So good! I love this series. Just when I think Cain can't write anything grosser, she goes for it. Man, there's some creepy stuff in here. ( )

Gretchen Gretchen Gretchen!! why is it always about Gretchen?! ( )

Ugh, I am so cheesed off. I realise that Chelsea Cain was hardly going to kill off her cash cow, but I didn't plough through five books for Gretchen to notch up another level on the smug-o-meter and then escape yet again. The damn character is more like a cartoon villain - now she's a master computer hacker, reprogramming cars to deliver her playthings to her. STOP NOW PLEASE. Even if Cain writes book seven, I'm done. I think.

The story was also a let down, turning all pseudo-le Carre with Jack and Leo Reynolds instead of sticking to the usual gruesome killings. The 'other killer' was easy to spot, because they were yet another honking great cliche. And I didn't actually care about any of them. Archie and Susan's stupidity somehow increased, to the point where I felt Gretchen's frustration, and Archie's libido was off the charts - there's a revolting scene involving Gretchen and a security camera that grossed me out more than all of her murders.

I was gripped by this series, I'll admit, but character development is more important than story arcs. Archie and Susan just never learn - Gretchen isn't smart, they're just thick and predictable. And exactly how many times can one dangerous serial killer escape from prison? I'm done. ( )

As many others have noted, I'm tired of Gretchen and her implausibly, exponentially-increasing supervillain skills. I'd happily read novels about Archie and his cases and his complicated relationships with people, no Gretchen needed. I'm not surprised to see this withered in TV development purgatory, though I do wish the series had proceeded with Gretchen dropped and Archie as the primary focus.

I've now come back to this series at least twice after swearing off it. I hope I won't make that mistake a third time. ( )

Any book with Archie and Gretchen is a psychological treat. This one also had a drug kingpin and another serial killer storyline. The old familiar characters are back, and Gretchen is at her twisted best.

SPOILER ALERT: I have been suspicious of Rachel from the time she was introduced to this series, and my suspicions were finally validated. I also thought the ending of this was a bit far-fetched. Gretchen slaughtering multiple body guards without any injury to herself, overpowering all those men? I also don't understand how she was able to answer a call on the island, when previously the book states that cell phone signals to the island were blocked. ( )

Gretchen Lowell once again out does her self from the other books in this series! I can't wait until the next one comes out to see where things go from where they have left off at the end of this one. ( )

I love this series. The relationship between Archie and Gretchen is still fascinating and I can’t help but find some sympathy for Gretchen. She is like a bombshell killer but even though she tortured Archie she also seems to ��care’ for him. Chelsea Cain delivers another excellent story with action and intrigue. It becomes clear that Gretchen can’t let Archie go and are we happy for this J. This is already the sixth book in the series and I sincerely hope it won’t be too long before the next one is published. ( )

Detective Archie Sheridan is back again so we know it won't be long until we see Gretchen Lowell, the enticing serial killer. Archie and Gretchen are obsessed with one another. He fell in lust with her before he knew she was the Beauty Killer and before she kidnapped him and removed his spleen. After torturing him for days she mysteriously let him go and turned herself in. Struggling with an addiction to pain pills, Archie is clean but not completely healed. He is a high-strung insomniac whose marriage ended but he still tries to see his two children and be a good father.

The plot of this story begins with a hunt for the murderer of undercover DEA cop. Archie, and his partner Henry, believe this death is related to the victim's job. Archie helped the victim place a young man undercover into the drug dealing organization and now they are concerned that he may be the next to be murdered. To make matters worse, the double agent is Leo, Susan Ward's boyfriend and son of the drug dealer.

Chelsea Cain has the ability to create atmosphere and intrigue through which Archie tries to solve the murder. Archie is more physically and psychologically healthy than we have ever seen him. Susan isn't the naive young woman she used to be. Gretchen, as usual, is full of surprises.

I really enjoyed the first three novels in this series (Heartsick/Sweetheart/Evil at Heart). I continue to read and enjoy each of the new ones, but I'm beginning to wonder where Cain plans to take this series. Each one seems to have a slightly revised version of the same plot. Like many other series, sometimes it's time to change it up a bit. I love the supporting cast of characters and hope Cain will feature them in her next story. It wouldn't be a Archie/Gretchen book without their sick relationship but it's time to stop focusing purely on that.

For now, I'm still a fan and will read the next one. I would definitely recommend reading these all in order though.
( )

Cross-posted to Knite Writes

Plot

Picking up where Kill You Twice left off, Gretchen is once again on the run, and no one seems to be able to catch her. Archie is no longer a part of the team trying to track her down — they finally figured out that might not be so good for his mental health. Instead, Archie spends his time solving other cases and having sex with a woman named Rachel who just happens to look a lot like Gretchen and mysteriously moved into the floor right below him not long ago. Yeah, that’s not suspicious at all.

Meanwhile, an undercover DEA agent is killed, and Archie starts worrying about his good friend Leo, the son of a major drug lord that turned DEA a while back. When Archie realizes that Leo’s been forcibly holed up on his father’s island and can’t be contacted, Archie decides to go to said father’s masquerade party. This party also happens to coincide with Archie’s birthday. Oh, yeah. This is going to end well.

It doesn’t even start well. Archie arrives to find that Susan has been coerced into coming to the party in order to get leverage on Leo — because remember, Susan is dating him. Before Archie can get Susan out of the party or rescue Leo, however, something happens to him. He spends the rest of the book trying to figure out exactly what because he doesn’t remember.

Turns out he got himself a concussion, then got sexually assaulted by Gretchen, who snuck into the party because she knew Archie was there. At some point in the night, he also started taking pills again. Wonderful.

On top of that, some poor young woman got murdered, and everyone eventually figures out the killer must be employed at the island. Gretchen decides that, as a birthday present, she wants to help Archie solve the case, and she kidnaps Susan in order to force Archie to go along with her. Oh, and it’s revealed, that (as Archie suspected but wouldn’t admit), Rachel was actually sent to Archie as a “gift.” Yeah, there’s is some messed-up stuff going on in this one, guys.

Anyway, Gretchen’s plan slightly backfires when Archie and Susan get caught by some of the thugs security guards on the island and taken to Leo’s father, who, when told that Gretchen is on the island, goes to hunt for her himself. Unfortunately, Archie and Susan realize that one of the guards is in fact the murderer. The guy then snatches Susan and shoots Archie. Archie pursues them into the creepy drug-run tunnels under the island, but he loses so much blood that he passes out before he can save Susan.

Susan almost gets raped — Gretchen shows up at the last minute and slashes the killer’s throat. Then she leaves to go free another day.

Susan and Archie end up back at their favorite hospital again.

The End

____

My Take

This was a pretty interesting installment of the series. I thought the plot was well thought-out, and the expansion of the characters of Leo and Jack (Leo’s father) kept me interested. They’ve been periphery characters for quite a while, and it was nice to finally see their relationship and personalities fleshed out more completely.

Archie was actually a bit of an ineffective hero in this one, and I thought that was a strange approach for Cain to take — but it worked. He’s deceived by Rachel, is forced to follow Gretchen’s orders, and gets himself shot so badly he can’t save Susan like he did in previous installments. He’s even been taken off the Beauty Killer Task Force he led for years. There’s definitely a lot of underlying commentary on the way that Archie’s mentality and personality have changed over time, and I think a lot of it is reflected in his many failures in this book. Perhaps this is a turning point for Archie? We’ll see.

As for Susan, I’m slowly getting tired of her serving as nothing more than a detriment to Archie — every single book, she gets herself captured or attacked, and Archie is the one who has to fix whatever mistakes she made or rescue her or whatever. You can only use a character for that purpose so many times before it starts to get stale. Susan got stale to me several books ago.

Also, Gretchen just isn’t that scary anymore. She was a terrifying force in the first book, but now she’s saving people and playing “devious tricks”; where’s the psychopathic killer who tortures people to death? She certainly wasn’t in this book. I get that Cain is trying to develop her alongside Archie, but the effect of her status as a “prolific serial killer” has long started to lose its luster. She’s not quite as interesting anymore.

So, I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this book. I thought the plot and new/periphery character development played out well, but Cain still hit a few sore spots for me.

____

Writing

No comment.

____

Is It Worth Reading?

I think so. Again, no point in skipping the sixth book in a series if you’ve read the other five.

____

Rating

3/5 ( )

Gretchen is back!
And helps Archie celebrate his birthday and then Halloween - Gretchen-style.
A party by Leo's father, Jack the Mobster, on his private island in Lake Oswego, attended by Archie to gather information about Jack's Russian friends ends with a body washed to the shore near the island. The events on the party are scattered in the story, to be revealed piece-by-piece, as Archie missed some of the fun and the killing. One revelation I guessed, it was obvious even in the last book, that Archie was fooled. Or as someone in this book put it so right "Men are ruled by their dicks" (Claire, Henry's pregnant cop-girlfriend).
A nice scene with a pole-dancer leads to unwarranted jealousy.
A few kinky (or sick?) sex-scenes, one of them of the "kids, don't try this at home"-type, dangerous and going into s/m-territory show how inventive Gretchen is, wow, that was a new one, have not thought someone would try this. And also by hacking some computers Gretchen forces Archie to come clean to a few people, most have known about his affair anyway.
While end is just too neat, all other parts fit nicely together, lots of death, torture hinted at, only little romance, a break-up, perfect book, way above 5 stars, probably the best book yet in the series so far.
Although long, it did not feel that way, fast paced page-turner, which made me read the whole book in just little more than two days - the first few pages late in the evening to get into it, the last (hospital) after midnight as I had other things to do and two days in between.

Highly recommended, female-serial-killer, page-turner.
(Edt. August 16th, 2014 to add a few left out words or correct, Review at Amazon.com is edited, Denosense.net also) ( )

We revisit with Archie, Gretchen and the gang once more in this sixth installment of the series. Gretchen is still on the run after escaping from the psychiatric facility and manages to insert herself into Archie’s latest case. For Archie, investigating a drug kingpin is certainly not part of his recovery and he, somewhat predictably, lapses in his own narcotic rehab.

Despite that fact it has Hallowe’en and Archie’s birthday as main events, I didn’t find anything to celebrate about this book. With this installment I feel that Ms. Cain has run out of steam. When the series first started I found Gretchen Lowell shocking as a female serial killer who could put Hannibal Lector to shame. Susan was a quirky and fun, a bit of color in the drab world of police blue. Archie as the troubled abused and ineffective cop was a nice change from the go-get-‘em super cops in many other books. Now I am finding the characters tired and frequently annoying. Personally, I feel it’s time to end Gretchen’s reign of terror, give Susan and Archie a happily ever after ending and call it quits on the Beauty Killer series.
( )

This is the sixth installment in Chelsea Cain's series about a serial killer and the cop who has been involved with her in many ways. I've enjoyed this series quite a bit, but it's becoming clear that it has run its course. The characters are less vivid than they've been and Gretchen Lowell, the serial killer, has slowly changed into someone who can do anything, manipulate anyone and go anywhere undetected despite being extraordinarily beautiful. It's boring. Even Susan, the disorganized journalist with amazing googling skills and a quirky personality, was flat. The actual plot was interesting enough, even if it took Gretchen acting as a sort of Deus ex Machina to resolve things. Really, this one is only for the die hard fans who have trouble letting go. ( )

I fear for this author's soul, as well as sanity. Although an excellent writer, the gore and pornography ruined the book beyond hope. A pity. ( )

Ugh.

That's all I have to say.

Let me elaborate:
I really have no idea why I subject myself to this series except I have some really annoying masochostic side to my personality. I believe Let Me Go is about Det. Archie Sheridan trying to protect Leo Reynolds cover when Leo's handler, Carl, is killed. Also, serial killer extraordinaire Gretchen Lowell is still on the run. It's also Archie's birthday. And Halloween.
There's also a serial killer on the loose.

This is just me simplifying the story. How many times is Cain going to repeat the same old oddly sexual/torturous relationship between Archie and Gretchen? I am sorry but I am not buying Gretchen as the anti hero Cain wants her to be. Chick is a violent amoral serial killer. But apparently now, she's a capable hacker. Perhaps her name should be changed to Mary Sue.

What was with all of the graphic sex scenes? They were not necessary.

I hate it when characters are saying something totally right but their characters are totally horrible. Case in point: Susan. I really wish she will be killed off. The only positive aspect about Let Me Go is that is was ridiculously fast to read. I am cutting myself off from all future Archie/Gretchen novels until I get proof that it's the end and that everybody but Henry and Claire dies. ( )

Ugh.

That's all I have to say.

Let me elaborate:
I really have no idea why I subject myself to this series except I have some really annoying masochostic side to my personality. I believe Let Me Go is about Det. Archie Sheridan trying to protect Leo Reynolds cover when Leo's handler, Carl, is killed. Also, serial killer extraordinaire Gretchen Lowell is still on the run. It's also Archie's birthday. And Halloween.
There's also a serial killer on the loose.

This is just me simplifying the story. How many times is Cain going to repeat the same old oddly sexual/torturous relationship between Archie and Gretchen? I am sorry but I am not buying Gretchen as the anti hero Cain wants her to be. Chick is a violent amoral serial killer. But apparently now, she's a capable hacker. Perhaps her name should be changed to Mary Sue.

What was with all of the graphic sex scenes? They were not necessary.

I hate it when characters are saying something totally right but their characters are totally horrible. Case in point: Susan. I really wish she will be killed off. The only positive aspect about Let Me Go is that is was ridiculously fast to read. I am cutting myself off from all future Archie/Gretchen novels until I get proof that it's the end and that everybody but Henry and Claire dies. ( )

Ooh, how I love me some Chelsea Cain and some Archie and some Gretchen and some Susan. Let Me Go is the newest installment in the Archie & Gretchen saga and boy, was this one a doozie! Gretchen is on the run and as usual she enjoys spending her spare time terrorizing Archie Sheridan and those around him.

For this installment, we leave the strip clubs of downtown Portland and head about 20 minutes south to the affluent suburb of Lake Oswego. This is a fast paced, busy book with activity (aka danger and threats) on all fronts. At times I felt like I was getting tossed around and dragged from room to room....and loving every minute of it!

Let Me Go is edgier but it also shows us a different side of Gretchen (not sure that I can say a softer side, though). She's still a killer and she's still wicked and twisted but Cain leaves us with some definite questions about what Gretchen will be doing next. lI've recommended this series to so many people and with Let Me Go, I will continue to recommend it to anyone that can handle a fair amount of gore. ( )

I still love Archie and Susan, and this book delivered lots of them. It was pure fun, while not being *too* gruesome. I already want the next one. ( )

[Cross-posted to Knite Writes]

This was a pretty interesting installment of the series. I thought the plot was well thought-out, and the expansion of the characters of Leo and Jack (Leo’s father) kept me interested. They’ve been periphery characters for quite a while, and it was nice to finally see their relationship and personalities fleshed out more completely.

Archie was actually a bit of an ineffective hero in this one, and I thought that was a strange approach for Cain to take — but it worked. He’s deceived by Rachel, is forced to follow Gretchen’s orders, and gets himself shot so badly he can’t save Susan like he did in previous installments. He’s even been taken off the Beauty Killer Task Force he led for years. There’s definitely a lot of underlying commentary on the way that Archie’s mentality and personality have changed over time, and I think a lot of it is reflected in his many failures in this book. Perhaps this is a turning point for Archie? We’ll see.

As for Susan, I’m slowly getting tired of her serving as nothing more than a detriment to Archie — every single book, she gets herself captured or attacked, and Archie is the one who has to fix whatever mistakes she made or rescue her or whatever. You can only use a character for that purpose so many times before it starts to get stale. Susan got stale to me several books ago.

Also, Gretchen just isn’t that scary anymore. She was a terrifying force in the first book, but now she’s saving people and playing “devious tricks”; where’s the psychopathic killer who tortures people to death? She certainly wasn’t in this book. I get that Cain is trying to develop her alongside Archie, but the effect of her status as a “prolific serial killer” has long started to lose its luster. She’s not quite as interesting anymore.

So, I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this book. I thought the plot and new/periphery character development played out well, but Cain still hit a few sore spots for me. ( )

The backstory: Let Me Go is the sixth novel in Chelsea Cain's Gretchen Lowell and Archie Sheridan series.

The basics: It's Halloween in Portland. It's also Archie's birthday. And Gretchen is still on the loose. Archie dreads the holiday and fears how many will dress as Gretchen for Halloween, giving her the perfect opportunity to blend in and make an appearance.

My thoughts: This series is one of my favorites. It is dark and disturbing, but Cain infuses these characters with so much humanity and has built this world so well that the violence and psychological terror are never cheap ploys; they're compelling insight into the mind of a brilliant, flawed villain and the hold she has over Archie. There are so many complex webs of relationships present in Let Me Go. As I listened, I marveled at how many details from past books came into play. I'm curious how many of the stories told in Let Me Go were mapped out many books ago. Cain deftly builds upon the past details of this series and puts events in past books into new light. There were certainly a few scenes so brutal they were hard to listen to, but they always serve a greater purpose in Cain's books, and I admire her ability to tell such bold, dark stories in a beautifully humane way.

Audio thoughts: After reading the first five in print, it was a transition to listen to this one. In some ways, this transition is similar to seeing the film version of a novel, but I soon adjusted to Delaine's excellent narration. What I particularly liked was her patience. Chelsea Cain's novels are so addictive I sometimes find myself reading faster and faster, yet Delaine took the time to pause and build even more suspense.

The verdict: Let Me Go is a wonderful installment in a series that is one of my favorites. The complicated relationships Archie Sheridan has continue to add nuance. It's a testament to Cain that I struggle to clearly delineate between these novels--the characters continue to develop and grow, and it's impossible to really assess these novels individually. Let Me Go in particular draws on past details and nuance beautifully, and I can't wait to see where Cain takes these characters next. ( )

Gretchen Lowell is easily the best written serial killer you probably have never heard of. In Gretchen, Chelsea Cain has created a character that is a cross between Kate Upton and Hannibal Lecter. A killer who's pleasure in killing is only matched by her desire for the detective who captures her. In this sixth installment of the series Gretchen has escaped from the mental institution and is on the loose. While everyone is sure she has run to Canada, she is in fact, quite close to the one cop who is obsessed with Gretchen Lowell, Detective Archie Sheridan.

...The pain is still there, but it is diluted by his mounting arousal. He shudders, almost dizzy, pleasure coursing through him.
"Can I stab you again?" she asks, out of breath.
He kisses her hard, pressing her against the wall, and she pushes her tongue deep into his mouth, just as hungrily. He tastes blood. He doesn't know whose. The he remembers his wife. "Don't leave any marks," he says...

Sheridan has fallen into a deep spiral of drug abuse and loss since Gretchen Lowell strapped him down and tortured him for ten days. Now with his task force he throws himself into his work but Gretchen is never far away. From his wreck of a marriage to his current relationship with a girl who demands no commitment from him and looks just like Gretchen. What remains of Archie Sheridan is the bits and pieces that Gretchen left him with.
An FBI agent is murdered and his informant is at risk. The informant is a friend of Archie's and now the detective must secure the safety of the friend. This takes Sheridan to an island owned by a drug lord and the mysterious death of a young girl. And a video, a video from the island security cameras showing Gretchen Lowell.

..."What do you want Gretchen?" Archie asked.
Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "Aren't you happy to see me?" she asked. She sighed, leaned her cheek against his shoulder, and lifted a hand to his chest. Archie swallowed hard. Up close, her skin always amazed him. It was smooth, without lines or pores, like a doll's. He moved his hand down to the small of her back.
"Is she still alive?" he asked softly.
Gretchen took a few breaths, nuzzling against his shirt. "I know how much you care about her," she said, fingers drumming against the cloth of his shirt. "I know you want to keep her safe. But I also know that you are little bit tempted to put a bullet through my brain. So I want you to know this." She was drawing on his chest with her finger. The same shape, over and over. A heart. "She is someplace where no one will find her, so if you kill me, she will die."

The relationship between Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell is what makes the dynamic of the novels work. Archie is obsessed and in love with Gretchen. An emotion that even with her killing cannot change. As for Gretchen, you can never tell if she loves Archie back or just has a sense that he belongs to her. A possessive nature that overrides everything and keeps bringing her back into his life. You almost wonder if she allows herself to be caught just to be near him.

...Gretchen's gaze moved from the screen to Archie, and she regarded him with that cold, impenetrable expression he knew so well. Then something behind the mask fluctuated, and her lip quavered. "Do you really think I ruined your life?", she asked.
The scalpel wound barely hurt now. The handkerchief was soaked with blood. Archie peeled it from his flesh and tossed it on the table. "No," he said. "I did that all by myself."

Let Me Go is a strong addition to the series that features the best serial killer and detective duo to come along in a long time. ( )

This series is so, so good.

Archie FINALLY makes some emotional progress, and in a way that feels really natural and satisfying.

Susan is still adorable, and she still fucks everything up every step of the way. Her hair is dyed black and white like a skunk's in this one.

Gretchen is in this one, and in a really fun way, although she seems to be able to do pretty much anything. She's like Batman or MacGyver or something. ( )

It has to be amazingly difficult to write a book where the main character has a lust, hate relationship with a serial killer and yet this character is flawed but likable. Archie has, to say the least terrible and strange tastes in women. Although I love the character of Susan, she has her weirdness and quirks as well. Rachel, his new lust/love interest is very weird too. It is these relationships and characters as well as the steady Henry and Leo, of the mob boss persuasion, that keeps these novels so interesting. The plots are almost background, material for the characters to do whatever the author wants these characters to do.

So yes, there is plenty of violence, some of it graphic. There is a police investigation and the murder of an undercover DEA agent, but as usual there is Archie and Gretchen always in the background, though not a prevalent in this one and of course Susan, trying to figure everything out. Another good and fascinating character study from Cain. ( )

Listened for fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Let Me Go was strong in character development/growth but the story wasn't my favorite in the series.

Note: If I was rating this book against the others in the series it would have been 3. Let Me go when compared against others in the genre ranks a 4. Choosing how to rank on goodreads, I tend to stick with my higher inclination but wanted to note that it wasn't the strongest in the series.

Story Thoughts: Parts of Let Me Go were fantastic. Oddly enough, it was the parts that involved the case that Archie was working on. However, the parts with Gretchen just did not feel like their normal magic to me. Parts were repetitious and other parts I just wanted more from. That being said, this was a very good read! I love Chelsea's writing and I highly recommend her!

Character Thoughts: Archie is a fascinating character to me. His experiences with Gretchen have made him more complicated, damaged, and very good at his job. I am though, hopeful for him! I want him to let in happiness. This one didn't get him there but I think I see a spark. I really liked the character development of Susan in Let Me Go. She is really getting to shine and come into her own. I believe she is almost as fascinating as Gretchen. Gretchen is still Gretchen! What I love about her is that she knows herself so well and acts accordingly!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Christina Delaine / Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Christina has done a freaking fantastic job since taking over the series. I really think she gets the characters spot on. She changes her emotions to match who she is narrating and you can tell just from that! Overall a fantastic performance.

Final Thoughts: Again on the countdown to the next installment. ( )

Detective Archie Sheridan wants his birthday and Halloween to pass quietly and uneventfully, an unlikely prospect when Gretchen Lowell, a serial killer with a particular obsession with him, is still free. While celebrating his birthday with his ex-wife and his kids, he is called to a crime scene where a DEA agent is murdered, leading him to believe their undercover agents are now compromised. This includes Susan's boyfriend, Leo Reynolds whose father is notorious druglord. So, Archie finds himself of Jack Reynolds' Halloween party on a secluded island to make sure Leo is alive. After a strange night that he only remembers part of, it's clear that Gretchen is back and eager to give him her sick interpretation of a birthday present complete with an abduction and certain death for that person if she doesn't get her way. The latest book in the Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan series is thrilling, disturbing, bloody, and darkly funny.

This is the sixth book in this series and it shows no signs of slowing down or becoming stale. These characters are changing and growing through each book. Archie is more physically and psychologically healthy than we have ever seen him. He has a girlfriend (with a resemblance to Gretchen and a heart tattoo, but still a step in the right direction) and successfully kicked his drug habit. Susan isn't the naive, soft young woman she used to be. Interactions with various serial killers has hardened her and made her tougher. She has the same gung-ho attitude and flamboyant fashion sense, but she's not as trusting and careless to danger. Leo, usually the suave and annoyingly handsome playboy, is a shell of himself. Disheveled, emotionally broken, depressed, and borderline alcoholic, the role of double agent is significantly wearing on him. In the course of six books, these characters are not static, nor are they perfect.

At first, it seemed like Gretchen Lowell would be largely absent from Let Me Go like in The Night Season because she was on the run and there was no focus on her for the first half of the novel. Like many of the other books, her influence throughout the majority of the events becomes clear as the plot goes on. She is back to her old self after being medicated and transformed in prison. Her level of brutality and sadism is elevated and went places I never thought would be explored. We also see a different side to her and just how dangerous she can really be up close. Her early relationship with Archie is explored before she tortured him and before he knew she was a murderer. It shows more of her manipulation and the way she really screwed with Archie's head. Gretchen is one of the few female serial killers portrayed in fiction, but she's magnetic and repellent at the same time. You're curious to see what she will do, but you also dread it. Through 6 books, she (and her twisted relationship with Archie) is still interesting and dynamic

Let Me Go has a lot going on and it could have easily become a convoluted mess. Chelsea Cain rises to the challenges and keeps each thread of the story clear and detailed. I will read as many books as she will write with this series. I have had my doubts before, but she has earned my complete faith and I would read anything she wrote. ( )

Archie Sheridan would just like to get his birthday and Halloween over with but the murder of a DEA agent send him to a masquerade party on an island owned by Jack Reynolds, international drug lord. Archie is supposed to find Leo, Jack's son, to assess if his cover has been blown or if he can continue working with the DEA to bring down his father's business. Archie finds Leo - and a whole lot of trouble.

When a camera captures serial killer Gretchen Lowell easily crossing the Canadian border back into the states, Archie knows his troubles have just begun.

The last few books in this series have been good but failed to reach the level of eerie tension achieved in Heartsick and Sweetheart. Chelsea Cain nails it in Let Me Go, using graphic sexuality and violence to ferment the visceral unease exemplified by Gretchen and to remind the reader that our hero also has some serious character flaws. With this book, Cain adds a new dimension to Gretchen's skills, creating a different and compelling layer to her relationships with Archie and the other series characters. Well-plotted and unsettling, with complicated, evolving characters - an extremely satisfying thriller! ( )