Book 1 in the Archie and Gretchen series
The story explores what make up a psychopath and the relationship
between a serial killer and his/her victims. "Heart Sick" is a
gruesome tale of torture and manipulation, a fiction depicting a
twisted and creepy serial killer.
Detective Archie Sheridan (main character) has spent ten years on a
task force hunting a beautiful serial killer named Gretchen Lowell.
Gretchen eventually turned the table and the hunter became the
hunted. She lured him into a trap, tortured him for several days
and contrary to her M.O. she mysteriously sets him free, leaving
him haunted in many ways by the experience for the rest of his
life.
The story picks up two years later with Gretchen in prison and
Archie recently off medical leave and returned to duty. Still on
strong medication he quickly finds himself deeply involved in
another case of multiple abductions and murders. Many teenage girls
have mysteriously gone missing in the Oregon area.
During this period, Detective Archie Sheridan's experiences attract
the attention of the press and Susan Ward, a young eccentric
journalist, is assigned the task of writing his story. In her
research, she tags along and records every move he makes but
unknown to her, this action leads her straight into the serial
killer's web…
The gruesome torture Archie endured at the hands of Gretchen is
rehashed in flashback sequences and the gory details create a
graphic and violent atmosphere at times. Archie, one of the main
characters, is overshadowed by the strong characterisation of
Gretchen, a beautiful serial killer. The story only comes alive
when she appears and dims when she is off stage. It leaves the
reader wondering if this is a suspense thriller or a twisted love
story between a cop and a serial killer. Susan Ward the pink hair
journalist is thrown into the mix to add a touch of colour and help
tell the story. This novel is riddled with old clichés, very basic
suspense and is rather unrealistic at times. This does not measure
up to other thrillers I read this year.