The Perfect Victim

by Linda Castillo

Despite a happy childhood, successful entrepreneur Addison Fox has always yearned to find her birth mother. And with the unexpected death of her adoptive parents comes a renewed determination to fill in the missing pieces of her life--to find her "other" family. But she's too late.

Burnt-out from past investigations, Randall Talbot is looking for some relief while helping out at his brother's detective agency. But when Addison Fox walks in, he can't resist her plea for help--even though her case is murder.

Addison is the sole survivor of her bloodline-a line that a killer is determined to make extinct. And even if the world-weary Randall has little regard left for life, he may be the only man capable of saving hers...

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Audiobook, Romance

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 30, 2002

About the author

Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.

In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.

She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.

Reviews

[Carole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really like her Amish mysteries, but this book was horrible. Shallow, predictable characters and plot. I feel dumber after reading this book.

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first book by this author and I have some really mixed feelings about it.

I enjoyed the suspense part. It was interesting and keep me reading this story despite some really annoying things.

But Addison is so stubborn she was seriously driving me mad. No matter what she always has to have the last word in any discussion. She doesn't care that a killer is after her, she doesn't take any advice, the only thing that matters for her is to do what SHE thinks she should. She does some really stupid things. Randall should be consider saint for constantly dealing with her. Especially that she deliberately exposes herself to danger over and over. Like when she is told to run away and call the police but she decides to watch the shooting. Or when she decides that she has to go down the rocky hill in the middle of winter completely without the equipment, just to show she can (which she can not). Her dumbness nearly made me stop reading this book.

I wish there was more relationship development, too. Addison and Randall fell in love a bit too quickly for my taste.

It's also a pity this is a stand-alone book. Jack, Randall's brother is such an interesting character. He deserves his own story, I think it will be more interesting than this one.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Victim by Linda Castillo is a 2004 publication. This book was one I picked up at a library sale a while back. This romantic suspense novel centers around Addison Fox, a woman in search of her birth parents. Her lawyer sends her to Randall Talbot and his brother Jack, an private detective agency.
Randall and Addison get off to a rocky start when he mistakes her for someone else. When he eventually gets his courage up to apologize he in the witness to a crime involving Addison. He is determined to find out who wants Addison dead and why.

This is a basic romantic suspense novel. Addison's search for her parents sets off a chain of events that leads her all the way to Washington. It also leads her to love with Randall Talbot. But is Randall too angry and bitter to commit to a relationship with Addison?

If you like romantic suspense novels, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't enjoy this one. It is a little formulaic at times, but not so much that it was overly predictable. I will give this one a B.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romantic Mystery: not my usual genre. But it was there, I was done with my other book, & I figured I should read it. Which I did...in one evening!
Not a bad story, but predictable: girl meets boy; boy makes bad impression; girl in trouble; immediate sexual sparks; murder; snow; mayhem...you get the picture.

[Danielle Gonzalez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I love, love, love Ms. Castillo's Kate Burkholder mysteries. I hoped (or assumed) this would be a similar type book. However, it is romantic suspense, which I don't really care for. I find it to be too predictable. I just can't be on board with someone who decides they love someone else after knowing them for 3 days. There is a difference between lust and love, people! This is a fast read, made even faster by scanning through a lot of the descriptions and dialog.

[Jennifer Bouchillon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad. Stopped at pg 71. I couldn’t bring myself to continue.

In the first 10 pages, the female main character is speaking to her friend Gretchen, and calls her “Gretch”, six times in six consecutive pages. Gretch Gretch Gretch Gretch Gretch Gretch Gretch.

The main male character is just gross. He makes a point of never apologizing to women. He makes one exception, to apologize to the female MC, and her heart just melts a little bit, because she knows how hard that was for him. (Eye roll) This is after he treated her so disgustingly at their first meeting, because he mistakes her for a topless dancer. And because he thinks she’s a topless dancer, he believes that he doesn’t have to treat her like a human being. He even offers to allow her to cancel her supposed debt by sleeping with him.

I just can’t.

[Marina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't enjoy this book at all. I find it almost impossible to believe that this is the same Linda Castillo who wrote the Kate Burkholder series (which I loved). I couldn't connect to any of the characters and the whole plot was a little silly. It just seems like two completely different authors.

[Emmalee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super cheesy dialogue. I had a really hard time getting through the book, but I like to finish once I've started. The storyline was good but would have been better without the corny writing. In fact at one point in the book the character said I don't mean to sound corny. . . Um, the whole book was!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

She seeks birth parents
Wants to hire PI to help
People are dying

Romantic suspense
Lots of danger and action
Enjoyed the story

[Dianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t wait to read this book as I love the author’s Kate Burkholder series and the description of this book sounded great. Maybe it gets better but I’ll admit I could not make myself finish it. I had to read the first chapter twice because it just didn’t stick with me and even after the second time through, it just didn’t grab me. I keep reading but stopped where all indications looked like this man was going to seriously harm her and she was scared but also thinking to herself how sexy he was. That was it. D. O. N. E. Closed the book and I don’t feel bad in the least.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent romantic/suspense book but dated. Seemingly smart woman who acts foolishly and has to be rescued by the strong hero.

The mystery portion was pretty good. A bit of the romance a bit cliched.

[Debra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extremely predictable. Poorly written.

[Megan Calfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed Linda Castillo’s books back when she wrote the Harlequin stories. I think she writes characters with flaws and I love that. No one comes across as perfect in her books. Relationships are messy and they love each other regardless. I noticed reviews were not high with this storyline but I enjoyed it. There was just the right intrigue, romance, and twists to keep me reading and finishing 24 hours after starting! I can see why after reading her Kate Burkholder series that many may feel let down; however, my take on her older books, such as this one, is much different. It’s books like this one and the many numerous others that made her Kate Burkholder series so successful. I encourage Burkholder fans to embrace the earlier novels and watch her writing unfold and bring us her New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Kate Burkholder series.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an enjoyable, gripping romantic suspense. The intensity and grittiness (of both the mystery and the romance) are reminiscent of Linda Howard. Addison is reluctantly attracted to Randall Talbot but is forced to trust him as those closest to her begin to die and she knows that the killer has her in his sights. Talbot, with help from his brother, is determined to figure out who is behind it and protect Addison, though he doesn't want to admit why that is so important to him. Both have sizzling tempers and passion that add to the excitement as they both fight their attraction and fight to stay alive.

[Robin J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start by saying I love the Kate Burkholder books. We’ll written and exciting. This, on the other hand, was overly descriptive and dragging. Way too many long drawn out sexual scenes for my taste, especially considering that Randall was supposed be a ne’er do well confirmed bachelor sort. The mystery wasn’t really that great since there was no real backstory for Addison’s birth father. I listened to the audio and the narrator is great, but I had to skip through all the long descriptions of them looking at each other and wrestling with feelings. The ending was nice, expected though. I don’t like romance books. I wish this had been properly couched as romance with a little mystery.

[Bethanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I hate bad reviews🤦‍♀️ I checked this out of the library by accident thinking it was The Perfect Victim story about the Girl in the Box case, it wasn't but I had it so I gave it a go. I HATED THE MAIN CHARACTERS. Addison was whiny and annoying and honestly wouldn't have give Randall a second look let alone her virginity after he treated her the way he did at first meeting. Randall's use of the nickname "ace" was like nails on a chalkboard and then "Addison Honey" 🤢 This was predictable and bored me thoroughly. It also had no reason to be as long as it is, it just wasn't for me but it might be for someone.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved the dozen of so books I’ve read from this author but I almost stopped this one 10 times. The heroine is annoying and stubborn and not in an endearing way. She makes choices that are stupid and rash and purposefully dumb…and the hero of the book just tells her she is getting on his nerves. I just couldn’t get behind her ambitions or goals because she was so stupid. I will keep reading Linda Castillo’s books but I wish I had passed on this one and had those hours back for another read.

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great thriller and very hard to put down. Right from the very first gripping pages the author kept up the pace.I love how the two main protagonists fought to stop the tension rising between them but were nonetheless overcome. I felt I could almost see her words come to life on my imaginary screen in front of me, so good was she at describing each scene of fear filled suspense. I very much want to read more of this author's work and highly recommend her.

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m certainly glad I read the Kate Burkholder books first or I never would have. This book is terrible and made worse by the over-the-top dramatics of the reader of the audio book. Towards the end I was almost hoping the bad guys would win. It’s basically a predictable bodice buster with a mystery thrown in. Don’t waste your time. I had to look to see if there were two authors with the same name. Love the Kate Burkholder books but this one was trash.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable. They hate each other then fall madly in love. She's a 26 year old virgin and he's a 38 year old drunk with a troubled past. Can you hear my eye roll? She's stubborn and also an idiot. He has to "rescue her". Barf! Only finished it because it was short and I hate to leave a book unfinished, but I really have to question that policy after this one.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually write reviews but I just couldn't help myself.
I've listened to all of the Kate Burkholder series and enjoyed most of them.
The Perfect Victim was just ok for me. The thing that drove me crazy was the narrator. She couldn't have sounded more dramatic and sappy if she tried. What's wrong with straight forward narrative..

[nona woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Linda nailed it!!!

I loved the book, the way she draws.you.into her books is amazing. I connected with both Addison and Randal.Addison in wanting to know who she really was ,and Randal for his inferior thoughts that he wasn't good enough for anyone like Addison could love.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if this was supposed to be a mystery novel or a romance novel, it covered both and not very well. I have only read a few of Castillo's other books but found this one pretty unsatisfying. The mystery unfolded along expected lines.

[Karen Terney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped reading this as soon as it took a turn to the strong troubled man with sex on the brain story line. Her books about the Amish community are good. There is some sex, but it is secondary to the mystery. Don’t think that is the case with the non-Amish story lines.

[Jo Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Victim

What a roller coaster of a ride. What Addison Fox goes through learning about the past will turn your head around. Murder and love, a PI with PTSD. People working against them. Friends, trusted friends, turn into goes. Who can she trust. Book was great.

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't check the book description on this one and was surprised and disappointed to discover it's not part of the Kate Burkholder series. Perhaps I would have liked it better had I not started with the wrong expectation.

[Babetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narrator was a bit much for me. The female lead was more like a petulant child than a strong-willed woman. The male lead was less annoying. This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. There was too much going on, and it was pretty unrealistic. It was suspenseful though.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story itself, but the internal dialogue that Addison and Randall had with themselves, denying their feelings for each other got really old. And there were SO many typos, which drove me nuts.

[Teresa R.Fieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. There were so many twist and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Love the chemistry of Randall and Addison. Glad they got there HEA after everything they went through.

[Ada Iaboni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out with the two main characters screaming at each other. Things get complicated pretty fast. Lots of strange happenings. They can't deny their attraction. Murder and accidents keep happening. Finally, realization.... they are after her, and him....