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An overworked cop at the end of his tether. A missing person with disastrous connotations. A lost weekend that seems to want to haunt him forever, and the endless battle with his conscience over the death of his twin brother…
Portland, Oregon, isn’t exactly the most violent of cities, but the detectives and law enforcement officers still see their fair share of action. For Cory Van Doren, police work has always come naturally to him, and with every crime he solves, his reputation grows.
That is until his personal life becomes entangled in a very public case.
Now Cory must race against time to find the missing son of one of the city’s wealthiest men while fighting against a growing realization that one of the most important pieces of evidence might just be himself.
With the memories of his past a constant companion, Cory must figure out a way to slot them into the darkest reaches of his mind as he works the case. But how can he do that when everything he sees reminds him of what happened at Mount Hood?
As more clues are uncovered, Cory finds that his lost weekend might not have been the innocent blow-out he had presumed. Through his growing unease, he must figure out a way to not only solve the case, but to stop his thoughts from spiraling out of control as well.
Could his drunken confrontation with a cocky college kid be linked to the missing person? Why is every fiber of his being telling him there is more to this case? And how can he be thinking himself a suspect when he knows he’s not?
Portland, Oregon, isn’t exactly the most violent of cities, but the detectives and law enforcement officers still see their fair share of action. For Cory Van Doren, police work has always come naturally to him, and with every crime he solves, his reputation grows.
That is until his personal life becomes entangled in a very public case.
Now Cory must race against time to find the missing son of one of the city’s wealthiest men while fighting against a growing realization that one of the most important pieces of evidence might just be himself.
With the memories of his past a constant companion, Cory must figure out a way to slot them into the darkest reaches of his mind as he works the case. But how can he do that when everything he sees reminds him of what happened at Mount Hood?
As more clues are uncovered, Cory finds that his lost weekend might not have been the innocent blow-out he had presumed. Through his growing unease, he must figure out a way to not only solve the case, but to stop his thoughts from spiraling out of control as well.
Could his drunken confrontation with a cocky college kid be linked to the missing person? Why is every fiber of his being telling him there is more to this case? And how can he be thinking himself a suspect when he knows he’s not?
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 22, 2022
I read the prequel recently and it was absolutely amazing – I NEVER give out five stars for prequels, let alone for fictional crime thrillers. If you haven’t yet read ‘Van Doren’, BUY IT! It’s very worth the read all on its own.
This book was written in the same style as the prequel – the author can certainly turn a phrase. He even gives some great advice based on Cory’s having worked undercover that ‘you have to live and breathe the part’. One interpretation is to exude confidence so others treat you as being so.
This line set the mood right up front:
‘Cory had never been a big drinker, but when he had gotten the itch that Saturday afternoon, he had decided to scratch it, and scratch it hard.’
And this one sums up how he was raised and how he will react as situations arise:
‘It was embarrassing and shameful, and they were emotions the Van Dorens were not allowed to feel, never mind process.’
Corey’s past is sprinkled throughout. There’s just enough background to give the reader some insight into how Corey thinks and acts as he does, but not too much that the entire prequel is incorporated. It’s a nice balance.
Now on to ‘Failure’!
This book was written in the same style as the prequel – the author can certainly turn a phrase. He even gives some great advice based on Cory’s having worked undercover that ‘you have to live and breathe the part’. One interpretation is to exude confidence so others treat you as being so.
This line set the mood right up front:
‘Cory had never been a big drinker, but when he had gotten the itch that Saturday afternoon, he had decided to scratch it, and scratch it hard.’
And this one sums up how he was raised and how he will react as situations arise:
‘It was embarrassing and shameful, and they were emotions the Van Dorens were not allowed to feel, never mind process.’
Corey’s past is sprinkled throughout. There’s just enough background to give the reader some insight into how Corey thinks and acts as he does, but not too much that the entire prequel is incorporated. It’s a nice balance.
Now on to ‘Failure’!
July 29, 2022
I like the story, especially after reading the prequel. I'm not crazy about the third person writing style. It really prevents the reader from getting to really know the characters and feel close to them. Too much narrative and not much dialogue. It's a good story and Cory is a complex character. He has anger issues from the hard bringing up, guilt over his brothers death (in the prequel) and trust issues. I really like him and feel sorry for him. The other characters in this story were hard to get to know but I'm hoping they will have a bigger part in the nect book. One major negative, if you don't like cliffhangers, don't read these books. The prequel and book one end with cliffhangers. I assuming the whole series does. I am continuing to read on because I want to find out what happens, just wanted to give everyone a heads up. Enjoy.
August 21, 2022
Police detective Cory van Doren gets a wake-up call on a Sunday morning. That in itself is not strange, but he has no memory of Saturday! All he remembers is that he got drunk on Friday night (and he never is!) and got into a fight with a schoolboy. Now he has to investigate the disappearance of this boy and goes back to the nightclub he has been to. The owner keeps calling him Ace. Who does he think Cody is?
An exciting start to a disappearance case that Cody should know about if it weren't for the fact that he doesn't remember anything about Friday night and Saturday. How is he involved in this case, why does the owner of the club call him Ace and how does he make sure his partner doesn't find out?
I want to read the sequel!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An exciting start to a disappearance case that Cody should know about if it weren't for the fact that he doesn't remember anything about Friday night and Saturday. How is he involved in this case, why does the owner of the club call him Ace and how does he make sure his partner doesn't find out?
I want to read the sequel!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 3, 2022
Twin brothers Cory and Joshua Van Doren were as different as cats and dogs. Cory always toed their dad's line, while Joshua was opposite. Seven years ago, Joshua took his own life. Now Cory feels guilt that he didn't do something to help his brother. Now a detective, Cory went out on a Friday night, the night before his birthday, and did embarrassing things. Now, a young man is missing, and Cory doesn't remember anything that happened on Saturday. This story tells the convoluted tale of a conflicted man who thinks he may have had something to do with a missing college student. Very highly recommended.
July 22, 2022
Another installment in the life of Cory Van Doren, the fortunate twin in the beginning. Life has dealt him plenty of winning hands through the years, but he is seeing a lot more of the guilt ridden losses now. An exciting book that will definitely leave you wanting more. Suspense, mystery and even a touch of the paranormal throughout the book.
I recommend this one highly, and look forward to the next one.
I recommend this one highly, and look forward to the next one.
July 27, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 27, 2022
I received this short story from ARC. This is my review. Cory work as a Detective in Oregon, is reputation is crawling up his spine, haunting him. On a drunken binge he encounters a young woman that pulls him into a murder that he will be assigned. Will he solve it and keep his past under wraps?, Fast paced, good characters and an interesting story. Will be reading the rest of this series.
July 24, 2022
Continues on from the prequel story with a few bizarre twists which will definitely keep you guessing.
Ends with a cliff hanger but not unexpectedly. Only a few characters but all come across as authentic.
Ends with a cliff hanger but not unexpectedly. Only a few characters but all come across as authentic.
July 28, 2022
this was a perfect start to the Double Deception series, I've been enjoying Mr. Charles Elliot's writing and this was the perfect crime novel. It was a strong start and it left me wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2022
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. All of Mr. Elliots are wonderful. All the characters are complex and they make you feel.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 15, 2022
A brilliant book with great characters and a great storyline. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2023
I'm enjoying this series. I just wish it was all together as one book. BUT it's still a good one. I can't wait to see what happens at the end of them all.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2022
I am an avid reader of mystery, murder and suspense. Not too cool on cliffhanger style books but his one is making me rethink this style of writing.
I could tell from the moment I began reading that Detective Corey Van Doran not only was running from a past upbring and dealing with some serious trauma but was in mourning..either his brother or his life but something has got Detective Corey Van Doren on the run and the only way he is gonna get through it is to face it.
This short does have a cliffhanger will require you reading the next inthe series not only for understanding but to find out what Detective Cory Van Doren is running or hiding from or just plain ignoring...cause his life is on the cusp of imploding and exploding at the same time.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I could tell from the moment I began reading that Detective Corey Van Doran not only was running from a past upbring and dealing with some serious trauma but was in mourning..either his brother or his life but something has got Detective Corey Van Doren on the run and the only way he is gonna get through it is to face it.
This short does have a cliffhanger will require you reading the next inthe series not only for understanding but to find out what Detective Cory Van Doren is running or hiding from or just plain ignoring...cause his life is on the cusp of imploding and exploding at the same time.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews