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FBI Thriller #16
Backfire
San Francisco Judge Ramsey Hunt, longtime friend to FBI agents Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich, is presiding over the trial of Clive and Cindy Cahill – accused in a string of murders – when the proceedings take a radical turn. Federal prosecutor Mickey O'Rourke, known for his relentless style, becomes suddenly tentative in his opening statement, leading Hunt to suspect he’s been threatened – suspicions that are all but confirmed when Hunt is shot in the back.
Savich and Sherlock receive news of the attack as an ominous note is delivered to Savich at the Hoover Building: YOU DESERVE THIS FOR WHAT YOU DID. Security tapes fail to reveal who delivered the tapes. Who is behind the shooting of Judge Ramsey Hunt? Who sent the note to Savich? And what does it all mean? Savich and Sherlock race to San Francisco to find out…watching their backs all the while.
Savich and Sherlock receive news of the attack as an ominous note is delivered to Savich at the Hoover Building: YOU DESERVE THIS FOR WHAT YOU DID. Security tapes fail to reveal who delivered the tapes. Who is behind the shooting of Judge Ramsey Hunt? Who sent the note to Savich? And what does it all mean? Savich and Sherlock race to San Francisco to find out…watching their backs all the while.
405 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2012
2122 people are currently reading
4929 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 701 reviews
June 29, 2022
Catherine Coulter is one of my favorite thriller authors, and I absolutely love this one, where a famous and well-loved judge in San Francisco is shot in an attempted murder, and Savich and Sherlock get to fly out there to try to solve the case. I love it when an author is really great at describing a setting because it’s like getting to take a vacation there as you read, and Coulter really immerses you in the Bay Area as you’re following the case. I love these thrillers and the way information is slowly revealed as we figure out who exactly wants the judge killed, and why. This was one of the more complex and intricate mysteries so far, and I really enjoyed it!
January 8, 2024
So this is what happens when you enter a series at #16.
You are a bit confused by who everyone is and you hope to catch up along the way.
Does the author do a good job with back story? Not really.
I guess she expects that enough of her readers are fans and will just do what they should and read all her books in order.
So, if you are a fan, don’t shoot me.
I am just telling you how I entered the story. A bit confused by who was who, and trying to catch up.
So, once I got that out of the way, there was the story to digest.
Sorry, not ready to go there yet.
So here is one of my beefs with mystery writers. Why do they have to have such long books? I love that they are willing to tell their stories in short chapters, but, why do they think they have to tell it in over 400 pages? Am I becoming an impatient reader?
Okay, I know you want the review.
Do you think it is going to be a bad one? (I guess the 1 star is a giveaway?!)
Sorry. You are right.
Writing – terrible.
Dialogue – boring.
Revenge plot – come on – really? Overdone.
Shifts in viewpoint – pointless.
Will I be back to read this author again – or order book #1? Probably not.
Are you a fan? Please accept my profuse apologies if I have offended you. I am only sharing my reading experience - and...
I am admitting to coming in blindly at #16. My bad. I will give her a l/2 star for my bad. 1.5 stars.
You are a bit confused by who everyone is and you hope to catch up along the way.
Does the author do a good job with back story? Not really.
I guess she expects that enough of her readers are fans and will just do what they should and read all her books in order.
So, if you are a fan, don’t shoot me.
I am just telling you how I entered the story. A bit confused by who was who, and trying to catch up.
So, once I got that out of the way, there was the story to digest.
Sorry, not ready to go there yet.
So here is one of my beefs with mystery writers. Why do they have to have such long books? I love that they are willing to tell their stories in short chapters, but, why do they think they have to tell it in over 400 pages? Am I becoming an impatient reader?
Okay, I know you want the review.
Do you think it is going to be a bad one? (I guess the 1 star is a giveaway?!)
Sorry. You are right.
Writing – terrible.
Dialogue – boring.
Revenge plot – come on – really? Overdone.
Shifts in viewpoint – pointless.
Will I be back to read this author again – or order book #1? Probably not.
Are you a fan? Please accept my profuse apologies if I have offended you. I am only sharing my reading experience - and...
I am admitting to coming in blindly at #16. My bad. I will give her a l/2 star for my bad. 1.5 stars.
September 3, 2012
Ok, this is my make-it/break-it book for Coulter - we'll see if she stays on my TBR pile or not.
Yeah, Coulter is definitely off my TBR pile after this egg. It's too bad, because the plot really isn't that bad (only reason this is getting 2 stars instead of 1), but the writing is just terrible - the dialogue is a complete nightmare. Every. Single. Sentence. The new romance was barely addressed, there is once again a revenge plot involved with Savich & Sherlock (*yawn*), and there were shifts in viewpoints that were completely pointless.
But what really got me was the excruciating, painfully bad dialogue. Coulter's editor needs to take her and shake her because there is no excuse to write this badly after authoring so many books. And I don't recall the earlier books in this series being nearly this bad. I wasted hours plowing through this one, time I could have better spent doing ANYTHING.
Yeah, Coulter is definitely off my TBR pile after this egg. It's too bad, because the plot really isn't that bad (only reason this is getting 2 stars instead of 1), but the writing is just terrible - the dialogue is a complete nightmare. Every. Single. Sentence. The new romance was barely addressed, there is once again a revenge plot involved with Savich & Sherlock (*yawn*), and there were shifts in viewpoints that were completely pointless.
But what really got me was the excruciating, painfully bad dialogue. Coulter's editor needs to take her and shake her because there is no excuse to write this badly after authoring so many books. And I don't recall the earlier books in this series being nearly this bad. I wasted hours plowing through this one, time I could have better spent doing ANYTHING.
May 9, 2021
Two-haiku review:
Friend of Savich shot
He and Sherlock to San Fran
Someone's after them
I enjoyed this one
Good characters, no woo-woo
Four-and-a-half stars
Friend of Savich shot
He and Sherlock to San Fran
Someone's after them
I enjoyed this one
Good characters, no woo-woo
Four-and-a-half stars
July 29, 2012
Fans of the Sherlock and Savich series will not be disappointed with this outing. The husband and wife duo are in the cross hairs yet again. Good guys get themselves hurt, bad guys wreck havoc, and everything gets solved at the end. As always a good entertaining read that moves along nicely with action, some family bonding, and sprinkling of romance. Fans of the series will be glad to see this duo back in form!
June 30, 2012
Wow! What a book! The action is jam packed and the book has more twists and turns than that famous street in San Francisco.
Judge Ramsey Hunt is shot at home shortly after halting a murder trial he has been presiding over. The Federal Prosecutor is missing and the defendants are sitting pretty. U.S. Federal Marshall Eve Barbieri is one of the dozens of law enforcement people called in when Judge Hunt is attacked. The FBI, SFPD, and even the CIA make an appearance. Eve has a close relationship with Judge Hunt and his entire family which makes this case all the more important to her.
Around the same time, FBI Agent Dillon Savich gets a cryptic note that might be a threat. When he and his wife, fellow FBI Agent Sherlock hear about Hunt, they head off to be part of the team working on the case. They bring their five year old son, Sean along with them as Sherlock's parents live in San Francisco, and the whole family knows the Hunt family well.
Harry Christoff is the FBI Agent assigned to liaison with Eve and the sparks fly from the first moment they meet. However, the romance aspect of this book takes a back seat to the Hunt case. The presumed attacker is a busy guy or maybe gal and everyone involved is in danger throughout the entire book. The sender of the note to Savich makes an appearance and adds more excitement to the mix.
One of the things I love about this series is the continuity of the characters. Several of the ones we have met before in earlier books make an appearance and it is never gratuitous. The new characters blend in seamlessly and you learn enough about them to care fairly quickly. Of course, Sherlock and Savich are the linchpin of the story and they have some scary times in this book but their relationship is a strong as ever. I remember Ramsey, Molly and twelve year old Emma from The Target, book Three in the series, and I also remembered how much I enjoyed that book. Emma is the center of a delightful subplot involving her being a piano prodigy that adds a nice light touch to offset the tenseness of the story. Sean’s crush on her and future plans to marry the “older woman” someday is just too cute.
This series just keeps getting better and better which each book. My only complaint is that there is way too long between books!
Judge Ramsey Hunt is shot at home shortly after halting a murder trial he has been presiding over. The Federal Prosecutor is missing and the defendants are sitting pretty. U.S. Federal Marshall Eve Barbieri is one of the dozens of law enforcement people called in when Judge Hunt is attacked. The FBI, SFPD, and even the CIA make an appearance. Eve has a close relationship with Judge Hunt and his entire family which makes this case all the more important to her.
Around the same time, FBI Agent Dillon Savich gets a cryptic note that might be a threat. When he and his wife, fellow FBI Agent Sherlock hear about Hunt, they head off to be part of the team working on the case. They bring their five year old son, Sean along with them as Sherlock's parents live in San Francisco, and the whole family knows the Hunt family well.
Harry Christoff is the FBI Agent assigned to liaison with Eve and the sparks fly from the first moment they meet. However, the romance aspect of this book takes a back seat to the Hunt case. The presumed attacker is a busy guy or maybe gal and everyone involved is in danger throughout the entire book. The sender of the note to Savich makes an appearance and adds more excitement to the mix.
One of the things I love about this series is the continuity of the characters. Several of the ones we have met before in earlier books make an appearance and it is never gratuitous. The new characters blend in seamlessly and you learn enough about them to care fairly quickly. Of course, Sherlock and Savich are the linchpin of the story and they have some scary times in this book but their relationship is a strong as ever. I remember Ramsey, Molly and twelve year old Emma from The Target, book Three in the series, and I also remembered how much I enjoyed that book. Emma is the center of a delightful subplot involving her being a piano prodigy that adds a nice light touch to offset the tenseness of the story. Sean’s crush on her and future plans to marry the “older woman” someday is just too cute.
This series just keeps getting better and better which each book. My only complaint is that there is way too long between books!
August 5, 2012
My rating: 3.5 of 5
I've been with this series since the very beginning and as it's progressed it's morphed from suspence/thriller with romance (and some smexy scenes) thrown in to pretty much just suspense/thriller. There's always still a couple that hook up, but those smexy scenes we love so much have dwindled down so now they're just alluded too and we have to use our imaginations to picture what's happening. That's ok...I don't have to have sex in every book I read, but the series has evolved over time and sometimes I miss those earlier times.
It's the characters I really love in this series, in fact, there's a point in Backfire where I almost started screaming at my Nook because I was so scared about the fate of one of the characters. Sherlock and Savich are back as the main characters and we we also get to spend time with Judge Ramsey Hunt and his family-we were introduced to them in The Target (book 3 of the series).
I felt the humor was a little forced in this installment, maybe it's just me but I just didn't find the quips as funny as I have in previous books. There are several plot lines going on at once and, for me, few scenes just felt like they were in the wrong the place...they could have been placed just a chapter or two earlier and the story would have flowed a bit smoother.
I'm so attached to the characters in the series that I will happily wait for the next installment. I just have to see what happen next.
I've been with this series since the very beginning and as it's progressed it's morphed from suspence/thriller with romance (and some smexy scenes) thrown in to pretty much just suspense/thriller. There's always still a couple that hook up, but those smexy scenes we love so much have dwindled down so now they're just alluded too and we have to use our imaginations to picture what's happening. That's ok...I don't have to have sex in every book I read, but the series has evolved over time and sometimes I miss those earlier times.
It's the characters I really love in this series, in fact, there's a point in Backfire where I almost started screaming at my Nook because I was so scared about the fate of one of the characters. Sherlock and Savich are back as the main characters and we we also get to spend time with Judge Ramsey Hunt and his family-we were introduced to them in The Target (book 3 of the series).
I felt the humor was a little forced in this installment, maybe it's just me but I just didn't find the quips as funny as I have in previous books. There are several plot lines going on at once and, for me, few scenes just felt like they were in the wrong the place...they could have been placed just a chapter or two earlier and the story would have flowed a bit smoother.
I'm so attached to the characters in the series that I will happily wait for the next installment. I just have to see what happen next.
April 10, 2014
Lots going on in this mystery which is part of the FBI thriller series: a judge trying murderers is shot, the prosecutor disappers, FBI agents receive threats, there's a little bit of romance, various agents have cute kids... and much more. The story has some parts that don't quite come together in a believable way but it's an entertaining escapist book.
August 5, 2022
Re-read for another visit with Ramsey, Molly and Emma after "The Reckoning" and "The Target."
Oh, that ending with Sean, Savich and Sherlock, is just priceless! Still an excellent read! I just love visiting with my favorites, Savich and Sherlock. ;)
Oh, that ending with Sean, Savich and Sherlock, is just priceless! Still an excellent read! I just love visiting with my favorites, Savich and Sherlock. ;)
December 12, 2025
The most important thing to remember about this book is not to take it seriously. It is like a 90s action movie.
February 22, 2018
I've never read a book by Coulter before. I somehow thought she wrote romances with titles like "Her Savage Love" or something. lol But it turns out that besides her romances she also writes thrillers, and I decided to try this one. Yes, I know it's #16 in the series and it can be really hard to jump that far into a series, but this particular book fit several difficult GR challenge tasks, so I decided to try it.
I'm really glad that I did. The first half was so exciting I read it all in one evening, with the Olympics on in the background. (A girl can only watch so much curling, you know?) I polished the rest off the next day. It's a story that starts with a bang and continues till the last few chapters. There was a twist I wasn't expecting that answered a nagging question I had, and everything about the books pacing impressed me.
There are a lot of characters, and I didn't worry about keeping all of them straight, just those that clearly were important to this book. There was no character development at all, and the children in the story acted in totally unreal ways, so I couldn't give it 5 stars. But if you're in the mood for a smart thriller that moves fast and will keep you reading this is worth a try. I'll be backing up and reading some earlier ones in the series. And I'll take a look at her romances, too, just in case. :)
NB - Should you be in a challenge that requires you to read a book with the word "Hammersmith" in it - note that there's an FBI agent named Hammersmith in this book. FYI :)
I'm really glad that I did. The first half was so exciting I read it all in one evening, with the Olympics on in the background. (A girl can only watch so much curling, you know?) I polished the rest off the next day. It's a story that starts with a bang and continues till the last few chapters. There was a twist I wasn't expecting that answered a nagging question I had, and everything about the books pacing impressed me.
There are a lot of characters, and I didn't worry about keeping all of them straight, just those that clearly were important to this book. There was no character development at all, and the children in the story acted in totally unreal ways, so I couldn't give it 5 stars. But if you're in the mood for a smart thriller that moves fast and will keep you reading this is worth a try. I'll be backing up and reading some earlier ones in the series. And I'll take a look at her romances, too, just in case. :)
NB - Should you be in a challenge that requires you to read a book with the word "Hammersmith" in it - note that there's an FBI agent named Hammersmith in this book. FYI :)
October 2, 2015
FBI husband and wife team Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock are called to San Francisco to lead the shooting investigation of an old friend, Ramsey Hunt. Hunt is a Federal Judge who had been presiding over the case of Cindy and Clive Cahill. The couple stand accused of murder and possible espionage. Hunt has admonished the Federal Prosecutor who has vanished. Did Micky O'Roarke disappear on his own? The trial is moot now. So why try to kill Ramsey Hunt?
Before Savich and Sherlock leave Washington D.C., a note is delivered to FBI headquarters; You deserve this for what you did. Is the note connected to Judge Hunt's shooting? Or from a relative from someone the agents put away?
Saying more about the plot line would spoil it for readers that have yet to read Backfire. Coulter does a nice job building the suspense and throws a big twist in that I didn't see coming.
Before Savich and Sherlock leave Washington D.C., a note is delivered to FBI headquarters; You deserve this for what you did. Is the note connected to Judge Hunt's shooting? Or from a relative from someone the agents put away?
Saying more about the plot line would spoil it for readers that have yet to read Backfire. Coulter does a nice job building the suspense and throws a big twist in that I didn't see coming.
August 5, 2014
This is from a review by "Shannon" here on Goodreads: "the plot really isn't that bad (only reason this is getting 2 stars instead of 1), but the writing is just terrible - the dialogue is a complete nightmare. Every. Single. Sentence....
But what really got me was the excruciating, painfully bad dialogue. Coulter's editor needs to take her and shake her because there is no excuse to write this badly after authoring so many books."
I agree with all of that except that the plot had some major holes, so I gave it one star. I bought this on vacation when I finished the other books I had brought. Otherwise I would never have finished it. This is the first book I've read by Catherine a Coulter and I don't plan on reading another.
Also, every good guy and girl in this book is strong, handsome or beautiful, smart, and loved and admired by all. I prefer crime novels with flawed (real life) heroes. That's just my personal preference. There are other authors like Coulter who write only perfect heroes - to each his or her own.
But what really got me was the excruciating, painfully bad dialogue. Coulter's editor needs to take her and shake her because there is no excuse to write this badly after authoring so many books."
I agree with all of that except that the plot had some major holes, so I gave it one star. I bought this on vacation when I finished the other books I had brought. Otherwise I would never have finished it. This is the first book I've read by Catherine a Coulter and I don't plan on reading another.
Also, every good guy and girl in this book is strong, handsome or beautiful, smart, and loved and admired by all. I prefer crime novels with flawed (real life) heroes. That's just my personal preference. There are other authors like Coulter who write only perfect heroes - to each his or her own.
July 17, 2015
I love the characters of Savich and Sherlock, the married hero and heroine of this series. I just love how they make their relationship work regardless of the job and in spite of it. And Sean is a trip. I like the fact that in the last few books, Ms. Coulter as introduced a secondary set of characters that actually work on the mystery and fall in love while Sherlock and Savich settle in the background. Though of course, they come back to the forefront to collar the criminal. I really liked kick-ass Eve, the marshal with the ponytail that got so much play and Harry, the wise-cracking FBI agent. All in all another great installment in the FBI series.
July 26, 2012
Me and you and a boy named Sue. Wordy, trite, far fetched, forget it!
Read
August 10, 2013Too unrealistic and contrived, too many prodigy children, too. Too many toos, too. lol
November 24, 2014
Fast read, interesting although somewhat predictable plot, excellent characterization. The books in this series always seems to be entertaining reads, primarily for the characters, for me.
May 29, 2022
When I started this one, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. There seemed to be a lot of new characters (maybe because I didn't realize I had gone from #3 to #16) and I was a bit confused at first. But as the story went along I got very involved in it, and I could hardly stop reading it until I finished.
June 15, 2015
Finished reading: April 2nd 2015
"You're going to live. That's not to say you're going to be happy for a while, but it beats the alternative."
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
July 2, 2012
Catherine Coulter has been a bestselling author for a long time now. Among her many gifts are the couple that readers know and love who work in the FBI—Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich. Since the first moment this couple was placed on paper, they have become the power couple when it comes to solving crimes.
With this newest offering, Coulter begins with a shooting. A San Francisco Judge, Ramsey Hunt (A.K.A. Judge Dredd), who is a friend of the FBI power couple, is standing outside his home overlooking the Bay when he is shot. Thankfully, he turned when his wife called out to him and the bullet didn’t quite meet its intended mark. The Judge is still alive. At almost the same moment in Washington, D.C., an anonymous note is delivered to Savich’s office that reads: FOR WHAT YOU DID YOU DESERVE THIS. And the chase is on
Ramsey Hunt was about to preside over the murder trial of Clive and Cindy Cahill. The pair allegedly murdered Mark Lindy—a man who was working on a top-secret project for the government. The prosecutor, Mickey O’Rourke, became very confused and seemed to have unanswered questions and concerns about taking the pair to court. When Judge Hunt realized something was wrong, he postponed the trial, calling for a meeting with the prosecutor who mysteriously disappeared
Savich and Sherlock are asked to come help unravel this mess, and as they wing their way to the West Coast, they try desperately to figure out why anyone would want to kill the Judge, seeing he’s the most impartial person at the trial. And every time they discover an answer…more odd questions pop up out of nowhere. They must do everything within their power to beat a determined killer with an incredible plan. Add in a new ‘romantic’ entanglement between a super-tough cop and a slightly egotistical agent, and you have the perfect recipe for yet another thrilling Coulter read.
This is the sixteenth installment revolving around the amazing lives of Savich and Sherlock and, quite frankly, Coulter just keeps getting better and better!
Until Next Time, Everybody!
Amy
With this newest offering, Coulter begins with a shooting. A San Francisco Judge, Ramsey Hunt (A.K.A. Judge Dredd), who is a friend of the FBI power couple, is standing outside his home overlooking the Bay when he is shot. Thankfully, he turned when his wife called out to him and the bullet didn’t quite meet its intended mark. The Judge is still alive. At almost the same moment in Washington, D.C., an anonymous note is delivered to Savich’s office that reads: FOR WHAT YOU DID YOU DESERVE THIS. And the chase is on
Ramsey Hunt was about to preside over the murder trial of Clive and Cindy Cahill. The pair allegedly murdered Mark Lindy—a man who was working on a top-secret project for the government. The prosecutor, Mickey O’Rourke, became very confused and seemed to have unanswered questions and concerns about taking the pair to court. When Judge Hunt realized something was wrong, he postponed the trial, calling for a meeting with the prosecutor who mysteriously disappeared
Savich and Sherlock are asked to come help unravel this mess, and as they wing their way to the West Coast, they try desperately to figure out why anyone would want to kill the Judge, seeing he’s the most impartial person at the trial. And every time they discover an answer…more odd questions pop up out of nowhere. They must do everything within their power to beat a determined killer with an incredible plan. Add in a new ‘romantic’ entanglement between a super-tough cop and a slightly egotistical agent, and you have the perfect recipe for yet another thrilling Coulter read.
This is the sixteenth installment revolving around the amazing lives of Savich and Sherlock and, quite frankly, Coulter just keeps getting better and better!
Until Next Time, Everybody!
Amy
July 18, 2012
I received this book in my Kindle the day it was released. I wanted to start reading it immediately but I had commitments I needed to tend to. Everytime I opened my iPad to work, I kept hearing the Kindle App call my name. With my willpower the way it is, I succumbed in 2 days.
I have been a fan of Catherine Coulter Thriller books; the FBI series mostly. I have read them all awaiting each release with excitement. Been reading them since the first book. Love them!!! I've even blogged about them (http://whitetigre2001.blogspot.com/20...).
This book did take me for a loop. I was just as perplexed as the agents in the book. The story was weaves so well. There are still something's that were a bit predictable; hook ups. However, some of her usual predictive stuff was missing. She changed it up. There were parts that I was afraid to read because I've been emotionally vested with characters and I was scared as to what was going to happen. My emotions were pulled every which way. This is a must read. I'm a bit biased. I totally love Savich and I wish Sherlock was my bestie.
Catherine creates characters to die for. I wish I can weave a character as lovable and evil as hers. I have total admiration of her talent.
Hope this discussion helps. I didn't want to do a real review. I'd spoil the story if I did. But this book is so worth the read.
I have been a fan of Catherine Coulter Thriller books; the FBI series mostly. I have read them all awaiting each release with excitement. Been reading them since the first book. Love them!!! I've even blogged about them (http://whitetigre2001.blogspot.com/20...).
This book did take me for a loop. I was just as perplexed as the agents in the book. The story was weaves so well. There are still something's that were a bit predictable; hook ups. However, some of her usual predictive stuff was missing. She changed it up. There were parts that I was afraid to read because I've been emotionally vested with characters and I was scared as to what was going to happen. My emotions were pulled every which way. This is a must read. I'm a bit biased. I totally love Savich and I wish Sherlock was my bestie.
Catherine creates characters to die for. I wish I can weave a character as lovable and evil as hers. I have total admiration of her talent.
Hope this discussion helps. I didn't want to do a real review. I'd spoil the story if I did. But this book is so worth the read.
April 21, 2013
Reading this book was like taking aspirin for the headache suffered after reading Obamacare Survival Guide. Here we have a straightforward FBI murder thriller beginning with the attempted murder of a judge in San Francisco along with an anonymous note threatening an FBI agent in Washington, D.C. The judge is a personal friend of the FBI agent, Dillon Savich, and his wife, Lacey Sherlock, also an FBI agent. They leave immediately for San Francisco to wreak havoc on the perp who shot their friend. The story has a cast of thousands but fortunately my wife had already read the book and developed a hand written cast of characters which was very valuable in keeping everyone straight. It was fun.
March 7, 2015
I received this as a gift in audiobook form. I can't say if I would have been able to finish it if I was forced to read it. Maybe I'm being to harsh, but for me the laughable dialogue that couldn't be found in any except the worst and most soon to be canceled police procedural, the formulaic plot, and the boring main characters are only the proverbial nails in the coffin to what kills a book for me. An author afraid to take any risks. I found myself able to predict the twists and turns by imagining what I would write knowing that I had to write another book and was too lazy to create new characters. I'm just not into it.
October 12, 2019
I'm guessing that this is a better book if you already know the continuing characters before you try to wade through the first 50 pages. I could not get past the wheel-spinning. After the opening, three pages with a punchline that persuaded me to read on, there's a whole lot of nothing happening except people phoning, talking, meeting, waking from dreaming, worrying about their kids, their husbands and wives and parents, failing to connect dots while in the midst of a flurry to connect dots. On my way to closing the book I read on the endflap a quote from Booklist: "Coulter's breezy style and nonstop action...."
What I found was non-start action.
What I found was non-start action.
August 4, 2013
FBI married partners, Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock try to unravel a mystery involving a threatening note and the shooting of their friend Judge Ramsey Hunt after he stayed a high-profile murder case.
Events take dramatic and unexpected turns. However, I did not enjoy: the omniscient narrator who was able to get into the heads of any of the participants, the presence of way too much telling rather than showing, lengthy discussion sections about the clues, and the goody-good guys and the very bad, bad guys. The book became annoying.
Events take dramatic and unexpected turns. However, I did not enjoy: the omniscient narrator who was able to get into the heads of any of the participants, the presence of way too much telling rather than showing, lengthy discussion sections about the clues, and the goody-good guys and the very bad, bad guys. The book became annoying.
November 6, 2024
2/5/18 re-read: Lots of excitement and a high body count, but these supposedly hotshot FBI professionals were sure slow brained about some pretty obvious clues! Um, duh?
. Its cringeworthy reading for pages and pages.
. Its cringeworthy reading for pages and pages.
March 11, 2013
Thinking I'm not as much of a fan of Coulter as I used to be? I was so bored and everytime i had to hear, "she said", "Harry Said" and then "Savich said" and then "Sherlock said", I cringed. There are other words to describe that someone is speaking. I found the dialog annoying, especially the kids. I'm so glad it is over.
August 27, 2014
Honestly, I could not finish this book. I have read coulter's books before. And I enjoyed them, so I was looking forward to reading this one. But, I couldn't get into it. I read about 1/4 of the book, then just had to stop. No interest what so ever.
July 24, 2012
No great shakes, but a nice continuation of the series. A fun, easy read.
June 18, 2014
I used to these books by Catherine Coulter, but they have gotten so bad it's almost as if someone else is writing them. This is one of the worst books I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 701 reviews