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Eve Duncan #12
Eve: A Novel
The #1 bestselling author Iris Johansen delivers the first in a trilogy that will begin to answer questions that have haunted her legion of fans for over a decade, in her next novel of breathtaking suspense
Eve Duncan's mission in life is to bring closure to the families who have experienced the agony of a missing child. As a forensic sculptor, she is able to piece together bones, create a face, and bring an identity to a child who would have otherwise gone unidentified. Eve is brilliant, driven, and tormented―because her own daughter, Bonnie, was taken from her years ago. But now, with the help of a CIA agent, Eve has uncovered some startling new A man with a connection to Bonnie that had been all but buried. His name is John Gallo. He's from Eve's own past. His whereabouts are unknown. And he might just be the missing piece to the puzzle that has haunted Eve for years…
Eve Duncan's mission in life is to bring closure to the families who have experienced the agony of a missing child. As a forensic sculptor, she is able to piece together bones, create a face, and bring an identity to a child who would have otherwise gone unidentified. Eve is brilliant, driven, and tormented―because her own daughter, Bonnie, was taken from her years ago. But now, with the help of a CIA agent, Eve has uncovered some startling new A man with a connection to Bonnie that had been all but buried. His name is John Gallo. He's from Eve's own past. His whereabouts are unknown. And he might just be the missing piece to the puzzle that has haunted Eve for years…
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
508 people are currently reading
7772 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
227 books7,346 followersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
July 8, 2011
If you are reading this thinking that you will (finally!) find out the identity of Bonnie's killer...think again.
Sigh.
I *get* that Johansen has built her main character with a huge chunk of Eve's drive and reason for living all about finding Bonnie's killer...but how many more books will she be able to draw it out? My guess? 2 more. (Since Eve is the first book of a "trilogy"--followed by Quinn, where I guess we'll be able to understand why Joe is willing and able to be so pussy-whipped even though Eve pisses him off most of the time; and then finishing with "Bonnie" where we'll see...I have no idea.)
So, so of the good things: we find out about Bonnie's conception and Eve's life in the 'hood before she got knocked up.
Um. Yeah.
Some annoying things: the way Eve keeps referring to Jane as, "my adopted daughter" or "Jane MacGuire...my daughter". Duh! Everyone knows who the hell Jane is. The cast of eleventy-bajillion characters. I can't keep them all straight. The ever-present "evil empire" government employees. Really? It sounds like everyone who works for the feds is dirty.
So, will I read the others? Yep, because I want to finish the story once and for all...and I'm a glutton for punishment.
Sigh.
I *get* that Johansen has built her main character with a huge chunk of Eve's drive and reason for living all about finding Bonnie's killer...but how many more books will she be able to draw it out? My guess? 2 more. (Since Eve is the first book of a "trilogy"--followed by Quinn, where I guess we'll be able to understand why Joe is willing and able to be so pussy-whipped even though Eve pisses him off most of the time; and then finishing with "Bonnie" where we'll see...I have no idea.)
So, so of the good things: we find out about Bonnie's conception and Eve's life in the 'hood before she got knocked up.
Um. Yeah.
Some annoying things: the way Eve keeps referring to Jane as, "my adopted daughter" or "Jane MacGuire...my daughter". Duh! Everyone knows who the hell Jane is. The cast of eleventy-bajillion characters. I can't keep them all straight. The ever-present "evil empire" government employees. Really? It sounds like everyone who works for the feds is dirty.
So, will I read the others? Yep, because I want to finish the story once and for all...and I'm a glutton for punishment.
June 11, 2011
I haven’t read Iris Johansen for years. I picked up this one recently, as I remember her earlier books like THE UGLY DUCKLING, AND THEN YOU DIE or THE FACE OF DECEPTION, could keep me engaged years ago. I am disappointed, though, reading this one. The writing style totally bored me. I stopped reading before halfway through the book. It was probably just me growing up, or it could be her writing style has become kind of predictable after all these years.
Actually, the plot can be interesting. Some pages were quick-paced and good. But these page-turner were too small portion in a whole, compared to when Ms. Johansen described the sex scenes, or how obsessed each guy about Eve, or how good the chemistry between them all, and many more dramatic words were used, which were not necessary to the plot. It only added the book length a couple hundreds more pages, without real purpose.
In fact, it was weird to read how obsessed everybody with everybody, when I could not put my finger on it, of what actually made these people so obsessed toward one another, despite having read the obsession described for 20-30 pages in each section.
And it is annoying also, that I cannot tell the difference between characters. What is the difference between Eve Duncan and Catherine Ling? Or John Gallo and Joe Quinn? And other characters were also described more or less the same. They were hot, single minded, obsessive to the point of insane, mysterious, very good in what they were doing…, in short, everyone in the book was extreme and dramatic, that they were predictable, thus, boring! No surprise that is necessary to keep one on toes in order to keep reading. So, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
Actually, the plot can be interesting. Some pages were quick-paced and good. But these page-turner were too small portion in a whole, compared to when Ms. Johansen described the sex scenes, or how obsessed each guy about Eve, or how good the chemistry between them all, and many more dramatic words were used, which were not necessary to the plot. It only added the book length a couple hundreds more pages, without real purpose.
In fact, it was weird to read how obsessed everybody with everybody, when I could not put my finger on it, of what actually made these people so obsessed toward one another, despite having read the obsession described for 20-30 pages in each section.
And it is annoying also, that I cannot tell the difference between characters. What is the difference between Eve Duncan and Catherine Ling? Or John Gallo and Joe Quinn? And other characters were also described more or less the same. They were hot, single minded, obsessive to the point of insane, mysterious, very good in what they were doing…, in short, everyone in the book was extreme and dramatic, that they were predictable, thus, boring! No surprise that is necessary to keep one on toes in order to keep reading. So, I wouldn’t recommend this book.
August 22, 2011
Why...oh why, do I allow myself to get sucked back in?
I started reading the Eve Duncan books way back when I was just a part time reader and they were great for what they are.
Then I went to library school and started really reading.
Now, this isn't to knock pop fiction, but stagnant character development and wooden dialog? Come on, folks! Demand more from the death of a tree!
This one had some particularly bad (or amazing) examples of the above.
This is the first in a (gasp) trilogy. The second book, Quinn, highlighting Eve's enabling boy friend of many books, lies next to my bed, unread. It will remain unread and be returned tomorrow.
Life is short and I have better things to read.
I started reading the Eve Duncan books way back when I was just a part time reader and they were great for what they are.
Then I went to library school and started really reading.
Now, this isn't to knock pop fiction, but stagnant character development and wooden dialog? Come on, folks! Demand more from the death of a tree!
This one had some particularly bad (or amazing) examples of the above.
This is the first in a (gasp) trilogy. The second book, Quinn, highlighting Eve's enabling boy friend of many books, lies next to my bed, unread. It will remain unread and be returned tomorrow.
Life is short and I have better things to read.
November 11, 2011
This is my first and last Iris Johansen book. I think I followed it for not having read any of the others, but it was just a waste of my time. I don't like not finishing books and it was a quick read, so I just hoped for the best in the end. It reads like YA, but the content and material is not YA. The first 60 pages were dripping in raunchy, explicit sex, which would be fine if it were a romance or hot book, but 60 pages in a thriller is way too much. When it came back around the characters were adults, but they still acted like children. Most of the characters are referenced by first and last name every time... I think we get it. I forced myself to stay curious about what was going to end, but then guess what, you have to read the next two books... forget that. I am going to read a good book now to reward myself for persevering through that.
October 11, 2011
Before there was my obsession to the paranormal/fantasy books, thanks to Twilight, but after my Nancy Drew/Sweet Valley phase (15 years ago), there was my murder mystery/suspense phase. During this time I read many, many books but had 3 favorite authors. Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs and Iris Johansen. Now some of Iris' books can carry a slight paranormal undertone too, which is fine with me, but my favorite series of hers is the Eve Duncan series.
Anyone who has read this series knows that the main character, Eve, has one driving force throughout all of the books. Finding information on her daughter, Bonnie, who was abducted at 6 years old. Finally, after almost a decade, Iris is coming out with a trilogy to answer the questions we, her devoted readers, have had in regards to Bonnie. I couldn't be more happy! I picked up the first in this trilogy, simply titled EVE, yesterday at 11 a.m. By 9 p.m. the book was finished. :)) I simply couldn't walk away. I have followed it for so long I had to know. Of course at the time I didn't realize it was a trilogy, I thought I'd have my answers. Thankfully though, book two, titled QUINN is already out. I will be downloading the Ebook the second my newly ordered Kindle arrives.
If you've never read any of the Eve Duncan series I don't suggest starting with this trilogy. I suggest going back to the beginning, starting with The Face of Deception from October 1998. Like any good author of a series will do, Iris Johansen introduces characters and then spins them off into their own books. How, as an avid reader, can you not love that?! To date Iris has 22 murder mystery/suspense novels, and that doesn't even include her romance books or separate stories.
In closing, if you're looking for an addicting new series start with Iris Johansen and follow her characters through each new harrowing, and even heart breaking, experience they run into. You won't be sorry.
Anyone who has read this series knows that the main character, Eve, has one driving force throughout all of the books. Finding information on her daughter, Bonnie, who was abducted at 6 years old. Finally, after almost a decade, Iris is coming out with a trilogy to answer the questions we, her devoted readers, have had in regards to Bonnie. I couldn't be more happy! I picked up the first in this trilogy, simply titled EVE, yesterday at 11 a.m. By 9 p.m. the book was finished. :)) I simply couldn't walk away. I have followed it for so long I had to know. Of course at the time I didn't realize it was a trilogy, I thought I'd have my answers. Thankfully though, book two, titled QUINN is already out. I will be downloading the Ebook the second my newly ordered Kindle arrives.
If you've never read any of the Eve Duncan series I don't suggest starting with this trilogy. I suggest going back to the beginning, starting with The Face of Deception from October 1998. Like any good author of a series will do, Iris Johansen introduces characters and then spins them off into their own books. How, as an avid reader, can you not love that?! To date Iris has 22 murder mystery/suspense novels, and that doesn't even include her romance books or separate stories.
In closing, if you're looking for an addicting new series start with Iris Johansen and follow her characters through each new harrowing, and even heart breaking, experience they run into. You won't be sorry.
July 1, 2015
If you wanted to read about a forensic scientist who does reconstructions on bones, you are still looking for the work of Kathy Reichs, because that's not this book.
Iris Johasen's "Eve" is not actually a crime thriller, it's more like a romance with a bunch of action, and just a tiny bit of crime thriller background flavour. This is not what I wanted, and frankly, I am disappoint.
The books plot is totally unrealistic and I felt like it couldn't have even made a b movie.
To be clear I say this as a person who loves campy comic-bookyness in books, but this wasn't that. It was cruddy recycled tropes, and bad dialogue. It was not a fun read.
This is the sort of book which has a lot of "lip biting" and "lip tightening" for the women and men respectively. This book is drenched in fake tension and sex-role stereotypes. Drenched.
Top 3 worst things about this book:
1) All the main characters are emotionally the same person.
Okay except the main villain who is just a "2evil4U" trope incarnate.
They are all hardheaded (to the point of reckless endangerment), emotionally constipated in an angsty way (I can't, no I know that's not true, I just WON'T admit I feel x thing!), focused on sex or other characters sex lives at inappropriate times (vs, Oh I don't know the ACTUAL MORTAL DANGER they're in), and often violent and angry.
2)Anger is magic, and being angry makes you better at all the things.
In Iris J's Eve anger makes you: Stronger, faster, more stealthy, and gives you more social prowess.
That last part is a real mindfuck for me, but it is used as *Part of the Main Plot*.
Apparently in this world other people do exactly the thing you want them to when you threaten them with violence and rage at them? (Hahaha, reality says no.)
Let's be real here: Anger can be a motivator for doing things, but in and of itself it's not constructive, it's often destructive and unhealthy. It is *not* a super power.
BTW: The men are 3x more ragefaced in this book which because of the anger=superpower means they're also better at everything. Why? RAGE is Manly, and manly men are full of RAGE. (This ladies and gents is imbibed toxic masculinity regurgitated. And it's gross.)
3)Eve says she doesn't want the sex, but that clearly means keep trying til she says yes.
Iris NOOOOOOO! This is not how you do good tension for sex. John says that he won't go away until Eve gives in, and he'll keep showing up at her work and home. Basically that's him saying he'll freaking STALK her until Eve has sex with him. (Like no! That's not okay, stalking is a variety of threat, so this is coercive. Coerced consent is not a good thing!)
The pester you til you sleep with me thing is not the way to someones heart it is more likely to creeped them out and feel their "no" isn't respected. (Not all people, but you wanna risk it?)
I repeat: Do not do this!
Once Eve is pestered into sex, then John repeatedly commands her not to say no.
Quote: "Don't say no Eve." In the context of her being in a place where she can't escape from him since they drove there in his vehicle, and it's middle of nowhere. That sounds... romantic? No, unappealingly raunchy.
This borderline rapey nonsense is ALL through the first half of this book. (The second half prolly only doesn't have it because it's less sex laden)
What is this even? Actually I know the answer, it's a dominance fantasy, a sex related one.
Frankly I think those should stay in their own lane, they don't belong in crime-thrillers section. If it's a sex fantasy (which it is) it should be freaking billed and labeled as one!
Honorable mention for the terribleness of having ableist tropes all through the book.
Namely the ever classic: "He's craAAzzzzyyyyy so that means he'll just kill anyone" and he'll be super good at it because craziness means he can get more angry, and that totes gives him double super powers!
Now he can do ALL the things... Because PTSD does that? (Hint: NO. No it does not.)
Note: *People who have mental health struggles are far more likely to be the victims of crimes than the perpetrators.* This 'crazy people are killers' thing, needs to end.
It's harmful to people who struggle with their mental health and for 99.9% of "crazy" people, it's a lie. Plain and simple.
Iris Johasen's "Eve" is not actually a crime thriller, it's more like a romance with a bunch of action, and just a tiny bit of crime thriller background flavour. This is not what I wanted, and frankly, I am disappoint.
The books plot is totally unrealistic and I felt like it couldn't have even made a b movie.
To be clear I say this as a person who loves campy comic-bookyness in books, but this wasn't that. It was cruddy recycled tropes, and bad dialogue. It was not a fun read.
This is the sort of book which has a lot of "lip biting" and "lip tightening" for the women and men respectively. This book is drenched in fake tension and sex-role stereotypes. Drenched.
Top 3 worst things about this book:
1) All the main characters are emotionally the same person.
Okay except the main villain who is just a "2evil4U" trope incarnate.
They are all hardheaded (to the point of reckless endangerment), emotionally constipated in an angsty way (I can't, no I know that's not true, I just WON'T admit I feel x thing!), focused on sex or other characters sex lives at inappropriate times (vs, Oh I don't know the ACTUAL MORTAL DANGER they're in), and often violent and angry.
2)Anger is magic, and being angry makes you better at all the things.
In Iris J's Eve anger makes you: Stronger, faster, more stealthy, and gives you more social prowess.
That last part is a real mindfuck for me, but it is used as *Part of the Main Plot*.
Apparently in this world other people do exactly the thing you want them to when you threaten them with violence and rage at them? (Hahaha, reality says no.)
Let's be real here: Anger can be a motivator for doing things, but in and of itself it's not constructive, it's often destructive and unhealthy. It is *not* a super power.
BTW: The men are 3x more ragefaced in this book which because of the anger=superpower means they're also better at everything. Why? RAGE is Manly, and manly men are full of RAGE. (This ladies and gents is imbibed toxic masculinity regurgitated. And it's gross.)
3)Eve says she doesn't want the sex, but that clearly means keep trying til she says yes.
Iris NOOOOOOO! This is not how you do good tension for sex. John says that he won't go away until Eve gives in, and he'll keep showing up at her work and home. Basically that's him saying he'll freaking STALK her until Eve has sex with him. (Like no! That's not okay, stalking is a variety of threat, so this is coercive. Coerced consent is not a good thing!)
The pester you til you sleep with me thing is not the way to someones heart it is more likely to creeped them out and feel their "no" isn't respected. (Not all people, but you wanna risk it?)
I repeat: Do not do this!
Once Eve is pestered into sex, then John repeatedly commands her not to say no.
Quote: "Don't say no Eve." In the context of her being in a place where she can't escape from him since they drove there in his vehicle, and it's middle of nowhere. That sounds... romantic? No, unappealingly raunchy.
This borderline rapey nonsense is ALL through the first half of this book. (The second half prolly only doesn't have it because it's less sex laden)
What is this even? Actually I know the answer, it's a dominance fantasy, a sex related one.
Frankly I think those should stay in their own lane, they don't belong in crime-thrillers section. If it's a sex fantasy (which it is) it should be freaking billed and labeled as one!
Honorable mention for the terribleness of having ableist tropes all through the book.
Namely the ever classic: "He's craAAzzzzyyyyy so that means he'll just kill anyone" and he'll be super good at it because craziness means he can get more angry, and that totes gives him double super powers!
Now he can do ALL the things... Because PTSD does that? (Hint: NO. No it does not.)
Note: *People who have mental health struggles are far more likely to be the victims of crimes than the perpetrators.* This 'crazy people are killers' thing, needs to end.
It's harmful to people who struggle with their mental health and for 99.9% of "crazy" people, it's a lie. Plain and simple.
March 9, 2016
Finished reading: March 6th 2016
“Yes, that was it. That was exactly what John Gallo was. A fever that would leave her if she didn't let it take over her mind as well as her body.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
October 28, 2011
Another round of terror for Eve Duncan and her family. This time we are taken to Eve's teenage years growing up in the projects. Johansen really blew it this time. I've rarely seen so many elitist stereotypes of poor people. Johansen obviously never met a poor person she doesn't blame for being weak. Johansen doesn't have a clue what it takes to survive.
Ah, well. I never expect realism from the Eve Duncan novels. So we have another chase through a scene full of vicious killers and double dealing. Somewhat satisfying as well as formulaic. Turns out Bonnie's natural father is an amazingly good fuck just like all of Eve's men. Surprise!
For a book called "Eve" I was surprised we didn't learn much more about the woman. She was acted upon in this novel, not acting on her own for a great portion of the book. Is she going to continue to be weak and stupid? That would be a real drag. It's so much easier to write about young, vulnerable lovers. Very few authors can handle their characters once they've become mature in age as well as love. Kent Krueger does this quite well. Looks like Johansen can't manage it.
I don't hate that I finished this book, but it certainly wasn't fun.
Ah, well. I never expect realism from the Eve Duncan novels. So we have another chase through a scene full of vicious killers and double dealing. Somewhat satisfying as well as formulaic. Turns out Bonnie's natural father is an amazingly good fuck just like all of Eve's men. Surprise!
For a book called "Eve" I was surprised we didn't learn much more about the woman. She was acted upon in this novel, not acting on her own for a great portion of the book. Is she going to continue to be weak and stupid? That would be a real drag. It's so much easier to write about young, vulnerable lovers. Very few authors can handle their characters once they've become mature in age as well as love. Kent Krueger does this quite well. Looks like Johansen can't manage it.
I don't hate that I finished this book, but it certainly wasn't fun.
November 3, 2025
This was a good one. I really didn’t like the way it ended. Each book should stand on its own.
April 8, 2012
DONE and happy to be! I will not be reading the rest of the triology!
March 16, 2011
Eve
Iris Johansen
St. Martin’s Press
416 pages Pub date April 2011
ISBN-13: 9780312651206
In the beginning there was “Eve” come read the first in the brand new trilogy that will finally answer all our questions.
Eve Duncan after all the efforts not to, turned out to be more like her mother than she liked when at 16 she turned up pregnant, but Bonnie soon became the apple of her eye and the sun in her morning, one day 7 years later the sun stopped rising when Bonnie was kidnapped and murdered, but her body has never been found. Eve became a forensic sculptor to bring other lost children home, and in the same moment of her greatest tragedy met the man who stands beside her always, Joe Quinn. But Eve has one constant dream, a dream that has often come with a price between Joe and she and that dream is to bring Bonnie home. In Eve we will relive her early years and finally be introduced to the boy who broke through that tough untouchable exterior to find the hidden Eve and fathered Bonnie. We will in fact get as close as we ever have to finding out who killed Bonnie and if Eve and Joe survive the answer they may not survive the perpetrator.
Ms. Johansen amazing teller of tales has really outdone herself this time as she reveals secrets that her characters have kept for decades. She will do it with the storyline that have kept fans coming back year after year and have garnered new fans at every episode, the real story of what happened to Bonnie Duncan. She will do it with her trademark to the point narrative that works so well with her very direct and in your face characters. Some of these characters will be new to us and some will be like family or old friends but all of them play an intricate part of this story. Is this a love story, yes, but it might be a stretch to call it a romance even though there are love scenes involved, but they only exist in the periphery, but periphery or not they will still steam the lenses of your glasses, so keep out of reach of children and on the top shelf of the bookcase. Wherever you want to file it one thing for certain is that this is a thriller from the nail biting beginning to the edge of your seat ending.
Whether you’re the biggest Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn fan or a first time visitor to their world, you will not be sorry you made the trip.
Iris Johansen
St. Martin’s Press
416 pages Pub date April 2011
ISBN-13: 9780312651206
In the beginning there was “Eve” come read the first in the brand new trilogy that will finally answer all our questions.
Eve Duncan after all the efforts not to, turned out to be more like her mother than she liked when at 16 she turned up pregnant, but Bonnie soon became the apple of her eye and the sun in her morning, one day 7 years later the sun stopped rising when Bonnie was kidnapped and murdered, but her body has never been found. Eve became a forensic sculptor to bring other lost children home, and in the same moment of her greatest tragedy met the man who stands beside her always, Joe Quinn. But Eve has one constant dream, a dream that has often come with a price between Joe and she and that dream is to bring Bonnie home. In Eve we will relive her early years and finally be introduced to the boy who broke through that tough untouchable exterior to find the hidden Eve and fathered Bonnie. We will in fact get as close as we ever have to finding out who killed Bonnie and if Eve and Joe survive the answer they may not survive the perpetrator.
Ms. Johansen amazing teller of tales has really outdone herself this time as she reveals secrets that her characters have kept for decades. She will do it with the storyline that have kept fans coming back year after year and have garnered new fans at every episode, the real story of what happened to Bonnie Duncan. She will do it with her trademark to the point narrative that works so well with her very direct and in your face characters. Some of these characters will be new to us and some will be like family or old friends but all of them play an intricate part of this story. Is this a love story, yes, but it might be a stretch to call it a romance even though there are love scenes involved, but they only exist in the periphery, but periphery or not they will still steam the lenses of your glasses, so keep out of reach of children and on the top shelf of the bookcase. Wherever you want to file it one thing for certain is that this is a thriller from the nail biting beginning to the edge of your seat ending.
Whether you’re the biggest Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn fan or a first time visitor to their world, you will not be sorry you made the trip.
December 26, 2015
I thought I would treat myself to an end-of-the-year fun book, something I wouldn’t have to think too much about but would be fast-paced and entertaining. I picked Iris Johansen’s Eve, a paperback that’s been languishing on my shelf for god knows how many years. Poor paperback, it has languished in vain. I am not going to finish this book. I read about the first 100 pages, but I’d decided by the end of the first paragraph on the first page I wasn’t going to finish it. The writing is full of clichés and clunky, just as many of these best-selling “action-packed” thrillers are. The dialogue is awkward and doesn’t sound at all authentic, particularly when the book flashes back to Eve as a sixteen year old girl. Having never read an Iris Johansen book before, I’m not sure if this is the first of her books with the Eve Duncan character, but I don’t think so. I feel as if I’m entering in the middle of a party. But this book is apparently the first in a trilogy featuring Eve and her search for her murdered? kidnapped? daughter Bonnie. I’m not going to stick around for the others because I’m just not interested.
Eve Duncan’s daughter Bonnie was kidnapped and possibly murdered several years ago. Her body has never been discovered. She’s been obsessed with finding the truth of what happened to Bonnie. In Eve, new information about the case is brought to Eve by a friend who also happens to be a CIA agent. Eve and company pursue (I assume) this new evidence.
The present-day chapter is very short (Eve getting the information about who is a new suspect in her daughter’s killing) and then the book jumps into an extended flashback of teenage Eve and her sexy man who gets her pregnant. That’s where I stopped because I wasn’t all that interested in the characters. They’re rather flat and underdeveloped and the dialogue is terrible. However, the novel does promise to be full of twists and turns and fast-paced action, so any reader who enjoys a good plot above all else may definitely enjoy it. I probably could have hung in and finished the novel, but why bother. I have a whole lot of unread books crowding my shelves so I’ll just pick another one. Conclusion: good for the reader who enjoys fast-paced plots; readers who like well-written books and fast-paced plots: move along.
Eve Duncan’s daughter Bonnie was kidnapped and possibly murdered several years ago. Her body has never been discovered. She’s been obsessed with finding the truth of what happened to Bonnie. In Eve, new information about the case is brought to Eve by a friend who also happens to be a CIA agent. Eve and company pursue (I assume) this new evidence.
The present-day chapter is very short (Eve getting the information about who is a new suspect in her daughter’s killing) and then the book jumps into an extended flashback of teenage Eve and her sexy man who gets her pregnant. That’s where I stopped because I wasn’t all that interested in the characters. They’re rather flat and underdeveloped and the dialogue is terrible. However, the novel does promise to be full of twists and turns and fast-paced action, so any reader who enjoys a good plot above all else may definitely enjoy it. I probably could have hung in and finished the novel, but why bother. I have a whole lot of unread books crowding my shelves so I’ll just pick another one. Conclusion: good for the reader who enjoys fast-paced plots; readers who like well-written books and fast-paced plots: move along.
August 28, 2011
I know, I know. This is not a Young Adult book. But I have been reading Iris Johansen's books since I was 12. So it counts. Kinda. For any followers who have read any of Iris Johansen's books, especially the Eve Duncan series, let me know. I don't know anyone who reads these and they are such fantastic books that I wish I had someone to share them with.
The beginning of this book is set in Eve's past as she relives the event that lead up to the birth of her daughter, Bonnie. Eve meets John Gallo at 16 and lets her guard down with him in a way she has never done before. When he leaves for the Army she is sure she will never think of him again, until three weeks after he is gone she finds herself sick on her knees in the bathroom. All of a sudden Eve is certain that she will never forget John Gallo. She has her daughter and then sees Gallo's uncle one day when taking Bonnie for a walk and learns that John Gallo has been killed in action on a mission for the army.
Fast forward to present day when Eve learns from a friend and CIA agent that John Gallo is now a suspect in Bonnie's unsolved murder. He never really was killed in action, it was all an army cover up and as it turns out, Gallo was in the area the same month that Bonnie disappeared. All Eve has ever wanted is to find her daughter's remains so she can bring her home and to find her killer. Now Eve is faced with a burning question. Could the man who gave her Bonnie also be the one who took her away?
I have been waiting years (years!) to find out what happened to Bonnie and when I found out this trilogy was coming out and was going to shine light on the mystery I was thrilled. Iris Johansen has done it again with a book so real and so vivid that I felt like I was living on the pages.
I also read Quinn, the second in the trilogy and I will be posting my review of that sometime this week. I can't wait for October and the final book in the trilogy, Bonnie, to be released. I hope to preorder it and I will be taking the first bus to Barnes and Noble to pick it up and chances are I will be reading it in the store because I won't want to wait until I get home.
The beginning of this book is set in Eve's past as she relives the event that lead up to the birth of her daughter, Bonnie. Eve meets John Gallo at 16 and lets her guard down with him in a way she has never done before. When he leaves for the Army she is sure she will never think of him again, until three weeks after he is gone she finds herself sick on her knees in the bathroom. All of a sudden Eve is certain that she will never forget John Gallo. She has her daughter and then sees Gallo's uncle one day when taking Bonnie for a walk and learns that John Gallo has been killed in action on a mission for the army.
Fast forward to present day when Eve learns from a friend and CIA agent that John Gallo is now a suspect in Bonnie's unsolved murder. He never really was killed in action, it was all an army cover up and as it turns out, Gallo was in the area the same month that Bonnie disappeared. All Eve has ever wanted is to find her daughter's remains so she can bring her home and to find her killer. Now Eve is faced with a burning question. Could the man who gave her Bonnie also be the one who took her away?
I have been waiting years (years!) to find out what happened to Bonnie and when I found out this trilogy was coming out and was going to shine light on the mystery I was thrilled. Iris Johansen has done it again with a book so real and so vivid that I felt like I was living on the pages.
I also read Quinn, the second in the trilogy and I will be posting my review of that sometime this week. I can't wait for October and the final book in the trilogy, Bonnie, to be released. I hope to preorder it and I will be taking the first bus to Barnes and Noble to pick it up and chances are I will be reading it in the store because I won't want to wait until I get home.
April 30, 2011
Picks up where Chasing the Night left off. CIA agent and new friend Catherine Ling has offered Eve Duncan a name in exchange for her help in reuniting her with her son Luke. The name is John Gallo the birth father of her missing and presumed dead daughter Bonnie. Eve was told that Gallo was dead but now she finds out he has been alive all these years. She and Gallo had a torrid affair when she was 16 which led to the birth of her daughter. They both knew the affair was short term since he was heading to enter the service and make something of himself. Unfortunately he was reported dead shortly after he joined up. Eve has been searching for the person who kidnapped and presumably killed her daughter. Gallo kept tabs on Eve. He was a prisoner in a Korean jail for 6 years and finally escaped. He worked for the government and did some nasty things. Another name that was offered to Eve from another source was Paul Black. Could he be the one? Or could John Gallo be the one without any memories of the event? I thought this might finally bring everything together but there are pictures of the next 2 books on the back cover so this will continue for at least 2 more books. Still searching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2011
I haven't read this author in a long time, but was reminded about her by the ads along the side of Good Reads for Bonnie. I figured that, even though I'd fallen away from the series I remembered it fondly and looked forward to seeing how it ended.
Either I have a nostalgic recollection of the series; or, her writing has fallen off. This book wasted a huge amount of time on sex scenes. Eve as a 16 year old meets a 20-year-old expert in the Kama Sutra. Sex - sex - sex - sex...enough already.
Later, we see how much she is in love with Joe Quinn by watching how she has sex with him. More mature, more stamina, true love...sex - sex - sex...really, again?
Okay, I've already passed the point where I would have tossed a physical book aside in disgust and picked another. But I was listening to this on audio and was on vacation away from home...so I kept listening and, honestly, I kept expecting it to end...to get into the plot...so I listened all the way through.
Eventually Eve gets kidnapped and we're back into the sort of tension and thrillers that I remembered having liked from Johansen. It got better, but the story was dull, the narration was annoying and the plot was plodding and extremely easy to predict. And then it ended.
I was greatly disappointed; and yet, I want to know what happened to Bonnie and so I will read Quinn. This time my expectations of her writing prowess will be moderated by this less than enjoyable experience.
Either I have a nostalgic recollection of the series; or, her writing has fallen off. This book wasted a huge amount of time on sex scenes. Eve as a 16 year old meets a 20-year-old expert in the Kama Sutra. Sex - sex - sex - sex...enough already.
Later, we see how much she is in love with Joe Quinn by watching how she has sex with him. More mature, more stamina, true love...sex - sex - sex...really, again?
Okay, I've already passed the point where I would have tossed a physical book aside in disgust and picked another. But I was listening to this on audio and was on vacation away from home...so I kept listening and, honestly, I kept expecting it to end...to get into the plot...so I listened all the way through.
Eventually Eve gets kidnapped and we're back into the sort of tension and thrillers that I remembered having liked from Johansen. It got better, but the story was dull, the narration was annoying and the plot was plodding and extremely easy to predict. And then it ended.
I was greatly disappointed; and yet, I want to know what happened to Bonnie and so I will read Quinn. This time my expectations of her writing prowess will be moderated by this less than enjoyable experience.
January 14, 2012
I've been listening to this for awhile when I walk alone. Losing a child has to be one of the worst things that could ever happen, and than not knowing where they are or even if they are still alive. Finding the body at least gives you closure, not knowing has to be almost impossible to survive. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next three.
3 1/2 stars
I found that this author is a bit hit and miss with her books. Some have been great and others have floundered. This was not bad, but it seemed longer than necessary. I would have liked the back story to have progressed just a bit faster. I think all the love between Eve and Bonnie’s father could have been shorter…we get it they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other…what teenagers can?
The mystery keeps progressing towards finding Bonnie’s killer. I cannot imagine losing a child and not knowing what happen to them. Quinn plays a larger part in the end of the book and well the end is a cliff hanger that leads right into the next book, Quinn.
I do already have the second book and hope to get to it soon. I think this book was interesting, but if could have been shorter and more to the point. It finally did get there, but too many detours along the way for me.
3 1/2 stars
I found that this author is a bit hit and miss with her books. Some have been great and others have floundered. This was not bad, but it seemed longer than necessary. I would have liked the back story to have progressed just a bit faster. I think all the love between Eve and Bonnie’s father could have been shorter…we get it they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other…what teenagers can?
The mystery keeps progressing towards finding Bonnie’s killer. I cannot imagine losing a child and not knowing what happen to them. Quinn plays a larger part in the end of the book and well the end is a cliff hanger that leads right into the next book, Quinn.
I do already have the second book and hope to get to it soon. I think this book was interesting, but if could have been shorter and more to the point. It finally did get there, but too many detours along the way for me.
April 24, 2011
The one time I was too excited to see a new Iris Johansen book to examine the cover carefully! Be warned, this is the first in a trilogy that finally gives each of the major characters an in-depth treatment. Eve Duncan's overriding purpose in life has always been to find her daughter Bonnie and bring her home. All of the people in her life have known that this obsession supersedes everything else but not everyone has become resigned to this situation. Finally, Bonnie's origins are described and the history that has formed Eve's personality is revealed but the cost to Eve's current relationships as she pursues the final link to Bonnie's disappearance may be entirely too high. The cliffhanger ending makes it all too essential that the next in the series, Joe, will be released with alacrity!
July 15, 2015
I'm leaning towards 3.5-ish. Better than I was thinking it would be & I really enjoyed the backstory fill in finally :) definitely a must for those of is who insist on reading every book in a series, in order, once we begin it (regardless of quality at times! Lol). I actually almost started right in with the next one "Quinn", because of the way in which the story ends...I wanted to stick with it instinctively but I'm the kinda gal who appreciates an author MUCH MORE if I wait before reading another book by them (if that makes sense?). Nothing more to add...not an indepth review today-sowwie.
Enjoy!
Happy reading as always,
Lisa ^_^ (NurseLisainOhio -tumblr, GR, Pinterest, IG, twitter, NOOK friends, etc...)
Enjoy!
Happy reading as always,
Lisa ^_^ (NurseLisainOhio -tumblr, GR, Pinterest, IG, twitter, NOOK friends, etc...)
December 14, 2011
Mehhhh....it was ok. All of the characters were so overwrought. Gee, people, turn it down a little bit. Step back, relax, take a breath. The whole book was so full of testosterone that I felt like I was growing hair in unwanted places.
The characters needed some humanity. The plot needed some reality. I needed a break from all the sweating and heaving. Sorry for your loss, Eve, but can you be a little more realistic about it all? And then for the book to end with an OBVIOUS hook to the NEXT book entitled QUINN? Come on. Sorry, no takers here.
The characters needed some humanity. The plot needed some reality. I needed a break from all the sweating and heaving. Sorry for your loss, Eve, but can you be a little more realistic about it all? And then for the book to end with an OBVIOUS hook to the NEXT book entitled QUINN? Come on. Sorry, no takers here.
February 15, 2022
I read this for the Popsugar Challenge 2022 prompt #43 "a book with a palindromic title". At first I wasn't crazy about the author's style, but as I got into it the suspense sucked me right in. Although this is #12 in the series, it's the first in a trilogy which will explain things from earlier in the series, so it wasn't a bad place to jump in. And of course now I have to read the next two!
August 9, 2022
I can't stand reading about children being hurt. I can handle blood, gore, slashers etc. But children? God no! So, Mr Black turned my stomach.
I read this as a standalone for #popsugar2022 challenge palindrome title.
I read this as a standalone for #popsugar2022 challenge palindrome title.
September 13, 2018
All I am going to say is that I hate it when there are so many questions left open at the end of a book.
April 6, 2022
What a ride with Eve! Have a start the sequel in the trilogy right away!!
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September 25, 2024It was very interesting. I like all the books in this series that I have read.
September 26, 2024
I loved the plot and the characters, however the ending was terrible.
February 16, 2025
eh. why did everyone's kids keep getting kidnapped? also the only non-white character's physical descriptor being "exotic" is crazyyyy.
June 18, 2025
Interesting flashbacks to Eve's relationship. When the story moves back to present time, it presents a surprisingly developed character in John Gallo that I was not expecting based on the flashback. But, disappointingly, the ending only resolves minor plot points and ends on cliffhangers requiring you to read the next book in the series. Not a fan of cliffhanger endings in books as a hook.
November 7, 2012
Iris Johansen tells a good story. I got wrapped up with the characters and even though this was the 12th book in the Eve Duncan series, I was able to follow the story and know all the characters. You can pick up her books in the middle of the series and follow what is going on. Eve is a forensic sculptor. She takes the skulls of the dead and finds out what they looked like in life. Her ability to do this didn't really come into play in this novel. It was about the disappearance of her daughter and trying to find out who the murderer was.
We get to see Eve's background growing up in a poor neighborhood with a junky for a mother. Eve wants to get out of the slums and become something. Her mother wants her to be realistic and give up on her dreams. Eve goes to school and work supporting her mother's drug habit. It isn't until she meets John Gallo that her world is turned upside down. They have an instant chemistry and an affair for just enough time that Eve gets pregnant with Bonnie. The story is fairly romantic but not excessively so. We don't get too many details. Many of the books I have been reading lately I feel like I could have used less details (I can use my imagination and that is fine). This book doesn't concentrate too much on sex as Johansen does in progressing the story of Eve. We learn about her past to see how she became the person she is today.
I like the character of Eve and all the rest of the characters in the story. They are multi-layered and are not just who they are on paper. They have a lot of personality. They only seem a little too one minded. All the characters seem to rotate around Eve, they all want to help her to find Bonnie. I don't know their backgrounds because I didn't read the other 11 books but having only read the one it is hard to see why they are willing to risk their lives for her. Joe Quinn, her boyfriend and detective, I can see him because he loves her with all her flaws. The others, I'll have to start reading from the beginning I guess.
The mood of the book is very dark and fast paced. You feel like your entering into someones thoughts. It's like the end of the book number 11 is just a continuation in 12. The book ends with a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next book. The story doesn't end, it feels like the end of a chapter. I was really disappointed with the choppy ending. I don't know if it was because I wanted to know what happened and I have to wait or because it felt like a disjointed ending. It definitely wasn't what I was used to.
It had a similar feel to the Karen Robards book I read but less sexual. The story drove the book more than the sexual experiences. I like this about Iris Johansen and would recommend if you like a life story with your mystery.
Jenny Paxson
Readers' Advisory Librarian
We get to see Eve's background growing up in a poor neighborhood with a junky for a mother. Eve wants to get out of the slums and become something. Her mother wants her to be realistic and give up on her dreams. Eve goes to school and work supporting her mother's drug habit. It isn't until she meets John Gallo that her world is turned upside down. They have an instant chemistry and an affair for just enough time that Eve gets pregnant with Bonnie. The story is fairly romantic but not excessively so. We don't get too many details. Many of the books I have been reading lately I feel like I could have used less details (I can use my imagination and that is fine). This book doesn't concentrate too much on sex as Johansen does in progressing the story of Eve. We learn about her past to see how she became the person she is today.
I like the character of Eve and all the rest of the characters in the story. They are multi-layered and are not just who they are on paper. They have a lot of personality. They only seem a little too one minded. All the characters seem to rotate around Eve, they all want to help her to find Bonnie. I don't know their backgrounds because I didn't read the other 11 books but having only read the one it is hard to see why they are willing to risk their lives for her. Joe Quinn, her boyfriend and detective, I can see him because he loves her with all her flaws. The others, I'll have to start reading from the beginning I guess.
The mood of the book is very dark and fast paced. You feel like your entering into someones thoughts. It's like the end of the book number 11 is just a continuation in 12. The book ends with a cliffhanger that makes you want to read the next book. The story doesn't end, it feels like the end of a chapter. I was really disappointed with the choppy ending. I don't know if it was because I wanted to know what happened and I have to wait or because it felt like a disjointed ending. It definitely wasn't what I was used to.
It had a similar feel to the Karen Robards book I read but less sexual. The story drove the book more than the sexual experiences. I like this about Iris Johansen and would recommend if you like a life story with your mystery.
Jenny Paxson
Readers' Advisory Librarian
October 3, 2016
First off I want to say that I have never read this author before and at the recommendation of a friend to try her, I chose to start with book 12 in the series (which is the first book in a trilogy). Why did I start with book 12 – well the premise for this series is the loss of the daughter of the heroine Eve and her determination to find out what happened to her many years ago. This book tells the history of Eve – her life as a poor teenager with a neglectful mother, how she met the father of her baby and how she handled becoming a single teen mother.
I didnt have any problem connecting with the characters and at no time felt lost about any thing. Its all clearly spelled out – the past and present – and even who all the characters were.
Eve's main goal in life has been to find out who killed her daughter. The FBI agent who was first assigned her case, Joe Quinn, are a couple now. Joe has always supported Eve in her quest even to the detriment of having to be second in Eve's life to a ghost. Her best friend is CIA agent Catherine Ling - who has her own series – who feels obligated to help Eve find out who killed her daughter as Eve was detrimental in helping her get back her kidnapped son in the past. Catherine's digging has uncovered a name Eve never would have considered – John Gallo – the father of her child and a man she thought dead for many years. I actually fell in love with Gallo even though he walks the line on is he the good guy or the bad guy. His story was fascinating.
Was the book perfect – no – but it kept my attention from beginning to end and I immediately started reading the next book – Quinn - where we will get to find out how he and Eve met and how their relationship started, along with getting more clues as to who really killed Bonnie – which is the 3rd book.
Some things that have me scratching my head is it took 12 books to finally tell the story of how Eve met her baby daddy and 13 books to finally get the story of how Eve and Quinn's relationship started – what were all the other books about? Anyways – If you're like me and looking for a good romantic suspense I recommend Eve, Quinn and Bonnie – a three book series within a series but gives a beginning, middle and end to the premise of the whole series.
I didnt have any problem connecting with the characters and at no time felt lost about any thing. Its all clearly spelled out – the past and present – and even who all the characters were.
Eve's main goal in life has been to find out who killed her daughter. The FBI agent who was first assigned her case, Joe Quinn, are a couple now. Joe has always supported Eve in her quest even to the detriment of having to be second in Eve's life to a ghost. Her best friend is CIA agent Catherine Ling - who has her own series – who feels obligated to help Eve find out who killed her daughter as Eve was detrimental in helping her get back her kidnapped son in the past. Catherine's digging has uncovered a name Eve never would have considered – John Gallo – the father of her child and a man she thought dead for many years. I actually fell in love with Gallo even though he walks the line on is he the good guy or the bad guy. His story was fascinating.
Was the book perfect – no – but it kept my attention from beginning to end and I immediately started reading the next book – Quinn - where we will get to find out how he and Eve met and how their relationship started, along with getting more clues as to who really killed Bonnie – which is the 3rd book.
Some things that have me scratching my head is it took 12 books to finally tell the story of how Eve met her baby daddy and 13 books to finally get the story of how Eve and Quinn's relationship started – what were all the other books about? Anyways – If you're like me and looking for a good romantic suspense I recommend Eve, Quinn and Bonnie – a three book series within a series but gives a beginning, middle and end to the premise of the whole series.
April 5, 2011
Read and received ARC through Amazon Vine program.
3-1/2 STARS
After what seems like countless Eve Duncan books, Iris Johansen gives her readers "Eve"- the first in a "trilogy within a series"- which will supposedly finally give Eve a resolution to what really happened to her beloved daughter Bonnie when she disappeared many years ago. I have been disappointed with many of her recent Eve Duncan books, as I feel like they are repetitive and that Johansen has been dragging the Bonnie storyline on for far too long, so I was very excited to hear that she was finally writing a resolution to the whole thing. I am not, however, thrilled that she'll be taking 3 books to do so. After all this time, does she really need 3 books to tell Bonnie's story or will it just be drawn out for too long? Having read "Eve", I do think that 3 books will be too many, perhaps 2 would have been better.
"Eve" is an exciting book that kept me eagerly turning the pages. I poured through the novel in a day. Despite this, I was not as happy with it as I had hoped to be. Personally, I do not like where it looks like Johansen is taking the story. A LOT happens in the last 20 or so pages of the book and if she continues along the path that she seems to be headed down with these various things, I will not be a happy reader. I cannot give specifics without ruining the book but I hope that all is not necessarily as it seems. If it hadn't been for these "curve balls" at the end, I would probably have given this book more stars. I am, however, very curious to see what she does in the next two books. I just hope I'm not disappointed.
3-1/2 STARS
After what seems like countless Eve Duncan books, Iris Johansen gives her readers "Eve"- the first in a "trilogy within a series"- which will supposedly finally give Eve a resolution to what really happened to her beloved daughter Bonnie when she disappeared many years ago. I have been disappointed with many of her recent Eve Duncan books, as I feel like they are repetitive and that Johansen has been dragging the Bonnie storyline on for far too long, so I was very excited to hear that she was finally writing a resolution to the whole thing. I am not, however, thrilled that she'll be taking 3 books to do so. After all this time, does she really need 3 books to tell Bonnie's story or will it just be drawn out for too long? Having read "Eve", I do think that 3 books will be too many, perhaps 2 would have been better.
"Eve" is an exciting book that kept me eagerly turning the pages. I poured through the novel in a day. Despite this, I was not as happy with it as I had hoped to be. Personally, I do not like where it looks like Johansen is taking the story. A LOT happens in the last 20 or so pages of the book and if she continues along the path that she seems to be headed down with these various things, I will not be a happy reader. I cannot give specifics without ruining the book but I hope that all is not necessarily as it seems. If it hadn't been for these "curve balls" at the end, I would probably have given this book more stars. I am, however, very curious to see what she does in the next two books. I just hope I'm not disappointed.
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