Debut romance author, Sarah Robinson, arrives with her first book in a new romantic suspense series, The Photographer Trilogy, sure to keep fans of thrillers and romance on the edge of their seats. A woman haunted by her past, Kate Jackson was listlessly floating through life until she meets charming lawyer and play boy, Derrick Kane. Just when she thinks she might have found the key to learning … to learning how to live again, learning how to love…The Photographer rips it all away with one click of his camera.
He takes a picture of every woman he kills. A little memento of his favorite moments. The infamous serial killer is on the attack, but little did Kate know that death could be the one thing to bring her back to life.
Or that The Photographer is just beginning…
Trigger Warning: Due to violent and dark subject matter, this book is intended for 18+ years old. This book does contain triggers for violence and abuse. This is the first book in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. The next book, Tainted Pictures, is available on all retailers.
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Tainted Bodies by Sarah Robinson is the first book in the Photographer Trilogy romantic suspense series and the second one that I have read by this author. The author brings the expected romance and suspense. However, there is much more to the novel once you get into it.
Kate Jackson works in retail sales for an office furniture store. While she has a psychology degree, she hasn’t been able to find a job that uses it and pays as well as her current one. Her one strong relationship is with her sister, Annie. Then Kate meets Derrick Kane at a coffee shop and they connected. When he asks her out on a date, she accepts and thus the romance begins. After a traumatic childhood, she starts feeling alive again as the romance develops. But then the Photographer enters her life, turning it upside down and inside out.
Kate and Derrick are relatable characters with both strengths and flaws. The secondary characters provide support or conflict, but without the same amount of depth.
The prose was well-written and engaging. The story contains some hard to read themes including child abuse and assault. The author tackles these difficult subject matters and handles them well. While both Kate and Derrick make mistakes, they both realize that their past experiences are affecting them. Will their relationship survive or collapse? Is Kate safe now? Will she find a job that she enjoys instead of one that pays the bills?
My biggest quibble with this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger and isn’t self-contained. I have the other books in the trilogy and hope that all the threads are tied up by the end of the trilogy, but I wanted more closure at the end of this one. 3.5 stars rounded to 3.
In addition to the usual intense connection and steamy scenes, the book tackles other important issues (besides those mentioned above) including family, friendship, trust, commitment, self-image, and the different ways victims are treated when something bad happens, as well as the various responses to such events.
Overall, this was a read that tackles some serious issues with sensitivity and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. The publication date was January 1, 2014.
wow this book total sucked me in – I only meant to read one chapter before bed – suddenly I have the whole book at its 3am
Kate smart and sassy woman with a great sense of humour one. Despite her degree in Phycology she is work in a future store owed by ‘Uncle Lenny” her father’s best friend. The only Family Kate has is her younger sister Anne, their mother left them when they were young causing their father to become an alcoholic which eventually killed him.
One day before work she is grabbing her favourite coffee when she meets Derrick and they make an instant connection and soon begin dating. Both how ever keep secrets from their past to themselves – secrets which could break them apart.
Then one night after returning from a weekend away Kate is attacked and raped in her apartment. Will she be able to cope with what has happened to her and will Derrick.
I have already started on the next book Tainted Picture and loving so far. Back off to read more
I read all three books in this series. It was a good read. The content can be a little dark at times.
Very interesting
I have gotten so involved in this book. It leaves you craving more of what is to happen. It is full of drama and is a true story which makes it more interesting. I love how the author tells the story and makes you feel the horror of what the main character is going through. I will have to read more from this series!
When I first started it, I was nervous due to some sensitive issues discussed. I felt that the situations were handled respectably and really well.
That being said, I absolutely loved this story.
Kate hasn’t had the easiest life. Haunted by things that happened in her past which caused her parents’ divorce, and later her father’s death, she goes through life just “going with the flow”. She knows that she isn’t doing what she should be doing, but isn’t even sure where to start to change. Having met a wonderful man, she is starting to think about where she wants her life to go.
Then she is brutally attacked in her own house by a stranger.
Watching her try to put her life back together, and seeing what she went through was amazing!
I would definitely recommend this to anyone.