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whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Checking her step-sister's mail while she is on vacation, Charlotte comes across a letter and a set of keys from one of her sister's friends that has her very curious. When Charlotte finds out that friend is now dead, she has even more questions. Teaming up with private investigator Max, they start to discover that each thread they pull on only stirs up more questions. A decades old rape case, murder, money, and friendship hold all the clues but will they be able to find all the answers before it is too late?
Not the handsomest man in Seattle---not by a long stretch, she thought. But probably the one most likely to survive if he went into the gladiators' ring to confront the best-looking guy.
Where Have All the Girls Gone is at heart a mystery thriller with Charlotte and Max's building romance and relationship a companion piece. From the moment they meet it's obvious that they have chemistry but their past hurts keep them cautious. Charlotte is freshly off a broken engagement that ended only five days before the wedding and Max recently moved cross country after a divorce and job burnout. Both were fully flushed out characters whose insecurities and shy vulnerability kind of made them adorable. Their instant connection didn't feel too fast as they just seemed to click and as they spent more time together it was apparent their personalities gelled. They're not a hot and cold drama angst couple but cool and calm sexily belonging together partners.
The catalyst for the murder mystery is Charlotte's step-sister Jocelyn investigating rapes and murders that have occurred recently that seem to match her rape in college where the man was never caught. We learn the investment group Jocelyn belongs to and didn't want Charlotte a part of doubles as a cover for her and her friends to find men who abuse their wives and covertly punish them. When Jocelyn's friend Louise is found dead, it's not known if she really did overdose, one of the punished men found out about the group, or if Jocelyn's rapist has discovered that she is hunting him. As Charlotte and Max investigate, the tangled weave starts unraveling with even more threads, a corrupt police department, the investment group might be coming into some money, a serial rapist might have turned murderer, and even more lies, backstabbing, and deceit. Add all this in with multiple povs from secondary characters who have their own very flushed out storylines, background drama with Max and his biological father, and a reappearance from Charlotte's ex-fiancée and you have enough storylines for at least five books.
All the characters and their storylines were interesting on their own but we already had a great kitchen, each added drama started to feel like an extra sink being thrown in. The secondary characters and their storylines were obviously added to keep the reader guessing as to who was guilty of what but they ended up detracting from the true villain/s as their storylines were hidden towards the end; made them feel the least flushed out with their motivations. The ending and big reveals ended up feeling dragged out and full of info dumps, very staggered. We are left with some loose threads in regards to Max's past and with mentions of two other brothers, one coming to work for Max, along with Jocelyn and her friends in the investment club, it looks like this might be the start of a series.
With rape and murder being the center of this mystery thriller it had some darker tones but Max and Charlotte brought a lightness and charm that also gave it some light. Too many plot lines unnecessarily overcomplicated and cluttered the story at times but the danger, mystery, romance, and fully fleshed out secondary characters will keep you locked in, engaged, and entertained.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Checking her step-sister's mail while she is on vacation, Charlotte comes across a letter and a set of keys from one of her sister's friends that has her very curious. When Charlotte finds out that friend is now dead, she has even more questions. Teaming up with private investigator Max, they start to discover that each thread they pull on only stirs up more questions. A decades old rape case, murder, money, and friendship hold all the clues but will they be able to find all the answers before it is too late?
Not the handsomest man in Seattle---not by a long stretch, she thought. But probably the one most likely to survive if he went into the gladiators' ring to confront the best-looking guy.
Where Have All the Girls Gone is at heart a mystery thriller with Charlotte and Max's building romance and relationship a companion piece. From the moment they meet it's obvious that they have chemistry but their past hurts keep them cautious. Charlotte is freshly off a broken engagement that ended only five days before the wedding and Max recently moved cross country after a divorce and job burnout. Both were fully flushed out characters whose insecurities and shy vulnerability kind of made them adorable. Their instant connection didn't feel too fast as they just seemed to click and as they spent more time together it was apparent their personalities gelled. They're not a hot and cold drama angst couple but cool and calm sexily belonging together partners.
The catalyst for the murder mystery is Charlotte's step-sister Jocelyn investigating rapes and murders that have occurred recently that seem to match her rape in college where the man was never caught. We learn the investment group Jocelyn belongs to and didn't want Charlotte a part of doubles as a cover for her and her friends to find men who abuse their wives and covertly punish them. When Jocelyn's friend Louise is found dead, it's not known if she really did overdose, one of the punished men found out about the group, or if Jocelyn's rapist has discovered that she is hunting him. As Charlotte and Max investigate, the tangled weave starts unraveling with even more threads, a corrupt police department, the investment group might be coming into some money, a serial rapist might have turned murderer, and even more lies, backstabbing, and deceit. Add all this in with multiple povs from secondary characters who have their own very flushed out storylines, background drama with Max and his biological father, and a reappearance from Charlotte's ex-fiancée and you have enough storylines for at least five books.
All the characters and their storylines were interesting on their own but we already had a great kitchen, each added drama started to feel like an extra sink being thrown in. The secondary characters and their storylines were obviously added to keep the reader guessing as to who was guilty of what but they ended up detracting from the true villain/s as their storylines were hidden towards the end; made them feel the least flushed out with their motivations. The ending and big reveals ended up feeling dragged out and full of info dumps, very staggered. We are left with some loose threads in regards to Max's past and with mentions of two other brothers, one coming to work for Max, along with Jocelyn and her friends in the investment club, it looks like this might be the start of a series.
With rape and murder being the center of this mystery thriller it had some darker tones but Max and Charlotte brought a lightness and charm that also gave it some light. Too many plot lines unnecessarily overcomplicated and cluttered the story at times but the danger, mystery, romance, and fully fleshed out secondary characters will keep you locked in, engaged, and entertained.
sus7's review against another edition
3.0
I was offered this advanced reader copy by Penguin Random House through NetGalley. The offer states "Jayne Ann Krentz is well known as a romance writer, but this book will have you pegging her as a great suspense writer!" This is the first book I've read by Krentz (or Amanda Quick) so I can't compare it to books written as romance. This book still has a lot of romance in it, and I would classify it more cozy mystery than suspense. There are several subplots as well as background information about the characters; personally, I found this distracting. The book is well written, but you know...romance.
alida's review against another edition
4.0
The first little bit was a slow paced cozy mystery then the last half was action packed
queenhufflegruff's review against another edition
3.0
Well paced, fairly strong characterization, and a solid plot. This was a fast and fun read, with a nice element of romance, although the emphasis was definitely on the action. A very fun read!
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
The romance in When All the Girls Have Gone was not the strongest, but the suspense was very well done. Despite not necessarily buying into the romance, I liked Charlotte and Max as characters; they were smart, capable, and very adept problem solvers. My actual rating hovers between three and four stars; the "twist" in the final chapter pushed it up to four stars.
raciethereader's review against another edition
4.0
Romantic murder mystery/suspense that kept me reading until the very end.
pjj's review against another edition
Krentz never fails to deliver suspense, action, intrigue, and just enough sizzle to keep things interesting!
lindca's review against another edition
3.0
All of Krentz's heroes and heroines tend to sound alike, but it works for me.
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars.
When All the Girls Have Gone is a perfect blend of romance and suspense, with the emphasis on suspense. The plot is nicely convoluted, with plenty of twists and turns and several potential (and actual) villains. I really like Charlotte; she’s optimistic and loyal, but also perceptive, and not as naive as people think she is. Her ability to hold on to optimism and faith in people is a strength, not a weakness. Max Cutler, the hero, is less overwhelmingly alpha than many of Krentz’s heroes; he’s quieter, but still exhibits steely determination and a commitment to uncover the truth. Like most Krentz heroes, he’s also wounded and a little obsessed, but Charlotte seems to understand and cope with him admirably.
Krentz is one of my auto-read authors; I’ve read every book she has put out since I first discovered her about five or six years ago, and bought about half of them. Her books never take me long to read, but I know I can always count on them to be suspenseful, fun, and entertaining.
I really enjoyed When All the Girls Have Gone, possibly even more than last year’s [b:Secret Sisters|25194146|Secret Sisters|Jayne Ann Krentz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435916230l/25194146._SY75_.jpg|52370374]. I very much hope Krentz might be planning a sequel or two. The possibility exists; there’s a mystery in Max’s past that remains unsolved at the end of this book, and it sort of involves both of his foster brothers… who could theoretically end up with their own books. Fingers crossed!
ETA 1/01/2018 to add: Yes, this is a series. Book #2, Promise Not to Tell, comes out on January 2, 2018.
Review first published on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard, on 12/12/2016.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.
When All the Girls Have Gone is a perfect blend of romance and suspense, with the emphasis on suspense. The plot is nicely convoluted, with plenty of twists and turns and several potential (and actual) villains. I really like Charlotte; she’s optimistic and loyal, but also perceptive, and not as naive as people think she is. Her ability to hold on to optimism and faith in people is a strength, not a weakness. Max Cutler, the hero, is less overwhelmingly alpha than many of Krentz’s heroes; he’s quieter, but still exhibits steely determination and a commitment to uncover the truth. Like most Krentz heroes, he’s also wounded and a little obsessed, but Charlotte seems to understand and cope with him admirably.
Krentz is one of my auto-read authors; I’ve read every book she has put out since I first discovered her about five or six years ago, and bought about half of them. Her books never take me long to read, but I know I can always count on them to be suspenseful, fun, and entertaining.
I really enjoyed When All the Girls Have Gone, possibly even more than last year’s [b:Secret Sisters|25194146|Secret Sisters|Jayne Ann Krentz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435916230l/25194146._SY75_.jpg|52370374]. I very much hope Krentz might be planning a sequel or two. The possibility exists; there’s a mystery in Max’s past that remains unsolved at the end of this book, and it sort of involves both of his foster brothers… who could theoretically end up with their own books. Fingers crossed!
ETA 1/01/2018 to add: Yes, this is a series. Book #2, Promise Not to Tell, comes out on January 2, 2018.
Review first published on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Hoard, on 12/12/2016.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.