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tarahoc's review
5.0
Even though I haven't loved the character I keep reading this series. I have to say this was the most satisfying book so far. It felt complete.
adierose74's review
3.0
This was ok, but I feel like I read it before. Maybe I was drunk at the time.
jannenemarie's review
4.0
This was a suspenseful book. I figured out the killers about 3/4 of the way through. I still liked it and you really end up liking one of the villains.
daisyreads31's review
4.0
A brilliant read
I really enjoyed this story. As usual Maggie O'Dell is so well written and the story line of abusive priests is highly topical and well researched.
I really enjoyed this story. As usual Maggie O'Dell is so well written and the story line of abusive priests is highly topical and well researched.
mlaramie's review against another edition
4.0
Good but a little predictable. I knew whodunnit fairly early on but the story was still good.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
"As the killing spree continues unabated, it becomes clear to Maggie O'Dell—the FBI profiler assigned to the case—that more than one perpetrator is responsible. As she begins to drill down into the facts, Maggie discovers a disturbing Internet role-playing game for youths who have been victims of male authority figures—including Catholic priests.
With the first real lead in the investigation, Maggie wonders if this group has turned cyberspace justice into reality by dispensing their own brand of vengeance. As the ritualistic killings leave America's heartland reeling, Maggie gets a second lead—one that leaves her stunned.
For the past four years she has been driven by blind determination to find Father Michael Keller, the human monster whose acts of brutality continue to haunt her to this day. Sick and twisted, the priest seems to have vanished without a trace. But with an irony that only life can offer, now he has become a target.
When Keller offers to help Maggie solve the crimes in exchange for protection, she has no choice but to ally herself with the elusive child killer—the person she despises with a conviction that's almost religious in its fervor. Maggie must cross a dangerous line into a world of malevolence and evil from which she may not return unscathed. Maggie knows the bargain is a necessary evil…one that may be made in blood..." (From Amazon)
I love Kava's writing and plots. Maggie O'Dell is a great a FBI profiler - strong, wounded and vulnerable.
"As the killing spree continues unabated, it becomes clear to Maggie O'Dell—the FBI profiler assigned to the case—that more than one perpetrator is responsible. As she begins to drill down into the facts, Maggie discovers a disturbing Internet role-playing game for youths who have been victims of male authority figures—including Catholic priests.
With the first real lead in the investigation, Maggie wonders if this group has turned cyberspace justice into reality by dispensing their own brand of vengeance. As the ritualistic killings leave America's heartland reeling, Maggie gets a second lead—one that leaves her stunned.
For the past four years she has been driven by blind determination to find Father Michael Keller, the human monster whose acts of brutality continue to haunt her to this day. Sick and twisted, the priest seems to have vanished without a trace. But with an irony that only life can offer, now he has become a target.
When Keller offers to help Maggie solve the crimes in exchange for protection, she has no choice but to ally herself with the elusive child killer—the person she despises with a conviction that's almost religious in its fervor. Maggie must cross a dangerous line into a world of malevolence and evil from which she may not return unscathed. Maggie knows the bargain is a necessary evil…one that may be made in blood..." (From Amazon)
I love Kava's writing and plots. Maggie O'Dell is a great a FBI profiler - strong, wounded and vulnerable.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
A Necessary Evil by Alex Kava
Book #5 in the Maggie O’Dell series
4 Stars
Synopsis:
The one that got away...
FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell is on the trail of two separate killers. One is leaving the decapitated heads of his victims all over the District and the other is killing priests in public. O’Dell has few leads when she receives an offer of assistance from a most unlikely source – her prime suspect in book one. Are these cases connected and will O’Dell accept the deal offered by a killer?
Review:
Another enjoyable addition to the series. While the plot starts off quite slow and there seem to be too many perspectives, the threads soon begin coming together in an intriguing way and the story comes to an extremely satisfying conclusion – I even found myself chuckling with glee at the end.
I enjoy books where the reader can follow the clues and work things out but become frustrated when the hints are too obvious and the killer predictable. This was not the case here. The signs and evidence build up and while it is possible to figure out the killer’s identity, it takes some time and is not immediately clear.
As always, the character development is superb, especially Gwen Patterson’s and it was delighted to see the return of Nick Morelli, who has been suspiciously absent from the past few books. Maggie and Nick’s relationship is particularly engaging and it was great seeing their reunion and interaction.
Recommendation: An excellent thriller with all of my favorite elements: an intelligent plot, excellent characterization and no skimping on the gory bits. So beware as this book is not for the squeamish.
Book #5 in the Maggie O’Dell series
4 Stars
Synopsis:
The one that got away...
FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell is on the trail of two separate killers. One is leaving the decapitated heads of his victims all over the District and the other is killing priests in public. O’Dell has few leads when she receives an offer of assistance from a most unlikely source – her prime suspect in book one. Are these cases connected and will O’Dell accept the deal offered by a killer?
Review:
Another enjoyable addition to the series. While the plot starts off quite slow and there seem to be too many perspectives, the threads soon begin coming together in an intriguing way and the story comes to an extremely satisfying conclusion – I even found myself chuckling with glee at the end.
I enjoy books where the reader can follow the clues and work things out but become frustrated when the hints are too obvious and the killer predictable. This was not the case here. The signs and evidence build up and while it is possible to figure out the killer’s identity, it takes some time and is not immediately clear.
As always, the character development is superb, especially Gwen Patterson’s and it was delighted to see the return of Nick Morelli, who has been suspiciously absent from the past few books. Maggie and Nick’s relationship is particularly engaging and it was great seeing their reunion and interaction.
Recommendation: An excellent thriller with all of my favorite elements: an intelligent plot, excellent characterization and no skimping on the gory bits. So beware as this book is not for the squeamish.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: May 3rd 2014
Spoiler
I didn't realize this was actually the fifth book of a series when I started reading it, but I must say it was ok to read without background information. The story is quite easy to read, with lots of short chapters and the end was a total surprise to me (although I already suspected someone from the 'inside'). There are two different storylines in the book, but they are easy to follow as they are connected. But the amount of changes between the various characters appearing in different chapters was confusing sometimes, and made me wonder who was talking at some points. Still, A Necessary Evil was enjoyable, although themes like child abuse by priests and priest murders may set you off.
It all starts when various decapitated heads of women start to show up, and Maggie O'Dell (FBI profiler) is asked to work on the case. While she is still working on that case, she is called to assist another one; various priests have been attacked and murdered, seemingly at random. She is asked to check if the cases of the dead priests are connected, but soon discovers a different connection... And a computer game thrown in the middle.
Maggie is also confronted with various ghosts from the past. First, the priest murders lead her to a reunion with her ex-boyfriend Nick, who is friends with one of the persons involved. But more importantly, Father Michael Keller shows up again. Maggie knows he is the killer of various boys a few years ago, but was never able to catch him and he fled to South America. Now he offers them information about the priest killings in exchange for immunity, and Maggie has to make a difficult decision... She wants to catch the priest killer, but is she willing to set free a monster for it?
A Necessary Evil is one of those crime thrillers that delivers; easy to read, a high pace and entertaining in general. Maybe it is not that original, but if you like crime thrillers in general, you will probably enjoy reading this one by Alex Kava as well. I will probably check out more of her work in the future...
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
boleary30's review against another edition
3.0
priest child molester, very sick and twisted, good recurring characters.
scott_a_miller's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite Kava book so far. Finally wrapping up the Father Keller story in a very satisfying way, she still left plenty to continue with in the next O’Dell book.
This one was a little tricky but came into focus after the mid-point. The two cases folded nicely into one, but not too obviously. The subject matter being still too current today, no matter what those in the churches corner tell us. Kava developed a believable story of evil. Too believable actually.
These O’Dell books are excellent. I think it would be better if I don’t wait as long for the next one this time around. Another series I highly recommend.
This one was a little tricky but came into focus after the mid-point. The two cases folded nicely into one, but not too obviously. The subject matter being still too current today, no matter what those in the churches corner tell us. Kava developed a believable story of evil. Too believable actually.
These O’Dell books are excellent. I think it would be better if I don’t wait as long for the next one this time around. Another series I highly recommend.