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The Last Stand #6
The Perfect Murder
For more than a year, Sebastian Costas has been trying to unravel the truth behind the murder of his ex-wife and son. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he's convinced that her second husband—a cop—committed both murders, then faked his own death. Now Sebastian has followed the slimmest of leads to Sacramento…and that's where he finally gets the break he needs. Jane Burke, an investigator with The Last Stand, calls him in connection with a separate crime—a crime that could lead him straight to the man he's been looking for.
Once married to a serial killer, Jane has spent the past five years rebuilding her life. And with Sebastian she finally has a chance at happiness. But the man they're after is after them, too. For him this has become a personal battle, one he's determined to win. Whatever it takes…
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 29, 2009
236 people are currently reading
1436 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Novak
239 books7,008 followersIt was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak’s bestselling author career.
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
“I caught my day-care provider drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep while I was away,” Brenda says. “It was then that I decided that I needed to do something from home.”
However, writing was the last profession she expected to undertake. In fact, Brenda swears she didn’t have a creative bone in her body. In school, math and science were her best subjects, and when it came time to pick a major in college, she chose business.
Abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 in order to get married and start a family, Brenda dabbled in commercial real estate, then became a loan officer.
“When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book,” Brenda admits. “I learned how to write by reading what others have written. The best advice for any would-be author: read, read, read….”
Brenda sold her first book, and the rest is history. Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, she continues to publish two or three novels a year, in a variety of genres.
Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are the proud parents of five children—three girls and two boys. Now that they are empty-nesters, she spends her free time babysitting her two grandchildren.
When she’s not with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising money for diabetes research. To date, she's raised almost $2.6 million. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda is determined to help him and others like him. She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events and biking--she rides an amazing 20 miles every day!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
February 4, 2018
3.5 no es mi favorito de la serie pero engancha como los anteriores
No sé si catalogarlas de suspense, porque, al menos en este serie, desde el primer momento se conoce la identidad del asesino pero sí de investigación o policial. porque todo transcurre para conseguir pararle los pies y engancharle
No voy a decir que esta entrega esté dentro de mis favoritas. Hay cabos que no me han gustado, sobre todo un papel muy importante de un secundario que apenas aparece hasta el final y que no he acabado ni de entender ni de creerme.
Pero en general, con un estilo fluido y ágil te atrapa en su red aún sabiendo quien es el asesino, a mí es algo que me encantan. Sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que en la mayoría de novelas de suspense me da mucha rabia lo predecibles que son. Por eso aquí lo encuentro mucho mérito.
Lo mejor, creo la evolución de esa ama de casa que al principio no terminaba de convencerme y que al final creo que sí ha estado a la altura.
Ella aparece como secundaria en la primera novela Confía en mí. No es imprescindible leerla porque la autora explica a grandes trazos qué paso y lo que ella vivió. Pero está claro que el dramatismo es mucho mayor para las que leímos sus vivencias.
En esta entrega el romance no tiene tanto peso como en otras anteriores. Pero aún así y como es habitual el héroe deja casi toda la importancia a la heroína y se muestra como un hombre encantador. Es una relación muy de igual a igual, algo que no siempre encuentro en las contemporáneas americanas.
Me gustan mucho los protagonistas de esta serie y, aun cuando la relación entre ellos siempre me da la sensación de que es el punto de partida a una relación....
Eso me gusta, porque funciona como una explicación y le resta instalove dejándolo en una fortísima atracción y una compatibilidad que todavía se tiene que explotar, aunque está claro que quedará en un sí
Una serie muy recomendable
No sé si catalogarlas de suspense, porque, al menos en este serie, desde el primer momento se conoce la identidad del asesino pero sí de investigación o policial. porque todo transcurre para conseguir pararle los pies y engancharle
No voy a decir que esta entrega esté dentro de mis favoritas. Hay cabos que no me han gustado, sobre todo un papel muy importante de un secundario que apenas aparece hasta el final y que no he acabado ni de entender ni de creerme.
Pero en general, con un estilo fluido y ágil te atrapa en su red aún sabiendo quien es el asesino, a mí es algo que me encantan. Sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que en la mayoría de novelas de suspense me da mucha rabia lo predecibles que son. Por eso aquí lo encuentro mucho mérito.
Lo mejor, creo la evolución de esa ama de casa que al principio no terminaba de convencerme y que al final creo que sí ha estado a la altura.
Ella aparece como secundaria en la primera novela Confía en mí. No es imprescindible leerla porque la autora explica a grandes trazos qué paso y lo que ella vivió. Pero está claro que el dramatismo es mucho mayor para las que leímos sus vivencias.
En esta entrega el romance no tiene tanto peso como en otras anteriores. Pero aún así y como es habitual el héroe deja casi toda la importancia a la heroína y se muestra como un hombre encantador. Es una relación muy de igual a igual, algo que no siempre encuentro en las contemporáneas americanas.
Me gustan mucho los protagonistas de esta serie y, aun cuando la relación entre ellos siempre me da la sensación de que es el punto de partida a una relación....
Eso me gusta, porque funciona como una explicación y le resta instalove dejándolo en una fortísima atracción y una compatibilidad que todavía se tiene que explotar, aunque está claro que quedará en un sí
Una serie muy recomendable
February 18, 2018
Es lo primero que leo de esta autora y me perdí un poco con los nombres al principio, porque es la quinta entrega de una serie, pero se puede leer independientemente. Un buen suspense romántico que engancha bastante, tanto la trama de intriga como la historia que une a la pareja protagonista. Si bien en extensión comparten más o menos el mismo espacio, la intensidad de la trama romántica y la personalidad de ambos, así como el pasado que arrastran consigo adquiere una presencia mucho mayor.
La estructura fílmica típica de thriller, con varios puntos de vista incluido el del asesino, dinamiza la novela y te permite conocer lo que piensa cada personaje y los motivos de su comportamiento. Algunos de esos pensamientos y actitudes son realmente inquietantes, y los culpables de que adjudique 3 estrellas a la novela en lugar de 4. Porque mi mente, cuando leo romántica, no está muy predispuesta a la violencia ni a los trastornos mentales de los asesinos, y en esta novela hay bastante de esos dos temas, por lo que ha habido momentos que no he podido disfrutar de la lectura. Pero si no tenéis ese problema, adelante, es una buena novela y bien escrita, salvo algunas confusiones en los nombres que descentran de la lectura y que deben de ser fallo de traducción o corrección. Muy recomendable si os gustan los thrillers con una historia de amor interesante y muy bien resuelta.
La estructura fílmica típica de thriller, con varios puntos de vista incluido el del asesino, dinamiza la novela y te permite conocer lo que piensa cada personaje y los motivos de su comportamiento. Algunos de esos pensamientos y actitudes son realmente inquietantes, y los culpables de que adjudique 3 estrellas a la novela en lugar de 4. Porque mi mente, cuando leo romántica, no está muy predispuesta a la violencia ni a los trastornos mentales de los asesinos, y en esta novela hay bastante de esos dos temas, por lo que ha habido momentos que no he podido disfrutar de la lectura. Pero si no tenéis ese problema, adelante, es una buena novela y bien escrita, salvo algunas confusiones en los nombres que descentran de la lectura y que deben de ser fallo de traducción o corrección. Muy recomendable si os gustan los thrillers con una historia de amor interesante y muy bien resuelta.
January 29, 2019
So this was a good installment. I like with this author you get variety and not carbon copies of previous stories.
However, one huge point in this book was Jane taking an over the counter pregnancy test 3 days after having unprotected sex. I googled in here in 2019. Technology as it stands has current test able to detect pregnancy 6 days before your period. On average cycles are 28 days. Ovulation occurs somewhere in the middle. If she was closer to her next period date, logic would have a 46 yo woman know she was out of the ovulation window. And if she was, she wouldn’t be taking a test. It was too soon. Or that they couldn’t rely on the results. So big flaw in the story.
Other than that, we know Sheridan had a boy. Why is it we still have no idea what Skye had. And she was the main character who had page time throughout the series. So annoyed.
The narration was good. I give this 3.5 because of plot hole but will round up. This series is over, but I will read more from this author.
However, one huge point in this book was Jane taking an over the counter pregnancy test 3 days after having unprotected sex. I googled in here in 2019. Technology as it stands has current test able to detect pregnancy 6 days before your period. On average cycles are 28 days. Ovulation occurs somewhere in the middle. If she was closer to her next period date, logic would have a 46 yo woman know she was out of the ovulation window. And if she was, she wouldn’t be taking a test. It was too soon. Or that they couldn’t rely on the results. So big flaw in the story.
Other than that, we know Sheridan had a boy. Why is it we still have no idea what Skye had. And she was the main character who had page time throughout the series. So annoyed.
The narration was good. I give this 3.5 because of plot hole but will round up. This series is over, but I will read more from this author.
December 5, 2010
The Perfect Murder (Brenda Novak)
Romantic/suspense. Jane Burke, once married to a serial killer is trying to put her life back together. She works as an investigator of The Last Stand. She starts her very first "solo" case with the disappearance of two young ladies.
Sebastian Costas lost his ex-wife and son. For the past year he has been on a mission to find her husband Malcolm Turner, a cop who was found dead after this crime. Sebastian is convinced that Malcom not only murdered his ex and son, but faked jis own death.
Soon Jane and Malcolm meet and it seem the two cases may be tied in together. As Jane races against time to find these missing woman, her life and Malcolm's are in danger. Fast page nail biter, filled with edge of your seat suspense, up until the end. I intend to read more from Brenda Novak.
Romantic/suspense. Jane Burke, once married to a serial killer is trying to put her life back together. She works as an investigator of The Last Stand. She starts her very first "solo" case with the disappearance of two young ladies.
Sebastian Costas lost his ex-wife and son. For the past year he has been on a mission to find her husband Malcolm Turner, a cop who was found dead after this crime. Sebastian is convinced that Malcom not only murdered his ex and son, but faked jis own death.
Soon Jane and Malcolm meet and it seem the two cases may be tied in together. As Jane races against time to find these missing woman, her life and Malcolm's are in danger. Fast page nail biter, filled with edge of your seat suspense, up until the end. I intend to read more from Brenda Novak.
May 1, 2017
Oh my I am not sure how Brenda Novak does it..with each new book I start I think to myself.."She can't top the last one"..and yet she does!
This is the final book in the Last Stand Series and I am sad to see it end. I have grown fond of the major characters and feel like I am saying goodbye to good friends. This is a sign of a great author.
"The Perfect Murder" made me laugh, cry, bite my nails, and lose sleep.
Thank you Brenda for finishing this book with style.
This is the final book in the Last Stand Series and I am sad to see it end. I have grown fond of the major characters and feel like I am saying goodbye to good friends. This is a sign of a great author.
"The Perfect Murder" made me laugh, cry, bite my nails, and lose sleep.
Thank you Brenda for finishing this book with style.
June 4, 2011
Sebastian Costas has been trying for more than a year to unravel the truth behind the murder of his exwife and son. He,s convinced that her second husband who was a cop committed the murders than faked his death. Sebastian has followed one of the slimmest leads to Sacramento. He finally gets a break which leads him to Jane Burke an investigator with the last stand she called him in connection to another crime. Jane was once married to a serial killer and has spent the last five years trying to rebuild her life. With Sebastion she has a chance at happiness . But the man they,re after is after them too. For him this has become a personal battle. one he is determined to win no matter what.
September 8, 2017
This book was so good. I read Trust Me, the first book in the Last Stand series and loved it. When I found out that The Perfect Murder was about Jane the wife of the rapist and victim of Trust Me, I decided to read it next and I was glad. It keep me on my eyes glued to the book and I didn't want to put it down. I was glad to see that Jane was doing better and working for the Last Stand organization. The Last Stand series is about the organization started by Skye and her two friends. Skye saved Jane from her serial murder and rapist husband. She invited Jane to work in the office and as a volunteer. Jane happened to be there alone when a young lady came in to get help finding her two half sisters since no one else would help and didn't believe the girls were kidnaped. So Jane decides she will investigate this case that the kidnaper has her running into Sebastian who is looking for the cruel murder who killed his ex-wife and 14 year old son. Sebastian will not stop to find the cop who was married to his ex-wife and who faked his own death. I knew Brenda Novak wrote great romances but these suspense romances were just as great. All her books are good. Try one.
August 25, 2018
Now this was exciting.
Jane was a character from the first book in this series and I love what this woman has become.
Sebastian was a determined man longing to get honest revenge. I liked him so much and he was as hot as any of Novak’s male characters.
The mystery was on point for me.
The romance was again for me, the hottest in this series.
Jane’s daughter talked and acted her age.
I think this is as thorough a job as Brenda Novak can do at integrating previous characters. It was a tiny peek into how everyone from the past is faring.
The bad guy was complex and a total crap-master.
The pacing was pretty good.
If this is the end of this series I’d easily give it a big thumb up!
Jane was a character from the first book in this series and I love what this woman has become.
Sebastian was a determined man longing to get honest revenge. I liked him so much and he was as hot as any of Novak’s male characters.
The mystery was on point for me.
The romance was again for me, the hottest in this series.
Jane’s daughter talked and acted her age.
I think this is as thorough a job as Brenda Novak can do at integrating previous characters. It was a tiny peek into how everyone from the past is faring.
The bad guy was complex and a total crap-master.
The pacing was pretty good.
If this is the end of this series I’d easily give it a big thumb up!
July 12, 2021
Questo è il classico libro in cui, sin dall'inizio , si sa chi è il colpevole e la fine appare più che scontata. Non per questo però merita meno di quattro stelle. Fin dalle prime pagine l'antipatia che si prova per il cattivo della storia è così forte che ti porta a tifare per i buoni e soffrire per i loro fallimenti. La narrazione è scorrevole e a un certo punto così coinvolgente da costringerti ad arrivare alla fine senza interruzioni
March 16, 2018
Loved it.. it was so awesome!!!
April 6, 2022
The steamy flirting in this was strong.
I haven't read this in a year and I /need/ to reread this. Like I need to. I have no idea when I read this, no idea. I just know this was in 2021, and I am /dying/ to reread this
I haven't read this in a year and I /need/ to reread this. Like I need to. I have no idea when I read this, no idea. I just know this was in 2021, and I am /dying/ to reread this
April 24, 2017
Great series of books I recommend them
May 30, 2020
RECENSIONE COMPLETA: https://loveisinthebookblog.blogspot....
Non leggevo un thriller da tantissimo tempo, ma quando ho letto la trama di Un debito di sangue di Brenda Novak ho subito percepito un'affinità e devo dire che il mio sesto senso non ha sbagliato neanche questa volta. Chi mi conosce, sa bene che leggo i thriller in modo sporadico e che prediligo quelli che, al loro interno, racchiudono anche il filone della storia d'amore. In realtà, ho scoperto che The Last Stand è una serie interamente incentrata sul genere romantic suspense, visto l'intreccio che caratterizza entrambi i generi. Altra cosa che ho scoperto è che questo è l'ultimo libro della serie quindi ora mi toccherà recuperare tutti gli altri!
Jane Bruke lavora come volontaria per un'associazione contro la violenza e i maltrattamenti delle donne, Insieme. Rimasta sola in ufficio, tocca a lei occuparsi per la prima volta di un caso di rapimento di due sorelle. Questo la condurrà dritta da un uomo arrivato a Sacramento per cercare l'assassino della sua ex moglie e di suo figlio, Sebastian Costas. Tutti gli elementi indicano che entrambi stiano cercando lo stesso uomo, ma cosa accadrebbe se nel frattempo scopriranno che l'attrazione tra loro può essere un punto di partenza per qualcosa di più?
Non leggevo un thriller da tantissimo tempo, ma quando ho letto la trama di Un debito di sangue di Brenda Novak ho subito percepito un'affinità e devo dire che il mio sesto senso non ha sbagliato neanche questa volta. Chi mi conosce, sa bene che leggo i thriller in modo sporadico e che prediligo quelli che, al loro interno, racchiudono anche il filone della storia d'amore. In realtà, ho scoperto che The Last Stand è una serie interamente incentrata sul genere romantic suspense, visto l'intreccio che caratterizza entrambi i generi. Altra cosa che ho scoperto è che questo è l'ultimo libro della serie quindi ora mi toccherà recuperare tutti gli altri!
Jane Bruke lavora come volontaria per un'associazione contro la violenza e i maltrattamenti delle donne, Insieme. Rimasta sola in ufficio, tocca a lei occuparsi per la prima volta di un caso di rapimento di due sorelle. Questo la condurrà dritta da un uomo arrivato a Sacramento per cercare l'assassino della sua ex moglie e di suo figlio, Sebastian Costas. Tutti gli elementi indicano che entrambi stiano cercando lo stesso uomo, ma cosa accadrebbe se nel frattempo scopriranno che l'attrazione tra loro può essere un punto di partenza per qualcosa di più?
January 26, 2016
This is the first book I have ever read by Brenda Novak and I have to say I loved it! It captured my attention from page one and it just kept getting more intense. I also loved that although this is the last of the trilogy it was a stand alone book. Had I had to have read the first books before this one I may not have done that. I would have forgotten the name of the author and what books I needed to read. Now I will make a concentrated effort to look for her other books. In fact if her other books are this good she will become a new favorite.
Because both Sebastian and Jane had lost someone they deeply loved by someone they seriously underestimated I could see how they became attracted to each other. I think they romance went a little bit fast, but on the other hand it is easy to see that because of their past it make sense that they would want to grab the brass ring right away.
My only criticism would be that Jane still seemed a little naive. It would seem that being attacked by her serial killer husband and then working in the field she does that she would automatically park in a lighted area, and also look in the back before getting in the car.
Because both Sebastian and Jane had lost someone they deeply loved by someone they seriously underestimated I could see how they became attracted to each other. I think they romance went a little bit fast, but on the other hand it is easy to see that because of their past it make sense that they would want to grab the brass ring right away.
My only criticism would be that Jane still seemed a little naive. It would seem that being attacked by her serial killer husband and then working in the field she does that she would automatically park in a lighted area, and also look in the back before getting in the car.
July 24, 2011
Sebastion Costas has spent more than a year looking for the man who killed his ex-wife and son. He supposedly then killed himself but Sebastion is positive he's alive.
Jane Burke is trying to locate two missing girls and believes the man Sebastion is looking for is the same man who abducted the girls.
The story itself was quite interesting. What really bugged me was the character of Jane. Here we have a woman who almost died at the hands of her supposedly perfect husband. So after not dating for five years because she cannot trust any man, she ends up in bed with Sebastion. Fine, whatever. But a few days later she's already head over heels in love. Give me a break! Not only that, in the middle of trying to find the killer, Sebastion and Jane discuss whether or not she's pregnant and eventually take a pregnancy test. What the hell? Talk about ridiculous. That's why I couldn't give this book any more stars.
Jane Burke is trying to locate two missing girls and believes the man Sebastion is looking for is the same man who abducted the girls.
The story itself was quite interesting. What really bugged me was the character of Jane. Here we have a woman who almost died at the hands of her supposedly perfect husband. So after not dating for five years because she cannot trust any man, she ends up in bed with Sebastion. Fine, whatever. But a few days later she's already head over heels in love. Give me a break! Not only that, in the middle of trying to find the killer, Sebastion and Jane discuss whether or not she's pregnant and eventually take a pregnancy test. What the hell? Talk about ridiculous. That's why I couldn't give this book any more stars.
March 27, 2021
I recently joined Brenda Novak's Book Club and have started reading her books. I hadn't read her before this year. Always trying to discover a new author to follow.
I'm still on the fence, after reading my third book.
Her subject matter and storylines are good. But the pace is slow and tedious. Too many non essential characters and details. This book took way too long to come to the end, that was very predictable. I found myself skimming the last chapters, to just finish it.
The characters weren't very likeable either. Alot of sex, after just meeting each other. Not too realistic and seems to be a pattern in her books, so far.
I have a few more of Ms Novak's books to read; hoping they are a little better.
I'm still on the fence, after reading my third book.
Her subject matter and storylines are good. But the pace is slow and tedious. Too many non essential characters and details. This book took way too long to come to the end, that was very predictable. I found myself skimming the last chapters, to just finish it.
The characters weren't very likeable either. Alot of sex, after just meeting each other. Not too realistic and seems to be a pattern in her books, so far.
I have a few more of Ms Novak's books to read; hoping they are a little better.
March 10, 2016
¡Impresionante! Cuando supe que Jane Burke tenía su propio libro no pude dejar de pensar en cómo alguien que ha pasado por todo lo que le ha sucedido a ella, podría mirar al futuro con un mínimo de cordura. Tanto Sebastian como Jane son dos protagonistas carismáticos unidos por una trama perfecta. Un broche de oro para una serie que me ha encantado.
Quiero mencionar la traducción de todas las novelas, felicito a la editorial y a la traductora por un trabajo excelente.
Mi puntuación 9,5.
Quiero mencionar la traducción de todas las novelas, felicito a la editorial y a la traductora por un trabajo excelente.
Mi puntuación 9,5.
April 10, 2018
I have to admit I was kind of disappointed in this book. It just didn't really hold my interest, and the plot felt too unbelievable.
June 17, 2022
While I realized these are a part of series, I found this very predictable and the ending a bit disappointing
November 2, 2024
3.5 +. I thought it was also moving at first
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
**
This book was so good. I read Trust Me, the first book in the Last Stand series and loved it. Jane was the victim in the first book that had a husband that was a murderer and she was also having an affair with his Brother. Husband killed the brother. I was glad to see that Jane was doing better and working for the Last Stand organization. The Last Stand series is about the organization started by Skye and her two friends. Skye saved Jane from her serial murder and rapist husband. She invited Jane to work in the office and as a volunteer. Jane happened to be there alone when a young lady came in to get help finding her two half sisters since no one else would help and didn't believe the girls were kidnapped. So Jane decides she will investigate this case that the kidnapper has her running into Sebastian who is looking for the cruel murder who killed his ex-wife and 14 year old son. Sebastian will not stop to find the cop who was married to his ex-wife and who faked his own death. I knew Brenda Novak wrote great romances but these suspense romances were just as great.
**
There’s not a big suspense, there’s a lot missing the twists that leave you with bated breath, you know who the killer is, what he did, why and what he wants to do. In addition, the surviving protagonist of an abusive husband who almost killed her and now can no longer let herself go sexually and trust men... she remembers too much Evely Talbot, the protagonist of the Alaska series, the same author, to be original. A little bit of imagination didn’t hurt. For the rest, I appreciate the thriller’s undercurrent love story, the way Sebastian’s investigation, which tries to track down the killer of his ex-wife and son, who disappeared from circulation after staging his own death, joins with that of Jane, a volunteer at a nonprofit association that defends battered women and finds himself investigating the disappearance of two black girls. Malcolm plots in the shadows but commits one step after another (and one wonders how such an idiot has been able to evade the police for a long time). Brenda Novak remains an outstanding author, but the plot would have needed a little more grit. I really liked Luther, the father of one of the kidnapped girls, a big, big and dangerous big, big and dangerous miteer used to getting justice alone and not counting on the law, just as I appreciated the fact that, once in a while, one of the characters did not wait to be saved but took advantage of the situation to save himself. Because in reality it is how it works: no princes charming, only luck marchs and courage can save you.
**
Jane Bruke works as a volunteer for an association against violence and ill-treatment of women, together. Restrained alone in the office, it's your turn to take care of a kidnapping case of two sisters for the first time. This will lead her straight from a man who came to Sacramento to find the killer of his ex-wife and son, Sebastian Costas. All the elements indicate that both are looking for the same man, but what would happen if in the meantime they discover that the attraction between them can be a starting point for something more?
**
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
**
This book was so good. I read Trust Me, the first book in the Last Stand series and loved it. Jane was the victim in the first book that had a husband that was a murderer and she was also having an affair with his Brother. Husband killed the brother. I was glad to see that Jane was doing better and working for the Last Stand organization. The Last Stand series is about the organization started by Skye and her two friends. Skye saved Jane from her serial murder and rapist husband. She invited Jane to work in the office and as a volunteer. Jane happened to be there alone when a young lady came in to get help finding her two half sisters since no one else would help and didn't believe the girls were kidnapped. So Jane decides she will investigate this case that the kidnapper has her running into Sebastian who is looking for the cruel murder who killed his ex-wife and 14 year old son. Sebastian will not stop to find the cop who was married to his ex-wife and who faked his own death. I knew Brenda Novak wrote great romances but these suspense romances were just as great.
**
There’s not a big suspense, there’s a lot missing the twists that leave you with bated breath, you know who the killer is, what he did, why and what he wants to do. In addition, the surviving protagonist of an abusive husband who almost killed her and now can no longer let herself go sexually and trust men... she remembers too much Evely Talbot, the protagonist of the Alaska series, the same author, to be original. A little bit of imagination didn’t hurt. For the rest, I appreciate the thriller’s undercurrent love story, the way Sebastian’s investigation, which tries to track down the killer of his ex-wife and son, who disappeared from circulation after staging his own death, joins with that of Jane, a volunteer at a nonprofit association that defends battered women and finds himself investigating the disappearance of two black girls. Malcolm plots in the shadows but commits one step after another (and one wonders how such an idiot has been able to evade the police for a long time). Brenda Novak remains an outstanding author, but the plot would have needed a little more grit. I really liked Luther, the father of one of the kidnapped girls, a big, big and dangerous big, big and dangerous miteer used to getting justice alone and not counting on the law, just as I appreciated the fact that, once in a while, one of the characters did not wait to be saved but took advantage of the situation to save himself. Because in reality it is how it works: no princes charming, only luck marchs and courage can save you.
**
Jane Bruke works as a volunteer for an association against violence and ill-treatment of women, together. Restrained alone in the office, it's your turn to take care of a kidnapping case of two sisters for the first time. This will lead her straight from a man who came to Sacramento to find the killer of his ex-wife and son, Sebastian Costas. All the elements indicate that both are looking for the same man, but what would happen if in the meantime they discover that the attraction between them can be a starting point for something more?
**
June 3, 2020
Non leggevo un thriller da tantissimo tempo, ma quando ho letto la trama di Un debito di sangue di Brenda Novak ho subito percepito un'affinità e devo dire che il mio sesto senso non ha sbagliato neanche questa volta. Chi mi conosce, sa bene che leggo i thriller in modo sporadico e che prediligo quelli che, al loro interno, racchiudono anche il filone della storia d'amore. In realtà, ho scoperto che The Last Stand è una serie interamente incentrata sul genere romantic suspense, visto l'intreccio che caratterizza entrambi i generi. Altra cosa che ho scoperto è che questo è l'ultimo libro della serie quindi ora mi toccherà recuperare tutti gli altri!
Jane Bruke lavora come volontaria per un'associazione contro la violenza e i maltrattamenti delle donne, Insieme. Rimasta sola in ufficio, tocca a lei occuparsi per la prima volta di un caso di rapimento di due sorelle. Questo la condurrà dritta da un uomo arrivato a Sacramento per cercare l'assassino della sua ex moglie e di suo figlio, Sebastian Costas. Tutti gli elementi indicano che entrambi stiano cercando lo stesso uomo, ma cosa accadrebbe se nel frattempo scopriranno che l'attrazione tra loro può essere un punto di partenza per qualcosa di più?
Non poteva tornare indietro, essere di nuovo la persona di un tempo, serena e fiduciosa, e questo la rattristava. Ma fidarsi dell’unico uomo che avrebbe dovuto amarla e onorarla ogni giorno della sua vita era stato proprio sul punto di costarle la vita. Dunque era meglio essere saggia e amareggiata che ingenua e illusa. L’esperienza, almeno il genere di esperienza che aveva avuto lei, aveva cambiato tutto, anche i piaceri più semplici ed elementari.
Ho passato il primo 40% arrancando perché la narrazione in terza persona rallenta quasi sempre la lettura e l'inizio graduale della storia non mi ha permessa di appassionarmi al libro. Dopo la metà ci sono molti elementi che mi hanno costretta a continuare la lettura ad un ritmo serrato perché la curiosità era ormai alle stelle e la relazione tra Sebastian e Jane si faceva sempre più concreta. Più i due si avvicinavano e più sentivo che il pericolo era incombente.
Jane è una sopravvissuta e madre di una bambina, Kate. Una donna forte e combattiva che è riuscita a scampare alla furia omicida di un serial killer, dopo avergli promesso che sarebbero stati insieme fin che morte non gli avesse separati. Il trauma subito da lei e sua figlia l'ha segnata profondamente e questo l'ha spinta a non intraprendere nessuna relazione amorosa perché custodisce nel suo cuore i sensi di colpa per la persona che è rimasta coinvolta nella sua ex relazione e che ha pagato il prezzo più alto.
Il personaggio che però ha scoccato la freccia al mio cuore è sicuramente quello di Sebastian Costas, colui che si è trasferito da una parte del paese all'altra, abbandonando la sicurezza della sua vita, pur di cercare l'assassino di suo figlio e vendicarsi. La sua determinazione, la sua forza e il suo coraggio sono emersi durante tutto il libro; la sua costanza nel svolgere le indagini senza mai mollare, ma la sua preoccupazione per tutte le persone e le variabili che sono entrate a far parte del piano. Mi è piaciuto anche che abbia compreso di doversi fare da parte per amore di Jane e per la sua bambina, lasciando andare quella sete di vendetta che lo ha logorato per tanto tempo e cercando di ritrovare quel senso di pace e calore che non provava da tantissimo tempo, assicurando comunque giustizia alla memoria di Caleb e di Emily.
Dimenticare, andare avanti e non guardarsi indietro: erano tre semplici passaggi che potevano garantirle la sopravvivenza. Chi non seguiva quei precetti non sfuggiva mai al peso del passato.
Nonostante siano loro i protagonisti principali, mi è impossibile non affermare che tra i miei preferiti vi è anche colui che ha causato la morte e il dolore di tante persone, Malcom Turner. Quest'uomo, pieno di debiti, è riuscito a diventare un fuggitivo, rinunciando al suo lavoro e alla vita che conduceva; ha inscenato un suicidio ed è riuscito a farla franca facendosi beffe della polizia e di tutti coloro che lo credevano morto. Ho apprezzato la caratterizzazione del suo personaggio: metodico, attento, paziente e intelligente. Per Malcom, è diventata una questione personale sbarazzarsi dell'uomo che gli ha portato via tutto più volte nella sua vita. Oltre al suo personaggio, ci sono anche quelli di Marcie, Letisha, Luther, Gaia, David, Jonathan... oddio, penso di dover far presente anche la vecchietta ultrasessantenne!
Non avevo mai letto nulla di Brenda Novak, nonostante abbia sentito parlare molto di lei e del suo precedente lavoro pubblicato in Italia con il titolo Alaska. Ho apprezzato che l'autrice abbia inserito la storia d'amore all'interno perché, da amante del romance, mi aiuta sicuramente ad entrare in sintonia con i personaggi del libro. Avvincente e scritto in modo semplice, scorrevole, con Un debito di sangue, l'autrice regala ai lettori un romantic suspense mozzafiato, dove i confini tra chi sia la preda e chi sia il cacciatore si confondono. E, alla fine, tutto ciò che importa è che giustizia sia fatta e che la verità venga a galla, sempre.
July 14, 2021
Bello, ma… Non c’è una gran suspance, mancano i colpi di scena che ti lasciano col fiato sospeso, sai chi è l’assassino, cosa ha fatto, perché e cosa vuole fare. Inoltre la protagonista sopravvissuta a un marito violento che l’ha quasi uccisa e adesso non riesce più a lasciarsi andare sessualmente e a fidarsi degli uomini… ricorda troppo Evelyn Talbot, la protagonista della serie Alaska, della stessa autrice, per essere originale. Un po’ di fantasia non guastava. Per il resto stile piacevole, apprezzo la love story che fa da sottofondo al thriller, il modo in cui l’indagine di Sebastian, che cerca di rintracciare l’assassino della sua ex moglie e di suo figlio, sparito dalla circolazione dopo aver inscenato la propria morte, si unisce con quella di Jane, volontaria presso un’associazione no profit che difende le donne maltrattate e che si ritrova a indagare sulla scomparsa di due ragazze di colore. Malcolm intanto trama nell’ombra ma commette un passo falso dopo l’altro (e c’è da domandarsi come un idiota del genere abbia saputo eludere la polizia per tanto tempo). Brenda Novak resta un’autrice eccezionale, ma la trama avrebbe avuto bisogno di un po’ più di grinta. Mi è piaciuto molto Luther, il padre di una delle ragazze rapite, un omaccione grande, grosso e pericoloso abituato a farsi giustizia da solo e a non contare sulla legge, così come ho apprezzato il fatto che, una volta tanto, uno dei personaggi non abbia aspettato di essere salvato ma abbia approfittato della situazione per salvarsi da sé. Perché nella realtà è così che funziona: nessun principe azzurro, solo la fortuna marcia e il coraggio possono salvarti.
April 29, 2021
Dnf at 129 pages in.
I read a couple other books in this series and thought they were relatively decent as quick suspense fluff reads. This one however...I'm not sure what it is about this one, other than I don't really care for the characters and therefore find it really hard to care, and concentrate, on what is going on.
Maybe it's because they are chatroom messaging with a supposed killer in an attempt to lure him out (Sebastian is anyhow). I haven't seen one of those since I was 13 years old. Are those still a thing? Must be. I mean, this book is from 2009 originally so maybe not as much? Meh. I don't fully care, it just reminds me that the last time I used MSM was 2006 and it's dead now as far as I know. lol
I also didn't care for the descriptions used by 'Jane' to describe another woman and how we NEEDED to know she's exactly 110 pounds now, and she wasn't obese before though she was 'frumpy,' because she exercises everyday on top of doing self defense. Kay, cool. But the other lady is obese and her rolls spilled over the chair...BUT Jane wasn't judging her, thinking these thoughts, because Jane used to be frumpy, you know. Uhuh...just get to the part where you describe how big Jane's knockers are and get it over with I guess. Huh. Guess that's where Jane lost me. lol
Anyhow... I'm 29 pages pass the 100 page "Is it worth it" mark and my answer is still no. So I'm going to give it up.
I bet other people will love this, but apparently it's not suiting my 'mood' today.
I read a couple other books in this series and thought they were relatively decent as quick suspense fluff reads. This one however...I'm not sure what it is about this one, other than I don't really care for the characters and therefore find it really hard to care, and concentrate, on what is going on.
Maybe it's because they are chatroom messaging with a supposed killer in an attempt to lure him out (Sebastian is anyhow). I haven't seen one of those since I was 13 years old. Are those still a thing? Must be. I mean, this book is from 2009 originally so maybe not as much? Meh. I don't fully care, it just reminds me that the last time I used MSM was 2006 and it's dead now as far as I know. lol
I also didn't care for the descriptions used by 'Jane' to describe another woman and how we NEEDED to know she's exactly 110 pounds now, and she wasn't obese before though she was 'frumpy,' because she exercises everyday on top of doing self defense. Kay, cool. But the other lady is obese and her rolls spilled over the chair...BUT Jane wasn't judging her, thinking these thoughts, because Jane used to be frumpy, you know. Uhuh...just get to the part where you describe how big Jane's knockers are and get it over with I guess. Huh. Guess that's where Jane lost me. lol
Anyhow... I'm 29 pages pass the 100 page "Is it worth it" mark and my answer is still no. So I'm going to give it up.
I bet other people will love this, but apparently it's not suiting my 'mood' today.
February 22, 2018
The perfect conclusion to the series as the stories have come full circle starting with the Burke’s and ending with Jane Burke. I loved this series and this book kept me on the edge of my seat. A lot of times in novels like this the revolution becomes very clear by the first half and you can easily predict what will happen. What makes Brenda’s books so wonderful is that even though sometimes you can guess part of the mystery or part of the solution you’ll never guess the complete ending. As I read I kept thinking, How can this possibly end, how will they get him?” Even in the last chapter I was wondering how our heroes would survive.
January 20, 2020
The Perfect Murder is the last book in Novak's Last Stand Series, and it provided a nice ending for the series. This one has a main male character, Sebastian, who is searching for the man who murdered his ex-wife and his son. Jane, an employee of The Last Stand becomes mixed up in a kidnapping case involving the same murderer. She and Sebastian end up working together to try to track down the killer/kidnapper.
I thought Sebastian was a great lead character. I liked his protectiveness and dedication. Jane was a good character too, trying to make up for past mistakes and protect her daughter. The storyline was fast-paced and had lots of action. It had both a good mystery and a nice romance.
I thought Sebastian was a great lead character. I liked his protectiveness and dedication. Jane was a good character too, trying to make up for past mistakes and protect her daughter. The storyline was fast-paced and had lots of action. It had both a good mystery and a nice romance.
March 14, 2020
The Perfect Murder (The Last Stand #6) was a great read by Brenda Novak. Sebastian has spent the last year trying to figure out the truth behind his ex-wife and son’s murder. Her second husband, a cop, was supposedly killed along with them. Sebastian believes that her second husband faked his death after he killed the others. He leaves his home to go across the country to follow a slim lead in Sacramento. His search leads him to The Last Stand and an investigator, Jane Burke. Jane and Sebastian work together to find the person that may link their crimes together. I really enjoyed Jane and Sebastian’s story and I can’t wait to read more by Brenda Novak.
March 30, 2020
Jane Burke has been training for the past six months when a new case walks into the office of The Last Stand and all the other victim advocates are away from the office, on another case or on maternity leave. Jane decides she really wants to take on this case and enlists the help of the police/husband of the advocate who is on maternity leave. As Jane begins to work the case she comes in contact with Sebastian Costas, who has been searching for the man who murdered his ex- wife and son in New Jersey and faked his own death almost a year ago. New clues lead to the case that Jane is working on. Meanwhile as Jane and Sebastian work together to solve their cases spares begin to fly......
October 29, 2020
This book was a little slow going at the beginning but really seemed to pick up by the midpoint. The most intriguing factor was having the story be narrated by the murderer from the beginning. You weren't left trying to figure it out, but more trying to work backwards to understand the murders of Emily and her son Colton. While the The Last Stand advocate, Jane didn't appeal to me as much as the Ava and Zoe in previous books I've read (she seemed a little flighty for a person with her backstory), I really enjoyed Sebastian Costas, the avenging father of Colton. I would enjoy seeing him again.
October 25, 2017
i still can not decide if i like this book or not. it was a crooked police officer that likes to kill and he killed someones son who'es dad was determined to bring him to justice. but the violence was more then i had planned on reading. i like a good mystery but when a book makes me look at a law enforcement as more to fear then being helpful it digs at my good judgement. this story is a deep reading with more murder then mystery then this is a book for you. it definitely is not a bedtime reading.
May 1, 2020
Sebastian Costas has been chasing a murderer for a year. His ex-wife Emily and son Colton was killed by Emily's husband Malcom Turner. Malcom was a cop and is believed to be dead after committing suicide, but Sebastian believes he takes his death. After a small lead Sebastian ends up in Sacramento. Jane Burke is working her first case of missing sisters at The Last Stand, after surviving an attack from her husband who was a serial killer. Once they realize their cases are connected, they work together and begin to fall in love. But the man they are after is also after them too.
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