books 2010 // # 104 - The Murder Game by Beverly Barton
Title: The Murder Game by Beverly Barton [New York 2008]
Series: Griffin Powell book #08.
Genre: Romantic suspense. Thriller.
Length: 506 pages.
Summary:
New Game : The game is simple--he is the Hunter. They are the Prey. He gives them a chance to escape. To run. To hide. To outsmart him. But eventually, he catches them. And that's when the game gets really terrifying...
New Rules : Private investigator Griffin Powell and FBI agent Nicole Baxter know a lot about serial killers--they took one down together. But this new killer is as sadistic as they've ever seen. He likes his little games, and he especially likes forcing Nic and Griff to play along. Every unsolvable clue, every posed victim, every taunting phone call--it's all part of his twisted, elaborate plan. And then the Hunter calls, wanting to know if they're really ready to play...
But Winner Still Kills All...
There's a new game now, and it's much more deadly than the first. A brutal psychopath needs a worthy adversary. He won't stop until he can hunt the most precious prey of all--Nicole. And with his partner in a killer's sights, Griff is playing for the biggest stakes of his life. [Source].
Review in 5 words or less: Good pacing but weak characterization | Clichéd | Unintentionally funny |
Personal Rating: ◊ ◊ of 5.
Review:
I'd consider this light reading, in particular because of the characterization. First off I need to admit that the story itself isn't bad. There's great pacing and a gripping, well thought-out plot with a pretty good ending. However, the characterization. Unfortunately it's highly predictable, unrealistic and filled with clichés (i.e. the relationship between Gryff and Nic). Things got so bad that it became unintentionally funny and I found myself sniggering more often than not.
So overall this book didn't really convince me, because as much as I like plot and action, I do require a minimum of believable characterization to be happy.
Links: official website, @ wikipedia
Other books I've read by this author: Close Enough To Kill (2006). The Dying Game (2007).