Sweetheart

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

I was blown away when I read Heartsick, I thought it was a brilliant albeit disturbing story, and couldn’t see how the author would top it.

Then I read Sweetheart. Oh my word! It was an amazing read. This book picks up two months after Heartsick left off. Susan is still working on her story about Molly Palmer, Archie is trying his best to stay away from Gretchen, giving his relationship with Debbie another try. And then, remains of a female are recovered from a park, a senator and crime reporter are killed and Gretchen is on the loose again.

Everything happens so fast, you’re afraid that you’ll miss something. There were several times that I went back just to re-read scenes, because I just couldn’t believe what happened. It’s that type of read, you find it so disturbing, but you just can’t put the book down. You’re at the edge of your sit, you just want more.

How long will I have to wait for the next book?

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain (4.5/5) Psychological Thriller; Published: St. Martin’s Minotaur (9/08); Series: # 2, Beauty Killer; 100 + Reading Challenge (72); Fall Into Reading 2008 (4); Library book;