Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz

December 14, 2018 Book Reviews 3 ★★★½

Untouchable by Jayne Ann KrentzUntouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz
Series: Cutler Sutter & Salinas #3
Published by Berkley Genres: Romantic suspense
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble
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three-half-stars
Also by this author: Copper Beach, Dream Eyes, River Road, Secret Sisters, Eye of the Beholder, Lost and Found, Sharp Edges, When All the Girls Have Gone, Smoke in Mirrors, Falling Awake, Hidden Talents, All Night Long, The Vanishing, Sleep No More, The Night Island, Flash

Quinton Zane is back.

Jack Lancaster, consultant to the FBI, has always been drawn to the coldest of cold cases, the kind that law enforcement either considers unsolvable or else has chalked up to accidents or suicides. As a survivor of a fire, he finds himself uniquely compelled by arson cases. His almost preternatural ability to get inside the killer's head has garnered him a reputation in some circles—and complicated his personal life. The more cases Jack solves, the closer he slips into the darkness. His only solace is Winter Meadows, a meditation therapist. After particularly grisly cases, Winter can lead Jack back to peace.

But as long as Quinton Zane is alive, Jack will not be at peace for long. Having solidified his position as the power behind the throne of his biological family's hedge fund, Zane sets out to get rid of Anson Salinas's foster sons, starting with Jack.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

This book contains mature content and may not be suitable for younger readers.

Review

Untouchable offers the high-octane romantic  suspense I’ve come to expect from Jayne Ann Krentz, but less of the humor and snappy dialog that are also her hallmarks. The plot moves briskly, introducing complications from the very beginning. As the third book in a trilogy involving three brothers and the tragedy that left them orphans, I anticipated answers and closure to the mystery that has haunted all three, and Krentz gave me both.

Neither the hero and the heroine struck me as particularly original; both are reminiscent of main characters from a number of Krentz’s other books. She also rehashes some themes from earlier books: lucid dreaming; a talent for hypnosis bordering on the psychic; a talent for sifting through a myriad of data and perceiving patterns (rather like Fallon Jones’s chaos talent.) In fact, reading Untouchable felt a bit like encountering the ghosts of other novels. The inclusion of Eclipse Bay and Arizona Snow, which both appear in several other series and stand-alones, only enhanced that effect.

None of the familiar elements diminished my enjoyment of the book to any great extent. Krentz may be formulaic, but she knows how to tell a story. More than that, she knows her brand and what her readers expect, and she delivers. Untouchable may not be Krentz at the very top of her game, but it’s an entertaining ride all the way.

I read the book for #ARCtober2018, but didn’t post until closer to the publication date.

three-half-stars

About Jayne Ann Krentz

author photo of Jayne Ann Krentz (2018 photo by Marc von Borstel)

The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.

Pseudonyms: Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, Stephanie James, Jayne Bentley, Jayne Taylor, Amanda Glass.

3 Responses to “Untouchable by Jayne Ann Krentz”

  1. Anne

    I read one of her books in the past year I think and it was forgettable. I know she’s popular and romantic suspense is a favorite genre. Somehow it didn’t work for me. I may try her again at some point. Is she more series or standalone? What books of hers do you recommend? Anne – Books of My Heart
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    • Lark_Bookwyrm

      Some of her books are series, some are standalone. They are fun, quick to read, but I’ll grant you they are not always memorable. I’m fine with that; there are times when a quick, somewhat formulaic, but enjoyable read is just what I’m in the mood for. Personally, I like her Arcane Society novels, written under all three of her pen names (Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, and Jayne Castle), but that’s because they have a very strong psychic-paranormal theme, and I enjoy that sort of thing.