ReviewsInmate 1577 "Inmate 1577 is a mystery masterpiece. The author has
written his best work to date, creating a classic psychopathic character
that will be the inspiration for thriller writers in the years ahead."
"Jacobson's latest
Vail novel continues his streak of terrific mind-bending thrillers. The
story line seems straightforward at first, but when the twists come,
even the most hard-core thriller fans will not figure everything out.
Jacobson should be mandatory reading for the James
Patterson crowd; this is an essential addition to any fiction
collection." "Alan Jacobson has already distinguished himself in the crowded
serial killer sub-genre of thrillers. But his smooth and seasoned
approach reaches new heights in Inmate 1577, a stunner of a
tale that is structurally flawless. Inmate 1577 moves
deliberately along a circuitous path lined with
secrets, surprises and subterfuge...Jacobson builds the suspense to a
pulsating crescendo that will ultimately bring the walls down upon Vail,
not quite literally but in immensely satisfying fashion." "If you like puzzles and conundrums and the slowly unraveling of
clues, you will enjoy Inmate 1577. All the pieces are there for
the reader to put together, but watch out . . . there might be a
surprise or two. This is an excellent novel...a very worthwhile read." “Inmate 1577 is another rippin' good ‘Alan Jacobson read’!
Jacobson researches his books like a good newspaper reporter, and then
pushes the envelope into reality more thoroughly than the typical crime
novel could ever allow.”
"A powerful thriller, brilliantly conceived and
written." "Alan Jacobson has captured the desolate solitude that distinguished
Alcatraz as the toughest US Penitentiary which housed the worst of the
worst. Inmate 1577 is not only a riveting read with a
Hitchcock-type ending I never saw coming, but it possesses an
authenticity that brought back memories from my many years on The Rock." “In my 27 years of working at USP Leavenworth as a Correctional
Officer and Institution Historian, no other book has painted the story
of what it’s like to survive behind those 40 foot walls better than
Inmate 1577. Hats off to Alan Jacobson for his relentless research and
desire to bring credibility to an already fascinating story!" "Inmate 1577 is everything you'd come to expect from an Alan
Jacobson novel, a page-turning thriller that will keep you on the edge
of your seat for hours…his previous books were gripping thrill rides,
but with Inmate 1577 Jacobson has taken it to another level." VelocityStarred Review: “Jacobson’s third thriller featuring FBI profiler Karen Vail (after Crush) sizzles with nonstop action and startling details. Refreshingly real, Karen doesn’t let her tough ‘take no prisoners’ attitude stand in the way of following her heart. [Velocity is a] dizzy nail-biter.” -Publishers Weekly
“Velocity is a rare and exquisite vintage of the genre, a
thriller with heart and soul to go with its proverbial muscle. This is
The Silence of the Lambs gone conspiratorial. Think Hannibal
Lecter connected to some dastardly, Washington-spawned plot. Now that
Thomas Harris’ rare writing has dissolved into drivel, Jacobson seems
more than ready to replace him as king of the serial killer form.”
"Velocity plunges readers into a
nail-biting, heart-pounding chase through the dark world of serial
killers, drug cartels, and DEA busts and exposes an edgier, more
vulnerable Vail. Jacobson’s best to date; essential for anyone who
craves nonstop action, danger, and a gutsy heroine."
“It is understandable that two of the author’s books are under
development as major feature films. Velocity, with its suspenseful, dizzying pace, and
myriad surprises under each grapevine in Napa Valley, might just make it
to the big screen as well. Jacobson writes for suspense junkies and gets the monkey off their
backs; he’s that good.” -Suspense Magazine "Alan Jacobson does a remarkable job…this exhilarating Karen Vail police procedural…is action-packed… yet the story line shows another side of the heroine; she has a heart. The intense profound look at drug trafficking enhances a powerful California thriller as Mr. Jacobson scores big time with this super detective tale." –Mystery Gazette "Velocity is a 5-star novel and the must-read of the year…I can’t imagine what Jacobson can write next that would top it. Then again, I felt that way about Crush—and he gave us Velocity, so he’s clearly up to the challenge... Velocity is a ride that accelerates as it hurtles forward. The only bad thing about this novel is that it ends." -GoodReads.com "Velocity was a pulse-pounding ride that did not stop from beginning to end. The novel was full of twists and turns, shocking secrets and truths, government operations, suspense, and thrills… this was a fun, interesting read, with a depth to it that was surprising. I am looking forward to reading more about Karen Vail and her colleagues in the future. -Bestseller’s World "From the first page, Velocity is as relentless as a bullet. Karen Vail is my kind of hero and Alan Jacobson is my kind of writer!" –Michael Connelly, New York Times Bestselling Author "Jacobson writes with a sure hand, a strong voice, and fine eye for detail." -Ridley Pearson, New York Times Bestselling Author
"Jacobson once again delivers an exciting story that’s fueled with
suspense. Unlike other novels that have federal law enforcement officers
as their lead characters, Velocity doesn't come across as a
'know-it-all,' condescending work of fiction. Instead, Jacobson delivers
a page-turner that hosts intriguing characters, entertaining dialogue,
and a plot that moves with the ferocity of a charging bull. Special
Agent Vail forges ahead as an "against the odds" dedicated investigator,
and the reader will enjoy rooting for her. From the law enforcement
perspective, I think you'll find Special Agent Vail as someone you would
'go through a door with.' Crush"Plenty of bark and bite, sizzle and emotion...a tangled tale of delightful intrigue. Well done." –Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
"Crush rocks from the opening page to the jarring conclusion.”
"Karen Vail is one tough character. Crush will keep you reading late
into the night."
"A smart, stylish whodunnit with lots of surprises, and a finish with
all the punch of a blockbuster Cabernet."
"Jacobson breathes life into the killer in a way that made my heart
pound—and I do this for a living.”
Crush
is “addictive…(with) a shockeroo cliffhanger.”
“Blew me away. (It’s) the best the industry has to offer…from one of the
very best writers in the industry today…sure to be a HUGE contender for
major awards.”
“Jacobson has done it again. Crush is a fantastic page-turning thriller
which should be on your reading list." "If you’re an author who writes in the ever-so-popular serial killer
genre, then you’ve got your work cut out for you: how do you kill your
victims in a shockingly interesting way that’s different from how all
the other authors have done it? How about crushing the victim’s windpipe
and then draining her blood? Yep, just like a grape. FBI profiler
Special Agent Karen Vail, last seen in
The 7th Victim (2008), is on a forced vacation in the Napa
Valley for some R&R after being involved in a public shooting right
outside the White House. But there’s no rest for the weary as Vail
stumbles onto a murder scene while attending a wine tasting at an elite
winery. The murder has all the elements of a serial killer,
and Vail is quick to offer her profiling skills to the local
police, who are reluctant to believe a serial killer is
involved. Soon the body count starts to rise and the police seek out her
advice, but her involvement raises the ire and the interest of the Crush
Killer. Fans of James Patterson, Michael Connelly, and Patricia
Cornwell will drink deeply of this intoxicating tale." —Library Journal, Mary Todd Chestnut
"I have been finding it more and more difficult to find some truly
great thrillers, but I have also enjoyed Jacobson's novels and Crush
is no exception. "I don't just sell Alan Jacobson's novels, I'm also
a big fan. Crush is outstanding. The terrific internal rhythm
and flow of the story, and the interplay between the characters kept me
reading until I finished it at 3AM. I couldn't put it down. Not only
that, but the Napa Valley really was a character in the novel. Now I
want to go back and visit!" "Jacobson has…written a full-throttle thriller that
will keep readers hooked to the very end.” “The perpetual action rocks and rolls all the way
to the bitter end. This is Jacobson’s fourth thriller featuring Vail and
I think it’s his best effort to date…. hooking readers deeper into his
lair, leading them to his website, and making them salivate for the next
novel. Wow.” The 7th VictimOne of Library Journal's "Best Books of the Year" (2008) “Karen Vail is as compelling a character as any created by Patricia Cornwell, or yours truly. The 7th Victim is packed with neat surprises.” — James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of Double Cross "A good, spine-tingling thriller. Quite chilling." "Jacobson spent years of study with the FBI's profiling unit, and
the research shows." "The 7th Victim…makes Silence of the Lambs look
like a young adult book. Lock your doors, blot the windows and make
a pot of coffee; you'll be up all night, even after you finish
reading. This is an incredible book." “Alan Jacobson is a hell of a writer, and his lead character,
Karen Vail, is a hell of a lady: tough, smart, funny, and very
believable. The 7th Victim is an impressively researched
novel about serial murder packed into a tightly twisting plot. Very
scary, and very good. This reads like a Nelson DeMille book. And I
should know.” “I’ve always been a fan of Alan Jacobson’s thrillers, but his
latest novel, The 7th Victim, is a quantum leap in terror
and suspense. Tautly written and brilliantly executed, here is a
masterpiece of horror and murder. Read it with the doors locked and
the lights blazing.” “In the fictional world of criminal profilers, Karen Vail is a
knockout, tough and brilliant. In The 7th Victim she truly
meets her match, and the twists and turns will astonish you.”
“Surprising revelations provide a shocking finale. The author's seven
years of study with the FBI's profiling unit have helped him craft a
riveting, authentically detailed thriller that will ensnare readers.
Strongly recommended for all popular fiction collections.”
“The 7th Victim
is an entertaining, fast-paced read in the style of Patricia Cornwell’s
Scarpetta series, but adding a further grittiness and realism with the
killings and the harsh everyday fights Vail must go through as an FBI
profiler and mother. It is hopefully the first of more to come in the
world of Karen Vail.”
“This meticulously
researched presentation of a profiling agent is realistic. The writing
is smooth, and the mystery, presented from both the agent's and the
killer's viewpoint, is thrilling.”
"The
7th Victim is
chilling. I loved it. Karen Vail is an extremely appealing heroine." “Move over Silence of The
Lambs! [The 7th Victim] is a fascinating book. It’s taken the
genre to a different level.”
“One of the best stand-alones in this genre that I've read in quite some
time. If you enjoy psychological suspense thrillers I can't recommend
this book more highly. I dare any reader to figure out "whodunit" before
the final reveal.” “Fast moving with edge
of your seat suspense. Jacobson has …breathed life into his characters,
making them complex and believable….a well-planned thriller with all of
the suspense and mystery to back it up.” “I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Alan
Jacobson's The 7th Victim. Like The Silence of the
Lambs, it raises the bar on the entire thriller genre. It's been
quite a while since I've been struck this strongly by a new thriller.
Karen Vail is an amazing character, and I was totally swept up in her
story. That character alone would have been enough to impress me, but
add in the delicious plot twists and the obvious painstaking research
which were integrated seamlessly into the novel, and the result just
floored me! I intend on hand-selling The 7th Victim like crazy.”
The Hunted "Jacobson keeps readers guessing right up until the
last page, so trying to put this book down is like trying not to eat
the last chocolate chip cookie: most of us will just give in." "Takes more twists and turns than San Francisco's Lombard Street.
Chapters fly by. The more you read, the more you understand that no
one is what he appears to be." "A great suspense novel." False Accusations "Alan Jacobson has crafted a riveting story with a truly
frightening villainess. This is a terrific book!" |
Bookseller Reviews"Jacobson's thrillers keep you going to the end! Plan on staying up late as you won't be able to put it down." "Wow! Superlative writing—captivating suspense…a wonderful read!" "Jacobson once again weaves a tale of tantalizing suspense with characters that come alive. The Hunted is pure gold." :: Read More Reader Comments"It's really strange how reading a book can affect a person. I wish I hadn't finished it as fast as I did, because now it's a big let down because even though I have other books to read, when you read such a good one as this, it's hard to imagine anything better!" "I haven't stayed up all night to read a book IN A VERY LONG TIME. I so enjoyed False Accusations. Your writing gripped me from the outset, and, a little thing, but I read so many books, the language was great and no spelling errors!! How unusual......I can't wait for The Hunted to come out. Thanks again for a great read!!" :: Read More |
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