Killing Me Softly

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Alice Loudon has it all: a devoted boyfriend, a marvelous circle of friends, a challenging job as a research scientist. Then one morning, on her way to work, she exchanges a lingering look with a man so devastatingly attractive he takes her breath away. Adam Tallis is the essence of every female fantasy a daring mountain climber who has been hailed as a hero. As a lover, he is more passionate than Alice's wildest imaginings. Soon there isn't anything or anyone she wouldn't give up to stay by his side. Now all she has is Adam, and life with this stranger will take her to new heights of madness and fear. From internationally acclaimed author Nicci French comes a shattering tale that' being called one of the best psychological thrillers of the year.

Customer Reviews:

PAGE TURNER!!.......2007-03-06

This book was a definite page turner! I couldn't put it down. While I thought that the main character's actions were so contrived from the word go, I still felt that the story about the obsessive love between Alice & Adam is something that really could happen! I won't say what happened in the story as I don't want there to be spoilers here, but it was a fantastic read from start to finish.

Unlikable Main Character Sinks this Novel.......2006-11-07

KILLING ME SOFTLY is a highly readable novel, but the main character is not very believable or likable. It's hard to feel much for a character who impulsively dumps her faithful boyfriend and marries a complete stranger in order to satisfy a sexual infatuation. As a result, I didn't really feel much sympathy for her plight, since all of her problems result from her own stupidity and immaturity.

This novel would have worked better if the sexual infatuation made any sense. Unfortunately, the sexual/romantic relationship between the two main characters is written in a summary fashion and is largely unconvincing.

I also found the ending of this novel to be fully predictable. If you're expecting a last-minute twist, you won't find one here. This novel ends exactly the way you think it's going to. There are no surprises in this novel whatsoever, which is highly problematic for a suspense book.

KILLING ME SOFTLY was eventually made into a movie starring Heather Graham that flopped at the box office. The movie faithfully follows the plotline of the book, with the exception of the ending, which is dramatically different (and better, in my opinion). My advice is to save some time and just see the movie, which makes the main character more of a likable person.

A substitute ending for the sad, unfair and disappointing one..........2006-07-04

I guess all of you have already read about the plot of the novel so I'll skip that part.

The ending was a sad disappointment. I cried for poor besotted Adam. I have a much better suggestion! A suggestion about love that has no boundaries. Love that goes beyond any secret past and crime or even grave danger. Alice should never have investigated (I was really annoyed by her obsession with Adam's past) for Adam must have had a damn good reason for his unwillingness to reveal his past. And to know the truth - she may have to pay a terrible prize. Well, after all if she must poke around maybe afterwards she should have told him all that she had found out and say that she still loved him and no matter what, she would always do, that they should trust each other and, if necessary, get rid of all the evidence, letters and such. That she understood how these women have betrayed his love and that she would never do that, she would never betray him. Alice was Adam's first real and last love! If she hadn't poked about his past he would never have had to kill her! I imagine the last pages with Alice confessing everything to Adam, apologizing for creating that gap between them in the first place, and if Adam did wanted to kill her for knowing the truth then he should go ahead. She loves him too much to resist even in the face of her own death. Maybe Adam would make an attempt to strangle her, but then he would loosen his grip, as in Lake District, and make love to her, both of them crying and Adam saying that he will take care of her - FOREVER. And have a baby! That would have been a really good ending! No, police, no investigation, no body discovering. It would have better suited the title! It would really have been an unpredictable ending, and what is more important - a stronger one.

One other detail I was disgruntled about is that not a single sex scene was described. It would have contributed so much to the whole atmosphere of the novel. It would have made us see the sexual obsession Alice described all the time and make us actually feel it - this so-called "obliterating sex". Instead, Nicci gave us only hints and teasers.

The love between Adam and Alice is what I loved about this story. Not any thrilling twists and murders or what happened to former lovers. Otherwise it was intriguing, a real page turner! Credit must be given for the author's competence in mountaineering. It almost made me want to be a climber!

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Entertaining, but..........2006-06-09

An entertaining read if you are looking for something "light" to take to the beach. However, if you're used to reading things that have a bit more substance, this book will be torture to get through.

I don't think I was ever so deeply irritated by a fictional character as I was with Alice. She is the literary equivalent of the scene in a horror movie where the girl is running to escape a killer, but hinders her progress by tripping and falling down every few steps. That's how weak, stupid and reckless she is. Adam is certainly no prize, but that fact that Alice charged so recklessly into a relationship with him makes me believe she deserved every bit of the turmoil she suffered.

Powerfully seductive novel...........2006-03-27

This book was amazing. French's writing is so seemingly simple and basic, but the suspense and the tension the authors (a man and a woman working under the combined pseudonym of Nikki French) create is unbelievable. I think that is one of the unique characteristics of this book - the writing itself is plain, allowing the ideas it conjures up to stand out and shock the reader.

The other aspect of the work that was very satisfying is that while much of the plot seems unbelievable and irrelevant to my personal everyday life (leaving every possession and friend behind to create a life with a stranger based on a look exchanged while crossing the street), in truth, much about Alice's life IS so intimately understood by the reader (humdrum job, an unimaginative, passionless relationship with a lover). This is precisely what makes this book so fascinating and chilling - every part of your brain is screaming "I would never risk everything, I would never do what she's doing!" there's a part of you that makes you wonder if maybe you could...

I highly recommend this book - it is a different type of thriller, an intellectual mind game. Love it or hate it, your mind with be racing and you'll THINK about your life in a altered way.

Killing Me Softly (Harlequin Signature Select)

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Killing Me Softly is a passionate story of love, lies, and betrayal
Sultry Bayou Mystery
dark, sensual, mersmerising!
romantic suspense at its best!
Impressive Romantic Suspense

Killing Me Softly (Harlequin Signature Select)
Jenna Mills
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Romantic Suspense | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373837054

Book Description

One woman's memories . . . behind another woman's face

When investigative reporter Savannah Trahan disappeared and was presumed dead, police immediately arrested Cain Robichaud, Savannah's boyfriend and a New Orleans police officer. Without sufficient evidence to convict him, however, Cain was released -- free to retreat to the bayou, with only his aching memories of a ruined career and Savannah.

Now, after eighteen months, Savannah Trahan no longer exists. There's only one person who can track down her would-be murderer.

And every time she edges closer to the truth, someone else turns up dead . . .

Customer Reviews:

Killing Me Softly is a passionate story of love, lies, and betrayal.......2007-08-21

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Killing Me Softly is a passionate story of love, lies, and betrayal set in the beautiful and mysterious bayou country of Southern Louisiana. The setting alone tells readers they are in for a real treat.

Eighteen months ago, reporter Savannah Trahan is believed murdered... by her police officer boyfriend Cain Robichaud. But with no body to prove it, all people have are suspicions since Cain was found at the scene of the crime with her blood all over him. His career in the force ruined and having lost the love of his life, Cain is left with nothing but memories and his passion for photography.

Now, another reporter has arrived in town, investigating the disappearance and supposed murder of Savannah. But Renee Fox has her own secrets as well. She is really Savannah, not dead, but with a new face and identity, hoping to get to the bottom of her own death. Believing herself betrayed by the one person she loved more than life, Savannah has given herself one week to prove Cain's involvement in her murder.

However, Renee never counted on the overwhelming love she would feel for Cain upon seeing him again. Cain is drawn to this mysterious woman though he struggles with the attraction, convinced he is betraying Savannah's memory. Someone knows the truth though, and will do whatever is necessary, even continue to commit murder, to keep the truth from surfacing. Now Cain and Renee must put side their doubts and fears to work together to solve the mystery.

Having read and enjoyed the Midnight Secrets trilogy by Jenna Mills, which continues the story of the Robichaud family, I could tell there was so much more to the background of these sexy suspense novels. Now, jumping back in time to read the book that started it all, Killing Me Softly, I can finally learn the history. Though events here don't directly impact the events in the additional books, it was well worth going back to the beginning.

What a fast paced thrilling romance! From the opening scenes with Cain finding Savannah's body, and the subsequent heart-rending agony it causes, we know Jenna is targeting our emotions as much as our curiosity. I know I couldn't resist the immediate submersion in Cain's life, and right away wanted to know how he would recover.

Fast forward a year and a half and it is quite apparent the tragedy has scarred Cain permanently. His reputation irreversibly affected by the suspicions of the locals, is it any wonder Renee immediately gets his guard up when she starts asking questions? Renee too has been permanently scarred, physically and emotionally by her own near-murder. Barely alive, her heart is crushed by the apparent involvement of Cain in what happened to her. Even so, the attraction between them is so sensual and seductive that the heat builds to a level that can rival the sultry nights of Southern Louisiana itself. This just makes us long even more for Renee and Cain to find the happiness previously stolen from them.

Suspense increases ten-fold as Renee/Savannah finds more and more clues to the mystery and discovers her life to be in danger once more. Her mind tells her one thing, her heart another, where Cain is concerned, which only adds to the rising tension in the novel. Our own interest in the outcome only grows as all the evidence is slowly unfolded and we come to understand why Cain's supposed betrayal had such impact on Renee's new life. As clues were uncovered, I know my guesses were a growing maelstrom of varying possibilities as I tried to solve the mystery. So many twists are revealed that I had a hard time deciding whether my own thoughts were right or not.

If you are looking for a real page turner that has more twists and turns then the wildest of roller coasters... if you are looking for a passionate love story full of heart-felt emotion, then by all means, Killing Me Softly is a real winner. I guarantee you'll find abundant thrills and chills, and a sensual love story that will more than satisfy.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2007. All rights reserved.

Sultry Bayou Mystery.......2006-07-11

When he's discovered distraught with a bloodied shirt belonging to his lover Savannah, all eyes point to Cain Robichaud as her killer, despite the lack of a body. It's rumored that investigative reporter Savannah was about to blow the lid off police corruption in the Big Easy, and that Cain silenced her. Forced off the New Orleans PD, Cain is trying to move on with his life and has made photography his full time passion. Charges might have been dropped, but he's still treated as a piranha in his small parish.

It's been 18 months since Savannah's tragic disappearance when sexy tabloid reporter Renee Fox starts nosing around and old wounds are reopened. Only Renee knows where Savannah disappeared to that fateful night. Disfigured and left for dead in the swamp, Savannah emerged and after several restorative surgeries, she became Renee. What Renee doesn't know is who tried to kill her, as well as the events that led to the tragedy. Cain doesn't know how to handle his sudden desire for Renee. When he finally realizes who Renee really is, will he be able to forgive her for letting his career be destroyed? Will he be able to love her again? If Cain is not the one behind her disappearance, it has to be someone in their inner circle... but who?

Mills weaves a passionate and riveting story with the sultry backdrop of the Louisiana bayou country. It starts with a cliffhanger and just keeps the reader gripped until the twisty end.

dark, sensual, mersmerising!.......2006-05-31

Killing Me Softly by the very talented Jenna Mills weaves a dark story of passion and betrayal in the steamy Louisiana bayous that mesmerizes the readers as few writers can. She is a several times RIO Award of Excellence winner and has been a personal favourite writer for me, but I felt she was wasted on series romance. She was like a thoroughbred race horse giving pony rides at the fair. Finally, Harlequin let her have the room to let that wonderful talent shine. And shine she does.

Drop-dead sexy Cajun Cain Robichaud is a policeman in New Orleans. Life is good, though often volatile as he is in love with wild and passionate Savannah Trahan. She's an investigative reporter and somewhere along the lines Cain and she have run afoul of someone that sees Savannah supposedly dead and Cain accused of her murder. Cain wants answers to why he woke up, covered in blood. All believed it was Savannah's, though they couldn't prove it. His job is gone, his love gone, Cain is haunted by the riddle of what happened that night Savannah disappeared even though over a year has gone by.

Enter one nosy lass asking questions. Renne Fox has come to town for answer, determined to solve what happened to Savannah. She knows too much about Cain and Savannah, and she won't stop until has the what she is seeking.

Mills take the bit between her teeth and finally goes all out, marking her as one of the premiere talents in romance today. This is the first big stand alone title, and it lets her realize the full potential of what a force she is.

The book is devastating, brilliant--all you could want in a suspense book and then some.

One of the best books you will read this year.

romantic suspense at its best!.......2006-05-24

If you're looking for a dramatic story that will leave you wanting more, pick up a copy of Jenna Mills' KILLING ME SOFTLY. Intensely vivid scenes, emotionally charged dialogue, and a top notch mystery leave you on the edge of your seat.

Jenna Mills is a gifted writer who sets incredible scenes for her readers. You can feel the humid air of Louisiana, hear the sounds of the bayou, taste the amazing food, see the turmoil in her characters' eyes. Her stories draw you in and make you a participant; you feel like you're there, watching the events unfold before your eyes. KILLING ME SOFTLY is her most compelling work yet, and leaves you hungry for more.

If you like rich imagery and emotionally gripping suspense, this book is for you.

Impressive Romantic Suspense .......2006-05-19

In a story of deception, betrayal, and intrigue set against the shadowy Southern Louisiana bayou Jenna Mills' novel is both mesmerizing and a sensually romantic suspense lovers delight! An intense thriller with so many twists and turns this author had me guessing right up to the very end!

Starting with a heart-wrenching prologue this story opens showing the distraught Cain Robichaud, a New Orleans police officer, being arrested for the disappearance and murder of his girlfriend, investigative reporter Savannah Trahan. Although caught with her blood on his hands, but without a body and insufficient evidence, Cain is released to mourn the loss of his once brilliant career and the woman he loved, Savannah.

Eighteen months after her presumed death, Savannah is back with a new face and a new name determined to discover the truth of who had brutally stolen the life she desperately wanted back. Calling herself Renee Fox complete with a carefully constructed background she began to immerse herself back into the remnants of a life she'd once loved. First thing on her agenda was returning to the scene of the crime and surprisingly coming face to face with the man she'd once loved and whose murderous betrayal continued to haunt her dreams.

Riveting and suspenseful this novel unfolded with a stunning opener and remained well paced throughout. In addition to the unparalleled intrigue the author carefully weaves in a bittersweet and poignant love story told in flashbacks of two people desperately in love. Admittedly, this reviewer fell in love with Cain who was fashioned beautifully as the alpha strong and very sexy Cajun male whose outward appearance of strength hides the sensitive gentle artist and lover that few people other than Savannah had ever seen. Savannah is painted as the woman whose heart was torn out of her by what she felt was the betrayal of the man she'd once loved with all her heart. With a deft hand, the author uses the sultriness of the bayous to enhance the sensual feelings between the two protagonists as they once again danced a dangerous game. This story was beautifully interpreted with a skillful hand and a delicate touch that emphasized the central characters feelings of betrayal and loss. Along with a well rounded and robust cast of secondary characters the story rolls along to most satisfying conclusion and for me - surprise ending!

Bottom line, Jenna Mills swept me off my feet with this fabulous novel of passion, betrayal and intrigue. My advice is to experience the thrill yourself by checking out this new and very talented author, and may I also say, a check out the beautiful cover. Highly recommended!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Killing Me Softly: Erotic Tales of Unearthly Love

Average customer rating:

good stories; no erotica
The book captured my heart. I couldnt put it down.
erotic, adult ghost stories

Killing Me Softly: Erotic Tales of Unearthly Love
Gardner R. Dozois
Manufacturer: HarperPrism
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Dying for It: More Erotic Tales of Unearthly Love

ASIN: 0061056111

Customer Reviews:

good stories; no erotica.......2000-03-16

The title is something of a misnomer: while the stories do center around the ghosts and love theme, not one of them could be considered 'erotica'. There are some good stories though (some of them previously unpublished) -- LeGuin's "Unchosen Love"; Mary Rosenblum's "The Gardener"; Pat Cadigan's "She's Not There"; Maureen F. McHugh's funny and touching "In The Air"; and Michael Stanwick's "North of Diddy-Wah-Diddy", about a train ride to hell.

The book captured my heart. I couldnt put it down........1998-01-09

Killing Me Softly:Erotic Tales of Unearthly Love was the best book I have ever read. The author captured what true Love,Hate,Death and Life mean to people in every word that was written. This book captured my heart like no other in the world. It is truly a classic book of love stories.

erotic, adult ghost stories.......1997-07-21

_Killing Me Softly_ edited by Gardner Dozois is a collection of short stories about love after death. Most of these stories are quite good - the adult equivalent of ghost stories with an erotic bent.

Book Description

The political economy of toxic waste was summed up by Lawrence Summers then chief economist at the World Bank, later U.S. Treasury Secretary in his notorious claim that poor people live in environments that are, from an economic point of view, not sufficiently polluted. The toxic waste industry came to prominence in the United States after 1945. In its ceaseless search for profit, it now routinely endangers the health of people around the worlds and the planet itself.

Smith and Girdner's Killing Me Softlyexamines the growth of the toxic waste industry and the economic logic behind its expansion. It gives a hard-hitting account of the damage it has done throughout the United States. It focuses in particular on the struggle of the people of Mercer County, Missouri, against the plans of Amoco Waste-Tech to establish a huge toxic waste landfill in the county. It shows how the persistence of ordinary people in a poor and politically marginalized area could prevail against the predations of corporate power.

Although race and ethnicity play a crucial role in deciding which communities are targeted for toxic waste dumps, Smith and Girdner argue that the critical cleavage within the United States and globally is that of class. The struggle for environmental justice has an important role to play in empowering poor communities and bringing them into a larger movement for social justice.

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring.......2004-12-12

"Killing Me Softly" by Eddie Girdner and Jack Smith is a highly readable study of the environmental justice movement and the toxic waste industry. The book skillfully blends economic theory with a real-life case study to create a work that is both deeply thought-provoking and dramatic in its narrative. Thoroughly researched and persuasively argued, "Killing Me Softly" is an excellent book for both students and general readers who may be interested in environmental politics.

Girdner and Smith devote the first two chapters explaining how pollution is a systemic problem that is related to capitalism, production and the profit motive. Toxic waste in particularl is associated with the growth of the petrochemical industry in the post-World War II era, which not coincidentally has witnessed the rise of the modern waste disposal industry. The reader understands how the regulatory system seeks merely to contain (but not eliminate) waste and how the market tends to offload this waste onto the poor. The authors draw on Marx to explain that this process is historically linked "to the continued process of enclosure" of the commons but with the goal to "enhance the bottom lines" of the politically-powerful corporations that produce and dispose of these wastes.

Girdner and Smith then introduces us to the environmental justice movement which seeks to test the theory of grassroots democracy against the reality of corporate control. While minorities and women are most often targeted and disproportionately bear the costs of pollution, the authors argue that the case of Mercer County, Missouri demonstrates that the core issue is class, which in turn is rooted in capitalism's tendency to produce profits for the privileged few at the expense of the many.

The chapter about how the close-knit community of rural Mercer County organized to resist the "obliteration of a way of life" by a major corporation is a remarkable story that is written in a compelling manner. The people's ingenuity and determination to persist and continue their struggle in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is truly inspiring. The authors go on to share some of the lessons learned from the citizen's victory in Mercer County to provide guidance to others.

Ultimately, Girdner and Smith's work helps us recognize the necessity for the environmental justice movement to transcend race and national identities and become a much broader movement that struggles against inequality and capitalist exploitation. In the final chapter, the authors propose six principles for a form of local, sustainable development that would allow people to achieve "peace, fulfillment, and happiness" in a way that is not dependent on the pursuit of material acquisition.

I highly recommend this exceptional book to everyone.

The political economy of toxic waste.......2003-12-06

This book gives you an introduction to industrial pollution from a Marxist perspective. In this case, "Marxist" just means that the authors are willing to look at corporate causes, and show how the government interacts with corporations to ensure profits. Their description of the system is very good. In fact, it would be impossible to refute. They show how US taxpayers pay the cost for cleanup, then major chemical firms buy the cleanup companies and make a profit off of their own pollution.

After a brief but comprehensive overview of the chemical industry, public relations ("greenwashing"), and the history of dumping chemicals in poor areas, the authors turn their focus to a fight in Mercer County, Missouri. They tell the story of local activists trying to stop Waste-Tech, Inc.'s attempt to set up a toxic waste incinerator. Through public pressure, they struggle to defend their own health.

If you want a good book on the environment, try this one. The authors know how the system works and, although detractors may disregard their emphasis on the profit motive, everything here rings true. The footnotes are extensive, leading you to additional information.

A gritty, realistic, pull-no-punches survey.......2003-02-10

Collaboratively researched and written by Eddie J. Girdner (Professor of International Relations, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey) and Jack Smith (Professor of English and Philosophy, North Central Missouri College), Killing Me Softly: Toxic Waste, Corporate Profit, And The Struggle For Environmental Justice is a gritty, realistic, pull-no-punches survey and expose of the toxic waste industry and its relentless expansion. Stressing the need for environmental justice in a society that tends to consider the homes of poor people to be "not sufficiently polluted", Killing Me Softly is a much-needed and clarion call for the importance of conservation, ecological responsibility, environmental protections, and corporate/governmental reforms in the modern age.

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Introducing Gideon Lowry, Conch detective

Killing Me Softly
John Leslie
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671864211

Customer Reviews:

Introducing Gideon Lowry, Conch detective.......2001-03-28

Killing Me Softly introduces Gideon Lowry, Korean War vet, thrice divorced, pianist, and finally P.I. A "Conch" born and raised in Key West Gideon has fallen on hard times. Too much alcohol and not enough work have brought Gideon closer to the edge than he has ever been before. Then a 40 year old murder case is brought to him by the sister of the murder victim, and Gideon becomes involved in a pursuit that involves the most powerful family in the area and his own brother, now a state senator.

Leslie does a fine job of creating an interesting P.I. in a genre where originality is at a premium. In Lowry, Leslie has created a very human detective, a realistic mystery and a cast of interesting supporting characters. A solid debut.

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4 Titles By French - The Red Room - Land of the Living - Beneath the Skin - Killing Me Softly
Nicci French
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000MUQ8BI

Product Description

4 massmarket paperback Titles By French - The Red Room - Land of the Living - Beneath the Skin - Killing Me Softly

Charles Fox - Killing Me Softly with His Song, Happy Days and The Great Songs of Charles Fox

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Charles Fox - Killing Me Softly with His Song, Happy Days and The Great Songs of Charles Fox

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Book Description

22 hits penned by Fox are included: Happy Days * I Got a Name * Killing Me Softly with His Song * Love Boat Theme * Making Our Dreams Come True * Ready to Take a Chance Again * We Could Have It All * and more. Includes a bio and bandw photos.

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KILLING ME SOFTLY
NICCI FRENCH
Manufacturer: PENGUINS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SIFFYU

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KILLING ME SOFTLY
NICCI FRENCH
Manufacturer: PENGUIN BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S97Z6K

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