beltorres91's review against another edition
4.0
Está bastante bueno, sobretodo considerando que sólo me salió $10 xD
nix_jinx's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this book in 2022 had far more to do with nostalgia than anything else. I read this book (a quick horrifying calculation later...) seventeen years ago, which also happens to be half my lifetime ago. At seventeen, what I wanted from fiction was a little different to what I want from fiction now. At least some of the time, anyway.
This book stayed with me over the years. There were certain scenes I could remember with crisp clarity and I've been looking to dip back into the context for years now. It's well written. I like how McNaught weaves her stories together. I like the procedural element to this one. I like how the thriller unpacks itself. I did remember the twist about halfway through, but it was still worth getting there via the narrative.
There were a couple of elements of the story that didn't quite hold up to the societal and cultural shifts in perspective, but I like seeing how far we've come in our thinking. The bigger problem was that my more jaded self couldn't quite suspend my belief where some of the emotional threads were concerned. And, I'm sorry to say, but the ending just. kept. on. going. on top of being a little too sentimental for my taste.
But for all that, I'm so glad I managed to track this one down again after so many years. I'd probably bump the rating down half a star if I'd read it for the first time this time, but I'm going to stay true to my younger self on this one.
This book stayed with me over the years. There were certain scenes I could remember with crisp clarity and I've been looking to dip back into the context for years now. It's well written. I like how McNaught weaves her stories together. I like the procedural element to this one. I like how the thriller unpacks itself. I did remember the twist about halfway through, but it was still worth getting there via the narrative.
There were a couple of elements of the story that didn't quite hold up to the societal and cultural shifts in perspective, but I like seeing how far we've come in our thinking. The bigger problem was that my more jaded self couldn't quite suspend my belief where some of the emotional threads were concerned. And, I'm sorry to say, but the ending just. kept. on. going. on top of being a little too sentimental for my taste.
But for all that, I'm so glad I managed to track this one down again after so many years. I'd probably bump the rating down half a star if I'd read it for the first time this time, but I'm going to stay true to my younger self on this one.
nicolesnook's review against another edition
3.0
Broadway star Leigh Kendall thinks she has the perfect marriage. But, when she is nearly killed in a car accident and her husband turns up missing, that is all brought into question. Suddenly it seems that the only person she can trust is known criminal Michael Valente. In addition to this story there's an equally intriguing story with the police conducting the investigation. This is my first Judith McNaught novel, and I will definitely read more from her.
tita_noir's review against another edition
4.0
So Goodreads tells me I read this book (or rather I told Goodreads back in 2011 when I first joined). I know I read it because I read all of Judith McNaught's books. But when I saw this title I had nothing. No idea what it was about, that she had even written a book with this title... nothing. So I decided to re-read.
I wondered if I'd remember half way through and go 'Oh it was that book" But nope. I read this entire book and it was like new.
And it was pretty good. It is always a crapshoot going back to re-read old stuff, to see if it holds up. But this was quite good and held up well. Also it was a great little whodunnit mystery with not one but two romances! And I kinda liked the secondary romance a tick more.
In this one we have a big broadway star, Leigh Manning and her husband Logan who plan a cozy trip into the mountains for a weekend get-away. Logan has to draw Leigh a map (this was written before the saturation of smartphones as we know them, so no handy-dandy google maps or GPS at your fingertips). Leigh gets lost and has a car accident and crashes down the mountain. Luckily she is rescued. But while she is in the hospital she learns the terrible news that her husband Logan has disappeared.
Enter the detectives who, of course always suspect the spouse. And in Leigh's case she is an actress so they think she is acting all the time. The story is told in alternation POVs -- from Leigh's (of course she is innocent, we know this) and from the cops (a duo that consists of an older grizzled vet and a younger female cop, Samantha, whose detective shield is only a month old). They are later joined buy a steely eyed Maverick named Mitch 'Mack' McCord who always gets his man.
What I liked about the detectives in this one is that they weren't painted as malicious or evil but a little tunnel vision because they had a theory and was sticking with it. But we get to see their process and how they evolve to being to learn the truth. Also there is a nice secondary plot about police corruption that feels timely and gives that side of the equation some extra layers.
Of course the hero, Michael appears and muddies the waters. As we learn more and more unsavory things about Logan, Michael's self appointed role as Leigh's guardian Kkight just makes her look guiltier in the eyes of the police. But Michael is a typical McNaught hero. He is mega rich, ruthless, sexy, smart, powerful, and did I already say ruthless? He is a power player to the Nth degree.
As the story goes on it is nice to see Sam and Mack work together to uncover the truth (honestly Mack was also a typical McNaught hero -- he needed his own book). And to see Michael and Leigh discover their love for each other.
The mystery is solved, our hero and heroine are suitably heroic and even the detectives come through in their pursuit of the right type of justice (and their own little romance).
This was a quick read and really enjoyable. I upped my earlier 3-star rating to 4-stars.
I wondered if I'd remember half way through and go 'Oh it was that book" But nope. I read this entire book and it was like new.
And it was pretty good. It is always a crapshoot going back to re-read old stuff, to see if it holds up. But this was quite good and held up well. Also it was a great little whodunnit mystery with not one but two romances! And I kinda liked the secondary romance a tick more.
In this one we have a big broadway star, Leigh Manning and her husband Logan who plan a cozy trip into the mountains for a weekend get-away. Logan has to draw Leigh a map (this was written before the saturation of smartphones as we know them, so no handy-dandy google maps or GPS at your fingertips). Leigh gets lost and has a car accident and crashes down the mountain. Luckily she is rescued. But while she is in the hospital she learns the terrible news that her husband Logan has disappeared.
Enter the detectives who, of course always suspect the spouse. And in Leigh's case she is an actress so they think she is acting all the time. The story is told in alternation POVs -- from Leigh's (of course she is innocent, we know this) and from the cops (a duo that consists of an older grizzled vet and a younger female cop, Samantha, whose detective shield is only a month old). They are later joined buy a steely eyed Maverick named Mitch 'Mack' McCord who always gets his man.
What I liked about the detectives in this one is that they weren't painted as malicious or evil but a little tunnel vision because they had a theory and was sticking with it. But we get to see their process and how they evolve to being to learn the truth. Also there is a nice secondary plot about police corruption that feels timely and gives that side of the equation some extra layers.
Of course the hero, Michael appears and muddies the waters. As we learn more and more unsavory things about Logan, Michael's self appointed role as Leigh's guardian Kkight just makes her look guiltier in the eyes of the police. But Michael is a typical McNaught hero. He is mega rich, ruthless, sexy, smart, powerful, and did I already say ruthless? He is a power player to the Nth degree.
As the story goes on it is nice to see Sam and Mack work together to uncover the truth (honestly Mack was also a typical McNaught hero -- he needed his own book). And to see Michael and Leigh discover their love for each other.
The mystery is solved, our hero and heroine are suitably heroic and even the detectives come through in their pursuit of the right type of justice (and their own little romance).
This was a quick read and really enjoyable. I upped my earlier 3-star rating to 4-stars.
rpmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent story, interesting characters. I was fascinated by the way some of the key aspects of the mysteries were unveiled to the characters at different times, coupled with the first revelations to the reader without revealing that there was a mystery involved. Enjoyable.
lame7747's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ameve2's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cranberrytarts's review against another edition
4.0
McNaught can be hit or miss for me. This book is definitely a hit. Though I think it dragged quite a bit in the middle, I really enjoyed the romance. Michael is my favorite kind of McNaught hero.
I was bothered more this time around about how little time took place between Leigh finding out her entire marriage had been a lie and her hooking up with Michael.
Still and all, a good read.
I was bothered more this time around about how little time took place between Leigh finding out her entire marriage had been a lie and her hooking up with Michael.
Still and all, a good read.
simplyparticular's review against another edition
1.0
Another McNaught romantic suspense that just didn't cut it for me. This time, the suspense was good, but the romance fizzled. I never really felt connected leigh or Michael, and the blossoming of romance in the midst of the hunt for Logan's body had a bit of ick going for me, even if it became obvious he was no candidate for Mr. Husband of the Year.
ela_35's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the beginning of this book as going into it, I wasn’t sure who the hero would be, which is something I usually know going into a book, so I liked picking out who I thought Leigh should be with. I liked that it wasn’t certain what happened at the beginning and it felt like a real investigation where people are trying to find out what happened.
Also, I preferred the first half of this book more, compared to the second half because the side characters were more present and their relationships with the main characters were shown better. The side characters (Joe O’Hara, Hilda and Courtney) were still mentioned in the second half of the book but they were mostly in the background, which is something that I don’t like.
I liked the development of the main characters’ relationship and I really liked that there were scenes that showed McCord and Sam doing their job and interacting with each other.
I read a historical book by this author and I didn’t like it but this book makes me want to read more books by her, probably contemporary ones. I really want to read the Second Opportunities series as I’m curious about some of the character that were mentioned in this book (Courtney’s brother and the Farrells). I probably should have read that series before this book.
Also, I preferred the first half of this book more, compared to the second half because the side characters were more present and their relationships with the main characters were shown better. The side characters (Joe O’Hara, Hilda and Courtney) were still mentioned in the second half of the book but they were mostly in the background, which is something that I don’t like.
I liked the development of the main characters’ relationship and I really liked that there were scenes that showed McCord and Sam doing their job and interacting with each other.
I read a historical book by this author and I didn’t like it but this book makes me want to read more books by her, probably contemporary ones. I really want to read the Second Opportunities series as I’m curious about some of the character that were mentioned in this book (Courtney’s brother and the Farrells). I probably should have read that series before this book.