Heartsick

by Chelsea Cain
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Archie Sheridan chased a serial killer for 10 years. A serial killer that was very difficult to profile; there were no patterns to the victims, the methods of torture or killing. There was only one marking that all the victims had in common. The hunt did not end until Archie himself was captured by the beautiful Gretchen Lowell. She held him prisoner and tortured him for ten days before calling 911 when she was unable to save his life herself.

Now Gretchen is in prison and after two years of sick leave Archie wants to be reinstated into active duty. Another serial killer is active in Portland, Oregon. Three teenage girls have disappeared on their way home from school, later to be found strangled. A fourth girl has just disappeared under similar circumstances.

Archie also wants the young reporter Susan Ward to be allowed to shadow him during the investigation to write an article about him. Susan is thrilled to be the first to tell the story about what really happened to Archie during his time being held by Gretchen.

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I've had this book in my "to read pile" for a while now, but after I read Stephen King's list of Best Books 2008 I couldn't resist picking it up. And was almost unable to put it down until I had finished it.

As a reader you are thrown straight into a situation you just have to find out the outcome of. And then you keep wondering what Archie is really up to, how healthy is he really and why is he revealing so much to Susan -- why is he prepared to tell his story suddenly and why to her?

I recommend this book to anyone wanting a book full of suspense, and unexpected turns of events, and who can put up with quite a bit of graphic details.

Chelsea Cain has written the following novels:

Featuring Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell:
Heartsick (2007)
Sweetheart (2008)

Non series:
Confessions of a Teen Sleuth: A Parody (2005)