Susan Amper's Blog: Bookcrazie - Posts Tagged "intrigue"
Two Nights in Lisbon, Chris Pavone, 2022
Two Nights in Lisbon seems like it's going to be a taut thriller. It's not. The book opens with a newly married Ariel Price. She divorced her first husband 14 years previously and now lives on a farm and owns a bookstore in small town New York with her 13 year old son.
The new husband, John Wright and Ariel appear to be on their honeymoon in Lisbon. The morning after, Ariel remembers great sex and the topsy turvy bed and clothes support this. But she can't find her husband. She asks the hotel staff and then goes to the police and then the Embassy. This is all within a few hours, and her actions seem premature, a reader can sympathize with the new wife.
Then a ransom demand for 3 million euros arrives. Ariel and John do not have that kind of money. It is at this point or even before that a reader has to wonder what the hell is happening. Past lives for both Ariel and John are hinted at but never explained until the end of the book. Ariel has to get the money from some "monster" from her past, the only one she thinks can get the money together on this July 4th.
There is lots of interest from the police, the US embassy and a newspaper reporter. A reader can't figure out why everyone is so interested. We are given a reason, but it's full of holes.
Will the ransom be paid? Will Ariel's husband be freed unharmed? Will the reader be annoyed by the end of this book. Answer to all three--YES.
The new husband, John Wright and Ariel appear to be on their honeymoon in Lisbon. The morning after, Ariel remembers great sex and the topsy turvy bed and clothes support this. But she can't find her husband. She asks the hotel staff and then goes to the police and then the Embassy. This is all within a few hours, and her actions seem premature, a reader can sympathize with the new wife.
Then a ransom demand for 3 million euros arrives. Ariel and John do not have that kind of money. It is at this point or even before that a reader has to wonder what the hell is happening. Past lives for both Ariel and John are hinted at but never explained until the end of the book. Ariel has to get the money from some "monster" from her past, the only one she thinks can get the money together on this July 4th.
There is lots of interest from the police, the US embassy and a newspaper reporter. A reader can't figure out why everyone is so interested. We are given a reason, but it's full of holes.
Will the ransom be paid? Will Ariel's husband be freed unharmed? Will the reader be annoyed by the end of this book. Answer to all three--YES.
Bookcrazie
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