Stranded (Maggie O'Dell #11) by Alex Kava

Book: Stranded (Maggie O'Dell #11)
 
Author: Alex Kava
 
Narrator (if applicable):n/a

Release date (if applicable): Published

Synopsis: FBI agent Maggie O'Dell is tracking a pretty grisly killer. One who stalks weary travelers across our nation's highways and rest stops. Thing is...he left one alive to tell his story. Is it all as it seems though? What happens when Maggie gets close to answers and becomes the target of the ruthless killer?
 
My rating: 3.5/5 Stars
 
My opinion: This is my first Alex Kava book. In my Goodreads groups, she is mentioned frequently, but I had never had the opportunity to read one of them until I noticed a chance to review her newest book, Stranded. I am happy I did. While I do consider the writing to be lighter than most mysteries I enjoy and I did figure out the ending very early in my reading, I enjoyed the ride of the book. I found the writing to be quick paced and the characters somewhat complex. 

One other aspect I wanted to see in this series is if this book could be read as a stand-alone book or were her characters so complex that this was a series which needed to be read in order. I am happy to report that this is a book that could be read as a stand alone without feeling as though I was missing out on critical character information.

At the beginning, I became extremely excited at the how twisted the author went in the description of the crime. That did not last and a somewhat predictable path began. I will say that I could have done without the romance, but it seems if I read a female mystery writer (with the exception of a very few), I just have to accept the romance aspect of it without the "twistedness". While this series is probably not one I would read from the beginning, as compulsively as I have some, this is definitely an author I would not turn away.
  

Source:  Netgalley for Doubleday Books

      

Would I recommend? : Yes
 
Stand Alone or Part of a Series: Part of series, but please see my notes in my opinion.