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.
"Disappointed"
No
I think this book is sub-par for Lisa Gardner. I was able to figure out the "twist" early on in the story, and I really got tired of the wife whining over her life.
No
I'm an avid listener. Audio books are a mini-vacation for me. They fill my "need to read" when I don't have time - which is most of the time. Great element of multi-tasking!
"I'm exhausted! In a good way."
We've all read/listened to books in which a seemingly perfect family has a crisis, which causes lots of secrets to unravel. This is NOT one of those books! Well, yes, I guess it is, but with carefully developed characters and a complex plot line that is unlike anything in this genre I have ever read. Some of the bad guys commit heroic acts. Some of the good guys commit unforgivable acts. The story could have come to a conclusion several times and still have been satisfying, but Lisa Garder milked every ounce of drama she could out of the situation. There are a number of pivotal characters, so pay attention at the beginning: You'll need the information before it's over! Elisabeth Rodgers does a fine job of switching between the first person narration of Libby and the third person objective story-telling with dialogue of everyone else. A really compelling experience!
Devoted Darwin8U Disciple
"A Go-To for Going"
I value reviews, suggestions, lists, even *best of* and *must reads*, but I rarely read a book because I think should--I read because (probably like you) I love to read, I love books--sometimes even stinkers find in me a soft spot. I consume 3-4 a week including, textbooks, Kindle, and Audio, so I pursue high recommendations from my fellow readers, sometimes even when they are out of my usual preference zone. I've previously only read 1 Gardner novel, again highly recommended by Audible reviewers - who seem to really love this author. Myself, I put Gardner in my *Not-that-there's-anything-wrong-with-that* category...books to grab in the gift shop or bookstore when you are on the go; books that are easy to pick up and get lost in, easy to put down, easy to pick back up (easy to leave on the plane)--nothing negative, nothing wrong with that.
This had a similar feeling to the previous Gardner book I read, quick paced, sensational, and overall was entertaining on a mindless level. I guess the full-five-star reviews are all in context to what others have read before. For me, I thought some of the reviews overly generous. Touch & Go is not a great original thriller; the writing is average, the plot comparable to a good TV mystery or 20/20 spot; you won't remember it next month...like I said, not that there's anything wrong with that. The 2 books of Gardner's that I've now read were okay, but this will probably be my last--unless I forget a book on my next business trip and need to pick one up in the airport.
Avid Audible Listener
"Kept my pulse rate up!"
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!!!
Avid reader (listener) and Audible Fan!
"WOW--What a Story"
I am a huge Lisa Gardner fan but this story was fabulous--IMHO, her best so far. I literally could not stop listening, the twists and turns just kept coming, and the narration was perfect.
"Wait for it to go on clearance!"
No, the narrator's attempts to do the male voices were strained. They should have used a male to co-narrate given all the male parts. Her female voices were just as strained and way too exaggerated.
A bit way too predictable to be interesting. The least interesting aspect was all the played out ridiculous family drama released in the middle of a hostage crisis. It was more like a page from a teen diary or a lonely pill popping housewife drama than anything. Way too much detailed description about meaningless subjects.
I am rarely seen without my headphones on and my iPod clipped on my waist. I love my books.
"Interesting story line..."
DD Warren was not a main character. That being said, the law enforcement characters were all interesting and likable. Even some of the villains were likable. I enjoyed the book. I reserve 4 stars and 5 stars for what I think are in my humble opinion excellent, top notch, edge of my seat, can't put them down books. This was not in that category, but it was entertaining.
Speaker, Coach, Author - in Reno, NV (A GREAT place!) I've been an avid Audible fan for several years. Listen on my iPhone many hours each week.
"FABULOUS! Buy and listen now"
This one was one of those books that made me want to listen instead of doing anything else! I started it just before a 4-day trip and was happy to stand in lines at airports because it gave me time to listen. Very intriguing and cleverly plotted. Original in so many ways. Loved the characters and am looking forward to Lisa Gardner's next book. The narrator was outstanding! SO many different voices and she made the story that much more interesting.
"Entertaining Book! Page Turner"
This was my first Lisa Gardner book. I very much enjoyed it. I enjoyed the story and the narration. The first half was a little slow but still interesting. The 2nd half was a page turner. I was able to figure out the 'who done it' 3/4 of the way through, but it was still intriguing to finish the book. I've read other reviews for Lisa Gardner and most seem to really like her books but I saw lots of complaints about the narrators. This narrator was pretty good. I recommend this book!!
I am looking for other Gardner novels....
"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.