Kill You Twice

Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell, Book 5

By: Chelsea Cain

Narrated by: Christina Delaine

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell - the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she’s committed - is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she’s inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.

To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrists from a tree. It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning in a big public park and yet leave no trace.

And then Archie gets a message he can’t ignore - Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can’t risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that’s what he tells himself.... But the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he’s willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen’s past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?

At once terrifying and magnetic, “Beauty Killer” Gretchen Lowell returns with a vengeance in Kill You Twice, Chelsea Cain’s latest razor-sharp psychological thriller.

©2012 Verite Inc. (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Loved it

I truly loved this series. It was a fast pace series but never left you questioning. It was a great read.

Great improvement in Cain's writing

I bought Cain's initial Gretchen & Archie offerings because the author is a Portland resident and stages her novels in our fair city. I'd hoped for improvement in the first few but found them average at best.

"Kill You Twice" is a huge step above Cain's first writing. I don't know if it's a new editor or just experience but I found the drama and excitement of this book far superior to her first novels.

This is a series that relies heavily on the previous novels-it doesn't stand alone well. I hate to say that I'd suggest reading the first average police serial killer stories just to get to this one but it's almost necessary.

Christina Delaine is a new narrator and does a good job. I liked the original narrators take on mad-woman Gretchen a bit better than Delaine's but all in all, this is a good match of author and reader.

The story is tense and not nearly as predictable as the original couple of books and though Gretchen is a part of the plot, she's not the main focus as she was previously. The story arc is tight, the dialogue well written and all of the Portland names are pronounced correctly..something that is important to those of us who live here.

I look forward to Cain's next offering and consider this book a credit well spent.

Awesome

so many twists and turns, this book is riveting! I can't wait till the next book!

The Best So Far!

Would you consider the audio edition of Kill You Twice to be better than the print version?

Since I don't have the print version, I can't say. But since I joined Audible, it is hard to "read" a book, I love having them read to me. I like how the narrators try to have different voices for the characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Susan and Archie are my favs. Susan because she is just plain awesome. She is smarter than the average bear. I like Archie because is just a normal guy. No super powers to get the job, he has faults (some that cost him dearly), and he is just one of those likeable guys.

Which character – as performed by Christina Delaine – was your favorite?

Not sure, she does pretty good with all of them. Altough I really liked the way Caroline McCormick would have Gretchen say "Archie" and "Darling" and "Sweetheart". Kinda breathy Marilyn Monroe-ish.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Parts or it were funny and parts were can't stop reading because I gotta find out what happened

Any additional comments?

You really have to listen to these in order, they do follow a story line and characters from the other books make appearances. I really liked this series and can't wait for the next.

Great 5th.

All of the usual suspect are back in this 5Th book in the series, which is one series you should definitely start at the beginning. Gretchen is in an insane asylum and Archie is now tracking a serial killer who is leaving her heart signature at the murder scenes. I really liked this addition because we learn about Gretchens past. Archie is finally getting a grip on himself around her and is actually getting a type of revenge. Twists and turns made this a great read. I had a slight problem with the very very end but as always, great writing, great narration.

Not as gripping as Hannibal, reminiscent

Silence of the Lambs reminiscent but no where near as gripping, yet a decent story, not a waste of time... basically a romance novel with dark tones.

Very intense

Well written, but too gory for me. Still I had to keep listening to find out what happened

Chelsea Cain knows what she's doing!

Archie, Susan, Henry, Claire, and of course Gretchen...
There are so many characters that after 5 books, you feel like you know them. They're part of the family.
All of the books in the Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell series know how to keep me interested.
Introducing a love interest for Archie that isn't Gretchen or Susan, threw me. And at first I wanted him to get back with Debbie and the kids before he started anything with somebody new. And I appreciated the way Archie was very cautious of Rachel at first, because of course he has to be! He can't meet a new woman and NOT have to investigate her. Although I still don't fully trust her...but we shall see.

OH how I have missed Archie!

Classic Cain! Colorful characters, gory serial murders, and a little sexy stuff. Archie is one of my favorite protagonist. I want so badly to save him from his torment but he just keeps jumping right back in! Still, ya gotta love him

A Reasonably Good Yarn Ruined

Would you try another book from Chelsea Cain and/or Christina Delaine?

Probably not!

Would you recommend Kill You Twice to your friends? Why or why not?

No! A narrator who put a bit more life into it may have helped grab a bit more interest!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Christina Delaine?

Anyone with the ability to put a story across!

Did Kill You Twice inspire you to do anything?

Yes, I turned it off about two hours into the 1st part!