Review: Don't Look (Pike, Wisconsin #1)

Don't Look (Pike, Wisconsin #1)

by Alexandra Ivy 

Blurb:

IF YOU'RE ON HIS LIST

A woman's naked body is discovered, cold and pale as the surrounding snow--except for the crimson scarf around her neck. The weeks that follow bring more victims and evidence of a terrifying pattern. The killer has a list. And every woman on it will get what she deserves . . .

YOU'RE AS GOOD

Dr. Lynne Gale followed in her father's footsteps to become a vet in Pike, Wisconsin. For years, she's had little contact with Kir Jansen, son of the town's late sheriff. Suddenly he's back, insisting that Lynne's in danger. She can't believe anyone would target her, but someone is hunting the women of Pike, savoring every last moment.

AS DEAD

Kir hoped that his father's frantic calls about a serial killer were just an old man's delusions. But the body count doesn't lie. In this quiet town, a monster stalks and kills. And soon, Lynne's will be the last name on his list . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 
Review:

 A serial killer, two childhood friends turned lovers, and one small town—what more could you ask for in an all new series from best-selling author Alexandra Ivy. I began my love affair with Ms. Ivy’s writing in her paranormal world, but when she branched into these romantic suspense novels I jumped at the chance to read them and have never looked back.  This new series is set in the small town of Pike Wisconsin, a little town with a lot of big secrets it seems.  Former Sherriff Jansen has died and his son, Kir,  has returned to town to lay his to rest and handle his affairs, but he runs into the sweet and sexy town veterinarian, Lynne Gale.  When he decides to try to strike up a friendship with Lynne, they are quickly both pulled into a dangerous and deadly game of cat and mouse.  A serial killer is on the loose, one who’s identify Kir’s father had been trying to uncover for decades, and he has Lynne in his crosshairs.  As the bodies continue to pile up, Kir and Lynne are fighting against time, the lack of evidence, and the local law enforcement, all of whom think they are either to blame or are interfering with the hunt for the killer.  The closer they get to the killer, and to one another, the more they have to come to trust and depend on one another, or Lynne might well be the killer’s big finale.  This story was intriguing in many ways, with a lot of suspense, and intrigue as we watched the killer strike again and again, despite Kir and Lynne’s best effort to thwart him, but the connection between Kir and Lynne developed beautifully and you could watch them fall in love as they grew closer together.  Kir has a lot of baggage from his youth, his relationship with his father, and the choices he made to leave his hometown, but coming back and reconnecting with Lynne is opening his eyes and making him see that he can chose to change.  I enjoyed watching him find his way, flexing his mind as he investigated and of course kicking butt as they took down the killer in the end, but my favorite part of Kir’s characters was his sweetness and the way he nurtured and cared for Lynne as he saw how much she gave of herself.  He truly was a man who appreciated her for the woman she was inside and out. Lynne has spent so many years wearing herself to the bone, caring for those around her and the animals in her care, that she has let taking care of herself become the least priority for her.   When Kir comes into her life, she immediately tries to care for him and give him the love and support he needs, but when he reciprocates she is beyond surprised and the love that develops as they care for one another surprises her I think. She was strong, smart, and brave when faced with several unknown situations, and she never let anyone take advantage of her once she knew their secrets.  I could imagine a woman like her becoming a great friend.  The passion between these two was more of a slow burning fire than a bright and blazing spark, which is better to keep them warm long into the future in those freezing WI nights. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for this small town, and seeing who falls in love next.  I personally am definitely ready for another whirlwind masterpiece.

*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.