Provocation

Pen Pals and Serial Killers, Book 2

By: Jo Michaels

Narrated by: Stacy Gonzalez, Marni Penning

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Doctor Victoria Ward has been killing men for over 30 years. Her victims all have one thing in common: They’re abusive. Righteousness is a close companion - it helps her sleep at night - and she holds the virtue closely as she defends the innocent, upholding the law when it won’t rise to protect those who need it most.

When she meets a young girl named Kelly and follows her down a twisted path of deception, Doc Ward finds herself face-to-face with a ghost from her past. Never before has she wavered in her resolve, but can she defend another against someone she loves?

This is a stand-alone novel in a series with crossover characters and may be listened to independently of the other books.

©2018 Jo Michaels (P)2019 The Audio Flow, LLC

A Thought Provoking Tale

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review. What happens when you grow up watching violence? Do you become a crusader for victim or just as violent yourself? Or maybe both at the same time. Doc Ward walks a thin line in this dark tale of revenge and suspense. A very thought provoking tale about a very serious subject. It will stay with you long after you're done listening.

Psychiatric Vigilantism

An engrossing listen from beginning to end. This graphic twisted psychological tale is not for the faint of heart – reminiscent of Dexter. Fascinating installation Jo Michaels & excellent duo narration😊

Victim or Serial Killer?

NOTE: This book is a vigilante story, with domestic violence and abuse so if those are triggers for you, this is not the book for you.

This was a fast paced story that sucked me in quickly, even with the time skip of going back and forth between the two main characters. I have not read/listened to Jo Michaels work before so I didn't know what to suspect, but the plot twist at the end was just right. Is Victoria a victim getting her revenge or a serial killer who is justifying her actions? Give this a listen to if you want to find out....

Thrilling psychological suspense!

Just when you think you know what is going to happen, a total plot twist occurs! This is my first Jo Michaels book, and I love her twisted sense of righteousness. Victoria is a victim and as a result she is making it her mission to protect those that cannot protect themselves. As a psychiatrist, she has patients that are in need of her help, not only in the office. Now taking the life of an abuser isn't really a crime, is it? Well, things are not always as they seem, and Vicki is about to find that out! This book had me on the edge of my seat. Each chapter was suspenseful, intricately woven with the past and the present until it comes to a surprising culmination. Michaels has reached inside the mind of a serial killer, from Vicki's point of view, feeling the rage and arrogance. It's not for the faint of heart, the scenes are graphic and make you cringe, but that is what makes the story so thrilling. I love delving into their twisted minds and this was so good. I also loved that it was a woman! What a change from the typical male serial killer. Keep them coming on audio! I will be listening!

The narration of this book is key. It has to have a little bit of crazy included in the inflections, and Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning deliver it. I love the switch from past to present, and the inclusion of every emotion. It's quite a ride, and these two took us on it and brought us back with a shocking end! Loved it!

Suspenseful!! Loved it.

The author did an amazing job writing this book. I haven’t read the first book but this is the second installment in the series and it can be read/listened to as a stand-alone.
The story follows Victoria, the main character. The story weaves in and out from the past to present and it was great because it gave us a background as to how a Victoria came to be.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart. There are gruesome parts in the story. The story is amazing and the authors did an amazing job showing us the thought process of Victoria and following in her footsteps. The story is a thriller along with some unforeseen plot twists and the breathless ending. Whoa. I didn’t see that coming!!
The narration was mediocre at best. I listened at a faster pace of 1.75. Once you speed it up you can ignore the high pitch of the narration. Once I increased the speed the narration didn’t bother me and I was able to listen to the story.

Provocation

Definitely a psychological thriller!

A series of events leads Victoria down the path of becoming a serial killer. Her justification is that she only kills the guilty, thus protecting those that can’t stand up for themselves. What happens when her past catches up with her?

I was drawn into this story from the very beginning. Jo Michaels kept the suspense and energy intense, right to the very end.

Both Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning did a great job with the narration. Alternatively between the past and present events.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Pen Pals and Serial Killers

This is a vigilante story about a psychiatrist who doesn't tolerate violence against women. It was a highly suspensive book that I really enjoyed!

Suspenseful!

This was my first Jo Michaels's book. This is the second book in the Pen Pals and Serial Killers Series, a standalone novel with crossover characters. The story is well written, and suspenseful. It reminded me of Dexter Series. However, in this story, a woman is the serial killer, which isn't usual. Some scenes are really graphic (definitively not for faint of heart!). The motives and the thoughts of the serial killer are well built, and well describe. The back and forth, past to present, helps to better understand Victoria's motives, and the breathtaking ending. The story is fast-paced, and the suspense unfolds with some surprising twists and turns, and the ending is completely unpredictable. Stacy Gonzalez and Marni Penning did an amazing job to bring to life this thriller.

Totally Gripping

Provocation. .
First book I've read by Jo Michaels. And I'm impressed I will look for more by the author.
It is a well constructed novel with an intriguing storyline and the concept of a justified serial killer makes you want to keep listening. The end contains a few twists , that keep the tension to the last word.
Narration is good.
If you like a good read then this is a novel for you..
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review. .