You Belong to Me Review

Title: You Belong To Me
Author: Karen Rose

Published: 2011

Publisher: Headine
ISBN: 9780755373901
Pages: 480
Summary: When forensic pathologist Lucy Trask stumbles across a mutilated body by the chess tables in her local Baltimore park, its face so badly damaged it is unrecognisable, her sole concern is that it might be her old school teacher Mr Pugh.
When the corpse is identified, Lucy is shocked to discover that the victim is actually another man from her past. Who killed him and why his skin is burnt with the number '1' is unclear but it’s evident that someone is demanding Lucy’s attention.
The discovery of a second branded body raises worrying questions: how many more lives may be at risk before the killer’s final message is revealed? And can Lucy solve the killer’s gruesome puzzle before their thirst for revenge is complete?
Review:
Karen Rose just keeps getting better and better!! The No 1 author for romantic mystery/thrillers. Karen writes about the characters in such that you feel as if you've known them for years. At the same time she continues to let you delve deep into the mind of the killer.
You Belong To Me is the first book that isn't connected to any characters from the previous books, and yet I didn't miss not reading about previous characters and places. Another common Karen Rose trademark missing in this book was the close-knit loving family scene, in fact it was quite the opposite in this book.
Moving on, it took me no time at all to get straight into the story. The pace of is a constant throughout the whole story, in every page of the book shocking and page turning events take place which kept me wanting for more.
From the very first chapter we are thrown into Lucy Trask's world. Lucy, a forensic pathologist makes a grisly discovery of a body, from then on every event in the story links to her. Lucy is shown as a strong and independent woman yet imperfect, with a murky past. It's quite refeshing to be able to read novels with imperfect female lead characters rather than the cliche 'perfect' female.
JD Fitzpartick, the"narcotic " as Lucy likes to think of him, is a detective trying to race against time to find the killer before the  already high body count escalates. His character is very tough and written very cleverly. It is quite obvious that he is Lucy's love interest.
The story contains horrifying and disturbing crimes with a very high body count with a time span of two days, which seeme quite unrealistic for me. Nevertheless this meaty read is exactly what I look for in mystery/thrillers. Another phenomenal book by Karen Rose. I recommend it to everyone!