Helpful Score: 7
3/5 stars
The premise of this story was a good one: a young woman who was adopted but never felt wanted tries to locate her birth parents and finds that she was born as a product of rape and that her father is a serial killer -- one still active and loose.
The narration is in first person and the technique that worked so well in STILL MISSING is used again as a method to advance the story -- Sara relates what happens as though she is in therapy sessions with her psychiatrist (Nadine).
The first part of the story was absorbing and I was racing through the pages as Sara's life starts to fall apart and she becomes embroiled in a bait tactic to entice her killer father into a trap set up by police. Although she's engaged to be married to the love of her life and they've had a happy life together with her daughter from a previous relationship (Ally), she has a lot of issues and emotional drama that starts to cause problems between them. She's obsessive and compulsive -- and in some ways a very weak person. About half way through the book, I started to almost scoff in disbelief and frustration at what was transpiring. I almost put the book down in disgust. Because I can't NOT finish a book, and because I so enjoyed this author's debut novel, I made myself continue by suspending that disbelief and waiting for what I was positive was going to happen. Most of what I had anticipated was exactly as presumed.
Without spoilers, let me say that the ending, however, was NOT exactly as I had anticipated. There was a wholly out of nowhere twist which really didn't sit right and that left me unsatisfied with the conclusion.
Although I really wanted to love this book, I have to say that it was not as good as STILL MISSING though written in the same style. I like believable, strong heroines who, though damaged, don't behave like superheroes and who don't dissolve into tears or uncertainty at every turn. Who can make decisions without doing stupi,d unsafe things and who know their own minds. That said, Sara was not that heroine.
I'm sure that fans of Chevy's previous book will buy this one anticipating the same experience they had with STILL MISSING. I venture to say that most will find it won't provide that thrill but I do feel most will enjoy it anyway if they don't think too deeply and just go along for the ride.
The premise of this story was a good one: a young woman who was adopted but never felt wanted tries to locate her birth parents and finds that she was born as a product of rape and that her father is a serial killer -- one still active and loose.
The narration is in first person and the technique that worked so well in STILL MISSING is used again as a method to advance the story -- Sara relates what happens as though she is in therapy sessions with her psychiatrist (Nadine).
The first part of the story was absorbing and I was racing through the pages as Sara's life starts to fall apart and she becomes embroiled in a bait tactic to entice her killer father into a trap set up by police. Although she's engaged to be married to the love of her life and they've had a happy life together with her daughter from a previous relationship (Ally), she has a lot of issues and emotional drama that starts to cause problems between them. She's obsessive and compulsive -- and in some ways a very weak person. About half way through the book, I started to almost scoff in disbelief and frustration at what was transpiring. I almost put the book down in disgust. Because I can't NOT finish a book, and because I so enjoyed this author's debut novel, I made myself continue by suspending that disbelief and waiting for what I was positive was going to happen. Most of what I had anticipated was exactly as presumed.
Without spoilers, let me say that the ending, however, was NOT exactly as I had anticipated. There was a wholly out of nowhere twist which really didn't sit right and that left me unsatisfied with the conclusion.
Although I really wanted to love this book, I have to say that it was not as good as STILL MISSING though written in the same style. I like believable, strong heroines who, though damaged, don't behave like superheroes and who don't dissolve into tears or uncertainty at every turn. Who can make decisions without doing stupi,d unsafe things and who know their own minds. That said, Sara was not that heroine.
I'm sure that fans of Chevy's previous book will buy this one anticipating the same experience they had with STILL MISSING. I venture to say that most will find it won't provide that thrill but I do feel most will enjoy it anyway if they don't think too deeply and just go along for the ride.
Helpful Score: 6
What a great book! I was hooked right away & didn't want to put the book down. The idea of finding out about your biological parents & the reason for your adoption is interesting enough in a common situation, but this author's scenario was horrifying!
I liked the way the story was told as therapy sessions. There was even advice the main character received that I know I need to learn lessons from!
The book was full of suspence. A little over 1/2 way through, I thought the pace was slowing down. I later realized I just couldn't wait to get to the end, & the ending was really good too. I didn't find anything disappointing about this book, & I am definitely going to look for the author's other book.
I liked the way the story was told as therapy sessions. There was even advice the main character received that I know I need to learn lessons from!
The book was full of suspence. A little over 1/2 way through, I thought the pace was slowing down. I later realized I just couldn't wait to get to the end, & the ending was really good too. I didn't find anything disappointing about this book, & I am definitely going to look for the author's other book.
Helpful Score: 3
Very exciting thriller! I'll be watching for more from this author. She keeps me reading long into the night and walking more minutes on the treadmill. The two books by this author are as good if not better than the ones that are pumped out by James Patterson. Have fun with this one, I sure did!
Helpful Score: 2
Wow! What an awesome book! The twists at the end will have you jump! I never expected them! Glad I am able to share my copy. :)
Helpful Score: 2
What happens when you find your birth parents, and they aren't what you had hoped? In Sara's case, she discovers she's the result of a brutal rape - now, her birth mother wants nothing to do with her, and her father is a suspected serial killer.
And because of her search, her birth parents' identities are broadcast online and her birth father (John) contacts her. Working with the police, Sara tries to lure him in so that they can finally apprehend him.
Chevy Stevens writes so well, and the book is such a roller-coaster of a ride, that time just flies by while reading. This is another good one by Ms. Stevens, who also wrote "Still Missing" - another very good book that I highly recommend!
And because of her search, her birth parents' identities are broadcast online and her birth father (John) contacts her. Working with the police, Sara tries to lure him in so that they can finally apprehend him.
Chevy Stevens writes so well, and the book is such a roller-coaster of a ride, that time just flies by while reading. This is another good one by Ms. Stevens, who also wrote "Still Missing" - another very good book that I highly recommend!
