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Summary and Reviews of The Killing Game by Iris Johansen

The Killing Game by Iris Johansen

The Killing Game

by Iris Johansen
  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (9):
  • First Published:
  • Aug 1, 1999, 355 pages
  • Paperback:
  • May 2000, 352 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Book Summary

Takes us inside the twisted mind of a psychopath...and the heart of a woman who refuses to let him win.

A merciless killer on the hunt...

An innocent child in his sights...

A woman driven to the edge to stop him...

Iris Johansen, New York Times bestselling author of The Face of Deception and The Ugly Duckling, returns with the most daring, terrifying, and nerve-shattering novel of her career as she takes us inside the twisted mind of a psychopath...and the heart of a woman who refuses to let him win.

The killer knew Eve Duncan all too well. He knew the pain she felt for her murdered daughter, Bonnie, whose body was never found. He knew that as one of the nation's top forensic sculptors she would insist on identifying nine skeletons unearthed on a bluff near Georgia's Talladega Falls. And he knew that she wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of believing that one of those skeletons--the one belonging to a young girl--might be Bonnie's.

But that is only the beginning of the killer's sadistic game. Soon the calls begin to come. Sly, insinuating, chilling. Whoever is on the other end of the line is watching. He sees every move Eve makes. He savors her pain. He could strike at any time. But that's not what he wants--not yet.

In a heartbeat, Eve's world is turned upside down. Not even the two tough, powerful, and relentless men who would do anything to keep Eve safe can help her. Charismatic business magnate John Logan and hard-as-nails Atlanta detective Joe Quinn can't go where Eve must go. Because the killer wants her alone, and he'll use his ace in the hole to make sure Eve complies.

Now Eve Duncan must match wits with the most dangerous of psychopaths. A man for whom life and death is no more than a game. A killing game. And he won't stop playing until he's gotten the prize he wants most: Eve's life.

Talladega Falls, Georgia
January 20
6:35 A.M.

The skeleton had been in the ground for a long time. Joe Quinn had seen enough of them to recognize that. But how long? He turned to Sheriff Bosworth. "Who found it?"

"Two hikers. They stumbled on it late last night. Those rains the past few days washed it out of the ground. Hell, that storm slid half the mountain into the falls. A real gully washer." His gaze narrowed on Joe's face. "You must have hotfooted up here from Atlanta as soon as you heard about it."

"Yes."

"You think it's connected to one of the Atlanta PD's cases?"

"Maybe." He paused. "No. This is an adult."

"You're looking for a kid?"

"Yes." Every day. Every night. Always. He shrugged. "The initial report didn't say whether ...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Kirkus Reviews
The second of Johansen’s suspensers starring Eve Duncan (The Face of Deception, 1998), a forensic sculptor who shapes human faces from the skulls of murder victims.... Johansen creates some nonconformist women characters along with heroes as devoted to them as golden retrievers.

Publishers Weekly
Johansen is at the top of her game with this sinuous thriller

Publishers Weekly
Johansen is at the top of her game with this sinuous thriller

Reader Reviews

Christina

Suspensful and Fasinating!
I loved this book from the second I picked it up. I was stunned at what happened to Dom(Spiro) at the end. I really could not believe it. Throughout the book I did not have the slightest suspicion. And I had been completely fascinated by the mind of ...   Read More
Jessica

This book is great, i couldn't put it down. Not for a minute. and when i wasn't reading it i was thinking about it!
Lauren-Ashley

This book is awesome. I never like to read and it is so hard when i have to read books for school, a teacher recomended Iris Johansen as being a swell writer. She was right, I was into the book since page one, and never lost intrest, Ive read several...   Read More
Erika

this book is the best. I love murder mystery. Iris johanson sure knows what i like in a book. wow i advise for all too read this novel.

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