Killing Kate: A Novel
By Julie Kramer
3.5/5
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About this ebook
Crime-solving means high ratings for Minnesota TV reporter Riley Spartz when she nails the culprit behind Silencing Sam (“Sexy, sinister.” —Linda Fairstein). But the stakes rise when Riley must piece together a serial killer’s murderous motive for Killing Kate.
Channel 3’s news director sends Riley on a dog rescue story sure to win over Minneapolis–St. Paul’s viewers. But when the Twin City’s latest murder victim is someone from Riley’s past, she can’t stay away. Kate Warner was her college roommate’s sister, and the killer’s signature—a chalk outline of a winged angel—links him to a string of homicides across the Midwest. Unearthing his agenda leads Riley to the legendary Black Angel statue in an Iowa cemetery—and may lead to a twisted trap designed just for her by the angel killer himself.
Julie Kramer
Julie Kramer is a journalist turned novelist. She writes a series of thrillers set in the desperate world of TV news. Julie has won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best First Mystery, as well as the Minnesota Book Award. Her work has also been nominated for the Anthony, Barry, Shamus, Mary Higgins Clark, and RT Best Amateur Sleuth Awards. She formerly ran WCCO-TV’s investigative unit before becoming a freelance network news producer for NBC and CBS. She lives with her family in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Read more from Julie Kramer
Silencing Sam: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Shunning Sarah: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Delivering Death: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
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Reviews for Killing Kate
24 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5K is for Kate who was struck with an axeThe headline above is an old Edward Gorey quote that I couldn't resist using. No, the eponymous Kate of Julie Kramer's fourth Riley Spartz mystery was actually bludgeoned with a baseball bat. So close. Kate's death basically opens the novel, and straight off the reader learns that she is the fourth victim of a serial killer. The authorities are not yet aware of this fact. Local news reporter Riley has been lying off the violent crimes lately, since she had been making more news than covering it. But hearing the familiar address of this homicide, she grabs it before anyone can object. And her memory is correct. The crime happened at a house she once knew well. It was the home of her former college roommate, Laura, and the victim is Laura's younger sister, Kate. Kramer has the mechanics of creating suspense down pat. She keeps readers turning pages, ending chapters with lines like: "I didn't know yet that Kate had led a secret life, and that her secret did not die with her." Riley and Laura, once the closest of friends, had split in a rift more than a decade ago. But this tragedy paves the way to an uneasy reconciliation. Investigative reporter that she is, Riley, of course, becomes far too involved in the hunt for this killer. As always, there's a "b" story in the novel involving an animal story her crazy news director wants her to cover. And the third narrative thread is Riley's long distance relationship with Nick Garnett. I have outlined several things I like about this series in past reviews. I find Riley to be an immensely likable character with a distinctive voice. Reading each novel feels like visiting with an old friend. Also, I love the television news setting. I feel like I'm getting the inside scoop with each novel, and given the author's background, I guess I am. I can't watch a promo for the 11:00pm news with the same eyes after reading one of these books. It's fascinating! Plus, I like that while being fairly realistic, the novels aren't unnecessarily graphic. In other words, there's not too much sex and violence graphically depicted--which isn't to say there's none, but it's left more to the imagination. One thing that was bugging me a little in this book was the relationship between Riley and Nick. There's always conflict between them, and conflict is what makes a great novel. But their relationship dynamics seemed a bit too simplistic and surface level. I guess four novels in, I'd hope for a little more depth there. But Kramer must be doing something right, because I'm always rooting for the two of them. I don't know that I'd describe Killing Kate as a cozy mystery, but it's not entirely dissimilar. I bring this up, because while the mystery itself should not be predictable, there's a certain tone to these stories that is. Therefore, I have to tell you that the end of this novel shocked the hell out of me. And I LOVED it. Surprises are good. I have NO idea where this series is going next, but I will be the first in line to find out! Way to go, Julie Kramer!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Riley Spartz, the feisty Minneapolis-based television reporter gets herself on a serial killer's hit list when she recognizes the address of a homicide coming across the assignment desk and volunteers to cover the crime. It's not just the address that's familiar, the victim ends up being the sister of a college roommate and Riley finds herself with unprecedented access to the crime scene, a reporter's dream. Or is it?An awkward past with the victim's sister, a less than stellar history with the police, and a boss who has recently, and emphatically, banned Riley from reporting homicide stories doesn't make this quite the perfect assignment. And it only gets worse when Riley uncovers the victim's secret past and almost single-handedly takes the station down in the Nielsen ratings while making herself a target. A fast, breezy, cynical look at the cut-throat world of TV News, Killing Kate is a mystery in quick sound bytes. Enough to keep you tuned in, but not quite enough to keep you riveted.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Riley Spartz seems a little beleaguered in this story. This investigative reporter winds up on You Tube when an on air breakdown goes viral! The main mystery which involves a serial killer with an angelic habit is a good one, I like it when Kramer moves the action in and out of the newsroom. However, I missed some of the repartee (and movie quotes) between Riley and her boyfriend Nick Garnett, as he spends part of the book out East for his job. Kramer's Spartz books continue to provide very solid mystery entertainment.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 4th in the Riley Spartz series, finds Riley dealing with a serial killer drawing chalk outlines shaped like angels around the bodies of his victims. With this she unearths an eerie legend dating back nearly a century. Tracking clues to an Iowa cemetery, Riley finds an infamous Black Angel monument that may be connected to homicides. In addition Riley also gets the scoop on a dog left locked in a hot car. Noreen her pet-loving news director is crazy about this story, but the dog owner goes crazy, too. Is he now stalking Riley? A light read, fasted paced and memorable characters, make this novel a good summer read. 3 out of 5 stars.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5this was a great book! thank you for such wonderful characters.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5“Killing Kate” by Julie Kramer:In “Killing Kate,” Kramer pens a refreshing protagonist, journalist Riley Spartz, who works for Channel 3.While investigating a news report, Spartz finds herself knee-deep in a murder of old roommate’s sister. She becomes the target of a serial killer whose inspiration stems from an almost century old black angel in an Iowa cemetery. The killer is unbalanced and believes he is pleasing the “angel of death” with each murder. The man stalks Spartz and at the same time, believes she is after him.A read full of superstition shrouded in mysterious myths that only Kramer can write, creating not only believability in her characters, but making the reader question the validity or existence of guardian angels as well.This is a well-written, very enjoyable novel that Kramer’s readers have come to expect. I personally recommend “Killing Kate” as a book that should make your reading list this summer.