Evil at Heart

By: Chelsea Cain

Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Chelsea Cain's novels featuring Detective Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell have captivated fans through two nail-biting entries, Heartsick and Sweetheart, both multi-week best-sellers on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly lists.

Here Gretchen is still on the loose and Archie is still hospitalized after his ploy to catch her went spectacularly wrong. They've entered a detente of sorts: Archie agrees not to kill himself if she agrees not to kill anyone else. But suddenly there's something else to contend with that might be worse - a zealous fan of Gretchen's, paying homage to the Beauty Killer by luring Archie and reporter Susan Ward to the scene of a grisly murder. At least they hope it's the work of someone new, for the prospect of Gretchen breaking her promise is more than Archie can bear.

©2009 Verite, Inc. (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"With her preternatural grasp of pacing and ability to create vivid characters with astonishing economy, Cain expertly drives her narrative." ( Los Angeles Times)
"We've been down Hannibal Lecter Avenue many times, and these two books shouldn't work . . . but they do. Chalk it up to excellent writing and Cain's ferocious sense of humor. The Portland [Oregon] setting is refreshing too." (Stephen King)

Another good listen!

This series just keeps getting better and continues to be interesting and maintain in depth character development. Narrator is good.

Got hooked on this series!!

Sooo good!! She's such a great writer! Chelsea Cain writes a book you just can't put down!! Highly suggest if you like suspension!

Another Amazing Read

This was incredible just like the last few of the series!! I highly recommend if you like suspenseful serial killer thrillers!

loved it

first time listener to this author and I loved it..interesting characters and enough action to keep it going..

Loved it

I am in love with this story. The fast pace and the characters. I don't want it to end.

Series Is Weakening

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes the story isn't horrible and still kept my interest. I just don't think it stacks up to the first book

Would you recommend Evil at Heart to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes. I plan on listening to the rest of the series. I enjoy the characters and want to see where they all end up

Which character – as performed by Carolyn McCormick – was your favorite?

I love her Gretchen voice. I know the author has described Gretchen and I know she isn't a middle aged woman but in my mind she is. Almost like a Meryl Streep type persona. The voice Carolyn uses is the best.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Beauty.... Killing is not only skin deep

Any additional comments?

Thank you for presenting a interesting series of books.

Average novel with irritating music thru-out

Evil at Heart follows the story arc of Gretchen and Archie-serial killer vs. typical broken down cop who isn't a drunk, but is a junkie on vicodin. This third novel in the series is yet another average rendition of a frequently written story arc. It's not bad but it's not really good either.

I purchased all 3 books when there was a sale at audible (buy 2 get 3) looking for a new author and charmed by the idea that the scene is set in Portland, OR----my hometown.

The plot isn't a bad one and the writing has some good points but I guess my hope the Cain's writing might improve as the novels progressed hasn't come to fruition, in my opinion. All 3 novels have come strongly in the average department...not bad, not good-just average. Each with the mandatory kinky sex scene, which is well written, and the increasing deterioration of Archie's mind as Gretchen gains more and more control over him.

I've noticed lately that more audio books have begun inserting musical interludes between chapters. For some reason the producers find this attractive, but as a reader/listener I find it irritating. All 3 of Cain's books had this aggravating addition to the novel as well as the addition of weird piano and string interludes during the reading of an exciting portion of the plot.

It sounds just like 1940 radio shows I used to listen to as a kid-or like the Twilight Zone on early TV to bring the analogy closer to modern day. One chapter, 42 I think, where there was supposed to be a suspenseful part in the story arc, the music played all thru the chapter....and it overwhelmed the reading at times-the music didn't add anything and really took away from the performance. And it drove me a bit batty with the irritating increase in volume.

Carolyn McCormick is a good narrator and I'd happily listen to her read other books.

Musical interludes not as bad

Either I am getting used to the musical interludes, or they are not as bad in this novel as they were the previous novel. Whoever decided that having someone hit random keys on a piano between every chapter was a good idea was mistaken. At least there was less music playing over the narrator in this novel compared to the previous one. That's definitely an improvement.

This novel, like the previous two novels, had some great humor and I liked the characters. However, I think the humor was just a bit less than it has been. Still good, though. Obviously, these novels aren't comedy novels, but it's nice to break up the tension with a bit of humor from time to time.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. I am looking forward to the next one.

A disappointment

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

No, I found the character of Susan to be totally unbelievably naive.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Listening to 11-22-63, but Stephen King right now.

Have you listened to any of Carolyn McCormick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I know the voice and I love it, but I can't place the books I've listened that she narratored.

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

Maybe, there would have to be a total redo of Susan. Her stupidity drove me absolutely crazy and not in a good way.

Any additional comments?

I will listen the third one, I'm a glutton for punishment, but kill the Sweetheart killer already. These characters can really stand on their own without her.

A jumping off point.

Another well written thriller by Celsea Cain. I liked this book as well if not better than the last. Gretchen is not as predominant in this story but her creepiness leaks through the cracks of the other insane characters. Poor Archie is still trying to heal from all of her physical and mental abuse and I think he may be on track. Susan is still helping Archie and even though a little off center, her blind heroics come in handy. Some of us are doing this as a buddy read and I am looking forward to where the characters will take us in the next book.