Connie’s Quick Quack review of Sweetheart (The Beauty Killer, Book 2) by Chelsea Cain
Mystery thriller hardcover released by St. Martin’s Minotaur 2 Sep 08

Archie is back, and addicted to pain pills, when another girl is found in the park where Gretchen’s first victim was discovered. He’s managed to get back with Debbie and is not visiting Gretchen when this victim is found. Then, Archie is forced to see Gretchen again when she is attacked in the prison where she was incarcerated at the end of Book 1.

Henry goes behind Archie’s back and arranges to get Gretchen moved far away from Archie. All Henry has actually done is play into Gretchen’s hands and she escapes while being moved – she has found new lovers to do her bidding.

Susan is back, with another hair color, and we see a lot more of her mother than we need to when, because of Gretchen’s escape, they and Archie’s family are forced to go into hiding. Problem is Archie is in liver failure and wants to end the threat to his family – so he has a plan…

Archie’s story is a sad one. He is actually someone who cares. Gretchen targets him and a family is ruined because of her sick desires.

Cut Archie a little slack and enjoy the book. I love a good serial killer and Gretchen certainly fits the need, and then some. I enjoyed this book more than the first so be sure to check out Archie’s plan!

Grade: A

Summary:

With Heartsick, Chelsea Cain took the crime world by storm, introducing two of the most compelling characters in decades: serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. The book spent four weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews around the world. But the riveting story of Archie and Gretchen was left unfinished, and now Chelsea Cain picks up the tale again.

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can’t be one of Gretchen’s—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman’s identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can’t focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn’t seen her in two months; he’d moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he’s relieved. He knows he’s the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Chelsea Cain has topped her own bestselling debut thriller with this unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat story.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Mass market paperback released 29 Jul 08