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Winston Radhauser Mysteries #2
When Time Is a River
On a bench at the edge of the Lithia Park playground, someone is stalking two-year-old Emily Michaelson as she plays with her eighteen-year old half sister, Brandy. The child’s laughter curves through the sunlight, as if on wings. The stalker is more enamored than ever, but aware of Brandy’s vigilance with Emily, knows a kidnapping won’t be easy. Planning to gain Emily’s trust, the stalker gives her a necklace—little girls love pretty things. A few days later, Brandy and Emily arrive at the park for the Children's Health Fair. When the stalker sees them enter the public restroom, the opportunity is seized.
Not long after Emily's disappearance, Detective Radhauser finds her rainbow-colored sneakers in Ashland Creek, their laces tied together in double knots. Brandy’s father and stepmother blame her for Emily’s disappearance. Radhauser feels sorry for Brandy, but insists she stay out of the investigation. Brandy can’t do that. She is obsessed with finding out who took her little sister, and why. Will Emily be found in time?
Not long after Emily's disappearance, Detective Radhauser finds her rainbow-colored sneakers in Ashland Creek, their laces tied together in double knots. Brandy’s father and stepmother blame her for Emily’s disappearance. Radhauser feels sorry for Brandy, but insists she stay out of the investigation. Brandy can’t do that. She is obsessed with finding out who took her little sister, and why. Will Emily be found in time?
- GenresMystery
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2017
186 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Susan Clayton-Goldner
23 books186 followersSusan Clayton-Goldner was born in New Castle, Delaware and grew up with four brothers along the banks of the Delaware River. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona's Creative Writing Program and has been writing most of her life. Her novels have been finalists for The Hemingway Award, the Heeken Foundation Fellowship, the Writers Foundation and the Publishing On-line Contest. Susan won the National Writers' Association Novel Award twice for unpublished novels and her poetry was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies including Animals as Teachers and Healers, published by Ballantine Books, Our Mothers/Ourselves, by the Greenwood Publishing Group, The Hawaii Pacific Review-Best of a Decade, and New Millennium Writings. A collection of her poems, A Question of Mortality was released in 2014 by Wellstone Press. Prior to writing full time, Susan worked as the Director of Corporate Relations for University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Susan shares a life in Tucson, Arizona and Grants Pass, Oregon with her partner, John Carter, her fictional characters, and more books than one person could count.
Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies including Animals as Teachers and Healers, published by Ballantine Books, Our Mothers/Ourselves, by the Greenwood Publishing Group, The Hawaii Pacific Review-Best of a Decade, and New Millennium Writings. A collection of her poems, A Question of Mortality was released in 2014 by Wellstone Press. Prior to writing full time, Susan worked as the Director of Corporate Relations for University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Susan shares a life in Tucson, Arizona and Grants Pass, Oregon with her partner, John Carter, her fictional characters, and more books than one person could count.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 31, 2017
Susan has a way of capturing your heart and causing you to stop your reading and just ponder what truly is going on in the story. It brings a story to life so that you consider the realities of what you are reading.
This story deals with two sisters, Brandy and Emily. They are Step-Sisters. Brandy is 18 and Emily is just 3. But they are best of friends, in the way that sisters can be. But there is also tension. The tension being that Brandy is often required to watch her little sister, when she would probably rather be out with friends and doing teenager things.
The story acts on that premise in that Brandy is asked to watch her little sister when she is suppose to be with a "boy" who happens to be starring in the school play with her, they want to practice lines.
They plan to meet at the park. But Brandy is "stuck" with taking Emily with her. Emily is not a bad child, just a typical toddler who is full of energy.
But on this fateful day someone kidnaps Emily out from under Brandy's care. The implications are enormous. Why was Brandy so unobservant (the complaint of her step mother and father). Does Brandy just not care? Is she happy to be rid of her sister? Or, is she torn apart by the disappearance?
Enter the Police Detective who will do his best to solve the case. But is he stymied by Brandy, or helped by her as she "interfere's" with his investigaton.
Add to this some real mystery as to the family life and you have a great thriller that will provide hours of reading entertainment.
I love the themes that Susan touches on with this story, they provide good discussion starter material for any book club.
1. Heartbreak over the loss of a loved one
2. Heartbreak over a father bringing the "wrong" step-mother into Brandy's life.
3. Devastation from not telling the truth in a family. All the relationships face turmoil as more and more "secrets" come to light.
4. True love and loyalty
5. The strength that Hope can bring to someone's search in life
6. The pain of being a teenager and having people not believe you or trust in you.
These are just a few of the themes. That are so many it is hard to put them all in writing. But I must say that I found myself thinking through so many topics and issues while reading. Having been a youth Pastor for 40 years I have dealt with lots of High School and College Students, and I understood Brandy in so many ways. Her heartbreak was mine. Her hopes and fears were also mine.
Thank you Susan for another thought provoking novel.
This story deals with two sisters, Brandy and Emily. They are Step-Sisters. Brandy is 18 and Emily is just 3. But they are best of friends, in the way that sisters can be. But there is also tension. The tension being that Brandy is often required to watch her little sister, when she would probably rather be out with friends and doing teenager things.
The story acts on that premise in that Brandy is asked to watch her little sister when she is suppose to be with a "boy" who happens to be starring in the school play with her, they want to practice lines.
They plan to meet at the park. But Brandy is "stuck" with taking Emily with her. Emily is not a bad child, just a typical toddler who is full of energy.
But on this fateful day someone kidnaps Emily out from under Brandy's care. The implications are enormous. Why was Brandy so unobservant (the complaint of her step mother and father). Does Brandy just not care? Is she happy to be rid of her sister? Or, is she torn apart by the disappearance?
Enter the Police Detective who will do his best to solve the case. But is he stymied by Brandy, or helped by her as she "interfere's" with his investigaton.
Add to this some real mystery as to the family life and you have a great thriller that will provide hours of reading entertainment.
I love the themes that Susan touches on with this story, they provide good discussion starter material for any book club.
1. Heartbreak over the loss of a loved one
2. Heartbreak over a father bringing the "wrong" step-mother into Brandy's life.
3. Devastation from not telling the truth in a family. All the relationships face turmoil as more and more "secrets" come to light.
4. True love and loyalty
5. The strength that Hope can bring to someone's search in life
6. The pain of being a teenager and having people not believe you or trust in you.
These are just a few of the themes. That are so many it is hard to put them all in writing. But I must say that I found myself thinking through so many topics and issues while reading. Having been a youth Pastor for 40 years I have dealt with lots of High School and College Students, and I understood Brandy in so many ways. Her heartbreak was mine. Her hopes and fears were also mine.
Thank you Susan for another thought provoking novel.
August 29, 2017
About 20 years ago, I met a family that had their child taken and never knew the outcome. I realized that not knowing what had happened to your child was just as bad as knowing what had happened. When I read this story, I thought of them. The book isn't based on a true story, but it could be. This is the world we live in.
The story surrounds the love of two half-sisters, Emily and Brandy. While visiting a park, a stalker takes notice of Emily and tries to entice her. Plying a young child with gifts to gain her trust. In the pedophile circles, they would call this the beginning of grooming. When Emily's parents blame her for the abduction, that's unfair. It's also very common. People look for a reason for what happened. The blame doesn't fall on anyone, but the abductor. Without them there, they have to put blame somewhere to cope with an impossible situation. Unfortunately, that is Emily. They were being stalked and at some point the child would have been taken. Emily feels immensely guilty. It's a story that is played out everyday in this country through abductions and trafficking of young children and teenagers.
Author Susan Clayton - Goldner, has brought forth yet another fine novel of suspense, intrigue and compassionate love. By compassionate love, I don't mean just between a man and a woman, I mean between two souls that love and will stop at nothing to reunite with each other. Brandy and Emily were determined to be together again. But, was that going to happen? This story is heartbreaking at times and hopeful at times, but always pushing forward with one goal in mind, to find Emily. That doesn't always happen. Get comfortable, because you won't want to put this down. Susan is a gifted writer and I look forward to her next book. I do recommend this read. I received this as an ARC. I receive all my books free or as ARCS. That in no way affects my reviews.
The story surrounds the love of two half-sisters, Emily and Brandy. While visiting a park, a stalker takes notice of Emily and tries to entice her. Plying a young child with gifts to gain her trust. In the pedophile circles, they would call this the beginning of grooming. When Emily's parents blame her for the abduction, that's unfair. It's also very common. People look for a reason for what happened. The blame doesn't fall on anyone, but the abductor. Without them there, they have to put blame somewhere to cope with an impossible situation. Unfortunately, that is Emily. They were being stalked and at some point the child would have been taken. Emily feels immensely guilty. It's a story that is played out everyday in this country through abductions and trafficking of young children and teenagers.
Author Susan Clayton - Goldner, has brought forth yet another fine novel of suspense, intrigue and compassionate love. By compassionate love, I don't mean just between a man and a woman, I mean between two souls that love and will stop at nothing to reunite with each other. Brandy and Emily were determined to be together again. But, was that going to happen? This story is heartbreaking at times and hopeful at times, but always pushing forward with one goal in mind, to find Emily. That doesn't always happen. Get comfortable, because you won't want to put this down. Susan is a gifted writer and I look forward to her next book. I do recommend this read. I received this as an ARC. I receive all my books free or as ARCS. That in no way affects my reviews.
February 21, 2024
This is another excellent book by Susan - have read three of her books and she is very near the top of my favorite mystery writers. Her characters are so very realistic - couldn't put this book down until I needed to start making the meals for my husband and I. Her research for these books is incredible. Enjoyed every chapter and especially the last few chapters when the story took a great twist. It has been a joy to read and review all of her books.
August 2, 2017
When Time Is A River, Susan Clayton-Goldner
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: thriller, mystery and suspense.
I loved Susan's A bend in the Willow, so when she offered me this book for review I jumped at it.
I'm primarily a romance reader, but enjoy other genres from time to time. A few years back I was mainly a thriller reader, and Susan's style of writing reminds me of the best of them, Nicci French, Mary Higgins-Clark, John Grisham, James Patterson, Dick Francis ( the horses were the draw there of course!) All of those deliver a great story, slowly building up to a climax that keeps the reader wondering, from the little clues dropped in, just who is behind things and why.
The characters here are so real, flawed like most of us, and that always works for me. I want real people not storybook perfect clones.
Brandy loves her little sister but doesn't get on so well with Step-mum Christine. She's only four years older than Brandy. Prior to her dad meeting her at the university where he works she had Kathleen as her nanny since she was a toddler, and of course they all felt like one happy family and she resents Christine. Still, Brandy's a sweet girl, loves her dad, adores little Emily, and tries with Christine and they've developed a kind of working relationship. I feel for her, it must have been hard when her father told her Christine was pregnant.
I feel for Christine too, a baby wasn't in her plans, she's had to give up university and her life has been upended. Instead of fun, parties and boyfreinds she's married and looking after a toddler. That's wasn't in her plans when she started an affair with her professor.
Then there's her dad, he's like most, fallible, and his weakness in sleeping with Christine changed his life too. Of course there are others connected to them, who also have been brought into the group, had plans derailed, but would - could - any of them be responsible for Emily's disappearance?
This awful event throws a deep crack into a family that's kind of just getting along, still full of sharp edges and tentacles of resentment. Emily's disappearance will either strengthen them or break them entirely.
Its not the first hard thing for Brandy and her dad top deal with, her mum died when she was very young, and she's undergone many surgeries on her face from a horrific accident when she was tiny. She wants to be an actress, has incredible talent and wonderful voice but is scared her looks will fail her. Its a sad thing isn't it, that we rely so much on beauty and supposed "perfection" in our celebrities.
We follow the story mainly via Brandy, and of course Radhauser. He's no stranger to tragedy and each case like this takes a toll on him.
He and Brandy are both very conscious of the 48 hour timeline, that abducted people are less likely to survive after that and are pulling out all the stops to find Emily. He's really good in that he doesn't treat Brandy as just a kid, she's 18, but that's an age where some are adult and some aren't. In some ways Brandy is older than her years, and the way her thinking runs, especially after the way Radhauser sets her tasks to recollect all her memories of the event, is crucial to the story. He doesn't really know what he's started on the steamroller juggernaut in search of answers Brandy becomes. At times he wants to just tell her to stop, that she's in danger of hindering and not helping, but he can see why she's so determined, and understands her reactions. And of course each time she finds out something relevant, however tiny the information, just makes her more determined.
I loved how we saw her thinking, how we understood along with her just how events could have played out, how she came to the conclusion she did because we also had the same information. Somehow Susan managed to get us to understand her thinking by way of letting us reach conclusions along with her. I hate it when a story "tells" me whats going to happen, rather than letting it play out and my reaching my own conclusions, and here Susan lets me work things out along with Brandy and Radhauser, though the ending and person completly caught me out.
It all takes place over a two day period, and seeing events come to light, adding up tiny clues to see which were real and which led no-where was fascinating. I usually like books that cover a longer time-span, but this is so detailed, the characters felt so real that I was pulled into the story and that just didn't matter to me. Its another great read, out of my usual romance comfort zone but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Stars: Five, a riveting and well planned suspense read, that kept me gripped to the end.
ARC supplied for review purposes by author
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: thriller, mystery and suspense.
I loved Susan's A bend in the Willow, so when she offered me this book for review I jumped at it.
I'm primarily a romance reader, but enjoy other genres from time to time. A few years back I was mainly a thriller reader, and Susan's style of writing reminds me of the best of them, Nicci French, Mary Higgins-Clark, John Grisham, James Patterson, Dick Francis ( the horses were the draw there of course!) All of those deliver a great story, slowly building up to a climax that keeps the reader wondering, from the little clues dropped in, just who is behind things and why.
The characters here are so real, flawed like most of us, and that always works for me. I want real people not storybook perfect clones.
Brandy loves her little sister but doesn't get on so well with Step-mum Christine. She's only four years older than Brandy. Prior to her dad meeting her at the university where he works she had Kathleen as her nanny since she was a toddler, and of course they all felt like one happy family and she resents Christine. Still, Brandy's a sweet girl, loves her dad, adores little Emily, and tries with Christine and they've developed a kind of working relationship. I feel for her, it must have been hard when her father told her Christine was pregnant.
I feel for Christine too, a baby wasn't in her plans, she's had to give up university and her life has been upended. Instead of fun, parties and boyfreinds she's married and looking after a toddler. That's wasn't in her plans when she started an affair with her professor.
Then there's her dad, he's like most, fallible, and his weakness in sleeping with Christine changed his life too. Of course there are others connected to them, who also have been brought into the group, had plans derailed, but would - could - any of them be responsible for Emily's disappearance?
This awful event throws a deep crack into a family that's kind of just getting along, still full of sharp edges and tentacles of resentment. Emily's disappearance will either strengthen them or break them entirely.
Its not the first hard thing for Brandy and her dad top deal with, her mum died when she was very young, and she's undergone many surgeries on her face from a horrific accident when she was tiny. She wants to be an actress, has incredible talent and wonderful voice but is scared her looks will fail her. Its a sad thing isn't it, that we rely so much on beauty and supposed "perfection" in our celebrities.
We follow the story mainly via Brandy, and of course Radhauser. He's no stranger to tragedy and each case like this takes a toll on him.
He and Brandy are both very conscious of the 48 hour timeline, that abducted people are less likely to survive after that and are pulling out all the stops to find Emily. He's really good in that he doesn't treat Brandy as just a kid, she's 18, but that's an age where some are adult and some aren't. In some ways Brandy is older than her years, and the way her thinking runs, especially after the way Radhauser sets her tasks to recollect all her memories of the event, is crucial to the story. He doesn't really know what he's started on the steamroller juggernaut in search of answers Brandy becomes. At times he wants to just tell her to stop, that she's in danger of hindering and not helping, but he can see why she's so determined, and understands her reactions. And of course each time she finds out something relevant, however tiny the information, just makes her more determined.
I loved how we saw her thinking, how we understood along with her just how events could have played out, how she came to the conclusion she did because we also had the same information. Somehow Susan managed to get us to understand her thinking by way of letting us reach conclusions along with her. I hate it when a story "tells" me whats going to happen, rather than letting it play out and my reaching my own conclusions, and here Susan lets me work things out along with Brandy and Radhauser, though the ending and person completly caught me out.
It all takes place over a two day period, and seeing events come to light, adding up tiny clues to see which were real and which led no-where was fascinating. I usually like books that cover a longer time-span, but this is so detailed, the characters felt so real that I was pulled into the story and that just didn't matter to me. Its another great read, out of my usual romance comfort zone but one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Stars: Five, a riveting and well planned suspense read, that kept me gripped to the end.
ARC supplied for review purposes by author
August 15, 2017
Susan Clayton-Goldner is an excellent writer, and as far as I can tell she just seems to be getting better. This is the third of her books that I have read, and in many ways, it is the best one yet.
When Time is a River is the second Winston Radhauser mystery, and it is even better than Redemption Lake, the first in that series. This one takes place several years later, and in the meantime, Detective Radhauser has married again and moved to Oregon. He now has a four-year-old daughter of his own, so he is particularly worried when another little girl in their town turns up missing. It turns out that both girls even go to the same preschool.
But as good as Detective Radhauser is, and a hard as he and his team work, most of the heavy investigating, in this case, is done by the missing girl’s half-sister, Brandy, who was visiting the park with her when she disappeared. Brandy blames herself for letting little Emily get away from her. And the first reaction of her father and stepmother is also to blame her. So Brandy is especially motivated to work hard and think hard to figure out what has happened to her little sister. And since she has been babysitting Emily regularly since she was born, she is particularly knowledgeable about how the little girl thinks and acts.
Detective Radhauser is glad to have Brandy’s help, but he keeps trying to warn her to stay out of the investigation and let the police do their job. Brandy, however, can’t just sit around and wait on them, and she keeps having more ideas of what she can try.
In the midst of running down possible leads, recruiting search volunteers, and organizing candlelight vigils, Brandy also stumbles across other clues. These clues relate to an accident she had when she was about Emily’s age that left her scarred for life and to her deceased mother – topics that she has never felt her father has been completely forthcoming about with her.
It’s a good thing that Brandy has diligently reported all her activities to Detective Radhauser; otherwise, when she finally takes off after the wildest lead of all, things could easily go terribly wrong.
Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book for review.
When Time is a River is the second Winston Radhauser mystery, and it is even better than Redemption Lake, the first in that series. This one takes place several years later, and in the meantime, Detective Radhauser has married again and moved to Oregon. He now has a four-year-old daughter of his own, so he is particularly worried when another little girl in their town turns up missing. It turns out that both girls even go to the same preschool.
But as good as Detective Radhauser is, and a hard as he and his team work, most of the heavy investigating, in this case, is done by the missing girl’s half-sister, Brandy, who was visiting the park with her when she disappeared. Brandy blames herself for letting little Emily get away from her. And the first reaction of her father and stepmother is also to blame her. So Brandy is especially motivated to work hard and think hard to figure out what has happened to her little sister. And since she has been babysitting Emily regularly since she was born, she is particularly knowledgeable about how the little girl thinks and acts.
Detective Radhauser is glad to have Brandy’s help, but he keeps trying to warn her to stay out of the investigation and let the police do their job. Brandy, however, can’t just sit around and wait on them, and she keeps having more ideas of what she can try.
In the midst of running down possible leads, recruiting search volunteers, and organizing candlelight vigils, Brandy also stumbles across other clues. These clues relate to an accident she had when she was about Emily’s age that left her scarred for life and to her deceased mother – topics that she has never felt her father has been completely forthcoming about with her.
It’s a good thing that Brandy has diligently reported all her activities to Detective Radhauser; otherwise, when she finally takes off after the wildest lead of all, things could easily go terribly wrong.
Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book for review.
July 23, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Riveting. Suspenseful. An unusual story of child abduction, ending with a macabre twist.
In terms of the story, several years have passed since we first encountered Detective Radhauser and he has emerged as a much more rounded character, with an endearing quality. He is a detective with heart. However, once again he is not the main character of the story; that role is taken by the sister of the kidnap victim. It is this character who feels at blame and who plays the part of amateur detective to solve the crime.
Although I found the back story of the kidnapper somewhat unconvincing, the plot of this novel is clever and held my attention.
But this novel is not just about the crime. There is an underlying theme, familiar in this author's work, that of the repercussions of living a lie. Nor does the story end with the solving of the crime, as it is as much an exploration of the main character's determination to find her way, despite extreme adversity and trauma in her life.
I found this novel an easy and captivating read.
Riveting. Suspenseful. An unusual story of child abduction, ending with a macabre twist.
In terms of the story, several years have passed since we first encountered Detective Radhauser and he has emerged as a much more rounded character, with an endearing quality. He is a detective with heart. However, once again he is not the main character of the story; that role is taken by the sister of the kidnap victim. It is this character who feels at blame and who plays the part of amateur detective to solve the crime.
Although I found the back story of the kidnapper somewhat unconvincing, the plot of this novel is clever and held my attention.
But this novel is not just about the crime. There is an underlying theme, familiar in this author's work, that of the repercussions of living a lie. Nor does the story end with the solving of the crime, as it is as much an exploration of the main character's determination to find her way, despite extreme adversity and trauma in her life.
I found this novel an easy and captivating read.
July 31, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a stand out thriller. One of those books you will never forget.
I'd like to thank Susan Clayton-Goldner for my complimentary copy of When Time Is a River. This is my voluntary unbiased review reflecting my thoughts alone.
Brandy Michaelson is the main character in this suspenseful thriller. She hasn't had the easiest 18 years of life which developed her coping mechanisms needed to get through really tough times. Her toddler half sister is abducted while Brandy is watching her. What follows tears this family apart. Winston Radhauser is the lead detective on the case. Radhauser hates child abductions. No stone will be left unturned as long as he’s on the case. Brandy turns Nancy Drew and insists on budding into Radhauser’s investigation. Who took Brandy’s half sister and why? The characters are well developed as the book progresses. Page turner. I couldn't put this book down.
This is a stand out thriller. One of those books you will never forget.
I'd like to thank Susan Clayton-Goldner for my complimentary copy of When Time Is a River. This is my voluntary unbiased review reflecting my thoughts alone.
Brandy Michaelson is the main character in this suspenseful thriller. She hasn't had the easiest 18 years of life which developed her coping mechanisms needed to get through really tough times. Her toddler half sister is abducted while Brandy is watching her. What follows tears this family apart. Winston Radhauser is the lead detective on the case. Radhauser hates child abductions. No stone will be left unturned as long as he’s on the case. Brandy turns Nancy Drew and insists on budding into Radhauser’s investigation. Who took Brandy’s half sister and why? The characters are well developed as the book progresses. Page turner. I couldn't put this book down.
August 1, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review. There are a few books written that can't be put down once you start reading and this is definitely one of them. This is my second book by Susan and will not be the last. The character development, suspense and plot twists and turns are second to none. Brandy's love for her half sister Emily kept her on a mission to find the little girl who was kidnapped despite Brandy's own past demons, insecurities and issues with her stepmother and father. And the ultimate twist at the end just blew me out of the water. Thank you Susan for a great thrill ride....and readers take a chance and go for a ride of your own with this book...You won't regret it.
July 30, 2017
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this book about a child abduction, but what I liked was that we mainly saw how the abductor was found and the case was solved and not what happened to the child during the abduction detail by detail. I don't think I could have gotten through the book had that been the case. The reader could really feel the terror the family was experiencing from not knowing what happened to their little girl. I love Detective Radhauser and his caring for the child's family throughout. He always seems torn between doing his job and questioning everyone about the case. Of course the ending was good with twists and turns, but what I liked most was also a lesson to be learned from the main character about determination in the face of adversity and forgiveness to family. I look forward to the next Radhauser book.
I liked this book about a child abduction, but what I liked was that we mainly saw how the abductor was found and the case was solved and not what happened to the child during the abduction detail by detail. I don't think I could have gotten through the book had that been the case. The reader could really feel the terror the family was experiencing from not knowing what happened to their little girl. I love Detective Radhauser and his caring for the child's family throughout. He always seems torn between doing his job and questioning everyone about the case. Of course the ending was good with twists and turns, but what I liked most was also a lesson to be learned from the main character about determination in the face of adversity and forgiveness to family. I look forward to the next Radhauser book.
October 10, 2017
When Time Is A River is the second Detective Radhauser novel by Susan Clayton-Goldner that I have read. It's a different kind of murder mystery--with a detective who has a lot of heart. You'll love Brandy Michaelson, the 18-year-old sister of the kidnapping victim. She feels responsible for losing Emily and won't give up until she finds out who took her little sister and why. Brandy is tenacious, often a pain in the neck to Detective Radhauser, but relentless in her search for Emily. You may need a couple Kleenex before you finish, but it's a journey you'll be glad you took.
January 25, 2018
Clayton-Goldner has done it again. When Time is a River has it all: great characters, a plot that keeps you turning the page and rooting for the heroine, and suspense that invokes fear for the abducted child. My heart raced when Brandy finds Emily gone. Twists and turns that crank it up, that’s what I love. Plenty of suspects along the way, Clayton-Goldner surprises us at the end. In other words, essential elements that makes for a good read. Detective Radhauser is again the guy with a back story, who doesn’t encroach or overpower Brandy’s story. High marks!
September 26, 2021
Teenager Brandy Michaelson is horrified when her two-and-a-half-year-old sister disappears while she is in the bathroom. Her stroller is still there, but Emily is gone. Filled with guilt, Brandy can’t help getting involved in the kidnapping investigation led by Detective Winston Radhauser. Together and separately, they find lots of leads but no answers until Brandy makes a seemingly unrelated discovery that cracks the case. It’s another wonderful read in Clayton-Goldner’s Detective Radnauser series. She keeps the reader guessing and offers several moments when one is likely to gasp in surprise and/or horror. Well done.
July 22, 2017
Another fabulous book by Susan Clayton-Goldener!!!
Before I knew it, I stayed up to 3:20 AM to finish this book! That is how good it is!! Once I got started, I could not put it down. Susan Clayton-Goldener is a beautiful writer. Her sentence structures are beautiful.
The story is about a blended family. I fell in love with the little girl and her half sister. The love between them was precious. They will both grab you heart and you will not be able to stop reading. I am already looking forward to Susan's next book!
Before I knew it, I stayed up to 3:20 AM to finish this book! That is how good it is!! Once I got started, I could not put it down. Susan Clayton-Goldener is a beautiful writer. Her sentence structures are beautiful.
The story is about a blended family. I fell in love with the little girl and her half sister. The love between them was precious. They will both grab you heart and you will not be able to stop reading. I am already looking forward to Susan's next book!
July 26, 2017
I was given a free copy of this novel for an honest review. I was blown away by this book! I stayed up all night in order to finish the read, I did not want to wait to find out what happened. The characters are very well developed and fit this plot so well. And the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing as to who could have taken this little girl, how was it accomplished and for what reason. And the love shown between these half sisters, one who is a high school senior and a 3 year old is heartwarming. Susan does another excellent job on this one, this is the third novel of hers that I have read and I hope that she will notify me when the next one is out! Treat yourself to marvelous summer read. Thank you Susan, you are amazing.
Arlene Ross2017
Arlene Ross2017
November 18, 2017
I absolutely could not put this book down. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, wondering if they were going to find Emily alive. My heart poured out for Brandy who tried so hard. Such an amazing read. I can’t wait to read the next installment of detective Radhauser.
July 11, 2020
Brilliant! Captured my heart
I read 200+ books a year
Susan grabbed my soul like no other, and set it that was on a journey that worked on raw emotions, lifted into each character a realism seldom captured.
She stole my heart .
I read 200+ books a year
Susan grabbed my soul like no other, and set it that was on a journey that worked on raw emotions, lifted into each character a realism seldom captured.
She stole my heart .
October 30, 2017
Well, I have to tell all you avid readers you will certainly enjoy this book from start to finish. I could not put this down. I spent the entire day immersed in the story line. Be prepared for twists and turns and just as you think you have solved it, you are wrong. Thank you to the author for her clever mind of the characters. I can not wait for more books. Keep them coming please.
September 10, 2017
ecause I’ve read the National Writers Award Winner Book A BEND IN THE WILLOW by Susan Clayton-Goldener I was more than happy to be able to read and review her newest book WHEN TIME IS A RIVER. Now that I have read both, I know that with this author, who writes with heart and emotion and a very fresh and eloquent voice, she is an author who must be placed on an auto-buy list.
The dynamics of the family that had Emily their 3 year old child kidnapped from a park, while her much older step-sister Brandy was in charge of watching her certainly played a huge part in the intense emotional play of the story. Yes, Brandy was not on the best of terms with her new step-mother who was once her professor father’s student and only 4-5 years older than Brandy, but that was never a factor in what Brandy felt for her baby sister. Brandy was probably more of a mother to Emily than Christine (the mother) was.
Unbeknownst to Brandy, was that she and Emily had been stalked for weeks by someone who wanted Emily - the perfect child. Brandy was quite beautiful and talented but for a noticeable scar on her cheek which she’d received when she fell out of her stroller at age 3 and was caught in the escalator at a department store. The trauma was intense for Brandy because all her life she wanted to be an actress and singer. But when Emily disappeared from her stroller while Brandy was in a restroom keeping an eye on the stroller wheels and talking to Emily, the stalker came in and took Emily right out of the stroller without Brandy ever knowing she was gone. This incident trounced any kind of trauma Brandy had ever had over her scars. Enter Detective Radhauser who is brought in on the case, and insists Brandy stay out of the investigation - however, Brandy’s tortured soul and guilt wouldn’t allow her to just sit around.
With the story set, be aware that the pages will fly by as Brandy chases down every clue she gives to Radhauser. Radhauser insists Brandy stay safe and away from the investigation but Brandy wouldn’t listen and when she discovers more than she ever wanted to know, she must race before it was too late to save Emily.
Bottom line: Top notch story and deserving of another award! Highly recommended.
Marilyn Rondeau
The dynamics of the family that had Emily their 3 year old child kidnapped from a park, while her much older step-sister Brandy was in charge of watching her certainly played a huge part in the intense emotional play of the story. Yes, Brandy was not on the best of terms with her new step-mother who was once her professor father’s student and only 4-5 years older than Brandy, but that was never a factor in what Brandy felt for her baby sister. Brandy was probably more of a mother to Emily than Christine (the mother) was.
Unbeknownst to Brandy, was that she and Emily had been stalked for weeks by someone who wanted Emily - the perfect child. Brandy was quite beautiful and talented but for a noticeable scar on her cheek which she’d received when she fell out of her stroller at age 3 and was caught in the escalator at a department store. The trauma was intense for Brandy because all her life she wanted to be an actress and singer. But when Emily disappeared from her stroller while Brandy was in a restroom keeping an eye on the stroller wheels and talking to Emily, the stalker came in and took Emily right out of the stroller without Brandy ever knowing she was gone. This incident trounced any kind of trauma Brandy had ever had over her scars. Enter Detective Radhauser who is brought in on the case, and insists Brandy stay out of the investigation - however, Brandy’s tortured soul and guilt wouldn’t allow her to just sit around.
With the story set, be aware that the pages will fly by as Brandy chases down every clue she gives to Radhauser. Radhauser insists Brandy stay safe and away from the investigation but Brandy wouldn’t listen and when she discovers more than she ever wanted to know, she must race before it was too late to save Emily.
Bottom line: Top notch story and deserving of another award! Highly recommended.
Marilyn Rondeau
September 6, 2017
This is the journey of an 18-year-old and the search for her missing sister.
It is none- stop, teeth gnashing suspense as Brandy, Detective Radhauser, and his team race to save Emily.
In the process, family secrets are revealed and the family unites together to heal.
An ARC was given to me by the author. My opinions are 100% my own.
It is none- stop, teeth gnashing suspense as Brandy, Detective Radhauser, and his team race to save Emily.
In the process, family secrets are revealed and the family unites together to heal.
An ARC was given to me by the author. My opinions are 100% my own.
July 9, 2020
Could not put it down...
I read some reviews that prepared me to believe this was subpar to the first in the series, they couldn't be more wrong. This is an extraordinary read from start to finish with deeply flawed characters are so real you can't put it down. Start early in the morning on a day you have off. You won't want to stop until its done.
I read some reviews that prepared me to believe this was subpar to the first in the series, they couldn't be more wrong. This is an extraordinary read from start to finish with deeply flawed characters are so real you can't put it down. Start early in the morning on a day you have off. You won't want to stop until its done.
September 17, 2017
Wow! What another great read from Susan Clayton-Goldner! This is her best novel yet. I loved the thrill of the mystery and the development of each of the characters throughout the book. I won't give away any spoilers, but I will say that this is one mystery that you MUST read!
August 5, 2017
Are you kidding? Yet another hard to put down energetic heart pumping page turner from the pen of Susan Clayton-Goldner. Having read her previous work I came into When Time Is A River with high expectations and I was not disappointed. I do so love a mystery and I really enjoy a plot twist here and there. About halfway into the read and I had it all figured out, I knew exactly what would happen, it was oh so predictable, in a word I was disappointed. In another word I was WRONG.
Susan lead me down the path, it seemed so familiar, almost formulaic. Everyone who has ever read a mystery novel knows when "the butler did it". It's that point of the book where it becomes quite obvious what has happened, how it happened, and what the outcome will be. Susan took me there, hit a huge pothole, and off we went on another of her character driven fiction wonders! Susan seems to be able to express the angst of the typical teenager in such a way it is familiar to any one of us who have experienced it (unless you're 10 years old or a teenager currently experiencing that time of your life, who hasn't?).
Susan's use of descriptors from smells to sounds really put a reader into that place where you feel the breeze, smell the pines, hear the leaves rustling. These books are a unique experience amongst themselves. This new undertaking of the mystery and a look into the life of a seasoned law enforcement officer with a lot of personal history seems like a much different path than the first work of hers I read - A Bend In The Willow. That book was truly what I call character driven fiction. Susan has the innate ability to detail her characters so well that when we, as readers, think we know them, she throws a plot twist in like a hanging curve at 95 mph - in baseball terms it's simply un-"hittable".
This latest book certainly delivers all of that. In a story that could happen just about anywhere a small child is abducted. While there are many people pointing fingers or blaming themselves it is the child's older sister and a hard boiled detective who has recently relocated to the upper northwest United States who make up an unlikely pair of sleuths When I reached the final third of the book I simply could not stop reading. I found my heart pounding. My mind was racing as fast as I could flip the pages.
I will readily admit, I read a lot of sci-fi thriller and blood and guts war/action books. When Susan approached me to read her first work I was very apprehensive. I really don't have an interest in what I would call "chick flick" books. Am I ever so glad I took a chance on this author.
Would you like to enjoy yourself with a compelling mystery with real characters and believable plots that do not fail to please? If so, put a band-aid on your page flipping finger so you can avoid the inevitable paper cut(s) as you read When Time Is A River.
I was provided an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions thereof.
Susan lead me down the path, it seemed so familiar, almost formulaic. Everyone who has ever read a mystery novel knows when "the butler did it". It's that point of the book where it becomes quite obvious what has happened, how it happened, and what the outcome will be. Susan took me there, hit a huge pothole, and off we went on another of her character driven fiction wonders! Susan seems to be able to express the angst of the typical teenager in such a way it is familiar to any one of us who have experienced it (unless you're 10 years old or a teenager currently experiencing that time of your life, who hasn't?).
Susan's use of descriptors from smells to sounds really put a reader into that place where you feel the breeze, smell the pines, hear the leaves rustling. These books are a unique experience amongst themselves. This new undertaking of the mystery and a look into the life of a seasoned law enforcement officer with a lot of personal history seems like a much different path than the first work of hers I read - A Bend In The Willow. That book was truly what I call character driven fiction. Susan has the innate ability to detail her characters so well that when we, as readers, think we know them, she throws a plot twist in like a hanging curve at 95 mph - in baseball terms it's simply un-"hittable".
This latest book certainly delivers all of that. In a story that could happen just about anywhere a small child is abducted. While there are many people pointing fingers or blaming themselves it is the child's older sister and a hard boiled detective who has recently relocated to the upper northwest United States who make up an unlikely pair of sleuths When I reached the final third of the book I simply could not stop reading. I found my heart pounding. My mind was racing as fast as I could flip the pages.
I will readily admit, I read a lot of sci-fi thriller and blood and guts war/action books. When Susan approached me to read her first work I was very apprehensive. I really don't have an interest in what I would call "chick flick" books. Am I ever so glad I took a chance on this author.
Would you like to enjoy yourself with a compelling mystery with real characters and believable plots that do not fail to please? If so, put a band-aid on your page flipping finger so you can avoid the inevitable paper cut(s) as you read When Time Is A River.
I was provided an advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinions thereof.
September 6, 2017
Brandy Michaelson is devastated when her two and half year old little sister Emily disappears from a park near their home. Brandy loves Emily very much and doesn’t mind looking after her but she is to meet a boy from school at the park on this particular day so that they can practice their lines for a school play. When the baby sitter cancels at the last minute her step-mom Christine ask Brandy to watch Emily for her. Emily loves the park and wants Band-aide to take her to the park with her so Brandy gives in. Besides it is hard to say no to such a sweet little girl. Band-aide is Emily’s nick name for her sister.
Brandy wants more than anything to find her sister and bring her home and she will do whatever it takes to find her even get in the way of Detective Radhauser’s investigation.
When Time Is A River is not the first book by Susan that I have read. I loved all of them and if I had to pick a favorite I don’t know that I could. But I can say one thing Susan’s writing gets better with each book.
Brandy is just an amazing and lovable person who could try to place blame for her sister's disappearance on someone else but she doesn’t even though she is getting some blame herself. Brandy will leave no stone unturned until she finds her sister she knows that she only has small window of time to find her before it is too late.
When I was reading When Time Is A River I kept thinking about that tv show 48 Hours where they try to solve the case within 48 hours after that it is harder to solve. I think Brandy knew this. She probably watched the show herself and knew that if they didn’t find her soon she may never see her sister again.
Susan left lots of little clues all through the book and I kept trying to put them together so hoping I could figure out who took Emily. I would think oh yeah he did it or no wait I think he did it or maybe not. But in the end all the clues came together and then of course made lots of sense.
I really enjoyed Emily and Brandy’s story and I did do lots of crying just imaging what Brandy or Emily was going through. I really connected with When Time Is A River because of the missing little girl Emily and Detective Radhauser’s little girl Lizzy who went to the same preschool as Emily. I have a niece named Emily and a niece named Lizzy all though they are both older I kept thinking what if it was one of my nieces missing.
I would have to say that Susan Clayton-Goldner is my favorite mystery writer. If you are looking for a great mystery story or just a great story then you are going to love When Time Is A River.
Brandy wants more than anything to find her sister and bring her home and she will do whatever it takes to find her even get in the way of Detective Radhauser’s investigation.
When Time Is A River is not the first book by Susan that I have read. I loved all of them and if I had to pick a favorite I don’t know that I could. But I can say one thing Susan’s writing gets better with each book.
Brandy is just an amazing and lovable person who could try to place blame for her sister's disappearance on someone else but she doesn’t even though she is getting some blame herself. Brandy will leave no stone unturned until she finds her sister she knows that she only has small window of time to find her before it is too late.
When I was reading When Time Is A River I kept thinking about that tv show 48 Hours where they try to solve the case within 48 hours after that it is harder to solve. I think Brandy knew this. She probably watched the show herself and knew that if they didn’t find her soon she may never see her sister again.
Susan left lots of little clues all through the book and I kept trying to put them together so hoping I could figure out who took Emily. I would think oh yeah he did it or no wait I think he did it or maybe not. But in the end all the clues came together and then of course made lots of sense.
I really enjoyed Emily and Brandy’s story and I did do lots of crying just imaging what Brandy or Emily was going through. I really connected with When Time Is A River because of the missing little girl Emily and Detective Radhauser’s little girl Lizzy who went to the same preschool as Emily. I have a niece named Emily and a niece named Lizzy all though they are both older I kept thinking what if it was one of my nieces missing.
I would have to say that Susan Clayton-Goldner is my favorite mystery writer. If you are looking for a great mystery story or just a great story then you are going to love When Time Is A River.
August 16, 2017
I need to start by mentioning that I was provided a review copy by the author. This is the third book by Susan Clayton-Goldner that I am reviewing. I do not know the author personally.
This book tore at my heart. I can sometimes be very emotional and anything to do with a child being harmed in any way will affect me. This book gave me wet eyes very often. It was very hard for me to keep going and it took me a while to finally get through it.
Yet, like all her other books, I loved it. Her characters came to life right in front of me as I read page after page. More and more I needed to know the outcome and what was to become of each of them. How would Winston solve the crime? Or would Brandy, the older sister, figure out what was going on first? Would her parents marriage survive? Not many do after a situation like this.
Not only do you get to watch the characters lives as you read the book, you get to experience many of the same emotions. Susan has a way of writing that pulls you in and lets you feel everything her characters are feeling. It is a real roller coaster ride of emotion. Pain, sorrow, guilt, betrayal, elation, and more are shared between you and the characters.
I do a lot of reading. Not many authors' books affect me the way Susan's do. It is because her characters are believable, and the situations are real. You can relate to the characters. You feel as though you are there with them as their emotions become yours.
I love mystery novels. It is one of my favorite genres. This books had me guessing, changing my mind, and guessing again, all the way through. There were some excellent plot twists right up until the lead that solves the case comes in. And it was a big surprise.
If you love mysteries, or well written stories about believable characters, or just like to read, don't miss out. Pick up one of Susan's novels and read it. You will be very happy you did.
This book tore at my heart. I can sometimes be very emotional and anything to do with a child being harmed in any way will affect me. This book gave me wet eyes very often. It was very hard for me to keep going and it took me a while to finally get through it.
Yet, like all her other books, I loved it. Her characters came to life right in front of me as I read page after page. More and more I needed to know the outcome and what was to become of each of them. How would Winston solve the crime? Or would Brandy, the older sister, figure out what was going on first? Would her parents marriage survive? Not many do after a situation like this.
Not only do you get to watch the characters lives as you read the book, you get to experience many of the same emotions. Susan has a way of writing that pulls you in and lets you feel everything her characters are feeling. It is a real roller coaster ride of emotion. Pain, sorrow, guilt, betrayal, elation, and more are shared between you and the characters.
I do a lot of reading. Not many authors' books affect me the way Susan's do. It is because her characters are believable, and the situations are real. You can relate to the characters. You feel as though you are there with them as their emotions become yours.
I love mystery novels. It is one of my favorite genres. This books had me guessing, changing my mind, and guessing again, all the way through. There were some excellent plot twists right up until the lead that solves the case comes in. And it was a big surprise.
If you love mysteries, or well written stories about believable characters, or just like to read, don't miss out. Pick up one of Susan's novels and read it. You will be very happy you did.
August 10, 2017
In "When Time Is A River," teenager Brandy wants to be an actress more than anything. But her dream may have been dashed before it was even formed: she has a noticeable scar on her cheek from a childhood accident. Now she's going through plastic surgeries and trying not to feel resentment towards her pretty young stepmother and her perfectly beautiful little sister, Emily. When Emily is kidnapped while Brandy is babysitting her, Brandy finds herself digging into the past to try to rescue her before it's too late, while her family threatens to crack up around her.
"When Time Is A River" is a child-snatching suspense story, and it works very well on that level, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as everyone races to find Emily, with surprise plot twists and a couple of genuinely nail-biting moments.
At the same time, it's more than just a simple suspense novel. The real story is about Brandy, as she is in the process of transitioning from a girl to a young woman, and her struggle to get past her physical and mental scars, her guilt over what has happened to Emily, and to make other people take her seriously. The question of what will happen to Brandy and her family is just as tense as what will happen to Emily, and the two stories are intertwined without making the connection overly heavy-handed. "When Time Is A River" is a detective novel, but it's also an examination of the pressures that can hold families together or crack them apart, written in a simple, affecting prose style that allows the characters, especially the teenage Brandy, to shine through.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
"When Time Is A River" is a child-snatching suspense story, and it works very well on that level, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as everyone races to find Emily, with surprise plot twists and a couple of genuinely nail-biting moments.
At the same time, it's more than just a simple suspense novel. The real story is about Brandy, as she is in the process of transitioning from a girl to a young woman, and her struggle to get past her physical and mental scars, her guilt over what has happened to Emily, and to make other people take her seriously. The question of what will happen to Brandy and her family is just as tense as what will happen to Emily, and the two stories are intertwined without making the connection overly heavy-handed. "When Time Is A River" is a detective novel, but it's also an examination of the pressures that can hold families together or crack them apart, written in a simple, affecting prose style that allows the characters, especially the teenage Brandy, to shine through.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2017
When Time Is A River is Book #2 in the Winston Radhauser mystery series and is set in Oregon.
The story revolves around the kidnapping of two year old Emily, whilst at the park with her older sister, Brandy. In the subsequent investigation, Brandy is determined to play a major role in finding Emily, especially after both her parents blame her for the disappearance.
This is a believable story with a surprise outcome. Set in 1999, the lack of cell phone use for all the communication brought home just how quickly technology has advanced, though I must say that cell, or mobile phone use was fairly widespread by 1999, so I did wonder if some allowance should have been made for this.
Brandy is the lead character. An aspiring actress, she veers between angry teenager, caring sister and, later, a super sleuth. Emily has a promising early role and is characterised as a very intelligent two year old; she has several complex-themed conversations punctuated with toddler mis-pronunciation. However, I wasn’t convinced they were all necessary and thought that the long build-up to the ‘main event’ had room for slimming.
This is written in a relaxed style, but I yearned to get inside the character heads and make a connection and I wanted to see Detective Radhauser shine more, through the narrative.
Sadly not my favourite book by this author; my hope to be grabbed by the characters and taken on an edge-of-my-seat ride fell short.
The story revolves around the kidnapping of two year old Emily, whilst at the park with her older sister, Brandy. In the subsequent investigation, Brandy is determined to play a major role in finding Emily, especially after both her parents blame her for the disappearance.
This is a believable story with a surprise outcome. Set in 1999, the lack of cell phone use for all the communication brought home just how quickly technology has advanced, though I must say that cell, or mobile phone use was fairly widespread by 1999, so I did wonder if some allowance should have been made for this.
Brandy is the lead character. An aspiring actress, she veers between angry teenager, caring sister and, later, a super sleuth. Emily has a promising early role and is characterised as a very intelligent two year old; she has several complex-themed conversations punctuated with toddler mis-pronunciation. However, I wasn’t convinced they were all necessary and thought that the long build-up to the ‘main event’ had room for slimming.
This is written in a relaxed style, but I yearned to get inside the character heads and make a connection and I wanted to see Detective Radhauser shine more, through the narrative.
Sadly not my favourite book by this author; my hope to be grabbed by the characters and taken on an edge-of-my-seat ride fell short.
August 10, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
This story gripped me; it took hold and never let go until I finished it!! Maybe it was because my own daughter wandered away from a family reunion 40 years ago and the 45 minutes it took to find her was like “days” to me. I was never so panicked in my life!! Or maybe it was because I am very familiar with the locale of the story (I now live in Jacksonville, OR). But I actually think it is because Susan is a very talented writer and really do enjoy her stories and writing.
The story and characters in this book really “come to life”. I like the interaction between Brandy and Detective Radhauser; I know there are probably detectives out there just like him and they deserve the recognition for that. And, Brandy, who wouldn’t want a child/sister just like her!!! LOVED her.
I did stay up nights reading this book instead of falling asleep with the TV on (as I usually do!) or I took a few minutes out of each day to read as much as I could. I do not normally do that unless a book is REALLY good; as this one was.
Looking forward to more novels from Susan!!
This story gripped me; it took hold and never let go until I finished it!! Maybe it was because my own daughter wandered away from a family reunion 40 years ago and the 45 minutes it took to find her was like “days” to me. I was never so panicked in my life!! Or maybe it was because I am very familiar with the locale of the story (I now live in Jacksonville, OR). But I actually think it is because Susan is a very talented writer and really do enjoy her stories and writing.
The story and characters in this book really “come to life”. I like the interaction between Brandy and Detective Radhauser; I know there are probably detectives out there just like him and they deserve the recognition for that. And, Brandy, who wouldn’t want a child/sister just like her!!! LOVED her.
I did stay up nights reading this book instead of falling asleep with the TV on (as I usually do!) or I took a few minutes out of each day to read as much as I could. I do not normally do that unless a book is REALLY good; as this one was.
Looking forward to more novels from Susan!!
August 7, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from the author for review.
Glad I did, because I enjoyed this story. For the first 10%, I wasn't sure if the story had me pulled in, but the characters seemed as if they were struggling for real reasons. Brandy was a good girl who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. After getting to know this family, my heart went out to them. I couldn't imagine anyone having to go through the disappearance of a child.
The details were realistic. After 20%, I didn't put the book down until it was complete. I had to know who took this child and why. The author did a great job at twists and turns. Several times I was sure about how this would end, but then Brandy would find a new bit of information that posed another question. Even though Brandy was eighteen, she turned out to be quite the detective.
There was just enough back story for each character to make them feel real. The detective was good at his job while showing his humanity. This book seemed well-balanced between a tear-jerker, thriller, and mystery that I just had to solve.
Glad I did, because I enjoyed this story. For the first 10%, I wasn't sure if the story had me pulled in, but the characters seemed as if they were struggling for real reasons. Brandy was a good girl who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. After getting to know this family, my heart went out to them. I couldn't imagine anyone having to go through the disappearance of a child.
The details were realistic. After 20%, I didn't put the book down until it was complete. I had to know who took this child and why. The author did a great job at twists and turns. Several times I was sure about how this would end, but then Brandy would find a new bit of information that posed another question. Even though Brandy was eighteen, she turned out to be quite the detective.
There was just enough back story for each character to make them feel real. The detective was good at his job while showing his humanity. This book seemed well-balanced between a tear-jerker, thriller, and mystery that I just had to solve.
August 18, 2017
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for an honest review. As with the last two books I read by Susan, I am always amazed at the writing and how something I would take 10 sentences to describe she can do in one and you have a clear picture in your mind of character, time, place and feelings. I love her work and I love this new series (hope it is more than just a trilogy!!!!!) Many have reviewed the plot, telling the story so I won't go over the plot again. I read a lot of series. The protagonist becomes a friend. You live their lives day by day with them. Sometimes, you'd rather not!!!! Sometimes, you just want to tell them, "to get over it." What was refreshing about the protagonist in this series is that we learned and felt his sadness and depression in Redemption Lake. It is now four years later and he is very happy. Bringing Detective Radhauser to a happy place was genius. Now the story really is about Emily and Brandy. It left room for a new hero, Band-aid!!!!!!
August 21, 2017
I received an advanced copy of Susan's Clayton-Goldner's "When Time is a River" for review. This review reflects my honest, unbiased opinion.
Another masterpiece has been created. Again, I could not put my laptop down, even carried it into the kitchen while cooking. Detective Radhauser is the man I want solving my case should I ever need a detective and Brandy is the daughter every mother wishes she had raised. The humaness of all of Susan's characters, I believe, is one of the many reasons I am intrigued by her books. And in today's very narcissistic political climate it's so refreshing to read about characters who actually care about others and the greater good of society.
A great mystery indeed, with an ending I could never have surmised. The emotions of each character during crisis seemed authentic and believable. A poignant characterization of schizophrenia and bi-polar disease allowed the reader to understand, without bias, the faulty thinking that occurs in mental illness. I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this series.
The release date is 9/6/17.
Another masterpiece has been created. Again, I could not put my laptop down, even carried it into the kitchen while cooking. Detective Radhauser is the man I want solving my case should I ever need a detective and Brandy is the daughter every mother wishes she had raised. The humaness of all of Susan's characters, I believe, is one of the many reasons I am intrigued by her books. And in today's very narcissistic political climate it's so refreshing to read about characters who actually care about others and the greater good of society.
A great mystery indeed, with an ending I could never have surmised. The emotions of each character during crisis seemed authentic and believable. A poignant characterization of schizophrenia and bi-polar disease allowed the reader to understand, without bias, the faulty thinking that occurs in mental illness. I am anxiously awaiting the third book in this series.
The release date is 9/6/17.
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