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Deadly Obsession

Deadly Obsession 1

by Karen M. Davis
Paperback
Publication Date: 01/08/2014
4/5 Rating 1 Review

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A young nurse's body is found at Clovelly Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Apart from a puncture wound in her neck, she is in perfect condition. But she's also clutching a rose in her hands - and there's an empty packet of prescription drugs in her pocket.

Investigating the scene, Detective Lexie Rogers and her partner Brad Sommers know something is not right. It appears to be a staged suicide. And as they begin to dig deeper, Lexie discovers the case is too close to home.

The dead girl was a work colleague of Lexie's ex-husband, who is now a paramedic - and she was also a friend of the woman who broke up Lexie's marriage. Struggling as she is with her breakup with Josh Harrison, who pushed her away after the suicide of his sister, and the numbing flashbacks of the violent attacks she's suffered in the past, Lexie throws herself into the case. When she's handed the lead on the investigation, Lexie sets out to solve the murder and prove she's up to the job.

When Lexie's ex-husband becomes a suspect, she refuses to believe it. It also becomes startlingly clear there are similarities in the deaths of Josh's sister and the murder victim. But when Lexie determines a link between the women and a doctor working at the same hospital, he becomes her main suspect, fuelled by her discovery of a prescription drug racket.

Just when Lexie is beginning to make headway on the case, Josh turns up. He's determined to find out what happened to his sister - and he also wants Lexie back.

Piecing together the identity of the killer with the help of her old bikie friend, Rex Donaldson, Lexie and her colleagues set a trap in an ambitious police operation. But there's a big difference between naming a suspect and catching a killer, and Lexie's about to find out just how deep some grudges can go.
ISBN:
9781922052551
9781922052551
Category:
Crime & Mystery
Format:
Paperback
Publication Date:
01-08-2014
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster Australia
Country of origin:
Australia
Pages:
336
Dimensions (mm):
234x153x34mm
Weight:
0.57kg
What I’m reading right now…
I have just finished J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts writing as) Celebrity In Death and am starting Chelsea Cains' One Kick. I try to read all types of books but I'm more partial to crime and thrillers.

My favourite book growing up (why?)…
As much as my mother tried to get me to read, I wasn't a big reader as a child. Though one book that I had to read for school has stayed with me: A Fortunate Life by A.B.Facey. It is Facey's story of his life - which was incredibly hard, during the war, losing children in the war - and told in such a way that he considered himself so fortunate. I was about twelve when I read this and I remember thinking what an incredible man he was. He was grateful for the positives in life and didn't focus on the negatives. His attitude was inspiring. 

My all time favourite book is (why?)…
As a kid my mum used to read me Five Beds for Bitsy. Which was about a dog getting bigger and having to upgrade beds) I loved it. I even called my first dog Bitsy. As an adult; I don't think I have one book in particular that's my favourite. I am more inclined to - when I find authors I like - read their books, not a particular type of novel. There are too many good books out there to have one favourite for me.

The book I would recommend everyone to read (why?)… 
Mine of course; because I wrote them. Joking. I think Wilbur Smiths River God series is incredible. The stories are great, intriguing and imaginative. The characters are real. I couldn't put these books down. I felt like I was there with them in ancient Egypt.

The book I wish I wrote…
Harry Potter, Twilight or Fifty Shades of Grey for obvious reasons. They are all incredible success stories. Although I don't think I have it in me to write Fifty Shades... Harry Potter and Twilight are both really good stories that require great creativity. There are many more fantastic books out there that I would be proud to have written - can't name them all - too many.

My guilty reading pleasure is…
I'm really boring. I don't think I have one.

The book on my bookshelf that I have never read…
Lorna Doon by Richard Doddridge (1869) My Grandmother was named after the main character (Lorna) in this book and my mother had a very old copy. So old in fact, it looked like an original, but I'm sure it wasn't. She encouraged me to read it but I never have.

The book that never should have been turned into a film…
Hmmmm... That's a hard one. I really don't know. Possibly the Fifty Shades (sorry to bring it up again) movie when it comes out because I don't think it will live up to expectations and I really don't know how they are going to do it. If it's like the book it will be rated I don't know what? Triple R or X.

My book is…  hopefully an enjoyable read.

I’ll never forget… the kindness and goodness of some people.

My favourite place is… to be predictable I'd have to say my home.

The most dangerous thing I have ever done is… Oh boy, there are too many... probably crawling through a tiny window (when I was really skinny) to catch a bunch of crooks that were robbing a house. There was one of me and a number of them. Pretty stupid really.

The first time I… tried to shoot my police issue gun (in a pistol range) it didn't work. I had been walking around with a useless gun on my hip. Lucky I hadn't needed to use it...

I regret… nothing really, what's the point?

I remember… some horrific things that I've seen in my police career that I'd rather forget...

The one piece of advice I should have listened to but didn’t… there are probably lots of pieces of advice I should have listened to but I can't recall them - probably because I didn't listen.

I love... lots of things; riding my motor bike, writing, having fun, being with my family and friends.

I hate… housework.

I wish… for good health and happiness.

I can’t say no... to a glass of wine with friends

Yesterday, I… felt guilty because I didn't get any writing done. Or get on the treadmill.

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1 Review

Deadly Obsession is the second crime novel from Karen M Davis to feature Detective Lexie Rogers.

In the early hours of the morning a woman's body, clutching a long stemmed red rose, is discovered on Clovelly Beach. The empty packet of OxyContine in her pocket suggests a drug overdose as the cause of death but Lexie is sure the scene is staged. When the initial stages of the investigation implicates her ex-husband in the woman's murder, Lexie is shocked, but as she and her partner, Brad Sommers, continue to dig they unearth a worrying chain of connections that for Lexie are too close to home.

Deadly Obsession is, in part, a police procedural, exposing Lexie and Brad's investigation as they chase leads and search for evidence to identify the elusive killer, but also includes elements of psychological suspense, action and a touch of romance. The story is tightly plotted, though I thought the links between Lexie and the key characters were just a little too neat and convenient. My early suspicions regarding the murderer were proved right but I was swayed by the red herrings laid down by Davis at times and surprised by some of the connections that were eventually revealed.

I am glad that Lexie seems less anxious in Deadly Obsession. Though still at risk from panic attacks related to previous events, and distressed by her recent break up with Josh (Detective Josh Harrison) who fled to Bali to bury himself in the bottle after the death of his sister, Jenna, Lexie is stronger and more focused. She works the case with attention to detail and stands up for herself against Brad's doubts. I didn't agree with all of her decisions though, some of which, like not reporting the threats made against her, seemed a bit disingenuous for a police officer.

While it isn't strictly necessary to have read Sinister Intent before embarking on this sequel, I think it would be worth your time. A solid example of Australian crime fiction, Deadly Obsession is an enjoyable and engaging read and I look forward to seeing how Davis continues to develop the series.

Contains Spoilers No
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