Split Second Hardcover – 21 Sept. 2001

This is the second book in the Maggie O'Dell series and you have to read the first one to understand some of the references. Alex Kava really captures what it must be like for a woman who has been attacked by a serial killer who knows he has escaped from prison and is coming after her again. The characters are well drawn and the sense of fear is all pervading. Alex Kava has joined my list of crime writers to look out for.

I discovered Maggie O'Dell recently whilst waiting for Lord Mark of Billingham to get a move on with his latest Thorne novel. She is fast becoming my new BFBI!This is the second in the series and really should be read as such to understand what makes Maggie tick. Yes, there are a lot of cliched thriller traits, but they really didn't bother me as the writing flows well and it really is an edge of the seat rush to the end.The lovely Sheriff of SomewhereinNebraska turns up from the last book - as does the evil Albert Stucky, Maggie's Nemesis who we heard about, but didn't get to meet. I love the addition of Harvey, who is bonded to Maggie by merit of having similar scars at the hands of Stucky. I also like the new FBI partner she is forced to work with - nicely written and.......I can't say any more!I won't be rushing to read the next one because, and here's why I didn't give it 5 stars, it's a little bit on the graphic side for me and I need a break from descriptions of such suffering - worse than book one I think. I hope the descriptions don't get even more explicit as I'm really at my limit. It also didn't help that my dog chose to jump on the bed at 4 o'clock in the morning when I was about three quarters of the way through.....I had to be scraped off the ceiling afterwards! But a warning for those of you who don't like things too descriptive.However, after a read of something more gentle I will be straight back to Maggie O'Dell. Definitely better than Scarpetta for me.

Maggie O'Dell 1 & 2 are both superb reads. As a Cornwell/Patterson fan I would regard Kava as being right up there with, if not surpassing them both. These books grabbed me from the first to the last words. I do believe I have found myself a new favourite and will be recommending to my friends. I'm looking forward to book three, I'm sure it won't disappoint!!

Really enjoyed this and much better than the first, I was on edge at times and found myself checking all doors locked. Found myself warming much more to Maggie and now onto the third.

Second in the series, quite gripping definitely built up the tension. I enjoyed it but did get a bit fed up with how tired several of the characters were, yes they probably do work long hours with a serial killer on the loose but it got a bit tedious in the end.

Really enjoyed the first book in the series and, this book followed on nicely. Like the characters and, am now onto the fourth maggie o'dell book.

This is a little slow in getting going. Can get a bit tedious in places. Still enjoyed it. Would recommend if reading the whole series, not as a stand alone book.

So glad I've found this author. Love these books. Now going off to buy the third one. I just can't put this series down!

Split Second was an excellent read, maybe a bit too graphic for some, but thoroughly entertaining. Another great job, Alex Kava!

Absolutely love the Maggie oDell series second time reading it and enjoy it as just as if it was the first

good read and character development.good criminal crime story ,interesting plot and characters,wouldve liked more suspense tho still a good read,

I actually read this twice as I ran out of books! I really enjoyed it, again! And I have now gone on to read Books 1 and 3 and lining up now for 4! I like the pace and the stories. The formula is similar but there are enough differences to keep things fresh. I am a convert to this series/author. YMMV

This was intense reading . I am glad that the stucky person is gone , finished , bye bye stucky