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Dani Ripper #2
Promise You Won't Tell?
“I think something might have happened to me Saturday night. Something bad.” Private Investigator Dani Ripper’s client list is nuttier than the Looney Tunes conga line, but she diligently solves one crazy case after another, waiting for a game-changer. Enter Riley Freeman, 17-year-old honor student. Saturday afternoon Riley quietly placed a little strawberry sticker on her private area and pretended it was a tattoo. She didn’t tell anyone about it. That night she went to a slumber party that featured drinking and boys. Riley fell asleep, woke up the next day with no reason to think anything happened… …Until Monday, at school, when a classmate called her Strawberry. Coincidence or crime? Dani agrees to investigate. And the roller coaster ride begins.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2012
1171 people are currently reading
3353 people want to read
About the author
John Locke
55 books390 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information. This is the novelist (2x spaces), not the philosopher (1x space).
New York Times best-selling author John Locke is the international best-selling author of sixteen books in four different genres. He is the 8th author in history to have sold one million eBooks on Kindle. Locke has had four books in the top ten at the same time, including #1 and #2. His Donovan Creed thriller series has sold more than 1,700,000 copies since January, 2011, and foreign rights have been acquired by six major publishers for Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Hungarian, and Lithuanian translations. (Amazon's brief biography)
NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR!
8th MEMBER of the KINDLE MILLION SALES CLUB!
First self-published author to hit #1 on Amazon/Kindle!
First self-published author to hit Kindle Million Sales Club!
John sold 1,100,000 eBooks in 5 months by word of mouth!
John wrote and published 6 best-selling books in 3 separate genres in 6 months, part-time!
John has had 4 of the top 10 eBooks on Amazon/Kindle at the same time, including #1 and #2! He’s also had 6 of the top 20, and 8 of the top 43 at the same time!
Every eBook John Locke has written and published has become a best-seller.
New York Times best-selling author John Locke is the international best-selling author of sixteen books in four different genres. He is the 8th author in history to have sold one million eBooks on Kindle. Locke has had four books in the top ten at the same time, including #1 and #2. His Donovan Creed thriller series has sold more than 1,700,000 copies since January, 2011, and foreign rights have been acquired by six major publishers for Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Hungarian, and Lithuanian translations. (Amazon's brief biography)
NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR!
8th MEMBER of the KINDLE MILLION SALES CLUB!
First self-published author to hit #1 on Amazon/Kindle!
First self-published author to hit Kindle Million Sales Club!
John sold 1,100,000 eBooks in 5 months by word of mouth!
John wrote and published 6 best-selling books in 3 separate genres in 6 months, part-time!
John has had 4 of the top 10 eBooks on Amazon/Kindle at the same time, including #1 and #2! He’s also had 6 of the top 20, and 8 of the top 43 at the same time!
Every eBook John Locke has written and published has become a best-seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 480 reviews
June 4, 2013
I got this book free from amazon, so I can't complain about money lost. I can't really complain about time being lost either since I kept turning the pages. I feel like the author didn't develop dialogue very well. The voices of ALL the characters sound the same. It was bothersome but I kept reading. Then the writing was deteriorating and I still continued because the storyline captivated me. As much as the writing was bothering me, a good story can hold me. However my bigesst complaint was with the ending. It feels like the author knew where he wanted to go but at the end didn't know how to get there so he just had a character conveniently figure everything out, that irked me more than anything else. It felt rushed and haphazard. As much as the story kept me reading, I could not recommend this book.
July 25, 2013
I kept seeing this book being mentioned on lists. It was described as exciting and different. So I tried it.
The story is about a P.I. Dani Ripper who is asked to investigate a college girls story of sexual molestation. Dani as a former victim rushes in find the needed evidence.
Can I start by saying that this falls in the self published category. Which is not always a bad thing. The author sells loads of downloads and is obviously popular.
It was a load of utter tripe. Garbage that bordered on the offensive. The author makes light of Dani Ripper( supposedly a past rape victim) and talks constantly about breasts and gay sex. Riley the sweet college girl turns out to be a scheming female and morality is nowhere to be found. The story was predictable and the characters all acted like 15 year old boys, swearing and talking dirty for effect.
Awful writing and a poor portrayal of women from every angle. The author really needs to reassess his views on the opposite sex and young women buying this trash should really give this rubbish a wide berth.
The story is about a P.I. Dani Ripper who is asked to investigate a college girls story of sexual molestation. Dani as a former victim rushes in find the needed evidence.
Can I start by saying that this falls in the self published category. Which is not always a bad thing. The author sells loads of downloads and is obviously popular.
It was a load of utter tripe. Garbage that bordered on the offensive. The author makes light of Dani Ripper( supposedly a past rape victim) and talks constantly about breasts and gay sex. Riley the sweet college girl turns out to be a scheming female and morality is nowhere to be found. The story was predictable and the characters all acted like 15 year old boys, swearing and talking dirty for effect.
Awful writing and a poor portrayal of women from every angle. The author really needs to reassess his views on the opposite sex and young women buying this trash should really give this rubbish a wide berth.
February 8, 2016
This book was nothing like a thought it would be. But it was pretty great despite that.
And I loved that twist at the end, I didn't quite see that coming.
I like Dani and I'll probably read more of this series. She's smart and sexy and savvy, and so strong. I loved how she was so passionate about catching the bad guys, the predators. I wasn't sure about Riley at first, but by the end she was every bit as amazing as Dani.
Ethan was vile, absolutely vile. And he was meant to be. I'm just a little disappointed that he didn't get properly punished. What's a few million dollars to someone that rich?
Overall a great read, which I'd recommend to pretty much anyone. I'd say this is a New Adult Crime Thriller Mystery, what a mix.
And I loved that twist at the end, I didn't quite see that coming.
I like Dani and I'll probably read more of this series. She's smart and sexy and savvy, and so strong. I loved how she was so passionate about catching the bad guys, the predators. I wasn't sure about Riley at first, but by the end she was every bit as amazing as Dani.
Ethan was vile, absolutely vile. And he was meant to be. I'm just a little disappointed that he didn't get properly punished. What's a few million dollars to someone that rich?
Overall a great read, which I'd recommend to pretty much anyone. I'd say this is a New Adult Crime Thriller Mystery, what a mix.
October 3, 2013
The main character is the most underdeveloped, flat main character I have ever read about. (Abducted, raped, and locked up as a teen is the only piece of info we ever get about her past, but outside of the author outright stating it you would have never had a clue.)
The characters are incredibly unrealistic. (Teenagers who are conniving and intelligent enough to stage a sexual crime that takes out multiple hated people but leaves them untouched, yeah right.)
And the ending is seen coming a mile away. (Except, of course, by the main character who happens to be a Private Investigator...)
As far as books go, this isn't the best one by a long shot. But it's also not the worst. I didn't hate it and I wasn't annoyed or frustrated with it. I was interested enough to finish it. And I guess that's really what matters when reading a book.
That said, there were parts that were simply not needed. It was as if the author felt the need to throw in some homosexual activity that really had nothing to do with the story line. It felt forced.
This book evokes a "meh" response from me. Read it if you want to, don't if you don't. Whatever.
The characters are incredibly unrealistic. (Teenagers who are conniving and intelligent enough to stage a sexual crime that takes out multiple hated people but leaves them untouched, yeah right.)
And the ending is seen coming a mile away. (Except, of course, by the main character who happens to be a Private Investigator...)
As far as books go, this isn't the best one by a long shot. But it's also not the worst. I didn't hate it and I wasn't annoyed or frustrated with it. I was interested enough to finish it. And I guess that's really what matters when reading a book.
That said, there were parts that were simply not needed. It was as if the author felt the need to throw in some homosexual activity that really had nothing to do with the story line. It felt forced.
This book evokes a "meh" response from me. Read it if you want to, don't if you don't. Whatever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2013
I couldn’t stop reading this book because I'm dying to know what really happened during that one night of partying/ teenage drinking. It’s like an episode of CSI, but with a big dose of Nancy Drew and more humor.
Dani Ripper is a smart, determined, and a stubborn detective and nothing would stop her from finding out the truth. Not even her shadowed past will faze her from doing her job. She reminds me of yet another gutsy detective Veronica Mars.
It all started when a teenage girl asked for her help because she might have been raped because she’s unconscious when it happened. Well, it’s actually the fault of the now infamous fake strawberry tattoo.
As Dani asks around and look for more clues and evidence, she seems to get tangled up with a web of conspiracy. There are several possible “usual” suspects. But what are the motives. Or the real question is “who is the real victim here”?
You might be surprised when you uncover the truth… that is if you’re not a regular -- watching CSI.
This is a fun read and it’s elegantly written.
xoxo
Dani Ripper is a smart, determined, and a stubborn detective and nothing would stop her from finding out the truth. Not even her shadowed past will faze her from doing her job. She reminds me of yet another gutsy detective Veronica Mars.
It all started when a teenage girl asked for her help because she might have been raped because she’s unconscious when it happened. Well, it’s actually the fault of the now infamous fake strawberry tattoo.
As Dani asks around and look for more clues and evidence, she seems to get tangled up with a web of conspiracy. There are several possible “usual” suspects. But what are the motives. Or the real question is “who is the real victim here”?
You might be surprised when you uncover the truth… that is if you’re not a regular -- watching CSI.
This is a fun read and it’s elegantly written.
xoxo
April 12, 2013
What a great book. I just got it because it was free...looked interesting. It was good, I laughed in places, mystery, suspense... I didn't even realize who the author was until I was done reading it and realized it was a guy. I could have sworned it was a 23 year old woman! Reminds me of Janet Evanovich's writing style. Light reading, perfect to relax to.
March 3, 2015
Outstanding! You think it's going to be a simple story but then there's a twist. And another. And another!
dnf
March 11, 2015
Promise You Won’t Tell
The Characters
Dani Ripper
The Story
Nothing too terrible with this one other than it’s not grabbing me. I am slightly interested in who Dani’s partners are but not enough to continue. *sigh*
The Random Thoughts
*DNF so no rating
The Characters
Dani Ripper
The Story
Nothing too terrible with this one other than it’s not grabbing me. I am slightly interested in who Dani’s partners are but not enough to continue. *sigh*
The Random Thoughts
*DNF so no rating
October 17, 2014
Quirky, doesn't strain the brain cells. Bit of fun, light reading
August 10, 2016
I did not like the writing style of this author. :-(
August 25, 2016
Im just not sure how I feel about this book. It starts out interesting enough. This probably could have been a really good story if it had been written a little better.
I liked the mystery of everything but there was too much he-said-she-said going on. It got really confusing. The whole time you're questioning "did she get raped, molested - what?!?" or "Is Ethan lying? Maybe her friends were involved..." but this isn't a good thing like it would normally be in a gripping whodunit...
As much as I like a good mystery - this just seemed more like madness. And then the ending... Im just not sure how I feel about that...
Im not even sure how to rate this book. Let's just say 2.5 Stars because I truly never saw that ending coming.
This book was part of my Rainbow Challenge - February Pink
I liked the mystery of everything but there was too much he-said-she-said going on. It got really confusing. The whole time you're questioning "did she get raped, molested - what?!?" or "Is Ethan lying? Maybe her friends were involved..." but this isn't a good thing like it would normally be in a gripping whodunit...
As much as I like a good mystery - this just seemed more like madness. And then the ending... Im just not sure how I feel about that...
Im not even sure how to rate this book. Let's just say 2.5 Stars because I truly never saw that ending coming.
This book was part of my Rainbow Challenge - February Pink
April 20, 2014
Initially I thought I'd made a mistake in selecting this story to read but suck it out and actually ended up finding it somewhat engaging.
My intial problem was that we meet Dani Ripper, a PI, she was dealing with a potential client in a way I would describe as less then professional. It really through me off and she just seemed so juvenile in both her language and overall being. Granted she's basically like this throughout the story is does ease up and I've decided that the tramatic event she dealt with as a youth must've had some part to play in this.
I digress.
In this particular story, Dani Ripper meets a teenager by the name of Riley Freeman who employs her services after attending a sleepover inwhich she may have been assulted.
Even though Dani is the probably one of the least professional, law abiding citizens as I've stated earlier it was interesting to see her fight for her client. I should also note that this is not your typical who done it. I would say its a quick read thanks to the touches of humor sprinkled throughout and I esspecially loved the ending. I would go deeperr but all I will say is Keyser Sosay. You'll understand what I mean andd who I'm refering to if you decided to read it.
My intial problem was that we meet Dani Ripper, a PI, she was dealing with a potential client in a way I would describe as less then professional. It really through me off and she just seemed so juvenile in both her language and overall being. Granted she's basically like this throughout the story is does ease up and I've decided that the tramatic event she dealt with as a youth must've had some part to play in this.
I digress.
In this particular story, Dani Ripper meets a teenager by the name of Riley Freeman who employs her services after attending a sleepover inwhich she may have been assulted.
Even though Dani is the probably one of the least professional, law abiding citizens as I've stated earlier it was interesting to see her fight for her client. I should also note that this is not your typical who done it. I would say its a quick read thanks to the touches of humor sprinkled throughout and I esspecially loved the ending. I would go deeperr but all I will say is Keyser Sosay. You'll understand what I mean andd who I'm refering to if you decided to read it.
March 25, 2014
I don't even know
There were some good parts in this book, but for the most part I was left shaking my head.
I had to go back and re-read the synopsis after reading the first page of the first chapter. 64 pages in, and I was still wondering what the hell I was reading.
There really was no character depth. And what was revealed about the characters made me think "Seriously? You can't possibly..."
"Is this some sort of joke?" was said more than a few times by different people throughout the book, and more than a few times I mentally asked this same question to the author.
For five pages (approximately) I really thought I might start to genuinely like the book, but no less than a page later did it plummet back down to hell with the introduction of the secretary Fanny.
She made Dillon and Dani look like complete idiots, especially Dillon.
The so called twist wasn't really a twist to me since I'd already figured it all out.
Contrary to my bad review, I didn't hate the book, I just didn't like it a lot.
There were some good parts in this book, but for the most part I was left shaking my head.
I had to go back and re-read the synopsis after reading the first page of the first chapter. 64 pages in, and I was still wondering what the hell I was reading.
There really was no character depth. And what was revealed about the characters made me think "Seriously? You can't possibly..."
"Is this some sort of joke?" was said more than a few times by different people throughout the book, and more than a few times I mentally asked this same question to the author.
For five pages (approximately) I really thought I might start to genuinely like the book, but no less than a page later did it plummet back down to hell with the introduction of the secretary Fanny.
She made Dillon and Dani look like complete idiots, especially Dillon.
The so called twist wasn't really a twist to me since I'd already figured it all out.
Contrary to my bad review, I didn't hate the book, I just didn't like it a lot.
September 29, 2014
I got this book for free off barnes & noble, the premise sounded interesting. I wasn't quite sure what to think once I started reading it. When reading the synopsis I thought this book was gonna be about a girl being assaulted and how she goes about dealing with it. But it wasn't from the girls point of view it was from the P.I's point of view. And even though the story does revolve around an assault on a girl, it was so much more than that. I was impressed with the writing style and the snarkiness of the main character Dani Ripper. There were some really funny light hearted moments. But there were also some intense mysterious moments. I not once saw any of the twists that happened. I was left in total shock at the end of this book. I'm for sure going to have to read this again to see if there were any clues that I missed. I love stories like this that have you thinking one thing than totally throw you for a loop & smack you in the face with something else.
February 20, 2014
While I kind of liked the character of Dani, she wasn't terribly fleshed out. She had the potential to be a likable character (I liked the voice the book was written in, because I did read it in less than a day), but her supporting cast wasn't really very interesting. I had an outright dislike for Riley by the end of the book, as well as her friends. Dillon and Fanny could have been interesting, but they were like NPCs. Just a little hint here and there, but not enough of a hint to make you want to know more. Just enough to make you go WTF? Same with Dani. Interesting premise...helping victimized youths because she was victimized...but it was done so much better in the Skye Cree novels (same premise...kidnapped girl escapes her captors and later helps others in her situation).
Overall, I kind of wish I hadn't wasted my time reading this. It had the potential to be so much better.
Overall, I kind of wish I hadn't wasted my time reading this. It had the potential to be so much better.
December 21, 2014
Riley turned out to be a psychopath plotting to earn millions of dollars through someone elses dirty laundry but the protagonist applauded her for it. Basically no one had a problem with that in the end. What no one else seemed to mention and that is from the reviews I read is that she was okay with getting raped if it meant she and her friends could get revenge and cash from it.
the protagonist, was in "awe" of her instead of being disgusted.
Also I didnt like the way the entire book ended with being slapped withwhy and who was in on it in one paragraph and then abruptly ending it.
And those gay scenes were unnecessary
The story had so much potential. these 2 stars are for that "potential".
the protagonist, was in "awe" of her instead of being disgusted.
Also I didnt like the way the entire book ended with being slapped withwhy and who was in on it in one paragraph and then abruptly ending it.
And those gay scenes were unnecessary
The story had so much potential. these 2 stars are for that "potential".
September 2, 2014
I absolutely loved Dani's character. John Locke gave her such quick wit and humor, so fast with the comebacks, she is a great thinker on the run, and she always figures out her mystery....and this mystery was pretty twisted! There were twists and turns and i really enjoyed it.Great mystery book and John Locke is a great writer,loved his writing style and humor. I would definitely read another one of his books and recommend this one.
August 21, 2014
This story certainly had its twists, but throughout I had this feeling of sadness because it reflected a world of selfish pursuits and an overall disrespect for anyone.
The writing style was snappy and contemporary and suited the plot and storyline, its characters are realistic if not all of them likeable - a testament to the author's talent.
I cannot say I loved this book but did appreciate its style.
The writing style was snappy and contemporary and suited the plot and storyline, its characters are realistic if not all of them likeable - a testament to the author's talent.
I cannot say I loved this book but did appreciate its style.
January 17, 2015
I wanted to read it because of the aspect of finding justice for a girl taken advantage of at a party. I've been taken advantage of at a party. This story was about a young girl who faked the whole thing with help from a friend and friend's mother, not only to ruin boys that are "rich" but to get something out of it. This does NOT help those of use who were truly taken advantage of. I do NOT recommend this book to ANYONE!
October 10, 2013
A very easy read with pretty boring plot line untik a final twist. author had a bad habit of adding additional info re the characters which was useful e.g one was homosexual. Other than a chapter on it the info made no difference. Take it or leave it book...
June 23, 2014
This is possibly the craziest book I've ever read! I loved the character of Dani she was so flippant and funny I really liked her, her colleagues were also great and her relationships with 'assassins' the storyline was also good kept me reading till the end
February 15, 2015
There were only three good things about this book:
1) It was free
2) It was a quick read
3) I never have to read it again
The characters are flimsy and all have the same voice. They seemingly have no redeeming features at all, and the final 'plot twist' is both obvious and ridiculous.
1) It was free
2) It was a quick read
3) I never have to read it again
The characters are flimsy and all have the same voice. They seemingly have no redeeming features at all, and the final 'plot twist' is both obvious and ridiculous.
December 3, 2013
Quirky and engaging! I finished it in a day! An interesting twist to a common tale though not completely unpredictable.
Loved the style and will read more of his books!
Loved the style and will read more of his books!
July 16, 2016
Quick, easy read. Quite entertaining. :D
July 26, 2019
It’s not a gritty, fast paced Mystery or much of anything but Talking Heads. There was a lot of exposition, inane chatter and just outright weird dialogue. There’s barely any setting, there’s a sort of tongue-in-cheek tone which considering the subject matter (molestation and sexual abuse) is just so difficult to process. For example, there’s a lot of times I read this and thought, okay and...? And said point would never be brought up again.
There’s a lot of Boys Will Be Boys talk in it (a character even says it at one point) and I couldn’t take much of what was going on with much seriousness because all it did was regurgitated cliches and tropes.
Did it touch on anything new or interesting? (No.) Was it heartfelt and emotional? (No.) Did it seem plausible? (No.) Were some scenes unnecessary? (Yes.) Was this style half way through the book annoying? (Yes, I hated this.)
Plot wise it could have been really gritty and a fun thriller where I’m at the edge of my seat, clinging onto my phone like Gollum does The Ring. But the tone shifted from boob jokes and weird conclusions by the POV character, Dani.
It tries to make her out to be a logical and decent PI but when she doesn’t remember which way a door opens, nearly shoots someone by accident and also, doesn’t know how to use her satnav gps she comes across as dumb and incompetent.
The final twist wasn’t great, it wasn’t set up too well again because all this book is, is dialogue. There’s a few tags thrown in here and there with little action and it can be dull. Some clues are fine and yet others are — well it’s a stretch in logic because Dani doesn’t have any evidence to counter or reinforce it and so it’s out of left field and yet also not. Because there’s this weird tone again that’s trying to be funny and light an. quirky and yet when it comes Riley it’s obviously her actions are odd. (She’s one of the few characters who don’t simply have a talking head and has more reactions to her).
I have no idea why Sophie is even in the book other than to add some sexy times and it feels very tacked on. Like the author thought they couldn’t have a PI without some smut happening. I say smut but it’s a grope and the admission Sophie and Dani has had sex before. It is painful and seems like it was written by a 14 year old who can’t even say the word never mind a 24 year old woman going through identity issues.
A few reviewers I saw had an issue with language and there was a point even as a Glaswegian (who is not all that bothered with the C word at all) thought, Hold on mate that’s a bit much. (Something along the lines of a rectum’s still an asshole, or something akin to it). It was like the character was trying to be offensive and crude just... not having it happen really. It was just shite patter.
Many of the characters feel very wooden or stockpile really. The teens are the same, the rich kids are the same with no personality other than a checkbox for suspicion. It’s not the worst thing I’ve read but I imagine if anyone who has seen or read something along these lines will be able to say what happens in this one without much help.
Could have been really good but here lays disappointment.
There’s a lot of Boys Will Be Boys talk in it (a character even says it at one point) and I couldn’t take much of what was going on with much seriousness because all it did was regurgitated cliches and tropes.
Did it touch on anything new or interesting? (No.) Was it heartfelt and emotional? (No.) Did it seem plausible? (No.) Were some scenes unnecessary? (Yes.) Was this style half way through the book annoying? (Yes, I hated this.)
Plot wise it could have been really gritty and a fun thriller where I’m at the edge of my seat, clinging onto my phone like Gollum does The Ring. But the tone shifted from boob jokes and weird conclusions by the POV character, Dani.
It tries to make her out to be a logical and decent PI but when she doesn’t remember which way a door opens, nearly shoots someone by accident and also, doesn’t know how to use her satnav gps she comes across as dumb and incompetent.
The final twist wasn’t great, it wasn’t set up too well again because all this book is, is dialogue. There’s a few tags thrown in here and there with little action and it can be dull. Some clues are fine and yet others are — well it’s a stretch in logic because Dani doesn’t have any evidence to counter or reinforce it and so it’s out of left field and yet also not. Because there’s this weird tone again that’s trying to be funny and light an. quirky and yet when it comes Riley it’s obviously her actions are odd. (She’s one of the few characters who don’t simply have a talking head and has more reactions to her).
I have no idea why Sophie is even in the book other than to add some sexy times and it feels very tacked on. Like the author thought they couldn’t have a PI without some smut happening. I say smut but it’s a grope and the admission Sophie and Dani has had sex before. It is painful and seems like it was written by a 14 year old who can’t even say the word never mind a 24 year old woman going through identity issues.
A few reviewers I saw had an issue with language and there was a point even as a Glaswegian (who is not all that bothered with the C word at all) thought, Hold on mate that’s a bit much. (Something along the lines of a rectum’s still an asshole, or something akin to it). It was like the character was trying to be offensive and crude just... not having it happen really. It was just shite patter.
Many of the characters feel very wooden or stockpile really. The teens are the same, the rich kids are the same with no personality other than a checkbox for suspicion. It’s not the worst thing I’ve read but I imagine if anyone who has seen or read something along these lines will be able to say what happens in this one without much help.
Could have been really good but here lays disappointment.
January 25, 2021
Let me start by saying I'm SO glad this was free on Amazon because I would not have paid money to read this book.
I have a lot of issues with this book, and while I usually would try and find some positives to write about too I don't feel this one had any.
The plot was at points downright crazy and unbelievable and when it wasn't either of those things it was just plain terrible. What annoyed me most was that it could have been such a good book, if it had gone with the whole young girl being sexually assaulted, as it could have brought awareness to a younger audience and had a positive impact.
However, the author decided that he would rather be flippant about such a serious topic.
This book did not accurately portray the situation that it attempted to and everything within this plot was outlandish and just crap.
Character wise, Dani was the most unlikeable character I've ever had to read about, she was annoying, incredibly over the top and at points inappropriate. The whole book was from her POV, at points as if she was narrating the story to us and then as if we were Dani seeing it ourselves - there was no consistency with the way it was written.
Side note - there were points where Dani (an adult) was talking about and describing Riley (a minor) in ways that were just not appropriate and made me feel uncomfortable.
Riley wasn't much better, at first I liked her, I felt sorry for her, but then as the story went on and we finally reached the end, I'd lost any ounce of respect for her.
There were a few other minor characters involved in the story too, who were just annoying, that's the only way I can describe them. They added barely any value to the story and seemed like typical privileged white males, who think that women owe them something.
I also have an issue with how the author tried to portray Dani as if she was unsure if she was bisexual or lesbian or straight, the way he went about it was wrong, it made a mockery of people who are genuinely confused. It felt cheap and as though the author had only included it to just attempt to be seen as inclusive, when in fact it was the furthest from that.
This book just was a terrible read, that's the only way I can summarise it!
I have a lot of issues with this book, and while I usually would try and find some positives to write about too I don't feel this one had any.
The plot was at points downright crazy and unbelievable and when it wasn't either of those things it was just plain terrible. What annoyed me most was that it could have been such a good book, if it had gone with the whole young girl being sexually assaulted, as it could have brought awareness to a younger audience and had a positive impact.
However, the author decided that he would rather be flippant about such a serious topic.
This book did not accurately portray the situation that it attempted to and everything within this plot was outlandish and just crap.
Character wise, Dani was the most unlikeable character I've ever had to read about, she was annoying, incredibly over the top and at points inappropriate. The whole book was from her POV, at points as if she was narrating the story to us and then as if we were Dani seeing it ourselves - there was no consistency with the way it was written.
Side note - there were points where Dani (an adult) was talking about and describing Riley (a minor) in ways that were just not appropriate and made me feel uncomfortable.
Riley wasn't much better, at first I liked her, I felt sorry for her, but then as the story went on and we finally reached the end, I'd lost any ounce of respect for her.
There were a few other minor characters involved in the story too, who were just annoying, that's the only way I can describe them. They added barely any value to the story and seemed like typical privileged white males, who think that women owe them something.
I also have an issue with how the author tried to portray Dani as if she was unsure if she was bisexual or lesbian or straight, the way he went about it was wrong, it made a mockery of people who are genuinely confused. It felt cheap and as though the author had only included it to just attempt to be seen as inclusive, when in fact it was the furthest from that.
This book just was a terrible read, that's the only way I can summarise it!
April 27, 2020
A cracking book! John Locke has a way of writing that is easy on the mind because his characters are appealing in an off-beat kind of way. The protagonist, Dani Ripper, is a private investigator and decoy; i.e. a wife or fiancé pays her to see if she can chat up the husband / boyfriend, an occupation Dani feels is two clicks below hookers and only six above politicians.
Dani, the young, beautiful and world-weary P.I. is disillusioned with the perpetrators of the crime but astounded at how astute and shrewd her new client, Riley Freeman, is. Riley can’t afford Dani’s services, and as she’s a minor Dani can’t take her case anyway, so she agrees to ask around as a friend of the family.
Dani has a heart, and cases like this make her blood boil, for personal reasons. Dani’s not gay, by the way, she just has an on/off affair with her roommate, Sophie.
As the story unfolds, we meet more characters that are introduced with such deftness and skill that we either love them or hate them immediately. Very clever writing, and such that requires a deep understanding of human nature, although some of them are really amusing, especially Fanny, her receptionist, who’s a wild girl and sarcastic with it, and who the reader immediately wants as a mate.
This is a cracking book. One of those can’t-wait-to-get-back-to-my-book books, and I’ll definitely be reading more by this author, in fact, I’ve ordered another book already.
Well recommended
Dani, the young, beautiful and world-weary P.I. is disillusioned with the perpetrators of the crime but astounded at how astute and shrewd her new client, Riley Freeman, is. Riley can’t afford Dani’s services, and as she’s a minor Dani can’t take her case anyway, so she agrees to ask around as a friend of the family.
Dani has a heart, and cases like this make her blood boil, for personal reasons. Dani’s not gay, by the way, she just has an on/off affair with her roommate, Sophie.
As the story unfolds, we meet more characters that are introduced with such deftness and skill that we either love them or hate them immediately. Very clever writing, and such that requires a deep understanding of human nature, although some of them are really amusing, especially Fanny, her receptionist, who’s a wild girl and sarcastic with it, and who the reader immediately wants as a mate.
This is a cracking book. One of those can’t-wait-to-get-back-to-my-book books, and I’ll definitely be reading more by this author, in fact, I’ve ordered another book already.
Well recommended
August 1, 2021
John Locke is a New York Times best-selling author with 2.5 million books in print. He has won more prestigious awards than I can shake a stick at and Promise You Won’t Tell? reflects that. Promise You Won’t Tell? is well crafted and will hold you interest and keep you turning the pages. With that said, let me say that what I’m about to say is just my opinion and my opinion alone. An opinion based on my likes and dislikes in a story.
I found Promise You Won’t Tell? an entertaining read but I could never figure out whether I was reading a spoof or serious mystery. Some of the dialogue and scenes were so far from reality that the temporary suspension of disbelief became impossible, i.e. the scene where Fanny shows up for work with an IV in her arm, dressed in a hospital gown, with her head painted red.
The ending was a total surprise, but considering the tone of the entire story was no surprise at all. If you are looking for a spoof of a mystery with wacky characters and snappy dialogue, the Promise You Won’t Tell? is a book that you must read.
I found Promise You Won’t Tell? an entertaining read but I could never figure out whether I was reading a spoof or serious mystery. Some of the dialogue and scenes were so far from reality that the temporary suspension of disbelief became impossible, i.e. the scene where Fanny shows up for work with an IV in her arm, dressed in a hospital gown, with her head painted red.
The ending was a total surprise, but considering the tone of the entire story was no surprise at all. If you are looking for a spoof of a mystery with wacky characters and snappy dialogue, the Promise You Won’t Tell? is a book that you must read.
February 28, 2017
AWESOME story!!!!!
this was one of the first books ive read in awhile where i DIDNT have to strain to keep interest. i was literally hooked after the first chapter. Locke is an amazingly witty writer. there were so many emotions invested in this book. one minute i am shocked with my mouth hanging open, the next i am cracking up laughing. you are truly talented Mr Locke. i will ABSOLUTELY be checking out Call Me. i can safely and genuinely say you are in my Top 2 favorite authors. This was such a great read. you will not be disappointed, thats for sure! highly recommended book for laughs, gasps, and having you second guess yourself about who dunnit!!
this was one of the first books ive read in awhile where i DIDNT have to strain to keep interest. i was literally hooked after the first chapter. Locke is an amazingly witty writer. there were so many emotions invested in this book. one minute i am shocked with my mouth hanging open, the next i am cracking up laughing. you are truly talented Mr Locke. i will ABSOLUTELY be checking out Call Me. i can safely and genuinely say you are in my Top 2 favorite authors. This was such a great read. you will not be disappointed, thats for sure! highly recommended book for laughs, gasps, and having you second guess yourself about who dunnit!!
January 7, 2021
What a different kind of book! I was hooked from the start and it just got better and better. It had a crazy writing style which I just loved and I never got bored. It was a roller coaster of a ride. I loved the snappy writing style and it was quirky, witty and humorous with twists and turns regularly along the way. I would definitely recommend this book and I don’t understand the poor reviews. Perhaps you have to be on the same level of humour which I obviously am! Thank god for that. Shame I read it in a couple of days as I just want to carry on and on.
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