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Eve Duncan #10
Eight Days To Live
Eve Duncan and her adopted daughter, Jane Macguire, are pitted against the members of a secretive cult who have targeted Jane and have decided that she will be their ultimate sacrifice. In eight days they will come for her. In eight days, what Jane fears the most will become a reality. In eight days, she will die. It all begins with a painting that Jane, an artist, displays in her Parisian gallery. The painting is called "Guilt" and Jane has no idea how or why she painted the portrait of the chilling face. But the members of a cult that dates back to the time of Christ believe that Jane's blasphemy means she must die. But first, she will lead them to an ancient treasure whose value is beyond price. This elusive treasure, and Jane's death, are all that they need for their power to come to ultimate fruition. With Eve's help, can Jane escape before the clock stops ticking?
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 20, 2010
356 people are currently reading
4473 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
226 books7,329 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 441 reviews
June 30, 2010
I think I am also going to give up on Iris Johansen. I really enjoyed Stalemate, Quicksand and Bloodgame. I thought this book would leave off with Joe and Eve dealing with her dead daughter Bonnie. Instead this book seem to be a follow up to Countdown, whichh in my opinion is probbaly Iris Johansen's worst book. Consequently, this one is awful also AND I've only gotten through with a couple of chapters.
Iris, if you want to have a series about Jane McGuire, then call it the Jane McGuire series. Stop sucking your loyal fans into books that are supposed to be about Eve Duncan. She and Joe are more interesting than some young whinny abrasive brat who has now grown up to be a whinny abrasive woman.
Iris, if you want to have a series about Jane McGuire, then call it the Jane McGuire series. Stop sucking your loyal fans into books that are supposed to be about Eve Duncan. She and Joe are more interesting than some young whinny abrasive brat who has now grown up to be a whinny abrasive woman.
August 2, 2010
I'm giving this book two stars because of my lingering respect for Iris Johansen, but I will say that she needs to step it up or my ratings will start falling to one star and then eventually I'm going to stop reading her.
This book involves Eve Duncan but is concentrated on Jane MacGuire, her adopted daughter/friend. I'm pretty sure I wrote the same things about the last Johansen book, but good Lord, was this one hard to get through. Every once in a while Johansen's original, good writing would show up but then the crappy writing would jump back in and take command.
Jane MacGuire spends THE WHOLE BOOK lamenting that everything is her fault, she's to blame, she's brought this on everyone, on and on and on. Mix that in with about three males who are completely smitten by her, will protect her no matter what, are devastatingly handsome (and rich), and are constantly reassuring her that it's not all her fault (it is), declaring they'll never let anything happen to her, that she is special, hovering over her while she snaps at them, tells them to go away, but is always calling them back and they come like the faithful servants they are. It's downright annoying. I started rolling my eyes about 8 pages into the book and by the end I was worried they'd be stuck that way. Literally the whole book is the same dialogue between Jane and her man-admirers just using new words.
Johansen has some good material in the book but her characters weigh the whole thing down and her dialogue is nearly as bad. And the introduction of a new character, Lina, who is obviously going to be Jock's soulmate and is now bonded with Eve because Eve saved her life - this chick is going to be almost as annoying as Jane. She hates everyone (for good reason, sure) but you want to just smack her a good one. Also it seems that Johansen is going to start mixing in "psychic" goodies. Jane has now realized her penchant for story-like dreams is actually the ability to see the past (and the present - she "dreams" her way into Eve's reality). I think when your characters have gone so far that they are no longer interesting without sprinkling in some psychic abilities, you should close up shop.
So my plea to Iris is - if you can't write what you used to, please retire. Maybe it's age that's doing you in, I don't know. But go out while the going is still good, I beg you.
This book involves Eve Duncan but is concentrated on Jane MacGuire, her adopted daughter/friend. I'm pretty sure I wrote the same things about the last Johansen book, but good Lord, was this one hard to get through. Every once in a while Johansen's original, good writing would show up but then the crappy writing would jump back in and take command.
Jane MacGuire spends THE WHOLE BOOK lamenting that everything is her fault, she's to blame, she's brought this on everyone, on and on and on. Mix that in with about three males who are completely smitten by her, will protect her no matter what, are devastatingly handsome (and rich), and are constantly reassuring her that it's not all her fault (it is), declaring they'll never let anything happen to her, that she is special, hovering over her while she snaps at them, tells them to go away, but is always calling them back and they come like the faithful servants they are. It's downright annoying. I started rolling my eyes about 8 pages into the book and by the end I was worried they'd be stuck that way. Literally the whole book is the same dialogue between Jane and her man-admirers just using new words.
Johansen has some good material in the book but her characters weigh the whole thing down and her dialogue is nearly as bad. And the introduction of a new character, Lina, who is obviously going to be Jock's soulmate and is now bonded with Eve because Eve saved her life - this chick is going to be almost as annoying as Jane. She hates everyone (for good reason, sure) but you want to just smack her a good one. Also it seems that Johansen is going to start mixing in "psychic" goodies. Jane has now realized her penchant for story-like dreams is actually the ability to see the past (and the present - she "dreams" her way into Eve's reality). I think when your characters have gone so far that they are no longer interesting without sprinkling in some psychic abilities, you should close up shop.
So my plea to Iris is - if you can't write what you used to, please retire. Maybe it's age that's doing you in, I don't know. But go out while the going is still good, I beg you.
June 24, 2011
Ok - so after looking at some of the reviews I know it isn't just the audio book that sucks. This is soooo incredibly bad. I adore - LOVE - Iris Johansen but dude this is horrible. The reader is incredibly whiny. I have no empathy for Jane. I want to slap her. I almost hope the bad guys get her so this book will end. It is all about her. I understand that she is the main character and all that business but wow. Bad. This is 10 discs of bad. I am on the last disc and it hasn't improved. I keep hoping it will but sadly it hasn't. Since I listen on the way to work, I am surprised I haven't engaged in road rage it is so annoying.
To be fair - I have loved most of her other books. Thus it could be the reader. I believe she read another book I listened to - Silent Thunder. I haven't read the reviews of that but I found the main character whiny and annoying as well.
And I swear - if I hear about them drinking coffee one more time I will lose it.
okaybye
Aimee
To be fair - I have loved most of her other books. Thus it could be the reader. I believe she read another book I listened to - Silent Thunder. I haven't read the reviews of that but I found the main character whiny and annoying as well.
And I swear - if I hear about them drinking coffee one more time I will lose it.
okaybye
Aimee
May 30, 2010
I think I'm going to have to give up on Iris Johansen. Her first books are some of the best I have read. The last few, however, have been standard stock and depressingly formulaic. The plots are exactly the same from book to book and the characters are cookie cutter to the extreme and totally one dimensional. Her men (every single one of them) are strong, tough and pushy with a strong bent towards violence. Her females are ALL harsh, abrasive, blunt but with kind hearts (if you can find them.)
In "Eight Days to Live", reoccurring character, Jane McGuire (a favorite of mine in her original books) is beyond the usual harshness, she fluctuates from acting like a spoiled child who stomps her foot and demands her way all the time, to a smart-mouthed adolescent who will say anything just to be contradictory. The most annoying thing about her in this story, however, is that she comes across just plain mean. She doesn't have a kind word for anyone in the entire book! How does one find her a sympathetic heroine when Johansen has written her to be so offensive? The reader ends up feeling sorry for the men in her life, who put their lives on the line to save her only to be criticized and rejected by her. It makes it hard to care what happens and even harder to want to continue reading.
In "Eight Days to Live", reoccurring character, Jane McGuire (a favorite of mine in her original books) is beyond the usual harshness, she fluctuates from acting like a spoiled child who stomps her foot and demands her way all the time, to a smart-mouthed adolescent who will say anything just to be contradictory. The most annoying thing about her in this story, however, is that she comes across just plain mean. She doesn't have a kind word for anyone in the entire book! How does one find her a sympathetic heroine when Johansen has written her to be so offensive? The reader ends up feeling sorry for the men in her life, who put their lives on the line to save her only to be criticized and rejected by her. It makes it hard to care what happens and even harder to want to continue reading.
March 2, 2011
This is a preposterous book, although I have read many of her earlier books, where the main protagonist was Eve, a forensic sculptor, and she has a feisty adopted daughter, Jane. She is now the main character, an artist with a show in Paris, who seems to psychically trance and paint pictures that have actually happened. There is a dark psychic guy Caleb who can push thoughts, and there is a lot of sexual tension between them, but no action. There is some ridiculous human sacrificial secret society who worships Judas, and the coins he was paid enter in, plus the highland MacDuff and his former assassin son enter in. Eve and Joe come back. Everyone is fabulously rich and can get the CIA to do anything. I did care about Jane, a bit.
November 16, 2018
In eight days they will come for her. In eight days, what Jane fears the most will become a reality. In eight days, she will die.
It starts with an art show. Jane is exhibiting her paintings at her friend Celine's Paris gallery and having great success. However, one of her paintings - Guilt - has attracted the attention of a cult based on worship of Judas. Though the image of the man in the painting came to Jane in a dream, the cultists recognize it as Judas and feel that she is blaspheming him. The only thing that will satisfy them is Jane's death as the annual sacrifice. They give her eight days to live and the deaths start piling up around her.
But Jane isn't alone. She is being protected by her old friend Jock and the formidable MacDuff. She also calls in the enigmatic Seth Caleb who has unusual talents and a need for Jane. Jane isn't at all sure about him and their relationship is a prickly one. But Jane will do anything that she has to do to protect the people she loves - especially Eve and Joe.
It starts with an art show. Jane is exhibiting her paintings at her friend Celine's Paris gallery and having great success. However, one of her paintings - Guilt - has attracted the attention of a cult based on worship of Judas. Though the image of the man in the painting came to Jane in a dream, the cultists recognize it as Judas and feel that she is blaspheming him. The only thing that will satisfy them is Jane's death as the annual sacrifice. They give her eight days to live and the deaths start piling up around her.
But Jane isn't alone. She is being protected by her old friend Jock and the formidable MacDuff. She also calls in the enigmatic Seth Caleb who has unusual talents and a need for Jane. Jane isn't at all sure about him and their relationship is a prickly one. But Jane will do anything that she has to do to protect the people she loves - especially Eve and Joe.
May 22, 2023
La saga es entretenida. No más. Ni menos. Pero empezó siendo una serie negra con toques de thriller sobre una escultora forense y ha dado un extraño giro a lo paranormal en los últimos números, que no sé cómo encajar. Intrigada. Destripadoras
July 24, 2012
Synopsis:
Number-one New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen delivers a thriller that will chill you to the core: Eve Duncan’s adopted daughter Jane has been targeted by a mysterious cult who has decided that she has only eight days to live
Eve Duncan and her adopted daughter, Jane Macguire, are pitted against the members of a secretive cult who have targeted Jane and have decided that she will be their ultimate sacrifice. In eight days they will come for her. In eight days, what Jane fears the most will become a reality. In eight days, she will die. It all begins with a painting that Jane, an artist, displays in her Parisian gallery.
The painting is called “Guilt” and Jane has no idea how or why she painted the portrait of the chilling face. But the members of a cult that dates back to the time of Christ believe that Jane’s blasphemy means she must die. But first, she will lead them to an ancient treasure whose value is beyond price.
This elusive treasure, and Jane’s death, are all that they need for their power to come to ultimate fruition. With Eve’s help, can Jane escape before the clock stops ticking?
My thoughts:
Eve Duncan has found a way into my heart from the moment I read The Face of Deception,, the 1st book in the Eve Duncan Series and I have become very attached to her and her family – I have seen her pain, her loss, her determination to find the body of her murdered daughter, Bonnie, and comforted in knowing that her relationship with Joe Quinn, which started in friendship has grown into love and them being together.
Eight Days to Live, the 10th book in the series is Jane Maguire’s story and what a fabulous protagonist she turns out to be. The adopted daughter of Eve and Joe, she is now an up and coming artist, who has matured into a headstrong ,complex, beautiful, unpredictable and independent woman who just seems to draw mystery and intrigue into her life.
From the first sentence - “She was laughing, Jack Millet thought, enraged. Even as Jane MacGuire had left the sidewalk café a lingering smile had remained on her lip” - I was so into the story that I couldn’t put the book down.
The plot is intriguing, fast paced, filled with characters both good and evil, artifacts from the time of Jesus, incredible settings, romance, murders, mysterious religious cults that have you wanting to keep reading and reading.
Jane has an exhibition of her paintings in Paris which will result in her and her friends and family being targeted to die by a mysterious group called Sang-Noir (I have to admit that at times the similarities between the fanatical quasi-religious group did remind me in a small way of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code). It’s one of her paintings, Guilt, that she had dreamt about that will cause her to unravel the mystery in eight days before she’s captured and used as a human sacrifice in some kind of Judas fanatics.
It becomes an incredible journey for Jane. Helping her is MacDuff, who lives in a castle in Scotland and believes she’s related to him, Jock Gavin with a very close connection to her and Seth Caleb, the mysterious, gorgeous and intriguing “hunter” who she first met when he helped Jane with a case in the previous book, Blood Games. It becomes such an incredible path for these three, joined by Eve, who is ultimately used as bait, Joe helping in the background, Millet, who has to be one of the most evil characters ever, Lina, translator of ancient writings and friend of Seth . You recognize the characters you have met along Eve’s journey and have grown to know and love.
Travelling from England, Scotland, Switzerland, Syria and Israel, into mystical and biblical places, discovering what may be a relic that could cause controversy to the Catholic faith, the paranormal mystery is revealed making you realize that you had been holding your breath for a very very long time. At times the plot moved so fast that I felt a sense of unreality. What will happen next? I kept asking myself. How will they get out of this situation? Yes, Seth & Jock helping Jane ensured that she would not be the sacrifice for April 1.
I loved seeing the growing relationship between Seth & Jane. He has fascinated me from the first time I met him. Who is he? What’s his story? I am so eager to know more about him and how he and Jane will be together – yes she still has commitment and trust issues – but the dream sequence at the end…omg…it was so fabulous and so incredible.
I found Lina a very interesting character and somehow I think that we will have more of her and what I felt was something growing between her and Jock, who I really have grown to love. He’s such a beautiful and I think flawed character but I see a real deep soul there.
This is another page-turner in the series and I absolutely loved it and I do hope Jane will continue in Eve’s life.
Iris Johansen has been and will always be one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait for her next book.
August 26, 2011
I am nearly ready to give up on Iris Johansen. Eight Days to Live features Jane MacGuire, the now-young woman who was taken in by Eve Duncan in Johansen's earlier works. The plot keeps things just interesting enough for one to be willing to endure the banal dialogue between nearly all the characters, especially between the principal players: Jane, Seth Caleb and Jock Gavin.
Jane is now on the brink of stardom as an artist, with an unusually strong opening in her first solo gallery display. Attention has been drawn to one of Jane's paintings in particular, Guilt, which she painted from her recurring dreams. Apparently, a religious cult believes that she has trespassed against their beliefs and must now face the consequences of those actions.
Johansen teases us with laying the groundwork for a truly fascinating character in Jock, but then she manages to hide him even when he is in the scene. We yearn for the development of the relationship between Jock and Jane, or at least more banter between him and the mysterious Caleb. The author does succeed a little in letting the reader appreciate Lina Alsouk, a translator in Switzerland who just happens to keep an AK-47 around for protection. Adah Ziller is intriguing as well, with a history of double-crosses and her power of persuasion--the only trouble is that we only get to know her character after she's dead.
One would think that the locales in Eight Days to Live, which include Paris, the Scottish isles, the Swiss Alps and excursions to the Holy Land would yield impressive descriptions. Here again, Johansen fails to even adequately set the scenes, letting the bland characters wallow in their bland surroundings.
The plot would draw favorable comparisons to that of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, but there is simply not enough detail or color in this book to come within a couple of brushstrokes of those flawed but enjoyable works.
Jane is now on the brink of stardom as an artist, with an unusually strong opening in her first solo gallery display. Attention has been drawn to one of Jane's paintings in particular, Guilt, which she painted from her recurring dreams. Apparently, a religious cult believes that she has trespassed against their beliefs and must now face the consequences of those actions.
Johansen teases us with laying the groundwork for a truly fascinating character in Jock, but then she manages to hide him even when he is in the scene. We yearn for the development of the relationship between Jock and Jane, or at least more banter between him and the mysterious Caleb. The author does succeed a little in letting the reader appreciate Lina Alsouk, a translator in Switzerland who just happens to keep an AK-47 around for protection. Adah Ziller is intriguing as well, with a history of double-crosses and her power of persuasion--the only trouble is that we only get to know her character after she's dead.
One would think that the locales in Eight Days to Live, which include Paris, the Scottish isles, the Swiss Alps and excursions to the Holy Land would yield impressive descriptions. Here again, Johansen fails to even adequately set the scenes, letting the bland characters wallow in their bland surroundings.
The plot would draw favorable comparisons to that of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code, but there is simply not enough detail or color in this book to come within a couple of brushstrokes of those flawed but enjoyable works.
August 19, 2015
I wrote this review after my first day in the Smilow cancer hospital in a clinical trial.I think I was brave to pick this title while suffering from cancer, right?
My review:
Members of a mysterious cult have decided that Jane MacGuire, Eve Duncan's adopted daughter, will be their ultimate sacrifice.
Eve is a painter and one of her paintings, titled "Guilt" promotes blasphemy, according to the cult.
In this multi layered story, there is travel from such places as England, Paris, Tel Aviv and Scotland as Jane and her group of good people oppose Jack Millet and members of Sang Noir- a cult that deals back to the time of Christ.
There is good suspense in the story that should be read slowly in order to get the various meanings and spiritual elements. However, I did find difficulty in a couple of areas although I was reading much of the story while in the hospital so the problem may be with me. My reading difficulties were with the great number of characters, there were times when I wasn't sure who was speaking and I had to go back to an earlier time to learn the identification of a speaker. Also, some of the characters just appeared in a paragraph without identification or background, just their name.
The forces of good vs.evil did remind me of "The Stand," which I believe is Stephen King's best novel.
I do enjoy Iris Johansen and look forward to reading more of her novels but this book just missed the mark with me.
My review:
Members of a mysterious cult have decided that Jane MacGuire, Eve Duncan's adopted daughter, will be their ultimate sacrifice.
Eve is a painter and one of her paintings, titled "Guilt" promotes blasphemy, according to the cult.
In this multi layered story, there is travel from such places as England, Paris, Tel Aviv and Scotland as Jane and her group of good people oppose Jack Millet and members of Sang Noir- a cult that deals back to the time of Christ.
There is good suspense in the story that should be read slowly in order to get the various meanings and spiritual elements. However, I did find difficulty in a couple of areas although I was reading much of the story while in the hospital so the problem may be with me. My reading difficulties were with the great number of characters, there were times when I wasn't sure who was speaking and I had to go back to an earlier time to learn the identification of a speaker. Also, some of the characters just appeared in a paragraph without identification or background, just their name.
The forces of good vs.evil did remind me of "The Stand," which I believe is Stephen King's best novel.
I do enjoy Iris Johansen and look forward to reading more of her novels but this book just missed the mark with me.
May 13, 2010
Eight Days To Live, the next installment in the Eve Duncan series, takes a step back from the tale of Eve and Joe and focuses on a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase involving Jane Macguire, their daughter. Jane is being focused on in an art show in Paris when her friend and gallery owner Celine is brutally murdered. A personal threat is delivered to Jane the same evening and only the appearance of her old friend Jock Gavin keeps her safe. With a little investigation, Jane discovers than an ancient cult is targeting her for a blasphemy that they feel she commited when she painted a particular painting that was on display. This group is incredibly powerful and will stop at no costs to kill Jane and those she loves as a punishment to her unless she can defeat them first.
This novel was a wonderful addition to the Eve Duncan series. Johansen takes the focus off of Eve and Joe for the first time in several books and it is a welcome distraction from their storyline which was beginning to feel a bit tiresome at best. Jane Maguire, their adopted daughter, is our leading lady and she is a terrific character. Both strong and beautiful, Jane is a well-rounded young woman who radiates power. Her relationships with the people surrounding her are honest and intelligent making her intriguing at all times. The supporting cast to this lovely heroine was fantastic as well. Some of our old favorites from previous books, namely Jock Gavin, Seth Caleb and our Laird MacDuff, are all present and accounted for to rally around Jane in her time of need. Visiting with these characters was like meeting old friends for a much-needed cup of coffee. They are engaging and charismatic driving the fast-paced plot with ease. A variety of locations make the settings in this book fun and the twists in the plot leave a reader guessing until a volatile climax at the end which is more than satisfying. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to fans of Johansen's series with the disclaimer that Johansen is back to her old form with this engaging read!
This novel was a wonderful addition to the Eve Duncan series. Johansen takes the focus off of Eve and Joe for the first time in several books and it is a welcome distraction from their storyline which was beginning to feel a bit tiresome at best. Jane Maguire, their adopted daughter, is our leading lady and she is a terrific character. Both strong and beautiful, Jane is a well-rounded young woman who radiates power. Her relationships with the people surrounding her are honest and intelligent making her intriguing at all times. The supporting cast to this lovely heroine was fantastic as well. Some of our old favorites from previous books, namely Jock Gavin, Seth Caleb and our Laird MacDuff, are all present and accounted for to rally around Jane in her time of need. Visiting with these characters was like meeting old friends for a much-needed cup of coffee. They are engaging and charismatic driving the fast-paced plot with ease. A variety of locations make the settings in this book fun and the twists in the plot leave a reader guessing until a volatile climax at the end which is more than satisfying. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to fans of Johansen's series with the disclaimer that Johansen is back to her old form with this engaging read!
March 7, 2021
Although leery of Seth Caleb, Jane MacGuire is forced to enlist his assistance when the owner of an art gallery is murdered and nailed to the door of that gallery...
The mystery of why Jane and her friends have been targeted stem from one of her paintings; Guilt. It is a painting of a face from a dream; yet, this painting has pitted the world of evil together and now Jane must fight the evil, in tandem with Seth Caleb, an ominous man himself. Her real problem is how to keep the people she loves safe and do it all by the deadline she's been given, eight days.
Facing one devil, she learns the truth about what he wants, only to be set-up; but there are more people behind the scenes then Jane realizes...can she actually escape the trap without becoming caught in the snare?
The mystery of why Jane and her friends have been targeted stem from one of her paintings; Guilt. It is a painting of a face from a dream; yet, this painting has pitted the world of evil together and now Jane must fight the evil, in tandem with Seth Caleb, an ominous man himself. Her real problem is how to keep the people she loves safe and do it all by the deadline she's been given, eight days.
Facing one devil, she learns the truth about what he wants, only to be set-up; but there are more people behind the scenes then Jane realizes...can she actually escape the trap without becoming caught in the snare?
September 2, 2021
I found the story interesting - paranormal, romance - murder mystery - a good chase with many characters caught up in a "cult" and missing coins - the story was more about Jane than Eve? - I read as a stand alone with a good ending.
October 27, 2025
This book has plenty of suspense. Kept me racing to the finish line!
August 13, 2010
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
While I enjoyed Eight Days to Live, it did not quite live up to my expectations for a Johansen novel. Also be forewarned, while this book is billed as an Eve Duncan novel, it is really all about Jane. Eve plays such a small role it shouldn’t be classified as part of that series.
After a successful art show in a Parisian gallery owned by a friend, Jane MacGuire is about to receive the surprise of a lifetime, and not a good one at that. A chilling portrait titled Guilt painted by Jane has attracted the unwanted attention of a dangerous cult who swears Jane only has Eight Days to Live. Not allowing something like a death threat to get in her way, Jane is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and find these people who killed her friend and promised Jane to be next. Enlisting the help of John MacDuff, Jock Gavin, and Seth Caleb, along with her adoptive mother Eve Duncan, Jane is on an adventure across Europe and deep into the heart of Biblical legends and truths on a search for a priceless artifact that could turn the religious world upside down and inside out.
The action was every bit as evident as always expected from a thriller by this author, and all of the major players are just as well rendered as usual. However, I feel like a few too many recurring characters were brought back, only confusing some of the story. I had a heck of a time remembering which of Jane’s men was in which scene and had what skills.
I loved the mystery we are brought into in Eight Days to Live. It was thrilling and chilling, and more than a bit frightening in some parts. I was quite fascinated by the different portrayal Iris Johansen has of a few key players from the time of the birth of Christianity. Even more compelling and terrifying is how the cult has twisted ancient beliefs to suit their own desires and traditions.
In spite of that, however, Eight Days to Live, while keeping me captive until I completed the novel , just didn’t quite meet my expectations. Jane was getting on my nerves very early on in the novel, with her refusal to listen to anyone’s advice and her stubbornness in doing things her own way, even when it puts everyone she cares about in danger.
Jennifer van Dyck does a wonderful job, as always of performing Eight Days to Live. While she is a newer narrator to me, my first audio book she read only a couple years ago, she has fast become a favorite of mine. She has excellent timing and has distinctive voices for each character in the book.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2010. All rights reserved.
While I enjoyed Eight Days to Live, it did not quite live up to my expectations for a Johansen novel. Also be forewarned, while this book is billed as an Eve Duncan novel, it is really all about Jane. Eve plays such a small role it shouldn’t be classified as part of that series.
After a successful art show in a Parisian gallery owned by a friend, Jane MacGuire is about to receive the surprise of a lifetime, and not a good one at that. A chilling portrait titled Guilt painted by Jane has attracted the unwanted attention of a dangerous cult who swears Jane only has Eight Days to Live. Not allowing something like a death threat to get in her way, Jane is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and find these people who killed her friend and promised Jane to be next. Enlisting the help of John MacDuff, Jock Gavin, and Seth Caleb, along with her adoptive mother Eve Duncan, Jane is on an adventure across Europe and deep into the heart of Biblical legends and truths on a search for a priceless artifact that could turn the religious world upside down and inside out.
The action was every bit as evident as always expected from a thriller by this author, and all of the major players are just as well rendered as usual. However, I feel like a few too many recurring characters were brought back, only confusing some of the story. I had a heck of a time remembering which of Jane’s men was in which scene and had what skills.
I loved the mystery we are brought into in Eight Days to Live. It was thrilling and chilling, and more than a bit frightening in some parts. I was quite fascinated by the different portrayal Iris Johansen has of a few key players from the time of the birth of Christianity. Even more compelling and terrifying is how the cult has twisted ancient beliefs to suit their own desires and traditions.
In spite of that, however, Eight Days to Live, while keeping me captive until I completed the novel , just didn’t quite meet my expectations. Jane was getting on my nerves very early on in the novel, with her refusal to listen to anyone’s advice and her stubbornness in doing things her own way, even when it puts everyone she cares about in danger.
Jennifer van Dyck does a wonderful job, as always of performing Eight Days to Live. While she is a newer narrator to me, my first audio book she read only a couple years ago, she has fast become a favorite of mine. She has excellent timing and has distinctive voices for each character in the book.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, August 2010. All rights reserved.
December 22, 2012
Even though this is considered part of the Eve Duncan series, this was told through the eyes of Jane, similar to some of the other books in this series. I almost like it better when it is told through her perspective, it gives it a different feel to the narrative. However, Iris Johansen got a little too weird for me in this book. In a previous novel she had made reference to a character with psychic powers who then released those powers onto another character (don't want to spoil anything), and although it was weird and out of the loop I thought it would end there. In this book, she took it even further and it reminded me of the powers the characters in Twilight have and I just felt it didn't have a place in this crime fiction series. I don't object to fantasy books, I just don't feel that it fits right in this series which has a definite emphasis on practical,level-headed women. I also found the relationship between Jane and Caleb to have a whole lot of build up that resulted in a whole lot of nothing. I can only assume that it will carry on to another book, but for now it's just annoying. Overall, I rate it highly because I do appreciate the Jane viewpoint and I do still feel attached to the series and the characters in it (it is book #10 after all, how could I not?).
May 10, 2011
The subtitle of this is An Eve Duncan Foresnsics Thriller. It is a thriller in some places, but Eve Duncan and her husband Joe are not in much of it. Instead, the book focuses on their adopted daughter, Jane MacGuire, a promising and talented artist. Early on, in Paris, the owner of the gallery where Jane's works have been hanging is crucified, and her sister decapitated. Things slow down for a while, and a number of deadly men threaten Jane because of a particular painting that she has done. Jane has two rather talented and deadly men to guard her as she figures out some prophetic dreams and travels to interesting places. In this book, at least, I find Jane not to be as interesting a character as Eve Duncan--she seems one dimensional, cardboard, or cookie cutter. On page 217 of the hardcover edition, she pronounces, "With knowledge comes understanding." I almost had the impression that Iris Johansen needed another rewrite of this.
July 26, 2021
I am confused. It's half n half for me when I read Eight Days To Live. It's tagged as an Eve Duncan novel but oh boy, it focuses on Jane McGuire to which I think it shouldn't have been included as part of the E.D. series. Not the usual forensic mystery but more of like a religious escapade.
I gotta say the story wasn't that 'captivating'. The plot and the characters were just too bland. It could've been better. Although, I kind of liked how Johansen brought in some Christian references to which she linked them into that ancient inhumane cult. I'm betting that I ain't the only one getting irritated by Jane's stubbornness.
I gotta say the story wasn't that 'captivating'. The plot and the characters were just too bland. It could've been better. Although, I kind of liked how Johansen brought in some Christian references to which she linked them into that ancient inhumane cult. I'm betting that I ain't the only one getting irritated by Jane's stubbornness.
January 20, 2022
We are back to Jane and her dreams. I don't find these as interesting as the ones about Quinn and Eve. MacDuff's Run gets a look-in, and Jock Gavin and Seth Caleb work together to protect Jane. Caleb disturbed me in the last book, and again in this one. I'm not sure I like this character.
A little different from the serial killer books, this one is about a cult that celebrates Judas Iscariot and his disciple Hadar. I had some sympathy with Judas, and none at all for Hadar. I liked the way the book ended, however. There is some justice in the world even after two thousand years of murder. Brutal!
A little different from the serial killer books, this one is about a cult that celebrates Judas Iscariot and his disciple Hadar. I had some sympathy with Judas, and none at all for Hadar. I liked the way the book ended, however. There is some justice in the world even after two thousand years of murder. Brutal!
May 7, 2010
If you're expecting a true Eve Duncan Forensics Thriller, this isn't one of them. The story itself was ok, but I was disappointed. And, I wish I had a dollar for every time they used the word bastard. I'd be heading out for a nice fancy dinner to celebrate the ending of the book :) haha! Anyway, I guess my rating may be skewed low because of my expectations of what I wanted to get out of it. The story is not about Eve, or Joe, or Bonnie. It's all about Jane. But, Eve & Joe are in it just enough to call it an "Eve Duncan Forensics Thriller". Others may enjoy the story for what it is.
August 9, 2010
Good story, Great characters. I really like Caleb. But I have to admit, I am just not into the chase the historical item around the world readers. To Indiana Jones for me. So, if you like that kinda of book, this is an excellent book. The writing is great, and fast pace. The subject matter for me, is the only issue.
November 11, 2017
Only read this if you like thrillers with paranormal content. The story itself was fine, but one of the characters can see what is going on to other people in her dreams. And another character can kill people with his mind. That just ruined the book for me.
May 14, 2016
Utterly unreadable. I feel sorry that trees were killed in the making of this book.
June 16, 2018
Okay, here it is: My least-favorite Iris Johansen novel to date. Aren't you excited?
As much as I disliked Jane MacGuire in "Countdown," I outright hated her in this book.
Look, it takes me a lot to hate a heroine. I didn't even hate Bella from "Twilight" or Ana from "Fifty Shades of Grey." Now, Bella and Ana were kind of boring. And Johansen is definitely a more skilled writer than Stephenie Meyer and EL James. But Jane is all of the other Johansen heroines combined and put on steroids. Jane is obnoxious.
In "Eight Days to Live," Jane has painted a portrait she called "Guilt." When it's displayed at one of her shows in Paris, someone offers to pay a tremendous price to buy it. Jane declines, however, and shortly after, her agent and dear friend is found dead, pinned to Jane's door like a butterfly (hence, the book cover). As it turns out, there is a massive cult who recognizes and reveres the man in the picture Jane painted, and consider the title she gave the portrait to be blasphemous. Jane has eight days to get to the bottom of everything and take down the cult leaders before she is sacrificed on their altar. We're graced with the presence of several...um....beloved characters from previous books in this *cough* riveting tale.
Honestly, this book could have been good. I'm fascinated by cults, and also by the historical character who is featured in "Eight Days." Sadly, Iris Jo picked the least likable heroine and love interest to star in this one. Yes, Seth Caleb is back, and he's just as disgusting and terrible as he was in "Blood Game." You know, the one where he forces Jane to feel sexually attracted to him without her consent?
We also get to see Jock and MacDuff, because where Jock goes, MacDuff goes as well. I thought, at first, that Johansen was toying with the idea of pairing up Jock and Jane. Apparently, though, she just couldn't stand the thought of a woman being with a man her own age, and decided that Caleb's the better match.
Jane is even more unbearable in this book than she was in "Countdown." She insists on being involved in every part of the plan to take down the cult. She refuses to let the people with more experience and skills be the ones to endanger their lives. She berates herself furiously for grieving like a normal person over her friend's death. Seriously, she's so shocked and disgusted with herself for crying that you'd think she was considering killing a toddler. I don't mind people who feel embarrassed for showing their emotions, but she's so angry--it's obvious she thinks only weak women cry.
Here's the clincher, though: Along the way, they meet another "Strong Female Character" who, like Jane, is out for bloody revenge. But when she says she wants to risk her own life? NOPE. Jane won't let her. Jane is like "LIKE HELL I'LL LET YOU GO OUT THERE ALL ALONE AND GET YOURSELF KILLED." Jane, SHUT UP. She is exactly like you. If you're going to insist that people "respect" you enough to make your own decisions, you need to respect theirs, too. So on top of being obnoxious and rude, she's a hypocrite, too.
I really wish Seth Caleb would die. I know that sounds mean, but he's a piece of human garbage. He clearly gets off torturing people--it's okay, somehow, when it's a "good guy" doing it--and even Jane is horrified by his actions. He has some sort of "gift" that enables him to make people feel whatever he wants them to feel, including pain. He seems to be able to have some effect on their bodies, too. You see him do this in both "Blood Game" and "Eight Days," although a bigger deal is made of it in this book.
I will never understand why such sadistic bastards are portrayed as sexually desirable. I would be terrified of a man like Seth, but of course, Jane wants him.
The next couple of issues I have with the book are spoilers.
"Eight Days" is one of Johansen's darker fics, with lots of blood, as well as torture and a rape scene. Unless, for some weird reason, you really, really like Jane MacGuire, I can't recommend this book to anybody.
As much as I disliked Jane MacGuire in "Countdown," I outright hated her in this book.
Look, it takes me a lot to hate a heroine. I didn't even hate Bella from "Twilight" or Ana from "Fifty Shades of Grey." Now, Bella and Ana were kind of boring. And Johansen is definitely a more skilled writer than Stephenie Meyer and EL James. But Jane is all of the other Johansen heroines combined and put on steroids. Jane is obnoxious.
In "Eight Days to Live," Jane has painted a portrait she called "Guilt." When it's displayed at one of her shows in Paris, someone offers to pay a tremendous price to buy it. Jane declines, however, and shortly after, her agent and dear friend is found dead, pinned to Jane's door like a butterfly (hence, the book cover). As it turns out, there is a massive cult who recognizes and reveres the man in the picture Jane painted, and consider the title she gave the portrait to be blasphemous. Jane has eight days to get to the bottom of everything and take down the cult leaders before she is sacrificed on their altar. We're graced with the presence of several...um....beloved characters from previous books in this *cough* riveting tale.
Honestly, this book could have been good. I'm fascinated by cults, and also by the historical character who is featured in "Eight Days." Sadly, Iris Jo picked the least likable heroine and love interest to star in this one. Yes, Seth Caleb is back, and he's just as disgusting and terrible as he was in "Blood Game." You know, the one where he forces Jane to feel sexually attracted to him without her consent?
We also get to see Jock and MacDuff, because where Jock goes, MacDuff goes as well. I thought, at first, that Johansen was toying with the idea of pairing up Jock and Jane. Apparently, though, she just couldn't stand the thought of a woman being with a man her own age, and decided that Caleb's the better match.
Jane is even more unbearable in this book than she was in "Countdown." She insists on being involved in every part of the plan to take down the cult. She refuses to let the people with more experience and skills be the ones to endanger their lives. She berates herself furiously for grieving like a normal person over her friend's death. Seriously, she's so shocked and disgusted with herself for crying that you'd think she was considering killing a toddler. I don't mind people who feel embarrassed for showing their emotions, but she's so angry--it's obvious she thinks only weak women cry.
Here's the clincher, though: Along the way, they meet another "Strong Female Character" who, like Jane, is out for bloody revenge. But when she says she wants to risk her own life? NOPE. Jane won't let her. Jane is like "LIKE HELL I'LL LET YOU GO OUT THERE ALL ALONE AND GET YOURSELF KILLED." Jane, SHUT UP. She is exactly like you. If you're going to insist that people "respect" you enough to make your own decisions, you need to respect theirs, too. So on top of being obnoxious and rude, she's a hypocrite, too.
I really wish Seth Caleb would die. I know that sounds mean, but he's a piece of human garbage. He clearly gets off torturing people--it's okay, somehow, when it's a "good guy" doing it--and even Jane is horrified by his actions. He has some sort of "gift" that enables him to make people feel whatever he wants them to feel, including pain. He seems to be able to have some effect on their bodies, too. You see him do this in both "Blood Game" and "Eight Days," although a bigger deal is made of it in this book.
I will never understand why such sadistic bastards are portrayed as sexually desirable. I would be terrified of a man like Seth, but of course, Jane wants him.
The next couple of issues I have with the book are spoilers.
"Eight Days" is one of Johansen's darker fics, with lots of blood, as well as torture and a rape scene. Unless, for some weird reason, you really, really like Jane MacGuire, I can't recommend this book to anybody.
June 16, 2023
I actually enjoyed this book, which was a random selection of my dad from a bin at his work he thought I might enjoy. The premise was interesting and the writing solid, and if not for the issues I had with it, it would easily have been a 3 or 4 star read. However, what I found disconcerting about the book was the sheer ignorance and racism displayed by the author towards Middle Easterners and those from Muslim countries. From describing a Syrian woman as being Black to giving the Afghan character an Arab surname, the author clearly didn't know what she was talking about it and relied on offensive stereotypes to create non-Western characters. Adah, a Syrian woman who is killed early on in the book, is reduced to a fetishized Western ideal of a promiscuous Arab woman. Lina, an Afghan translator who escaped from an abusive husband and family is given slightly more depth, but her backstory still portrays her country of origin and culture as backwards and uncivilized, and it is reiterated multiple times in the book that Arabs and Afghans view women as property. The ignorance bordered on racism at times, with the author describing a scene where Arab men glared at the protagonist for drinking at a bar in Damascus (ironically one of the most liberal cities in Syria), and her remarking that "locals don't approve of women outside their homes." And don't even get me started on the way the Israeli-Palestinian "conflict" was described. The Palestinians are callously referred to as terrorists or suicide bombers, while the Israeli characters are described as "tough" and portrayed as "civilized". This book was published in 2010 and I sincerely hope the author has changed her views since then, and if not I hope her husband leaves her for a man 🤗
December 28, 2021
Amazing, fast paced thriller
Eighf Days to Live
Eve Duncan series, Book 10
Iris Johansen, author
Another dynamic storyline and cast of characters by Ms. Johansen. I always look forward to the next book in this series. This novel, however was more about Jane and Caleb, then about Eve and Joe.
Jane seeks out the aid of Caleb when she receives a threat on her life. She is to be sacrificed at the alter in eight days. Hence, the title. Can Caleb save her?
I recommend this novel to all who enjoy a thrilling ride with lots of adventure and excitement. I listened to the audio version while reading the book simultaneously.
Eighf Days to Live
Eve Duncan series, Book 10
Iris Johansen, author
Another dynamic storyline and cast of characters by Ms. Johansen. I always look forward to the next book in this series. This novel, however was more about Jane and Caleb, then about Eve and Joe.
Jane seeks out the aid of Caleb when she receives a threat on her life. She is to be sacrificed at the alter in eight days. Hence, the title. Can Caleb save her?
I recommend this novel to all who enjoy a thrilling ride with lots of adventure and excitement. I listened to the audio version while reading the book simultaneously.
October 13, 2019
First book by iris Johansen that I have read. I hesitated to read it based on other reviews but I am so glad that I did. If the rest of her novels are even better like many reviewers stated, that I can't wait to read more of her work .
June 15, 2025
Much like the other Eve Duncan books, this one had an interesting plot and was worth the read. The personal relationships were a little better than the last book, but this author still needs improvement in that area of her stories.
December 24, 2016
This series is jumping the shark. We some how went from a forensic sculptor to vampires and remote viewing dreams, and in between books featured talking to ghosts and finding the dead. Warning: This book is about Jane Macguire, not Eve Duncan.
I have relegated this series to audio reads. I am not particularly fond of this narrator. Every sentence is so dramatic and menacing, I think it would help to have a male and female narrator. Worst, the villains and Seth Caleb all spoke slowly with drama, in the same manner as the main villain calling to his overzealous followers.
I also don't like Eve and Jane thinking they know best and rushing into what they feel like doing instead of considering safety or the ramifications of their unskilled presence.
The story of Jane having a deadline with death reminded me of Countdown where someone was hunting Jane.
I used to really like this series, but I've been disappointed in the last several books. The good news is that Montalvo wasn't turning Eve's head and Joe and Eve weren't having marital issues. I don't like Jane and Eve rushing into danger without thinking. And this romantic suspense mystery has started introducing a mismatched variety of paranormal characters and abilities, sometimes it is major characters having undiscovered abilities. I could accept one person maybe having some paranormal ability, but it feels like Ms. Johansen is searching for things to keep us interested. I am going to take a break from this series, I'm tired of yelling at Eve and Jane for doing stupid things.
Likes:
* Because this book was about Jane, Montalvo love triangle wasn't in play & there was no dwelling on Bonnie
* Jane is a successful artist
* Jane's gallery owner and friend
* Jane loving Eve Duncan & Joe
Dislikes:
* Eve Duncan series, but really about Jane Macguire
* Not enough romance
* Never heard how Jane and Mark Trevor broke up
* Adah Ziller's twisted sexual exploits and unsavory schemes
* Judas made the ultimate sacrifice to enable Jesus to save the world
* Judas feeling guilty is blasphemy to his cult
* Religious cult dedicated to the martyrdom of Judas was distasteful
* How Judas became a deity figure eclipsing Jesus and God was never really explained
With-reservations:
language, violence, murder, kidnapping, religious cult, sexual situation and innuendos
I have relegated this series to audio reads. I am not particularly fond of this narrator. Every sentence is so dramatic and menacing, I think it would help to have a male and female narrator. Worst, the villains and Seth Caleb all spoke slowly with drama, in the same manner as the main villain calling to his overzealous followers.
I also don't like Eve and Jane thinking they know best and rushing into what they feel like doing instead of considering safety or the ramifications of their unskilled presence.
The story of Jane having a deadline with death reminded me of Countdown where someone was hunting Jane.
I used to really like this series, but I've been disappointed in the last several books. The good news is that Montalvo wasn't turning Eve's head and Joe and Eve weren't having marital issues. I don't like Jane and Eve rushing into danger without thinking. And this romantic suspense mystery has started introducing a mismatched variety of paranormal characters and abilities, sometimes it is major characters having undiscovered abilities. I could accept one person maybe having some paranormal ability, but it feels like Ms. Johansen is searching for things to keep us interested. I am going to take a break from this series, I'm tired of yelling at Eve and Jane for doing stupid things.
Likes:
* Because this book was about Jane, Montalvo love triangle wasn't in play & there was no dwelling on Bonnie
* Jane is a successful artist
* Jane's gallery owner and friend
* Jane loving Eve Duncan & Joe
Dislikes:
* Eve Duncan series, but really about Jane Macguire
* Not enough romance
* Never heard how Jane and Mark Trevor broke up
* Adah Ziller's twisted sexual exploits and unsavory schemes
* Judas made the ultimate sacrifice to enable Jesus to save the world
* Judas feeling guilty is blasphemy to his cult
* Religious cult dedicated to the martyrdom of Judas was distasteful
* How Judas became a deity figure eclipsing Jesus and God was never really explained
With-reservations:
language, violence, murder, kidnapping, religious cult, sexual situation and innuendos
August 21, 2021
At the beginning of this book I remember wondering if it was going to be good. I can’t remember why, but perhaps it was a bit slow at the beginning or a bit confusing. By the end of the book I was totally enthralled. Everything ended up in a satisfactory way and yet not the way I had expected. And I really really really enjoyed the characters. I found them utterly fascinating. Definitely recommend.
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