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Julia Gooden Mystery #1
The Last Time She Saw Him
In Jane Haseldine’s gripping and brilliantly crafted debut, a reporter searching for her kidnapped son must untangle the connection to her brother’s long-ago disappearance.
Julia Gooden remembers nothing about the worst night of her life. Thirty years ago, her nine-year-old brother Ben—the person who promised he would always protect her—was abducted from the room they shared. Try as she might to recall any clue or detail, there is a black hole where Julia’s memories of that terrible event should be.
Now a crime reporter at a Detroit newspaper, Julia tries to give others the closure she’s never found. But guilt and grief over Ben’s disappearance have left her fearful that whoever took her brother is going to come back. Nowhere seems safe—not the city, not the suburbs, not even the secluded lake town where she plans to raise her children. And then, on the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, Julia’s worst fears are realized when her two-year-old son, Will, is snatched from his bed.
Convinced that the crimes are related, Julia tries to piece together memories from her final day with Ben. Are the sudden reminders of her brother clues that will lead her to her son’s abductor, or merely coincidence? Julia knows she has hours at best to find Will alive, but the deeper she digs, the more personal and terrifying the battle becomes, and an undying promise may be her only hope of saving herself and her son.
Julia Gooden remembers nothing about the worst night of her life. Thirty years ago, her nine-year-old brother Ben—the person who promised he would always protect her—was abducted from the room they shared. Try as she might to recall any clue or detail, there is a black hole where Julia’s memories of that terrible event should be.
Now a crime reporter at a Detroit newspaper, Julia tries to give others the closure she’s never found. But guilt and grief over Ben’s disappearance have left her fearful that whoever took her brother is going to come back. Nowhere seems safe—not the city, not the suburbs, not even the secluded lake town where she plans to raise her children. And then, on the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, Julia’s worst fears are realized when her two-year-old son, Will, is snatched from his bed.
Convinced that the crimes are related, Julia tries to piece together memories from her final day with Ben. Are the sudden reminders of her brother clues that will lead her to her son’s abductor, or merely coincidence? Julia knows she has hours at best to find Will alive, but the deeper she digs, the more personal and terrifying the battle becomes, and an undying promise may be her only hope of saving herself and her son.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 28, 2016
128 people are currently reading
4723 people want to read
About the author
Jane Haseldine
6 books269 followersJane Haseldine writes the Julia Gooden mystery series for Kensington Publishing, including The Last Time She Saw Him, Duplicity, and Worth Killing For, which will be published in March 2018. Jane is a journalist, former crime reporter and also worked as a deputy director of communications for a governor. Jane lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
May 28, 2017
This was a strong start to a new series featuring a relatable female character. I’ve always adored stories with a lead who is a reporter; it gives a different perspective of crime fiction than that of an officer in law enforcement. The author was kind enough to put this one on my radar and I’ve been eyeing it on my shelf until I was able to squeeze it in my timeline. I’m so glad I did, as it was well worth my time and energy. If you don’t have a copy of this one yet, don’t worry; they have a giveaway going on over here at Goodreads!
Julia lives the unimaginable in this story; as a mother, I think she faces all of my worst fears in under 400 pages. First, her big brother whom she idolized was snatched right from their shared room and then her 2 year old son is kidnapped as well years later. Clearly the two must be related and so our adventure really begins. I’ll be honest, it did take me about 75 pages before I was really engrossed, but after that I was gripped until the very last page which had me looking forward to the next in the series, Duplicity, which doesn’t come out until March 2017 from Kensington Books. Side note- I’m loving the next book’s cover! It’s the perfect balance of gorgeous color and creep/eeriness.
There are all types of characters involved in this one that I do feel the need to list, as there might be triggers for some readers. No spoilers here; just a little heads up. There’s Ray Navarro who heads the police investigation and also was a former lover of Julia’s, Reverend Cahill (this may be a trigger as he is a convicted pedophile that Julia assisted in putting away), and Anita Burton, who is a psychic brought in to help with Will’s recent abduction. Going back to the reverend, he is tied into the story as he is receiving correspondence from Will’s abductors and the focus is mainly on that scenario. Again, nothing over the top, but for those with sensitivities to these types of triggers, you may want to tread carefully.
Overall, this was an engrossing story that held tight and finished strongly. I was very impressed with the development in the characters, but especially with our main character Julia, as she is portrayed with strength yet riddled with flaws. She was more relatable than most women written into this type of genre; typically they either consist of superhero strength and a flawless personality, or they are weeping willows who can’t survive without a man to support their every move. Julia fell into the appealing middle; as a woman I liked being able to relate to her while also admiring her. For those fans of suspenseful crime fiction with a strong female lead, look no further. I’m very excited to see where this series takes us!
*Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Julia lives the unimaginable in this story; as a mother, I think she faces all of my worst fears in under 400 pages. First, her big brother whom she idolized was snatched right from their shared room and then her 2 year old son is kidnapped as well years later. Clearly the two must be related and so our adventure really begins. I’ll be honest, it did take me about 75 pages before I was really engrossed, but after that I was gripped until the very last page which had me looking forward to the next in the series, Duplicity, which doesn’t come out until March 2017 from Kensington Books. Side note- I’m loving the next book’s cover! It’s the perfect balance of gorgeous color and creep/eeriness.
There are all types of characters involved in this one that I do feel the need to list, as there might be triggers for some readers. No spoilers here; just a little heads up. There’s Ray Navarro who heads the police investigation and also was a former lover of Julia’s, Reverend Cahill (this may be a trigger as he is a convicted pedophile that Julia assisted in putting away), and Anita Burton, who is a psychic brought in to help with Will’s recent abduction. Going back to the reverend, he is tied into the story as he is receiving correspondence from Will’s abductors and the focus is mainly on that scenario. Again, nothing over the top, but for those with sensitivities to these types of triggers, you may want to tread carefully.
Overall, this was an engrossing story that held tight and finished strongly. I was very impressed with the development in the characters, but especially with our main character Julia, as she is portrayed with strength yet riddled with flaws. She was more relatable than most women written into this type of genre; typically they either consist of superhero strength and a flawless personality, or they are weeping willows who can’t survive without a man to support their every move. Julia fell into the appealing middle; as a woman I liked being able to relate to her while also admiring her. For those fans of suspenseful crime fiction with a strong female lead, look no further. I’m very excited to see where this series takes us!
*Many thanks to the author and publisher for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 23, 2021
The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine is a 2016 Kensington publication.
Just one day before the start of a new school year, Julia’s nine-year-old brother disappeared in the night, never to be seen or heard from again.
It was Julia, not her parents, who alerted the authorities of her brother’s absence. Although she was right there with him, Julia couldn’t remember the details of that night- which, like her missing brother, still haunts her thirty years after the fact.
Everything about her childhood has affected Julia- her choice to become a crime beat journalist, and her intense over-protective-ness of her children- which has put a serious strain on her marriage.
But then, her worst fears are realized when her own son is kidnapped on the anniversary of her brother’s disappearance. Knowing the window of opportunity is narrow, Julia goes all- in- not only to save her son, but to finally uncover her brother’s fate…
Somewhere along the way, I acquired the second book of this series, which has been languishing on my Kindle for a long while. I was laboring under the impression it was a stand-alone novel- but when I realized it was part of a series, I waffled a little. Did I really want to start yet another series? Since this series is only four -deep, at the moment, I thought I’d read the first book, and then decide.
Well, it looks as though I might be starting another new series. LOL! At first, I was a little worried because the set up here, with a long missing sibling, is remarkably similar to another series, I recently started, but as it turns out, the similarities end there.
I liked Julia, flawed though she may be. She’s got her vulnerabilities, but she thinks fast on her feet, is very smart, and tough as nails when she needs to be. The jury is still out on some of the secondary characters, as I was not entirely impressed with some people in Julia’s orbit.
The race against time is effective, as are the tense surprises that kept me glued to the pages. There is a poignancy to the story, amid the grit and darkness, that is melancholy and bittersweet, and gives the story an added layer of emotion.
Overall, this a very solid introduction to this series. I already have book two queued up and ready to go…
4 stars
Just one day before the start of a new school year, Julia’s nine-year-old brother disappeared in the night, never to be seen or heard from again.
It was Julia, not her parents, who alerted the authorities of her brother’s absence. Although she was right there with him, Julia couldn’t remember the details of that night- which, like her missing brother, still haunts her thirty years after the fact.
Everything about her childhood has affected Julia- her choice to become a crime beat journalist, and her intense over-protective-ness of her children- which has put a serious strain on her marriage.
But then, her worst fears are realized when her own son is kidnapped on the anniversary of her brother’s disappearance. Knowing the window of opportunity is narrow, Julia goes all- in- not only to save her son, but to finally uncover her brother’s fate…
Somewhere along the way, I acquired the second book of this series, which has been languishing on my Kindle for a long while. I was laboring under the impression it was a stand-alone novel- but when I realized it was part of a series, I waffled a little. Did I really want to start yet another series? Since this series is only four -deep, at the moment, I thought I’d read the first book, and then decide.
Well, it looks as though I might be starting another new series. LOL! At first, I was a little worried because the set up here, with a long missing sibling, is remarkably similar to another series, I recently started, but as it turns out, the similarities end there.
I liked Julia, flawed though she may be. She’s got her vulnerabilities, but she thinks fast on her feet, is very smart, and tough as nails when she needs to be. The jury is still out on some of the secondary characters, as I was not entirely impressed with some people in Julia’s orbit.
The race against time is effective, as are the tense surprises that kept me glued to the pages. There is a poignancy to the story, amid the grit and darkness, that is melancholy and bittersweet, and gives the story an added layer of emotion.
Overall, this a very solid introduction to this series. I already have book two queued up and ready to go…
4 stars
June 10, 2016
This is a story that revolves around a historical child abduction mirrored and connected to one that occurs in the present day. Julia Gooden is an experienced and able crime reporter, separated from her husband, David. She has 2 children, Logan and Will. When Julia was 7 years old, her beloved brother, Ben was abducted and never found. She cannot remember what happened that night and has been plagued by guilt and fear ever since. It is the reason she is obsessively over protective with her two sons, and why her marriage is in jeopardy. David wants her to address her problems by seeing a psychologist, which Julia has done only once.
Then the unthinkable happens and Will is taken and there are suggestions that Ben and Will's abduction are connected. The police investigation is headed by Ray Navarro, who Julia was once in a relationship with. A paedophile Reverend Cahill, who Julia helped to put in prison, is getting letters from Will's abductors which provide further evidence of the cases being connected. Anita Burton, a psychic, is called in by Ray and Julia is unsettled by her uncanny ability to tune into Will's circumstances. There is no line that Julia will not cross to get to her son and as she digs deeper, her life and those of her sons is in extreme danger.
It took me quite a while before the story really took off for me, but once it did, I was gripped. Julia is a strong character who drives the story forward. It is suspenseful and full of tension. I found it both an entertaining and absorbing read. Thanks to Kensington Books for an ARC.
Then the unthinkable happens and Will is taken and there are suggestions that Ben and Will's abduction are connected. The police investigation is headed by Ray Navarro, who Julia was once in a relationship with. A paedophile Reverend Cahill, who Julia helped to put in prison, is getting letters from Will's abductors which provide further evidence of the cases being connected. Anita Burton, a psychic, is called in by Ray and Julia is unsettled by her uncanny ability to tune into Will's circumstances. There is no line that Julia will not cross to get to her son and as she digs deeper, her life and those of her sons is in extreme danger.
It took me quite a while before the story really took off for me, but once it did, I was gripped. Julia is a strong character who drives the story forward. It is suspenseful and full of tension. I found it both an entertaining and absorbing read. Thanks to Kensington Books for an ARC.
July 23, 2016
So, this book made me a bit paranoid, which IMO is a sign of well-written suspense! THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM is Jane Haseldine's debut novel, and also a fantastic start to the Julia Gooden Mystery series.
Julia is the mother of two young boys and a crime reporter in Detroit. In 1977, her 9-year old brother Ben was kidnapped, seemingly gone without a trace. Because of Ben's mysterious disappearance, Julia is extremely overprotective of her own children, to the point where it's put a strain on her marriage. Then the unthinkable happens - exactly 30 years to the day of Ben's kidnapping, one of her sons is abducted. Could the two cases be related?
I enjoyed Julia's smart, tough (yet flawed) character. This was a gripping, fast-paced mystery, with plenty of heart-pounding scenes. Perhaps not everything that happened was plausible, but overall this was an exciting read. Some unanswered questions at the end make me especially curious about the next book. {Borrowed from the library.}
Julia is the mother of two young boys and a crime reporter in Detroit. In 1977, her 9-year old brother Ben was kidnapped, seemingly gone without a trace. Because of Ben's mysterious disappearance, Julia is extremely overprotective of her own children, to the point where it's put a strain on her marriage. Then the unthinkable happens - exactly 30 years to the day of Ben's kidnapping, one of her sons is abducted. Could the two cases be related?
I enjoyed Julia's smart, tough (yet flawed) character. This was a gripping, fast-paced mystery, with plenty of heart-pounding scenes. Perhaps not everything that happened was plausible, but overall this was an exciting read. Some unanswered questions at the end make me especially curious about the next book. {Borrowed from the library.}
June 11, 2016
This is a five star thriller with a one star ending.
I was caught up in the story of crime reporter Julia Gooden and loved this fast paced read. The story opens with Julia’s marriage on the rocks thanks in part to her overprotective nature towards her two sons. She had good reason to be suspicious of her surroundings and the people in her life as thirty years before her nine year old brother disappeared from the bed next to hers in the room they shared. He was never found again. She was seven at the time and struggles to move past the need to solve this mystery and move on with her life.
When persons unknown enter her home and abduct her youngest child leaving an arrowhead under the crib similar to the one found under her brother’s bed the night he was taken, Julia is frantic and the hunt for Will’s abductors begins. Using her investigative skills honed as a crime beat reporter she tracks down clues and tries to worm her way into the investigation meeting much resistance from the detective responsible for the case. Suspects are interviewed and parallels from the past uncovered. Everything moves at a rapid pace knowing a toddler’s life is at risk and every hour lessens the chance for his recovery.
Events point towards a dramatic ending and this is when the story slips from believable into fan fiction. Incidents which would never happen in an interview room with a prime suspect happen. The exciting ending becomes laughable thanks to the physical impossibilities of those involved. It was implausible and an unfortunate decision on the authors part. The concept was good. The reality of what is possible and what transpired made for a weak conclusion to the novel.
3.5 stars for an impressive debut by an author I will look forward to reading in the future.
eARC received with thanks from Kensington Books via NetGalley
I was caught up in the story of crime reporter Julia Gooden and loved this fast paced read. The story opens with Julia’s marriage on the rocks thanks in part to her overprotective nature towards her two sons. She had good reason to be suspicious of her surroundings and the people in her life as thirty years before her nine year old brother disappeared from the bed next to hers in the room they shared. He was never found again. She was seven at the time and struggles to move past the need to solve this mystery and move on with her life.
When persons unknown enter her home and abduct her youngest child leaving an arrowhead under the crib similar to the one found under her brother’s bed the night he was taken, Julia is frantic and the hunt for Will’s abductors begins. Using her investigative skills honed as a crime beat reporter she tracks down clues and tries to worm her way into the investigation meeting much resistance from the detective responsible for the case. Suspects are interviewed and parallels from the past uncovered. Everything moves at a rapid pace knowing a toddler’s life is at risk and every hour lessens the chance for his recovery.
Events point towards a dramatic ending and this is when the story slips from believable into fan fiction. Incidents which would never happen in an interview room with a prime suspect happen. The exciting ending becomes laughable thanks to the physical impossibilities of those involved. It was implausible and an unfortunate decision on the authors part. The concept was good. The reality of what is possible and what transpired made for a weak conclusion to the novel.
3.5 stars for an impressive debut by an author I will look forward to reading in the future.
eARC received with thanks from Kensington Books via NetGalley
November 11, 2020
Look out Kinsey Millhone and Lindsey Boxer there is a new heroine in town,Julia Gooden,a Journalist who works the crime beat in Detroit,married to David who is a lawyer and she's mum to two boys Will and Logan.She's gutsy,tough,stubborn,has a bad attitude at times and when she is following a lead she never gives up no matter where it leads her.She is also very protective of her children,a bit too overprotective at times but then considering the fact that her brother Ben was kidnapped thirty years ago and has never been found you can sort of understand her fears,fears that are proven to be justified when on the Anniversary of Ben's disappearance her son Will is snatched from his cot in the middle of the night,is there a connection between the two kidnappings?
The story is told in the present tense with the occasional flash back to before Ben was kidnapped and told solely from Julia's point of view.It is packed full of twists,plenty of action and hooks you in from the very beginning of the story,the chapters mostly end on cliffhangers that make you want to carry on reading..I liked the fact that Julia and Navarro the cop already knew and trusted each other right from the beginning of the story,you do find out the background information on how and where they met and also that they were in a relationship for a while but it's not dragged out through a large chunk of the book nor is the story of Julia and David`s relationship,Navarro and Julia have a good working relationship and I liked him a lot more than Julia's husband who came across as just a bit controlling.
The story is intriguing and although I did sort of have an idea who was behind Wills kidnapping there is other elements to the story that kept me guessing,the characters are well thought out and considering this is a debut book the story is very well written.This is the first in a new series so there are parts of the story that are left open and unanswered,I look forward to finding out what is going to happen in the next book.
Many thanks to Kensington books for an ARC of this book via netgalley
The story is told in the present tense with the occasional flash back to before Ben was kidnapped and told solely from Julia's point of view.It is packed full of twists,plenty of action and hooks you in from the very beginning of the story,the chapters mostly end on cliffhangers that make you want to carry on reading..I liked the fact that Julia and Navarro the cop already knew and trusted each other right from the beginning of the story,you do find out the background information on how and where they met and also that they were in a relationship for a while but it's not dragged out through a large chunk of the book nor is the story of Julia and David`s relationship,Navarro and Julia have a good working relationship and I liked him a lot more than Julia's husband who came across as just a bit controlling.
The story is intriguing and although I did sort of have an idea who was behind Wills kidnapping there is other elements to the story that kept me guessing,the characters are well thought out and considering this is a debut book the story is very well written.This is the first in a new series so there are parts of the story that are left open and unanswered,I look forward to finding out what is going to happen in the next book.
Many thanks to Kensington books for an ARC of this book via netgalley
July 14, 2016
I would give this novel a 3.5 if that was possible on Goodreads.
This was a very well written and suspenseful debut novel. I must admit that for me it was a bit of a slow starter. Julia Gooden works for a Detroit newspaper as a journalist. She is recently separated from her husband and has two little boys. Julia is a super-mom and is very protective of her children. Her marriage has gotten derailed partly due to her obsessive protective nature towards the boys. She won’t even allow them to go to a party unless she is there to watch over them.
Julia and her brother Ben grew up in a small lakeside part of town. Her father is rarely present and her mother is an alcoholic.Ben is everything to Julia, he promises to always be there for her and is a kind and caring big brother. Ben is 2 years older than Julia, at age 7 and 9, when he is abducted from his bed. Julia has never gotten over this grief and also harbors guilt because she has no memories of the night or the abduction. While this story is told in first person we learn a lot of the background through “flashbacks” which help the reader understand the young Julia and Ben.
For a break Julia has taken the boys to their cabin in a rather remote area. They have access to the lake and the boys love to be there. As she does at home, Julia makes sure that all of the windows and doors are locked and her security system is on before they all go to bed at night. On one such night the unthinkable happens and her youngest son, Will is abducted. Julia will stop at nothing to find her son and she employs the help of Detective Ray Navarro who feels that there is probably a tie in between Ben’s abduction and Will’s. Julia and Ray are old friends and lovers but they are at the stage where they can be friends and trust each other completely.
A paedophile, Reverend Cahill, tells Julia that he has been receiving mail from someone in his “congregation” who harbors ill will towards her. The details of this take a while to all come out and when they do the police arrest a suspect.
It’s so hard to write a review for a suspense novel without any spoilers. While I enjoyed most of the book, the ending was beyond believable. The author chose to give almost super-human physical strength to Julia as well as investigative liberties that just wouldn’t be plausible in real life. I think she wanted to keep the reader spellbound but in doing so the story wasn’t believable to me. I know that this is the first in what will be a series and I will look for a strong follow up to this debut.
I thought the characters were well developed and the images of the city and the beautiful lake and countryside were well described.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read an engaging and quickly paced mystery.
I received an ARC of this book through the publisher and “NetGalley” in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very well written and suspenseful debut novel. I must admit that for me it was a bit of a slow starter. Julia Gooden works for a Detroit newspaper as a journalist. She is recently separated from her husband and has two little boys. Julia is a super-mom and is very protective of her children. Her marriage has gotten derailed partly due to her obsessive protective nature towards the boys. She won’t even allow them to go to a party unless she is there to watch over them.
Julia and her brother Ben grew up in a small lakeside part of town. Her father is rarely present and her mother is an alcoholic.Ben is everything to Julia, he promises to always be there for her and is a kind and caring big brother. Ben is 2 years older than Julia, at age 7 and 9, when he is abducted from his bed. Julia has never gotten over this grief and also harbors guilt because she has no memories of the night or the abduction. While this story is told in first person we learn a lot of the background through “flashbacks” which help the reader understand the young Julia and Ben.
For a break Julia has taken the boys to their cabin in a rather remote area. They have access to the lake and the boys love to be there. As she does at home, Julia makes sure that all of the windows and doors are locked and her security system is on before they all go to bed at night. On one such night the unthinkable happens and her youngest son, Will is abducted. Julia will stop at nothing to find her son and she employs the help of Detective Ray Navarro who feels that there is probably a tie in between Ben’s abduction and Will’s. Julia and Ray are old friends and lovers but they are at the stage where they can be friends and trust each other completely.
A paedophile, Reverend Cahill, tells Julia that he has been receiving mail from someone in his “congregation” who harbors ill will towards her. The details of this take a while to all come out and when they do the police arrest a suspect.
It’s so hard to write a review for a suspense novel without any spoilers. While I enjoyed most of the book, the ending was beyond believable. The author chose to give almost super-human physical strength to Julia as well as investigative liberties that just wouldn’t be plausible in real life. I think she wanted to keep the reader spellbound but in doing so the story wasn’t believable to me. I know that this is the first in what will be a series and I will look for a strong follow up to this debut.
I thought the characters were well developed and the images of the city and the beautiful lake and countryside were well described.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read an engaging and quickly paced mystery.
I received an ARC of this book through the publisher and “NetGalley” in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2016
Thirty years ago crime reporter, Julia Gooden’s brother was abducted from the room they shared. Ben has never been found and the case was never solved. Julia’s entire life has been wrapped around guilt she’s always felt because she does not remember anything of that night.
Now married, although separated, she has two young sons of her own. She’s what most people would call over-protective. The boys are always in her sight … always. She knows firsthand of the danger that is all around and what can happen to young children when you lose sight for just a moment.
On the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, her worst nightmare is realized when her 2-year-old son, Will is snatched from his bed.
Julia is certain that this has something to do with her brother’s kidnapping.
But who would wait 30 years to do it again? And why?
There are all kinds of suspects and the police have pulled out all the stops to find her son. Julia’s sister, who she hasn’t had any contact with for many years, all of a sudden shows up. Different family members, most of them not seen or heard from in years, make an appearance. Are they actually who they say they are? Julia’s old boyfriend is the lead detective on this case. Does he know more than what he’s sharing? Her husband confesses that he’s been seeing someone …. Could he be behind this in order to ‘punish’ her?
The story premise is a good one with well-crafted characters and tension that keeps mounting until the very end.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Now married, although separated, she has two young sons of her own. She’s what most people would call over-protective. The boys are always in her sight … always. She knows firsthand of the danger that is all around and what can happen to young children when you lose sight for just a moment.
On the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, her worst nightmare is realized when her 2-year-old son, Will is snatched from his bed.
Julia is certain that this has something to do with her brother’s kidnapping.
But who would wait 30 years to do it again? And why?
There are all kinds of suspects and the police have pulled out all the stops to find her son. Julia’s sister, who she hasn’t had any contact with for many years, all of a sudden shows up. Different family members, most of them not seen or heard from in years, make an appearance. Are they actually who they say they are? Julia’s old boyfriend is the lead detective on this case. Does he know more than what he’s sharing? Her husband confesses that he’s been seeing someone …. Could he be behind this in order to ‘punish’ her?
The story premise is a good one with well-crafted characters and tension that keeps mounting until the very end.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
April 7, 2017
A really good mystery connecting the past with the present. Loved the character Julia. Anxious to read the next in this series!
November 10, 2016
Hard to believe this is Jane Haseldine's first book!
The plot is one that always makes me nervous. Missing children is -I believe- the worst thing that can happen to a parent or a family. And in this book, it happens twice.
Julia Gooden's brother went missing when she was a young girl. Now, many years later, she tries to lead a normal life. She's a crime reporter and writer, she's married and the mother of two boys. But she lives in fear of something happening to her sons.
After dealing with these feelings all her life, her husband is so fed up he leaves her. And then everything fells apart when her baby is abducted.
Fast paced, well written, great plot!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot is one that always makes me nervous. Missing children is -I believe- the worst thing that can happen to a parent or a family. And in this book, it happens twice.
Julia Gooden's brother went missing when she was a young girl. Now, many years later, she tries to lead a normal life. She's a crime reporter and writer, she's married and the mother of two boys. But she lives in fear of something happening to her sons.
After dealing with these feelings all her life, her husband is so fed up he leaves her. And then everything fells apart when her baby is abducted.
Fast paced, well written, great plot!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2016
This is a strong start to a new series. The lead character is Julia Goodwin, a journalist in Detroit. I enjoyed seeing crime from her perspective instead of a detective. Haseldine was able to weave past and present smoothly, the story held tight and finished strongly. A kidnapping whodunnit.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
I will definitely read the next book in this series.
June 30, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever watched a pilot episode of a TV show and thought to yourself, hmm, I really like the premise and some parts of the plot are terrific but this acting is just not very good? That's kind of how I feel about this book. It's a really good mystery (clearly a favorite genre of mine) with just the right amount of red herrings and I didn't mind that I figured out the culprit halfway through (although not the motive). There were several scenes that, as a mother, absolutely gutted me - always the mark of a good author to get you emotionally invested in the story they are trying to tell. And I actually appreciated the unresolved issues in the narrative leading to a clearly planned sequel (or series I suppose). However, the dialogue was quite stilted and unrealistic at times and I didn't feel the characters to be very authentic, either in their discourse or relationships with each other. In the end though, I remain intrigued with the case that was not solved throughout the course of the book and appreciate the talent of a writer clearly trying to establish her way in a crowded field with a novel idea (pun intended).
Have you ever watched a pilot episode of a TV show and thought to yourself, hmm, I really like the premise and some parts of the plot are terrific but this acting is just not very good? That's kind of how I feel about this book. It's a really good mystery (clearly a favorite genre of mine) with just the right amount of red herrings and I didn't mind that I figured out the culprit halfway through (although not the motive). There were several scenes that, as a mother, absolutely gutted me - always the mark of a good author to get you emotionally invested in the story they are trying to tell. And I actually appreciated the unresolved issues in the narrative leading to a clearly planned sequel (or series I suppose). However, the dialogue was quite stilted and unrealistic at times and I didn't feel the characters to be very authentic, either in their discourse or relationships with each other. In the end though, I remain intrigued with the case that was not solved throughout the course of the book and appreciate the talent of a writer clearly trying to establish her way in a crowded field with a novel idea (pun intended).
July 8, 2016
I would have liked the book more if I weren't annoyed by Julia.
June 19, 2016
This debut novel initially got my attention in part because the main character, Julia Gooden, is a crime reporter at a Detroit newspaper. Although I rarely found myself on the crime beat (except perhaps following up on an errant local politician), I spent much of my career as a journalist/newspaper editor. Besides that, the place I hail from, like Detroit, has suffered the effects of a failing industrial base. Add that to an intriguing description, and I was doubly delighted to receive an advance copy from the author and publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an unbiased review.
During her early years, Julia and her two-years-older brother Ben were dirt poor, living in a seedy part of town. Their only joy, it seemed, came from occasional visits to a local amusement park; when anything came close to threatening Julia, Ben intervened and promised to protect her forever. But one night when he was nine, he was abducted from the bedroom they shared, never to be seen or heard from again. Julia remembers almost nothing about the night of his disappearance, and she carries the devastation she feels over to her current life as a reporter with two young sons, of whom she's overly protective (to put it mildly). Her husband has walked out largely because of the lengths to which she'll go to keep them safe. That's because, she says, she's afraid that even now - 30 years later - whoever took her brother will come back to get her sons.
And as bad luck would have it, her greatest fear comes true; her two-year-old son Will is taken from his bed. Needless to say, Julia is devastated; at the same time, she suspects the two kidnappings are related - and she sets out to prove it. She's gets some help from the local police - most notably from a detective with whom she had a pre-marriage fling back when he worked on the case of her missing brother. But even though he tends to agree there's a possible connection, few clues turn up that could lead to finding the culprit in either disappearance. Julia, however, is determined to do whatever it takes to get to the truth and, first and foremost, find her son alive ("This time I'm not the one who's chasing the story. It's the story that's chasing me," she says).
It's a story that hooked me right from the start as well. The writing is outstanding, the characters are well developed, and the excitement kept building to the point that I couldn't wait to get to the end. But just as I got there, I got hit with a sucker-punch. I liken the feeling to watching a baseball as it heads toward the fence for a sure-fire home run; as I'm halfway out of my seat to cheer wildly, it swerves to the left and goes foul.
Exactly why that happened I can't explain without spoiling things for other readers (and I hasten to add that I expect many of them to disagree with my assessment anyway). What I can say is that the way the "holes" in Julia's memory bank are filled in with regard to the night her brother disappeared, coupled with physical feats that far exceed human capability, left me shaking my head. My disappointment was greater, I'm sure, because I so much enjoyed the rest of the book.
And despite my misgivings about the ending, I still recommend it. As I said before, not everyone will share my opinion (if you read it, which I hope you do, you'll understand why).
During her early years, Julia and her two-years-older brother Ben were dirt poor, living in a seedy part of town. Their only joy, it seemed, came from occasional visits to a local amusement park; when anything came close to threatening Julia, Ben intervened and promised to protect her forever. But one night when he was nine, he was abducted from the bedroom they shared, never to be seen or heard from again. Julia remembers almost nothing about the night of his disappearance, and she carries the devastation she feels over to her current life as a reporter with two young sons, of whom she's overly protective (to put it mildly). Her husband has walked out largely because of the lengths to which she'll go to keep them safe. That's because, she says, she's afraid that even now - 30 years later - whoever took her brother will come back to get her sons.
And as bad luck would have it, her greatest fear comes true; her two-year-old son Will is taken from his bed. Needless to say, Julia is devastated; at the same time, she suspects the two kidnappings are related - and she sets out to prove it. She's gets some help from the local police - most notably from a detective with whom she had a pre-marriage fling back when he worked on the case of her missing brother. But even though he tends to agree there's a possible connection, few clues turn up that could lead to finding the culprit in either disappearance. Julia, however, is determined to do whatever it takes to get to the truth and, first and foremost, find her son alive ("This time I'm not the one who's chasing the story. It's the story that's chasing me," she says).
It's a story that hooked me right from the start as well. The writing is outstanding, the characters are well developed, and the excitement kept building to the point that I couldn't wait to get to the end. But just as I got there, I got hit with a sucker-punch. I liken the feeling to watching a baseball as it heads toward the fence for a sure-fire home run; as I'm halfway out of my seat to cheer wildly, it swerves to the left and goes foul.
Exactly why that happened I can't explain without spoiling things for other readers (and I hasten to add that I expect many of them to disagree with my assessment anyway). What I can say is that the way the "holes" in Julia's memory bank are filled in with regard to the night her brother disappeared, coupled with physical feats that far exceed human capability, left me shaking my head. My disappointment was greater, I'm sure, because I so much enjoyed the rest of the book.
And despite my misgivings about the ending, I still recommend it. As I said before, not everyone will share my opinion (if you read it, which I hope you do, you'll understand why).
June 27, 2016
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
** I received an advanced readers copy from Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Thirty years after Julia's brother disappeared without a trace, her son was taken from right under her nose. With the discovery of an arrowhead under both beds, all signs suggested that the two cases were related. Using her skills as a crime reporter and her desperation to get her son back, Julia stopped at nothing to get the answers she needed.
This book started out strong by grabbing my attention and making me want to know more. Were the two cases relates and how? Why was someone going after Julia? All of the questions that form in my head when I am reading a good mystery were there and kept me turning the pages. Not only was I turning the pages but I was turning them at record speed. I had to know what happened.
It's not to say that there weren't issues with the book because there were. It was narrated in the first person which was fine and I had no issues with that but I did find the dialogue between the characters quite choppy and a little unnatural. At times they would be explaining things to each other that were unnecessary in what I can only guess would have been to make the reader understand. It felt uncomfortable and unnatural.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book and was super sleuthing (in my head) as I tried to figure out the answers to all of my questions. Setting the issues with the dialogue aside, I was really enjoying the story. However, as the story progressed I did find that Julia got on my nerves a little and the story lost some its believability. The way she nosed her way into the investigation was a little far fetched and the events that occurred late in the book were even harder to believe. Some of the events I found to be physically impossible and highly unlikely to ever occur in a real situation.
For a debut suspense novel I think that Haseldine shows great promise and I have no doubt that the kinks will be smoothed out as the series continues. I have every intention of following the Julia Gooden mystery series to see what she uncovers next. Even with the kinks I really enjoyed this story.
** I received an advanced readers copy from Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Thirty years after Julia's brother disappeared without a trace, her son was taken from right under her nose. With the discovery of an arrowhead under both beds, all signs suggested that the two cases were related. Using her skills as a crime reporter and her desperation to get her son back, Julia stopped at nothing to get the answers she needed.
This book started out strong by grabbing my attention and making me want to know more. Were the two cases relates and how? Why was someone going after Julia? All of the questions that form in my head when I am reading a good mystery were there and kept me turning the pages. Not only was I turning the pages but I was turning them at record speed. I had to know what happened.
It's not to say that there weren't issues with the book because there were. It was narrated in the first person which was fine and I had no issues with that but I did find the dialogue between the characters quite choppy and a little unnatural. At times they would be explaining things to each other that were unnecessary in what I can only guess would have been to make the reader understand. It felt uncomfortable and unnatural.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book and was super sleuthing (in my head) as I tried to figure out the answers to all of my questions. Setting the issues with the dialogue aside, I was really enjoying the story. However, as the story progressed I did find that Julia got on my nerves a little and the story lost some its believability. The way she nosed her way into the investigation was a little far fetched and the events that occurred late in the book were even harder to believe. Some of the events I found to be physically impossible and highly unlikely to ever occur in a real situation.
For a debut suspense novel I think that Haseldine shows great promise and I have no doubt that the kinks will be smoothed out as the series continues. I have every intention of following the Julia Gooden mystery series to see what she uncovers next. Even with the kinks I really enjoyed this story.
June 22, 2016
Julia is a successful crime reporter with two young children. As a child, her older brother was kidnapped from their bedroom and never found with the culprit never brought to justice. She remains obsessed with this tragedy, continuing to call the police assigned to that case and looking for new leads. This obsession and how over protective she is with her own children contributed to her marriage breaking down and separation from her husband. When a young boy is taken that reminds her slightly of her big brother, she decides to take a break from her job and spend more time with her children. Soon after, her youngest boy is taken from his bedroom and an arrowhead placed under his crib... just like so many years ago with her brother. The whole story is interesting and I think it's a promising debut but it lost me at times. Often the words spoken by the characters seem unnatural and certain things seem so improbable that it really pulls you out of enjoying the story. I would still be interested in reading the next book in the series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2016
I read an advanced reader copy and this is a suspenseful, emotional and at times gritty thriller/suspense. I loved it. The central character is a crime reporter in Detroit. She's as tough and passionate as the city she works in. She's haunted by her brothers disappearance 30 years before and on the 30th anniversary of that event her young son is also taken. What follows is equal parts thrill and emotion. This author knows how to write with pace and intensity. I can't wait for more from the Julia Gooden character.
April 23, 2016
This book is a gripping and exciting suspense thriller. Julia Gooden is one of my favorite characters I've read in a mystery book. She is a great mom but is still devastated over the disappearance of her brother so she is very protective of her children. This book follows Julia as she uses her instincts as a reporter to track down and investigate the people who are involved in the crimes of this story. I also liked Detective Navarro and the many surprising twists were really good. All leading to the very shocking and unexpected ending to this book. I enjoyed reading this book so much and I never wanted to put it down until I found out what happened in the end. I highly recommend. I received an advanced copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway thanks to Kensington Books.
June 25, 2016
This is the author's first novel and it appears that it may be the first of a series. It's difficult to write this review. I liked the first 3/4s of this book. Haseldine employs great use of descriptive language. I really enjoyed her writing, feeling as though I were actually observing scenes. I didn't want to put the book down initially, but I thought it unraveled as it got near the end and I did put it down because I needed a break from it. It seemed to descend into a perverse, violent Keystone komedy of actions. That said, I thought it was a good debut and am looking forward to her next novel, hoping that style will win out over substance and her character's actions will become more realistic.
June 27, 2016
When Julia was a child, her brother was abducted from their bedroom never to be seen again. Julia grew up to become a crime reporter, marry an attorney and be the over protective mother of two young boys. On the anniversary of her brother's abduction, her youngest son is also kidnapped. The story follows the kidnapping and is compelling. The reader will end up engrossed in what happens next and will continue reading long after common sense says to slow down. All in all, it is excellent reading with a conclusion that will give you chills. Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for an ARC for an honest review.
June 20, 2016
Past and present collide when a child abduction from the past seems connected to one that occurs now. Julia Gooden is a crime reporter whose brother was abducted when she was just 7 years old and who has never been found. She is now married with 2 children of her own and her life has been influenced by her past putting a strain on her marriage. Then her son is abducted. Is there a connection between the two disappearances? Page turner. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
April 17, 2019
THE LAST TIME SHE SAW HIM is Jane Haseldine's debut novel, and also a fantastic start to the Julia Gooden Mystery series. This series takes place in Detroit, Michigan, which attracted me to this title, living just across the river. Julia is the mother of two young boys and a crime reporter. In 1977, her 9-year old brother Ben was kidnapped, gone without a trace. Because of Ben's mysterious disappearance, Julia is extremely overprotective of her own children. Julia has never gotten over this grief and also harbors guilt because she has no memories of the night or the abduction. Her overprotective issues and fear that something will happen to her own children has put a strain on her marriage and she and her husband are currently separated. When her two-year old son is kidnapped on the anniversary of Ben's abduction, her worst fear comes true. Could the two cases be related? Julia is sure they are.
Julia is a great MC. She is smart and tough, yet flawed. The story is told in the first person, yet we learn a lot of the background through “flashbacks” which help the reader understand the young Julia and Ben. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the city, the lake and countryside were well described, you could picture them easily. This is a gripping, fast-paced mystery, with plenty of heart-pounding scenes. Not everything that happened was plausible, but overall this was an excellent read, and it is fiction. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read an engaging and fast-paced mystery. I know I am ready to read the next one to see what is next for Julia and her family. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. Kate Rudd uses a natural voice for the characters which enhanced my enjoyment of this book.
Julia is a great MC. She is smart and tough, yet flawed. The story is told in the first person, yet we learn a lot of the background through “flashbacks” which help the reader understand the young Julia and Ben. The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the city, the lake and countryside were well described, you could picture them easily. This is a gripping, fast-paced mystery, with plenty of heart-pounding scenes. Not everything that happened was plausible, but overall this was an excellent read, and it is fiction. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read an engaging and fast-paced mystery. I know I am ready to read the next one to see what is next for Julia and her family. I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it. Kate Rudd uses a natural voice for the characters which enhanced my enjoyment of this book.
October 5, 2018
3.5 - ... a thriller/mystery type book .... It kept my interest and I am going to read the second one in this series.
June 17, 2017
Julia Gooden remembers nothing about the worst night of her life. Thirty years ago, her nine-year-old brother Ben—the person who promised he would always protect her—was abducted from the room they shared. Try as she might to recall any clue or detail, there is a black hole where Julia’s memories of that terrible event should be.
Now a crime reporter at a Detroit newspaper, Julia tries to give others the closure she’s never found. But guilt and grief over Ben’s disappearance have left her fearful that whoever took her brother is going to come back. Nowhere seems safe—not the city, not the suburbs, not even the secluded lake town where she plans to raise her children. And then, on the anniversary of Ben’s disappearance, Julia’s worst fears are realized when her two-year-old son, Will, is snatched from his bed.
Convinced that the crimes are related, Julia tries to piece together memories from her final day with Ben. Are the sudden reminders of her brother clues that will lead her to her son’s abductor, or merely coincidence? Julia knows she has hours at best to find Will alive, but the deeper she digs, the more personal and terrifying the battle becomes, and an undying promise may be her only hope of saving herself and her son.
What did I think of it:
5 stars
OMG what a great start to a new series, so glad that I decided to pick it up and give it a go because if I hadn't I would have missed out on how great it truly is, and with that said let me let give you some reason as to why you need to pick it up and read it for yourselves:
1:becouse of how it pulls you into the story and won't let you go
2: From the opening scene to the last its becomes a breathless gripping thriller.
3:chilling and Suspenseful
4; it show you what families go though all the time because they don't know or can't find out what happened to their love ones that was taking
And that's just some of the reason why, I loved it, don't want to give to much away because I want you to check it out for yourselves.
With that said I would love to also say that I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review and that these are 100 % my own thoughts to what is truly a great book.
June 28, 2016
Full review coming on release day to Brooke Blogs.
The Last Time She Saw Him is the debut book for author Jane Haseldine and is the first in the Julia Gooden series. I was instantly pulled into this story. This is a book that I stayed up late to finish in just one night (not something I do very often). Ms. Haseldine does an incredible job of weaving intricate plot details with characters you feel for to create a heart-pounding thriller.
Julia is a crime reporter in Detroit, MI. Her older brother's disappearance as a child haunts her to this day, and influences the way she raises her sons. Her obsessive overprotective parenting is causing a rift in her marriage and her brother's disappearance makes it difficult for her to do her job. Her goal is to keep her boys safe, no matter the cost. When her worst nightmare happens, will Julia be able to pull it together to solve a crime that shakes her to her core? You'll need to pick up The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine to find out.
I am so impressed that this is the author's debut novel. She has a knack for getting right to the heart of a story and making you want to keep reading until you find out what happens. I am looking forward to many more books from Ms. Haseldine.
The Last Time She Saw Him is the debut book for author Jane Haseldine and is the first in the Julia Gooden series. I was instantly pulled into this story. This is a book that I stayed up late to finish in just one night (not something I do very often). Ms. Haseldine does an incredible job of weaving intricate plot details with characters you feel for to create a heart-pounding thriller.
Julia is a crime reporter in Detroit, MI. Her older brother's disappearance as a child haunts her to this day, and influences the way she raises her sons. Her obsessive overprotective parenting is causing a rift in her marriage and her brother's disappearance makes it difficult for her to do her job. Her goal is to keep her boys safe, no matter the cost. When her worst nightmare happens, will Julia be able to pull it together to solve a crime that shakes her to her core? You'll need to pick up The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine to find out.
I am so impressed that this is the author's debut novel. She has a knack for getting right to the heart of a story and making you want to keep reading until you find out what happens. I am looking forward to many more books from Ms. Haseldine.
June 30, 2016
Kensington Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Last Time She Saw Him, in exchange for an honest review.
Thirty years ago, Julia Gooden's nine year old brother Ben was abducted from their bedroom. Now working as a crime reporter for a newspaper in Detroit, Julia tries to help others get the closure they need, the closure she never got. On the anniversary of her brother's disappearance, Julia's worst fears are realized when her two year old son is taken. When it is revealed that the cases might be linked, Julia fights to move Heaven and Earth to save her little boy from her brother's fate. Will Julia be able to get the answers she needs before time runs out?
The Last Time She Saw Him is a psychological thriller, featuring a great main character in Julia. Her instincts are spot on, her determination is unyielding, and her love for her family is admirable. Her risky behavior notwithstanding, Julia's story was compelling and the plot cohesive. Readers who enjoy the fast paced suspense that psychological thrillers provide will find The Last Time She Saw Him is to their liking.
Thirty years ago, Julia Gooden's nine year old brother Ben was abducted from their bedroom. Now working as a crime reporter for a newspaper in Detroit, Julia tries to help others get the closure they need, the closure she never got. On the anniversary of her brother's disappearance, Julia's worst fears are realized when her two year old son is taken. When it is revealed that the cases might be linked, Julia fights to move Heaven and Earth to save her little boy from her brother's fate. Will Julia be able to get the answers she needs before time runs out?
The Last Time She Saw Him is a psychological thriller, featuring a great main character in Julia. Her instincts are spot on, her determination is unyielding, and her love for her family is admirable. Her risky behavior notwithstanding, Julia's story was compelling and the plot cohesive. Readers who enjoy the fast paced suspense that psychological thrillers provide will find The Last Time She Saw Him is to their liking.
July 4, 2016
The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine is an exciting mystery book that I really enjoyed. Julia Gooden is a crime reporter in Detroit who specializes in missing children stories. 30 years ago when she was just a child her beloved brother was kidnapped out of their house in the middle of the night, and was never seen again. Julia is the mother of two sons ages two and eight who is separated from her husband primarily because he believes she is too protective of their children. This book has Julia and the police concentrating on a present day kidnapping and her brothers cold unsolved case.
I found this book to be very suspenseful, emotional, and an all around good thriller. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page, and staying up late to finish it. I found this book to have a well developed plot and characters. If you like suspenseful mysteries you will love this book. I strongly recommend this book.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I found this book to be very suspenseful, emotional, and an all around good thriller. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page, and staying up late to finish it. I found this book to have a well developed plot and characters. If you like suspenseful mysteries you will love this book. I strongly recommend this book.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 22, 2016
This one hooked me right from the start and kept the suspense going right through to the end. Julia Gooden is a crime reporter from Detroit, married with two children- Logan and Will. She is an extremely overprotective mother, never letting the children out of her sight and always paranoid for their safety. When she was 7 her 9 year old brother Ben was kidnapped and never found, and Julia has never recovered from this life shattering event and feels like there was something she should have done to have prevented this somehow. Her life takes a horrifying turn when her two year old son is taken in almost the identical manner as her brother was 30 years before.
Can she figure out what the connections are in time to save her son? With the assistance of her friend and ex-lover Detective Navarro, it's a race against the clock to piece it all together and save her boy.
Apparently there will be a second book in this series as not all ends were tied up in a neat bow.
Can she figure out what the connections are in time to save her son? With the assistance of her friend and ex-lover Detective Navarro, it's a race against the clock to piece it all together and save her boy.
Apparently there will be a second book in this series as not all ends were tied up in a neat bow.
April 4, 2016
On 4/1/16, I received the book The Last Time She Saw Him by Jane Haseldine for free through Goodreads First Reads. I first want to say I really wanted this book due to the storyline and this being the first book from the author. I love to find new authors. This book about Julia Gooden was very hard to read. The author writes very wooden like, and reading this I could not even visualize the story happening as I read like usual with the characters. The book just did not hold my interest, but I did finish it. I do not know if it was because of the characters or the storyline. The author also left strings of the storyline hanging at the end of the book; however, I see that there is a sequel coming so those that like the book will be able to read another in the series. I am only giving it three stars because I finished the book.
May 7, 2018
Spoiler alert! This book had the most drawn out, preposterous ending I have ever read. The protagonist is trying to save her two young sons after they have been kidnapped and she endures attacks from a stun gun, regular gun, hatchet, threatened with a poisonous snake, threatened with being buried alive and an almost fatal drowning yet manages to keep going and save the day. The author also manages to conveniently forget that after your character has broken both of her hands she is probably not going to be using them for awhile for the next month or so, yet all of a sudden she seems completely recovered. Also, after the villain gets chopped in the leg with a hatchet she sure seems to be able to run around a lot.
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