Crimson Rain

by Meg O'Brien

Paul and Gina Bradley were the perfect couple, whose one regret was their inability to have children. Adopting one-year-old twin girls seemed like an answer to desperate prayers. But when one girl is caught trying to kill her sister with a knife on Christmas Eve four years later, the Bradleys have no choice but to return the disturbed child to the care of an orphanage. Sixteen years pass before their actions come back to haunt them, and by then Paul and Gina's marriage is in trouble; the only light in their lives is Rachel, the child they raised. Then Rachel is kidnapped, and the sacrifice Paul and Gina must make to ensure her safe return results in their own utter humiliation. Will they have the strength to get her back?

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Crime

394 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Patrick]

It was a really interesting novel with a lot of great twists and turns that really made you question what was happening and even if the characters themselves could understand the ramifications of their actions. I honestly did not see the book going the way that it went and I think that made it more enjoyable. It was a fairly easy read that load really well and told a great story without being bogged down with minutiae. There was some great character development that allowed for the appeal of growth from the characters and the situations that they were in so that made it more enjoyable for the reader.

[Kathleen]

Um - this was very predictable and at the same time did not make a lot of sense. The plot hinges on the fact that the children in the story have reactive attachment disorder BUT the author does little to explain it beyond implying it makes people manipulative and willing to kill. A major thing in the story is never adequately explained either. If you are looking for a mindless thriller, there are many that are better than this.

[Bene in love with books]

3.5 stars

[Julie Harrison]

Exciting thriller but I did guess most of the outcomes. Well written and thrilling

[Lisa Clevenger]

First book by this author, I will definitely read more! Read in about day and half!

[Kathy Church]

This book was great. Murder, action and suspense. There is always an evil twin, but is one more evil. This is a book I didn't want to put down.

[Carmen Marciante]

Thriller psicologico che fa il suo dovere di intrattenere. Io lho letto sotto l ombrellone 🏖 perfetto!

[Wendy Van Sickle]

Pretty easy read, aside from the 2 chapters that are suuuuper long. Figured out part of the twist but was still caught off guard by the full ending.

[Sere]

I knew that the twist was coming, but it still was very impactful

[Lauren]

Paul and Gina Bradley felt their life was complete after adopting 1-year-old twin girls. Little did they know that 4 years later, on Christmas Eve, they would find Angela standing over her sister Rachel while holding a knife. The Bradley's felt that they had no other choice than to send Angela back to the orphanage she was adopted from and keep Rachel. But from that point on, Gina and Paul fall apart as a couple. Many years later, on Christmas Eve, Rachel is kidnapped. Gina and Paul must then unite to find the only person holding them together.

The ending of the book wasn't super surprising to me, which was a bit of a downer. Also, there were some spicy scenes within the book that kind of turned me away and did not seem super necessary. The best I can say is that it was an ok thriller.

[Charles]

I felt let down by this book. It has, undeniably, the 'suspense' factor which I like. My concern lies not with the 'predictability' of the book, but rather with its 'superficial' nature, which undermines not just the whole plot, but the characters as well.

The first part of the book is deceptive. It was promising and gripping. Although some argue that the plot was 'obvious', for me that is not the main concern. It is not fair to assume that because one understands, from early on, the plot-twists; that then everyone else does. If I happen to guess one crime novel of Agatha Christie it does mean that she is, as a writer, predictable. What irritates me is that the characters are superficial. I will not go into great detail, but to assume that Angela acted that way all those years just so that one day she might have revenge... Maybe it is because I am a male, I do not honestly know; but for me this kind of stuff is garbage. There are so many good books out there... I repeat, the first part will fool the reader into thinking that this is something greater than it actually is. Do not be fooled, for the next 200 pages are far inferior to the first. I was also immensely disappointed by the ending, which like so many 'average' books out there, manages to leave out/forgets most of the characters of the book. Gina's lover is one example.

I gave this two stars for two reasons. Maybe I was biased against this book as a male, so I took this into consideration. Also, the first part was not at all bad, BUT, it never justifies the second part.

[Amanda Liddell]

This book is excellent if you like plot-twist stories and stories which aren't too hard to follow. This book is not complex in anyway, resulting in it being quite a light read. I did find the ending somewhat predictable, however, I did find myself shocked at the ending because of the concept of what was happening. The language used in this book is very easy to understand. I read this book in a matter of days because I enjoyed it thoroughly and I was really interested in how the book was going to be concluded.

[Jenn]

I knew who the culprit was almost as soon as she was introduced. And from the other reviews I have read, most others did too. I enjoyed the story of non-identical twins living complete and separate lives, not by choice. It was funny how the two girls/women were more alike in the end than anyone would ever know.

I think I'll try another Meg O'Brien book, and cross my fingers that I won't have that one all figured out so early on.

[Jasmine Evans]

Crimson Rain started off with a pretty good concept. Twin and evil twin. But it was really hard for me to get into it. It took me over a month to read this book because I kept putting it down. I don't think it was that it wasn't exciting enough. The plot just seemed too much like many of the TV shows I watch. That, and all the interesting twists and turns came in the last 50-60 pages. So, for me, it wasn't bad but it wasn't good either.

[Mary]

An excellent book. I couldn't put it down. Even though I had figured out who the culprit was early in the book, I had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. What a surprised ending!!!!

[Kay Wells]

enjoyable book kept the pages turning, lots of twists to the story but unfortunately had a bit of a clue and idea that something how it ended was going to happen. So a bit of a disappointment at the end for me.
Would read more of the authors books.

[Dawn]

Very good suspense story. Unfortunately, I pretty much figured everything out early in the book. My friend, who recommended this to me, never saw what was coming.

[Carina]

It was a really good book. I couldn't put it down.

[Tina Harwood]

Had the plot figured out on page 49.... I read to much.lol

[Nova White]

thoroughly enjoyed this book , not to heavy but plenty of twists to keep you in suspense, and good ending. First one of this authors books I have read and won't be the last hopefully.

[Laurel]

PREDICTABLE!!

[Dacia]

Another book I oculd hardly put down, very well written, the only thing was the ending (not the best unless there were plans to make part two).

[Heather]

Never got interesting, the story was supposed to be scary in a bad seed sort of way, but fell way short of the mark.

[Marie]

Very interesting read with a lot of twists and turns (my favorite).