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Diane Rowe #2
Dunkler als der Tod
Die Privatermittlerin Diane ist spezialisiert darauf, vermisste Personen zu finden. Ihre neueste Klientin Karen ist gerade aus dem Gefängnis entlassen worden. Sie will Diane engagieren, um ihre inzwischen 15-jährige Tochter Sunny zu finden, die sie seit sieben Jahren nicht mehr gesehen hat. Damals hat Karen ihren kleinen Sohn Falcon getötet - und beinahe auch Sunny. Sie scheint zu glauben, dass Sunny in Gefahr sein könnte. Aber wie weit kann man einer Frau trauen, die ihr eigenes Kind getötet hat? Geht es ihr wirklich darum, die Schuld ihrer Vergangen-heit zu sühnen, oder sind dunklere Pläne im Spiel? Kaum hat Diane Sunny ausfindig ge-macht, wird Karen ermordet aufgefunden …
286 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Donna Malane
9 books4 followersDonna Malane is a writer, television producer, script and series advisor, script writer, story-liner, script and story editor and developer.
She has written a huge variety of television including drama, crime-drama and doco-drama, fantasy, children’s drama, sketch comedy, and documentary. Although Donna’s writing has largely been for television she has also had two other books published and her plays and short stories have been broadcast on National Radio.
Her crime fiction novel Surrender was the winner of the 2010 New Zealand Publishing Prize.
She has written a huge variety of television including drama, crime-drama and doco-drama, fantasy, children’s drama, sketch comedy, and documentary. Although Donna’s writing has largely been for television she has also had two other books published and her plays and short stories have been broadcast on National Radio.
Her crime fiction novel Surrender was the winner of the 2010 New Zealand Publishing Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 21, 2017
A good mystery
I enjoyed this book about a smart-aleck private investigator, probably written by another smart-aleck, and read by a long-time smart-speck myself. Even though I find books with this tone irritating at times, the tone here was close to spot on.
The plot was good, and not too predictable. I did figure it out before the end but not much before the end, just enough so I didn't feel stupid.
A quick read that I think will be enjoyed by most.
I enjoyed this book about a smart-aleck private investigator, probably written by another smart-aleck, and read by a long-time smart-speck myself. Even though I find books with this tone irritating at times, the tone here was close to spot on.
The plot was good, and not too predictable. I did figure it out before the end but not much before the end, just enough so I didn't feel stupid.
A quick read that I think will be enjoyed by most.
July 23, 2018
3.5 stars. Diane Rowe finds missing people. She is contacted by Karen Mackie who has just gotten out of prison after 7 years. Karen wants Diane to find her 14 year old daughter Sunny. She says she just wants to make sure Sunny is ok. She is not sure Sunny will want to talk to her since she attempted to kill Sunny 7 years ago and did indeed kill her 5 year old son by sending their car into the water. Diane quickly finds Sunny, who is staying with her father's new family. So why does Karen think Sunny might be in danger?
The book is a quick and easy read. I liked Sunny and Diane. Diane's character is pretty well developed and I would be interested in reading additional books with her in it. From comments in the book, sounded like there might have been a first one.
The book is a quick and easy read. I liked Sunny and Diane. Diane's character is pretty well developed and I would be interested in reading additional books with her in it. From comments in the book, sounded like there might have been a first one.
February 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I felt for Sunny whom at a young age lost her brother and in a way lost her Mom too! How could a woman do such a thing to her children? Now that she is out of prison wants to reconnect? My heart ached for Sunny!
February 28, 2019
good plot but didn't like style of writing
March 28, 2018
This is a dark, twisted mystery that I finished in one day. It takes place in New Zealand and moved along quickly. I thought this was a good mystery and felt bad for Sonny and the mother. (Karen's review)
October 13, 2018
Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens
this is not.
A well written but dark read.
What makes a good read is looking forward to reconnecting with the main character and wanting to reach into the book to give the victims a hug and tell them it will be alright. That was this book. I hope to see Diane again.
Diane Rowe a missing persons expert is hired by Karen Macke, who spent the last 7 years in jail, to find her daughter, Sunny.
What crime did Karen commit? She was convicted of killing her 5 year old son, Falcon, and trying to kill Sunny when she was 7.
A disturbing family drama with many twists and secrets.
"I can never forgive you for killing Falcon. That's just how it is. It's better that you know that." -Justin Macke
this is not.
A well written but dark read.
What makes a good read is looking forward to reconnecting with the main character and wanting to reach into the book to give the victims a hug and tell them it will be alright. That was this book. I hope to see Diane again.
Diane Rowe a missing persons expert is hired by Karen Macke, who spent the last 7 years in jail, to find her daughter, Sunny.
What crime did Karen commit? She was convicted of killing her 5 year old son, Falcon, and trying to kill Sunny when she was 7.
A disturbing family drama with many twists and secrets.
"I can never forgive you for killing Falcon. That's just how it is. It's better that you know that." -Justin Macke
February 25, 2018
Ms. Malane is a new author to me. It took me a bit to get going with the book, because there were so many phrases from New Zealand. But once I caught on, the story really picked up. Lot's of excellent twists and turns. I'll definitely be reading more of her books.
September 21, 2018
Diane Rowe, finder of missing persons, has a new client. That’s a relief, because she can really use the money. The potential client, Karen Mackie, has plenty of dough, surprisingly enough, despite spending the past seven years in prison. Karen wants to hire Diane to find her daughter, Sunny. The catch here is that Karen tried to kill Sunny seven years ago, and succeeded in murdering Sunny’s brother, Falcon. Drug use played a part back then, when she released the hand brake and let their car roll into the water. Now, ironically, she claims that she is worried about Sunny’s safety.
Well, locating Karen’s daughter is a simple enough job. Sunny moved with her father, Justin, and his new wife to Auckland, a short plane ride away from their old home. But when Diane approaches Justin, he reacts badly to the notion of Sunny seeing her mother again. Sunny, though, has different ideas about it and ultimately cajoles him into letting her meet with Karen. Being only seven years old at the time of Falcon’s death, Sunny has foggy memories of that day. Her curiosity needs satisfying. Of course, it’s not as easy as that. Justin remains skeptical, and naturally aims his bad temper at Diane for dredging up buried memories. The new wife’s motives for her shady actions might bear looking into as well.
Caught squarely in the middle is Sunny, who doesn’t know which way to turn. She has a new little brother whom she loves like she loved Falcon and fiercely protects. But just who does he need protection from? Yes, his mom can be somewhat apathetic, but his father seems to be involved in their lives. Maybe too involved? Why does Justin go ballistic every time he encounters Diane? Karen told Diane she’s concerned that Sunny may be in danger, but she didn’t spell out why. Now it may be too late.
From the beginning, Karen’s family dynamics cause all sorts of mayhem in this novel. Once Diane finds Sunny for Karen, she must sort out whose stories to believe. As she tries to unscramble the lies, she unearths secrets long hidden and the doubts begin to creep in. Was Karen truly the awful mother everyone made her out to be? The woman’s background would certainly back that up. But are Sunny’s memories of her mother genuine? Oh, if only the girl could replay the day that Falcon died and understand what it all meant.
Author Donna Malane has a good handle on crafting a character whose motives seem honorable but likely are questionable. Diane Rowe is a savvy private investigator, although a touch naïve in some of her approaches. While that makes her feel fully human and real, it sets her up for more peril than she needs to get herself into. Still, she’s a unique, strong woman doing a tough job, and trying to make sense of her own love interest at the same time. Finding out what happened seven years ago, well, that becomes key. Lives depend on it.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER has excellent twists, just enough to keep mystery fans turning the pages, yet stays on track to keep the story believable.
Well, locating Karen’s daughter is a simple enough job. Sunny moved with her father, Justin, and his new wife to Auckland, a short plane ride away from their old home. But when Diane approaches Justin, he reacts badly to the notion of Sunny seeing her mother again. Sunny, though, has different ideas about it and ultimately cajoles him into letting her meet with Karen. Being only seven years old at the time of Falcon’s death, Sunny has foggy memories of that day. Her curiosity needs satisfying. Of course, it’s not as easy as that. Justin remains skeptical, and naturally aims his bad temper at Diane for dredging up buried memories. The new wife’s motives for her shady actions might bear looking into as well.
Caught squarely in the middle is Sunny, who doesn’t know which way to turn. She has a new little brother whom she loves like she loved Falcon and fiercely protects. But just who does he need protection from? Yes, his mom can be somewhat apathetic, but his father seems to be involved in their lives. Maybe too involved? Why does Justin go ballistic every time he encounters Diane? Karen told Diane she’s concerned that Sunny may be in danger, but she didn’t spell out why. Now it may be too late.
From the beginning, Karen’s family dynamics cause all sorts of mayhem in this novel. Once Diane finds Sunny for Karen, she must sort out whose stories to believe. As she tries to unscramble the lies, she unearths secrets long hidden and the doubts begin to creep in. Was Karen truly the awful mother everyone made her out to be? The woman’s background would certainly back that up. But are Sunny’s memories of her mother genuine? Oh, if only the girl could replay the day that Falcon died and understand what it all meant.
Author Donna Malane has a good handle on crafting a character whose motives seem honorable but likely are questionable. Diane Rowe is a savvy private investigator, although a touch naïve in some of her approaches. While that makes her feel fully human and real, it sets her up for more peril than she needs to get herself into. Still, she’s a unique, strong woman doing a tough job, and trying to make sense of her own love interest at the same time. Finding out what happened seven years ago, well, that becomes key. Lives depend on it.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER has excellent twists, just enough to keep mystery fans turning the pages, yet stays on track to keep the story believable.
November 29, 2018
Diane Rowe, finder of missing persons, has a new client. That’s a relief, because she can really use the money. The potential client, Karen Mackie, has plenty of dough, surprisingly enough, despite spending the past seven years in prison. Karen wants to hire Diane to find her daughter, Sunny. The catch here is that Karen tried to kill Sunny seven years ago, and succeeded in murdering Sunny’s brother, Falcon. Drug use played a part back then, when she released the hand brake and let their car roll into the water. Now, ironically, she claims that she is worried about Sunny’s safety.
Well, locating Karen’s daughter is a simple enough job. Sunny moved with her father, Justin, and his new wife to Auckland, a short plane ride away from their old home. But when Diane approaches Justin, he reacts badly to the notion of Sunny seeing her mother again. Sunny, though, has different ideas about it and ultimately cajoles him into letting her meet with Karen. Being only seven years old at the time of Falcon’s death, Sunny has foggy memories of that day. Her curiosity needs satisfying. Of course, it’s not as easy as that. Justin remains skeptical, and naturally aims his bad temper at Diane for dredging up buried memories. The new wife’s motives for her shady actions might bear looking into as well.
Caught squarely in the middle is Sunny, who doesn’t know which way to turn. She has a new little brother whom she loves like she loved Falcon and fiercely protects. But just who does he need protection from? Yes, his mom can be somewhat apathetic, but his father seems to be involved in their lives. Maybe too involved? Why does Justin go ballistic every time he encounters Diane? Karen told Diane she’s concerned that Sunny may be in danger, but she didn’t spell out why. Now it may be too late.
From the beginning, Karen’s family dynamics cause all sorts of mayhem in this novel. Once Diane finds Sunny for Karen, she must sort out whose stories to believe. As she tries to unscramble the lies, she unearths secrets long hidden and the doubts begin to creep in. Was Karen truly the awful mother everyone made her out to be? The woman’s background would certainly back that up. But are Sunny’s memories of her mother genuine? Oh, if only the girl could replay the day that Falcon died and understand what it all meant.
Author Donna Malane has a good handle on crafting a character whose motives seem honorable but likely are questionable. Diane Rowe is a savvy private investigator, although a touch naïve in some of her approaches. While that makes her feel fully human and real, it sets her up for more peril than she needs to get herself into. Still, she’s a unique, strong woman doing a tough job, and trying to make sense of her own love interest at the same time. Finding out what happened seven years ago, well, that becomes key. Lives depend on it.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER has excellent twists, just enough to keep mystery fans turning the pages, yet stays on track to keep the story believable.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Well, locating Karen’s daughter is a simple enough job. Sunny moved with her father, Justin, and his new wife to Auckland, a short plane ride away from their old home. But when Diane approaches Justin, he reacts badly to the notion of Sunny seeing her mother again. Sunny, though, has different ideas about it and ultimately cajoles him into letting her meet with Karen. Being only seven years old at the time of Falcon’s death, Sunny has foggy memories of that day. Her curiosity needs satisfying. Of course, it’s not as easy as that. Justin remains skeptical, and naturally aims his bad temper at Diane for dredging up buried memories. The new wife’s motives for her shady actions might bear looking into as well.
Caught squarely in the middle is Sunny, who doesn’t know which way to turn. She has a new little brother whom she loves like she loved Falcon and fiercely protects. But just who does he need protection from? Yes, his mom can be somewhat apathetic, but his father seems to be involved in their lives. Maybe too involved? Why does Justin go ballistic every time he encounters Diane? Karen told Diane she’s concerned that Sunny may be in danger, but she didn’t spell out why. Now it may be too late.
From the beginning, Karen’s family dynamics cause all sorts of mayhem in this novel. Once Diane finds Sunny for Karen, she must sort out whose stories to believe. As she tries to unscramble the lies, she unearths secrets long hidden and the doubts begin to creep in. Was Karen truly the awful mother everyone made her out to be? The woman’s background would certainly back that up. But are Sunny’s memories of her mother genuine? Oh, if only the girl could replay the day that Falcon died and understand what it all meant.
Author Donna Malane has a good handle on crafting a character whose motives seem honorable but likely are questionable. Diane Rowe is a savvy private investigator, although a touch naïve in some of her approaches. While that makes her feel fully human and real, it sets her up for more peril than she needs to get herself into. Still, she’s a unique, strong woman doing a tough job, and trying to make sense of her own love interest at the same time. Finding out what happened seven years ago, well, that becomes key. Lives depend on it.
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER has excellent twists, just enough to keep mystery fans turning the pages, yet stays on track to keep the story believable.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
November 3, 2020
I would have enjoyed 'My Brother's Keeper' more if I hadn't just read the first book 'Surrender' - it was a fine piece of writing with excellent plotting and strong emotions.
This time round the book seems determined to point away from the just-released killer towards ... and that's the problem, there is only one other person who could have done it.
Donna Malane does a great job misdirecting from the guilty party but, for me at least, it was a done deal from early on.
The plot thickens when the killer is murdered but it was a case of too little too late.
'My Brother's Keeper' is a good book in its own right but, unfortunately, it cannot match up to its predecessor.
After I finished the review there was something at the back of my mind and I eventually figured it out - the same problem with a follow-up book occurred with Steph Cha's "Follow Her Home" - an excellent read - the next book I read in the series "Dead Soon Enough" just could not match up (even though it was quite good on its own)
This time round the book seems determined to point away from the just-released killer towards ... and that's the problem, there is only one other person who could have done it.
Donna Malane does a great job misdirecting from the guilty party but, for me at least, it was a done deal from early on.
The plot thickens when the killer is murdered but it was a case of too little too late.
'My Brother's Keeper' is a good book in its own right but, unfortunately, it cannot match up to its predecessor.
After I finished the review there was something at the back of my mind and I eventually figured it out - the same problem with a follow-up book occurred with Steph Cha's "Follow Her Home" - an excellent read - the next book I read in the series "Dead Soon Enough" just could not match up (even though it was quite good on its own)
December 25, 2017
Three and a half stars, really. Good PI mystery, but I had some issues with editing which always bugs me. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat though. Diane Rowe is a New Zealand missing persons finder. Her newest client is freshly released from prison where she served her sentence for killing her small son and trying to kill her daughter, Sunny. Now she wants Diane to find her daughter. She's expressed concern for Sunny's safety, ironically. Diane makes short work of locating Sunny. That was easy. Now comes the hard part. Sunny's dad, naturally, has many objections to allowing her to see her murderous mother. Their lives become a tangle of conflict, and it takes a lot of sorting for Diane to make it all work out.
March 4, 2018
Diane Rowe is a missing person expert. She is asked by a woman, who just got out of prison, to locate her teenage daughter. The woman was convicted of killing her son and the attempted killing of her daughter years before when she was high on drugs. The story takes place in both Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand.
March 27, 2018
think this story is part of a series i got to read into the rest find out the whole story i belive but its a new author to to me and i would read more books of her fast read its gets who you think did it it shocks u and say wow remind my people when they order books make sure they are stand alones or in series makes it confusing esp new read on the self
June 16, 2018
Well written and good characters. There were some truly beautiful sentences and descriptions. Another thing I love about the book is there is suspense and even muuurdeeer without graphic violence. 3.5 stars, would be maybe 5 if I hadn't lost my taste for this genre (what happened?!)
December 30, 2017
Great plot twists
January 1, 2018
3 1/2*
January 28, 2018
Well done, will look for her other books
February 24, 2018
A good book. Has a lot of twists and turns with just enough characters to keep it interesting.
April 26, 2018
Just bad.
May 15, 2018
A mystery about a former criminal who was jailed for killing her son, wants to make sure her daughter is ok. People start to die and the question revolves around an inheritance.
September 10, 2019
Great read. Kept me guessing.
August 6, 2014
MY BROTHER'S KEEPER is the second Diane Rowe book from New Zealand author Donna Malane, and it's a really strong idea for a protagonist. Rowe is a PI who specialises in looking for missing people, which seems like such a believable, unsurprising thing to do, even in this cyber-connected-technical-no-fault-divorce world, that it gives the character gravitas from the outset.
Not that she's an overly sober or considered woman. Rowe comes across as someone of great compassion, and concern for her clients, but flawed and a bit chaotic. She's a straight talker, and prepared to go the extra mile, but she's also not bullet-proof or perfect. Her personal life is just crazy enough to be believable, her professional instincts strong enough to give her credibility, her determination to continue makes her very likeable.
The book isn't all about Rowe though - Sunny, the daughter being sought, is also a strong character. A realistic 14 year old, with the sort of fragile core that seems to go with the aftermath of her mother's actions. At the same time, she's a teenager with a protective father and a fractious relationship with her stepmother. When her life starts to spiral out of control again, her turning to Rowe for support makes sense.
Finding Sunny for her mother is only part of this plot, as that doesn't take too long. Convincing Sunny and her father to meet with her mother after all these years isn't the easiest task, and Rowe has to work hard to convince everyone. Along the way the situation at Sunny's home starts to become clearer, and her father, and stepmother are soon under question. Not as much as Sunny's mother Karen though.
Whilst this plot is intricate and heads off in a lot of directions, it's reasonably strong. Even though there's a real possibility that reader's could guess the truth, getting it confirmed, and understanding the why is as important as who and what. There is even a strong romantic thread built in for fans of that sort of development. Set in both Wellington and Auckland it's possible to get a bit of a feeling for both those places. There's also a very good, dry, wry sense of humour built in. Interestingly the author is a producer and script writer, but in this book she's balanced the effects of that background by compressing the action into a number of days, without giving the entire thing a film script treatment.
Definitely a great series for fans of something slightly lighter, yet not completely cozy and fluffy, MY BROTHER'S KEEPER is a really enjoyable outing which doesn't seem to suffer from not having read the earlier book.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Not that she's an overly sober or considered woman. Rowe comes across as someone of great compassion, and concern for her clients, but flawed and a bit chaotic. She's a straight talker, and prepared to go the extra mile, but she's also not bullet-proof or perfect. Her personal life is just crazy enough to be believable, her professional instincts strong enough to give her credibility, her determination to continue makes her very likeable.
The book isn't all about Rowe though - Sunny, the daughter being sought, is also a strong character. A realistic 14 year old, with the sort of fragile core that seems to go with the aftermath of her mother's actions. At the same time, she's a teenager with a protective father and a fractious relationship with her stepmother. When her life starts to spiral out of control again, her turning to Rowe for support makes sense.
Finding Sunny for her mother is only part of this plot, as that doesn't take too long. Convincing Sunny and her father to meet with her mother after all these years isn't the easiest task, and Rowe has to work hard to convince everyone. Along the way the situation at Sunny's home starts to become clearer, and her father, and stepmother are soon under question. Not as much as Sunny's mother Karen though.
Whilst this plot is intricate and heads off in a lot of directions, it's reasonably strong. Even though there's a real possibility that reader's could guess the truth, getting it confirmed, and understanding the why is as important as who and what. There is even a strong romantic thread built in for fans of that sort of development. Set in both Wellington and Auckland it's possible to get a bit of a feeling for both those places. There's also a very good, dry, wry sense of humour built in. Interestingly the author is a producer and script writer, but in this book she's balanced the effects of that background by compressing the action into a number of days, without giving the entire thing a film script treatment.
Definitely a great series for fans of something slightly lighter, yet not completely cozy and fluffy, MY BROTHER'S KEEPER is a really enjoyable outing which doesn't seem to suffer from not having read the earlier book.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
October 21, 2013
I really liked this book. A woman crime solver, in the vein of a private investigator rather than a police officer, feisty, smart, damaged, Diane Rowe is as straight up as a spade, not afraid to take on those bigger and brawnier than her, chock full of empathy and compassion, she is one great character. And above all believable, which despite her various failings makes her immediately attractive to the reader.
The author, Donna Malane, is a New Zealand producer and script writer who has written extensively for the TV crime solving/police genre. Her first foray into novel writing was with 'Surrender', where she introduced Diane Rowe, a missing persons expert, dealing with the aftermath of her sister's murder. Although not a sequel, this second novel follows nicely from the first with some of the same characters.
Diane has been contacted by Karen who has just finished a prison term of seven years for driving her car into a lake with her two children in it, resulting in the death of one of the children. The surviving child, Sunny, is now 14 and has had nothing to do with her mother in the intervening years. Karen has asked Diane to find Sunny, 'to make sure she's safe'. Taking the case reluctantly, Diane thinks it will just be a straightforward process of reuniting mother and daughter, whether that is a good thing or not is not the issue. Quite quickly though, she senses there is more to this investigation than immediately apparent, and she soon finds herself drawn into Sunny's family and life.
Like all good TV whodunnits, the action takes place over a very short period of time - 13 days to be precise; there are a number of twists and turns, as well as the odd red herring; the only people who spend more time than Diane in an aeroplane over the 13 days are airline crew; we get a great sense of place with vivid descriptions of the cities of Wellington and Auckland; there is Diane's complicated personal life as well as the requisite rivalries between herself and other law enforcement people/agencies.
Diane is not the only great character in this book. Sunny herself is beautifully drawn as the damaged, motherless, tough but still childlike and resilient 14 year old; you want to steal Diane's boyfriend away for yourself; you ache for Karen and the terrible burden she has had to bear over the years. But it is the character of Diane herself who shines through, what a woman! This is a great book, neither too long or too short, and very hard to put down which is why it can be read in two days, and you too will read it in two days, trust me!
The author, Donna Malane, is a New Zealand producer and script writer who has written extensively for the TV crime solving/police genre. Her first foray into novel writing was with 'Surrender', where she introduced Diane Rowe, a missing persons expert, dealing with the aftermath of her sister's murder. Although not a sequel, this second novel follows nicely from the first with some of the same characters.
Diane has been contacted by Karen who has just finished a prison term of seven years for driving her car into a lake with her two children in it, resulting in the death of one of the children. The surviving child, Sunny, is now 14 and has had nothing to do with her mother in the intervening years. Karen has asked Diane to find Sunny, 'to make sure she's safe'. Taking the case reluctantly, Diane thinks it will just be a straightforward process of reuniting mother and daughter, whether that is a good thing or not is not the issue. Quite quickly though, she senses there is more to this investigation than immediately apparent, and she soon finds herself drawn into Sunny's family and life.
Like all good TV whodunnits, the action takes place over a very short period of time - 13 days to be precise; there are a number of twists and turns, as well as the odd red herring; the only people who spend more time than Diane in an aeroplane over the 13 days are airline crew; we get a great sense of place with vivid descriptions of the cities of Wellington and Auckland; there is Diane's complicated personal life as well as the requisite rivalries between herself and other law enforcement people/agencies.
Diane is not the only great character in this book. Sunny herself is beautifully drawn as the damaged, motherless, tough but still childlike and resilient 14 year old; you want to steal Diane's boyfriend away for yourself; you ache for Karen and the terrible burden she has had to bear over the years. But it is the character of Diane herself who shines through, what a woman! This is a great book, neither too long or too short, and very hard to put down which is why it can be read in two days, and you too will read it in two days, trust me!
June 25, 2013
This is Donna Malane's second novel about missing persons expert Diane Rowe and it takes place a few months after the first novel Surrender.
Diane is contacted by a woman, Karen, who has just been released from prison after serving a seven year sentence. Karen had been given Diane's name by her cellmate Vex, the woman who had arranged to have Diane's sister killed.
Karen wants Diane to find her seven year old daughter Sunny who she hasn't seen for seven years, to make sure that she's safe. Diane's precarious financial position makes her accept the job but she immediately regrets it when she learns that Karen tried to kill Sunny and succeeded in killing her five year old son Falcon.
Karen claims to have found religion in prison and appears genuinely remorseful as well as genuinely concerned for Sunny's welfare. Diane struggles with mixed feelings of repulsion and compassion for Karen as she goes about tracking down Sunny.
Diane finds Sunny living in Auckland with her father, step-mother and half-brother. When Sunny decides she wants to meet Karen, Diane arranges the meeting but when Karen doesn't turn up things take a sinister turn.
Diane once again finds herself caught up in far more than a missing persons case and is also having to continue to deal with the emotional fallout from her failed marriage to Sean, her new relationship with Robbie, and a growing attachment to Sunny.
The story moves along at a good pace, with the action (and Diane) winging back and forth between Wellington and Auckland. There are two reveals at the end, one of which I guessed and one I didn't. I also completely failed to see the development in Robbie and Diane's relationship. It's good to see an author take you down unexpected paths.
I look forward to seeing where Diane Rowe's next missing persons case takes her.
Diane is contacted by a woman, Karen, who has just been released from prison after serving a seven year sentence. Karen had been given Diane's name by her cellmate Vex, the woman who had arranged to have Diane's sister killed.
Karen wants Diane to find her seven year old daughter Sunny who she hasn't seen for seven years, to make sure that she's safe. Diane's precarious financial position makes her accept the job but she immediately regrets it when she learns that Karen tried to kill Sunny and succeeded in killing her five year old son Falcon.
Karen claims to have found religion in prison and appears genuinely remorseful as well as genuinely concerned for Sunny's welfare. Diane struggles with mixed feelings of repulsion and compassion for Karen as she goes about tracking down Sunny.
Diane finds Sunny living in Auckland with her father, step-mother and half-brother. When Sunny decides she wants to meet Karen, Diane arranges the meeting but when Karen doesn't turn up things take a sinister turn.
Diane once again finds herself caught up in far more than a missing persons case and is also having to continue to deal with the emotional fallout from her failed marriage to Sean, her new relationship with Robbie, and a growing attachment to Sunny.
The story moves along at a good pace, with the action (and Diane) winging back and forth between Wellington and Auckland. There are two reveals at the end, one of which I guessed and one I didn't. I also completely failed to see the development in Robbie and Diane's relationship. It's good to see an author take you down unexpected paths.
I look forward to seeing where Diane Rowe's next missing persons case takes her.
December 7, 2014
Diane ist Privatermittlerin und darauf spezialisiert, vermisste Personen zu finden. Als ihre neuste Klientin Karen sie darum bittet, sich auf die Suche nach ihrer Tochter zu machen, ahnt Diane noch nicht, auf was sie sich einlässt.
Karen wurde gerade aus dem Gefängnis entlassen und hat Diane beauftragt, ihre 15-jährige Tochter Sunny zu finden, zu welcher sie in den letzten sieben Jahren keinen Kontakt mehr hatte und von welcher sie glaubt, dass sie in Gefahr ist.
Diane übernimmt den Fall, ist sich aber schon bald selbst nicht mehr sicher, worum es Karen wirklich noch geht. Als Diane ihre Tochter endlich ausfindig macht, wird Karen ermordert aufgefunden und Diane befindet sich in einem Strudel aus Vergangenheitsbewältigung und dem Versuch mit all dem aus der Vergangenheit in der Zukunft zurecht kommen zu müssen.
Ich muss sagen, dass mir der Schreibstil schon vo Anfang recht gut gefallen hat. Man hat gut in das Buch hineingefunden, auch wenn ich anfangs ebenso wenig wusste, was Karen wirklich beabsichtigt, warum sie Sunny in Gefahr wähnt, warum sie der Meinung ist, dass Sunny es bei ihrem Vater nicht gut haben könnte.
Schon bald findet Diane heraus, dass Karen damals auch nicht ohne Fehler war, dass hinter all den Ereignissen ein furchtbares Familiendrama steckt, welches mich... ich will nicht sagen, verwirrt hat, aber die Auflösung hinter dem Drama war für mich schon ein wenig vorhersehbar und doch hatte ich auch meine Zweifel daran, was die Handlung angeht.
Ich möchte natürlich nicht zuviel verraten, aber an sich habe ich das Buch gemocht. Der Schreibstil war locker und leicht, man hat sich gut zurecht gefunden und es war eben eine angenehme Unterhaltung für zwischendurch.
Karen wurde gerade aus dem Gefängnis entlassen und hat Diane beauftragt, ihre 15-jährige Tochter Sunny zu finden, zu welcher sie in den letzten sieben Jahren keinen Kontakt mehr hatte und von welcher sie glaubt, dass sie in Gefahr ist.
Diane übernimmt den Fall, ist sich aber schon bald selbst nicht mehr sicher, worum es Karen wirklich noch geht. Als Diane ihre Tochter endlich ausfindig macht, wird Karen ermordert aufgefunden und Diane befindet sich in einem Strudel aus Vergangenheitsbewältigung und dem Versuch mit all dem aus der Vergangenheit in der Zukunft zurecht kommen zu müssen.
Ich muss sagen, dass mir der Schreibstil schon vo Anfang recht gut gefallen hat. Man hat gut in das Buch hineingefunden, auch wenn ich anfangs ebenso wenig wusste, was Karen wirklich beabsichtigt, warum sie Sunny in Gefahr wähnt, warum sie der Meinung ist, dass Sunny es bei ihrem Vater nicht gut haben könnte.
Schon bald findet Diane heraus, dass Karen damals auch nicht ohne Fehler war, dass hinter all den Ereignissen ein furchtbares Familiendrama steckt, welches mich... ich will nicht sagen, verwirrt hat, aber die Auflösung hinter dem Drama war für mich schon ein wenig vorhersehbar und doch hatte ich auch meine Zweifel daran, was die Handlung angeht.
Ich möchte natürlich nicht zuviel verraten, aber an sich habe ich das Buch gemocht. Der Schreibstil war locker und leicht, man hat sich gut zurecht gefunden und es war eben eine angenehme Unterhaltung für zwischendurch.
October 11, 2015
Die Geschichte rund um die Ermittlerin Diane, ihre Klientin Karen und deren Tochter Sunny hat mich ziemlich mitgenommen und ich hatte mehr das Gefühl in einer verkorksten Familiengeschichte, denn in einem Krimi, gelandet zu sein. Mit der Hauptprotagonistin Diane Rowe wurde ich leider nicht so richtig warm. In ihrem Privatleben gibt es so viele Baustellen, dass man allein daraus ein eigenes Buch machen könnte. Sie hat Bindungsängste und geht fremd. Nun ja, das muss ja jeder selbst wissen, aber mich hat es sehr gestört.
Karen (Mutter von Sunny) ist zunächst in der Rolle der eher undurchschaubaren Klientin von Diane. Ich konnte ihre Beweggründe nicht ganz verstehen, doch als sie plötzlich tot aufgefunden wurde, erfuhr ich nach und nach mehr Dinge über sie. Und Sunny hat mir im gesamten Buch leidgetan. Was dieses kleine Mädchen, ok in der Geschichte war sie bereits 15 Jahre alt, in ihrem Leben schon alles durchmachen musste, ist unfassbar tragisch. Am liebsten hätte ich mich vor sie gestellt und vor dem Rest der Welt beschützt.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin, Donna Malane, ist sehr leicht und die Geschichte schnelllebig. Die Charakterzüge der Protagonisten lernt man schnell einzuschätzen und neben dem großen Anteil an Familiendrama geht es doch häufig brenzlig und turbulent zu. Ich mochte Dianes Gespür für die Wahrheit und das sie auch nach Karens tot nicht aufhörte in dem Fall zu ermitteln.
Als Krimi für zwischendurch ist das Buch sicherlich geeignet, aber in meinen Augen leider auch nicht mehr. Es gab nichts, was ich wirklich schlecht fand, aber als überragend würde ich es auch nicht bezeichnen.
Copyright © 2015 by beckysworldofbooks.de
Karen (Mutter von Sunny) ist zunächst in der Rolle der eher undurchschaubaren Klientin von Diane. Ich konnte ihre Beweggründe nicht ganz verstehen, doch als sie plötzlich tot aufgefunden wurde, erfuhr ich nach und nach mehr Dinge über sie. Und Sunny hat mir im gesamten Buch leidgetan. Was dieses kleine Mädchen, ok in der Geschichte war sie bereits 15 Jahre alt, in ihrem Leben schon alles durchmachen musste, ist unfassbar tragisch. Am liebsten hätte ich mich vor sie gestellt und vor dem Rest der Welt beschützt.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin, Donna Malane, ist sehr leicht und die Geschichte schnelllebig. Die Charakterzüge der Protagonisten lernt man schnell einzuschätzen und neben dem großen Anteil an Familiendrama geht es doch häufig brenzlig und turbulent zu. Ich mochte Dianes Gespür für die Wahrheit und das sie auch nach Karens tot nicht aufhörte in dem Fall zu ermitteln.
Als Krimi für zwischendurch ist das Buch sicherlich geeignet, aber in meinen Augen leider auch nicht mehr. Es gab nichts, was ich wirklich schlecht fand, aber als überragend würde ich es auch nicht bezeichnen.
Copyright © 2015 by beckysworldofbooks.de
February 23, 2013
How refreshing to find another Kiwi author who can write stories I like to read!
Diane Rowe finds missing people and when ex con Karen asks her to find her daughter, Sunny, she agrees to take the job. Diane soon learns that Karen was in jail for the attempted murder of her daughter, the same attempt that killed Sunny's brother Falcon. Diane's unease at having taken the case is overshadowed by the need to find Sunny and make sure she is alright.
A fantastic read that I read almost in one sitting.
Diane Rowe finds missing people and when ex con Karen asks her to find her daughter, Sunny, she agrees to take the job. Diane soon learns that Karen was in jail for the attempted murder of her daughter, the same attempt that killed Sunny's brother Falcon. Diane's unease at having taken the case is overshadowed by the need to find Sunny and make sure she is alright.
A fantastic read that I read almost in one sitting.
February 1, 2014
Missing person expert Diane Rowe takes the reader on a dark ride through the underbelly of a city that is not prepared to give up its secrets easily. A clever plot, creating a novel of suspense and action for the reader.
Donna Malane is a NZ television producer and script writer. 'Surrender', her first adult novel, won the 2010 NZ Society of Authors Publishing Prize.
Donna Malane is a NZ television producer and script writer. 'Surrender', her first adult novel, won the 2010 NZ Society of Authors Publishing Prize.
February 18, 2013
I love it when we get a New Zealand woman protagonist in crime fiction, to place alongside V I Warshawki, Sharon McCone, Harriet Vane, Kinsey Millhone etc etc. Diane Rowe reminds me a bit of Sharon McCone & Kinsey Millhone.
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