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Don't Cry #2
Don't Say a Word
Cross Your Heart�
One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, planning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy—all will be in vain...
And Hope�
Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies—all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer’s ruthless rage�
To Die�
The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you’re dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target…and the next word you utter could be your last�
One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, planning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy—all will be in vain...
And Hope�
Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies—all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer’s ruthless rage�
To Die�
The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you’re dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target…and the next word you utter could be your last�
392 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 24, 2011
144 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Barton
292books701followersBeverly Marie Inman was born on 23 December 1946 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA. Daughter of Doris Marie and Walter D. Inman Jr. A born romantic, she fell in love with The Beauty and the Beast epic at an early age, when her grandfather bought her an illustrated copy of the famous fairy tale. Even before she learned to read and write, her vivid imagination created magical words and fabulous characters inside her mind. Movies fascinated her, and by the time she was seven she was rewriting the movies she saw on television and at the local theater to give them all happy endings. By the age of nine she'd penned her first novel. She wrote short stories, TV scripts, poetry, and novels throughout high school and into college.
After her marriage to Billy Ray Beaver, the "love of her life", and the births of her two children, Beverly continued to be a voracious reader and a devoted moviegoer, but she put her writing aspirations on hold until her children were teenagers. At every age of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, the children had been a true joy to her. She devoted herself to her husband and children and considered herself one of the many selfless "supermoms" who put their family's needs first. She believed she had had it all, just not all at the same time.
In her mid-30s, Beverly returned to her former passion � writing � as a hobby, but before 40, she decided that she wanted to make writing a full-time career. And when she rediscovered an old dream � of becoming a published writer � no one was more supportive of her aspirations than her family. Her children were her greatest cheerleaders and her husband was her biggest supporter. After writing over 40 books and receiving numerous awards and nominations, as well as having books on the USA Today list and consistently on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, her career was indeed a dream come true. Having a fantastic family and fabulous friends, as well as making a living doing the one thing she had loved doing since childhood, she considered herself truly blessed. Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011.
After her marriage to Billy Ray Beaver, the "love of her life", and the births of her two children, Beverly continued to be a voracious reader and a devoted moviegoer, but she put her writing aspirations on hold until her children were teenagers. At every age of their lives, from infancy to adulthood, the children had been a true joy to her. She devoted herself to her husband and children and considered herself one of the many selfless "supermoms" who put their family's needs first. She believed she had had it all, just not all at the same time.
In her mid-30s, Beverly returned to her former passion � writing � as a hobby, but before 40, she decided that she wanted to make writing a full-time career. And when she rediscovered an old dream � of becoming a published writer � no one was more supportive of her aspirations than her family. Her children were her greatest cheerleaders and her husband was her biggest supporter. After writing over 40 books and receiving numerous awards and nominations, as well as having books on the USA Today list and consistently on the Waldenbooks bestseller list, her career was indeed a dream come true. Having a fantastic family and fabulous friends, as well as making a living doing the one thing she had loved doing since childhood, she considered herself truly blessed. Beverly died suddenly of heart failure on 21 April 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 15, 2012
I enjoyed this romantic suspense novel from Beverly Barton, who passed away not too long ago (may she rest in peace, leaving the literary world with many of her wonderful books as a legacy). The mystery was well done, and so was the developing relationship between Julia and Will. I'd recommend it to romantic suspense readers.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur in the August issue. .
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur in the August issue. .
August 4, 2012
This is the last book we will ever get from Beverly may she RIP. I dont know if it was knowing that or what but this was a great book. This is the sequel to Don't Cry.
Homicide detective Julia Cass (J.D. sister) decides to move to Chattanooga to start a new life with the Homicide Division and be closer to her brother after losing her partner in the line of duty. JD has asked his partner FBI agent Will Brannock to pick her up at the airport. After seeing him send off his one night stand she doesnt hold a high impression of him. On the way from the airport JD gets a call about a murder. Once there both he and Julia are assigned together on the case that turns out to be a serial killer.
I thought the writing was flawless. She flowed from humorous to sensual to suspenseful seamlessly.
Will and Julia had such chemistry with each other right from the start even when she thought he was just a womanizer.
This book also finishes two story arc's that started in Don't Cry. Special Agent J.D. Cass and grief counselor Audrey Sherrod along with his daughter Zoe and Tam and Marcus.
Homicide detective Julia Cass (J.D. sister) decides to move to Chattanooga to start a new life with the Homicide Division and be closer to her brother after losing her partner in the line of duty. JD has asked his partner FBI agent Will Brannock to pick her up at the airport. After seeing him send off his one night stand she doesnt hold a high impression of him. On the way from the airport JD gets a call about a murder. Once there both he and Julia are assigned together on the case that turns out to be a serial killer.
I thought the writing was flawless. She flowed from humorous to sensual to suspenseful seamlessly.
Will and Julia had such chemistry with each other right from the start even when she thought he was just a womanizer.
This book also finishes two story arc's that started in Don't Cry. Special Agent J.D. Cass and grief counselor Audrey Sherrod along with his daughter Zoe and Tam and Marcus.
October 17, 2012
Great read! the story is about a serial killer called tongue slasher who murders people by hanging them and cutting their tongue. special agent will bannock and chatanooga police detective julia cass team up to investigate the murders and find killer.
I did feel that the pacing between victim one and two was slow (ran for half of the story). And there were too many scenes building the romance of will and julia that i think the writer was confused if she was writing a suspense thriller or a love story.
It was quite sad that the two detectives couldnt find any good leads for most of the story and that the killer had to help them a bit ( maybe coz they were busy ogling each other or taking romantic side trips to las vegas. i also didn't feel any threat to the citizens of chatanooga (even to will and julia) since the killings were more personal and targeted. action finally starts when the killer gets impatient and continues to kill victims three and four.
There were some parts that felt useless and meant to mislead the readers to the real killer (me included) (or just to lengthen the story?). The final scene and the reveal was gripping and actually made sense but the ending was so abrupt. There wasnt even an epilogue to show what happened after. I did read that the author died and they had to hire someone to continue the book so i guess thats why the book sometimes felt weird.
But overall great thriller!
I did feel that the pacing between victim one and two was slow (ran for half of the story). And there were too many scenes building the romance of will and julia that i think the writer was confused if she was writing a suspense thriller or a love story.
It was quite sad that the two detectives couldnt find any good leads for most of the story and that the killer had to help them a bit ( maybe coz they were busy ogling each other or taking romantic side trips to las vegas. i also didn't feel any threat to the citizens of chatanooga (even to will and julia) since the killings were more personal and targeted. action finally starts when the killer gets impatient and continues to kill victims three and four.
There were some parts that felt useless and meant to mislead the readers to the real killer (me included) (or just to lengthen the story?). The final scene and the reveal was gripping and actually made sense but the ending was so abrupt. There wasnt even an epilogue to show what happened after. I did read that the author died and they had to hire someone to continue the book so i guess thats why the book sometimes felt weird.
But overall great thriller!
November 11, 2013
I really wanted to like this book...I have really liked a lot of her previous ones and being the last book the author wrote before she died, I was actually looking forward to it.
But somehow, the story and the characters failed to ignite me.
There was such a lot of things going on that after a while I had to page back to check who was who and what was what.
Also felt the writing was a bit stilted...at times I felt it was someone else writing this book.
It's sad we won't get more books by this author as she wrote some really great stories.
But somehow, the story and the characters failed to ignite me.
There was such a lot of things going on that after a while I had to page back to check who was who and what was what.
Also felt the writing was a bit stilted...at times I felt it was someone else writing this book.
It's sad we won't get more books by this author as she wrote some really great stories.
December 9, 2017
Don’t Say A Word by Beverly Barton
4�'
I could have done without the author making Will Brannock…an otherwise smart and good detective…such a conceited, “God’s gift to women� playboy. I have read everything that Beverly Barton wrote but this reads like it was written by someone else and her name put on it. I will overlook the inconsistencies in the writing style since I know that it was the last book that she wrote before she died. However as a result much of the character development was sadly lacking and the ending was abrupt. I gave it 4 stars because of the wonderful relationship I had over the years with this author.
P.S. I found out that someone else had finished the book after Beverly Barton's death.
4�'
I could have done without the author making Will Brannock…an otherwise smart and good detective…such a conceited, “God’s gift to women� playboy. I have read everything that Beverly Barton wrote but this reads like it was written by someone else and her name put on it. I will overlook the inconsistencies in the writing style since I know that it was the last book that she wrote before she died. However as a result much of the character development was sadly lacking and the ending was abrupt. I gave it 4 stars because of the wonderful relationship I had over the years with this author.
P.S. I found out that someone else had finished the book after Beverly Barton's death.
February 16, 2018
2 stars
<>u>Thought and Plot
I sorta liked it...but once again I seem to be able to see through the misdirection the author was trying to create. She was screaming IT'S THAT GUY!!!! LOOK AT THAT GUY!!!!! IT's HIM!!!! I and went...$20 says it's that guy over there. I feel like it's that guy.
It was totally the guy I suspected.
Sigh...I just want a decently written romantic suspense/ romantic mystery that blindsides me with who the killer is. That too much to ask? Oh and some decent sex scenes. This book pretty much gave each encounter a one paragraph, non-descriptive glance over, or less. You just spent 72% of the book telling me how hot he is, but glance over the naughty bits? ooookkkkaaaayyyyy....maybe the mystery part will make up for it. Nope. How about all the dramatic back story??? Nope. What about the love rival. Nope, he's just a convenient means to move the plot forward and then completely disappears. The more I think about it, the more unimpressed I am. I may have to lower my rating to 2 stars before I post.
Anyhow, at a glance the plot goes something like this. Julia moves into town to be closer to her family after her partner (and secret boyfriend) was shot and killed in front of her while they were responding to a domestic violence call. Julia held him in her arms when he was dying and that's why she's super twitchy and hates surprises. That's her tragic back story.
Upon arriving Julia is picked up by Will, a TBI special agent, when her brother can't get out of sitting through a court case. Will gets a call that there has been a murder and takes Julia along because she's now a Homicide Detective for the local police. Will and Julia end up working together with Will as lead investigator for TBI and Julia as his police liaison.
Turns out it's a serial killer who is rapidly taking down his victims. Will and Julia try to identify the killer before he strikes again, while trying to ignore their going attraction towards each other, which is not "professional." Obviously they end up getting it on anyways. lol
Things I wasn't really feeling:
Will, sigh. I like Will, but Will's backstory elicited no emotional response from me. I quite literally went "seriously? That's why he's a secretive b*stard?" Will doesn't let anyone get close to him. Even after 10 years of being with the TBI . He's a great cop and apparently can do just about everything and do it well. But the reason he's so recluse doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, how does that protect people if they don't know??? But whatever.
I also didn't like the Julia is constantly being praised as this awesome dog handler, with a trained bloodhound who's won all these awards....or the fact that she has trophies for shooting...yet we don't really get to see any of that. I thought "Oh yay, the dog is going to play a part in this story!" Not actually, he's just there to serve a plot purpose.Julia's a expert marksman, not important! Guh...then why repeatedly tell me how awesome she is at these things???
Things I did like:
I enjoyed the actual visiting of the crimes scenes and the interviewing of people. Reminded me of a tv crime drama. I thoroughly enjoyed the switching of perspectives from Julia, to the prep, to a friend, etc. I am always down for multiple different perspectives, particularly when all the people obviously have such distinct identities.
In Conclusion
I would have given this book a higher rating if I hadn't figured out who the killer was so early in the book. Finding out I was right was really disappointing. I also think if Will's background story had been done a little better I would have felt more sympathy, and therefore, a better connection to him, which would have helped boost the rating. Also the repeat of history part was a bit annoying as well...
It was okay. Decently written. I just found it predictable, a little disappointing, and a tad cliche.
<>u>Thought and Plot
I sorta liked it...but once again I seem to be able to see through the misdirection the author was trying to create. She was screaming IT'S THAT GUY!!!! LOOK AT THAT GUY!!!!! IT's HIM!!!! I and went...$20 says it's that guy over there. I feel like it's that guy.
It was totally the guy I suspected.
Sigh...I just want a decently written romantic suspense/ romantic mystery that blindsides me with who the killer is. That too much to ask? Oh and some decent sex scenes. This book pretty much gave each encounter a one paragraph, non-descriptive glance over, or less. You just spent 72% of the book telling me how hot he is, but glance over the naughty bits? ooookkkkaaaayyyyy....maybe the mystery part will make up for it. Nope. How about all the dramatic back story??? Nope. What about the love rival. Nope, he's just a convenient means to move the plot forward and then completely disappears. The more I think about it, the more unimpressed I am. I may have to lower my rating to 2 stars before I post.
Anyhow, at a glance the plot goes something like this. Julia moves into town to be closer to her family after her partner (and secret boyfriend) was shot and killed in front of her while they were responding to a domestic violence call. Julia held him in her arms when he was dying and that's why she's super twitchy and hates surprises. That's her tragic back story.
Upon arriving Julia is picked up by Will, a TBI special agent, when her brother can't get out of sitting through a court case. Will gets a call that there has been a murder and takes Julia along because she's now a Homicide Detective for the local police. Will and Julia end up working together with Will as lead investigator for TBI and Julia as his police liaison.
Turns out it's a serial killer who is rapidly taking down his victims. Will and Julia try to identify the killer before he strikes again, while trying to ignore their going attraction towards each other, which is not "professional." Obviously they end up getting it on anyways. lol
Things I wasn't really feeling:
Will, sigh. I like Will, but Will's backstory elicited no emotional response from me. I quite literally went "seriously? That's why he's a secretive b*stard?" Will doesn't let anyone get close to him. Even after 10 years of being with the TBI . He's a great cop and apparently can do just about everything and do it well. But the reason he's so recluse doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, how does that protect people if they don't know??? But whatever.
I also didn't like the Julia is constantly being praised as this awesome dog handler, with a trained bloodhound who's won all these awards....or the fact that she has trophies for shooting...yet we don't really get to see any of that. I thought "Oh yay, the dog is going to play a part in this story!" Not actually, he's just there to serve a plot purpose.Julia's a expert marksman, not important! Guh...then why repeatedly tell me how awesome she is at these things???
Things I did like:
I enjoyed the actual visiting of the crimes scenes and the interviewing of people. Reminded me of a tv crime drama. I thoroughly enjoyed the switching of perspectives from Julia, to the prep, to a friend, etc. I am always down for multiple different perspectives, particularly when all the people obviously have such distinct identities.
In Conclusion
I would have given this book a higher rating if I hadn't figured out who the killer was so early in the book. Finding out I was right was really disappointing. I also think if Will's background story had been done a little better I would have felt more sympathy, and therefore, a better connection to him, which would have helped boost the rating. Also the repeat of history part was a bit annoying as well...
It was okay. Decently written. I just found it predictable, a little disappointing, and a tad cliche.
June 16, 2014
The action is intense, a serial killer with a point to prove. The suspense held me all the way to the end, I totally did not see the killer being who it was. Loved the romance of Will & Julia.
January 7, 2018
Looking for another read, I stumbled upon this book. I never read one of hers before so I didnt know what to expect. Looking at the cover, it seemed to me that it was more all suspense and thriller type rather than a bit of drama and romance. Don’t judge a book by its cover. But, we do.
I found it a very easy read and was instantly into it rather than some that take a few chapters.
Our hero, Will Brannock is devilishly handsome and starts off with a romp with a flight attendant and gets a call to pick up his friends sister at the airport (Julia Cass). Julia is new in town and there to become of their new officers. I did not like Julia. I found her annoying as hell and immature to be a serious cop. What drove me nuts was when she first sees Will (who she didnt know who he was) he was embraced lip-locked with the flight attendant. Julia brings this up - I seriously lost count through the book. More than 8 Im sure! It got old fast. Like some shit that has one good joke and thats it - old.
Anyways, on their way back from the airport they get a call for a crime scene. A judge has been murdered. It was during this murder I also found fault with Julia as a cop. I didnt like nor thought that a cop would ever say such things to a person of interest in question of a murder. Think it yes, but say them directly to her no.
Anyways the book progresses, the romance is light and the characters are not too bad. Like I said, I didnt like Julia but still all in all it was an OK of a read. 2.5 stars
I found it a very easy read and was instantly into it rather than some that take a few chapters.
Our hero, Will Brannock is devilishly handsome and starts off with a romp with a flight attendant and gets a call to pick up his friends sister at the airport (Julia Cass). Julia is new in town and there to become of their new officers. I did not like Julia. I found her annoying as hell and immature to be a serious cop. What drove me nuts was when she first sees Will (who she didnt know who he was) he was embraced lip-locked with the flight attendant. Julia brings this up - I seriously lost count through the book. More than 8 Im sure! It got old fast. Like some shit that has one good joke and thats it - old.
Anyways, on their way back from the airport they get a call for a crime scene. A judge has been murdered. It was during this murder I also found fault with Julia as a cop. I didnt like nor thought that a cop would ever say such things to a person of interest in question of a murder. Think it yes, but say them directly to her no.
Anyways the book progresses, the romance is light and the characters are not too bad. Like I said, I didnt like Julia but still all in all it was an OK of a read. 2.5 stars
April 16, 2022
Julia Cass is a homicide detective about to join her brother JD on the Chattanooga police force. She will be bringing along her K-9 police trained dog, Jasper. JD's friend, FBI agent Will Brannock is sent to pick her up from the airport. They both get assigned to a case before they've even had a chance to leave.
A judge has been murdered. He was hung and part of his tongue removed. Some odd things were left behind....Then, another body is found, same MO and its beginning to look like a serial killer is on the loose. The only way to stop him is to predict the next victim.
The killer is someone that has decided to take revenge on all the wrongs done to them years before...The planning and patience it has taken to wait is finally here and the killing spree begins. If Will and Julia can figure out the connections between the victims, they may have the killer. But- one wrong move can make you a target...
Will and Julia must put aside the attraction they feel for each other so it doesn't get in the way of solving these crimes.
I liked everyone in this story. Was suprised at who the killer was, guessed someone else! The ending possibly could lead to another story about Will...? Will have to see.
A judge has been murdered. He was hung and part of his tongue removed. Some odd things were left behind....Then, another body is found, same MO and its beginning to look like a serial killer is on the loose. The only way to stop him is to predict the next victim.
The killer is someone that has decided to take revenge on all the wrongs done to them years before...The planning and patience it has taken to wait is finally here and the killing spree begins. If Will and Julia can figure out the connections between the victims, they may have the killer. But- one wrong move can make you a target...
Will and Julia must put aside the attraction they feel for each other so it doesn't get in the way of solving these crimes.
I liked everyone in this story. Was suprised at who the killer was, guessed someone else! The ending possibly could lead to another story about Will...? Will have to see.
January 31, 2021
Top notch book!! Love the entire mystery and suspense that happens throughout this book. When I found out who the serial killer was I was definitely in shock. TOTALLY DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING, but wow!! Everything all made sense towards the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Will def put in my re-read list :D!! Looking forward to reading more of Beverly Barton's other books!!
P.S- The romance as well as chemistry between the characters were HELLA hot (Was fanning myself throughout that chapter) and when they got together my first thought was "FREAKIN FINALLY!!!"
P.S- The romance as well as chemistry between the characters were HELLA hot (Was fanning myself throughout that chapter) and when they got together my first thought was "FREAKIN FINALLY!!!"
March 29, 2022
Now that was an abrupt ending. This book badly needs an epilogue.
Will's push n pull almost annoyed me. Almost.
Didn't like how everyone was all over Julia's love life. You don't know zilch about that guy and you're pushing your sister/friend to him?🤷♀� You have to admit how will dodged every personal question and how he avoided everything it was kind of suspicious. But I guess I liked them anyway.
We see characters from previous book. 1- JD did not propose in six month, 2- Audrey has a good relationship with her father. That man does not deserve it!! You just can't change my mind here.
Will's push n pull almost annoyed me. Almost.
Didn't like how everyone was all over Julia's love life. You don't know zilch about that guy and you're pushing your sister/friend to him?🤷♀� You have to admit how will dodged every personal question and how he avoided everything it was kind of suspicious. But I guess I liked them anyway.
We see characters from previous book. 1- JD did not propose in six month, 2- Audrey has a good relationship with her father. That man does not deserve it!! You just can't change my mind here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2017
Once again, I grab hold of a Beverly Barton book and can't put it down! I love the banter between the two detectives that are fighting their attraction for one another while trying to solve one of the most horrific serial murders Chattanooga has seen in a long while. I could not stop until I found out 'whodunit'. Action packed, just enough romance and intensity to keep you reading until the end!
April 16, 2019
DON'T SAY A WORD
Very good suspense thriller, this book links with DON'T CRY, although they aren't marked as a series. They both involve the same people, JD, Zoe, Aubrey, Julia, Will and a few more. Nice romance, great plot.
Very good suspense thriller, this book links with DON'T CRY, although they aren't marked as a series. They both involve the same people, JD, Zoe, Aubrey, Julia, Will and a few more. Nice romance, great plot.
May 27, 2023
Fantastic series.
I’ve loved each book in this series and they are all worth the reading. Wow, I loved staying on edge and was shocked at who the killer was. Had some tears when Will opened up to Julia and happy they got their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
I’ve loved each book in this series and they are all worth the reading. Wow, I loved staying on edge and was shocked at who the killer was. Had some tears when Will opened up to Julia and happy they got their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.
November 9, 2024
Dnf on page 63! It was very interesting with the serial killer and the 2 pov’s but just to much “cop talk� that it went over my head and was just boring! If the author took some of the “cop talk� out I would of been enjoying this book 🫣
November 1, 2017
Didn't guess who did it :(
June 5, 2018
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Don't Cry but I would still recommend both. looks. Start with Don't Cry though.
October 4, 2018
I really liked don’t cry,but I don’t think this one holds a candle to the first one
January 7, 2019
I enjoyed this one even though it was more romance than suspense. Both of the main characters have great back-stories.
June 8, 2019
I have to say this was a well written murder mystery with a touch of romance. At no point did I get bored while reading this and that shows great writing!
May 3, 2020
Other than personal preference issues with some writing style stuff, good book
May 4, 2020
Pretty good read, likable characters
June 4, 2020
Another great read by Beverly Barton!!! Always a pleasure to read one of her fast-paced thrillers!!!
January 22, 2022
It was a decent premise, but the book was primarily "romance" driven, where the previous one was actually story driven and a superior book. This one was a bit painful to finish.
May 19, 2022
Bet you can't guess who the killer is.
Not until the last few pages is the killer introduced. I didn't guess. A true shocker. Very well written. Hard to put down.
Not until the last few pages is the killer introduced. I didn't guess. A true shocker. Very well written. Hard to put down.
May 26, 2022
3.5 stars
My attention drifted in places with this one. Probably my own fault but I was surprised by the Insta love.
I still really enjoy Barton’s writing and I thought the narrator was fantastic.
My attention drifted in places with this one. Probably my own fault but I was surprised by the Insta love.
I still really enjoy Barton’s writing and I thought the narrator was fantastic.
August 3, 2022
Really good
June 29, 2023
Passionate Tennessee romance, with a bit of serial killer chasing as well.
July 20, 2016
Don’t say a word, the 2nd series to Don’t cry; the story begins with the introduction of J.D. Cass sister, Julia Cass who is a homicide detective have decided to move to Chattanooga to be nearer to her family i.e. her brother, niece and her brother’s fiancé Audrey Sherrod. Julia’s brother was stuck in a trial and have asked Will Brannock, his partner to fetch Julia from the airport, this is where things were interesting, Will who has a no-strings-attached relationship with an air stewardess was caught making out at the airport which indefinitely does not leave a good impression to Julia of him. Despite the short encounter, I liked the bantering between Will and Julia and the developing relationship between them. From the airport, Will received a call about a murder where Julia and himself were assigned to work together.
A serial killer named tongue slasher with an Modus Operandi of hanging his victim and slashing their tongue for souvenir sake was a little disgusting to imagine. Even though the plot was wonderful, I agree with fellow readers that the transition from the first kill to the subsequent one was slow when the writer’s progression was for the readers to know that there will be the next killing and for the investigators to learn of the information that they were facing a serial killer. I liked the linking of chapters as compared to many authors that have abrupt breaks in their chapters which leave me baffled at some point or another, but this book was a definite well-done in that portion. Will and Julia have a definite spot-on chemistry in their interaction right from the start, so as a reader, I am just waiting patiently for them to move to another level. As a reader, this is a definite slow wait for them to finally face their denial of not hooking up because they are partners in a case and embrace something that is clearly there i.e. chemistry.
Through the development, we learned that the killing was not because of just a thrill ride for killing but it’s a personal agenda or revenge. One disappointing point to note is that with the slow progression comes the rush for the ending; I do feel that the dealing of the antagonist � serial killer was too rush that it was soon over. In spite of a little disappointment, I think the writing was flawless; I liked the injected humour, empathy felt for the serial killer and the family interactions were wonderful and heartwarming. As a reader, we have lost a great writer but I am glad that I chanced upon Beverly Barton and I will definitely look out for her past creations and be impressed by her writing.
A serial killer named tongue slasher with an Modus Operandi of hanging his victim and slashing their tongue for souvenir sake was a little disgusting to imagine. Even though the plot was wonderful, I agree with fellow readers that the transition from the first kill to the subsequent one was slow when the writer’s progression was for the readers to know that there will be the next killing and for the investigators to learn of the information that they were facing a serial killer. I liked the linking of chapters as compared to many authors that have abrupt breaks in their chapters which leave me baffled at some point or another, but this book was a definite well-done in that portion. Will and Julia have a definite spot-on chemistry in their interaction right from the start, so as a reader, I am just waiting patiently for them to move to another level. As a reader, this is a definite slow wait for them to finally face their denial of not hooking up because they are partners in a case and embrace something that is clearly there i.e. chemistry.
Through the development, we learned that the killing was not because of just a thrill ride for killing but it’s a personal agenda or revenge. One disappointing point to note is that with the slow progression comes the rush for the ending; I do feel that the dealing of the antagonist � serial killer was too rush that it was soon over. In spite of a little disappointment, I think the writing was flawless; I liked the injected humour, empathy felt for the serial killer and the family interactions were wonderful and heartwarming. As a reader, we have lost a great writer but I am glad that I chanced upon Beverly Barton and I will definitely look out for her past creations and be impressed by her writing.
August 6, 2012
When Homicide Detective Julia Cass transferred to the Chattanooga Police Department to be near her big brother, FBI agent J.D. Cass, she didn’t realize that she would be grabbing her first case on the way home from the airport and that she would be teamed up with her brother’s partner, Will Brannock. The guy looked more like a GQ model than an FBI agent, but once they get to the scene of the grizzly homicide, Will is all business.
The killer is definitely trying to send a message cutting out the tongues of his victims. He is exacting vengeance with these murders and Julia and Will need to figure out what the victims have in common if they will have any chance in catching the killer.
Another incredible murder mystery which will keep you on your toes. I don’t want to go into too much since the best part of murder mystery is to solve the crime along with the characters, so I don’t want to give anything away.
This is a well written, engrossing story with just a touch of attraction/romance between the main characters to keep things interesting. I usually have a problem when there are too many POVs in the story telling it usually drags the action down, but in this case it was mostly our two main characters and the killer, with only brief changes over to some of the other characters. Nothing that killed the momentum of the story.
I will say I only have it a 4 ½ stars since Beverly Barton’s writing is very descriptive, which although it is usually good story writing, but for a thriller I felt taking too much time for example, to describe the decorating of the room where the murder took place, wasn’t really necessary and took your attention away from the important things, like the dead person in the room and the fact gathering. That added to the fact that it was 392 pages. Again, not that the story was not enjoyable and engrossing, but for a thriller, a description of “the furnishing screamed money� would have sufficed rather than the detailing of the damask used on the bedspread.
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The killer is definitely trying to send a message cutting out the tongues of his victims. He is exacting vengeance with these murders and Julia and Will need to figure out what the victims have in common if they will have any chance in catching the killer.
Another incredible murder mystery which will keep you on your toes. I don’t want to go into too much since the best part of murder mystery is to solve the crime along with the characters, so I don’t want to give anything away.
This is a well written, engrossing story with just a touch of attraction/romance between the main characters to keep things interesting. I usually have a problem when there are too many POVs in the story telling it usually drags the action down, but in this case it was mostly our two main characters and the killer, with only brief changes over to some of the other characters. Nothing that killed the momentum of the story.
I will say I only have it a 4 ½ stars since Beverly Barton’s writing is very descriptive, which although it is usually good story writing, but for a thriller I felt taking too much time for example, to describe the decorating of the room where the murder took place, wasn’t really necessary and took your attention away from the important things, like the dead person in the room and the fact gathering. That added to the fact that it was 392 pages. Again, not that the story was not enjoyable and engrossing, but for a thriller, a description of “the furnishing screamed money� would have sufficed rather than the detailing of the damask used on the bedspread.
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