This book pleasantly surprised me. Going into it, I had no real expectations about whether this would be good or not and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. It wasn’t that easy of a read but it flowed smoothly and the story developed naturally.I found this book in a box that my boyfriend’s mom was going to put out for a garage sale and since my Nook was out of battery and I had nothing better to do, I gave it a shot. Little did I know that Erica Spindler would become one of my favorite writers after this random book of hers that I came upon by total accident. The cover leaves much to be desired in my opinion, especially since it is not a good representation of the complexity of what happens in this book and how all the characters react and adapt to these situations as they happen. To me the cover looks rather dull and because of that the book itself seems like it would be pretty damn forgettable. Of course, I was wrong about that and learned my lesson not to judge a book by its cover. It’s all good, lesson learned.Again, I am a big sucker for books that are written through the eyes of more than one character. In this instance, we see the story unfold through the eyes of the two main characters: Jane Killian and Stacy Killian. I love how their relationship as sisters starts out completely separate and then intertwines together as the book gets moving and the plot thickens. I didn’t really know how completely addicting mystery/suspense novels could be until I dove into this book. It sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happens next and I loved how the killer wasn’t revealed until the second to last chapter or so. For this reason, I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page. It’s a good idea to hook people this way because I am personally a fan of working out my own theories of who the bad guy is all throughout the book and as more information is revealed I like reworking that theory accordingly. In this case, I only guessed right once I had about 50 pages left and then I had to make sure that I was indeed correct.I really loved the heroine of this book as well because she’s complex and flawed, which makes her that much more human and I was able to relate to her on a deeper level. Her character progresses with the events that happen in the book and it was extraordinary to follow her development all throughout. We are affected by our childhood experiences and it was apparent that her own horrific childhood experience made her the adult she grew up to be, most specifically in the beginning of the book. We begin with Stacy refusing to deal with her emotional issues/baggage and she is gradually forced to deal with them as the book progresses until she comes out of the whole experience at the end as a different person then she was at the beginning.The reason I gave this book 4 stars as opposed to 5 was because I would have liked to have seen a little more at the end, after she goes through the major betrayal at the end of the book and would have liked more of the thoughts going through her mind after that happens. Because, it seems her world has suddenly come crashing down and then the book kind of cuts of abruptly and we are left wanting more. Of course, there’s the next book in the series but the next one focuses on the next part of Stacy’s story and only lightly mentions the events of the previous book.All in all, this book is for anyone who wants a suspenseful, mystery read that will keep you guessing about who the bad guy is until the very end. It’s also wonderfully written and not overly simplistic, so people of all ages can read it and enjoy it immensely.
This is my second Erica Spindler book, and while the first book made me make a major lifestyle change, I really enjoyed this book. The plot was fast-paced and really did leave you guessing until the very end. If the first two Spindler books are any indication of her other work, she designs her detective series (Stacy Killian) as an important but secondary character to the main character. It's a fantastic twist on all the other character-based series in which the main protagonist is also the main focus of the book. Spindler again does a great job of drawing human characters that are so developed you really start to believe you can think like that character. In this book the focus is on Jane Killian-Westbrook, Stacy's younger sister. A boating accident at age 15 almost kills her, and as she endures endless reconstructive surgeries she slowly evolves into a strong and empathetic person. Cut to 17 years later, and Jane is now a talented up and coming artist married to the man of her dreams. Then a woman with ties to her husband Ian is brutally murdered and the evidence mounts that her husband Ian is the killer. After his arrest, Jane and Stacey try to reconnect as sisters since they have grown so far apart. Although Stacey believes Ian is guilty she tries to provide sympathy to Jane who believes her husband is innocent. Then Jane begins to get disturbing messages from someone she believes was the cause of her boating accident. His first note simply states "I did it on purpose. To hear your screams." Jane turns to Stacey for help and even though Stacey is sure the writer is just a crank. But as Jane delves into Ian's life and Stacey into the identity of the note writer both begin to have their doubts. Jane about her husband's innocence and Stacey about whether the messages are from a crank. As murders pile up that implicate Ian and that the person who harmed Jane 17 years ago is back to torment her, Stacey and Jane begin to look at each other's investigation. But if they don't solve the cases soon, and the murders become more personal the psychological toll on Jane will lead the reader to the title and the suspected ending. We will See Jane Die. A great read no matter what genre you normally read.
What do You think about See Jane Die (2005)?
As a teenager, Jane Killian's life was changed when she was hit by a motorboat as she swam in a lake. Now 17 years later, after many successful surgeries, Jane has a thriving career in art, a handsome husband, and a baby on the way. But her world splinters when her husband, Dr. Ian Westbrook, becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation led by Jane's stepsister, Detective Stacy Killian. Stacy doesn't want to believe her brother-in-law is a murderer, but all evidence is pointing to him. Jane trusts that her husband is innocent. But when another body turns up with even more evidence linking Ian to the crime, Jane begins to wonder if her sister is right.Wow! This book was a page-turner. There is so much going on in it. Not only do we have a series of murders, but Jane starts receiving anonymous notes from someone she believes hit her with his boat many years ago. The story is told from the point of view of both Jane and Stacy. One believes her husband is innocent. The other wants to catch a killer, even if it hurts her sister in the end.The characters in this story are well developed. The clues are plentiful. I thought I had everything figured out up until the last few pages. Then came the twist that left me stunned. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the Stacy Killian series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
—Robin
This one keeps you guessing until the real killer is revealed..Didn't guess this one and I love to be surprised!As a teenager, Jane was swimming and hit by a boater. The accident left her disfigured but with numerous surgeries, she became a beautiful woman after years of being bullied. She is married to a doctor (Ian) and is pregnant. Her sister - Stacey is a detective. When Jane's husband is arrested and accused of a murder, Stacey comes back into Jane's life. Stacey was cut out of the will and has harbored ill feelings toward Jane since this time - no only that - Jane married the man that Stacey loved!Stacey and Jane try to mend their friendship when Stacey is put on the case. This is one that will keep you going back and forth thinking - that's the one that done it! I think you will enjoy this fast paced book.
—Judi
Erica Spindler has the uncanny knack of outdoing herself with each and every novel. This newest one was so gripping, I kept turning page after page after page and was toting the book everywhere-in the car, to the doctor's, to the school to pick up my kids and even to the bathtub! lolFrom back cover:"I did it on purpose. To hear your screams.Nearly killed as a teenager by a hit and run boater, Jane Killian is a woman with everything to live for. A series of surgeries restored her lovely face. She's the toast of the Dallas art community, her sculptures lauded as both disturbing and beautiful. And Jane and her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Ian Westbrook, are expecting their first child.Then a woman with ties to Ian is found brutally slain and, unbelievably, the police make him their prime suspect. At first determined to prove her husband's innocence, Jane cannot escape her own growing doubts. Then her nightmare escalates. She begins receiving anonymous messages and quickly becomes convinced they're from him-the boater she always believed deliberately hit her and got away with it.Now Jane must face a terrifying truth. Her tormentor knows everything about her - her likes, her dislikes, her daily routine and, most frightening of all, her deepest fears. And he will use them mercilessly until he sees Jane dead."
—Louise
