Betrayals

by Carla Neggers

Literally holding the fate of her jet-setting family--ten precious stones--in her hands, Rebecca Blackburn is determined to unveil the scandal that has separated her from the man she loved

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.

A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.

Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.

Reviews

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have already read several books by Carla Neggers and I liked them more. Betrayals is one of the earlier stories by the author and her writing improved with the time.

I generally like to know the background of the story and the proper characters' development but this time it was too much. The retrospections take over this book, there are lots of them, so much in fact that there is no place for a development of the present time story. As much as I like the main idea with the Vietnamese part and the jewels part, I wish it isn't presented as detailed as it is. Because of it, the reunion of Rebecca and Jared is nearly non existing.

Also I believe that their whole separation story is silly and unsophisticated. There wouldn't be the whole case if they have talked to each other 14 years ago.

I definitely enjoy the characters and like the idea of Jean-Paul being a family.

Not the best book by Carla Neggers but a very good main idea.

[Pattianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betrayals - Investigative Series #3 - (Jared Stone and Rebecca Blackburn) old Boston money and murder.

In Betrayals what started off as a slow read, quickly became an addicting mystery that kept on getting better. There was so much going on, deception, scandal, tragedy, secrecy and half-truths but instead of being one messy and confusing plot, the writing was extremely intelligent and purposeful.

The story unfolded with a seemingly simple mystery, that of a career criminal turned murderer intent on exacting revenge. As the events progressed, the many layers surrounding the mystery is unveiled exposing secrets and betrayals spanning decades and generations of lives. The story was very interactive and completely pulls readers in, speculating and anticipating. While there are parts that I correctly foresaw there were other revelations that came unexpectedly. All this makes for a superb mystery with a romance that at times was heart-wrenching but also joyful.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little bit slow getting into but I think her books are a little bit like that but man towards the end I couldn't stop! There were a lot of unexpected turns, some good laughs, a few tears. Good strong characters, I don't want to say too much to spoil the book but it is worth the read for sure.

[Ns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla Neggers is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. In Betrayals what started off as a slow read, quickly became an addicting mystery that kept on getting better. There was so much going on, deception, scandal, tragedy, secrecy and half-truths but instead of being one messy and confusing plot, the writing was extremely intelligent and purposeful.

The story unfolded with a seemingly simple mystery, that of a career criminal turned murderer intent on exacting revenge. As the events progressed, the many layers surrounding the mystery is unveiled exposing secrets and betrayals spanning decades and generations of lives. The story was very interactive and completely pulls readers in, speculating and anticipating. While there are parts that I correctly foresaw there were other revelations that came unexpectedly. All this makes for a superb mystery with a romance that at times was heart-wrenching but also joyful.

Rebecca (R.J) Blackburn is a woman with a past, more sorrowful than happy. She has lost loved ones to violence, tragedy and betrayal. What she doesn't expect is the return of an ex-lover, her first love, Jared Sloan. He is back but his past betrayal is not the reason for his return, it is a more dangerous reason. A murderer has entered his life and in order to stop him he must confront his and Rebecca's past and uncover the secrets of their families. The deeper they dig, the more danger is raised and soon a painful past is rehashed and a murderer is more convinced than ever to silence them all. Strangers become friends and friends and families become enemies. With all decisions there are always ramifications, a theme that rings true throughout the story.

What a superb mystery, original and intelligent. Never did the story overwhelm and the plot lost on me. There is a lot to absorb; many layers and events but the mystery unfolded well, pulling all the relevant details together. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Saturnus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vad är oskyldiga liv värda när en förmögenhet står på spel?

14 år efter att Rebecca och Jared lyckades fly från Vietnam mitt i kriget med lilla Mai togs många bilder på deras flykt för livet. Nu, efter alla år, publiceras bilderna.
Rebecca och Jared har inte träffats under dessa år, då han berättat att Mai var hans dotter som han hade med en vietnamesiska, Tam, som dog i flykten. Rebecca har under alla år aldrig glömt bort Jared även fast hon så gärna vill. För att inte behöva tänka på honom. har hon jobbat på flertal företag och målar nu tavlor för att fördriva tiden. Jared i sin tur har varit pappa åt Mai och gjort allt för att hon ska må bra. Men minnet av Rebecca försvinner inte.
När den läskiga mannen som jobbade med Tams mördare dyker upp hos både Becca och Jared, och även deras skandaliserade familjer, tvingas dom mötas.

Men kommer deras gamla kärlek rädda deras liv eller dra dom i fördärvet?

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent suspense, kept me going.

[Julie C-F · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many surprises in this book. Pride, family, love, honor and betrayal run deep in this book.

Let me just say that I like all the characters in this book. It wpuld also be safe to say that none of these things would have happened if everyone was honest and did not keep any secrets. But no, we all have to keep somethings only to ourselves, not just for protection, safety and self-preservation but for something that we can look back to, either with regret or with joy in our hearts.

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally like Carla Neggers but this book was not one of them. I had a difficult time keeping the characters and multiple storylines straight in the beginning. It also started off incredibly slow. The plot line is complex and the book was boring until about the 70% mark. It was fairly obvious from the get go who the “bad guy” was and although the storyline was unique it just didn’t catch my attention. It will be awhile before I read another one of her books.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story has an interesting backdrop and characters, but I did find this too long. It began to drag in the last 150ish pages.

The one thing that really threw me out was that it took so long to figure out who the bad guy was, given the personalities involved. It should have been obvious the person they thought had done it hadn't.

[mary saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Carla

Lots of memorable characters including a grumpy old man per usual. This story spans many years. This made for a very interesting story, but the reader must pay close attention to keep the various characters and story lines straight. I enjoyed the Vietnam angle. It added depth and a sad reality to the story. I recommend this book.

[Amy Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book. a little too detailed at times and some things could have been left out to shorten it some but overall it was a good book. I enjoyed the intrigue but sometimes I got confused on the characters.

[Teresa Lavender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Carla Neggers! She knows how to spin a tale! This one spans generations. Mystery, intrigue, romance. Lots of twists and turns. The characters are well developed. I will definitely continue to read novels by this wonderful author.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are good

If you love Carla Neggars books, you will love this one.
If you have been betrayed sometime in your life you will relate.
A tragic story that took place 30 years ago.
But everything comes together at the end.

[Timothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 1/2 stars.

[charmaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Boy

Carla Neggers did more than deliver the goods with this one.Really,Really fast moving .Hold on to your seat,this one will throw you for a loop.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was nuts.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow in the beginning but it picked up and I couldn't put it down.

[Cathie Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it very difficult to follow all the background stories and thought perhaps it could have been condensed a little. Basically it was a good story.

[Jo Ann Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Carla's books. This book has a lot of characters and took me a few chapters to sort them all out, but it was a great story and had an unexpected but wonderful ending.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice. It was easy for me to keep the characters straight, which is impressive with a group of characters this large. A couple of easy to skip sex scenes and some mild swearing.

[Franci · Rating 4 out of 5]

muy adictivo y entretenido , te ayuda a comprender las acciones de cada uno de los personajes

[Tracy Suitor]

Library

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Betrayals" by Carla Neggers
(from back cover)

A red velvet bag holding ten sparkling gems. A woman who must confront their legacy of deceit, scandal and murder.

Rebecca Blackburn caught a glimpse of the famed Jupiter Stones as a small child. Unaware of their significance, she forgot about them--until she discovered the priceless, long-missing gems where the key to a deadly chain of events spanning thirty years and three continents....sparing on one.

When a seemingly innocent photograph reignites one man's simmering desire for vengeance, Rebecca turns to Jared Sloan, the love she lost to tragedy and scandal. His own life has changed forever because of the secrets buried deep by their tow families.

Their relentless quest for the truth will dredge up bitter memories and shocking revelations of misplaced loyalty, dangerous pride and naked ambition...and they will stop at nothing to expose a cold-blooded killer.

This book was very confusing at the beginning. I almost didn't finish it. But about the middle of the book I finally figured out all the info about the families and put it all together. Rebecca's grandfather, Aunt and a family friend are the ones that start this whole series of mysteries. But it started with Rebecca's Aunt. The Jupiter Stones are at the heart of the story. And Rebecca and Jared are the ones trying to figure out the mystery of them. This book has murder, a jewel thief, lies, scandal, and family secrets. If you read it, don't give up on it! It's a great book!!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two wealthy families from Boston inter connected and at odds, stolen jewels, love affairs gone bad, murders and loss spread over many years with the narrative jumping from past to present and back throughout the story. A bit hard at first to keep track of all the players, but a fairly good book all the same.
ISBN - 9780778326236, Suspense, Pages - 384, Print Size - R, Rating - 4
All books reviewed are from the library or purchased by the reviewer.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story has too much going on: a jewel thief and two separate ambushes in Vietnam that lead to the "current" conflicts, 30 years after the thievery. Too many characters - Annette the matriarch, Thomas the patriarch of a friend family, their children and at least one grandchild, plus other characters. None of the characters are particularly sympathetic or even very interesting. The book was good enough to finish, but not particularly good.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe I read another one of her books. Don't let me do this again. This was a silly plot trying to wrap itself up in Vietnam War history. She has created a family of characters that don't talk to each other 300 of the 380 pages. Most of it was useless angst to take up space, was the author paid by the word? I wouldn't recommend it.

[Tonya Warner]

Rebecca has the Jupiter Stones, but she doesn't realize their meaning until it is almost too late. Jaredhas his own secrets, mainly that his daughter, Mai, is actually his niece.



A very convoluted story covering multiple time lines. Difficult to get in to the rythum and follow, but eventually able to.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Carla Neggers, I guess I was in the mood for light entertainment because this had so many "Betrayals" and twists that it was most of the book. I couldnt get invested in the people, and I love caring about the people. Thats usually a given in her books, I can care.

[Ellenbaker1cox.net · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love her books and this one was good, but it was hard to keep up with the story line and it took me forever to ready it because of that fact. I just could not get into it and had to make myself keep reading.