Compulsion by Allison Brennan

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"--

Reviewed by Stephanie on

5 of 5 stars

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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!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 April, 2015: Finished reading
  • 22 April, 2015: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 22 April, 2015: Finished reading
  • 22 April, 2015: Reviewed