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138th out of 851 books
—
1,049 voters
Bait
From one of the most popular voices in women's fiction comes a compulsively gripping novel of suspense about the mind games between an innocent woman and the unstoppable killer she's forced to outwit-and outrun.
Published
(first published July 1st 2004)
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I thought this book was horrible. However, to be fair, I didn't realize that it was "romantic suspense", which saved it from being a one star. I found the audio version on-line through my local library and downloaded it to my ipod. Based upon the brief review that the library network provided, the book sounded like a crime suspense novel focusing on the FBI's hunt for a serial killer crisscrossing the country taunting the agents with clues to the next victim.
So the story had such a good foundati...more
So the story had such a good foundati...more
Sam McCade is an FBI Agent who has been on a killer's trail for a month, the killer likes to tease him with hints before the kill. This time the hint is that a Madeline is to be killed - the killer attacks 2 Madelines in the same hotel in one night. One dies - one lives. When Sam learns about the Madaline who lives he thinks he has his first break.
In the meantime, Madeline - who goes by Maddie - doesn't know if the hit was to be on her or not. But the FBI has already left her out to dry once, an...more
In the meantime, Madeline - who goes by Maddie - doesn't know if the hit was to be on her or not. But the FBI has already left her out to dry once, an...more
*3.5 Stars*
I thought this was good. granted I think I liked it more because I listened to it on audio instead of reading it. When listening on audio I'm able to zone out a little bit when stuff gets boring. I think that the author spent too much time trying to lead us on about Maddie's past. I think more could have been done with letting us in on the secret much sooner.
The killer was whack! the whole reveal was so crazy. I felt a little let down with that.
Zelda the dog was my favorite character...more
I thought this was good. granted I think I liked it more because I listened to it on audio instead of reading it. When listening on audio I'm able to zone out a little bit when stuff gets boring. I think that the author spent too much time trying to lead us on about Maddie's past. I think more could have been done with letting us in on the secret much sooner.
The killer was whack! the whole reveal was so crazy. I felt a little let down with that.
Zelda the dog was my favorite character...more
This book was, sadly, the reason why I had to create a "disappointing" shelf. I, unfortunately, had to force myself to finish it out of respect for the writer and people who put so much work into it, but it wasn't with much enthusiasm, I tell you. It felt like it had so much to offer and yet I didn't get any real feeling from it.
The plot, the characters, everything looked like it would be the perfect setting for an awesome adventure but it wasn't.
The je-ne-sais-pas factor wasn't of the interes...more
The plot, the characters, everything looked like it would be the perfect setting for an awesome adventure but it wasn't.
The je-ne-sais-pas factor wasn't of the interes...more
Maddie has just been attacked by a man in her hotel room. Sam is the FBI agent who is investigating the attacks. She is not the only victim.
During the investigation Sam figures he could use Maddie as his bait to catch the attacker. Sam falls for Maddie, but resists getting close to her. Eventually he does get involved with her only later finding out that there is more to Maddie then meets the eye. Sam's team has run the fingerprints in the hotel room hoping to find the attacker and the only set...more
During the investigation Sam figures he could use Maddie as his bait to catch the attacker. Sam falls for Maddie, but resists getting close to her. Eventually he does get involved with her only later finding out that there is more to Maddie then meets the eye. Sam's team has run the fingerprints in the hotel room hoping to find the attacker and the only set...more
Oct 08, 2010
Maria
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Maria by:
Gina
Shelves:
romantic-suspense
This is the first book I've read by this author, recommended by Gina's goodreads comments, and I have to say that I am impressed. There were some slight oddities, places where I wasn't convinced that the plot was possible, but they were few and far between. Her writing is compelling, her characters appealing, and the plot phenomenal and I particularly appreciated the ongoing battle between the two leads. They don't just jump into bed with each other. They actually fight the attraction because of...more
This is the most boring book I've ever read. The main character, Maddie, is extremely annoying. The "hero" Sam is yawn-worthy and inept as an FBI agent. Please, pass on this snooze-fest!
This was a pleasant lil read! The plot wasn't earth shattering though.
I wasn't a fan of the meshing of her old life with the killings already taking place. See this guy was mob, but the heartless killings, and the calling of Mc Cabe and taunting him with clues made me think the killer was psychopathic, rather than sadistic. So it conflicted badly! Both Mc Cabe and Maddy were very likeable, and I enjoyed the descriptive words used throughout.
The romance scenes were HOT!! But the story!! The kille...more
I wasn't a fan of the meshing of her old life with the killings already taking place. See this guy was mob, but the heartless killings, and the calling of Mc Cabe and taunting him with clues made me think the killer was psychopathic, rather than sadistic. So it conflicted badly! Both Mc Cabe and Maddy were very likeable, and I enjoyed the descriptive words used throughout.
The romance scenes were HOT!! But the story!! The kille...more
The suspense kept up very well all through the book. I was glad that when Sam found out the truth about Maddie they didn't stay mad for the rest of the book, only to reconcile in the last five pages of the book. The story with the dog and french fries was funny. I listened to this book and the one part that got on my nerves was also mentioned by someone else's review here as well. Then referring to the unsub they kept spelling it U-N-S-U-B instead of just saying the word. It is a small thing and...more
May 16, 2012
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
read-in-2012
I really enjoyed reading this book. I always enjoy Karen Robards' books, but this one was really good.
I loved reading about the grudging relationship forming between McCabe and Maddie, and I also enjoyed the chemistry between. He wants to save her, she wants him to go away...even after she is attacked, she wants him to leave her alone. She is hiding something from him that she is terrified he will discover. Maddie's past, always a mystery until near the end of the book, was intriguing and had m...more
I loved reading about the grudging relationship forming between McCabe and Maddie, and I also enjoyed the chemistry between. He wants to save her, she wants him to go away...even after she is attacked, she wants him to leave her alone. She is hiding something from him that she is terrified he will discover. Maddie's past, always a mystery until near the end of the book, was intriguing and had m...more
Jun 06, 2012
Pr Latta
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
audio,
dogs,
mystery,
romantic-suspense,
sense-of-place,
strong-women,
suspense,
zing,
violent
The suspense takes a back seat in the KR Romantic Suspense novel: Maddie is driving and Sam seems only along for the ride. Solving the case is not the main plot: protecting Maddie, who Sam believes is the bait, is while the FBI ignores "the game" of trying to prevent two more people from getting murdered. I didn't classify this as a police procedural because Sam, Win and Gardner don't seem to follow much procedure but the crew is likable and I had a fun time riding along.
Maddie Fitzgerald, owner of a small advertising agency in St. Louis, travels to New Orleans in hopes of snaring a large account to save her struggling company. While there, a man breaks into her hotel room and tries to kill her but Maddie manages to escape. Only to be followed by FBI agents, headed by Special Agent Sam McCabe, who's tracking a serial killer and thinks Maddie is his next victim. Maddie does not trust the FBI and refuses their offer of protection, but when someone shoots at her in...more
Entertaining, fast-paced. This is sort of a classic romantic suspense involving an FBI agent tracking down a serial killer and a woman who managed to escape him...at least, at first. It was one of those turn-your-brain-off books, but my brain was quite willing to shut down today, so it was the right book at the right time. Recommended to romantic-suspense fans who want a bit of mindless fun.
Mar 01, 2010
Sharal Hunter
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romantic-suspense
Very suspenseful story that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat waiting to see what happens next. The multiple plots create a sense of confusion when it comes to the identity of the villain and why he is trying to kill Maddie. The villain's identity did come as a surprise to me. I enjoyed the chemistry between Maddie and Sam as well as the supporting characters Winn and Gardner.
A team of FBI agents are tracking down a serial killer who is taunting them. He unsuccessfully attempts to murder a woman in her hotel room. She escapes and returns to her life in another city. The FBI team follows her, convinced that the killer will try again. Nothing much is what it appears to be. There is a good modicum of suspense and the novel makes for a fine summer read.
In the top 5 of my Karen Robards list! The action is in every scene and you just feel your body tensing up every time something happens to Maggie. The sexual tension between Maggie and Sam was too hot to handle at times (get a room already!!) and his side-kick reminded me of my dad-I loved him! I loved this book even more after the third read!
I was prepared to give this one a 4 star - a 4 star for a crime drama! - but then the author slipped in a somewhat ridiculous sex scene and... down to 3 1/2 stars. This was an interesting crime drama with a mix of love. It was a little predictable but still quite good. No time was spent in the head of the criminal which, I have decided, I like better.
Karen Robards is another Historical Romance writer turned Contemporary Romance/Crime writer. Like Garwood, Robards delivers tightly controlled plots, solid pacing, and romance mixed with the mayhem. Robards's books are a bit more gritty than Garwood's but the romantic development is as strong as are the injections of humor and witty dialog.
You can't go wrong with a Karen Robards book. She manages to make you laugh and continues to add twists to her books so that you probably will not guess who the bad guy is until you get all the way to the end. Great suspense! Talk about turning the tables. This is another of her books that you simply can not put down.
This book was an okay read. It could be that I have just finished a few books that are sort of the same type as this. They all seem to follow the same pattern of romance, but not the intense mystery I was looking for. I consider these types of books along the same line as a Harlequin Intrigue, they are a fun enjoyable quick read.
I want to be snarky. But it's not like I don't know full well what I'm getting into when I read this kind of books... I do know. And I do it anyway. And I'm pretty sure I will continue to do it.
Because as cliche and tired as the characters and story lines are... there is something comforting about this kind of book.
Because as cliche and tired as the characters and story lines are... there is something comforting about this kind of book.
This was a quick read. It was pretty elementary mystery writing, definitely not on the same level as the other authors I'm used to reading. A few very cheesy sex scenes were in it that totally made me laugh. I liked the characters, so that was good enough for me.
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Who was it that said a rose by any other.. Makes me want to go unlisted in a phone book a little :) I have to be in the right mood to read a book like this one, and I was. I can't imagine others being endangered let alone killed because they shared my name.
First, I like Robards' mysteries. But this one, while it had a hard to bite into plot about who's really trying to kill Maddie, really made me laugh, especially in the terror that a pampered dog can cause to usually sedate, intelligent people.
Another Karen Robards dud. This time there wasn't even the build-up of attraction and sexual tension between the 2 main characters. She started writing a mystery and suddenly remembered it was supposed to be a romance novel too, I guess.
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click here.
Absolutely loved this book. I started and finished it in one day standing behind the counter at work lol. Its a dreamy romantic book that will have you hooked, makes me feel like such a hopeless romantic haha.
I liked this book. But, to be fair...I read it in a condensed form. So, as I've read other reviews of it, I'm thinking a lot got left out. So, I don't think I would recommend anyone to read the full version!! :)
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Karen was born on 24 August 1954 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She has been writing since she was a teenager. She sold her first short story, when was very young, and was published in the December 1973 Reader's Digest, but she cannot sold her first romance novel until 1981, when she was 24. After it, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career. Today, a regular on the New York Times...more
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