Die for Me

This is my third Karen Rose novel and I must say I certainly enjoy her books. In Die for Me, we meet Sophie Johannsen, an archeologist working in a museum in Philadelphia. Sophie has made mistakes in her past and is reluctant to get involved with anyone. Nick Ciccotelli is a cop called to a murder scene where a matrix of gravesites is discovered. He too, is haunted by a tragic incident in his past. Sophie is asked to come in as a consultant and use her special equipment to help determine if all of the dug graves contain bodies. In the course of the investigation, Sophie and Nick become involved. This book contained romance, chills, and a wonderful family background for Sophie and Nick both, which made for some wonderful secondary characters. The romance did not overpower the plot but became part of the plot and allowed for a wonderful suspenseful book. There was an intricate weaving of clues, good detective work and visualizing how detectives actually solve crimes. I highly recommend this book.

When a murder victim is found in a snow-covered Philadelphia field, Detective Vito Ciccotelli's gut tells him that there may be more bodies nearby. The medical examiner suggests enlisting the aid of archaeologist Sophie Johannsen. Using a GPR, a device that shows an image of what is under the ground, Sophie locates a matrix of graves. Almost a dozen bodies, most having been tortured before their deaths, had been posed and buried. But the terrifying part is realizing that empty graves remain - the killer is not done yet. He goes by many names. His employers at oRo, a company that produces computer games, knows him as Frasier Lewis. They are very happy with how realistic Frasier's cut scenes (short movies within video games) are. They have no idea as to what lengths Frasier goes in order to get such realism. The first computer game was set during World War II and titled, "Behind Enemy Lines". The new game will be titled, "The Inquisitor". Frasier would need footage of medieval torture for this one. The image and scream of an archaeologist, who is too close for comfort, would be perfect. ***** This tale sent more than one chill down my spine. I have to admit that I admire the author, Karen Rose, for all the research she must have done to complete such a book as this one. She must have endured nightmares from the torture research. I say this because the author perfectly described the devices used, a few I have never heard of. I stayed up late reading this story, but it was worth the loss of sleep. Karen Rose is a master of her craft! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Sophie Johannsen is an archeologist, she works at the Albright Museum of History. She has had to give up field work to come home and care for her grandmother, who raised her. Her grandmother is now in a nursing home and it takes every penny Sophie makes to keep her there. Katherine Bauer is the Medical Examiner for Philadelphia, she is also a sort of adopted mother to Sophie. When Katherine asks Sophie to bring her equiptment and check a location for graves, Sophie is glad to help. But she has brought herself to the attention of a serial killer by getting involved. Vito Ciccotelli is a detective working on the case. Two years before a woman he had been in love with had been killed, Although she was another cop she had been involved in protecting someone who was wanted by the police and she was accidently shot. Vito was taking roses to her grave after work and they were in his truck. When Sophie saw the roses she immediately assumed he was taken. She had a very bad experience with a man during her last year of college. Only after they had become lovers did she find out he was married. So Sophie doesn't date and she doesn't trust men. Sophie finds 16 graves all dug, 9 have bodies, but 7 are covered over waiting for the bodies that will fill them. The police realize now that they have a killer who intends to kill again. The bodies seem posed, one like a medaeval lady and one like a medaeval knight. The rest in differnt ways with horrible wounds. The worst is that the wounds are not post-mortem but happened while the people were alive and awake. As in all Karen Rose books the romance and the mystery are closely intertwined. Vito needs Sophie's help and he finds her very attractive. Sophie finds Vito attractive but she has no use for someone committed to another. All the tangles get worked out between them and the mystery expands to Dutton, Georgia. As each strand of the case comes togather, Sophie becomes one of the designated victims and only Vito and his crew have a hope of saving her life. The murderer is much closer than they think. I enjoyed it very much, this is a smart, complicated, sociopath and a very well written story.

Die For Me should have been titled Don't Plan on Getting Any Sleep Until You Finish Me! Karen Rose hits it out of the park with this twisted tale of modern video games and medieval weaponry. Sophie and Vito are two characters you'll be rooting for from the get go. And her villian is as sick and demented as they come. For me, this has been the best suspense novel I've read since Dean Koontz's Intensity.

The modern world of computer games collides with medieval torture, throwing together police detective Vito Ciccotelli and archaeologist Sophie Johannsen. From a snowy Philadelphia field to a recreated dungeon, Vito and Sophie track a serial killer who is intent on making his victim provide him with the perfect scream. This fast-paced thriller packs in the best of suspense with the compelling relationship that develops between Sophie and Vito. Family obligations and professional goals collide for the main characters throughout, bringing them alive on the page and allowing for well-developed supporting characters. A riveting read from the first page, this page-turner will keep you up all night. Rose has done it again!