Tres jóvenes estudiantes. Las tres asisten a la misma universidad. Las tres se convertirán en víctimas de un individuo monstruoso que después de secuestrarlas, arrancarles el pelo y cortarles las venas, las violará y las abandonará, dejándolas morir en la más absoluta soledad.

I found this a highly satisfying thriller in every area -- writing style, plotting, pacing, relationship, etc. Unlike many of the books I've read recently, the relationship between the two main characters seemed to develop naturally and their reactions to each other were appropriate (i.e., they didn't go from all kissy-kissy to biting each other's heads off within a two minute span). The plot itself, though definitely a bit too college-coed-in-peril, was paced well and had all the right elements. Sure, I knew who "the man" was about halfway through, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. My one issue was that the references to "Mass General" weren't always in Bostonese (e.g., I've never *ever* heard it referred to as "the Massachusetts General" as the author says at one point. And, well, o.k., my second issue was that there were places that appeared to be a bit sloppily edited -- I can just imagine the editor saying "Who the hell cares? It's a mass market/throwaway/airport paperback. Is anyone really going to care?" Um, yeah. I sure do.

Another thing to note: I read a later book by this author that wasn't nearly as meaty and the relationship in that one didn't even feel close to being as well supported. Once upon a time, I spoke to an author who said the first book she wrote was the only one she still really loved since it was the only one she wrote without the editors all having their way. I wonder if that explains the difference. I'm looking forward to checking out how her other, later books fare.

Those nitpicky things aside, no, this isn't high quality literature, but it's definitely not hack either. If you go for the procedural-slash-romantic-thriller, this is perfect beach/escape reading. ( )

Now or Never is the first book I’ve read by Elizabeth Adler. By the description on the back of the book, I was expecting a little more from this novel. I had a hard time with the lead female character, Mallory. In the beginning of the book she came off as being very strong, independant, even sarcastic at times. Later on she was the very opposite. The character development involving the killer was well done, as well as the details into the murders. I really enjoyed the lead K-9 in the book, Squeeze. ( )

La descripción de atroces crímenes perpetrados por un psicópata se entrecruza con una história de pasión y sensualidad, desencuentros y desgarradoras situaciones. Una novela en la que Elizabeth Adler despliega un verdadero arsenal de recursos literarios que la convierten en una de las más importantes autoras de novelas de intriga romántica.

My guess was right. I disliked the other two Adler books primarily because they were so focused on being rich-and-famous. This book has some of those elements, but they are much milder and not central to the plot. I really liked this book. The plot had a lot of twists and turns, although I'm not sure they were all that surprising. Overall, a lot of suspense. The serial killer and his mental illness were well done. ( )