I have enjoyed this book very much. It is a “guilty pleasure” category, yes - when speaking about levels and categories, I would call this a “B” thriller). Yet there is a factor that speaks straight to my heart - the broken people on their way to recovery. Messy, barely there in the world of (supposed) normalcy, Madeline and Jacob bear scars the other people maybe can see, but have hard time to understand or wish to gently touch. This part is done believably and rawly and one can only cheer for them as they fight the demons (and how a relief it can be when someone truly understands your pain - or more, your shame!).
So, categories or not - me likey. And Jacob is hot.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

The survivor of a college dorm massacre, a woman accused of her lover’s murder, Madeline Hewitson is haunted by ghosts and tormented by a killer only she can see. At night, she works, writing and drawing the monster that slithers through her imagination, and living in fear of those moments when the doors of her mind unhinge and her nightmare lives in the daylight.
A seasoned military veteran, Jacob Denisov lives alone in his small, darkened home, sleepless, starving, and angry. Every day he lives with the guilt that comes from his own failures and the carnage that followed. When neighbor Madeline Hewitson drives her car through the front wall of his house, she breaks his house—and his life—wide open. Forced to view the world outside, Jacob watches Maddie, recognizes a kindred spirit and wonders what she fears more than herself. Has someone caught her in a twisted labyrinth of revenge and compassion, guilt and redemption, murder and madness?
When Maddie's imaginary killer takes form, she fights back. But will she be strong enough to triumph, or is the killer she fears no more than a shadow, an illusion…that watches?

*2.5 stars*

I read the first book of this series a little while ago and have to say I wasn't particularly impressed. But I thought, with this being the third, the author may have ironed out some of the issues with the first book and we would have a good novel...

...and we kinda did...

Here's the thing: the plot of the story was quite interesting. Sure, we did have to suspend belief at times and ignore some blatantly obvious "coincidences" (that's why we read, though, right?), it did live up to those expectations of a better "thriller" rather than "all about sex" like the first one I read.

However, that just wasn't enough to save this book for me.

What did get me the most was the way the characters were done. For example, just how many unfortunate things was Maddie put through? Sole survivor of a massacre, her fiancée is murdered, and she was tortured by two staff members at the institution she was placed in afterwards. All within 100 pages of the start of the book. That is overdone for me. Sure, the author wants to get across that the character is broken, fragile...but that was a bit over the top. And then, if that wasn't enough, Jacob was about as much of a cliché as I can stomach - PTSD suffering war veteran with suicidal thoughts, who also happened to be tortured as a prisoner...it's just too much...

Overall, a better story than the first book - as far as a thriller. But still lacking somewhat in characters and their development.


Paul
ARH

Love this author she makes you feel like your in her stories the character development is truly well done .