Five women, all with similar characteristics and coloring,
have been kidnapped, mutilated and brutally murdered. FBI
agent Luke Hudson is handling the case of the serial killer
labeled "The Woodsman." Luke knows Iris Ballard, his
ex-partner, is the only person who can give him an accurate
psychological profile of this evil, enigmatic slaughterer.
Iris resigned from the FBI two years ago after witnessing
the awful murder of her husband. She now shares her life
with her guard dog, booze, pills and nightmares recalling
her husband
partner, is the only person who can give him an accurate ps
psychological profile of this evil, enigmatic slaughterer.
Iris resigned from the FBI two years ago after witnessing
the awful murder of her husband. She now shares her life
with her guard dog, booze, pills and nightmares recalling
her husband's death. She wants nothing to do with Luke or
his mysterious case, until he forces her to read the
victims' case files, and she learns the horrific details
that haven't been made public. She's hooked. Pursuit of
this twisted, evil killer brings Iris out of her
self-imposed hell, giving her a sense of purpose and a
reason to live. It doesn
imposed hell, giving her a sense of purpose and a reason to
live. It doesn't take Iris long to identify the person she
knows is responsible for the carnage. Matching wits with
this violent and highly intelligent psychopath will take
every ounce of cunning and training Iris possesses as her
main suspect does everything he can to manipulate the
investigation -- and Iris herself.
When circumstances drastically change, questions arise
about the accused's role. Have they identified the right
suspect? Iris is positive they have, but other agents are
not so sure. They start questioning her abilities as they
now have the possibility of multiple suspects to
investigate. Will Iris be able to convince Luke she's
right be
before it is too late?
Jennifer Harlow has written an intensely gripping
thriller in BEAUTIFUL MAIDS ALL IN A ROW. The plot hooked
me from the beginning, and even though I didn't care for
Iris Ballard at the start, it didn't take long for me to
appreciate the person she becomes, especially as her
backstory is revealed. It's easy to like Luke Hudson, and
his faith in Iris is unshakeable. Together they are a
formidable team, and they have to be to bring down the
wicked monster they are pursuing. Jennifer Harlow
provides lots of surprising twists and turns in the
masterfully intricate storyline. Just when I thought I had
deduced the outcome, another unforeseen element bursts
forth. I love when a suspenseful thriller can keep me
guessing, so BEAUTIFUL MAIDS ALL IN A ROW is, in my
estimation, a top-rate winner.
Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hud
Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for hel
help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive ser
serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bod
bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be
be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and
and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case fil
files.
The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris lea
learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as
as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she ass
assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, met
meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it.
it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by con
contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an int
intellectual equal.
The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target,
enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But
when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most
painful reckoning of all — with her own violent past.
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