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A Perfect Murder (Thorndike Press Large Print Romance Series)
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$ 24.14
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| Item Number |
1341797 |
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Item Description...
Overview
While helping Sebastian Costas find the man responsible for murdering his ex-wife and son, Jane Burke, an investigator who was once married to a serial killer, becomes trapped in a deadly game when the person she is hunting starts hunting her. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 501
Dimensions: Length: 8.6" Width: 5.6" Height: 1.2"
Weight: 1.5 lbs.
Binding Hardcover
Release Date Dec 9, 2009
ISBN 1410419649
EAN 9781410419644
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Availability 0 units.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | My Least Favorite Dec 29, 2009 |
I've enjoyed this series a lot, but this was by far my least favorite of the series.
Jane did not make a good lead. There was nothing spectacular about her other than the past she overcame, and that seemed too ridiculous to be credible. And Sebastian was not a strong character -- I didn't care for him through most of the book, but I really started to dislike him when he felt the need to stick his nose into the Burke family business and confront Wendy about things that were none of his concern.
The romance between these two characters was not believable in the least. And I have to say, I don't understand Brenda Novak's obsession with birth control gone wrong. In every single book, the woman frets about birth control then somehow manages to have sex without using it, causing her to immediately begin to wonder if she's pregnant while the man, who barely knows her, can't wait to raise this supposed baby. It'd be one thing if it had happened once or twice...but this whole scenario takes place in pretty much every book she writes. It's almost turned into a joke of a subplot, along with the speed with which her romances move.
I'm glad this series is wrapped up because I don't think it could've gone any further (and I couldn't take another book featuring the arrogant, know-it-all Skye), but I'm looking forward to her next series. | | | | Imperfect Dec 8, 2009 |
Sebastian Costas is on a mission to find Malcolm, the man he believes murdered his ex-wife and son. A former cop, Malcolm faked his own death so convincingly no one believes he is alive. Sebastian, however, tracks him to California where his path crosses with the annoying Jane Burke of the Last Stand.
Jane, a character from earlier novels,was the unwitting wife and victim of her psycho rapist murderer husband dentist Oliver Burke. Now a champion for victim's rights, she is training with the Last Stand and takes her first (unauthorized) case, the kidnapping of two young black girls. Sporting spiked hair and tattoos memorializing her tawdry affair with her deceased brother-in-law, also a victim of her husband, Jane finds herself falling for Sebastian.
This novel is flawed in many respects. First, that an ex-cop who so carefully orchestrated his death and the murders of a woman and child, would go stalking his former high school sweetheart, is preposterous. Equally hard to understand is why Sebastian's ex, planning to jettison Malcolm, her abusive, gambling addict husband would choose to keep a half million dollars in cash in her home, particularly with Sebastian, her sympathetic investment banker husband hovering in the wings. The kidnapping scenario is equally unbelievable. It is hard to fathom that Malcolm, a racist who frequents prostitutes, would risk kidnapping not one but two young black girls. The one victim's behavior also strains belief as the Stockholm syndrome is not well orchestrated. Moreover, the portrayal of the minority characters was painfully cliched and the transformation of a violent pimp into a misunderstood hero with a heart of gold was one of the worst examples of trite political correctness. Frankly, I was kind of rooting for Malcolm at the end with the hopes he would off both Jane and Sebastian.
The Last Stand itself is getting old. Its founders and employees are all sickeningly sweet and righteous. They really have no authority...they are not cops or investigators (with one exception). They are guided by a sanctimonious sense of duty which wears.
While I generally enjoy this author's books,The Perfect Murder was perfectly disappointing. | | |  | The Perfect Murder Nov 14, 2009 |
Jane Burke has been through a lot, but the `survivor' tattoo on her hand says it all. Jane's ex-husband was a serial rapist and murderer who almost killed her. She never thought she'd be able to pick up the pieces and get on with life again. Now, Jane works for The Last Stand, a charity organization that fights for victims. Jane is desperate to prove that she is ready to become an investigator, so when two young women go missing, she gets her chance. Jane's investigation leads her to Sebastian Costas. Sebastian is convinced that his ex-wife and son - Emily and Colton - were killed by Emily's second husband, Malcolm Turner. It looks like Malcolm may be involved in Jane's kidnapping case. Sebastian wants a shot at the man who destroyed his life and got away with it. In the process, he may get an unexpected start at love with Jane.
The Perfect Murder is an excellent edge-of-your-seat story. There are lots of twists and turns and the suspense is intense from beginning to end. I highly recommend reading Trust Me, book one in The Last Stand series before The Perfect Murder. Otherwise, your opinion of Jane and understanding of her past may be affected. Malcolm is a revenge seeking sociopath. It's scary how easily he fools everyone around him. His insanity and his twisted relationship with one of his captives is fascinating. The psychological effects of her ordeal are scary, realistic, and intense. I was as riveted to Malcolm and his captive as I was to the story and Jane and Sebastian's romance. Jane is strong and capable with a hard edge that only a person who suffered a traumatic and painful past could have. I like Jane and Sebastian as a couple very much. Sebastian is sexy and charming. He's a very personable character. Brenda Novak has penned another exciting and intense novel with The Perfect Murder. I can't wait to see what twisted villain she comes up with next!
Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed | | |  | strong thriller Oct 11, 2009 |
One year ago, former cop Malcolm Turner killed his wife and teenage stepson before committing suicide. However, investment banker Sebastian Costas, whose ex-wife and son were the two victims of her second husband, believes Turner faked his death to escape the law. Costas quit his job and has spent the past twelve month futilely trying to prove his theory.
However, Sebastian's efforts lead him to Last Stand victims' advocate wannabe investigator Jane Burke. She is searching for two abducted teens (Marcie and Leticia) whose older sister raised them; Jane believes Turner kidnapped them. Jane and Sebastian team up to try to bring down a "dead" killer who connects the pair chasing him and decides to end their pursuit. He failed to do his homework as Jane survived a serial killing husband so has no qualms about destroying Turner.
The latest Last Stand thriller (see THE PERFECT LIAR and THE PERFECT COUPLE) is a super tale that stars a strong cast which includes the villain who committed the PERFECT MURDER, but had not factored in the impact of getting away with the homicides; he has to accept menial jobs with no respect. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Malcolm stalks his high school sweetheart and never slows down. Although the romance between Sebastian and Jane is a requirement of the sub-genre, the subplot enhances the anticipated confrontation.
Harriet Klausner
| | | | A PERFECT book! Oct 7, 2009 |
I whole-heartedly disagree with Sara B.'s review. I think THE PERFECT MURDER was an excellent book to end her 'Last Stand' series. I'm glad she went full circle. TRUST ME was the first book of Brenda Novak's that I read and loved the not knowing of where the book was going. I revisited the book as I read MURDER to get a feel for Jane. Jane is a complicated character. In TRUST ME, it was easy not to like her personal choices and demeanor. She blamed others for what she had lost. I felt her pain when her lover revealed to his family their affair, the realization that her husband was a killer, and the fear for her daughters safety. I believe people can change and deserve redemption. MURDER allowes Jane to love and be loved. Sebastian is a good fit. Malcolm, her villain, also blames others for his circumstances. He believes that he's still a "good cop". It makes me wonder how many people in this world fool themselves by justifying bad behavior. Would I drop everything to find my ex's and son's killer? What would I have done if I was Latisha? Brenda Novak makes you think outside the book. That is why I keep reading. She provokes emotion. This book deserves a read.
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