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When A Stranger Calls
THE PHONE RINGS He was the last person she vowed to go to for help, but the only person who believed she was being stalked. The late–night phone calls, the mysterious packages, the blow to the head all had Lindsey Tarlington fearing for her life. How could she not accept Matt Alessandro's help even if it was his father who murdered her mother seventeen years ago? Matt knew his father died an innocent man, and he suspected Lindsey held the key to why. But spending time with the stubborn beauty made Matt wish their shared past wasn't clouded by tragedy. Would the truths they were slowly uncovering make a shared future just as unlikely?
- GenresRomantic SuspenseRomance
165 pages, ebook
First published April 11, 2006
13 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Long
42 books147 followersKathleen Long is the author of sixteen novels in the genres of women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense.
Kathleen has won a RIO Award and is a two-time winner of the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her additional honors include nominations for National Readers’ Choice, RITA, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, and Book Buyers Best awards, as well as appearances on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, she now divides her time between suburban Philadelphia and the New Jersey shore.
When Kathleen is not plotting her next book or teaching creative writing, she spends her time bribing her tween to pick up her clothes, begging the dog to heel, and experimenting with photography.
Kathleen has won a RIO Award and is a two-time winner of the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her additional honors include nominations for National Readers’ Choice, RITA, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, and Book Buyers Best awards, as well as appearances on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, she now divides her time between suburban Philadelphia and the New Jersey shore.
When Kathleen is not plotting her next book or teaching creative writing, she spends her time bribing her tween to pick up her clothes, begging the dog to heel, and experimenting with photography.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 19, 2019
When a Stranger Calls
3 Stars
17 years following the murder of her mother, Lindsey Tarlington is secure in the knowledge that the man responsible died in prison. But now, Lindsey has begun receiving mementos - a driver's license, a ring, an ornament - all in her mother' possession at the time of her death. With no one else to turn to, Lindsey seeks help from the one man she shouldn't, Matt Alessandro, whose father was convicted of killing Camille Tarlington. Can she trust him with her life and her heart?
A good premise with a satisfying romance overall. Nevertheless, the mystery is underdeveloped and predictable, probably due to the short category format.
Matt and Lindsey's relationship starts out strained, but they grow closer as they work together to uncover the truth. Although their chemistry is good, the emotions underlying their sexual tension feel forced rather than natural. Lindsey, in particular, is annoying at times as she struggles with her attraction to Matt and her belief that his father killed her mother. This causes her to run too hot and cold.
All in all, a quick read for a hot summer day.
3 Stars
17 years following the murder of her mother, Lindsey Tarlington is secure in the knowledge that the man responsible died in prison. But now, Lindsey has begun receiving mementos - a driver's license, a ring, an ornament - all in her mother' possession at the time of her death. With no one else to turn to, Lindsey seeks help from the one man she shouldn't, Matt Alessandro, whose father was convicted of killing Camille Tarlington. Can she trust him with her life and her heart?
A good premise with a satisfying romance overall. Nevertheless, the mystery is underdeveloped and predictable, probably due to the short category format.
Matt and Lindsey's relationship starts out strained, but they grow closer as they work together to uncover the truth. Although their chemistry is good, the emotions underlying their sexual tension feel forced rather than natural. Lindsey, in particular, is annoying at times as she struggles with her attraction to Matt and her belief that his father killed her mother. This causes her to run too hot and cold.
All in all, a quick read for a hot summer day.
June 21, 2013
Slightly familiar story of a family muder mystery, the son of the muderer and the daughter of the victim.
December 9, 2014
Disappointed with the book. Was expecting more from it.There was no emotional connect between main characters to fall in love and it was really easy to get the killer.
April 28, 2021
I did not see the killer being her aunt. That was a nice twist.
August 22, 2022
When a Stranger Calls by Kathleen Long
Book Review:
Lindsey’s mother disappeared 17 years ago believed to be murdered, her body was never found but that didn’t stop an arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment of the suspected murderer.
But one stormy night 17 years to the day a copy of her mothers drivers license was posted through Lindsey’s door. Since all her mothers personal effects that she had on her have never been seen since her disappearance it arouses Lindsey‘s suspicions.
Lindsey along with Matt (the murderers son) form an unlikely alliance to find out the truth after all of these years, but what will they discover. The characters are intriguing and you get a small glimpse of their inside lives. However I did get a little frustrated with Lindsey’s distrust of everyone and her irrational, quite dangerous behaviour especially since she is getting death threats.
This story does go into bipolar disorder which may be triggering for some of those who continue to read this story who also suffer from mental health conditions.
This story is so compelling that it makes you feel a part of the story. Lindsey and Matt searched for clues for her mother's killer. The story keeps you thinking and guessing and trying to figure out who did what, with several plot twists. This thriller is suspenseful, and you can never predict what is going to happen next.
Book Review:
Lindsey’s mother disappeared 17 years ago believed to be murdered, her body was never found but that didn’t stop an arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment of the suspected murderer.
But one stormy night 17 years to the day a copy of her mothers drivers license was posted through Lindsey’s door. Since all her mothers personal effects that she had on her have never been seen since her disappearance it arouses Lindsey‘s suspicions.
Lindsey along with Matt (the murderers son) form an unlikely alliance to find out the truth after all of these years, but what will they discover. The characters are intriguing and you get a small glimpse of their inside lives. However I did get a little frustrated with Lindsey’s distrust of everyone and her irrational, quite dangerous behaviour especially since she is getting death threats.
This story does go into bipolar disorder which may be triggering for some of those who continue to read this story who also suffer from mental health conditions.
This story is so compelling that it makes you feel a part of the story. Lindsey and Matt searched for clues for her mother's killer. The story keeps you thinking and guessing and trying to figure out who did what, with several plot twists. This thriller is suspenseful, and you can never predict what is going to happen next.
October 2, 2017
When. A Stranger Calls
This story was so compelling that I felt like part of the story as Lindsey and Matt searched clues for her mother's killer.I read thru the night to find out the truth that would set a wronged man's family free of the gossip and hurt caused by a wrong murder charge.
This story was so compelling that I felt like part of the story as Lindsey and Matt searched clues for her mother's killer.I read thru the night to find out the truth that would set a wronged man's family free of the gossip and hurt caused by a wrong murder charge.
May 21, 2021
Little disappointing.. The characters were not established enough to have an emotional connection.. the mystery was good but easily predictable..
April 30, 2015
This book was a quick read for me, i have to say at first I wasn't sure if i even wanted to finish because it was just back and forth between Matt and Lindsey about whether they liked each other or not and if it would be wise to go forward with those feelings. But as i read on i grew to enjoy the book it because the characters grew together and realized that maybe this won't keep them apart. Lindsey learned to be more trusting and realized she didn't have to always keep her guard up. I loved that the clues seemed so obvious at times but right when you thought you knew who the killer was something new was thrown in and fingers got pointed in another direction. Worth the read.
June 27, 2014
Picked this up from my TBR pile and I'm glad I did. This is the 2nd of books by Kathleen that I've read and she sure did pull me into the story fast. She kept me guessing till almost the end. I really enjoyed this and look forward to a lot more books by this author.
February 15, 2009
totally love this book.
March 9, 2015
A little predictable. I knew who-dun-it less than a third of the way thru the book. That said, it was interesting enough to keep me reading for the nuances.
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November 29, 2016Used - Good (Some spine creases)
Read
April 30, 2017For some reason my expectations were not high for this book, but I wanted a fairly quick change of mood and it looked suitable. It fit the bill well, and so I enjoyed it. I did figure out fairly early who the Avenger had to be, so on the one hand this could be a bit annoyingly predictable, and on the other I can feel smug that I guessed correctly.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews