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Soap #1
Long, Lean, and Lethal
Soap opera star Jennifer Connolly seeks refuge in the arms of her Valentine Valley costar Conar, when she is stalked by a twisted killer who has been claiming his victims in a series of brutal murders. Original.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2000
370 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
659 books6,828 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 13, 2025
Soap star Jennifer Connolly has returned to her childhood home to help care for her mother, legendary actress Abby Sawyer, who is suffering from Parkinson's disease. Jennifer is surprised when she learns that Abby's stepson, actor Conar Markham, will also be living at the house. In fact, he is joining the same soap opera that Jennifer currently stars in. Abby might be sick, but she wants Jennifer living under her roof because she thinks someone wants to kill her daughter. She has asked Conar to watch over Jennifer at work and at home. Conar and Jennifer have never gotten along. How are they supposed to live and work together?
Well, where do I start. I really didn't like this book. First off, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paige McKinney. It was awful. Every character had the same voice, no inflection. Sometimes she sounded robotic. I stopped listening and downloaded the library book, but reading it wasn't much better. The dialogue was terrible. In my mind, I was reading it just like the audiobook narrator.
The romance between Conar and Jennifer was boring. The suspense wasn't much better. The villain was killing actresses using the methods straight out of Alfred Hitchcock movies. That and the fact that the setting was at a soap opera gave me hope that I would like the mystery. Instead, the plot was straight out of a Scooby-Doo mystery. I knew the killer as soon as the character was introduced. The saving grace to this book was when the actors talked about their characters and their crazy storylines. That was actually funny, especially the pregnancy that lasted two years. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
Well, where do I start. I really didn't like this book. First off, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paige McKinney. It was awful. Every character had the same voice, no inflection. Sometimes she sounded robotic. I stopped listening and downloaded the library book, but reading it wasn't much better. The dialogue was terrible. In my mind, I was reading it just like the audiobook narrator.
The romance between Conar and Jennifer was boring. The suspense wasn't much better. The villain was killing actresses using the methods straight out of Alfred Hitchcock movies. That and the fact that the setting was at a soap opera gave me hope that I would like the mystery. Instead, the plot was straight out of a Scooby-Doo mystery. I knew the killer as soon as the character was introduced. The saving grace to this book was when the actors talked about their characters and their crazy storylines. That was actually funny, especially the pregnancy that lasted two years. My rating: 1.5 Stars.
December 30, 2024
This won’t be for everyone but I ate it up. 2000s romantic suspense, two soap opera stars that just HAPPEN to be step siblings and the MC is ex-military??? It reads very much like your standard 2000s book where the MCs hate each other and even after they get together still kind of can’t stand one another? Such a fun listen to end the year!
October 27, 2018
Soap opera star Jenifer Connolly, is trying to help her actress mother cope with M.S. (?). Her mother thinks someone is trying to kill Jennifer, so she has her ex-step-son, Conar Markham, also a major actor, written into the soap to protect Jennifer. The two never got along well as children, but sparks fly between them this time. The threat to Jen and her mother is real though, and they need to solve several other Hitchcock style murders of actresses before they can determine who the murderer is . Conan and Jennifer do marry, her mom has the surgery to help cure the M.S. and it's successful, and everyone lives happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2013
I liked the grandma in the story. The fact that the villian was who I suspected did not excite me. I found it very incestous , the relationship between jennifer and the male main character was annoying. It was not my cup of tea.
July 4, 2014
Great, old fashion murder mystery! Although not her usual style, Heather Graham has created a unique cast of characters that really compliment each other.
December 19, 2024
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 Stars. A suitable beach read I revisited from the past. It kept my interest as I wondered, “Who done it?”
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
1) This is an oldie dual (bk1) involving a studio of actors from a Hollywood Soap Opera set that I read years ago and thought I’d revisit. It’s pretty light in content. An easy beach read.
2) I didn’t care much for the FMC (and generally vere away from celeb main characters for this reason). As the only daughter of a famous Hollywood Star, Jennifer comes off as proud, immature, spoiled with a chip on her shoulder (still at 28) and basically unreasonable. Violent murders of other actresses are occurring. Her mom (now retired due to illness) has asked Jennifer’s step-brother (a 3 tours-former Navy soldier) to keep an eye on Jennifer as recent threats have been made against her. The step-brother is willing and has come from NYC to CA to work temporarily on the studio set for that reason alone. But due to the chip & apparent stupidity, Jennifer continues to take dangerous risks. Eye roll. The MMC (a successful actor in his own right) has his hands full. Will the murderer, apparently focused on young actresses, move on to Jennifer? Will her lapses in judgement or his determination bring about her death?
2) LONG, LEAN & LETHAL was published in 2000 and Graham has moved on to other genres since its writing. I probably wouldn’t rush out and purchase a copy today if I didn’t already own this one, but the story kept my interest as I didn’t remember the identity of the villain. Copies may be available in certain local libraries.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - Yes. A number of references are made to Classic Hitchcock Horror movies. Several murders occur off-scene but are not viewed from the villains perspective. I didn’t find these details described in a particularly dark or graphic manner.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several open-door intimacy scenes are included.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
1) This is an oldie dual (bk1) involving a studio of actors from a Hollywood Soap Opera set that I read years ago and thought I’d revisit. It’s pretty light in content. An easy beach read.
2) I didn’t care much for the FMC (and generally vere away from celeb main characters for this reason). As the only daughter of a famous Hollywood Star, Jennifer comes off as proud, immature, spoiled with a chip on her shoulder (still at 28) and basically unreasonable. Violent murders of other actresses are occurring. Her mom (now retired due to illness) has asked Jennifer’s step-brother (a 3 tours-former Navy soldier) to keep an eye on Jennifer as recent threats have been made against her. The step-brother is willing and has come from NYC to CA to work temporarily on the studio set for that reason alone. But due to the chip & apparent stupidity, Jennifer continues to take dangerous risks. Eye roll. The MMC (a successful actor in his own right) has his hands full. Will the murderer, apparently focused on young actresses, move on to Jennifer? Will her lapses in judgement or his determination bring about her death?
2) LONG, LEAN & LETHAL was published in 2000 and Graham has moved on to other genres since its writing. I probably wouldn’t rush out and purchase a copy today if I didn’t already own this one, but the story kept my interest as I didn’t remember the identity of the villain. Copies may be available in certain local libraries.
READER CAUTIONS ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - Yes. A number of references are made to Classic Hitchcock Horror movies. Several murders occur off-scene but are not viewed from the villains perspective. I didn’t find these details described in a particularly dark or graphic manner.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several open-door intimacy scenes are included.
July 5, 2024
2, maybe 1.5 stars
Tropes: Celebrity, Danger
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense (M/F), mystery, stalker, serial killer, thriller
POV: 3rd person, kind of alternating
Series/Sequencing Style: 1st in an anthology series, can be read as standalone, no cliffhanger
understanding series types: dynamic, static, anthology - source 1, source 2
Overall ratings
Heroine (Jennifer) 1/5 came across as idiotic more than once
Hero (Conar) 2/5
Side characters 3/5
Pacing 2/5 timing was off
Plot 3-4/5 4 for potential, 3 for execution
Romantic connection 1/5
Suspense 3.5-4/5
Writing 3/5 writing style was a bit abrupt
Angst level: 2/5
Sadness level: 3/5
CW/Triggers: parent battling Parkinson's, murder, violence
Review/Notes
The storyline was somewhat interesting - I love a romantic suspense plot and there were murders & some mystery/intrigue here. Overall, fell flat.
Despite seeing into the main characters' heads sometimes, they still felt pretty 2D...maybe it was how things rushed & jumped around. There wasn't a lot of character development.
Tropes: Celebrity, Danger
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense (M/F), mystery, stalker, serial killer, thriller
POV: 3rd person, kind of alternating
Series/Sequencing Style: 1st in an anthology series, can be read as standalone, no cliffhanger
understanding series types: dynamic, static, anthology - source 1, source 2
Overall ratings
Heroine (Jennifer) 1/5 came across as idiotic more than once
Hero (Conar) 2/5
Side characters 3/5
Pacing 2/5 timing was off
Plot 3-4/5 4 for potential, 3 for execution
Romantic connection 1/5
Suspense 3.5-4/5
Writing 3/5 writing style was a bit abrupt
Angst level: 2/5
Sadness level: 3/5
CW/Triggers: parent battling Parkinson's, murder, violence
Review/Notes
The storyline was somewhat interesting - I love a romantic suspense plot and there were murders & some mystery/intrigue here. Overall, fell flat.
Despite seeing into the main characters' heads sometimes, they still felt pretty 2D...maybe it was how things rushed & jumped around. There wasn't a lot of character development.
May 15, 2017
This is a great story wove around a daytime soap opera and Jennifer Connolly who played one of the stars and Conar Markham her step brother. Jennifer's mom had asked Conar to come and be a bodyguard for her daughter because she had received some threatening phone calls and notes. Abby Connolly had once been a great star herself before she became ill. Now she wants to protect her daughter and the only person she trusts is Conar. Unfortunately several up and coming starlets have been murdered in true Alfred Hitchcock style. I enjoyed this book and there is some humor trying to tell the plot story of the soap opera.
August 6, 2024
[audio book] Narrator: Paige McKinney - 2 stars
----
hmmm - while I do enjoy Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series - this one could have been improved by a different narrator. The reading, or perhaps the writing, of the sex scenes is very stilted; no real differentiation between character voices.
Although the main characters (h/H - especially the heroine) are self absorbed and suffer from denied lust turned to anger for years, the mystery is solid. The clues in the last third/quarter of the book lead to the identity of the killer.
The supporting characters come across as 'better' people, and their stories would be worth a read (not the audiobook version)
----
hmmm - while I do enjoy Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series - this one could have been improved by a different narrator. The reading, or perhaps the writing, of the sex scenes is very stilted; no real differentiation between character voices.
Although the main characters (h/H - especially the heroine) are self absorbed and suffer from denied lust turned to anger for years, the mystery is solid. The clues in the last third/quarter of the book lead to the identity of the killer.
The supporting characters come across as 'better' people, and their stories would be worth a read (not the audiobook version)
December 21, 2024
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 4
Performance – 3
Story – 4
Good story.
This was an interesting story and I didn’t guess who the killer was until it was revealed. I wasn’t too crazy about the narration. Perhaps it was an early book for this narrator; the audiobook is over 10 years old. In any case, the story held my attention and I did finish listening to the audiobook rather than switching over to reading it with my eyes. The series title of Soap Opera is pretty appropriate. Not only because many of the characters are in a soap opera but also because of all of the different things happening in the story.
Overall – 4
Performance – 3
Story – 4
Good story.
This was an interesting story and I didn’t guess who the killer was until it was revealed. I wasn’t too crazy about the narration. Perhaps it was an early book for this narrator; the audiobook is over 10 years old. In any case, the story held my attention and I did finish listening to the audiobook rather than switching over to reading it with my eyes. The series title of Soap Opera is pretty appropriate. Not only because many of the characters are in a soap opera but also because of all of the different things happening in the story.
April 14, 2024
Conar and Jennifer are step-brother and sister, who really don't like each other. Jen's mother is a legendary actress who is going through severe health issues, and her medications are making her paranoid and worse. Conar agrees if she wants to have surgery to help her, she should be able to do it; Jen is totally against it thinking she will die before it's time. Then murders start happening and people think it's because the mansion they all live in is haunted. There's a lot of action in this book.
June 25, 2022
This book really struggled - didn't flow and seemed to stall out in points. There was a corny ending that was totally out of style with the rest of hte book. Story of a aging actress and her daughter and stepson as they worked through instances involving murders and threats. I just didn't get into the story-line, despite it's attempt at mystery and suspense.
September 28, 2023
I love Heather Graham stories but I had a hard time finishing this one. I did not likeJennifer the heroinne. Every time she opened her mouth or was thinking I wanted to slap her. Yes I know that means the writing was great but she really is a spoiled brat. The underlying mystery was fun, trying to decide which of the other characters would turn out to be the murderer.
July 5, 2024
This story is a bit closer to Law and Order than Murder She Wrote with a bit more graphic murder scenes. But the story is intriguing and really draws you in. There is a whole cast of characters. So many with the means to commit the crimes. I did guess the killer but the why was a surprise. And it was kind of fun having guessed right. The audio book was very well done. #CMCon25
May 28, 2020
I didn't like either of the main characters until well into the book. The storyline was good and I had absolutely no clue who the bad guy was and once the characters quit acting like divas/asses, they grew on me. I will be reading the next book in the series.
Read
May 24, 2021Once again, Ms. Graham does a good job of sending her readers after the wrong suspects of serial killings. Using Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho shower scene as her pivotal focus, the author does a good job of creating a suspenseful read. I enjoyed this book.
March 28, 2024
This was another great book from Heather Graham. Great descriptions of characters puts you into the story quickly. Just before the end I guessed the murderer but it twisted in that direction. Quick read.
February 4, 2018
too Hollywood glitzy for me
October 20, 2019
Just a basic romance with some intrigued.
August 11, 2020
Actors, you never know
Excellent book as are all her books. I had read this book before, but better second time around. It has an exciting ending
Excellent book as are all her books. I had read this book before, but better second time around. It has an exciting ending
September 27, 2020
Good but predictable
I prefer Ms Graham's ghost stories and from the write up thought this was one but not. Probably will not read he others in the series.
I prefer Ms Graham's ghost stories and from the write up thought this was one but not. Probably will not read he others in the series.
May 23, 2022
Good
July 29, 2024
Not much original or creative about this book. The characters, the plot and the writing style were all very bland. I wouldn’t recommend it.
May 1, 2025
A soap opera becomes real
Jennifer and Conner are step siblings. Jennifer's mom wants them to work together. Someone is reinacting Hitchcock murders. Together they will be safe.
Jennifer and Conner are step siblings. Jennifer's mom wants them to work together. Someone is reinacting Hitchcock murders. Together they will be safe.
August 27, 2017
Uhh so I marked this book read before I finished it and soon realized it's Uhm a little bit sexy and now I feel weird about publicizing that I've read this book so don't judge me please.
September 22, 2020
Loved it. The first book I have read by this author. Moved on to book two and was real disappointed.
September 19, 2020
This book was just BORING!
Dialogue was forced.
It was just a poor example of this author's work.
I enjoy the Krewe series, but this? - UGH.
I didn't bother to finish it - there was no point wasting more time on an uncompelling, uninteresting tale.
DON'T get it.
It is taking this author off my "get it whenever on sale" list - WAY OFF the list.
UGH.
Dialogue was forced.
It was just a poor example of this author's work.
I enjoy the Krewe series, but this? - UGH.
I didn't bother to finish it - there was no point wasting more time on an uncompelling, uninteresting tale.
DON'T get it.
It is taking this author off my "get it whenever on sale" list - WAY OFF the list.
UGH.
June 17, 2009
i thought it was a great book... it had everything that i love romance and mystry... i thought that it was a lil to wierd that she marry's and was having sex with her stepbrother but they aint really family so i guess it was alright. at frist i thought it was the butler that killed everyone but i wasnt sure it surpised me and i was right you would have to have read it to know what im talking about lolz i hate talking about books that people might not have read so... sorry if you havent and i gave it away?
September 28, 2012
This was supposed to be a romantic suspense. But I found it very staged. I guessed who the killer was very early on. The romance was so stereotypical I almost could have copied and pasted it from countless other books. The predictability like this was the reason I gave up reading romances when I was a teenager. Such lines as "she felt his state of arousal against her thigh". How trite. This was more of a 2 1/2 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews