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The Murder Game (Griffin Powell #8)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 964 ratings · 76 reviews

New Game
The game is simple--he is the Hunter. They are the Prey. He gives them a chance to escape. To run. To hide. To outsmart him. But eventually, he catches them. And that's when the game gets really terrifying...

New Rules
Private investigator Griffin Powell and FBI agent Nicole Baxter know a lot about serial killers--they took one down together. But this new killer is...more

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published February 1st 2008 by Zebra

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Jun 16, 2008 Isis FG rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who read "The Dying Game"

Recommended to Isis FG by: continuation of a series

Shelves: info-full, reviewed, genre-romance-suspense, author-beverly-barton, 2008, z2008-jan-june, stars-4, series-griffin-powell

Another good book from Barton. Not utterly fantastic five-star worthy, but a solid 4-star. Which is typical of her books for me. I usually enjoy them quite a bit, but they tend to be lacking...something...to give them that extra kick to make them really great.

To read this book, you really have to have read Barton's previous book, The Dying Game. You'll end up a bit lost if you don't. The plots are fairly heavily intertwined. Which relates to one of the minor problems I had with the book.

Despite...more Another good book from Barton. Not utterly fantastic five-star worthy, but a solid 4-star. Which is typical of her books for me. I usually enjoy them quite a bit, but they tend to be lacking...something...to give them that extra kick to make them really great.

To read this book, you really have to have read Barton's previous book, The Dying Game. You'll end up a bit lost if you don't. The plots are fairly heavily intertwined. Which relates to one of the minor problems I had with the book.

Despite the fact that timeline wise there is a year's space between the two books (plots), the beginning of The Murder Game has this feel as if I'd just turned the page from one book to the next. Barton jumps right into the new book full force. I ended up feeling a little disconnected from the storyline, but more so the characters. I read The Dying Game months and months ago so the details had faded quite a bit. Then this book throws you right into the plot and characters and I found myself stopping and trying to refresh my memory on the last book. A slower start to the book would have been better, in my opinion, with more introduction to the characters.

I think because of what I mentioned above, it wasn't until about 150-200 pages into the book that I really started to feel the Griffin/Nicole relationship and connect with the main characters. For a little while in the beginning, Nic annoyed me quite a bit with her attitude, but once I got into the book more, I liked her. And once the romantic angle picked up, I enjoyed it. Griff and Nic make an interesting couple.

Plot-wise...no complaints. I don't think the plot is quite as intense as the previous book, but it was still good. And creepy. The chase scenes were well done really engaging. One thing I didn't quite like, though, was how much Barton personalized the soon-to-be victims. There was one woman who Barton played up as a loving wife and mother, made us like her...then snuffed her out. And it was rather depressing. I just didn't think it was necessary to personalize them as much as Barton did. But that's a personal preference.

The most disappointing aspect of the book for me was how Barton dealt with Griffin's mysterious past and his "missing" ten years. I wanted more. She gives the basic details of where he was and what happened, and then a deeper detail here and there in short flashbacks, but it wasn't enough for me. I finished the book, and was like 'that's all I get?' His missing past has been this big thing, and I just expected a deeper explanation, more details. They didn't come. So I was disappointed in that aspect.

Overall, though, a good read. I wasn't bored at any point and I wanted to keep reading even when I was tired. If a couple of things had been done differently, it would have been a great book for me. (less)

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Nov 25, 2008 Christa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

After reading about the character, Griffin Powell, in several of Barton's books, I was intrigued and ready to read his story. I wasn't disappointed, and found this book to be at least as good as the others. I thought that Griffin made a great hero, and I also enjoyed the heroine, Nicole Baxter. I do not usually find ultra-feminist characters particularly appealing, but I did like Nic. The storyline was interesting, and there was plenty of fast paced action and intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this...more

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Apr 24, 2008 Auntee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romantic Suspense fans

Shelves: romantic-suspense, beverly-barton-others

This was a great read, a book I had a hard time putting down--it was that riveting for me! It had loads of suspense, a really creepy, deranged villain, a brave, kick a** heroine, and a smart, loving, swoon-worthy hero.
Although this book could be read as a stand alone, it is the follow up to a previous book titled, "The Dying Game", in which the hero and heroine of this book had significant roles.
The heroine, FBI agent Nicole Baxter, first meets the hero, Private Investigator Griffin Powell, in "...more This was a great read, a book I had a hard time putting down--it was that riveting for me! It had loads of suspense, a really creepy, deranged villain, a brave, kick a** heroine, and a smart, loving, swoon-worthy hero.
Although this book could be read as a stand alone, it is the follow up to a previous book titled, "The Dying Game", in which the hero and heroine of this book had significant roles.
The heroine, FBI agent Nicole Baxter, first meets the hero, Private Investigator Griffin Powell, in "The Dying Game", where they both had a hand in taking down a sadistic serial killer. Nicole and Griff don't exactly get along; neither one can stand the other one for various reasons; they just rub each other the wrong way. In this book, there is a new serial killer on the loose, and he wants both Nicole and Griff to play along with him in his little 'game' of hunt and kill. Nicole and Griff reluctantly agree to team up and work together when the killer starts providing each with clues as to who his next victim will be. While working together both Nic and Griff learn a lot about the other, and realize maybe each had prejudged the other. There's lots of sexual tension that follows, and just when it looks like Nic and Griff are going to have a chance at a loving relationship, something devastating happens that could snatch happiness from the couple.

This book produced some tears for me; tears of sadness and of happiness. If you've read the previous book, you know that Griffin Powell has a somewhat secretive past, and this book reveals what happened to him in the missing 10 years of his life that he refuses to talk about. I found it very shocking and sad, yet very relevant to the story and to what happens to Nic.
The character of Nic starts out as really abrasive and unlikable, and I wondered what Griff saw in her. But Griff was not only patient with Nic but intuitive, and I loved how he worked to finally win her over and get past the walls she built around her heart. And Nic proved herself to be one courageous and gutsy lady, and she won me over--I was rooting for her and Griff to make it as a couple.

This was a very entertaining and satisfying romantic suspense--I can't wait to read the next one in the series!(less)

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Jul 16, 2011 Marisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense

“I am not going to die!... I refuse to give up, to let him win this evil competition..”

The hunter is looking for prey – and when he finds it - all bets are off. From the very first page you’ll be pulled into a deadly game of hunter and hunted.

Miss Barton, cleverly brings back the character Pudge, one of the serial murderers from The Dying Game. He has unfinished business and he’s looking for a new game to play. The game: research and find women who will challenge him as a hunter and then begin...more
“I am not going to die!... I refuse to give up, to let him win this evil competition..”

The hunter is looking for prey – and when he finds it - all bets are off. From the very first page you’ll be pulled into a deadly game of hunter and hunted.

Miss Barton, cleverly brings back the character Pudge, one of the serial murderers from The Dying Game. He has unfinished business and he’s looking for a new game to play. The game: research and find women who will challenge him as a hunter and then begin the hunt. However, he wants the game to be even more challenging, and so to really test his skills he involves FBI agent Nicole Baxter and private investigator Griff Powell to be an intimate part of the game.

Both Nicole and Griff worked on a previous serial murder case, and there is no love lost between them. In fact, they disagree on just about everything. But in order to catch this sadistic maniac they’re forced to collaborate - and the clock is running out. Nicole, a by the book agent, can not believe that the lives of innocent women depend on her working with Griff, a man who doesn’t believe in playing by the rules. Yet, there it is – work with him – or let a mad man continue to kill innocent women.

Barton’s characters have motives and secrets that propel them to act, that shape their lives and dictate how they relate to one another. Miss Barton is very good at slowly revealing and integrating those motives into the story. Each character is unveiled with purpose as both the suspense and romance heat up. The tight plot and pacing had me turning the pages to find out what the next twist and turn would bring. She does an excellent job of weaving the suspense and romance together – giving equal weight to both creating a story that had me at the edge of my seat. The romance is not sacrificed for the suspense – rather the suspense and romance are intertwined revealing an intriguing, fast paced, surprising, suspenseful and yes romantic book.
(less)

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Apr 14, 2009 Mackenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bought-used-new, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 07, 2013 Sophie rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I did find this book to be a little predictable, and wouldn't say it stands up to crime fiction greats such as Val McDermid or Michael Connelly, I did nonetheless enjoy the story and thought it progressed well. I should point out that I had not previously read any other of Barton's novels, so had not before met Powell as a character. It may be that aspects of the story would be more poignant having done so. In sum, while not something I'd consider a personal favourite, I'd recommend it for...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Tanya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Before starting this, I read some of the other reviews here and was slightly worried. I haven't read the previous book in the series, but didn't want to put this off any longer so tried it without doing so.

I needn't have worried. Yes there was some previous backstory I wasn't privy to, but I had absolutely no trouble following the story and characters. I was hooked straight away. The storyline was good, strong, and I enjoyed ever minute of it.

I would have given it 5 stars, except errors in the b...more

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Apr 19, 2011 Netha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-romance, dastanbooks

cerita khusus tentang griffin powell & agen khusus nicole baxter.

penggalan2 cerita awal griff & nic sudah diceritakan di the dying game, yg sejak awal pertemuan sudah tidak ada akur2nya sama sekali.

di the dying game pun sudah diceritakan mengenai si pembunuh.
di the dying game pembunuh beauty queen ada 2 orang (hal yg tidak diketahui oleh siapapun), pinky & pudge.
kita tahu pinky tewas tertembak namun dia mati karena 2 peluru bukan 1 peluru yg berarti 1 peluru lagi ditembakkan oleh pen...more

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Sep 03, 2010 Mirella Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense

Dari seri 1-5 yang sudah saya baca, this is my fave book!! simple aja, I love the story between Nicole and Griffin...

Kalo soal suspense nya, saya salut banget sama Pudge. Gak ada matinya! Udah dari buku sebelumnya (The Dying Games) berani ngebunuh sepupunya hanya karna gak mau kalah dalam kompetisi membunuh, eh, dia malah ngerancang aksi pembunuhan berantai yang gak kalah serunya.

Kalo soal masa lalu Griff Powell, ehmmm gimana ya? agak gak masuk akal buat saya. Tapi kalo emang di luar sono ada...more

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Nov 12, 2008 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

FBI agent Nicole and Private investigator Griffin thought when they ended the Beauty Queen killer that the nightmares would end but they were wrong…dead wrong. Nicole Baxter and Griffin Powell team up once again to stop a serial killer only this time it wasn’t by choice. They both received a personal invite by the killer himself. Nicole and Griffin will do everything in their powers to put a final stop to the madness.

The killer or as he likes to call himself “the hunter” is glad that both Griff...more

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Mar 04, 2008 Moira rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: not recommended

Well, I was very excited to try this book - I LOVE reading about very smart, psychopathic serial killers who play games and give clues and the even smarter law enforcement/detective types who stop them (I was, after all, weaned on Sherlock Holmes). But although the characters were interesting and the killer was smart and intriguing, this book really missed the mark with those tasked to stop him. I kept wanting to scream "Call Lincoln Rhyme" for heaven's sake - he'll take soil samples, he'll find...more

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Jan 25, 2008 Cynthia rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: travelers

If you like Lisa Jackson, Tami Hoag, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell, etc. etc. - then Beverly Barton is definitely in their league...only more clever. It is still a "cookie-cutter" story: Egomaniac is creatively killing and it takes one very sexy cop/detective/agent/investigator/prosecutor to bring the killer to justice. There's a matching of wits, a tete-a-tete, but in the end our hero/heroine prevails - seemingly without any assistance. There is usually a romantic tie-in of some sort - some c...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Before 2012, I had not read anything written by Beverly Barton, and I ask myself now, why?? She has quickly become one of my favourite authors of this genre of book, and I have read several books in quick succession since discovering her. I especially enjoy the books featuring Griffin Powell and his agents, always such a delight. I am currently reading one of her books, and quite frankly, can hardly put it down!

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Feb 03, 2009 Julie Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Not only was this a great follow-up to the first book in the Game Series, I think it was wonderful in that it deepened the characters of Nic and Griff.

I particularly like how the author puts us into the mind of the killer without actually giving away any part of the mystery. Not quite as good as Lisa Jackson is in doing this, but she has a different way of doing it, which I appreciate.

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Jun 09, 2009 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-08-09

Ahhh... another of those thriller type books. I haven't been reading those lately, except for this one. I think this is Barton's latest one, but I highly doubt it.

Anyway, The Murder Game has earned itself an 8 on my thrill-o-meter. I have yet to read a book that hits a 10 on my meter. I love her books, but to understand Barton's complex plot, you have to have read her previous book, The Dying Game. But what i like about this book is that Barton always puts in many twists and turns into the stor...more

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Mar 26, 2010 Adwina Ralston Cumberbatch rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-suspense

gw sukaaa bgt ama karakter Nicole & Griff. Mereka tuh kuat dan keras bgt, tp ternyata ada cerita sedih n tragis di balik itu smw. Chemistry mrk kuat bgt, dan MIsterinya pun mantep. Beverly Barton rocks!! gara2 nih buku, jd pengen nyari novel2 Beverly yg lainnya...

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Jul 18, 2012 Anita Fleming rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was great to finally find out what happened to Griffin during his missing decade. This book needs to be read after The Dying Game. They are directly related. This is a hardcore murderer and the murders are many and nasty. Not exactly my taste.

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Nov 11, 2010 Mahareni Maldini rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: beverly-barton, romance-suspense, books-from-pitimoss, favorites

Wkt bc Cold Hearted sih,ak gak bgtu sk sm Nicole Baxter.Ap istimewanya wanita ini smp bos besar Griffin mngambilnya jd istri?

Stlh bc buku ini,jd tau ktangguhn Nicole dlm mmprjuangkn hdup+nyawanya.

Bnr2 mnegangkn dr awal smp akhir.

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Mar 27, 2010 Frenchfri38 rated it 5 of 5 stars

I picked this book up on a whim... Never reading Beverly Barton books before I was not sorry. I been reading this series all out of Whack and each book that she has written even though its a series you still can follow...The Murder game hooked me...It was full of action, suspense, romance, just the right touch of everything. So of course I went out seeking more of her books.. I have read about 10 of her books thus far and not one of them has disappointed me.. They might not be as great as the mu...more

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Feb 24, 2010 Troodia Spyrou rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book because of Griffin and Nicole finding each other and falling in love. They make the most amazing couple i've read so far and can't wait for Beverly to continue their story sometime next year or so...

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Apr 03, 2011 Sheila rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was an excellent story that I picked only because I needed an author with an alliterative name for the SRC Spring Challenge. It was rather graphic at times and books that including people being stalked always kind of give me the creeps but I realy liked it and NOW I have to add the other books in the series to my already overburdened tbr list. I gave it ★★★★★’s.

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Aug 16, 2011 Ivy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-books-read, mystery, serial-killer

This book picks up a year after the previous book (The Dying Game) ends off. You get to know who the killer is at the very first part of the book and that is a little bit different then I am use to but it was still a good book. I liked finding out about Griffin's past and how him and Nic get together. I also liked the way they figured out who the killer was and how to find him. He was clever but not clever enough to out smart the FBI or Griffin Powell. I had trouble putting this one down once I...more

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Oct 18, 2012 Marla rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012

This was a good book about Griff and Nicole. I have read a lot of these books but because I have read them out of order this one is one of the first and now makes all the others make some sense.

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Jul 14, 2012 ♥ Nell ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: beverly-barton, romantic-suspense

Loved this one!! Griff & Nic are a great couple. I'm glad there was a good back story for Nic initial bitchiness. We finally got to delve into Griff's history too.

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Jul 27, 2011 Judy Feenstra added it

Shelves: beverly-barton-books

In the past few days I have read several books by Beverly Barton; I am really enjoying these books. Great Mystery and I enjoy the characters.

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Mar 30, 2013 Lina rated it 4 of 5 stars

dari semua novelnya inang Barton cm si Griff sm Nic yg always dihatiku, ni ceritanya keren banget siih *_* (dpt wangsit drmn coba!!)

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Apr 27, 2009 Oceana Lordwick rated it 5 of 5 stars

The sequel was also excellent! A bit twisted but, still good! I dubbed this series my favorite books of all time.

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Feb 10, 2009 Pat Cromwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Without a doubt a top notch romantic thriller. Best in the series and IMO one of the best she has written.

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Oct 22, 2012 Ayu Wirdha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Akhirnya ketemu juga Nicole dan Griffin....overall bagus walau sempet heran aja masa iya Nicole sampe 2x diculik....kebangetan bgt dah....

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Jul 28, 2012 Shelvy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The best of Beverly Barton dari semua novelnya yang udh pernah aku baca

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About Beverly Barton

Born and bred southern belle Beverly Barton is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller, The Fifth Victim, the USA Today The Last To Die, After Dark, As Good as Dead, Every Move She Makes, and What She Doesn't Know. She writes in the hottest segment of the genre-romantic suspense-for Kensington Publishing's Zebra Books imprint.

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Close Enough To Kill (Griffin Powell, #6)

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The Murder Game (Griffin Powell #8)

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