From Alex Kava-- the critically acclaimed author of A PERFECT EVIL and SPLIT SECOND--comes the bestselling thriller THE SOUL CATCHER. First time in paperback. FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell is called to the crime scene of a murdered young girl who was assaulted, strangled and left to die near the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. Her investigation leads Maggie to Reverend Everett, the charismatic leader of a religious group who had held a prayer meeting the night before the murder--a meeting that had attracted many young people, including the victim. Searching for leads with her partner, Tully, Maggie begins to realize that this case may strike close to home--her own mother is involved with Everett, and she may be the key to solving the case.
The Soul Catcher (Maggie O'Dell Novels)
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When a senator's daughter is murdered at a religious revival in Washington, FBI Special Agent Maggie O'Dell, a criminal profiler, and R.J. Tully, her partner, suspect that it's the work of a serial killer. They soon discover that the girl's murder is connected to the suicides of five young men during a Waco-like standoff in a rural Massachusetts cabin--even if they're not sure how. But then Maggie learns that the minister who seems to have turned her alcoholic mother's life around and Revered Joseph Everett, the charismatic sect leader whose followers died in the standoff, are the same person, and he may have drawn her into his deadly web to get at Maggie herself. Is the serial killer one of Everett's acolytes--and will Tully's daughter and Maggie be his next victims? Kava's third thriller (after Split Second and A Perfect Evil) showcases her gifts of pacing, plotting, and characterization; Maggie O'Dell is a smart, likable protagonist. She and Tully deserve a return engagement. --Jane Adams
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Kava dives headfirst into the headline-grabbing worlds of cult religions and FBI standoffs in this third novel to feature Special Agent Maggie ODell, whose profiler talents were first showcased in A Perfect Evil and Split Second. When a Massachusetts standoff results in the deaths of five out of six young cult members holed up in a backwoods cabin, things are bad enough. But when a U.S. senator's daughter is found murdered in Washington, D.C., and her death seems to be related to the cult and its charismatic leader, Rev. Joseph Everett, the situation really heats up for Maggie and her partner, R.J. Tully. The case hits particularly close to both partners homes, since Maggie's former alcoholic mother has joined Everett's church and Tully's daughter was with the senator's daughter on the night she was killed. Will Maggie be able to solve the case without endangering her own mother? From the Ruby Ridge-like standoff to the inability of some spiritual leaders to sexually practice what they preach, the novel manages to humanize both the seemingly impersonal institution of the FBI and cultists who are normally just labeled as wacko. Kava uses a strong supporting cast to provide Scarpetta-like authenticity and the psychological insights of Alex Delaware, and gross-out levels are high enough to satisfy the Fear Factor contingent. Add to that a clever surprise ending, and this one is sure to be spotted all over the beach by summers end.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Kava starts out with a fairly interesting premise, "profiler looks into series of serial murders set against the background of a religious cult." Not bad, but it is clear from the beginning that the plot is about as dense as the log line, and the lead character is about as compelling as folding laundry.
It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out who done it with in nano seconds of his introduction. Maggie's co-workers and friends aren't too well fleshed out either.
But what I found really annoying, is in a book about a religious cult, the only newspaper mentioned is the alleged newspaper, The Washington Times (not the Washington Paper of Record) and OWNED by the Moonie religious cult. A huge lapse, which can only be explained by either the author's unfamiliarity with the D.C. area, or her political leanings which are otherwise not discernable by her writing.
Bottom line. This is a book for people who don't like to read too much, don't like to be particularly challenged, and don't care if their are plot holes you can drive a Mac Truck through.
Also, the writer (or her editors) should be aware that the FBI profiling group is no longer called the Behavior Sciences Unit. But that is nitpicking, but really unforgivable if you are going to write a book about the current FBI.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was really looking forward to this new book. I usually wait for the paperback - but after reading her first two novels, I bought the hardback.
The story start with a standoff with the FBI and the "group". The story starts off in classic Kava style. Quick, lots of tension and keeps you turning the page. And then... it goes very slow. I knew (not guessed) the ending at around page 150 (out 300). Not much of a suspense thriller.
Overall, a ok read - wait for the paperback if you are a fan. Or just wait for her next book. I have not given up on her but was disappointed with this effort
By paul mason
Format:Paperback
Skimming some of my fellow Amazonians' reviews I couldn't help but wonder if I was at an advantage with this title. The third novel featuring FBI agent Maggie O'Dell was my introduction to both her character and the writing of Alex Kava, so I went in, and came out of this read with no frames of reference to compare SOUL CATCHER with, so I couldn't be disappointed.
Maggie O'Dell is brought into a case when a senator's body if found after a religious rally by the enigmatic Father Everett. Her partner Tully, friend Dr. Gwen Patterson and herself investigate the connection between the murder(which looks like it was done by a serial killer) and an FBI raid on a religious cabin that went south.
I admit I wasn't planning to review this novel as I read so many thrillers that generally (with an exception or two) I won't post review on Amazon unless they are exceptional and I feel I can recommend them to Amazon reading public. Kava drew me into her plot and characters though as I read this novel. I started to feel for Maggie, and rooting for her and her colleagues against the killer. Kava kept the plot's momentum moving with the speed of a lost soul speeding towards the light at the end of the tunnel. The suspense builds towards the climax which I am afraid is a little anti-climatic which is one of the flaws I found with this book.
Is it exceptional? No Kava's writing style seems very straight ahead minus bells and whistles, but she builds characterization into her novel well, so I would recommend this book, maybe not as strongly as some others in the genre I have read but as a fun quick read with a tight plot and likable characters.
Maggie O'Dell is brought into a case when a senator's body if found after a religious rally by the enigmatic Father Everett. Her partner Tully, friend Dr. Gwen Patterson and herself investigate the connection between the murder(which looks like it was done by a serial killer) and an FBI raid on a religious cabin that went south.
I admit I wasn't planning to review this novel as I read so many thrillers that generally (with an exception or two) I won't post review on Amazon unless they are exceptional and I feel I can recommend them to Amazon reading public. Kava drew me into her plot and characters though as I read this novel. I started to feel for Maggie, and rooting for her and her colleagues against the killer. Kava kept the plot's momentum moving with the speed of a lost soul speeding towards the light at the end of the tunnel. The suspense builds towards the climax which I am afraid is a little anti-climatic which is one of the flaws I found with this book.
Is it exceptional? No Kava's writing style seems very straight ahead minus bells and whistles, but she builds characterization into her novel well, so I would recommend this book, maybe not as strongly as some others in the genre I have read but as a fun quick read with a tight plot and likable characters.
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3.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Mundane and predictable
This is the 3rd book in the series featuring FBI agent Maggie O'Dell. The best that can be said about the book is that at least it reveals a little bit more about O'Dell's past,... Read more
Published on Dec 12 2003 by Untouchable
3.0 out of 5 stars
Agree with Most Reviews- A Letdown
I agree with most of the other reviewers that this was a bit of a letdown after the first two books. Much more predictable and less suspenseful. Read more
Published on Sep 12 2003 by Vanessa Jackson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where was Nick?!
I admit, I liked the book. It was interesting- plenty of blood and characters to make it interesting. Read more
Published on Aug 8 2003
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing Read
I was very impressed and throughly enjoyed Alex Kava's first two novels. Not so with her third book. Read more
Published on Aug 4 2003 by Mystery Reader
2.0 out of 5 stars
Still searching for the plot....
One good thing I can say about this book is that I did not buy it in Hardcover!! Compared to the authors other two attempts, this book was jumbled and really never decided on a... Read more
Published on July 24 2003
3.0 out of 5 stars
THE SOUL CATCHER
THIS BOOK WAS A REALLY GOOD READ. I WAS ALITTLE DISAPPOINTED AT THE END. THE AUTHOR SHOULD HAVE TIED UP SOME OF THE LOOSE ENDS. Read more
Published on July 1 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
Keeps the Cult story fresh and orginial
Maggie is back on the job still dealing with personal issues that leave her jaded. Her first case is the death of a girl who happens to be prominent senator's daughter. Read more
Published on Dec 21 2002 by "tsm224"
3.0 out of 5 stars
NOT THE ALEX KAVA READ I USUALLY GET
I have to say.... I am really disappointed in this third outting. Every August I wait until Ms. Kava's books are out and this one was like no other wait. Read more
Published on Nov 19 2002 by Buffalo Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soul Catcher
Alex Kava is a terrific writer and her books
are great. The characters and action keep me
riveted!! Read more
are great. The characters and action keep me
riveted!! Read more
Published on Oct 23 2002 by Maxine K Ash
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bit of a bust!
If this were a "stand alone" book I would have given it a higher rating. It was an interesting plot line which held my attention even though I knew who the murderer was halfway... Read more
Published on Oct 17 2002 by mahikahn
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