"Great romantic suspense"

Late at night and seemingly alone, Chicago prosecutor Kristen Mayhew waits for the elevator when a stranger arrives and inadvertently frightens her. The newcomer introduces himself as Detective Abe Reagan recently transferred from five years undercover on drugs to homicide. They ride down together and he escorts her to her car only to see she has a flat. Abe goes to change the tire, but the opened trunk reveals a corpse and several boxes.

The police arrive including Abe's new partner Mia Mitchell, who just lost her partner and fears that Abe has a death wish. As the boxes are methodically opened, letters with articles of clothing are in each. The letters are addressed to Kristen informing her that a degenerate has been killed, where the body is buried, and personal information on her home improvement efforts. As Abe and Mia accompanied by Kristen track the evidence, each wonders if one of their kind has gone rogue and become an avenging serial killer. While the inquiries lead from one grave to another, Abe and Kristen begin to fall in love, but he fears commitment having failed to be there even when a loved one died.

This exciting police procedural romance emphasizes the tense suspense in which everyone trying to stop the avenger actually feels the "victims" deserve what they get, but also fear that the killer is so knowledgeable he has to be an insider, but who went over the edge. The story line is action packed gripping the audience into wondering who the killer could be. Though the romance takes a back seat to the investigation, fans will appreciate this thriller while watching for future novels from Karen Rose.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 10, 2004

Read an Excerpt

Summary

I KNOW THEIR CRIMES

Star prosecutor Kristen Mayhew has a dangerous secret admirer. He seems to knows her every thought, her every move. He sends her letters. And he kills the criminals she herself is powerless to stop.

I HUNT DOWN THE GUILTY

This avenger even knows Kristen's deepest secret—the one that has kept her from surrendering her heart to Abe Reagan, the police detective sworn to protect her. Like Kristen, Reagan is haunted by the loss of something precious that he can never regain. But in the shadow of a calculating serial killer, the two turn to each other and dare to rediscover passion...even as the messages and vicious murders continue. Even as the killer's thirst for retribution makes Kristen a target for murder.

I'M WATCHING YOU