The Seventh Victim

By: Mary Burton

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 44 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.....

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!

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.

Not what I was expecting -_-

I obtained this book via the romance package. I normally do not read romance, but since the level was "shimmering" I figured it probably wasn't too heavy on the romance. I wouldn't consider it a romance at all; a side from the 'soft-core' porn portion. There was a twist (kind of) but, I feel like I had already figured out how the book was going to end up based on one interaction between two of the characters. Also, I am confused as to why there are 3 books in this series, that seem to have zero ties to one another? I mean, I am saying this just given the descriptions of the other two books. They don't seem to be a "trilogy" at all therefore, I probably won't listen to the other novels. Since the narration was alright, I gave the book an overall 4, but the story was lacking. There were a few things that bothered me, which I will go into below.
**SPOILERS**

I don't understand in what world (being a survivor myself) a person who has been traumatized not only once, but twice, immediately sleeps with someone IN THE SAME DAY, not even 8 hours later???? I was very frustrated by this. It was almost as though the author knew they wanted a sex scene, so they forced it in there near the end? It was so random to me, and extremely unbelievable. There was hardly any lead up to the sex scene. When the book got to this part, I admittedly was triggered. I mean, maybe survivors heal by sleeping with others shortly after their abuse - it's just been highly unlikely in my own life, and lives of others that I know, or have read about. The book would have been much more enjoyable with a sex scene before the second abuse, even then.. there was no leading up to it at all. =/ 2/10 stars there...

Another thing that seriously bugged me, is the dog being "hurt" more than once. I mean, being drugged is enough, but being kept in a closet, then being shot was just too much for me. I am already sensitive to that type of thing, but I feel it was excessive here. I understand that the author was trying to convey how much the main character loved her dog, and the perhaps the dog has been the only thing she's been able to love since her abuse a decade ago, but that could have been successful without hurting the poor dog so many times. :(

These two things were a big enough turn off for me that I am too nervous to listen to the other books in fear there is more animal cruelty or unbelievable intimacy with a victim.

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.

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.

Highly recommend

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

Narrator too fast

Seems like good story but I can’t keep up with narration. It’s too fast. What a shame.

Uneven

I listened to this as part of the Romance/Escape package, and I am giving up after two hours. The narrator does an excellent job but she cannot change the fact that the lead male character is an asshole. For him, and for the police who handled the case back in Seattle seven years ago, this is all about them. How THEY must solve this.
They talk about the lead female character as someone who HAS to help them, regardless of the cost to her mental health.
Nothing about how they could go about helping her remembering.
Example: Lead Male Asshole goes to visit Lead Female at her house for the first time and does nothing to expel her fears, or calm her. Parts of this book is well written and then a jarring passage comes along. Mostly involving conversation, which is very stilted and stereotypical.

I had a hard time with this book

I had a hard time with this book because the narrator tried to change her voice for different characters, it just didnt work for me