Book Review: Curiosity Killed the Kat by Elizabeth Nelson

Curiosity Killed the Kat
by Elizabeth Nelson

Publisher: Bristlecone Books, June 3, 2012
Category: Romantic Suspense

120 pages

Kathrine began dating Steven as a college freshman and dropped out of school to marry him and follow him across the country when he graduated.  She could not believe her luck in snagging this movie-star handsome, smart man and as the years went by she was continuously amazed that this handsome, smart, rich and powerful lawyer continued to love her and want her.  What did it matter that he established her wardrobe, preferred she didn't work outside the home, expected obedience and needed rough sex?  Wasn't it the job of a loving and faithful wife to meet the needs of a husband so perfect as Steve?  To stay aware of his moods and anticipate his every whim to ward off his temper was a small price to pay for being loved by him.

Wasn't it?

Kathrine would give her own mother the silent treatment for months at a time when this view of her marriage was challenged by the strong woman who'd raised her daughter as a single mom.

Then one night Steven took her out to dinner with his boss, Charlie, and Charlie's companion, a young and model-gorgeous woman who, upon joining Kat in the powder room, begged her for help, claiming she was being held against her will in Charlie's house after he'd brought her over from Saudi Arabia with the promise of a modeling career.

Kat tried to reassure the girl with what she assumed had to be the innocuous explanations for the misunderstanding between her and Charlie but her curiosity was woken by this exchange and she couldn't leave it alone.  Nor could she discuss it with Steven.  So she waited until he'd left on a several day away business trip the following morning and tried to track the girl down first at the modeling agency that were clients of Charlie and Steven and then at Charlie's house.

What she finds there is not the girl.  What she finds there is illusion shattering and suddenly she must dig deep for her courage and ingenuity and, yes, defiance.  For Steven is not the man she thought he was and he might even be a monster.

This is a disturbing story as romantic suspense thrillers often are but in this case the subject itself is disturbing (abusive sexual relationships) and although I've encountered it in fiction before I think usually those stories were written by men and hard as they try they rarely capture what it is like inside the mind of the woman who is under the thrall of a cruel, controlling man and believes she is in love and his actions prove his love for her.  Ms. Nelson has given us such a woman in the character of Katherine and takes us into her most intimate thoughts where the illusion lives and we watch as she desperately tries to keep it viable as reality intrudes.

Tho disturbing it is entertaining in the way we expect our thrillers to be with pulsing action and dialog that practically turns the pages for you.  But if you are looking for a resolution you won't get it in this first volume of the trilogy unless you accept Katherine's psychological resolution in the last line to live as the best revenge as a satisfactory story resolution.  For in the final scene she is not yet safe nor have Steven and Charlie gotten their comeuppance.

Where's the next page?

Warning:  If this were a movie it would be rated R for violence, explicit sexual content and language.  It is also the first of a trilogy and it ends on a cliffhanger like old matinee movies.

From the Publishers:

Katherine ("Kat") thought she had the perfect marriage to International Lawyer Steven Flynn. Until he tried to kill her.

Katherine was the perfect obedient wife. She would do anything for her husband. That is, until she discovers he's the ring leader of a human trafficking organization. The action is fast and furious, the dialogue smart and the sex scenes hot. Meet Katherine in Curiosity Killed The Kat as she goes farther and farther down the rabbit hole of political intrigue, sex, and revenge. Will she let herself be saved by love or will curiosity and a thirst for killer justice kill the Kat?

What they are saying:

"A 5 star debut for sure!!! This book had ALL the elements I love; a kick-ass detailed story, a wealthy sexy man and strong female lead and my favorite; lots of hot, sweaty body tangling going on! Katherine and Steven's relationship is electric. The plot intense. The dialogue superb. Not wanting to give too much away, this was a fantastic read. The author kept me guessing until the end of the book. Once you start reading this book, it is very hard to put down. Ms. Nelson thank you for the entertainment!!!"- Sophia Schippers, Amazon.com Reviewer

"You can't put this one down ! This was my first Elizabeth Nelson book, and it was a lot of fun. It's suspenseful, action-packed and keeps you guessing throughout the book. There's never a dull moment. This book is one you will want to read in one sitting because you can't wait to see what happens next. I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens with Katherine and I can't wait to read the next in the series."-Lori S., Amazon.com Reviewer

"I loved this book.... It had me chewing nails , I can't wait to read the next book ... Keep up the writing!"-Sissy, Amazon.com Reviewer

"I found myself speed reading I was so anxious for the outcome! Imagine your perfect life & marriage over in one stunning moment of realism. Human trafficing; a compelling story that does not read like fiction but keeps hold of your attention and eager for the next book in the series."- Luvs2read, Amazon.com Reviewer

" I randomly picked this book on my wife's Kindle for a couple of hours of relaxing reading and must say I am impressed with the story line of this book. The book grabbed me almost immediately from the start, always wanting me to find out more. This is really a great book that really riveted my imagination."- Simon, Amazon.com Reviewer

"This book is fantastic, and it is a quality read. It really looks at the deception that can happen between a man and wife. This is an exciting book, and I think it empowers women. The wife, Kat, is someone many people will understand. I absolutely love the last line of the book: "To get the revenge I deserved all I had to do was live." Kat is dignity, grace, and strength - personified."- Florence Mims, Goodreads.com Reviewer

"This was a very explosive book. I couldn't put it down. I found it refreshing and was immediately drawn in from the beginning. There was passion, action, suspense, and I couldn't get through the pages fast enough. I can' t wait to find out how it ends."-Meggin, Goodreads.com Reviewer

Elizabeth Nelson wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills and relationship techniques have helped hundreds of others find their mojo. After earning a master's degree in secondary education from UNC, she worked abroad teaching English, bar-tended at late night clubs in Chicago, and continues various philanthropy projects that focus on empowering women. But she always returned to writing.


Though she'll forever be a free-spirit at heart, she now lives in Los Angeles with her two dogs. If she's not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rock concerts.

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