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A review by realadhdoug
Don't Tell by Karen Rose
4.5
Finally, after reading over half of the books in the Karen Rose universe, I got to the one that started it all. And it did not disappoint! It was different from many of the books in the series in the sense that the main characters weren’t law enforcement or PIs but just regular people trying to move on from (varying degrees of) tragic pasts.
To me, the real signature Karen Rose element in this one was the sinister nature of the villain. The cruelty and hubris so emblematic of her most iconic protagonists is on full display Rob Winters. This guy is so hate-able that the entire story is carried by how much you want to see him brought to justice, and the catharsis you feel when that finally happens is pure bliss.
The one thing that really bothered me about this book was the flimsiness and insecurity of the male lead. Ultimately, he was redeemed somewhat but—still—he ended up at the bare minimum of being a tolerable character. He’s just incessantly whiny about being disabled from the car accident that ended his career and fractured his relationship with his family, and he’s constantly getting in his own way. Even more irritatingly, he’s incredibly dense. All of the hints that are dropped throughout his relationship with Caroline, and he doesn’t realize that she’s on the run from her abusive husband until it’s almost too late. And every time he pulls away from her, he’s so caught up in his own insecurities that he assumes it’s about him. Just, ugh. Grow up, dude.
Despite my quibbles with Max, most of the other characters are solid. I absolutely loved Lieutenant Ross. Steven Thatcher was great, and I know he is the lead in another book. Same with Dana—she was pretty likable. And David Hunter was kinda hilarious in this book, providing some much needed levity. In addition to the characters, I loved the way Rose discussed social issues like disability, gender inequality, and racial discrimination—much more forward-thinking than I would expect from a book published in 2006. And finally, I just want to reiterate how exciting of a read this was. It kept me riveted all the way to the end, and the dramatic showdown was absolutely worth the wait. Highly recommend this book! So, so good!
To me, the real signature Karen Rose element in this one was the sinister nature of the villain. The cruelty and hubris so emblematic of her most iconic protagonists is on full display Rob Winters. This guy is so hate-able that the entire story is carried by how much you want to see him brought to justice, and the catharsis you feel when that finally happens is pure bliss.
The one thing that really bothered me about this book was the flimsiness and insecurity of the male lead. Ultimately, he was redeemed somewhat but—still—he ended up at the bare minimum of being a tolerable character. He’s just incessantly whiny about being disabled from the car accident that ended his career and fractured his relationship with his family, and he’s constantly getting in his own way. Even more irritatingly, he’s incredibly dense. All of the hints that are dropped throughout his relationship with Caroline, and he doesn’t realize that she’s on the run from her abusive husband until it’s almost too late. And every time he pulls away from her, he’s so caught up in his own insecurities that he assumes it’s about him. Just, ugh. Grow up, dude.
Despite my quibbles with Max, most of the other characters are solid. I absolutely loved Lieutenant Ross. Steven Thatcher was great, and I know he is the lead in another book. Same with Dana—she was pretty likable. And David Hunter was kinda hilarious in this book, providing some much needed levity. In addition to the characters, I loved the way Rose discussed social issues like disability, gender inequality, and racial discrimination—much more forward-thinking than I would expect from a book published in 2006. And finally, I just want to reiterate how exciting of a read this was. It kept me riveted all the way to the end, and the dramatic showdown was absolutely worth the wait. Highly recommend this book! So, so good!