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Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer
In a heart-pounding thriller from one of the most innovative voices in contemporary suspense, a woman unravels the shocking truth about her parents, her past, and a life built upon an unthinkable lie.At DeRose & Associates Private Investigators in Virginia, Angie DeRose strives to find and rescue endangered runaways--work that stands in stark contrast to her own safe, idyllic childhood. But in the wake of her mother's sudden death, Angie makes a life-altering discovery. Hidden among the mementos in her parents' attic is a photograph of a little girl, with a code and a hand-written message on the "May God forgive me."Angie has no idea what it means or how to explain other questionable items among her mother's possessions. Her father claims to know nothing. Could Angie have a sister or other relative she was never told about? Bryce Taggart, the US Marshal working with her agency, agrees to help Angie learn the fate of the girl in the photograph. But the lies she and Bryce unearth will bring her past and present together with terrifying force. And everything she cherishes will be threatened by the repercussions of one long-ago choice--and an enemy who will kill to keep a secret hidden forever.Praise for the novels of Daniel PalmerConstant Fear"An electrifying thriller with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat!" --Lisa Jackson, New York Times bestselling authorDesperate"If you've somehow missed reading Daniel Palmer, it's time to--pardon the pun--get Desperate ." --Harlan Coben"Firmly places Palmer alongside the likes of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner." -- The Providence JournalStolen"Unrelentingly suspenseful." -- Publishers Weekly"A twisting, suspenseful chiller of a book." --William LandayHelpless" once you start reading this novel, you will not stop!" --Lisa GardnerDelirious"Not just a great thriller debut, but a great thriller, period." --Lee Child
Hardcover
First published May 31, 2016
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About the author
Daniel Palmer
15 books548 followersDANIEL PALMER is the author of four critically-acclaimed suspense novels. After receiving his master’s degree from Boston University, he spent a decade as an e-commerce pioneer. A recording artist, accomplished blues harmonica player, and lifelong Red Sox fan, Daniel lives in New Hampshire with his wife and two children where he is currently at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
June 21, 2016
3.5* Daniel Palmer has tackled a difficult subject for the basis of this book; namely human trafficking. It is clear he has done his homework as Palmer presents a profound portrayal of one of the victims, Nadine. She is a 16 year old runaway leaving behind an alcoholic mother and a father who left with a younger woman and now has no time for his daughter. Alone and vulnerable, wandering aimlessly in Union Station, Nadine is approached by a well dressed, smooth talking man. The predator is very good at deception and providing tantalizing promises as Nadine walks along beside him, unaware that she is about to enter a life she could never imagine. Another plot unfolds early in the book, when a private investigator, Angie DeRose is hired to try and locate Nadine. Unexpectedly, Angie has stumbled upon a hidden note written by her mother that suggests there are secrets to be discovered about her own family. The author easily goes back and forth between both stories offering suspense, fast action, and a slew of well developed characters. Forgive Me is a gripping book presenting a soulful tale of what it is like for millions of women held in captivity with no escape from the life they have been trapped in.
** Thank you to Publisher Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
October 11, 2016
Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer is a 2016 Kensington publication.
Angie DeRose is a dedicated PI, who has devoted her life to helping find runaway and missing children. When Nadine, a teenager with a troubled home life runs away, her mother hires Angie to find her.
But things become more complicated than usual when Angie’s mother dies suddenly and she discovers an old photograph her mother had hidden away. The photo is of a young girl with a deformity, with “May God Forgive Me’ written on the back in her mother’s handwriting, along with a what appears to be a code of some kind.
The picture haunts Angie and prompts her to investigate, never imagining the secrets she would unearth or the danger she would awaken in the process.
Based on the synopsis, I get the impression that of the two separate threads, the story concerning Angie’s mother was supposed to be the predominant story line. However, I could have taken or left this part of the story, as it didn’t provoke the same sense of dread that Nadine’s story did, nor did it evoke an emotional response from me, other than one of incredulity. It was just a bit too over the top in terms of plausibility and the last minute addition of characters muddied the waters, with the entire thread more or less falling to pieces, and then clumsily and hastily pasted back together.
This vivid portrait of a runaway who falls prey to sex trafficking and slavery is so tense and at times difficult to read, as it is told with such authenticity and realism, it's almost as if I going through the experience with Nadine.
This story would have been terrific if it had simply focused on the runaway angle, which was the saving grace of the novel.
The gritty details of being held prisoner, the slow degradation, the devaluing of human life, and the sad and mind blowing statistics involving the underground sex trade and slavery was written exceptionally well and if for no other reason, makes this novel worth your time.
Overall, both storylines were ambitious, and both could have been the main focus of a novel, with just a bit more fleshing out, but put together in one story, one outshines the other, thus creating an imbalance, but the one plotline was so well done, I still recommend this book to anyone looking for a taut crime story.
3.5 stars
Angie DeRose is a dedicated PI, who has devoted her life to helping find runaway and missing children. When Nadine, a teenager with a troubled home life runs away, her mother hires Angie to find her.
But things become more complicated than usual when Angie’s mother dies suddenly and she discovers an old photograph her mother had hidden away. The photo is of a young girl with a deformity, with “May God Forgive Me’ written on the back in her mother’s handwriting, along with a what appears to be a code of some kind.
The picture haunts Angie and prompts her to investigate, never imagining the secrets she would unearth or the danger she would awaken in the process.
Based on the synopsis, I get the impression that of the two separate threads, the story concerning Angie’s mother was supposed to be the predominant story line. However, I could have taken or left this part of the story, as it didn’t provoke the same sense of dread that Nadine’s story did, nor did it evoke an emotional response from me, other than one of incredulity. It was just a bit too over the top in terms of plausibility and the last minute addition of characters muddied the waters, with the entire thread more or less falling to pieces, and then clumsily and hastily pasted back together.
This vivid portrait of a runaway who falls prey to sex trafficking and slavery is so tense and at times difficult to read, as it is told with such authenticity and realism, it's almost as if I going through the experience with Nadine.
This story would have been terrific if it had simply focused on the runaway angle, which was the saving grace of the novel.
The gritty details of being held prisoner, the slow degradation, the devaluing of human life, and the sad and mind blowing statistics involving the underground sex trade and slavery was written exceptionally well and if for no other reason, makes this novel worth your time.
Overall, both storylines were ambitious, and both could have been the main focus of a novel, with just a bit more fleshing out, but put together in one story, one outshines the other, thus creating an imbalance, but the one plotline was so well done, I still recommend this book to anyone looking for a taut crime story.
3.5 stars
November 13, 2017
3.75 stars! I was immediately hooked on this book from the very beginning, I let it cut in line and Iwas totally into it. My only gripe is this book had a lot going on. It was a very good episode of Law & Order: SVU, at least that’s my take on it.
May 26, 2016
Angie is a Private Investigator whose specialty is finding and rescuing endangered runaways.
This both actually follows two stories that somehow converge at one point. Nadine is a runaway. Her mother is a drunk, her father is too busy to even acknowledge her. She decides she has had enough and bails. Young and naive, she falls for the man who says she could be a star ... only to find herself locked in a dark basement filled with other young girls .. and plenty of beds to carry on their 'owners' wishes.
Nadine's mother has turned to Angie .... as the police cannot promise to do anything except keep a look out. Too many real crimes keeps them all busy. Angie, with the help of her associates get a lead to follow. Unfortunately the man who has Nadine, is also a major crime figure and cops have an undercover guy that they have to protect.
In the middle of all this, Angie's mother dies. And what Angie finds after the funeral is going to change everything she's known and the life that's built lies upon lies. Hidden among the mementos in her parents' attic is a photograph of a little girl, with a code and a hand-written message on the back: "May God forgive me."
Bryce Taggart, the US Marshal working with her agency, agrees to help Angie learn the fate of the girl in the photograph. Angie's past and present meet head on ... leading her straight to someone who will do what it takes to silence the truth.
Daniel Palmer has a real story-telling talent. His characters are believable. Emotions and suspense rolls off the pages. Makes for a terrific read!
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This both actually follows two stories that somehow converge at one point. Nadine is a runaway. Her mother is a drunk, her father is too busy to even acknowledge her. She decides she has had enough and bails. Young and naive, she falls for the man who says she could be a star ... only to find herself locked in a dark basement filled with other young girls .. and plenty of beds to carry on their 'owners' wishes.
Nadine's mother has turned to Angie .... as the police cannot promise to do anything except keep a look out. Too many real crimes keeps them all busy. Angie, with the help of her associates get a lead to follow. Unfortunately the man who has Nadine, is also a major crime figure and cops have an undercover guy that they have to protect.
In the middle of all this, Angie's mother dies. And what Angie finds after the funeral is going to change everything she's known and the life that's built lies upon lies. Hidden among the mementos in her parents' attic is a photograph of a little girl, with a code and a hand-written message on the back: "May God forgive me."
Bryce Taggart, the US Marshal working with her agency, agrees to help Angie learn the fate of the girl in the photograph. Angie's past and present meet head on ... leading her straight to someone who will do what it takes to silence the truth.
Daniel Palmer has a real story-telling talent. His characters are believable. Emotions and suspense rolls off the pages. Makes for a terrific read!
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
November 13, 2017
A special thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. BTW, Great cover. The book, 10 Stars!!
Totally "A M A Z I N G" ! Top 50 Books of 2016!
FORGIVE ME, without a doubt "Top Books" of the Year. Movie-Worthy. Daniel Palmer's BEST yet!
Palmer's (2015) Constant Fear and Trauma both landing on my Top Books of 2015. Once again . . .
Highly Impressive: The author has produced two more "out of the park" hits, landing again on my Top Books of 2016: Mercy Coming May 17, and Forgive Me, Coming May 31. Palmer must have superman qualities to crank out two extraordinary bestsellers in the same month, for two consecutive years. Your dad would be proud.
As the book opens we learn of a woman, with tear stained eyes, writing a check and a note. She whispers the same phrase she has spoken every year on this day, at this exact moment. “May God forgive me.” Some dreams come at a price.
Set in Virginia (parts in Maryland and Washington), Angie DeRose is a Private Investigator at DeRose & Associates. She had gone into business with a purpose, but had been naïve about the depth of human cruelty. Each case was like turning over a rock to see what sort of horror might slither out. She took it all to heart, carried with her the emotion of what she saw every day.
From runaways or child custody cases, she went overboard to get results, to get proof in order to protect the child. From abuse, neglected, drug addicted parents- the world, a broken place.
Her best friend Sarah had vanished without a trace her senior year of college. Missing. She longed to do something to honor her memory and her spirit. Her mission to find the runaway kids and take them back home.
Nadine, a sixteen-year- old caught in world between divorced parents, living with an alcoholic and abusive mother, and an absentee wealthy father-- with a new life and family. Often no food in the refrigerator, and her mom drunk most of the time. She decides to leave. A runaway with no plan. Just to escape, and hopefully someone would notice. Innocent and vulnerable, the perfect candidate (victim) for an evil monster---a master manipulator. Lurking to find runaways, like Nadine.
She is naïve and trusts this man, and soon finds herself in a prison, a nightmare, which she cannot escape. Soon she is drugged, locked in – her phone and wallet gone. No escape. Each day she writes in a journal and hides it in slot in her mattress. She will do anything to escape being put in the hole. Tortured, drugged, abused, locked in with men watching her every move along with the other girls—how will she ever escape?
The DeRose family was well-respected, her dad ran DeRose Financial a financial service firm specializing in investing in high net worth individuals, and Kathleen, her mom, a big fundraiser. Her mom always wanted Angie to meet a man, but Angie was too busy with her business to have time for dating. She was on call 24/7. Her only other extended family-- her stand in, aunt and uncle-friends of her parents.
Soon Angie is hired to help find Nadine. While she is busy with the case tracking down leads with her employees, Angie receives some tragic news. Her mom dies unexpectedly and when cleaning out her things she comes across a photo of a little girl around four years old missing an ear. There is a code on the bottom with letters and numbers. On the back is a message, “May God forgive me.”
Angie, with her keen detective skills, has to crack this code. How was her mom connected with this child? Between the intense case of Nadine, suspecting sextrafficking, and the ongoing mystery surrounding this photo, Angie is surrounded by danger. What dark family secrets could her parents be hiding? Her mom was one of the most caring and giving women she knew.
Bao, a former runaway Angie had found and was later adopted. A few years later after he turned twenty, he went to work for Angie as a certified computer forensic consultant. He provided incredible assets—not only with his only skills and expertise at the keyboard but also because he knew how runaway kids thought. She also works with Mike (another former client in a custody case), who also runs another business and helps with her overflow. (A great team).
When Nadine’s case becomes top priority, the FBI is now involved and Bryce Taggart, the US Marshal is working with Angie. She connects with him to help her with answers of the haunting little girl in the photograph. However, she has no clue the dangerous past they are about to uncover. There are enemies who will stop at nothing to protect their secret.
Angie, a tenacious, unstoppable PI. A family secret. A mysterious photograph. A little girl without an ear. A code. A missing teen. Witness protection. Angie is haunted by Sarah, and Nadine haunted by Jade. Both victims, they have to save.
OMG, the suspense and intensity is at an all-time high. Nothing plays out as you think. Fast-paced, non-stop action-- adrenaline-fueled, readers will be page-turning to find answers to this riveting mystery.
What made this book so unforgettable (more than one thing). The heart wrenching journal entries. I loved "Girls Like Me" by Nadine Jessup. Palmer captures Nadine, her essence, her soul, her intimate feelings --getting inside a sixteen-year-old girl's mind. From the dialect, social media, fears, dreams, and the innermost sensitive thoughts. I was moved to tears--very emotional. Thought-provoking. The story goes beyond sex-trafficking and abuse. What comes next?. The after. We seldom think of the real psychological tragedy someone experiences.
Next, the two separate storylines. Brilliant! Both stories will keep you glued to the pages (like a book inside a book); Shocking twists you do not see coming --how the photograph plays out. Masterminds.
Beautifully written, powerful, explosive, skillfully developed, impeccably researched; A highly-charged inter-generational mystery suspense thriller of dark evil secrets. "A must read" for every teen and adult, worldwide.
Emotional, complex, suspenseful, highly-innovative, and "jaw-dropping," edge of your seat thriller. A double whammy--two books in one. From twists and turns, shockers, missing and exploited teens, runaways, drugs, sex-trafficking, alcoholism, greed, corruption, and murder, to age-old crimes; an ongoing mystery--Connects. Told from different POVs.
Please, please, please . . let this be the beginning of a series! These characters HOOK you from page one, and "hang" long after the book ends. They are way TOO good to end. More Angie, Nadine, Bryce, Bao, Mike (Jade, Sarah, Sasha). Each of the characters learn from the other in some way.
After finishing the book at 5 am this morning (no, you cannot put it down)-- the vivid characters continue to haunt me, running through my mind constantly, during my 50 mile bike ride today.
Daniel, words cannot adequately express my thoughts and strong feelings for this "talented work of art". I am speechless. You, sir have outdone yourself. #Amazeballs (taking a page from your book). You ARE cool, like that. Evocative journal entries Award-winning! Would love to hear more about the inspiration behind this intriguing book (both stories) with an author Q&A.
Informative & enlightening—21 million people, just like Nadine. Forced labor takes different forms, including debt bondage, sextrafficking and other forms of modern slavery. The victims are the most vulnerable – women and girls forced into prostitution.
This is a big one. Epic! Move FORGIVE ME to the top of your list and Order Now.
JDCMustReadBooks
Totally "A M A Z I N G" ! Top 50 Books of 2016!
FORGIVE ME, without a doubt "Top Books" of the Year. Movie-Worthy. Daniel Palmer's BEST yet!
Palmer's (2015) Constant Fear and Trauma both landing on my Top Books of 2015. Once again . . .
Highly Impressive: The author has produced two more "out of the park" hits, landing again on my Top Books of 2016: Mercy Coming May 17, and Forgive Me, Coming May 31. Palmer must have superman qualities to crank out two extraordinary bestsellers in the same month, for two consecutive years. Your dad would be proud.
As the book opens we learn of a woman, with tear stained eyes, writing a check and a note. She whispers the same phrase she has spoken every year on this day, at this exact moment. “May God forgive me.” Some dreams come at a price.
Set in Virginia (parts in Maryland and Washington), Angie DeRose is a Private Investigator at DeRose & Associates. She had gone into business with a purpose, but had been naïve about the depth of human cruelty. Each case was like turning over a rock to see what sort of horror might slither out. She took it all to heart, carried with her the emotion of what she saw every day.
From runaways or child custody cases, she went overboard to get results, to get proof in order to protect the child. From abuse, neglected, drug addicted parents- the world, a broken place.
Her best friend Sarah had vanished without a trace her senior year of college. Missing. She longed to do something to honor her memory and her spirit. Her mission to find the runaway kids and take them back home.
Nadine, a sixteen-year- old caught in world between divorced parents, living with an alcoholic and abusive mother, and an absentee wealthy father-- with a new life and family. Often no food in the refrigerator, and her mom drunk most of the time. She decides to leave. A runaway with no plan. Just to escape, and hopefully someone would notice. Innocent and vulnerable, the perfect candidate (victim) for an evil monster---a master manipulator. Lurking to find runaways, like Nadine.
She is naïve and trusts this man, and soon finds herself in a prison, a nightmare, which she cannot escape. Soon she is drugged, locked in – her phone and wallet gone. No escape. Each day she writes in a journal and hides it in slot in her mattress. She will do anything to escape being put in the hole. Tortured, drugged, abused, locked in with men watching her every move along with the other girls—how will she ever escape?
The DeRose family was well-respected, her dad ran DeRose Financial a financial service firm specializing in investing in high net worth individuals, and Kathleen, her mom, a big fundraiser. Her mom always wanted Angie to meet a man, but Angie was too busy with her business to have time for dating. She was on call 24/7. Her only other extended family-- her stand in, aunt and uncle-friends of her parents.
Soon Angie is hired to help find Nadine. While she is busy with the case tracking down leads with her employees, Angie receives some tragic news. Her mom dies unexpectedly and when cleaning out her things she comes across a photo of a little girl around four years old missing an ear. There is a code on the bottom with letters and numbers. On the back is a message, “May God forgive me.”
Angie, with her keen detective skills, has to crack this code. How was her mom connected with this child? Between the intense case of Nadine, suspecting sextrafficking, and the ongoing mystery surrounding this photo, Angie is surrounded by danger. What dark family secrets could her parents be hiding? Her mom was one of the most caring and giving women she knew.
Bao, a former runaway Angie had found and was later adopted. A few years later after he turned twenty, he went to work for Angie as a certified computer forensic consultant. He provided incredible assets—not only with his only skills and expertise at the keyboard but also because he knew how runaway kids thought. She also works with Mike (another former client in a custody case), who also runs another business and helps with her overflow. (A great team).
When Nadine’s case becomes top priority, the FBI is now involved and Bryce Taggart, the US Marshal is working with Angie. She connects with him to help her with answers of the haunting little girl in the photograph. However, she has no clue the dangerous past they are about to uncover. There are enemies who will stop at nothing to protect their secret.
Angie, a tenacious, unstoppable PI. A family secret. A mysterious photograph. A little girl without an ear. A code. A missing teen. Witness protection. Angie is haunted by Sarah, and Nadine haunted by Jade. Both victims, they have to save.
OMG, the suspense and intensity is at an all-time high. Nothing plays out as you think. Fast-paced, non-stop action-- adrenaline-fueled, readers will be page-turning to find answers to this riveting mystery.
What made this book so unforgettable (more than one thing). The heart wrenching journal entries. I loved "Girls Like Me" by Nadine Jessup. Palmer captures Nadine, her essence, her soul, her intimate feelings --getting inside a sixteen-year-old girl's mind. From the dialect, social media, fears, dreams, and the innermost sensitive thoughts. I was moved to tears--very emotional. Thought-provoking. The story goes beyond sex-trafficking and abuse. What comes next?. The after. We seldom think of the real psychological tragedy someone experiences.
“There’s just different experiences we can choose to learn from, to grow from, or choose to let define us. Not everything happens for a reason, but there is reason everything happens. Real life isn’t neat and tidy like that. It doesn’t get tied up in a cute little bow. That’s for fairy tales, right? We know those fairytale endings aren’t real, but we can still dream. We can still believe. Hope."
Next, the two separate storylines. Brilliant! Both stories will keep you glued to the pages (like a book inside a book); Shocking twists you do not see coming --how the photograph plays out. Masterminds.
Beautifully written, powerful, explosive, skillfully developed, impeccably researched; A highly-charged inter-generational mystery suspense thriller of dark evil secrets. "A must read" for every teen and adult, worldwide.
Emotional, complex, suspenseful, highly-innovative, and "jaw-dropping," edge of your seat thriller. A double whammy--two books in one. From twists and turns, shockers, missing and exploited teens, runaways, drugs, sex-trafficking, alcoholism, greed, corruption, and murder, to age-old crimes; an ongoing mystery--Connects. Told from different POVs.
Please, please, please . . let this be the beginning of a series! These characters HOOK you from page one, and "hang" long after the book ends. They are way TOO good to end. More Angie, Nadine, Bryce, Bao, Mike (Jade, Sarah, Sasha). Each of the characters learn from the other in some way.
After finishing the book at 5 am this morning (no, you cannot put it down)-- the vivid characters continue to haunt me, running through my mind constantly, during my 50 mile bike ride today.
Daniel, words cannot adequately express my thoughts and strong feelings for this "talented work of art". I am speechless. You, sir have outdone yourself. #Amazeballs (taking a page from your book). You ARE cool, like that. Evocative journal entries Award-winning! Would love to hear more about the inspiration behind this intriguing book (both stories) with an author Q&A.
Informative & enlightening—21 million people, just like Nadine. Forced labor takes different forms, including debt bondage, sextrafficking and other forms of modern slavery. The victims are the most vulnerable – women and girls forced into prostitution.
This is a big one. Epic! Move FORGIVE ME to the top of your list and Order Now.
JDCMustReadBooks
June 3, 2016
Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer contains two mysteries that intertwine throughout into one thriller that completely left me guessing until the end!
Angie DeRose is the head of DeRose & Associates Private Investigations. The associates are all friends with differing skills that help out as needed and are an interesting set of secondary characters. Angie’s main focus is recovering runaways and the lost. She is hired to bring Nadine, a young high school runaway from a dysfunctional family home. This mystery has Angie delving into underage prostitution and the sex-slave trade epidemic. To read Nadine’s journal is to truly have your heart breaking.
As the search for Nadine continues, Angie’s mother dies and as she and her friend are going through her mother’s boxes in the attic, she finds a haunting picture of a little girl with a code and the words “May God forgive me” written in her mother’s hand on the back. Her father claims to know nothing about the picture. Angie just can’t let it go and continues to dig with the help of her friends and Bryce Taggart, a US Marshal, who is interested in Angie and helping with both of her mysteries.
Angie is a strong and believable main character. All of the secondary characters keep you entertained with humor and/or strong emotions. Mr. Palmer’s writing is crisp and easy to read with a fast pace to the climax that surprises. The two plot lines are woven together into one terrific read!
Thank you to Kensington Books and Net Galley for the free copy of this egalley in exchange for an honest review.
Angie DeRose is the head of DeRose & Associates Private Investigations. The associates are all friends with differing skills that help out as needed and are an interesting set of secondary characters. Angie’s main focus is recovering runaways and the lost. She is hired to bring Nadine, a young high school runaway from a dysfunctional family home. This mystery has Angie delving into underage prostitution and the sex-slave trade epidemic. To read Nadine’s journal is to truly have your heart breaking.
As the search for Nadine continues, Angie’s mother dies and as she and her friend are going through her mother’s boxes in the attic, she finds a haunting picture of a little girl with a code and the words “May God forgive me” written in her mother’s hand on the back. Her father claims to know nothing about the picture. Angie just can’t let it go and continues to dig with the help of her friends and Bryce Taggart, a US Marshal, who is interested in Angie and helping with both of her mysteries.
Angie is a strong and believable main character. All of the secondary characters keep you entertained with humor and/or strong emotions. Mr. Palmer’s writing is crisp and easy to read with a fast pace to the climax that surprises. The two plot lines are woven together into one terrific read!
Thank you to Kensington Books and Net Galley for the free copy of this egalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2016
Forgive Me by Daniel Palmer is a fast paced thriller dealing with the difficult subject of human trafficking.
This book is made up of two stories. The first part of the book focuses on the disappearance of Nadine , a 16 year old girl , caught in the horrific web of sex trafficking. Angie a PI driven by the disappearance of her college friend, specializes in finding runaways and is hired by Nadine’s mom . Nadine’s ordeal is described to us by her journal writings and is heartbreaking to read.
Meanwhile during her search for Nadine Angie’s mother passes away leaving a picture of a little girl with a code and the words “May God forgive me” written in the back. The second half of the book concentrates on Angie trying to solve this mystery and trying to find what happened to the little girl in the picture .
The first half of the book was very compelling and writing keeps you completely engrossed . The characters were very well developed but the second half of the book was disappointing, it felt very rushed and Angie’s character that was shown to be very strong , and practical comes across as being a spoilt brat . I would rate this book 3 ½ stars and will look forward to more by Daniel Palmer
Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
This book is made up of two stories. The first part of the book focuses on the disappearance of Nadine , a 16 year old girl , caught in the horrific web of sex trafficking. Angie a PI driven by the disappearance of her college friend, specializes in finding runaways and is hired by Nadine’s mom . Nadine’s ordeal is described to us by her journal writings and is heartbreaking to read.
Meanwhile during her search for Nadine Angie’s mother passes away leaving a picture of a little girl with a code and the words “May God forgive me” written in the back. The second half of the book concentrates on Angie trying to solve this mystery and trying to find what happened to the little girl in the picture .
The first half of the book was very compelling and writing keeps you completely engrossed . The characters were very well developed but the second half of the book was disappointing, it felt very rushed and Angie’s character that was shown to be very strong , and practical comes across as being a spoilt brat . I would rate this book 3 ½ stars and will look forward to more by Daniel Palmer
Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 10, 2016
Angie DeRose is a woman on a mission to find and rescue every missing child, stemming from a traumatic experience as a child. Now a private investigator, she takes the cases that can be heartbreaking, the ones with endings that may not be happy, the ones that uncover the ugly scars we try to keep hidden. On the trail of Nadine, a teen runaway, Angie finds herself caught up in more than she had bargained for when the death of her mother uncovers hidden secrets from long ago, secrets that became lies, lies that became poisonous and lethal. Lies that she has unknowingly lived for years.
Determined to find and bring Nadine home, Angie will go as far as it takes and then some, but her mind is also latched onto a picture of a young girl with her mother’s heartbreaking plea on the back. Who is this girl? What secrets are kept hidden in a simple photo? The nightmare has only begun as Angie enlists the help of a U.S. Marshall and even his contacts chit a brick wall in discovering who the mystery girl is and what happened to her.
Daniel Palmer’s Forgive me is a razor sharp tale of intrigue, filled with unspoken secrets that were never meant to come to light. As he builds his world, we find ourselves working alongside a strong character. Angie has brains, grit and a fierce determination to save the world, one case at a time. The tension runs high throughout as we go from watching the life Nadine has found herself in to the desperate hunt that Angie is on to find her before it is too late. Weaving Angie’s own mystery into an already taut tale layers even more intrigue onto an already well-plotted story.
With a strong voice throughout, there seems to be a stutter-step a t the end, one that feels like it needs more life, more dimension because it has the potential to blast this tale into greatness or to even open the door on more about this amazing heroine. A nailbiter throughout, still an entertaining and twisted tale of suspense!
I received an ARC edition from Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Kensington (May 31, 2016)
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
ISBN: 9780758293473
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 416 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Determined to find and bring Nadine home, Angie will go as far as it takes and then some, but her mind is also latched onto a picture of a young girl with her mother’s heartbreaking plea on the back. Who is this girl? What secrets are kept hidden in a simple photo? The nightmare has only begun as Angie enlists the help of a U.S. Marshall and even his contacts chit a brick wall in discovering who the mystery girl is and what happened to her.
Daniel Palmer’s Forgive me is a razor sharp tale of intrigue, filled with unspoken secrets that were never meant to come to light. As he builds his world, we find ourselves working alongside a strong character. Angie has brains, grit and a fierce determination to save the world, one case at a time. The tension runs high throughout as we go from watching the life Nadine has found herself in to the desperate hunt that Angie is on to find her before it is too late. Weaving Angie’s own mystery into an already taut tale layers even more intrigue onto an already well-plotted story.
With a strong voice throughout, there seems to be a stutter-step a t the end, one that feels like it needs more life, more dimension because it has the potential to blast this tale into greatness or to even open the door on more about this amazing heroine. A nailbiter throughout, still an entertaining and twisted tale of suspense!
I received an ARC edition from Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Kensington (May 31, 2016)
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
ISBN: 9780758293473
Genre: Mystery | Thriller
Print Length: 416 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 15, 2016
Decided to go with 3 stars ("I liked the book") with this one, despite some flaws.
Overall, this is a solid suspense novel. The writing is very simple and bland, and characterization is lacking. Formulaic, maybe--but it's rare to find a book in this genre that's not. However, this is a book focused on action, and there's tons of that!
There are at least four plots in this book, but they're all exciting enough--and there are few enough characters--that it never becomes confusing. A warning, though: One of the plots, about a runaway girl, is pretty devastating. You might want to avoid this book if you're a sensitive reader. It's not overly graphic, but it's definitely hard to read.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
Overall, this is a solid suspense novel. The writing is very simple and bland, and characterization is lacking. Formulaic, maybe--but it's rare to find a book in this genre that's not. However, this is a book focused on action, and there's tons of that!
There are at least four plots in this book, but they're all exciting enough--and there are few enough characters--that it never becomes confusing. A warning, though: One of the plots, about a runaway girl, is pretty devastating. You might want to avoid this book if you're a sensitive reader. It's not overly graphic, but it's definitely hard to read.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
May 25, 2016
After the death of her mother Angie knows, as a private investigator for missing children, that when she discovers in the attic a photo of a child she has never seen before with the words “forgive me” on the back she will have to investigate. Nadine has run away from hope hoping to find a better life. These two cross paths and the story just gets better. This was a page turner with twist and turns and just enough clues that I had to keep reading to see what happens next. Just when you think you have it figured out a new twist is revealed. Great read. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
September 3, 2019
This is a fast paced book with lots of suspense and mystery to it.
It involves family secrets and on the other perspect it involves trafficking.
Angie is a private investigator. She seeks to find vulnerable and endangered runaways who need rescuing.
Meet Nadine.
Nadine ran away from her dysfunctional family seeking a new life for herself. She innocently gets tied up with a life she didn’t envision happening.
Angie is seeking to rescue her.
Right in the centre of this Angies mother dies. Through her things she discovers something that will forever change her life.
They are parallel stories that join in the end in a surprisingly good way.
It involves family secrets and on the other perspect it involves trafficking.
Angie is a private investigator. She seeks to find vulnerable and endangered runaways who need rescuing.
Meet Nadine.
Nadine ran away from her dysfunctional family seeking a new life for herself. She innocently gets tied up with a life she didn’t envision happening.
Angie is seeking to rescue her.
Right in the centre of this Angies mother dies. Through her things she discovers something that will forever change her life.
They are parallel stories that join in the end in a surprisingly good way.
January 3, 2019
This was just an ok read for me. It was a bad read, but sure not the best. I finished it, reading very fast towards the end - so I can move on. Others seemed to really have liked this book so much better than I did.
May 21, 2016
I have to say that though I am seldom surprised by books this one definitely surprised me. I had not a clue what the photo that Angie found in her mother’s things would lead her to and was definitely stunned by what she ultimately found out.
This book is definitely a BOOK. When you buy it you will get your money’s worth because you are getting more than just one story but instead more like three in one. You have the story of Nadine – the runaway, Angie – the private eye looking for Nadine and finally the mystery surrounding the photo and what is unveiled through research surrounding that photograph.
My first thought when I started the book was that 15 year old Nadine and early thirties aged Angie had the same “voice” and sounded the same age. That began to change as I progressed further into the book. I had trouble believing that any young woman would choose to believe a “stranger” would make them a star and be willing to go anywhere alone with them in their car but it has been a long time since I was a teenager. Nadine’s story was as horrible as it was supposed to be and sometimes difficult to read but I am sure that living it would be more difficult than reading about it.
Angie seems to be a dedicated person that has reached her early thirties without a man by her side and a family to care for. Her focus has been work that involves finding missing and at risk children. She has an interesting team that works with her and parents that love her.
I don’t want to have spoilers in this review. I will say the book was fast-paced, well written and filled with suspense. There definitely was a mystery to be solved. The characters were fleshed out and had interesting personalities. The bad guys were definitely bad. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I can’t give a full five because I can’t believe Nadine would have fallen in line with the predator so easily or have fallen for Ricardo’s seduction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this riveting book in exchange for my honest review! I will definitely be on the lookout for other books by this author!!!
4.5 Stars
This book is definitely a BOOK. When you buy it you will get your money’s worth because you are getting more than just one story but instead more like three in one. You have the story of Nadine – the runaway, Angie – the private eye looking for Nadine and finally the mystery surrounding the photo and what is unveiled through research surrounding that photograph.
My first thought when I started the book was that 15 year old Nadine and early thirties aged Angie had the same “voice” and sounded the same age. That began to change as I progressed further into the book. I had trouble believing that any young woman would choose to believe a “stranger” would make them a star and be willing to go anywhere alone with them in their car but it has been a long time since I was a teenager. Nadine’s story was as horrible as it was supposed to be and sometimes difficult to read but I am sure that living it would be more difficult than reading about it.
Angie seems to be a dedicated person that has reached her early thirties without a man by her side and a family to care for. Her focus has been work that involves finding missing and at risk children. She has an interesting team that works with her and parents that love her.
I don’t want to have spoilers in this review. I will say the book was fast-paced, well written and filled with suspense. There definitely was a mystery to be solved. The characters were fleshed out and had interesting personalities. The bad guys were definitely bad. And, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I can’t give a full five because I can’t believe Nadine would have fallen in line with the predator so easily or have fallen for Ricardo’s seduction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this riveting book in exchange for my honest review! I will definitely be on the lookout for other books by this author!!!
4.5 Stars
August 11, 2016
At 65%, I decided I simply didn't care enough about the mystery of the photograph.
The other whodunnit had been solved by this point.
With all the books I have to read, I decided to stop here.
It isn't a bad story. Simply didn't ring any bells for me. Others may enjoy this more than I did.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The other whodunnit had been solved by this point.
With all the books I have to read, I decided to stop here.
It isn't a bad story. Simply didn't ring any bells for me. Others may enjoy this more than I did.
Thank you to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2016
Angie DeRose is a private investigator who specialises in locating missing children who have run away from home. 16-year old Nadine is one of them – coming from a broken home and living with an alcoholic mother Nadine has set out to find a better life on her own. But life on the street is harsh, and there are bad people out there who prey on girls just like her ...
Just as Angie is getting stuck into the case, her own life threatens to unravel with the sudden death of her mother and the discovery of a mysterious photograph which may come to threaten everything Angie has believed to be true about her family, and her past.
Whilst the themes of Forgive Me intrigued me, this novel unfortunately did not work for me at all. I found the execution of the story too formulaic, the characters too stereotype and the “journal” sections, which have supposedly been written by 16-year old Nadine whilst she is in captivity, way too lengthy and polished to be believable as the voice of a teenager fearing for her life. I felt as if the popular current affairs topic of people trafficking had been chosen for the sake of appealing to the masses, but there was nothing original or genuine about it, and no surprises. None of the characters particularly appealed to me, and all of them lacked the emotional depth that would have allowed me to connect with them. And whilst I was intrigued by Angie’s very personal mystery, that of the photograph left behind by her mother, the final reveal was so far fetched that a massive dose of suspension of disbelief would have been required to be satisfied with the ending. I have never been a fan of formulaic writing and find it boring, which is why this novel was not one for me. However, looking at other glowing reviews there is definitely an audience out there who thoroughly enjoyed it and my opinion seems to be the minority, so don’t take my word for it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Just as Angie is getting stuck into the case, her own life threatens to unravel with the sudden death of her mother and the discovery of a mysterious photograph which may come to threaten everything Angie has believed to be true about her family, and her past.
Whilst the themes of Forgive Me intrigued me, this novel unfortunately did not work for me at all. I found the execution of the story too formulaic, the characters too stereotype and the “journal” sections, which have supposedly been written by 16-year old Nadine whilst she is in captivity, way too lengthy and polished to be believable as the voice of a teenager fearing for her life. I felt as if the popular current affairs topic of people trafficking had been chosen for the sake of appealing to the masses, but there was nothing original or genuine about it, and no surprises. None of the characters particularly appealed to me, and all of them lacked the emotional depth that would have allowed me to connect with them. And whilst I was intrigued by Angie’s very personal mystery, that of the photograph left behind by her mother, the final reveal was so far fetched that a massive dose of suspension of disbelief would have been required to be satisfied with the ending. I have never been a fan of formulaic writing and find it boring, which is why this novel was not one for me. However, looking at other glowing reviews there is definitely an audience out there who thoroughly enjoyed it and my opinion seems to be the minority, so don’t take my word for it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2016
This book went from full out 5 star novel to a squeaky 2 star in the last two to three chapters of the book. I can’t put my finger on when exactly it fell apart for me, but my intense enjoyment turned to complete dismay by the time I finished this story.
What Forgive Me has going in its favor is a really good writing style, interesting characters, and well-developed relationships. Character Mike was entertaining but so real. Nadine was written like a true teenager, annoying as hell but author Daniel Palmer captured girly teenager better than quite a few female authors can. I also liked Angie and her family, how their past was another whole mystery. But- for me that was the problem.
There were too many entanglements, too many storylines going for me to really immerse myself in any one. Way too much going on, to the point where I truly wished the author had split this up into several books. Nadine’s situation was colliding with Sarah Winter’s story, but then Angie discovered and blah blah blah…Truth be told I could have totally misunderstood the ending because I was barely reading the last couple of chapters. It just had to be over.
With that said, I have looked at quite a few reviews of Forgive Me on Goodreads and it appears that most people will be inclined to disagree with me. For those folks reading my review, please don’t comment that since I didn’t really read the last pages thoroughly, I can’t possibly understand how fabulous this story is. Let it go.
Tremendous thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel.
What Forgive Me has going in its favor is a really good writing style, interesting characters, and well-developed relationships. Character Mike was entertaining but so real. Nadine was written like a true teenager, annoying as hell but author Daniel Palmer captured girly teenager better than quite a few female authors can. I also liked Angie and her family, how their past was another whole mystery. But- for me that was the problem.
There were too many entanglements, too many storylines going for me to really immerse myself in any one. Way too much going on, to the point where I truly wished the author had split this up into several books. Nadine’s situation was colliding with Sarah Winter’s story, but then Angie discovered and blah blah blah…Truth be told I could have totally misunderstood the ending because I was barely reading the last couple of chapters. It just had to be over.
With that said, I have looked at quite a few reviews of Forgive Me on Goodreads and it appears that most people will be inclined to disagree with me. For those folks reading my review, please don’t comment that since I didn’t really read the last pages thoroughly, I can’t possibly understand how fabulous this story is. Let it go.
Tremendous thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel.
August 12, 2016
FORGIVE ME takes you into the nightmare world of human trafficking and the dark secrets families can hide. Angie DeRose is a private investigator who searches for missing and runaway teenagers, and hired to find sixteen year old runaway Nadine.
Daniel Palmer does a wonderful job of showing the harrowing experiences Nadine goes though as she is forced into the sex trafficking business. I liked how he used her heart wrenching journal to put me in her thoughts and feelings, it was horrible and poignant at the same time. I was emotional invested in what would happen to Nadine and if Angie would be able save her in time.
On top of the suspense with Nadine there is a second interweaving story of mystery. Angie discovers the photograph of a young girl her recently deceased mother had hidden among the mementos, with a code and a hand-written message on the back: "May God forgive me.” She is determined to solve this mystery about her mother, not knowing how it will change her world.
Daniel Palmer’s characters are intriguing and he creates a story filled with tension, intrigue and suspense. I will definitely be checking out his other novels.
Daniel Palmer does a wonderful job of showing the harrowing experiences Nadine goes though as she is forced into the sex trafficking business. I liked how he used her heart wrenching journal to put me in her thoughts and feelings, it was horrible and poignant at the same time. I was emotional invested in what would happen to Nadine and if Angie would be able save her in time.
On top of the suspense with Nadine there is a second interweaving story of mystery. Angie discovers the photograph of a young girl her recently deceased mother had hidden among the mementos, with a code and a hand-written message on the back: "May God forgive me.” She is determined to solve this mystery about her mother, not knowing how it will change her world.
Daniel Palmer’s characters are intriguing and he creates a story filled with tension, intrigue and suspense. I will definitely be checking out his other novels.
June 1, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
Angie DeRosa finds and rescues endangered runaways. After her mother's death she finds a photograph of a little girl with "May God forgive me" written on the back.
This sentence summed the book up for me, "Runaways or throwaways ...... attract danger like a wounded fish in a sea of hungry sharks".
Daniel Palmer has taken a very emotive subject and treated it in a very sympathetic was.
This is a real page turner and was one of the most exciting books I've read in a long time. It had me enthralled from page one and is a roller-coaster of a ride. The ending left me with a tear in my eye.
If you're looking for an emotional thriller this is the one for you.
Angie DeRosa finds and rescues endangered runaways. After her mother's death she finds a photograph of a little girl with "May God forgive me" written on the back.
This sentence summed the book up for me, "Runaways or throwaways ...... attract danger like a wounded fish in a sea of hungry sharks".
Daniel Palmer has taken a very emotive subject and treated it in a very sympathetic was.
This is a real page turner and was one of the most exciting books I've read in a long time. It had me enthralled from page one and is a roller-coaster of a ride. The ending left me with a tear in my eye.
If you're looking for an emotional thriller this is the one for you.
May 7, 2016
Angie, a private investigator, thinks her life is a normal life until after her mother dies. That's when she finds a photo of a child in the attic in a wooden jewelry box she has never seen. On the back of the picture are two initials and several numbers and the words "forgive me". Angie's life is never the same again once she starts investigating.
This was one wild ride. I can't really say too much without giving it all away, but I can say that I was not disappointed at all during the time I was reading this book. There were so many strange things involved in getting to the bottom of all of this. There is no way you can guess what happens in the end or what even happened in the beginning. It was another one of those that I just could not put down because I had to know - what the heck was going on? And there was a lot. I would definitely add this to your TBR pile if your into mystery and suspense, because there's a lot in here!
I want to thank Kensington Books and Net Galley for approving and sending me an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one wild ride. I can't really say too much without giving it all away, but I can say that I was not disappointed at all during the time I was reading this book. There were so many strange things involved in getting to the bottom of all of this. There is no way you can guess what happens in the end or what even happened in the beginning. It was another one of those that I just could not put down because I had to know - what the heck was going on? And there was a lot. I would definitely add this to your TBR pile if your into mystery and suspense, because there's a lot in here!
I want to thank Kensington Books and Net Galley for approving and sending me an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2017
This book exceeded expectations. It was incredibly narrated by Tavia Gilbert who relayed the action considerably well. I have read 4 of Daniel Palmers books; this is the best (so far)!
May 18, 2016
Well, this was something a little different. We start off with a missing person case and then all of a sudden we veer right off into something quite different and rather exciting and unexpected. At the time, I kind of thought it a little strange but I think it is the start of a series and I am always a lot more forgiving of a "first in series" book as I understand that it will contain a heck of a lot more information than a stand alone as it needs to set the scene, introduce the characters, etc as well as providing a decent story and I think the author got that balance more or less right.
The story itself was good overall. There were a couple of times I wanted a little more but I am not sure that getting that would be too much padding. I wish I could give examples but sadly, spoilers. But, that said, the author kept a very good balance between narrative and description. Enough to enhance rather than distract and that's important for me as I do like a book to get on with the story!
As already mentioned, this was a book of two halves. There were also a couple of other sub plots going on. One major one which I assume will be a series arc kind of plot as it wasn't resolved in this book but I can see it having the potential for further investigation. The missing person story was interesting and could possibly have made for a story in its own right maybe as book two, with the other main story front and centre in this. That said, I thought the author handled the two stories well together, especially as they were quite different in theme and pace.
Characters were also good. Well defined and easy to relate to / emote with. Banter and interaction between them was also good. If this is the start of a new series, I think the author has created a good niche of main characters to take forward and develop throughout.
Pacing was interesting, mainly due to the dual nature of the book so although it wasn't consistent throughout the book, it was consistent along with the storylines. Usually pacing follows a similar pattern with a thriller and that can become a little formulaic and samey, but in this book I was kept on my toes throughout with the plot and the pacing followed my emotions and thrill level as I was reading perfectly.
All in all, this was a good read for me. Hopefully it is the start of a series and, if so, I will keep my eye open for book two. In the mean time, I may well have a look at his other books.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
The story itself was good overall. There were a couple of times I wanted a little more but I am not sure that getting that would be too much padding. I wish I could give examples but sadly, spoilers. But, that said, the author kept a very good balance between narrative and description. Enough to enhance rather than distract and that's important for me as I do like a book to get on with the story!
As already mentioned, this was a book of two halves. There were also a couple of other sub plots going on. One major one which I assume will be a series arc kind of plot as it wasn't resolved in this book but I can see it having the potential for further investigation. The missing person story was interesting and could possibly have made for a story in its own right maybe as book two, with the other main story front and centre in this. That said, I thought the author handled the two stories well together, especially as they were quite different in theme and pace.
Characters were also good. Well defined and easy to relate to / emote with. Banter and interaction between them was also good. If this is the start of a new series, I think the author has created a good niche of main characters to take forward and develop throughout.
Pacing was interesting, mainly due to the dual nature of the book so although it wasn't consistent throughout the book, it was consistent along with the storylines. Usually pacing follows a similar pattern with a thriller and that can become a little formulaic and samey, but in this book I was kept on my toes throughout with the plot and the pacing followed my emotions and thrill level as I was reading perfectly.
All in all, this was a good read for me. Hopefully it is the start of a series and, if so, I will keep my eye open for book two. In the mean time, I may well have a look at his other books.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
May 25, 2016
Where to begin? I'm still stumbling on exactly what to rate and how to review this one. So I'll start with a simple statement: The writing is engaging.
This book is really two distinct storylines. The major component, which is, oddly, not the aspect promoted in the book's description, intrigued me most. Angie is hired to find a runaway teen girl, Nadine, who turns out to be in serious trouble. For the first three-quarters of the book, this is the main focus. Angie and her team track Nadine and, in the process, uncover the disturbing world of forced prostitution.
Nadine's character comes to us largely through her journal entries, written as chapters, as her story unfolds. We're right there with her, in her thoughts, seeing what she sees, and feeling her emotions. I found this aspect compelling.
The overall pace during this first three-quarters of the book is steady, keeping us hooked. We get an excellent feel for how a PI works during this process. The characters are intriguing and their banter makes them all the more realistic.
Then we get toward the end of the book, when the story moves almost exclusively into the photograph Angie had found early on, and her determination to figure out what her parents have been hiding. This feels like a different story entirely. The pace is rushed. The twists are extreme to the point of being difficult to believe. Angie's character goes from a methodical, practical, experienced PI to a spoiled child stomping her feet. Despite being told that her investigation was putting people in danger, she continued on with very little caution. All of it felt like too much, too fast. This part would have worked well as a story of its own. But this is written far more as a subtext that suddenly takes over and blows up at the end.
I have no doubt that many readers will love this explosive ending. For me, though, it felt too disconnected from the main story in which I'd invested so much time.
*I received an advance ebook copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
This book is really two distinct storylines. The major component, which is, oddly, not the aspect promoted in the book's description, intrigued me most. Angie is hired to find a runaway teen girl, Nadine, who turns out to be in serious trouble. For the first three-quarters of the book, this is the main focus. Angie and her team track Nadine and, in the process, uncover the disturbing world of forced prostitution.
Nadine's character comes to us largely through her journal entries, written as chapters, as her story unfolds. We're right there with her, in her thoughts, seeing what she sees, and feeling her emotions. I found this aspect compelling.
The overall pace during this first three-quarters of the book is steady, keeping us hooked. We get an excellent feel for how a PI works during this process. The characters are intriguing and their banter makes them all the more realistic.
Then we get toward the end of the book, when the story moves almost exclusively into the photograph Angie had found early on, and her determination to figure out what her parents have been hiding. This feels like a different story entirely. The pace is rushed. The twists are extreme to the point of being difficult to believe. Angie's character goes from a methodical, practical, experienced PI to a spoiled child stomping her feet. Despite being told that her investigation was putting people in danger, she continued on with very little caution. All of it felt like too much, too fast. This part would have worked well as a story of its own. But this is written far more as a subtext that suddenly takes over and blows up at the end.
I have no doubt that many readers will love this explosive ending. For me, though, it felt too disconnected from the main story in which I'd invested so much time.
*I received an advance ebook copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
May 31, 2016
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review!
I am a sucker for mysteries and good thrillers as you all might have figured out by now! So Angie is a private investigator hired to find Nadine six weeks after she disappears. We the readers actually have a pretty good idea of what happens to Nadine as in the beginning the chapters alternate between Nadine and Angie, and then later they switch to Nadine's journal.
Nadine is a teenager who decides to test her parent's love by running away. She is pretty sure neither want her, but she wants to make sure. However, she doesn't get very far before she meets a man who is going to change everything for her.
Meanwhile, Angie is trying to follow in Nadine's shoes and figure out what is/or did happen to her. Along the way her mother passes away and Angie is drawn into her family mystery when she stumbles across a photo of a young girl and the words please forgive me written on the back.
This wasn't a super big mystery or a huge thriller for me. It was a good book and I enjoyed the read. Initially I really didn't care that much about the picture or where the author was going with that, until I realized it was a big part of the story. I thought it was a really good portrayal of predators and how they run their games. The bigger mystery was really about the picture, since we are told the story up to certain point by Angie and Nadine we already know what is happening to Nadine, where she went and the only thing that is a little mystery is she still alive?
July 10, 2017
Angie DeRose wound up in the private investigation business due to the disappearance of her best friend while still young. She works a lot of missing children in her job. Her most recent one is 16 year old runaway Nadine who is disgusted with her alcoholic mother. In addition, Angie finds a mysterious photo of a sad child with a deformed ear with mysterious writing on the back in her late mother's writing, including "God forgive me". So you're given three mysteries in one very large book.
I wanted to like this. I really did. I might have bought it by mistake (sticker on author's name had me thinking it was someone else), but it looked interesting and started well. The writing is good, the characters sorta interesting, but it just never grabbed me. In fact, I got very bored. Too much jumping about, too many mysteries, too much description, and the last few chapters almost had me bailing. I really think the editing should've been tighter. Less can definitely be more.
Lots of bad guys (some of whom were a little too obvious). A sorta romance. But overall, just too much crammed into one very fat book. I would say disappointing. 3 out of 5
I wanted to like this. I really did. I might have bought it by mistake (sticker on author's name had me thinking it was someone else), but it looked interesting and started well. The writing is good, the characters sorta interesting, but it just never grabbed me. In fact, I got very bored. Too much jumping about, too many mysteries, too much description, and the last few chapters almost had me bailing. I really think the editing should've been tighter. Less can definitely be more.
Lots of bad guys (some of whom were a little too obvious). A sorta romance. But overall, just too much crammed into one very fat book. I would say disappointing. 3 out of 5
May 31, 2016
Too much tried - too little delivered
I liked the first part of this book which focused on the disappearance of Nadine, a 16 year old girl who got caught up in a human trafficking ring.
The private investigator, Angie DeRose of DeRose and Associates is a super protagonist and I liked her main associates (she has lots of associates) Mike and Bao. They really added to the story.
The story was strong, the characters, especially the bad guys, were described in fine detail and I liked the direction the tale was headed - as much as you can like a story about scumbucket traffickers and the selling of young children for sex.
Then about 2/3 of the way through the book the storyline shifted 180° and a whole new BIG story came onboard.
It was too much. It needed to separate into another book and be expanded out. It didn't belong in Nadine's story. I think both stories got shortchanged by writing it this way.
I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
I liked the first part of this book which focused on the disappearance of Nadine, a 16 year old girl who got caught up in a human trafficking ring.
The private investigator, Angie DeRose of DeRose and Associates is a super protagonist and I liked her main associates (she has lots of associates) Mike and Bao. They really added to the story.
The story was strong, the characters, especially the bad guys, were described in fine detail and I liked the direction the tale was headed - as much as you can like a story about scumbucket traffickers and the selling of young children for sex.
Then about 2/3 of the way through the book the storyline shifted 180° and a whole new BIG story came onboard.
It was too much. It needed to separate into another book and be expanded out. It didn't belong in Nadine's story. I think both stories got shortchanged by writing it this way.
I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 30, 2016
I'm just blown away by this book. I just read the last page and find myself unsure how to describe my feelings in any clear way. This was a suspense, a mystery, a page turner of course, and it had an amazing unforeseen twist. In fact, when I thought the story was over, oh no! It was just getting started, and I loved that! And then the way it all came together, it was just shocking and so unexpected.
But more than anything, I ended this book feeling so sad and so touched by the honesty and truth spoken by the young girl who narrates through so much of this book. The subject matter of this story is one that is heartbreaking, and the knowledge that this is real and actually happens to millions is so disturbing.
So yes, this was an entertaining read full of everything I love in a Daniel Palmer book but it was also a book that touched my heart in a deep and profound way. A huge Bravo to the author for having the courage to write about this subject and doing it in such a brilliant way. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
But more than anything, I ended this book feeling so sad and so touched by the honesty and truth spoken by the young girl who narrates through so much of this book. The subject matter of this story is one that is heartbreaking, and the knowledge that this is real and actually happens to millions is so disturbing.
So yes, this was an entertaining read full of everything I love in a Daniel Palmer book but it was also a book that touched my heart in a deep and profound way. A huge Bravo to the author for having the courage to write about this subject and doing it in such a brilliant way. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
June 13, 2016
Nadine is unhappy and feels unloved. Since her parents' divorce, her mother's drinking has escalated. There are no kind words anymore. Her dad lives in another city and money is all he has to offer her. After another go-round with her mother, she decides to leave home. It doesn't take long before her vulnerability captures the attention of a predator. She's about to embark on a tough journey.
Angie DeRose is a private investigator with a specialty in runaways. When Nadine's parents hire her to find their daughter, she makes no promises other than she will do her best.
The second storyline running through this novel concerns a mysterious picture that Angie finds after her mother's death. Who is the little girl in the picture and why did her mother ask for forgiveness?
Forgive Me is a suspenseful thriller that had me reading while cooking. Always a good sign. I appreciated the fact that there were no instant solutions in the search for Nadine. Very well done. I'll be adding Daniel Palmer's other books to my TBR list.
Angie DeRose is a private investigator with a specialty in runaways. When Nadine's parents hire her to find their daughter, she makes no promises other than she will do her best.
The second storyline running through this novel concerns a mysterious picture that Angie finds after her mother's death. Who is the little girl in the picture and why did her mother ask for forgiveness?
Forgive Me is a suspenseful thriller that had me reading while cooking. Always a good sign. I appreciated the fact that there were no instant solutions in the search for Nadine. Very well done. I'll be adding Daniel Palmer's other books to my TBR list.
April 10, 2016
3.0 out of 5 stars -- Fast paced suspense and lots of action as Angie DeRose, PI, searches for a young girl who is kidnapped into prostitution. In another plot line, Angie seeks to solve a mystery involving her own family.
Without giving any spoilers, I found the story of the trafficking to be much more compelling than the one that dealt with the picture Angie found. As do most thrillers that involve bad guys vs the strong, beautiful, female protagonist, some of the situations and coincidence required a heavy dose of suspense of disbelief. The characters and their roles were stereotypical of this genre and there were no surprises or twists. The required romance element is included.
A quick and entertaining read perfect for commute or holiday. I have read most of Daniel Palmer's books and will likely keep the author on my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-book ARC to review.
Without giving any spoilers, I found the story of the trafficking to be much more compelling than the one that dealt with the picture Angie found. As do most thrillers that involve bad guys vs the strong, beautiful, female protagonist, some of the situations and coincidence required a heavy dose of suspense of disbelief. The characters and their roles were stereotypical of this genre and there were no surprises or twists. The required romance element is included.
A quick and entertaining read perfect for commute or holiday. I have read most of Daniel Palmer's books and will likely keep the author on my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-book ARC to review.
July 11, 2019
This book neatly weaves two stories together, and carefully ties up loose ends. The characters are portrayed in so much detail that I felt as I knew them. the author definitely has a special talent for this! There were many people that I did not like; however, it adds to the book instead of taking away from it.
One of the main topics is sex trafficking. The scenes are not graphic; however, the book does speak about the experiences of the girls who are caught up in it against their will. I had never read a book that contained anything about that subject before; the book made me feel so incredibly sad for the victims who had no hope of having a different life. It really gave me a lot to think about.
I think this book is worth reading. It showed me a world that I had no knowledge of and would not have gone out of my way to read about. It definitely caused a shift in the way I think about prostitution.
One of the main topics is sex trafficking. The scenes are not graphic; however, the book does speak about the experiences of the girls who are caught up in it against their will. I had never read a book that contained anything about that subject before; the book made me feel so incredibly sad for the victims who had no hope of having a different life. It really gave me a lot to think about.
I think this book is worth reading. It showed me a world that I had no knowledge of and would not have gone out of my way to read about. It definitely caused a shift in the way I think about prostitution.
May 18, 2016
3.5 stars .. This book predominantly covers a very emotive subject of a teenage runaway and the horrors that can happen .PI. Angie is brought in to find Nadine and this part of the book I really enjoyed .... But it was a book of two halves .. The second half being about Angie and the secrets of her family when an old photograph is found . It was like 2 books in one and I think the author would have been better keeping the stories for separate books in , what I imagine to be , a series to come . In saying this I did enjoy the read and my thanks go to netgalley and the publisher for my arc in exchange for an honest review
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