One Step Too Far

A Novel (A Frankie Elkin Novel, Book 2)

By: Lisa Gardner

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner, a chilling thriller about a young man gone missing in the wilderness of Wyoming...and the secrets uncovered by the desperate effort to find him

Timothy O’Day knew the woods. Yet when he disappeared on the first night of a bachelor party camping trip with his best friends in the world, he didn’t leave a trace. What he did leave behind were two heartbroken parents, a crew of guilt-ridden groomsmen, and a pile of clues that don’t add up.

Frankie Elkin doesn’t know the woods, but she knows how to find people. So when she reads that Timothy’s father is organizing one last search, she heads to Wyoming. Despite the rescue team’s reluctance, she joins them. But as they hike into the mountains, it becomes clear that there’s something dangerous at work in the woods...or someone who is willing to do anything to stop them from going any further.

Running out of time and up against the worst man and nature have to offer, Frankie and the search party will discover what evil awaits those who go one step too far...

©2022 Lisa Gardner, Inc. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Hillary Huber uses perfect pacing and emphasis as bestselling thriller writer Gardner creates the second in a series featuring missing person specialist Frankie Elkin. Huber's narration matches this audiobook's intensity as Frankie searches for a young man who has gone missing after a wild bachelor party in a national forest. Huber employs shifts in tone and allows tension to creep into her delivery as the search reaches its dramatic climax. Gardner creates fully realized characters, flawlessly performed by Huber. She makes the father's desperation and fears palpable, allowing listeners to experience every parent's nightmare and the utmost evil patiently waiting in the woods.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Huber's smoky voice and cynical reading helps build suspense. Narrated in first person, Frankie's thoughts and conversations are clearly differentiated. Other characters are well developed vocally, making each easy to identify. Excellent use of pace changes and pauses build the drama of the story, with energy and intensity. Fear and horror are palpable in Huber's voice, making this an exciting and compelling listen.”—Library Journal

“It’s not often that a thriller so deeply casts us into the darkness of both nature and the human heart…Terrifying, primal, and very, very tense. Read it with your heart in your throat—but read it.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

very interesting!

I love the story very different from any others I have read. I love her new character in Frankie. I got to know Frankie and Boston and we really got to love her in this book. I can't Wait for another one with Frankie in it!!!

never a dull moment

Another well written book and properly performed! 👏 👌 👍 Frankie character rings so true and the ending was an awesome twist 👏 !
I highly recommend this book for those who like action intrigue and mystery.

Gardner Did It Again

This new Frankie series is everything. The way Gardner weaves her tales and helps you start to really feel like you know the main characters is an unbelievable skill. I usually take a few days to listen to a book, but I stayed up late and woke up early to finish this one. The only problem is that I have to wait forever until the next Frankie Elkin book.

love this series

When you think you figured it out it's only half the picture. it keeps you guessing till the end...and the main character, Frankie, is perfect for these series. Well written!

Loved this book

I love this book and couldn’t put it down. It was so nice to hear about all the missing persons and how one goes about tracking those in our national forests. This book is about secrets, friendship and love and what we will do to try and solve the mystery of someone we care about who has been missing for a long time. There are so many twists and turns to this book that make it exciting and fresh until the very end.

Exceeded expectations

I was expecting to enjoy this book, but I had somewhat average expectations based on the first book in the series. This one was better I think. I sometimes try to turn my brain off so I don’t figure it out too quickly, but this one kept me thinking. I really liked Frankie a bit more after this one, too. Highly recommend!

This was a Lollapalooza! Much better than first

I read the first book in Lisa Gardner's new Frankie Elkin series with less enthusiasm than for her other books. I LOVE Flora Dane. She's my hero and my idol. I don't want to be her because of what she suffered but sure would like to be like her after she comes back and transforms herself and her life. She's a super-hero in my book. Better than Batman!
Frankie is no superhero. She's terribly flawed. An alcoholic on the wagon, traveling from place to place to search for (and find!) missing persons. (A woman alone doing this!) The first book was all right but that was the highest praise I could give it. It took me a long time to buy the second book and longer to start reading it.
It hooked me early on and kept me hooked and virtually breathless. Frankie joins a party hunting for the remains of a young man who is missing in a very difficult to get to much less search area. He was a highly skilled woodsman who got separated from his party years back. Now his mother is dying of cancer and his father is mounting one last search for his body -- accompanied by his son's best friends. His son had been engaged and instead of a bachelor party the group went to the woods on a camping trip because that was what the prospective groom loved. He disappeared and was never found.
Frankie wants to join the group but is told it's closed. Then one of the friends is revealed to be an alcoholic in the throes of DTs and there is an opening. Frankie is used to city streets, not the woods, but swears she'll keep up. She does that and a lot more.
It is gripping. A real page turner. READ IT! IT'S GREAT!

...except for one characters voice.

I listened to this I one sitting, it was great. Some reviews don't like the "improbability" of some of the situations, but, that is the difference if a novel and nonfiction. I do agree with the opinions of Bobs voice, almost made me cringe, but such a good character.

My new favorite author and main character!

This is my first review here but I had to write one because I completely enjoyed this book (and the first in the series too)! The main character has real honest flaws with lots of dry humor. The plot is believable with surprise turns. So much fun!

Kept me guessing till the end

I think it was better then Before she disappeared. For me it was far more suspenseful and exciting to listen to.

My only complaint on the performance is the voice of Bob. It sounded like someone had just pinched their nose to change their voice. Not a good sound at all in my opinion.