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Left To Die (To Die #1)

by Lisa Jackson

3.87 · rating details · 1,362 ratings · 147 reviews

Nothing's More Terrifying. . .

Than Being Left Alone. . .

In the lonely woods around Grizzly Point, Montana, four bodies have been di

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Mass Market Paperbound, 496 pages

Published August 1st 2008 by Zebra (first published January 1st 2008)

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Sep 04, 2008

Carey rated it

Amidst an unusually bad Montana winter, a serial killer is at work near the town of Grizzly Falls. The killer "rescues" his female victims when their cars careen off of a mountain road. Most of them don't realize that their accident was caused by the killer shooting their tires out. He then carries them off to a remote cabin in the mountains and wins their trust by tending to their wounds and lulling them into trusting him. Weeks later he will leave each victim tied, naked, to a tree, ...moreAmidst an unusually bad Montana winter, a serial killer is at work near the town of Grizzly Falls. The killer "rescues" his female victims when their cars careen off of a mountain road. Most of them don't realize that their accident was caused by the killer shooting their tires out. He then carries them off to a remote cabin in the mountains and wins their trust by tending to their wounds and lulling them into trusting him. Weeks later he will leave each victim tied, naked, to a tree, to die from exposure. Nice guy.

Under intense pressure to catch the killer as the body count rises, Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli work the case for months. But each has her own personal issues to deal with as well. Regan is divorced with two typically parent-hating teens and a difficult ex-husband. Not to mention a tendency to escape into a superficial relationship based on sex and alcohol. Selena is the opposite, a lonely and solitary woman with no life outside of her job. Despite help from the FBI, they are no closer to catching the killer in December than they were in September when the first body was found.

When Seattle resident Jillian Rivers starts to get anonymous tips that her deceased husband, Aaron, is alive, she thinks it must be some kind of prank. He's been dead for ten years. Okay, so the body was never found and it turned out that he had bilked investors out of a half a million dollars. But still, he must be dead, right? She eventually heads to Montana to follow up on some photos she has received that look alot like Aaron. But she never makes it, her tires are shot out and her car plummets to the bottom of a steep ravine.

Jillian is rescued by Zane MacGregor and taken to his cabin where he gives her medical care. But they are trapped together by an intense blizzard, unable to contact the outside world or make their way to a populated area. She is lucky to be alive but she has read about the serial killer, doesn't her situation fit the known pattern? Should she trust her rescuer? It seems she has no choice.

This creepy thriller is fast paced with engaging characters and a plot that will keep you guessing. Though part of the story is neatly wrapped up at the end of the book, the remainder will be continued in the author's next book, Chosen to Die, due out August 2009! I'm a little irked that I will have to wait so long to find out what happens!(less)

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Aug 31, 2008

Gina rated it

Shelves: mystery-detective, own, romantic-suspense, suspense, thriller

Chilling and Terrifiying!

A serial killer is in Grizzly Falls, Montana, shooting the tires of vehicles containing one lone occupant, a woman, his latest victim. He brings them to his ‘hide-out’, lets them recuperate somewhat, makes them dependant on him to the point of ‘wanting’ him. He takes them out, completely naked in the middle of winter, ties them to trees and leaves them there to die of exposure, leaving behind a star carved into the trees above their heads and a cryptic note u...moreChilling and Terrifiying!

A serial killer is in Grizzly Falls, Montana, shooting the tires of vehicles containing one lone occupant, a woman, his latest victim. He brings them to his ‘hide-out’, lets them recuperate somewhat, makes them dependant on him to the point of ‘wanting’ him. He takes them out, completely naked in the middle of winter, ties them to trees and leaves them there to die of exposure, leaving behind a star carved into the trees above their heads and a cryptic note using the initials of the women he’s left to die. He eludes the police easily, never leaving a trace on either victim, never leaving one alive.

Jillian Rivers is believed to be the next victim. After receiving calls and pictures, she believes that the person on the other end of the line is giving her clues to her first husband, thought to be dead; the husband who was presumed dead after stealing have a million from investors. She’d been remarried and divorced and now lives alone, running a one-woman business, creator of booklets, leaflets, brochures, etc… The disturbing phone calls and the pictures put her on edge and decides to investigate on her own. She leaves her home in Seattle and takes off for Montana, in search of answers.

She’s read the gruesome news announcements of what’s going on in Montana, but that doesn’t faze her… until it happens to her. Her tire is blown on, her car ends up over a cliff and down and embankment. Her rescuer, Zane MacGregor. He brings her to her cabin, keeps her warm, fed, comfortable as much as possible, all while trying to figure out a way to get her to a hospital between breaks in the snow storms. But Zane is a quiet man, one who doesn’t like to relive or talk about his past. He doesn’t like company overmuch, and it shows. Should Jillian trust him?

I thought this book was incredible! A serious mystery leaves you completely clueless as who it could be. You get glimpses into the killer’s mind, and he’s downright scary. What he’s doing he believes it’s art, and it’s enough to freak out a reader.

Jillian is a woman who’s had to rebuild herself and tried to start anew. After a second marriage that failed inside of two years, she’s on her own - and prefers it that way. A determined woman, she’s absolutely p.o.ed when pictures and disturbing phone calls have her wondering if her first husband, the man she loved totally and completely, is still alive. Had he faked his own death? Only one way to find out, and off she goes.

True to form, her tire is blown out by one riffle shot, and her car crashes. Here comes Zane MacGregor to the rescue. He’s not very keen on having a ‘damsel in distress’ in his home, and it shows. But is he the killer?

The book leaves you wondering and guessing until you don’t have to guess anymore. At first, with all the characters, it’s a little confusing until you get everyone in the right place and it goes along smoothly from there. The cops are smart, but so far the killer is eluding them very well. All they need is one break.

However, Jillian’s would-be killer isn’t the serial killer of the book, and I sooo loved that twist! However, I was upset at the end of the novel. Um, maybe frustrated would be a better word. Maybe even pissed. I mean, 484 pages in a book, and the story doesn’t end there. In fact, you still don’t know who the killer is, not even an inkling. To get the rest, the sequel, Chosen to Die, comes out a year from now. That’s a pisser for sure. To have to wait a year to get the second half of the story is going to piss off a lot of readers. And that’s why I’m telling you about that - in case you want to wait. Had I known about this, I’d have waited to put this in the pot for a book of the month. Even then, had I known, I’d have waited, period. And if I have to read another ‘department-issued’ something or other (coats, ski-pants, gloves, hats, jeeps, etc…), I’m going to tear my hair out!

And while the ending of the book is completely frustrating, it has lots of good points: a killer with a sick, twisted mind, a love story, a mystery, action, tenseful suspense. The only thing stopping me from giving this the highest marks is the ending. Sorry, Ms. Jackson! That was not appreciated at all.(less)

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Jul 27, 2011

Jennifer added it

After reading previous reviews I had my doubts about this book but I'm a big fan of LJ, so I had to give this book the benefit of the doubt. Yes, one of the biggest plots of the book is not tied up in the end...however, the main plot is as it revolves around Jillian. That's the way series books are...something has to be left dangling so the reader will want to buy the following book(s). However, had I read this when it first came out I would most definitely have been put off by having to wait a ...more

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Jun 07, 2011

Darlene rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-books

The back cover of the audiobook piqued my interest, and I thought I would give it a try. It is about a serial killer who sets up car accidents for his victims who are driving down secluded roads. He then "rescues" them and nurses them back to health, only to tie them naked to trees in the wilderness, leaving them to die...hence, the name of the book.

I was trying to decide which book would be my next one to listen to as I had picked up more than one from the library, so I visi...moreThe back cover of the audiobook piqued my interest, and I thought I would give it a try. It is about a serial killer who sets up car accidents for his victims who are driving down secluded roads. He then "rescues" them and nurses them back to health, only to tie them naked to trees in the wilderness, leaving them to die...hence, the name of the book.

I was trying to decide which book would be my next one to listen to as I had picked up more than one from the library, so I visited Amazon to read the reviews. It appears that readers were divided into two camps. Many were put off by the fact that this book "has no ending". The book, the first in a series featuring a pair of female detectives named Det. Selena Alvarez and Det. Regan Pescoli, was published in August 2008. The second book, which picks up right where the first one leaves off, was not due to be released until August 2009. Smart marketing ploy? I guess it depends on whether or not the reader is already a fan of the author. Lisa Jackson's die-hard fans were not off-put by the "non-ending", but even her fans commented that her earlier books are better. Some of the reviewers were so angry that the book finished with loose ends that they swore never to pick up another Lisa Jackson book.

Knowing all of this, I was still intrigued with how the book would play out. I decided to give the book a shot. The narrator, Alan Nebelthau, just about put me to sleep! After just finishing the wonderfully narrated The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I was so disappointed in the lack of enthusiasm in the narrator's voice! Still, I stuck it out. I was determined to get through it!

Despite the terrible narration and the author's overuse of the word "damn" and knowing that the book has no ending, I ended up getting sucked in! The storyline did grab me. There is a twist about half-way to three-quarters of the way through that I did not see coming, so I was definitely hooked after that!

What I didn't like about the audiobook was the lack-lustre narration and having only one person narrate all characters. The Guernsey book had distinctive voices for each character. When the same person narrates in the same tone of voice (monotonous for the most part in this case), it is difficult to differentiate who is who.

Now I am bound and determined to find an audiobook version of the second in the series, which is called Chosen to Die. Unfortunately, the library has an epub version for e-readers and a regular book version, but no audiobook. I filled in a Book Suggestion form for them :) Failing that, I suggested to my husband that he may have to read and record the book for me. I know that he could do the voices!

I visited the author's website, and I see that there is a third book to be released for this series in August 2011.

I will be looking for other audiobooks by this author!(less)

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Aug 15, 2010

Leah, Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Yeah rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, loaned

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Zane MacGregor was oh so sexy. He was funny, sarcastic, intense, loyal, strong, intelligent. Honestly, much as I hate to say it, despite the fact that I loved him, there were times when it seemed like he could be the killer; I hated that because I totally love him and I was utterly relieved when it was confirmed that it wasn't him so I wouldn't be waffling back and forth anymore.

I liked Jillian Rivers' character, even if she did play right into the killer's hands.

I loved ...more

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Aug 26, 2008

Tammy rated it

Recommends it for: Lisa Jackson Fans..Maybe

I'm normally a pretty big fan of Lisa Jackson but I have to say her last two books,this one and Lost Souls did not thrill me. The idea for this book is great but it really goes nowhere. Yes one mystery is solved but it leaves the main story of the book unresolved,supposedly to be finished in Chosen To Die which doesn't come out for a year. Basically this book is nothing more than an almost 500 page build up to that book. Overall it was ok but definately not one of her best.

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Jul 24, 2011

Jaime rated it

Yet again Jackson has written a book that I was cautious about at first – I’m not usually a murder mystery reader nor a mass market book reader – and ended up barely being able to put down in the end chapters.

While I was a bit surprised at thinking of possibilities pages, and sometimes chapters, before the police in the book did, that did not take away from this being a very satisfying read.

Jackson does a fine job of keeping the reader second-guessing any conclusions s/he tri...more

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Aug 20, 2008

Ayla rated it

Ugh. This book was so incredibly dumb, I couldn't believe I actually spent $5 for it. It dragged on and on. Although the book is about a serial killer, the book doesn't really probe into the killer's mind or really explore his motives. The reader is left clueless (of course, you are encouraged to buy another book to find out what the heck is really going on).
All in all, I really did NOT like this book. It seemed like one long prologue.

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Jan 06, 2011

Melissa Camelia rated it

· review of another edition

So sorry, but I couldn't finish this book!
I read it almost half way through and I just couldn't go any further.
Ringkasan ceritanya menarik, sehingga saya tertarik untuk membelinya.
Namun setelah membaca beberapa bab awal, saya merasa sedikit terpaksa untuk meneruskannya hanya karena saya ingin menyelesaikannya.
Dan pada bab ke-8 saya sudah tak sanggup lagi, perkembangan ceritanya terlalu lambat karena ringkasannya sudah menceritakan hampir keseluruhan inti ceritanya.
J...more

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Feb 03, 2011

Mahareni Maldini rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: lisa-jackson, books-from-pitimoss, romance-suspense

Buku ini tdk mncritakn scra detail bgmn usaha/kerja para detektif+polisi dlm mngungkap kasus.Aktivitas mrk kbnyakn cm rapat d kantor,mmelototi brg2 bukti (yg entah dtg dr mana n gak jelas bukti2nya ap sj) d meja kerja slma brjam2,mngunjungi TKP tp kesannya cm liat2 doang.Tdk ad kunjungn k ruang otopsi,tdk ad diskusi seru dg pihak pemeriksa mayat,jg tdk ad investigasi k sana sini u/ mncari pelaku.Jstru saat para detektif ini lg makan,brkendara,brinteraksi dg klrganya,ato brgulat dg masa lalunya,d...more

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Aug 17, 2008

Janet rated it

Shelves: mystery

Okay, but not too exciting. I was annoyed because it didn't solve all the mysteries. It left a major part to be solved in the next book. I don't like books like that. Fortunately, the book was not that gripping, so I don't mind if I don't find out the answer.

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Feb 01, 2009

Nikki rated it

A serial killer captures, toys with, and then subjects his victims to a slow and agonizing death in Grizzly Falls, Montana. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli both hope to have a career making case but this one is a nightmare for them because the serial killer seems to be a step ahead of them with cryptic notes that even baffles the FBI. Then there's Jillian Rivers. She opens her eyes to see she's trapped in her mangled car. A handsome stranger Zane MacGregor rescues her and though she'...more

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Oct 23, 2011

Darcus Murray (Starcrossed) rated it

· review of another edition

I was a little leary about this book at first. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I do have to say that it starts off with a bang. There's no question to it. It lures you in and makes you want to find out who is doing all these horrible things.

There are numerous twists and turns and right when you think you have everything figured out, Lisa Jackson throws you for a loop and switches everything up until you're left clueless and wondering once again.

This book is s...more

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Mar 11, 2011

Arlith rated it

This was pretty average for a thriller book. I was a little disappointed to get the end and find out it was the first part of a two part series, I had to go to the library to get the second book so I'd know what happened. The ultimate villain of this book felt pretty far-fetched and a little ridiculous, even with me being a fan of these thriller murder books. Several of the characters felt rather flat and puppet-like. On a whole though, it was an ok read. I didn't start this expecting anyth...more

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Nov 10, 2011

Alex Economides rated it

Shelves: lisa-jackson

We are introduced to a pair of female detectives, Selena Alvarez with some dark secrets and Regan Pescoli, a divorced mother of two teenagers who give her endless grief.
Set in the cold winter weather of the desolate mountains of Montana, a serial killer is setting up car accidents for women driving in secluded roads and leaving them to die tied up to trees.
Jillian Rivers narrowly manages to escape the killer when she is rescued by Zane McGregor, a mysterious loner and she feels a g...more

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Aug 09, 2010

Andy Frankham-Allen rated it

Shelves: 2010

A great start to a promising new series. I only bought this book 'cause I needed to choose a second one free, and it was slim pickings. So a fortuitous choice indeed. A nicely woven story, although the first twist in the Jillian I saw miles away, but the revelation of who hared lured her came as a surprise. And that's kind of where the story falls down, since there is very little actual connection between that plot-line and the main plot-line with the Star Crossed Killer. It links, but only just...more

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May 28, 2009

Megan rated it

The book was intriguing and interesting, except for that stupid little side plot that was wrapped up in the final pages, but that's all that was wrapped up. It was only half a book and there was no mention of it being part I of anything. So now I have to wait until the second half of this story comes out because I do want to know how it ends. Had the smaller plot been deleted completely, the book could have been completed and it would have been much better because as it was, that little side ...more

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May 14, 2009

Holly rated it

· review of another edition

The initial premise of this book was interesting, but as the book progressed the dialogue became cornier and the story more predictable. As other reviewers have noted, Jackson hooks the reader into this tale to make them read the sequel. Due to the poor plot development I'm not tempted in the least.

The worst part of this book was the developing romance between two characters. I was actually cringing at the female character observing "He was so close, so familiar, so male."...more

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Jan 15, 2011

Marlene rated it

This is the third of Lisa's books I have read and, so far, have liked this the best. There were twists and turns and surprises. It was a thriller and really kept my interest and kept me guessing. For me, she tends to drag the stories out a bit too much, but she details her characters and that might be what some people like. By doing this, she can really make any of the characters the "star" of the story. As it is, she has several "stars." My only objection is with this book, ...more

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Sep 22, 2011

Kris rated it

OK so don't ask me why I actually finished this book since I didn't care for it at all. I started listening to it on tape and just got carried away by the plot. I didn't care for the writing style and I just plain thought so many characters muddied the waters and lastly it just didn't resonate with me. But I did finish it and then was furious to discover one of the biggest cliff hangers I have ever encountered in a book. So now the dilemma. Do I just let it go or do I read the next one to find o...more

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Jul 19, 2010

Afsana rated it

I enjoyed this one and thought it was clever to leave it hanging with the conclusion being in the next book Will have to read it now.

this revolved around 2 stories a seriel killer casing accidents and then supposdly saving them and then to tieing them and leaving the to die of exposure

the second Jillian after car accident caused by being shot at being rescued by mcgregor and hein the story sets off-is mcgrgor the seriel killer? why is Jillian the target andwhat has led ...more

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Jul 24, 2011

Pam rated it

Shelves: reviewed

I really enjoyed this book. There's a seriel killer on the loose in Grizzly Falls, Montana. He causes a car accident, rescues the woman in distress, has them trusting him only later to tie them to a tree to die in the freezing elements. Then there's Jillian Rivers who ends up in the same situation as the four other women. She doesn't know if she can trust the man who is tending to her. The two detectives, Pescoli and Alvarez, along with the FBI are doing everything they can to stop this killer a...more

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Oct 13, 2008

Shyloh rated it

One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work--but soon, very soon, they will...

In the lonely woods around Grizzly Falls, Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have noth...more

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Aug 11, 2008

Amateur de Livre rated it

Shelves: own

Paperback: 484 pages
Publisher: Zebra August 1, 2008
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420102761
ISBN-13: 978-1420102765
To purchase, click here.
Book Synopsis:

One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piec, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work - but soon, very soon, they will...

In the lonely woods around Grizzly Falls, Montana, fou...more

· see review

Dec 23, 2010

Jill rated it

While it was a pretty quick read, I really didn't care for this book much. I was hoping to find a new author to enjoy but this just fell short. I felt the ending was just dropped, there was really no emotional engagement at all. Jillian and Zane really didn't have any connection to each other. In addition, I didn't enjoy the multiple stories going on. It flip-flopped all over the place and I found myself skimming over pages to get to what I really wanted to read about.

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Jul 25, 2009

Marti rated it

this is a suspense thriller which has a follow-up which i will have to try to find so that i can read what happens after this, as it really doesn't conclude.

the author writes that this was an idea which became an obsession so that she had to write it all down. at 496 pages, she has a lot to say with interesting characters and plot development. it made a good choice to take on vacation.

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Feb 28, 2009

Cindie rated it

This book was pretty typical Lisa Jackson, serial killer suspense. I only gave it 2 stars though because the story only gets partially resolved at the end. We have to wait for the ending to come in August '09. I also didn't particularly like either of the female detectives. My advice... wait to read it when the sequel comes out, so you can read them back to back.

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Apr 30, 2009

Molly rated it

This book kept me guessing who the serial killer was the whole book. It kept me reading it, hoping to put closure at the end. However, to find out who the killer is you have to buy the second book and I wish she would have tied up the story in one book. I hate waiting and would have been happier with closure. Overall a good book worth reading if you like suspense.

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Aug 11, 2009

Carrie rated it

Shelves: read-in-2009

Ok...can a book be suspenseful and boring at the same time? she could have edited ALOT of this out to make it move faster! at the same time there is lots of twists surprises and hold your breath moments. shes one of those creepy writers who explains the bad guys a little bit too well...lol oh and i hope this doesnt spoil it but there IS a book 2...

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Dec 17, 2008

Jenn rated it

Honestly I didn't finish this book. I got about 80 pages into it and was completely not interested. The characters all blended together and the main story hadn't even happened yet. After reading some of the other reviews, I decided it wasn't worth my time to finish the book. I have read Lisa Jackson in the past and liked her books, just not this one.

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About Lisa Jackson

Lisa Jackson and her sister, Nancy Bush, grew up in a small timber town in Oregon. She attended Oregon State University and later worked in the banking industry.
In 1983, Jackson's first novel, A Twist of Fate, was published by Silhouette Books. Currently, Jackson writes contemporary romantic suspense novels for Kensington Books and medieval romantic suspense novels for Onyx Books. Her books...more

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