Illusions of Death by Lauren Linwood-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2016

Best-selling author Karlyn Campbell is ready for a new start after her recent divorce from a temperamental artist. When she receives word that her father had a stroke, she heads for Walton Springs with mixed feelings. Broderick Campbell wrote Pulitzer Prize-winning literary novels and denounced his daughter’s work as pedestrian and commercial, causing a rift that finally heals on his deathbed. Karlyn chooses to stay in the small Georgia town to write her popular Matt Collins series and decides to try her hand at true crime when Atlanta’s Rainbow Killer, Roy G. Biv, captures her interest.

Detective Logan Warner’s marriage didn’t survive after he lost his twins to a crazed killer who was never caught. He returns to his hometown’s police force and runs for police chief, happy he’s escaped big city crime and corruption. Emotionally dead, his interest in life is renewed when he falls in love with Karlyn and begins to build a new life with her.

But the Rainbow Killer moves beyond Atlanta, leaving a trail of dead bodies painted in bright hues in several towns north of the city. Leaving no trace evidence or DNA and choosing random victims with no apparent rhyme or reason, Roy proves unstoppable. Then he arrives in Walton Springs, threatening the peaceful town with his murder spree. With a serial killer in their back yard, Logan and Karlyn unite with the FBI to find the killer—before he finds them.

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REVIEW: Illusions of Death is a new Mystery/Crime/Romance novel from one of my favorite authors, Lauren Linwood. This deliciously thrilling novel starts off with a serial killer just completing the last of a series of murders, giving chilling insight into the mind of this diabolical murderer. Thinking of these crimes as a particular genius in the spree of child abductions in Atlanta. These included, the kids of a fireman, a school superintendent’s daughter, a cop’s twins (important), and a mayor’s grandson. This latest spree of ‘specimens was a group of high-end prostitutes. While burying the latest victim, a new series of murders presented itself in the appearance of a rainbow. The next mission of murders would be done as the rainbow killer….murdering victims and painting them in the hues of a rainbow…a specific order.

It difficult to summarize this novel in a few paragraphs, as so much goes on. The set up begins with Logan Warner, a detective, who joined the Walton Spring department after leaving Atlanta. He’s divorced and often thinks of his twin children who were murdered a few years prior. He and his partner find Broderick Campbell, famous author having what looks like a stroke on the side of the road. The man having the stroke asked him to “call Karlyn”. He and his partner call for an ambulance and then go find the author’s wife, Martha, and let her know.

Karlyn Campbell, successful author of suspense novels featuring her character Matt Collins, has finished her last manuscript and delivered it to her agent. She’s told her novel and character may be in a movie deal, in which she is given a change at writing the screenplay with the help of a seasoned screenplay writer of her choice. She of course is happy, but it seems her marriage to Mario Taylor is on the rocks…in fact headed for a nasty divorce. She meets Logan when she comes to town to see her dying father in the hospital.

That’s the set-up, I don’t do spoilers but what I can tell you is that this begins a thrilling ride of murders, family drama, budding romance that has the possibility of healing our detective’s and writer’s broken hearts. This story is chock full of twists and happenings, great romance and so much more. It’s a page turner that is very difficult to put down.

Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a magnificent read!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Georgianna S