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)

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

Somewhat Different

What did you love best about The Last Victim?

The characters were well developed, as usual.

If you’ve listened to books by Karen Robards before, how does this one compare?

This one is somewhat different than her usual stories. I don't want to give anything away but the ending didn't finalize the story for me ... series?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wasn't as 'invovled' in this book as I have been in previous ones.

everything you expect from Karen Robard

Where does The Last Victim rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love all of Karens Robards book but this book is one of her best. It grabs you right from the begining and keeps you wanting more at the end. The Narrator was wonderful. I would recommend this to everyone as both romance and suspence.

Im confused.. the point of story WAS?

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

WOW... I do not know.. this story kind of through me off..

Has The Last Victim turned you off from other books in this genre?

NO .. I love Karen Robards.. she one of my favorites..and always will be...i hope there will be a second part to this story...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

narrator was great.. it was just the point of the story..

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Last Victim?

maybe less killings..

Any additional comments?

Karen Robards still great and hope there will be a second part to this story book..

Very different but very GOOD!

It took me by surprise! I love that the story was different because there is a little surprise in the story and made it very funny at times. I really recommend you read this book.

Meh....

Struggled to get through this one even though it had the makings of being great. The ghost sex was just too much for me.

Great book/series

Only problem was some bad narration. Narrator was good with the female voices but she did bizarre things with the male voices. Especially the lead male. She made him sound like witchy-Pooh, even during the graphic sex scenes. I made it through this series because the stories are so good. Really different. I highly recommend you read this series in order or you will get lost. Fabulous!