Love Me To Death - Allison Brennan - Review & Giveaway

Allison Brennan is an author I'd definitely heard of, (she's a New York Times bestselling author) but one I'd not had a chance to read yet.

Love Me to Death is the first in a series that will feature Lucy Kincaid. This book picks up 6 years after Lucy was horrifically attacked and almost killed by a man she met online. Rather than hide away from the world after her terrible experience, she has decided to join the FBI. She specifically wants to target on-line predators. Until she has final acceptance from the Bureau, Lucy volunteers with a victim's rights group, tracking predators in chat rooms and passing on the information to the police.

When the predators that Lucy identifies start turning up dead, as does her attacker's partner, suspicion is turned on Lucy herself.  With the help of her brothers' security partner, Sean Rogan, she sets out to find the truth, danger be damned.

Lucy is an interesting choice for a protagonist, in that she is very young and not fully a member of the law establishment yet. I liked her and think Brennan has a solid character to build further books on. The premise of the plot is certainly current - cyber predators are a real and current threat. (Some readers may find the crimes described a bit too graphic) The action is definitely fast paced, there are lots of twists and turns and some red herrings that will keep you on your toes.

There are numerous references to the case in which Lucy was attacked, which was no problem. Where I did have a problem was keeping track of the huge cast of supporting characters. The references to this brother and that brother did confuse me. I think if I had read the previous book (Fear No Evil), I would have been a little more up to speed.

Love Me to Death is described on the cover as a novel of suspense - and yes it is. But I think romantic suspense is a better descriptor. The romantic and sexual tension smolders between Sean and Lucy and is a large part of the book.

Fans of Iris Johansen and Tami Hoag would enjoy Allison Brennan.

Check out what the other stops on the TLC tour  think of Love Me to Death.

The second book in the Lucy Kincaid series is due out Feb 22/11. If you'd like to read Love me to Death, I have a copy to giveaway courtesy of the publisher Ballantine Books. Open to the US and Canada, simply comment to be entered. Ends Sat. Jan 29/11 at 6 pm EST.