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Duty #1
Hazardous Duty
Savannah McLaughlin is running a little late. Those extra few minutes could mean she may never see her daughter again. The only clue Savannah and the police have to six-year-old Caroline's disappearance is a note with a cryptic verse of scripture. With no signs of progress, Savannah is desperate enough to call the one man she knows can help - the one man who absolutely despises her.
293 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
9 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Brannon Green
37 books313 followers"WELCOME!!!!!
If you're not familiar with my books, I write mystery-suspense novels. I am LDS (Mormon) and so are some of my characters, but I have loyal readers from many different faiths. My goal is to engage the reader in my books. I want to make them laugh and cry and worry and dread the end.
Most of my books are set in the fictional town of Haggerty, Georgia - which is loosely based on my grandparents' hometown of Headland, Alabama (the most wonderful place on earth). Each book has an ample supply of romance, suspense, Southern hospitality and even recipies!"
by Betsy Brannon Green on http://www.betsybrannongreen.net/
If you're not familiar with my books, I write mystery-suspense novels. I am LDS (Mormon) and so are some of my characters, but I have loyal readers from many different faiths. My goal is to engage the reader in my books. I want to make them laugh and cry and worry and dread the end.
Most of my books are set in the fictional town of Haggerty, Georgia - which is loosely based on my grandparents' hometown of Headland, Alabama (the most wonderful place on earth). Each book has an ample supply of romance, suspense, Southern hospitality and even recipies!"
by Betsy Brannon Green on http://www.betsybrannongreen.net/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
May 4, 2024
Re-read -- 3.5 stars
When I read this book 10 years ago, I was much more generous in my ratings than I have become since then. I have also found myself somewhat disappointed in the last few of Green's books I read. I wasn't even sure I wanted to re-read this one, but there are some books that come after the ones I have read, and I didn't remember them well enough to read them without starting over. I honestly didn't really have high hope for my enjoyment of this book.
At the beginning, I was afraid my fears were being confirmed. Green takes a LOT of liberties with reality. There's no way things would have unfolded the way they did at the beginning. (Rereading Abramson's books have spoiled me for some of the liberties Green takes.) However, as the book progressed, for the most part, I found myself enjoying it much more than I expected. The ending almost ruined it for me -- I don't like desperate women. I think that could have been handled MUCH better.
While I took one star off from my initial rating (as I said, I've become pickier with my 5 stars over the years), I did round up because this was what I needed right now. It held my interest without requiring a lot of brain power. In fact, at one point this week I was so exhausted that I couldn't do anything except read. I'm in the middle of reading a murder mystery, and I just didn't have the energy to focus that intently. This gave me something I could read and still relax. I'm also in the process of trying to decide which books I want to keep and which ones I want to donate. I think I will keep this one. (Unless the rest of the series annoys me too much. I do remember from when I read these before that I liked the later ones less.)
I listened to most of the book, and I didn't love the narrator, but she isn't the worst one I've heard, so I will probably listen to the others in the series.
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I really enjoyed this book with one exception. I like my books to be complete novels even if they are part of a series. This one ended with a cliffhanger. :( In spite of that, I thought it was great. I've always liked Betsy Brannon Green, but this one was very different for her. It read more like a Traci Hunter Abramson than Betsy Brannon Green. Not that this was a bad thing -- I really enjoy both authors. Just slightly different from what I was expecting.
When I read this book 10 years ago, I was much more generous in my ratings than I have become since then. I have also found myself somewhat disappointed in the last few of Green's books I read. I wasn't even sure I wanted to re-read this one, but there are some books that come after the ones I have read, and I didn't remember them well enough to read them without starting over. I honestly didn't really have high hope for my enjoyment of this book.
At the beginning, I was afraid my fears were being confirmed. Green takes a LOT of liberties with reality. There's no way things would have unfolded the way they did at the beginning. (Rereading Abramson's books have spoiled me for some of the liberties Green takes.) However, as the book progressed, for the most part, I found myself enjoying it much more than I expected. The ending almost ruined it for me -- I don't like desperate women. I think that could have been handled MUCH better.
While I took one star off from my initial rating (as I said, I've become pickier with my 5 stars over the years), I did round up because this was what I needed right now. It held my interest without requiring a lot of brain power. In fact, at one point this week I was so exhausted that I couldn't do anything except read. I'm in the middle of reading a murder mystery, and I just didn't have the energy to focus that intently. This gave me something I could read and still relax. I'm also in the process of trying to decide which books I want to keep and which ones I want to donate. I think I will keep this one. (Unless the rest of the series annoys me too much. I do remember from when I read these before that I liked the later ones less.)
I listened to most of the book, and I didn't love the narrator, but she isn't the worst one I've heard, so I will probably listen to the others in the series.
_________
I really enjoyed this book with one exception. I like my books to be complete novels even if they are part of a series. This one ended with a cliffhanger. :( In spite of that, I thought it was great. I've always liked Betsy Brannon Green, but this one was very different for her. It read more like a Traci Hunter Abramson than Betsy Brannon Green. Not that this was a bad thing -- I really enjoy both authors. Just slightly different from what I was expecting.
May 21, 2009
This was one of those book that was full of suspense and hard for me to put down...not good for my kids. It was fun to read though I admit to feeling somewhat let down when it was over because I didn't get anything out of it but fun (which could have come in 1\3 of the time with a good movie).
Though an "LDS" novel, there was only slight mention of LDS principles though hopefully in the continued series there will be a section on repentance/forgiveness through the atonement and eternal families. The language was clean and the romance was there without all the inappropriate relationship stuff...so that was good.
Though an "LDS" novel, there was only slight mention of LDS principles though hopefully in the continued series there will be a section on repentance/forgiveness through the atonement and eternal families. The language was clean and the romance was there without all the inappropriate relationship stuff...so that was good.
December 31, 2014
I'm rating this book particularly high more due to expectations than actual book. I don't really know what I was expecting--it's in that incredibly niche genre of LDS crime solving--but I was expecting quite a bit of gooey love plot and church talk. It was there, for sure, and the love plot wasn't the best ever in the world, but overall I actually really enjoyed the book.
The characters felt well thought out, their stories interesting, the mystery unravels well and at a good pace. The different acts in the book were very well timed, and when the resolution to the intro story came to an end, it felt like the right way at the right time.
Spoilers ahead, since I can't think of a way to explain this without giving away the mystery.
So in the story, Savannah loses her daughter. The first major twist comes when the daughter is recovered, hidden in the care of her grandparents. Up to this point, I thought everything was well executed. Unfortunately, it wandered a bit after that. Not a story killing wandering, and there was still enough mystery to keep it interesting, but I think there was a lost opportunity here. Daughter's saved, we get more backstory and love plot, then Savannah is in danger again.
What I would have been better is if the mystery was solved, but there was still a feeling of tension after that. Something like, "Yes, Caroline is safe, but she could get recaptured at any minute." Or, "she's safe, but someone it watching us, trying to kill Savannah." I dunno. It was just a bit too safe after Caroline comes home until Savannah is captured, which was a surprisingly long gap.
Don't get me wrong. I still rated the story fairly highly because I didn't think having that pause killed the narrative or anything. I just thought that it was the difference between a good book and a great book, moving the story from a mystery to a thriller a la Gone Girl.
The characters felt well thought out, their stories interesting, the mystery unravels well and at a good pace. The different acts in the book were very well timed, and when the resolution to the intro story came to an end, it felt like the right way at the right time.
Spoilers ahead, since I can't think of a way to explain this without giving away the mystery.
So in the story, Savannah loses her daughter. The first major twist comes when the daughter is recovered, hidden in the care of her grandparents. Up to this point, I thought everything was well executed. Unfortunately, it wandered a bit after that. Not a story killing wandering, and there was still enough mystery to keep it interesting, but I think there was a lost opportunity here. Daughter's saved, we get more backstory and love plot, then Savannah is in danger again.
What I would have been better is if the mystery was solved, but there was still a feeling of tension after that. Something like, "Yes, Caroline is safe, but she could get recaptured at any minute." Or, "she's safe, but someone it watching us, trying to kill Savannah." I dunno. It was just a bit too safe after Caroline comes home until Savannah is captured, which was a surprisingly long gap.
Don't get me wrong. I still rated the story fairly highly because I didn't think having that pause killed the narrative or anything. I just thought that it was the difference between a good book and a great book, moving the story from a mystery to a thriller a la Gone Girl.
November 30, 2011
Six year old Caroline is kidnapped from her ultra secure school while a series of highly technical and criminally advanced events prevents her mother Savannah from being present to pick her up as planned. The police and FBI are unable to find any leads and eventually stop working on the case. Savannah goes to the only person she can think of who can find her daughter. Unfortunately, he is in jail and she must blackmail a general to release him so he can work on her case.
As expected, he makes her life miserable as they search for Caroline and a good portion of the book is figuring out their prior relationship that has lead to such animosity.
This book combines the intriguing planning within a tight knit military group that Traci Hunter Abramson has mastered so well with intense family emotions like maternal love. She also does an amazing job slowly revealing the past relationship between the two main characters to explain why they are interacting as they do in this book.
I felt frustrated with Dane for being so very stubborn and disappointed with Savannah for giving up every other virtue to save her daughter. Traci Abramson does a better job of having her characters maintain integrity in extremely difficult situations. Possibly Betsy Brannon Green's books are more true to life, but since I'm reading fiction I would rather believe that there are people who will choose the right regardless of the pressures brought to bear.
Having said that, it was an intense and intriguing read and I will certainly read the next book in the series.
As expected, he makes her life miserable as they search for Caroline and a good portion of the book is figuring out their prior relationship that has lead to such animosity.
This book combines the intriguing planning within a tight knit military group that Traci Hunter Abramson has mastered so well with intense family emotions like maternal love. She also does an amazing job slowly revealing the past relationship between the two main characters to explain why they are interacting as they do in this book.
I felt frustrated with Dane for being so very stubborn and disappointed with Savannah for giving up every other virtue to save her daughter. Traci Abramson does a better job of having her characters maintain integrity in extremely difficult situations. Possibly Betsy Brannon Green's books are more true to life, but since I'm reading fiction I would rather believe that there are people who will choose the right regardless of the pressures brought to bear.
Having said that, it was an intense and intriguing read and I will certainly read the next book in the series.
November 28, 2012
This book had an interesting story and was supposed to be suspenseful but I felt like the plot was fairly predictable. There was a slight twist at the end, but nothing spectacular. That being said I might have still given this a 3 or 4 stars except for the main character made me want to vomit at the end and at some parts throughout the story. She is a silly girl (albeit a late 30's? year old GIRL) Okay, I checked the spoiler box, I HATE that she is so dopey in-love with this guy she knew years ago and who has hated her for years. Then they meet and he is cruel to her and she still is longing for his nearness. Gag! Get a clue! Get some pride! Get a brain! Worst Heroine ever! Except she wasn't even a heroine, she was the damsel in the distress. The annoying kind that watches the hero's sword get swept away by the monster and just stands there trembling. Grab the blankety blank sword and stab the beast! I will definitely NOT be reading any more of this series, especially since in the epilogue, after the guy has blatantly said he doesn't love her, doesn't want to be in her life, blah blah humiliated her, she accepts this "quest" to help some random girl just so she can see him again. Puke! Gag! Barf! Ugh! Get some dignity woman!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2014
This book is an example of a good story idea that is told badly. It's not awful, just not good. The characters are wooden and the dialogue is stiff. The characters aren't true to themselves. Half the time Savannah is so distraught that she can't eat and people worry over her and force food on her. The next moment, she is cooking for others and saying she's hungry. There's supposed to be a romance with tensions, but it is just silly and a bit embarrassing. I also wondered if the author was trying to get extra money from product placement. She mentions American Airlines and Baskin Robbins and others specifically when generic would be fine. The phrase "Savannah smiled (or smiles)" is used so often that I began to wonder if she has any other emotional reaction (whether a happy smile or a sad smile or a smile to hide her true feelings). Finally, the reader of the book might be part of my issue especially with the romance. She attempts to do voices and speak emotionally and it just doesn't work well.
Having said all that, the book did pass the time while driving and doing chores around the house. Like I said at the beginning: not awful, just not good. (And I am listening to the next one in the series.)
Having said all that, the book did pass the time while driving and doing chores around the house. Like I said at the beginning: not awful, just not good. (And I am listening to the next one in the series.)
March 23, 2015
This could have been really good, but it just wasn't quite there. The characters were stiff and unlikeable, especially Dane. He was such a jerk! Savannah was all over the place. One minute she's completely in love with Dane and they're making out and then all of a sudden she hates him and then she loves him again. The romance was so weird and unpredictable and cheesy. Also - the few mentions of "Mormons" was so weird and out of place. It was like she was just trying to throw that in there somehow even though it had no relevance. I thought she was going to convert or something, but it never was talked about very much. Just randomly thrown out there. It just wasn't very good. It was okay, just not great. In fact, I often forgot that I was reading the book because I just didn't think about it when I wasn't reading it. One thing I did appreciate was the clean language. It's hard to find that in an adult book. I just wish the story would've been better.
May 26, 2010
I am a BBG fan! I love her cute, bit sappy, mysteries and this one did not disappoint. :D
Do beware though...the story leaves you a bit hanging and you will want to have the next book in the series, Above and Beyond, close at hand.
Savannah has been looking for her daughter, Caroline, for 2 months since her kidnapping. Authorities have come up with nothing though and the only way she can see to still have a chance of finding her daughter again would require digging up a man linked with her dead husband, she would much rather forget.
I love the way the story unravels as it moves along and then throws you for another loop at the end. :D Hence...the short summary and start of the story.
A perfect 4 stars though....great story, theme, and fun; recommended for all peoples.
Do beware though...the story leaves you a bit hanging and you will want to have the next book in the series, Above and Beyond, close at hand.
Savannah has been looking for her daughter, Caroline, for 2 months since her kidnapping. Authorities have come up with nothing though and the only way she can see to still have a chance of finding her daughter again would require digging up a man linked with her dead husband, she would much rather forget.
I love the way the story unravels as it moves along and then throws you for another loop at the end. :D Hence...the short summary and start of the story.
A perfect 4 stars though....great story, theme, and fun; recommended for all peoples.
April 17, 2012
WOW!! I couldn't put this book down!! Betsy Brannon Green is an LDS author who can write amazing stories!! Her books are clean, yet very suspenseful! This is the story of Savannah, Dane, & Caroline. Caroline is Savannah's daughter and she is kidnapped. Savannah turns to the only person she know that can help find her daughter, Dane. Dane is Savannah's late husband, Wes's best friend. However, Dane harbors hard feelings against Samantha because he was in love with her and engaged to her before she married his best friend. Can Savannah & Dane put aside their bad feelings for one another in order to find the missing child?
February 20, 2014
This first in Green's "Duty" series is better plotted than some of her novels, because there's really something at stake--the life and safety of a child. But the resolution seems somehow anticlimactic and the plot and characters superficial. Green has published many suspense/romance books, but in this one, there are flaws that keep it from living up to its potential--infelicities of usage, continuity errors in the main characters' feelings--these kinds of things are a shame, as they undermine what could have been a much better book. Nevertheless, I kept reading, but was happy that I'd checked it out of the library rather than purchasing the book.
December 15, 2016
This is a pretty decent story with interesting plot twists (although not entirely unpredictable – I guessed the person involved in the crime from the point they were introduced into the story), but the harshness (at first, and later, the cheesiness) of the dialogue between the protagonist (Savannah McLaughlin) and Major Dane weakens the story for me. Plus, there are times when Savannah is confident and well-adjusted and then turns into a trembling flower almost suddenly (and the emotional roller coaster resulting from the kidnapping of her daughter may explain that to some degree, but it seemed extreme at times). That kept her from being very likable as a character to me.
August 17, 2009
I really liked this; the first in a series of mysteries. Written by an LDS author, yet not a religious book at all. I wanted to keep reading and immediately started the second one. The base of the story is a woman whose daughter is mysteriously kidnapped; when local law enforcement can't solve the crime - she relies on a military major with whom she has a very complicated past. There were a couple parts to the mystery that were too easy for me to figure out - but plenty of surprises for me to really enjoy the read
June 30, 2014
This is not my favorite book by Betsy Brannon Green. It was definitely a slow starter. By the time I made it a little over half way through, I started to get interested in the story. I'm going to go ahead and give book number 2 a try.
3.5 stars, it would have been better if it hadn't taken so long to get me interested.
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After reading the entire series, I recommend not spending money on these. If you want to read something by this author, try "Hearts in Hiding", "Until Proven Guilty" or "Foul Play". Those are all worth buying. This series is not.
3.5 stars, it would have been better if it hadn't taken so long to get me interested.
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After reading the entire series, I recommend not spending money on these. If you want to read something by this author, try "Hearts in Hiding", "Until Proven Guilty" or "Foul Play". Those are all worth buying. This series is not.
November 17, 2009
I expected this to be a 'Mormon romance', but the church was barely mentioned and the romance was a very small plot element. I enjoyed the book enough to stay up into the night in order to finish it. The suspense was great, and although I figured some of it out, there were some surprising twists at the end. I was a bit bummed by the ending. I guess I'll have to read the others in the series to get real closure.
Fun note - it was set in DC and brought back a lot of memories from living there.
Fun note - it was set in DC and brought back a lot of memories from living there.
July 30, 2010
Normally don't like stories that involve bad things happening to children but the emphasis wasn't really on what might be happening with her kidnapped daughter. Fun mystery and interesting characters. Sad when it was over... especially when I realized at the very end that it was going to be a series and I didn't have the next book! I love this author for a good mystery/romance that is clean. She is LDS but only briefly alludes to that in this series. But still keeps the story clean which I very much appreciate!
August 20, 2010
Borrowed this one from a dear friend. I finished it in one day (please don't ask how my house looked). The ending left it open for more books, so I googled....she had 2 more in the series! I quickly purchased them from amazon and tore through the last two just as quickly. Ms. Green is quite talented - kept me involved to the very end. Not all her books are a guarantee though...I tried to read "Copy cat" recently - didn't even finish it, I was so bored. But I HIGHLY recommend the Duty Series. : D
July 16, 2012
Savannah McLaughlin is running a little late. Those extra few minutes could mean she may never see her daughter again. The only clue Savannah and the police have to six-year-old Caroline's disappearance is a note with a cryptic verse of scripture. With no signs of progress, Savannah is desperate enough to call the one man she knows can help — the one man who absolutely despises her.
A great read until the last few chapters which I felt were a bit thin as though the author wasn't quite sure how best to end it.
A great read until the last few chapters which I felt were a bit thin as though the author wasn't quite sure how best to end it.
July 1, 2008
I just got done reading this book at about 4 a.m. this morning. I had the worst case of insomnia. This book was an intriguing tale of conspiracy, kidnapping, and love triangles. The characters were complex and unpredictable which I love. The reason I only gave it 3 stars though was because of the ending. There just wasn't enough closure, plus it didn't end the way I was rooting for. Overall though it was a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2008
Not bad. Not bad at all. I guess this book is considered LDS fiction but there really was only a few, obscure references to the religion. I liked this mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Thanks for the recommendation, Tracy. I don’t think I ever would have read another LDS fiction book without a recommendation from a friend. I’m glad to know there is an LDS author whose writing is non-sappy, only semi-cheesy, and even interesting and fun.
June 19, 2010
It had been a while since I had read an LDS fiction book and this book had been sitting on my shelf for about two years, ever since I left Deseret Book. I should have left it there, the story was intriguing but not intriguing enough to go and read the next two or three. I wasn't impressed with the characters at all and wish the back story, which is so crucial, to the book had been filled in. Oh well.
July 27, 2009
1st book in the series. I liked this one the best of the 3. Good suspense/mystery novel with characters i liked. I really was looking forward to reading the next book! This author has written some other books that I liked as well.. good clean read that is easy and enjoyable. Just don't read too many of the same author in a row. Take a break and go to someone else in between some of hers or they all start to feel the same.
June 23, 2011
The title of this book makes the fourth grader in me giggle every time I see it.
I thought this book was exciting, had some fun twists and turns. Some of the misogyny at the beginning was a big turn off (Dane- who is supposed to be this reluctant love interest- offers is team the use of desperate Savannah's body IN ALL SERIOUSNESS). A little cheesy (every one has a code name just like in G.I. Joe!) but generally fun.
I thought this book was exciting, had some fun twists and turns. Some of the misogyny at the beginning was a big turn off (Dane- who is supposed to be this reluctant love interest- offers is team the use of desperate Savannah's body IN ALL SERIOUSNESS). A little cheesy (every one has a code name just like in G.I. Joe!) but generally fun.
September 4, 2010
First off, I love the character Dane! I don't always love him, but that's the way that almost any good character is. Okay, so, really, I do love him the entire time. He's got the sarcastic thing going for him at the beginning. BUT, I'm not in Savannah's position of being terrified, nervous, and anxious, and then having to deal with how he's changed. This is one book tha tI have to get a copy of for myself. Along with the other two that follow, of course!
January 20, 2012
This was what I needed this week, a quick mindless read, but it certainly isn't going to get attention for its amazing writing style, believable plot, or realistic characters. I'm surprised by the 4.11 star good reads review. I also have a hard time with LDS fiction in general and find that the "mormon" elements often just come off as silly. Having said all that, I did read the book in two days so I obviously enjoyed it.
May 10, 2013
I loved, loved, loved this series. It was very interesting and had caught my attention at the beginning of the story. It was very easy to follow and well written. I would recommend this book any gender, and doesn't matter what age. It has great mix between romance and action. I would say there is more action in this series than other books I've read but I still loved the book. I also loved the fact that I didn't have to worry about reading anything inappropriate.
September 2, 2015
I REALLY liked this book! I like how she writes. Her characters are developed well too. This was about a woman whose daughter was kidnapped and she needs to enlist the help of her former lover who works for the army to find her daughter who happens to be the daughter of Major Danes ex best friend major McLaughlin. I really liked it, and the story turned out really well! I like these romantic thrillers, if you couldn't tell by now!
May 19, 2013
In some ways, this book was very irritating. But I had a hard time putting it down nonetheless, so I'll give it three stars.
I guess my biggest complaint was that the characters didn't seem traumatized enough by the kidnapping situation. I can't imagine many situations that would be more traumatizing than having my daughter kidnapped!
I guess my biggest complaint was that the characters didn't seem traumatized enough by the kidnapping situation. I can't imagine many situations that would be more traumatizing than having my daughter kidnapped!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2008
Betsy Brannon Green is one of my guilty pleasure authors. Her books are all LDS romance/mystery novels. I don't usually read too many of that genre, but Betsy makes me laugh and her stories are fun. I actually really liked Hazardous Duty and am excited for the second book in the series (coming this fall).
November 3, 2008
I thought this story had a lot of good twists and turns along the way. I am a little dissappointed in the ending. The random shout outs to Mormons was a little awkward and I don't really think it was that relevant to the story.
Overall I still liked it and will most likely read the other 2 books in the series.
Overall I still liked it and will most likely read the other 2 books in the series.
November 23, 2008
I enjoyed this book because I love a good mystery with a few twists. Normally Betsy Brannon Green writes about the Haggerty Mysteries, but this is a new series she is starting with new characters. The book opens with a woman's daughter being kidnapped from her school (which freaked me out a little!), but the story kept me on the edge of my seat!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews