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Hush
In New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards's latest heart-pounding romantic suspense novel, a woman must track down her husband's murderer—or risk being the next victim of a vicious killer.
When Riley Cowan finds her estranged husband Jeff dead in his palatial home, she's sure it's no coincidence. The police rule it a suicide, but Riley thinks someone's out for blood—specifically someone Jeff's father ripped off in one of the biggest financial fraud cases of all time. She suspects that someone is trying to send a message to Jeff's father: Tell me where the money is, or everyone you care about will die.
Riley's in-laws might be billionaires, but she's afraid that not even their dirty money can protect her from an irate investor who will stop at nothing to get his hands on his misappropriated cash. Enter Finn Bradley, Philly-based FBI agent and Riley's love interest from way back when. Finn agrees to help Riley, and the two reignite sparks they both thought were extinguished long ago. But can they discover the killer's identity in time, before he resurfaces—and strikes again?
Dubbed an "exceptional storyteller" by the Chicago Tribune and "one of the most popular voices in women's fiction" by Newsweek, Karen Robards's latest action-packed novel will keep you glued to the pages until the final, shocking conclusion.
When Riley Cowan finds her estranged husband Jeff dead in his palatial home, she's sure it's no coincidence. The police rule it a suicide, but Riley thinks someone's out for blood—specifically someone Jeff's father ripped off in one of the biggest financial fraud cases of all time. She suspects that someone is trying to send a message to Jeff's father: Tell me where the money is, or everyone you care about will die.
Riley's in-laws might be billionaires, but she's afraid that not even their dirty money can protect her from an irate investor who will stop at nothing to get his hands on his misappropriated cash. Enter Finn Bradley, Philly-based FBI agent and Riley's love interest from way back when. Finn agrees to help Riley, and the two reignite sparks they both thought were extinguished long ago. But can they discover the killer's identity in time, before he resurfaces—and strikes again?
Dubbed an "exceptional storyteller" by the Chicago Tribune and "one of the most popular voices in women's fiction" by Newsweek, Karen Robards's latest action-packed novel will keep you glued to the pages until the final, shocking conclusion.
407 pages, Hardcover
First published December 2, 2014
367 people are currently reading
2674 people want to read
About the author
Karen Robards
135 books3,239 followersKaren Robards is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than fifty books and one novella. She has won multiple awards including six Affaire de Coeur Silver Pen Awards for favorite author.
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
Karen has been writing since she was very young, and was first published nationally in the December 1973 Reader's Digest. She sold her first romance novel, ISLAND FLAME, when she was 24. It was published by Leisure Books in 1981 and is still in print. After that, she dropped out of law school to pursue her writing career.
Karen was recently described by The Daily Mail as "one of the most reliable thriller....writers in the world."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews
January 30, 2015
I have read most of this author's books and this one was rather disappointing.
Long winded, slow paced.....some scenes just dragged on and on.
I wanted to like the 2 main characters but jeez....they were just so goody two shoes for me......
Also the dozens of baddies running around had me shaking my head a couple of times....are they for real....?????
An okay read for those who like romantic suspense......
Long winded, slow paced.....some scenes just dragged on and on.
I wanted to like the 2 main characters but jeez....they were just so goody two shoes for me......
Also the dozens of baddies running around had me shaking my head a couple of times....are they for real....?????
An okay read for those who like romantic suspense......
February 3, 2015
Her heart skipped a beat. Her blood ran cold. His blood ran cold. His heart stopped. Her heart felt like it would explode. He felt a surge of savage anger. He felt a surge of protectiveness. His blood ran cold again. She felt her heart leap into her throat. She felt her blood drop to her toes. Shots rang out. Fear tasted sour in her throat. She almost collapsed where she stood.They would have to go through him to get to her. His heart stopped beating (same chapter as that other time). He felt his heart do something funny. His eyes blazed at her.
One star for the narrator, bless her heart. The other star is because it was fun exchanging snark with Sarah in the comments.
One star for the narrator, bless her heart. The other star is because it was fun exchanging snark with Sarah in the comments.
August 25, 2017
Riley Cowan discovers the dead body of her ex-husband, Jeff. She takes his phone, which is observed in secret by CIA agent Finn Bradley, who is tracking billions of dollars that has been laundered by Jeff's father, George. It seems Jeff was killed by people after that money. Finn wonders if Riley might know where the money is, especially since she took that phone, and immediately inserts himself into her life. Of course, Riley is a target, and Finn must protect her.
I quite like the Harlequin Intrigue line (heck, love it), and this felt like one of those stories, except with an extra 200 pages of padding! Those books work because of their shortened length, where the plots get right to the point. Expanded into a full-length novel, it becomes a bit more of a chore! Riley and Finn are hot for each other, and that knowledge gets repeated to us over and over again. For the first 120 pages, I lost count of the number of times Riley had to hold on to him for support or to keep her balance!
Plus, for a book twice the length of an Intrigue book, it had about half the plot! Not a heck of a lot was going on within these pages, so I have no idea why there were 405 of them! George has stolen money, Riley might know where it is - a couple of attacks, a kidnapping, and a culprit who is blindingly obvious.
As for the kidnapping, I must say I am staggered by the amount of romantic suspense novels that has its lead characters knock boots when a loved one has been kidnapped and in possible grave danger! How could you even be thinking of sex in the first place? It seems disrespectful. If I had been kidnapped, and found out that the people tasked with my rescue took a night out to bang like bunnies, I would be very cross!
All in all, predictable, silly and dull. Robards' writing is pretty melodramatic and overdone, too.
I quite like the Harlequin Intrigue line (heck, love it), and this felt like one of those stories, except with an extra 200 pages of padding! Those books work because of their shortened length, where the plots get right to the point. Expanded into a full-length novel, it becomes a bit more of a chore! Riley and Finn are hot for each other, and that knowledge gets repeated to us over and over again. For the first 120 pages, I lost count of the number of times Riley had to hold on to him for support or to keep her balance!
Plus, for a book twice the length of an Intrigue book, it had about half the plot! Not a heck of a lot was going on within these pages, so I have no idea why there were 405 of them! George has stolen money, Riley might know where it is - a couple of attacks, a kidnapping, and a culprit who is blindingly obvious.
As for the kidnapping, I must say I am staggered by the amount of romantic suspense novels that has its lead characters knock boots when a loved one has been kidnapped and in possible grave danger! How could you even be thinking of sex in the first place? It seems disrespectful. If I had been kidnapped, and found out that the people tasked with my rescue took a night out to bang like bunnies, I would be very cross!
All in all, predictable, silly and dull. Robards' writing is pretty melodramatic and overdone, too.
January 7, 2016
Riley Cowan discovers her ex-husband's dead body when she goes to meet him at his request. The authorities are calling it a suicide but Riley knows he was murdered. Her ex-father-in-law was convicted of fraud and there are billions of dollars missing that people would kill for. Finn Bradley is a man of mystery and shows up in time to save Riley when a man attacks her. She is forced to trust Finn but not totally.
I really liked this fast paced romantic suspense. I did have a few issues with the trust and lies but I understand why they both felt they had to keep their secrets. I loved Riley's strength and devotion to her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I wasn't sure about Finn at first but he proved to be a worthy hero. I would happily recommend to Romantic Suspense fans!
I really liked this fast paced romantic suspense. I did have a few issues with the trust and lies but I understand why they both felt they had to keep their secrets. I loved Riley's strength and devotion to her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. I wasn't sure about Finn at first but he proved to be a worthy hero. I would happily recommend to Romantic Suspense fans!
December 28, 2014
Wow, way disappointing. It's not the Karen Robards's writing I'm used to. The story was just flat and it was like she started to find herself against a wall and then couldn't get herself out. I started to see it in the last Charlie Stone book....but this one was hugely disappointing.
March 2, 2023
2 March 2023: A 5 star narration but 3 stars overall. The plot was good; exciting and tense, but the pacing didn’t pick up so the story didn’t linger in my mind once the audiobook was turned off. I’d have liked more verbal dialogue, less inner, less exposition and more action.
The whodunnit was so obvious that I didn’t consider it apart from a brief few times.
Cassandra Campbell has become one of my favorite female narrators. She’s just perfect for both male and female voices. Her range is so wide and every character has it own distinctive sound that I know immediately whom I was listening to.
27 October 22: Enjoying the sexual tension between the Hxh, their personalities, the storyline, some of the secondary characters, the dialogue, the narration
I’m reminded why I like this author
Just wish things would move faster
I’m finding the writing so cluttered with overly detailed descriptions, long sentences (much like this one 😂) and distractions that it affects the momentum of the story.
Perhaps it’s because I’m listening to the audio version that the pace seems off?
Perhaps I’m getting used to the “lighter” writing style of newer authors?
We’ll see how it goes…
Enjoying the narration except for the slight breath control issues; Cassandra Campbell does the male voice soo authentically. Her delivery is genuine and conveys perfectly the author’s intent;
the transition between narrative and dialogue is well done.
Story is a bit slow to begin with but hopefully it picks up soon.
The whodunnit was so obvious that I didn’t consider it apart from a brief few times.
Cassandra Campbell has become one of my favorite female narrators. She’s just perfect for both male and female voices. Her range is so wide and every character has it own distinctive sound that I know immediately whom I was listening to.
27 October 22: Enjoying the sexual tension between the Hxh, their personalities, the storyline, some of the secondary characters, the dialogue, the narration
I’m reminded why I like this author
Just wish things would move faster
I’m finding the writing so cluttered with overly detailed descriptions, long sentences (much like this one 😂) and distractions that it affects the momentum of the story.
Perhaps it’s because I’m listening to the audio version that the pace seems off?
Perhaps I’m getting used to the “lighter” writing style of newer authors?
We’ll see how it goes…
Enjoying the narration except for the slight breath control issues; Cassandra Campbell does the male voice soo authentically. Her delivery is genuine and conveys perfectly the author’s intent;
the transition between narrative and dialogue is well done.
Story is a bit slow to begin with but hopefully it picks up soon.
July 6, 2015
Am I the only reader who thought this writing was of poor quality? Yes, the story is enjoyable, yes, I was curious to see how it would develop, yes, the sex scenes were very hot. I wanted to like it. But oh, my, so much repetitions... How Finn is so handsome and so strong and so masculine, how Riley is beautiful and intelligent and incredibly sexy, how she needs to hang on to him so she won't collapse on the floor, how his stubble feels on her skin (didn't I read that, like, 10 times in the book?). It felt like a small Harlequin book disguised as a big, serious thriller.
January 16, 2015
I am always anxious to read anything by Ms. Robards. I absolutely love the Charlotte Stone series and snatched this ebook up the day it came out. But this book fell a little flat for me. Maybe it was partly post holiday let down but after an exciting start the book seemed to take an excessive amount of time with the characters simply dancing around each other and admiring each other's physical attributes. The last 60 or so e pages stepped up the action and drew me in again but the end seemed a bit anticlimactic. That being said, I will anxiously await the next adventure of Charlie and Michael and any other thrilling story that Ms Robards brings our way.
May 11, 2015
I found myself racing through this book, in desperate hopes that it would JUST END ALREADY.
Awful.
The heroine (Riley) is too obtuse to be believed. A hard-knocks kid marries rich, then dumps rich. Gets a couple of jobs to support herself. Stuff goes wrong in her life and those of her former in-laws. Rushing to their rescue, she maybe does some things she shouldn't do. Her ex is killed. Special Agent Finn shows up, and she's POWERFULLY sexually attracted to him and also afraid that he'll find out her secret. Why? Because she's dumb. There's no way someone can be as simultaneously smart/savvy and also stupid/clueless.
It's a basic rule: either you get to call the Special Agent to save you when it all hits the fan and also screw him, OR you get to lie to him and also get mad when he lies to you.
Too stupid to be believed, this book is. I'm just so glad it's over!
Awful.
The heroine (Riley) is too obtuse to be believed. A hard-knocks kid marries rich, then dumps rich. Gets a couple of jobs to support herself. Stuff goes wrong in her life and those of her former in-laws. Rushing to their rescue, she maybe does some things she shouldn't do. Her ex is killed. Special Agent Finn shows up, and she's POWERFULLY sexually attracted to him and also afraid that he'll find out her secret. Why? Because she's dumb. There's no way someone can be as simultaneously smart/savvy and also stupid/clueless.
It's a basic rule: either you get to call the Special Agent to save you when it all hits the fan and also screw him, OR you get to lie to him and also get mad when he lies to you.
Too stupid to be believed, this book is. I'm just so glad it's over!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2016
This was an excellent Romantic Suspense by Robards. Definitely her best in awhile. The romance was not pushed to the back in this one but I felt was right, front and center. The attraction between the two leads was obvious and I loved how Robards played it with them in this book.
The ending was super sweet and ended just as I suspected and I loved it! Great romantic suspense from Robards. It is a fast read too.
The ending was super sweet and ended just as I suspected and I loved it! Great romantic suspense from Robards. It is a fast read too.
January 18, 2015
I've been reading books from a lot of incredible new authors lately, but I can't tell you how great it was to read one from an author who has been a favorite of mine for years. Karen Robards has never disappointed me before and she certainly didn't with Hush either! It was a completely new story, but it still had all of components I love: strong characters, danger, mystery, steamy times, an awesome couple, and a HEA ending. It was familiar, like catching up with an old friend, but at the same time still a very exciting and different reading experience. Hush was just wonderful and I wholeheartedly loved, loved, loved it!
Riley Cowan discovers her ex-husband's dead body and although it looks like it's a suicide, she knows different. She realizes that he's dead because of his no-good, money-stealing father and it's up to her to find the money before the killer comes after her. She needs help, though, and this is where the very sexy, very masculine FBI Special Agent Finn Bradley comes in.
Together they must go on a journey to find the money and catch the killer while learning to trust each other, but that's easier said than done. They each have their own secrets that they refuse to give up, but the one thing they can't deny is the attraction that sparks between them. Riley and Finn can't resist their desire forever and it's only a matter of time before they give in to it while danger follows them.
The thing that I loved the most about Hush was that it wasn't an insta-love (not that I mind insta-love) kind of a deal. Riley and Finn were attracted to each other from from pretty much the beginning but the love grew slowly and at a nice pace. I just loved that even though they knew that they should resist their attraction, they still couldn't help caring about each other.
I also absolutely loved Finn! He's a fierce, determined, dangerous agent and he almost never gives anything away, but he's also extremely protective of Riley. At first, Finn just wants to find the money so he can get this job over with and find some peace, but the more he's with Riley, the more his focus changes. He just can't stop himself from feeling for her and he completely swept me off my feet and had me swooning all over the place. I mean, what could be sexier than a man who's completely stoic with, and about, practically everyone but you, and a man who's so in control of himself, yet he can't control his feelings about you? That's pretty d*mn sexy and I couldn't help but fall for him for that!
Riley was a fantastic heroine. She's so strong, brave, smart, and stubborn. She's been everyone's rock, but she's never had anyone who was hers until she met Finn. Riley doesn't wholly trust him, but there's no one she feels safer with and no one who she can lean on more than him. I really loved her character, but what I loved the most was how tough she was with everybody, including Finn, until he took control, demanded her surrender, and ultimately, when she gave it to him, it just gave me the shivers!
Hush is full of mystery, suspense, passion, and danger. It will make you hold your breath and make your heart race. It was just amazing and I absolutely loved it!!!
Hush is a standalone told from both Riley and Finn's POV and it does have a HEA. ~ Paige, 5 stars
Riley Cowan discovers her ex-husband's dead body and although it looks like it's a suicide, she knows different. She realizes that he's dead because of his no-good, money-stealing father and it's up to her to find the money before the killer comes after her. She needs help, though, and this is where the very sexy, very masculine FBI Special Agent Finn Bradley comes in.
Together they must go on a journey to find the money and catch the killer while learning to trust each other, but that's easier said than done. They each have their own secrets that they refuse to give up, but the one thing they can't deny is the attraction that sparks between them. Riley and Finn can't resist their desire forever and it's only a matter of time before they give in to it while danger follows them.
The thing that I loved the most about Hush was that it wasn't an insta-love (not that I mind insta-love) kind of a deal. Riley and Finn were attracted to each other from from pretty much the beginning but the love grew slowly and at a nice pace. I just loved that even though they knew that they should resist their attraction, they still couldn't help caring about each other.
I also absolutely loved Finn! He's a fierce, determined, dangerous agent and he almost never gives anything away, but he's also extremely protective of Riley. At first, Finn just wants to find the money so he can get this job over with and find some peace, but the more he's with Riley, the more his focus changes. He just can't stop himself from feeling for her and he completely swept me off my feet and had me swooning all over the place. I mean, what could be sexier than a man who's completely stoic with, and about, practically everyone but you, and a man who's so in control of himself, yet he can't control his feelings about you? That's pretty d*mn sexy and I couldn't help but fall for him for that!
Riley was a fantastic heroine. She's so strong, brave, smart, and stubborn. She's been everyone's rock, but she's never had anyone who was hers until she met Finn. Riley doesn't wholly trust him, but there's no one she feels safer with and no one who she can lean on more than him. I really loved her character, but what I loved the most was how tough she was with everybody, including Finn, until he took control, demanded her surrender, and ultimately, when she gave it to him, it just gave me the shivers!
Hush is full of mystery, suspense, passion, and danger. It will make you hold your breath and make your heart race. It was just amazing and I absolutely loved it!!!
Hush is a standalone told from both Riley and Finn's POV and it does have a HEA. ~ Paige, 5 stars
February 19, 2015
It takes great skill to write a good romantic suspense novel, to ensure that the sexual chemistry between the protagonists isn't gratuitous but fits into the plotline, to ensure that the mystery part of the novel is actually a challenge for the reader to figure out. Usually Karen Robards is such a writer. But not with this book.
Protagonists Riley Cowan, the heroine, and Agent Finn Bradley, the hero, were very stereotypically and woodenly characterized - stunningly gorgeous woman who went from rags to super riches and back to rags but maintains her air of dignity, super hot federal agent with intense, unreadable eyes. Riley and Finn were very superficial characters. There was little depth to them; only toward the end do we find out a little bit of Finn's personal background - had Robards expounded on that, Finn's character would have been more well-rounded. Riley's and Finn's mutual attraction was, however, believable. I mean, it's two beautiful people.
What really bothered me about this book was that there really was no mystery to it. I had the killer pegged from the beginning, and I was incredibly annoyed to find out at the end that I was right. I was hoping I would be proven wrong and would experience a "wow" moment. But no.
Also, what happened to the good writing that I have come to expect of Ms. Robards? Descriptions were repeatedly used in the exact same words over and over - "Her bones turned to water." C'mon, Ms. Robards, use that particular description one time, fine. But to use those exact words THREE TIMES in the span of about 50 pages? Ugh.
This book had potential, but it was never realized.
Protagonists Riley Cowan, the heroine, and Agent Finn Bradley, the hero, were very stereotypically and woodenly characterized - stunningly gorgeous woman who went from rags to super riches and back to rags but maintains her air of dignity, super hot federal agent with intense, unreadable eyes. Riley and Finn were very superficial characters. There was little depth to them; only toward the end do we find out a little bit of Finn's personal background - had Robards expounded on that, Finn's character would have been more well-rounded. Riley's and Finn's mutual attraction was, however, believable. I mean, it's two beautiful people.
What really bothered me about this book was that there really was no mystery to it. I had the killer pegged from the beginning, and I was incredibly annoyed to find out at the end that I was right. I was hoping I would be proven wrong and would experience a "wow" moment. But no.
Also, what happened to the good writing that I have come to expect of Ms. Robards? Descriptions were repeatedly used in the exact same words over and over - "Her bones turned to water." C'mon, Ms. Robards, use that particular description one time, fine. But to use those exact words THREE TIMES in the span of about 50 pages? Ugh.
This book had potential, but it was never realized.
January 8, 2016
I was approached by the authors publicist to ask if I would like the chance to read this latest book by the author Karen Robards.
Of course, I couldn't say no.
I knew I had every chance of liking this read because I have read and reviewed subsequent books by this author.
I loved this. I loved the cover first off, I am quite a sucker for a good cover and this one caught my eye.
There are plenty of family enemies within these pages.
Riley's father in law committed financial fraud, was arrested because of the consequences.
She discovers that all the family money is gone, along with the family status.
Riley grew up in a working class background but married into money. So she had experience of both sides.
However, her ex husband Jeff and his Mother cannot deal with all the terrible loss.
Riley adapts and takes odd jobs to make ends meet.
There is more to this as one day she gets a text, wanting her to meet up with her ex.
She goes there only to discover that he has hung himself. She is not at all convinced that he committed suicide, Jeff was not the type.
Remembering the loss of money and fraud, she thinks its all connect and someone wanted him dead.
While he is hanging there she reaches for his phone in his pocket. The trouble is, shes not alone there. Someone also sees her.
There begins the chase.
Its a fast paced thriller with plenty to keep you interested.
It has intrigue, mystery, secrets and some sexual chemistry thrown in.
*Thank you for my copy to read and review*
August 29, 2017
I'm not much one for reading romance novels, so you'll have to take everything I write here with a grain of salt. It may be the case that all of the things I plan on complaining about are actually the stuff that draw folks to these kinds of books.
For example, the number of times I had to read what an amazing ass the main character had. The number of times she swooned over how manly her love interest was. The sheer predictability of how and when these two people who didn't like each other were going to hook up. Who knows, maybe this is de rigueur for romances and I have no business whining. Don't like it? Don't read it. Right?
However, there were some things that I'm pretty sure had nothing to do with the genre. Like the time the main character was described sticking to her man "like jelly on peanut butter." Or how the main character looked up an ID number, using the internet, and got a hold of CIA personnel file.
The front of the book says "thriller" but the main plot point of the second half of the book was "resolved" in a few sentences. Not very thrilling. A friend, who does read a lot of romance novels, told me that this one was, maybe, phoned in by a writer who otherwise usually delivers.
Just my luck that a mediocre effort was the one I happened to read.
For example, the number of times I had to read what an amazing ass the main character had. The number of times she swooned over how manly her love interest was. The sheer predictability of how and when these two people who didn't like each other were going to hook up. Who knows, maybe this is de rigueur for romances and I have no business whining. Don't like it? Don't read it. Right?
However, there were some things that I'm pretty sure had nothing to do with the genre. Like the time the main character was described sticking to her man "like jelly on peanut butter." Or how the main character looked up an ID number, using the internet, and got a hold of CIA personnel file.
The front of the book says "thriller" but the main plot point of the second half of the book was "resolved" in a few sentences. Not very thrilling. A friend, who does read a lot of romance novels, told me that this one was, maybe, phoned in by a writer who otherwise usually delivers.
Just my luck that a mediocre effort was the one I happened to read.
November 19, 2019
Romantic Suspense / Contemporary
Riley Cowan finds her estranged husband Jeff dead in his home, she suspects it’s no coincidence. The police rule it a suicide, but Riley thinks someone’s out for blood—specifically someone Jeff’s father ripped off in the big financial fraud case. She think that someone is sending a message to Jeff’s father: Tell me where the money is, or everyone you care about will die.
This story has very long winded and slowly paced beginning. First I get to read from Finn's (an FBI agent) perspective how he finds Jeff's body hanged. Then, surprise-surprise, the heroine find the same body, and I have to read once again how it hangs there. Then the funeral. Every detail and repeated detail made the story very, very slow. At the same time not much of the backstory to make me want to continue or care for the main characters. Hope it gets better and picks up the pace!
Just finished. I have a feeling that I've read this story pre-Goodreads time because many things sounded familiar and I knew what's going to happen next. Or the storyline was just too predictible? I liked it but it was nothing special nor memorable.
Riley Cowan finds her estranged husband Jeff dead in his home, she suspects it’s no coincidence. The police rule it a suicide, but Riley thinks someone’s out for blood—specifically someone Jeff’s father ripped off in the big financial fraud case. She think that someone is sending a message to Jeff’s father: Tell me where the money is, or everyone you care about will die.
This story has very long winded and slowly paced beginning. First I get to read from Finn's (an FBI agent) perspective how he finds Jeff's body hanged. Then, surprise-surprise, the heroine find the same body, and I have to read once again how it hangs there. Then the funeral. Every detail and repeated detail made the story very, very slow. At the same time not much of the backstory to make me want to continue or care for the main characters. Hope it gets better and picks up the pace!
Just finished. I have a feeling that I've read this story pre-Goodreads time because many things sounded familiar and I knew what's going to happen next. Or the storyline was just too predictible? I liked it but it was nothing special nor memorable.
May 22, 2018
Hush is New York Times best-selling author. The story is an intense romantic suspense.
Although Riley and Jeff had been divorced for a year and a half, she was still her ex-husbands keeper. Jeff had texted Riley I got trouble. Meet me at the house ASAP.
Houston House was huge. Dark. Deserted. Rooms with the size of a football field, giant crystal chandeliers dangling overhead. Riley found Jeff limp and pale suspended in midair.
Jeff Cowan,was the twenty-nine-year-old son of disgraced financier George Cowan who had made off with billions of investor dollars in one of the biggest financial frauds in history.
Did Jeff wrap an electrical cord around his own neck? could he have done it because he was ashamed of his father crime? Or did someone murder Jeff?
Riley will hunt down her husband’s murderer before she becomes the next victim. Will the police discover the killer’s identity in time, before he resurfaces and strikes again?
Karen Robards is one of the most reliable thriller-romance writers in the world.
January 16, 2015
Solid read from KR. It was fast paced and both the hero and the heroine were interesting characters. There was quite a bit of sexual tension between them which was well done. Dialogue and pacing were both good. KR is one of those authors who does a good job with the show not tell business and you always feels as if you are right in the middle of the action. The heroine keeps secrets from the hero but here unlike many other books I've read, they were really justified and were really important for the story. I did agree with some other reviewers who said that the ending was a bit rushed. I felt like the last show down with the bad guy fizzled a bit and I did blink my eyes in disbelief at one small portion of it. However, that was not enough to dim my enjoyment of the story.
November 12, 2017
I really liked this book. I have read quite a bit by KR and have only been disappointed once or twice. I connected to both the H & h. Oooolala Finn! I did not figure on the outcome of who dunnit. Never crossed my mind....this rates 4 stars :)
January 16, 2018
Audiobook reviewThis book is par for the course for Robard's suspense books. Enjoyable entertaining for the moment, but nothing that will stick with you after you finished it.
The narration was ok but very slow, so be prepared to speed it up - a lot.
January 14, 2015
A long time fan . .
Great to catch up with Karen Robards' HUSH, as been a while since I have read her books. Nice front cover which drew me in.
Riley Cowan’s father-in-law has many enemies, due to being a part of financial fraud with his investment business, and was arrested for a Ponzi scheme. Now Riley’s ex-husband is found dead.
At the beginning of the book, Riley Cowan receives a text from her ex-husband requesting her to meet him at the old family home. They have lost all their money and social status. Jeff her ex-husband and his mother are having a hard time dealing with the loss.
Riley grew up poor in Texas, and married into money; however, presently, she seems to be the only one in the family who is not afraid of work. She is currently working two jobs to make ends meet.
With the financial downfall, she has trouble keeping up her business since it is financial related, so has to take odd jobs to pay the rent.
She goes to meet her ex and upon arrival she discovers he is dead and is concerned he has hung himself, but he is not the type to commit suicide. Afraid Jeff’s death may be related to his father’s association, and criminals…she does not want to become involved in the investigation and takes his phone.
However, someone is lurking and sees her take the phone. There is some hidden money and the father and the family swears they do not know the whereabouts of the missing money. However, who killed Jeff and who is after her? Where did George hide the money?
Now she is being targeted and enter sexy Finn Bradley, a former CIA operative to find the money for government. Of course, Riley is keeping some secrets and not does not know if she can trust Finn; however, with someone on her trail, she has to turn to him for help. Of course, the sexual attraction is intense between the two, which adds a bit of sizzle to the crime mystery thriller.
A fast paced complex suspense crime thriller, with some hot sizzling sexy romance, mystery, and humor (you can tell I seldom read romance), and Cassandra Campbell delivers an engaging and satisfying performance, via audiobook.
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
Great to catch up with Karen Robards' HUSH, as been a while since I have read her books. Nice front cover which drew me in.
Riley Cowan’s father-in-law has many enemies, due to being a part of financial fraud with his investment business, and was arrested for a Ponzi scheme. Now Riley’s ex-husband is found dead.
At the beginning of the book, Riley Cowan receives a text from her ex-husband requesting her to meet him at the old family home. They have lost all their money and social status. Jeff her ex-husband and his mother are having a hard time dealing with the loss.
Riley grew up poor in Texas, and married into money; however, presently, she seems to be the only one in the family who is not afraid of work. She is currently working two jobs to make ends meet.
With the financial downfall, she has trouble keeping up her business since it is financial related, so has to take odd jobs to pay the rent.
She goes to meet her ex and upon arrival she discovers he is dead and is concerned he has hung himself, but he is not the type to commit suicide. Afraid Jeff’s death may be related to his father’s association, and criminals…she does not want to become involved in the investigation and takes his phone.
However, someone is lurking and sees her take the phone. There is some hidden money and the father and the family swears they do not know the whereabouts of the missing money. However, who killed Jeff and who is after her? Where did George hide the money?
Now she is being targeted and enter sexy Finn Bradley, a former CIA operative to find the money for government. Of course, Riley is keeping some secrets and not does not know if she can trust Finn; however, with someone on her trail, she has to turn to him for help. Of course, the sexual attraction is intense between the two, which adds a bit of sizzle to the crime mystery thriller.
A fast paced complex suspense crime thriller, with some hot sizzling sexy romance, mystery, and humor (you can tell I seldom read romance), and Cassandra Campbell delivers an engaging and satisfying performance, via audiobook.
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
June 3, 2020
I loved this book. I am a sucker for a murder mystery and this book had it all. Murder, money trails, and secrets, secrets, secrets! I had a lot of fun trying to untangle the web and solve the mystery before the truth was revealed. This was definitely a thriller! When we finally get our answers??? WOW! That is all I can say. Just Wow… I wasn’t wrong, I wasn’t right. I was just… wow. Such a great book.
Robards did a fabulous job painting a picture. I was right there beside the characters as I read. Descriptive and realistic, each scene jumped right off the page. The alternating POVs between Riley and Finn only added to the mystery and excitement! I would find myself in one of their minds just dying to know what the other was thinking.
Finn was great he was so strong and determined. He was shadowed with a dangerous side that I couldn’t resist. I was hooked on him from the beginning. Finn was great on his own but he really shined when he started to fall for Riley.
Riley quickly became one of my favorite heroines. She was tougher than nails. By the time she meets Finn she is so strong and independent that she doesn’t know how to trust or depend on another. Her family situation forced her into the position of being everyone’s everything and she has no one to lean on. I think what makes Riley’s character so relatable is that many times women do take on everyone else’s issues and tend to put their own last. She just threw her shoulders back, held her head high and did what she had to do to take care of her own. My kind of gal.
One of my favorite facets of this book was that the romance was well balanced with the mystery. There wasn’t an insta-love. There wasn’t a weird or unrealistic relationship happening when it shouldn’t. Riley and Finn were attracted to each other, but they fought it and kept their eyes on the ball. Their attraction felt appropriate and natural as the story progressed.
My only complaint about this book is that it felt a bit slow at times. But just as I started to get bored, BAM! Something crazy would happen and pull me back in. Also, I quickly discovered many things that seemed insignificant were, in fact, very important. Clever. Very clever.
4.5 Stars
Robards did a fabulous job painting a picture. I was right there beside the characters as I read. Descriptive and realistic, each scene jumped right off the page. The alternating POVs between Riley and Finn only added to the mystery and excitement! I would find myself in one of their minds just dying to know what the other was thinking.
Finn was great he was so strong and determined. He was shadowed with a dangerous side that I couldn’t resist. I was hooked on him from the beginning. Finn was great on his own but he really shined when he started to fall for Riley.
Riley quickly became one of my favorite heroines. She was tougher than nails. By the time she meets Finn she is so strong and independent that she doesn’t know how to trust or depend on another. Her family situation forced her into the position of being everyone’s everything and she has no one to lean on. I think what makes Riley’s character so relatable is that many times women do take on everyone else’s issues and tend to put their own last. She just threw her shoulders back, held her head high and did what she had to do to take care of her own. My kind of gal.
One of my favorite facets of this book was that the romance was well balanced with the mystery. There wasn’t an insta-love. There wasn’t a weird or unrealistic relationship happening when it shouldn’t. Riley and Finn were attracted to each other, but they fought it and kept their eyes on the ball. Their attraction felt appropriate and natural as the story progressed.
My only complaint about this book is that it felt a bit slow at times. But just as I started to get bored, BAM! Something crazy would happen and pull me back in. Also, I quickly discovered many things that seemed insignificant were, in fact, very important. Clever. Very clever.
4.5 Stars
November 5, 2015
This was a re-read for me as I couldn't remember if I had read it not. Now, I'm not sure why I didn't remember it as I really did like it.
After her father-in-law is imprisoned for embezzlement with billions missing, her ex is murdered by the bad guys looking for the money, Riley finds herself as the next target. Not only is she a target by the bad guys, but the "good guys" want to know what she knows.
In this book we had both a strong heroine and a strong hero and it worked. Goes to show both characters can be strong, no weaklings needed!
Both of our MCs had secrets to keep and trust came hard but I really did understand why they both held their cards close to their vest. Finn was definitely yummy and I really liked how Riley was so protective of her sister-in-law and mother-in-law even after her she was divorced from her husband. It was a definite character strength.
There was a good balance between action, suspense and romance and I really enjoyed the read.
After her father-in-law is imprisoned for embezzlement with billions missing, her ex is murdered by the bad guys looking for the money, Riley finds herself as the next target. Not only is she a target by the bad guys, but the "good guys" want to know what she knows.
In this book we had both a strong heroine and a strong hero and it worked. Goes to show both characters can be strong, no weaklings needed!
Both of our MCs had secrets to keep and trust came hard but I really did understand why they both held their cards close to their vest. Finn was definitely yummy and I really liked how Riley was so protective of her sister-in-law and mother-in-law even after her she was divorced from her husband. It was a definite character strength.
There was a good balance between action, suspense and romance and I really enjoyed the read.
January 26, 2016
Riley Cowan finds her ex-husband, Jeff, dead by hanging. Everything points to suicide, but she and his family don't believe it for a minute. Jeff's father is in prison for fraud ...and billions of dollars are out there... and all kinds of nefarious people want to know where the money is. And they are all prepared to kill to get it.
Along comes Finn Bradley, an FBI Agent, charged with finding the money. But he has a big secret and Riley becomes the primary suspect of hiding the money. When someone tries to kill her, he feels obligated to protect her. But Riley also has secrets and she and Finn seem to be at a crossroads. And it doesn't help that there is an electrical attraction between them.
Karen Robards writes a great Romantic Suspense. I have read many of her books and they are all filled with mystery, danger, and passion. The characters are bigger than life.
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a very good Romantic Suspense.
Along comes Finn Bradley, an FBI Agent, charged with finding the money. But he has a big secret and Riley becomes the primary suspect of hiding the money. When someone tries to kill her, he feels obligated to protect her. But Riley also has secrets and she and Finn seem to be at a crossroads. And it doesn't help that there is an electrical attraction between them.
Karen Robards writes a great Romantic Suspense. I have read many of her books and they are all filled with mystery, danger, and passion. The characters are bigger than life.
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a very good Romantic Suspense.
January 10, 2015
I am a *big* fan of Karen Robards' earlier work. I got through the 1st two Charlotte Stone books with a fair amount of eye rolling but loved #3. Hush started off sooo slowly - i bought 3 new releases Dec 30, and chose to start this one, and it took 12 days to complete.
about 1/3 to 40% (ebook) through the plot picks up, zooms around and ends about 2 pages after the climax. wwhhhhaaaa???? i liked the characters but a little more about Finn early on could have helped. there was enough romance in there to keep it romantic suspense. but i wish i had waited for the "paperback" price instead of "first day of new release" price.
in sum - good book, not great. good plot, characters and romance but way to slow to set up the story.
about 1/3 to 40% (ebook) through the plot picks up, zooms around and ends about 2 pages after the climax. wwhhhhaaaa???? i liked the characters but a little more about Finn early on could have helped. there was enough romance in there to keep it romantic suspense. but i wish i had waited for the "paperback" price instead of "first day of new release" price.
in sum - good book, not great. good plot, characters and romance but way to slow to set up the story.
February 12, 2015
Think I'm going to have to give up on Karen Robards.
May 17, 2015
Boring, atrocious writing, predictable, and truly a waste of time. I have read other of her stories where the characters were interesting and the plot had a twist. Skip this book. Disappointing.
April 27, 2015
Book 27
549 pages lg print, I am blind
549 pages lg print, I am blind
August 21, 2018
The story begins with Jeff hanging from the ceiling in his families Texas mansion. Where Finn an FBI agent has looked over his body and hides in the shadows as he watches Riley find her dead ex-husband hanging. She takes Jeff’s cell phone and the story officially begins. Riley, Margaret, and Emma (Jeff’s mother and sister) show great courage at Jeff’s funeral but Riley notices Finn at the funeral along with all the other onlookers gawking at them. A lot of things happen but what gets me the most is how she was nearly drowned in the bath tub and threatened for information about the missing money thanks to her father in law George. I just can’t get the scene out of my head of Riley fighting off her attacker and running naked, wet and soapy into Finn’s protective arms. Sure he suspects her and he knows she isn’t as innocent as most people would assume. He saves her and he always comes through for her. Finn is kind of grumpy and kind of amazing, I mean he is a FBI agent so maybe that's where Mr. Grumpycat comes from. Every time he gets mad or upset an image of grumpycat comes to mind. What can I say? And Riley is a kick ass chick who can hold her own under very high stress situations and she has a tendency for breaking the rules. I love Riley and she's a red head so that's a plus!
August 14, 2018
Couldnt put the book down. Enjoyed the characters but thought the ending was a bit disappointing. Really like her writing style.
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