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22nd out of 216 books
—
33 voters
The Halo Effect (Butterfield Institute #1)
by
M.J. Rose (Goodreads Author)
Dr. Morgan Snow is a well-known sex therapist who is treating Cleo Thane, a beautiful business owner...and prostitute. Cleo caters to the wealthy and powerful and after delivering a tell-all manuscript to Dr. Snow, she disappears. A serial killer is murdering street hookers and using the book, Morgan desperately searches for clues to stop the killer before Cleo becomes his...more
Paperback, 379 pages
Published
July 1st 2005
by Mira
(first published August 31st 2004)
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This was a mostly enjoyable read, the first book in a thriller series, although M. J. Rose's voice is always problematic for me. In some books it grates so much that I have to stop reading, but I was able to get through this one.
The heroine/narrator spends an awful lot of time in early chapters explaining herself to the reader—and not all of it is relevant to the story. The heroine also does some rather stupid things which mostly seem to be more for the author's convenience in moving the plot a...more
The heroine/narrator spends an awful lot of time in early chapters explaining herself to the reader—and not all of it is relevant to the story. The heroine also does some rather stupid things which mostly seem to be more for the author's convenience in moving the plot a...more
Flawed charcters always make for the most engrossing stories do they not? At least they do when they're in the hands of a skilled author..
in the world of thrillers it's easy to trod on well established ground...psycho serial killer, psychologist helping the cops to make a profile to stop the brutal killings...this has some elements of that..but with a twist..Dr. Morgan Snow is a therapist..a sex therapist at the Butterfield Institute..she spends her professional life helping people deal with the...more
in the world of thrillers it's easy to trod on well established ground...psycho serial killer, psychologist helping the cops to make a profile to stop the brutal killings...this has some elements of that..but with a twist..Dr. Morgan Snow is a therapist..a sex therapist at the Butterfield Institute..she spends her professional life helping people deal with the...more
The Halo Effect by M. J. Rose
Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist and donates her time once a week to women at the prison. She also sees private patients. one who is writing a sex book and she now has a copy.
Her boyfriend thinks something bad will happen to her once the book is published and the dr. has watched her leave one day and there is a man that follows her. Because the detective called her she rushed down the morgue to identify the woman who was now dead-one of the women who got out of pri...more
Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist and donates her time once a week to women at the prison. She also sees private patients. one who is writing a sex book and she now has a copy.
Her boyfriend thinks something bad will happen to her once the book is published and the dr. has watched her leave one day and there is a man that follows her. Because the detective called her she rushed down the morgue to identify the woman who was now dead-one of the women who got out of pri...more
Looking for a new pyschological thriller to get your brain juices flowing ? After reading a special written by MJ Rose called "In Session" which featured what would happen if characters like Jack Reacher (Lee Child ) and John Rain ( Barry Eisler) were to stumble upon Dr. Morgan Snow's couch , for those who don't know - Dr. Morgan Snow is a Sex Therapist and works for the Butterfield Institute, they are the best in their profession. You come to them, not the other way around. After reading In Ses...more
Typical me, I read The Delilah Complex, the second in this series, first. Fortunately, other than a little more background on Dr. Morgan Snow's (the heroine) relationship with Det. Noah Jordain (the hero), there really wasn’t a need to read them in order. And, as I found out, I enjoyed the second more.
Both are well written- 1st person from Morgan’s POV. Both have engaging side characters and a plot reminiscent of the tv show Law and Order SVU, (I love that show!). However, TDC's central theme I...more
Both are well written- 1st person from Morgan’s POV. Both have engaging side characters and a plot reminiscent of the tv show Law and Order SVU, (I love that show!). However, TDC's central theme I...more
Dr Morgan Snow, a sex therapist, is thrown into an ethical dilemma when a client, Cleo, who is a high end call girl, and also a compelling and intriguing personality, goes missing whilst at the same time, a serial killer is abducting and ritualistically murdering prostitutes. Her confidential patient information may be the missing piece that could link the cases and perhaps save lives, but risks breaching her professional code of conduct. Her exposure to the men in Cleo's life and the dangerousl...more
This book was part of a Story Bundle a while back. I chose to read it now because the author has picked the books for the latest bundle featuring all women writers and two more of her own books, and I wanted to see whether it would be worth paying for.
The beginning did not seem very promising, but I grew to like this book. It does rely heavily on standard thriller tropes: we have a serial killer targeting prostitutes, a female protagonist who plays amateur detective (and in the end gets into a d...more
The beginning did not seem very promising, but I grew to like this book. It does rely heavily on standard thriller tropes: we have a serial killer targeting prostitutes, a female protagonist who plays amateur detective (and in the end gets into a d...more
The Halo Effect (The Butterfield Institute) by M.J. Rose is a real surprise for me. I have been looking for a well written suspense thriller and I have finally found one. At first glimpse the book appears to be the typical serial killer type book. But the plot is not the only thing I found so intriguing about the book, as good as it is. Ms. Rose pulls the reader into the story. Her ability to make you feel, hear and see what you are reading. It is a rare ability to be able to write with an eye f...more
I am conflicted on just how to rate this book. I liked the story just fine, it was engaging and interesting. I liked the main characters, I wanted to know more about them and thought they were constructed really well. But the way the author kept switching from the Dr.'s first person perspective and jumping to some other person every few chapters, and usually waited at least a few paragraphs to tell you who we had switched to, and then jumping right back to Dr Snow with no warning; well it was ir...more
The new release of M.J. Rose's Butterfield Institute series in e-format will be cause for celebration, especially once readers devour this first installment in the trilogy, THE HALO EFFECT. For years, Rose has displayed her uncanny ability to weave suspense and mystery together with complex emotional and psychological insight; and in this frightening tale of an insular sex therapist's plunge into the underworld of high-class prostitution and murder, she is at the top of her game.
Dr Morgan Snow...more
Dr Morgan Snow...more
Dr. Morgan Snow is a well-known therapist who helps patients deal with sexuality issues. One of her clients, Cleo, is a high-priced call girl who has written a book with details on some of her better-known clients that could cause trouble if this is published and these men are identified. Cleo wants to also have a relationship while working in this profession, the reason she is a patient of Dr. Snow. When Cleo misses two appointments and is determined to be missing, a riveting story of murder, d...more
Jun 12, 2012
Terri
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
thrillers-suspense,
mysteries
Morgan Snow is a professional therapist specializing in sexual issues. When her client (an expensive call girl who is writing a book about her lifestyle) disappears, it seems possible that one of her clients is involved. Also, that it may be connected to a series of ritualistic murders of prostitutes. Morgan feels her only way to help Cleo is to investigate herself because she can't legally or ethically violate her patient's confidences.
This book is interesting in many ways. The first is how it...more
This book is interesting in many ways. The first is how it...more
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This book was very confusing. It has to many things going on. It starts of with a prostitute dying in a nuns habit and had a money halo. Then it jumps to the cops trying to figure out who did the murder. Then they jump to a sex therapist talking to a patient, Cloe Thain. Cloe Thain is a call girl who had very powerful clients. She was going to publish a book about all her clients and what there needs where but her man didn't want her too. She goes missing and they think it has to do with the ki...more
I'm a sucker for psychological thrillers, especially when they are well thought out and have an intricate plot. "The Halo Effect" did not disappoint. This is the story of Dr. Morgan Snow, a sex therapist who finds herself pulled into the investigation of a serial killer and the disappearance of one of her clients. The plot lines surrounding both of these facets of the story were entertaining and had just enough twists to create intrigue while remaining realistic.
I did suspect who the killer was...more
I did suspect who the killer was...more
I'd heard great things about MJ Rose's The Reincarnationist, so I had high expectations for this book and wanted very much to like it. Psychological thrillers are among my favorites and the premise is an interesting one. Unfortunately, I found the writing style to be a bit scattered and I felt no connection to the characters. Detective Noah Jordain was the character I found most interesting, and I learned so little about him. Dr Morgan Snow came across to me as indecisive, weak, and clingy, and...more
I really liked this book. I was introduced to the series from a Kindle freebie and it was a great investment. I like how we see inside Morgan's thoughts and fears and learning about her background. It definitely helps the later book since I read them out of order. I also liked how it is different than most murder mysteries b/c it's not your typical "police procedural". As a psych major and teacher/counselor (at one time) I like hearing about her therapy sessions and how she is interacting with a...more
I read this book after a recommendation from a friend and I have to say, it was a very enjoyable read.
The story was engaging, although the change of narrative was sometimes confusing. Morgan Snow, Sex Therapist with a varied clientele, has a patient named Cleo Thane. A high class call girl who is about the release a tell-all book about her life, the high powered, influential men she encounters and the fetishes that they may have. These men may have a lot to lose if the book is released, so when...more
The story was engaging, although the change of narrative was sometimes confusing. Morgan Snow, Sex Therapist with a varied clientele, has a patient named Cleo Thane. A high class call girl who is about the release a tell-all book about her life, the high powered, influential men she encounters and the fetishes that they may have. These men may have a lot to lose if the book is released, so when...more
Fantastic book. I love the way this author writes. At first the background story might feel like a bit too much to handle. However, the background allows you to feel more connected to the character. I like the connection because it allows me to feel more emotionally involved in the book than in others. I loved the psychological part of the story.
After you get past the initial development of the characters, her words and the suspense of the novel draws you into her book. Her characters are devel...more
After you get past the initial development of the characters, her words and the suspense of the novel draws you into her book. Her characters are devel...more
Maybe 2 1/2? I nearly gave up it was so slow to start with, and then I guessed who the bad guy was pretty early on. Morgan Snow, a sex therapist, who should be able to read people didn't see it and nearly got herself into some serious trouble.
It got a bit better after the halfway mark but there were parts of the book that seemed unnecessary, like interviewing a bunch of other suspects (Morgan not the police) and then being so coy about it all. It just didn't ring true.
I thought it was a pretty s...more
It got a bit better after the halfway mark but there were parts of the book that seemed unnecessary, like interviewing a bunch of other suspects (Morgan not the police) and then being so coy about it all. It just didn't ring true.
I thought it was a pretty s...more
A psychological thriller with a real class. I should say the plot is run-of-the-mill - a psychotic killer on the prowl with ritualistic murders. What adds the real zing to the novel is the character of Martha Snow, the therapist. Hers is a tight rope walk, she is keen on saving her patient who has gone missing and at the same time she has to honor the doctor-patient confidentiality privilege. The narration deserves a mention too, first person narration alternates with third person narration. I l...more
I like The Halo Effect.
*****
The Halo Effect was the sore thumb among the Butterfield Institute series. This is the first book and Rose was just building Morgan’s story, so maybe that’s why i didn’t enjoy it as much as i would’ve? Because i love The Delilah Complex and The Venus Fix; imagine my suprise when this one fell short for me.
The serial killings were elaborate and grisly, but the killer’s motive to do the acts were rather… plain? It was too simple for me to warrant that kind ofdeviant beh...more
*****
The Halo Effect was the sore thumb among the Butterfield Institute series. This is the first book and Rose was just building Morgan’s story, so maybe that’s why i didn’t enjoy it as much as i would’ve? Because i love The Delilah Complex and The Venus Fix; imagine my suprise when this one fell short for me.
The serial killings were elaborate and grisly, but the killer’s motive to do the acts were rather… plain? It was too simple for me to warrant that kind ofdeviant beh...more
THE HALO EFFECT (Amateur Sleuth/Psychiatrist-New York City-Cont) – Okay
Rose, M.J. – 1st in series
Mira, 2004 – Trade Paperback
Psychiatrist Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist. One of her clients is Cleo Thane, a very high-priced prostitute. When Cleo disappears, Detective Noah Jordain approaches Morgan for information. Someone is ritualistically murdering prostitutes. Cleo has left with Morgan the manuscript of a book she's written about her life and her clients. Due to client confidentiality, Mor...more
Rose, M.J. – 1st in series
Mira, 2004 – Trade Paperback
Psychiatrist Dr. Morgan Snow is a sex therapist. One of her clients is Cleo Thane, a very high-priced prostitute. When Cleo disappears, Detective Noah Jordain approaches Morgan for information. Someone is ritualistically murdering prostitutes. Cleo has left with Morgan the manuscript of a book she's written about her life and her clients. Due to client confidentiality, Mor...more
THE HALO EFFECT by M. J. Rose - Mira Books - 344 pps - $12.95
When Cleo Thane, a Madame and high-priced call girl, suddenly disappears just as a serial killer starts killing off street walkers... and within days of giving a copy of her Heidi Fleiss-ish tell-all memoir to her sexual therapist, Dr Morgan Snow, those within and around her start a frantic memory search for clues or reasons.
Dr. Snow, a freshly divorced motherless mother of a 12 year old daughter, gives a first person narrative of he...more
When Cleo Thane, a Madame and high-priced call girl, suddenly disappears just as a serial killer starts killing off street walkers... and within days of giving a copy of her Heidi Fleiss-ish tell-all memoir to her sexual therapist, Dr Morgan Snow, those within and around her start a frantic memory search for clues or reasons.
Dr. Snow, a freshly divorced motherless mother of a 12 year old daughter, gives a first person narrative of he...more
Morgan Stone is a qualified sex therapist living in New York City. Cleo Thane, a high paid prostitute, is one of her patients. Morgan is dealing with past problems from her childhood herself while trying to counsel Cleo on some of her sexual problems. Noah Jordaine, NYPD investigator, enters the picture when he asks Morgan to help in the police investigation of a serial killer whose victims are prostitutes. Morgan gets in over her head when she takes on the job of finding the missing Cleo.
This is a psychological thriller. A serial killer is targeting prostitutes. He has money to burn and seems to be performing Catholic rituals on the girls. The story tracks a high class prostitute that is seeing a sex therapist. She disappears and the therapist starts trying to locate her through a preliminary draft of the girl's tell-all book. Lot of character development of the therapist. I liked it. If you don't like details of a murder or are squeamish, skip this one.
A thriller that captivates. Sex therapist, Dr. Morgan Snow, is drawn into the erotic world of one of her prostitute clients who has written a yet unpublished detailed book about her exploits with the wealthy, powerful men of the city and their sexual proclivities. When her client disappears, Dr. Snow has to decide how far she will go to follow in her client's footsteps to uncover the clues in the tell-all book to find her. Well written and engaging.
I picked this ebook as a $1.99 special deal. The only thing I knew about MJ Rose was that she was one of the founding members of the International Thriller Writers, Inc with David Morrell. I must confess that I only made it through 1/3 of the book. It was well written, fairly suspenseful, but was too much in the category of erotic thriller/romantic mystery for my taste. I suspect if you like those sub-genres, that you would enjoy the book more.
This is part of a trilogy that I picked up in its entirety because it was recommended by a source that has always until now been completely reliable. Shame, too, because I really hate this book. Can't even make myself finish it. I hate the main character, I hate the writing, and I'm not particularly interested in even the story. I simply cannot go on with this book. But other people like it, so check the other reviews before you move along.
An easy to read, well-written & nicely paced crime thriller. Some of the descriptions of the murder victims are a bit graphic, though thankfully despite the main character being a sex therapist, there's nothing too depraved sexually.... well apart from the killer obviously! The plot is fairly straight-forward with no unexpected twists, and it seems rather obvious how it's going to end, but it's still intriguing enough to hold your interest.
You know when you're reading a story and you don't want it to end? That was The Halo Effect for me.
A sex therapist with issues of her own, a beautiful troubled prostitute, a good looking detective (aren't they always) a serial killer, an all male club where wealthy men can buy a prostitute to live out his fantasies discreetly. These are the characters whose mind the author puts us into and you will feel as if you are walking in their shoes. Very well written, highly recommend.
A sex therapist with issues of her own, a beautiful troubled prostitute, a good looking detective (aren't they always) a serial killer, an all male club where wealthy men can buy a prostitute to live out his fantasies discreetly. These are the characters whose mind the author puts us into and you will feel as if you are walking in their shoes. Very well written, highly recommend.
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My most recent novel is Seduction - a novel of Suspense - May 7th.
"Threads of past lives and malevolent spirits... combined with Rose's vivid imagination and beautiful writing make this a book to savor." —RT Top Pick 4 ½ stars
"A luxurious, sensual experience for the reader. This atmospheric tale of suspense is fully engrossing." —Library Journal (starred review)
"A sophisticated book that plunges y...more
More about M.J. Rose...
"Threads of past lives and malevolent spirits... combined with Rose's vivid imagination and beautiful writing make this a book to savor." —RT Top Pick 4 ½ stars
"A luxurious, sensual experience for the reader. This atmospheric tale of suspense is fully engrossing." —Library Journal (starred review)
"A sophisticated book that plunges y...more
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