Forever

by Judith Gould

After the brutal murder of her grandfather, feisty Stephanie Merlin, a television journalist, hunts down his unknown killer. Before she knows it, Stephanie finds herself amid the glittering world of the de Veigas, a family whose fabulous fortune from tin, banking and pharmaceuticals affords them all the power, privilege and pleasure money can buy. But the gilded facade conceals a web of deception that spans decades and stretches across three continents. As Stephanie plunges further into this corrupt paradise, she discovers a plan with horrifying implications. Aboard the de Veiga's super-yacht and on their Eden-like Amazonian estate, Stephanie learns of their vast medical foundation, supposedly set up to heal humanity. But is that the truth? Or has it been set up for more sinister purposes? Set in the power-and pleasure preserves of the Old and New Worlds, and filled with insights into the private lives of the richest of the rich, this is Judith Gould at her most mesmerizing.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Crime, Contemporary Romance

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

pseudonym of two authors: Nick Bienes and Rhea (pronounced “Ray”) Gallaher

Reviews

[Tkulvete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent story, one that's hard to put down. Excellent for reading on a plane/going on vacation by the pool!

[Gerald Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, moving story, but disappointed in ending.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was interesting, but overly complicated. It felt like the author was trying to cram as many genres as possible into one book. The ending also left me feeling unsatisfied.

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read "Forever" because I remembered Gould's Sins being really good. However, I was about 13 at the time I read it and perhaps I was just drawn in by its slightly raunchy storyline. Well, Forever started off fairly promising, but then devolved into a complicated mess. It was the kind of story in which one has to try to ignore the exorbitant amount of loose ends, but the characters were not likable enough, nor was the plot fun enough for one to put these logical cares aside. I also found some of the plot devices painfully cliche. Making everyone in the story wealthy and the antagonists the richest people in the world is really lazy. How the hell did they pull any of this off one asks oneself...oh yeah, they're filthy rich, that explains it. (irritating) Throwing in the Nazi connection was also weak sauce. I also just couldn't get behind Stephanie. I didn't like her. Eduardo was dumb and annoying. Why would he offer to put her up in Brazil and give a high paying job after knowing her for a day? Clearly he's an idiot. Ernesto and Lili were too one-dimensional...never clearly understood the reason they wanted to live forever. The reasons given by Gould are just not satisfying. The only part I liked was the reveal of who the Ghost was. Overall, this book was readable, but not overly satisfying. Finishing it, I find my main reaction to be "meh."

[Marcia DeCruz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like its name, it took me forever to finish this one.
I couldn't get into no matter how much I wanted to.
The story is about an opera diva Lili, who was afraid of getting old. She struck a friendship with a German doctor who, through experiment, found the fountain of youth, but at what cost?

[Mugdha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good murder mystery book, really liked it. 740 pages book but just couldn't stop reading it. Very engrossing.

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild, patently absurd novel spanning three continents regarding the notion of living forever.

I got this from a funky downtown Athens hotel. Having enjoyed "Sins" for my trash chart fiction I was intrigued by the nature of this book. Although, I'll admit to finding the cover art and title off-putting.

We start in Germany for a funeral of a world-famous opera singer. We then skip 40 years and have around 10 chapters introducing various chapters setting up a widescale soap opera. As someone commented about the book being dated, the book's only major black character is entirely unrealistic, although her story - along with the villain subplot was great fun. Once we start to get into the heart of the action - missing child(ren), famous opera singer supposedly faking her death, widespread conspiracy unearthed by famed author of 'sleb biographies (lol), TV presenter keen to go incognito and travel the world on a 'hunch,' we have the makings of an Indiana Jones/Nazis-in-Brazil subplot.

It was entirely too long as a novel but was more or less worth the price of purchase (in this case, gratis.) I also enjoyed the excessive use of adjectives for decoration, Mediterranean islands and, at times clothing. It felt like something out of Conde Nast, so I had to give credit to the boys for their luxury living style. A bit like Jackie Collins' Lovers & Gamblers, Brazil can only make a bonkbuster more wild, more audacious, more escapist and "forever" more magical.

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Загадъчно убийство в наши дни с нелогични и неправдоподобни на пръв поглед следи, водещи към Третия райх. Красива журналистка, тайнствен непознат и още по-тайнственото му семейство от Южна Америка, разполагащо с пари незнайно откъде, занимаващо се незнайно с какво и отново следа, водеща към Европа и втората световна война.

Перфектният, предимно дамски, трилър - издаден в началото на 90-те и в България с името “Завинаги”.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, had a lot of great ideas for babysitting problems and a twinge of that Indiana Jones with the Nazi thing. This was a good read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about this book was ridiculous and over-the-top, but it was still a good, fun read. Set in 1993, it's surprising how dated it seems today.

[azade · Rating 2 out of 5]

سالها پیش این کتاب رو خوندم.پر از حادثه بود.مثل کتابهای دیگر از همین دست این داستان هم بار ادبی نداره و صرفا سرگرم کننده است

[Navid Farrokhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Novel has a strong historical structure and plus a good romance adventure can be very joyful for readers.

[Richie · Rating 3 out of 5]

O.k I guess....sad/disappointing ending...
Really, why did Eduardo have to die ...? :/ o_O

[Jackie Simons]

Read 9/99

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beach/cottage read. Entertaining. Light. "Sins" also good. (mind you, I read this back in the early 1990s. What I found a fun read then, I may find a trash read now...lol)