Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Final Target

Final Target
Final Target
Author: Iris Johansen
ISBN-13: 9780553800944
ISBN-10: 0553800949
Publication Date: 5/29/2001
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 99

4 stars, based on 99 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

69 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

paradisemommy05 avatar reviewed Final Target on + 63 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Many unexpected twists and turns....highly recommend!
reviewed Final Target on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Fast paced, little "out there" story line but quick read.
reviewed Final Target on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Another book by Iris Johansen which kept me up for hours! Again! Love her books--lots of suspense!
jaylou avatar reviewed Final Target on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What can i say except it was written by iris johansen. i have yet to read a book of hers i could easily put down. great read.
reviewed Final Target on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Good book. Kind of a strange story overall because of what it deals with, but I actually found myself enjoying it. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
tioga avatar reviewed Final Target on + 167 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Iris Johansen is the best at psychological thrillers. She has done it again!

Four stars
reviewed Final Target on
Helpful Score: 2
Jessica Riley is a psychiatrist whose experience with catatonic trauma is personal as well as professional: she brought her beloved sister Melissa back from total mental withdrawal with her patience and skill. When the daughter of the president retreats into blankness after seeing her nanny and her Secret Service protector murdered, Jessica is summoned to treat the little girl. Although Jessica can't reach into her young patient's frightened mind, Melissa can--and only Melissa understands why Cassie's so afraid. When Michael Travis, the mysterious and not totally benign stranger who rescued Cassie from the kidnap-assassination that traumatized her, arrives at Jessica's Virginia estate, he's able to stop the child's nightmares long enough for Melissa to join Cassie in her self-imposed darkness and pull her back into the light. But the price he asks for his continued presence is one that Jessica, Melissa, and the president may not be able to meet. Is he an ally or an enemy? Even Melissa isn't sure--and her complicated feelings for Travis and Cassie are especially tortured because her unusual gifts allow her to see a bloody future for both of them, one she may not be able to prevent.
Iris Johansen (The Killing Game, The Search) ratchets up the suspense in this fast-moving thriller, which ranges across international borders from Washington to Amsterdam to Paris with the help of Air Force One and Two. While the president isn't very satisfactorily developed except as a frightened father who'll do almost anything to save his daughter, Travis and Melissa are fascinating characters who linger in the mind after the last explosive page; hopefully, Johansen will revisit them in a future adventure. Meanwhile, this is her best and most engaging read in years.
katy0118 avatar reviewed Final Target on + 151 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
good suspenseful story.
reviewed Final Target on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very good book - suspense, political, thriller.
reviewed Final Target on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Hard to follow plot. Did not finish this book.
reviewed Final Target on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
couldnt put it down! great read
reviewed Final Target on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the read, except for the fantasy elements that connect three of the characters. This is the first book I've read where there seems to be a mistake! On page 309 the building has no windows. On page 315 flames are coming out of the windows. This does not ruin any plot machinations, so it is not a big deal.
reviewed Final Target on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, very fast read.
reviewed Final Target on + 15 more book reviews
This book has a nice story and a very strong message: 'If you really want to do something, but really want to do it. Nothing will stop you.' The book's thrilling part is not so thrilling, but you won't be able to close the book until you get to the last page.
When you read a book and every page shows how can people do whatever they want just because they have perseverance and you learn that. That's a good book.
I don't think you'll regret reading this book albeit the part with the president is a little bit shabby.

You'll never guess the book's very end.
reviewed Final Target on + 28 more book reviews
An interesting suspense. Liked it!
reviewed Final Target on + 70 more book reviews
A young girl in jeopardy 2 women trying to save her. The daughter of the president in a sever catatonic state...
reviewed Final Target on + 11 more book reviews
Good read I liked this better than Dead Aim
reviewed Final Target on + 4 more book reviews
It's an exciting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You don't want to put it down. Wonderful Book..
booksandmusic avatar reviewed Final Target on + 51 more book reviews
No character development, confusing plot, unlikeable characters, sci-fi-ish elements to the plot, along with political, mystery, and thriller elements as well.
Couldn't finish. It will be my first and last Johansen book.
reviewed Final Target on + 145 more book reviews
Johansen knows how to pull you in and keep you interested. An excellet read.
reviewed Final Target on + 15 more book reviews
Just started reading this author, very enjoyable
reviewed Final Target on + 116 more book reviews
Jessica Riley is a psychiatrist whose experience with catatonic trauma is personal as well as professional: she brought her beloved sister Melissa back from total mental withdrawal with her patience and skill. When the daughter of the president retreats into blankness after seeing her nanny and her Secret Service protector murdered, Jessica is summoned to treat the little girl. Although Jessica can\'t reach into her young patient\'s frightened mind, Melissa can--and only Melissa understands why Cassie\'s so afraid. When Michael Travis, the mysterious and not totally benign stranger who rescued Cassie from the kidnap-assassination that traumatized her, arrives at Jessica\'s Virginia estate, he\'s able to stop the child\'s nightmares long enough for Melissa to join Cassie in her self-imposed darkness and pull her back into the light. But the price he asks for his continued presence is one that Jessica, Melissa, and the president may not be able to meet. Is he an ally or an enemy? Even Melissa isn\'t sure--and her complicated feelings for Travis and Cassie are especially tortured because her unusual gifts allow her to see a bloody future for both of them, one she may not be able to prevent.
reviewed Final Target on + 145 more book reviews
Johansen has done it again with a great premise for a story. You can't miss with Final Target. Jessica and Michael are a great hero and heroine.
runcysmom avatar reviewed Final Target on + 163 more book reviews
Good story line. It kept me reading with no dullness. I liked this book very much.
reviewed Final Target on + 102 more book reviews
Johansen spins a terrific cat-and-mouse tale.
goldilocks2005 avatar reviewed Final Target on + 104 more book reviews
Another great story and highly recommended!
reviewed Final Target on + 117 more book reviews
Holds your interest.
Exciting read.
Harleygirl avatar reviewed Final Target on + 248 more book reviews
Johansen returns with an explosive novel that sweeps us from the frightening nightmares of a young firl, to the deadly world of international intrigue, and to the shadow bond between two sisters willing to put their lives on the line....
reviewed Final Target on + 222 more book reviews
Pushes the gender boundary in popular fiction, offering up that rarity: a woman's novel for men." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
reviewed Final Target on + 80 more book reviews
Iris Johansen returns with an explosive new novel that sweeps us from the frightening nightmares of a young girl, to the deadly world of international intrigue, and to the shadowy bond between two sisters willing to put their lives on the line...

As usual, she delivers the suspense you've come to expect from her.
katlady22 avatar reviewed Final Target on + 10 more book reviews
A wonderful mystery that captures the mind right from the very start.
reviewed Final Target on + 5 more book reviews
If you are a fan of Iris Johansen, this is a book for you!
reviewed Final Target on + 407 more book reviews
This book was a good thriller, but could have been better. I liked the character interaction, especially between Cassie and Melissa in the "tunnel" and between Travis and both Melissa and Jessica Riley. I didn't like that it took the author a long time to explain what Travis was involved in and why various people were after him.
reviewed Final Target on + 10 more book reviews
Great combination of medical, political & law enforcement suspense.
reviewed Final Target on
I really enjoyed this book - as I do all of Johansen's.
reviewed Final Target on + 23 more book reviews
Is a good mystery.
Bernie avatar reviewed Final Target on
Jessica Riley is a psychiatrist whose experience with catatonic trauma is personal as well as professional: she brought her beloved sister Melissa back from total mental withdrawal with her patience and skill. When the daughter of the president retreats into blankness after seeing her nanny and her Secret Service protector murdered, Jessica is summoned to treat the little girl. Although Jessica can't reach into her young patient's frightened mind, Melissa can--and only Melissa understands why Cassie's so afraid. When Michael Travis, the mysterious and not totally benign stranger who rescued Cassie from the kidnap-assassination that traumatized her, arrives at Jessica's Virginia estate, he's able to stop the child's nightmares long enough for Melissa to join Cassie in her self-imposed darkness and pull her back into the light. But the price he asks for his continued presence is one that Jessica, Melissa, and the president may not be able to meet. Is he an ally or an enemy? Even Melissa isn't sure--and her complicated feelings for Travis and Cassie are especially tortured because her unusual gifts allow her to see a bloody future for both of them, one she may not be able to prevent.
reviewed Final Target on + 6 more book reviews
Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the United States out of a severe catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service Agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.
reviewed Final Target on + 24 more book reviews
this centers around the wind dancer, a gold statue of pegasus. good plot
reviewed Final Target on + 15 more book reviews
A young girl in jeopardy, two women termined to save her, the m an who couldn't betray them all...
reviewed Final Target on + 23 more book reviews
if you like johansen, you'll like this
reviewed Final Target on + 308 more book reviews
another in the wind dancer series. thriller about power struggles . very good
reviewed Final Target on + 32 more book reviews
Another excellent book by Johansen!!\

Melissa Riley arrives at her sisters isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. THere the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the United States out of a severe catatonic truama. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was the murder of her nanny and the secret service agents that were there to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious and charasmatic man.

Michael Travis made his fortune in the international underworld. Here risked everything to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. And now he has entered into to secret bargain with the President. Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally-and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing inbetween him and the..... Final Target!
Smokey avatar reviewed Final Target on + 265 more book reviews
A gripping novel, with twists and turns that will make sure you don't lose interest. The story: the president's daughter Cassie is in a severe catatonic state after she saw her nanny ruthlessly murdered. Her sister Melissa, along with Dr. Jessica Riley, and Michael Travis (either a hero who risked everything to save Cassie, or part of the plot against her), work together to find the killer.
reviewed Final Target on + 70 more book reviews
A page turner.
reviewed Final Target on
excellent suspense!
reviewed Final Target on + 211 more book reviews
Even though this is the last of the Wind Dancer books, it was the first one that I read. Even so, it was exciting!
reviewed Final Target on + 12 more book reviews
From Publishers Weekly
At the center of Johansen's latest suspense thriller is the Wind Dancer, a priceless gold statue of the winged horse Pegasus. The statue has been in the Andreas family since the fall of Troy and now, centuries later, U.S. President Jonathan Andreas is in Paris to lend the family heirloom to a museum. On the night of the ceremony, his daughter, seven-year-old Cassie, is awakened at the family's farmhouse in the south of France by masked men who murder her nanny and her nurse, intent on kidnapping Cassie and ransoming her in exchange for the Wind Dancer. Cassie is saved in the nick of time by the arrival of Michael Travis, international underworld information dealer, but eight months later, the child is being treated in the Virginia home of psychiatrist Dr. Jessica Riley and Jessica's psychically extrasensitive sister, Melissa, for severe catatonic trauma. She hasn't spoken a word since the raid and has retreated into an imaginary tunnel where the Wind Dancer rescues her from pursuing monsters. Michael Travis then reappears and lures Cassie and the Riley sisters into a web of intrigue, taking them to Amsterdam, Paris and eventually back to the scene of the crime.
reviewed Final Target on + 8 more book reviews
great book. Excellent condition
reviewed Final Target on + 7 more book reviews
The Wind Dancer series is one of my favorites. I'd like to see more. Wonder if they'll ever materialize.
reviewed Final Target on + 7 more book reviews
Exciting, suspenseful--always enjoy her writing.
reviewed Final Target on + 39 more book reviews
OK for a quick easy read
reviewed Final Target on + 683 more book reviews
From the first page the reader is pull into a realm of danger, and suspence with a touch of romance and enough twists and turns to gladden the hearts of all readers. A must book for all Iris Johansen fans.
cranbery avatar reviewed Final Target on + 530 more book reviews
Another all night page turner!
BigGreenChair avatar reviewed Final Target on + 461 more book reviews
Another great Irish Johansen murder mystery..a young woman in jeopardy, two women determined to save her..a man who could betray them all..a killer who'll destroy anyone between him and his 'final target.'
mscottcgp avatar reviewed Final Target on + 231 more book reviews
A spine-tingler by Iris Johansen. She has written many thrillers that are page-turners 'til the end!
reviewed Final Target on + 110 more book reviews
great story
Cageme avatar reviewed Final Target on + 258 more book reviews
Iris Johansen knows her readers. This cd thriller will not disappoint.
jacquiemeck avatar reviewed Final Target on + 94 more book reviews
Another good mystery!
reviewed Final Target on + 14 more book reviews
Great Book, Wonderful Author.
reviewed Final Target on + 711 more book reviews
A young girl in jeopardy...two women determined to save her...the man who could betray them all.
reviewed Final Target on + 19 more book reviews
didnt get into it was in the steamy romance mood at the time.
reviewed Final Target on + 57 more book reviews
melissa arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia home, is plunged intodeadly drama. Her sister is trying to draw the President's daughter out of a severe catatonic truma.the lastthe child saw was her nanny, and the secret service agents murdered. can or will they...
reviewed Final Target on + 63 more book reviews
Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the United States out of a svere catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.

Michael Travis made his fortune in the international underworld. He risked everything to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. And he has entered into a secret bargain with the President. But is his show of concern all a treachous charade? Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally--and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing between him and the...FINAL TARGET
reviewed Final Target on + 496 more book reviews
Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the US out of a sever catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw as an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man. Michael Travis made his fortune in the internation underworld. He risked everthing to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed and he has entered into a secret bargain with the President. But is his show of concern all a treacherous charade? Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who will destroy anyone standing between him and the FINAL TARGET.
reviewed Final Target on + 373 more book reviews
Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President of the United States out of a severe catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.

Michael Travis made his fortune in the international underworld. He risked everything to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. And he has entered into a secret bargain with the President. But is his show of concern all a treacherous charade? Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally - and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing between him and the...Final Target.
reviewed Final Target on + 12 more book reviews
melissa riely arrives at her sister's isolated virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. there the renowned dr.jessica is attempting to draw the daughter of the president of the united states out of a severe catatonic trauma. the last thing young cassie andres saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the secret service agents sworn to protect her. but to free cassie, melissa and jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.
michael travis made his fortune in the international underworld. he risked everything to save cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. and he has entered into a secret bargain with the president. but is his show of concern all a treacherous charade? melissa and jessica have no choice but to accept travis as their ally- and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing between him and the final target
reviewed Final Target on + 240 more book reviews
Melissa Riley arrives at her sister's isolated Virginia country home to find herself plunged into a deadly drama. There the renowned Dr. Jessica Riley is attempting to draw the daughter of the President
of the United States out of a severe catatonic trauma. The last thing young Cassie Andreas saw was an organized team ruthlessly murder her nanny and the Secret Service agents sworn to protect her. But to free Cassie, Melissa and Jessica must trust a mysterious, charismatic man.
Michael Travis made his fortune in the international underworld. He risked everything to save Cassie during that terrible night of bloodshed. And he has entered into a secret bargain with the President. But is his show of concern all a treacherous charade?
Melissa and Jessica have no choice but to accept Travis as their ally---and to follow a dangerous plan that will lead them into the world of a killer who'll destroy anyone standing between him and the. . .Final Target."
reviewed Final Target on + 3 more book reviews
This book is well loved, but is in good condition.