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)

Well done; loved the ending

I was really impressed at how the author ended this book. I loved the interaction between Charly and the convict, Michael Garland; he does show some redeeming qualities. There's a lot of hinting that he may not have been guilty of the crime he's in prison for, and that's not resolved. My favorite line is when a ghost is walking around naked and Charly yells at him to put on some pants. The weakest part of the story for me was the many times she misses obvious clues and goes back to reveal what she missed and why that's important. The greatest attraction for me about any story is that it keeps me listening, and this one did. Based on Charly's past, the ending at that point in her life made sense to me. Anything else would have felt like a forced resolution. I'd like to know more about Lena and Buzz. It would be great to have a sequel.

Had to fast forward though areas of the book

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Disappointed. I have read other Karen Robard's novels and loved them BUT, really a love affair with a ghost. The story had potential and even using the ghost as a guardian angel would have been easier to tolerate.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

predictable

What three words best describe Ann Marie Lee’s performance?

She was OK

Was The Last Victim worth the listening time?

considering I fast forwarded through the bazaar love scene...?

Not my favorite of Robards

The mixing of apparitions with a crime drama was a little hokey. That is the only reason I did not give it a better rating. The characters were developed well, the crime / mystery drama was still very done.

Not mystery. Definitely a paranormal romance

Good story line but it is not a mystery. They do solve a case and I will read the next one. I hope there is more character development.

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!