Tag Archives: Portland

Evil at Heart

Title: Evil at Heart

Author:  Chelsea Cain

Publisher: Minotaur, September 2009

Summary:  This is the third book featuring detective Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell. Gretchen, also known as the Beauty Killer, is on the loose. Archie is in a mental health facility attempting to recover from the physical and psychological wounds she has inflicted on him. The media has glamorized the vicious murderer and now Beauty Killer fan clubs are springing up left and right. When body parts start turning up at previous murder sites, Archie is called upon to help capture Gretchen once and for all. Is it really Gretchen leaving these gruesome calling cards? After all, she did promise Archie she wouldn’t kill again, right? If you can’t trust a serial killing psychopath to keep their word, who can you trust?

Evil at Heart is a thrilling cat and mouse chase, although you’re never really sure who the cat is and who is the mouse. From eyeballs to spleens, no part of the anatomy is safe from this scalpel wielding lunatic so you might want to read this on an empty stomach, unless you’re a seasoned veteran of grisly thrillers like me. Fast-paced with page turning suspense, this is a great book.

Who will like this book? Fans of  thrillers and suspense novels.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator

HeartSick

Title: HeartSick

Author:  Chelsea Cain

Summary: Archie Sheridan was the lead detective tracking the Beauty Killer, a prolific and monstrous serial killer. When he himself is kidnapped by the murderer, Gretchen Lowell,  she tells him he will be her 200th victim. Gretchen keeps Archie longer than her other victims but eventually turns herself in and allows Archie to be rescued. This, however, doesn’t happen until after she has so cruelly tortured his body and mind, that he will never be the same person he was. Since her arrest Archie has visited Gretchen in prison every Sunday, hoping that she will give him information about her other victims. Archie’s obsession has led to his divorce and an addiction to pills.

Now Archie has been asked to come back to investigate another possible serial murderer. He asks to have a young journalist follow along with him on his investigation so she can report on the current case. He also hopes her reports will end the speculation about what happened to him while he was held captive, and if he really is irreparably damaged. Will Archie ever break away from the psychological hold that Gretchen has on him? Will he be able to catch this new killer that is stalking high school girls? You’ll just have to read HeartSick and find out.

Who will like this book?  This one is a little gruesome, but if you like thrillers this is a great book.

If you like this book, try this: The follow up to this book, Sweetheart, will be out in September 2008.

Recommended by: Sue, Circulation Coordinator