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Killer Career
Julie McGuire wants out as a lawyer. She's attracted to sexy, NY Times bestselling author, Tyler, who seems as much a mystery as his books. Then there's Dade, Julie's best friend and law partner, who refuses to stand by and watch her tear apart all he holds dear. He can't understand why she'd rather write than practice law. When people around Julie start dying, can her passion for the written word be the death of her? Gray Bridges at GenReview.com, says, "Killer Career is a delightful combination of love and murder. The protagonist, Julie McGuire, longs to change her job and her life. Julie soon finds herself struggling with more than the plot of her debut novel, she finds herself struggling for her very life." Robert Walker, author of Dead On, says, "Killer Career hits all the right keys and notes! Author Mandel has hit her stride! A great read!" – For more, see Rob Walker’s review at Amazon’s print version of Killer Career, along with other reviews. Austin S. Camacho, author of Russian Roulette, says, "The roller coaster of joy and horror, love and terror made me dizzy until the final surprise." Cheryl C. Malandrinos of , says, "Once in a while you find a book that forces you to steal moments away from work, the kids and all your other responsibilities just so you can sit down and read it. Killer Career is that book." Unwriter Ron Berry at , says, “Morgan Mandel writes an intriguing tale that will keep you turning pages until the last shoe drops.” Hagelrat at , says, “I have been working long hours this week with special olympics and was failing at reading everything I picked up, putting it back on the shelf a few pages in, but this hit exactly right spot. It’s a cute cover…”
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2009
26 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Mandel
17 books56 followersAll of Morgan Mandel's books are available at http://amazon.com/author/morganmandel
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 16, 2009
This is one fine emotional story. Yes, if you read romantic mystery fiction extensively, you will likely have encountered elements of the story. It doesn’t matter. This is a well-put-together novel that carries the reader briskly to a smashing conclusion.
Julie McGuire is a hot Chicago attorney in a small partnership with Dade Donovan. Their talents and hard work have built a successful law firm. But Julie harbors a secret life-long dream—to be a writer, a published author. One day at a local mystery convention she meets a lusty, talented and tormented author named Tyler Jensen. He’s also more than passingly handsome in a sensual sort of way. Jensen offers Julie his help in the form of workshops and other ways to break in running on the fast track of publishing. How can she resist?
Tyler’s sponsorship is not without its price. Will Julie pay the price? Will she give up hard-won professional recognition to chase her other dream? Is Tyler Jensen everything he says he is—and maybe more?
And what about Julie’s partner, Dade? Can she, will she abandon this life-long partner? Questions arise almost as fast and in all manner of complexity paralleling the personal feelings that swirl around, rising and falling with the fortunes of the principals in this tense novel of romantic suspense. Mysteriously,
The novel is not without its problems. Mandel is adept at steadily increasing the level of tension, but sometimes takes too much time to make her points. There are situations in which the pace should be raised with fewer words. Overall, tighter writing would benefit the reader. Conversely, there are places where I wished for fuller descriptions of place and circumstance. The emotions of the characters are all there, laid bare. A little more context might have enriched the experience.
In the end these problems are overcome by the story and the interest the author ultimately develops in readers for the central characters.
Julie McGuire is a hot Chicago attorney in a small partnership with Dade Donovan. Their talents and hard work have built a successful law firm. But Julie harbors a secret life-long dream—to be a writer, a published author. One day at a local mystery convention she meets a lusty, talented and tormented author named Tyler Jensen. He’s also more than passingly handsome in a sensual sort of way. Jensen offers Julie his help in the form of workshops and other ways to break in running on the fast track of publishing. How can she resist?
Tyler’s sponsorship is not without its price. Will Julie pay the price? Will she give up hard-won professional recognition to chase her other dream? Is Tyler Jensen everything he says he is—and maybe more?
And what about Julie’s partner, Dade? Can she, will she abandon this life-long partner? Questions arise almost as fast and in all manner of complexity paralleling the personal feelings that swirl around, rising and falling with the fortunes of the principals in this tense novel of romantic suspense. Mysteriously,
The novel is not without its problems. Mandel is adept at steadily increasing the level of tension, but sometimes takes too much time to make her points. There are situations in which the pace should be raised with fewer words. Overall, tighter writing would benefit the reader. Conversely, there are places where I wished for fuller descriptions of place and circumstance. The emotions of the characters are all there, laid bare. A little more context might have enriched the experience.
In the end these problems are overcome by the story and the interest the author ultimately develops in readers for the central characters.
February 22, 2016
I loved this book.
Great story line, easy to follow and the characters are well developed. You can almost feel the electricity between Dade and Julie. The grew up together after Julie's parents were killed. They are best friends and vowed to each other that they would work hard and not be poor as their families had been.
They are partners in their law firm, but Julie has a dream that she would like to accomplish, and her heart is dead set on doing just that.
She meets just the person she thinks can lead her in the right direction. Things seem to be going okay until she starts noticing different behaviors she doesn't like. She tries to cut off the relationship before things get out of hand, she just doesn't realize they ready have.
Things begin to happen that are unsettling, and Dade and Julie are both in terrible danger.
Like I said it's a great story line that is very realistic and I can see it happening in real life.
Great story line, easy to follow and the characters are well developed. You can almost feel the electricity between Dade and Julie. The grew up together after Julie's parents were killed. They are best friends and vowed to each other that they would work hard and not be poor as their families had been.
They are partners in their law firm, but Julie has a dream that she would like to accomplish, and her heart is dead set on doing just that.
She meets just the person she thinks can lead her in the right direction. Things seem to be going okay until she starts noticing different behaviors she doesn't like. She tries to cut off the relationship before things get out of hand, she just doesn't realize they ready have.
Things begin to happen that are unsettling, and Dade and Julie are both in terrible danger.
Like I said it's a great story line that is very realistic and I can see it happening in real life.
July 12, 2020
Very good read
This was very good! I was intrigued to get to the end to find out what was going to happen. I liked the ending and was happy for the main characters!
This was very good! I was intrigued to get to the end to find out what was going to happen. I liked the ending and was happy for the main characters!
December 4, 2024
👍
Non-stop reading, it was a great suspense book. The author is an excellent storyteller. I knew from the beginning who the bad guy was, but she saved the best for last.
Non-stop reading, it was a great suspense book. The author is an excellent storyteller. I knew from the beginning who the bad guy was, but she saved the best for last.
January 1, 2010
Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of writers? Particularly writers of crime, suspense, murder, you know, the more aggressive types of novels? To be honest, I have several times. What must go through the mind of someone who can write bloody brutality, torture, death, and sometimes just plain twisted scenes? Okay, so yes, Stephen King comes to mind (no offense, Mr. King!). Well, author Morgan Mandel dives into just such a notion in her latest release, Killer Career. World renowned murder mystery writer, Tyler Jensen makes his career from coming up with twisted, graphic and torturous murder mysteries, that readers of the world gobble up and can't get enough of. While at a conference, he meets lawyer and aspiring writer Julie McGuire. Julie is no push over and speaks her mind very freely. When she dares to question him, he becomes highly intrigued.
At the end of the conference, there is a contest in which a few lucky winners are allowed to meet with Tyler for a bit of personal tutoring on writing, Julie just happens to be one of the lucky winners. Julie is thrilled by this and comes to the conclusion that she must put aside her thriving career as a lawyer to pursue her writing full time. Her partner and long time friend, Dade Donovan, senses something not quite right about the all-great mystery writer, Tyler. Julie knows she is upsetting Dade and putting him in a bind, but at the same time must follow her heart and desire. Dade wonders, however, just how far this desire goes - is it just writing or is it Tyler.
Meanwhile, strange and brutal murders are taking place around the city; murders that mysteriously resemble the plots within Tyler's books. Is this coincidence, copycat or something much deeper, darker and sinister? How will Julie deal with Tyler's obsessive love for her and the blooming feelings between her and Dade?
Killer Career is filled with delightful twists, turns and satisfying suspense. Readers will have a hard time putting this down, once they have begun the first page. Ms. Mandel shows a great talent for storytelling and quickly and seamlessly draws her readers into the lives of her characters. With excellent dialog, plotting, suspense and romantic tension, Killer Career is a must read for lovers of suspense, thrillers, romance, and those just plain looking for a great book! This is my first by Morgan Mandel and I anxiously await reading more!
At the end of the conference, there is a contest in which a few lucky winners are allowed to meet with Tyler for a bit of personal tutoring on writing, Julie just happens to be one of the lucky winners. Julie is thrilled by this and comes to the conclusion that she must put aside her thriving career as a lawyer to pursue her writing full time. Her partner and long time friend, Dade Donovan, senses something not quite right about the all-great mystery writer, Tyler. Julie knows she is upsetting Dade and putting him in a bind, but at the same time must follow her heart and desire. Dade wonders, however, just how far this desire goes - is it just writing or is it Tyler.
Meanwhile, strange and brutal murders are taking place around the city; murders that mysteriously resemble the plots within Tyler's books. Is this coincidence, copycat or something much deeper, darker and sinister? How will Julie deal with Tyler's obsessive love for her and the blooming feelings between her and Dade?
Killer Career is filled with delightful twists, turns and satisfying suspense. Readers will have a hard time putting this down, once they have begun the first page. Ms. Mandel shows a great talent for storytelling and quickly and seamlessly draws her readers into the lives of her characters. With excellent dialog, plotting, suspense and romantic tension, Killer Career is a must read for lovers of suspense, thrillers, romance, and those just plain looking for a great book! This is my first by Morgan Mandel and I anxiously await reading more!
January 27, 2012
Morgan Mandel's writing is clear, her characters are easily visualized and easy to follow, and her storytelling is spellbinding. Interweaving the thoughts of a writer who writes well enough to teach others the art with the mind of a megalomaniac so deeply disturbed that he doesn't recognize the reality of his fiction, Morgan takes us all on a journey into madness that is unforgettable. The contrast between childhood losses being sympathetically treated vs those ignored and mishandled is handled with empathy and caution. The love story as a subplot is a quiet echo of those childhood losses and the right and wrong way to deal with such, allowing her characters to grow and move beyond childhood feelings toward mature relationships.
This is the second Morgan Mandel mystery that I've read, and I look forward to more. If you enjoy reading a master of the art of storytelling and following plots that reflect human needs and fulfillment, you will love her stories.
This is the second Morgan Mandel mystery that I've read, and I look forward to more. If you enjoy reading a master of the art of storytelling and following plots that reflect human needs and fulfillment, you will love her stories.
November 2, 2009
A mystery in which an aspiring mystery writer almost becomes the victim of a psychopath
April 5, 2011
Exciting. A page-turner!
January 5, 2014
hard to put the book down!
February 16, 2014
Hard to put down. Very ell written.
February 15, 2014
Fairly fast paced and exciting. Twisted bad guy. Great imagination. I will definitely be reading more Morgan Mandel.
March 1, 2014
Good book
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a pretty good book. Definitely worth reading. I would read other books written by Morgan Mandela.
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a pretty good book. Definitely worth reading. I would read other books written by Morgan Mandela.
Read
July 26, 2016Was horrible. You could tell right away who the murderer was, making it seem like what was the point of even continuing? Plus the author got into some freaky things, too far for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews