A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham

April 13th, 2017 Kimberly Review 43 Comments

13th Apr
A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham
A Perfect Obsession
by Heather Graham
Series: New York Confidential #2
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Length: 9 hours and 39 minutes
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 3.5 cups

Someone is murdering beautiful young women in the New York area and displaying them in mausoleums and underground tombs. The FBI is handling the case, with Special Agent Craig Frasier as lead.

Kieran Finnegan, forensic psychologist and part owner of Finnegan's, her family's pub, is consulting on the case. Craig and Kieran are a couple who've worked together on more than one occasion. On this occasion, though, Craig fears for the safety of the woman he loves. Because the killer is too close. The body of a young model is found in a catacomb under a two-hundred-year-old church, now deconsecrated and turned into a nightclub. A church directly behind Finnegan's in lower Manhattan.

As more women are murdered, their bodies discovered in underground locations in New York, it's clear that the police and the FBI are dealing with a serial killer. Craig and Kieran are desperate to track down the murderer, a man obsessed with female perfection. Obsessed enough to want to "preserve" that beauty by destroying the women who embody it"

MURDERMYSTERY CRIME ROMANCE Law

A PERFECT OBSESSION by Heather Graham is the second novel in the New York Confidential romantic suspense series featuring forensic psychologist Kieran Finnegan and FBI Special Agent Craig Fraiser.  Beautiful young women are being murdered and placed on display in underground tombs and mausoleums. From secondary characters to the murder-mystery Graham kept me listening.

A two-hundred-year-old church converted into a night club, and a young woman found dead in the catacombs have Craig worrying about the safety of Kieran and her family whose bar is located in the same local square.  Call me crazy, but I love old cemeteries and hidden catacombs beneath the city. Once again, we spend time at Finnegan’s, and one of the brothers finds himself a suspect.

I enjoyed the mystery and Kieran’s sleuthing but would have liked to have been given the killer’s perspective. It would have helped me better understand his needs with these females. The premise of an old church turned into a night club with catacombs beneath the altar was intriguing and added some thriller aspects to the tale.  Graham does a great job with the mystery giving us a light CSI vibe. I enjoyed Kieran’s investigating, especially when she drags a brother along.

The history Graham shares delighted me. She always manages to weave in tidbits, and I appreciate the research she does.

Craig is an exceptional agent, and his worry for Kieran was sweet. I felt sorry for him, as Kieran cannot help but investigate.  Piecing together clues she often finds herself in trouble. It was nice seeing their romance develop. Kieran is driven to investigate, and her involvement in solve the case felt natural. While her tendance to withhold information has improved from the first book, she still annoyed me a few times with her shenanigans.  Secondary characters from the siblings to other agents gave the story a small-town vibe in the heart of Manhattan.

Saskia Maarleveld once again narrates and provided unique voices to the characters. I found she only added to the reading experience. You will remember with the first audio, I talked about the “he said,” and “she said.” annoying me. This problem continues, and I think it stands out more as Maarleveld switches from character to her voice. It drops the pitch making it stand out, particularly with the male characters.

A PERFECT OBSESSION was an engaging murder mystery. While I enjoyed the story, it was missing that wow factor. For me, it was the lack of the killer’s perspective and clues for me to sleuth. However, I enjoyed the familiar characters and look forward to their next case.

A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham - entertaining murder mystery in Manhattan. #audio Share on X
Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

43 Responses to “A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham”

  1. Michelle

    Killing to display… How disturbing! To me, a mystery thriller should include some hints so that I too can be engaged in the story and try to uncover the mystery together with the characters. Have yet to read a book by the author. Will start with this one. 🙂

  2. Adriana

    I like the idea of reading a story where catacombs are involved. It adds to the mystery.
    Ew! – The killer’s needs from the women.
    That’s too bad the he said, she said didn’t get fixed for you.
    I like the romance potential between the two especially since their jobs are so like each other.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This had a lot of positives and yes the audio despite an excellent narrator didn’t have that smooth feel with all the indicators.

  3. Debbie Haupt

    Oh wow I didn’t know that Heather has a new non-paranormal series out and you can not go wrong with Saskia narrating the audible version. Thanks Kim

  4. cindy

    Exactly Kimberly, the killers perspective would have been great! Good point, I loved reading your review.

  6. Katherine

    The history is my favorite element of Heather Graham books! I don’t think I like these continuing relationship series (she has another set in New Orleans – can’t remember the name) as much as the Krewe series or her more stand alone earlier books but this was still a lot of fun!

  11. RO

    You’re hanging tough with this series by Heather Graham, and the subject matter sounds pretty good! Loved the review. Hugs…

  12. Lark

    It’s funny — you wish the book got inside the killer’s head, and I’m grateful it didn’t! Nice review, and like you, I’m looking forward to the next book!

  13. Heidi

    I have read a couple of books by Graham and they are hit or miss for me. I love the sound of the history in this one, but I am disappointed that it didn’t wow you more.

  15. Sophia Rose

    I like the sound of the historical background and the creepy case elements. They sound like good partners.
    It is interesting how some stories really are made for audio and others little things stick out and jab at you.
    I’ve not read Heather Graham yet, but I like that this series isn’t too far along.

  17. Genesis

    If I pick this one up, I’ll probably want the same thing re: killer’s perspective. It really gives more insight to the story and gives better understanding. I’m glad it was still good, even though it didn’t completely wow you. Great review!
    Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews

  18. Ethan

    You know I love a good mystery. I can see how the lack of the killer’s perspective may have taken some of the punch away from the thriller side, but I’ll probably give this one a listen.

  19. Quinn's Book Nook

    I’ve never read anything by Heather Graham but I swear she’s been on my TBR for YEARS and YEARS! I’m really glad you enjoyed this one. I’ve listened to books narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and really liked her.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I tend to enjoy her series books, although all work as standalone and find her standalone, especially holiday ones to be meh.

  20. Cyn

    Glad to hear it was a good murder mystery and the romance is developing! That’s too bad it’s missing the wow factor. Hopefully the next book can bring it! Lovely review, Kim!

  21. Nadene

    I am with you on having the killer’s pespective. When reading stories these having the killers’perspective allows me to understand the reason for his/her actions. What’s going through his/her head leading up to the time of their next kill.