite! Beautiful ending too, full of twists and turns. The series definitely gets better! Can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
February 5, 2017
This is the third book about Seattle homicide detective Alice Madison. Although it is possible to follow the plot without having read The Gift of Darkness or The Dark first, I would suggest reading them in order to get the full picture of the recurring characters. A big part of this series has been about the complicated dynamics between Alice, Nathan Quinn, who now works for the State Attorney, and John Cameron, who is wanted for several murders. This one is a little different from the other two though in that it focuses much more on Alice and her partner and father figure, Detective Brown, and their current case, which involves the hunt for a seriously deranged serial killer.
This series has been getting better and better with each book. Alice evolves and so do her relationships within the police force and with Nathan and John. The police procedural aspects are done really well and the characters as well as the plot come across as very believable. I also find the author's writing has become more succinct and flows better with each instalment. After struggling a little with the first book, I've become a huge fan and I hope there will be more of Alice, Nathan, John, and Detective Brown in the future. Highly recommended if you enjoy gritty crime thrillers with expertly fleshed-out characters!
This series has been getting better and better with each book. Alice evolves and so do her relationships within the police force and with Nathan and John. The police procedural aspects are done really well and the characters as well as the plot come across as very believable. I also find the author's writing has become more succinct and flows better with each instalment. After struggling a little with the first book, I've become a huge fan and I hope there will be more of Alice, Nathan, John, and Detective Brown in the future. Highly recommended if you enjoy gritty crime thrillers with expertly fleshed-out characters!
February 9, 2017
Alice Madison and her partner Detective Brown are trying to catch what turns out to be a serial killer. As the uncover more and more clues to the murders it seems Detective Brown put away a man for one of the murders and he is innocent. Even though he knows it was his fault he is still on board to help catch the serial killer and free an innocent man. Great characters. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
May 31, 2020
Το «Τόσο πολύ αίμα», το τρίτο βιβλίο με τις περιπέτειες της επιθεωρητή Άλις Μάντισον, υπόσχεται συναρπαστικές αναγνωστικές στιγμές με την εξαιρετική πλοκή του.
Έχει περάσει ενάμισης χρόνος από τα γεγονότα του προηγούμενου βιβλίου. Η Άλις νιώθει ήρεμη, έχει ξανά στο πλάι της τον αγαπημένο της συνεργάτη και έχει δημιουργήσει μια καινούρια αισθηματική σχέση. Ο Νέιθαν Κουίν έχει πάρει τη θέση του συμβούλου του Ομοσπονδιακού Εισαγγελέα της πολιτείας της Ουάσινγκτον και ο Τζον Κάμερον έχει επιδοθεί σ’ ένα ανελέητο κυνήγι, προκειμένου να εξοντώσει όλα τα μέλη του καρτέλ που προσπάθησε να τον απαγάγει πριν δεκαοκτώ μήνες.
Η νέα υπόθεση που αναλαμβάνει η Άλις και οι συνεργάτες της αφορά μια διάρρηξη συνοδευόμενη από μια φρικιαστική δολοφονία· το πρόσωπο του θύματος βρέθηκε κυριολεκτικά πολτοποιημένο. Η αγριότητα του εγκλήματος ταράζει την ομάδα, και από την πρώτη στιγμή συνειδητοποιούν πως δεν έχουν να κάνουν με έναν απλό διαρρήκτη. Αποδεικνύεται πως ο δράστης είναι ένας κατά συρροή δολοφόνος, ο οποίος είχε διαπράξει κι άλλα παρόμοια βίαια εγκλήματα στο παρελθόν· όμως είχε κατορθώσει να επιρρίψει σε άλλους την κατηγορία των φόνων. Η ομάδα οργανώνεται και αρχίζει να ψάχνει παλαιότερες παρόμοιες υποθέσεις, προκειμένου να ανακαλύψει στοιχεία για την ταυτότητα του δολοφόνου. Κι όσο οι μέρες περνούν, τόσο τα θύματα πληθαίνουν και τα χρονικά περιθώρια στενεύουν ολοένα και περισσότερο για τους αστυνομικούς, που θα πρέπει να βρουν τον δολοφόνο προτού χτυπήσει για μια ακόμα φορά…
Το βιβλίο αυτό βαδίζει στα γνώριμα χνάρια των δύο προηγούμενων, σε ό,τι αφορά το στήσιμο της πλοκής και το ύφος του. Η συγγραφέας είναι μια πραγματική αριστοτέχνης του αστυνομικού θρίλερ· καταφέρνει να δημιουργεί ιστορίες με πολλά ταυτόχρονα μέτωπα, που εξελίσσονται παράλληλα κι είναι όλα εξίσου ενδιαφέροντα. Παρακολουθούμε τις ζωές των ηρώων, το πώς αυτές αλλάζουν κι ανατρέπονται από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο, ενώ την ίδια στιγμή το κυνήγι για τον εντοπισμό του δράστη παραμένει το κεντρικό μοτίβο γύρω απ’ το οποίο περιστρέφονται όλα τα υπόλοιπα.
Σε αντίθεση με το προηγούμενο βιβλίο, όπου ήταν περισσότερο έντονο το στοιχείο του ψυχογραφήματος, εδώ έχουμε… κινηματογραφικές εικόνες εγκλήματος, που θυμίζουν καλογυρισμένη τηλεοπτική αστυνομική σειρά. Γλαφυρές περιγραφές, έντονες αντιδράσεις, ζηλευτό λογοτεχνικό σασπένς, ανατρεπτικές εξελίξεις και ήρωες που αγωνίζονται ακατάπαυστα, προκειμένου να καταφέρνουν να ισορροπούν τις δύσκολες συνθήκες του επαγγέλματός τους με την προσωπική και οικογενειακή τους ζωή. Παράλληλα με την καθαρή αστυνομική δράση, αποτυπώνεται έντονα και πιστά και ο ανθρώπινος παράγοντας, μην αφήνοντας άλλη επιλογή στον αναγνώστη πέρα από το να ταυτιστεί με τους ήρωες και να αγωνιά το ίδιο με αυτούς για τη σύλληψη του ατόμου που ευθύνεται για τόση κακία και τέτοιο απίστευτο μένος.
Όσο για τους κεντρικούς ήρωες, την Μάντισον, τον Κουίν και τον Κάμερον, αυτοί φαίνονται να έχουν αφήσει πίσω τους τις τραυματικές στιγμές του παρελθόντος και να έχουν συμφιλιωθεί με τα φαντάσματά τους. Παρόλα αυτά, συνεχίζουν να υπάρχουν κάποιες σκιές, δεύτερες σκέψεις και προβληματισμοί που έχουν να κάνουν με τις μεταξύ τους σχέσεις. Εκτός από αυτό όμως, βλέπουμε να ξεδιπλώνονται μερικά ακόμα κομμάτια του χαρακτήρα τους – φαίνεται πως είναι κάτι που ακολουθεί πιστά η συγγραφέας στη συγκεκριμένη σειρά βιβλίων, το να αποκαλύπτει δηλαδή σε καθένα από αυτά νέες πτυχές των ηρώων, τοποθετώντας με αυτόν τον τρόπο ολοένα περισσότερα κομμάτια στο αναμφισβήτητα σύνθετο μα και γοητευτικό συνάμα παζλ της προσωπικότητάς τους και κάνοντας έτσι τον αναγνώστη να σχηματίζει, κάθε φορά, μια πιο ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα γι’ αυτούς.
Καλό θα ήταν να έχει διαβάσει ο αναγνώστης τα προηγούμενα βιβλία πριν από αυτό, αν και δεν συνδέεται τόσο έντονα μαζί τους όσο το δεύτερο με το πρώτο, για παράδειγμα. Είναι βέβαια τόσο καλογραμμένο, η πλοκή του τόσο σφιχτοδεμένη, ποικίλη, συναρπαστική και πλούσια –όπως και στα προηγούμενα, άλλωστε– που ο αναγνώστης ικανοποιείται και με το παραπάνω· ταυτόχρονα όμως διψάει να μάθει για το πώς έφτασαν οι ήρωες μέχρι εδώ και ποια γεγονότα έχουν διαμορφώσει τις πράξεις και τον χαρακτήρα τους. Για να τα ανακαλύψει αυτά λοιπόν θα χρειαστεί πιθανότατα να προστρέξει στα δύο προηγούμενα βιβλία.
Το «Τόσο πολύ αίμα» είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα απολύτως αντάξιο της φήμης της συγγραφέως του, ενώ αποτελεί ένα ακόμα συναρπαστικό κεφάλαιο της ζωής της Άλις Μάντισον και ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει μια θέση στα ράφια οποιουδήποτε αγαπάει την καλή λογοτεχνία και τα καλογραμμένα αστυνομικά θρίλερ, που κρατούν αναλλοίωτες την ένταση και την αγωνία μέχρι το ανατρεπτικό και λυτρωτικό τους φινάλε.
Έχει περάσει ενάμισης χρόνος από τα γεγονότα του προηγούμενου βιβλίου. Η Άλις νιώθει ήρεμη, έχει ξανά στο πλάι της τον αγαπημένο της συνεργάτη και έχει δημιουργήσει μια καινούρια αισθηματική σχέση. Ο Νέιθαν Κουίν έχει πάρει τη θέση του συμβούλου του Ομοσπονδιακού Εισαγγελέα της πολιτείας της Ουάσινγκτον και ο Τζον Κάμερον έχει επιδοθεί σ’ ένα ανελέητο κυνήγι, προκειμένου να εξοντώσει όλα τα μέλη του καρτέλ που προσπάθησε να τον απαγάγει πριν δεκαοκτώ μήνες.
Η νέα υπόθεση που αναλαμβάνει η Άλις και οι συνεργάτες της αφορά μια διάρρηξη συνοδευόμενη από μια φρικιαστική δολοφονία· το πρόσωπο του θύματος βρέθηκε κυριολεκτικά πολτοποιημένο. Η αγριότητα του εγκλήματος ταράζει την ομάδα, και από την πρώτη στιγμή συνειδητοποιούν πως δεν έχουν να κάνουν με έναν απλό διαρρήκτη. Αποδεικνύεται πως ο δράστης είναι ένας κατά συρροή δολοφόνος, ο οποίος είχε διαπράξει κι άλλα παρόμοια βίαια εγκλήματα στο παρελθόν· όμως είχε κατορθώσει να επιρρίψει σε άλλους την κατηγορία των φόνων. Η ομάδα οργανώνεται και αρχίζει να ψάχνει παλαιότερες παρόμοιες υποθέσεις, προκειμένου να ανακαλύψει στοιχεία για την ταυτότητα του δολοφόνου. Κι όσο οι μέρες περνούν, τόσο τα θύματα πληθαίνουν και τα χρονικά περιθώρια στενεύουν ολοένα και περισσότερο για τους αστυνομικούς, που θα πρέπει να βρουν τον δολοφόνο προτού χτυπήσει για μια ακόμα φορά…
Το βιβλίο αυτό βαδίζει στα γνώριμα χνάρια των δύο προηγούμενων, σε ό,τι αφορά το στήσιμο της πλοκής και το ύφος του. Η συγγραφέας είναι μια πραγματική αριστοτέχνης του αστυνομικού θρίλερ· καταφέρνει να δημιουργεί ιστορίες με πολλά ταυτόχρονα μέτωπα, που εξελίσσονται παράλληλα κι είναι όλα εξίσου ενδιαφέροντα. Παρακολουθούμε τις ζωές των ηρώων, το πώς αυτές αλλάζουν κι ανατρέπονται από κεφάλαιο σε κεφάλαιο, ενώ την ίδια στιγμή το κυνήγι για τον εντοπισμό του δράστη παραμένει το κεντρικό μοτίβο γύρω απ’ το οποίο περιστρέφονται όλα τα υπόλοιπα.
Σε αντίθεση με το προηγούμενο βιβλίο, όπου ήταν περισσότερο έντονο το στοιχείο του ψυχογραφήματος, εδώ έχουμε… κινηματογραφικές εικόνες εγκλήματος, που θυμίζουν καλογυρισμένη τηλεοπτική αστυνομική σειρά. Γλαφυρές περιγραφές, έντονες αντιδράσεις, ζηλευτό λογοτεχνικό σασπένς, ανατρεπτικές εξελίξεις και ήρωες που αγωνίζονται ακατάπαυστα, προκειμένου να καταφέρνουν να ισορροπούν τις δύσκολες συνθήκες του επαγγέλματός τους με την προσωπική και οικογενειακή τους ζωή. Παράλληλα με την καθαρή αστυνομική δράση, αποτυπώνεται έντονα και πιστά και ο ανθρώπινος παράγοντας, μην αφήνοντας άλλη επιλογή στον αναγνώστη πέρα από το να ταυτιστεί με τους ήρωες και να αγωνιά το ίδιο με αυτούς για τη σύλληψη του ατόμου που ευθύνεται για τόση κακία και τέτοιο απίστευτο μένος.
Όσο για τους κεντρικούς ήρωες, την Μάντισον, τον Κουίν και τον Κάμερον, αυτοί φαίνονται να έχουν αφήσει πίσω τους τις τραυματικές στιγμές του παρελθόντος και να έχουν συμφιλιωθεί με τα φαντάσματά τους. Παρόλα αυτά, συνεχίζουν να υπάρχουν κάποιες σκιές, δεύτερες σκέψεις και προβληματισμοί που έχουν να κάνουν με τις μεταξύ τους σχέσεις. Εκτός από αυτό όμως, βλέπουμε να ξεδιπλώνονται μερικά ακόμα κομμάτια του χαρακτήρα τους – φαίνεται πως είναι κάτι που ακολουθεί πιστά η συγγραφέας στη συγκεκριμένη σειρά βιβλίων, το να αποκαλύπτει δηλαδή σε καθένα από αυτά νέες πτυχές των ηρώων, τοποθετώντας με αυτόν τον τρόπο ολοένα περισσότερα κομμάτια στο αναμφισβήτητα σύνθετο μα και γοητευτικό συνάμα παζλ της προσωπικότητάς τους και κάνοντας έτσι τον αναγνώστη να σχηματίζει, κάθε φορά, μια πιο ολοκληρωμένη εικόνα γι’ αυτούς.
Καλό θα ήταν να έχει διαβάσει ο αναγνώστης τα προηγούμενα βιβλία πριν από αυτό, αν και δεν συνδέεται τόσο έντονα μαζί τους όσο το δεύτερο με το πρώτο, για παράδειγμα. Είναι βέβαια τόσο καλογραμμένο, η πλοκή του τόσο σφιχτοδεμένη, ποικίλη, συναρπαστική και πλούσια –όπως και στα προηγούμενα, άλλωστε– που ο αναγνώστης ικανοποιείται και με το παραπάνω· ταυτόχρονα όμως διψάει να μάθει για το πώς έφτασαν οι ήρωες μέχρι εδώ και ποια γεγονότα έχουν διαμορφώσει τις πράξεις και τον χαρακτήρα τους. Για να τα ανακαλύψει αυτά λοιπόν θα χρειαστεί πιθανότατα να προστρέξει στα δύο προηγούμενα βιβλία.
Το «Τόσο πολύ αίμα» είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα απολύτως αντάξιο της φήμης της συγγραφέως του, ενώ αποτελεί ένα ακόμα συναρπαστικό κεφάλαιο της ζωής της Άλις Μάντισον και ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει μια θέση στα ράφια οποιουδήποτε αγαπάει την καλή λογοτεχνία και τα καλογραμμένα αστυνομικά θρίλερ, που κρατούν αναλλοίωτες την ένταση και την αγωνία μέχρι το ανατρεπτικό και λυτρωτικό τους φινάλε.
February 3, 2017
3.5 Fangs
I love thrillers and Blood and Bone sounded good. After finishing it, I found myself wanting to read the books prior to this one and making sure I keep this series on my radar for the next ones to come.
Alice Madison is a young detective who's given the lead in a homicide case. Her partner, detective Kevin Brown, is someone she can trust and she appreciates his input and guidance.
The case they are investigating involves a horrible and gruesome murder. A man has been killed and the violence involved in his death is something most detectives won't forget. Alice does believe something doesn't add up and a closer look at the case reveals a connection to other murders and the possibility of a serial killer. Furthermore, the prior cases could involve a killer who enjoys blaming the murders on innocent people.
At the same time, Alice is dealing with the DEA. They are asking her about the whereabouts of John Cameron, whom Alice saved in a prior book and who's a wanted man by the law. This will bring a certain attorney back into her life.
I liked Blood and Bone. I thought the twist at the end was good and I even like the small part the romance plays into the story. I'm intrigued by John and I hope she never has to track him down. I'll hate for one of the two to perish.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Quercus via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
"Some people are made for each other"
I love thrillers and Blood and Bone sounded good. After finishing it, I found myself wanting to read the books prior to this one and making sure I keep this series on my radar for the next ones to come.
Alice Madison is a young detective who's given the lead in a homicide case. Her partner, detective Kevin Brown, is someone she can trust and she appreciates his input and guidance.
The case they are investigating involves a horrible and gruesome murder. A man has been killed and the violence involved in his death is something most detectives won't forget. Alice does believe something doesn't add up and a closer look at the case reveals a connection to other murders and the possibility of a serial killer. Furthermore, the prior cases could involve a killer who enjoys blaming the murders on innocent people.
At the same time, Alice is dealing with the DEA. They are asking her about the whereabouts of John Cameron, whom Alice saved in a prior book and who's a wanted man by the law. This will bring a certain attorney back into her life.
I liked Blood and Bone. I thought the twist at the end was good and I even like the small part the romance plays into the story. I'm intrigued by John and I hope she never has to track him down. I'll hate for one of the two to perish.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Quercus via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
November 11, 2015
Blood and Bone – Alice Madison Getting Even Better
V.M. Giambanco has give her Seattle Police Detective Alice Madison a third outing in her latest book Blood and Bone, the great thing is that this can be read as a standalone book rather than trying to read the series in order. Once again Giambanco delivers on all levels and has written a wonderful and dark thriller that gives the reader everything they want on all levels. There are some interesting twists that you do not see coming that add an extra dimension to this pacey crime thriller.
The book opens when Alice Madison is 12 years old and it is 1982 as she is running away from her family home to Seattle to her Grandparents house. We are getting some of the background to some of her relationships with some of the people that will appear throughout the book.
Alice Madison is taking the lead on her first murder case, with her partner Sergeant Kevin Brown backing her up and acting as a sounding board. When she gets to the crime scene the victim is a man called Matt Duncan who was found by his wife Kate. There seems to be no reason for the murder, even though there was some Jewellery that was stolen. The plot thickens when a droplet of blood links them back to a murder seven years previous.
The previous case was one Brown had closed along with Sarah Klein the State Attorney and the person who committed that had been in prison where he committed suicide. So begins a rush as more deaths occur and more clues turn up, with no clear evidence of a link the Madison really does not have anything to go on.
At the same time Madison is in a relationship with Aaron someone she knew when she was younger and he acts as a counter weight to everything in her Police Career. We also see that in the background there are DEA agents who do not trust and she finds out she is also being investigated. Even that news will shake her from her search for the answers and the murderer of Matt Duncan.
As clues slowly turn up they have 11 cases that are linked to the murder of Matt Duncan and they receive crumbs, but it is from the crumbs that they will be able to find the murderer. The murderer who seems to be able to live in plain sight without raising suspicion, someone who is dedicated and calculated in what he does.
With some wonderful twists Blood and Bone is an excellent crime thriller that keeps you reading and on the edge of your seat as you read. This book really does set your pulse racing as the reader does not know who the murderer is until the end because we only ever see through his eyes. A wonderful crime thriller that shows once again that V.M. Giambanco is at the top of her game.
V.M. Giambanco has give her Seattle Police Detective Alice Madison a third outing in her latest book Blood and Bone, the great thing is that this can be read as a standalone book rather than trying to read the series in order. Once again Giambanco delivers on all levels and has written a wonderful and dark thriller that gives the reader everything they want on all levels. There are some interesting twists that you do not see coming that add an extra dimension to this pacey crime thriller.
The book opens when Alice Madison is 12 years old and it is 1982 as she is running away from her family home to Seattle to her Grandparents house. We are getting some of the background to some of her relationships with some of the people that will appear throughout the book.
Alice Madison is taking the lead on her first murder case, with her partner Sergeant Kevin Brown backing her up and acting as a sounding board. When she gets to the crime scene the victim is a man called Matt Duncan who was found by his wife Kate. There seems to be no reason for the murder, even though there was some Jewellery that was stolen. The plot thickens when a droplet of blood links them back to a murder seven years previous.
The previous case was one Brown had closed along with Sarah Klein the State Attorney and the person who committed that had been in prison where he committed suicide. So begins a rush as more deaths occur and more clues turn up, with no clear evidence of a link the Madison really does not have anything to go on.
At the same time Madison is in a relationship with Aaron someone she knew when she was younger and he acts as a counter weight to everything in her Police Career. We also see that in the background there are DEA agents who do not trust and she finds out she is also being investigated. Even that news will shake her from her search for the answers and the murderer of Matt Duncan.
As clues slowly turn up they have 11 cases that are linked to the murder of Matt Duncan and they receive crumbs, but it is from the crumbs that they will be able to find the murderer. The murderer who seems to be able to live in plain sight without raising suspicion, someone who is dedicated and calculated in what he does.
With some wonderful twists Blood and Bone is an excellent crime thriller that keeps you reading and on the edge of your seat as you read. This book really does set your pulse racing as the reader does not know who the murderer is until the end because we only ever see through his eyes. A wonderful crime thriller that shows once again that V.M. Giambanco is at the top of her game.
December 14, 2019
I'll start by saying that it doesn't happen often to love a secondary character but I absolutely love Nathan Quinn. If you read the books I'm sure you'll understand why.
In this third instalment we find the characters two years later and many things have changed...
Madison is in a nice place in her personal life but we can feel from the very beginning that even if things are nice something is missing... It was nice to read about it since that made her more human and it wasn't interfering much with the main plot. Also her partner Kevin Brown is back and it was nice to read about them working another case together.
I believe that this story was more fast paced than the previous ones but good all the same.
It starts when a man is found murdered in his house and detectives Madison and Brown are called to investagite. Soon enough the case turns out to be more serious since other crimes commited are connected to the first one and verdicts from the past are questioned. That's how also Nathan Quinn because of his new work position appears in the scene and another surprise awaits the reader to some it might be pleasant... Personally I was thrilled!
During the story we find out what John Cameron is doing after his adventure in the second book and how that affects the lives of Madison and his best friend Nathan Quinn. The already strange relationship between those three characters became even more complex those past two years and with a great cost for two of them and it's about to change again in the present.
In general what I can say about the book is that it's a very good continuation to the Alice Madison series.
Has a good mystery with the twist I so much like, characters that one grows to care about and I believe from this instalment on a very beautiful love story.
Apart from the well written and complex characters and interesting cases, I love Valentina Giambanco's books because she has a very nice balance between the case which is the important part to a crime novel and personal matters, something I can't say about many crime writing authors who depend too much on drama of the main characters love lives to capture the interest for the next books of a series. It's the first time I found myself wanting more to read after the scene in the end.
In this third instalment we find the characters two years later and many things have changed...
Madison is in a nice place in her personal life but we can feel from the very beginning that even if things are nice something is missing... It was nice to read about it since that made her more human and it wasn't interfering much with the main plot. Also her partner Kevin Brown is back and it was nice to read about them working another case together.
I believe that this story was more fast paced than the previous ones but good all the same.
It starts when a man is found murdered in his house and detectives Madison and Brown are called to investagite. Soon enough the case turns out to be more serious since other crimes commited are connected to the first one and verdicts from the past are questioned. That's how also Nathan Quinn because of his new work position appears in the scene and another surprise awaits the reader to some it might be pleasant... Personally I was thrilled!
During the story we find out what John Cameron is doing after his adventure in the second book and how that affects the lives of Madison and his best friend Nathan Quinn. The already strange relationship between those three characters became even more complex those past two years and with a great cost for two of them and it's about to change again in the present.
In general what I can say about the book is that it's a very good continuation to the Alice Madison series.
Has a good mystery with the twist I so much like, characters that one grows to care about and I believe from this instalment on a very beautiful love story.
Apart from the well written and complex characters and interesting cases, I love Valentina Giambanco's books because she has a very nice balance between the case which is the important part to a crime novel and personal matters, something I can't say about many crime writing authors who depend too much on drama of the main characters love lives to capture the interest for the next books of a series. It's the first time I found myself wanting more to read after the scene in the end.
October 2, 2019
Σαν πρώτη επαφή με τη συγγραφέα ομολογώ πως μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ το βιβλίο. Η γραφή πολύ καλή και καθόλου κουραστική. Τώρα όσον αφορά την υπόθεση και την εξέλιξη της υπόθεσης.
Στην αρχή μου φάνηκε λίγο βαρετό αλλά ευτυχώς ήταν για λίγες σελίδες. Ξαφνικά η υπόθεση άρχισε να έχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον και ένα βράδυ έπιασα τον εαυτό μου να αγχώνεται πολύ. Και ήταν σημεία που κατάλαβα πως είναι να χάνεις τον ύπνο σου το βράδυ απλά και μόνο για να δεις τι γίνεται παρακάτω. Επίσης μου άρεσε που η υπόθεση ήταν twisty :) Στα υπέρ και η γυναικεία ματιά, καθώς η Άλις Μάντισον είναι ένας δυναμικός γυναικείος χαρακτήρας με τον οποίο πολλές σύγχρονες γυναίκες θα ταυτίζονταν.
Στην αρχή μου φάνηκε λίγο βαρετό αλλά ευτυχώς ήταν για λίγες σελίδες. Ξαφνικά η υπόθεση άρχισε να έχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον και ένα βράδυ έπιασα τον εαυτό μου να αγχώνεται πολύ. Και ήταν σημεία που κατάλαβα πως είναι να χάνεις τον ύπνο σου το βράδυ απλά και μόνο για να δεις τι γίνεται παρακάτω. Επίσης μου άρεσε που η υπόθεση ήταν twisty :) Στα υπέρ και η γυναικεία ματιά, καθώς η Άλις Μάντισον είναι ένας δυναμικός γυναικείος χαρακτήρας με τον οποίο πολλές σύγχρονες γυναίκες θα ταυτίζονταν.
October 1, 2020
3.5 ☆.
December 14, 2017
Thank you to Quercus for the copy in exchange for my honest review!
Typically, like most readers, I'm not a fan of jumping into the middle of a series. However, BLOOD AND BONE by Valentina Giambanco, could definitely be read as a standalone. I do feel like I should go back and read the other two in the series so that I can get better acquainted with Alice Madison.
Taking place in Seattle, Alice Madison is a homicide detective and she is finally feeling as if she has found her place in life. Loving her position and people around her after two years working for the Seattle PD. Burglaries begin to escalate in number but one ends in a gruesome murder. Alice is on the case and she quickly discovers this isn't an ordinary killing - it is in fact the doings of a serial killer that has been on the loose for years.
When one of the killer's past victim's wife is being stalked, Madison worries that it could be the killer waiting to strike again. What is she willing to do to put a stop to this brutal serial killer that has haunted Seattle for so long?
Alice Madison is a great character. I felt that she was still well-developed, even with this being book three. It didn't feel like I was missing out on everything because I jumped in late. I always appreciate that when authors continue detective series that way. I still want to go back to read the first two so I can see more of her growth! The serial killer is brutal and has taken 11 previous victims. Will Alice and her team be able to find the murderer before he can strike again and disappear?
Overall, this was a great crime thriller! Just what you want - quick pace, great characters, a killer on the loose, and piecing together all the clues. The small details make the biggest different in solving murders and this had the perfect balance between police procedural and thriller!
I give this a solid 4/5 stars!
Typically, like most readers, I'm not a fan of jumping into the middle of a series. However, BLOOD AND BONE by Valentina Giambanco, could definitely be read as a standalone. I do feel like I should go back and read the other two in the series so that I can get better acquainted with Alice Madison.
Taking place in Seattle, Alice Madison is a homicide detective and she is finally feeling as if she has found her place in life. Loving her position and people around her after two years working for the Seattle PD. Burglaries begin to escalate in number but one ends in a gruesome murder. Alice is on the case and she quickly discovers this isn't an ordinary killing - it is in fact the doings of a serial killer that has been on the loose for years.
When one of the killer's past victim's wife is being stalked, Madison worries that it could be the killer waiting to strike again. What is she willing to do to put a stop to this brutal serial killer that has haunted Seattle for so long?
Alice Madison is a great character. I felt that she was still well-developed, even with this being book three. It didn't feel like I was missing out on everything because I jumped in late. I always appreciate that when authors continue detective series that way. I still want to go back to read the first two so I can see more of her growth! The serial killer is brutal and has taken 11 previous victims. Will Alice and her team be able to find the murderer before he can strike again and disappear?
Overall, this was a great crime thriller! Just what you want - quick pace, great characters, a killer on the loose, and piecing together all the clues. The small details make the biggest different in solving murders and this had the perfect balance between police procedural and thriller!
I give this a solid 4/5 stars!
March 6, 2018
Επιτέλους έκλεισε ο κύκλος του Τζων Καμερον και η Άλις Μάντισον μπορεί να επικεντρωθεί και σε άλλα πράγματα στη ζωή της. Το τρίτο βιβλίο της σειράς κλείνει ουσιαστικά τον κύκλο της ιστορίας που ξεδιπλώθηκε στα δύο προηγούμενα και μας παρουσιάζει μια ιστορία που δεν αναπτύχθηκε ικανοποιητικά και τελείωσε πολύ απότομα. Ηθελε περισσότερη ανάλυση αναφορικά με τον αθέατο δολοφόνο, υα κίνητρά του, τον τρόπο δράσης, την ψυχολογία του. Επίσης, το γεγονός ότι ξαφνικά σκοτώνεται απο ατύχημα, μπορεί να συνέβαινε στην πραγματική ζωή αλλα με αφήνει ανικανοποίητη ως αναγνωστρια. Η ιστορία της Αλις εξελίσσεται με τρόπο που αφήνει τον αναγνώστη με ερωτηματικά για το μέλλον αλλά ουσιαστικά απαντά στα περισσότερα θέματα που είχαν θέσει τα προηγούμενα βιβλία.
January 1, 2021
Αν και άνετα διαβάζονται και ανεξάρτητα για μένα αποτελούν τριλογία ως προς τους χαρακτήρες και τις μεταξύ τους σχέση.... Καλά αστυνομικά με στοιχειά θρίλερ και τρόμου, με δυνατή πλοκή και διαφορετικές πλευρές ανθρώπων του νόμου και του υπόκοσμου που βρίσκονται κάποτε σε αντίθετες πλευρές και κάποτε στην ίδια πλευρά
April 16, 2020
Για την ανατροπή 3.5 γενικά δεν είχε την ένταση που θα περίμενα σε αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα.
November 21, 2020
Brill read, plenty of twists and banter within the cop team
February 23, 2017
3 stars for the first half if the book, 3 1/2 stars for the second half.
This was an okay read. In the beginning, I thought it was a middle school book, given the writing which was stiff with stilted dialogue, especially in the first half of the book. It's not. The subject matter is testimony to that. The plot of this book is okay, once it kicks in, but that takes a while.
There were some serious problems that I thought this book had. First, it's as if the first half and second half of the book were written by different people. The first half is mostly telling, not showing. It's riddled with grammar errors, verb tense problems. It's didactic. The author tries to couch it in dialogue, but it doesn't work. It's also littered with UK terms, not something expected in a police procedural that takes place in Seattle, in the United States. Here are some of those terms that don't fit:
nail varnish instead of nail polish
trousers instead of slacks or pants
tin instead of box or container or tube
meters instead of feet or years, though later in the book it switches to US terms
accountancy for accounting
bends instead of dents
stabilizers instead of training wheels (on a kid's bicycle)
thermos/beaker instead of cup/mug/travel mug
engineer instead of service or repair man
insurance adviser instead of insurance adjuster
shed instead of hut or cabin or shack
restroom cubicles instead of restroom stalls
banquettes instead of booths
torches instead of flashllights
All those terms that don't fit kept pulling me out of the story.
There are also many Italian phrases sprinkled about with no hint as to their meaning. I don't need an exact translation, but the character could have thought the gist of the meaning.
The second half, although, it also had periodic problems with those things, was much cleaner and far more focused on figuring out the crimes and moving the plot forward.
Throughout the book, time often jumps with no warning. In one instance, Madison was standing and looking out of her window before dawn. She's thinking about what her day's work will entail. With no transition, in the same paragraph, she and her partner Brown are at work and lunch.
Another confusing bit"
"She scribbled ON(emphasis mine) her notebook and passed it to Brown, who got on the phone to dispatch.
Madison wrote down the details and spoke them out loud so Brown cold pass them on to patrol."
Huh? If she wrote them down and handed Brown the notebook, what else is she writing down, and why is she speaking out loud to Brown when he has the information in front of him?
The prologue of this book sets a tone not in keeping with the rest of the book; it's non-essential, gives us no idea of whom it speaks, and could easily have been cut. In retrospect, it's meant to explain Alice Madison's background, but that could have been explained in a paragraph, not in five pages. Later in the book, most of the same information is worked into dialogue and thought during a poker game. That worked and would have been sufficient.
The author allows assumptions to be made by the main character. At one point, while Detective Alice Madison is chasing a suspect, they enter Seattle's famous Pike Market. She's focused on finding her man on the busy market floor, teeming with shoppers and tourists, noise filling the space, but Detective Madison knows, without a doubt, that one group is a British tour group and, despite not being close enough to hear, knows that the person talking to them is the tour leader "narrating" the history of the market. To me, that's inexcusable mind reading. How could she possible know they were British? Overall, better editing would have tightened and improved the story.
This horrified me as food safety is of utmost importance to everyone who eats:
On Thanksgiving, Det. Madison needs to work through the anticipated holiday dinner with her friends/surrogate family. Her boyfriend brings home leftovers for her, packed in plastic containers; he leaves them sitting on the kitchen table -- for hours! Madison comes home and eats them, leaves them on the table overnight, then eats them for breakfast. That led me to two questions: how hard would it have been to put them in the refrigerator, and why didn't she get food poisoning?
The characters seemed like cardboard cutouts. I didn't feel any real connection to them. Perhaps if I'd read the earlier books in the series I might have, but I doubt it. Part of that comes from consistently being told about them, not witnessing them interact. Even the solution to the mystery was, for the most part, told, not demonstrated. Why should I believe that Duncan's murderer did the things Madision says when I saw no evidence of animosity toward him anywhere in the previous 300 or so pages. I also felt cheated out of a good explanation for why the other villain did what he did. And both, not knowing each other, used the same methods? I have trouble buying into that. Again, this book needed much better editing than it received.
I don't think I'd recommend this book.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an okay read. In the beginning, I thought it was a middle school book, given the writing which was stiff with stilted dialogue, especially in the first half of the book. It's not. The subject matter is testimony to that. The plot of this book is okay, once it kicks in, but that takes a while.
There were some serious problems that I thought this book had. First, it's as if the first half and second half of the book were written by different people. The first half is mostly telling, not showing. It's riddled with grammar errors, verb tense problems. It's didactic. The author tries to couch it in dialogue, but it doesn't work. It's also littered with UK terms, not something expected in a police procedural that takes place in Seattle, in the United States. Here are some of those terms that don't fit:
nail varnish instead of nail polish
trousers instead of slacks or pants
tin instead of box or container or tube
meters instead of feet or years, though later in the book it switches to US terms
accountancy for accounting
bends instead of dents
stabilizers instead of training wheels (on a kid's bicycle)
thermos/beaker instead of cup/mug/travel mug
engineer instead of service or repair man
insurance adviser instead of insurance adjuster
shed instead of hut or cabin or shack
restroom cubicles instead of restroom stalls
banquettes instead of booths
torches instead of flashllights
All those terms that don't fit kept pulling me out of the story.
There are also many Italian phrases sprinkled about with no hint as to their meaning. I don't need an exact translation, but the character could have thought the gist of the meaning.
The second half, although, it also had periodic problems with those things, was much cleaner and far more focused on figuring out the crimes and moving the plot forward.
Throughout the book, time often jumps with no warning. In one instance, Madison was standing and looking out of her window before dawn. She's thinking about what her day's work will entail. With no transition, in the same paragraph, she and her partner Brown are at work and lunch.
Another confusing bit"
"She scribbled ON(emphasis mine) her notebook and passed it to Brown, who got on the phone to dispatch.
Madison wrote down the details and spoke them out loud so Brown cold pass them on to patrol."
Huh? If she wrote them down and handed Brown the notebook, what else is she writing down, and why is she speaking out loud to Brown when he has the information in front of him?
The prologue of this book sets a tone not in keeping with the rest of the book; it's non-essential, gives us no idea of whom it speaks, and could easily have been cut. In retrospect, it's meant to explain Alice Madison's background, but that could have been explained in a paragraph, not in five pages. Later in the book, most of the same information is worked into dialogue and thought during a poker game. That worked and would have been sufficient.
The author allows assumptions to be made by the main character. At one point, while Detective Alice Madison is chasing a suspect, they enter Seattle's famous Pike Market. She's focused on finding her man on the busy market floor, teeming with shoppers and tourists, noise filling the space, but Detective Madison knows, without a doubt, that one group is a British tour group and, despite not being close enough to hear, knows that the person talking to them is the tour leader "narrating" the history of the market. To me, that's inexcusable mind reading. How could she possible know they were British? Overall, better editing would have tightened and improved the story.
This horrified me as food safety is of utmost importance to everyone who eats:
On Thanksgiving, Det. Madison needs to work through the anticipated holiday dinner with her friends/surrogate family. Her boyfriend brings home leftovers for her, packed in plastic containers; he leaves them sitting on the kitchen table -- for hours! Madison comes home and eats them, leaves them on the table overnight, then eats them for breakfast. That led me to two questions: how hard would it have been to put them in the refrigerator, and why didn't she get food poisoning?
The characters seemed like cardboard cutouts. I didn't feel any real connection to them. Perhaps if I'd read the earlier books in the series I might have, but I doubt it. Part of that comes from consistently being told about them, not witnessing them interact. Even the solution to the mystery was, for the most part, told, not demonstrated. Why should I believe that Duncan's murderer did the things Madision says when I saw no evidence of animosity toward him anywhere in the previous 300 or so pages. I also felt cheated out of a good explanation for why the other villain did what he did. And both, not knowing each other, used the same methods? I have trouble buying into that. Again, this book needed much better editing than it received.
I don't think I'd recommend this book.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
February 6, 2017
4.5 stars.
Blood and Bone by Valentina Giambanco is a riveting police procedural that follows the investigation of a particularly gruesome and violent murder. Although this latest release is the third installment of the Alice Madison series, it can be read as a standalone.
Homicide Detective Alice Madison and her partner Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown are stunned by the brutal murder of Matthew Duncan. By all appearances, his death is the result of a burglary gone wrong, but several incongruous details leave them convinced the crime scene might have staged. When evidence found at the scene links this current case to another murder years earlier, Madison and Brown realize a serial killer has been methodically hunting victims and framing innocent people for his crimes. With scant clues and no viable leads, Alice and Kevin are feverishly working around the clock as they try to identify the murderer but will they catch him before he strikes again?
By all accounts, Matthew's marriage to wife Kate is happy and no one in his life has a bad thing to say about him. However, it soon becomes apparent Matthew's death was not a random act of violence but Madison and Brown quickly hit a dead end in their investigation. The discovery that this current case is linked to the earlier murder does little to help pinpoint the killer since they cannot figure out a motive for either case. Unable to find a connection between victims, the case takes another shocking turn once they realize they are on the trial of a clever murderer who is suspected of killing more than a dozen people.
At the same time she is investigating Duncan's murder, Alice learns troubling information about the notorious killer (and fugitive) she saved months earlier. The DEA is convinced she has information about John Cameron and his involvement in the murders of several cartel members. Despite her continued insistence she has no knowledge about Cameron, the DEA remains unconvinced she is telling them everything she knows.
While the overall flow of the novel is a bit convoluted due to several secondary story arcs, Blood and Bone is a compelling police procedural with a cast of complex characters and a fascinating storyline. The murder investigation is full of unforeseen twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats as Madison and Brown try to find a murderer who has successfully flown under the radar for years. Their hunt for a diabolical serial killer comes to a somewhat stunning conclusion and Valentina Giambanco adds one final twist that is absolutely brilliant and completely unexpected. A spectacular addition to the Alice Madison series that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.
Blood and Bone by Valentina Giambanco is a riveting police procedural that follows the investigation of a particularly gruesome and violent murder. Although this latest release is the third installment of the Alice Madison series, it can be read as a standalone.
Homicide Detective Alice Madison and her partner Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown are stunned by the brutal murder of Matthew Duncan. By all appearances, his death is the result of a burglary gone wrong, but several incongruous details leave them convinced the crime scene might have staged. When evidence found at the scene links this current case to another murder years earlier, Madison and Brown realize a serial killer has been methodically hunting victims and framing innocent people for his crimes. With scant clues and no viable leads, Alice and Kevin are feverishly working around the clock as they try to identify the murderer but will they catch him before he strikes again?
By all accounts, Matthew's marriage to wife Kate is happy and no one in his life has a bad thing to say about him. However, it soon becomes apparent Matthew's death was not a random act of violence but Madison and Brown quickly hit a dead end in their investigation. The discovery that this current case is linked to the earlier murder does little to help pinpoint the killer since they cannot figure out a motive for either case. Unable to find a connection between victims, the case takes another shocking turn once they realize they are on the trial of a clever murderer who is suspected of killing more than a dozen people.
At the same time she is investigating Duncan's murder, Alice learns troubling information about the notorious killer (and fugitive) she saved months earlier. The DEA is convinced she has information about John Cameron and his involvement in the murders of several cartel members. Despite her continued insistence she has no knowledge about Cameron, the DEA remains unconvinced she is telling them everything she knows.
While the overall flow of the novel is a bit convoluted due to several secondary story arcs, Blood and Bone is a compelling police procedural with a cast of complex characters and a fascinating storyline. The murder investigation is full of unforeseen twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats as Madison and Brown try to find a murderer who has successfully flown under the radar for years. Their hunt for a diabolical serial killer comes to a somewhat stunning conclusion and Valentina Giambanco adds one final twist that is absolutely brilliant and completely unexpected. A spectacular addition to the Alice Madison series that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.
December 23, 2025
Alice Madison is a homicide detective with the Seattle Police Department, and with her partner Detective Brown they are next in rotation when a man is discovered brutally murdered in his home by his wife who had been out for her daily jog. The murder is particularly brutal and given the nature of the crime scene there should have been *some* trace evidence left behind but they come up with nothing - no fingerprints, footprints, not even a shred of hair. It would not take long before Madison and Brown realize they have a serial killer on their hands who is calculated and very good at his craft.
The story takes a lot of twists and turns, the pace moves along, and the suspense level is constant. The author's knowledge of Seattle is very good and used well as the backdrop for the story. The creepy parts added the right touch of weird, and gave me the chills more than once!
This book is part of a series but I had no trouble with it as a stand alone. It held my interest right to the last page.
The story takes a lot of twists and turns, the pace moves along, and the suspense level is constant. The author's knowledge of Seattle is very good and used well as the backdrop for the story. The creepy parts added the right touch of weird, and gave me the chills more than once!
This book is part of a series but I had no trouble with it as a stand alone. It held my interest right to the last page.
November 24, 2017
Good but maybe not great. I promised a while back not to read any more books for a while where the perpetrator is a psychopathic serial killer. Unfortunately did not realise this was an issue with this when I started reading.
Nevertheless, it was not a great problem as the book started really well and the revelation of a possible serial killer was well done. I felt, in the end, the resolution was a little hurried and maybe a little too unlikely. The extra twist at the end was unexpected and not entirely convincing in my opinion. Will certainly try more by this author though.
Nevertheless, it was not a great problem as the book started really well and the revelation of a possible serial killer was well done. I felt, in the end, the resolution was a little hurried and maybe a little too unlikely. The extra twist at the end was unexpected and not entirely convincing in my opinion. Will certainly try more by this author though.
August 30, 2018
As in the previous two books I enjoyed reading about the case in the third book also. The two twists in the end I couldn't see them coming. I liked reading about Alice and Brown working together again. I also enjoy very much the dynamic of the strange trio between Alice, Cameron and Nathan and even if it's one of the things I also didn't see coming I loved where Alice's romantic life is going... Can't wait to get in my hands the fourth book of the series!
June 1, 2020
Don't think I'll continue with this series. This is already the 3rd book so she should have things going smoothly, but they aren't.
There were a couple largish holes in the plot. Someone must have brought them to her attention and she stuck in very clumsy fixes for them.
As a whole, not that interesting, and overly long besides.
There were a couple largish holes in the plot. Someone must have brought them to her attention and she stuck in very clumsy fixes for them.
As a whole, not that interesting, and overly long besides.
April 11, 2021
3,5 from me.
Nice plot, the analysis of the characters is more than decent.
But, i had bigger expectations as i was reading it and at the end i felt that there was something missing from the book.
Maybe because of the death of the killer under an unexpected way...
It is a nice crime book, i recommend it, but i expected more:)
Nice plot, the analysis of the characters is more than decent.
But, i had bigger expectations as i was reading it and at the end i felt that there was something missing from the book.
Maybe because of the death of the killer under an unexpected way...
It is a nice crime book, i recommend it, but i expected more:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2017
Alice Madison is believable and engaging as a woman dedicated to her job as a detective in Seattle. Great procedural, interesting twists, and a
very creative serial killer. Recommended reading for suspense lovers.
very creative serial killer. Recommended reading for suspense lovers.
August 29, 2019
AAAAAAAAH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! I FUCKING LOVE THIS SERIES SOOO MUCH but i’ll be honest i was kinda hoping our alice madison would choose to keep james cameron by her side in bed if you know what i mean.... i’m starting the next book asap (as always ms. giambanco)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2018
Best book in the series!! It was hard to put down.
August 8, 2019
Nothing special.
April 22, 2021
Brilliant book! Fast paced from the beginning with plot twists throughout
January 2, 2023
Excellent a few twists and turns to keep you interested
May 28, 2024
Like the characters liked the writing. Like it that I found a new author.
May 23, 2025
After reading this I have to go back to the first two. It gets a little confusing at times but the story won’t let you put down the book.
January 7, 2017
Alice had just walked outside the club where Andy’s bachelor party was being held to walk to her car. There weren’t any strippers at Andy;s party. Andy was a cop as was Alice and most of the people at the party. Two men approached Alice and were annoying her , she let them know after one guy was on the ground she was a cop and so were several people in the party. Alice was a homicide detective for Seattle Police Department. Alice and Kevin Brown her partner were very tired they had been up at 3 a.m to arrest a robbery/murder suspect. Alice knew the bride also- Stacey who was also a cop and they were friends Alice even had to go through a spa day as that is what Stacey was doing for her bachelorette party. Alice felt herself being watched by Detective Chris Kelly who was also a homicide detective, and Chris and Alice hated each other. Aaron and Alice had been seeing each other a little over six months. Alice had known Aaron since she was thirteen. Aaron w as a cousin of her best friend Rachel. Alice had a meeting on her day off with special agents A J Parker and Curtis Guzzman were with the Drug Enforcement Agency-DEA- in L A. This was the fourth time Alice was meeting with the agents. They had news of Robert Solvo a man Alice had identified as a man who was a cartel operative. Solvo was dead. Alice was the only police officer who had ever spoken to John Cameron , the only cop who had got that close. Alice had been on a collision course with John every since their paths crossed two years ago.Alice felt that one day she would be the one who went after John and hunted him even though she had already saved his life once. John Cameron and Nathan Quinn were brothers in ways but blood. John had killed for Nathan and for the memory of a boy who had been good and brave. Nathan now worked for the State Attorney. John and Nathan’s friendship was layers of shared memories when Nathan and John were kids, where their fathers worked together in the restaurant they owned. It was a lifetime of joy and sorrow but most of all secrets. Kevin new Alice’s mother had died when she was twelve. Five months later Alice ran away , Alice was on the road alone for seven days. Then Alice moved in with her grandparents. Alice had never investigated a serial killer case before. Now her case was joined to another case from seven years ago that Kevin solved and put the killer in prison. The man swore he was innocent and would not take any deals after four years in prison and he killed himself then man had been innocent. Alice received a call from Nathan asking her to go down to the beach by her house. Nathan stood with John . John told Alice she was under investigation from the Office Of Professional Accountability- OPA-. Also Alice had been for the last four months. It was because of Alice’s acquaintance with John and saving his life. The Push came from the DEA of L A. John also told her someone close to her was talking to the OPA, someone she worked with. The OPA is being extra careful about the informant and it’s kept under five different code names. But it is someone close to Alice and the OPA wants to protect the person from her and also from John finding out. The OPA thinks Alice is feeding John inside details about the Cartel deaths. John said she had gone to great lengths to save his life. The Cartel had put a tap on Nathan’s phone to monitor the calls between Nathan and John. The Cartel was after John and hoped to get information on his safe house. Alice had called Nathan’s home to save a SWAT team about to storm John’s boat. The Cartel had her call on tape. If the tape was made public Alice’s life as a cop would be over. Alice was sure it was Chris Kelly talking to the OPA. Alice’s murder case became lined to eleven other murders in the seven years. Then Chris who hated Alice caught a double murder that there was a good possibility was tied to Alice’s case. The tapes with Alice’s call to Nathan had been taken care of by Nathan and John.
This story was fantastic. It took me a bit to read it life gets in the way and sometimes it lagged a little but I never doubted I would finish the story as it kept me right there with it. Alice was an excellent cop as was her partner . Alice and Kevin care about the victims and do all they can to get them justice. I also learned more about procedure followed by the cops and i always enjoy learning new things. I loved how Alice figured things out with her partner at her side. I got angry at Chris kelly but then he was a butt and he had no reason as far as I can remember. I also loved how Rachel made it clear that Alice was a part of her family already and had been for a long time and she didn’t have to marry into it. All and All an excellent read. I loved the plot and the way this was written. I also love the characters and how they interact with each other,I loved the part where the bad people definitely weren’t all bad. I also loved the twists and turns of this story and I highly recommend.
This story was fantastic. It took me a bit to read it life gets in the way and sometimes it lagged a little but I never doubted I would finish the story as it kept me right there with it. Alice was an excellent cop as was her partner . Alice and Kevin care about the victims and do all they can to get them justice. I also learned more about procedure followed by the cops and i always enjoy learning new things. I loved how Alice figured things out with her partner at her side. I got angry at Chris kelly but then he was a butt and he had no reason as far as I can remember. I also loved how Rachel made it clear that Alice was a part of her family already and had been for a long time and she didn’t have to marry into it. All and All an excellent read. I loved the plot and the way this was written. I also love the characters and how they interact with each other,I loved the part where the bad people definitely weren’t all bad. I also loved the twists and turns of this story and I highly recommend.
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