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New Orleans #6
Malice
The scent is unmistakable gardenias, sweet and delicate, the same perfume that his beautiful first wife, Jennifer, always wore. Opening his eyes in the hospital room where he's recovering from an accident, New Orleans detective Rick Bentz sees her standing in the doorway. Then Jennifer blows him a kiss and disappears. But it couldn't have been Jennifer. She died twelve years ago...
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2009
1141 people are currently reading
16663 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jackson
271 books9,567 followersLisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
January 11, 2023
This book is part of a series but each book can be read as a stand alone. Bentz while recuperating from his accident sees his ex wife. The problem is that his ex wife is dead. He investigates.
This book had problems and I can say that for the last couple of offerings in this series. I like the idea of the mystery. I could get behind the hero cop who sees his ex wife and he goes to find out if it is really her. It has a nice touch of mystery with a bit of supernatural while also adding in marital problems with his present wife. The problem is with the execution. I believe this problem happened because several different circumstances there was a development to advance the story just for the sake of it. It did not feel like it happened naturally. I especially had this feeling during one pivotal scene that really affected me. It was for both characters in the scene. Our protagonist makes a bone headed decision which goes against what we learned about him being a great cop and whatnot. And for the other character it did not line up with what we learn about her at the finale. But the scene happened to progress the story the way the author wanted the story to progress. This happened a couple of times when I said aloud that doesn't exactly add up.
When I started this series I enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away with it but I thought it was an interesting concept and I was entertained. Unfortunately I cannot say that with what I have read recently. I am starting to wonder if this author just isn't for me. I will try one more to see if this series can get back on track for me or realize this series and author is just not my cup of tea.
This book had problems and I can say that for the last couple of offerings in this series. I like the idea of the mystery. I could get behind the hero cop who sees his ex wife and he goes to find out if it is really her. It has a nice touch of mystery with a bit of supernatural while also adding in marital problems with his present wife. The problem is with the execution. I believe this problem happened because several different circumstances there was a development to advance the story just for the sake of it. It did not feel like it happened naturally. I especially had this feeling during one pivotal scene that really affected me. It was for both characters in the scene. Our protagonist makes a bone headed decision which goes against what we learned about him being a great cop and whatnot. And for the other character it did not line up with what we learn about her at the finale. But the scene happened to progress the story the way the author wanted the story to progress. This happened a couple of times when I said aloud that doesn't exactly add up.
When I started this series I enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away with it but I thought it was an interesting concept and I was entertained. Unfortunately I cannot say that with what I have read recently. I am starting to wonder if this author just isn't for me. I will try one more to see if this series can get back on track for me or realize this series and author is just not my cup of tea.
April 24, 2013
Page 216 - halfway through:
I'm a bit confused - has the actual stalker been introduced yet? Is there any kind of background or will it be brought to light at the end of the book? I'm not a fan of that - you seem to be left in the dark for the entire book with no actual "part to play", no room to guess who these people are or how things are connected. The story seems so disjointed.
The overabundance of adjectives and descriptions for every scene (especially those that hold no true bearing on the story) has lost its touch and instead of setting the stage it is actually making me drift off, my mind roaming elsewhere.
I've come to the realization that anyone can be a #1 NY Times bestseller. I'll be refraining from using that as any sort of persuasion on buying a book in the future.
***
PAGE 404: Ugh, when will it end? The pace finally picked up somewhere after pg 350. There are too many things that seem thrown in just because another player was needed and a bunch of things that don't make any sense. After 400 pages, this has gotten really annoying.
***
ugh! 494 pages, really?! this could have, SHOULD have been written in 100. It was well into the 400s when I was able to start guessing and putting things together. I enjoy the act of piecing a mystery together - not reading hundreds of pages of nonsense.
The ending I actually enjoyed...until the epilogue. What a cop-out that was. Almost had 2 stars...
I'm a bit confused - has the actual stalker been introduced yet? Is there any kind of background or will it be brought to light at the end of the book? I'm not a fan of that - you seem to be left in the dark for the entire book with no actual "part to play", no room to guess who these people are or how things are connected. The story seems so disjointed.
The overabundance of adjectives and descriptions for every scene (especially those that hold no true bearing on the story) has lost its touch and instead of setting the stage it is actually making me drift off, my mind roaming elsewhere.
I've come to the realization that anyone can be a #1 NY Times bestseller. I'll be refraining from using that as any sort of persuasion on buying a book in the future.
***
PAGE 404: Ugh, when will it end? The pace finally picked up somewhere after pg 350. There are too many things that seem thrown in just because another player was needed and a bunch of things that don't make any sense. After 400 pages, this has gotten really annoying.
***
ugh! 494 pages, really?! this could have, SHOULD have been written in 100. It was well into the 400s when I was able to start guessing and putting things together. I enjoy the act of piecing a mystery together - not reading hundreds of pages of nonsense.
The ending I actually enjoyed...until the epilogue. What a cop-out that was. Almost had 2 stars...
December 1, 2015
This is the 6th book in the New Orleans Series and we meet Detective Bentz, who has resigned from the LA Police Department after the death of his ex-wife. He moved to Louisiana leaving behind an unresolved murder of twin sisters.
He now works for the New Orleans Police Department and married Olivia, a beautiful woman and living happily together.
Recovering from an accident he starts seeing Jennifer, his dead ex-wife. He begins doubting his sanity and with the help of Detective Montoya….I love this guy…..tries to solve the mystery. He returns to LA where and people he knew or were associated with him begin turning up dead. I tried guessing who the murderer was and I was shocked when the person was revealed. Totally unexpected.
Wow….from the very beginning you are taken on rollercoaster ride filled action filled suspense.
I liked reading the killer’s viewpoint. Added a creepy feeling to the story.
He now works for the New Orleans Police Department and married Olivia, a beautiful woman and living happily together.
Recovering from an accident he starts seeing Jennifer, his dead ex-wife. He begins doubting his sanity and with the help of Detective Montoya….I love this guy…..tries to solve the mystery. He returns to LA where and people he knew or were associated with him begin turning up dead. I tried guessing who the murderer was and I was shocked when the person was revealed. Totally unexpected.
Wow….from the very beginning you are taken on rollercoaster ride filled action filled suspense.
I liked reading the killer’s viewpoint. Added a creepy feeling to the story.
May 7, 2011
I swore off murder books a while ago but every so often I pick one up again just to be reminded why I hate this genre.
Bentz a sexy, successful cop, who apparently no one likes, is recovering from an accident when he starts having visions of his ex-wife, Jennifer. Jennifer was a two-timing skank who cheated on Bentz with his step brother, a priest. Why anyone feels bad about this woman's death is beyond me and yet the characters pretend to so the plot can advance.
Bentz leaves his very nice second wife, Livvie, to go to Los Angeles to find out why someone is sending him pictures of a woman who looks just like his ex. There's a bunch of running around, which drags on for pages, and some murders. Turns out an old lover of Bentz has been plotting revenge for 12 years and kills 6 people in order to "Teach Him a Lesson".
12 years? Six murders including one cop? Kidnapping Livvie and planning to drown her on a boat over some guy who dumped you?
No one in this book besides Bentz's wife, even seems to like Bentz. How can he be worthy of all this obsession?
This is the 7th book in the series. I'm assuming the other 6 are better.
Bentz a sexy, successful cop, who apparently no one likes, is recovering from an accident when he starts having visions of his ex-wife, Jennifer. Jennifer was a two-timing skank who cheated on Bentz with his step brother, a priest. Why anyone feels bad about this woman's death is beyond me and yet the characters pretend to so the plot can advance.
Bentz leaves his very nice second wife, Livvie, to go to Los Angeles to find out why someone is sending him pictures of a woman who looks just like his ex. There's a bunch of running around, which drags on for pages, and some murders. Turns out an old lover of Bentz has been plotting revenge for 12 years and kills 6 people in order to "Teach Him a Lesson".
12 years? Six murders including one cop? Kidnapping Livvie and planning to drown her on a boat over some guy who dumped you?
No one in this book besides Bentz's wife, even seems to like Bentz. How can he be worthy of all this obsession?
This is the 7th book in the series. I'm assuming the other 6 are better.
April 13, 2009
I like my suspense more straightforward. I'm not much a fan of police procedure being tampered with either. There were too many things that just didn't really add up here. The characters were sterotypical and one note. It took quite a long time for this book to ramp up and then it meandered along until it was all too hastily and conveniently wrapped up in the last few pages.
February 8, 2022
Rick Bentz, a New Orleans detective is lead down a path of a vengeful woman killer as he relives the past with it's ghosts.
August 17, 2010
I love those mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end; something relatively hard to achieve. This was one of those 'whodunnits' I so enjoy. Sometimes it seemed to rattle on a bit and I would temporarily lose interest, but the story would draw me back in quickly. I didn't realize this book was part of a series until I came here to Goodreads to add it to my read shelf. That it was number 7 in a series totally makes sense as there were parts with references to things I didn't know anything about. I wouldn't have read it had I known it was a series book - I really don't like reading a book where I lack important background information. I would have wanted to read it in order. Still, it was an interesting book; an introduction to the author for me. The writing was excellent. I'm giving it a 4, but I think a 3.5 is more accurate - particularly because the book didn't indicate any reference to it being a part in a series(I read the book via one of those new and nifty playaway versions). Would recommend and would read another book by this author.
June 9, 2009
What sounded like a promising story sort of degenerated into 'how many bad things can happen to the main character in one single book' by about the third or fourth chapter.
Lisa Jackson definitely has the earmarks of a good writer, but the massive tragedy that was the life of this poor cop in her book ended up detracting from the character and the story far more than adding to it. The setup of his wife cheating on him, then him leaving her, getting back together and her cheating on him again, with his half-brother, would've been ok. I could've gone with that. I could've even gone with her dying in a car crash immediately after he told her to get lost. That was all setup for the plot.
But, then, the subsequent issues of people somehow blaming him (for reasons I still can't fathom) for it all, despite the car crash being ruled an accident and his wife obviously being the cause of the marriage failing twice, his accidental shooting of a twelve year old because the kid was holding a water pistol he thought was real and losing his job (of course) because of that, his move to another town, remarrying, getting a new job, then being smashed by a lightning struck tree in the middle of a thunderstorm and nearly paralyzed (the randomnesss, it burns), being steered toward forced retirement by his current captain despite a recovery that was nothing short of miraculous, and also somehow screwing up his second marriage in the process of all this despite the fact that his wife is awesome and supportive and adores him and he thinks she's just the greatest thing ever, is all a bit much. Especially when it all happens before the book gets past chapter 4 or so and I was still waiting for more to happen with the plot.
It's hard to recover from that sort of distraction and the author's constant insistence that no one really likes this guy, even when it makes no sense that they wouldn't, and it didn't help that the plot and clues given to what was going on were a bit predictable. Generally, it's an ok read, but it really dragged in parts and the characterization of the main character especially could've used some refining. Too much of his motivation and things that happened to him didn't make sense and seemed contrived simply to prove how wonderful he is at overcoming all adversity to get to the bottom of things, despite the world, his friends and family, and all of nature in general being against him. It got to be a bit much.
All in all, the book wasn't horrible, just not anything outstanding and could've been much better with some logic and judicious editing.
Lisa Jackson definitely has the earmarks of a good writer, but the massive tragedy that was the life of this poor cop in her book ended up detracting from the character and the story far more than adding to it. The setup of his wife cheating on him, then him leaving her, getting back together and her cheating on him again, with his half-brother, would've been ok. I could've gone with that. I could've even gone with her dying in a car crash immediately after he told her to get lost. That was all setup for the plot.
But, then, the subsequent issues of people somehow blaming him (for reasons I still can't fathom) for it all, despite the car crash being ruled an accident and his wife obviously being the cause of the marriage failing twice, his accidental shooting of a twelve year old because the kid was holding a water pistol he thought was real and losing his job (of course) because of that, his move to another town, remarrying, getting a new job, then being smashed by a lightning struck tree in the middle of a thunderstorm and nearly paralyzed (the randomnesss, it burns), being steered toward forced retirement by his current captain despite a recovery that was nothing short of miraculous, and also somehow screwing up his second marriage in the process of all this despite the fact that his wife is awesome and supportive and adores him and he thinks she's just the greatest thing ever, is all a bit much. Especially when it all happens before the book gets past chapter 4 or so and I was still waiting for more to happen with the plot.
It's hard to recover from that sort of distraction and the author's constant insistence that no one really likes this guy, even when it makes no sense that they wouldn't, and it didn't help that the plot and clues given to what was going on were a bit predictable. Generally, it's an ok read, but it really dragged in parts and the characterization of the main character especially could've used some refining. Too much of his motivation and things that happened to him didn't make sense and seemed contrived simply to prove how wonderful he is at overcoming all adversity to get to the bottom of things, despite the world, his friends and family, and all of nature in general being against him. It got to be a bit much.
All in all, the book wasn't horrible, just not anything outstanding and could've been much better with some logic and judicious editing.
May 24, 2024
This was one of my personal reads. I love all of Lisa Jackson's books that I have read so far. I really thought I had this one figured out. But the killer I was wrong about again. The author always twists and weaves so far that when you think you've got it she takes a hard left. And then "Boom" mind blown. I almost always have figured out a who dunnit I've read. But so far I have never figured out one of Lisa Jackson's books. One of the reasons I love her stuff so much. Also they are always well written, great and different story plots. This time someone is fooling Detective Bentz, someone is playing at his deceased ex-wife enough that he almost thinks it's really her. Enough to even have her body exhumed to prove she is in the grave. The person seeking revenge hired someone to play the part of his ex. Then while he's trying to get to the bottom of all this mess, all his ex-wife friends end up getting killed one by one. When the killer kidnaps his current wife. All he'll breaks loose. The ending is mind blowing. If you want a challenging who dunnit to figure out, Lisa Jackson's books are for you. Give them a try.
November 8, 2023
Good mystery. Kept who did it till the end and was surprised which I always like. Nice ending.
February 16, 2024
war schon voll gut aber irgendwie hat mich das so lange in einen reading slump geballert
October 29, 2015
There are so many things I liked about this book, but one glaring issue kept pissing me off. I hate repetition - I don't need to be told the story over and over all through the book looking through some other character's eyes. Seriously? This book could have been about 50 pages shorter and nothing would have been lost in the story telling.
Someone has Detective Bentz in their sights, playing with his head and making it so believable. We do learn about Rick Bentz's past history in LA and the woman he was married to and that is the whole problem. Is she still living or is this all an illusion? Is it really her body buried in that grave?
4 stars and 1 thumb up
Someone has Detective Bentz in their sights, playing with his head and making it so believable. We do learn about Rick Bentz's past history in LA and the woman he was married to and that is the whole problem. Is she still living or is this all an illusion? Is it really her body buried in that grave?
4 stars and 1 thumb up
June 3, 2022
This was a pretty good story, much better than ''Absolute fear'' - Detective Rick Bentz who is on sick leave starts seeing his 1st wife who committed suicide 12 yrs earlier. He decides to return to LA to look into her death while his present wife remains at home in New Orleans and starts getting creepy phone calls. Is the 1st wife alive after all? Or she is dead? Did she commited suicide as everyone believed or she was killed? Meanwhile close friends to the first wife in LA are getting also killed. Secrets about 1st wife start to surface.
Good mystery with many intrigues but towards the end it started to drag a bit trying to draw out the suspense as far as it could take it. After endless pages of Bentz wringing his hands and worrying over his wife, I had to look ahead finally and see "whodunit".
Could've been better. Not my favorite book in this series but still, better than some others.
Good mystery with many intrigues but towards the end it started to drag a bit trying to draw out the suspense as far as it could take it. After endless pages of Bentz wringing his hands and worrying over his wife, I had to look ahead finally and see "whodunit".
Could've been better. Not my favorite book in this series but still, better than some others.
October 2, 2024
Realized after chapter 1, I already read this...
September 20, 2023
I wrote a review for this book after I finished it but it's not here!
I do like the series about Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya! This book wasn't as good as earlier books. It got slow when Rick was in California trying to find out if his supposedly dead wife is really alive.
3.5*
I do like the series about Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya! This book wasn't as good as earlier books. It got slow when Rick was in California trying to find out if his supposedly dead wife is really alive.
3.5*
June 9, 2010
4.0 out of 5 stars Predictable but get it anyway!, May 28, 2009
This review is from: Malice (Hardcover)
Yes, this is a formulaic thriller, but it isn't as straightforward and obvious as most. I was hard-pressed to guess the perpetrator of the hoax and I consider myself a pretty good sleuth!
This Lisa Jackson suspense thriller is fast paced and interesting -- Rick Bentz is stalked by a woman posing as his ex-wife -- wreaking havoc and determined to cause him ill. The only problem is -- his ex wife Jennifer has been dead for 12 years!
The story goes back and forth between New Orleans (where Rick is presently living with his new wife, Olivia) and Los Angeles -- the place where Rick lived when he was married to Jennifer. Rick and his ex cop buddies in both LA and NO are trying to figure out how a dead woman can be involved in the harassment of Rick. Meanwhile, they're trying to solve a case of twin murders. (This subplot never gets off the ground and is initially interesting and then we're left with only the thinnest possible explanation -- very disappointing).
The plot moves along rapidly and it's interesting enough. Frankly, however, I was irritated by the very last chapter, the ending of it all. I had hopes for a bit more explanation and a lot less drama.
Nevertheless, I expect most suspense fans to enjoy this one.
This review is from: Malice (Hardcover)
Yes, this is a formulaic thriller, but it isn't as straightforward and obvious as most. I was hard-pressed to guess the perpetrator of the hoax and I consider myself a pretty good sleuth!
This Lisa Jackson suspense thriller is fast paced and interesting -- Rick Bentz is stalked by a woman posing as his ex-wife -- wreaking havoc and determined to cause him ill. The only problem is -- his ex wife Jennifer has been dead for 12 years!
The story goes back and forth between New Orleans (where Rick is presently living with his new wife, Olivia) and Los Angeles -- the place where Rick lived when he was married to Jennifer. Rick and his ex cop buddies in both LA and NO are trying to figure out how a dead woman can be involved in the harassment of Rick. Meanwhile, they're trying to solve a case of twin murders. (This subplot never gets off the ground and is initially interesting and then we're left with only the thinnest possible explanation -- very disappointing).
The plot moves along rapidly and it's interesting enough. Frankly, however, I was irritated by the very last chapter, the ending of it all. I had hopes for a bit more explanation and a lot less drama.
Nevertheless, I expect most suspense fans to enjoy this one.
May 9, 2009
I was expecting more from this writer than I received. The mystery centered on a policeman whose first wife supposedly committed suicide, and now that he has relocated and remarried, the first wife starts "appearing" in all sorts of places. Good idea maybe, but the plot line just was so weak and feeble! Plus, the author really, really overused the B@#%$ word, which I found totally unnecessary and boring.
April 12, 2010
What is with these authors that have many books in print, but apparently have NO editors? It drives me crazy to read books with spelling, grammatical, or just plain word-usage errors. This was one of those books, and the story wasn't fascinating enough for me to overlook it. Apparently this is the seventh book in a series. I hadn't read any of the others, but I don't think I missed much.
February 23, 2018
This is an edge of ure seat gripping crime thriller, I could not put this book down, was completely taken in by the story from beginning to end.
As always I love the characters in this ongoing series of books. :-)
As always I love the characters in this ongoing series of books. :-)
August 22, 2018
Ich habe es nach ca. 100 Seiten abgebrochen. Die Charaktere sind schwach, Bentz passieren 9485673 Sachen die eigentlich niemandem passieren und so richtig weiter ist die Story auch nicht. Obwohl der Gedanke ganz interessant war. Trotzdem habe ich keine Lust es weiter zu lesen.
March 29, 2022
I gotta say, I think this is my favorite of the series thus far. I loved how the story revolved around Bentz and how past 'mistakes' caught up with him and just reeked havoc in his life. It added some good drama to the story and gave readers a deeper look into Bentz's life in CA.
Lots of thrills and chills with this installment of the series that kept the story going on a roller coaster ride of anxiety and apprehension. I really wanted to jump in and help somehow. I did not actually catch on to who the culprit was till about the last 40 pages of the book, so that is pretty good. Loved it!
Lots of thrills and chills with this installment of the series that kept the story going on a roller coaster ride of anxiety and apprehension. I really wanted to jump in and help somehow. I did not actually catch on to who the culprit was till about the last 40 pages of the book, so that is pretty good. Loved it!
November 20, 2023
I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of the books from this series. I’m glad I finished the book and didn’t give up on it, the ending caught me by surprise, but definitely not my fave read this year. I wanted more on the 21 killer… that storyline just sort of disappeared half way through the book when the other side characters got introduced.
May 8, 2019
I loved this book!! I am loving this series!! Love this author's books!!
February 18, 2025
This book was a tad long…. Have read better
December 12, 2023
Too long, didn’t really like a man as the main character for this book
September 15, 2024
the premise got my interested but i couldn’t even finish this. it was dragging on and on and getting nowhere.
September 3, 2025
the setup and premise itself is interesting, but the execution was horrible. 20% of the book is filler, and it drags on. the main character is unlikeable, and boy do we get constant reminders that tell us often that he is supposed to be unlikeable. it had potential, but it was just.. meh.
January 11, 2024
Picks up speed after a somewhat slow start and stays that way to the end. Exciting and hard to put down.
July 24, 2021
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews