Bonnie (Eve, Quinn and Bonnie #3)

Jan 21, 2012 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-releases, genre-mystery, genre-thriller, borrowed-library

*Rating* 2.5
*Genre* Romance/Mystery/Thriller/Last book in 3 part trilogy

*Review*

*Series Synopsis*

World Renowned forensic sculptor Eve Duncan was a single mother who studied hard to put herself through school in order to give her seven-year-old daughter Bonnie a life she herself never had.

Then the unspeakable happened when Bonnie disappeared without a trace and her body has never been found. Eve painstakingly made her way through numerous possible leads and serial killers to get to the bottom of...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Bonnie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-thriller, read-in-2011, seriously-disappointing, adult

1.5 stars

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This is the one series that I have read longer than any series, at least a decade. I read all 11 of her Eve Duncan series and when the author announced that she’d be making a final trilogy to fully resolve everything, well, I was ecstatic. The Eve Duncan series chronicles a mother losing her child and never having the closure she needed, never knowing what happened to her, her daughter Bonnie simply disappeared off the face of the Earth. T...more 1.5 stars

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This is the one series that I have read longer than any series, at least a decade. I read all 11 of her Eve Duncan series and when the author announced that she’d be making a final trilogy to fully resolve everything, well, I was ecstatic. The Eve Duncan series chronicles a mother losing her child and never having the closure she needed, never knowing what happened to her, her daughter Bonnie simply disappeared off the face of the Earth. This kick started her career in forensic sculpting and she began helping other families who had lost children bring them home finally. So, this is essentially the conclusion to a 14 book series that I’ve read from the very beginning and loved. I had a lot riding on Iris Johansen being able to pull this off in making it feel the series came full circle and I wasn’t left with any nagging questions. I’m thinking I set the bar too high.

The writing seemed a bit too literal, especially since it’s such a long term series it seemed as if she was writing so that someone could jump into the series at any point and completely understand what was going on. I think people need to just read from the beginning so the author isn’t making statements like this:

”You’ve been trained in police sketching as part of your training, Eve.”

No shit? Trained as part of her training? Redundant much?

Bottom line, the constant repeating of everything that was gone over millions of times already was irritating. And I swear, the last 50 pages from the previous book were pasted at the beginning of this one. I appreciate the refresher but seriously?

The Ending
This is going to be one ginormous spoiler but I HAVE to say it.
(view spoiler)

I have nothing more to say, but even if I did I don’t feel like wasting my time on this series anymore. It’s over, the big finale has been read after so many years of waiting, and I’m one seriously disappointed reader.(less)

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Mar 03, 2013 Candace Salima rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Ages 18 and Up

With 100 books under her belt, New York Times bestselling author, Iris Johansen, has delivered top notch suspense year after year, after finally leaving the romance which made her famous. I wasn’t a big fan of her romance, but am a huge fan of her suspense, specifically her Eve Duncan series.

With this latest book, Ms. Johansen finally answers the question plaguing her readers since October of 1998. Who kidnapped and killed Eve Duncan’s daughter, Bonnie.

From the backliner:

The truth has eluded her...more With 100 books under her belt, New York Times bestselling author, Iris Johansen, has delivered top notch suspense year after year, after finally leaving the romance which made her famous. I wasn’t a big fan of her romance, but am a huge fan of her suspense, specifically her Eve Duncan series.

With this latest book, Ms. Johansen finally answers the question plaguing her readers since October of 1998. Who kidnapped and killed Eve Duncan’s daughter, Bonnie.

From the backliner:

The truth has eluded her for years. . . . Now is she ready to face it?

When Eve Duncan gave birth to her daughter, she experienced a love she never knew existed. Nothing would stand in the way of giving Bonnie a wonderful life—until the unthinkable happened and the seven-year-old vanished into thin air. Eve found herself in the throes of a nightmare from which there was no escape. But a new Eve emerged: a woman who would use her remarkable talent as a forensic sculptor to help others find closure in the face of tragedy. Now with the help of her beloved Joe Quinn and CIA agent Catherine Ling, Eve has come closer than ever to the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Bonnie’s father is a key player in solving this monstrous puzzle. And that Bonnie’s disappearance was not as random as everyone had always believed.

In October of 1998 I read the first of the Eve Duncan series. I was completely drawn into Eve’s tragedy and immense courage after marshaling herself and became the world’s leading forensic sculptor. Focusing on missing children, worldwide, Eve identifies missing children while never finding her own. With 14 books in the series, I wondered if Iris Johansen would ever allow Eve, and the readers, to know what had happened to her daughter, Bonnie.

Bonnie brings us the long awaited answer with one unrelenting surprise after another in a well-written, well-crafted story of suspense, fear, and deep heart-wrenching emotion as Eve Duncan, Joe Quinn, and other characters added throughout the series, finally find the answer Eve has long sought, who ripped Bonnie from her life.

Bonnie is a satisfying conclusion to the Eve and Quinn trilogy and a must-buy. I’ve already added it to my home library where it will stay. In fact, it was so good that I am going to start with the very first Eve Duncan book and start reading again, beginning to finish. With my schedule, I should be done by, oh, 2013.(less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, this is a review for the whole trilogy (Eve, Quinn, Bonnie), even though I'm just putting it here.

I really like the Eve Duncan books. When they're about the forensic sculpting. Or Jane (especially when Mark Treveor is involved. Woot!). HOWEVER, this whole "who killed Bonnie," thing has been stretched out to a ridiculous extent. For the love of...

It's not epic, it's boring.

If you already like these stories, I suggest reading these all together. Get it over with. If you're thinking about start...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Elizabeth Noah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was able to get the book from my public library so I could finally find out who killed Bonnie. This is the third book and last book in this trilogy about it. Eve daughter, Bonnie, went missing years and years ago. Eve has never known what happened to her and who killed her. She has been on the search for years and years to find the truth, and this book explains it all.

Overall the book was good, I thought. Lots of action, it had Catherine and Gallo in it but, no Jane. As usual, Joe was his typi...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Cynthia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Reading the other reviews here I see that many shared my same feelings. I was terribly disappointed in the ending of this series, and each book of the trilogy got more frustrating for me. Unfortunately, it would have been better off done as 1 final book, although I must say I did enjoy "Eve" and the back story that gave us more information on how Even met Bonnie's father.

The biggest problem I saw with these ending books, as well as several of the books that were a prelude to the trilogy was all...more Reading the other reviews here I see that many shared my same feelings. I was terribly disappointed in the ending of this series, and each book of the trilogy got more frustrating for me. Unfortunately, it would have been better off done as 1 final book, although I must say I did enjoy "Eve" and the back story that gave us more information on how Even met Bonnie's father.

The biggest problem I saw with these ending books, as well as several of the books that were a prelude to the trilogy was all the rehashing over and over about why Eve has been obsessed with finding Bonnie. Not once a book, but time after time after time. Okay, we get it. She wanted to find Bonnie. I don't mind dialogue if it is snappy and fresh - I mind it when it is ad nauseum the same conversation 100 different times with only slightly different wording. Killing all this angst would have allowed the compression of the trilogy into one crisper book. It only says to me that Iris Johansen was really tired of writing the Eve Duncan series and was struggling for something to fill 500 pages. Unfortunately it only slowed them down and made them feel like 1,000 pages instead.

I liked the character of Bonnie's father, couldn't stand Catherine and her insistence on "helping" - and the fact that she and Bonnie's father were going to be attracted was more than predictable. She needed to go home and spend time with that son of hers - I mean who finds their kidnapped son after ten years or more then takes off again to help save another child without more time being spent with said child. Then she wonders why they're not reconnecting? Please.

Throughout the entire final book of the trilogy I kept wondering if maybe Bonnie might still be alive, although the fact that Eve was convinced she talked with Bonnie's ghost kept the probability pretty low. However, there could have been some clever way to work that I'm sure. I think the fact that Bonnie's killer was an uncle and it was an accident made some sense, but with so many bad guys in the past who were suspects it was really kind of a "really?" moment.

Overall the series was good, but unfortunately it probably should have been ended about four books earlier to earn an overall great rating.(less)

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Jan 27, 2012 Hilary rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-thriller

I have to admit, I only read the last couple of books out of a somewhat perverse need to close the loop. I've just found too much repetition: the characters are all the same, they behave in the same patterns, Bonnie has increased appearances to all and sundry, and the absence of anything other than the seemingly impossible search for Bonnie's body just meant there was nothing more to flesh it out. Even the writing style was starting to annoy me, as each character seemed to speak and behave the s...more I have to admit, I only read the last couple of books out of a somewhat perverse need to close the loop. I've just found too much repetition: the characters are all the same, they behave in the same patterns, Bonnie has increased appearances to all and sundry, and the absence of anything other than the seemingly impossible search for Bonnie's body just meant there was nothing more to flesh it out. Even the writing style was starting to annoy me, as each character seemed to speak and behave the same way, leading to pages looking more like a test script rather than a novel, where you could just change the names on a line to make it read by another character.

I wish there had been some actual character development over the later books, because there really doesn't seem to have been much change from the first half of the series. They must all be insane, using Franklin's definition of the word, because you get 4 strong, very independent and strong-willed people who are apparently able to work together for a common aim of just one person (and they'll do everything for Eve, despite her narrow focus and tendency to brush everyone else aside in favor of her long-dead daughter) despite having other jobs and responsibilities. The CIA obviously assist in this, probably by now just to make them go away. In the meantime Eve does what she wants, Quinn tries to stop her but ultimately fails, Eve gets into trouble but he doesn't say "I told you so", Ling and Gallo act as heroic backup for either Eve and/or Quinn, and they all work together to move towards the happily ever after. And so it goes on in the next book.

(view spoiler)

In short, I just wanted to see whodunnit. I did, and I'm glad to have mental closure, but I think this series was drawn out too much. I can't see myself re-reading these. They'd probably make a good TV series though.(less)

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Jan 17, 2012 Robin Priddy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having and keeping Bonnie was the best thing that Eve Duncan ever did. She is the reason Eve worked so hard at school, the reason that Eve's mother cleaned up her act. Seven years later the worst thing that could happen to a family did. Bonnie disappeared without a trace. One minute she was there and the next she was gone. Eve is now a world famous Forensic Sculptor. She manily works with the skulls of children so that she can bring them home to their familes. The time she is not working she spe...more

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Jan 01, 2012 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, paranormal, library-book

FINALLY! We know what happened to Bonnie. It was quite anticlimatic for me. How about for you? It was rather so sad for me and I thought, geesh, just end it. This dragging out so long is just tortuous for all of us.

Bonnie makes more appearances in this story to help aide the ones she loves. I still feel badly for Quinn. He's still being dragged through hell with Eve. This story didn't add anything to the characters for me. There wasn't any new building or strengthening of relationships. Did I gu...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Fran rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bonnie
Author: Iris Johansen
Reviewed by Fran Lewis

An uneasy feeling alerted Eve that something might happen to her daughter, Bonnie even before it did. A child’s attachment to her mother, her unwillingness to be apart from her and her feelings expressed letting her mother know she loves her but yet something just might be wrong. Looking into the sky and at the stars Bonnie loved learning about the galaxies but something about that evening would haunt Eve Duncan forever. Looking at the stars and t...more Bonnie
Author: Iris Johansen
Reviewed by Fran Lewis

An uneasy feeling alerted Eve that something might happen to her daughter, Bonnie even before it did. A child’s attachment to her mother, her unwillingness to be apart from her and her feelings expressed letting her mother know she loves her but yet something just might be wrong. Looking into the sky and at the stars Bonnie loved learning about the galaxies but something about that evening would haunt Eve Duncan forever. Looking at the stars and telling Bonnie that they are so far away she asked one simple question: Would you be afraid? Both stating that neither would be afraid yet Eve’s uneasiness did not go away nor subside. As the evening progressed Bonnie took her bath, but did not want anyone but Eve to read her a story that night. Although she had school and was studying for an exam, she gave in to her daughter’s wishes. Little did she know that it would be the last time she would read to her and the following day, just going for an ice cream would drastically change everything. How could a child disappear in thin air when going to an ice cream stand? Why didn’t anyone hear her scream or yell? Why didn’t anyone see her?

Fast forward to the present as Eve, Joe, Catherine and John Gallo, Bonnie’s father go in search of a killer. Thomas Jacobs knew he killed Bonnie but was murdered before they could question him. All those involved in any way were killed and silenced. So, why does everyone think that John Gallo knows more than he saying and why does Joe think that he just might be guilty. Catherine Ling is a CIA agent and is really good at what she does. When the director orders that she return from helping Eve, Agent Venable bravely explains why that is not possible. The Director orders him to go and find Catherine, help in any way to expedite matters really not caring if they find Bonnie’s killer just hoping to get Catherine to complete the assignment he needs done. But, the ties between Catherine and Eve are strong and Joe has just recovered from a serious injury and nothing will stop Eve this time from bringing Bonnie home.

As the story continues they find Gallo and Catherine in New Orleans, trek through the fog, the bayou and filthy terrain in order to capture a killer. But this killer is too slick, too fast and is always one step ahead of them even after being wounded by Gallo. Yet, Joe feels that Gallo did not want to really wound this guy, hesitated and could have cost Catherine her life. She disagrees and he does everything in his power to convince her Joe is wrong. So, why does he keep leaving and going out on his own? Just how much of what he says is true and can they really trust him? But, Catherine saw the killer and hopefully with Eve’s help she can recreate a proper sketch of this man’s face. Did Gallo know Bonnie’s killer and did he really dream about Bonnie when he was thrown into a Korean prison? How much of what happened to him is fact and how much is fiction? Bonnie by author Iris Johansen is the final chapter in the trilogy to finally bring Bonnie home.

As Joe goes along with the police and a forensic team to get prints from a truck they stumble upon a murder leading them in a whole new direction. Asking the right questions Joe learns about an alligator farm and the end result is more than anyone expected. Scuba gear stolen the caregiver thrown in as alligator food and the end result is they are no closer to finding the killer until Catherine’s memory triggers a description that sends Eve back in time. As she recognizes the face in the sketch and links it to Gallo’s past she recounts her meeting with this man but still not getting the answers she needs. Gallo disappeared, Joe and the police are working on pushing for the forensics report and Venable is about to show up to take charge of one dead Thomas Jacobs. But, just what is Gallo up to and why did he once again leave when things were just about to heat up between him and Catherine. Is Joe’s assessment right? Is he part of the reason why Bonnie is dead? What will they find out next and will Eve ever bring her home?

Once again author Iris Johansen takes the reader on a huge roller coaster ride with many dips into the murky waters of the New Orleans Bayou, alligator farms, heavy fog to find a killer that does not seem to want to be caught nor can even the best in the field find. Keeping the reader spellbound and hoping to find the answer to the one question in reader’s mind: What really happened to Bonnie and are we going to find out? Will Eve ever have closure? Even if I find out the answer I won’t give it away. You have to read the entire trilogy to find out for yourself.

Things become tense and Eve goes out for some air and Bonnie pays her a short visit one which would enlighten her to the events that might come and would change the complexion of how things are going to play out. Eve decides to strike out on her own with Gallo leaving Joe and Catherine to hopefully follow but at a distance. Bonnie warns Eve about the two levels of her existence and that although she is allowed to come and see her certain information is still blocked and she is coming closer to remembering her killer and what happened. The rest and what happens still remains to be seen.

One man’s mind is haunted by demons and another is trying to find him and the answers to what happened to Bonnie. Leads are coming in but no one can find the killer as he looks for absolution from a priest and yet is he really the one responsible for Bonnie’s death as the plot heats up and the mystery continues. One priest bound by his oath and one man who confesses the truth and has to fight off his demons. As Eve and Gallo close in on one man will Catherine and Joe get there first? As Bonnie slowly reveals some of her past to Eve will the truth ever come out or will it remain inside of Bonnie forever?

Eve gets really close and comes face to face with the man she thinks might have killed Bonnie while he holds someone supposedly dear to him hostage. How this all plays out you won’t believe. What happens to each one is not directly under their own control and will Bonnie enlighten Eve to the truth when she learns it? Catherine, John, Eve and Joe are all on a quest to find the answer to the question haunting Eve for much too long. Is this the end or is there more?

The leads take them to a camp for disadvantaged children. What they learn will send chills down your spine and those working there will hopefully shed some light on the killer and his motive. Wait until you read the twists, turns and surprises that will take you to an ending that you won’t expect. Was the killer found and will Bonnie finally come home? Gripping, tense, unexpected and heartbreaking when Eve comes face to face with the killer, finds out the truth and decisions have to be made and one young girl named Bonnie who touched so many lives and who just might make you smile. What is next for Eve, Joe, Gallo and Catherine? Only the author can decide where to go from here.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
(less)

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Oct 12, 2011 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bonnie is the culmination of the trilogy dedicated to the disappearance of Eve Duncan’s daughter Bonnie. It will answer many of the questions that fans of this incredible series have been asking for years and yet we will be left with some unanswered as well.
Years ago a struggling single mother Eve Duncan had one shining light in her life, that was her daughter Bonnie and in an instant that light was extinguished. Eve could have easily given into the darkness that followed and at times she was cl...more Bonnie is the culmination of the trilogy dedicated to the disappearance of Eve Duncan’s daughter Bonnie. It will answer many of the questions that fans of this incredible series have been asking for years and yet we will be left with some unanswered as well.
Years ago a struggling single mother Eve Duncan had one shining light in her life, that was her daughter Bonnie and in an instant that light was extinguished. Eve could have easily given into the darkness that followed and at times she was close, but instead she gave her life to the finding and bringing home of lost children by becoming the worlds best and most sought after forensic sculptor, hoping that one of those lost would be her Bonnie. In the previous two novels we’ve discovered the personal stories of Eve and Joe Quinn, they go back in time to the crime and bring forward the events happening now. In Bonnie the players involved , Eve, Joe, Catherine and John Gallo are closing in on the answers some have been asking for many years and some have just begun to ask. And as we get closer to those answers there are also more players introduced to us to fill in the puzzle pieces left so long ago by Bonnie’s kidnapping. Will Eve finally get the closure she so desperately needs, will Joe be able to protect her like he needs to do, can Catherine fulfill her need to repay Eve for the rescuing of her son Luke and will John Gallo be the villain or is he a victim too. It’s not an easy journey but believe me the it’s worth the trip.
Iris Johansen has been writing about Eve Duncan for many years and in each of those novels we’re given glimpses into the whys and wherefores of what made Eve what she is today, the one thing that never changes is her deep need to find Bonnie and bring her home. Bonnie is one of Ms. Johansen’s brightest lights, it’s a tale for all readers and will not leave a dry eye in the house. Her plot right out of the worst nightmare of any parent is interweaved with covert operators and shadowy figures that makes the thriller fan tingle and her hardboiled narrative fit these characters and this novel like a glove. Her characters are so pragmatic that even the more unlikely are believable, old fans and new alike will relish the intimacy she gives to them and in turn gives to us. Eve, Joe, Catherine and Gallo share equal amounts of stardom in this novel and what it will leave you with is the desire to hurry the clock forward to read what she has in store for them next time. Because if my guess is correct this is not the end but a new beginning.
So if you’re looking for an edge of your seat, action packed, danger filled thriller, look here. If you want great characters and a plot not easily forgotten choose Bonnie.
This does okay as a stand a lone but is meant to be the third of a trilogy and that’s the best way to read them.
Thank you Ms. Johansen for one of the best trilogies I’ve ever read, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
(less)

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Nov 13, 2011 Jodi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 06, 2012 Vicki rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Third in a series (Eve, Quinn, & Bonnie) by Iris Johansen, in which Eve Duncan finally finds out who kidnapped and killed her 7 year old daughter Bonnie, and secondly, locates Bonnie's grave with the idea of bringing the body home.

Though I credit Johansen with an intriguing premise, I really think it fails to support three independent novels. Eve's story was compelling, Quinn's a little less so, and this one was the weakest, though it did finally bring answers to questions that have been han...more

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Nov 27, 2011 E. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense

Wow! I am a little ambivalent about this book, having invested so many years rapidly devouring each installment as it was published and becoming attached to so many of the characters. The trilogy that ties up the loose ends for the saga started so many years ago is in some ways a bit of a letdown and in other ways a relief. Eve's intensity can be wearing and her gut-wrenching search for her daughter over so many years has provided so much tension that it is nice to achieve closure. The tormented...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Crystal Posey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, favorites, ultimates

For those who have been reading this series since 1998, I applaud you for making it through this book in one piece! I started with this series in 2004, and I'm a sobbing mess. I'm a happy, satisfied reader, but sobbing nonetheless.

The world of Eve Duncan is always alive. The characters make strong impressions in a world that you feel you can touch. BONNIE is just the same. The interesting thing is that I can’t really recall (and never really do) Johansen getting into too much description about t...more For those who have been reading this series since 1998, I applaud you for making it through this book in one piece! I started with this series in 2004, and I'm a sobbing mess. I'm a happy, satisfied reader, but sobbing nonetheless.

The world of Eve Duncan is always alive. The characters make strong impressions in a world that you feel you can touch. BONNIE is just the same. The interesting thing is that I can’t really recall (and never really do) Johansen getting into too much description about the surroundings, but I still always feel like she puts me right there in the book. And while reading BONNIE I felt like I was picked up by a pair of giant hands, and dropped into Eve Duncan’s world. It’s really magnificent.

As far as the mystery itself, let me tell you how I read this book… I started out at the kitchen table. Then I moved to my husband’s recliner. Then I jumped several times, once nearly landing on the floor. At some point there was pacing. In this book there are so many directions your mind goes that the guessing never stops. It was like being in a maze, and just when you might get lost Johansen blows the entire maze to pieces. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a story line climax so strongly as this one did. When I got to what we will forever call The Page, I busted out into a sob. Not a few tears. Not a muffled little cry that slowly became a sob. Not a gasp and then sob. I dropped the book into my lap and exploded into a sobbed. It was dang near violent. And then she closed the book with one of the most beautiful endings I’ve ever read.

All in all, this book cannot help but be a five star book. The twists are shocking and keep you on your toes, as Johansen leaves a trail of clues that will have the book glued to your hands. There are haunting, beautiful moments between a mother and daughter ripped apart far too soon. And yet in some parts it’s charming and there are even a few moments that make you laugh out loud.

I am in awe of the power that is Iris Johansen. She took something so horrible, a nightmare, and brilliantly crafted it into a story of how love cannot be trapped by time.

In the end there is only love.(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Mirkat rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am not a long-time reader of Johansen's who has read all of the "Eve" books. On the contrary, I bumped into the first book in the series--Eve--when I did one of my periodic keyword searches for "Playaway" books in my library's online catalog. I love these preloaded audio books that are compact enough that they are handy to take on my long runs (or counter the boredom of a treadmill run of any length!). So I listened to the "Eve" narrative without realizing until near the very end that I was on...more I am not a long-time reader of Johansen's who has read all of the "Eve" books. On the contrary, I bumped into the first book in the series--Eve--when I did one of my periodic keyword searches for "Playaway" books in my library's online catalog. I love these preloaded audio books that are compact enough that they are handy to take on my long runs (or counter the boredom of a treadmill run of any length!). So I listened to the "Eve" narrative without realizing until near the very end that I was only on part one of a trilogy. I was a bit miffed because I was intrigued enough to want to know how the mystery would unravel but not especially impressed with the writing. The characters are not especially well-rounded and sometimes it is hard to distinguish one character's personality from another's. On top of that, Johansen has certain words and phrases she repeats ad nauseum. Characters constantly stiffen. Or they tighten various parts of their bodies--usually their lips, but sometimes their hands on a steering wheel or neck, or their arms around someone's body. Somewhat less often, they moisten their lips, mutter a curse, or twist their lips.

In any event, I was curious to read the resolution of series, so I ordered the next two books in the series from my library (and actually read them in print form). I actually thought that Quinn and Bonnie were somewhat better than Eve and would give them each 2.5 stars if possible. But I don't think they deserve to be rounded up to three.

If you are a long-time reader of the series and would like to find out what happened to Bonnie, I suggest skipping over the first two books in the trilogy and going right into Bonnie. Anything you need to know from the earlier two installments is either summarized or--believe it or not--copied and pasted. Yes, there are a couple of entire scenes that are simply repeated to fill in readers who have not read the first two books.

Some long-time readers of the "Eve" books have complained about the supernatural turn this trilogy has introduced. As noted above, I have not read the earlier books, but it seems they were more grounded in reality. If you are one of these readers who are not pleased with that route, I would suggest maybe sitting out the trilogy altogether and reading up on spoilers instead, since the "supernatural" element is really cranked up in Bonnie. I did have the impression that Johansen was laying the groundwork for future, post-Bonnie-investigation installments in her series.

I have some mixed feelings about the resolution. In case you are worried--yes, you will finally find out how and why Bonnie died. Without giving anything away, I will just say it might be just a little too neat and pretty. But in a way I can also appreciate the sentiment that Johansen was going for, and I imagine her fans might be highly curious about reading future novels with a non-tormented Eve.

And because I'm a little freaky, I kept a tally of some of Johansen's most overused word choices. You might be curious to know that tightening of body parts occurred 22 times; 13 of these tightenings were performed by lips. Stiffening happened 27 times, and on 13 occasions, a character moistened his or her lips (they need to carry lip balm!). Oh, and there was one sentence that I wrote down just because it was such a clunker. On page 47, Catherine says this to Eve: "You've been trained in police sketching as part of your training." Let's see everything that's wrong with that: (1) redundancy (trained as part of your training?); (2) unnatural dialogue; and (3) Eve knows her own background and doesn't need to be told. Why not "Weren't you trained in police sketching?"(less)

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Nov 23, 2011 Katie Trenerowski rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Let me start out by saying that if you read the synopsis on the cover of this book, it is very, very misleading. It is gripping and you settle down to read a good thriller/suspense/chase book, only to realize that you were the one being taken on a wild chase because the description of this book leads you to believe that a suspect of a kidnapping is truly innocent & that instead the father of the little girl gone missing has a role in her (Bonnie) disappearance.

This my friends, is false adve...more Let me start out by saying that if you read the synopsis on the cover of this book, it is very, very misleading. It is gripping and you settle down to read a good thriller/suspense/chase book, only to realize that you were the one being taken on a wild chase because the description of this book leads you to believe that a suspect of a kidnapping is truly innocent & that instead the father of the little girl gone missing has a role in her (Bonnie) disappearance.

This my friends, is false advertising, because that's not what this book is about at all. It is a slow moving story with no real climax and nothing to encourage the reader to find out what happens next. They involve too many characters that have nothing to do with the plot, and the author could have afforded to leave out the priest character. I believe that she truly had a unique idea of involving a psychiatrist turned catholic priest who was and is the confidant of the suspected kidnapper (Ted). However, his role was really just "fluff" and most of his involvement could have been omitted from the story. I mean - c'mon - what kind of a a truly devoted Catholic Priest decides to follow the police agents on the move for the kidnapper through the mountainous terrain.... in the meantime, he won't share any pertinent information to helping them find the suspect because he has a "duty to keep things shared confidential"? It was a little too far-fetched for me and his whole hiking-through-the-wilderness seemed that the author was running out of material to keep the story compelling.

I was also a little 'weirded' out by the (SPOILERS) kidnapped daughter (Bonnie) making visits from 'the other side'. She communicated with her mother & father often, yet wouldn't give them any information on what truly happened to her. All the while, once the Mother discovers what has happened to her daughter - her character suddenly shifts from a revenge seeking mother to one who gives off the appearance that she is 'at peace'. It feels as if the mother lost her whole drive & being & purpose of searching for her daughter the last half-a-dozen-or-so years. She just gives up, and therefore the reader wants to give up. Instead I felt like this book wasn't clearly composed & didn't intertwine feelings, stories, and characters very well.

Let me conclude by saying, it truly was a disappointment and the only gripping part of the whole book was how the author wrote up the synopsis to describe her book 'Bonnie.'(less)

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Jul 12, 2012 Shawna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, 2012

"We see a little bit, but not the entire story. And no matter how hard we try, we're not going to be able to finish it until she's ready for it to be finished" (pg 46).....

The above quote pretty much sums up how I felt through the first half of this book. I have followed the series for years and was very excited about finally finding out what happened to Bonnie. I was expecting a grand finale...something explosive! In reality, it was a review of everything we already new and the predictable chas...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Lisa added it

I don't know how to rate this book! It was too much and not enough all of it! It could have been and should have been better. This book should have left me breathless, understanding, feeling, overwhelmed, and overjoyed! Eve was going to finally find Bonnie and bring her baby home!!! Instead I am still asking questions because I predicted the outcome in Quinn! And it is the WRONG KILLER! It was too easy! I have never written a negative review and I have been disappointed by other authors in the p...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Laurel-Rain rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When Eve Duncan gave birth to her daughter Bonnie in her teens, she thought that, despite the circumstances, a wonderful life lay ahead for the two of them.

But at the age of seven, Bonnie disappeared mysteriously one day. And for the next several years, Eve's life was all about finding her daughter, or discovering what had happened to her.

"Bonnie" is the third in a trilogy about Eve, her new lover Quinn, and her daughter. In this final episode, we discover some of the players in the current situ...more

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Oct 23, 2011 Phyllis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was disappointed in this book. It was a little slow and seemed to drag on for no other reason than to make it into a whole book for a three book series. I have read every book in this series. I liked them mostly, but I don't like the way she writes dialouge. Everyone, no matter who they are and where they are from, speaks English perfectly. I was unhappy that a lot of this book was repetitive from previous books. I hate when you are reading a series and the authour tries to explain every thing...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Tom Tischler rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eve Duncan gave birth to Bonnie and experienced a love she did'nt know
existed. Then the unthinkable happens, on a class field trip to the park when
Bonnie is 7 she vanishes. Eve finds herself in the throes of a nightmare that
stays with her day and night. A new Eve emerges who has her talent as a
forensic sculptor to help others. She is a woman who will stop at nothing to
find her daughters killer and bring her home. Finally with the help of her
friend Joe Quinn and CIA agent Catherine Ling Eve is g...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Kay rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm so glad to be finished with this trilogy by Johansen. These novels -- Eve, Quinn, and Bonnie --would have been more readable if they had been combined as one longer story, as I believe one other reviewer has suggested. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because I do like the story -- forensic sculptor Eve Duncan trying to find closure in the abduction and presumed death of her seven year old daughter, Bonnie. But the telling of this story across three novels is repetitious and tedious. Thank goodnes...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Joti rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Beautiful ending to this story!
So the story picked up right where it left off in the 2nd book - Catherine about to be attacked by the killer - who killed Jacobs and Bonnie - John had thrown the knife when she got attacked, hitting the killer's hand - no one but catherine got a look at his face - And later, when Eve did a sketch of his face, she'd recognized him - Ted Danner - John's Uncle - John didn't believe it because Ted was supposedly dead. Eve had to explore the possibility no matter what...more Beautiful ending to this story!
So the story picked up right where it left off in the 2nd book - Catherine about to be attacked by the killer - who killed Jacobs and Bonnie - John had thrown the knife when she got attacked, hitting the killer's hand - no one but catherine got a look at his face - And later, when Eve did a sketch of his face, she'd recognized him - Ted Danner - John's Uncle - John didn't believe it because Ted was supposedly dead. Eve had to explore the possibility no matter what even if she didn't believe that Ted, a sweet man, could've murdered her daughter - Catherine was mixed up in her feelings for John Gallo and Joe was supporting Eve - so they found out that Ted was alive - but John remembered his uncle having a bad back, and the killer had been agile and swift on his feet - Further on, they found out Ted had had a surgery and that his back was fine - Eve had joined up with John, leaving Catherine with Joe - but she was keeping her friends in the loop about what was going on - There were parts from Ted's POV and he talked about demons and the little girl - who was Bonnie - and making his confessions to a priest named Father Barnabas a.k.a. Kevin Donnelley - the former psychiatrist who'd treated Ted - they tracked him down and Eve grilled him for information about Ted Danner but he wouldn't give much. Gallo spoke to the other priest in the church and left for supplies - that's when Eve walked into Barnabas's office and Ted Danner was there with a knife at the priest's throat - so she knocked Barnabas out to keep him alive and Danner took her - John freaked out and Joe freaked out even more cuz the woman he loved was in the hands of someone who may be a murderer and who was most certainly unstable - Joe and Father Barnabas go to a camp where Danner had worked in the past and find a boy named Ben - Ben was 'special' - he spoke of a girl who he saw (Bonnie) and eventually, he agrees to take Joe to the place Danner would be keeping Eve - b/c Danner had taken him there on camping trips overnight before - So Eve is with Danner, who believes that Bonnie has been haunting him because she's angry and that to make her leave him alone, he has to give her what she wants - which he believes to be Eve, so he should kill her mother so they'd be together - Eve convinced him to let her make a good-bye phone call to Joe and she says 'Fate,' trying to send him a message about the place Providence - so Joe searches up the word Fate b/c she told him to pay attention - and another translation is Providence, which is some National Park area or something - so Ben, Father Barnabas and Joe are together and meanwhile, Catherine and Joe split up, trying to reach Eve faster b/c time is running out - so Danner takes Eve up a cliff through a crack or something and there is Bonnie's final resting place - THERE'S A GRAVE WITH ALL THIS GREEN GRASS AND FLOWERS AND DANNER TOLD HER WHAT HAPPENED - HE FOUND OUT ABOUT MCQUEEN AND JACOBS BEING DIRTY AND THREATENED THEM WITH IT AND THEY AGREED TO GIVE JOHN THE PERFECT LIFE IF HE DISAPPEARED SO HE DID BUT KEPT WATCH ON JOHN AND EVE AND BONNIE - AND HE FOUND PAUL BLACK KEEPING AN EYE ON BONNIE AND HE KNEW THAT HE WAS GONIG TO KILL HER TO HURT JOHN - SO ON THE DAY AT THE PARK WHEN BONNIE WENT MISSING - PAUL BLACK NEVER GOT TO HER - TED DANNER TOOK HER IN THE TRUNK OF HIS CAR AND DROVE FAR AWAY TO TRY AND KEEP BONNIE SAFE - HE WAS SCARED THAT BLACK HAD FOLLOWED HIM AND WAS GONIG TO KILL BONNIE AND WHEN HE CHECKED THE TRUNK, BONNIE WAS DEAD - THE HEAT HAD KILLED HER, SHE HAD NO AIR AND COULDN'T BREATHE - AND ALL THIS TIME, HE BELIEVED THAT 'DEMONS' HAD KILLED HER AND HE COULDN'T ACCEPT THAT HIS MISTAKE, AN ACCIDENT, HAD KILLED THE POOR GIRL :$
SO BONNIE REAPPEARS TO EVE NUMEROUS TIMES, TELLING EVE IT ISN'T EVE'S TIME TO GO, SO SHE CAN'T DIE OR LET DANNER KILL HER, LIKE HE'S PLANNING TO DO - so Eve runs and Joe comes with Ben and Danner shoots at Joe, but little Ben takes the bullet for him - Ted freaks , thinking if he shot his little friend, Ben, then he must've killed Bonnie too and he runs - so Catherine stumbles on him and gives chase and John tells him to stop and wen he doesn't, he shoots his own Uncle in the knee, Ted Danner slid down the side of the cliff thing and ends up with a tree branch sticking out of his chest - and john can't believe his uncle killed his daughter - his and eve's bonnie - and bonnie appears to everyone then and tells danner that she wasn't angry, she wasn't looking for revenge - she forgives him b/c she understood that he did the act out of Love - trying to protect her - and Danner dies happy, with Bonnie telling him it's okay, that the pain will be gone and he'll learn a lot on the other side - BEN was in surgery, he's okay :) Joe offers him a job up at his aand Eve's lakehouse - Catherine saw Bonnie at the part Danner died for the first time and she was in shock - everyone else had seen Bonnie but she didn't believe in spirits and stuff, she'll have to come to terms with it - and Joe and Eve r okay too - Gallo is burying Danner at his house and Eve talks to Bonnie again at the grave, saying she wants to bring her home. Bonnie wants her to forgive and move on and Eve says she'd try and Bonnie says she can - she'd do it eventually with time
I MEAN, TE ENDING WAS SAD BECAUSE SO MUCH OF EVE'S LIFE WAS FINDING HER DAUGHTER'S MURDERER AND IT TURNS OUT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT ON DANNER'S PART B/C HE TRIED TO PROTECT HER FROM AN ACTUAL KILLER
I WAS HOLDING OUT ON THE HOPE THAT SOMEHOW BONNIE WOULD BE ALIVE BUT IT'S OKAY B/C BONNIE SAID IT WAS HER TIME, SHE WAS READY TO MOVE ON...
So sad ending but very very satisfactory! I loved it! It was unexpected, and exciting and the story was truly amazing! :D(less)

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Nov 18, 2012 Jodster's rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

I have to admit I have been an Eve Duncun fan from the beginning.. Iris Johansen writes in a way that you as the reader are drawn in... This book made me cry.. not sure if it was because of the story line or the fact that I assumed it was the last in the Eve Duncan Series.

I loved it from beginning to end.. the way Eve found out how and where and why her daughter was murdered was just beautifully written.. all this time we were lead as she was that she was brutally murdered.. and when in fact it...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Book Him Danno rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I will be reviewing this title on my blog in the next few weeks and all I have to say right now is that I cried and cried while I read this book. A good ending to the unanswered questions about Bonnie.

This is my review of all three books in the trilogy- I gave the whole thing 3 1/2 stars.

I found that this author is a bit hit and miss with her books. Some have been great and others have floundered. This was not bad, but it seemed longer than necessary. I would have liked the back story to have p...more I will be reviewing this title on my blog in the next few weeks and all I have to say right now is that I cried and cried while I read this book. A good ending to the unanswered questions about Bonnie.

This is my review of all three books in the trilogy- I gave the whole thing 3 1/2 stars.

I found that this author is a bit hit and miss with her books. Some have been great and others have floundered. This was not bad, but it seemed longer than necessary. I would have liked the back story to have progressed just a bit faster. EVE - I think all the love between Eve and Bonnie’s father could have been shorter…we get it they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other…what teenagers can?

The mystery keeps progressing towards finding Bonnie’s killer. I cannot imagine losing a child and not knowing what happen to them. I found that the book Eve had lots of sex...teenagers and the like I guess. The book ends with a cliff hanger so I immediately picked up Quinn. Who wouldn't want to know more about him?

QUINN - It was fun to go back and learn about how they met and what brought the two together, Eve and Quinn seem to have a long lasting type of patient love and I wondered how that came about. This is a great history lesson on the two of them until the action starts. This one also ends with a 'WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT FEELING.' A bit of romance seems to spring between a few characters(Ling and Gallo), but no sex only lots of action than on to Bonnie.

BONNIE - Bonnie keeps the action going with the chase for her killer, I have to say that the ending is bitter-sweet...you do find out what happen and in some ways it is better that it happened that way than how I could have imagined. I loved the end and I cried...for Eve and for Bonnie...even a bit for Quinn and Gallo who never really had the chance to get to know her. I think everyone will have empathy for what the family has gone through with the loss of Bonnie.

I think EVE was interesting, but if could have been shorter and more to the point. QUINN was a bit faster and BONNIE kept me reading to the bitter end. I'm glad I know what happened to Bonnie and now Eve can truly put her to rest.
(less)

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Apr 06, 2012 Brittany rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After dragging us along for all her reckless, irresponsible, thoughtless “adventures”, Eve Duncan has finally found out the truth about her daughter, Bonnie’s disappearance. Eve has taken us for a lot of wild and mostly unbelievable rides over the years as she searched for her daughter’s killer and her daughter’s body. I really mean unbelievable in the “Oh yeah right!” sense, which I said A LOT throughout not only this book but all the others.

Bonnie herself makes numerous appearances in this bo...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Brenda Fryland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh, how I LOVE this book! For those of you that have followed Eve Duncan & Joe Quinn throughout the years -- you've got to read this one. You will be satisfied!

Eve Duncan is a forensic sculptor specializing in recreating the faces of lost children. She has searched for years for her daughter Bonnie, who was kidnapped at the age of 7. There is a supernatural element that plays into the storyline occasionally. The love between Eve and Joe is so real -- they don't always get along!

This is the b...more

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May 31, 2012 Colette Martin rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's impossible to review the individual books in the Eve Trilogy, so this review encompasses all three titles. As usual, the action is fast-paced, and the story line is intriguing. The three titles do function as one story, with many twists and turns. I like how the past and the present come together. In this third book, we finally find out how Bonnie died, and who killed her. That's the good news. However, we are still left hanging on many counts, hence my only-three-star review. What happened...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have enjoyed this series and am excited the next in the series is out, so I needed to get caught up and read this one about Bonnie.

I'll be honest, as a parent I was worried at first about this read. I didn't know what to expect, but I must say, Iris did not lead me astray. I think this book was SO well written. I feel like it really pulled together the stories and introductions in previous books and gave me the closure I needed.

Now, wait, it gave me closure on a portion of the story, but what...more

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title link	preview: Bonnie
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Bonnie (Eve, Quinn and Bonnie #3)

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