I get sucked into well written books. I'm right there with the characters, going through whatever they're going through, sharing their thoughts and feelings. That's why I now know what it would be like to spend time in an Alaskan winter and how terrifying it would be to be stalked by a brutal killer who hates me for a reason I don't understand. Yolanda Renee has created such rich, multidimensional characters who speak so clearly about who they are that I could not only recognize them if I met them on the street, I'd know what to serve them if they came to my house for dinner. A word of caution, though. Do not start this book late at night like I did. You won't get any sleep if you do, either because you can't put it down or because you just might be afraid to stop reading until the killer is caught. Ms. Renee is as good at introducing tension and writing believably scary scenes as she is at describing the beauty of Alaska.
On Fri Mar 04 07:55:10 -0800 2011 By Nancy ,Santa Cruz, CA
From the EZRead Staff
Book Review:"Murder, Madness & Love" by Yolanda Renée
Love It or Leave It: Loved the suspense
For Readers Who Enjoy: mystery, mild romance, suspense, love triangles, Alaskan settings, series
Summary: Sarah Palmer is a young widow who is looking for healing and a chance to have a normal life, but her chance at normalcy is hard to come by when more deaths are popping up around Sarah that are strangely connected to her new-found stalker, as well as her husband's unsolved death. Both enamored and horrified by the rumors surrounding this widow, Detective Steven Quaid struggles to find the truth to the murders while he fights the urge to both incriminate and fall in-love with Sarah.
Review: Intense may be an understatement for this book. I was gripping the edges of my reader in white-knuckled anticipation by the end of the first chapter. There were just so many questions from the very beginning that I raced through the pages to find the answers.
Although I may pride myself on picking up on hints when it comes to most mysteries, I was like a mouse in a maze when it came to this plot. Just as I think I turn a revealing corner to the plot, another wall hits me square in the face and I find myself flat on my butt again, shaking my head in bewilderment at yet another dead end.
I realize Sarah is the one being hounded, but I could not help feeling that I was being played with as a reader. I know how the saying goes, "Fool me twice, shame on me," but I was fooled so many times I started to feel like the village idiot. I would say to put me in the corner with a dunce hat, but I honestly have to chalk-up this frustrating feeling to fine-planned creative writing. Definitely, a well plotted story.
Death, stalking, heart-break, fear, more death — just how much is Sarah supposed to take? I wasn't even sure how much more I could take. Call me "dizzy" because that roller coaster ride had me up and down more times than I can count. Was it worth the woozy spells, you ask? Of course!
How often do you get to read a mystery that has at least one scene steamy enough to melt a little snow off that Alaska plane, an original plot, and a scheme so perplexing that I defy anyone to figure out who done it. I can only wonder what could possibly happen in the coming sequels. What else could possibly go wrong?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery doesn't get any better than "Murder, Madness, and Love", November 15, 2009
Murder, Madness, and Love by Yolanda Renee has everything you'd want in a murder mystery -- and more -- and I just loved reading her story. Sarah Phalmer is a widow under suspicion and fighting to stay ahead of a ruthless killer at her heels. The story of Sarah unfolds with gripping details in the captivating and austere beauty of Alaska. Labeled a "black widow", she becomes the victim of unrelenting gossip and scrutiny. Detective Steven Quaid is resentful over being hired to protect her from a killer at large because he is certain that Sarah is guilty of murdering her husband. But, he falls in love with her. Does he end up proving her innocence? Or does he become a victim of her love? There are lots of suspects is this story of intense suspense, terror, deception, passion, heartbreak, and adventure. Can you handle it all? A master of mystery, Yolanda Renee is a master story teller to the end. I was completely enthralled with reading her book.
A Review of
Murder Madness and Love
by Linda Ballou
Detective Steven Quaid, an unflappable sleuth, is baffled by the clues left behind by a serial killer and his feelings for his most likely suspect.Sarah, an ice queen of sensational beauty, intrigues rejects and frustrates the detective who finds himself falling in love with her against his will. This sweetheart mystery is set in the moody backdrop of the Northwest.Cliff House, Sarah's winter home in Seattle, overlooks a roiling sea and misty shores perfect for a murder scene.Her secluded estate outside of Anchorage lends itself to ethereal evenings beneath a billion blinking stars. This romantic, twisty turner gives no secrets away until the very end.Stalked by a mysterious secret admirer, accused of the murder of her husband and suspect to multiple other killings, Sarah is pushed to the brink of her sanity. What pulls her back from the edge is the icing on this well-frosted cake.
This book is as visually vivid as if it were on a movie screen! The author is gifted with the ability to describe every aspect of the novel with clarity, from the characters and scenery to the minds and emotions of the main characters. This is a thriller and romance that weaves the relationships between the characters as a musician composes a symphony.It is intense in the develpment of the plot and leaves the reader perplexed and curious as to the identity of the murderer. This book will keep your heart pounding and interest avid as you both eagerly read to find who the killer is and find yourself not wanting it to come to an end.
By
Matthew Arnold "author of Crossroads, and An ... (Pacific Northwest USA)
I'm a big fan of J.A. Jance and Earl Emerson mystery series, and found this novel to be a great read.
One style the author employs, which adds to the story's suspense, is that most of the characters are introduced neither as "good guys" or "bad buys" but as in real life, they have elements of both. As the plot unfolds, this yields such a wide range of possibilities of "who dunnit" that I became increasingly engaged in the story and found the ending to be very strong. While the book is essentially a mystery, there is an element of romance mixed into the last third that will add to the enjoyment of readers who are drawn to that, but doesn't detract at all for those who aren't. The story is well set in Alaska and Washington State, both rich locales for any story.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and suspense.
Gripping page-turner, I couldn't put down!, March 30, 2008
For me, a sign of a well-written book is one that not only keeps you enthralled so you don't want to put it down, but also makes you imagine you are really there. This book does both. From the wonderfully descriptive Alaska and Washington landscapes to the intriguing and complicated characters, this author kept me absorbed in the storyline to the very end.
For anyone who likes mystery laced with romance, I highly recommend this read. In fact, I can't wait to see what Detective Quaid has up his sleeves next!
Barnes & Noble Reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 5 stars
thrilling page turner - must read A reviewer, A reviewer, 09/12/2008
as an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, I was not disappointed. Wonderful characters and an exciting plot that did not disappoint.I could not put the book down. Am anticipating more from this author.
I loved the book A reviewer, not a person that usually reads, 09/11/2008
I got so into the twists and turns in this book that I had a hard time putting it down. I couldn't wait to find out what was coming next and the ending was definitely not how I expected. I would recommend this book. I can't wait for her next one.
Page turner with beautiful imagery Julia Press Simmons (jpsimmons@QueenMidasBooks.com), the author of Strawberry Mansion, 07/28/2008
I sat down with Murder Madness & Love one evening and I could not put the book down. It is spellbinding. Yolanda Renee's debut is riveting and I would recommend it to every one who likes to get swept away by a good story!
Compelling and fun an excellent mystery Terri, an avid reader., 05/07/2008
Mysteries have always been a favorite and this book is no exception. It kept my attention - I hated to put it down, and I loved the characters. I can't wait to see what happens in the next two books. Highly recommended!
Surprising twists & turns Del, A reviewer, 04/26/2008
As an avid mystery reader, I pride myself in being able to figure out 'who done it' before the author reveals it, but not this time! I was completely wrong and quite surprised that this 1st time author was able to keep me guessing to the very end. I'm hooked -- can't wait for the next book!
A great mystery. Keeps your attention from start to finish. Robin Hammond (jrobhammond@comcast.net), A reviewer, 04/24/2008
This was a great book. The action was non stop. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author. I have recommended this book to my friends and family and will read it again myself.
Compelling and exciting mystery A reviewer (Withinpa@aol.com), a mystery lover, 04/17/2008
I loved the book! I found it very difficult to put it down when reading it. Looking forward to reading the next two series. In the mean time, will read the book again and share it with family and friends.
Some readers have emailed their reviews: copies are shown below -- with any book secrets removed!
August 9, 2008
Renee, Just wanted to tell you how wonderful the book was, I plan to read it again. It was so very deep and I hung on every word. I kept thinking it was this one that did the killing, then I thought no, it was this one, then that one. It sure wasn't the person I thought it was. I told my best friend how great it is and how hard it was to put down. I told another friend to just order it -- instead of getting it at the library because she will want to read it more than once. It was really -- really GREAT! and I never liked suspense before, but I do now! Can't wait till your next one comes out.
Thanks.
Sherry.
5/27/08
Dear Yolanda:
I thoroughly loved reading the book -- it was difficult to put down. I finished it in a few days!! I'm ready for the next one. Happy summer.
Marlene
5/18/08
Dear Ms. Renee,
A friend loaned me her copy of your book and I just loved it. I started reading it yesterday and finished it this afternoon. Once I started reading it I just couldn't put it down. I would like to get my own copy of the book. When can we look forward to your next book?
Linda
5/12/08
Hi,
I finished your book last week and had to let you know how much I enjoyed it.
I loaned it out to a friend and have gotten rave reviews from her as well.
Thank you for a most complex, entertaining mystery.
Kitty
5/7/08
Hi Renee,
I loved the book!! I finished it Friday night, well actually around 1:00 Sat morning. I wasn't planning on staying up that late but i couldn't stop reading! I kept thinking i would stop after the next chapter or just a few more pages but i had to keep going until i finished it! You had me guessing the whole time! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think i am going to read the book again since i enjoyed it so much. I can't wait for the next one!
Thanks, Wendy
5/7/08
Hi Renee,
I just wanted to let you know I didn't forget about you, or your book! I don't get a lot of time to sit down and read now-a-days, but once I started reading your book, I had a hard time putting it down and finished it very quickly. It was very well written and engaged my interest just as if I was reading any of my other suspenseful novels. The plot, like any good one, really did keep me guessing to the very end. I really enjoyed the book, and look forward to the time when your next novel will come out. My mom has also taken an interest in your book, and is working her way through it right now. Thanks again,
Emily
4/29/08
Hey sweetie!
I finished your book last night around 11 p.m. Renee', it really was a wonderful, exciting, turning, twisting...mystery and I enjoyed it so much.
Awesome job, can't wait for 2 & 3. I have to tell you, that is the second book I have read this year and honestly, I haven't read any books in their entirety since college (probably not even then - I didn't realize how relaxing a good read is) - so thank you so much. You are an amazing women and writer.
Let me know when your next one is out! I'll be first in line to get one. Good luck with all your sales. I can't wait for the news that this is on the best seller list.
God Bless you friend. Tracy
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