Olsen's works are fast reads, and I read one of the later books in this series before I realized it was a series. This one was slower to bring me in, but a fast read overall, and I did enjoy it. The writing of the detective's family was a little heavy-handed and vague in a way that I didn't love, but the mystery/suspense which the book was fully built around kept me fully engaged from start to finish. Readers should be warned that there should be a blaring CW for sexual assault on the cover and back of this book--and maybe if it had been published more recently, there would be--and there's certainly an argument to be made that the writer went for shock value in some scenes, but not to the point where things weren't believable.

Recommended for readers of the genre. ( )

AWESOME SERIAL KILLER STORY! ( )

This is the 2nd book by Olsen that I read. First of all, I almost put the book down a couple times but decided to finish it. How disappointing. Not only did I find the book so graphic and sadistic for the most part I also felt the story was so drawn out I actually got bored quite a few times. I have a 9th graded in one of the classes I work in and she reads Olsen's books. I do not think for a minute this type of book is suitable for young teenage girls. Hopefully she by passes this one. ( )

A serial killer is terrorizing towns around Puget Sound. Kitsap County Sherriff’s Detective Kendall Stark begins the investigation and identifies the common threads linking these murders. Serenity Hutchins is a hungry young reporter intent on making her name on this story, but where is she getting her inside information?

I really liked Kendall as a lead character. I’m glad that Olsen included some of her back story and home life, to give the reader a more rounded character. She is a really strong female lead character – smart, resilient, resourceful, intelligent and compassionate.

I was less enthralled with Serenity. Though I think I understand some of her thought process, given her upbringing, I just can’t reconcile her behavior with that of a committed journalist. I’m struggling with how to describe my dissatisfaction with her as a character, because I don’t want to include any spoilers.

Still, I could barely put it down. This is a tightly-written, fast-paced psychological thriller. It’s not for the faint of heart; it’s about a sexual sadist serial killer, and there are some very graphic scenes. ( )

Victim Six by Gregg Olsen was a very interesting read – it was like no other book I have ever read.

General thoughts:

• Not a book for everyone
• Very sadistic, violent, egotistical, no respect for women - antagonist
• Multiple sexual situations or references to sexual situations – non consensual, rape, torture, necrophilia
• Words that come to mind when thinking about this book – grizzly, vile, cruel, hateful, insensitive, sadistic, dark, bleak, abusive, twisted, lack of human compassion
• No support from outside (of the town) law enforcement agencies for assistance in finding a serial killer
• Leading, investigating officer – Kendell has a challenging home life, amazing she can work this case with its heavy emotional toll
• I didn't like the female supporting cast – petty, egotistical, some were just TSTL to stupid to live
• Antagonist is known to the reader before the end of the book, it’s part of the plot to make it known
• Well written, most loose ends tied up by the end of the book

I have to say that it did hold my attention, but not a book I would call entertaining.



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