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Lydia Strong #3
Twice
Lydia and her partner, P.I. Jeff Mark, must confront not only a brutal murderer but the demons from their own past.
Julian Ross, a brilliant and acclaimed New York City artist, has been charged with brutally killing her second husband. She was found at the scene, hysterical, over his bloody, lifeless corpse. She maintains her innocence, but the cops are having trouble believing her: Ten years ago Julian was indicted and acquitted of murdering her first husband in exactly the same way.
Julian's mother, Eleanor, is convinced of her daughter's innocence and hires Lydia and Jeff to clear her name. A cold woman, Eleanor nonetheless seems dedicated to her family, even looking after Julian's five-year-old twins. But Lydia and Jeff, who are still dealing with the aftermath of a confrontation with Lydia's mother's murderer, dive into the case only to discover that little about the family is what it seems to be.
In a gripping, tense and surprising thriller, once again the talented Lisa Miscione delivers a complicated novel about the nature of evil, and the redemption of survival.
Julian Ross, a brilliant and acclaimed New York City artist, has been charged with brutally killing her second husband. She was found at the scene, hysterical, over his bloody, lifeless corpse. She maintains her innocence, but the cops are having trouble believing her: Ten years ago Julian was indicted and acquitted of murdering her first husband in exactly the same way.
Julian's mother, Eleanor, is convinced of her daughter's innocence and hires Lydia and Jeff to clear her name. A cold woman, Eleanor nonetheless seems dedicated to her family, even looking after Julian's five-year-old twins. But Lydia and Jeff, who are still dealing with the aftermath of a confrontation with Lydia's mother's murderer, dive into the case only to discover that little about the family is what it seems to be.
In a gripping, tense and surprising thriller, once again the talented Lisa Miscione delivers a complicated novel about the nature of evil, and the redemption of survival.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2004
160 people are currently reading
1360 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Unger
51 books10.8k followersLisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her upcoming release SERVED HIM RIGHT (March, 2026). With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 10, 2011
"Twice" is the third book in the Lydia Strong series. Of the three, I have to say that this novel is the best one so far. I give it four-and-a-half stars. There are actually two stories taking place.
Jeffrey and Lydia have been hired by Eleanor Strong to find out who murdered her son-in-law. Her daughter Julian has been accused of his death, just like she was accused of the death of her first husband ten years prior, which she was acquitted of. On top of all this, Jed McIntyre, is still at large with one thing in mind - to have Lydia all to himself. There's a lot going on in this book. It's quite intriguing and with all the lies and deceptions they keep coming across, the story pulls you in and keeps you guessing.
As much as I enjoy the series, right from the beginning in "Angel Fire," there's been something about Lydia that's been rubbing me the wrong way which continues in "The Darkness Gathers," and "Twice." Maybe it's just me. Lydia doesn't seem to care how rude she comes across, especially when she's trying to get answers from others. Considering how she hates being treated that way and would not put up with it, you would think she would temper it down. She's also very selfish. As much as Jeffrey loves her, she wants to do everything her way. She doesn't want Jeffrey to go off investigating anything without her. In fact, in "Twice," instead of recuperating, she's listening in on a phone call and is ready to join the hunt. I think she also manipulates Jeffrey into letting her lead with the decision making, whether it be with a kiss or a loving touch. It's only near the end that she realizes that perhaps she was wrong about whatever, and should have listened to Jeffrey. The word narcissist pops up a few of times in my head. She even lies to Jeffrey when it suits her. Jeffrey always knows what she's up to, and he can't stop her so why even bother to lie? Perhaps it's just me; however, I just kept picking up these qualities from her as I read the series. Sometimes I questioned why Jeffrey wouldn't stand up to Lydia. Even while she's pregnant she doesn't back down. Her involvement in a chase while she's pregnant doesn't help Jeffrey concentrate on catching two killers. You would think with everything she's been through she would take a minute to listen to what others are saying; that they love her and want her safe.
Regardless, I still enjoyed the book. I have to mention that I absolutely love Dax. What a character. I found him to be quite exciting. Almost like a leading hero from a romance novel. I'm really glad he had more of role in this book. I hope to see him again in the next book. Perhaps even find a love interest.
Jeffrey and Lydia have been hired by Eleanor Strong to find out who murdered her son-in-law. Her daughter Julian has been accused of his death, just like she was accused of the death of her first husband ten years prior, which she was acquitted of. On top of all this, Jed McIntyre, is still at large with one thing in mind - to have Lydia all to himself. There's a lot going on in this book. It's quite intriguing and with all the lies and deceptions they keep coming across, the story pulls you in and keeps you guessing.
As much as I enjoy the series, right from the beginning in "Angel Fire," there's been something about Lydia that's been rubbing me the wrong way which continues in "The Darkness Gathers," and "Twice." Maybe it's just me. Lydia doesn't seem to care how rude she comes across, especially when she's trying to get answers from others. Considering how she hates being treated that way and would not put up with it, you would think she would temper it down. She's also very selfish. As much as Jeffrey loves her, she wants to do everything her way. She doesn't want Jeffrey to go off investigating anything without her. In fact, in "Twice," instead of recuperating, she's listening in on a phone call and is ready to join the hunt. I think she also manipulates Jeffrey into letting her lead with the decision making, whether it be with a kiss or a loving touch. It's only near the end that she realizes that perhaps she was wrong about whatever, and should have listened to Jeffrey. The word narcissist pops up a few of times in my head. She even lies to Jeffrey when it suits her. Jeffrey always knows what she's up to, and he can't stop her so why even bother to lie? Perhaps it's just me; however, I just kept picking up these qualities from her as I read the series. Sometimes I questioned why Jeffrey wouldn't stand up to Lydia. Even while she's pregnant she doesn't back down. Her involvement in a chase while she's pregnant doesn't help Jeffrey concentrate on catching two killers. You would think with everything she's been through she would take a minute to listen to what others are saying; that they love her and want her safe.
Regardless, I still enjoyed the book. I have to mention that I absolutely love Dax. What a character. I found him to be quite exciting. Almost like a leading hero from a romance novel. I'm really glad he had more of role in this book. I hope to see him again in the next book. Perhaps even find a love interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2017
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which I borrowed from our local library. As is common (frustratingly so) at our small town library, they only had in their collection book three of the trilogy, and I gather from other reviewers that the first two books were stronger than this last. Overall, I enjoyed listening to the book, but it took awhile to get into - perhaps because I hadn't read the earlier books. I don't think that any of the characters are very well developed, but I did enjoy the slightly "gothic" element of the voodoo queen's old family curse. I'm not sure the "two murderers" element of the plot was particularly well executed. The second half of the novel didn't keep my interest nearly as well as the first part. One other small pet peeve... I always find it annoying with authors name drop specific brands in their works. Like when Lydia glances down at Modova watch, or slides into her black Ungaro jeans... Is the point here just to convey that she's rich? Feels like the book version of "product placement." But as acknowledged, this is just my pet peeve.
April 18, 2015
Book 1 was great; books 2 and 3 were mediocre...at times the author jumped around, and I still wonder about the editor! Still, decent books, but glad I've read her more recent books first as she does have talent. Don't give up on her yet...she gets better!
October 18, 2025
The story was fairly solid and intriguing, if not very unique.
There are two lines here. One is a long, continuing thread of tragedy and fear, suffered but survived by the main character. It's a bit far-fetched, especially that her mom's killer was "mistakenly released." Got to be a better way of presenting why he's on the loose and after her again. The situation is explained throughout the current saga, tho, and the author does a good job of filling us in without giving so many details we lose interest. I assume there's another book about that?
The author also does a good job of introducing the book's main theme, the murder of a husband. It happens to not only be the second husband, of the same woman, who's been violently murdered, but one of a few husbands in the same family who'd suffered this fate. The storylines interweave pretty smoothly. At one point, tho, the main story goes into unbelievable mode, and it never comes back. Too many smart investigators fall into the murderer's traps, too many convenient getaways, just lazy writing to wrap things up.
There are some places where the author intrigues us with the possibility of old curses taking their course, and that panning out would have made the downhill to the end way more cohesive and interesting. As things wrap up, the whole storyline gets thrown at us in that lazy way too many authors end their novels-one or two characters finally talk in depth, and reveal "what they knew," and it all just funnels to an unsatisfying, predictable end. It doesn't come off as skilled writing, giving us details. We You end wondering how no one had ever, over years of murders and rumors, put any of the pieces together before, because it wasn't that hard...
The narrators voices were amateurish, annoying. Bad accents and affects throughout, many mispronunciations--very, very hard to follow, listen to, or take seriously.
There are two lines here. One is a long, continuing thread of tragedy and fear, suffered but survived by the main character. It's a bit far-fetched, especially that her mom's killer was "mistakenly released." Got to be a better way of presenting why he's on the loose and after her again. The situation is explained throughout the current saga, tho, and the author does a good job of filling us in without giving so many details we lose interest. I assume there's another book about that?
The author also does a good job of introducing the book's main theme, the murder of a husband. It happens to not only be the second husband, of the same woman, who's been violently murdered, but one of a few husbands in the same family who'd suffered this fate. The storylines interweave pretty smoothly. At one point, tho, the main story goes into unbelievable mode, and it never comes back. Too many smart investigators fall into the murderer's traps, too many convenient getaways, just lazy writing to wrap things up.
There are some places where the author intrigues us with the possibility of old curses taking their course, and that panning out would have made the downhill to the end way more cohesive and interesting. As things wrap up, the whole storyline gets thrown at us in that lazy way too many authors end their novels-one or two characters finally talk in depth, and reveal "what they knew," and it all just funnels to an unsatisfying, predictable end. It doesn't come off as skilled writing, giving us details. We You end wondering how no one had ever, over years of murders and rumors, put any of the pieces together before, because it wasn't that hard...
The narrators voices were amateurish, annoying. Bad accents and affects throughout, many mispronunciations--very, very hard to follow, listen to, or take seriously.
January 4, 2021
Disembowelment, a Haitian Voodoo curse, an underground tunnel city of the homeless, a murdering dwarf, generations of hate and a serial killer....it's an excellent read, you really can't ask for much more.
I enjoyed every page of this book. It's what I call a potato chip book. You keep wanting another page, it's not nutrient rich but it is deliciously addictive.
This book is in a series, which I didn't bother to notice until after I read it. I had no idea. The book could stand alone - I was never lost. It did keep me guessing until the very very end. There are two story lines going throughout the book and many murders (which you know from the beginning). The main character's Mother was murdered by a serial killer. This becomes her life's work tracking down living monsters. She is hired to investigate the murder of an Artist's second husband, who is disemboweled while she soundly sleeps next to him. Ten years earlier, the artist's first husband met a similar fate. There is a long family history of the husbands dying in this family and of twins. Mixed into the plot is an underground tunnel city of the NYC homeless, Voodoo, a dwarf, an informant transvestite, quite a few murders - I could go on but you should check it out yourself. It's a fun brainless read that will keep you guessing.
I enjoyed every page of this book. It's what I call a potato chip book. You keep wanting another page, it's not nutrient rich but it is deliciously addictive.
This book is in a series, which I didn't bother to notice until after I read it. I had no idea. The book could stand alone - I was never lost. It did keep me guessing until the very very end. There are two story lines going throughout the book and many murders (which you know from the beginning). The main character's Mother was murdered by a serial killer. This becomes her life's work tracking down living monsters. She is hired to investigate the murder of an Artist's second husband, who is disemboweled while she soundly sleeps next to him. Ten years earlier, the artist's first husband met a similar fate. There is a long family history of the husbands dying in this family and of twins. Mixed into the plot is an underground tunnel city of the NYC homeless, Voodoo, a dwarf, an informant transvestite, quite a few murders - I could go on but you should check it out yourself. It's a fun brainless read that will keep you guessing.
June 5, 2017
I read book 4 in this series, which drove me to read the prequels. Lydia is driven to follow psychologically disturbed villains, because her mother was killed by one. Of course, she has the ability to notice minute details that lead to the capture of psychopaths, and her male partner is the perfect, logical companion.
I've read four books in this series in the last month. My major complaint right now is that there are pages that are EXACT repeats of previous novels in the series. Really? How many times do I need to read about Lydia spotting the creepy guy in the parking lot, warning her mom, and recording the number of the license plate?
In this novel, the psychopath is out of the Prison for the Criminally Insane, and pursuing her. Plus, there is a woman who's husbands end up being knifed to death when she is at home next to them. Toss in Haitian voodoo curses, money, slavery, family histories, perverted twins, and folks living in tunnels under New York.
I've read four books in this series in the last month. My major complaint right now is that there are pages that are EXACT repeats of previous novels in the series. Really? How many times do I need to read about Lydia spotting the creepy guy in the parking lot, warning her mom, and recording the number of the license plate?
In this novel, the psychopath is out of the Prison for the Criminally Insane, and pursuing her. Plus, there is a woman who's husbands end up being knifed to death when she is at home next to them. Toss in Haitian voodoo curses, money, slavery, family histories, perverted twins, and folks living in tunnels under New York.
March 28, 2023
Lydia and her partner, P.I. Jeff Mark, must confront not only a brutal murderer but the demons from their own past.
Julian Ross, a brilliant and acclaimed New York City artist, has been charged with brutally killing her second husband. She was found at the scene, hysterical, over his bloody, lifeless corpse. She maintains her innocence, but the cops are having trouble believing her: Ten years ago Julian was indicted and acquitted of murdering her first husband in exactly the same way.
Julian's mother, Eleanor, is convinced of her daughter's innocence and hires Lydia and Jeff to clear her name. A cold woman, Eleanor nonetheless seems dedicated to her family, even looking after Julian's five-year-old twins. But Lydia and Jeff, who are still dealing with the aftermath of a confrontation with Lydia's mother's murderer, dive into the case only to discover that little about the family is what it seems to be.
Julian Ross, a brilliant and acclaimed New York City artist, has been charged with brutally killing her second husband. She was found at the scene, hysterical, over his bloody, lifeless corpse. She maintains her innocence, but the cops are having trouble believing her: Ten years ago Julian was indicted and acquitted of murdering her first husband in exactly the same way.
Julian's mother, Eleanor, is convinced of her daughter's innocence and hires Lydia and Jeff to clear her name. A cold woman, Eleanor nonetheless seems dedicated to her family, even looking after Julian's five-year-old twins. But Lydia and Jeff, who are still dealing with the aftermath of a confrontation with Lydia's mother's murderer, dive into the case only to discover that little about the family is what it seems to be.
May 23, 2017
So far this is my favorite in the Lydia Strong series and I didn't think it could get much better than the second installment. Twice is very suspenseful - both storylines keep you turning the pages long after you should have gone to sleep. These characters are complex, relatable, and just so well-written. If I hadn't been a Lisa Unger fan for decades already, I would reading all her works from here on. I can't wait to read the fourth novel but so sad to have to say goodbye to these characters.
October 28, 2025
Fine. Longer than it needed to be. One giant irritation is Unger’s constant name-dropping the products Lydia and Jeffrey have in their lives; the clothes, the accessories, the shoes, the briefcase… everything they own is a name-dropped expensive brand; we get it already, they’re rich! Still, I’m liking the series enough to listen to book 4.
Speaking of book 4, I’m afraid it will probably be narrated by Emily Beresford, who has narrated the first three books. (Sigh.) She gets a weak two stars. Her voicing of the characters is mediocre, her acting is mediocre, and she mispronounces words.
Speaking of book 4, I’m afraid it will probably be narrated by Emily Beresford, who has narrated the first three books. (Sigh.) She gets a weak two stars. Her voicing of the characters is mediocre, her acting is mediocre, and she mispronounces words.
October 5, 2019
Lydia Strong's story continues. This time she and her fiancé are working a case where things just get stranger and stranger. Curses and voodoo enter into the picture. We go underground in the tunnels and secret places under New York City where Jed McIntyre, who killed Lydia's mother and now is convinced that Lydia loves him, resides. Throughout this, Lydia is struggling with her pregnancy.
December 27, 2019
This book kept me on the edge of my seat ... I read most of it in a day! I loved how I was second-guessing myself as I was continually unpacking layers upon layers of this story. All of the many facets of this book, no matter how little, worked together really well to combine to make a great installment in the Lydia Strong series. I've been a fan of Lisa Unger for quite some time ... this book makes me even more addicted!
May 6, 2019
I enjoyed spending time in Lydia’s world. She is a character I can root for. There is a lot a repetition from previous books. Word for word paragraphs. Most people will read the series in order and don’t need all the details from a previous story re-hashed.... I’m hoping book 4 doesn’t repeat a lot of books one through three.
August 15, 2019
#3 in the Lydia Strong and Jeffrey Mark series. They have been hired to investigate the murder of a famous artist's husband ,Julian Ross by Julian's mother Eleanor. Eleanor certainly does not give them all the information and they are out in great danger.
August 12, 2023
I really liked this book, it had mystery, crime and murders, suspense, and unexpected twists around
every corner, I hadn't read any of Lisa Unger's books before but I will try to find the next one in this series.
every corner, I hadn't read any of Lisa Unger's books before but I will try to find the next one in this series.
January 8, 2018
A book i couldn't put down ! A awesome read , suspenseful , fast paced bring on the rest !
December 28, 2017
Another great one!
The older books seem to start a little slow. Once they pick up speed they get as good as her newer books
The older books seem to start a little slow. Once they pick up speed they get as good as her newer books
July 20, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the series and seemed to be slower paced.
April 22, 2021
Fair
I have read much better by this author. Parts were very good, but seems stories went on forever. Just fair.
I have read much better by this author. Parts were very good, but seems stories went on forever. Just fair.
June 20, 2022
A great read
August 3, 2022
Lisa Unger(Mascione) at her best. A solid series with this installment being the best. Had a taste of many interests of mine; NYC, history, crazy murderers and old curses.
August 20, 2023
Borrowed this from my local library. After a 3-week loan, I was barely more than halfway through so I returned it. It just wasn't my speed.
December 11, 2024
This is a good story. Lisa Unger has improved as she has written more. However, this one went on a bit too long, and I got tired of the constant descriptions of how things smell.
September 23, 2025
I did not realize it was part of a series. Wish i would have read the other books first, but still fairly easy to follow if you didn't
February 15, 2012
Lydia is being cautious now that she knows Jed McIntyre is in New York. Jeffrey Mark, her fiancé and business partner isn't taking any chances, especially since they just learned she's pregnant, and has hired a bodyguard, Dax Chicago, to shadow her at all times. Lydia is slowly getting used to idea of impending motherhood, and has doubts about her abilities to be a good mother. She has a serial killer after her, a wedding to consider, a baby on the way and now a high-profile murder case to investigate . . . what more could a woman want?
Lydia and Jeffrey are hired by Julian's mother, Eleanor, to prove Julian's innocence in her husband's murder. With her second husband murdered in bed beside her, Julian suffers an emotional breakdown and is hospitalized. Detective Halford McKirdy knows that second murder done in the exact same manner with only Julian as a "witness" or "innocent bystander" is a bit much to swallow. Julian was found not guilty in the murder case of her first husband, and now the stakes have been raised.
As Lydia and Jeffrey launch their investigation, they find that there are numerous loose strings to the information provided by Eleanor. She conveniently forgets to inform them that her husband was killed in a manner very similar to both of Julian's husbands. She also neglected to tell them that Julian has a twin brother that escaped from an upstate mental facility and is presumed dead or that she also had a twin brother. Lydia gravitates toward Julian's artwork to help uncover clues in their investigation. Meanwhile Dax and Jeffrey head underground in a search for Jed McKinley.
Twice, the third in the Lydia Strong series, provides great suspense and thrills as Lydia and Jeffrey basically search for two serial killers. The search takes them to a small town upstate and a shadow city underground. The investigations aren't neat and bloodless, but as the body count grows their determination also grows. The tension and suspense gradually build until the very end. This is one page turner you don't want to miss if you like a bit of psychological suspense thrown in with your thrills and chills.
Lydia and Jeffrey are hired by Julian's mother, Eleanor, to prove Julian's innocence in her husband's murder. With her second husband murdered in bed beside her, Julian suffers an emotional breakdown and is hospitalized. Detective Halford McKirdy knows that second murder done in the exact same manner with only Julian as a "witness" or "innocent bystander" is a bit much to swallow. Julian was found not guilty in the murder case of her first husband, and now the stakes have been raised.
As Lydia and Jeffrey launch their investigation, they find that there are numerous loose strings to the information provided by Eleanor. She conveniently forgets to inform them that her husband was killed in a manner very similar to both of Julian's husbands. She also neglected to tell them that Julian has a twin brother that escaped from an upstate mental facility and is presumed dead or that she also had a twin brother. Lydia gravitates toward Julian's artwork to help uncover clues in their investigation. Meanwhile Dax and Jeffrey head underground in a search for Jed McKinley.
Twice, the third in the Lydia Strong series, provides great suspense and thrills as Lydia and Jeffrey basically search for two serial killers. The search takes them to a small town upstate and a shadow city underground. The investigations aren't neat and bloodless, but as the body count grows their determination also grows. The tension and suspense gradually build until the very end. This is one page turner you don't want to miss if you like a bit of psychological suspense thrown in with your thrills and chills.
June 8, 2012
In her third outing Lydia Strong, private investigator, reveals a centuries old family curse as the husbands of famous artist Julian Ross family are all shown to have been murdered, including both of Ross’ husbands and her father too. Ross is under suspicion in the death of her husbands even though she had been exonerated in the first murder, ten years previously. Strong’s own mother was a victim of a serial killer, Jed McIntyre, who has recently been released and is stalking her as well. Lisa Unger—under the pen-name Miscione—sends us forward as she has us chasing two heavy plot-filled stories in her latest offering, “Twice.”
The dark story line is darkened even more as Strong’s partner/boyfriend, Jeffrey Mark, and her Australian minder, Dax Chicago, are led through the tunnels under New York City by the homeless who reside there as they recognize the danger of having McIntyre hide within their midst. Not only is he a threat to their own peace of mind, but they don’t need New York’s finest, led by Detective Ford McKirdy, searching below the surface. McKirdy, lead investigator in the Ross murders is the tool that Unger uses to bring the two storylines together as the Ross family have requested Strong also investigate the family murders.
Strong investigates these family stories as she struggles with finding out that she is pregnant and about to start her own family. The implausible storylines she finds herself involved in perhaps seem exaggerated by her extra-hormonal thought processes as she realizes that Mark is overbearing and extra-protective while seeing her as handicapped to be pursuing fleeing felons while in a family-way.
Unger writes in a heavy-handed way with great detail, though at times product names are a little distracting from the plot: pink glossy lipstick would be enough. This is a shame, as the story is fine, full of twists and turns, small-town clichés and evil relatives. Highly entertaining gritty writing.
The dark story line is darkened even more as Strong’s partner/boyfriend, Jeffrey Mark, and her Australian minder, Dax Chicago, are led through the tunnels under New York City by the homeless who reside there as they recognize the danger of having McIntyre hide within their midst. Not only is he a threat to their own peace of mind, but they don’t need New York’s finest, led by Detective Ford McKirdy, searching below the surface. McKirdy, lead investigator in the Ross murders is the tool that Unger uses to bring the two storylines together as the Ross family have requested Strong also investigate the family murders.
Strong investigates these family stories as she struggles with finding out that she is pregnant and about to start her own family. The implausible storylines she finds herself involved in perhaps seem exaggerated by her extra-hormonal thought processes as she realizes that Mark is overbearing and extra-protective while seeing her as handicapped to be pursuing fleeing felons while in a family-way.
Unger writes in a heavy-handed way with great detail, though at times product names are a little distracting from the plot: pink glossy lipstick would be enough. This is a shame, as the story is fine, full of twists and turns, small-town clichés and evil relatives. Highly entertaining gritty writing.
January 25, 2014
Strange story about a woman whose two husbands have been brutally murdered. Arrested the first time, Julian Ross managed to get a not-guilty verdict. In spite of the similarities the lead detective has doubts the second time, and even welcomes the entry of a private detective team, Lydia Strong and partner Jeffrey Mark.
Strong is a crime writer who works with Mark, a private investigator. Of course Strong has instincts for detective work and is relentless in her pursuit of leads.
However, she is threatened by a murderer, Jed McIntyre, who has escaped from prison and is out to get her. McIntyre murdered Lydia's mother several years before and has it in his head that he is in love with Lydia. None of this makes sense, of course, but we just go along.
Strong and Mark follow leads to a town called Haunted, where they discover that Julian Ross comes from a well-known family. But it goes beyond that. There is an ugly history and another family that has preserved its hatred of the Ross family over several generations.
At times it seems like the story might veer into paranormal territory. While it just misses, the Ross family does include several sets of fraternal twins - a boy and girl each time. The author assumes there is a genetic predisposition. I don't think so. According to medical pages I have read, there is a slight tendency for twins to run in a woman's family, but it would not be as regular as generation after generation. Especially boy-girl each time. But we'll let that go.
What we get here is essentially two thrillers in one! While McIntyre is hunting Lydia, Lydia is hot on the trail of something evil...
Strong is a crime writer who works with Mark, a private investigator. Of course Strong has instincts for detective work and is relentless in her pursuit of leads.
However, she is threatened by a murderer, Jed McIntyre, who has escaped from prison and is out to get her. McIntyre murdered Lydia's mother several years before and has it in his head that he is in love with Lydia. None of this makes sense, of course, but we just go along.
Strong and Mark follow leads to a town called Haunted, where they discover that Julian Ross comes from a well-known family. But it goes beyond that. There is an ugly history and another family that has preserved its hatred of the Ross family over several generations.
At times it seems like the story might veer into paranormal territory. While it just misses, the Ross family does include several sets of fraternal twins - a boy and girl each time. The author assumes there is a genetic predisposition. I don't think so. According to medical pages I have read, there is a slight tendency for twins to run in a woman's family, but it would not be as regular as generation after generation. Especially boy-girl each time. But we'll let that go.
What we get here is essentially two thrillers in one! While McIntyre is hunting Lydia, Lydia is hot on the trail of something evil...
February 4, 2016
Auf dieses Buch war ich mehr als gespannt, das Cover fiel mir sofort auf und auch der Klappentext sagte mir sofort zu.
Vorab möchte ich erwähnen das dies mein erstes Buch der Autorin war, ich kannte auch die Vorgängerbände nicht.
Doch das machte nichts, ich kam gut in die Story rein von daher denke ich man kann die Bücher auch unabhängig voneinander lesen.
Zum Inhalt werde ich nichts weiter sagen da der Klappentext alles sagt was man wissen muss.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist locker und flüssig, ich kam gut ins Geschehen rein und schon nach wenigen Seiten war ich an die Seiten gefesselt.
Auch der Erzählstil gefiel mir auf Anhieb richtig gut.
Die Charaktere sind authentisch gezeichnet.
Sie wirkten auf mich authentisch und auch sympathisch. Gerade Lydia ist eine unglaublich starke und auch unerschrockene Ermittlerin.
Ich habe mit Spannung verfolgt wie sie dem Mörder Schritt auf die Schliche kommt.
Die Handlung ist unglaublich spannend, diese Spannung hält sich bis zur letzten Seite und lies mich nicht mehr los.
Geschickte Wendungen, atemberaubende Spannung und Nervenkitzel machen diesen Thriller zu einem Lesegenuss.
Zusammenfassend gesagt ist diese Thriller spannend, unvorhersehbar und fesselnd.
Daher kann ich dieses Buch uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
Klare Empfehlung.
Fazit:
Mit Das böse so vertraut ist der Autorin ein fesselnder und auch nervenaufreibender Thriller gelungen der mich bestens unterhalten hat.
Von mir bekommt dieses Buch 4 Eulen.
Vorab möchte ich erwähnen das dies mein erstes Buch der Autorin war, ich kannte auch die Vorgängerbände nicht.
Doch das machte nichts, ich kam gut in die Story rein von daher denke ich man kann die Bücher auch unabhängig voneinander lesen.
Zum Inhalt werde ich nichts weiter sagen da der Klappentext alles sagt was man wissen muss.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist locker und flüssig, ich kam gut ins Geschehen rein und schon nach wenigen Seiten war ich an die Seiten gefesselt.
Auch der Erzählstil gefiel mir auf Anhieb richtig gut.
Die Charaktere sind authentisch gezeichnet.
Sie wirkten auf mich authentisch und auch sympathisch. Gerade Lydia ist eine unglaublich starke und auch unerschrockene Ermittlerin.
Ich habe mit Spannung verfolgt wie sie dem Mörder Schritt auf die Schliche kommt.
Die Handlung ist unglaublich spannend, diese Spannung hält sich bis zur letzten Seite und lies mich nicht mehr los.
Geschickte Wendungen, atemberaubende Spannung und Nervenkitzel machen diesen Thriller zu einem Lesegenuss.
Zusammenfassend gesagt ist diese Thriller spannend, unvorhersehbar und fesselnd.
Daher kann ich dieses Buch uneingeschränkt empfehlen.
Klare Empfehlung.
Fazit:
Mit Das böse so vertraut ist der Autorin ein fesselnder und auch nervenaufreibender Thriller gelungen der mich bestens unterhalten hat.
Von mir bekommt dieses Buch 4 Eulen.
September 20, 2019
Endlich wieder mal ein Buch was ich wirklich spannend fand.
Lydia Strong, Autorin und Privatermittlerin, wird mit ihren Partnern für einen heiklen Fall beauftragt. Die Künstlerin Julian Ross wacht neben ihren toten Ehemann auf. Das Heikle daran ist das schon Julians erster Ehemann auch so umgekommen ist.
Es stellt sich die Frage ob Julian wirklich unschuldig ist und wenn ja wer hat sonst ein Motiv gehabt. Und wie ist derjenige in die verschlossene Wohnung gelangt? Bei den Ermittlungen kommt einiges zutage was weit in die Vergangenheit liegt und hier müssen sich die Ermittler teilweise fragen was stimmt und wahr ist.
Sehr spannend aufgebaut. Man hat verschiedene Perspektiven in denen die Geschichte erzählt wird.
Neben der Ermittlung an sich, ist auch noch jemand hinter Lydia her, was das ganze um so spannender macht, man hat quasi zwei Handlungsstränge.
Am meisten hat mich zum Schluss die Wendung überrascht. Etwas womit ich nicht mehr gerechnet habe. Auch wird man während der Geschichte immer wieder in eine andere Richtung geführt und man ist sich teils nicht sicher ob man auf der richtigen Spur ist.
Wenn ich es richtig gelesen habe gibt es noch zwei Vorgänger Bänder aber die kenne ich nicht und es hat jetzt auch nicht geschadet die nicht vorher zu lesen.
Lydia Strong, Autorin und Privatermittlerin, wird mit ihren Partnern für einen heiklen Fall beauftragt. Die Künstlerin Julian Ross wacht neben ihren toten Ehemann auf. Das Heikle daran ist das schon Julians erster Ehemann auch so umgekommen ist.
Es stellt sich die Frage ob Julian wirklich unschuldig ist und wenn ja wer hat sonst ein Motiv gehabt. Und wie ist derjenige in die verschlossene Wohnung gelangt? Bei den Ermittlungen kommt einiges zutage was weit in die Vergangenheit liegt und hier müssen sich die Ermittler teilweise fragen was stimmt und wahr ist.
Sehr spannend aufgebaut. Man hat verschiedene Perspektiven in denen die Geschichte erzählt wird.
Neben der Ermittlung an sich, ist auch noch jemand hinter Lydia her, was das ganze um so spannender macht, man hat quasi zwei Handlungsstränge.
Am meisten hat mich zum Schluss die Wendung überrascht. Etwas womit ich nicht mehr gerechnet habe. Auch wird man während der Geschichte immer wieder in eine andere Richtung geführt und man ist sich teils nicht sicher ob man auf der richtigen Spur ist.
Wenn ich es richtig gelesen habe gibt es noch zwei Vorgänger Bänder aber die kenne ich nicht und es hat jetzt auch nicht geschadet die nicht vorher zu lesen.
June 8, 2012
This the third in a series with this main character Lydia Strong, but it was a first for me. I have never read Lisa Unger before, but now look forward to reading more of her books.
Lydia Strong works as a private investigator with beau Jeffrey Mark and her body guard Dax Chicago, a tough Aussie who won't let a serial killer bent on possessing Lydia anywhere near her. Serial killer Jed McIntyre has escaped from the psych facility for the criminally insane. A pro at blending in and disguising himself, Jed can be anywhere, anytime.
Unger creates characters that are so well articulated that they feel like real flesh-and-blood human beings. She is descriptive without using cliche techniques. She fleshes out scenes with description of surroundings detailed enough to help create the scene in your mind without being overly wordy.
One of the interesting aspects of this story is, just when you breath a sign of relief thinking the hair-raising suspense is over, it isn't. The stakes were raised often enough for me to squeeze every spare moment I had into reading this book. I just couldn't wait to see what was next - the mark are a truly well-crafted thriller.
Lydia Strong works as a private investigator with beau Jeffrey Mark and her body guard Dax Chicago, a tough Aussie who won't let a serial killer bent on possessing Lydia anywhere near her. Serial killer Jed McIntyre has escaped from the psych facility for the criminally insane. A pro at blending in and disguising himself, Jed can be anywhere, anytime.
Unger creates characters that are so well articulated that they feel like real flesh-and-blood human beings. She is descriptive without using cliche techniques. She fleshes out scenes with description of surroundings detailed enough to help create the scene in your mind without being overly wordy.
One of the interesting aspects of this story is, just when you breath a sign of relief thinking the hair-raising suspense is over, it isn't. The stakes were raised often enough for me to squeeze every spare moment I had into reading this book. I just couldn't wait to see what was next - the mark are a truly well-crafted thriller.
July 31, 2012
This book had such high hopes in the beginning but it went downhill, after the second part of the story. Julian Ross a New York artist has been charged with murdering second husband. Although that she tries to convince the police that she is innocent, they have a difficult time believing her because ten years ago, her first husband was murdered the same way. Julian's mother Eleanor a cold woman who will do anything to prove her daughter innocence, even hiring Lydie and Jeffrey to prove her case. But Lydie starts to discover many hidden secrets from Eleanor that will possibly destroy her case.
I really hated to give this book lower then a two but I lost interest after I got to the second part.The characters were mediocre and not really developed, story was not consistent and it was weak. I began to glance through pages to see if it got better but I did not have the desire to read ever word. It was very intriguing in the beginning but it fell flat in every other area.
I really hated to give this book lower then a two but I lost interest after I got to the second part.The characters were mediocre and not really developed, story was not consistent and it was weak. I began to glance through pages to see if it got better but I did not have the desire to read ever word. It was very intriguing in the beginning but it fell flat in every other area.
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