aly36's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book very much. I really enjoy mysteries and this book was very entertaining. I felt very sorry for the pregnant judge being held hostage. The ending was very good and I was trying to guess what was going to happen through the whole book. I have not read this author before but I would love to read more work by Jonathon King. This ARC book was mailed to me and not many authors send me paperback copies of there work, usually e-books. I do still very much enjoy reading the books that are not e-books as well. Thank you for sharing such a great book! I was surprised to learn this was book 7 in a series as well. I was not lost in this book and I like a series where you can jump in, in the middle and still understand the series. I would strongly encourage you to check out this book or series. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
errantdreams's review against another edition
3.0
The people who kidnapped pregnant Diane aren’t overly cruel–as long as she keeps her hood on and does what they want her to do, they leave her largely alone. However, the rule is that none of the kidnappers can speak within her hearing. There’s one particular person, Rae, who has babysitting duties. Rae is independent, annoyed by having to take care of this woman (also annoyed with Diane’s perceived ‘whininess’)–yet at the same time, she does what she needs to in order to care for Diane and her baby. Rae is one of the point of view characters, which gives a very interesting view on the bad guys and what’s happening with Diane. This contrasts nicely with Max’s efforts, conclusions, and assumptions. It gives everyone a deeper level of characterization than there would otherwise be.
The real problem–for Max and Billy and, in a lesser way, us as readers–is that there’s no hint of a motive for the kidnapping. There are no ransom demands. Diane’s jailers don’t even speak to her, so they certainly aren’t making threats. On the one hand, this draws out the mystery, which is usually a good thing. Usually mysteries get drawn out, however, by providing multiple possible motives, enemies, or outcomes. In this case we had virtually nothing. There was a tiny incident partway through that, if you’re paying attention, you’ll realize indicates who’s actually behind everything. Not because there’s any real in-plot reason to think he’s done it, but simply because plot structure demands it.
Ideally when reading a mystery you get small hints and red herrings. It builds up until you start guessing what’s going on, and once you find out, you’re hopefully left smacking your forehead and calling yourself an idiot for not seeing it sooner. In this case however, there’s nothing for you to see. There’s no sense later of having figured something cool out. We weren’t kept in mystery by delightful sleight-of-hand; we were kept in mystery by a simple lack of any knowledge. It’s much less satisfying.
Thus, the characters were interesting, the setup was neat, and I enjoyed the milieu. But the author left us hanging with no sense of progress throughout most of the book.
NOTE: Review ebook provided free by publisher via NetGalley.
For a longer review including premise, visit Errant Dreams: http://www.errantdreams.com/2015/05/review-dont-lose-her-jonathon-king/
The real problem–for Max and Billy and, in a lesser way, us as readers–is that there’s no hint of a motive for the kidnapping. There are no ransom demands. Diane’s jailers don’t even speak to her, so they certainly aren’t making threats. On the one hand, this draws out the mystery, which is usually a good thing. Usually mysteries get drawn out, however, by providing multiple possible motives, enemies, or outcomes. In this case we had virtually nothing. There was a tiny incident partway through that, if you’re paying attention, you’ll realize indicates who’s actually behind everything. Not because there’s any real in-plot reason to think he’s done it, but simply because plot structure demands it.
Ideally when reading a mystery you get small hints and red herrings. It builds up until you start guessing what’s going on, and once you find out, you’re hopefully left smacking your forehead and calling yourself an idiot for not seeing it sooner. In this case however, there’s nothing for you to see. There’s no sense later of having figured something cool out. We weren’t kept in mystery by delightful sleight-of-hand; we were kept in mystery by a simple lack of any knowledge. It’s much less satisfying.
Thus, the characters were interesting, the setup was neat, and I enjoyed the milieu. But the author left us hanging with no sense of progress throughout most of the book.
NOTE: Review ebook provided free by publisher via NetGalley.
For a longer review including premise, visit Errant Dreams: http://www.errantdreams.com/2015/05/review-dont-lose-her-jonathon-king/
catmum's review
4.0
Don't be put off by the unfortunate title and it's vaguely romance novel sound. Don't Lose Her is classic P.I. Max Freeman and may even be his best since his Edgar-award winning first of the series, The Blue Edge of Midnight. Max is called in by his best friend, Billy Manchester, when Billy's pregnant wife, The Honorable Diane Manchester, is kidnapped.
The story is told from three viewpoints: Max's, as he and Billy both call in all favors owed in trying to understand who is behind the kidnapping; Diane, who is kept hooded and bound, as she tries to make a connection with her kidnappers, who never speak in her presence; and one of the kidnappers who finds herself well over her head. Through all three voices, King is able to maintain the suspense and it is not until the final pages that we come to understand who and what was behind the crime.
The story is told from three viewpoints: Max's, as he and Billy both call in all favors owed in trying to understand who is behind the kidnapping; Diane, who is kept hooded and bound, as she tries to make a connection with her kidnappers, who never speak in her presence; and one of the kidnappers who finds herself well over her head. Through all three voices, King is able to maintain the suspense and it is not until the final pages that we come to understand who and what was behind the crime.
More...