Love You More

A Novel

By: Lisa Gardner

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Katie MacNichol

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

WHO DO YOU LOVE?

One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter?

AND HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO . . .

As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child?

. . . TO SAVE HER?

For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthinkable. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Love you more . . .

©2011 Lisa Gardner (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This book had me at the author’s name. Lisa Gardner…no one owns this corner of the genre the way she does - And Love You More might be her best ever." (Lee Child)

"Tessa Leoni is a dedicated single mom when she is swept away by a man who turns out to be the wrong guy. Emotionally true, harrowing, and unputdownable. Brava, Lisa Gardner!" (Lisa Scottoline)

"A heart-pounding tale of family drama by the Mozart of thriller writers. I could not tear myself away." (Tess Gerritsen)

I've found a new author

This is a terrific mystery that has you engaged from the first 2 minutes. I gobbled it up in a couple of days.The lead character is a scrappy little woman who you are rooting for through the book. Lots of action and a compelling story line.
The narrators are wonderful...I'm looking for another book by this author.

One of the Best and wellwritten &read stories.

The best preformed written and read that I have read in years. Loved it.! Keeps you involved and waiting, wonderfully planned plot.

you won't be disappointed

I really truly enjoyed this. it was twisted but still not so much that you lose focus. it was really one of my favorites. As the end unfolds you will truly be shocked of how intricate the details were the entire time.

Major plot flaw

Overall really great story, I truly enjoyed this the best in the series so far.
That said, there is a major flaw in the end of the story. I don’t want to give much away so I’ll leave it at the main character has an incriminating rifle and shotgun, and DeeDee never addresses where she got it.

Good

Took a few unnecessary unbelievable turns but was good
I was entertained the all the way through

kept me guessing

I love a book that keeps me guessing...I thought I had it figured out.... it took time and I still wasn't exactly right!! great writing Lisa!

Keeps you guessing all the way through!

I love Lisa Gardner's writing style. I couldn't imagine how she could come up with another top notch book complete with deep characters, a compelling plot, superb mystery and her signature emotional hooks. By turns, you find yourself pulling for a character and being quite certain they're the evil genius. Somehow Lisa Gardner makes you doubt your own conclusions, reverse your decisions, curse the good guys and root for the criminals. Lisa guides you through the twists and turns with more reliability than a GPS and at the end you know she's manipulated the heck out of you and you love her for it. "Love You More" was so tough to put down that I actually listened all day at work while pretending to get things done. Shhhh. Don't tell.

Go Lisa! GREAT book!

They messed with the wrong cop...

This is a great police procedural with two great policewomen. Sgt DD Warren is hardened, smart homicide detective who does not suffer fools. Unfortunately for her she is on the hunt for an even smarter cop, suspected murderess Tessa Leone.

Slaughter spins a masterful tale, carefully revealing aspects of the case to make them seem to be twists. In reality it is a perfectly believable tale with great suspense.

The narration is good, though neither of the performers are my favorites. Warren’s voice is too hard while Tessa’s is far too weak.

This is a great book, well worth your time.

What A Ride!!

Whenever I see Lisa Gardner's name on a title, I've got to have it! This lady does indeed have this genre sewn up. She rules!! I'm looking for more Lisa Gardner's books. I've read a lot of books and Gardner is one of the few authors I know will have me tingling with tension and exhales of wow, wow, wow!!

Just how great is a mother's love?

Just how far would you go for your child? How strong is the loving bond between a mother and her child? Lisa Gardner deftly explores these questions within a complicated murder investigation. This is the fifth book in the Detective DD Warren Boston police-woman mysteries. This time DD is partnered up with her old lover, Bobby Dodge, in the Massachusetts State Police. They are investigating the apparent murder of the abusive husband of MA Stare police-woman, Tessa Leoni. Tessa has been brutally beaten, her husband, Brian, lies dead on the kitchen floor, BUT where is Tessa's 6 year old daughter, Sophie.

Lisa Gardner superbly intertwines the two voices of DD and Tessa to involve the reader in the thoughts of two different police-women: DD, who is just finding out that she is pregnant, and Tessa, the mother of the missing girl. The love between mother and child is uppermost in this book, even though DD is not at all sure she's meant to ever be a parent. But DD can't decide if Tessa loves her child or murdered the girl and is covering up her crime.

Amongst the thoughts and actions of these two women, we learn more and more about Tessa, her marriage, and the circumstances of Brian's life and death. The more we learn, the deeper and faster the thrills come as these two women decide just how much they are willing to do for the love of a child.

The mystery is fast passed and compelling, but the characters' thoughts and feelings as the action progresses, really makes this an excellent book.