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Fiction. Mystery. Romance. Thriller. HTML: As a serial killer terrorizes New Orleans, a reluctant psychic sees every gruesome act in this thriller by the #1 New York Times bestselling author. A woman's burned and brutalized corpse is found in a seedy New Orleans apartment. Her killer is certain there were no witnesses, unaware that his every move was seen by a beautiful strangerâ??through nightmarish visions that came to her in bed in a bayou cottage on the outskirts of town. Weeks later, another terrifying vision shatters Olivia Bechet's sleep. Convinced a serial killer is stalking the city, she turns to the authorities. But jaded detective Rick Bentz doesn't believe herâ??even when a second body turns up, slain in exactly the same bizarre, ritualistic manner Olivia described. As New Orleans panics in the grip of a merciless killer, Olivia is frustrated by Bentz's skepticism. And yet she is also captivated by her attraction to him. But then her dreams are invaded by a murder that has yet to be committed. This time, Olivia recognizes the victimâ??and the murderer. And both are closer than she ever imagi… (more)
User reviews
Cold Blooded is very well paced, doling out just enough clues and intertwining them with the personal lives of the characters to keep the reader engaged throughout. Although there is a romantic subplot in the book, it never feels out of place and does not detract from the mystery. The religious aspects of the story have been thoroughly researched and add interest to the book. Some of the smaller plot lines are a bit of a distraction and the ending feels a little rushed, but overall, Cold Blooded is a worthy addition to the Bentz and Montoya series and is a generally enjoyable read. 4 1/2 stars
4 Stars
A new serial killer is roaming the streets of New Orleans and detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya receive a lead from the most unlikely of sources, Olivia Benchet, a woman who claims to have seen a murder in her dreams. Despite his skepticism, Bentz is ultimately convinced
Series note: The author's note at the end of the book indicates links between the New Orleans and Savannah series. For readers who prefer to read in order, the continuation is The Night Before.
An entertaining thriller with some surprising twists and turns.
Jackson's research is top-notch with interesting details on
Olivia and Rick's slow-burn romance is better than in the first book. Olivia is a particularly endearing character due to her feistiness and determination to get to the truth despite Bentz's doubts and suspicions. Rick is clearly conflicted in his feelings for Olivia, but his honesty, integrity and selflessness are evident throughout the book as details of his past are revealed. It will be interesting to see where Jackson takes this relationship in the future.
In terms of the secondary characters, I am still on the fence with regard to Bentz's partner, Montaya. He is often immature and makes too many sexist comments. Likewise, Bentz's daughter, Kristi, comes across as a spoilt brat and some of her actions make her unlikable. Both of them have their own books and will hopefully mature before their stories.
Overall, an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the series.