XO

A Kathryn Dance Novel

By: Jeffery Deaver

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Internationally best-selling author Jeffery Deaver delivers the latest sensational thriller in his wildly popular Kathryn Dance series. Newsweek calls Jeffery Deaver a "suspense superstar", and in his new novel, he lives up to the accolades once again as he sets his heroine Kathryn Dance on a quest to stop an obsessive stalker from destroying a beautiful young country singer.

Kayleigh Towne is gorgeous with a voice that is taking her to the heights of the country pop charts. Her hit single "Your Shadow" puts her happily in the spotlight, until an innocent exchange with one of her fans leads Kayleigh into a dark and terrifying realm. The fan warns, "I'm coming for you," and soon accidents happen and people close to Kayleigh die. Special Agent Kathryn Dance must use her considerable skills at investigation and body language analysis to stop the stalker - but before long she learns that, like many celebrities, Kayleigh has more than just one fan with a mission.

A former folksinger, Deaver has written the actual song "Your Shadow." Listeners will be able to download it from his website, JefferyDeaver.com.

©2012 Jeffery Deaver (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book is far too long and, at many points, felt contrived. There were too many characters and sub-plots for any one of them to be satisfying.

Has XO turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

What about Marin Ireland’s performance did you like?

It felt like a performance, rather than a 'reading' and I enjoy this type of 'read'.

Was XO worth the listening time?

No. I almost gave up but I did enjoy the performance.

Any additional comments?

I will always read anything by Mr. Deaver. Not every book can be a 'stunning read': Mr. Deaver has set the bar very high for himself and I'm a fan who believes that sometime in the near future, he will write another book that takes my breath away.

Excellent!

I love the way Jeffery Deaver intermingled music in throughout this book. It was an important part of the story line. Anyone who has had a song or music speak to their life will enjoy this Dance novel.

Not as good as the Lincoln Rhyme stories

I am a hard core Lincoln Rhyme fan. We meet the Dance character in the Rhyme series. I thought she was an engaging character with an interesting talent. The character comes across very flat and uninteresting. I bought the first three books in her series. I hope the next two are better. The story is well written, the plot is good. I just found the main character boring.

not his style

I was hoping for a book similar to the Lincoln Rhyme series but it seems like it was written by someone else. I enjoyed the book in spite but just not up to the same standard. Of course I m not an author so who am I to judge. I'm just a fan.

Excellent!

What did you love best about XO?

The story was fast paced and had several twists and turns.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think my favorite was the reader.

What about Marin Ireland’s performance did you like?

She was great, making one get right into the character's heads.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the end, so I won't say what it was.

Any additional comments?

At first I thought the heroine was a bit too sweet, but that was just the way she needed to be. I loved the story because it kept me wanting to hear more.

OK, but not great!

I always enjoy Jeffery Deaver’s books and this one was no exception. It was definitely not one of his best books, but was a good read. The book continued with unexpected twists and turns throughout it until the very end. I thought it was going to end long before it did, but Deaver would then twist the plot and add another turn to the story. It did keep my attention, but I felt it was a little under par with his previous books.

Too many plot twists.

Good premise but story was way too long. There were so many plot twists. Sometimes more isn’t better; it’s just more.

It Will Make Your Skin Crawl

Deaver certainly knows how to make a creepy villain. From beginning to end he will creep you out!!!

Slow start but great finish<br />

Lots of twists. Like books that keep you guessing. Will read more of the Dance books.

a change

for some reason the Katherine Dance series derma to have more need for suspension of disbelief and ignoring little ...reality issues, but this story is good and has some creative changes which make it fun.