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Will Novak Thriller #2
Say Your Goodbyes
SAY YOU’RE DREAMING
When a scream wakes Will Novak in the middle of the night, at first he puts it down to the nightmares. He's alone on a sailboat in the Caribbean, miles from land. And his demons never leave him.
SAY YOUR PRAYERS
The screams are real, though, coming from another boat just a rifle’s night scope away. It only takes seconds for Novak to witness one murder and stop another. But with the killer on the run and a beautiful stranger dripping on his deck, Novak has gotten himself into a new kind of deep water.
BUT DON’T SAY YOUR NAME
The young woman he saved says she doesn't know who she is. But someone does, and they're burning fuel and cash to chase Novak and his new acquaintance from one island to the next, across dangerous seas and right into the wilds of the Yucatan jungle. If either of them is going to live, Novak is going to need answers, fast—and he's guessing he won't like what he finds out . . .
When a scream wakes Will Novak in the middle of the night, at first he puts it down to the nightmares. He's alone on a sailboat in the Caribbean, miles from land. And his demons never leave him.
SAY YOUR PRAYERS
The screams are real, though, coming from another boat just a rifle’s night scope away. It only takes seconds for Novak to witness one murder and stop another. But with the killer on the run and a beautiful stranger dripping on his deck, Novak has gotten himself into a new kind of deep water.
BUT DON’T SAY YOUR NAME
The young woman he saved says she doesn't know who she is. But someone does, and they're burning fuel and cash to chase Novak and his new acquaintance from one island to the next, across dangerous seas and right into the wilds of the Yucatan jungle. If either of them is going to live, Novak is going to need answers, fast—and he's guessing he won't like what he finds out . . .
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2017
92 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 20, 2020
Very 90s. I'm almost nostalgic here.
Of course, every woman is a walking sex-bomb-shell or a waif and every man either a nut or a cool lukewarm hulk. It's all ths way:
Q:
He liked the way her breasts were straining against the tight tank, making the shells round out and look real. (c)
Novak has entirely too much fun 'sitting back and watching' people panicking and/or 'remembering' they were 'in a shitload of trouble. And his superior to everybody 'size' got a teensy weensy bit old by the end of the book.
Jen's being most of the time described as in terms of her immense, immeasurable sexiness and toughness. All the time.
So on:
Q:
This girl was something else. He was sure of that, but that was all he was sure about. (c)
Q:
They all wore the black hats and expensive mirrored sunglasses. Novak could see five small images of himself and his rifle reflected back at him. Yeah, a matched set of modern-day pirates. Walking the walk, looking the look. (c)
Q:
He had the distinct feeling that she had experienced little adversity in her life, but it was now hitting her in an avalanche. (c)
Q:
Isabella suddenly decided to assume a different and sunshiny persona. No more sobs, no poor-me moans, no more looking as if she was going to faint any second. It was all replaced by a bright and noticeably phony smile. On the other hand, she looked young and helpless and innocent, a kid who needed to be picked up by a nice old bus driver and let off at her hotel, not the least bit threatening to anybody. Novak, on the other hand, looked exactly like what he was, a big tough guy who just might beat the crap out of the old man and steal the bus. He smiled and tried to look friendly. (c)
Q:
... they passed a square concrete-block building painted orange-red, like it was operated by demons from hell. (c)
Q:
...he admitted his idiosyncrasies were world-class. A conspiracy theorist, he believed in and planned for invasion and world domination but had yet to decide who would be doing the invading and why. (c)
Q:
He’d never had this much bad luck in his life. ...
He didn’t like anything that was happening. (c)
Q:
“Yeah, college is always a bitch for mafioso kids.” (c)
Q:
(c)
Unusual approach to planning:
Q:
“I’m gonna bring that girl out here, let her chow down, let her get nice and comfortable, and then we’ll scare the hell out of her.”
“Sounds like a plan.” (c)
Unfortunate expresisons:
Q:
He pulled up a number from deep inside his psyche, a long-ago memory that he’d never forgotten. (c)
Q:
She didn’t partake. (c)
Q:
He was beginning to feel like Alice in Wonderland, knocked down the rabbit hole with a rifle butt to the head and not sure who had the murder weapons. Everything going on around him seemed kosher. (c)
Q:
He was like a giant anaconda writhing its way toward unsuspecting prey. (c) I'm pretty sure the author had lots of fun thinking it up.
Of course, every woman is a walking sex-bomb-shell or a waif and every man either a nut or a cool lukewarm hulk. It's all ths way:
Q:
He liked the way her breasts were straining against the tight tank, making the shells round out and look real. (c)
Novak has entirely too much fun 'sitting back and watching' people panicking and/or 'remembering' they were 'in a shitload of trouble. And his superior to everybody 'size' got a teensy weensy bit old by the end of the book.
Jen's being most of the time described as in terms of her immense, immeasurable sexiness and toughness. All the time.
So on:
Q:
This girl was something else. He was sure of that, but that was all he was sure about. (c)
Q:
They all wore the black hats and expensive mirrored sunglasses. Novak could see five small images of himself and his rifle reflected back at him. Yeah, a matched set of modern-day pirates. Walking the walk, looking the look. (c)
Q:
He had the distinct feeling that she had experienced little adversity in her life, but it was now hitting her in an avalanche. (c)
Q:
Isabella suddenly decided to assume a different and sunshiny persona. No more sobs, no poor-me moans, no more looking as if she was going to faint any second. It was all replaced by a bright and noticeably phony smile. On the other hand, she looked young and helpless and innocent, a kid who needed to be picked up by a nice old bus driver and let off at her hotel, not the least bit threatening to anybody. Novak, on the other hand, looked exactly like what he was, a big tough guy who just might beat the crap out of the old man and steal the bus. He smiled and tried to look friendly. (c)
Q:
... they passed a square concrete-block building painted orange-red, like it was operated by demons from hell. (c)
Q:
...he admitted his idiosyncrasies were world-class. A conspiracy theorist, he believed in and planned for invasion and world domination but had yet to decide who would be doing the invading and why. (c)
Q:
He’d never had this much bad luck in his life. ...
He didn’t like anything that was happening. (c)
Q:
“Yeah, college is always a bitch for mafioso kids.” (c)
Q:
(c)
Unusual approach to planning:
Q:
“I’m gonna bring that girl out here, let her chow down, let her get nice and comfortable, and then we’ll scare the hell out of her.”
“Sounds like a plan.” (c)
Unfortunate expresisons:
Q:
He pulled up a number from deep inside his psyche, a long-ago memory that he’d never forgotten. (c)
Q:
She didn’t partake. (c)
Q:
He was beginning to feel like Alice in Wonderland, knocked down the rabbit hole with a rifle butt to the head and not sure who had the murder weapons. Everything going on around him seemed kosher. (c)
Q:
He was like a giant anaconda writhing its way toward unsuspecting prey. (c) I'm pretty sure the author had lots of fun thinking it up.
April 11, 2017
Will Novak wakes in the early hours hearing a woman scream. Nothing new to him, he's had this nightmare before. But these screams are real and coming from a boat nearby.
When Will sees a man shoot another and then hit the woman and throw her overboard, he jumps into action, scares the killer away and rescues the young woman.
At first she says she remembers nothing .. but Will's spider senses are telling him something different. And when river pirates come at them with everything they have, he's demanding to know what she knows .. because these people are after her.
Just who is she .. other than a consummate actress? And why are these men after her?
This is one action-packed book from the very beginning to the very end. Besides a young woman who isn't who she says she is, Will has to contend with a serial killer who scalps his victims and then cuts their throat. He is also after the young woman. Throw in a Mexican drug lord and his minions, a woman from Will's past, and his partner, Clair Morgan and her husband, Dr. Nicholas Black and I guarantee the reader will not want to put this book down.
For those who have read and enjoyed this author's series featuring Claire Morgan, this series is just as good or better! Will Novak has joined forces with Claire, both working as private investigators. Claire and her husband have not disappeared, they pop up in the strangest places.
Although second in the series, it does well as a stand alone, with just a hint of what happened in Book 1. I do recommend that they be read in order.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When Will sees a man shoot another and then hit the woman and throw her overboard, he jumps into action, scares the killer away and rescues the young woman.
At first she says she remembers nothing .. but Will's spider senses are telling him something different. And when river pirates come at them with everything they have, he's demanding to know what she knows .. because these people are after her.
Just who is she .. other than a consummate actress? And why are these men after her?
This is one action-packed book from the very beginning to the very end. Besides a young woman who isn't who she says she is, Will has to contend with a serial killer who scalps his victims and then cuts their throat. He is also after the young woman. Throw in a Mexican drug lord and his minions, a woman from Will's past, and his partner, Clair Morgan and her husband, Dr. Nicholas Black and I guarantee the reader will not want to put this book down.
For those who have read and enjoyed this author's series featuring Claire Morgan, this series is just as good or better! Will Novak has joined forces with Claire, both working as private investigators. Claire and her husband have not disappeared, they pop up in the strangest places.
Although second in the series, it does well as a stand alone, with just a hint of what happened in Book 1. I do recommend that they be read in order.
Many thanks to the author / Kensington Books - Lyrical Underground / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 3, 2018
What a ride! Will Novak is sleeping off a hangover on his prized boat "Sweet Sarah" somewhere in the Caribbean. It is night and he hears a woman's scream! The adventure begins!
Will doesn't trust very many people - it's his suspicious nature and for good reason - the young woman (girl) he saves from drowning is a pathological liar. Who is she, why has someone tried to kill her?
Good read, fast paced, red herrings, etc. - the only problem I had with the book was it was repetitive. I don't need to be reminded constantly about what is going on - was this Linda Ladd's choice to do this or was she needing word count to complete her novel - not needed, would have been a bit smoother without the redundancies.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the book - gotta love Will Novak!
4 stars and 2 thumbs up.
Will doesn't trust very many people - it's his suspicious nature and for good reason - the young woman (girl) he saves from drowning is a pathological liar. Who is she, why has someone tried to kill her?
Good read, fast paced, red herrings, etc. - the only problem I had with the book was it was repetitive. I don't need to be reminded constantly about what is going on - was this Linda Ladd's choice to do this or was she needing word count to complete her novel - not needed, would have been a bit smoother without the redundancies.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the book - gotta love Will Novak!
4 stars and 2 thumbs up.
June 6, 2017
Say Your Goodbyes by Linda Ladd
Will Novak Thriller #2
More talkative than Reacher but with similarities the hero of this book, Will Novak, is about a man who has lost the woman he loves and his children, has been a policeman and a SEAL, works as a private detective for Claire (from the series this broke off from) and is wealthy, ruthless and haunted by things in his past. While out on the sea regrouping and mourning he hears a scream. He saves a girl but does not trust her. He is captured by pirates but gets away. He eludes a scalping assassin known as the “Mayan”. He meets with a drug lord. He reaches out to a CIA friend he knows in South America. He meets with a previous lover. And that is not all that happens by a long shot. He eventually figures out that his gut was right to be suspicious of just about everything and everyone because what has been said and done and seemed to be maybe true was not true at all. There are twists and turns, violence, torture, attempted rape, friends to help out and friends who are hurt, a child saved and some bad guys that meet their maker. This is a standalone book and I am not sure that it would make a huge difference in reading it to have read the first book in the series or the series about Claire. I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained and made me think I would like to read another book by this author either about Will or perhaps about Claire to find out more about the writing style and the people I met in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Underground for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Will Novak Thriller #2
More talkative than Reacher but with similarities the hero of this book, Will Novak, is about a man who has lost the woman he loves and his children, has been a policeman and a SEAL, works as a private detective for Claire (from the series this broke off from) and is wealthy, ruthless and haunted by things in his past. While out on the sea regrouping and mourning he hears a scream. He saves a girl but does not trust her. He is captured by pirates but gets away. He eludes a scalping assassin known as the “Mayan”. He meets with a drug lord. He reaches out to a CIA friend he knows in South America. He meets with a previous lover. And that is not all that happens by a long shot. He eventually figures out that his gut was right to be suspicious of just about everything and everyone because what has been said and done and seemed to be maybe true was not true at all. There are twists and turns, violence, torture, attempted rape, friends to help out and friends who are hurt, a child saved and some bad guys that meet their maker. This is a standalone book and I am not sure that it would make a huge difference in reading it to have read the first book in the series or the series about Claire. I enjoyed it and it kept me entertained and made me think I would like to read another book by this author either about Will or perhaps about Claire to find out more about the writing style and the people I met in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Underground for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
November 1, 2018
The second book in the series, Say Your Goodbyes is very similar to the first book. Honestly, I spent a lot of my time wondering how Novak found himself in this ridiculous situation of this book. Novak again comes out of his comfort zone and saves the damsel in distress. But, just like on the first book, the damsel is not what she first appears to be and Novak finds himself in crazy situations trying to save her. Once again, he’s the hero and able to get himself out of any situation he’s put into, but not without some assistance in this story. He has a lot of lies to unravel and isn’t very good at it. He doesn’t trust people but he really does go along with obvious lies way too easily which puts him into bad situations.
I can’t say that I liked Novak anymore than I did in the first book, but he keeps trying. He has a strong need to save the day, so he can’t ignore a situation that ended up causing him a lot of pain. Though he doesn’t want to be the hero rushing to save the day, he does.
This story was even less believable than the first, but again, fiction. If you like your books true to life and believable, this may not be the series for you. But, if you watch action movies and can convince yourself that it could happen, then you should check out this series! This author’s books are full of action, with the good guy winning. Winning? Maybe the wrong word, but he definitely comes out of the book alive, so that’s probably a win in his life! If you like pirates, murder, and violence this is the book for you! There were a lot of twists in the story and trying to figure out the real story behind the damsel in distress will keep you engaged.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I can’t say that I liked Novak anymore than I did in the first book, but he keeps trying. He has a strong need to save the day, so he can’t ignore a situation that ended up causing him a lot of pain. Though he doesn’t want to be the hero rushing to save the day, he does.
This story was even less believable than the first, but again, fiction. If you like your books true to life and believable, this may not be the series for you. But, if you watch action movies and can convince yourself that it could happen, then you should check out this series! This author’s books are full of action, with the good guy winning. Winning? Maybe the wrong word, but he definitely comes out of the book alive, so that’s probably a win in his life! If you like pirates, murder, and violence this is the book for you! There were a lot of twists in the story and trying to figure out the real story behind the damsel in distress will keep you engaged.
Rating: 3.5 stars
November 30, 2017
This is a full-on action story with river pirates, murder, amnesia, violence, and active investigation.
A scream in the darkness of the night along with witnessing a murder and an attempt to murder, awakens Will Novak from his strangely drifting life. Rescuing the woman from the river and being threatened by pirates makes Will's life further complicated. The investigation into the woman's life brings the twists and turns to this story and it makes one pleasant yet bumpy ride.
This is Linda Ladd's second book in the Will Novak series and it has everything which an action packed novel should have.
A scream in the darkness of the night along with witnessing a murder and an attempt to murder, awakens Will Novak from his strangely drifting life. Rescuing the woman from the river and being threatened by pirates makes Will's life further complicated. The investigation into the woman's life brings the twists and turns to this story and it makes one pleasant yet bumpy ride.
This is Linda Ladd's second book in the Will Novak series and it has everything which an action packed novel should have.
June 6, 2017
Exciting, action-packed adventure. More violence involved than I normally care to read. Some surprise twists and some things I was amazed were not discovered by the protagonist earlier in the story. The publisher provided a copy via NetGalley for my voluntary review. I would like to read the first one in this series and any that follow. Linda Ladd kept my interest and created interesting characters.
December 2, 2018
Another winner from Linda Ladd!!
Linda Ladd's mysteries never disappoint. I have read every book Ms. Ladd has written. I especially enjoy the many twists and turns her stories take. I can hardly wait for her next book!
Linda Ladd's mysteries never disappoint. I have read every book Ms. Ladd has written. I especially enjoy the many twists and turns her stories take. I can hardly wait for her next book!
August 16, 2018
Very good book
I’ve read quite a few Linda Ladd books & think every one of them deserve to be rated 4 stars. I read the reviews & I agree with a few of them, they are quite repetitive. But that being said this book kept me glued to pages.
I’ve read quite a few Linda Ladd books & think every one of them deserve to be rated 4 stars. I read the reviews & I agree with a few of them, they are quite repetitive. But that being said this book kept me glued to pages.
January 23, 2019
Intense
When awakened by screams from a nearby boat while sailing, Novak comes to rescue of what he believes is a damsel in distress. From overcoming being pirated on the seas to being hunted by the notorious Mayan this book will keep the reader engaged.
When awakened by screams from a nearby boat while sailing, Novak comes to rescue of what he believes is a damsel in distress. From overcoming being pirated on the seas to being hunted by the notorious Mayan this book will keep the reader engaged.
July 23, 2019
Too much too long
Could have been done with a lot less words. Disruptions and background repeated over and over again. I ended up skimming the last half of the book because I was tired of it.
Too many different plots going on, yet, very predictable,
Could have been done with a lot less words. Disruptions and background repeated over and over again. I ended up skimming the last half of the book because I was tired of it.
Too many different plots going on, yet, very predictable,
March 18, 2019
Cliche
A lot of fairly unbelievable action. Makes Jack Reacher look like a weakling in this similar type of book. Would not recommend it
A lot of fairly unbelievable action. Makes Jack Reacher look like a weakling in this similar type of book. Would not recommend it
April 14, 2019
A total stay up all night page turner...until the end. I became tired of “you’re lying”. “No, I’m telling the truth”. It just went on and on that way. But this is a great beach read.
November 9, 2020
Will Novak series is so good...fast paced, just the way I like it.
May 25, 2023
Thriller
Novak had me on edge with every exploit. This is a great read, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure!
Novak had me on edge with every exploit. This is a great read, and I’m looking forward to the next adventure!
April 15, 2024
Great story
This is the second Will Novak Novel that I’ve read. I plan to read more! Would highly recommend this book and the series.
This is the second Will Novak Novel that I’ve read. I plan to read more! Would highly recommend this book and the series.
June 3, 2017
This book is Will Novak book number two.
Will is a private investigator that has joined forces with Claire Morgan . This book is filled with action!!! There's a serial killer that scalps their victims, a woman who is not who she says she is , pirates and a Mexican drug lord .
This book has a great story line and is very suspenseful from start to finish !! Loved this book and the characters! I recommend reading book one to understand Will's story but this can be read as a standalone. Thanks to Linda Ladd , Kensington Books-Lyrical Underground and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Will is a private investigator that has joined forces with Claire Morgan . This book is filled with action!!! There's a serial killer that scalps their victims, a woman who is not who she says she is , pirates and a Mexican drug lord .
This book has a great story line and is very suspenseful from start to finish !! Loved this book and the characters! I recommend reading book one to understand Will's story but this can be read as a standalone. Thanks to Linda Ladd , Kensington Books-Lyrical Underground and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 7, 2017
This was a good follow up to the first Will Novak Thriller. In this one, Will is on his boat in the Caribbean when he hears screaming during the night. After he witnesses a murder, Will rescues a young woman from another boat. Soon, Will is being chased across the water and through the jungle. Will needs to solve the mystery of what's happening before it is too late for him to save himself.
Will is a great character, and this book had him in a fast paced, action filled adventure. The storyline was suspenseful and kept me engrossed. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Will is a great character, and this book had him in a fast paced, action filled adventure. The storyline was suspenseful and kept me engrossed. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 12, 2018
Love this author and the MC. I just think I prefer Claire Morgan series. This series has more action. Will continue series. 3 stars
July 7, 2017
Will Novak is sailing his ship when he hears a woman scream. He observes a man shoot someone on a boat and assault a woman and throw her overboard. Will manages to chase the bad guy away and rescue the woman. From the first moment he knows she is not telling him the truth. Will has no idea what kind of trouble is coming his way.
This book is full of action and suspense. You have a woman who can't be trusted to tell the truth, a deadly assassin and a Mexican drug lord. This book will grab you from the beginning and hold on til the end. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
This book is full of action and suspense. You have a woman who can't be trusted to tell the truth, a deadly assassin and a Mexican drug lord. This book will grab you from the beginning and hold on til the end. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
December 2, 2020
Will Novak rescues a young girl who has been injured and tossed off a boat. He moves his boat to an area he considers to be safer, but soon finds himself surrounded by police boats with guns pointed at him. The more Will tries to find out who the girl is and to protect her from the people who want to harm her, the more trouble he finds. Improbable situations. The character of Will is not very believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews