Beverly Barton

New in Paperback:

Reader Comments about THE MURDER GAME
Zebra
ISBN: 9780821776902
(January 29, 2008)

• About the Book
• Read a Review
• Read an Excerpt

Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Bevery Barton's THE MURDER GAME.

Alice from Clarks Summit, PA

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No, this was my first Barton book.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I love Mary Higgins Clark (my favorite), and I grew up reading and also loving Phyllis Whitney’s books. Now I read Sandra Brown, Carol Higgins Clark and Margaret Truman. I prefer what I call the “soft suspense” and not the hardcore gory mystery/suspense books.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
I enjoyed reading this book. It was an entertaining cat-and-mouse suspense book that kept my interest throughout.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
Yes, I have done some research on her writing and find she is quite prolific. I would like to go back and read some of her previous books. I like to read authors in order; just one of my reading quirks.

Annie from Bountiful, UT

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
I have never read a book by Beverly Barton. 
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I have read Dean Koontz, John Sandford, James Patterson, J. D. Robb, Iris Johanson --- too many to list.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I so enjoyed THE MURDER GAME! Never before with a new writer, (except Dean Koontz) have I been hooked on a book with just the prologue. I HAD to keep reading to find out what was going to happen.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
I would definitely read another book by Beverly Barton; she’s considered in my book to be an awesome writer!

Barbara from East Meadow, NY

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
I had never heard about Beverly Barton, until reading my weekly Bookreporter.com Newsletter.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read James Patterson, Sandra Brown, Mary Jane Clark and Sue Grafton.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
Honestly, it didn't grab me right from the start --- but not because it wasn't well written. It was more the topic, I think... but I continued and by page 100, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. 
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
I certainly would read future books, but I now need to catch up on Griffin Powell and his story in previous installments.

Doris from Lafayette, IN

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No.
 
What other suspense authors do you usually read?
I enjoy Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, Greg Iles, Carla Neggers, Joseph Finder and Anne Stuart.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
I found it to be an exciting, suspenseful novel with just the right touch of romance. I enjoyed the alternating points of view --- victims, serial killer, and hero and heroine. It made me want to read the first title that introduced the main characters.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
Yes.

James from Ocala, FL

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
Yes, her writing never has a dull chapter.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Stuart Woods, Michael Connelly, Lisa Gardner, Donald Westlake, Elizabeth Lowell and James Hall.

What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
This book was a spine-chilling, fast-paced, well-plotted thriller. It was riveting from cover to cover.

Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
Ms. Barton's name is on my books to read list --- past as well as future.

Kathleen from Maryland Heights, MO

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
Yes. I have read SUGAR AND SPICE, MOST LIKELY TO DIE, THE DYING GAME and A TIME TO DIE.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Lisa Jackson, Stella Cameron, Wendy Corsi Staub, Joan Johnston, Linda Lael Miller, Michele Martinez and many more!
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
THE MURDER GAME is a book that anyone who enjoys suspense/thrillers must read, especially after reading the prequel to this book, THE DYING GAME. The two main characters in this book, Griffin Powell and Nicole Baxter, must overcome their differences towards each other and their pasts to catch a serial killer who is playing a "murder game." From start to finish, Ms. Barton draws the reader in with vivid details, exciting action and a cast of characters that you will not want to stop reading about. Readers that have read other books by Ms. Barton will also find some supporting characters from her previous books. 
 
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!  Five stars!
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
Absolutely!  As soon as it is released!

Kelsey from Anderson, SC

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No, I have not. 

What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read James Patterson, Neal Stephenson, Laurell K. Hamilton, J. D. Robb and Daniel Silva.

What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
I enjoyed reading THE MURDER GAME very much. It was just the right level of complexity to be engaging without making the read feel like a trudge up a mountainside. I particularly liked the author's various points of view. The reader had the opportunity to experience the fear of the victims as they fled, the twisted mindset of the "Hunter" and the frustration and determination of Nic and Griff as they struggled to find the killer. Ms. Barton's novel was frightening without being gory, as well as romantic without being fluffy.  I found it to be an engaging, satisfying read. 
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
I eagerly look forward to future Beverly Barton novels. I also intend to seek out previously published works because I enjoyed THE MURDER GAME so much. 

Laurie from Fredonia, NY

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
I have not previously read a book by Beverly Barton.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I like to read James Patterson, Wendy Corsi Staub, John Grisham and Janet Evanovich.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME? 
I liked THE MURDER GAME very much. It was confusing in the beginning until you figured out the author's writing style. It is a quick and easy read that is hard to put down --- my favorite kind of suspense/thriller novel.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
Yes, I would read another book by this author!

Mildred from Great Neck, NY

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
This is the first book I've read by Beverly Barton and it will not be the last.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Beverly Barton’s name will go on the list of the other authors I enjoy reading, including
the Kellermans, McDermid, Grisham, Scottoline, Reichs, etc. If you like reading these authors, I think you will like Beverly Barton.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
THE MURDER GAME by Beverly Barton appears to be the second book of a series. It can be read and enjoyed without reading the first book. This is a suspense-thriller with a love story. Once you start reading, you won't want to put this book down

Rose from Pittsburgh, PA

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
Yes, I read THE DYING GAME.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Iris Johansen, Joy Fielding, Sharon Sala --- almost all the popular women authors.

What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
I found it just as great as THE DYING GAME --- but it got to me more because I already knew everyone so it was like visiting old friends. I didn't think Ms. Barton could ever top the first book, but she did it! It isn't just the great love story and wondering if and how the good guys win in the end. It’s also her knowledge of the human mind and what makes people do what they do that grabs you. She seems to be a very intelligent author.

Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
Absolutely, yes!

Sandy from West Farmington, OH

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No, this was my first by this author, but not my last.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I enjoy Lisa Jackson, James Patterson, John Sandford, Linwood Barclay, Richard Montanari, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, and Greg Iles.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
It had me from the first few pages! This is a great story with so many twists and turns, and characters that you are never bored with. The hint of a little romance between the two main characters added to it without making it too sappy. I definitely will be reading more of Ms. Barton's books.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
Yes, I would.
 
Do you have any questions for Beverly Barton?
When is your next book coming out?

Sharon from Newark, DE

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I read Tara Jensen, Kay Hooper, Christine Feehan, Suzanne Brockmann, Jayne Ann Krentz, etc.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME? 
I really enjoyed it. It gave a different perspective to the good guy chasing the bad guy.  It was an easy read and I didn't want to put it down.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
Yes.

Tabitha from Cumming, GA

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No. This is the first book by her that I have read.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I read Clive Cussler, James Rollins and Steve Berry.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME? 
It was a high-energy, fast-paced suspense novel, combined with the emerging romance of the two lead investigators. I enjoy reading mysteries; the addition of a developing romance and the search to find the latest kidnapping by a serial killer adds to the dynamic characters and tension that runs throughout the book.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
Yes, I look forward to reading her previous books, as well as upcoming thrillers.

Cynthia from Puyallup, WA

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Brett Battles, Kyle Mills, etc.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
It was okay --- while it seems to run in the same format as authors Lisa Jackson, Tami Hoag, Kathy Reichs, and Patricia Cornwell, I did appreciate Barton’s approach to using teams of professionals rather than a singular hero/heroine. Barton’s attention to detail makes her novel a bit longer than the others, but stands up to scrutiny by those of us who have worked in the criminal-legal industry. Not bad stuff! Having said that, I skipped through the highly detailed “steamy sex scenes” as they bogged down the flow of the story and were really unnecessary. I think we “get it”.
 
I believe this book will do well. While it’s not a discussible book fit for reading groups, it will get you through a plane ride rather nicely.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
I don’t know about future, but I did go and purchase the first book, THE DYING GAME to fill in any loose ends. There weren’t many, THE MURDER GAME can stand alone.

Rita from Coppell, TX

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
This is the first time I have read a book by Ms. Barton.  
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read? 
I tend to read John Grisham, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman, David Robbins, James Patterson, and David Baldacci.

What did you think of THE MURDER GAME? 
I enjoyed reading the book, but I think that it leans more toward romance than suspense.

All the references to Nicole and Griffin’s past may well confuse other readers too. I thought the pairing of the lovely, but damaged, Nicole with millionaire Griffin was somewhat trite, and certainly the hate/love (as opposed to love/hate) relationship has been done many times before.

The development of the serial killer’s identity and his crimes, which are pretty gory, is good. The suspense builds up quite nicely. Although I found some parts entirely unbelievable.

Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton? 
In the end, I did like the book and will probably read more books by Beverly Barton, and would recommend her books to others. I looked at her publishing history and am amazed at how many books she has written.

Tom from Silver Grove, KY

Have you previously read a book by Beverly Barton?
No.

What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Michele Martinez, Ed McBain, Michael Crichton, John Grisham and John Patterson.
 
What did you think of THE MURDER GAME?
There were good characters and a good plot that I enjoyed.

Would you ever read a future book by Beverly Barton?
That would depend on what the book is about; I don't normally read romantic thrillers, but I did enjoy this book. The romance wasn't what my wife calls a bodice ripper.

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