The Killing Hands (Sophie Anderson #4) by P.D. Martin
My Rating:  5 of 5 Butterflies

Title:  The Killing Hands
Author:  P.D. Martin
Series:  Sophie Anderson #4
Length:  400 pages
Publisher:  MIRA (Harlequin)
Published:  November 15, 2012
Source:  Library
Format:  Kindle
Genres:  Fiction; Suspense
Subjects:  Serial Murders; Serial Murder Investigation; Psychics; Criminal Profilers

 Synopsis:

            Just as Aussie FBI profiler Sophie Anderson is settling into her job in the L.A. bureau, she's pulled into a case that's different from anything she's ever seen—the victim has had his throat ripped out. But what weapon could have caused such devastating injuries? And who is the John Doe?
           Sophie and her team are dealing with a skilled killer, someone who leaves virtually no forensic evidence. When the team links the body to an Asian criminal organization, things get even more mysterious. The victim has been missing for fifteen years, so where has he been and why has he returned? More important, who wanted him dead?
                          As L.A.'s underworld rears its ugly head, Sophie will have to draw on her experience and her developing psychic skills to find a brilliant killer who's carved a trail of death in organized crime across the U.S. He leaves only one thing behind him—horrifying murder scenes.

My Review:
I first read this book a few years ago without even knowing that it was part of a series, and I must say that I absolutely loved it without any of the history.  Now, I must also tell you that I have never re-read a book, that is until now!  This is the first book that I have ever even had the desire to re-read, but I thought that since I now know the history, that it would make The Killing Hands that much better, and I was right!!

I have quickly fell in love with P.D. Martin, and I will keep saying that I am deeply saddened and become more anxious with the completion of each book, because that means I am that much closer to the final book in the Sophie Anderson series!  Too often I find that as the series progresses, my interest in the books begin to diminish, but that isn't even close to the case with this series!  After book 4, I still find myself dying to start the next book as soon as I finish the one that I'm reading!  It's not often that I finish a whole series so close together, but with Soph, I just can't help myself.

I find P.D. Martin's writing to be so informational and entertaining.  She writes with such intensity and uniqueness, that it's hard for me not to get lost in her writing.  I find equally impressive that even though she's Australian, there doesn't seem to be any language barriers.  Yes, I am aware that Australian's do speak English...what I mean is that by reading her books, you would never believe that Martin is from Australia (other than the fact that her main character is!!)  Extensive research had to have been done in order for her to write this book, and I appreciate her passing the information along in her writing!

Other reviews that I have read discussed their troubles with reading this book and feeling like it was slower than the other books, but I must say that I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed book 3, Fan Mail.  I found the plot to be unique and riveting, not to mention thoroughly enjoyable!

Overall, I think that I have found myself a new favorite author, and I really hope to see her release something else in the very near future!  I enjoy the extra tid bits of knowledge that I get from reading each of her books, because I certainly learn something new with every book of Martin's that I read!

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Fan Mail (Sophie Anderson #1) by P.D. Martin
My Rating:  4 of 5 Stars

Title:  Fan Mail
Author:  P.D. Martin
Series:  Sophie Anderson #3
Length:  Kindle - 475 pages
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Published:  November 15, 2012
Source:  Library
Genres:  Fiction; Suspense; Mystery
Subjects:  FBI; Criminal Profilers; Serial Murder Investigation; Novelists; Los Angeles, California

Synopsis:
Getting into a killer's mind is both a blessing and a curse for FBI profiler Sophie Anderson. The agent suffers through brutal premonitions in order to save lives. Now a resident of Los Angeles, Sophie is working on a case where fiction has become fatal. A popular crime writer is sexually mutilated, strangled and marked with an eerie lipstick kiss…just like the crime scene in the dead author's last book.

As more writers are punished for their dark imaginations, there is a recurring theme—a chilling fan letter that arrives before each murder. In order to stop the slaughter, Sophie must delve into the writings of the dead authors. But the sinister mind behind the crimes is linked to an unsolved case from Sophie's past. And that person is determined to create a killer ending.

My Review:
I have very quickly come to know and love the Sophie Anderson series!  I don't typically read series books back-to-back, but I find myself wanting some Sophie when I haven't read about her after a few days!  She is a character that has just taken me over and I must say, one of my favorite fictional characters!

I just randomly came across this series, and actually accidentally read book 4 first, but thoroughly enjoyed it!  I had book 1 on my TBR for quite some time, when finally, for some odd reason I picked it up from the library, thus what started this wonderful addiction!  I was so excited about how great book 1 started and finished, that I wanted to share it with everyone, which I did!  This series is now all of my friends new favorite series!!!

I find myself getting amerced into the writing of P.D. Martin.  I get lost in her words and have much appreciation for the fact that she takes the time to explain procedures that other writers assume the reader already has a working knowledge of what he or she is writing about!  There is always at least one word that I have to look up in every book that I read, but I appreciate Martin's attempt to give the reader greater knowledge about the happenings in her book.  I feel like each book of hers that I read, gives me a broader sense of enlightenment, and that I have further extended not only my vocabulary, but also have better recognition and comprehension of the life of an FBI Profiler!

I think that Martin has such unique plots and characters that make me smile just sitting here thinking about them as I type out this review!  I am always ecstatic to see what she has come up with next with each new book, and Fan Mail was no exception!  I enjoy the detailed and skillful profiles that Martin provides via Sophie throughout each book, as she is working each case.  Martin writes fast-paced stories, that keep the reader engaged throughout and seems to have an excellent knowledge base about the stories she is writing!  Martin has such a knack for awesome endings and each book brings a new excitement about what is coming up next!

I appreciate the extension of Book 2, The Murderers' Club, as at the end of the book, I just had a feeling that the story wasn't over, and I couldn't have been more right, nor could I have been more thrilled, because let's just face it, that book was pretty flipping awesome!!  The outcome of that part of the book was still left pretty open, so I'll be very interested to see if it comes up again either in book 4 or later in the series!

Overall, I just love this series and can't wait to jump right into Book 4, (again...since I read it first several years ago!) Killing Hands!  I am so thrilled to have found this excellent author, and am starting to get worried because I am nearing the end, so I certainly hope that Martin has plenty more in store for us, and am anxiously awaiting an announcement for the release of book 7 in the Sophie Anderson series!


My Rating:  4 of 5 Bookworms

The Murderers' Club by P.D. Martin
My Review - 5 of 5 Stars

Title:  The Murderers' Club
Author:  P.D. Martin
Length:  448 pages
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Published:  December 1, 2007
Genres:  Fiction; Suspense; Thriller
Subjects:  Serial Murderers; Criminal Profilers; Reality TV; Tuscon, AZ


Synopsis:  
Six months ago, a case nearly cost Sophie her life. So when a detective friend asks her to visit Arizona, she welcomes the break. But her vacation ends abruptly when bodies are found at a university and she gets pulled into the case. The horrifying methodology—deliberate body positioning, a distinctive red heart scrawled on each victim—indicates to Sophie that a new serial killer has claimed the area. Oddly, though, certain signature elements differ between killings. Fortunately, the FBI database has a record of many of the signatures—but each belongs to a different serial killer.

As the bodies continue to appear, Sophie must hone her terrifying skills and suffer the horrors in her head in order to stop this killer.

My Review:
I am so thrilled that I have found P.D. Martin and also that I have been able to share it with many friends, as I have found the Sophie Anderson series to be so entertaining and enjoyable to read. The Murderers' Club certainly was no exception!

Every book of Martin's that I read, the more impressed I become with her writing skills!  I've said it before and I'll say, that I thoroughly appreciate the descriptive nature of Martin's writing.  She doesn't over indulge, making the story incredibly too wordy, she just adds descriptions of things that you may need to know to better understand the process that you are reading about!  I also love the fact that she includes full blown profiles so the reader can understand what exactly a profile is! I feel like the more the read, the more knowledgeable I become, so I really feel like I am invested in the story, because I am learning from it and I love that!

This story was weaved with such an intricate and freaking suspenseful and twisting plot, and I loved all the flipping twistedness of it all!  I absolutely couldn't figure out who the mastermind behind The Murderers' Club was, and still at the conclusion, don't know for sure, although I have my reservations!  I just love Sophie's character and that she's the psychic profiler, and I enjoy learning as she learns about her abilities!  I think it's a great twist to an already totally unique plot!

Overall, I love this series and I absolutely LOVED this book!  As a matter of fact, I loved it so much, that I immediately tried to get my hands on book 3 in the series, Fan Mail!  I am only disappointed in the fact that the series is only 6 books long, and I don't get to enjoy Sophie Anderson greatness for much longer!

Would I Recommend This Book to Others?
HECK YEAH!!!!  This was one of the best books!!

Stand Alone or Part of a Series?
Part of a Series

• Sophie Anderson #2

The Missing by P.D. Martin
My Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Title:  The Missing
Author:  P.D. Martin
Length:  38 pages
Publisher:  Murderati Ink
Published:  March 4, 2012
Genres:  Fiction; Suspense
Subjects:  Criminal Profilers; Kidnapping


Synopsis:
The Missing is two Sophie Anderson short stories - one set before book 1 in the series (Body Count) and one set after Body Count. The first five books in PD Martin's Sophie Anderson series have been released in 13 countries to date, and to international acclaim. 

Story 1: Sophie Anderson is working in Victoria Police's homicide department when her boss assigns her to a local kidnapping case. Her boss's deal is simple: 'Find my friend's ten-year-old daughter and I'll send you on the FBI course you've been nagging me about.' But Sophie doesn't need incentive to rescue a young girl. She throws herself into the case, racing against the clock to bring the girl home...only too aware of what the perpetrator might be doing to her. 

Story 2: Sophie Anderson is still a relative newcomer to the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit when her profiling skills are called on for a kidnapping case in DC. Presidential candidate Senator Keen's daughter is missing and Sophie's mission is simple: find her and keep it quiet. But as Sophie investigates the senator and the daughter who's kept out of the public eye, she discovers more than a straight case of kidnapping.

My Review:
These books go right along with true Sophie Anderson fashion!  I was particularly happy to get some more insight on Sophie's life in Australia!

I think that P.D. Martin is a phenomenal writer, and I certainly appreciate in her writing that she educates the readers on different techniques that she is writing about.  I feel like I have a better knowledge of how Profiling and FBI Procedures work from reading her books.  I just have a better general sense of understanding for what's going on when reading one of Martin's books!

Even though the stories were short, they seemed to be the perfect length to get the story across!  I really enjoyed the fact that Story 2 had an alternate ending that was available to readers!  Both endings were great endings, but very different from each other, so it was very cool!

Overall, as with all of Martin's other books, I loved The Missing just as much as I have all of her others!  I am only saddened by the thought that I am halfway through her series, and am just hoping that she comes out with some new books very soon!!

Would I Recommend This Book to Others:
I would!  It was an easy, quick read!  I absolutely LOVE this series!

Stand Alone or Part of a Series:
Part of a Series

• Sophie Anderson (2 Short Stories - 1st takes place before Book 1, second takes place after Book 1)

Body Count (Sophie Anderson #1) by P.D. Martin
My Rating:  5 of 5 Stars

Title:  Body Count
Author:  P.D. Martin
Length:  400 pages
Publisher:  Harlequin MIRA
Published:  September 15, 2011
Genres:  Fiction; Thriller; FBI Profiler

My Rating:  ✮✮✮✮✮

Synopsis:  

• Sophie Anderson #1