"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"--
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
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18 March, 2015:
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