The Seventh Victim

By: Mary Burton

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

It's been seven years since the Seattle Strangler terrorized the city. His victims were all young, pretty, their lifeless bodies found wrapped in a home-sewn white dress. But there was one who miraculously escaped death, just before the Strangler disappeared.

Lara Church has only hazy memories of her long-ago attack. What she does have is a home in Austin, a job, and a chance at a normal life at last. Then Texas Ranger James Beck arrives on her doorstep with shattering news: The Strangler is back. And this time, he's in Austin.

He's always craved her, even as he killed the others. For so long he's been waiting to unleash the beast within. And this time, he'll prove he holds her life in his hands - right before he ends it forever....

©2013 Mary Burton (P)2013 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Best-seller Burton ( Before She Dies) delivers action-packed tension as a cold case becomes new again...a compelling romantic thriller." ( Publishers Weekly)

Why a romance?

Ok, I really don’t know why this book is listed as a romance.... yeah yeah yeah, it ends in a relationship and a quick sex scene. But it’s not emotion driven, there is no steam, no chemistry or sexual tension, no “love” and heart strings romance .... there is A romance but it’s not the main story.

As a romance I give this book just three and a half stars at best. But as a mystery/crime novel it deserves five. It’s not a literary masterpiece but it is a very enjoyable story that actually delivers a twist that you can’t see coming.... very well written.

Excellent narration!

Creditworthy? YES! But I got it in the “romance” package.....

15 of 15 people found this review helpful

Great Story with Great Narrator!

Very entertaining with plenty of suspense! The story kept me listening anxiously all the way through, anticipating what would happen next. And when you think you have it figured out, events occur to make you reconsider. Purchased when I saw Johanna Parker narrated. She's one of my top favorites and she does a wonderful job!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Seventh Victim, 1st Survivor

What made the experience of listening to The Seventh Victim the most enjoyable?

Liked the story line and the hero was interesting

What other book might you compare The Seventh Victim to and why?

the In Death series by J.D. Robb
explicit story set ups and follow thru

What does Johanna Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She gave many scenes an excitement that was appealing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the hero started to care for the heroine.

Any additional comments?

I thought Ms. Parker reading was just a little too fast paced. At first I found it hard to grasp what she was saying as she relayed it too fast. As the books went on I finally adjusted to her speed, but still thought she should have had a better pace.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Needed a stronger heroine

Great plot. Lots of suspense. But the leading character, Laura Church, who was raped and almost killed 7 years ago, needed to be a little more proactive in her safety. She still needed a man to save her. She kept putting herself in dangerous situations and being stubbornly idiotic when they were pointed out to her. She cared way too much for her dog and put herself in danger twice over his well being. Texas is a gun friendly state, she should've had a concealed carry and had learned some self-defensive moves. Her killer was still out there! Other than that, it was a very good book.

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Highly recommend

Great narration by Johanna Parker. She helped make this audiobook very enjoyable. A mystery with a twist at the end.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Worth a read!

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

Although it was somewhat predictable, and sometimes stretched into total disbelief, it is a good read. It has all the good stuff, a Texas Ranger, a series of murders, and a German Shepard.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Seventh Victim?

About 2/3 into the book when it became apparent who the bad guys were.

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

Don't recall hearing her before.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Actually, it was how ALL the police treated the lone surviving victim. All the cops either treated her like a prostitute or threatened her. I don't know many police officers with the experience she gives the characters would actually ever speak to a victim or witness in that manner. It sadden me to think that people think its a common occurrence.

Any additional comments?

I prefer a heroine with a little more snark, but over-all, its a good read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unlucky Seven

It has been seven years since a young girl has turned up strangled and put in a home sewn white dress. It seems like the Seattle Strangler is following Lara Church (the victim who got away) from Seattle to Austin, what is the reason? Will the Texas Rangers be able to catch him before he tries to kill Lara again? The mystery and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat in this book. This was a great book to listen to, if you like mystery and suspense as I do this book is for you.

Loked the story not the narrator

It was a good story you think it is all solved and you know what happened when the author hits you with a twist which in the end you knew but had doubts about. What kind of killed it for me was the narration which felt rushed.

A good read

WHY A ROMANCE???? ANYWAYS I really enjoyed this book. I like the way the author wrote it. I like the characters. It was a little predictable but it was still very good.

Very Very Dark!!

IMO the story was good, the writing was okay. I did not like the narrator and often could not distinguish between the voices of different characters. However, the reason for not giving more stars is that I really did not expect this book to be so dark. So graphic with the description of the attacks. Also though it is a suspense and there is some modicum of suspense, if you are paying attention you can definitely figure out the Killer and knowing that there are still 3-4 chapters left after the reveal further solidifies what will happen at the end. Overall it was ok. This is my first from this author so maybe others who are familiar with her will not consider it dark.