KILL FOR ME by Karen Rose
When it comes to writing taut, tense words of mystery and thrills author Karen Rose certainly knows her stuff. Her latest novel KILL FOR ME is a perfect example. In this book she combines murder, perversion, romance and a little bit of humor. In other words you get it all.
The book takes place in the fictional town of Dutton, Georgia and takes up immediately following the last words of Rose’s previous best seller SCREAM FOR ME. Those who have not read the preceding story might have a more difficult time getting into this one but it all falls into place pretty quickly.
Susannah Vartanian is at the center of all the action in this book. She is an attorney who has come from New York City to testify in the rape trial of a man in Georgia. Susannah had been a victim of a rape that occurred sixteen years ago and is just now stepping forward to reveal it.
Complicating matters is a local gang of individuals who are running a “slavery” ring. They lure young girls through the Internet and then force them into sexual slavery. The people who were involved in the rape of Susannah are also involved in this “sex slave” ring. There is no small amount of complexity and perversion involved in these activities.
Adding a romantic twist to the story is Susannah’s involvement with Special Agent Luke Papadopouolos. He is investigating the abductions and “slavery” matter. As the case intensifies he also becomes responsible for keeping Susannah safe from harm. Someone does not want her testifying and will resort to murder to make sure she stays quiet.
Rose keeps the action rapid and the intensity turned up. Plus she creates full blown characters that capture our minds and our imaginations. Susannah and Luke are the main focus of the story but there are various and sundry other individuals who add to the flavor and excitement of the story.
To get the full essence of KILL FOR ME it would probably be best to read the previous novels in this series. With them you get the absolutely total back story for this one. However this is a stand alone novel that fills in just enough of the previous events to make this book understandable and enjoyable.
Karen Rose is a skilled writer and someone you should get to know through her books. Each of them offers many hours of pure adrenaline provoking thrills. KILL FOR ME is one of her best so put it at the top of your “books to read” list.
KILL FOR ME is published by Grand Central Publishing. It contains 415 pages and sells for $16.99.