Sweetheart Paperback – 4 July 2008

I read the first in the series and went straight to buy this one. The relationship between the characters keeps the pages turning. I've now bought the third instalment as I kneed to know what happens

I was looking forward to book 2 featuring Archie Sheridan. I didn't expect one of the few female serial killers in modern thrillers to feature quite so heavily. That Gretchen Lovell is a nasty yet confusing character does add to the thrill of the chase. That this book is almost - but not quite - an add-on from Heartsick means that you don't really need to have read the first book before involving yourself in this. In fact, if you hadn't read number 1, this thriller would be a better read!!I was disappointed, really, although I enjoyed the experience. Chelsea Cain is a good contemporary author with a penchant for gruesome killings in her books. Archie is a detective whose character can be developed but whether I want to read a third novel featuring these two at it yet again is a moot point. Let's have closure on Gretchen Lovell and a way forward for Archie to show us that he is more than just a scarred body - physically and mentally.

I bought this along with the first of the Gretchen Lovell series, Heartsick. Having read the first of the Gretchen Lovell series, Heartsick is an even better read having got to know the characters. I read them both back to back and then quickly bought no.3 to continue in succession.Would recommend them to anyone who enjoys a good thriller and likes gory details.

Not sure what it says about me but this book was every bit and disgustingly horrible as the first and it had me gripped from the first page. Strong characters well drawn, horror, drama, humour and a fascinating glimpse of madness and self destruction. Irrisistable.

Sweetheart carries on from where Heartsick finished. Archie and his family are trying to recover from his harrowing, brutal and shocking relationship with Gretchen Lowell. There is a new case, which brings Archie and reporter Susan Ward together again to lead the investigation. Eventually the case unravels as the book progresses, perhaps a bit slowly for my liking. I was able to predict how the case would finish, and therefore at the end of the book not terribly surprised.The main focus of the book after several chapters is Archie's relationship with Gretchen Lowell. As I read it felt more like an infatuation or an addiction which he could not give up. Possibly symbolised by his continuing addiction to prescription pills, which I failed to comprehend given that this character is a intelligent detective.Gretchen's escape from prison felt slighlty reminiscent of Hanibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. Perhaps a bit less graphic but similar.The final scenes in this book offers, perhaps, a different direction that Chelsea Cain is taking the overall story in. This makes the novel feel a bit transitional and not as complete a story as I would have liked.On the whole a decent sequel but hopefully better things to come.

Was given Heartsick which is the first book in this series. At first didn't realise there was a series following Gretchen Lowell and Archie Sheridan. Now I am hooked and have already read this book being number 2 in the series. Just can't put these books down.......

I bought this as part of a gift reasonably priced and arrived quickly

A serial killer to rival the best ,cold.. calculating..intelligence off the scale. The play between the protagonists is inviting. The dogged detective Archie determinded to catch Gretchen has you on the edge of your seat as they battle against each other

A very memorable book! Gretchen, a serial killer with 200 known victims and Archie, a detective who devoted his life to catching her are not the ordinary book heroes. They are obsessed with each other in their own ways. Archie makes an attempt to come back to his family and cuts the Sunday's visits to prison but Gretchen escapes the prison and the game is on again.Is he going to catch her, or he is going on a romantic getaway with her? Does he even makes a difference any more?This is thrilling and captivating book which is difficult to forget.

Archie Sheriden is supposed to be a flawed hero but he lost me in this book with his self centred ways affecting his best mate, wife and kids. There was little character development and the plot was a bit far fetched. Give me Kim Stone anyday- sorry.

I devoured the whole series in one week. Yes, ONE.One of the most thrilling, shocking, gripping series I've ever read.Little warning though: not recommended for sensitive and anxious people.These books have huge nightmare-inducing potential...

This book is the second in a series by Chelsea Cain. While you don't have to read the first book (Heartsick) to enjoy this one, I do suggest it. There are certain story lines that are alluded to but not covered again in this book. Personally, I like this aspect. The book is fantastic on its own and allows the reader to choose to read the first novel or just savor the second.Although I loved this book and the first, neither book is for the faint of heart. I'm not quite sure how Chelsea Cain came up with the plot line, but let's say if this is what she chooses to write about, I wouldn't want to see her nightmares. If you do not like a very very dark side in your books, including violence and sick, sick characters, this is not the book for you. However, if you love excellent writing, suspenseful plot lines, and rich characters, this is not just the novel for you, but the series. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a writer so much that I bought the book hardcover (which I did) and after a day of constant reading, am already anxiously awaiting the next novel. Definitely add this novel to your collection, it's well worth it.

グレッチェンの呪縛から逃れられないアーチ―は、またも、連続殺人の捜査に。アーチーに前作で助けられアーチーに好意を持つ新聞記者のスーザンは、有力議員のスキャンダルを追っていた。アーチーは、立ち直れるのか、スーザンの追う事件との関連は・・・・。これ以上言うと興ざめになってしまうのでやめます。前作が怖すぎて、買ったものの読み始められずにいましたが、読み始めると止まらなくなりました。今作も、読み終わると心臓が冷たく鳴っているような気がしました。夜一人で読まない方がよいかも。