Beautiful Maids All in a Row: An Iris Ballard Thriller

Jennifer Harlow

Oct 2016 · Iris Ballard Book 1 · Sold by Alibi

About this eBook

In this white-knuckle thriller for fans of Lisa Gardner and Karin Slaughter, a brilliant, troubled forensic psychologist finds herself matching wits with a frighteningly talented sociopath.
 
Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.
 
The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.
 
The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past.

Ratings and reviews

Iris Ballard, ex-FBI profiler and now Forensic Psychologist, has hit bottom. Being almost fatally stabbed and watching her husband being murdered has led to panic attacks that she treats with alcohol. She's living a very quiet life these days. Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and one-time lover, appears on her doorstep asking for help in putting together a psychological profile of the serial killer known as the Woodsman. He tortures, rapes, stabs, strangles and then removes part of their hearts before dumping their bodies in the woods, in the water. She doesn't want anything to do with profiling a serial killer, even though she used to be the best at hunting the human monsters. Taking a look at the case files, she elects to help, even though she's not sure she can do it anymore. Iris and Luke think she's got the killer in her crosshairs, but this is not your 'normal' serial killer. She knows who he is but he has everyone fooled even Luke her ex FBI partner. Now she must protect all she holds dear until he comes for her or those she holds loves. This was the author's first book she ever wrote ... at just age nineteen. I was really intrigued when I saw this author compared to the likes of Karin Slaughter, I was a bit doubtful. Ms. Harlow has made a believer out of me. The book is extremely well-written. The plot line is tight, well constructed. The characters are terrific. Iris is so flawed .... feeling of guilt have driven her down the vodka road. She wasn't able to protect her husband, and she had had a fling with Luke. She's angry all the time. She just wants to be left alone. Luke has his own problems. He's had feelings for Iris for a very long time, and except for one night, would never poach on someone belonging to another man. I love their interaction, even when they're spouting hate words at each other. Deep down they each know that the other will always have their back. Many thanks to the author / Random House Publishing Group - Alibi / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Loved every page!

Great characters

About the author

Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree in psychology at the University of Virginia, which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Atlanta home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the bejeebers out of herself by watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.