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)

Torture to listen to!!

What did you like about this audiobook?

Good story but a bit too predictable.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Reading was way too slow and voice was boring and annoying. Even the action scenes were boring they were read so slow. The same can be said for any romantic parts. If not for the story line I would've stopped listening.

Great storyline.

The narrator was too dry for the characters. A stronger more sarcastic voice would have better captured the personalities

Ghost Serial Killer Love Interest?

Any additional comments?

I like some of the aspects of this book but the fact that one of the main characters is a ghost serial killer who ends up being a sort of love interest in this series is not something I'm willing to follow.

THE LAST VICTIM!!

I ENJOYED THIS LISTEN ,,I ENJOY KAREN ROBARDS BOOKS AND THIS ONE IS
RIGHT UP THERE!!

Nail biting serial killer thriller with a twist

This was the first book I ever read by Karen Robards in 2003 when it was released. I loved it then and wanted to go back to that series again so I bought the audiobook. I absolutely love her writing style and it is more exciting in audio form! She writes the way I think & talk! This story draws you in from the very first sentence and doesn't let you go! I was kept guessing all the way through to the end. This book has everything, a strong female lead character in Charlie, suspense, great cast of characters who are unpredictable and quirky, as well as being hot and steamy. It is still so fresh and different from any other book out there.

A real page turner, so to speak

I think Karen Robards is my new favorite author. This is the fourth book in a row that I have binged on and am looking forward to the next. After I finish this series, I will start over again , and I never re read a book. Excellent story line and great narration !

Pass on this

Blah story, crappy narration, I had to force myself to finish this one. Save the credit for something else.

Different, but good.

Any additional comments?

The book is classified as a paranormal romance... so it baffles me that people would give it a bad rating for being far fetched. If you want something realistic, 1) why are you reading anything classified as paranormal 2) why are you reading a romance novel? Overall, I liked it. It has a different twist then most of the paranormal romances out there. As for all the negative comments about the "falling in love with a serial killer", the book insinuates that he was wrongly accused... hopefully the next book will prove he (michael) was not a serial killer.

good book

really enjoyed. it kept me listening Robards good author. look forward to other books by her

Very Interesting Situation

The premise is very interesting, the whole "I see dead people thing". It definitely is a blessing and a curse. That was the enjoyable part of this production. I have enjoyed many Karen Robards books. The choice of narrators was not the best for this one. The overdone whispered exacerbation of thoughts, the projected enunciation...it gets old. Just use a normal tone!
Julia Whelan was my favorite and would have done a much better job with this series.