Sweetheart
by Chelsea Cain
|
List Price: Our Price: $0.20 You Save: $24.75 (99%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Sweetheart
Book Review: Page turning thriller a great read.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the second in a series by Chelsea Cain. While you don't have to read the first book (Heartsick) to enjoy this one, I do suggest it. There are certain story lines that are alluded to but not covered again in this book. Personally, I like this aspect. The book is fantastic on its own and allows the reader to choose to read the first novel or just savor the second.
Although I loved this book and the first, neither book is for the faint of heart. I'm not quite sure how Chelsea Cain came up with the plot line, but let's say if this is what she chooses to write about, I wouldn't want to see her nightmares. If you do not like a very very dark side in your books, including violence and sick, sick characters, this is not the book for you. However, if you love excellent writing, suspenseful plot lines, and rich characters, this is not just the novel for you, but the series. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a writer so much that I bought the book hardcover (which I did) and after a day of constant reading, am already anxiously awaiting the next novel. Definitely add this novel to your collection, it's well worth it.
Book Review: A must read!
Summary: 5 Stars
Heartsick was so amazing, I never thought anything could top it! But Chelsea Cain has done it again and then some. Archie, Henry and Gretchen are back for another game of cat and mouse. While fighting his addiction to both Grethen and Vicodin Archie, Henry and news reporter Susan are trying to solve the murder of three bodies found in the woods as well as the death of a friend of Susans and a Senator. You would think that Archie's sick obsession and need for Gretchen has abated because he hasn't seen her in months, but it's only gotten worse. And one trip back to the prison is all it takes to throw him deeper into her clutches. For some reason she has this sick hold over him - and when she escapes from prison, he thinks he is the only one who can bring her in. Not caring if he lives or dies, Archie will go to any length to end this game with Gretchen once and for all. But will Archie take it too far? Will Gretchen finally be out of his life and more importantly his head for good??? You will not be able to put this book down. I started it at 7pm and finished it just before 11. Way past my bedtime - but well worth staying up for.Book Review: Torn
Summary: 3 Stars
Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
I was really torn when finishing this book, as I thought the writing was well done and I wanted to speed to the finish. However, the characters just left a bad taste in my mouth.
This is the second book in the series starring Archie, a homicide detective and Gretchen the serial killer who kidnapped and tortured him for 10 days.
There is a side plot which is interesting, but involves another annoying character, reporter Susan Ward. A reporter that gets to investigate right alongside the detectives and is privy to sensitive information just isn't my cup of tea.
Archie, who jeopardizes the lives of his wife and children for the sake of a serial killer, was very unappealing to me.
The best part of the book was the short chapters, where I could either exercise by having to get up and retrieve the book from me throwing it across the room or getting a glass of wine to forget why I kept reading. Yes, I plan on reading the third in this series, Evil at Heart, as I have a review for vine. I am hoping Archie can redeem himself.
Book Review: Gretchen Is Back, But NOT Better Than Ever
Summary: 4 Stars
"Sweetheart" is the sequel to "Heartsick," the first book to feature the twisted relationship between Portland Detective Archie Sheridan and the serial killer, Gretchen Lowell. In this novel we learn more about how Gretchen has a hold on Archie. We also find out that Archie is learning to manipulate the serial killer as well.
Reporter Susan Ward is also back from the first novel and is still bursting with energy with mixed results. Her mentor at the newspaper dies in a car wreck and she believes it is a murder that only Archie can solve (with a little help from her, of course). Susan believes that bodies that turn up in the park may be related to a story she is writing for the paper as well as her mentor's death.
"Sweetheart" is a good read. As a sequel it doesn't have the freshness that "Heartstick" featured, though. The murders in this book are definitely secondary to the Archie-Gretchen relationship. And the way all the plot lines finally converge just seems a little too convenient. "Sweetheart" is good, just not great like the first novel.
Book Review: Trying to follow up Heartsick must have been tough
Summary: 4 Stars
Although both Heartsick and Sweetheart contain plot elements commonly found in serial killer/thriller books, Cain's series continues to be outstanding because she brings her characters to life so well. The main character of Archie is especially unique, and the scenes in Sweetheart in which Archie tries to return to a normal life with his family are very poignant.
In addition, Cain manages to maintain a dark tone throughout both books, causing the reader to feel a sense of dread as s/he turns the pages. The reader is submerged in the grisly details of Archie's world from page 1 of Sweetheart.
Although I very much enjoyed the Gretchen storyline of Sweetheart, overall I did not like it as much as Heartsick because I was a little disappointed by the Susan storyline. It seemed like relating the two stories was too much of a stretch.
Overall however, this book is a must read for fans of grisly thrillers, and I hope that Cain does not make us wait as long for the third installment.