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Necessity
To escape her husband, a wife embarks on a radical adventure
Her name is Jennifer Hartman, or perhaps Dorothy Holder. She has birth certificates that say both. She got the names from old obituary files, and then went to the county clerk to ask for new copies. Her real name doesn’t matter, because her former life is gone. Since she went on the run, she has surprised herself with her ingenuity. She makes her way to Los Angeles and takes a room in an unassuming, out-of-the-way motel. She destroys her credit cards but keeps her old driver’s license—she has one last use for it. She enrolls in flying lessons, taking three or four a week in order to master the small plane as quickly as possible. Her plan is complex but, if it works, brilliant. She is fleeing her husband. A single error will mean death, but she is through with mistakes.
Her name is Jennifer Hartman, or perhaps Dorothy Holder. She has birth certificates that say both. She got the names from old obituary files, and then went to the county clerk to ask for new copies. Her real name doesn’t matter, because her former life is gone. Since she went on the run, she has surprised herself with her ingenuity. She makes her way to Los Angeles and takes a room in an unassuming, out-of-the-way motel. She destroys her credit cards but keeps her old driver’s license—she has one last use for it. She enrolls in flying lessons, taking three or four a week in order to master the small plane as quickly as possible. Her plan is complex but, if it works, brilliant. She is fleeing her husband. A single error will mean death, but she is through with mistakes.
248 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1984
6 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Brian Garfield
106 books78 followersBrian Francis Wynne Garfield was a novelist and screenwriter. He wrote his first published book at the age of eighteen, and gained prominence with 1975 his book Hopscotch, which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. He is best known for his 1972 novel Death Wish, which was adapted for the 1974 film of the same title, followed by four sequels, and a remake starring Bruce Willis.
His follow-up 1975 sequel to Death Wish, Death Sentence, was very loosely adapted into a film of the same name which was released to theaters in late 2007, though an entirely different storyline, but with the novel's same look on vigilantism. Garfield is also the author of The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Garfield's latest book, published in 2007, is Meinertzhagen, the biography of controversial British intelligence officer Richard Meinertzhagen.
Brian Garfield was the author of more than 70 books that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and 19 of his works were made into films or TV shows. He also served as president of the Western Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.
Pseudonyms:
• Bennett Garland
• John Ives
• Drew Mallory
• Frank O'Brian
• Brian Wynne
• Frank Wynne
His follow-up 1975 sequel to Death Wish, Death Sentence, was very loosely adapted into a film of the same name which was released to theaters in late 2007, though an entirely different storyline, but with the novel's same look on vigilantism. Garfield is also the author of The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for History. Garfield's latest book, published in 2007, is Meinertzhagen, the biography of controversial British intelligence officer Richard Meinertzhagen.
Brian Garfield was the author of more than 70 books that sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, and 19 of his works were made into films or TV shows. He also served as president of the Western Writers of America and the Mystery Writers of America.
Pseudonyms:
• Bennett Garland
• John Ives
• Drew Mallory
• Frank O'Brian
• Brian Wynne
• Frank Wynne
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 12, 2023
Big recommend.
August 2, 2018
I love Garfield's book, not at least this one, which is extremely wellwritten. A woman is fleeing from her crook of a husband. She is intelligent, beautiful and talented. But will she ever get her daughter Ellen back from her husband. Really a page-turner, You can read a few times.
October 6, 2024
This is the first novel I've read by Brian Garfield and it did not disappoint me. I really enjoyed the straight forward get to the point dialogue. The story was jam packed with action and a strong female lead. Definitely recommend this author
April 4, 2025
This is a fast-paced novel about a woman on the run from her mobster husband. She has to change her identity by taking on the identity of children who died around the time she was born. She has money and diamonds and must prepare to go back to get her infant daughter. This book was written in 1984 and many of the ways she was able to change her identity would be impossible today. It's a fun quick read.
February 14, 2023
Starts out interestingly enough, but gets progressively more silly. By the time the main character is falling in love with an ugly old pilot, I had had enough. And why is the book written in present tense? Very annoying.
January 16, 2024
When Madeleine LaCasse discovers the true nature of her husband she recognizes she needs to get herself and 3-month-old baby out. She manages to escape and then plots how to free her daughter. A smart, determined woman!
July 23, 2020
This is the author who wrote the Deathwish novels that were turned into movies back in the '70s.
November 9, 2020
This is a page turner, and I highly recommend this book. It’s very suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
January 30, 2026
I like Garfield, but I do find him uneven at times. This novel is two different stories. I like the first. The first half of this book describes how a woman successfully escapes an abusive marriage in the 1980s. It is quite believable for the period.
Unfortunately the second half of the novel is a cross country chase that I found boring.
Unfortunately the second half of the novel is a cross country chase that I found boring.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews