"A serial killer stalks this Texas town"
Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted February 23, 2013
Romance Suspense | Thriller
In this adult crime tale a trailer resident dies and her
wretched son, now grown, decides to steal women just like
the doll his mother owned. Catherine McCoy, new to a small
Texas town, is looking for work and the sheriff suggests
the bar and the funeral home could do with help. So their
courses are set to collide.
Matt, the sheriff, is understaffed and under pressure
because a young florist has disappeared. While questioning
anyone she knew he does take the time to look out for the
new arrival, although Catherine is not planning on staying
in Butte Crest for long. He considers it possible that she
could be another target for what turns out to be a
perverted killer. But Catherine doesn't trust men, after a
disastrous marriage, so getting to know her will not be
plain sailing. The local TV channel is also keen to jump
on any scrap of news, justifiable from the point of view of
warning women.
Maybe I've read too many police procedurals, but THE GREEN
EYED DOLL was much the same as other serial killer tales,
the warped justifications of the mad killer, the easy
targets presented by young women. Suspense is introduced
by Catherine's having small gifts delivered and meeting
various creepy men in the course of her work. She and the
sheriff start a relationship, though in other tales the
police officers are too busy, driven and grim of heart to
progress a love interest while they search for a madman.
In the sheriff's place I'd have been calling in the FBI,
not picking up girls. Also the classic serial killer
starts slowly and builds up over considerable time, not
killing victim after victim in a matter of days. This tale
is more Patricia Cornwell than Elizabeth George, keener to
shock than to provide social comment. The local colour is
mainly provided by blistering heat and colourful language.
Catherine has learned some karate and is able to fight
back; I was just surprised that more Texas women weren't
capable of defending themselves.
Jerrie Alexander has put a lot of work into describing her
small town and the methods of police investigations.
Perhaps it is just that serial killers have been done so
often, but I would like to read her in happier mood as her
characters seemed like believable people who deserved a
better time. THE GREEN EYED DOLL will however suit anyone
into dark crime stories and adult suspense.
SUMMARY
Catherine McCoy is running from her past. She's been on
the move for a year, hiding the secret and guilt in her
heart. When she lands in small–town Texas and meets
Sheriff Matt Ballard, he ignites a flame she thought lost
forever.
Matt has scars of his own. He left the big city after an
undercover operation went bad and his partner was killed.
Now, as Matt hunts for a serial killer who paints his
victims like porcelain dolls, Catherine becomes a safe
haven for him. Two tortured souls finding comfort in each
other's arms—until he uncovers her secret, and their
bond of trust is broken.
When Catherine disappears, Matt races to find her,
fearing the murderer has found his next green–eyed
doll. But the killer has a surprise coming. Catherine will
fight to the death before she'll be a victim. But will her
determination be enough?
Excerpt Dark circles and cold, weary, blue eyes marred Matt's
Michelangelo face. His black hair fell in disarray and
looked like he'd raked his fingers through a number of
times today. His chiseled jaw and chin were dark with a
long day's stubble. With a couple of long strides, he
pinned her between him and the counter. He framed her face
with his hands, closed his eyes, and lowered his forehead
to hers. They stood in silence for a long time, unmoving,
their bodies not touching. Fear for the missing woman
radiated off him.
His anguish, more than she'd planned for, hit her
hard. His dedication and concern, traits she admired, shook
her conviction that no man could be trusted. His
tenderness, something she'd never had, touched a
long–neglected place in her soul.
In that small space of time, where no one else in
the world existed, Catherine's heart found hope. Tears,
she'd promised herself never to shed again, slid unchecked
down her cheeks. But these tears weren't because of her
pain or grief. She cried because Matt suffered and grieved
for the missing woman. She slid her arms around him,
stroking his tense muscles.
"Hey, yourself." He leaned back and studied her
face. The warmth behind his eyes returned as he wiped away
her tears with the pads of his thumbs. "Were those for me?"
She nodded and emotions swirled in her head.
Catherine struggled to regain her perspective. "I have to
remove no more tears from The Never List."
"Why would you hold yourself to such a never?"
"The only thing crying gets you are red eyes."
"Okay, tough guy. Maybe someday you'll trust me
enough to explain. Why'd you break a rule for me."
"The worry for Annie Travers in your eyes broke my
heart. I've never known anyone with your compassion and
dedication."
"Careful." The corners of his mouth lifted. "You'll
be calling me John Wayne again."
"Same soul."
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