Touch & Go

A Novel

By: Lisa Gardner

Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers

Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

This is my family: Vanished without a trace....

Justin and Libby Denbe have the kind of life you’d find in the pages of a glossy magazine: A beautiful 14-year-old daughter. A gorgeous brownstone on a tree-lined street in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. A great marriage, admired by all. A perfect life.

This is what I know: Pain has a flavor....

When investigator Tessa Leone arrives at the crime scene in the foyer of the Denbes’ home, she finds scuff marks on the floor and a million tiny pieces of bright green Taser confetti. The family appears to have been abducted, with only a pile of their cell phones and electronic devices remaining. No witnesses, no ransom demands, no motive. Just a perfect little family, gone.

This is what I fear: The worst is yet to come....

Tessa knows better than anyone that flawless fronts can hide the darkest secrets. Now she must race against the clock to uncover the Denbes’ innermost dealings, a complex tangle of friendships and betrayal, big business and small sacrifices. Who would want to kidnap such a perfect little family? And how far would such a person be willing to go?

This is the truth: Love, safety, family . . . it’s all touch and go.

©2012 Lisa Gardner (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Kept my pulse rate up!

Any additional comments?

WOW... I loved this book! I would liked to have tweaked the ending just a little bit, but it was still very satisfying. This was my first listen by both the author and the narrator, and they both really impressed me. It was definitely worth the credit. Bravo!!!

BRAVO!

Without a doubt the best thriller I have ever heard. I will admit I have been slow to love Lisa Gardner's work but this book is so totally admirable both in the story and in the writing I have become a diehard fan. The whodunit portion of the story is tense and will keep you in suspense at least until near the end. But the personalities, strengths and weaknesses of the main characters will keep you totally involved as well. It was not the ending I was hoping for but still a satisfying book. An excellent use of time and credit.

Really Captivating

Would you consider the audio edition of Touch & Go to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version. I am a professional artist and listen while I paint.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was gripping! I also love how the the mystery-solve was "revealed" in a slow, and story-worthy way. None of the typical "let's just blurt out all the explanations in the last chapter" sort of thing. The story was so interesting. There were surprises around every corner. Never a dull moment!

Have you listened to any of Elisabeth Rodgers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to her before, but I will again!! Her accents were very well performed and she had the ability to transform her voice into each characterization. I loved listening to her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish I could have! It was that good! A couple of times I was listening alone at night and had to turn to music so that I could keep from getting spooked!

An exciting plot

What did you love best about Touch & Go?

The characters in this novel are very well rounded, with believable traits and responses to the danger they face. Gardner does a great job of directing suspicions to different suspects, each with a logical motive. It is told from the point of view of the wife, but it stays true to the plot without becoming maudlin.

What other book might you compare Touch & Go to and why?

I would compare this book to the others written by Lisa Gardner. Characters with depth, and a good believable plot.

What does Elisabeth Rodgers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Elisabeth Rodgers does a great job of narrating the plot from the wife's point of view, but it could be greatly improved with the addition of a good male reader for the more threatening antagonists.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Like all of Lisa Gardner's books, she keeps the pace up, with builds and twists that really captured my interest.

another good Lisa Gardner

Would you listen to Touch & Go again? Why?

no. I only listen to books once because I already know how they will end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't remember.

What does Elisabeth Rodgers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no. I enjoyed it, though.

Any additional comments?

not memorable, but it got me through two 20-mile runs! That's pretty good.

I could not wait until the end...then I was sad!

Would you consider the audio edition of Touch & Go to be better than the print version?

I have always loved Lisa's books. I loved getting a glimpse of DeDe and the continuation of Tessa's story, I am looking forward to more about her. This story was sad, depressing and not your usual happy ending. The story was suspenseful and kept me guessing to the very end.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I don't have alot of interest in the failure of the family, that is why I found this story so sad and depressing. The good thing is this is fiction, well written to have abused my emotions so sorely.

What does Elisabeth Rodgers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love Elisabeth...she adds heart and soul to the story. I love her as Georgina the succubus.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This story was not a happy one, no usual happy ending. It was sad and depressing to watch the betrayel unfold.

All time favorite

I've read/listened to this book several times. Love it and love her writing . Great book

Decent detective mystery

I really enjoyed the accents, they added to the narration. The story line is fun, you get glimpses of who the "bad guy" could be so you are never truly sure who it really is. I had a hunch toward the end of what was going on, have to keep this as general as possible to avoid giving anything away, and in the end my hunch was right but that didn't detract from the way the story progressed and I didn't feel disappointed or unfulfilled.
I liked that they drew in stories and background on all the characters, it helped story development but also gave more suspense to the who done it aspect.
Overall I enjoyed all aspects and would recommend to a friend looking for a detective mystery.

Twisted & Then Some!

This is an absolute must! Every time I thought I knew who was behind the kidnapping there would be a twist and then a turn and then another twist. I was in knots by the end. This was my first Lisa Gardner novel and it won't be my last. I loved it!

Lisa Gardner good, but not like Gilliyan Flynn.

Nice start to the story, Story maintains good pace, performance is very good. Overall a good book, but not a great book. I have read 'Catch me' from Lisa Gardner and Touch and Go. I would rate 'Catch me' higher than 'Touch and Go'.
Certainly not a waste of credit. If you like 'Catch me' then Go for it.