Review: Don't Say a Word by Beverly Barton

Title: Don’t Say A Word
Author: Beverly Barton
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: 3 Hoots
Reviewer: Dori
Buy From: Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

Sum It Up! I found Don’t Say A Word entertaining but rushed.

Summary:

Cross Your Heart…


One by one, they will die. He has waited patiently, planning their final moments. Their tortured screams, their pleas for mercy—all will be in vain...


And Hope…

Homicide detective Julia Cass has witnessed plenty of crime scenes. But the murder of a Chattanooga judge is shocking in its brutality. Teamed with FBI agent Will Brannock, Julia delves into an investigation that soon unearths more bodies—all mutilated in the same way, all left with a gruesome souvenir of a killer’s ruthless rage…


To Die…


The only way to stop the slaughter is to predict the next victim. But when you’re dealing with vengeance at its most ruthless, one wrong move can make you a target…and the next word you utter could be your last… (Goodreads)

Review:

In Don’t Say A Word, a serial killer is exacting his vengeance on those he believes are perverting the scales of justice. The brutality of each killing prompts Julia Cass and Will Brannock to escalate their search for this sadistic killer. As the investigation continues, there are more questions than answers to solve this puzzle.

I find myself conflicted as I read the last book written by Beverly Barton.  As a fan of her writing, I found Don’t Say A Word entertaining but rushed. Linda Ladd helped to finish Ms. Barton’s book with the blessing of the Barton family. Yet, as you read the story, you can tell the distinctive difference in Ms. Barton’s and Ms. Ladd’s writing.  I found the lack of cohesiveness confusing. The investigation of the serial killer takes a backseat to the relationship of Julia and Will. The pairing of Julia and Will, although a good fit, seemed rushed and unrealistic in some areas.  When the story finally returns to catching the killer, I lost interest.  It saddens me that this story, an obvious beginning of a new series, will never be finished.  She will be missed by the literary world.