Gaylene G. (gigi) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 355 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
My first experience with this author and I'll definitely be looking for more. Well written and captivating, it rushes from one grisly murder to another. The hunt for a serial killer has the local sheriff and Maggie (an FBI profiler) racing the clock to find him before he kills his next victim.
Bonnie F. (Krafty-Kat) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
FBI Agent Maggie O'Dell finds herself right smack dab in the midst of a quarry full of bodies...and, she's on vacation no less.
Kava makes the characters come alive with details and insights, yet strings you along as you continue to guess first one and then another potential serial killer.
Didn't know that Kava had written other Maggie O'Dell novels. But, now that I do, you can be assured that I will be reading others.
Kava makes the characters come alive with details and insights, yet strings you along as you continue to guess first one and then another potential serial killer.
Didn't know that Kava had written other Maggie O'Dell novels. But, now that I do, you can be assured that I will be reading others.
Tara T. (tarataylor) - , reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Such a great book. The Maggie O'Dell series is great! The killer was a surprise (which is always a nice feeling for me) I totally recommend this book to anyone.
(from book cover) FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her best friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance? At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in CT, Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business.
Candace G. (Ogre) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 1568 more book reviews
I had to put some stars up to be able to review AT THE STROKE OF MADNESS, so I said I liked it, but the truth is that I only finished the first well-written chapter and then put the book down as waaaay too scary for me!
From back cover: In the tomblike silence of an abondoned rock quarry someone is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered.
FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance?
At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut. Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
From back cover: In the tomblike silence of an abondoned rock quarry someone is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered.
FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance?
At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut. Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
Rick W. (izabarber) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 9 more book reviews
Alex Kava the female Stephen King. Have read 5 of her books and enjoyed them all
Good suspense/mystery. Alex Kava does a great job of keeping you guessing until the end.
Alex Kava is the next Patricia Cornwell. She keeps us glued to the book until the very last page. Alex keeps Maggie O'Dell an interesting character you want to keep meeting & knowing. I've met Alex many times as I'm from her hometown & I'm proud to say that.
Amanda S. (pandabear) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 210 more book reviews
I wasn't sure that Alex Kava could get any better, but this book has proven me wrong. It was so thrilling and exciting that I couldn't put it down until I was totally done.
Barbara S. (tioga) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 167 more book reviews
Book 4 of the Maggie O'Dell series. Maggie is a FBI profiler who is very good at her job but not much else. Her courageous but flawed character makes this a winning series.
firt time I read any of Alex Kava books.......... I will be reading more of his books............ Great Thriller
Nancy H. (GrannyNanny) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 13 more book reviews
Maggie responds to Dr. Gwen Patterson's request to locate a patient of hers who has disappeared after mentioning a meeting with a friend/love-interest named Sonny. Bodies, or parts of them, begin to show up in a quarry behind the home of Luc Racine, the father of detective Julia Racine and a sufferer of Alzheimers. Maggie has dealt with Julia in the past and is not very fond of her. Anthropologist Adam Bonzado and his students from the university help with the mystery of the the bones, becoming another possibility for a love interest. Appropriately so, there is a reason that butcher paper shows up along with the bodies.
The fourth novel in the Maggie O'Dell series (A Perfect Evil; Split Second; Soul Catcher) features a serial killer with a taste for grisly butchery. At the outset of a long overdue vacation, FBI special agent O'Dell agrees to investigate a simple missing person case for her good friend, psychologist Gwen Patterson. Coincidentally, in the quiet Connecticut small town where Gwen's patient was last seen, a barrel containing a dead body is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry. Maggie offers her services to the local sheriff because she needs to rule out the possibility that the victim is Gwen's patient. Professor Adam Bonzado, a forensic anthropologist and friend of the sheriff, is already at work; a dozen or more 55-gallon barrels have surfaced. As they're pried open, releasing the telltale nauseating stench, an odd assortment of cannibalized victims come to light, including a female breast cancer survivor-her breast implants cut out and removed-and an embalmed corpse, brain missing. Chapters narrated from the point of view of Gwen's missing patient (she's alive but in dire straits) and the paranoid killer alternate with accounts of the tedious work of the coroner and the anthropologist. As Maggie processes the information they provide, she also ministers to elderly but endearing Luc Racine, who lives near the quarry. His Jack Russell terrier keeps bringing him human bones, but since Luc is fighting Alzheimer's he may or may not be a viable witness. Kava's plotting is capable, but there's only a hint of romance and little humor to provide relief from the lashings of gore.
Donna B. (AppyLover) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 90 more book reviews
I recently discovered Kava.....and am a fan.
Rhonda B. (littlerhonda) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 161 more book reviews
if you liked the bone collector you will like this book!
Lisa L. (lloweryan) - , reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 19 more book reviews
Loved it!
Joyce H. (jhambright) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 131 more book reviews
great book
Tori B. (toriocookie) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 119 more book reviews
Awesome...another great by Alex KAva.
Special Agent Maggie O'dell gets a call frm her best friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. On eof Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Conn. Will maggie look into it? At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concerns, then when a body is discovered in an abandoned quarry, Maggie heads to the small town on "unoffical" business. Soon Maggie is drawn into a case that baffles local law enforcement and herself.
Special Agent Maggie O'dell gets a call frm her best friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. On eof Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Conn. Will maggie look into it? At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concerns, then when a body is discovered in an abandoned quarry, Maggie heads to the small town on "unoffical" business. Soon Maggie is drawn into a case that baffles local law enforcement and herself.
Karen F. (earlsgirl) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 188 more book reviews
Not so great. Doesn't come close to A Perfect Evil and Split Second. A dud.
Gloria M. (glo) - , reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 149 more book reviews
I really liked this book. Has just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing!
Excellent book, I could not put it down! If you love thrillers and books to keep you on the edge of your seat then you need to read this one.
Good read
Jenna L. (Grandma) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 211 more book reviews
I thought this book was great! I like the way Kava writes. I empathize with the anguish felt, etc.
Pretty good serial killer story
Wonderful book! A real page-turner. Loved it.
I couldn't put this one down!
Dawn M. (Harleygirl) -
It starts out as a favor for a friend. FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is about to take sone hard-earned vacation time when she receives a call from psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwens patients is missing--Joan Begley, who was in Connecticut to attend her grandmother's furneral. After leaving a distrubing message on Gwen's voice mail, Joan missen an appointment with Gwen and now her therapist is worried. Can Maggie look into the disappearance? At first Maggie, dismisses Gwen's concern. Soon bodies are being found in fifty-five gallon drums buried in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut. Maggie goes on "unofficial" business to see if there's a link between Gwen's missing patient and the murdered woman. Soon Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and seasoned crimainal profiler like Maggie. This is certainly the work of a serial killer, but his MO is so varied. But more pressing than a profile of this madman is the question: Where is Joan Begley? Is she the unwilling guest of a killer opbsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
I enjoyed this book. Great drama.
Terry T. (ttotten) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 50 more book reviews
Good book
Good but not as good as the others I've read.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Maggie O'Dell is asked by her friend, Psychologist Gwen Patterson, to look into the disappearance of one of Gwen's patients. Joan Begley took a trip to Connecticut for a funeral, but hasn't been heard from for a few days. Maggie is on a much needed vacation from her job as an FBI profiler, but decides to check on Joan while she is in the area. What she finds has her concerned. A woman's body has been found in an abandoned quarry. As the local authorities investigate, they find more bodies in the quarry. Maggie offers her services to local law enforcement, hoping that she doesn't find Joan Begley to be among the dead.
This is the fourth book in the Maggie O'Dell series and the best to date. Maggie uses her knowledge and skills to help find a serial killer in a quiet Connecticut town. Gwen and Maggie's partner, R.J. Tully, also help with the investigation into Joan's disappearance. I love these two together and hope their relationship grows. The characters are well-drawn and there are several suspects to sift through. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This is the fourth book in the Maggie O'Dell series and the best to date. Maggie uses her knowledge and skills to help find a serial killer in a quiet Connecticut town. Gwen and Maggie's partner, R.J. Tully, also help with the investigation into Joan's disappearance. I love these two together and hope their relationship grows. The characters are well-drawn and there are several suspects to sift through. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I have all her books. A very excellent author!
Marcy M. (marcym) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 159 more book reviews
Forth book with Maggie O'Dell, I really enjoy this character.
This is a Maggie O'Dell book. Her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson calls her when one of her patients goes missing on a trip to Connecticut. The body of a woman is soon found in a rock quarry and O'Dell is drawn into the case. Then, more bodies are found.
Maggie O'Dell is going on vacation until her psychologist friend Gwen calls to say one of her clients is missing. Maggie agrees to check and finds evidence of another serial killer. Very good book
Charlotte H. (Char) -
Maggie O'Dell is starting a vacation when her friend, psychologist Gwen Patterson calls about a missing patient. When a woman's body is found in an old rock quarry, Maggie heads to a small town. Then more bodies are discovered and Maggie finds herself in the middle of a bizarre and frightenig case.
Lois S. (chihuahua) -
In the tomb like silence of an abandoned rock quarry some one is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered
In the tomblike silence of an abandoned rock quarry someone is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered. The fourth novel in the Maggie O'Dell series (A Perfect Evil; Split Second; Soul Catcher) features a serial killer with a taste for grisly butchery. At the outset of a long overdue vacation, FBI special agent O'Dell agrees to investigate a simple missing person case for her good friend, psychologist Gwen Patterson. Coincidentally, in the quiet Connecticut small town where Gwen's patient was last seen, a barrel containing a dead body is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry. Maggie offers her services to the local sheriff because she needs to rule out the possibility that the victim is Gwen's patient. Professor Adam Bonzado, a forensic anthropologist and friend of the sheriff, is already at work; a dozen or more 55-gallon barrels have surfaced. As they're pried open, releasing the telltale nauseating stench, an odd assortment of cannibalized victims come to light, including a female breast cancer survivor-her breast implants cut out and removed-and an embalmed corpse, brain missing. Chapters narrated from the point of view of Gwen's missing patient (she's alive but in dire straits) and the paranoid killer alternate with accounts of the tedious work of the coroner and the anthropologist. As Maggie processes the information they provide, she also ministers to elderly but endearing Luc Racine, who lives near the quarry. His Jack Russell terrier keeps bringing him human bones, but since Luc is fighting Alzheimer's he may or may not be a viable witness.
Earl H. (squirrelly) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 588 more book reviews
FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance?
At first maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut, Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize fromn his victims?
At first maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut, Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize fromn his victims?
Kristine M. (cerveza) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 21 more book reviews
I have not read this book but here is a brief review.....
The fourth novel in the Maggie O'Dell series (A Perfect Evil; Split Second; Soul Catcher) features a serial killer with a taste for grisly butchery. At the outset of a long overdue vacation, FBI special agent O'Dell agrees to investigate a simple missing person case for her good friend, psychologist Gwen Patterson. Coincidentally, in the quiet Connecticut small town where Gwen's patient was last seen, a barrel containing a dead body is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry. Maggie offers her services to the local sheriff because she needs to rule out the possibility that the victim is Gwen's patient. Professor Adam Bonzado, a forensic anthropologist and friend of the sheriff, is already at work; a dozen or more 55-gallon barrels have surfaced. As they're pried open, releasing the telltale nauseating stench, an odd assortment of cannibalized victims come to light, including a female breast cancer survivor-her breast implants cut out and removed-and an embalmed corpse, brain missing. Chapters narrated from the point of view of Gwen's missing patient (she's alive but in dire straits) and the paranoid killer alternate with accounts of the tedious work of the coroner and the anthropologist. As Maggie processes the information they provide, she also ministers to elderly but endearing Luc Racine, who lives near the quarry. His Jack Russell terrier keeps bringing him human bones, but since Luc is fighting Alzheimer's he may or may not be a viable witness. Kava's plotting is capable, but there's only a hint of romance and little humor to provide relief from the lashings of gore.
The fourth novel in the Maggie O'Dell series (A Perfect Evil; Split Second; Soul Catcher) features a serial killer with a taste for grisly butchery. At the outset of a long overdue vacation, FBI special agent O'Dell agrees to investigate a simple missing person case for her good friend, psychologist Gwen Patterson. Coincidentally, in the quiet Connecticut small town where Gwen's patient was last seen, a barrel containing a dead body is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry. Maggie offers her services to the local sheriff because she needs to rule out the possibility that the victim is Gwen's patient. Professor Adam Bonzado, a forensic anthropologist and friend of the sheriff, is already at work; a dozen or more 55-gallon barrels have surfaced. As they're pried open, releasing the telltale nauseating stench, an odd assortment of cannibalized victims come to light, including a female breast cancer survivor-her breast implants cut out and removed-and an embalmed corpse, brain missing. Chapters narrated from the point of view of Gwen's missing patient (she's alive but in dire straits) and the paranoid killer alternate with accounts of the tedious work of the coroner and the anthropologist. As Maggie processes the information they provide, she also ministers to elderly but endearing Luc Racine, who lives near the quarry. His Jack Russell terrier keeps bringing him human bones, but since Luc is fighting Alzheimer's he may or may not be a viable witness. Kava's plotting is capable, but there's only a hint of romance and little humor to provide relief from the lashings of gore.
Dawn M. (Harleygirl) -
FBI Special Agent Maffie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson, One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance? At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut, Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself. But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
Terri G. (Harmony1204) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 54 more book reviews
From the back of the book, "In the tomblike silence of an abandoned rock quarry someone is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered." Another great Maggie O'Dell story.
Durene R. (Berit913) reviewed At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, Bk 4) on + 373 more book reviews
In the tomblike silence of an abondoned rock quarry someone is trying to hide their dirty little secret. A secret that is about to be discovered.
FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance?
At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut. Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell is just starting a vacation when she gets a call from her friend, psychologist Dr. Gwen Patterson. One of Gwen's patients is missing on a trip to Connecticut. Can Maggie look into Joan Begley's disappearance?
At first Maggie dismisses Gwen's concern. But when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned rock quarry in Connecticut. Maggie heads to the small town on "unofficial" business. Soon the shocking news surfaces that more bodies have been discovered, and Maggie is drawn into a case that confounds both local law enforcement and a seasoned criminal profiler like herself.
But where is Joan Begley? Is she in fact the woman discovered buried in the quarry? Or is she the unwilling guest of a killer obsessed with possessing an unimaginable prize from his victims?
