Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer

By: Cynthia Eden

Narrated by: Emily Beresford

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Katherine Cole thought her fiancé was the perfect man - until he turned out to be the perfect killer. He left his victims stabbed through the heart holding a telltale single red rose and was deemed the Valentine Killer. Three years ago he vanished. Now he’s back. And he’s hunting the one who got away.

In New Orleans, Katherine dared to hope she was finally safe, yet somehow he found her. This time, Katherine won’t just sit silently by; she’ll do anything to stop the monster she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe.…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with the job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms - and the Valentine Killer is dead.

©2013 Cynthia Eden (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Good Plot - Dumb Heroine

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Hard to say - it's a good plot, but I was pulled out of the story more than once when the main character (Catherine) would do something so stupid you wanted to smack her. The cops aren't far behind her for stupid. Two different times the main characters had ample opportunity to kill the bad guy and didn't. Yikes - stupid!

Would you be willing to try another book from Cynthia Eden? Why or why not?

Maybe

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Emily Beresford?

Anyone - really bad male voices.

Did Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer inspire you to do anything?

Yeah - erase it.

Any additional comments?

Argh - frustrating book. Very annoying.

Good romance suspense

It was a little predictable as some of the reviews suggest, and, yes, everyone was a little stupid at times but there were some surprises and a nice romance. Just an enjoyable listen wondering who was going to be the next victim and why.

The narrator did okay, although she could work on the male voices.

Not your average "heart throb" romance...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I would make it less predictable.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was not overly surprised or fooled.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Dane sounded like a werewolf with a two pack a day habit...ease up on the gruff and go more for deep.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

More character development. These characters were too pat.

Any additional comments?

Having taken a "stab" at writing my own serial killer book, it is easy to make the story predictable, and I felt that except for the interjection of the twisted psychiatrist, this one was extremely predictable.

Awesome..

Any additional comments?

I got this book and the audible version free with my KindleUnlimited yesterday afternoon. The audio is 10 hours and 56 minutes long and I was up until 4:00 this morning finishing it.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Loved Dane and Katherine/Kat/Katelynn/Katie. The secondary characters, Mac, Ronnie, Harley, Marcus and Ross, were wonderful. There was 2 seriel killers but Valentine/Michael was the scariest and the main killer in this book.
One reviewer gave the impression that Dane and Katherine fell in love in a very, very short time but I certainly didn't get that impression. Another made it sound like it was mostly sex and not enough storyline and that couldn't be further from the truth. There really was just enough sex but not nearly enough build up to it.
One great read and I highly recommend it. Now, I'm off to read Fear For Me.

As to the narrator: She was OK. She did do some men's voices but they sounded kind of angry every time they spoke or, like Mac, they sounded a little girly. She wasn't the greatest but she wasn't the worst either. I will listen to the next book in the series.

Awesome listen!

I loved this book. The plot was consistant and unfolded step by step. I identified with each character - the development was brilliantly planned. Loved how the female lead unfolded. Most definately a must listen. Narration was great portraying each character as I think the author intended. Even if suspense and romance is not your thing, I would suggest this book...

No one does romantic suspense like Cynthia Eden

I loved this book when I read it years ago. Love the entire series. I almost wish that the narrator had been a man, as this is equally Dane's tale.

Predictable

Sentences like this is typical for the book; "The house smelled like her. Fresh strawberries. Sweet. Heady." You know already from the first chapter what will happen between the two.

This book made me roll my eyes again and again. It's predictable and, in lack of a better word; childish.

Very poor character development and dialogue

What would have made Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer better?

The characters and dialogue were so stereotyped that it was painful to listen to. Very predictable in all regards.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Jo Nesbo or Laura Lipman mystery.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator was fine but sometimes the pace was too slow and dramatic sounding.

Any additional comments?

This is the only audiobook that I have not finished. I found it too painful to continue and a waste of time so I stopped and went on to another book.

Erotica with a bit of suspense

If you're looking for steamy live scenes with little to no substance, this book might work for that. Other than that, this book is just not good. Not worth reading!

Good story. Terrible narrator!

What would have made Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer better?

The narrator was terrible. She read slow and had no personality in her voice. She made the heroin seem mousy.

What did you like best about this story?

Good story that kept me entertained.

What didn’t you like about Emily Beresford’s performance?

Absolutely all of it. I wanted to listen to the other books but when I found out they have the same narrator I just couldn't do it.