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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This was a rollercoaster of a read and is exactly why I love Lisa Gardner.
Nicky Frank was a very mysterious and unreliable narrator and I loved how well-written she was. For being a woman with secrets and questions, I found myself riveted rather than frustrated as I waited for her story to unfold. The different people and occurrences in her life were so jagged and seemingly random that, as a more sinister plot unfolded, I wasn't hit with my usual, "Pfft, yeah okay" skepticism--I followed along and guessed my way to the end.
I really enjoyed Tessa Leoni in this story too. I personally am not always fond of the strong, keep-the-world-at-an-arm's-length female lead, but I think Gardner really highlighted Tessa's calculating and crafty nature in this case. The relationship she has with Sergeant Wyatt Foster doesn't steal the spotlight from the primary case but it also lends a small sweetness throughout the book which helps make the rush and tragedy more palatable.
While reading the book, I found myself making several guesses--some which turned out to be correct and some which were so far from the truth that it was laughable. The final twists toward the end of the book were wild and made the end of the book absolutely fly by.
Nicky Frank was a very mysterious and unreliable narrator and I loved how well-written she was. For being a woman with secrets and questions, I found myself riveted rather than frustrated as I waited for her story to unfold. The different people and occurrences in her life were so jagged and seemingly random that, as a more sinister plot unfolded, I wasn't hit with my usual, "Pfft, yeah okay" skepticism--I followed along and guessed my way to the end.
I really enjoyed Tessa Leoni in this story too. I personally am not always fond of the strong, keep-the-world-at-an-arm's-length female lead, but I think Gardner really highlighted Tessa's calculating and crafty nature in this case. The relationship she has with Sergeant Wyatt Foster doesn't steal the spotlight from the primary case but it also lends a small sweetness throughout the book which helps make the rush and tragedy more palatable.
While reading the book, I found myself making several guesses--some which turned out to be correct and some which were so far from the truth that it was laughable. The final twists toward the end of the book were wild and made the end of the book absolutely fly by.
How many times can a woman die? Nicky Frank shouldn’t have survived the car accident that decimated her car, let alone crawled up a ravine, in the dark and in the rain. Defying the odds, she did, because she was driven by one thought: where is her daughter Vero? Sgt. Detective Wyatt Foster calls in the forces but can’t find the child, leaving him to fear the worst-until Nicky’s husband Thomas turns up to say that Nicky’s had a brain injury and the police can’t trust anything she’s said. There’s a story here that the cops need to find out: is it the story of a possibly abused wife, a traumatized woman or is there something more nefarious happening? Despite this book being a series, it was easy to read as a stand-alone. It was also quite horrifying, considering the main topic is childhood sexual slavery. It was a really great thriller: I was not expecting the twists and turns that novel led me too. Frankly, i appreciated the way that PTSD and severe trauma from sexual abuse was handled in this novel.
Lisa Gardner is one of those authors I’ve been meaning to come back to, having only read one book prior to this. Due to this, I would like to say a massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to advance read her latest book. I jumped into it as soon as I was given the chance and I absolutely loved it, rekindling my desire to pick up her other books.
Crash & Burn is the third instalment of the Tessa Leoni series, although it is also advertised as a standalone book. The standalone aspect comes about through the fact that Tessa is not taking the lead in the case as she did in the prior book (the other Lisa Gardner book I have read). In Touch & Go, said prior book, Tessa is trying hard to solve the case but with this one she is pulled into it through other means. What means, I heard you ask – well means you will have to read to find out. Through this I am not saying it is not a Tessa Leoni book, as it does continue her story, I am merely saying that it is not a Tessa Leoni book to the degree that the past book was.
To be honest, it was only just more of a Tessa Leoni book than it was a D. D. Warren book. With a cameo appearance from D. D. and a little bit of help here and there from everyone’s favourite hard hitting female detective (seriously, I need to read that series as I fell in love with her character in Touch & Go and even more so in this despite the fact she was hardly in this book) it does do you well to have read Gardner’s other work but it really is not a necessity. The large bulk of the story is a standalone; it is just details that are thrown in here and there for the long time followers who will want to know what is going on in the lives of the characters they have come to know and love from other books. It is not enough to leave you confused as to what is going on; it simply leaves you curious as to why Tessa is worried about certain things and how D. D. was injured.
As a standalone, however, the story is wonderful. At first I feared I was not going to enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed Touch & Go, but as the story progressed I came to enjoy it just as much. There is less of a focus on the police side of the world with this one, compared to the other book I have read by the author. With this one we’re focusing, for the most part, on Nicky and her life. Who is she? What happened to her? What details are we missing out on? Every time you think you have worked it out a new spanner is thrown into the works. Without a doubt, Lisa Gardner is capable of creating a truly gripping story filled with twists and turns. From the very start you are second guessing details, and even if you do manage to work some details out the main bulk of the story – the specific details – all remain a mystery until the very end.
Overall, I loved it. You’re more than welcome to take this as a standalone book but, personally, I think it would do you well to read this book as part of the Tessa Leoni series. But, of course, in saying that I’m also suggesting you should go on and read the D. D. Warren books first, if only because I plan to do the same thing in reverse. Whatever you do, I suggest jumping into the world that Lisa Gardner has created. Whilst I may only be dipping my toes into the shallow end, I plan to soon take a dive into the deeper water. I have a feeling she may soon be sitting high up on my list of favourite authors if her other wok lives up to what I have experienced thus far.
Crash & Burn is the third instalment of the Tessa Leoni series, although it is also advertised as a standalone book. The standalone aspect comes about through the fact that Tessa is not taking the lead in the case as she did in the prior book (the other Lisa Gardner book I have read). In Touch & Go, said prior book, Tessa is trying hard to solve the case but with this one she is pulled into it through other means. What means, I heard you ask – well means you will have to read to find out. Through this I am not saying it is not a Tessa Leoni book, as it does continue her story, I am merely saying that it is not a Tessa Leoni book to the degree that the past book was.
To be honest, it was only just more of a Tessa Leoni book than it was a D. D. Warren book. With a cameo appearance from D. D. and a little bit of help here and there from everyone’s favourite hard hitting female detective (seriously, I need to read that series as I fell in love with her character in Touch & Go and even more so in this despite the fact she was hardly in this book) it does do you well to have read Gardner’s other work but it really is not a necessity. The large bulk of the story is a standalone; it is just details that are thrown in here and there for the long time followers who will want to know what is going on in the lives of the characters they have come to know and love from other books. It is not enough to leave you confused as to what is going on; it simply leaves you curious as to why Tessa is worried about certain things and how D. D. was injured.
As a standalone, however, the story is wonderful. At first I feared I was not going to enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed Touch & Go, but as the story progressed I came to enjoy it just as much. There is less of a focus on the police side of the world with this one, compared to the other book I have read by the author. With this one we’re focusing, for the most part, on Nicky and her life. Who is she? What happened to her? What details are we missing out on? Every time you think you have worked it out a new spanner is thrown into the works. Without a doubt, Lisa Gardner is capable of creating a truly gripping story filled with twists and turns. From the very start you are second guessing details, and even if you do manage to work some details out the main bulk of the story – the specific details – all remain a mystery until the very end.
Overall, I loved it. You’re more than welcome to take this as a standalone book but, personally, I think it would do you well to read this book as part of the Tessa Leoni series. But, of course, in saying that I’m also suggesting you should go on and read the D. D. Warren books first, if only because I plan to do the same thing in reverse. Whatever you do, I suggest jumping into the world that Lisa Gardner has created. Whilst I may only be dipping my toes into the shallow end, I plan to soon take a dive into the deeper water. I have a feeling she may soon be sitting high up on my list of favourite authors if her other wok lives up to what I have experienced thus far.
Wow! This was fantastic. I love how Lisa Gardner throws together a bunch of random things - a mysterious car accident; a skinless, skeletal girl; a yellow quilt; a 3-D printer; a gorgeous Victorian house in the middle of nowhere - and by the end of the book everything makes sense. This was a terrific read, and one heck of a ride.
3.5 stars
I am a longtime fan of Lisa Gardner's, so when I saw her latest standalone up for review on NetGalley, I had to snap it up. It was a lot different from her other books and although I did enjoy it, I didn't quite love it as much as I love her past work.
Crash & Burn is about a mysterious woman named Nicky Frank. She crashes her car one night and crawls to the top of the ravine, frantically searching for a child she calls Vero. When Sergeant Wyatt Foster shows up and starts investigating the crash, he encounters her husband Thomas, who tells him that Nicky suffers from traumatic brain injuries and multiple concussions and that they shouldn't trust anything she says. As Sergeant Foster investigates, with the help of his girlfriend (Tessa Leoni, a recurring character in Gardner's books), he uncovers the ticking time bomb of Nicky's past and realizes that someone may be trying to shut her up permanently.
This is different from Gardner's other books in that usually they're more police procedurals, but Crash & Burn focuses more on the mystery of Nicky Frank herself and what happened in her past. Foster and Leoni are seaching for someone that wants Nicky dead, but in order to find that person, they have to delve deep into her memories and discover what she's been through and who Vero really is.
The mystery of Nicky Frank has more twists and turns than I expected. I figured a few things out early on and had to wait for the characters to catch up to me, but there were a lot of surprises that I could never have anticipated. I enjoyed the way Gardner gave you a few clues at a time, revealing parts of the story until you had the full picture. It was a heartbreaking and tragic story and I pulled for the character as she uncovered her past.
I also loved that there were cameos from past characters. Tessa Leoni is Sgt. Foster's girlfriend and her security firm had been consulted by Nicky prior to the car accident. She helps investigate and becomes a much-needed advocate for Nicky. There are also some brief appearances by D.D. Warren, who I adore.
I had to rate it lower because it took quite a while for me to get into the story. I was bored to tears until around 30%, when the story started to pick up. Before that, it was a lot of technical stuff about the car accident and rote investigation. I also really got annoyed at the Vero/Nicky scenes. I realize the need for them, but they were weirdly written and frustrating.
Highly recommended if you enjoy a good thriller, but know that this one takes a little longer to get going. It's definitely worth it to keep reading, though, because Nicky's story is both disturbing and fascinating.
This eARC was provided free from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a longtime fan of Lisa Gardner's, so when I saw her latest standalone up for review on NetGalley, I had to snap it up. It was a lot different from her other books and although I did enjoy it, I didn't quite love it as much as I love her past work.
Crash & Burn is about a mysterious woman named Nicky Frank. She crashes her car one night and crawls to the top of the ravine, frantically searching for a child she calls Vero. When Sergeant Wyatt Foster shows up and starts investigating the crash, he encounters her husband Thomas, who tells him that Nicky suffers from traumatic brain injuries and multiple concussions and that they shouldn't trust anything she says. As Sergeant Foster investigates, with the help of his girlfriend (Tessa Leoni, a recurring character in Gardner's books), he uncovers the ticking time bomb of Nicky's past and realizes that someone may be trying to shut her up permanently.
This is different from Gardner's other books in that usually they're more police procedurals, but Crash & Burn focuses more on the mystery of Nicky Frank herself and what happened in her past. Foster and Leoni are seaching for someone that wants Nicky dead, but in order to find that person, they have to delve deep into her memories and discover what she's been through and who Vero really is.
The mystery of Nicky Frank has more twists and turns than I expected. I figured a few things out early on and had to wait for the characters to catch up to me, but there were a lot of surprises that I could never have anticipated. I enjoyed the way Gardner gave you a few clues at a time, revealing parts of the story until you had the full picture. It was a heartbreaking and tragic story and I pulled for the character as she uncovered her past.
I also loved that there were cameos from past characters. Tessa Leoni is Sgt. Foster's girlfriend and her security firm had been consulted by Nicky prior to the car accident. She helps investigate and becomes a much-needed advocate for Nicky. There are also some brief appearances by D.D. Warren, who I adore.
I had to rate it lower because it took quite a while for me to get into the story. I was bored to tears until around 30%, when the story started to pick up. Before that, it was a lot of technical stuff about the car accident and rote investigation. I also really got annoyed at the Vero/Nicky scenes. I realize the need for them, but they were weirdly written and frustrating.
Highly recommended if you enjoy a good thriller, but know that this one takes a little longer to get going. It's definitely worth it to keep reading, though, because Nicky's story is both disturbing and fascinating.
This eARC was provided free from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was kindly given a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the story of Nicky. She has a car crash and is discovered trying to flag down some help by the side of the road. Nicky insists that her daughter Vero is missing and the police are called. The detectives who arrive at the scene set up a search to find Vero whilst Nicky is taken to hospital. Later on when Nicky wakes up in hospital, she finds her husband Thomas there. Thomas insists that Vero does not exist and that Nicky has amnesia after a series of accidents. Nicky does not know whether she can trust her husband. The investigating officer is sure that there is more to this case than he first thought.
When I first started reading this book it had a feel of the book before I go to sleep and thought that it was going to be a similar theme. The book quickly takes a totally different direction than to what is expected. There is so many twists and turns and it can get confusing. The problem that I had with this book is, although it is a good story it starts off quite slowly and does not really pick up until towards the end of the book.
When I first started reading this book it had a feel of the book before I go to sleep and thought that it was going to be a similar theme. The book quickly takes a totally different direction than to what is expected. There is so many twists and turns and it can get confusing. The problem that I had with this book is, although it is a good story it starts off quite slowly and does not really pick up until towards the end of the book.
Happy accident that I checked this out of the library just after finishing another, earlier Lisa Gardner book. Like her style, plus setting in MA/NH is a plus.
I loved, loved, loved this book! I couldn't stop reading til the very end! I didn't have a complete picture of what was happening/had happened until the very end and that to me is a great book!
Another great Gardner read! This is the 3rd in the Tessa Leoni series but it reads more as a Wyatt Foster series as he was more the main character than her.
"I died once" great first line to draw you in.
This is the story of Nicole "Nicky" Frank, a woman who has survived a terrible car accident but suffers from previous brain injuries that are wreaking havoc on her mind and memories. It's hard to determine what is actually true. Who can she trust? A husband of twenty-two years, takes care of her, says he loves her but yet sometimes she looks at him and feels love, hate, and even fear. Why? What has happened in their past? In her past? What are they running from? Does Nicky really want the truth?
A great, twisty, fast-paced read that will keep you guessing until the end.
"I died once" great first line to draw you in.
This is the story of Nicole "Nicky" Frank, a woman who has survived a terrible car accident but suffers from previous brain injuries that are wreaking havoc on her mind and memories. It's hard to determine what is actually true. Who can she trust? A husband of twenty-two years, takes care of her, says he loves her but yet sometimes she looks at him and feels love, hate, and even fear. Why? What has happened in their past? In her past? What are they running from? Does Nicky really want the truth?
A great, twisty, fast-paced read that will keep you guessing until the end.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to start this book when I first got it! I jumped right into it and couldn't put it down! This book is not what I was exactly expecting! And I mean that in a good way. I can't describe too much of they story because then it will ruin it, but let's just say it was really good! Lisa Gardner knows how to write a story very well and I always look forward to what she'll write next. I really like Tessa Leoni; yes, she's made some questionable decisions, but she's truly looking out for her daughter and herself. Then comes Wyatt Foster - he's not her knight in shining armor because he can't solve all her problems. But he's there for her when she needs him and I'm hoping they stick it out!
Nicky and Thomas Frank weren't what I was expecting, whatsoever. And what about Vero? Who is she and how does she fit into this story? Throughout the book, we learn more details that help us figure it out. But right when I think I know what's going on, something else happens that completely throws me for a loop! You never really know who you can trust and that makes me love this story even more! Gardner is a master storyteller and I always look forward to what she has in store for us next. I highly, highly suggest you read her work!
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com
I was really excited to start this book when I first got it! I jumped right into it and couldn't put it down! This book is not what I was exactly expecting! And I mean that in a good way. I can't describe too much of they story because then it will ruin it, but let's just say it was really good! Lisa Gardner knows how to write a story very well and I always look forward to what she'll write next. I really like Tessa Leoni; yes, she's made some questionable decisions, but she's truly looking out for her daughter and herself. Then comes Wyatt Foster - he's not her knight in shining armor because he can't solve all her problems. But he's there for her when she needs him and I'm hoping they stick it out!
Nicky and Thomas Frank weren't what I was expecting, whatsoever. And what about Vero? Who is she and how does she fit into this story? Throughout the book, we learn more details that help us figure it out. But right when I think I know what's going on, something else happens that completely throws me for a loop! You never really know who you can trust and that makes me love this story even more! Gardner is a master storyteller and I always look forward to what she has in store for us next. I highly, highly suggest you read her work!
Pagesofcomfort.blogspot.com