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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Kayleigh Towne is a rising country pop star. She is gorgeous and she is talented. Her single ‘Your shadow’ has put her under the spotlight of the world – just like she wanted. But it also brings her into the focus of a crazy stalker. Her standard signature ‘XO’ means a bit more than what it is to a particular fan. At her concert the fan warns her that he is coming for her and soon accidents and deaths surround Kayleigh. Luckily Kayleigh has a friend, Kathryn Dance, she can turn to. Kathryn, who is a special agent with a talent for kinesics, is brought into this world of glamour. Kathryn quickly realizes that everyone wants a piece of the celebrity in question. Will she be able to stop the perpetrator before it is too late?
To be frank, this review may be a bit biased because I am a HUGE fan of Deaver’s work. I was introduced to his books when I watched the movie ‘The Bone Collector’ and went on to read the novel. Since then I have read about 3 more books and I could go on and on about them. So needless to say, I was ecstatic when I opened my prize pack and found ‘XO’ as one of the books I had won.
This is the third book of Kathryn Dance but the first that I have read. So, for me this was an introduction to a new lady protagonist. And what a lady she is! Kathryn Dance is a Special Agent with the California Bureau of Investigation. She is an expert in Kinesics and thus is an expert interrogator. Her detection skills are just as good and she can give anyone a run for their money. I just loved her! Kayleigh is a talented singer and is the daughter of another country music legend. Her good looks are an added advantage for her. But not everything is what it seems to be on the surface. She has a deep secret of her own. And Edwin Sharp is a stalker, or no he is not, yea he has to be the one, no may not… Yes I can be devious too; did you all really think that I would give you any spoilers?
Jeffery Deaver has his own style of writing that is bound to take you on the greatest rollercoaster ride. As a mystery lover, I know that the answer is anything but the most obvious choice and as a Deaver fan I know that there are going to be number of twists before you actually find out the truth. Yet, Deaver always takes me for the most amazing ride. This book was no exception. His language is impeccable and the story is fast paced. At no point did I feel that ‘nothing is happening’.
This is a must read for all Suspense/Thriller Fans.
To be frank, this review may be a bit biased because I am a HUGE fan of Deaver’s work. I was introduced to his books when I watched the movie ‘The Bone Collector’ and went on to read the novel. Since then I have read about 3 more books and I could go on and on about them. So needless to say, I was ecstatic when I opened my prize pack and found ‘XO’ as one of the books I had won.
This is the third book of Kathryn Dance but the first that I have read. So, for me this was an introduction to a new lady protagonist. And what a lady she is! Kathryn Dance is a Special Agent with the California Bureau of Investigation. She is an expert in Kinesics and thus is an expert interrogator. Her detection skills are just as good and she can give anyone a run for their money. I just loved her! Kayleigh is a talented singer and is the daughter of another country music legend. Her good looks are an added advantage for her. But not everything is what it seems to be on the surface. She has a deep secret of her own. And Edwin Sharp is a stalker, or no he is not, yea he has to be the one, no may not… Yes I can be devious too; did you all really think that I would give you any spoilers?
Jeffery Deaver has his own style of writing that is bound to take you on the greatest rollercoaster ride. As a mystery lover, I know that the answer is anything but the most obvious choice and as a Deaver fan I know that there are going to be number of twists before you actually find out the truth. Yet, Deaver always takes me for the most amazing ride. This book was no exception. His language is impeccable and the story is fast paced. At no point did I feel that ‘nothing is happening’.
This is a must read for all Suspense/Thriller Fans.
I adore Deaver's work, and the Kathryn Dance series is my favourite by far. I loved the characterisation in this book. I felt like everyone was authentic and believable, and also well-developed. Nothing was a waste of space. The concept of using an album like this was beautiful, and the classic twists were so very exciting!
Another great story that keeps you guessing until the end, and even then you're salivating for the next in the series. I should now better by now and read much, much slower. ;) I love the small details and the dialogue in his novels, it's all very believable and natural. If you haven't read anything by him yet, what are you waiting for?
challenging
slow-paced
While the writing is easy to read, I just could not get invested in this story. There was too much information about everything , it felt very much like the author was mansplaining things. The characters felt very flat. It was like someone telling what was happening and likely emotions but from the outside. I get this is the third in a series, but the references back to the love triangle were just annoying and didn't fit well within the rest of the story. The twists were overdone, and I was just over it by the end. The political angle was also completely unnecessary and, again, just annoying and didn't fit well with the story. The pop culture references while had a place also just got under my skin. Kayleigh having her own Taylor/Kanye moment 🙄. Plus, everything being referenced back to a song or Kayleigh turning into a song was also way over done and just became annoying.
A really nice read at 4AM when I couldn't sleep.
I needed a title that began with 'X' (yes, and isn't it an excellent way to find a new author, not that Deaver is at all new but I hadn't come across him before and, as I'm only occasionally reading books in this genre and have never frequented the shelves thinking "I must read something in the crime/detective/etc department", the chances of picking up one of his books by chance were minimal).
I find it interesting that the cover image has a girl with red lipstick, her hair flung up and wearing a dress with pencil-thin straps and showing some bony chest. Deaver was at pains to tell us that Kayleigh (said girl) wore makeup that 'was subtle and leaned toward pinks', had publicity shots of her hair that 'flowed in the fake gentle breeze', and wore 'blouses [whose] necklines were high'. We all know you can't judge a book by its cover, but the publishers could get the cover a bit closer to the story! And if I was idly browsing then I'd have looked at this cover and moved on.
Anyway, that's by the by.
If you're a Deaver fan you don't need me to tell you about this book. If, like me, you've never heard of him, read on. This detective novel is set in one of the very hot states of the U.S. - that's evoked well. It's got a heroine (Kathryn Dance) who is a kinesics specialist (reading body language and verbal signals) who is an interesting character and with just enough personal back-story to get the reader wanting to know more about her. It's got a good supporting cast, and a well-developed 'victim'. The social setting is the country music scene, which seemed to me (uninitiated to that world) to be thorough. There are plenty of twists - doubts cast, red herrings.... And there's very little swearing. Deaver falls into the occasional one or two paragraph lecture to the reader, and I think he could surely find a better way to impart that information, but apart from that the book was fun and had a great pace.
I find it interesting that the cover image has a girl with red lipstick, her hair flung up and wearing a dress with pencil-thin straps and showing some bony chest. Deaver was at pains to tell us that Kayleigh (said girl) wore makeup that 'was subtle and leaned toward pinks', had publicity shots of her hair that 'flowed in the fake gentle breeze', and wore 'blouses [whose] necklines were high'. We all know you can't judge a book by its cover, but the publishers could get the cover a bit closer to the story! And if I was idly browsing then I'd have looked at this cover and moved on.
Anyway, that's by the by.
If you're a Deaver fan you don't need me to tell you about this book. If, like me, you've never heard of him, read on. This detective novel is set in one of the very hot states of the U.S. - that's evoked well. It's got a heroine (Kathryn Dance) who is a kinesics specialist (reading body language and verbal signals) who is an interesting character and with just enough personal back-story to get the reader wanting to know more about her. It's got a good supporting cast, and a well-developed 'victim'. The social setting is the country music scene, which seemed to me (uninitiated to that world) to be thorough. There are plenty of twists - doubts cast, red herrings.... And there's very little swearing. Deaver falls into the occasional one or two paragraph lecture to the reader, and I think he could surely find a better way to impart that information, but apart from that the book was fun and had a great pace.
Jeffery Deaver is back with another novel featuring his "kinesics" expert Catherine Dance. Dance is helping local law-enforcement authorities in Fresno to track a killer who seems to be obsessed with young Country music star Kayleigh Towne. They have already pinpointed an aggressive fan, Edwin, who does not shy away from getting close to Kayleigh in the wake of an upcoming concert. But is he the one who has planned and executed several murders seemingly inspired by Kayleigh's latest song?
Jeffery Deaver is notorious for his twist-and-turn plots that keep the reader guessing and failing and guessing again. This is another example of this successful formula. A bit slow-evolving, the book catches up later and becomes another enjoyable Deaver adventure. There is also a surprise appearance by the other main Deaver protagonist, Lincoln Rhyme.
The songs forming the background of the book are actually real songs and there is an album you can buy featuring the songs.
Jeffery Deaver is notorious for his twist-and-turn plots that keep the reader guessing and failing and guessing again. This is another example of this successful formula. A bit slow-evolving, the book catches up later and becomes another enjoyable Deaver adventure. There is also a surprise appearance by the other main Deaver protagonist, Lincoln Rhyme.
The songs forming the background of the book are actually real songs and there is an album you can buy featuring the songs.
Twist, twist, twist! Cleverly plotted, and enjoyed the overlap of the 2 series stars in California!
This book follows a week in the life of a four country singer, Kayleigh Towne as she is coming back to her hometown to preform. Many unfortunate and disturbing events happen that seem to point to a fan stalking her, but is it truly him?
A friend in law enforcement joins up with the locals to get to the bottom of it and save Kayleighs life.
This book kept you guessing who actually was behind all the events. It had characters you loved to hate, and a few jaw dropping situations. It just didn't give me a crazy wow factor for me.
A friend in law enforcement joins up with the locals to get to the bottom of it and save Kayleighs life.
This book kept you guessing who actually was behind all the events. It had characters you loved to hate, and a few jaw dropping situations. It just didn't give me a crazy wow factor for me.
I’m a big Jeffery Deaver fan, so when I needed a book that starts with X to wrap-up my Alphabet Challenge, it was a great opportunity to read this 2012 gem!