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The Witness
After stumbling upon a chilling small-town secret in South Carolina, a determined public defender must protect herself -- and her young son -- from those who want them dead.Kendall Deaton pulls herself and her baby out of a wrecked car, and a mixture of courage and fear gets her to the top of a ravine, where she flags down help. But she doesn't dare reveal her true identity to the authorities. Instead, she plans her immediate escape, and her perilous flight begins. Kendall, the best public defender in Prosper, South Carolina, has stumbled upon a chilling town secret, turning her marriage to one of Prosper's most powerful men into a living hell. Now Kendall is a terrified mother trying to save her child's life, a reluctant witness who knows too much about an insidious evil . . . and a woman surrounded by forces that will stop at nothing to protect what is "theirs."
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
2280 people are currently reading
9409 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Brown
343 books19.3k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).
Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,220 reviews
February 10, 2019
4 Stars
This book reminded me of this:
Why?
Because it's full of errors, typos, unfinished or mixed sentences and missing paragraphs.
A great mystery. I spent half of the book scratching my head, trying to connect the paragraphs and sentences.
And I may be crazy, but I liked it. A lot. That's how good Sandra Brown is.
There may be a newer edition available. I just read the one that had been on my Kindle for years.
This book reminded me of this:
Why?
Because it's full of errors, typos, unfinished or mixed sentences and missing paragraphs.
A great mystery. I spent half of the book scratching my head, trying to connect the paragraphs and sentences.
And I may be crazy, but I liked it. A lot. That's how good Sandra Brown is.
There may be a newer edition available. I just read the one that had been on my Kindle for years.
August 6, 2016
4.5 stars
A car crash, on a rainy night, leaves three survivors, a baby boy, a man who is badly injured, and Kendall Deaton. Kendall has secrets and she knows if these secrets are revealed to the wrong people, her life won’t be worth living.
This is a book where you cannot really say too much about the storyline without giving something away. Another solid read from Ms Brown. Yes, I will be checking out more of her books.
Her priority is her child. She had a seemingly perfect marriage but one night stumbled upon a scene so terrifying that she knows she has to escape … but the forces that want to stop her revealing her story are strong and powerful ….
She plans to escape but even the best laid plans go wrong. Instead of just her and her baby she has to take John, the injured man with her…
As with the previous Brown books that I have read, the sex is practically non-existent … it is implied… and that is good enough for me.
She would do anything to protect her son.
And as for some of the racism and bigotry portrayed in this book… it was dreadful. I know the times are a changing and all that but I sure as hell hope they have definitely changed in most parts of the civilized world.
A car crash, on a rainy night, leaves three survivors, a baby boy, a man who is badly injured, and Kendall Deaton. Kendall has secrets and she knows if these secrets are revealed to the wrong people, her life won’t be worth living.
This is a book where you cannot really say too much about the storyline without giving something away. Another solid read from Ms Brown. Yes, I will be checking out more of her books.
STORM BEFORE SUNSET.
MARK MY WORDS
Her priority is her child. She had a seemingly perfect marriage but one night stumbled upon a scene so terrifying that she knows she has to escape … but the forces that want to stop her revealing her story are strong and powerful ….
She plans to escape but even the best laid plans go wrong. Instead of just her and her baby she has to take John, the injured man with her…
The cleavage between her breasts was shadowed and mysterious. He wanted to explore that entrancing valley. He imagined nuzzling there, and the fantasy caused a surge of sexual desire so strong that he involuntarily groaned
As with the previous Brown books that I have read, the sex is practically non-existent … it is implied… and that is good enough for me.
She would do anything to protect her son.
Kevin, exhausted from crying had fallen asleep on the swell of her breast. His virtually translucent eyelids were closed, although a glistening tear still clung to his eyelashes. His lips were bowed and slightly parted
REMEMBER ME
And as for some of the racism and bigotry portrayed in this book… it was dreadful. I know the times are a changing and all that but I sure as hell hope they have definitely changed in most parts of the civilized world.
October 16, 2014
Another fantastic read! I guess you could say I am on a little bit of a Sandra Brown kick right now. But I have to say her books are so freaking good. I’ve even started another one!
Where do I begin…
The Witness is told between the present and the past. It is story about a women name Kendall Deaton. On a rainy night there is an awful car crash. The survivors are Kendall, her baby boy and an injured man John. Falling under a web of lies and secrets, Kendall tells yet another lie to keep herself and her son safe. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect him. Hoping this lie will buy her a chance to get away for good she does what she has to do. But will her plan work?
You see…
When Kendall made an offhanded decision to take a job as a Public Defender in Prosper, South Carolina she had no idea the kind of life she would have. She just wanted to do good by helping people and serving her community. After settling in, marrying and delving into her work, unsettling things begin to happen.
Then one night Kendall witnesses something horrific. On the run Kendall does whatever it takes to keep her son Kevin safe and herself alive. What she witnessed the people of Prosper, people close to her, committing was beyond repulsive. She needs to tell someone, she needs to report what has happened but quickly finds out she doesn’t know who she can trust.
While on the run she seeks safety in an old family farmhouse that she and her grandmother would go to during the summer. It is the only place that she doesn’t think anyone knows of, except her best friend Ricki Sue.
As John heals from his injuries and Kendall cares for Kevin, an attraction between Kendall and John begins. John has his own internal battle and secrets too. Things between them slowly begin to change. Not knowing whether their feelings are part of the lies or reality a line is crossed. Call it need or greed....things get steamy.
When Kendall senses things are closing in on her again, she needs to make a decision. She needs to keep her son safe. To what extent would you go to, to keep your child safe?
This was another thrilling book, another highly recommended read. On a personal note I do have to say some of the things that take place in this book were simply cruel and disgusting. I had to remind myself that this book was published 19 years ago.
January 18, 2024
Reread on 5.13.20 & 6.10.22
Continuing my SB favorites reread marathon.
4.5 Suspenseful Stars!!
WOW! This story had lots of long hidden town secrets and plenty of lies. Kendall is the new Public Defender just married into a prominent family, Matt is the town's Newpaper owner and Editor, he seems to be the perfect catch, in the beginning of their married life together the only thing Kendall had to worry about was her intrusive and invasive father-in-law Gibb and the hold he seems to have over Matt.
Soon enough she stumbles (literally) over something so horrific it's sends her fleeing for her life and that of her unborn child. A year later she is found, she's wanted by the FBI, and on the run with her infant son and John a man with amnesia, she is counting on John to keep her and her child safe even though he seems to have an aversion to children. Eventually John and Kendall form a bond and John finds himself falling for not only Kendall but her infant son as well. John definitely doesn't trust her (with very good reason) and when he regains his memory he keeps the information to himself since he's the Marshall who is honor bound and sworn to return Kandall to the FBI.
There are many truly vile & vicious characters, storylines, twist, turns, lies, and horrifically aghast moments to keep you on the edge of your seat. Another fantastic Sandra Brown read. Heavy suspense, loathsome characters, light romance, and an ending that had more secrets to reveal!!
Continuing my SB favorites reread marathon.
4.5 Suspenseful Stars!!
WOW! This story had lots of long hidden town secrets and plenty of lies. Kendall is the new Public Defender just married into a prominent family, Matt is the town's Newpaper owner and Editor, he seems to be the perfect catch, in the beginning of their married life together the only thing Kendall had to worry about was her intrusive and invasive father-in-law Gibb and the hold he seems to have over Matt.
Soon enough she stumbles (literally) over something so horrific it's sends her fleeing for her life and that of her unborn child. A year later she is found, she's wanted by the FBI, and on the run with her infant son and John a man with amnesia, she is counting on John to keep her and her child safe even though he seems to have an aversion to children. Eventually John and Kendall form a bond and John finds himself falling for not only Kendall but her infant son as well. John definitely doesn't trust her (with very good reason) and when he regains his memory he keeps the information to himself since he's the Marshall who is honor bound and sworn to return Kandall to the FBI.
There are many truly vile & vicious characters, storylines, twist, turns, lies, and horrifically aghast moments to keep you on the edge of your seat. Another fantastic Sandra Brown read. Heavy suspense, loathsome characters, light romance, and an ending that had more secrets to reveal!!
September 27, 2021
Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
Hay que tener en cuenta que aunque es una novela publicada por un sello romántico, yo no la consideraría como tal.
Es un thriller o una novela de suspense, o una novela policíaca, como lo queráis llamar, pero no creo que estemos ante una novela romántica ya que el romance tiene un peso muy secundario.
Y como tal me ha gustado bastante ya que me ha tenido perdida casi la primera parte de la novela. Entonces es la propia autora la que comienza a develar pequeñas incógnitas, y eso me gusta. No ser yo la que destapa la trama.
Cierto que la trama de fondo se ve venir, pero siendo una novela emplazada en el sur profundo americano, no hay que tener mucha imaginación para saber por dónde irán los tiros.
En mi opinión, la autora juega muy bien con la información que muestra y la que se guarda para ir desvelándola paulativamente. Los personajes están bien definidos. El ritmo sigue una línea contínua ascendente, empezando la novela de forma pausada, en donde te pone en antecedentes y te presenta a los caracteres principales y va acelerando junto de forma paralela a la historia. Consigue atrapar
Hay que tener en cuenta que aunque es una novela publicada por un sello romántico, yo no la consideraría como tal.
Es un thriller o una novela de suspense, o una novela policíaca, como lo queráis llamar, pero no creo que estemos ante una novela romántica ya que el romance tiene un peso muy secundario.
Y como tal me ha gustado bastante ya que me ha tenido perdida casi la primera parte de la novela. Entonces es la propia autora la que comienza a develar pequeñas incógnitas, y eso me gusta. No ser yo la que destapa la trama.
Cierto que la trama de fondo se ve venir, pero siendo una novela emplazada en el sur profundo americano, no hay que tener mucha imaginación para saber por dónde irán los tiros.
En mi opinión, la autora juega muy bien con la información que muestra y la que se guarda para ir desvelándola paulativamente. Los personajes están bien definidos. El ritmo sigue una línea contínua ascendente, empezando la novela de forma pausada, en donde te pone en antecedentes y te presenta a los caracteres principales y va acelerando junto de forma paralela a la historia. Consigue atrapar
January 29, 2015
5 STARS
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Ok… I know, I give everyone 5 stars. What can I say? I have read some phenomenal books. And Sandra Brown is partly the reason for that. This woman can write a story like no other. Not to say that all her books are this good, but I pick and choose based on the reviews… and I have yet to be disappointed.
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The Witness is Kendall Deaton’s story. On the run for her life, Kendall pulls herself and her baby from the wreckage of an automobile accident in the mountains of North Carolina. She is also able to save the life of one of the passengers, who is injured and amnesic. Through sheer determination, she is able to get them all back to the safety of the highway where they can flag down help… but she must be careful because that help she seeks might just be the thing that gets her killed. So she must lie. They cannot find out who she is or she may put all their lives in danger.
![]()
He was suffering from a near-terminal case of lust.
![]()
This is how the story is presented, and for much of the book, you, the reader, are left in the dark regarding the identity of her amnesic companion, and the truth behind her past. And it will keep you glued to the pages.
I will not reveal anymore of the story… it is meant to unfold as you go. But I will say it was quite the page-turner! And that includes the names of the characters. Just go in blind… it’s better that way!
”Holy Christ, you’re alive! I’ve been sick, sick with worry. You’re the best diet I’ve ever been on.” -Ricky Sue was a hoot!
An underlying theme throughout the book involved an ethical dilemma. Quite interesting actually. A real What would you do? type situation. The question here involves the bringing to justice of a very dangerous group of individuals in exchange for… your future, your child’s future, your life, and the lives of those you love. Is it worth it?
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”Believe me, I want more than anyone to put these monsters behind bars for the rest of their lives. I’m willing to do my part as a good citizen, but I’m not willing to die for it.”
![]()
The sexual tension in the story was a slow build as usual, but well worth the prize in the end. The characters all very intriguing. I’m not a big fan of liars… but here… hmm?
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”You were aloof but within reach. Modest but accessible. The sexy madonna no man can resist. Damn you, Kendall, you seduced me with the whole package, and you knew you were doing it. You made me want you…. The only reason I made love to you every night was because I wanted to. No, I had to.”
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There were also some quite horrifying events that took place. I was totally unprepared for. But they were key to the plotline, I will say no more.
Another winner Sandra!!! Please keep writing, I don’t ever want to run out of these great books to read!
![]()
Ok… I know, I give everyone 5 stars. What can I say? I have read some phenomenal books. And Sandra Brown is partly the reason for that. This woman can write a story like no other. Not to say that all her books are this good, but I pick and choose based on the reviews… and I have yet to be disappointed.
The Witness is Kendall Deaton’s story. On the run for her life, Kendall pulls herself and her baby from the wreckage of an automobile accident in the mountains of North Carolina. She is also able to save the life of one of the passengers, who is injured and amnesic. Through sheer determination, she is able to get them all back to the safety of the highway where they can flag down help… but she must be careful because that help she seeks might just be the thing that gets her killed. So she must lie. They cannot find out who she is or she may put all their lives in danger.
He was suffering from a near-terminal case of lust.
This is how the story is presented, and for much of the book, you, the reader, are left in the dark regarding the identity of her amnesic companion, and the truth behind her past. And it will keep you glued to the pages.
I will not reveal anymore of the story… it is meant to unfold as you go. But I will say it was quite the page-turner! And that includes the names of the characters. Just go in blind… it’s better that way!
”Holy Christ, you’re alive! I’ve been sick, sick with worry. You’re the best diet I’ve ever been on.” -Ricky Sue was a hoot!
An underlying theme throughout the book involved an ethical dilemma. Quite interesting actually. A real What would you do? type situation. The question here involves the bringing to justice of a very dangerous group of individuals in exchange for… your future, your child’s future, your life, and the lives of those you love. Is it worth it?
”Believe me, I want more than anyone to put these monsters behind bars for the rest of their lives. I’m willing to do my part as a good citizen, but I’m not willing to die for it.”
The sexual tension in the story was a slow build as usual, but well worth the prize in the end. The characters all very intriguing. I’m not a big fan of liars… but here… hmm?
”You were aloof but within reach. Modest but accessible. The sexy madonna no man can resist. Damn you, Kendall, you seduced me with the whole package, and you knew you were doing it. You made me want you…. The only reason I made love to you every night was because I wanted to. No, I had to.”
There were also some quite horrifying events that took place. I was totally unprepared for. But they were key to the plotline, I will say no more.
Another winner Sandra!!! Please keep writing, I don’t ever want to run out of these great books to read!
January 25, 2014
What would you be willing to do to protect your child's life?
Kendall and her baby are fugitives running from the bad guys. Late one evening Kendall accidentally stumbles upon an execution scene and is discovered. She becomes the next on the Brotherhoods' list to execute.
While on the run Kendall creates a false life and kidnaps a man in her attempt to escape the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has vast resources and is determined to find her and preform their own justice on her.
THE WITNESS was published 19 years ago and is my first book by Ms. Brown. It was a thrilling adventure with lots of suspense and plot twists. The book flowed from present to past scenes nicely.
Standalone
Kendall and her baby are fugitives running from the bad guys. Late one evening Kendall accidentally stumbles upon an execution scene and is discovered. She becomes the next on the Brotherhoods' list to execute.
While on the run Kendall creates a false life and kidnaps a man in her attempt to escape the Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has vast resources and is determined to find her and preform their own justice on her.
THE WITNESS was published 19 years ago and is my first book by Ms. Brown. It was a thrilling adventure with lots of suspense and plot twists. The book flowed from present to past scenes nicely.
Standalone
October 6, 2017
***3.5 STARS***
Un libro propiamente dicho de intriga, suspenso o crimen policiaco con su buena dosis de amor era justo lo que buscaba.
Y fue exactamente lo que encontré. Si bien la historia engancha tremendamente, hubo momentos que me hicieron confundirme demasiado sobre la línea temporal.
Es un libro muy viejito y por lo tanto es difícil conseguir una versión digital si por los años de su publicación podría decirse que casi ni existían. Así que mi edición dista mucho de ser la perfecta.
Lo que me ha enfadado un poco y por momentos. La historia parecía quedar un poco estancada. No sabía quién era el narrador, ni en que tiempo estaban o en que lugar. Esto solo logró que me aburriera y me hiciera pasar hojitas... para que digo que no s, sí. 🤷🏻♀️
En fin, pasando eso por alto... después de que le agarre la onda al estilo narrativo y comencé a ubicarme en diversas líneas temporales el libro solamente fue a más.
Me dormí a las 3 de la mañana. Con eso lo digo todo. Porque en serio, no hay otra cosa más sagrada para mi que el sueño, bueno, y la comida Hahaha 😅
La autora narra cómo una mujer perseguida lucha por su vida al grado de mentir sobre un paciente amnésico diciendo que este es su marido. Es claramente esta oportunidad el pistolazo de entrada perfecto para que se desarrollen una serie de inconvenientes que se irán volviendo cada vez más difíciles de resolver y que harán que Kendall tema por su vida mientras engaña a su "marido" y comienzan una relación.
Hay intriga, matanzas, asesinatos, dramas policiacos y tipos sórdidos y totalmente locos. Si bien es una trama predecible la autora sabe dar pistas poco a poco que permiten al lector completar el cuadro solo hasta cuando ella quiera. Al menos eso sucedió conmigo y esa dosis de suspenso y drama me mantuvo en vilo.
Lo que no me gustó nada fue el final. No sé si es mi edición dado lo que les comentaba arriba, o que pasó... pero al final me cortaron la historia así, nomas por nomas.
Me quedé como: y ya? Que más sigue!!!? Que pasó!?
Mmmmm, no se... estoy rogando que sea problema con mi edición porque no me gustó.
En fin, leí más de 500 páginas en un santiamén, no sentí nada el tiempo enganchada que estuve así que es totalmente una recomendación para mi. 🌚
Un libro propiamente dicho de intriga, suspenso o crimen policiaco con su buena dosis de amor era justo lo que buscaba.
Y fue exactamente lo que encontré. Si bien la historia engancha tremendamente, hubo momentos que me hicieron confundirme demasiado sobre la línea temporal.
Es un libro muy viejito y por lo tanto es difícil conseguir una versión digital si por los años de su publicación podría decirse que casi ni existían. Así que mi edición dista mucho de ser la perfecta.
Lo que me ha enfadado un poco y por momentos. La historia parecía quedar un poco estancada. No sabía quién era el narrador, ni en que tiempo estaban o en que lugar. Esto solo logró que me aburriera y me hiciera pasar hojitas... para que digo que no s, sí. 🤷🏻♀️
En fin, pasando eso por alto... después de que le agarre la onda al estilo narrativo y comencé a ubicarme en diversas líneas temporales el libro solamente fue a más.
Me dormí a las 3 de la mañana. Con eso lo digo todo. Porque en serio, no hay otra cosa más sagrada para mi que el sueño, bueno, y la comida Hahaha 😅
La autora narra cómo una mujer perseguida lucha por su vida al grado de mentir sobre un paciente amnésico diciendo que este es su marido. Es claramente esta oportunidad el pistolazo de entrada perfecto para que se desarrollen una serie de inconvenientes que se irán volviendo cada vez más difíciles de resolver y que harán que Kendall tema por su vida mientras engaña a su "marido" y comienzan una relación.
Hay intriga, matanzas, asesinatos, dramas policiacos y tipos sórdidos y totalmente locos. Si bien es una trama predecible la autora sabe dar pistas poco a poco que permiten al lector completar el cuadro solo hasta cuando ella quiera. Al menos eso sucedió conmigo y esa dosis de suspenso y drama me mantuvo en vilo.
Lo que no me gustó nada fue el final. No sé si es mi edición dado lo que les comentaba arriba, o que pasó... pero al final me cortaron la historia así, nomas por nomas.
Me quedé como: y ya? Que más sigue!!!? Que pasó!?
Mmmmm, no se... estoy rogando que sea problema con mi edición porque no me gustó.
En fin, leí más de 500 páginas en un santiamén, no sentí nada el tiempo enganchada que estuve así que es totalmente una recomendación para mi. 🌚
January 23, 2018
UPDATE: Feb 24. Did I say this wasn't as awful as I remembered? I misspoke. Every point is delivered via sledgehammer, in case we readers are slow on the uptake. Hillbillies not quite loathsome enough? Throw in a mention of As villainous as the villains are here, Brown's heroine isn't exactly walking the moral highground when she Bitch! Really?
Feb 23. Relistening to the audiobook because, hey, I own it and it's been years. PLUS it's not Justinian's Flea. This isn't as awful as I remember it (though it certainly predates the more sophisticated Sandra Brown thrillers that have become a must-buy for me.) Still seriously annoying:
Feb 23. Relistening to the audiobook because, hey, I own it and it's been years. PLUS it's not Justinian's Flea. This isn't as awful as I remember it (though it certainly predates the more sophisticated Sandra Brown thrillers that have become a must-buy for me.) Still seriously annoying:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2015
Wow! I love Ms. Brown's book and tis one was not an exception!
Unfortunately I had a lousy epub full errors, so I got often lost while reading, but that didn't detract from my liking this book!
The story is very complex and inetersting and I loved how the heroine, Kendall was behaving. She was in a very bad situation, but she made the most of what she has at heand to overcome it! Just excellent!
Reading this book is like solving a puzzle and I enjoyed every moment!
Unfortunately I had a lousy epub full errors, so I got often lost while reading, but that didn't detract from my liking this book!
The story is very complex and inetersting and I loved how the heroine, Kendall was behaving. She was in a very bad situation, but she made the most of what she has at heand to overcome it! Just excellent!
Reading this book is like solving a puzzle and I enjoyed every moment!
March 22, 2016
O carte de nota 10!
September 15, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. There are a lot of issues in it that I know will or have offended people. The reality is that these issues are real life....unfortunately. There was so many twists and turns and some just straight up. She never ceases to amaze me with her books. The one thing I didn't see coming was the end twist...never ever expected it! This makes for great writing :)
October 5, 2017
In these older Sandra Brown novels she really likes delving into the dysfunctional small US southern towns and the people who inhabit them. And this is exactly what happens in The Witness. This one pushes the bounds of reality right to the edge with a secret "Brotherhood" meting out their sort of justice to anyone who doesn't meet their racist and misogynist requirements and our plucky heroine who inadvertently marries a member stumbles into their nefarious activities. There were a few of the Sandra Brown twists and turns but not quite the edge of your seat drama that packs so much of a punch in her more recent novels.
Still Sandra Brown on an ordinary day is a better read than most other suspense writers.
3.5 stars
Still Sandra Brown on an ordinary day is a better read than most other suspense writers.
3.5 stars
October 20, 2011
Sandra Brown brings together another mystery thriller that explores what happens when a small town will go to great length to protect their secrets
Kendall Deaton is the new public defender of a small town, where they were not expecting to hire a women for the job and they make it known. From the first news article it is questioned whether she can handle the job or not, but Kendall is willing to prove them all wrong, this is the opportunity she has been waiting. And she does, even ends up marrying the author from the original article and into one of the most influential families in town. Kendall believes that she has found her place. However, things are not all what they seem in this small town, there are secrets in this town that no one wants exposed.
I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this book. I was a little worried after reading the Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown as I did not enjoy that book at all, but this book redeemed my trust in Brown as an author. I did not want to put this book down I had to know all the secrets of the town and what Kendall was running from. This book had everything that a reader would be looking for in a thriller as it had suspense, twist, turns, conspiracies and more.
Brown did a great job of crafting the story and creating suspense that will keep you on your toes. I enjoyed how Brown switched back and forth between the past a present as it kept me wondering what Kendall was running from as well as trying to figure out what her next move will be. I personally did not find it hard with the switches, but if you are not a fan of this writing style this book is not for you. It tended to be one chapter in the present next chapter in the past.
I liked Kendall as a character and her willingness to do anything for herself and her baby Kevin to survive. She is smart, has a great heart and I enjoyed her quick mind and how she adapts the situation in order to fit what she needs. Yes she is a manipulator and yes she is a liar but I think that she uses these traits when she needs them in order to survive. I also enjoyed her interaction with John and his confusion with his amnesia. I think that Brown did this interaction really well.
This book was fantastic and has put my faith back into Brown's novels. I think this is one of the best Brown books that I have read in a long time.
Enjoy!!!!
Kendall Deaton is the new public defender of a small town, where they were not expecting to hire a women for the job and they make it known. From the first news article it is questioned whether she can handle the job or not, but Kendall is willing to prove them all wrong, this is the opportunity she has been waiting. And she does, even ends up marrying the author from the original article and into one of the most influential families in town. Kendall believes that she has found her place. However, things are not all what they seem in this small town, there are secrets in this town that no one wants exposed.
I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this book. I was a little worried after reading the Best Kept Secrets by Sandra Brown as I did not enjoy that book at all, but this book redeemed my trust in Brown as an author. I did not want to put this book down I had to know all the secrets of the town and what Kendall was running from. This book had everything that a reader would be looking for in a thriller as it had suspense, twist, turns, conspiracies and more.
Brown did a great job of crafting the story and creating suspense that will keep you on your toes. I enjoyed how Brown switched back and forth between the past a present as it kept me wondering what Kendall was running from as well as trying to figure out what her next move will be. I personally did not find it hard with the switches, but if you are not a fan of this writing style this book is not for you. It tended to be one chapter in the present next chapter in the past.
I liked Kendall as a character and her willingness to do anything for herself and her baby Kevin to survive. She is smart, has a great heart and I enjoyed her quick mind and how she adapts the situation in order to fit what she needs. Yes she is a manipulator and yes she is a liar but I think that she uses these traits when she needs them in order to survive. I also enjoyed her interaction with John and his confusion with his amnesia. I think that Brown did this interaction really well.
This book was fantastic and has put my faith back into Brown's novels. I think this is one of the best Brown books that I have read in a long time.
Enjoy!!!!
January 18, 2016
not sure where to begin here. The writing was the best part of the book, and while it was well written it also annoyed the crap out of me. The book is a Mystery/thriller. I found it annoying that EVERY detail at the beginning was a mystery. Who is this person? what's this secret? Is this character him or someone different. WHEN DOES THIS TAKE PLACE? (author really liked the idea of an ass backwards small town Southern town so it was really difficult to tell when this book was supposed to take place- too many little lady comments for my liking) We get it, it's a mystery. Every detail doesn't have to be a mystery. But once it got going, the writing flowed really well and the pace kept you wanting to read.
The plot. Oh dear god. The first 50% of the story is Hot Fuzz. Change the gender, add a few mysterious details, and it is the Simon Pegg movie Hot Fuzz. I do believe the book came first, but that tells you how ridiculous the story is if it's the same as a comedy. The second 50% was a running from the bad guys story.
The plot details all fall apart upon inspection. Seriously, in 1994 it's so difficult for a female lawyer to get a job? especially one who graduated top 3 of her class. Oh, and this really smart chick thinks it's a good idea to steal someone's identity. SERIOUSLY?!?!? And when she's running from horrible husband she doesn't just use her actual identity?! and if she does, how does the FBI find her and not ALREADY know her dirty secret identity. Oh, and come on, if an FBI agent went missing in this backward ass town, then the feds would have been swarming that place LONG before she had a change to run for it!! Good god, come on! the whole premise just falls apart. the more i think about it the more angry and annoyed i get at all the plot holes.
Oh, and while i was rooting for the love angle between John and Kendell (about the most interesting part of the book) it was completely a Stockholm syndrome love interest!
The plot. Oh dear god. The first 50% of the story is Hot Fuzz. Change the gender, add a few mysterious details, and it is the Simon Pegg movie Hot Fuzz. I do believe the book came first, but that tells you how ridiculous the story is if it's the same as a comedy. The second 50% was a running from the bad guys story.
The plot details all fall apart upon inspection. Seriously, in 1994 it's so difficult for a female lawyer to get a job? especially one who graduated top 3 of her class. Oh, and this really smart chick thinks it's a good idea to steal someone's identity. SERIOUSLY?!?!? And when she's running from horrible husband she doesn't just use her actual identity?! and if she does, how does the FBI find her and not ALREADY know her dirty secret identity. Oh, and come on, if an FBI agent went missing in this backward ass town, then the feds would have been swarming that place LONG before she had a change to run for it!! Good god, come on! the whole premise just falls apart. the more i think about it the more angry and annoyed i get at all the plot holes.
Oh, and while i was rooting for the love angle between John and Kendell (about the most interesting part of the book) it was completely a Stockholm syndrome love interest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2014
Overall rating: 4.5 stars!!!!! (Seriously if I would have had an
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
HEA:
My review:
Wow, how to review this one. This book is so suspenseful and has SO much going on with twists and turns it is very hard to review without giving away plot details that you just have to experience. What I will say is that you have the heroine, Kendall, who witnesses something horrible and she will stop at nothing to protect her and her son. I really can't say more without giving away the plot. Honestly, I am one for spoilers in any way, shape or form. I love them, but going in blind is the best way to read this one. The way things are revealed and the story telling is just amazing. This author is wonderful! I am so glad I gave this book a chance!!! :)
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
HEA:
My review:
Wow, how to review this one. This book is so suspenseful and has SO much going on with twists and turns it is very hard to review without giving away plot details that you just have to experience. What I will say is that you have the heroine, Kendall, who witnesses something horrible and she will stop at nothing to protect her and her son. I really can't say more without giving away the plot. Honestly, I am one for spoilers in any way, shape or form. I love them, but going in blind is the best way to read this one. The way things are revealed and the story telling is just amazing. This author is wonderful! I am so glad I gave this book a chance!!! :)
September 11, 2016
The villain was the most inhumane person I’ve read from Brown’s books. The story was compelling and every character got a multi-layered tier of secrets. 4* for the suspense, and mystery. Worth reading!
![Profile Image for missEvi [can't commit to a book].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1483045100i%2F5623788._UX200_CR0%2C50%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 1, 2015
The first half of the book is intriguing, but the second half is boring as hell. Plus, I could not connect with the characters.
October 27, 2020
I don’t really know what didn’t work. Maybe I didn’t feel the emotions between the main characters, or the bad guys weren’t very convincing about their reasons. It’s hard to believe people like them exist.
An entertaining book nevertheless.
An entertaining book nevertheless.
March 2, 2017
Like the several novels I have read by this author prior to this...I really, really wanted to like it. Sandra Brown writes a good thriller. A damn great thriller in fact. However, that's not all she writes and every time she throws in the damn love scene(s)...I literally sigh out loud. Why oh why? Most of the novels, do NOT need them. They are great as they are. Why fix what ain't broke?? I've also noticed a pattern here...it seems that all of her heroines are such extraordinary, career driven, intelligent women, BUT as soon as a man (usually a tall, dark handsome FED with a troubled past) enters the room, they literally cannot control themselves. Gag me with a spoon.
The dialogue and the conversations the characters have throughout the books makes me cringe. No body carries on such pretentious conversations in their day to day lives the way these people do!!!
Forgive me, I've seem to have gone off on a rant. Back to 'The Witness'.....if I to read one more time about how that infant suckled at her breast, I was going to shoot myself. Yes the child obviously needed nourishment and I have NOTHING against a child breastfeeding around me or otherwise. They are just boobs after all, but reading about the slope of her breast and how he pawed at her on every other page became tiresome and silly.
Also when Gibb seemed far fetched. Seems like Brown just wanted to tie up a loose end? And how convenient . Oh PLEEEASE.
The fact that Kendall is not in fact was just STUPID.
For whatever reason, my mother is a fan of this woman and buys these things faithfully. I get them once she's read them. Brown won't get a dime from me. LOL
Again, the thrill is there and her books are an ok read for a rainy day.
The dialogue and the conversations the characters have throughout the books makes me cringe. No body carries on such pretentious conversations in their day to day lives the way these people do!!!
Forgive me, I've seem to have gone off on a rant. Back to 'The Witness'.....if I to read one more time about how that infant suckled at her breast, I was going to shoot myself. Yes the child obviously needed nourishment and I have NOTHING against a child breastfeeding around me or otherwise. They are just boobs after all, but reading about the slope of her breast and how he pawed at her on every other page became tiresome and silly.
Also when Gibb seemed far fetched. Seems like Brown just wanted to tie up a loose end? And how convenient . Oh PLEEEASE.
The fact that Kendall is not in fact was just STUPID.
For whatever reason, my mother is a fan of this woman and buys these things faithfully. I get them once she's read them. Brown won't get a dime from me. LOL
Again, the thrill is there and her books are an ok read for a rainy day.
May 17, 2024
First thing’s first- I strongly dislike racism. Why is it that just because my skin is brown I can’t be seen as an equal? Makes me sick. Brotherhood, my ass ! Bunch of chauvinistic idiots bent on destroying anything colored. Fuck Gibb Burnwood !! He’s a BITCH !! Matt didn’t deserve him as a father !! He was a somewhat decent man. . In a way 🤷🏽♀️ ANYWHOOO ! SHOUT OUT TO SANDRA BROWN 🗣️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2019
Kendall, a pretty woman, is a young lawyer at Sheridan, a little town of Tennessee, which left her firm to take a job of public defender at Prosper, South Carolina. During her first months there in Prosper, she falls in love with Matt Burnwood, young journalist and the son of a respectable patriarch of the locality.
Kendall and Matt get married and have a fairly-tale wedding, with dozens of guests and gifts, waltz, big wedding cake, a beautiful newlyweds’ chalet (a gift from her father in law), etc. The future of the jurist seems promising on her triple conquest: a good professional future, a gallant husband whom she loves and the beautiful baby that they eventually got. But the illusions start to fall through, like dominoes, after she discovers the ins and outs of this all American Dream: the existence of a powerful secret organization, headed by her kind father in law and backed by her husband (obedient daddy’s kid), which involves the most prominent of public powers of the town. Kendall get involved too in it, since she becomes an eyewitness of an awful racial murder. Then she decides to run away, taking with her the little baby of them.
FBI intervenes in the matter and decides to act against the organization, but it needs her as a witness for the prosecution, the only one key to take the lid off the Pandora’s box’s outrages of the cunning sociopaths. Kendall, being also distrustful of the federal police, is afraid for her life and her son’s, and opts to keep running away.
And then starts that weird adventure that, as a gruesome Road Movie, puts the chased lawyer in an automobile crash wherein either she and her baby come out intact, but leaving battered and amnesiac her companion, a man which identity she hides from the authorities all the long their route, in which uncertainty prevails: whether she is able to flee indefinitely, or she takes the risk of being taken back in Prosper, to give her testimony.
A novel conceived by its author after Oklahoma’s events, in April 1995, when right-wings extremists carried out the terrorist bombing against a government building, killing 168 people (children between them) and injuring over 500 people.
A thriller at full tilt, with a suitable deal of suspense and faithful to genre rules, well written and set in the racist American Deep South, where dangerous white supremacists seek to prevail over the law and at no matter what price, even that of innocent people’s life.
Kendall and Matt get married and have a fairly-tale wedding, with dozens of guests and gifts, waltz, big wedding cake, a beautiful newlyweds’ chalet (a gift from her father in law), etc. The future of the jurist seems promising on her triple conquest: a good professional future, a gallant husband whom she loves and the beautiful baby that they eventually got. But the illusions start to fall through, like dominoes, after she discovers the ins and outs of this all American Dream: the existence of a powerful secret organization, headed by her kind father in law and backed by her husband (obedient daddy’s kid), which involves the most prominent of public powers of the town. Kendall get involved too in it, since she becomes an eyewitness of an awful racial murder. Then she decides to run away, taking with her the little baby of them.
FBI intervenes in the matter and decides to act against the organization, but it needs her as a witness for the prosecution, the only one key to take the lid off the Pandora’s box’s outrages of the cunning sociopaths. Kendall, being also distrustful of the federal police, is afraid for her life and her son’s, and opts to keep running away.
And then starts that weird adventure that, as a gruesome Road Movie, puts the chased lawyer in an automobile crash wherein either she and her baby come out intact, but leaving battered and amnesiac her companion, a man which identity she hides from the authorities all the long their route, in which uncertainty prevails: whether she is able to flee indefinitely, or she takes the risk of being taken back in Prosper, to give her testimony.
A novel conceived by its author after Oklahoma’s events, in April 1995, when right-wings extremists carried out the terrorist bombing against a government building, killing 168 people (children between them) and injuring over 500 people.
A thriller at full tilt, with a suitable deal of suspense and faithful to genre rules, well written and set in the racist American Deep South, where dangerous white supremacists seek to prevail over the law and at no matter what price, even that of innocent people’s life.
March 14, 2016
Setelah Envy aku belum menemukan buku SB lain yang bisa memberikan getaran kuat yang sama, sampai aku membaca prolog The Witness.
Di antara novel-novel lain yang memberikan heroine super lemah lembut, baik dan harus dilindungi. The Witness memberikan seorang heroine kuat yang pandai memanipulasi. Kendall adalah pembohong lihai yang berprofesi sebagai pengacara. Tapi dia adalah pribadi cerdas yang memanipulasi fakta real demi melindungi keselamatan hidupnya. John, tampil khas ala hero SB yang berumur, pemurung dan kasar, keras kepala tapi punya etika moral. Tampak super acuh dan menyebalkan tapi sangat protektif dan bisa diandalkan di masa sulit.
Yang menarik perhatianku pertama kali selain prolog kuat yang memancing rasa ingin tahu adalah alur maju mundurnya yang berjalan selaras di setiap topik kebohongan Kendall. Ini membuatku memahami masa lalu wanita ini sekaligus memaklumi tindakannya di masa sekarang. Selain itu storyline kisah ini kompleks dan sangat menarik. Konflik ekstrim dan twistnya mengejutkan kalau kau membacanya dalam kondisi "go blind". Ada beberapa adegan gore yang mungkin bisa di skip oleh pembaca yang berperut lemah.
Sisi romancenya walaupun singkat dan lugas tapi terasa kuat chemistrynya. Tensi interaksi mereka meningkat disetiap modus-modus yang di lancarkan Kendall untuk meyakinkan John, demi keselamatan wanita itu dan bayinya.
"Lelaki itu terlalu cerdik, sementara dirinya terlalu pintar berdusta sehingga dirinya mulai mempercayai kebohongannya sendiri."
Satu buku yang mengesankan lagi dari Mrs Sandra Brown.
My Rating :
Star : 4.5/5
Di antara novel-novel lain yang memberikan heroine super lemah lembut, baik dan harus dilindungi. The Witness memberikan seorang heroine kuat yang pandai memanipulasi. Kendall adalah pembohong lihai yang berprofesi sebagai pengacara. Tapi dia adalah pribadi cerdas yang memanipulasi fakta real demi melindungi keselamatan hidupnya. John, tampil khas ala hero SB yang berumur, pemurung dan kasar, keras kepala tapi punya etika moral. Tampak super acuh dan menyebalkan tapi sangat protektif dan bisa diandalkan di masa sulit.
Yang menarik perhatianku pertama kali selain prolog kuat yang memancing rasa ingin tahu adalah alur maju mundurnya yang berjalan selaras di setiap topik kebohongan Kendall. Ini membuatku memahami masa lalu wanita ini sekaligus memaklumi tindakannya di masa sekarang. Selain itu storyline kisah ini kompleks dan sangat menarik. Konflik ekstrim dan twistnya mengejutkan kalau kau membacanya dalam kondisi "go blind". Ada beberapa adegan gore yang mungkin bisa di skip oleh pembaca yang berperut lemah.
Sisi romancenya walaupun singkat dan lugas tapi terasa kuat chemistrynya. Tensi interaksi mereka meningkat disetiap modus-modus yang di lancarkan Kendall untuk meyakinkan John, demi keselamatan wanita itu dan bayinya.
"Lelaki itu terlalu cerdik, sementara dirinya terlalu pintar berdusta sehingga dirinya mulai mempercayai kebohongannya sendiri."
Satu buku yang mengesankan lagi dari Mrs Sandra Brown.
My Rating :
Star : 4.5/5
January 2, 2018
I read this book in 2011 and rated it 4 stars.
I don't normally re-read books as knowing the outcome kills the suspense. Well I'm getting old and can barely remember what I did last night let alone the content of a book I read 6+ years ago.
In desperate need of a good book, after a slew of crap, I scrolled back through books I'd enjoyed, and settled on this. I'm must say it blew me out of the park, Sandra Brown has crafted a suspenseful, twisty-turny, nail biting plot. And John is simply swoon-worthy.
Re-read verdict - 5 big fat stars.
I don't normally re-read books as knowing the outcome kills the suspense. Well I'm getting old and can barely remember what I did last night let alone the content of a book I read 6+ years ago.
In desperate need of a good book, after a slew of crap, I scrolled back through books I'd enjoyed, and settled on this. I'm must say it blew me out of the park, Sandra Brown has crafted a suspenseful, twisty-turny, nail biting plot. And John is simply swoon-worthy.
Re-read verdict - 5 big fat stars.
May 29, 2010
Skimming was the only way I could get through this book. The characters were flat and more like caricatures and none of them likeable. The "mystery" of the author not revealing any of what was really going on went on for FAR, FAR, FAR too long. And amnesia, despite being an awful plot device, also needed to be researched a whole lot more before Sandra Brown decided to use it in ways that make no sense.
Ugh.
Ugh.
January 25, 2015
4/5 stars
This wasn't my favorite Sandra Brown book, but it's still really good.
I wasn't a fan of the bigotry, sexism and racism, but it's needed for the story.
John was great and I also liked Kendall.
What I love about Sandra's books is that the women are not just airheads in the middle of a crime, but actually wellrounded and smart women.
This wasn't my favorite Sandra Brown book, but it's still really good.
I wasn't a fan of the bigotry, sexism and racism, but it's needed for the story.
John was great and I also liked Kendall.
What I love about Sandra's books is that the women are not just airheads in the middle of a crime, but actually wellrounded and smart women.
December 16, 2025
Mystery > Romance > Plot
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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November 17, 2019
3.5 rounded up...
May 4, 2016
I would give it a 2.5 if possible.
It wasn't absolutely awful, but I didn't get into the book and at times it annoyed me.
The book starts slow. We are introduced to Kendall, who has pulled her infant son and a man from a wreck. We know she's lying about their relationship and wanting to run. There's mystery about who she is, why she's running, what has happened. There's too much mystery. Through the mystery there are flashbacks that eventually shed some light on what's going on. Eventually. Roughly half the book is chin deep in mystery. For me this didn't intrigue me, but I never developed an attachment to these characters.
The characters were were almost stereotypes. Kendall is the smart, progressive lawyer in a backwards Southern town. John is the haunted FBI agent that can't form a serious relationship. Matt is the charming Southern bachelor too good to be true. Gibb is the Southern gentleman that hides his hatred under a mask of gentility. Ricki Sue is the crass, wild woman that has a heart of gold. At times I almost rolled my eyes.
There where certain plot points that bothered me. The Crook family live in this town where this group that makes the KKK seem warm and fuzzy has operated as an open secret for decades, yet someone from their criminal family is nearly killed and they blame Kendall? It is an open secret that they have been weeding out the "undesirables" for years, that those in power are involved, but the Crooks don't make the connection? Kendall is smart, yet she never questions why they would be interested in hiring a lawyer that nearly faced criminal charges, and additionally was displeased she was female. The sexual tension between Kendall and John got old. Kendall didn't seem to be such a great liar. She was willing to lie about anything, but she didn't seem to put any planning into her lies. Her biggest lie, her name, what was the plan there? She gets a job using another person's identity (and the inability to find a better position than what she could get using the identity of a near-criminal when she had a better education, experience, and a clean record was silly), but she gets this job and then marries, starts a family, under a stolen identity. Of course that was going to work out smoothly. She flees her husband, but seems to be living under the stolen identity? If she reverted to her real identity then Matt and Gibb wouldn't have been able to track her. She could have lived fairly openly on the other side of the country and they wouldn't have known her name to track her. (Realistically, was her marriage to Matt even legal since she married him using a stolen identity?)
It wasn't horrible, but there were some points that were ridiculous. Combined with the slow pace that left roughly the last 1/4 of the book to introduce the danger and resolve it, it wasn't a book I loved.
It wasn't absolutely awful, but I didn't get into the book and at times it annoyed me.
The book starts slow. We are introduced to Kendall, who has pulled her infant son and a man from a wreck. We know she's lying about their relationship and wanting to run. There's mystery about who she is, why she's running, what has happened. There's too much mystery. Through the mystery there are flashbacks that eventually shed some light on what's going on. Eventually. Roughly half the book is chin deep in mystery. For me this didn't intrigue me, but I never developed an attachment to these characters.
The characters were were almost stereotypes. Kendall is the smart, progressive lawyer in a backwards Southern town. John is the haunted FBI agent that can't form a serious relationship. Matt is the charming Southern bachelor too good to be true. Gibb is the Southern gentleman that hides his hatred under a mask of gentility. Ricki Sue is the crass, wild woman that has a heart of gold. At times I almost rolled my eyes.
There where certain plot points that bothered me. The Crook family live in this town where this group that makes the KKK seem warm and fuzzy has operated as an open secret for decades, yet someone from their criminal family is nearly killed and they blame Kendall? It is an open secret that they have been weeding out the "undesirables" for years, that those in power are involved, but the Crooks don't make the connection? Kendall is smart, yet she never questions why they would be interested in hiring a lawyer that nearly faced criminal charges, and additionally was displeased she was female. The sexual tension between Kendall and John got old. Kendall didn't seem to be such a great liar. She was willing to lie about anything, but she didn't seem to put any planning into her lies. Her biggest lie, her name, what was the plan there? She gets a job using another person's identity (and the inability to find a better position than what she could get using the identity of a near-criminal when she had a better education, experience, and a clean record was silly), but she gets this job and then marries, starts a family, under a stolen identity. Of course that was going to work out smoothly. She flees her husband, but seems to be living under the stolen identity? If she reverted to her real identity then Matt and Gibb wouldn't have been able to track her. She could have lived fairly openly on the other side of the country and they wouldn't have known her name to track her. (Realistically, was her marriage to Matt even legal since she married him using a stolen identity?)
It wasn't horrible, but there were some points that were ridiculous. Combined with the slow pace that left roughly the last 1/4 of the book to introduce the danger and resolve it, it wasn't a book I loved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2014
Review of audiobook version narrated by Joyce Bean.
What a crazy book! I don’t know that I’ve ever been so enthralled by a plot that I ultimately found silly. The audiobook is 13+ hrs long and I listened to it in less than a day so you can tell how absorbed I was by the story. The action was exciting, there was incredible chemistry between the main leads and there were a lot of good twists. The big problem? Very little of the book dealt with the relationship between the hero and heroine (if I have to put a number, I’d say 30% tops) and there were so many POVs that it’s a wonder I could keep everybody straight.
As the story is unfolding, the atmosphere is sinister and frightening. But once you find out what’s going on and the villains reveal their motives, they become caricaturish and so evil as to be laughable. I have to say I chuckled a few times with the villain’s antics which seemed to scream: Look at me! I’m eeeeeevil!
Also there was a twist at the end that was completely unnecessary and gave me my biggest WTF moment. The author gives a few clues along the way but it’s something you would never imagine because it’s totally crazy and would only have made sense if the book had been set in the 50s (which is not.)
As usual, Joyce Bean did an excellent job with the narration (I picked up the book because she was the reader in the first place.) Even though the book left me unsatisfied with the romance – the hero was so interesting and I feel the story didn’t do him justice - I cannot say I regret listening to it because it kept me at the edge of my seat.
Overall, an exciting read but more appropriate for mystery/suspense readers than don’t care too much for the romance.
What a crazy book! I don’t know that I’ve ever been so enthralled by a plot that I ultimately found silly. The audiobook is 13+ hrs long and I listened to it in less than a day so you can tell how absorbed I was by the story. The action was exciting, there was incredible chemistry between the main leads and there were a lot of good twists. The big problem? Very little of the book dealt with the relationship between the hero and heroine (if I have to put a number, I’d say 30% tops) and there were so many POVs that it’s a wonder I could keep everybody straight.
As the story is unfolding, the atmosphere is sinister and frightening. But once you find out what’s going on and the villains reveal their motives, they become caricaturish and so evil as to be laughable. I have to say I chuckled a few times with the villain’s antics which seemed to scream: Look at me! I’m eeeeeevil!
Also there was a twist at the end that was completely unnecessary and gave me my biggest WTF moment. The author gives a few clues along the way but it’s something you would never imagine because it’s totally crazy and would only have made sense if the book had been set in the 50s (which is not.)
As usual, Joyce Bean did an excellent job with the narration (I picked up the book because she was the reader in the first place.) Even though the book left me unsatisfied with the romance – the hero was so interesting and I feel the story didn’t do him justice - I cannot say I regret listening to it because it kept me at the edge of my seat.
Overall, an exciting read but more appropriate for mystery/suspense readers than don’t care too much for the romance.
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