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New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky displays her deep understanding of the desires and fears that move us all in this poignant story, first published in 1984, of danger, love, and trust.
Once upon a time she was Robyn Hart, a journalist whosaw too much and wasn't afraid to expose it. But that courage nearly cost Robyn her life. Under the protection of the Witness Relocation program, she now has a new identity -- Carly -- and a new job. But the terror of the past still lingers, and Carly lives in fear that her enemies will find her.
Though she tries to wall herself off from the world, onedetermined man breaks through her defenses -- successful young attorney Ryan Cornell. And though she yearns to give him her heart, Carly doesn’t know if she can. While loving him offers a happiness she thought she'd forever lost, trusting him could cost her everything.
Once upon a time she was Robyn Hart, a journalist whosaw too much and wasn't afraid to expose it. But that courage nearly cost Robyn her life. Under the protection of the Witness Relocation program, she now has a new identity -- Carly -- and a new job. But the terror of the past still lingers, and Carly lives in fear that her enemies will find her.
Though she tries to wall herself off from the world, onedetermined man breaks through her defenses -- successful young attorney Ryan Cornell. And though she yearns to give him her heart, Carly doesn’t know if she can. While loving him offers a happiness she thought she'd forever lost, trusting him could cost her everything.
490 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1992
2132 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
308 books4,357 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
February 20, 2019
Disappointing. The story just drags on and nothing ever happens until the last 50 pages. There's a lot of missed opportunity in this story line.
March 5, 2018
I normally love Barbara Delinsky's books, and I wanted to like this one, but I found it very disappointing. Nothing happened!!! For pages and pages and pages!!! The storyline just really, really dragged for me. I did stick it out, though, wanting to see if it picked up any, but I don't think it ever did. I did have to go back and check the publishing date because at one point, Carly said she had a 4:00 flight and Ryan offered to drive her to the airport and would pick her up at 3:00!!! Definitely pre-9/11! Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book. Almost anything else by this author has been a winner for me, but I'd like the hours devoted to this book back!
February 14, 2020
I've read a few by Delinsky and enjoyed them, this was dumb. Every character in this book is dumb. Carly is extremely naive and far too trusting, and just plain dumb. Sheila is an idiot - (spoiler) she was surprised Ryan called Sam when Carly was missing? Really? Sam constantly believed Carly was a strong and smart woman, yet she jumped to every conclusion the minute she couldn't reach Ryan on the phone: he was injured, he's missing, he's been murdered. Are you kidding? Sam should get out more. Skip this one!
July 23, 2018
This was another early book written by Delinsky. It could have been so much better had it not focused exclusively on the helpless, vulnerable female lead character. It was still a good story.
August 29, 2020
Anyone else figure it out way too soon? At chapter 9 I had to fast forward because why bother when I knew what was going to happen. A little finesse or a few clever twists or turns, heck one would have made the difference. The culprits were so glaringly obvious that I listened (audiobook version) at double speed just to get through it. I skipped some as I was truly bored and annoyed. Not one single surprise. Not one. I’ve enjoyed this author before, but for me this was a huge let down.
January 13, 2011
Ok, interesting topic, but a bit smutty for my liking. Not sure what that adds to the plot. Might give author one more try but very much like Sandra Brown and I don't read her anymore.
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December 22, 2017Robyn Hart had been a journalist whose husband died in a hotel fire. He had been a professor and was 14 years older than her. She had done some investigative work and was witness to Gary Culbert committing arson on his properties and people had died. She had been attacked by Horace Theakos (Ham) but he hadn't been caught and no one yet knew his name. Culbert had hired him to kill Robyn. Robyn was now in the Witness Protection Program and her name was Carly Quinn. She taught English at a private high school in Cambridge. Her contact was Sam Loomis. They talked frequently and were good friends. He was married and his wife was pregnant with their second child.
She was walking home from work one evening when she heard footsteps behind her. She started running home and literally ran into Ryan Cornell. Sam had come by to see her and was still there when Ryan knocked on her door and asked to use her phone. Sam recognized Ryan as a successful lawyer in Boston. Sam knew that he had recently divorced. He had him checked out for Carly's sake but was sure that it was safe for Carly to spend time with him.
They began running together in the mornings and got to know each other. She found out that he had married young and his wife was more worried about her status in society than Ryan and he was more in love with his work than her. They had grown apart and finally divorced. Carly told Ryan that her husband had died 4 years ago. She didn't tell him much more because she didn't know how much was safe. He was trying to get her to sleep with him but he noticed that she was very frightened to take that step in their relationship so he backed off.
Carly spent Thanksgiving with her father in NY and Christmas with her brother and his family in the Bahamas. Ryan was trying to take the next step in their relationship but he felt that Carly still wasn't ready so he withdrew from putting pressure on her. Carly was distracted from their relationship when she was told that Culbert was working on an appeal of his murder charge with his lawyer, Philip Mancusi. She learned that he was trying to discredit her testimony by putting shade on her relationship with one of the murdered men, Peter. They had been friends and co-workers but never lovers. Carly was worried about how she would explain her absence to Ryan should she be called back to Chicago for another trial.
Sheila Montgomery had been Robyn's bodyguard in Chicago and they had kept in touch. Sheila had been transferred to Boston and had stopped by to see Carly. Sam was worried about Sheila. He felt there was something off with her and tried not to let it bother him. His assistant, Greg, felt the same. Sheila didn't understand why Carly was tense and struggling with her life. She felt that Carly had everything she could ever want. She didn't understand the pressure Carly was under with someone trying to kill her or Carly's insecurity. Sheila had grown up poor and had made something of herself but still wasn't content. She had noticed Ryan's brother, Tom and Tom had also noticed her. Ryan and Carly talked and decided to introduce them to each other when it was convenient.
Ryan noticed that Carly never talked about the time period between when her husband died and they ran into each other. He was a bit jealous of her relationship with Sam because he didn't understand it. Carly left for a few days after the first of the year and she told him she was going to Des Moines. The tags on her luggage had Chicago on them. He noticed things looked off in her place. There was not much of her in the way her home was decorated. He thought there was no fingerprints of herself. Carly herself was growing more uncomfortable not telling Ryan the truth about herself and her past but she didn't know how to tell him and was afraid for his safety. There were times that Ryan noticed that she drifted off and became easily frightened. Neither would approach their concerns about the other for fear of losing each other. They had started sleeping together on New Years Eve and practically lived together. Ryan had told Carly that he loved her but she never spoke those words to him. Ryan felt she loved him and wanted to hear her say them but wouldn't pressure them out of her. He had bought the place he was living in below Carly's and had talked about opening up the place and building a spiral staircase into hers.
They had found a way to introduce Tom to Sheila. Sam was worried about Sheila and kept her out of the loop in regard to what was going on with Carly. Sheila felt it and tried to not let it bother her. Sam asked his assistant, Greg, to try and get to know Sheila to see what was up with her. Sheila had begun to spend more money and Carly wondered why she seemed to be splurging on herself because it was unlike Sheila. They went shopping and she didn't seem at all hesitant when purchasing and expensive outfit. Tom had asked Sheila out a few times and she put off sleeping with him. She felt he had more potential than others she had dated but she had other plans for her body than Tom.
Sam was worried about the threat of a new trial and wanted to place a guard on Carly but she resisted. She accepted Sheila as her friend and bodyguard. Ryan took her to the school in the morning and Sheila picked her up. Sheila dated and slept with Greg, Sam's assistant. She was using him to get close to Sam and to get more information on Carly's case.
Carly accepted a date with Ryan to hear him speak and one of the lawyers there recognized Carly. He mentioned something to Ryan and the pieces all began to fall in place. Carly had decided to tell Ryan about her past but he never showed up when he was expected. Carly got worried and called Sam. Sam found out that he had gone to Chicago. Sam met Ryan when he returned to the airport and questioned Ryan. Sam decided to keep quiet and let Ryan find out about her past from Carly. Sam and Ryan reached an understanding that day. He hadn't trusted Sam's relationship with Carly but now he understood it.
Sheila had picked up Carly from school one afternoon and was taking her to Vermont. They had driven around a bit and Carly noticed Ham sitting outside of Ryan's office building. She recognized him from the arson trial. Sheila told Carly that she was calling Sam to tell him but she didn't. She did call Ryan and tell him that she hadn't seen Carly but thought she might be headed for Vermont where they spent New Year's together. Ryan called Sam and told him that he was headed there.
Sam, Greg and Tom all got together at Carly's place. Greg told Tom that he and Sheila had slept together but she had called out Tom's name during their sex. Greg was put off by it but realized that Sheila hadn't known that she had done that. They all headed toward Vermont by helicopter after the talk they had.
Sheila and Carly met up with Ham at the hotel in Vermont and he tied Carly up. Sheila had a gun and threatened to use it on Carly but she continued to try and fight her way out to no avail. They were going to tie Carly to a rafter in an attempt to make it look like a suicide. They forced her to write a note and gunpoint. Ryan arrived to break up the party. Then the rest of the police showed up. Ham was furious at Sheila but they still had Ryan and Carly as hostages. Tom stepped up and asked Sheila to talk to him and she couldn't resist. When the police got her in the open, they shot her. They then stormed the house and Ham was also killed. Tom had loved Sheila and she had loved him. That was over now.
Carly and Ryan were engaged a week later and married a month later. Tom transferred to London and after some time had passed, he met another woman and eventually married. Sam and his wife, Ellen, became good friends with Ryan and Carly Cornell. Carly and Ryan ended up having three children and built a spiral staircase connecting their two places.
Gary Culbert and Nick Barber didn't get another trial and Culbert was charged for attempted murder of Carly. He was in prison for three years when he had a stroke. He died 4 months after the stroke.
The Cornell's eventually relocated to Lincoln and raised their children in a spacious home on a large piece of real estate.
She was walking home from work one evening when she heard footsteps behind her. She started running home and literally ran into Ryan Cornell. Sam had come by to see her and was still there when Ryan knocked on her door and asked to use her phone. Sam recognized Ryan as a successful lawyer in Boston. Sam knew that he had recently divorced. He had him checked out for Carly's sake but was sure that it was safe for Carly to spend time with him.
They began running together in the mornings and got to know each other. She found out that he had married young and his wife was more worried about her status in society than Ryan and he was more in love with his work than her. They had grown apart and finally divorced. Carly told Ryan that her husband had died 4 years ago. She didn't tell him much more because she didn't know how much was safe. He was trying to get her to sleep with him but he noticed that she was very frightened to take that step in their relationship so he backed off.
Carly spent Thanksgiving with her father in NY and Christmas with her brother and his family in the Bahamas. Ryan was trying to take the next step in their relationship but he felt that Carly still wasn't ready so he withdrew from putting pressure on her. Carly was distracted from their relationship when she was told that Culbert was working on an appeal of his murder charge with his lawyer, Philip Mancusi. She learned that he was trying to discredit her testimony by putting shade on her relationship with one of the murdered men, Peter. They had been friends and co-workers but never lovers. Carly was worried about how she would explain her absence to Ryan should she be called back to Chicago for another trial.
Sheila Montgomery had been Robyn's bodyguard in Chicago and they had kept in touch. Sheila had been transferred to Boston and had stopped by to see Carly. Sam was worried about Sheila. He felt there was something off with her and tried not to let it bother him. His assistant, Greg, felt the same. Sheila didn't understand why Carly was tense and struggling with her life. She felt that Carly had everything she could ever want. She didn't understand the pressure Carly was under with someone trying to kill her or Carly's insecurity. Sheila had grown up poor and had made something of herself but still wasn't content. She had noticed Ryan's brother, Tom and Tom had also noticed her. Ryan and Carly talked and decided to introduce them to each other when it was convenient.
Ryan noticed that Carly never talked about the time period between when her husband died and they ran into each other. He was a bit jealous of her relationship with Sam because he didn't understand it. Carly left for a few days after the first of the year and she told him she was going to Des Moines. The tags on her luggage had Chicago on them. He noticed things looked off in her place. There was not much of her in the way her home was decorated. He thought there was no fingerprints of herself. Carly herself was growing more uncomfortable not telling Ryan the truth about herself and her past but she didn't know how to tell him and was afraid for his safety. There were times that Ryan noticed that she drifted off and became easily frightened. Neither would approach their concerns about the other for fear of losing each other. They had started sleeping together on New Years Eve and practically lived together. Ryan had told Carly that he loved her but she never spoke those words to him. Ryan felt she loved him and wanted to hear her say them but wouldn't pressure them out of her. He had bought the place he was living in below Carly's and had talked about opening up the place and building a spiral staircase into hers.
They had found a way to introduce Tom to Sheila. Sam was worried about Sheila and kept her out of the loop in regard to what was going on with Carly. Sheila felt it and tried to not let it bother her. Sam asked his assistant, Greg, to try and get to know Sheila to see what was up with her. Sheila had begun to spend more money and Carly wondered why she seemed to be splurging on herself because it was unlike Sheila. They went shopping and she didn't seem at all hesitant when purchasing and expensive outfit. Tom had asked Sheila out a few times and she put off sleeping with him. She felt he had more potential than others she had dated but she had other plans for her body than Tom.
Sam was worried about the threat of a new trial and wanted to place a guard on Carly but she resisted. She accepted Sheila as her friend and bodyguard. Ryan took her to the school in the morning and Sheila picked her up. Sheila dated and slept with Greg, Sam's assistant. She was using him to get close to Sam and to get more information on Carly's case.
Carly accepted a date with Ryan to hear him speak and one of the lawyers there recognized Carly. He mentioned something to Ryan and the pieces all began to fall in place. Carly had decided to tell Ryan about her past but he never showed up when he was expected. Carly got worried and called Sam. Sam found out that he had gone to Chicago. Sam met Ryan when he returned to the airport and questioned Ryan. Sam decided to keep quiet and let Ryan find out about her past from Carly. Sam and Ryan reached an understanding that day. He hadn't trusted Sam's relationship with Carly but now he understood it.
Sheila had picked up Carly from school one afternoon and was taking her to Vermont. They had driven around a bit and Carly noticed Ham sitting outside of Ryan's office building. She recognized him from the arson trial. Sheila told Carly that she was calling Sam to tell him but she didn't. She did call Ryan and tell him that she hadn't seen Carly but thought she might be headed for Vermont where they spent New Year's together. Ryan called Sam and told him that he was headed there.
Sam, Greg and Tom all got together at Carly's place. Greg told Tom that he and Sheila had slept together but she had called out Tom's name during their sex. Greg was put off by it but realized that Sheila hadn't known that she had done that. They all headed toward Vermont by helicopter after the talk they had.
Sheila and Carly met up with Ham at the hotel in Vermont and he tied Carly up. Sheila had a gun and threatened to use it on Carly but she continued to try and fight her way out to no avail. They were going to tie Carly to a rafter in an attempt to make it look like a suicide. They forced her to write a note and gunpoint. Ryan arrived to break up the party. Then the rest of the police showed up. Ham was furious at Sheila but they still had Ryan and Carly as hostages. Tom stepped up and asked Sheila to talk to him and she couldn't resist. When the police got her in the open, they shot her. They then stormed the house and Ham was also killed. Tom had loved Sheila and she had loved him. That was over now.
Carly and Ryan were engaged a week later and married a month later. Tom transferred to London and after some time had passed, he met another woman and eventually married. Sam and his wife, Ellen, became good friends with Ryan and Carly Cornell. Carly and Ryan ended up having three children and built a spiral staircase connecting their two places.
Gary Culbert and Nick Barber didn't get another trial and Culbert was charged for attempted murder of Carly. He was in prison for three years when he had a stroke. He died 4 months after the stroke.
The Cornell's eventually relocated to Lincoln and raised their children in a spacious home on a large piece of real estate.
November 13, 2025
This book was a lot of blah blah blah and the story was almost immediately predictable. My first read with her and very possibly my last.
February 1, 2025
Tedious and repetitive.
July 2, 2021
First of all, this book was first published in the 80's, so it's a bit dated if you are into more modern fiction. However, I always check dates first before I start books, so I kind of understand the settings better. I actually enjoy reading something from a time before cell phones, computers, and internet. But that's just me.
I wanted to like this book. I loved the premise, which was very promising. It didn't quite live up to much. First of all, if you don't pick up on the fact that the main character is traumatized by the past and struggling to come to terms with her new life and reality in the 1st several chapters, then it will be repeated over and over again for the rest of the book. It's on a constant loop.
The budding relationship between Carly and Ryan is supposed to be exciting and spicy, but is actually very mundane. Nothing interesting happens. Carly and Ryan sit in her living room and about things, Carly and Ryan go jogging and talk about things, Carly and Ryan go out to dinner and talk about things. Carly and Ryan make dinner at home and talk about things. Carly gets scared and suspicious, and Ryan is confused, but then they talk about things again and it's ok. I found myself skimming over much of the book because it was all the same. I looked forward to the few times when it would focus on one of the other side characters, such as Sheila or Sam's sketchy partner, as they were much more interesting. Although the whole thing was pretty predicable.
The kidnaping and hostage situation at the end was pretty over-the-top. But at least it was something different happening then Carly and Ryan talking about things.
I wanted to like this book. I loved the premise, which was very promising. It didn't quite live up to much. First of all, if you don't pick up on the fact that the main character is traumatized by the past and struggling to come to terms with her new life and reality in the 1st several chapters, then it will be repeated over and over again for the rest of the book. It's on a constant loop.
The budding relationship between Carly and Ryan is supposed to be exciting and spicy, but is actually very mundane. Nothing interesting happens. Carly and Ryan sit in her living room and about things, Carly and Ryan go jogging and talk about things, Carly and Ryan go out to dinner and talk about things. Carly and Ryan make dinner at home and talk about things. Carly gets scared and suspicious, and Ryan is confused, but then they talk about things again and it's ok. I found myself skimming over much of the book because it was all the same. I looked forward to the few times when it would focus on one of the other side characters, such as Sheila or Sam's sketchy partner, as they were much more interesting. Although the whole thing was pretty predicable.
The kidnaping and hostage situation at the end was pretty over-the-top. But at least it was something different happening then Carly and Ryan talking about things.
January 20, 2022
I disagree with some of the other reviews, I can only imagine what it would be like to be in "the Witness program." Yes Carly is quite paranoid and is always looking over her shoulder to see if she is being followed and really has far too many fears, but in my opinion, this makes you care for her and want things to work out for her. Ryan, with whom she trust and falls in love with, is kind and sweet to Carly, but at times acts like a complete jerk where Carly is concerned. Sam the Marshal in charge of Carly seems like he knows what he is doing is a real support to Carly. He is unsure of Stella is also a Marshall, who helped Carly early in the protection program and who Carly considers a friend has just transferred from Chicago--why? Tom and Greg, the other two characters seem to be real "stand-up" guys. I enjoyed this book but could have use a little less sexual description for my tastes. Good luck with future books, Ms. Delinsky
March 9, 2017
an excellent story right from the beginning. delinsky gives excellent details to ensure that you get the best picture of the story in your head. the way she describes the emotions that carly, ryan, sam, tom, and even greg are feeling are awesome. i love the way carly holds back her true feelings for ryan. i love the way ryan finially accepts them. while under the witness protection program, carly is relocated to boston. while there she runs into ryan, a well known lawyer. carly hates the thought of any lawyers, so there is no way that she wanted to get involved with this one, no matter how handsome he was. but ryan never gives up. he has everything he wants, except carly's trust. and carly doesn't know who to trust anyone. a must read for any fan of barbara delinsky.
September 3, 2020
This was almost a DNF for me. I pushed through the book because I was 10 chapters in. The main character is the biggest chicken $%*!, foolish character ever. She's so traumatized by her past she can't recognize a good thing when she sees it. The boyfriend refuses to give up on her, and I found him to be the most redeeming part of the book. Really for me the book dragged on and on, but then the last 2 chapters are slammed packed with a rushed conclusion.
December 19, 2020
This book started out strong, but it wound up being just okay. It was originally published in the '80s so it felt a bit dated because of that. I'm also not a huge fan of romantic suspense, and I started to lose interest when the suspense elements became more and more prevalent. I also saw the ending coming ten miles away and that made finishing the book somewhat anticlimactic. I did like the audiobook narrator.
November 10, 2017
My first Delinsky novel. It was very good! She’s a very detailed author which makes it very long. What took 488 pages could’ve been done in 250 but in any case—A great read, loved the storyline.
February 13, 2018
GoodreDing
I enjoyed the story line. The conclusion I felt was sort of predictable with many. Hints leading to the end however I enjoyed the story
I enjoyed the story line. The conclusion I felt was sort of predictable with many. Hints leading to the end however I enjoyed the story
December 24, 2021
I have read and enjoyed other books by Barbara Delinsky. They were written more recently than "Finger Prints." When I read the blurb, I thought this could be an interesting book, examining the bravery it takes to testify against violent criminals, especially when that testimony threatens your life and requires you to change your identify and abandon the life you had been living. And that's what happened to Robyn, who spent her new life looking over shoulder and fearing every stranger. But this book soured very quickly, making Robyn/Carly a frightened victim, a woman who gave up her identity to save her life but then became too afraid to build a new life. Ms. Delinsky's answer to the question of where to go next was to fill pages with her version of erotica. This was a turn off. Like many other readers, I figured out what was going to happen, and who was making it happen.
I'll stick to more recent books by Delinsky.
I'll stick to more recent books by Delinsky.
January 25, 2022
Finger Prints is an older book (1984) by this author, so that's something to remember when reading this one.
Carly Quinn has had to change her name and move across country to keep herself safe. Her career as a journalist is over and she's teaching at a classy private school. She's afraid of her own shadow, has left her family and friends behind and is reluctant to make new friends, until she meets Ryan, that is. She doesn't want to lie to him or trust him, but she can't help herself and eventually he wears her down. Thinking she's safe, she starts to come out of her shell bit by bit. Little does she realize that someone close to her new life is about to betray her.
I could have done without the steamy, much too detailed intimate scenes and the whiny worrisome persona that was Carly, at times. Brave one minute and weak as a kitten the next. This was not a favorite Delinsky novel but I'll make sure I read her more recent ones in future and steer clear of the older ones.
Carly Quinn has had to change her name and move across country to keep herself safe. Her career as a journalist is over and she's teaching at a classy private school. She's afraid of her own shadow, has left her family and friends behind and is reluctant to make new friends, until she meets Ryan, that is. She doesn't want to lie to him or trust him, but she can't help herself and eventually he wears her down. Thinking she's safe, she starts to come out of her shell bit by bit. Little does she realize that someone close to her new life is about to betray her.
I could have done without the steamy, much too detailed intimate scenes and the whiny worrisome persona that was Carly, at times. Brave one minute and weak as a kitten the next. This was not a favorite Delinsky novel but I'll make sure I read her more recent ones in future and steer clear of the older ones.
April 10, 2022
Obvious plot, lengthy and repetitive
It could have been a better story if kept under 350 pages, as there were at least 100 pages of repetitive drama and sex scenes, to the point of needing to skip several pages at a time to tolerate the reading . We (readers) got it the first time, we feel the fear and the agony (main character) and the feral attraction (with the other character) No need to repeat it over and over again, it looses strength and makes the story boring. Also, it is so obvious where the story is going that I started to wonder if this was a novel for a YA crowd (although the sex scenes seemed a little too much, and repetitive, for that)
It had potential but ended being disappointing. This author loves happy endings, so of course you'll get that (bad people end up dead or in jail, good people end up with their happily ever afters) I would not recommend this book to a friend.
It could have been a better story if kept under 350 pages, as there were at least 100 pages of repetitive drama and sex scenes, to the point of needing to skip several pages at a time to tolerate the reading . We (readers) got it the first time, we feel the fear and the agony (main character) and the feral attraction (with the other character) No need to repeat it over and over again, it looses strength and makes the story boring. Also, it is so obvious where the story is going that I started to wonder if this was a novel for a YA crowd (although the sex scenes seemed a little too much, and repetitive, for that)
It had potential but ended being disappointing. This author loves happy endings, so of course you'll get that (bad people end up dead or in jail, good people end up with their happily ever afters) I would not recommend this book to a friend.
July 6, 2024
Jeg ved ikke helt hvad jeg havde tænkt om denne roman, inden jeg gik i gang med den. Men uanset hvad, blev jeg heldigvis positivt overrasket. En virkelig spændende og medrivende roman om at få sit liv rykket op ved roden, rusket godt igennem og så placeret et nyt sted. Nyt liv, nye venner, nyt arbejde, nyt navn, nyt ALT!
Carley er placeret i vidnebeskyttelse, fordi hun har afgivet forklaring i en stor kriminalsag og hendes liv nu er i fare. Fra at være en anerkendt journalist er hun nu blevet til lære på en highschool. Hun forsøger at skabe et nyt liv i de nye rammer, men det er ikke så nemt. Vi følger hendes kamp for at finde sig selv, i den nye identitet. At komme overens med, at hendes tidligere liv er en gråzone hun ikke taler om.
Tingene bliver ikke nemmere, da hun forelsker sig og ikke kan dele sin fortid med den nye mand i hendes liv. Hvor meget kan forblive usagt? Hvor meget kan man lyve om? Og hvor meget kan forholdet bære?
Carley er placeret i vidnebeskyttelse, fordi hun har afgivet forklaring i en stor kriminalsag og hendes liv nu er i fare. Fra at være en anerkendt journalist er hun nu blevet til lære på en highschool. Hun forsøger at skabe et nyt liv i de nye rammer, men det er ikke så nemt. Vi følger hendes kamp for at finde sig selv, i den nye identitet. At komme overens med, at hendes tidligere liv er en gråzone hun ikke taler om.
Tingene bliver ikke nemmere, da hun forelsker sig og ikke kan dele sin fortid med den nye mand i hendes liv. Hvor meget kan forblive usagt? Hvor meget kan man lyve om? Og hvor meget kan forholdet bære?
April 17, 2023
Love is a splendid emotion
Fingerprints is an expertly weaved story of intrigue, thrills, crime, drama and true love. Barbara Delinsky's characters are so well defined, you, the reader, know them. You truly know how they're feeling, what scares them, what delights them, what moves them. You are in total sync. Its almost uncanny.
I feel like I understand how Carly aka Robyn felt being in the Witness Protection Program. I was right there with the fears of being discovered. The protectiveness of your loved ones. I understand wanting to spare the anguish of always looking over your shoulder. You are right there with Carly. You are suspicious of motives, as she is.
I absorbed every word, felt every emotion and enjoyed every moment of this story and the details to make you feel it, as well.
I highly recommend. It makes your heart feel good.
Fingerprints is an expertly weaved story of intrigue, thrills, crime, drama and true love. Barbara Delinsky's characters are so well defined, you, the reader, know them. You truly know how they're feeling, what scares them, what delights them, what moves them. You are in total sync. Its almost uncanny.
I feel like I understand how Carly aka Robyn felt being in the Witness Protection Program. I was right there with the fears of being discovered. The protectiveness of your loved ones. I understand wanting to spare the anguish of always looking over your shoulder. You are right there with Carly. You are suspicious of motives, as she is.
I absorbed every word, felt every emotion and enjoyed every moment of this story and the details to make you feel it, as well.
I highly recommend. It makes your heart feel good.
April 3, 2021
Carly Quinn is the state's witness in an arson conspiracy that killed at least four people. She is so essential to the case that she is being kept undercover in the Witness Protection Program. Though she is living a protected life, she is not living a full life.
Delinsky does not disappoint in the delivery of a good yarn with ample suspense and great characters. However, the story is a bit dated (published 1997). This novel predates cell phone technology (NO fault of Ms. Delinsky's). While reading, I often thought how this or that plot point would not have occurred with today's common access to cell phones.
If you want a good romance novel with just the right amount of tension, Delinsky is a good bet.
Delinsky does not disappoint in the delivery of a good yarn with ample suspense and great characters. However, the story is a bit dated (published 1997). This novel predates cell phone technology (NO fault of Ms. Delinsky's). While reading, I often thought how this or that plot point would not have occurred with today's common access to cell phones.
If you want a good romance novel with just the right amount of tension, Delinsky is a good bet.
May 27, 2021
I saw this book in the kobo store for less than $2 and the version I bought, had a leaf on the cover. It had decent star rating, so I gave it a shot. This is the first I have read by this author, so I didn’t know what to expect (I hadn’t read a preview or reviews). Carly is in the witness protection program, and from the start, you know someone is going to attempt to get to her. It took most of the book to build the suspense and set the stage before the action happened, and most of it wasn’t really needed for the story. I found this book to repeat itself many times as the author worked to build the relationship between Carly and Ryan (lots of doubts, lot of steamy love scenes) and build tension. It could have been done in a third of the pages, in my opinion.
May 16, 2022
I have read this book some 20-25 years ago. The reread wasn’t as exciting as I expected. Maybe I have outgrown this kind of books. It was different and unsatisfying. Honestly, I didn’t like the plot now, as before. It was a bit repetitive and boring. I didn’t like the main character, Carly Quinn. I think there is much to be done to make her more believable and complex. There are too many holes in the story that make it less plausible and convincing. There are books that time can’t change, others are washed away in no time. This story doesn’t sound quite right in this time and age.
Maybe it was good for 1984, but now, definitely, is outdated.
But I am happy. Rereading this book gave me a perspective and helped me realize that it is okay not to like the things you liked before.
Maybe it was good for 1984, but now, definitely, is outdated.
But I am happy. Rereading this book gave me a perspective and helped me realize that it is okay not to like the things you liked before.
February 22, 2022
Second chances
Although an older book, it's important judge it for it's merits at the time. Carly was in Witness Protection and as expected was curious about people she meets. A chance encounter with Ryan, a lawyer in a Boston firm, sets her on a path she never expected to follow. Although the betrayer was obvious to me early on, this didn't detract from this story of one woman's strength, resilience, and perseverance to move forward in her new life. Can she leave the past behind to forge ahead in her new jiv, location, and identity? You'll want to read this oldie but goodie to find out.
Although an older book, it's important judge it for it's merits at the time. Carly was in Witness Protection and as expected was curious about people she meets. A chance encounter with Ryan, a lawyer in a Boston firm, sets her on a path she never expected to follow. Although the betrayer was obvious to me early on, this didn't detract from this story of one woman's strength, resilience, and perseverance to move forward in her new life. Can she leave the past behind to forge ahead in her new jiv, location, and identity? You'll want to read this oldie but goodie to find out.
April 10, 2024
Aargh . . . I am forcing myself to give 3 stars for this. It's not terrible - just not to my taste. I've not read this author before, and was looking forward to what I might find. I didn't realize the romance would be such a strong part of the story. A lot of time was given to description of some desperate love-making - maybe well done without being too smutty, but didn't add anything necessary to the story. . . so I'm wondering if that is just this author's style. The story line involves witness protection - I was surprised at the interaction and vacation time with her family using her name; and a faux pas (seemingly) concerning medication. And for someone so jittery about a confrontation (understandably) there were several times where she seemed out of character by letting her guard down. A lot of nothing seemed to happen for the most part (til the end) and what did happen just seemed stupid and sloppy .
March 25, 2025
This book was originally written in 1984 and is quite dated regarding technology, but still readable. It had a decent plot but was way too lengthy, I skimmed through a lot of passages just to get through the book. It was rather steamy as well and who needs 10 pages to describe the sex act? The author’s writing style sure has changed over the years, for the better I might ad, but again, this was 1984. Like other reviewers, I guessed who the villain was halfway through the book. I thought the epilogue was rather strange and amateurly written and wonder if this was the author’s first published book.
January 13, 2022
I read this book trying to escape from a real life trauma that I experienced this week. Needless to say author did a great job distracting me. This was written in 1984 just before everyone in the world had a cell phone. I found the author going into so much detail on the sex scenes, that I found myself skimming. My interest was reading about the witness protection plan and how the witnesses with new identities live their life’s. Carly/Robyn lived in fear. It was pretty predictable and I finished it. No spoilers.
Honestly it was a 2 1/2 and I rounded it up.
Honestly it was a 2 1/2 and I rounded it up.
March 26, 2022
This was a book that was hard to put down. The story is about Robyn Hart, a journalist, who, after researching a fire, has an attempt on her life. She is sent into witness protection with a new identity and in a new city. So, now as Carly Quinn a teacher in a private school, she is starting a new life. She meets a handsome lawyer who lives in the condo below hers. Carly is afraid to open her heart to him as well as afraid to be comfortable and secure in her new life. Lots of twists and turns and interesting characters with different motives.
March 17, 2023
I found the book to be pretty dumb at times. They made a big deal out of her going to New York to visit her dad and then when it came time to go the whole description was about her getting on the plane to go and then getting on another plane to come back home, they never elaborated on anything that happened while she was in New York. The sex scenes were way overboard! I think the storyline had potential, but it seemed like Barbara Delinsky had rushed through writing it, and not given it a lot of thought.
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