“A solid and entertaining thriller, however, the plot is extremely predictable and as such the story lacks originality.
Rowan is a prickly character. There are aspects of her personality that one cannot help admiring such as her mental strength and fortitude. Nevertheless, she has a tendency to break down emotionally, and while this makes it easier to sympathize with her, it also undermines her characterization as a strong willed and resilient heroine.
The romance is one of the highlights of the book. The hero, John, is a no nonsense, ex-DEA agent with his own personal baggage and an uncanny ability to see under all of Rowan's external subterfuge. Their attraction is immediate, but they must struggle through several obstacles before they can learn to trust and love each other.
My one caveat about the romance is that the hint of a love triangle is superfluous and only adds unnecessary angst that detracts from the suspense story. Moreover, the resolution to this plot point is so obvious it might as well leap off the pages. Other predictable elements include the killer's identity, which can be guessed at very early on, and some of the other twists and turns, such as a certain character's escape and another's abduction as well as the location of the killer's lair.
That said, the rest of the serial killer plot is engrossing, particularly the gradual revelation of Rowan's traumatic past and the killer's motivation. The murderer is one of those truly evil villains that make your skin crawl and the ultimate denouement is well-paced and satisfying.
Overall, The Prey is an admirable debut novel and I will definitely be continuing with the series. ”
Lauren B wrote this review Sunday, February 17, 2013.
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