Sweetheart

A Thriller

By: Chelsea Cain

Narrated by: Carolyn McCormick

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

With Heartsick, Chelsea Cain took the crime world by storm, introducing two of the most compelling characters in decades: serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer, Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. The book spent four weeks on the New York Times best seller list and garnered rave reviews around the world. But the riveting story of Archie and Gretchen was left unfinished. Now Chelsea Cain picks up the tale again.

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland's Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago - it turned out to be the Beauty Killer's first victim, and Archie's first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's - she's in prison - but after reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case.

Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Chelsea Cain has topped her own best-selling debut thriller with this unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat story.

Listen to the first book, Heartsick.

©2008 Verite, Inc. (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Superb....With its brisk pacing, carefully metered violence, and tortured hero, Cain's sophomore effort will leave readers desperate for more." ( Publishers Weekly)

SWEETHEART IS NOT HEARTSICK

I liked this book, but I was not as into it as Heartsick. The intrigue and twists that were present in the first book seemed to have disappeared in this one. It wasn't awful, but I enjoyed the first story much more. I also agree with other reviewers that the end was a bit far fetched. I don't want to spoil the ending so that is all I will say . I still intend to listen to the other books by this author. Just couldn't give it 4 or 5 stars for this one.

Slow, unbelievable, disappointing

I was not impressed with this follow up to "Heartsick". The characters were too weak and whiny this time around. The description was thick and painstaking. I would find myself leaning forward, thinking "come on, get to the frickin point!!" I think the relationship between Archie and Gretchen veered dangerously toward unbelievable. Quite disgusting actually. It was a long time getting to the last 30 minutes that only produced a so-so ending. I think I'll skip the next saga. I've had enough.

To Weird!

I listened to the first book, heartsick and like it. This book, however, is way to weird and unbelievable.
They also put music, to transition between chapters... this did not work, long pauses.
If you've listened to heartsick, you will probably be tempted to listen to this one.. I wouldn't recommend it.

Awesome

Great book and narration. Looking forward to rest of series. Story is captivating and well presented

PLEASE ELIMINATE THE MUSIC IN BETWEEN CHAPTERS!

I love this series so much, but the addition of the " dramatic music" in between chapters, really interupted the flow of the book. If you're going to add music, at least let it be appropiate to the chapter, and not the same generic music each time. I just found it to be annoying and it almost made me return it. Let's keep it simple with a amazing performance to match an amazing story! It's the only reason I didn't rate it 4 or 5 out of 5.

Pretty good series

I liked how this book picked right up the end of the first book. Parts of this were a little unbelievable but the story was strong enough to carry my attention through to the end. It was interesting how Chelsea Cain sucks you into wanting to know what gruesome thing will happen next. Its like not being able to not watch a train wreck. This was a buddy read and now we are all caught up in the characters, it's an interesting difference to read about a female killer. Looking forward to the next books and some answers.

Not nearly as good as the first

I enjoyed the first book in the series but it seemed like the author couldn't come up with a new story so she wrote the same thing again. It was just ok.

Great listen!

This book was amazing. So well written and keeps you wanting so much more. I could barely pause it when people tried talking to me. My only issue is between some chapters they play instrumental music for what seems like forever, but I guess it would seem that way if you really wanted to listen 😂

Another average mystery from Cain. Meh.....

Chelsea Cain might have a lot of ability-I like the way she writes dialogue and, if she had a better or less hackneyed plot line she might be capable of above average mysteries. However, her first two books have been, in my opinion, little more than retreaded plots that have been done previously by better novelists.

Heres the thing-the books aren't dogs (and she can write a hot sex scene) but they aren't wonderful either-they are average..Meh...take it or leave it types of books.

I didn't get much out of the first book, which I bought on an audible sale, and I also had purchased the second book at the same time so I was stuck listening to both books. They weren't, either of them, sufficient bad to not finish them, not boring, not terrible books. But they weren't great either. They were just basic average mysteries.

Like all books, they might really appeal to some listeners or readers. I wish you well.

I'm recovering from a fractured hip so I have time to waste when not watching the Olympics. This book would have been close to a waste of time if I had something else to do.

As for the narration, McCormick has the characters down-I like her take on the evil serial killer a lot..she sounds like Disney's Evil Queen from Snow White. Her narration goes right along with the plot, however...average.

Better than the first book

Definitely seems like the first book was the setup to the events in this book. Sh*t REALLY goes down. I found the piano music between chapters really annoying though, I'm here to listen to a book