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Olivia Benning #1
The Empty Chair: Murder in the Caribbean
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
1 day and 13:05:27
100 copies available
U.S. only
Young Olivia travels to the Virgin Islands to settle affairs after receiving word her mother, a highly acclaimed photographer on St. Thomas, has perished in a boating accident, but island police have no record of her death or even the accident. Could her mother still be alive? Olivia desperately needs the truth, if she has to find it herself.
A bar brawl. A break-in and robbery. Her mother’s Caribbean bungalow ransacked. Can things get any worse at picturesque Magens Bay? Olivia’s search takes a sinister turn when a charming man, claiming to be her mother’s lover, is murdered and she’s the prime suspect.
Entangled in the same dark web of crime that may have ensnared her mother, Olivia is low on cash, high on mistrust, yet must rely on the ruggedly handsome stranger who seems to surface when she most needs saving, but is he her rescuer-turned-lover or her deadly foe?
A bar brawl. A break-in and robbery. Her mother’s Caribbean bungalow ransacked. Can things get any worse at picturesque Magens Bay? Olivia’s search takes a sinister turn when a charming man, claiming to be her mother’s lover, is murdered and she’s the prime suspect.
Entangled in the same dark web of crime that may have ensnared her mother, Olivia is low on cash, high on mistrust, yet must rely on the ruggedly handsome stranger who seems to surface when she most needs saving, but is he her rescuer-turned-lover or her deadly foe?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
15 people are currently reading
4848 people want to read
About the author
Penny Goetjen
8 books604 followersNational multi-award-winning author Penny Goetjen writes mysteries, crime fiction, and suspense novels where the settings are so colorful they become characters in their own right. A self-proclaimed eccentric, she enjoys the serenity of writing with the allure of flickering candlelight often late into the evening, the chaos while perched at a hi-top table in a local coffee shop with half the caffeinated world walking by, and the romance of strolling in a long flowy skirt while observing the world and collecting characters. Seven published novels in and her husband still sleeps with one eye open.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 14, 2017
I didn't exactly tear through mystery novel The Empty Chair: Murder in the Caribbean, but it had real promise, and there were indeed some very likeable elements to it. Author Penny Goetjen is clearly well-familiarized with her setting (the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands) and does a reasonable (although not truly outstanding) job of conveying the beauty and the culture of the island. The overall idea for the story – a murder mystery with elements of corruption and conspiracy, a side focus on familial relationships, and a touch of light romance – is actually quite compelling, and although I can't say I had problems putting it down between reading sessions, I was certainly engaged whenever I was reading it.
But – and of course you can tell there is a "but", considering my star rating – it has a lot of serious problems. Goetjen's writing style, while serviceable, is a little sterile, matter-of-fact, and generally uninspiring. There is nothing technically wrong with it, and the copyediting is flawless (although I'm not really sure who to credit for that; everything on the book says it's published by Secret Harbor Press, LLC, Goetjen's own independent DBA, but the book was drop-shipped by Farrar, Straus and Company, with a note thanking me for reviewing one of their books). The prose was just generally dry and unpoetic; a more luxurious writing style would have better evoked the mood and magic of this beautiful tropical island.
The substantive editing on the other hand, left a lot to be desired. There were some glaring plot holes, unlikely scenarios, contradictions, and dangling loose ends, but the most prevalent head-scratcher was the irrational decision-making and inexplicably random behavior by every single character, with protagonist Olivia Benning the worst offender. As the book opens, Olivia has arrived in St. Thomas, having already made a hasty choice before page 1: after having received what basically amounted to an anonymous call of just, "Hey, your mom's dead; bye" she embarked on a 1600-mile trip with nary a follow-up text or email, let alone detailed conversations with the police, the coroner, etc. Olivia is quite quickly suspicious that there is more to her mother's death (which isn't even a certainty yet) than a simple boating accident, but as she decides whom to confide in (sometimes only partially) and whom to mistrust, misdirect, and lie to, we are left totally confused by her seemingly arbitrary, often ill-advised, and completely unexplained judgment calls. She had been taking ridiculously unwarranted risks all book long to get to the bottom of the unfolding mystery, but just as all the pieces start coming together and she begins (but only begins) to get the answers she seeks, a police officer (who she previously did not trust, but then, for no discernible reason, suddenly does) informs her that they'll handle things from here and that she should just skidaddle on home to Boston. Unbelievably – in the second most unrealistic turn of the entire novel (I'll get to the first one in a bit) – Olivia just metaphorically shrugs and accepts that yes indeedy, her work here is done – to hell with all the unanswered questions and the unidentified, unarrested, uncontacted, and even totally missing people! She's outtie! Even when another huge development occurs literally on her way to the airport , she still prepares to just hop on the next plane out. Even for someone who has not behaved consistently enough for us to assign her much in the way of characteristics, this was still uncharacteristic – because it would be uncharacteristic of anyone.
All the other characters behave in inexplicable ways as well; they alternate between acting suspiciously or withdrawing from Olivia (more like disappearing off the face of the earth) and being supportive to the point of physical ubiquity, and more often than not, Olivia seems to trust and like them more the shadier (or scarcer) they become. It was also odd that, for someone who claims to love St. Thomas as she does, Goetjen painted the police force as both lazy and incompetent for much of the book, but then around two-thirds of the way through, they start getting interested and on the ball. Look, I know authors are supposed to "show, not tell" but Goetjen neither told nor showed why any of her characters were motivated as they were, and while she may have meant that to seem mysterious, it just looked erratic and haphazard.
And if all that wasn't enough, things really went off the rails in the story's dénouement. For one thing, about four-fifths of the way through the book, Goetjen suddenly starts writing from other characters' POVs, when up until then, the entire book had been from Olivia's. It was disconcerting, especially since if she'd done it throughout the book, the characterization problems might have been alleviated. Then again, the new POVs didn't actually shed any more light on the characters' motives or mental processes anyway, so I'm mystified why Goetjen chose to do it. And in the single most egregiously unrealistic event, as mentioned previously, this otherwise completely grounded-in-realism novel just randomly tossed in one unambiguously supernatural scene. It was a one-off, did not influence the plot or the ending, and certainly did not transform the book into a work of magical realism. It was totally out of left field, contributed nothing, and was absolutely, downright bizarre.
Last but not least, while I think I see what Goetjen was trying to do with the ending, I'm wondering if it might have been too subtle to be certain that every reader picked up on it. I also think that (unless she's one terribly cruel and twisted person!) Goetjen might have unwittingly left a very disturbing implication in her ending that leaves one not with an anticipatory sense of suspenseful foreboding, but rather a nauseous lump of disgust in the pit of one's stomach.
I'm sorry I could not rate The Empty Chair higher (especially since the author signed it and included a matching bookmark). As is obvious from some of the other reviews, many others will thoroughly enjoy it; if you are not super-picky and anal-retentive about every little plot detail the way I am, you may very well thoroughly enjoy it too!
I received a finished copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways, courtesy of the author and/or publisher. My reviews are never influenced or modified by the means in which I acquire a book.
But – and of course you can tell there is a "but", considering my star rating – it has a lot of serious problems. Goetjen's writing style, while serviceable, is a little sterile, matter-of-fact, and generally uninspiring. There is nothing technically wrong with it, and the copyediting is flawless (although I'm not really sure who to credit for that; everything on the book says it's published by Secret Harbor Press, LLC, Goetjen's own independent DBA, but the book was drop-shipped by Farrar, Straus and Company, with a note thanking me for reviewing one of their books). The prose was just generally dry and unpoetic; a more luxurious writing style would have better evoked the mood and magic of this beautiful tropical island.
The substantive editing on the other hand, left a lot to be desired. There were some glaring plot holes, unlikely scenarios, contradictions, and dangling loose ends, but the most prevalent head-scratcher was the irrational decision-making and inexplicably random behavior by every single character, with protagonist Olivia Benning the worst offender. As the book opens, Olivia has arrived in St. Thomas, having already made a hasty choice before page 1: after having received what basically amounted to an anonymous call of just, "Hey, your mom's dead; bye" she embarked on a 1600-mile trip with nary a follow-up text or email, let alone detailed conversations with the police, the coroner, etc. Olivia is quite quickly suspicious that there is more to her mother's death (which isn't even a certainty yet) than a simple boating accident, but as she decides whom to confide in (sometimes only partially) and whom to mistrust, misdirect, and lie to, we are left totally confused by her seemingly arbitrary, often ill-advised, and completely unexplained judgment calls. She had been taking ridiculously unwarranted risks all book long to get to the bottom of the unfolding mystery, but just as all the pieces start coming together and she begins (but only begins) to get the answers she seeks, a police officer (who she previously did not trust, but then, for no discernible reason, suddenly does) informs her that they'll handle things from here and that she should just skidaddle on home to Boston. Unbelievably – in the second most unrealistic turn of the entire novel (I'll get to the first one in a bit) – Olivia just metaphorically shrugs and accepts that yes indeedy, her work here is done – to hell with all the unanswered questions and the unidentified, unarrested, uncontacted, and even totally missing people! She's outtie! Even when another huge development occurs literally on her way to the airport , she still prepares to just hop on the next plane out. Even for someone who has not behaved consistently enough for us to assign her much in the way of characteristics, this was still uncharacteristic – because it would be uncharacteristic of anyone.
All the other characters behave in inexplicable ways as well; they alternate between acting suspiciously or withdrawing from Olivia (more like disappearing off the face of the earth) and being supportive to the point of physical ubiquity, and more often than not, Olivia seems to trust and like them more the shadier (or scarcer) they become. It was also odd that, for someone who claims to love St. Thomas as she does, Goetjen painted the police force as both lazy and incompetent for much of the book, but then around two-thirds of the way through, they start getting interested and on the ball. Look, I know authors are supposed to "show, not tell" but Goetjen neither told nor showed why any of her characters were motivated as they were, and while she may have meant that to seem mysterious, it just looked erratic and haphazard.
And if all that wasn't enough, things really went off the rails in the story's dénouement. For one thing, about four-fifths of the way through the book, Goetjen suddenly starts writing from other characters' POVs, when up until then, the entire book had been from Olivia's. It was disconcerting, especially since if she'd done it throughout the book, the characterization problems might have been alleviated. Then again, the new POVs didn't actually shed any more light on the characters' motives or mental processes anyway, so I'm mystified why Goetjen chose to do it. And in the single most egregiously unrealistic event, as mentioned previously, this otherwise completely grounded-in-realism novel just randomly tossed in one unambiguously supernatural scene. It was a one-off, did not influence the plot or the ending, and certainly did not transform the book into a work of magical realism. It was totally out of left field, contributed nothing, and was absolutely, downright bizarre.
Last but not least, while I think I see what Goetjen was trying to do with the ending, I'm wondering if it might have been too subtle to be certain that every reader picked up on it. I also think that (unless she's one terribly cruel and twisted person!) Goetjen might have unwittingly left a very disturbing implication in her ending that leaves one not with an anticipatory sense of suspenseful foreboding, but rather a nauseous lump of disgust in the pit of one's stomach.
I'm sorry I could not rate The Empty Chair higher (especially since the author signed it and included a matching bookmark). As is obvious from some of the other reviews, many others will thoroughly enjoy it; if you are not super-picky and anal-retentive about every little plot detail the way I am, you may very well thoroughly enjoy it too!
I received a finished copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways, courtesy of the author and/or publisher. My reviews are never influenced or modified by the means in which I acquire a book.
January 7, 2017
I received copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book. Olivia travels to the Virgin Islands where her mother owns a home after receiving a call that her mother has died in an accident on the island. When Olivia gets there she discovers that there is no body and no record of a recent boating accident. Is her mother alive? This is a very well done mystery with beautifully descriptive surroundings and suspense that builds throughout. The ending threw me for a loop and leaves open the possibility of a second book. I highly recommend this book!
July 2, 2017
THE EMPTY CHAIR is like riding on a roller coaster. The story has up and downs, and twists and turns, it's fast and then it's over, way to soon. A adrenaline pumping, heart pounding ride. Once you start it, it's hard to put down. And you really don't want it to be over.
The descriptive setting in the St Thomas, Virgin Islands was picturesque and idylic. Who wouldn't want to go there! I felt as if I was riding in the blue jeep right next to Olivia, so afraid of going over the side of those narrow mountain roads. I would love to be able to sit in Olivia mom's turquoise adirondack chair at Serenity Villa and absorb the stunning views of the bay and the ocean and feel the sultry heat from the August sun.
Olivia, a five foot two, blond dynamo has a knack for finding trouble. Or rather trouble seems to follow her from the minute she leaves the Cyril E. King airport. In the first forty-eight hours there's a bar fight, a missing car, a strange fax and a visit to the police department that knows nothing about her mom's disappearance and she is rescued by the handsome Colton not once, but twice!. The blue-eyed Colton seems to be everywhere just when Olivia needs him. He might be some kind of knight in shining armor, and don't we all need one of those!
Thanks to Secret Harbor Press and Net Galley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The descriptive setting in the St Thomas, Virgin Islands was picturesque and idylic. Who wouldn't want to go there! I felt as if I was riding in the blue jeep right next to Olivia, so afraid of going over the side of those narrow mountain roads. I would love to be able to sit in Olivia mom's turquoise adirondack chair at Serenity Villa and absorb the stunning views of the bay and the ocean and feel the sultry heat from the August sun.
Olivia, a five foot two, blond dynamo has a knack for finding trouble. Or rather trouble seems to follow her from the minute she leaves the Cyril E. King airport. In the first forty-eight hours there's a bar fight, a missing car, a strange fax and a visit to the police department that knows nothing about her mom's disappearance and she is rescued by the handsome Colton not once, but twice!. The blue-eyed Colton seems to be everywhere just when Olivia needs him. He might be some kind of knight in shining armor, and don't we all need one of those!
Thanks to Secret Harbor Press and Net Galley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2020
Not at all what I was expecting. I had trouble connecting with the characters. Especially Olivia Benning the main character. I found it hard to believe that a young woman who went to an Island after receiving a phone call her mother had dies in an accident would do the things she does. One minute she is all about finding her mother or what happened and the next she is crawling in bed with a basic stranger. Just found it hard to believe although the basic plot is a good one.
July 22, 2017
This is one of the few thrillers I've read lately where I didn't catch the bad guys before the characters did. That's only because they came out of nowhere at the end of the book without any buildup to them. The story spent so much time dropping red herrings in your path that it forgot to include real clues as well. It's also one of those books where all of the problems could have been solved if any of the characters had bothered to have a five minute conversation with anyone else. But instead, everyone thought they could take care of themselves, which we all know never works.
May 22, 2017
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book.
I found this book intriguing to begin with, but then found that it became a little confusing and a little 'safe'. it ended quite strangely with a twist that would have been better to have it earlier on in the book, (even if we could see it coming), and it would have been nicer to see Olivia a little more frightened and aghast at what her mother seemed to be involved in, but she seemed to take everything in her stride and it felt like I didn't see a 'human side' of her that I could then connect with.
I also didn't understand the connection the Dad had with the story, and felt that his role could have been left out as it didn't anything and if anything gave me a little hope that there was to be a twist, that sadly never arrived.
I also found it unbelievable that after everything that happened Olivia found a note from her mother attached to chair, it just all felt a little bit too far fetched for me, and ended up with me losing hope that something exciting could/might happen.
As for the main characters- again it just all felt a little safe and not intriguing enough I would have like to have seen a side story running where we could see how it would all fit together, with some of the people involved in the animal cruelty, or them hunting her down, and so on, perhaps with some kind of twist that would keep everything exciting, but it just wasn't there for me.
Its a real shame, as the writing was good and I loved the scene settling, and I so wanted it to turn into something a little more thrilling, but it was just lacking a bit for me.
I found this book intriguing to begin with, but then found that it became a little confusing and a little 'safe'. it ended quite strangely with a twist that would have been better to have it earlier on in the book, (even if we could see it coming), and it would have been nicer to see Olivia a little more frightened and aghast at what her mother seemed to be involved in, but she seemed to take everything in her stride and it felt like I didn't see a 'human side' of her that I could then connect with.
I also didn't understand the connection the Dad had with the story, and felt that his role could have been left out as it didn't anything and if anything gave me a little hope that there was to be a twist, that sadly never arrived.
I also found it unbelievable that after everything that happened Olivia found a note from her mother attached to chair, it just all felt a little bit too far fetched for me, and ended up with me losing hope that something exciting could/might happen.
As for the main characters- again it just all felt a little safe and not intriguing enough I would have like to have seen a side story running where we could see how it would all fit together, with some of the people involved in the animal cruelty, or them hunting her down, and so on, perhaps with some kind of twist that would keep everything exciting, but it just wasn't there for me.
Its a real shame, as the writing was good and I loved the scene settling, and I so wanted it to turn into something a little more thrilling, but it was just lacking a bit for me.
March 2, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and Secret Harbor Press for the eARC in return for an honest review.
It was difficult for me to rate this book. I really loved the Caribbean setting, especially as I know St. Thomas and St. John from my sailing vacations.
My reaction to Olivia, our heroine, however, was less than loving. There were times when I really wanted to slap her for the poor choices she made throughout the story. And why couldn't she tell the truth at times?
She's looking for her mother, who supposedly died in a boating accident. She flies from Boston to St. Thomas after an anonymous phone call telling her of her mother's death, without checking into the story by phoning the authorities, with very little money and nobody to meet her. It didn't make sense to me, neither did many of the other decisions she made.
The ending was enough of a carrot for me to probably read the next book - I'm assuming there will be a follow-up...
It was difficult for me to rate this book. I really loved the Caribbean setting, especially as I know St. Thomas and St. John from my sailing vacations.
My reaction to Olivia, our heroine, however, was less than loving. There were times when I really wanted to slap her for the poor choices she made throughout the story. And why couldn't she tell the truth at times?
She's looking for her mother, who supposedly died in a boating accident. She flies from Boston to St. Thomas after an anonymous phone call telling her of her mother's death, without checking into the story by phoning the authorities, with very little money and nobody to meet her. It didn't make sense to me, neither did many of the other decisions she made.
The ending was enough of a carrot for me to probably read the next book - I'm assuming there will be a follow-up...
March 14, 2017
Olivia receives a call that her mother was in a boating accident, in St. Thomas where she lives. Olivia flies down from Boston to take care of what needed to be done. Except that the police know nothing of the accident or where her mother may be. Her mother’s car is missing then reappears. Her mother receives a fax which Olivia finds worrisome. Her mother’s bungalow gets broken into and more. Whatever her mother was involved in, Olivia wants to find out what and if her mother could still be alive. It seem like a lot going on, yet I couldn’t sympathize with Olivia. She wasn’t very likable for a main character. I enjoyed the Caribbean setting and people, but overall not really a mystery or a thriller, just an easy read in a tropical location.
April 18, 2018
Highly recommended for the avid mystery reader!!
What a suspenseful and exhilarating mystery - a real page-turner! Once I started reading, The twists and turns kept me from putting it down, even getting up from bed to continue reading. The author leaves us wondering and wanting more. The setting was vividly painted as a beautiful and serene location, and the characters were real. I found myself wanting to participate and speak to them as if I had any way of changing their paths.
One lesson learned - never put off what we want to say or do with another because we never know what today, or tomorrow, may bring.
What a suspenseful and exhilarating mystery - a real page-turner! Once I started reading, The twists and turns kept me from putting it down, even getting up from bed to continue reading. The author leaves us wondering and wanting more. The setting was vividly painted as a beautiful and serene location, and the characters were real. I found myself wanting to participate and speak to them as if I had any way of changing their paths.
One lesson learned - never put off what we want to say or do with another because we never know what today, or tomorrow, may bring.
March 27, 2017
ARC from Netgalley. I enjoyed this in the main. My main issue was the excessive descriptors. At times it felt like those descriptive writing essays we had to do for O Level where you ram as many adjectives into a page as possible. This detracted at times from the plot and pace, as they didn't always add to the imagination nor indeed were some a good fit. That aside it was original and well-thought out in terms of twists and turns and I'd give it 3.5 * if I could - that means it's definitely readable!
January 6, 2017
Last updated on 06 Jan 2017
I loved this mystery set in the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Thomas! When Olivia is summoned to the island after a mysterious phone call about her mother's demise, she assumes it will be simply a matter of taking care of paperwork and final affairs. What she hasn't planned for is a handsome stranger, a bar fight, dead bodies, and many secrets and lies. Set in an idyllic setting, the novel made me want to book a cruise (without the bodies of course)!
I loved this mystery set in the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Thomas! When Olivia is summoned to the island after a mysterious phone call about her mother's demise, she assumes it will be simply a matter of taking care of paperwork and final affairs. What she hasn't planned for is a handsome stranger, a bar fight, dead bodies, and many secrets and lies. Set in an idyllic setting, the novel made me want to book a cruise (without the bodies of course)!
December 6, 2018
Couldn't finish this book, not for me at all! I've read better written, plotted and structured books. Characters seemed a bit one dimensional! Not my cup of tea at all sadly!!!!
August 17, 2020
Loved the suspense. It kept me from putting it down! Fun, quick summer read. Can’t wait for the sequel!!
May 12, 2022
I wanted to like this book but really had a hard time with how it progressed and how unbelievably Olivia’s character was.
May 28, 2021
Before you start reading The Empty Chair : Murder in the Caribbean by Penny Goetjen make sure you clear your schedule and plan to read past your bedtime…..once you start reading you will be powerless to stop !!
Readers will instantly fall in love with main characer Olivia Benning and want to be right by her side throughout her painful and dangerous journey. Olivia and her father live in Boston and they receive a call saying that Olivia’s mother, who lives on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, was in a boating accident and died. So Olivia goes to St. Thomas to settle her mother’s things…..but little does she know that everything is going to go downhill shorlty after she gets there.
When Olivia goes to the police department to obtain information regarding her mother’s accident she learns that there is no record of any accident regarding her mother and no one from the department called her and her dad. Uopn learning this, Olivia vows to find out what really happened to her mother and if she is still alive. OIlivia takes after her mother in so many ways and the main one is their photography talents so when she learns that her mother may have been on a dangerous investigative assignment, she is not surprised. Unfortunately when Olivia goes to an address where her mother may have been sent to photograph, she uncovers some very shady and illegal things going on.
Olivia soon learns that she can’t trust anyone and everyone that she gets close to could be in danger. She really wants to believe one person in particular is on her side but fears that that is not the case. However before Olivia can get answers to her never ending pile of questions, the person she has been trying to keep away from everything shows up on the island demanding answers….which only makes things worse, if that is even possible at this point.
I was on the edge of my seat and could not put this book down. Goetjen knows how to draw the reading into the story and makes it impossible to put the book down. I had to stay up late reading this story to see how it all unfolded……unfortunately even though Olivia got some answers, there are still some things that she doesn’t quite know and Goetjen leaves the reader with one big question unanswered making it impossible not to look for the next book in this series, Over the Edge.
*** Usually a title to a book doesn’t have an effect on me, however, when you get to the part in the story where “the empty chair” is mentioned, it is a powerful moment in the story and with the reader. I was very moved with that particular part of the story. ***
Readers will instantly fall in love with main characer Olivia Benning and want to be right by her side throughout her painful and dangerous journey. Olivia and her father live in Boston and they receive a call saying that Olivia’s mother, who lives on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, was in a boating accident and died. So Olivia goes to St. Thomas to settle her mother’s things…..but little does she know that everything is going to go downhill shorlty after she gets there.
When Olivia goes to the police department to obtain information regarding her mother’s accident she learns that there is no record of any accident regarding her mother and no one from the department called her and her dad. Uopn learning this, Olivia vows to find out what really happened to her mother and if she is still alive. OIlivia takes after her mother in so many ways and the main one is their photography talents so when she learns that her mother may have been on a dangerous investigative assignment, she is not surprised. Unfortunately when Olivia goes to an address where her mother may have been sent to photograph, she uncovers some very shady and illegal things going on.
Olivia soon learns that she can’t trust anyone and everyone that she gets close to could be in danger. She really wants to believe one person in particular is on her side but fears that that is not the case. However before Olivia can get answers to her never ending pile of questions, the person she has been trying to keep away from everything shows up on the island demanding answers….which only makes things worse, if that is even possible at this point.
I was on the edge of my seat and could not put this book down. Goetjen knows how to draw the reading into the story and makes it impossible to put the book down. I had to stay up late reading this story to see how it all unfolded……unfortunately even though Olivia got some answers, there are still some things that she doesn’t quite know and Goetjen leaves the reader with one big question unanswered making it impossible not to look for the next book in this series, Over the Edge.
*** Usually a title to a book doesn’t have an effect on me, however, when you get to the part in the story where “the empty chair” is mentioned, it is a powerful moment in the story and with the reader. I was very moved with that particular part of the story. ***
July 30, 2023
"The Empty Chair" is a good, quick read that's just the ticket for a vacation, travel, or when you just need something that you can pick up and go with at any time.
Overall, the story has some good elements, and it does a good job of painting a picture of St. Thomas. It's evident that the author knows the area well and, having been there myself, I could picture several of the locations in my mind based on her descriptions.
In terms of the story, protagonist Olivia can be a bit infuriating. At several points in the story she makes decisions that almost had me yelling at her. This included not trusting a police detective who hasn't shown any indication of being in any way corrupt, not taking simple steps to try to find out what her mom might have been up to (such as talking to people she might have actually known), and getting mad at people for not helping her, while also not helping them.
Then ending was also a bit of a letdown. So much of it happened off-screen, and there really wasn't any real antagonist. Ultimately, we never find out what happened to Olivia's mother. We only know that her body was found in the water, and that she was somehow killed by a faceless band of criminals who go from island to island arranging dog fights. The closest thing to a solid antagonist is Olivia's father, who winds up being conveniently bundled off at the end of the story without any sort of resolution to their own strained relationship.
Ultimately, this is a fine read if you just want to escape for a few hours. For me, it was a good way to spend a long car trip. But if you're looking for a tightly paced mystery, this probably won't be the book for you.
Overall, the story has some good elements, and it does a good job of painting a picture of St. Thomas. It's evident that the author knows the area well and, having been there myself, I could picture several of the locations in my mind based on her descriptions.
In terms of the story, protagonist Olivia can be a bit infuriating. At several points in the story she makes decisions that almost had me yelling at her. This included not trusting a police detective who hasn't shown any indication of being in any way corrupt, not taking simple steps to try to find out what her mom might have been up to (such as talking to people she might have actually known), and getting mad at people for not helping her, while also not helping them.
Then ending was also a bit of a letdown. So much of it happened off-screen, and there really wasn't any real antagonist. Ultimately, we never find out what happened to Olivia's mother. We only know that her body was found in the water, and that she was somehow killed by a faceless band of criminals who go from island to island arranging dog fights. The closest thing to a solid antagonist is Olivia's father, who winds up being conveniently bundled off at the end of the story without any sort of resolution to their own strained relationship.
Ultimately, this is a fine read if you just want to escape for a few hours. For me, it was a good way to spend a long car trip. But if you're looking for a tightly paced mystery, this probably won't be the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2017
This book started out with some promise--a seemingly interesting plot, nice setting, and fairly good writing. But as it progressed, it became so terribly overwritten that I had to go back to the beginning to check whether I had changed my standards or the author had changed her style, and I found it to be the latter. It read like it was written by someone for whom English was not the first language, but who had a hefty thesaurus by her side. As the writing style deteriorated, the plot followed suit. To be honest, I didn't finish the book because the writing style became too irritating, but in lightly skimming to the end, I don't feel like I missed anything. For example, the passages where her father reveals his illness and her cold reaction to the news was both poorly written and highly disturbing. I wavered between 2 and 3 stars, but ended up giving it 3 because I felt the author tried hard--though often too hard. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the electronic ARC.
January 28, 2021
I finally got to read The Empty Chair by Penny Goetjen which was gifted to me by the author. I felt that her expression of words was great, and that she started out strongly. However, as it got closer to the ending, I found myself confused by too many characters brought into the mix, and also a lack of continuity with the police department on St.Thomas. In and of itself, I realize that the police where we visit the islands each year tend to turn a blind eye to many happenings when they occur, so that part wasn't difficult to believe. However, there are many serious and disturbing crimes which took place in this book that should have grabbed their full attention. Thanks so much for this enjoyable read, Penny, and reminding me of his much I miss our little piece of heaven in the Caribbean as this pandemic rages on.
April 18, 2018
The Empty Chair is set on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, V.I. The author's descriptions aptly describe Caribbean views, sights, and sounds from bar scenes to sunsets overlooking the bays and helped transport this reader to warm weather while winter lingers here in New England. Her story follows a young woman called to the V.I. to try to find the truth about her mother's disappearance. The story takes twists and turns yet flows and kept me wanting to go back to figure out " who dun it". However, I would have liked the young woman to be stronger, not make so many mistakes which detracts a bit from the mystery. Overall I recommend this book. Enjoy the island setting told in rich detail which reminded me a bit of Carla Neggars mysteries.
May 7, 2017
Come meet the author HERE Wed. 6/21 6:30-7:30
"What's in your beach bag?" Author Event w/ Penny Goetjen
Penny will talk about the "7 Quirks of a Mystery Writer" and about The Empty Chair.
She'll also raffle off a beach bag featuring The Empty Chair cover and treat us to delicious Caribbean coconut kisses cookies!
BOOK CLUB Bookstore 869 Sullivan Ave. South Windsor, CT (860)432-7411 www.bookclubct.com
"What's in your beach bag?" Author Event w/ Penny Goetjen
Penny will talk about the "7 Quirks of a Mystery Writer" and about The Empty Chair.
She'll also raffle off a beach bag featuring The Empty Chair cover and treat us to delicious Caribbean coconut kisses cookies!
BOOK CLUB Bookstore 869 Sullivan Ave. South Windsor, CT (860)432-7411 www.bookclubct.com
November 8, 2020
It's hard to explain, but when you're reading this, it's like you're living it. The author writes with vibrant words and paints the pictures of not just the beauty of the landscapes but of the people. You become friends with the characters and you don't know who to trust with all the emotional highs and lows. Any Mother would be proud to call Olivia her daughter for all that she goes through in trying to figure out what really happen to her Mom. Highly recommend!
June 21, 2021
I won this book via Goodreads, and really enjoyed it! In fact, so much, that I purchased and read the follow-up, yet stand-alone sequel, Over the Edge, Murder Returns to the Caribbean. I like the characters, eventhough I felt frustrated a bit with the youthful naivity of the main character, Olivia. The author's story telling style made me feel I was right there in the caribbean witnessing the tale unfold. It is a great read for any season!
June 7, 2017
Here is a book I can do. Warm waters, missing one mom, and a twisty good read is coming your way. I love the photography parts as well. From the romance to the mystery and back again, this book was a nice diverting read.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
August 4, 2020
I really loved this book. I loved the detailed description of the beautiful island of St. Thomas. I enjoyed the hair raising twists and turns. Very suspenseful and edge of your seat...You can really never be sure who is good and who is evil. This book is well written and filled with surprises, some good, some bad. I cannot wait to read the next installment!
May 27, 2017
I enjoyed this story and the mystery of her mother's disappearance and/or murder. The twist of not really knowing if Olivia's mother was alive or not made this story a bit different from other mystery novels I've read.
See my full review on my blog.
See my full review on my blog.
April 11, 2022
Very much enjoyed this new to me writers book set in the Us Virgin Islands A mystery with several great twists in the storyline And also discovered there is a sequel I’m going to have to try to find!
July 6, 2023
Pretty good mystery, just left me with so many more questions. And perhaps a random supernatural part in the ending??? Great descriptions and use of the unique character, terrain and landscape of the USVI.
August 7, 2017
Enjoyed the story, however her writing isn't on par with others such as Laine Moriarty. Good description of St. Thomas.
September 7, 2021
Kept you guessing all the way through the book.
December 16, 2021
I could not put this book down! Such a page turner! Keeps you guessing. So enjoyed it!
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