Scream for Me Book

Oh, this is going to be difficult describing this book, because there are so many characters to keep straight, and so many twists and turns, that sometimes it was downright confusing! But if you can hang in there for about the first 100 pages, things start to make sense, everything falls into place and things get rolling, and by then this book was un-put-downable!

This is a story about disfunctional families, betrayal, guilt, and regrets. It seems that every character in this story had regrets or guilt about something they had done or had failed to do.

The chief 'regretter' was Special Agent Daniel Vartanian of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, who was first introduced in Karen Rose's previous book, "Die For Me". Daniel was the brother of the villain of that book, serial killer Simon Vartanian, who met his demise one week before this story begins.

Daniel is still getting over the drama suurounding Simon's death and is barely back at work, when he starts investigating what appears to be copycat murders of a crime that took place 13 years ago in his hometown of Dutton, Georgia. Daniel is still feeling guilty over what he knew about his brother Simon and how his father, a prominent judge, helped cover up Simon's past crimes. He regrets that he didn't come forward sooner to the authorities and tell all he knew about Simon. But now there is a new murderer on the loose, and these murders are linked to something sinister that Simon was involved with in his youth. Daniel vows to find the culprit, and nothing will stop him, even if he has to face the demons of the past that continue to haunt him.

While investigating the crimes, he falls for Alex Fallon, a beautiful nurse with a link to one of the victims from 13 years ago. Alex has a dark past filled with regrets, not unlike Daniel. Alex is in Georgia because her step-sister Bailey has gone missing, and she's looking after Hope, her traumatized 4 yr. old niece. Has Hope witnessed something that led to her mother's disappearance? Is Bailey a victim of this new copycat murderer? And how do the prominent citizens of this small Georgia town factor in to the murders? How many secrets and lies can Daniel uncover before it's too late and his and Alex's life are threatened?

As I was reading this book I kept thinking, 'Oh, this would make a good movie!'--it had so many twists and turns and would make a great thriller! If you like a good suspense book that really makes you think, with a touch of hot, steamy romance thrown in, then this is your book! My only complaint was that there wasn't enough of the romantic scenes between Daniel and Alex! But when Karen Rose put them together, they were steamy! She can really steam up the pages--she just needs to give you more!
I had no problems with the plot or the suspense aspect of the book--both were first rate! She dropped just enough hints to keep you guessing, but not quite enough for you to figure out who the ultimate villain was (there actually was more than one)! And, she left the door wide open for a continuation of the story, which looks to be about Daniel's sister Susannah, and his fellow agent, Luke. That is a book I will be looking forward to reading! All in all, another top notch effort by Karen Rose!