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And Then You Die
When Bess Grady and her sister arrive in Mexico on vacation they are expecting paradise. Instead they find every person in the village is dead, killed in a bloodless carnage. The sisters are aided only by a mysterious agent who holds the key to stopping a vicious weapon aimed at America.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 1997
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3459 people want to read
About the author
Iris Johansen
226 books7,335 followersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
December 20, 2023
Let’s start off with my opinion of Iris Johansen’s body of work. Though I haven’t read everything she's written, I have read a lot of the early Eve Duncan novels. Very engaging, and I was quick to pick up the next book in the series after each one I finished. I did get sidetracked along the way, and I must admit I haven’t finished all the books about Eve and Quinn.
With this prior experience of Iris Johansen's writing, I was sure when I picked up “And Then You Die,” I would like it. I was wrong. I could go down a long list of what I didn’t like about the plot and character development in this book, but that would be just as boring as the book. So, I’ll voice my biggest complaint and what I disliked the most about this story and leave it at that—the main character.
What I did like was the prologue, and it set me up to turn the pages. I settled in to go along for the ride as Bess Grady, a photojournalist, exposes to the world an atrocity that she has captured on film. I was sure that Bess would partner up with some gorgeous hunk that would keep Bess safe, as together they uncovered the duplicity of various entities and governments in this crime against humanity. Once again, I was wrong.
What I got was probably the most unlikable protagonist I have ever seen in any book. At some point in the story, the hero or heroine has to become either likable or do something to gain our respect and admiration, to engage us so we can root for them to succeed. It didn’t happen. Bess was obnoxious and belligerent to the point I almost hoped she would get what she deserved, which, in my opinion, was to be cut loose to make it, or not, on her own.
I will gladly pick up another Iris Johansen book; one unfortunate mishap won’t poison me against her writing. She’s written plenty of first-rate stories that I have enjoyed immensely. Just not this one, save your money, or better yet, spend your precious reading time on something else she’s written.
Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure
With this prior experience of Iris Johansen's writing, I was sure when I picked up “And Then You Die,” I would like it. I was wrong. I could go down a long list of what I didn’t like about the plot and character development in this book, but that would be just as boring as the book. So, I’ll voice my biggest complaint and what I disliked the most about this story and leave it at that—the main character.
What I did like was the prologue, and it set me up to turn the pages. I settled in to go along for the ride as Bess Grady, a photojournalist, exposes to the world an atrocity that she has captured on film. I was sure that Bess would partner up with some gorgeous hunk that would keep Bess safe, as together they uncovered the duplicity of various entities and governments in this crime against humanity. Once again, I was wrong.
What I got was probably the most unlikable protagonist I have ever seen in any book. At some point in the story, the hero or heroine has to become either likable or do something to gain our respect and admiration, to engage us so we can root for them to succeed. It didn’t happen. Bess was obnoxious and belligerent to the point I almost hoped she would get what she deserved, which, in my opinion, was to be cut loose to make it, or not, on her own.
I will gladly pick up another Iris Johansen book; one unfortunate mishap won’t poison me against her writing. She’s written plenty of first-rate stories that I have enjoyed immensely. Just not this one, save your money, or better yet, spend your precious reading time on something else she’s written.
Shelley Lee Riley, author of Casual Lies - A Triple Crown Adventure
February 9, 2012
Horrible book that I can't believe I finished. The main character was so bossy and ridiculously stubborn and just got in my nerves the whole book. I would have left her behind in the very beginning.
January 4, 2014
I believe this to be my first Johansen novel and I absolutely loved it!
June 15, 2015
This story is about a young lady that is a photo journalist. She travels to foreign countries to do assignments, telling stories with her photos. Bess was given an assignment in Mexico and her sister is on vacation and decides to go along with her. When they get to Mexico they have to have a guide take them to the remote place where her assignment is. When they arrive they discover that all the people of this small village are dead, the only survivor is a small baby in a crib. Bess sees these soldiers coming and she tells her sister to take the baby and run.
Bess escapes with the help if one of her captors who she discovers is an undercover CIA agent.. She discovers that all the people died from anthrax poisoning, and she wonders why she didn't die because she was exposed to all those people. The CIA agent tells her that she must have built up a strong immunity from traveling in all those foreign places. She has blood work done and that confirms it. They go back to the surrounding area looking for her sister and the baby, they only find the baby and the agent tells Bess that in all likely hood her sister is probably dead.
The drug lord that ordered the village to be attacked with anthrax wants Bess found and killed because he discovers that she has a high immunity for the anthrax and the CDC is using her blood to come up with a antidote. He wants to be able to attack the states and not have an antidote. He sends his goons after her but she outsmarts them and he gets very angry..
At the end of the story there was an unexpected twist and all parties involved meet for a climatic ending.
This story was only ok for me, it was interesting enough to keep me reading it, but it wasn't a cant put it down page turning kind of mystery..I would rate it a 2 1/2 but since there are no halves I gave it a 3.
Bess escapes with the help if one of her captors who she discovers is an undercover CIA agent.. She discovers that all the people died from anthrax poisoning, and she wonders why she didn't die because she was exposed to all those people. The CIA agent tells her that she must have built up a strong immunity from traveling in all those foreign places. She has blood work done and that confirms it. They go back to the surrounding area looking for her sister and the baby, they only find the baby and the agent tells Bess that in all likely hood her sister is probably dead.
The drug lord that ordered the village to be attacked with anthrax wants Bess found and killed because he discovers that she has a high immunity for the anthrax and the CDC is using her blood to come up with a antidote. He wants to be able to attack the states and not have an antidote. He sends his goons after her but she outsmarts them and he gets very angry..
At the end of the story there was an unexpected twist and all parties involved meet for a climatic ending.
This story was only ok for me, it was interesting enough to keep me reading it, but it wasn't a cant put it down page turning kind of mystery..I would rate it a 2 1/2 but since there are no halves I gave it a 3.
June 27, 2025
I was recommended this author. I bought a huge lot that consisted of her Eve Duncan series and many standalone novels.
The first book I read was Ugly Duckling which was interesting but nothing special. I proceeded to the first Eve Duncan book which was well written and original in it's execution. I left a good review.
I decided to read And then you die because it is one of her earlier standalone novels. I rounded up to 2 stars from 1.5. I will start by not giving any spoilers other than there is nothing original here. The plot, the evil mastermind, the protagonist and everyone in the book are so poorly written that the best part of the book was the back cover which seemed interesting. Bess Grady is one of the most unlikable protagonists that you will ever find in a crime fiction novel. I read this in 3 hours skimming most of this poorly written book in my yard sipping iced tea. About halfway through I realized just how bad this book was. Deadly Anthrax mutation? Can you explain a little more? Evil Bondish super villain? Can we learn something of him?
Superhero tough guy looking after her ( of coarse she sleeps with him) right after her sister is killed. She is so unlikable that at no part in the book I didn't care what happened. The ending was so obvious with not one real twist or turn. CDC AGENCY? Can you explain the agency Iris? You will learn nothing from this book. Clive Cussler writes like Dickens compared to this abomination. I literally finished it and through it in the trash. I was relaxing but there were so many better books I could have been reading. Stay away from this book. I will push on with the Eve Duncan series. It's hard to believe Iris Johansen was the author of both. This should never of been published.
The first book I read was Ugly Duckling which was interesting but nothing special. I proceeded to the first Eve Duncan book which was well written and original in it's execution. I left a good review.
I decided to read And then you die because it is one of her earlier standalone novels. I rounded up to 2 stars from 1.5. I will start by not giving any spoilers other than there is nothing original here. The plot, the evil mastermind, the protagonist and everyone in the book are so poorly written that the best part of the book was the back cover which seemed interesting. Bess Grady is one of the most unlikable protagonists that you will ever find in a crime fiction novel. I read this in 3 hours skimming most of this poorly written book in my yard sipping iced tea. About halfway through I realized just how bad this book was. Deadly Anthrax mutation? Can you explain a little more? Evil Bondish super villain? Can we learn something of him?
Superhero tough guy looking after her ( of coarse she sleeps with him) right after her sister is killed. She is so unlikable that at no part in the book I didn't care what happened. The ending was so obvious with not one real twist or turn. CDC AGENCY? Can you explain the agency Iris? You will learn nothing from this book. Clive Cussler writes like Dickens compared to this abomination. I literally finished it and through it in the trash. I was relaxing but there were so many better books I could have been reading. Stay away from this book. I will push on with the Eve Duncan series. It's hard to believe Iris Johansen was the author of both. This should never of been published.
June 23, 2011
This was the second book that I have read from this author, the first one was ten years ago or so and better!
First off I should have obeyed my friends one hundred page rule, and returned it to the library. The plot is as such a bitchy(Very bitchy) women tells covert agents trained to kill how to do thier job, she also constantly puts them and herself in dangerous situations to prove she is tough? One of the agents as the writer makes it known is sexualy deprived (WOW!!)
The book only gets worse and as always that I can remember from the first book a hispanic male is the bad person who everyone wants to kill! Makes me wonder if Iris got dumped or divorced by one?
Don't make the mistake that I made STOP READING!!!
For this genre Males are better and more realistic if I do ever do a female author again? I am going with Nora as J.D Robb.
First off I should have obeyed my friends one hundred page rule, and returned it to the library. The plot is as such a bitchy(Very bitchy) women tells covert agents trained to kill how to do thier job, she also constantly puts them and herself in dangerous situations to prove she is tough? One of the agents as the writer makes it known is sexualy deprived (WOW!!)
The book only gets worse and as always that I can remember from the first book a hispanic male is the bad person who everyone wants to kill! Makes me wonder if Iris got dumped or divorced by one?
Don't make the mistake that I made STOP READING!!!
For this genre Males are better and more realistic if I do ever do a female author again? I am going with Nora as J.D Robb.
February 21, 2014
I have never attempted this author before but I am going to get my list together. The entire book was so well written that at the end of each chapter Johanson leaves you hanging! Now that is what I call a writer. Oh, and she even has a little romance to enhance her story.
January 13, 2024
Very good book. Held my interest from start to finish
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January 21, 2011This book is the story of a photographer, who just wants to live her life, but when she trys to do so something steps in her way; something horrible and familiar that will haunt the rest of her life. Bess Grady is just a normal everyday human, but when she is sent on an assignment to Tenajo, Mexico, her everyday nightmare comes alive. The whole town is wiped out by a human-caused disease. She searches for a way to move on after the culprit kills her sister and many innocent people, and soon finds out that revenge is the only way to cope. With the help of Kaldak, they both escape with their lives and work on plan to get back what they deserve.
I choose this book mainly because I love books with a lot of action in them; books that not only give you the suspense you want, but are able to keep you on the edge of your seat and wonder what will happen next. My favorite character was Emily (even though she isn’t in the book for long). She is just like me, smart and curious. Bess, Emily’s sister, reminds me of my own sister because they are also just alike; very stubborn and pig-headed. They always have to get the last word in and have things go their way. I would very well recommend this book for others to read; it was amazing.
I choose this book mainly because I love books with a lot of action in them; books that not only give you the suspense you want, but are able to keep you on the edge of your seat and wonder what will happen next. My favorite character was Emily (even though she isn’t in the book for long). She is just like me, smart and curious. Bess, Emily’s sister, reminds me of my own sister because they are also just alike; very stubborn and pig-headed. They always have to get the last word in and have things go their way. I would very well recommend this book for others to read; it was amazing.
January 4, 2014
I was actually taking this book back to the library as it had such a slow start thought didn't need to finish. I was on a road trip and thought, well I can at least listen to another CD or two to see if it changes, and boy howdy, it really got good. I went to a party last night and could hardly wait to hear more, and woke up early and finished it this morning. Very good, excellent scripting and character development. Quite clean as far as language, not perfect but better than most. I've read one other of hers, and it was good, but I liked this one much better. Definitely recommend. A professional photographer gets wound up in some extremely difficult cultural problems. One of my great fears of chemical warfare is addressed, and the panic I have over that was well covered. Excellent story. Don't want to be a spoiler, but it's a fairly good read, and oh so it worth if you like that kind of writing.
July 20, 2009
Ordinarily, I would not be reading something this "light" and I have always equated the author with bodice-ripper romance novels. My fiancee, however, adores this writer so I gave her a shot, needing something that I could think about less. Things are pretty busy right now.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Johansen doesn't really do literary description well (if at all), but her plotting is sublime. The plot of this novels concerns a potential viral outbreak terrorist attack. There are plot twists (some of which made me say "Whoa" out loud) and pretty intense action sequences. There is a bit of romance, but I was expecting that. You can take the girl out of the country, as they say.
In all, I enjoyed this one enough to read another. I wait patiently for a movie version to pick apart.
Stupid title, though.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Johansen doesn't really do literary description well (if at all), but her plotting is sublime. The plot of this novels concerns a potential viral outbreak terrorist attack. There are plot twists (some of which made me say "Whoa" out loud) and pretty intense action sequences. There is a bit of romance, but I was expecting that. You can take the girl out of the country, as they say.
In all, I enjoyed this one enough to read another. I wait patiently for a movie version to pick apart.
Stupid title, though.
September 4, 2009
I really liked this book. It's a topic that is so out there, that you can't help but get sucked in to find out what the outcome will be. Plus, the fact that Bess falls for her bad boy savior, is intriguing. Bess is all black and white, right and wrong. Well, Kaldak is anything but. He takes care of himself no matter where that takes him on the side of right and wrong. Bess at first isn't sure that she can trust him, but once that's sorted out, she puts all her trust in him alone.
Bess is selfless, brave and determined. I loved her character and thought the photography aspect was perfect for this story. I also enjoyed the part that Josie played, and everything that Bess and Emily did for her.
Overall, this one ranks toward the top of my favorites from this author. If you haven't picked her up, I'd suggest others before this one, but this would definitely make the list.
Bess is selfless, brave and determined. I loved her character and thought the photography aspect was perfect for this story. I also enjoyed the part that Josie played, and everything that Bess and Emily did for her.
Overall, this one ranks toward the top of my favorites from this author. If you haven't picked her up, I'd suggest others before this one, but this would definitely make the list.
February 10, 2012
I read this book years ago and decided it was time to re-read it....
A photojournalist, Bess Grady escapes life's ills by viewing life through the lens of a camera. Having witnessed a massacre at a Croatian orphanage, Bess accepts an assignment from a travel magazine to photograph a small Mexican village. Instead of finding an assignment which will take her mind away from the massacre, she finds everyone in the village has been killed by a deadly strain of anthrax. After rescuing the only survivor, Bess is captured by a madman bent on destroying the U.S. The good guys and bad guys merge in a sinister world when Bess is found to be immune to the deadly anthrax strain.
This book has so many twists and turns that it was hard to put down!
A photojournalist, Bess Grady escapes life's ills by viewing life through the lens of a camera. Having witnessed a massacre at a Croatian orphanage, Bess accepts an assignment from a travel magazine to photograph a small Mexican village. Instead of finding an assignment which will take her mind away from the massacre, she finds everyone in the village has been killed by a deadly strain of anthrax. After rescuing the only survivor, Bess is captured by a madman bent on destroying the U.S. The good guys and bad guys merge in a sinister world when Bess is found to be immune to the deadly anthrax strain.
This book has so many twists and turns that it was hard to put down!
July 29, 2014
In a powerful standalone earlier thriller from Iris Johansen, this one took us to a dark realm of dangerous adventure. When Bess Grady and her sister went to vacation in Mexico, it was nothing but a tropical nightmare. Dead bodies scattered everyone in its wake. For Bess, a seasoned photojournalist who was sent there for an easy assignment, she discovered the truth behind the poisoned waters. They joined forces with a mysterious man who held the key of stopping a dangerous weapon aimed at America. It's up to Bess to do her best to stop the first wave of terror or die trying to bring down an evil force.
March 7, 2010
Despite a promising beginning, at times this read like a romance novel, and not a very good one. The heroine is, of course, plucky and perfect even when she's grieving and afraid. In practically no time at all she has a badass CIA agent, his boss and a Mossad agent doing whatever she tells them. So...glad to know in such desperate circumstances a civilian with absolutely no training gets to determine the fate of thousands/hundreds of thousands/millions of people. I feel better, don't you feel better? Even the leverage she has isn't enough to manage the enormous amount of power she wields.
August 19, 2012
This is the first book I have read by this author and thought it would be better than this. It was supposed to be a thriller, but it wasn't that thrilling and more than that, the writing wasn't that great. Some things were down right stupid. But mostly the writing didn't consist of much more than dialogue. There was no descriptive quality to her writing at all. I did finish it, but felt like it was a waste of time. The plot itself wasn't that bad (which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1), and was why I did finish it, I guess, curious enough to see what happened, but it was painful reading it. I don't think I'll bother with any more of hers.
September 2, 2016
If you have to have an assignment to shoot pictures for a travel magazine, why would they chose such a remote place? What makes it more difficult is that her pesty sister came along uninvited. Now on the run, how does she stay alive and who can she trust. From beginning to end there is action in this tale of fighting the evil plots of men and saving lives of the innocent. Great story, well written strong characters, couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended read.
October 23, 2014
Really Really Really superbbbbbbbbbbb........Must read for those who love thriller...I felt as if i was watching a HOLLYWOOD movie,actually THE BEST HOLLYWOOD movie......I liked the character KALDAK a lot.....It was very difficult to trust the characters in this book.....Full of twists...Loved it a lot...I wish i could meet KALDAK and make him my friend...I was really shocked when i reached the Epilogue..I didnt believe myself that i had finished the book...SIMPLY SUPERB.pls do read it..
September 13, 2016
I listened to this CD on a long ride home from MD, and it kept me interested and allowed the drive to go better for me. This is a female equivalent to a spy novel, and the protagonist has some of the same characteristics as she would if she were male: strong, idealistic, patriotic, courageous, attractive, world-traveled. I wouldn't say this was great literature, by any evaluation, but it did serve its purpose, and its characters and plot stayed consistent within its genre.
February 1, 2014
I was surprised at all the poor reviews for this book. I thought it was fascinating with the anthrax plotline. Definitely kept me engaged from beginning to end. I do agree with one of the reviewers who said that it is mostly dialog with little description; stylistically, that took a bit of getting used to. But once I got used to Johansen's style, I really enjoyed this book!
March 26, 2014
This book was slow to start and I didn't like the characters, but about halfway into the book I was hooked. I ended up really liking the characters and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me turning pages as fast as I could. A lot of profanity, some graphic violence and sex.
January 23, 2015
I read this years ago--thank you goodreads because some books stick in your mind that you really want to read again and this is one.
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August 18, 2015good thriller and fast read.
September 3, 2015
Loved it love them all
August 13, 2017
I really liked it especially the ending.
July 24, 2024
Okay
I'd have to say Iris Johansen is a great writer
I really enjoyed the book, actually that's because I have great patience and was eager to know what happened at the end
I'd give this a 4 🌟
I generally love the book, the plot twist and suspense but I didn't like the attitude of the main character
Damn
It was supposed to be an easy job but it escalated because of her rebelling attitude
Even when she knew she could do absolutely nothing, she just wants to keep up with her bossy attitude which caused so many characters to die. At some point, I had to think, if it possible for a human on earth to be that difficult and unreasonable
And I love the character kaldak. He keeps fixing the mess and he does it right and he has to endure the boss lady, ouch, that was difficult
I also hated how Habin had to die so easily. It was said he was a highly sorted criminal with so many people under his control, so how come no one checked the helicopter and noticed it had a bomb
But I really enjoyed the thrills the book gave me
So I recommend you read it
I'd have to say Iris Johansen is a great writer
I really enjoyed the book, actually that's because I have great patience and was eager to know what happened at the end
I'd give this a 4 🌟
I generally love the book, the plot twist and suspense but I didn't like the attitude of the main character
Damn
It was supposed to be an easy job but it escalated because of her rebelling attitude
Even when she knew she could do absolutely nothing, she just wants to keep up with her bossy attitude which caused so many characters to die. At some point, I had to think, if it possible for a human on earth to be that difficult and unreasonable
And I love the character kaldak. He keeps fixing the mess and he does it right and he has to endure the boss lady, ouch, that was difficult
I also hated how Habin had to die so easily. It was said he was a highly sorted criminal with so many people under his control, so how come no one checked the helicopter and noticed it had a bomb
But I really enjoyed the thrills the book gave me
So I recommend you read it
September 18, 2023
The first stand-alone book I've read by this author, but my gosh, it was still so good. It had suspense, misdirection, romance and a bit of murder to spice things up!
Bess is a photojournalist sent to take photos of a small town in Mexico, but when she gets there something isn't right and she witnesses an awful event and is then kidnapped. Unfortunately, the only person who can help her, just also happens to be working for the enemy.
This was a quick and fast paced read, following Bess as she tries to not only escape, but also avenge what happened in the small town. Bess was a fabulous ballsy character, not afraid to go all out and I enjoyed watching her romance blossom.
Bess is a photojournalist sent to take photos of a small town in Mexico, but when she gets there something isn't right and she witnesses an awful event and is then kidnapped. Unfortunately, the only person who can help her, just also happens to be working for the enemy.
This was a quick and fast paced read, following Bess as she tries to not only escape, but also avenge what happened in the small town. Bess was a fabulous ballsy character, not afraid to go all out and I enjoyed watching her romance blossom.
June 7, 2020
When I first started the book it sounded comprising and interesting. But after awhile it was dragging and the writing was terrible. I’ve never hated a protagonist until this book. The characters are so under developed. It’s as if she just threw them in and with no clear back story. Mind you this was my first book by this author. But the way this story was not fully thought out. I don’t think I’d read anything else. It was a drag to even finish the book entirely. So I will say she held me long enough to see how it would all end.
June 18, 2022
Iris Johansen never disappoints. (I've been reading her books since her Harlequin romance days.) And Then You Die has action and the expected twists and turns. Bess Grady is a photojournalist sent on an assignment where she discovers something that puts her life in danger. With the help of an unexpected ally she seeks to expose the "monsters" while protecting her life. If you like Iris Johansen you'll enjoy this one. And if you've never read her, while not the best, it's a good place to start. It's an easy quick read
April 7, 2020
Johansen is one of my favorite authors of all time, and while I liked this book, I didn't feel the urgency to finish in one sitting as I usually do with her books. I picked it up without reading the back cover, so maybe the theme of germ warfare, tainted money and all that wasn't the best choice while we're in the middle of a global pandemic. While it was still a good read, as a Johansen fan I was a bit disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews