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.

Just Okay

Would you try another book from Lisa Gardner and/or Elisabeth Rodgers?

I would not go in search of another book by Lisa Gardner. I did like the narrator. The book was just okay for me. Started out a little rocky with the 'pain has a taste' or whatever that opening line was. From there it did pick up and I listened all the way through- so that says something at least.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I definitely wouldn't have had the odd scene with the daughter's medical issue (without giving a spoiler) in their hide out place. It didn't play out well at all, didn't add up and I was surprised to see the book was written by a female after reading that scene.

What aspect of Elisabeth Rodgers’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing, thought she did a great job.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I wouldn't pay for it. But, I'd probably watch it on Lifetime.

Any additional comments?

It's a good summer read or airplane listen. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. The people that reviewed it as the best mystery they've read must not get out much.

Compelling!

I couldn't stop listening to this one! A very enjoyable thriller with very interesting characters.

A "page turner"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to someone who likes suspense. It keeps you guessing all the way to the end.

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

This was a definite page turner. I couldn't get enough. It was suspenseful from beginning to end.

Which character – as performed by Elisabeth Rodgers – was your favorite?

My favorite character was the daughter, Ashlyn.

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

I usually listen on my walk but I started also listening while cooking dinner and doing the dishes too.

Good story but predicted the end

The story was well paced and got you hooked but about 3/4 into the story I figured out the ending and it was a little depressing. But the ending was good and exciting. Overall a good book.

Couldn't Stop Listening!

This story had an excellent plot. The narrative made it very believable. Enjoyed it very much.

Very Compelling

The story keeps you guessing and the characters are richly developed. Lots of suspense, lots of action and unusual situations.

Swearing was distracting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would not recommend this book to a friend because of the swearing in the book. In my opinion the swearing detracts from the story. I'm sure the logic behind the author using that language is to add authenticity to the criminal element and a stressful situation- to make it more realistic but in my reality I wouldn't speak like that even in a stressful situation.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the end where Libby, the main character, got on with her life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought it was profound when Libby and Justin were talking about whether it was right to blame each other for their decisions of infidelity and abusing drugs or to take responsibility for their own actions- admitting that when you live with someone they have an influence on you.

Any additional comments?

In general, I believe that there is an untapped market for books where the swearing is edited out. I know that would be my choice.

Amazing!

I really enjoyed this book! I listened to it again right after I finished it for the first time! The ending was not at all what I was expecting! I was shocked!

REVERTING, YOU WONT BE ABLE TO STOP READING

the best was when the real criminal was ID'd and found I was right after changing my mind several times!

Touch & Go--- AND PAUSE and PAUSE!!!!!

What did you love best about Touch & Go?

As a big fan of Gardner, I know before starting one of her books I need to take several deep breaths because I am about to get on a roller coaster!! I had to hit pause a few times just to take my mind out of the book and regroup. In Touch & Go, Gardner sets the stage, introduces the characters, places us in a setting, and left the reader and our imagination to figure out the plot. I was exhausted from the beginning when the BAD BAD guys ambushed the family at home, brought them to a far away place with no escape and proceeded to terrorize them.

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

What seat? I fell off! Gardner kept shooting out clues and family character development to keep us wondering who the story was actually about. Can you say dysfunctional? The father runs a multi-million dollar construction company that was left to him by his father. His wife grew up poor and married well, runs the house and dabbles in jewelry art. The daughter, 15 (only child) is the love of their lives and does no wrong (oops)!The police are as confused as the reader, grasping at any information that will help them find this family, WHO has them, and why? The police start looking into the key members of the company - more development- who did it thoughts. The men in the company are ex seals and the women in the company are loyal to a fault.

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

She read the book well, although it would have to be a horrible reader to take away from this book. I have listened to her before and she does a good job transferring accents to distinguish characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

GET READY- GET SET- GO!

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers!