Compulsion (Max Revere Novels, #2)

by Allison Brennan

"Investigative reporter Maxine Revere has a theory: that the five New York City murders for which Adam Bachman is being tried are just part of his killing spree. In probing the disappearance of a retired couple who vanished the prior summer, Max uncovers striking similarities to Bachman's MO and develops a theory that Bachman wasn't working alone. Max wins a coveted pre-trial interview with the killer, whose disarming composure in the face of her questions is combined with uncomfortable knowledge of Max's own past. She leaves the room convinced, but unable to prove, that Bachman knows exactly what happened to the missing couple. The D.A. wants nothing to jeopardize his case against Bachman and refuses to consider Max's theory. With no physical evidence, Max has to rely on her own wits and investigative prowess to dig deep into Bachman's past. The picture that Max puts together is far darker and more deadly than she ever imagined. As Max gets closer to the truth, she doesn't realize that she's walking down a road that has been paved just for her. That every step she takes brings her one step closer to a brilliant, methodical sociopath who has been waiting for her to make just one small mistake. And when she does, he'll be there waiting. Max Revere returns in another gripping, pulse-pounding thriller from New York Times bestseller Allison Brennan"--

• ISBN10: 1250035023
• ISBN13: 9781250035028
• Publish Date: 7 April 2015
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 30 June 2021
• Imprint: Minotaur Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

As I mentioned in my review of the first novel, Max can be annoying. She's very rigid in her moral code - to the point where she's willing to destroy everything for the truth and while I agree, truth is good - bulldozing through everyone and everything to get it is tiring. But I do love her fierceness in wanting to do what's right, not what's easy. She is vicious in her determination to uncover wrongdoing and it's fascinating to read. The mystery in Compulsion was intense and had a lot of twists I didn't see coming. I liked that we saw more of the male characters - Nick and David in particular. I liked seeing them working together and forming the whole love hate relationship with Marco. I also enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable side to Max - it made her more human. I can't wait to read more of the series.

[Stephanie]

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter



I cannot tell you how excited I was for Compulsion by Allison Brennan. I really enjoy the character that Brennan has created in Max Revere. She is everything I wanted to be (want to be?) as an adult. She is independently wealthy and classy. Max doesn't let her financial status affect the way she treats people. In fact she uses her wealth to help solve cold cases. She's a bad ass superhero that way.

Brennan was probably my first auto-read author. I've read the majority of her back list and with each book she has delivered. Brennan has an amazing ability to carve out a story that you are willing and eager to invest in, characters that endear themselves before you even know it's happened, and suspense that will make you think twice about things you hear.

Notorious had left me wanting MOAR! As soon as possible. I was slightly apprehensive that the second novel might not live up to the first but I shouldn't have wasted that worry. The story was fast paced again and I enjoyed every moment of it. One thing I know for sure is that I want Max to have some damn parental closure. Not only does she have no idea what happened to her mother but she doesn't even have a name for her father. Add her college BFF, Karen, to the mix and Max has a lot of threads left to dangle.

The cast of characters largely remained the same. We got to learn more about Max's ex, Marco, and frankly I do not like that man. I'm glad he's in her past and I kind of hope he stays that way.

There is no doubt that I will be picking up the next Max Revere novel as soon as it hits the shelves. (I hope there's is another!) I cannot seem to get enough of the Max Revere series!

[Cocktails and Books]

Compulsion is a riveting story. I haven’t read crime drama or a psychological thriller for some time, so this book gave me my much needed fix! This is the first book I have read by Allison Brennan, therefore my first in the Max Revere series. Brennan did a great job at explaining some of the back stories and characters, but I definitely want to go back to her first in the series for the full story on Maxine.

This book has complex characters with some “complicated” relationships. Max is successful, smart, attractive, everything a man would want in a woman. Her fatal flaw in regards to relationships is not being able to open up—although we could blame that on her chaotic upbringing. Marco still pines for Max, even though she has moved on with Nick. Then there is David, her unfailingly loyal bodyguard/assistant/chauffeur/etc. David loves Max, just not in a romantic way. Lucky for Max, all of these men are there for her when she really needs them.

While she is definitely not some damsel in distress, Max ends up needing a lot of help from her friends when she gets involved in a kidnapping case. Max’s intuition tells her that the man who is on trial for this crime has not only committed many other crimes, he is not acting alone. The D.A. is reluctant to act on Max’s theory and she decides to do some investigating on her own.

This is a very suspenseful book. It had my attention to the last page. I would recommend this book—especially to those who like psychological thrillers. Compulsion will not disappoint you!

Reviewed by Joelle for Cocktails and Books