Review: Deadly Lies by Cynthia Eden

“You knew the rules. You fucked up. It’s your fault. And now, he comes back to you, in pieces.”

A blunt, to the point message from the sadistic serial killer in Deadly Lies, the third installment of the Deadly series by Cynthia Eden.

FBI Special Agent Samantha Kennedy has been to hell and back after being abducted and tortured by a serial killer dubbed “The Watchman” (Deadly Fear). Plagued by constant nightmares of her abduction, Sam has had a difficult time trying to take her life back both personally and professionally. Her boss and co-workers question if she will be able to continue with the job and if it is too soon for her to be on the case of another brutal murderer. While Sam knows that she is currently the “weak link” in her division, she also believes that without her job, she has nothing. Sam is not usually the type of woman to seek a relationship of casual sex, but she has changed and now only wants to feel and forget. When Sam sets her eyes on entrepreneur Max Ridgeway in a bar, she knows he is the one to satisfy her need for a “one night stand”….. only after she has him, she wants more. Max is not a “one night stand” kind of man either. Given most women use him for money and power, he is blown away when all that Sam initially wants from him is anonymous sex. So when their next interlude is prematurely interrupted by a text message from Agent Dante about another killing, Max is determined to quickly reconnect with Sam and pick up where they left off.

When Sam and Max hook up again at his place, Max receives a call from the serial killer Sam has been investigating. This vicious killer kidnaps college men from local bars, then attempts to extort their wealthy families. The family receives a ransom call within 24 hours of the abduction. If the family demands proof of life, they get it…in flesh form. If the family refuses to pay the ransom, they get their son back…in pieces. This time, the murderer has Max’s stepbrother Quinlan and if dad doesn’t pay up, Quinlan is dead. Once Max and the family know of Quinlan’s capture, Sam reveals that she is an FBI agent who is working the killer’s case. The couple pose as lovers so Sam can stealthy track the killer and uphold her promise to Max to find Quinlan alive.

In Deadly Lies, Cynthia Eden crafts her best plot yet with many twists and turns as well as the most shocking and malicious of all killers in this series. And Ms. Eden does not fail in producing strong yet flawed characters that have a passion and intensity that keeps you glued to the pages! I loved Samantha Kennedy from the first book, Deadly Fear. She is a survivor and while she is dealing with post traumatic stress, she is determined to take her life back and no longer live in fear. The chemistry between Sam and Max is a palpable wave of passion and desire that leaves the reader breathless. This couple is all about tangible lust in the beginning but by the end of the story, they have formed a solid relationship in the midst of all their secrets and personal flaws. Both characters are blown away by their intense need for each other which provides serious steam in the bedroom as well as in their daily interaction.

We also continue to see the progression in the relationships between Luke and Monica as well as Lora and Kenton from the two prior books. I personally love that all of the main characters of Deadly Fear and Deadly Heat continue to be relevant and develop through each consecutive book. This makes the series that much more fluid and enjoyable. While there are no additional books currently slated in the series, I can only hope that recurring characters like Agents Jon Ramirez and Keith Hyde eventually get their time in the spotlight and their own HEA.

Cynthia Eden delivers stellar action and sizzling romance in the Deadly series. Any romantic suspense reader should not pass up this incredible read!

Favorite Quote:

“I’m not in an easy mood, baby,” he warned. Had she asked for easy? Ever? “I need you,” Max said gruffly, “so damn bad, but-” She kept walking. When she reached him, she put her fingers to his lips. “I need you, too.” More than she could say. She was desperate for him. She needed to feel him against her, in her, needed to be certain he was safe. Alive. Hers again. Because that was how she thought of him. Mine.

Deadly Lies by Cynthia Eden
February 22, 2011 by Forever
Romantic Suspense
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Review of Deadly Fear and Deadly Heat.