Advance reviews for Julie Kramer’s debut thriller, STALKING SUSAN, are coming in strong.
Publisher’s Weekly gave the novel a “starred” review, denoting a book of special merit.
“Kramer’s impressive debut, a thriller, introduces Riley Spartz, a Twin Cities investigative TV journalist. Riley’s favorite source, a former Minneapolis homicide detective, suspects a serial killer is behind two cold murder cases of women named Susan strangled on November 19 one year apart. Still grieving for her late patrolman husband, Riley relishes the distraction of a possible hot story. After discovering that a raincoat links the two victims, one a 26-year-old waitress, the other a teen prostitute, Riley unearths other cases that may fit the pattern, including the apparently solved murder of a former Miss Duluth and the suspicious suicide of a terminally ill woman. Kramer, a freelance television producer, delivers more than another ho-hum remix of a 48 Hours episode thanks to a snappy subplot—Riley’s exposure of a bad veterinarian doing scam pet cremations. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of the appealing Riley, who cares about justice as much as snagging at least a 40 audience share. ”
Kirkus Reviews also offered praise, calling STALKING SUSAN. a “lively and fast-paced debut…Kramer writes with heart and pizzazz, and her believable heroine makes the well-worn (serial killer) concept feel fresh…Kramer’s past as a TV producer lends authority to an entertaining story.”
Romantic Times made STALKING SUSAN a Top Pick and awarded it four and a half stars. “Great characters and a well-constructed, chilling plot make this a thoroughly satisfying novel. Riley is a character you will love, and this page-turner is difficult to put down. It ranks as one of the best debut novels I’ve encountered.”
Booklist also raved about Kramer’s first novel “She spins a good story with a gutsy and appealing protagonist...This is a series worth joining at the start.”