Scan barcode
marywoodard's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and was hoping that it being the second in a series wouldn't matter, but it does. A lot. This book is not a stand alone at all. It was like reading the middle of a story without knowing the beginning or the end, which makes it kind of hard to review. I don't know if my confusion over some of the characters and storylines were due to lack of background or not, but all the loose ends left to be resolved in the third book made this reading experience extremely frustrating.
dom1976's review against another edition
5.0
This is book number two of the Promise Falls trilogy (there is a 1.5 called Final Assignment that's available but not necessary to read). This is not a standalone book, it has to be read in order to understand the story.
Bombs explodes in a drive-in The Constellation with the screen falling down on cars and killing four people. This was not an accident but deliberate murder. Dective Duckworth is on the case while identifying the bodies, someone broke into one of the victims house looking for something. The daughter of the victim contacts private investigator Cal Weaver ( who was featured in the novel A tap on the window) to found out what they took and why. He gets more than he bargained for taking on this case. Also David Harwood is back being the assistant tp Finley who is trying to be re-elected mayor, deep down he knows it's the wrong thing especially when Finley does a faux-pas going to the drive-in for publicity but since losing his job at the newspaper he has no choice..
Not only do they have to deal with the killing at the drive in but so much is happening all at the same time, the significance of the numer 23 that started in the first book, kidnapping attempt, spouse sex swapping and trying to find out who killed a woman three before and Rosemary Gaynor not too long ago.
What I love about this author is nobody is safe in his novels. The characters are complexed, well written and all have their faults. Detective Duckworth not only does he have to investigate the murders, lose weight but has to deal with his son working for Finley springs, a man he despises and knows he wants something in return. David Harwood is working for the would be mayor who makes his skin crawl also feels that something is going on with his parents, the death of his aunt still haunts his mother but his father is acting strange. Cal Weaver comes back to Promise Falls after losing his wife and son, to start a new life but thinking he's just going to help a friend with a break in becomes a more twisted situation in more ways that one.
I love this book, a lot of twists and turns that at one point you think that too much is happening but at one point it starts to connect to each other. Some twists are still not answered in this one and since it's a trilogy, all will be answered in the next one. I've been reading quite a few books from Linwood Barclay and still haven't found anything negative to say about him. I truly enjoyed the book that I couldn't put down.
5 stars.
Bombs explodes in a drive-in The Constellation with the screen falling down on cars and killing four people. This was not an accident but deliberate murder. Dective Duckworth is on the case while identifying the bodies, someone broke into one of the victims house looking for something. The daughter of the victim contacts private investigator Cal Weaver ( who was featured in the novel A tap on the window) to found out what they took and why. He gets more than he bargained for taking on this case. Also David Harwood is back being the assistant tp Finley who is trying to be re-elected mayor, deep down he knows it's the wrong thing especially when Finley does a faux-pas going to the drive-in for publicity but since losing his job at the newspaper he has no choice..
Not only do they have to deal with the killing at the drive in but so much is happening all at the same time, the significance of the numer 23 that started in the first book, kidnapping attempt, spouse sex swapping and trying to find out who killed a woman three before and Rosemary Gaynor not too long ago.
What I love about this author is nobody is safe in his novels. The characters are complexed, well written and all have their faults. Detective Duckworth not only does he have to investigate the murders, lose weight but has to deal with his son working for Finley springs, a man he despises and knows he wants something in return. David Harwood is working for the would be mayor who makes his skin crawl also feels that something is going on with his parents, the death of his aunt still haunts his mother but his father is acting strange. Cal Weaver comes back to Promise Falls after losing his wife and son, to start a new life but thinking he's just going to help a friend with a break in becomes a more twisted situation in more ways that one.
I love this book, a lot of twists and turns that at one point you think that too much is happening but at one point it starts to connect to each other. Some twists are still not answered in this one and since it's a trilogy, all will be answered in the next one. I've been reading quite a few books from Linwood Barclay and still haven't found anything negative to say about him. I truly enjoyed the book that I couldn't put down.
5 stars.
vailynst's review against another edition
3.0
Notes:
Less surprises on this one because I'm getting used to the way Barclay likes to setup but still a crazy ride in a town full of secrets. The only thing that bugs me is that the characterizations are starting to feel a bit repetitive. You basically get the same setup & scene for two sets of characters.
More clues on who the serial killer is but I haven't narrowed it down to one person yet.
Less surprises on this one because I'm getting used to the way Barclay likes to setup but still a crazy ride in a town full of secrets. The only thing that bugs me is that the characterizations are starting to feel a bit repetitive. You basically get the same setup & scene for two sets of characters.
More clues on who the serial killer is but I haven't narrowed it down to one person yet.
bookedinsideout's review
3.0
Enjoyed it, but a few too many moving pieces and took awhile to get everyone straight.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
5.0
I like to read my series in chronological order. Nothing worse than to start reading a mystery only to realize I already know the long term answer because I read books out of order. Mr. Barclay likes to recycle his characters. While this is the second (full) book in the Promise Falls trilogy, the town and many of the characters have appeared in previous books: Too Close to Home (Mayor/ex-Mayor Finley), Never Look Away (David Harwood), A Tap on the Window (Cal Weaver). And, don't skip 1.5: Final Assignment either! But even if you do pick up a random book out of order, Mr. Barclay has found that perfect balance between providing enough background information for a new reader without alienating a previous reader. Or perhaps it is his intricate story lines with twists thrown in to keep the reader on their toes? Whatever it is, if you are a fan of suspense, intrigue, and great character development Far From True is a must for your reading list!
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an objective review.
A preview copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an objective review.
jennyjones's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mredman345's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book in a giveaway...yay!
When I added it to my list I didn't realize it was the second book of a trilogy but when I won the book I decided to go ahead with it without reading book one. I would highly recommend reading them in order but book two stands alone and is a good book in itself. There were times when I was a little confused with all the different character names but I feel had I read the first one I wouldn't have had any trouble. This book had a great level of suspense and action. I'm still guessing about parts that should be answered in book three and at this point I am suspicious of almost everyone. I cannot wait to find out the reason behind "23" and what it all ties to.
All in all it was a great read and was exactly what I expect when I pick up a book by Linwood Barclay.
When I added it to my list I didn't realize it was the second book of a trilogy but when I won the book I decided to go ahead with it without reading book one. I would highly recommend reading them in order but book two stands alone and is a good book in itself. There were times when I was a little confused with all the different character names but I feel had I read the first one I wouldn't have had any trouble. This book had a great level of suspense and action. I'm still guessing about parts that should be answered in book three and at this point I am suspicious of almost everyone. I cannot wait to find out the reason behind "23" and what it all ties to.
All in all it was a great read and was exactly what I expect when I pick up a book by Linwood Barclay.
longtimereader's review against another edition
3.0
Akkkk! Warning, this is a cliffhanger! I had not read the first book in the series, so I'm pretty sure that added to my confusion. Even so, people are dying and someone is taking them out.
So while we are playing catch up to figure out all the characters and solve the crimes, we get left hanging in the end. I really didn't care for that, because it left so may loose ends and I had no idea that was coming.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
So while we are playing catch up to figure out all the characters and solve the crimes, we get left hanging in the end. I really didn't care for that, because it left so may loose ends and I had no idea that was coming.
My copy came from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
I was very negative when I started reading 'Promise Falls' but I have to hold my hands up and say, I was totally wrong to be. This is a great series with a lot of twists and turns and tension. The characters are, as always, likeable and ones that you can really support. I love the interweaving of main and subplots, and how they fluctuate. What starts out as a seemingly unimportant event ends up tying into the main plot and make you all, "Ohhhhhhh!"
I love David and Cal as our narrators and whenever they appear to be in trouble - which is a ridiculous amount of the time to be honest - I'm always so on edge.
I found it a little harder to follow this book just because there is such a large cast now, but that was probably my concentration as much as anything.
I will be diving in "The Twenty Three" as soon as I can. Cannot wait to see how this ends!
I love David and Cal as our narrators and whenever they appear to be in trouble - which is a ridiculous amount of the time to be honest - I'm always so on edge.
I found it a little harder to follow this book just because there is such a large cast now, but that was probably my concentration as much as anything.
I will be diving in "The Twenty Three" as soon as I can. Cannot wait to see how this ends!