The Last Victim

A Novel

By: Karen Robards

Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee

Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Electrifying suspense, cutting-edge psychological insight, and an unforgettably sensuous love story - these are the trademarks of Karen Robards' sizzling novels. Now the New York Times best-selling author launches a red-hot new paranormal romantic thriller series featuring the fascinating Dr. Charlotte Stone, a serial killer expert whose extraordinary powers lead her from ecstasy to terror.

Dr. Charlotte Stone sees what others do not. A sought-after expert in criminal pathology, Charlie regularly sits face-to-face with madmen. Obsessed with learning what makes human monsters commit terrible crimes, Charlie desires little else from life - no doubt because when she was 16, she herself survived a serial killer's bloodbath: A man butchered the family of Charlie's best friend, Holly, then left the girl's body on a seaside boardwalk one week later.

Because of the information Charlie gave police, the Boardwalk Killer went underground. She kept to herself her eerie postmortem visions of Holly and her mother. And even years later, knowing her contact with ghosts might undermine her credibility as a psychological expert, Charlie tells no one about the visits she gets from the spirit world.

Now all-too-handsome FBI agent Tony Bartoli is telling Charlie that a teenage girl is missing, her family slaughtered. Bartoli suspects that after 15 years, the Boardwalk Killer - or a sick copycat with his M.O. - is back. Time is running short for an innocent, kidnapped girl, and Bartoli pleads for Charlie's help.

This is the one case Charlie shouldn't go near. But she also knows that she may be the one person in the world who can stop this vicious killer. For Charlie - whose good looks disguise a world of hurt, vulnerability, and potent psychic gifts - a frantic hunt for a madman soon becomes a complex test of cunning, passions, and secrets. Aiding Dr. Stone on her quest to catch a madman is a ghostly presence with bad intentions: the fiery spirit of seductive bad boy Michael Garland who refuses to be ignored, though in his cat and mouse game they may both lose their hearts.

Dr. Charlotte Stone sees what others do not. And she sees the Boardwalk Killer coming for her.

©2012 Karen Robards (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Robards has a true flair for characterization and excels at adding large doses of humor to the spicy mix." ( RT Book Reviews)

"One of the most popular voices in women's fiction." ( Newsweek)

"Robards is one terrific storyteller." ( Chicago Tribune)

Needed more... hoping for series?

If you could sum up The Last Victim in three words, what would they be?

Intriquing, different, unique

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Charlie and Garland.

Any additional comments?

I felt as though it left the reader with a lot of questions regarding Garland and his story. I hope there is another book to follow. Too many questions left unfinished.
The story itself was great! I loved what felt like the multiple story lines. Easy to follow and very intriquing!

I read it along time ago - but didn’t remember the last solution details because I’m much older now.

The narrator couldn’t do a decent job with conveying a male voice. It was annoying for me.

awesome book!

This was a great book. I thought she did a really good job of bringing the characters to life.

A great book

loved this book. I've been renting it through my library and finally decided to buy it.

Best new series I have read this year!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Last Victim to be better than the print version?

This book is interesting, creative and a lot creepy. How do you fall in love with a ghost, serial killer, blow off the best FBI agent you every had the chance to date and still solve the crime and save the girl. You have to read this one it is unique and very interesting.

Needs something, just not sure what

I don't know what it is about the narrator, but I couldn't stay "tuned in" to the book. I suddenly heard "Chapter 13" and realized the last chapter announcement I actually remembered was chapter 8.
The premise for the book was so good I was sure I would love it. Then we bring in the ghost of a serial killer. I actually didn't mind that so much. It was when the serial killer ghost suddenly became the poor misunderstood bad boy who is really a good guy that I started rolling my eyes. When he's being interviewed by the psychiatrist, everything he says is disturbing on every level. And I'm suddenly to believe he is an acceptable love interest? Seriously? Guess I'm not into unhealthy relationships. First of all, he's a GHOST. I no way does that make him an acceptable love interest. Second of all, he's a convicted serial killer. His MO was to attract and pick up women and then kill them. This woman is a psychiatrist who extensively interviewed him, she knows how he lured women to their deaths. And she doesn't see the red flags? She needs more help than all the serial killers she interviewed.
The rest of the story, the tracking of the live serial killer, and her other interactions with ghosts was entertaining. I just couldn't get past her fatal attraction to the dead serial killer.

Its Missing Someting

What did you like best about The Last Victim? What did you like least?

The characters are interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

None

Do you think The Last Victim needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, because I want to know what happens with Garland.

Any additional comments?

This book is just missing something. I don't know if it is because we only have Charlie point of view or what. The book just does not work for me. I like the plot of the book.

Nice listening!

What made the experience of listening to The Last Victim the most enjoyable?

I love the ghost aspect

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Victim?

the dreams

What does Ann Marie Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is always great to listen to, in fact I will look for her in mysteries

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the dreams

Any additional comments?

Not the ending I would like, I hope there is a next

In love with a Seriel Killer (Ghost)

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It is ok Not sure I believe that this woman would be in love with a Ghost and think twice about a flesh and blood good guy. Just hard to believe

Would you recommend The Last Victim to your friends? Why or why not?

No not really. A ghost as a pretector maybe. Not sure I want a ghost as a lover. Especially not one that had been on death row.

What aspect of Ann Marie Lee’s performance would you have changed?

She was fine.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

edgy

to many sex scenes
but I did enjoy the story line. on the edge of my seat