Heartsick

By: Chelsea Cain

Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Damaged Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent ten years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful serial killer, but in the end she was the one who caught him. Two years ago, Gretchen kidnapped Archie and tortured him for ten days, but instead of killing him, she mysteriously decided to let him go. She turned herself in, and now Gretchen has been locked away for the rest of her life, while Archie is in a prison of another kind---addicted to pain pills, unable to return to his old life, powerless to get those ten horrific days off his mind. Archie's a different person, his estranged wife says, and he knows she's right. He continues to visit Gretchen in prison once a week, saying that only he can get her to confess as to the whereabouts of more of her victims, but even he knows the truth---he can't stay away.

When another killer begins snatching teenage girls off the streets of Portland, Archie has to pull himself together enough to lead the new task force investigating the murders. A hungry young newspaper reporter, Susan Ward, begins profiling Archie and the investigation, which sparks a deadly game between Archie, Susan, the new killer, and even Gretchen. They need to catch a killer, and maybe somehow then Archie can free himself from Gretchen, once and for all. Either way, Heartsick makes for one of the most extraordinary suspense debuts in recent memory.

Don't miss this Heartsick extra: Chelsea Cain'svideo tour of Portland! Then listen to Heartsick's sequel, Sweetheart.

©2007 Verite, Inc. (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

“Heartsick has it all: a tortured cop, a fearless and quirky heroine, and what may be the creepiest serial killer ever created. This is an addictive read!” —Tess Gerritsen, author of The Mephisto Club

“Chelsea Cain's novel is completely entrancing and totally original--what a read. Between the humanity of Portland cop Archie Sheridan and the chilling and twisted design of his beautiful nemesis, Gretchen Lowell, Heartsick is utterly unforgettable. Cain is a wonderful--and terrifying--storyteller.” —Dominick Dunne

“Law & Order¹s Carolyn McCormick does a mean female-serial-killer voice, bringing Cain¹s haunting horror story to life.” —People on Heartsick

Plot-driven, good story

Good thriller, but it's a more plot-driven than character-driven story. I found the ending both predictable and unbelievable. Would have been a stronger story had the main character's relationship with his wife been developed more fully.

Finding Clean Air to Breathe

There was a serial murderer to be captured. Her name was, Gretchen Lowell. Detective Archie Sheridan was the head of the task force that had been established ten long years ago to bring her down. However, it was Gretchen who decided that is was time to turn herself in.

Gretchen Lowell lured Archie to her home and kept him captive for ten long days. The act of torture performed by her as proof that Archie had been captured by her, was to remove his spleen without anesthesia and have it sent to the police department.

Archie was quite ready to die, however, Gretchen wasn't ready for him to die. Although Gretchen had Archie agree to visit her every Sunday and in turn she would give him the name and place of one of her victims, he had never expected to live. He slipped into a coma and was not aware when Gretchen had called 911.

Two years had passed and Archie's life was by no means near okay. He had not went back to work in those two years, he continued to visit Gretchen every Sunday as promised, Archie had moved out and no longer lived with his wife and children and he remained addicted to Vicodin, the medication that had been given to him by Gretchen while in captivity.

Another serial killer was taking young girls off of the streets of Portland and after three days the murderer left them so as to be found. The head of the police department was unable to think of anyone else but Archie to head up the task force. He wanted to refuse but Archie knew that he wouldn't but instead agreed to the assignment. Archie's best friend, Henry, also worked with the police department. He stayed with Archie throughout the grueling time that it took to catch this new serial killer.

The narrator, Carolyn McCormick, did a great job. She was able to bring the characters to life. The character's emotions were well interpreted. She did a good job of both male and female voices. McCormick's narration made listening to the book enjoyable.

The book, Heart Sick, was filled with action and suspense throughout. I knew that I wanted to finish listening to the last page after listening to the first chapter.

There would definitely be hope for Archie to heal. However, what that would take and for how long was definitely in question. Why he allowed himself to be lured into heading up the new task force was something only Archie could understand at the time.

If you decide to purchase this book I don't think that you will be disappointed. Some of the scenes can be gruesome but how else could torture be described. The language is colorful to say the least but as with other books that I've listened to whereby the police are central to the story, the language has always been far from pure. The listener will not have a dull moment. Excitement is in order when listening to, Heart Sick.

Excellent First Novel

Portland is a great place to set a thriller containing one of the most violent, evil, and prolific serial killers of all time. Too many writers shy away from the grisly nature of serial killers and the effects they have on the people they encounter, and too many thrillers are populated with characters that could only exist in the pages of a novel. This author in this novel overcomes both of those hurdles. And yet this novel never loses sight of life, with all its humor, compassion, and desire to be a better version of who we are amid our too frequent failures.

Good stuff!

Good book

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't my favorite. Good story and believable fiction in the Pacific Northwest. Good research and interesting.

Liked it, left me wanting more.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the storyline was interesting enough.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Archie, Gretchen, and Susan.

Which character – as performed by Carolyn McCormick – was your favorite?

Archie was my favorite

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, just interesting

Interesting Story, Excellent Narrator

Gretchen is a villain I found both interesting and repulsive. It was an interesting story. I read the 2nd book first and it was good enough to get me to buy the 1st and 4th book on audible.

Part of the reason I decided to go for the 2nd book was the narrator. McCormick does a good job. I enjoyed listening to her.

Entertaining book if you like serial killer genre.

Good 1st Book

Interesting book, a little twisted, but interesting. Audiobook was enhanced by choice of narrator. The Beauty Killer was as scary a villain as I have come across in recent years. Kudos for creating a female Hannibal Lector-esque villain!

Not a typical detective novel though, definitely more in line with the horror genre.

Meh

Not bad, not the worst book I've heard on tape, but the narration could be better. The interaction between the characters seems artificial and I don't find the justification for the reporter's involvement believable. I also wonder if the dialogue would sound so cheesy if the narration was better acted. I don't know if I will be reading another of the author's books anytime soon and I doubt I will buy another audiobook with this narrator.

No Silence of the Lambs

While this book is a great listen, I don't think that the description or comparing to The Silence of the Lambs really fits. I have to say though that I have and will continue to refer this book as a must read. Characters were well defined. Plot carried itself and made you want to continue the story. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Excellent read

This book was just what I needed. Gripping, interesting, intelligent with likeable characters.

Ms. Cain's book kept me very satisfied and ready for more, so on to the next Archie novel. thanks so much.