ARC Review: The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton

The Heart of a Killer (The Killer #1)
by Jaci Burton
Mass Market Paperback, 409 pages
Expected publication: October 18th 2011 by Mira
ISBN 0778312593 
Courtesy of Author & NetGalley

Before the Special Forces hero has even unpacked his bags from twelve years of active duty, he's embroiled in murder—corpses bearing the brutal trademark he's seen only once before—on the worst night of his life.The last time Detective Anna Pallino saw Dante Renaldi, they were in love. Now, he's part of the connection to a string of fresh homicides and a horrible assault Anna only survived thanks to him.More than anything, Anna wants to trust Dante. But as the bodies and the coincidences stack up, Anna will have to decide, and fast: Is the man she owes her life to the very same one who wants her dead?

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My Thoughts:

Twelve years ago was the worst night of Anna Pallino’s life. Attacked outside of her after-school job, Anna is nearly raped and killed when her boyfriend, Dante Renaldi, finds her. Pulling the monster off of Anna, Dante and his three foster brothers accidently beat the man to death. Fearful that the police will go after the four boys for their prior juvenile records, Anna convinces them to leave while she calls her father, a local police detective, who hides their involvement. Little did she know, that would be the last time she’d see the love of her young life for over a decade. 
No longer the scared teenage, Detective Anna Pallino retains strict control over her life, allowing few people to get close since that fateful night. When Dante Renaldo shows up at a homicide scene though, all that hard won control goes right out the window.
In town for his foster parent’s 25th wedding anniversary, Dante didn’t plan to see the one girl that he’s never been able to forget. Being in the Special Forces, Dante can’t afford any ties, but when people close to him are beaten to death and murdered one by one, he won’t turn his back on Anna, even if she does believe circumstantial evidence that he is involved.  Now the real question is; was there someone else in that alley twelve years ago that saw what they did, and are they out for revenge? 


Jaci Burton’s newest romantic suspense, The Heart of a Killer, was a nail biting all-nighter filled with danger and romance with surprising twists and a mind blowing conclusion! 
With a superb cast of characters and suspense oozing from each page where everyone is suspect, I was reeled in from the beginning. However, Jaci Burton fans be warned; this is a romantic suspense so don’t expect her usual erotic romance scenes. Though she does provide a scorching hot hero, Dante, and equally hot tattooed up biker bad boy and foster brother, Gabe. These two had me melting with their first appearance in the story at the age of eighteen.

Jaci Burton gives readers a believable plot line that moved at a constant and quick pace with a witty dialogue, captivating characters and intriguing subplots. The whodunit aspect of this novel was out of this world; every time I thought I had it figured out I got thrown for another loop. It was like watching a horror flick play out on the pages!


I loved each and everyone one of the main and secondary characters. Anna was a bit of a hard-ass and I didn’t expect to like her at first but as Jaci Burton peeled away her layers and threw her in these heart wrenching circumstances I began to connect with her. Though I did still feel that she was a little over the top with her grudge with Dante their chemistry together was undeniable. Dante, well there wasn’t anything about him not to love IMO, though I would have liked to delve into more of his special ops past. I am really hoping to get a story from Gabe next, with the glimpses we see here and his undercover work in the mob, wow, I know his book is going to be a-maze-ing! 


Another hit to add to Jaci Burton’s list of electrifying works, The Heart of a Killer is a must read for romantic suspense fans!

Rating: 4.5 Wine Glasses - Loved it, a must read!

Sexual Content: Hot & sexy, though not Jaci Burton's usually, she adds just the right amount of sizzle between the pages to balance out this romantic suspense. For adults.