The 7th Victim

In a meticulously researched novel, Jacobson brings maybe the most realistic novelization of FBI profilers, yet written, to life in Karen Vail. Jacobson had extensive access to the FBI profiling unit, and spent 7 years working with them on this novel. The lessons he learned permeate the novel, but do not drag down the story into a slow moving technical manual. Vail, under investigation for assaulting her abusive ex-husband, finds herself chasing the Dead Eyes Killer, right in Fairfax, Virginia, the backyard of the FBI's offices. The story is complicated, the personalities well-developed, and the ending surprising. Vail's life and history are tied into the story, and, while maybe overly complicated, doesn't feel forced into the book. If you enjoy Patterson or Sandford and haven't tried Jacobson, you need to give him a try.

I've never read Alan Jacobson before. This book is an incredible read--a real page burner. The topic and descriptions are nightmare material. 7th Victim is compelling and down-right captivating--so much so that I ordered his other two books. I'm grateful that I've found this amazing author.

I thoroughly enjoyed Alan Jacobson's latest novel, The 7th Victim. This book follows a fascinating cast of characters, from FBI profiler Karen Vail and the complex Dead Eyes Killer who are at the heart of the action, to a surprisingly diverse team of agents and detectives working the case with Vail. Along the way we get unexpected insights into Vail's family that are interwoven into the murder mystery as it unfolds. The book also provides a well-researched look into the art and science of criminal profiling that is incorporated seamlessly into the narrative. There are so many surprises right up until the final climax that I wanted to immediately return to Page 1 to look for clues that I missed along the way. I agree with other reviewers that The 7th Victim could make for an intelligent and suspenseful thriller if brought to the screen. I look forward to reading Mr. Jacobson's first two novels, False Accusations and The Hunted.

Not only did I learn about the study of FBI profiling, I was captivated by the compelling drama of capturing a deranged and intelligent killer. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys crime stories. Not until the very end does the reader know who the killer is and what a twist and surprise they are in for...I can't wait for Mr Jacobson's next book and if The 7th Victim is made into a movie, Jodie Foster should read the transcript.

I have read Mr Jacobson's earlier books, so I was eager to read this one. 7th Victim is the best to date. The story of Karen Vail, an FBI profiler working to identify and catch a serial killer, is really well researched. It exposes what a profiler does without being unduly technical, so that you can follow the story easily and get a realistic feeling without being bogged down in detail - this is often a very difficult balance and Jacobson pulls it off. At its heart, though, 7th Victim is a murder mystery / whodunit? If you are like me you are from the first page trying to figure out who did and are always disappointed when you solve it. There are lots of twists here, and I guarantee you will not guess the answers to this complicated plot. Buy, read, and enjoy. And don't open your doors at night.