Split second

by Alex Kava

Paper Book, 2001

Status

Available

Call number

813/.6

Series

Maggie O'Dell (2)

Genres

Mystery

All Topics

Fiction

Publication

Don Mills, Ont. : Mira, c2001.

Description

Fiction. Thriller. HTML: They dubbed him the Collector, so named for his ritual of collecting victims before disposing of them in the most heinous ways possible. FBI special agent Maggie O'Dell tracked him for two years, finally ending their game of cate and mouse. Now Albert Stucky has escaped from prison...and he is setting up a new game for Maggie O'Dell. Some say Maggie O'Dell has lost her edge as one of the FBI's best profilers. Since capturing Stucky, she has been walking a tightwire, battling nightmares and guilt over the victims she couldn't save. Now that Stucky is loose again, she's been pulled out of the field. But as Stucky's trail of victims leads closer and closer to Maggie, she is put back on the case under the supervision of Special Agent R. J. Tully. Together they race against the clock to hunt the killer, and Maggie finds herself pushed to the very edge. Has her desire to stop Albert Stucky become a matter of personal vengeance? Has she crossed the line? And has that been Stucky's goal all along--to make her into a monster?.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member chrissywest

I normally don’t read books by the same author back-to-back, but the ending of the first book in this series, A Perfect Evil, just begged me to continue. Split Second is the second book in the series featuring FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell. It was an edge-of-your-seat thriller. I was glad that

Nick, introduced in A Perfect Evil was back with a small part in Split Second. I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Maggie had in A Perfect Evil. Although there is enough history in this book for it to be read as an independent novel. I would suggest reading A Perfect Evil first. I couldn’t help noticing, well reading the book, the similarities to Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter Series. Maggie–a lot like Clarice Sterling. AD Cunningham could be a washed-out version of Jack Crawford. And Albert Stucky is definitely as cunning, and brutal as Hannibal Lecter. Over all I enjoyed this book. I have included my favorite excerpt from the book below. It will be interesting to see where Kava takes Maggie in the next book in this series, The Soul Catcher.

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LibraryThing member mjscott

O'Dell too neurotic, hard to believe. Stucky too invincible, annoying, search for him drags on. Tess the survivor was great. Satisfying ending.

LibraryThing member miyurose

This is the first Alex Kava book I've read (in fact, until I got to the picture at the end of this, I thought she was a he), and now I'm going to have to get the rest of this series! I really enjoyed this, and look forward to reading about the first hunt for Stucky in the previous book. I only hope

that this book marks the low point in O'Dell's psychological struggle. She struggles a lot with herself in this book, and I can't see that as something that can realistically continue.

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LibraryThing member kaylol

Absolutely great!"The decisions we make in a split second will always reveal our true nature our true self. Whether we like it or not. When that split second comes don't think don't analyse don't feel and never second-guess - just react. Trust. Trust in yourself."

LibraryThing member Carol420

From the first time I read an Alex Kava book, I was hooked. The character is loaded with personality and dedication to her job. She is entirely believable. Anyone that likes Kay Hooper, J.T Ellison, or Tess Gerritsen will love This author.

LibraryThing member Lauren2013

Split Second by Alex Kava
Book #2 in the Maggie O'Dell Series.
3 Stars

Synopsis:
FBI profiler, Maggie O’Dell, must cope with the escape of her Nemesis, Albert Stucky, the serial killer who left her both physically and emotionally scarred. She must also contend with the disappearance of her new

neighbor, and as the bodies begin following her around, Maggie must face the possibility that the killer’s next victim will be someone closer to home.

Review:
While the pacing is smooth and the book includes some suspenseful moments, the plot lacks imagination. The character development is limited (mainly Maggie and her new partner, Tully). It would have been more interesting to learn of the killer’s background and motivation, which are hinted at but not elaborated on sufficiently. As it stands, he is a generic construct with formulaic reasons and behaviors. The climax is also just as predictable.
Recommendation: Has potential. A good read for fans of the series.

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