Kill Me Again by Maggie Shayne

Kill Me Again by Maggie Shayne
Digital galley form netgalley.com

PJVs QUICKIE POV: As a usual paranormal romance writer, I think this was classified as a PNR, fantasy read, but I have to stress at the beginning there really wasn't anything PNR or fantasy about it. But, as a galley read, I'll do my duty and review it.

Intriguing and fast paced, Kill Me Again sucked me in and held my attention through much of the book. I enjoyed the characters and while predictable at times, I did like the story-line and am now intrigued to read Shayne's other PNR series.

REVIEW: A practical recluse herself, Olivia Dupree admires and emulates reclusive author Aaron Westhaven. So, when the man agrees to come to her home and participate in a charity event she is holding for her university, she is thrilled. But, the day she expects him, instead of a knock at her door, she is summoned to the hospital to identify a John Doe, whose sole possession is a pocket watch and her business card with her address on the back. The same card she had sent to Aaron Westhaven.

The man that everyone is assuming is Aaron Westhaven, is gorgeous, well-spoken and in possession of a rather unique skill-set that isn't congruent with an author of Westhaven's genre. When Olivia's house is broken into and the buglar threatens her life, both her and Aaron come to the conclusion that both her attack and his almost murderer might be connected. They set off together, even though neither of them trust each other, to try and put 2 and 2 together and maybe solve the mystery of who he is and who is trying to kill/rob Olivia.

I enjoyed the fast-paced mystery of this novel. The pace and subtlety of the clues kept me intrigued and wanting to press on. I thought I had it all figured out, but something would always pop up and make me doubt my theory. In the end I had figured it out, but the non-obvious way it was portrayed kept me wanting more.  I also enjoyed the coupling. There was so little trust in the beginning, and the slow, duress induced attraction was charming and seemed real.

What I didn't like about the book was at the end, the pace did slow down. Olivia's ex was also a bit over the top, and so was the ending finale. I thought it was just a little unbelievable that someone would take these steps to cover-up what they were covering up. I don't want to give too much away, but Olivia had disks that she took from her ex, disks that held images of people purchasing / smoking marijuana...not heroine or coke, or some BIG felony. I don't think marijuana is even a felony and it has been revealed that past presidents have engaged in the use of marijuana "I Did Not Inhale" etc. So, I think the premise of these disks of images of  marijuana usage was a little far-fetched and unbelievable and a major part of the story-line, therefore the reason I gave this story a 3 star, instead of higher. But that is my opinion.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Fans of Shayne and her other works should not be disappointed. Fans of Nora Roberts might enjoy, it had that romantic feel to it. For adults, this is a mystery/romance.