Compulsion by Allison Brennan

Title: Compulsion
Author: Allison Brennan
Series: #2 in the Maxine Revere series
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Minotaur Books (April 7, 2015)
Source: Library Find
Rating: ☕☕☕☕

Synopsis: Investigative reporter Maxine Revere has a theory: that the five New York City murders for which Adam Bachman is being tried are just part of his killing spree. In probing the disappearance of a retired couple who vanished the prior summer, Max uncovers striking similarities to Bachman's MO and develops a theory that Bachman wasn't working alone.

Max wins a coveted pre-trial interview with the killer, whose disarming composure in the face of her questions is combined with uncomfortable knowledge of Max's own past. She leaves the room convinced, but unable to prove, that Bachman knows exactly what happened to the missing couple. The D.A. wants nothing to jeopardize his case against Bachman and refuses to consider Max's theory. With no physical evidence, Max has to rely on her own wits and investigative prowess to dig deep into Bachman's past. The picture that Max puts together is far darker and more deadly than she ever imagined.

As Max gets closer to the truth, she doesn't realize that she's walking down a road that has been paved just for her. That every step she takes brings her one step closer to a brilliant, methodical sociopath who has been waiting for her to make just one small mistake.
And when she does, he'll be there waiting.

My Thoughts: While the first book in this series was just ok for me I really enjoyed this second one a lot!

The Good: Maxine was a little hard to like in the first book. As an investigative reporter she digs for the truth often to the point of causing some people emotional distress, like her family. In this one she is forced to acknowledge her shortcomings (and there are many). It was nice to see her so vulnerable. We also got to know more about David and Marco. Love David by the way.

The suspense did take nearly half the book to really take off. The first half is interesting though because we see Max's methodology in researching the cold cases in addition to the beginnings of a trial. These aspects, I felt, were really well written. And oh boy! When the suspense took off it did. Maxine proved she is not only a strong independent woman but a kick ass survivor.

The Bad: Even though I really liked this book I thought the mystery kind of got really convoluted and complex. I think simpler might have been a little better but ultimately I did enjoy the mystery as well. Also just an FYI this is light on the romance so if you're looking for some hotness this one is really mild with the smooching and the wet parts.

In a Nutshell: I totally liked reading this second book in the Maxine Revere series and I'm really looking forward to the third book.