Pętla

Stacy Killian #1

by Erica Spindler

Nastoletnia Jane Killian, potrącona przez motorówkę, cudem uniknęła śmierci. Po serii operacji plastycznych, w końcu może zapomnieć o tym strasznym wydarzeniu. Wreszcie może cieszyć się pełnią życia. Jest spełnioną artystką, której rzeźby coraz częściej doceniane są przez krytyków sztuki. Z mężem, doktorem Ianem Westbrookiem, oczekują z niecierpliwością narodzin pierwszego dziecka. Czego chcieć więcej?
Szczęście pryska, gdy Ian staje się głównym podejrzanym w sprawie o brutalne morderstwo. Jane najpierw wierzy w niewinność męża, lecz w miarę jak toczy się śledztwo, narastają w niej wątpliwości. Co więcej, niespodziewanie powraca też koszmar z przeszłości. Jane dostaje anonimowe listy i zaczyna wierzyć, że pochodzą od człowieka, który z premedytacją przed laty spowodował wypadek na jeziorze. Musi stawić czoło przerażającej prawdzie. Jej dręczyciel wie o niej wszystko, a co gorsza – zna jej najgłębiej skrywane lęki. I z pewnością bezlitośnie wykorzysta je, by zabić Jane.

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller

496 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

A New York Times and International bestselling author, Erica Spindler's skill for crafting engrossing plots and compelling characters has earned both critical praise and legions of fans. Her stories have been lauded as “thrill-packed page turners, white- knuckle rides and edge-of-your-seat whodunits.”

Erica loves meeting and interacting with her fans, both in person and online. She has a wicked sense of humor, an optimistic spirit and loves coffee, chocolate and red wine, not necessarily in that order.

In 2002 her novel Bone Cold won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence. A Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, she received a Kiss of Death Award for her novels Forbidden Fruit and Dead Run and was a four-time RITA® Award finalist. In 1999 Publishers Weekly awarded the audio version of her novel Shocking Pink a Listen Up Award, naming it one of the best audio mystery books of 1998.

Erica lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When fifteen-year-old Jane Killian accepted the dare from her older sister Stacy and her friends, she had no idea it would change her life so completely. So irrevocably.

Seventeen years later, Jane was married to Dr. Ian Westbrook, a successful cosmetic surgeon, and they had just discovered they were going to have a baby. Their happiness was complete. Jane’s confidence, after all the reconstructive surgery she’d endured, was finally secure. Her own art was bringing her to the attention of the people who mattered in the art world and life couldn’t be better.

Detective Stacy Killian was Jane’s sister and they’d been lightly estranged since their grandmother had died. But when Stacy was called to a gruesome murder in La Plaza, and she discovered ties between the victim and Jane’s husband, suspicions, lies and circumstantial evidence followed. It was when another body was discovered, and Ian was arrested for murder that Jane’s world disintegrated. With all the evidence pointing to Ian’s guilt, how could she convince the police he was innocent?

See Jane Die by Erica Spindler is an incredibly gripping psychological thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I couldn’t put it down – and I definitely didn’t see the twist coming at the end! The first in the Stacy Killian series; I’ll be looking to read #2 soon. Highly recommended.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is the survivor of a horrific accident when she was 15. At the lake with her sister Stacey and some friends she was swimming across the lake when a speedboat ran her over causing massive damage to her face. After a lot of painful reconstructive surgery, Jane went on to become an artist and marry a successful surgeon. Stacey became a policewoman and eventually a detective known for her toughness. When Jane's husband Ian is accused of murder, Jane is convinced that he has been framed. Stacey wants to help her sister prove that Ian is innocent but all the evidence is pointing at him. A series of worrying letters also has Jane believing that the person who ran her down with his speedboat is stalking her and wants her dead.

This was an excellent thriller, action packed and filled with tension, lots of red herrings and an unexpected twist at the end. Erica Spindler never disappoints with her creative plots and interesting characters.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author and definitely not my last. And as I see it is a series then that's probably a good thing!
I really enjoyed the characters of Jane and her sister and found the breakdown and reforming of their relationship to be believable as well as it being necessary for the plot. The pace was fast, the police work credible and the action full on. It is the kind of book you have to race through to see what happens next.
There were so many possible killers and so many red herrings that identifying the real one proved totally impossible. I love a good surprise ending!

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fast-paced book that was not easy to put down! Read in two sittings. A great romantic suspense that had me hooked very early on. Kept me interested and guessing right until the end that had a final unexpected twist!

Highly recommended!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager, Jane Killian's life was changed when she was hit by a motorboat as she swam in a lake. Now 17 years later, after many successful surgeries, Jane has a thriving career in art, a handsome husband, and a baby on the way. But her world splinters when her husband, Dr. Ian Westbrook, becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation led by Jane's stepsister, Detective Stacy Killian. Stacy doesn't want to believe her brother-in-law is a murderer, but all evidence is pointing to him. Jane trusts that her husband is innocent. But when another body turns up with even more evidence linking Ian to the crime, Jane begins to wonder if her sister is right.

Wow! This book was a page-turner. There is so much going on in it. Not only do we have a series of murders, but Jane starts receiving anonymous notes from someone she believes hit her with his boat many years ago. The story is told from the point of view of both Jane and Stacy. One believes her husband is innocent. The other wants to catch a killer, even if it hurts her sister in the end.

The characters in this story are well developed. The clues are plentiful. I thought I had everything figured out up until the last few pages. Then came the twist that left me stunned. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the Stacy Killian series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.

[CD {Boulder Blvd} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and look forward to other book in the series or by Ms. Spindler...

[Bianca Coppens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toppertje!

[Linda Moens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een boek krijgt van mij niet snel een 5, maar voor deze wil ik toch een uitzondering maken! Wat een prachtboek, wat een opbouw! Je wordt in het verhaal meegezogen als een tsunami en het plot maakt het helemaal een ontplooiing van jewelste! TOP!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventeen years ago, Jane Killian was swimming out in the lake on a dare from her sister Stacy when a boat seemed to deliberately run over her, causing multiple facial lacerations and loss of an eye. Many surgeries later, her face is beautiful and she is an up and coming artist. She is also married to plastic surgeon Ian Westbrook and expecting her first child.

Stacy is now a hardened Dallas homicide detective. She and her partner Mac are called to a hotel room where a female victim has been strangled. Turns out the dead woman is one of Ian's patients. Police suspect an affair and want to interview Ian's receptionist. She is found dead the next day. Once again, police suspect Ian and he is arrested.

Jane begins to receive notes that imply the person who ran her down in the boat so many years ago is now pursuing her again.

I read every book by Erica Spindler I can get my hands on, so I was happy to find this one originally published in 2004. I liked the premise of the book but not several of the characters. Jane's assistant made me uneasy from the beginning and Ian seemed wimpy. My favorite male character would have to be the dog Ranger.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel from Erica Spindler and I intend to read a lot more of her work. I decided to read as many new authors to me this year and it is paying dividends. I have opened up a new source of good books and this was one of the best so far. This story was action packed and keeps you guessing to the very end of the book.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many cliches for my taste- sisters who don't get along, the tough-as-nails cop who really a soft side but is afraid to show it, the girl who thinks she's ugly even though she's really pretty. I didn't get very far into the book and maybe it does get better but I've already got a pretty good notion of who the killer is and frankly, I think I'm going to set this book down and move on to greener pastures.

[Elizabeth Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read Killer takes all and See Jane Die backwards, but Erica made it clear enough that I understood what was going on in both books. Easy to read! Not easy to put down :)

[Katie]

Awesome book! suspenseful and like most of Erica Spindler's books, couldn't put it down. Veryy twisted ending...kept me guessing til the very end.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot how good this author is. The prologue starts while Jane and Stacy are in high school. One day they skip school and go to the beach where Stacy and friends date Jane to swim in the ocean which she does but she goes a step further and swims past the buoys. At the same time there is a speed boat on the lake that heads directly towards her. Well the boat hits Jane and disfigures her. There are years of operations and psychological damage. Jane's grandmother dies and leaves the bulk of her estate to Jane that is worth millions. Jane marries a plastic surgeon, becomes an artist and family complete finds out she pregnant. One of Jane's husband, Ian's patients is found murdered and all fingers point to Ian. In walks Stacy who is the lead investigator on the case. Jane doesn't believe her husband did it but Stacy being a cop has no choice but to arrest him.

All through the book things happen Ian's office manager is murdered, another patient that Ian consulted is murdered and everyone around Jane is dying. Jane believes that it's all tied in with what happened out on the lake. Somehow the person that tried to kill her once is trying to do it again.

The writing for this book is very good. Just enough description for each scene without getting boring when you want to skip over a few pages. Everything ties while it is being written the characters are intertwined which makes the story interesting. While reading the book I did pick out the person that I thought was behind everything but the end has one of the best twists that I've read in a book in a long time. So I had to give it 5 stars.

[Kim Ebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me. This was my first read by this author and I liked it. I was tempted to give 4 stars but decided not to for a few reasons. Firstly, although the read was fairly gripping, for some reason I didn't love some of the characters as I was supposed to. I wasn't overly keen on Jane or Ian, but I redeemed myself by really liking Stacy. Also, I managed to guess part of the "whodunnit" fairly early on in the novel, although the ending still contained a twist. Lastly, I did find the ending and the twist a little far fetched, but hey, that's what imaginations are for I suppose. All in all, a good crime thriller that I would recommend. I do intend to read the next one in the series.

[Milady Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I picked up my first Erica Spindler novel, I've been a fan. There's no one better to write a suspense novel that keeps you literally sitting on the edge, biting your nails to the quick. This is the first book that introduces us to Stacy Killian, a complex character who will become a regular in Erica's novels.

I can't say enough about this author. Pick her work up! You will not be disappointed.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had See Jane Die by Erica Spindler on my TBR list for what seems like years. I am not sure why it took me so long to finally read it, but it sure was worth the wait. I loved everything about this book; I even stayed up all night because I had to know the ending. I will certainly read more of this series and this author. 5 stars

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Erica Spindler and I must say it was definitely one of those "can't stop reading and put it down" kind of books. Erica is a mastermind who successfully captured this reader's attention!I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series and her other books as well.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get through but ended up being pretty good

[Sylvia Morhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Shocking and unpredictable ending! Couldn't put it down!!

[Yel · Rating 4 out of 5]

***3.5

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐
It was ok, I like the writing, but I knew who the killer was the whole time. I was never surprised

[Dawn Emsen-Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could't put this book down. Brilliant. Kept you guessing and re-guessing right up until the end. Definitely an author I'll be following. Just about to start book 2 now - yes, it was THAT good!

[Ely Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bueno, mucho suspenso y varios plot twist bastante inesperados.

Te engancha desde el primer momento, lectura muy recomendable.

Se me hizo algo abrupta la resolución pero estoy satisfecha.

9,5/10

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When fifteen-year-old Jane Killian accepts her older sister Stacy's dare to swim across the freezing lake, she has absolutely no idea just how much her life will change by the end of that March afternoon. Within the short period of time that it takes her to complete her swim and turn back towards the lakeshore, Jane is threatened by a boat speeding across the lake. She narrowly escapes being killed that day, but the shock and fear the encounter sparks in her soul will remain with Jane forever.

Now, seventeen years after the horrifying afternoon that changed her life so drastically, Jane Killian has so much to live for. A series of reconstructive surgeries has successfully restored her lovely face. As a sculptress, Jane has become the toast of the Dallas art community; her edgy sculptures are lauded by a variety of audiences for being both disturbing and beautiful. She and her husband, the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Ian Westbrook, are completely in love - and overjoyed when Jane becomes pregnant.

Suddenly, Jane's blissful happiness is shattered. A woman with ties to Ian is found brutally murdered. Unbelievably, the police begin to focus their investigation on him, even going so far as to make Ian their prime suspect. Still reeling from this shock, Jane receives an anonymous note that reads simply: "I did it on purpose. To hear your screams."

The police, including Jane's estranged sister, Detective Stacy Killian - are all convinced the frightening message is probably from some crackpot, someone who has become aware of Jane's past through the media attention surrounding her controversial artwork. Yet, Jane knows better. The note has to have come from only one person...HIM! Somehow Jane is certain that the man who stole not only her face, but also her sense of security so long ago, has returned. He was the man who Jane has always believed deliberately hit her - and got away with it. And now, he has found her again.

Living with this terror, Jane digs into Ian's past in an effort to prove his innocence. Yet each new clue that she uncovers points not to her husband's innocence - but to his guilt. And as she struggles against doubt and suspicion, her mysterious stalker moves ever closer. His anonymous messages take a terrifyingly intimate turn, and no one close to Jane, it seems, is safe.

Fighting to save both her husband and the innocent life growing inside of her, Jane must face the devastating truth: Her tormentor apparently knows everything about her. Her likes; her dislikes; her daily routine. Most terrifying of all, he knows Jane's deepest fears...because he feeds on them. And he has no qualms - he will use them - until he can finally...See Jane Die.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I found myself getting really engrossed in the storyline, and avidly wanted to discover the culprit who had done it. I will say that to me, the mystery seemed just the slightest bit more complicated than I was expecting. I was still thoroughly intrigued by the book though, and I give it a very definite A!

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have much to say about this book. It was neither good nor bad. It was neither exciting nor dull. The characters were not well developed--shallow, if you will, in more ways than one. The writing was adequate, yet not overly competent. As an example, it really grated on my nerves that the author kept writing that a character saw something out of the corners of her eyes--yes, corners as in the plural--which is virtually impossible as humans cannot spread their eyes in opposite directions. Another problem I had with it was that the viewpoint kept changing between the two sisters without notice, so it took a minute to figure out who was talking, at times. As for the who-done-it part, I thought I had it figured out early on, but I was wrong. So kudos to the author for that.

This is one of those books you know could have been so much better if the author had taken the time to introduce the characters to the reader in more detail so we could care about them. The husband, Ian, has very little page time before he is a suspect in a brutal murder. After that, he drops off the map, so to speak. He is little more than a shadow figure who seems weak-willed, if nothing else. Who cares if he is arrested or not, for a murder he may or may not have committed? Even his wife, Jane, wants little to do with him. As for the two sisters, they whine and cry and fight a lot, but not much else. I didn't want any of these people to get hurt, but I didn't care if they were happy.

I see that this is the first in a two book series featuring Stacy Killian, which is strange, seeing how this book was mostly about her sister, Jane. I am not burning to read anymore about these characters, so I believe I will skip that one.

Gee, for having not much to say about this book, I certainly went on about it far too long.

[Andrea Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erica Spindler's See Jane Die is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very ending. Its also one that doesn't give you a clue at the "whodunitt" either, so if you're like me, its pretty darn hard not to flip to the last page to see if everything worked out well for the chacters in the story. Jane Killian is a woman with much to live for. After a boating accident as a teen left her disfigured, she has rebuilt her life and her face, thanks to many surgeries. She has a promising career as an artist and a loving husband (Dr. Ian Westbrook) who is a plastic surgeon and a child on the way. That is until a woman from Ian's past turns up dead, and he looks like the most likely suspect.

To make matters worse, her semi-estranged sister was on the case. Then the notes start. Notes that very likely may have come from the boater that tried to kill her years earlier.

Jane starts out having it all and slowly but surely the killer takes away her security, starting with her husband, and then one by one, people she's worked with and friends.

The characters are written very well. The tarnished bond between the sisters really adds tension to the story.

By the time you reach the end, you aren't sure that Jane isn't going to lose it all. And the killer? Well, you'll never guess who it was, until you read it. Hands down one of the best thrillers I've read in a long time.

[Sandrine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited at first to read the book because of the positive reviews below. 1st chapter is great, It got me interested. then i was introduce to roller coaster of characters and everything went downhill from there. i just found them talking and thinking nonsense. I dont feel for the characters and actually wondered why this book is about Stacy. I got irritated because theres no emotion attached to their ramblings regardless how Ms. spindler put the stress on each characters past. I ended up skipping 3/4 of the book and went straight to ending and found myself not caring whether they die or not . Im a big fan of James Patterson and John Grisham so i know what mysteries are made of and i know its too early to judge all of Ms. Spindlers work but this one doesnt get my heart beating like Patterson and Grisham does.

[Cait S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I haven't read anything by this author before but as you can see I've added just about all her books to my TBR now.

I had no idea until the last chapter who had done it and why. The twists were all there, the WTF moments, all of it building up an awesome feeling of suspense.

Honestly my only complaint about this book was the epilogue and how flippin' cheesy and cliche it was. Saw that coming a mile away, literally almost word for word guessed the last sentence. Even so, I'm looking forward to all the authors' other work.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally had this pegged for a solid 4 star book, but some interesting twists caused me to evaluate it more favorably.

I love that this is a series with a tough lady detective who spells her name with a y. What's not to like about that?

I hope Jane isn't a permanent main feature in the series, as I found her rather boring.