I'd Know You Anywhere

By: Laura Lippman

Narrated by: Linda Emond

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author returns with a new stand-alone novel—a powerful and utterly riveting tale that skillfully moves between past and present to explore the lasting effects of crime on a victim's life....I'd Know You Anywhere

Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, 13-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquility is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere.

In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.

Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And Eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it—even if it means finally facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she's kept buried inside.

©2010 Laura Lippman (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Perplexing

Interesting story, it kept me wondering what would happen next, but I had a hard time understanding Eliza’s motives in allowing contact with Walter.

I realize that had she not wanted any contact with him there would be no story, but I didn’t feel like author did a complete job in explaining Eliza’s willingness or reluctance. I remained perplexed rather than intrigued.

That aside, it was a good distraction.

Hang in there

I nearly shut this one off during the first 1/2 hour. The narrator described the main character's banal soccer-mom life in a sing-song voice that would've been perfect for a child's book about princesses or fairies. It was dreadful beyond belief, but I stuck it out, and I'm glad I did.

While certainly not the best book I've encountered, it did explore a unique situation in a realistic manner, and I was glad I'd purchased it. Hang in there and it will be worth it.

I 'd know you Anywhere

Very good and highly recommend - good book and worth the money - It will hold your interest and has a great plot.

Engaging, but not complete

I really enjoyed the narration of this book. Some others had complained about the main character talking about her home and family too much, but I felt that was part of the story. It was an engaging story and I was very engrossed in the tale.

Until the end. To me, it seemed as if the author ran out of time and just needed to finish the book...too may story lines were left hanging, and others were closed, but not in any satisfying way. I started to wonder if I'd forgotten to download a part when there was only 30 minutes left and so much left to deal with.

It was entertaining while it lasted, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Read This

Buried secrets are harshly exposed in Laura Lippman’s I’d Know You Anywhere. The fast paced novel opens with the narrator Eliza awaiting the execution of her former captor, Walter. The story then alternates between modern day and 1985, the year Eliza was abducted. Since the kidnapping, Eliza has tried to disappear and start over. But Walter has managed to find her and pull her back into his twisted world.

Creepy on so many levels, the novel manages to separate itself from other formulaic thrillers. Lippman’s heroine is constantly hinting there may be more to the summer then we or she knows. And the few incorporated first person passages told by the decidedly menacing are unshakably gruesome. Lippman also presents the perspectives from Walter’s enemies and advocates thereby increasing the novels intensity and keeping the reader guessing and theorizing up until its final pages. Both memorable and frightening this novel well deserves its place on 2010 best of lists.

Lippman at her very best!!

I love all of Lippman's books and this one really shined. Her characters are so utterly believable that I often see myself in some of the women characters. Linda Emond makes this a must-listen audiobook.

Good not great

This kept me entertained enough during my commute but I wasn't consumed as i have been with some others (Cutting for Stone for one). I kept waiting for some exciting twist of the plot that never came. Narration was good-not great, not horrible.

Compelling Story

This is a new author for me. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. Great story. Naration was great too.

love it

All of the characters were awesome! Written great, read great! Very very good book. I am a bit hard to please but this book had me all the way through. The narrator was exceptional as she went from character to character, young and old with ease. The story had a flow like no other that I have read in a long time.

Don't Bother

Did not meet expectations. Nothing much happened. Very little suspense. A waste of time really. Not much resolution to story line. No "aha" moments.