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Eve Duncan #2
The Killing Game
Librarian’s note: This is a previously-published edition of
Kindle ASIN: B000FBFOBO.
A merciless killer on the hunt...an innocent child in his sights...a woman driven to the edge to stop him...
The killer knows Eve Duncan all too well. He knows the pain she feels for her murdered daughter, Bonnie, whose body has never been found. He knows that as one of the nation's top forensic sculptors she'll insist on identifying the nine skeletons unearthed on a bluff near Georgia's Talladega Falls. He knows she won't be able to resist the temptation of believing that one of those skeletons might be her daughter's. But that is only the beginning of the killer's sadistic game. He wants Eve one on one, and he'll use his ace in the hole to make sure she complies. And he won't stop playing until he claims the prize he wants most: Eve's life.
Kindle ASIN: B000FBFOBO.
A merciless killer on the hunt...an innocent child in his sights...a woman driven to the edge to stop him...
The killer knows Eve Duncan all too well. He knows the pain she feels for her murdered daughter, Bonnie, whose body has never been found. He knows that as one of the nation's top forensic sculptors she'll insist on identifying the nine skeletons unearthed on a bluff near Georgia's Talladega Falls. He knows she won't be able to resist the temptation of believing that one of those skeletons might be her daughter's. But that is only the beginning of the killer's sadistic game. He wants Eve one on one, and he'll use his ace in the hole to make sure she complies. And he won't stop playing until he claims the prize he wants most: Eve's life.
384 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1999
718 people are currently reading
8,491 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
308Ìýbooks7,203ÌýfollowersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 658 reviews
July 22, 2023
This review is for who thought my idea of doing a review by only using gifs interesting. I may do a proper one later on, but right now, this is how I felt about this book. I will add some text just to make the review a bit more understanding. But, I will try to use text as little as possible. Let'sÌýstart!Ìý
This book was just as the first one good with a compelling story and a really crazy killer.
We also had a bit of a triangle drama between Logan, Eve and Joe. It's actually nice that Iris Johansen didn't drag out it through 20 books. Instead, did she make Eve and the guy in questionÌýa couple in this book.ÌýAnd, I could have lived with either choice, to be honest...
This book was just as the first one good with a compelling story and a really crazy killer.
We also had a bit of a triangle drama between Logan, Eve and Joe. It's actually nice that Iris Johansen didn't drag out it through 20 books. Instead, did she make Eve and the guy in questionÌýa couple in this book.ÌýAnd, I could have lived with either choice, to be honest...
How about the story with the killer?
(I thought I had the ending figured out but, the last twist I never suspected)
4.5 stars
September 2, 2013
WARNING RANT AHEAD
After tossing and turning all night, I decided that I would set my mind free and lower the rating to this book. The rational side of me decided to come out and point out everything that was wrong with this book and why giving this book a rating of 4 would be a horrible idea.
Yes I'll admit my main problem with this book was the romance. Before you label me as a fool who pays more attention to the romance then to the actual mystery, listen (read). You see when I picked up this series, I picked it up with the hopes of not having to deal with a romance, of course a slight one wouldn't hurt, but I really did not want to deal with a romance. In the first book, things were in my favor, there was a hint of a romance but that was not the focus. In this book it became the life of the novel (for at least me). I think the main reason for this is that when I see a flaw, thats all I can think off. I cannot concentrate on anything else.
Things were going well in the beginning, despite the fact that I thought Joe was acting like a pushover, but when he decided he didn't just want to be her friend anymore, things started going downhill.
It's not because I didn't want them together, of course I did, I had been rooting for them since the first book, but the problem was that gone was the soft and caring yet badass Joe I cared for, in his place was an aggressive asshole.
And all my mental detectors started beeping. I am sure an aggressive guy who will do anything for his girl is considered hot but I really cannot stand men like that. It's kind of demeaning. That wasn't all of it though, there was this part in the book (SPOILER ALERT) where he forced himself onto Eve. THAT WAS NOT COOL! She actually said no but he had to show her that she needed him. (excuse me while I take a minute to calm down).
Okay back to Joe. That killed Joe for me, any feelings that I had left for him at that point evaporated. The next blow came when he told Eve why he married Diane. I could kill Joe. Poor Diane for having to deal with an asshole like him. I mean who marries someone so that they can give someone they actually love a girl friend? Oh wait... JOE DOES! My heart broke for Diane. I don't even know if I have words to explain how much that bothered me, it was enough for me to want to go punch Joe (not kill him of course, I am not that violent).
Of course with everything I am saying, it may seem like I would have preferred Logan as a love interest, this however is not the case and this is also the main reason I won't be continuing this series.
You see when I was first introduced to Logan I really wanted him to not be the stupid cliche billionaire who falls in love with a down to earth/broken girl. I wasn't looking to read a cliche. I wanted something different.
When I finished this book, I was hoping that when I went into the next book I wouldn't have to deal with any of this romance shit since it had been sorted out but unfortunately I wasn't that fortunate (I am getting this all from the synopsis of the next book, I haven't actually read it). It turns out there is going to be a passionate romance between Logan and Sarah. I don't think I can read the rest of the series when I am so busy hating on the characters. Seriously, the only character I managed to like by the end of this book was little Mike and we barely saw anything of him.
I am still giving this a three because I did enjoy it and it would be unfair to give it a 1 (despite of how much I want to give it that rating).
After tossing and turning all night, I decided that I would set my mind free and lower the rating to this book. The rational side of me decided to come out and point out everything that was wrong with this book and why giving this book a rating of 4 would be a horrible idea.
Yes I'll admit my main problem with this book was the romance. Before you label me as a fool who pays more attention to the romance then to the actual mystery, listen (read). You see when I picked up this series, I picked it up with the hopes of not having to deal with a romance, of course a slight one wouldn't hurt, but I really did not want to deal with a romance. In the first book, things were in my favor, there was a hint of a romance but that was not the focus. In this book it became the life of the novel (for at least me). I think the main reason for this is that when I see a flaw, thats all I can think off. I cannot concentrate on anything else.
Things were going well in the beginning, despite the fact that I thought Joe was acting like a pushover, but when he decided he didn't just want to be her friend anymore, things started going downhill.
It's not because I didn't want them together, of course I did, I had been rooting for them since the first book, but the problem was that gone was the soft and caring yet badass Joe I cared for, in his place was an aggressive asshole.
And all my mental detectors started beeping. I am sure an aggressive guy who will do anything for his girl is considered hot but I really cannot stand men like that. It's kind of demeaning. That wasn't all of it though, there was this part in the book (SPOILER ALERT) where he forced himself onto Eve. THAT WAS NOT COOL! She actually said no but he had to show her that she needed him. (excuse me while I take a minute to calm down).
Okay back to Joe. That killed Joe for me, any feelings that I had left for him at that point evaporated. The next blow came when he told Eve why he married Diane. I could kill Joe. Poor Diane for having to deal with an asshole like him. I mean who marries someone so that they can give someone they actually love a girl friend? Oh wait... JOE DOES! My heart broke for Diane. I don't even know if I have words to explain how much that bothered me, it was enough for me to want to go punch Joe (not kill him of course, I am not that violent).
Of course with everything I am saying, it may seem like I would have preferred Logan as a love interest, this however is not the case and this is also the main reason I won't be continuing this series.
You see when I was first introduced to Logan I really wanted him to not be the stupid cliche billionaire who falls in love with a down to earth/broken girl. I wasn't looking to read a cliche. I wanted something different.
When I finished this book, I was hoping that when I went into the next book I wouldn't have to deal with any of this romance shit since it had been sorted out but unfortunately I wasn't that fortunate (I am getting this all from the synopsis of the next book, I haven't actually read it). It turns out there is going to be a passionate romance between Logan and Sarah. I don't think I can read the rest of the series when I am so busy hating on the characters. Seriously, the only character I managed to like by the end of this book was little Mike and we barely saw anything of him.
I am still giving this a three because I did enjoy it and it would be unfair to give it a 1 (despite of how much I want to give it that rating).
February 11, 2024
4-1/2 Stars!
Eve Duncan is one tough cookie! That was clear to me after reading book one of this series. Eve is just as independent and strong-willed in this book, but we do get to know her a bit better. It's hard for her to let her defense down but she seems to be trying.
Joe Quinn, Logan and Bonnie are back as well as some new characters are introduced. Jane is a fiery little girl who is tough as nails and reminds Eve of herself as a young girl. Sarah and her working dog, Monty are introduced and not surprisingly, I found Monty to be a favorite character of mine (dogs often are).
This book delivered what I was hoping for: action, suspense, shocking surprises and even a touch of a love story. Book 3 on deck!
Eve Duncan is one tough cookie! That was clear to me after reading book one of this series. Eve is just as independent and strong-willed in this book, but we do get to know her a bit better. It's hard for her to let her defense down but she seems to be trying.
Joe Quinn, Logan and Bonnie are back as well as some new characters are introduced. Jane is a fiery little girl who is tough as nails and reminds Eve of herself as a young girl. Sarah and her working dog, Monty are introduced and not surprisingly, I found Monty to be a favorite character of mine (dogs often are).
This book delivered what I was hoping for: action, suspense, shocking surprises and even a touch of a love story. Book 3 on deck!
October 14, 2018
"The Killing Game" is the earliest book I've read from the Eve Duncan series. It's always interesting reading a story when I know the conclusion--that is, I know the location of Bonnie's body. The series dragged on for so long that I can't help but wonder if Johansen was still undecided about how it would end when she wrote "The Killing Game."
The following paragraph contains a small spoiler regarding Eve's relationships, but I'm sure most people saw it coming, anyway.
The following paragraph contains a small spoiler regarding Eve's relationships. In this case, people may not have seen it coming. Plus, the information relates to later books and is not revealed in this one.
Anyway, this book takes place about ten years after Bonnie's disappearance, making Eve in the neighborhood of 33 years old. (She was 16 when Bonnie was born, and Bonnie was seven when she disappeared.) I have no idea how old Joe is, but if I know Iris Johansen, he's probably at least ten years older. At this point, Eve is afraid of intimacy because she doesn't want to experience more loss. She believes she knows who Bonnie's killer is; unfortunately, he's dead now, and he never revealed where Bonnie's body was buried. Eve works as a forensic sculptor, hoping that she may one day uncover her daughter's remains; if not, she can at least bring closure to the parents of other missing children.
But poor Eve just can't catch a break. A man calling himself "Dom" contacts her, claiming that he's Bonnie's true killer. Of course, he could be lying, but Eve can't know for sure. Thus begins a "game" that the bad guy has decided to set up, psychologically tormenting Eve and forcing her to bond with a child in order to rile up her emotions. See, Dom, like many killers, wants to rope Eve into searching for him, thinking she can actually take him down, and then lure her into a trap and kill her. I'm not sure why Eve is so special, but this happens a lot to her.
In this book, my least-favorite female character in the series, Jane MacGuire, is introduced as a super obnoxious, ten-year-old orphan. See, Johansen wanted Eve to show her motherly side, but having another baby would tie her down so she couldn't go on exciting, thrilling, deadly adventures. Instead, she gets a ten-year-old who can take care of herself (and I don't mean that in the typical way--the narrative treats her like she's practically an adult, and even Eve thinks to herself that she's "not a child") because she *grew up on the streets*. I've said it in another review, but "tough" ten-year-olds are still ten-year-olds.
Jane does not earn my love in this book any more than in other books that feature her. I get that you have to be hard as nails if you want to survive on the streets, but even in a foster home, she punches a boy's nose, making him *bleed*, and her foster mother just scolds the boy for tattling. Oh, she scolds Jane for hitting the kid, but she also thinks to herself that she admires Jane's "spirit." Yeah, that's one way to put it. The other kid wasn't even doing anything that bad. He was being a bit of a jerk, but *he* didn't hit *her*.
Oh, but don't worry! There's a heart of gold beneath Jane's Edgy McEdgelord exterior. Every day, she steals food from her foster mother to provide for a six-year-old boy who's not allowed in the house when his drunkard of a father is home. Yawn. Oh, and she loves books and dogs! See? She's really a wholesome child, and I hate her.
Joe is insufferable in this book, more so than usual because he's still trying to "win" Eve. Because Eve is just a big, fat, juicy hunk of meat for two dogs to fight over, isn't she? Joe is pretty much a "Nice Guy" in this book. Eve only sees him as a friend, and how very dare she, because he would do literally anything for her (except respect her wishes, obviously). He does what that creeper almost every woman has had the displeasure of knowing does: Tells Eve that he knows she wants him, demands to know whether or not she's sleeping with John, and flies into a rage when she tries to solve her own problems without getting him involved. He calls her endlessly, demanding to know where the hell she is, and keeps saying, "I'll find you, Eve." It's like Johansen researched the behavior of stalker exes and thought, "Wow, that sounds so romantic!" He's so angry that he almost kills one of her bodyguards when he finally catches up with her, later saying that he's tired of hiding who he is. Of course, he's been doing a poor job of that this whole time. Oh, and then when she says she wants to sleep with him and then changes her mind, he appears naked in her bedroom, completely ignoring the fact that she changed her mind, and tells her it's "too late" to go back, because she already invited him. Um, no? That's not how consent works?
One of the most troubling things about Iris Johansen's books is that she seems to think that the men she writes can't be abusers, because the main character can "handle" their abusiveness. Eve does not cower in a corner; she gets appropriately angry when Joe tracks her down. Joe, however, never experiences any negative consequences for his behavior. Eve sleeps with him, and Joe boasts that he won her over because he "wanted her the most." He was unwilling to take no for an answer, in other words. I mean, John is pretty creepy at times, too, and doesn't always back off when Eve asks him to; however, he doesn't go quite as far as Joe, and Joe (and possibly Johansen) views this as proof that he doesn't want Eve as much as Joe does. I see this in a lot of fiction, and even in real life: this idea that men who respect your boundaries are not "real men" and don't want you badly enough. "Real men" will wear you down until you finally give in.
In the end, there were a few things about the book that I liked, however. I'm a sucker for any story with dogs in it--at least, for the dog--although I didn't find Monty's unspoken communication with Sarah to be realistic. Sarah claims that all pet owners will tell you that their pets can practically talk. Um, no. I've never thought that about my dog. In fact, I like having a dog because she *doesn't* talk. If I wanted to have a conversation, I'd call my family. I get that the dog in "Dark Summer" was "special," but don't tell me that all dogs share a psychic bond with their owners. I don't believe it.
...Oh, right. Positive things.
Really, the only good thing I can say about this book is that I honestly did not expect one of the reveals toward the end--the big reveal about the killer's identity. I was duly impressed, since Eve Duncan's books tend to lean towards predictable. I also found some of the action to be exciting, especially when it began picking up toward the end. Johansen is actually pretty good at action and suspense; her scenes don't stretch out forever, and the bad guy is killed fairly quickly, but in a way that avoids being anticlimactic. I also noticed that she didn't end "surprising" narrative sentences with exclamation points, something that pops up quite a bit in her later novels. I don't know why she started doing that; it adds nothing to the surprise, and actually makes it hard to take seriously.
I'd heard that the earlier Eve Duncan books are better than the later ones. I don't really think this book is any better than the others. I think people just hadn't picked up on Johansen's irritating narrative habits yet.
Honestly, if you've only read "The Face of Deception," skip this book. Skip all the books, and then read the final trilogy. You'll thank me later.
The following paragraph contains a small spoiler regarding Eve's relationships, but I'm sure most people saw it coming, anyway.
The following paragraph contains a small spoiler regarding Eve's relationships. In this case, people may not have seen it coming. Plus, the information relates to later books and is not revealed in this one.
Anyway, this book takes place about ten years after Bonnie's disappearance, making Eve in the neighborhood of 33 years old. (She was 16 when Bonnie was born, and Bonnie was seven when she disappeared.) I have no idea how old Joe is, but if I know Iris Johansen, he's probably at least ten years older. At this point, Eve is afraid of intimacy because she doesn't want to experience more loss. She believes she knows who Bonnie's killer is; unfortunately, he's dead now, and he never revealed where Bonnie's body was buried. Eve works as a forensic sculptor, hoping that she may one day uncover her daughter's remains; if not, she can at least bring closure to the parents of other missing children.
But poor Eve just can't catch a break. A man calling himself "Dom" contacts her, claiming that he's Bonnie's true killer. Of course, he could be lying, but Eve can't know for sure. Thus begins a "game" that the bad guy has decided to set up, psychologically tormenting Eve and forcing her to bond with a child in order to rile up her emotions. See, Dom, like many killers, wants to rope Eve into searching for him, thinking she can actually take him down, and then lure her into a trap and kill her. I'm not sure why Eve is so special, but this happens a lot to her.
In this book, my least-favorite female character in the series, Jane MacGuire, is introduced as a super obnoxious, ten-year-old orphan. See, Johansen wanted Eve to show her motherly side, but having another baby would tie her down so she couldn't go on exciting, thrilling, deadly adventures. Instead, she gets a ten-year-old who can take care of herself (and I don't mean that in the typical way--the narrative treats her like she's practically an adult, and even Eve thinks to herself that she's "not a child") because she *grew up on the streets*. I've said it in another review, but "tough" ten-year-olds are still ten-year-olds.
Jane does not earn my love in this book any more than in other books that feature her. I get that you have to be hard as nails if you want to survive on the streets, but even in a foster home, she punches a boy's nose, making him *bleed*, and her foster mother just scolds the boy for tattling. Oh, she scolds Jane for hitting the kid, but she also thinks to herself that she admires Jane's "spirit." Yeah, that's one way to put it. The other kid wasn't even doing anything that bad. He was being a bit of a jerk, but *he* didn't hit *her*.
Oh, but don't worry! There's a heart of gold beneath Jane's Edgy McEdgelord exterior. Every day, she steals food from her foster mother to provide for a six-year-old boy who's not allowed in the house when his drunkard of a father is home. Yawn. Oh, and she loves books and dogs! See? She's really a wholesome child, and I hate her.
Joe is insufferable in this book, more so than usual because he's still trying to "win" Eve. Because Eve is just a big, fat, juicy hunk of meat for two dogs to fight over, isn't she? Joe is pretty much a "Nice Guy" in this book. Eve only sees him as a friend, and how very dare she, because he would do literally anything for her (except respect her wishes, obviously). He does what that creeper almost every woman has had the displeasure of knowing does: Tells Eve that he knows she wants him, demands to know whether or not she's sleeping with John, and flies into a rage when she tries to solve her own problems without getting him involved. He calls her endlessly, demanding to know where the hell she is, and keeps saying, "I'll find you, Eve." It's like Johansen researched the behavior of stalker exes and thought, "Wow, that sounds so romantic!" He's so angry that he almost kills one of her bodyguards when he finally catches up with her, later saying that he's tired of hiding who he is. Of course, he's been doing a poor job of that this whole time. Oh, and then when she says she wants to sleep with him and then changes her mind, he appears naked in her bedroom, completely ignoring the fact that she changed her mind, and tells her it's "too late" to go back, because she already invited him. Um, no? That's not how consent works?
One of the most troubling things about Iris Johansen's books is that she seems to think that the men she writes can't be abusers, because the main character can "handle" their abusiveness. Eve does not cower in a corner; she gets appropriately angry when Joe tracks her down. Joe, however, never experiences any negative consequences for his behavior. Eve sleeps with him, and Joe boasts that he won her over because he "wanted her the most." He was unwilling to take no for an answer, in other words. I mean, John is pretty creepy at times, too, and doesn't always back off when Eve asks him to; however, he doesn't go quite as far as Joe, and Joe (and possibly Johansen) views this as proof that he doesn't want Eve as much as Joe does. I see this in a lot of fiction, and even in real life: this idea that men who respect your boundaries are not "real men" and don't want you badly enough. "Real men" will wear you down until you finally give in.
In the end, there were a few things about the book that I liked, however. I'm a sucker for any story with dogs in it--at least, for the dog--although I didn't find Monty's unspoken communication with Sarah to be realistic. Sarah claims that all pet owners will tell you that their pets can practically talk. Um, no. I've never thought that about my dog. In fact, I like having a dog because she *doesn't* talk. If I wanted to have a conversation, I'd call my family. I get that the dog in "Dark Summer" was "special," but don't tell me that all dogs share a psychic bond with their owners. I don't believe it.
...Oh, right. Positive things.
Really, the only good thing I can say about this book is that I honestly did not expect one of the reveals toward the end--the big reveal about the killer's identity. I was duly impressed, since Eve Duncan's books tend to lean towards predictable. I also found some of the action to be exciting, especially when it began picking up toward the end. Johansen is actually pretty good at action and suspense; her scenes don't stretch out forever, and the bad guy is killed fairly quickly, but in a way that avoids being anticlimactic. I also noticed that she didn't end "surprising" narrative sentences with exclamation points, something that pops up quite a bit in her later novels. I don't know why she started doing that; it adds nothing to the surprise, and actually makes it hard to take seriously.
I'd heard that the earlier Eve Duncan books are better than the later ones. I don't really think this book is any better than the others. I think people just hadn't picked up on Johansen's irritating narrative habits yet.
Honestly, if you've only read "The Face of Deception," skip this book. Skip all the books, and then read the final trilogy. You'll thank me later.
July 21, 2011
This is #2 in the Eve Duncan series. Eve is a forensic facial reconstruction. I read the first book which introduced Eve, Logan and Joe. This story is about Eve hiring a cadaver search team (Sarah and Monty, the dog) to search for a body that she was told about from Dom, who is stalking her.
Dom wants Eve to get closer to Jane, who he thinks is like her and to represent Bonnie her deceased child. Dom likes to toy with Eve a bit and tries to get under her skin. Joe is also in the story as his typical trying to protect Eve and in what I feel in a way to control her. Eve has Logan pull some strings to help her in her search to find Dom, as he has suggested that he has Bonnie's bones.
This story kept me hooked, had a pretty fast paced story line which kept me intrigued. I had a pretty good idea (2 different people) as between who I thought the killer/Dom was and Iris Johansen managed to pull a great twist to the ending of the story.
I have read other Eve Duncan books out of order and decided to start from the beginning so I learn how Eve and Logan met (#1 in the series), and to how Eve and Joe develop into their relationship.
If you like suspense and a good story line, I would recommend just about any of the Iris Johansen books. I have loved them all so far except the one I read that she wrote as a romance.
Dom wants Eve to get closer to Jane, who he thinks is like her and to represent Bonnie her deceased child. Dom likes to toy with Eve a bit and tries to get under her skin. Joe is also in the story as his typical trying to protect Eve and in what I feel in a way to control her. Eve has Logan pull some strings to help her in her search to find Dom, as he has suggested that he has Bonnie's bones.
This story kept me hooked, had a pretty fast paced story line which kept me intrigued. I had a pretty good idea (2 different people) as between who I thought the killer/Dom was and Iris Johansen managed to pull a great twist to the ending of the story.
I have read other Eve Duncan books out of order and decided to start from the beginning so I learn how Eve and Logan met (#1 in the series), and to how Eve and Joe develop into their relationship.
If you like suspense and a good story line, I would recommend just about any of the Iris Johansen books. I have loved them all so far except the one I read that she wrote as a romance.
April 8, 2014
WOW I couldn't have asked for a better Mystery/Thriller/Twister! I took a chance on the first book in this series, then I had to read this one (the second) and now I am hooked on reading them all. I'm not easy to please when it comes to my mysteries. They need to hold my wandering attention, keep me guessing and then at the end slam me between the eyes with a finish I never saw coming. Well this one beat me repeatedly between the eyes! Too visual on the example? Sorry, I got carried away, I really liked the book. I strongly suggest this book to people like me who ask a lot of an author to get us to come back for more.
March 6, 2017
Really enjoyed rereading this book, and knowing who the bad guy was, and the things that he said, yeah, that was pretty creepy! Can't wait to reread The Search, next!
August 12, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
There is a brutal serial killer on the loose. After several bodies were unearthed, in his frustration that he may have finally made a mistake after years of killing, he sets his sights of renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan.
Years ago, Eve lost her precious daughter Bonnie to a serial killer. She has crafted her career structuring faces from skeletons and other means with hopes of providing closure to families who have lost their children. Eve, however, never had such closure. Bonnie's body was never found. Until now. Now? Quite possibly. Therefore, the investigation into the site where the bodies are found takes on an extremely personal edge.
In order to have Eve believe that one of the bodies discovered is actually Bonnie's, the killer begins a terrifying game of cat and mouse. To capture Eve's attention, the life of a ten-year-old child is suddenly at risk. Eve begins receiving clues as to the girl's danger, all while hoping to reconstruct the skeleton that just might be Bonnie's.
Before the discovery of the bodies, Eve took off with John Logan. Not only was she able to shake off her traumatic work for a time, she was able to fully regroup. Little did Eve know that close friend Joe Quinn had been looking for the perfect opportunity to snatch her back and to make her a part of his life. in a way she never expected or even dreamed could happen. Meanwhile, Joe is extremely concerned for Eve and knows that the identification of the skeleton might hurt Eve to the very core.
The Killing Game is a fast-moving book. Not only is Eve in danger, but also a young child. Meanwhile, there is a fair bit of romance in this story. Readers of the first book, The Face of Deception, might not be surprised, but perhaps as to the reasoning. Nonetheless, the course has been set and there are now 25 titles in this exciting series. I have already had the pleasure of reading a few more at the time of writing this review, The Search, Body of Lies and Dead Aim. Blind Alley is next in line for my greedy eyes.
There is a brutal serial killer on the loose. After several bodies were unearthed, in his frustration that he may have finally made a mistake after years of killing, he sets his sights of renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan.
Years ago, Eve lost her precious daughter Bonnie to a serial killer. She has crafted her career structuring faces from skeletons and other means with hopes of providing closure to families who have lost their children. Eve, however, never had such closure. Bonnie's body was never found. Until now. Now? Quite possibly. Therefore, the investigation into the site where the bodies are found takes on an extremely personal edge.
In order to have Eve believe that one of the bodies discovered is actually Bonnie's, the killer begins a terrifying game of cat and mouse. To capture Eve's attention, the life of a ten-year-old child is suddenly at risk. Eve begins receiving clues as to the girl's danger, all while hoping to reconstruct the skeleton that just might be Bonnie's.
Before the discovery of the bodies, Eve took off with John Logan. Not only was she able to shake off her traumatic work for a time, she was able to fully regroup. Little did Eve know that close friend Joe Quinn had been looking for the perfect opportunity to snatch her back and to make her a part of his life. in a way she never expected or even dreamed could happen. Meanwhile, Joe is extremely concerned for Eve and knows that the identification of the skeleton might hurt Eve to the very core.
The Killing Game is a fast-moving book. Not only is Eve in danger, but also a young child. Meanwhile, there is a fair bit of romance in this story. Readers of the first book, The Face of Deception, might not be surprised, but perhaps as to the reasoning. Nonetheless, the course has been set and there are now 25 titles in this exciting series. I have already had the pleasure of reading a few more at the time of writing this review, The Search, Body of Lies and Dead Aim. Blind Alley is next in line for my greedy eyes.
December 21, 2018
Way too many cliches and too-stupid-to-live moments.
January 30, 2019
Eve Duncan's young daughter was murdered and her body never recovered. A forensic sculptor, Eve insisted on identifying the skeletons found in Georgia on the off chance that one of them could belong to her Bonnie. The killer begins a sadistic game...calling, watching, baiting, chilling. Two men are bent on helping Eve and keeping her safe -- John Logan, a business magnate and Joe Quinn, a seasoned Atlanta detective. The story is fast paced at times and I enjoyed the inclusion of a cadaver dog and his handler and how inseparable such a team can be. However, the romantic angle between Eve and John and Eve and Joe was "off" and the cliches throughout were numerous. The story was saved by a definite twist at the end. Another time when a half star would have been helpful.
March 22, 2023
No me ha gustado, en lugar de trhiller parece una xomedia romántica con un psicópata por medio al que nadie le hace ni caso.
August 18, 2013
My second installment of the Eve Duncan (forensics thrillers) series; in the order it was written. Though, I have read a couple of these out of sequence. At the time I read those I had no intention of ever continuing, much less going back to the start of the series and proceeding from there. That would have been a mistake; had I not. I believe I initially stayed away from Ms. Johansen's work because I had seen several of her books on bookshelves at my mother's house. Thus I related them more to the Harlequin genre which to some degree I believe they are and that's just fine for me since I've read my fair share of Harlequins and still eye-ball one now and then depending on author and subject...duh...as with any book. I regress; this book reflects the (IMO) skillful artistry of an author most familiar with the enthralling nuances of the cat-and-mouse game entwined with the forensics (sculptor) slant so popular in today's CSI-focused audience. As I might be a late comer to this series I am in no way "not" going to continue the ongoing adventures of Eve, Bonnie, and Quinn thus maintaining a high recommendation for all interested in this type genre. I mean come on; it's got the missing daughter, the psychopath stalker/crazed killer, possible romantic interest, and a driving story that makes it hard to put down and at the same time an easy (skillful) read. In addition for us animal lovers; don't forget there's a dog...big player!
April 25, 2012
*This is book 2 in the Eve Duncan Series*
If you like quick paced thriller novels you will love this one! Eve Duncan is a very strong-willed, independent woman that has a very haunting past.She spends much of her time reconstructing faces onto skulls to identify the remains, she is one of the top forensic sculptors. Her daughter was murdered, her body never found. Eve is on a mission to find her little girl while along the way falling into a world of chaos.
In the Killing Game, Eve is being stalked by a psychopath that claims he is responsible for her daughter's death and knows where her remains are located. He takes her on a terrifying journey filled with heart-stopping action and a lot of blood spill. He stays hidden in the shadows contacting Eve by telephone and sending her threatening messages. Is this crazed killer telling the truth or is he setting Eve up to be his next victim? With the help of a few friends, Eve will finds out the truth and maybe a little more then she bargained for. Sometimes things aren't always what they seem to be.
If you like quick paced thriller novels you will love this one! Eve Duncan is a very strong-willed, independent woman that has a very haunting past.She spends much of her time reconstructing faces onto skulls to identify the remains, she is one of the top forensic sculptors. Her daughter was murdered, her body never found. Eve is on a mission to find her little girl while along the way falling into a world of chaos.
In the Killing Game, Eve is being stalked by a psychopath that claims he is responsible for her daughter's death and knows where her remains are located. He takes her on a terrifying journey filled with heart-stopping action and a lot of blood spill. He stays hidden in the shadows contacting Eve by telephone and sending her threatening messages. Is this crazed killer telling the truth or is he setting Eve up to be his next victim? With the help of a few friends, Eve will finds out the truth and maybe a little more then she bargained for. Sometimes things aren't always what they seem to be.
June 27, 2012
Spoiler alert!!
I loved this book so much. I am a huge fan of the Eve Duncan novels. This book is by far one of my favorites....I finally got to read the book where Eve admits her feelings for Joe and Joe stops sitting on the sidelines of Eve's life and demands to have a staring role. There is great excitement in this book and you can't help but feel for Eve as she suffers for her daughter, but you can't help but hurt for the guy who is always there for her no matter what as well. Will they ever find Bonnie???
I loved this book so much. I am a huge fan of the Eve Duncan novels. This book is by far one of my favorites....I finally got to read the book where Eve admits her feelings for Joe and Joe stops sitting on the sidelines of Eve's life and demands to have a staring role. There is great excitement in this book and you can't help but feel for Eve as she suffers for her daughter, but you can't help but hurt for the guy who is always there for her no matter what as well. Will they ever find Bonnie???
April 30, 2008
The whining continues in this second novel about Eve Duncan.
March 18, 2023
Yo... no sé qué decir. No tengo ni idea de qué he estado leyendo aquÃ. Creo que era un intento de thriller romántico que le salió con grumos y una consistencia gelatinosa. Los personajes son ilógicos, sus personalidades van cambiando según le conviene a la ¿"trama"? (ese desbarate de acciones sin ton ni son y revoltijos varios que sustituye aquà a la trama). La protagonista ha cambiado totalmente de personalidad del libro anterior a este (no sé quién es esa señora), asà como su mejor amigo que parece que le ha dado una especie de brote psicótico de macho man tarzanesco que me ha deparado mis buenas risas (a su costa), aunque el motivo de su cambio, podrÃa tener cierta justificación. Pero con el que me reà de verdad fue con el "aterrador" asesino en serie, tan temible él que ni le cogÃan en teléfono porque estaban ocupados ligando. Vamos, un miedo tremendo. Hay personajes que me gustaron y estaban bien dibujados como el perro (y su cuidadora) pero el resto...
No le he puesto una nota más baja porque incomprensiblemente no me aburrà en ningún momento. Y yo a eso le doy mucho valor.
Está saga con un primer libro que estaba bien y este desvarÃo que es el segundo, me tiene desconcertada. Es el tono de la saga como este, o como el primero y este sólo fue un resbalón?. El primero me gustó lo suficiente para darle otra oportunidad. Vamos a ver.
Destripadoras.
No le he puesto una nota más baja porque incomprensiblemente no me aburrà en ningún momento. Y yo a eso le doy mucho valor.
Está saga con un primer libro que estaba bien y este desvarÃo que es el segundo, me tiene desconcertada. Es el tono de la saga como este, o como el primero y este sólo fue un resbalón?. El primero me gustó lo suficiente para darle otra oportunidad. Vamos a ver.
Destripadoras.
October 27, 2021
Second in the Eve Duncan series and this follows on from Face of Deception. There seems to be one storyline that links the two books together and I am interested to see where this leads as I make my way through the rest of the series.
Eve is a forensic sculpter who focuses on childrens cases due to losing her own daughter. This one was juts as fast paced as the first and left me frantically flipping pages. Oh and did I guess who the bad person was? Nope, not at all.
Highly recommend this series
Eve is a forensic sculpter who focuses on childrens cases due to losing her own daughter. This one was juts as fast paced as the first and left me frantically flipping pages. Oh and did I guess who the bad person was? Nope, not at all.
Highly recommend this series
June 28, 2020
This was a quick, read and the story was fast-paced. Nothing deep or meaningful, but a nice diversion. I didn't see some of the plot twists coming, which was nice, although I found some of the characters to be a bit much.
March 7, 2017
Dnf'd this because perp POV's are so trite for me these days. Back 15, 20 years ago I suppose it was exciting and suspenseful but every murder thriller writer started doing it. I didn't care for it then and hate it now. 3 stars for the 1 1/2 hours of audio by a narrator whose pitch I had to lower in order to tolerate.
I'm always wanting to get into a long police procedural and have been wanting to like the In Death one by JD Robb but always end up bored. I decided to give this 2nd Eve Duncan book a try after reading the first book in paperback 18 years ago. Lasted one and a half hours of the audio. I'm grouchy because my library has both series in audio and is very up to date, getting the latest installment as soon as it's released yet I just can't get into them:(
I didn't like what I was listening to very much because there was too much Eve Duncan stuck with her emotional baggage over Bonnie. I can't remember Quinn or the other guy, Logan, I think. They sound like they were from the first book. At least I can remember Roarke from the first In Death book which I read 20 years ago then never went back to the series until my recent attempts. Then again, I've yet to read any female reviewer who doesn't want Roarke for herself.
Comparing these two series that I haven't managed to penetrate, I think I will give Eve Dallas a more serious look and set Eve Duncan aside. In the meantime I gave myself a break from police procedurals and started on an MM erotic\psychological suspense - Max by Bey Deckard - deliciously nasty mindfuck guaranteed to send me running back to my action thrillers!
I'm always wanting to get into a long police procedural and have been wanting to like the In Death one by JD Robb but always end up bored. I decided to give this 2nd Eve Duncan book a try after reading the first book in paperback 18 years ago. Lasted one and a half hours of the audio. I'm grouchy because my library has both series in audio and is very up to date, getting the latest installment as soon as it's released yet I just can't get into them:(
I didn't like what I was listening to very much because there was too much Eve Duncan stuck with her emotional baggage over Bonnie. I can't remember Quinn or the other guy, Logan, I think. They sound like they were from the first book. At least I can remember Roarke from the first In Death book which I read 20 years ago then never went back to the series until my recent attempts. Then again, I've yet to read any female reviewer who doesn't want Roarke for herself.
Comparing these two series that I haven't managed to penetrate, I think I will give Eve Dallas a more serious look and set Eve Duncan aside. In the meantime I gave myself a break from police procedurals and started on an MM erotic\psychological suspense - Max by Bey Deckard - deliciously nasty mindfuck guaranteed to send me running back to my action thrillers!
March 22, 2023
Esperaba un libro de investigación criminal con toques de antropologÃa forense y me encontré con un libro romántico.
No me ha convencido. Un libro del montón.
No me ha convencido. Un libro del montón.
April 13, 2012
This book is awful. I mean really, the writing stinks. The first line is: The skeleton had been in the ground for a long time. Joe Quinn had seen enough of them to recognize that.
Well, duh. It's a freakin skeleton. Of course it's been in the ground a long time. You don't just become a skeleton overnight. Otherwise it would be a decomposing body or someone who'd recently been buried alive. And there must be plenty of skeletons in the closet where Joe Quinn lives. Because he seems to know an awful lot about skeletons.
Johansen likes to explain everything in fragments. But it's nothing like Ellroy or Cain. Try this: "You're looking for a kid?"
"Yes." Every day. Every night. Always.
Or later: Dirt. Hunger. Rats.
Or even later on in the book:
Faster.
To the left.
Faster.
Monty was straining at the leash.
Close.
Eagerness.
Hope.
Found!
It goes on, reading like a bad seventh grader's poetry class. Stringing together meaningless adjectives and adverbs does not a sentence make. Yikes.
Well, duh. It's a freakin skeleton. Of course it's been in the ground a long time. You don't just become a skeleton overnight. Otherwise it would be a decomposing body or someone who'd recently been buried alive. And there must be plenty of skeletons in the closet where Joe Quinn lives. Because he seems to know an awful lot about skeletons.
Johansen likes to explain everything in fragments. But it's nothing like Ellroy or Cain. Try this: "You're looking for a kid?"
"Yes." Every day. Every night. Always.
Or later: Dirt. Hunger. Rats.
Or even later on in the book:
Faster.
To the left.
Faster.
Monty was straining at the leash.
Close.
Eagerness.
Hope.
Found!
It goes on, reading like a bad seventh grader's poetry class. Stringing together meaningless adjectives and adverbs does not a sentence make. Yikes.
July 26, 2016
Eve Duncan
26/10/15 | 3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Eve Duncan series and I'm liking enough to to carry on with it. The mystery side of the story was well done. The killer put Eve through so much in this book. I can't remember how many years ago, but Eve's daughter Bonnie was murdered and the body never found. The killer in this one used that and give Eve false hope the he killed her daughter and would lead her to recovering the body. I also had no clue as to who the killer ended up being.
The one thing I haven't like in these first two books is the romance. There has been a sort of love triangle, and the way they've acted has been really childish in my opinion. I'm glad now that a choice has been made and should improve in the rest of the series.
26/10/15 | 3.5 stars
This is the second book in the Eve Duncan series and I'm liking enough to to carry on with it. The mystery side of the story was well done. The killer put Eve through so much in this book. I can't remember how many years ago, but Eve's daughter Bonnie was murdered and the body never found. The killer in this one used that and give Eve false hope the he killed her daughter and would lead her to recovering the body. I also had no clue as to who the killer ended up being.
The one thing I haven't like in these first two books is the romance. There has been a sort of love triangle, and the way they've acted has been really childish in my opinion. I'm glad now that a choice has been made and should improve in the rest of the series.
May 26, 2019
So much better than the first book, I liked this one a lot. Great story line, I liked the new characters and it was not very predictable. The one thing that's bothering me with Johansen's books are those dialogues. A lot of dialogues between the characters and short descriptions. I would like something deeper in the background, more detailed profile of the killer, something that happened in the past or whatever (like in Gerritsen's books for example).
I would recommend this book to mystery lovers.
I would recommend this book to mystery lovers.
October 25, 2011
Others have mentioned the implausibility of Eve even being allowed to be involved in these cases. I agree but that doesn't actually bother me too much. What bothers me is that the police keep covering for her when she commits really terrible crimes, such as kidnapping. In a lot of books the police overlook some slight criminal activities when the hero saves the day but kidnapping? I kept getting stuck on that.
July 15, 2015
Only my second book by this author as well as the second in the "Eve Duncan" series. Quick & to the point: WOWSA! I am VERY impressed!
I do not give 5 stars lightly & am often hyper-critical even, but I really am enjoying this fast paced, clever, surprising & suspenseful, well written series & characters.
'Nuff said! �
Enjoy fellow readers! Cheers,
NurseLisainOhio (twitter & instagram; Lisa R.- foursquare. Tweet or message me to be my Nook friend to share/swap books!)
I do not give 5 stars lightly & am often hyper-critical even, but I really am enjoying this fast paced, clever, surprising & suspenseful, well written series & characters.
'Nuff said! �
Enjoy fellow readers! Cheers,
NurseLisainOhio (twitter & instagram; Lisa R.- foursquare. Tweet or message me to be my Nook friend to share/swap books!)
May 13, 2016
Back to Eve Duncan in Kindle format. I'm a bit surprised that I like this series - it's not really the "hard core" detective books I usually like - but it is well written; the characters are interesting enough for you to like (or dislike) them; and there is plenty of action to keep the story going. Even the "romance" isn't objectionable, cause it fits the story line. All in all, an entertaining read. <><
March 24, 2021
When a serial killer sets his sites on Eve Duncan, he wants more than simply another kill, he wants to break her in every way possible. He knows Eve Duncan well, almost intimately. This time the serial killer is more than a madman, he is someone she knows.
Someone who knows Eve. Someone who knows she is still seeking the body of her daughter. Someone that knows are to drag into his game. Someone who will not stop until he gets what he wants, Eve's life!
Someone who knows Eve. Someone who knows she is still seeking the body of her daughter. Someone that knows are to drag into his game. Someone who will not stop until he gets what he wants, Eve's life!
July 21, 2021
The Killing Game by Iris Johansen is the 2nd book in the Eve Duncan Mystery series. Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has been hunting for her murdered daughters body for 10 years and when a storm uncovers buried skeletons including a young girl ahe insists on assisting in the identification, but becomes involved in a killers game. A fabulous and captivating thriller with plenty of twists and misdirection and a surprising ending. A book that you cannot put down.
November 13, 2011
Way too many unrealistic decisions and scenarios in this one, and not much time spent exploring Eve's forensic reconstruction skills which is what attracted me to the series in the first place. I'll probably keep reading to see where the on-going plot threads lead and the author does present great plot twists, but I'm skimming more just to get through the ridiculous parts.
July 9, 2015
I could not read this book fast enough, a real page turner.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
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