An Archie Sheridan / Gretchen Lowell Novel - Kill You Twice

As much as I like mysteries - and mysteries that are part of a series - it is always a concern that the characters over time will become stale or the plot will stall. It is comforting to see that, five books in, Cain still has something fresh to offer in her Archie Sheridan / Gretchen Lowell series. (Heartsick,Sweetheart,Evil at Heart,The Night Season.)

In _Kill You Twice_, Archie Sheridan is no longer under the thrall of serial killer Gretchen Lowell, although her insight and help is needed in tracking down another serial killer, possibly a protoge of Gretchen's. The plot moves quickly, as Cain reveals tantalizing clues about Lowell's past, an increasingly tenuous relationship between Archie and former newspaper reporter Susan Ward, and a character from Evil at Heart, the angsty teen, Pearl. The development of these characters and the increasing complexity of their relationships kept my attention leaving me wanting more. For fear of revealing too much and spoiling a fun read, I'll remain vague with further details.

Of course, a primary reason I return to Cain's work is the was she writes about our city. It is a vicarious thrill to intimately know the places in which bodies are found, the haunts characters frequent, and the thinly veiled allusions to contemporary news stories - in _Kill You Twice_, a subplot revolves around a church group that "faith heals" their congregants. In Portland, members of just such a group were convicted of criminal negligence for not taking their infant daughter to a physican, instead relying on the laying on of hands and prayer to heal a sick child. Tragically, the child died. Cain's writing has a similar dark and sinister texture to it, in spite of the hippie, eco-friendly demeanor of both the city and its residents as she describes it.

I recommend the series; I am admittedly biased in my favorable reviews of the book because of our common affiliation to the Northwest, but even putting this subjective measure aside, Cain's series is entertaining and continues to go in new and interesting directions. As relationships (and interrelationships) become more complex, I am a bit anxious that she will be unable to balance the integrity of the characters with the intrigue and fresh plots she has done so far, but in _Heart Sick_, Cain continues to impress.

I believe the power struggle between Gretchen and Archie makes this the climax of the series - to date. His ability to control Gretchen was one of the high points of the book. The introduction of Archie's new neighbor heightened the tension. You know she's up to something; she's definitely playing the long game. Appreciated that the focus was on the characters rather than the gruesome murders, etc. And the ending - awesome.

I absolutely love this series!! And this book was no different. Love the twist and turns that come along that you would never expect! Can't wait to see what the future holds for all of these characters!

I have read this series of books also. Chelsea Cain's first two novels Heartsick and Sweetheart were the BEST!! After these books everything pales in comparison. This particular book was good but I found myself forcing myself to finish it. It was an okay read. I thought there was way to much detail in places that really didn't need detail. Would I recommend this book...yes. Just don't waste your money buying it as I did. Get it at your local library for FREE instead.

I have enjoyed this series and recommended it to friends but agree with a few other reviewers regarding moving on from Gretchen, it's becoming stale and repetitive, how could this killer continue with her face "everywhere" also, would the public support and cheer for a child killer? I would like to see Archie get stronger and maybe a new love interest, The level of graphic violence has also become tiresome, I look forward to the next book and maybe some positive changes

I have enjoyed this series and recommended it to friends but agree with a few other reviewers regarding moving on from Gretchen, it's becoming stale and repetitive, how could this killer continue with her face "everywhere" also, would the public support and cheer for a child killer? I would like to see Archie get stronger and maybe a new love interest, The level of graphic violence has also become tiresome, I look forward to the next book and maybe some positive changes

As much as I have enjoyed these books, the character of Susan is starting to get more than a little bit annoying! I mean, her immaturity and selfishness can only last for so long. While reading this book, I found myself wondering when she would grow up! An example is when Gretchen gives her the interview about her first murder. Instead of caring about giving peace to this family and helping the police, her only concern is with what it could do for her career. It's the same thing when it comes to her going through people's things. For how long is this supposed to be "endearing"? How am I supposed to root for her in any way when she behaves this way? It is no longer cute or funny to me...

As usual, Archie and Gretchen are great. You can't help but feel for Archie as he tries to find his way past the constant tragedies around him. Gretchen is as evil and tricky as ever.

Over all, I gave this book 3 stars.

Chelsea Cain's books are always riveting because you never know what twist the end of the book will bring. And boy, did this one bring a twist. Thank you Chelsea for yet another fantastic adventure with Archie and Gretchen. Can't wait for the next one!

I am patiently waiting for her next book When will that happen? Since Chelsea CAin has a namesake which is the wife of the SF Giants pitcher, Matt Cain, her name is also Chelsea, and being a Giants fan I take comfort in this seemingly insignificant similarity, but to me it is significant. In fact, I think writer Cain should send autographed copies to Matt Cain's wife, Chelsea......I have spoken.....

Another sick and twisted read. Had to double check my doors a few nights to make sure they were locked since living in Portland makes this books hit close to home. Can't imagine where Archies relationships will take him.

Thank you

Zorina

"Kill You Twice" is Chelsea Cain's fifth novel featuring Portland Homicide Detective Archie Sheridan. Forty-one year old Sheridan's nemesis is Gretchen Lowell, also known as the Beauty Killer, who is locked up in the Oregon State Mental Hospital. Archie is just one of the many individuals whom Lowell has tortured and maimed during her lengthy criminal career. Sheridan still bears ugly physical and emotional scars from his harrowing encounters with this clever and arrogant sadist.

After struggling with an addiction to pain pills, Archie is clean but not completely healed. He is a high-strung insomniac whose marriage ended (he still sees his kids on a regular basis, at least), and he sometimes scratches his wounds until they bleed. On a bright summer day, Archie and his partner, Henry Sobol, are called to the scene of a grisly murder. The victim was tortured and mutilated. In addition, his "wrists and ankles were bound with rope and he was dangling from the lower branches of a cedar tree." At the corpse's feet "was a wilted white lily." Shortly thereafter, a woman whose body was burned beyond recognition is found, also with a lily nearby.

Those who are familiar with Cain's modus operandi will not be shocked to discover that these deaths are somehow linked to Lowell. Susan Ward, a freelance journalist, visits Gretchen in the hospital and finds out about Lowell's earliest victim. Sensing that she is on the trail of a sensational and marketable story, the reporter digs further into Gretchen's past; she uncovers facts that may lead to the identity of a bloodthirsty killer as deranged as Gretchen.

This thriller is more interesting for its insight into Gretchen's history than it is for the quality of Cain's plotting. Although the descriptive writing is as vivid and evocative as ever, the story is somewhat disjointed and artificial. Several of the characters, including the killer Archie is seeking, remain ciphers. Gretchen is, as usual, smarmy and manipulative; Archie becomes involved in an unlikely romantic relationship; and Susan lives uneasily with her mother, Bliss, who is even more flighty than her kooky daughter. The author inserts a teenage runaway from a previous book, Pearl Clinton, into the mix; her life is endangered through no fault of her own. Everything comes together in a series of violent confrontations and surprising revelations that do not ring true. Cane may be straining to keep her series alive even though it may have run its course.

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I was slightly a little disappointed after reading The Night Season compared to the other books in Chelsea Cain's Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell series, but not disappointed enough to stop me from reading another book! In true Chelsea Cain fashion, Kill You Twice definitely lived up to all the hype that was built up in the other books in the series!

I was glad to see that Gretchen Lowell was back in Kill You Twice, and as in the first few books, she holds back nothing! She is back to her truly psychotic ways and I LOVE IT! Cain sure knows how to write a totally sick book! She never fails to leave me reeling and wondering, who thinks of this stuff, but gosh I love it! Does that make me demented as well? The more sick and twisted the plot, the more I enjoy it, and Kill You Twice fell right into that!

I enjoy that each book is a character builder and lets us see a little bit more about a particular character! The more I read about Archie, Gretchen, Susan, Henry and Claire, the more I want to keep reading! I think the characters in this series have got to be the most diverse, unique set of characters that I have ever read. I mean seriously, I don't think anyone else is capable of creating such greatness in characters.

The narrator, Christina Delaine, did this series much more justice than she did in The Night Season, and was easy to listen to and follow in this book. She did the characters justice and was a great reader, especially given the content of what she was reading! Great job!

Overall, I am so glad that this series picked back up from the last book. All too often, I find that the deeper you get into the series, the worst each book gets, and I was totally afraid that was what was going to happen with this series, but oh how Chelsea Cain pulled it off again! I am so thrilled to have read this book and can't wait to check out the next (and last for now) book in this series, Let Me Go!

Listened for Fun (Library Book)
Overall Rating: 5.00
Story Rating: 5.00
Character Rating: 5.00

Audio: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought When Finished: Holy twisty turny ......

Story Thoughts: Oh my! I thought that Gretchen couldn't get any more manipulative and boy was I wrong. If you are a fan of the series then you are going to have flashes of the first book dancing through your head. Kill You Twice was absolutely on par with Heartsick. In fact, I think it was even better. This is the kind of serial killer twisty manipulation that gets the heart pumping and the mind working over time. In other words, the story was totally made of win.

Character Thoughts: Plain and simple: Gretchen was more Gretchen, Archie was more Archie, and Susan is finally starting to hold her own with these two. The characters were amazing in Kill You Twice! It was a perfect mix of trepidation, smartness, manipulation, and "OMG" character moments.

Audio Thoughts

Narrated By Christina Delaine / Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

I think Christina does a great job with this series on audio. She only has done books 4 and 5 but she is a good fit emotionally with these characters. She brings them to life with great pacing and nuances. I will be sticking with this on audio if she continues to narrate.

Final Thoughts: Kill You Twice is the best in the series so far and I can't wait for the next one!

Just as Gretchen Lowell, the notorious Beauty Killer, is able to mesmerize and haunt Detective Archie Sheridan, author Chelsea Cain is just as adept with how she is able to play the reader. Despite how gruesome the murders or how psychopathic the killer might be, we still keep coming back for more. And we love it. Their toxic "love" affair since the beginning of the series might repulse some readers, the rest of us, however, will gobble it up and ask for more.

Although Gretchen is medicated and locked up in a high security mental institution miles away from Portland, Archie continues to feel a constant hunger for and connection to the woman who tortured him for ten days leaving him, literally and figuratively, scarred. She almost killed him, she destroyed his marriage, she injured his partner, and yet, he allows her to continually invade his thoughts. He is truly an effed-up guy.

Now, Archie and his recovering partner, Henry Sobel, are trying to figure out who would be sick enough to hang a man from a tree and skin him alive. Then, they find a burned body on top of one of Portland's more famous landmarks. A white lily was placed near both bodies. Portland has another serial killer.

Although dating the son of a drug kingpin, reporter Susan Ward, her hair dyed a Manic Panic Electric Lava orange this time, still regards herself as a friend of Archie's. And it is Susan that helps him when she recognizes a clue concerning the first crime scene. And it is Susan who is summoned to the mental hospital by Gretchen because she wants to make a confession to her first murder.

Once beautiful and seductive, the side effects of anti-psychotics have left Gretchen doughy with sallow, broken down skin and slurred speech. Despite the mind-numbing effects of her medication, Gretchen's conniving brain is constantly at work, she know Susan will go straight to Archie. But why confess now?

Archie takes the bait and starts to investigate the cold case and realizes Gretchen is not just confessing to murder, she is opening a door to her anonymous past. And knowing she never does anything unintentionally, he wonders if that murder eighteen years ago is somehow related to his present cases.

There are numerous twists, a few red herrings, and by the end, the true identities of some of the characters will surprise the reader. There are, however, a couple of outrageous palm to face moments that make the reader question the author: would Child Protective Services really leave a runaway teenager with a pot smoking foster parent? And why is everyone so forgiving of a character that helped her boyfriend try to kill Archie in the last book? The best part though is seeing a true growth in Archie. His life and his relationships with others may still be affected by his toxic connection to Gretchen, but she no longer dominates him. Although he is admittedly "not over her", he is actually moving on and taking charge of his life. And the ever-observant Susan is still able to provide much needed comedy relief with her outlandish hair, punky outfits and hippie mom, Bliss.

Kill You Twice is not as good as the first two books, but it is infinitely better than last year's The Night Season. Because I am still addicted to their equally entrancing and repulsive relationship, I will keep coming back to Gretchen and Archie. Maybe someday he will get "over her", but I doubt it is anytime soon.

Archie Sheridan, a detective at the Major Case Task Force in Portland, Oregon, for years had headed what was termed the Beauty Killer Task Force, dedicated to tracking down and bringing to justice a megalomaniac serial killer whose victims were tortured and killed in gruesome ways, graphically described. Their target, Gretchen Lowell, a stunning blonde who claims she had killed more than two hundred people, almost claimed Archie as one of her victims, but despite slowly torturing him over a 10-day period [during which time, among other things, she removed his spleen - - without anesthesia, of course], she let him live. She is now locked up in the forensic psychiatric services ward of the State Hospital.

Six years later, now forty-one, Archie has only recently returned to work after two years on medical leave. He is called to a murder scene as the book opens; soon after another body is discovered with striking similarities. As Archie says about Portland, it is "known for its blush-tinted scenery, and its serial killers." There is still a strong connection between Archie and Gretchen, and ultimately he accedes to her calls asking him to come see her, at which point she says she can help him find the killer. His scars, which still itch and sometimes bleed, are a constant reminder of her brutality, but he can no sooner escape them than he can the power and sexual pull she still exerts over him.

The characters in the series are vividly drawn, and fully fleshed out. Susan Ward, reappearing three months after being fired from the local newspaper, the Herald, still very attracted to Archie; Susan's mother, Bliss, a former hippie, whose "eyes looked sparkly and spacey, like an anesthetized rabbit;" Henry, Archie's best friend and partner, himself recovering from a narrow escape from death, and trying without much success to keep his relationship with a fellow cop under wraps; Leo Reynolds, an attorney and the son of a drug kingpin whose sister's killer Archie had caught; among others.

In trademark fashion, as the investigation proceeds and the solution is in sight, the tight plotting grabs the reader by the throat and doesn't let go till the end, and the author pulls off one unexpected twist after another. And lest you think the book is entirely comprised of graphic violence, be assured that there are regular doses of humor in these pages.

Parenthetically, in case you're wondering, the title of this book comes from a couplet: "Sweet as sugar, hard as ice, hurt me once, I'll kill you twice." If this is your introduction to the Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell series, you'll understand it better after you read the book - not necessarily an easy read, certainly, but a highly recommended one. The next book in the series, "Let Me Go,' is due out in August of 2013, and I for one can't wait!

Portland Police Detective Archie Sheridan the insomniac knows why he cannot sleep by touching the scar; so when nine year old Patrick calls him, he commiserates as they belong to the same survivor club and counts numbers with the traumatized child until the lad falls asleep.

On the top of Mount Tabor in a park, Archie looks at the body of Jake Kelley, a volunteer at the Life Work Center for Young Women. The victim was hammered in the head and tortured while alive with skin carved from his chest and abdomen before he died. Legally insane serial killer Gretchen Lowell resides in lock up at the Oregon State Hospital where she persuades Dr. Prescott to inform Archie that her child is in danger; he wants nothing to do with the great manipulator who scarred him and left him sleepless in Portland though he knows if a child lives the kid could be his. When a second victim is burned to death on the fifty foot city neon sign in Old Town, Lowell contacts reporter Susan Ward insisting Ryan Motley is the killer and that there is a third not yet found victim.

The latest Sheridan-Lowell Oregonian tango (see The Night Season) is somewhat the same refrain especially early, but freshened up starting with Prescott's revelation and Ward's interview of the diabolical serial killer that provides series fans with deeper insight into her psyche especially her past. The twisting storyline is fast-paced from the Kelly homicide and never slows down as Lowell proves her psychopathic brilliance; summed up by her assertion that Archie is happiest when he chases her.

Harriet Klausner