Days & Hours

Rachael Flynn #3

by Susan Meissner, Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

Readers of suspense fiction will once again be enthralled with the latest entry in the compelling series featuring attorney Rachael Flynn and her continuing cast of intriguing characters.A newborn is found alive in a trash bin and a young, single mother insists her baby was abducted. While St. Paul police are skeptical, attorney Rachael Flynn's strange dreams lead her to believe the mother is telling the truth. But who would steal a baby only to leave it for dead?When the baby disappears again, Rachael agonizes over her decision to allow the baby to be returned to his mother. Did she make a terrible mistake? And where is that missing baby? Who would wish the child harm? Rachael races to see past the deception that threatens to send a young mother to prison and a newborn to a terrible fate.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Christian, Contemporary

Audio CD

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.

She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.

When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

Reviews

[Lauraine Snelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with a Meissner book!

[writer...]

Audio listen to this new to me mystery series set in MN.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two authors who I read who both seem to write as if they were completely different people. One is Kristen Hannah whose historical fiction includes some of the best books I've ever read. On the other hand, some of her contemporary titles are, to me, almost schmaltzy.. ( Loved Winter garden. The Nightingale, for example. Didn't care fy Firefly Lane, etc.
The other split personality author is Susan Meisner. Her historical novels are fascinating, informative, and top notch. Then there is the author of several Christian novels such as Days and Hours, White Picket Fences, and a whole raft of others. Please Don't misunderstand. I'm not anti God or anything, but I don't really enjoy reading books with heavy religious overtones. I picked up this one by accident; it's the third in a series. It's well written, had an intriguing plot and we'll developed characters who re so sweet they might be made of spun sugar. Not bad; just not my cup of tea!

[Kerrie Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Days & Hours wraps up the Rachael Flynn trilogy. Again Rachael uses her intuition, her expertise and her friends to solve this case of the abducted infant. Because the story deals with child abduction, the story line was difficult for me to read. I'm saying that I have great sympathy for the baby and everything it went through. I enjoyed this story, though, and it is a satisfying wrap up of the trilogy.
My favorite character is Fig. Everyone needs a Fig in their lives.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent suspense mystery. Attorney investigates case of a missing baby.

[Cynthia Seacord · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Plot By Somewhat Plodding Narative

I have been totally committed to reading everything written to date by Susan Meissner since reading her most recent best sellers, then looking back to other books. I have read 3 Rachael Flynn mysteries now and have been anxious to read them to conclusion every time. However this third volume I found dragged out a bit.

Meissner's characters are believable and fun and the author's heart is in the right place. She just had some problem with this particular story in generating excitement and in moving things along.

I won't give up on the series as the author's characters are compelling. I want to learn more about how Rachael deals with being a consultant so she can spend more time with her child, and of course it will be interesting to learn how the story of her brother, in prison, evolves.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read while I was on a long trip. I like these Rachel Flynn stories. It is interesting how the author adds these rather supernatural elements like the dreams that Rachel has. I like that the story does not have this perfect tidy ending. The young mother still had many problems and things were not all wrapped up perfectly. The story is realistic and also sad how many young women are in these situations. I liked the beginning....the foster mother really tried to give (forgot the girl's name) hope but it did not work. She still has made a mess of her life. Sadly, this is how things are.

[CYNTHIA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A newborn is found alive in a trash bin and a young, single mother insists her baby was abducted. While St. Paul police are skeptical, attorney Rachael Flynn's strange dreams lead her to believe the mother is telling the truth. But who would steal a baby only to leave it for dead?

When the baby disappears again, Rachael agonizes over her decision to allow the baby to be returned to his mother. Did she make a terrible mistake? And where is that missing baby? Who would wish the child harm? Rachael races to see past the deception that threatens to send a young mother to prison and a newborn to a terrible fate.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realize that to make a character complete, it helps to know details from all aspects of her life. In Rachael's case, however, I preferred to read about her experiences as a prosecutor and her rather unlikely interactions or meddling into open criminal cases. This one did offer some interesting insights into the endless plights of young single mothers, how difficult, if not impossible it is for women, who were not raised nor taught how to mother well, to simply figure it out on their own. For that, I admired what Ivy tried to accomplish with "her girls". I think that three books gave a good run to this series and to Rachael's character.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

She's a lawyer in juvenile court and I guess this is third in series about fictional protagonist Rachael Flynn but I have not read the first two. The description of her legal work is pretty accurate but the fact she is prosecutor but keeps stepping out of her role to investigate and be defense for a failing single mom accused of child kidnapping is really annoying. More annoying, she relies on dreams to give her visions that gives her theories about who really kidnapped the child. I figured out who did it halfway through and the half-baked theories she comes up with are disrespectful. I have read other Susan Meissner novels that are much better,

[Lindsay Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing isn’t anything spectacular but the story is interesting and captivating. I was stumped with this one and did not suspect the bad guy. I really enjoyed this series like a good, clean crime solving show. My only real bone to pick is with the main character, Rachel, and her aversion to the strange things the best character, Fig, liked to feed to her daughter. She was clearly a first time mom, choosing riced mush over some exotic cuisine for her child just shows some serious lack of appreciation for a child’s ridiculously finicky pallet.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great who-done-it mystery, fast read and hard to put down! It was the last in the series (so far) and left me wanting more! It addressed some social issues that made me stop and think. It was interesting, though, that the main character was described numerous times exhibiting empathic thoughts and feelings, but the author never actually used that word. Why not? Just curious! Great book!

[Karen Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Rachael Flynn books by Susan Meissner. They deal with difficult topics but the inclusion of Rachael and Trace's unique friendships lighten the book. I would love to read a book featuring Fig and his fiance Jillian, sometime.

The narrator, Tavia Gilbert, does an excellent job and makes listening to these books very enjoyable. The characters seem to come to life under her skillful narration.

Here's to hoping that there are more books to come in this series!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite interesting stories in this series, I really dislike Rachael. She seems like a completely selfish character who’s husband is constantly helping her, picking up her slack, etc. and she hardly even pays attention to him or his needs or her infant daughters names, or anyone else’s except the case she’s working on…Lame

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Tangled Web.

Rachel is drawn into a heartbreaking case of a child abandoned in a dumpster. A three-day old infant boy treated like yesterday's garbage. Almost immediately after he was discovered by the trash collectors, the mother calls the police to report him missing. Kidnapped in the middle of the night from his crib. There's no shortage of suspects in this case. For Rachel, there is a shortage of sleep caused in part by recurring nightmares. Susan Meissner wraps up this trilogy in grand style and leaves her readers even more aware of the need of foster care and with deeper convictions of seeking ways to help others. Highly recommend reading.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty mystery novel as a baby is kidnapped, found and then kidnapped again. There are multiple potential suspects but guilt falls on the mother and Rachel, an attorney, is convinced of her innocence. Interesting characters and a plot that mostly moves quickly (a few slow spots). Overall a good read. 4.25/5 stars.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as great as the first two books in the series!

I really enjoyed this book and I wish there were more books in the series. The characters are all very well drawn and you really care what happens to them. The author makes it very easy for you to visualize everything that is happening in the story. These books would make a great TV series! Highly recommended!

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I found Rachel to be annoying and repetitive. She kept going over the same thing again and again and drawing the same conclusions even though they were clearly wrong. The story would have made more sense if she was a cop or investigator, not a prosecutor.

[Anne Fallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

not nearly as compelling as her other books.

[Alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
another decent 'episode' in this series

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to go back to read books 1 & 2, but was able to follow nicely. A few twists along the way made for an overall good read. Minneapolis is my hometown making it even more interesting.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read though not my favorite by this author.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final installment in a charming series. The characters are unique and delightful. The use of art to help solve crimes is also unique. I will miss Rachel Flynn.

[Jan Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grear characters. Even though it's a series of three you don't need to read them in order. Wish there were more in this series.

[Beth Wyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christian-based mystery by one of my favorite authors.

[Rodeo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit over the top

A detective would not allow an attorney to interfere like that. Or a husband. Loved Fig tho! He was a trip!

[Sherri Bussey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the better books by Susan Meissner. Still kept my interest.

[Nancy Peverill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale about unconditional love of our Heavenly Father and those in puts in our lives to show it and what can happen if you don't have it. Still love how Susan uses art to help solve the mystery.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished the series. Nice book to tie things up.

Listened to audiobook.

[Shelly Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the series. Narrator wasn’t my favorite though!