Throwback Thursday: Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

Author: Chelsea Cain
First published in 2007 by MacMillan

Damaged Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent ten years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful serial killer, but in the end she was the one who caught him. Two years ago, Gretchen kidnapped Archie and tortured him for ten days, but instead of killing him, she mysteriously decided to let him go. She turned herself in, and now Gretchen has been locked away for the rest of her life, while Archie is in a prison of another kind---addicted to pain pills, unable to return to his old life, powerless to get those ten horrific days off his mind. Archie's a different person, his estranged wife says, and he knows she's right. He continues to visit Gretchen in prison once a week, saying that only he can get her to confess as to the whereabouts of more of her victims, but even he knows the truth---he can't stay away...

It's been a while since I have read a straight thriller with no romance   Heartsick definitely falls into that category   Archie Sheridan has been asked to come back on duty to lead the task force as they hunt down a serial killer who is taking young girls. Two years before he was captured and tortured by a female serial killer, Gretchen Lowell.  Working with a journalist, he tries to track down the killer.

I did enjoy this book, however it was pretty gruesome.  The flashbacks to the time that Archie was being held by Gretchen are pretty gross and disturbing.  I was cringing as I was listening.  I liked Archie.  He is a good cop, but he is majorly flawed.  He is addicted to painkillers and still has serious issues from his torture.  I'm not sure I liked Susan, the journalist.  She seems to immature for her age and profession.  Maybe she will grow on me as I get further into the series.

The hunt for the killer was intriguing.  It wasn't obvious to me who it was and that made it worth listening to .  I liked the little twist toward the end and how everything tied together.  This is the first in a series of 5 books.  If you are looking for a good thriller with very flawed characters, give this one a try.