I'd Know You Anywhere

By: Laura Lippman

Narrated by: Linda Emond

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The acclaimed New York Times bestselling author returns with a new stand-alone novel—a powerful and utterly riveting tale that skillfully moves between past and present to explore the lasting effects of crime on a victim's life....I'd Know You Anywhere

Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, 13-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquility is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere.

In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she's never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She's always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he'll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.

Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And Eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it—even if it means finally facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she's kept buried inside.

©2010 Laura Lippman (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Very disappointing

I have bought at least 50 audio books and this is, by far, the worst I have listened to. The whole plot is implausible and ridiculous. I fell for the reviews...so misleading.

Not wonderful

I didn't form an attachment to any of the characters, except the dog--- Reba, who thank goodness, escapes harm, that would have been unforgivable. Usually when I finish a book, I miss the people, but somehow I just couldn't bond with these folks.
The gray line of guilt is interesting... And it held my attention, though not a real page turner- for me.
I did like that they adopted a dog who really needed them...

Edgar! Get Your Award Back

Not a mystery--nor a thriller--rather a dull and tedious story (that somehow escaped becoming a made for TV Lifetime Channel movie) that plods along at a snail's pace to a predictable and banal ending. Most of the book details the day to day routines of a bland limp housewife, who seems to be suffering from a terminal case of flat affect. The characters are vapid and undeveloped; so much so that you don't root for the "victim" or boo the lowlife villain--you just don't care. I'd apologize for the harsh review, but this was highly recommended, and from an author that has won several awards for her writing--disappointing.

Lifetime movies presents................

This book was a complete waste of a credit. I make a point of listening to a book even if I feel I have made the choice in error but it was hard to adhere to my principle with this one. The characters are so amorphously developed and the narrative so sophomoric, the ethics so mushy, both in sentiment, and expression, I could have been watching a day time "women's" movie. This was chick lit at it's basest.

Blah, bland and disappointed.

Any additional comments?

This novel seemed more about the main character and her view of her children then it did the kidnapper or her relationship with him. It lacked the suspense, excitement and poignant detail that I desired. Flashbacks of the kidnapping were mundane. The start of many chapters noted a song; it's ranking on the Billboard listing and its release year. This little fact had almost nothing to do w/ the story. Spoiler Alert:.....presumably the main character can't listen to any of these songs any longer as they remind her of a certain negative time in her life... It took me until the last 30 minutes or so to drag that out of the author. When it was revealed I was very disappointed.

I desired much more from the Trudy Tackett character. I hoped the plot would have turned and she would have been a force to contend with. But, nooooo. I desired more from the finale with Walter. But, nooooo. I frankly desired more from learning what transpired during her weeks in captivity. But, noooo.

This novel really fell flat, not worth requesting a credit reimbursement and not worth my time either.