Review: 'Checkmate' by Jean Hackensmith
Thanks for bearing with me today, folks. I was having a little computer trouble and it took some effort to get this review posted.
CheckmateBy Jean Hackensmith
Paperback, 350 pages
May 1, 2008
Port Town Publishing
Reviewed by Sabrina Williams
Jean Hackensmith's Checkmate is a fast-paced thriller from a seasoned author. When Caryn Deaver's ex-husband is released from prison after serving out a sentence for attempted murder, his first instinct is to hunt down and terrorize the person who put him behind bars. That person happens to be Caryn. Seventeen years after he brutalized Caryn and tried to burn down their home around them, Caryn and her children have moved on and made new lives for themselves. But Dan is intent on exacting revenge, and his police training allows him to avoid capture. He's managed to stalk her everywhere she goes: from home to the school she teaches second grade at.
His favorite method of intimidation is sending "gifts" with notes, and each note indicates he is one step closer to killing Caryn and those she loves. Caryn's fire chief boyfriend, Zach, is doing everything in his power to protect her, but will they be able to help the authorities locate Dan before his final move?
Checkmate is the type of book that jumps straight to the point, progressing with little filler and lots of action. The characters are well-developed and strong. It is a nail-biter that is difficult to put down until the action is over. The antagonist is evident from page one, but tracking him down is the key to the plot. He could be lurking on every page, and he's dangerous.
Despite the fact that it's really a great novel, I am going to nitpick a little. I could have done without the romance. It seemed forced, like the common idea is that sex scenes are a requirement of any good book (though none in Checkmate are very graphic). I think the reader is clear on the fact that Caryn and Zach are in a relationship and care for each other. There is no need to close so many chapters on the couple in bed together. But that seems to be a common theme with so many novels, it's almost expected and easily overlooked.
Checkmate is Book One in the Brian Koski "Stalker" series, so I'm sure there are many more creepy thrillers to come. This is a great new series to get hooked on.
His favorite method of intimidation is sending "gifts" with notes, and each note indicates he is one step closer to killing Caryn and those she loves. Caryn's fire chief boyfriend, Zach, is doing everything in his power to protect her, but will they be able to help the authorities locate Dan before his final move?
Checkmate is the type of book that jumps straight to the point, progressing with little filler and lots of action. The characters are well-developed and strong. It is a nail-biter that is difficult to put down until the action is over. The antagonist is evident from page one, but tracking him down is the key to the plot. He could be lurking on every page, and he's dangerous.
Despite the fact that it's really a great novel, I am going to nitpick a little. I could have done without the romance. It seemed forced, like the common idea is that sex scenes are a requirement of any good book (though none in Checkmate are very graphic). I think the reader is clear on the fact that Caryn and Zach are in a relationship and care for each other. There is no need to close so many chapters on the couple in bed together. But that seems to be a common theme with so many novels, it's almost expected and easily overlooked.
Checkmate is Book One in the Brian Koski "Stalker" series, so I'm sure there are many more creepy thrillers to come. This is a great new series to get hooked on.
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1 comments:
I loved your review, I definately would love to read this book and it being the first of the series is always an advantage to more surprises!
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