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Long After Midnight
She wanted to save lives. The killer wanted to end hers.
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
430 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
559 people are currently reading
3053 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
226 books7,328 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 162 reviews
July 16, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. I just wish it had more of an epilogue.
October 14, 2018
Spoiler alert: This is not the only book Iris Johansen has written about a miracle cure for everything. She would later write a novel called "Dark Summer," only with dogs. And this time, it's the "good guy" who's a Native American.
Wait, what?
Yeah. My biggest problem with this book--at least, that's not present in all of Iris Johansen's novels, am I right?--is that the bad guy is Native. Or rather, half-"Indian," half-"Arabic." Seriously.
I don't know if "Dark Summer" was Johansen's attempt to make up for this atrocity, but the fact stands that "Long After Midnight" contains one of the most cringe-worthy, blatant stereotyping I've ever seen in one of her books.
Jonathan Ishmaru may be half-"Arabic" (what does that even mean?), but it's his Native ancestry that's made into a huge deal throughout the book. Ishmaru is obsessed with warriors and "honor," especially something called counting coup. The main character, Kate Denby, describes counting coup as "to get close enough to your enemy to kill by hand weapon and gain some sort of mystical honor." Granted, this book was published in 1997, and Johansen did not have Google to assist in her research, but this definition of counting coup is incorrect. You do not have to kill your enemy in order to count coup; you just have to hit them. The prestige is apparently greater if you are not wounded in the attempt. The whole point is to do something gutsy and get away with it.
We never find out exactly which tribe Ishmaru is descended from, although it's possible he doesn't know himself. Just like most big bads in Johansen's works, Ishmaru is a very flat character. He's described as "insane." That's it; that's why he's interested in killing Kate. He's convinced that she's the reincarnation of someone named "Emily." We never find out exactly who Emily was. I was vaguely curious, but I can't say I expected much at this point.
Ishmaru engages in some imagined version of "meditation" when seeking guidance. He even mentions the "Great Spirit," although it's only to scoff at the idea. He also keeps "trophies" from his victims. Any guesses as to what these "trophies" are?
That's right. Scalps.
Scalping was not just a Native American process; U.S. colonists also engaged in scalping. In fact, scalping was done in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well. However, it's normally associated with Native Americans, usually in order to depict them as inherently violent and uncivilized. Johansen really had no reason to include scalping; I think she mistook "Little House on the Prairie" for an encyclopedia.
Then there's Seth's description of Ishmaru as a "drugstore Indian. He invented himself. He smells of Mennen aftershave lotion, incense, and sesame seeds." I don't know what the point of that was. Is Seth saying that he can't be a real Native American because he uses aftershave? The conversation is never brought up again.
As for the plot...Well, it's an Iris Johansen book. You've got your typical hard-as-nails heroine who refuses to rely on anyone and puts herself at risk over and over again, the obnoxiously adult-like child who is never afraid for himself, only for his mother, and two creepy love interests for the price of one. Seth is worse than Noah, throwing a hissy fit when Kate says she wants to end their relationship (even if she's only doing it to protect herself from what she believes is the inevitable pain of him leaving her and going back to his old life) and promising her he'll be back in her bed in a month. But even Noah is basically like, "Yeah, you're hot and I want to screw you. I'm a guy, I can't help it." Aww, how romantic.
I do like Kate a bit more than other Johansen heroines, because in some ways, she's different. She makes it clear that she is very uncomfortable with killing, and actually orders Seth to spare Ishmaru early in the book. She is also extremely uncomfortable with the fact that Seth has murdered men before (even if they deserved it), and calls him out on it, something some of Johansen's heroines would never do.
Johansen even included a twist that I did not see coming. She's fairly good at this, despite the fact that the overall plot is very predictable. Kate's "dark secret from her past" is another thing that makes her different from other heroines, but that's all I'll say, in case someone actually wants to read this book.
But sadly, in the most important areas, Kate Denby IS like Johansen's other heroines. She berates herself for acting like a "sniveling coward" when Ishmaru makes a surprise appearance at the funeral of one of his victims. When Seth blames her for not letting him know about Ishmaru's appearance (so he could kill him), she agrees that it was her fault, even though she was practically in shock at the time. He never apologizes or considers that maybe he was expecting too much of her.
Johansen does this frequently. The implication is that her characters are Strong Women, and Strong Women can't be victims. If they wish someone was there to help them, they're being selfish (see "The Killing Game"). If they react like most people would to the person trying to kill them showing up at a funeral for someone they care about, they're "sniveling cowards." It seems women can't win if they want to be considered "strong." They must not only rely on themselves, but must make sure everyone else relies on them. They must put themselves in danger time and time again without letting anyone else do the same. Most of all, they must never complain about the way they are treated by men. If they do, they're being "unfair," because men can't be expected to behave themselves around beautiful women.
"Long After Midnight" is more of the same from Johansen. The book's few strengths are vastly outweighed by its failings. If you desperately want to read a book by Iris Johansen, pick "Close Your Eyes." It's much better.
Wait, what?
Yeah. My biggest problem with this book--at least, that's not present in all of Iris Johansen's novels, am I right?--is that the bad guy is Native. Or rather, half-"Indian," half-"Arabic." Seriously.
I don't know if "Dark Summer" was Johansen's attempt to make up for this atrocity, but the fact stands that "Long After Midnight" contains one of the most cringe-worthy, blatant stereotyping I've ever seen in one of her books.
Jonathan Ishmaru may be half-"Arabic" (what does that even mean?), but it's his Native ancestry that's made into a huge deal throughout the book. Ishmaru is obsessed with warriors and "honor," especially something called counting coup. The main character, Kate Denby, describes counting coup as "to get close enough to your enemy to kill by hand weapon and gain some sort of mystical honor." Granted, this book was published in 1997, and Johansen did not have Google to assist in her research, but this definition of counting coup is incorrect. You do not have to kill your enemy in order to count coup; you just have to hit them. The prestige is apparently greater if you are not wounded in the attempt. The whole point is to do something gutsy and get away with it.
We never find out exactly which tribe Ishmaru is descended from, although it's possible he doesn't know himself. Just like most big bads in Johansen's works, Ishmaru is a very flat character. He's described as "insane." That's it; that's why he's interested in killing Kate. He's convinced that she's the reincarnation of someone named "Emily." We never find out exactly who Emily was. I was vaguely curious, but I can't say I expected much at this point.
Ishmaru engages in some imagined version of "meditation" when seeking guidance. He even mentions the "Great Spirit," although it's only to scoff at the idea. He also keeps "trophies" from his victims. Any guesses as to what these "trophies" are?
That's right. Scalps.
Scalping was not just a Native American process; U.S. colonists also engaged in scalping. In fact, scalping was done in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well. However, it's normally associated with Native Americans, usually in order to depict them as inherently violent and uncivilized. Johansen really had no reason to include scalping; I think she mistook "Little House on the Prairie" for an encyclopedia.
Then there's Seth's description of Ishmaru as a "drugstore Indian. He invented himself. He smells of Mennen aftershave lotion, incense, and sesame seeds." I don't know what the point of that was. Is Seth saying that he can't be a real Native American because he uses aftershave? The conversation is never brought up again.
As for the plot...Well, it's an Iris Johansen book. You've got your typical hard-as-nails heroine who refuses to rely on anyone and puts herself at risk over and over again, the obnoxiously adult-like child who is never afraid for himself, only for his mother, and two creepy love interests for the price of one. Seth is worse than Noah, throwing a hissy fit when Kate says she wants to end their relationship (even if she's only doing it to protect herself from what she believes is the inevitable pain of him leaving her and going back to his old life) and promising her he'll be back in her bed in a month. But even Noah is basically like, "Yeah, you're hot and I want to screw you. I'm a guy, I can't help it." Aww, how romantic.
I do like Kate a bit more than other Johansen heroines, because in some ways, she's different. She makes it clear that she is very uncomfortable with killing, and actually orders Seth to spare Ishmaru early in the book. She is also extremely uncomfortable with the fact that Seth has murdered men before (even if they deserved it), and calls him out on it, something some of Johansen's heroines would never do.
Johansen even included a twist that I did not see coming. She's fairly good at this, despite the fact that the overall plot is very predictable. Kate's "dark secret from her past" is another thing that makes her different from other heroines, but that's all I'll say, in case someone actually wants to read this book.
But sadly, in the most important areas, Kate Denby IS like Johansen's other heroines. She berates herself for acting like a "sniveling coward" when Ishmaru makes a surprise appearance at the funeral of one of his victims. When Seth blames her for not letting him know about Ishmaru's appearance (so he could kill him), she agrees that it was her fault, even though she was practically in shock at the time. He never apologizes or considers that maybe he was expecting too much of her.
Johansen does this frequently. The implication is that her characters are Strong Women, and Strong Women can't be victims. If they wish someone was there to help them, they're being selfish (see "The Killing Game"). If they react like most people would to the person trying to kill them showing up at a funeral for someone they care about, they're "sniveling cowards." It seems women can't win if they want to be considered "strong." They must not only rely on themselves, but must make sure everyone else relies on them. They must put themselves in danger time and time again without letting anyone else do the same. Most of all, they must never complain about the way they are treated by men. If they do, they're being "unfair," because men can't be expected to behave themselves around beautiful women.
"Long After Midnight" is more of the same from Johansen. The book's few strengths are vastly outweighed by its failings. If you desperately want to read a book by Iris Johansen, pick "Close Your Eyes." It's much better.
January 20, 2008
medical "thriller" genre. Big drug breakthrough and then it's a good guys/bad guys life/death/industry espionage
/fight for the money story. reads easily but not a book highlighting ethics, morality, etc. 'just' a page-turner.
/fight for the money story. reads easily but not a book highlighting ethics, morality, etc. 'just' a page-turner.
November 23, 2019
2.5*
Ξεκινάει καλά, αφήνει υποσχέσεις, αλλά...
Μέχρι τη μέση περίπου είναι αρκετά καλό, παρά τις ατέλειες που αναφέρω και παρακάτω, αλλά από εκεί και μετά το χάνει το παιχνίδι...
Οι ήρωες τρώνε κάτι κολλήματα σε εκνευριστικό βαθμό και σε πολλές περιπτώσεις δεν πείθουν καθόλου...συμβαίνουν γεγονότα μόνο και μόνο για να εξυπηρετήσουν την πλοκή, που ούτε αυτά πείθουν...γενικώς δεν με έπεισε και σε αρκετά σημεία εκνευρίστηκα με τους ήρωες...
Μέτριο και παίρνει το τρίτο αστέρι μόνο και μόνο για το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου.
Ξεκινάει καλά, αφήνει υποσχέσεις, αλλά...
Μέχρι τη μέση περίπου είναι αρκετά καλό, παρά τις ατέλειες που αναφέρω και παρακάτω, αλλά από εκεί και μετά το χάνει το παιχνίδι...
Οι ήρωες τρώνε κάτι κολλήματα σε εκνευριστικό βαθμό και σε πολλές περιπτώσεις δεν πείθουν καθόλου...συμβαίνουν γεγονότα μόνο και μόνο για να εξυπηρετήσουν την πλοκή, που ούτε αυτά πείθουν...γενικώς δεν με έπεισε και σε αρκετά σημεία εκνευρίστηκα με τους ήρωες...
Μέτριο και παίρνει το τρίτο αστέρι μόνο και μόνο για το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου.
September 26, 2012
Book Description: She wanted to save lives. The killer wanted to end hers.
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
I love Iris Johansen’s books but Long After Midnight is not on my most favorite list but it’s still not a bad book at all.
The actual plot was okay – a bit of intrigue, corruption, action….but just when I thought something big was going to happen….bam…not so. Lacked a bit of spark and sparkle I thought.
The characters were likeable enough….Noah was really cute and would have liked to have him along for the ride a bit longer….Kate did get on my nerves at times…geez..we know you’re smart, gorgeous and totally independent…but hey give a guy a break!!!!! I did like her son Joshua….the interaction between him and Seth…ooh Seth….is so endearing…going on maneuvers!!!!
Now, Seth…he’s the one I really loved in this story and that’s my only reason for the 4 star rating……..dark, mysterious, funny, strong alpha-male, tender, caring…oh I could go on and on………..he has such a sense of who he is and what he wants…and goes about it in such a likeable manner. Loved the scenes with him and Kate in bed…..the dialogue is fabulous…this is a great hero!!!!!
Of course, the bad guys…and I mean bad bad….Ishmaru..this is some scary and evil killer…mafia, corrupt politicians…..no chance for them….the good guys win here.
So, if you like suspense with a bit of romance – well nothing happens in this department until page 307…but worth the wait…Seth is something hot and sexy and Kate cannot resist him..then get reading...
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
I love Iris Johansen’s books but Long After Midnight is not on my most favorite list but it’s still not a bad book at all.
The actual plot was okay – a bit of intrigue, corruption, action….but just when I thought something big was going to happen….bam…not so. Lacked a bit of spark and sparkle I thought.
The characters were likeable enough….Noah was really cute and would have liked to have him along for the ride a bit longer….Kate did get on my nerves at times…geez..we know you’re smart, gorgeous and totally independent…but hey give a guy a break!!!!! I did like her son Joshua….the interaction between him and Seth…ooh Seth….is so endearing…going on maneuvers!!!!
Now, Seth…he’s the one I really loved in this story and that’s my only reason for the 4 star rating……..dark, mysterious, funny, strong alpha-male, tender, caring…oh I could go on and on………..he has such a sense of who he is and what he wants…and goes about it in such a likeable manner. Loved the scenes with him and Kate in bed…..the dialogue is fabulous…this is a great hero!!!!!
Of course, the bad guys…and I mean bad bad….Ishmaru..this is some scary and evil killer…mafia, corrupt politicians…..no chance for them….the good guys win here.
So, if you like suspense with a bit of romance – well nothing happens in this department until page 307…but worth the wait…Seth is something hot and sexy and Kate cannot resist him..then get reading...
July 18, 2013
Long After Midnight by Iris Johansen - Research scientist Kate Denby helps to make a medical breakthrough that could save millions of lives. In return, she needs to protect the lives of her family and friends that support her as there are those who will do anything to stop her. This classic suspense novels brings the reader on a thrill ride to see if Kate Denby will succeed and whether the stranger dedicated to protecting her family is telling the truth. From politicians to obsessed killers, this is one of the classic Iris Johansen books where she is at the top of her game weaving subplots and story lines. If you are a suspense, thriller reader you will love Long After Midnight.
May 10, 2019
No stranger to Iris Johansen's books, LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT is true to her form—excellent! This story kept the hairs on the nape of my neck standing at attention with every turn of the page. And the plot twists—oh my! I highly recommend this book.
January 5, 2013
Another classic Iris Johansen book. I wish she would expand her horizons. . . . But at least she's consistent; you know what you're going to get when you open the cover.
June 27, 2018
Kate is a medical researcher who gets involved with a breakthrough cure, but not everyone wants her to succeed. Her life, and the lives of those she cares about, are in danger. Fast-paced and exciting.
July 31, 2020
I’m beginning to think I need to stick to Ms. Johansen’s Eve Duncan and related series.
I found this book to be an annoying mishmash of unrealistic premise and attempted romance. I didn’t like or believe in any of the characters, the plot was weak and unbelievable. IMHO.
The sad part is, based on the Eve/Quinn/Bonnie et al books I know Ms. Johansen can do so much better.
I found this book to be an annoying mishmash of unrealistic premise and attempted romance. I didn’t like or believe in any of the characters, the plot was weak and unbelievable. IMHO.
The sad part is, based on the Eve/Quinn/Bonnie et al books I know Ms. Johansen can do so much better.
March 28, 2019
A nice book. Interesting, with all those people wanting to kill each other. Some unexpected twists & turns but also a bit too much and incredible romance, still all in all I consider it a good book 'before bedtime'.
August 17, 2024
Labai nebloga knyga. Smagiai skaitėsi. Gaila, kad šios autorės lietuviškai yra išleistos tik trys knygos.
February 10, 2025
Fast moving and interesting plot line with a female protagonist ... BUT the action required a bit too much suspension of disbelief for my taste.
She wanted to save lives. The killer wanted to end hers.
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
She wanted to save lives. The killer wanted to end hers.
The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.
Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.
October 22, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. I got this book years ago and finally decided to sit down and read it. This is definitely an edge of your seat book. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. This book is about a woman who is creating a special drug to help mankind but certain people are trying to prevent it from coming out and send people to kill her and her family. She must go into hiding to save those she loves as well as complete the drug before the killer finds her.
February 8, 2017
This was the first Iris Johansen novel I've read. Even though it was unrealistic, it was still suspenseful enough that I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. It reminded me of a TV movie, but a good one. I'm always a little wary of "mother with child in danger" plotlines, but Joshua was not the precocious, unlikable brat I half-expected. I would characterize it as "suspense-lite"; it made a good change-of-pace from the some of the darker, grittier, more disturbing novels I've read lately. I would actually rate it as 3.5/5, but I rounded up because of the puppy!
August 19, 2009
Another one with a dumb title that has nothign whatsoever to do with anything that happens in the book, but as my girlfriend said, "Who the hell cares?"
This one has a twist that if you see coming, you cheated. If it doesn't break your heart, you have no soul. Easily my favorite of the three I've read so far.
This one has a twist that if you see coming, you cheated. If it doesn't break your heart, you have no soul. Easily my favorite of the three I've read so far.
December 6, 2009
As usual Iris kept me on the edge of my seat with this one. Although it was one of her earlier books I just ran across it and picked it up.
She drew me in and made me care about ther characters and their problems and I just had to see how they were solved.
If you like Johansen's writing---I would highly recommend this book
She drew me in and made me care about ther characters and their problems and I just had to see how they were solved.
If you like Johansen's writing---I would highly recommend this book
January 25, 2008
Trash novel. A book that goes places and you want to see where it will take you, not a lot of value. But, a good junk food book for the mind.
March 3, 2014
I liked this book. Would read more like this. Not sure if I'm right but don't think I liked the books with Eve as heroine as much. This book caught me though.
January 24, 2015
A great thriller, hard to put down!
I think this is one of Iris Johansen's best; a great balance of intrigue and two complicated romantic leading men!
I think this is one of Iris Johansen's best; a great balance of intrigue and two complicated romantic leading men!
March 5, 2015
very good book as usual for this author. lots of twists and turns. I couldn't even take a nap because the book was too good to put down to sleep.
September 28, 2021
This is a book that has been sitting on my shelf to read for more years than I want to admit. I got it from an Aunt who was getting rid of a stack and I have always been a sucker for free things, even though this one never looked compelling.
It was, and wasn't, what I expected. It had a stupid plot and annoying characters, but it was intriguing enough to keep me reading in spite of the eye rolls. SuperWoman Kate is tiny, smart, brilliant, a fantastic mom with a successful career well balanced, has a civil and friendly divorce from her gently-sexist-but-still-a-good-guy ex-husband, and is completely alluring to every man she sees. And the one "big bad thing" she has done in her life is actually a fake-out and turns out to be something different. Because she can't be anything but a perfection. Her son is likewise sensitive, mature, and strong. Her ex-mother-in-law is a pillar of strength and support, keeping with her even after the divorce.
And then she gets caught between brilliant, steady, handsome Noah and enigmatic, charming, "bad boy" Seth. What a conundrum. Oh no. However will this play out.
They go through hiding in the woods to maneuvering through the political sphere, all while being chased by a psychotic serial killer hired by the Big Bad Pharmaceuticals.
Not one I would read again, but I was sick and stuck at home. Glad to finally have this one off my shelf. Now I can get rid of it to make room for a different one.
Swearing, murder of various kinds and capacities, political intrigue and bribery, a small sex scene with more hinted at, the talk of Native Americans is very much from the 90's.
It was, and wasn't, what I expected. It had a stupid plot and annoying characters, but it was intriguing enough to keep me reading in spite of the eye rolls. SuperWoman Kate is tiny, smart, brilliant, a fantastic mom with a successful career well balanced, has a civil and friendly divorce from her gently-sexist-but-still-a-good-guy ex-husband, and is completely alluring to every man she sees. And the one "big bad thing" she has done in her life is actually a fake-out and turns out to be something different. Because she can't be anything but a perfection. Her son is likewise sensitive, mature, and strong. Her ex-mother-in-law is a pillar of strength and support, keeping with her even after the divorce.
And then she gets caught between brilliant, steady, handsome Noah and enigmatic, charming, "bad boy" Seth. What a conundrum. Oh no. However will this play out.
They go through hiding in the woods to maneuvering through the political sphere, all while being chased by a psychotic serial killer hired by the Big Bad Pharmaceuticals.
Not one I would read again, but I was sick and stuck at home. Glad to finally have this one off my shelf. Now I can get rid of it to make room for a different one.
Swearing, murder of various kinds and capacities, political intrigue and bribery, a small sex scene with more hinted at, the talk of Native Americans is very much from the 90's.
September 2, 2025
Mediocre
Plot had promise but coup and Ishmaru was a turnoff. Caves and scalps were unbelievable. There were some twists an turn at the end that salvaged the book if only they could been introduced and expounded on earlier. Joshua and Phyllis were refreshing and essential to the story. Kate at times was too headstrong especially in her relationship with Seth. Admitting she wanted him was very hard the way the author approached their coming together. She did not need him but author decided she needed a man. Typical ending to a repetitive sometimes boring story. Quick read.
Plot had promise but coup and Ishmaru was a turnoff. Caves and scalps were unbelievable. There were some twists an turn at the end that salvaged the book if only they could been introduced and expounded on earlier. Joshua and Phyllis were refreshing and essential to the story. Kate at times was too headstrong especially in her relationship with Seth. Admitting she wanted him was very hard the way the author approached their coming together. She did not need him but author decided she needed a man. Typical ending to a repetitive sometimes boring story. Quick read.
June 11, 2020
Раздвоена съм в мнението си относно книгата. Тематиката е интересна, харесвам да чета за медицински открития, граничещи с чудеса. Успоредно с това са едни убийства, едно преследване и една объркана жена. Идеята не е доизчистена, получила се е една смесица между медицински трилър, екшън и любовен роман. Това добре, но образите са посредствени в действията и размишленията си, не ме докоснаха, не видях развитието им. Въпреки напечената обстановка, не можах да се почувствам участник в действието.
January 26, 2022
Was my first Iris Johansen novel. I have a feeling that most of her novels are like this. Was not the worst I have read. I will say she set the tone quickly but after that she rushed into everything. What started out as exciting became repetitive and annoying. The ending dragged and the face off was a letdown. Kate seemed like the one focus of everyone and she couldn't do no wrong or fail at anything.
February 6, 2018
Long After Midnight by Iris Johansen started slow for me, but overall I enjoyed it. I don’t want to give anything away, but there were a few surprises toward the end that made me very pleased. Ms. Johansen did an especially good job in making me believe one thing happened just to find out later that it didn’t. I guess that’s part of the “suspense”. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
January 19, 2019
Another great book by iris Johansen. I was a little surprised by the little secret Kate kept.
I liked Seth and how he and Kate where together. Noah is a genius with what he develops and he knows who to leave RU2 to. He also is very perseptive about his future.
Ishmaru is complete insane, cruel and completely evil.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Highly recommend it.
I liked Seth and how he and Kate where together. Noah is a genius with what he develops and he knows who to leave RU2 to. He also is very perseptive about his future.
Ishmaru is complete insane, cruel and completely evil.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Highly recommend it.
February 24, 2022
A shoot 'em up with a good story line. Two very smart people who work in different labs come up with a miracle drug that could cure numerous diseases. The pharmaceutical companies don't want it to succeed. There are pages of interesting and intelligent action but the killing turned me off as did the old story line of a woman can't live without a man.
November 24, 2022
Didn't finish.
A couple of random jump moments, but overall incredibly boring, and practically nothing happened up till the middle of the book. Disappointing because I really enjoyed the last book I read by her. Plus, the whole "coup" thing and Ishmaru character was utterly annoying. Not wasting my time on this one.
A couple of random jump moments, but overall incredibly boring, and practically nothing happened up till the middle of the book. Disappointing because I really enjoyed the last book I read by her. Plus, the whole "coup" thing and Ishmaru character was utterly annoying. Not wasting my time on this one.
October 11, 2017
I don't know why every one of these has to have a romance to be so engaging. That is honestly the only reason I gave this a 4 instead of 5. There are plenty of stories in real life where a man and a woman work on a science research project and do not become involved.
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