Author: Karen Rose
Publisher: Grand Central
Publication Date: May, 2008
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Description: Special Agent Daniel Vartanian has sworn to find the perpetrator of multiple killings that mimic a 13-year-old murder linked to a collection of photographs that belonged to his brother, Simon, the ruthless serial killer who met his demise in DIE FOR ME. Daniel is certain that someone even more depraved than his brother committed these crimes, and he's determined to bring the current murderer to justice and solve the mysterious crime from years ago.
With only a handful of images as a lead, Daniel's search will lead him back through the dark past of his own family, and into the realm of a mind more sinister than he could ever imagine. But his quest will also draw him to Alex Fallon, a beautiful nurse whose troubled past reflects his own. As Daniel becomes attached to Alex, he discovers that she is also the object of the obsessed murderer. Soon, he will not only be racing to discover the identity of this macabre criminal, but also to save the life of the woman he has begun to love.
My Thoughts: If you are a fan of Karen Rose, then you already know all of her romantic suspense books are connected, character wise. I really enjoy this aspect of her books because I am one of those readers that like to feel a bond with the characters and having various past characters make an appearance in future books gives me a warm fuzzy. I first met Daniel Vartanian last year when I read Die For Me. As stated in that review, I didn’t feel much of a connection to him at that time but I also knew that would change when I started this book and I was not disappointed.
Scream For Me picks up fairly soon after the last book ends. Special Agent Daniel Vartanian has returned to Georgia and is trying to piece together the horror depicted in his brother Simon’s photographs and come to terms with the fact that his brother was a monster. Daniel receives a shock when he learns that one of the women in the photographs was murdered thirteen years ago and an even bigger shock when he meets her identical twin, Alex. Alex and Daniel begin to work together to find Alex’s step-sister, Bailey, a recovering drug addict who has gone missing and has left behind a young daughter. After an attempt is made on Alex’s life, they realize both cases are connected. Danger escalates as they race against the clock trying to figure out who was behind the crimes thirteen years ago and how they are connected to the murders happening now.
The villains are not easily identified in this story and between all of the bad guys and good guys, I had a hard time keeping everybody straight. In addition, there is a lot of back-story to comprehend. Alex’s entire past history plays front and center throughout the entire story and is quite detailed and sometimes complicated. My mistake with this book was choosing the audio book instead of another format. I had to keep backtracking to refresh my memory as to which characters were who and what their roles were. There are just too many details that need to be processed thoroughly. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of the audio format for this book.
I really liked Daniel and Alex. On the surface, they are both very strong people who have made something of their lives and are successful. You would never know from looking at them that they each carry a very heavy load of emotional baggage from their pasts. It’s logical that they would be drawn to one another so quickly and with such intense passion. I liked that in spite of the horrors of their painful past histories, they are able to open their hearts and care about others.
I am looking forward to reading the third book as it centers on Daniel’s sister, Susannah. I found her to be a very interesting character that I am extremely curious about. I expect it will pick up where this one ends and will pack quite a punch of its own, as well.
My final verdict: Scream For Me is a very good book that continues the story that began with Die For Me and will conclude with Kill For Me. I highly recommend this book if you like character driven books packed full of intense suspense, action, intrigue and passion that keep you in anticipation with each chapter. Don’t start here, however. Give yourself a better treat and read all of Karen Rose’s suspense novels, starting with Don’t Tell. You will be glad you did.
