Obsessed (Zebra romantic suspense) [Mass Market Paperback]

I'm a Susan Andersen fan, and Obsessed contains all the elements that make her writing so much fun for me: hot cranky hero, smart, "sassy" heroine, great banter and dialogue between all the characters (not just the heroine/hero), and HOT sex scenes. The emotional baggage the characters carry is well drawn and the suspense is creepy enough to live with you after the book is finished and sitting on the bookshelf again. The rapist theme itself is handled sensitively.

The main problem I had with Obsessed is that it feels like a retread of some of Ms. Andersen's other books. In actuality, since this one was published first, the opposite is probably true. This book doesn't feel as well developed or as cohesive as Exposure or Baby, I'm Yours, but has a lot of the same plot/character devices. It is very similar to Present Danger in feel, an Andersen rerelease that I think was a better book overall.

If you're an Andersen fan already, then you'll want to read Obsessed to keep your collection complete, and it's worth it as long as you don't expect too much. If you haven't read anything by Ms. Andersen yet but want to try this one, just be forewarned that it isn't her best. Any of the others I've mentioned in this review are better bets to start out.

Vincent is a detective in the Special Assults Unit of the Seattle police department. He investigates these types of crimes and he is frustrated and getting no where in finding his attacker. Yet every full moon ends up giving him a victim. If his job is not enought to keep him dark and edgy his personal past adds fire to the flames. His ex-wife was unfaithful (more then once and everyone knew about it) and this has left a huge scar on his soul. He trusts no one especially women.

Ivy is a doctor in a trauma unit. She lives in a close knit family and is trusting and dedicated to her job. She is finally ready to take to start dating now that she is done with medical school. She has moved out of her aunt and uncles garage apartment and is moved into a new unit right next door to Vincent.

There first meeting is not the greatest but they can not deny the attraction that they feel for each other. Thinking that it will be easy to avoid each other they go about their individual businesses until the rapist hits again and the victim is sent to Ivy's unit. Vincent is shocked to see Ivy as the attending doctor and can't believe that all of his preconcieved ideas about her are wrong. Not realizing it at the time the rapist has followed the latest victim to the hospital. His "voices" have not been quited this time and he is mad about this until he sees Ivy. She quites his voices and sees her as his good luck charm.

The end result is Ivy is pulled into a situation that has her being attracted to untrusting, dark, brooding man and the object of worship by a rapist.

This is a good book and I feel that Susan Andersen was true to her characterization and her characters by not dismissing out of hand the effects that Vincent's life would have on any type of relationship that he might be involved in. The topic is dark and scary and I feel that she did justice to it. You won't find any of SA trademark humor in the book but I feel that humor would be a out of place. Despite all of this a relationship is formed that is strong and full of emotion. Don't buy this book if you are looking for a light read but DO buy it if you like suspense, romance, and are not afraid of human emotion.