Cain avoids a sophomore slump with a novel that shows her growth as a writer and her potential. In Heartsick Cain unsuccessfully intertwined two mysteries and filled her pages with so many descriptions that the story stumbled over them.

In Sweetheart she’s found a better finesse on her intertwined mysteries with a clear realization that the main story of detective Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell is the reason readers will be coming back for more. Cain is growing as a writer and Sweetheart is a solid step in what should be a stellar career.

As much as I enjoy the dance between Sheridan and Lowell I don’t think I’d be all that interested in coming back for more. The characters have reached their natural archs and this book should be the end of the series. Unfortunately Cain seems to capitulate to the pressures in the publishing world to continue a successful series and softens the end, which could instead have been a shocker.

While not a perfect book by any stretch of the imagination, Sweetheart is a solid psychological thriller and is highly recommended for readers who were seduced by the Hannibal Lechter/ Clarisse Starling like connection between the characters in Heartsick.