SWEETHEART by Chelsea Cain
Chelsea Cain burst on to the thriller scene with her first novel HEARTSICK. That was a best seller that featured a female serial killer who abducted her chief pursuer. The tale was a blend of gore, passion and obsession. Now Cain continues that story in her follow-up novel SWEETHEART.
Gretchen Lowell is in prison following a decision to keep her alive so that she can possibly solve a myriad of murders she might have committed. Portland Detective Archie Sheridan had kept in contact with her in order to get her to talk about these “other” murders.Finally he has reached the conclusion that he must stay away from her in order to save his own sanity.
Archie had been Gretchen’s last victim. She had abducted him and then tortured him. Only because she became romantically obsessed with him did she allow him to live. Now Archie’s health has been ruined and his sanity is fragile. He is back living with his ex-wife and their two children but secretly he still obsesses over Gretchen. He knows that as long as she is alive he will never be free.
This is the basic plot of the book and it is a good one. As this second story progresses Cain reveals bits and pieces about the Archie/Gretchen relationship. It is difficult to understand how someone could be involved with a person who has tortured and harmed them, but stranger things have been known to happen.
Both Archie and Gretchen are powerful characters and it is unwise to misjudge either of them. They are in a cat and mouse duel that should only have one victor. And in Cain’s capable hands everything in this story leads up to that point. Still it is disappointing that at the last moment she opts for a cheap ending that sets up a continuation of this story.
Aside from that one flaw SWEETHEART is a totally engrossing story full of strong characters and a riveting plot. Chelsea Cain is a very talented writer and she fills her pages with sudden twists and turns that keep the reader off balance and fully attuned. Once she has finished with this Archie/Gretchen series it will be interesting to see what her next and hopefully different story will be like.
For the moment pick up SWEETHEART and spend your time with one of the most bizarre serial killers ever created on paper. Gretchen Lowell is a first cousin to SILENCE OF THE LAMB’s killer Hannibal Lecter. They both charm at the same time they repulse.
SWEETHEART is published by St Martin’s Minotaur. It contains 325 pages and sells for $24.95.