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noapo88's review
3.0
בדרך כלל אני מאוד אוהבת את הספרים של ברקלי. הפעם הספר הרגיש לי מרוח ולא זז. התעלומה המרכזית של הספר לא הייתה מעניינת, לצערי גם התעלומה הגדולה, שמחברת בין הספר הזה לספר הקודם, לא ממש התקדמה. בסופו של דבר, ברקלי לא ממש יודע לכתוב דמויות עומק. בספר יש שתי דמויות שמדברות בגוף ראשון, ואם לא היה כתוב לי בראש הפרק במי מהשתיים מדובר, לא הייתי מצליחה להגיד. אני כן אקרא את הספר הבא בתור, כי גם אם לא השתגעתי על הספר הזה, הוא עדיין כתוב טוב ואני רוצה לדעת מה יהיה הסוף של הטרילוגיה
lmt01's review against another edition
4.0
She took a deep breath. “When I heard about what happened, when the police got in touch, I came over here. I didn’t know quite what else to do, but I also knew that sooner or later I was going to have to pick out clothes, for the funeral home, and then there’d be the whole matter of what to do with the house and…”
“And what?”
“When I stepped into the house, I heard the back door close. Someone was leaving as I was coming in.”
In the town of Promise Falls, tragedy has struck: the Constellation Drive-In Theatre is closing. A damn shame, the people of the town agree. So strong is their sorrow that the crowd that musters for the final screening is a mighty one, people from all over Promise Falls arriving for the theatres swan-song. However, tragedy strikes again at this screening, and one far worse than the closing of a theatre: the large screen is blown down onto the crowd. However, even in the chaos it is apparent that such a catastrophe was the product of one with a sinister mind, one who is intent on giving a warning. With the fallout of the situation to deal with, Detective Barry Duckworth finds himself battling not only with Randall Finley, a ruthless politician hell-bent on reclaiming the title of mayor, but also a mysterious killer from the past who has resurfaced to take revenge. Also dealing with the fallout, in one way or another, is PI Calvin Weaver, a former Promise Falls police officer who, after moving away, has returned following the deaths of his son and wife. Following the event at the theatre, Weaver receives a call from Lucy Brighton, whose father was one of the tragedy’s victims; she claims that, after visiting her father’s house after learning of his death, she caught somebody leaving. Investigating the house, Weaver finds a “playroom” hidden behind a bookcase, the state of it suggesting that it has recently been ransacked. However, Weaver soon finds himself stumbling across something a lot more serious than what he had thought, and is about to be placed in dangerous waters…
I saw it first on CNN the next morning. Flipped over to the Today show, found they were covering it, too. All the morning shows were focused on Promise Falls. We were famous. I’d noticed the emergency vehicles the night before, as I’d stood on the porch next to my brother-in-law, but figured it was probably just a multicar accident.
Turned out to be much bigger.
Going into FAR FROM TRUE, I was quite looking forward to discovering what events would occur. Not only because it is a sequel, but also because it features Cal Weaver, the main protagonist from my first Barclay novel, A TAP ON THE WINDOW, and a character who I liked for his grey views on right-and-wrong and gritty sense of justice. I was also interesting in seeing how he would end up coping with the murder of his wife at the end of A TAP ON THE WINDOW, a death which took me by surprise like a punch to the gut. Honestly, Donna Weaver’s death in A TAP ON THE WINDOW was one of the most shocking deaths I’d read in ages, and still remains one of the most devastating.
It was nice to catch up with characters who had been met with in BROKEN PROMISE, and the continuation of their journeys was interesting to read. Barry Duckworth is as sympathetic a character as ever, especially with the tension between him and his son, what with said son working for Randall Finley, Duckworth’s enemy. We also see the relationship between David and Samantha rekindle after the apparent destruction of their relationship in the last novel.
He’d been reaching out to her, trying to explain that he hadn’t done anything—at least not intentionally—to betray her. Someone had evidently taken pictures through her kitchen window of the two of them having sex, and now the pics were being used as evidence that she was somehow an unfit mother.
I think that, in terms of enjoyment, I preferred this novel to its predecessor. However, in terms of predictability, BROKEN PROMISE had the most shocking twists of the two; while FAR FROM TRUE was, at times, unpredictable, there were certain plot twists that I, unfortunately, did see coming.
With only one book left, I am eager to crack into THE TWENTY-THREE and see how the Promise Falls Trilogy concludes—and to learn the identity of the mysterious “Mr Twenty-Three”!
“And what?”
“When I stepped into the house, I heard the back door close. Someone was leaving as I was coming in.”
In the town of Promise Falls, tragedy has struck: the Constellation Drive-In Theatre is closing. A damn shame, the people of the town agree. So strong is their sorrow that the crowd that musters for the final screening is a mighty one, people from all over Promise Falls arriving for the theatres swan-song. However, tragedy strikes again at this screening, and one far worse than the closing of a theatre: the large screen is blown down onto the crowd. However, even in the chaos it is apparent that such a catastrophe was the product of one with a sinister mind, one who is intent on giving a warning. With the fallout of the situation to deal with, Detective Barry Duckworth finds himself battling not only with Randall Finley, a ruthless politician hell-bent on reclaiming the title of mayor, but also a mysterious killer from the past who has resurfaced to take revenge. Also dealing with the fallout, in one way or another, is PI Calvin Weaver, a former Promise Falls police officer who, after moving away, has returned following the deaths of his son and wife. Following the event at the theatre, Weaver receives a call from Lucy Brighton, whose father was one of the tragedy’s victims; she claims that, after visiting her father’s house after learning of his death, she caught somebody leaving. Investigating the house, Weaver finds a “playroom” hidden behind a bookcase, the state of it suggesting that it has recently been ransacked. However, Weaver soon finds himself stumbling across something a lot more serious than what he had thought, and is about to be placed in dangerous waters…
I saw it first on CNN the next morning. Flipped over to the Today show, found they were covering it, too. All the morning shows were focused on Promise Falls. We were famous. I’d noticed the emergency vehicles the night before, as I’d stood on the porch next to my brother-in-law, but figured it was probably just a multicar accident.
Turned out to be much bigger.
Going into FAR FROM TRUE, I was quite looking forward to discovering what events would occur. Not only because it is a sequel, but also because it features Cal Weaver, the main protagonist from my first Barclay novel, A TAP ON THE WINDOW, and a character who I liked for his grey views on right-and-wrong and gritty sense of justice. I was also interesting in seeing how he would end up coping with the murder of his wife at the end of A TAP ON THE WINDOW, a death which took me by surprise like a punch to the gut. Honestly, Donna Weaver’s death in A TAP ON THE WINDOW was one of the most shocking deaths I’d read in ages, and still remains one of the most devastating.
It was nice to catch up with characters who had been met with in BROKEN PROMISE, and the continuation of their journeys was interesting to read. Barry Duckworth is as sympathetic a character as ever, especially with the tension between him and his son, what with said son working for Randall Finley, Duckworth’s enemy. We also see the relationship between David and Samantha rekindle after the apparent destruction of their relationship in the last novel.
He’d been reaching out to her, trying to explain that he hadn’t done anything—at least not intentionally—to betray her. Someone had evidently taken pictures through her kitchen window of the two of them having sex, and now the pics were being used as evidence that she was somehow an unfit mother.
I think that, in terms of enjoyment, I preferred this novel to its predecessor. However, in terms of predictability, BROKEN PROMISE had the most shocking twists of the two; while FAR FROM TRUE was, at times, unpredictable, there were certain plot twists that I, unfortunately, did see coming.
With only one book left, I am eager to crack into THE TWENTY-THREE and see how the Promise Falls Trilogy concludes—and to learn the identity of the mysterious “Mr Twenty-Three”!
marywoodard's review
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
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 against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed it, but a few too many moving pieces and took awhile to get everyone straight.
yetanothersusan's review
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 against another edition
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
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.