Just finished my 6th book for the Spring Thing Reading List.
This was a very easy, quick read.
Genre: suspense/mystery fiction
Title: I'd Know You Anywhere
Setting: the Maryland area (for the main plot) & parts of Virginia/West Virginia.
Summary: A woman named Eliza (birth name is Elizabeth) lives a typical suburban lifestyle with her husband, Peter and her 13 year old daughter Iso (short for Isobel) and 8 year old son Albie (short for Albert). They've recently moved back to America after living in London for several years. One day she receives a letter from Walter Bowman, the man who kidnapped and held her hostage for 40 days back in 1985 when she was just 15 years old. He wants to apologize to her.
Part of his letter states: "Of course, you are older now. Still, I'd know you anywhere." He had killed at least one girl which is why he is on death row in Virginia for rape and murder. Eliza wants nothing to do with him. However, she also doesn't want to expose her children to this man, so she cautiously makes contact with him. She has always wondered why he let her live and she is hoping that now he will tell her. She is also hoping he will tell the truth about his other victims. It becomes clear very soon that he wants something more from Eliza than forgiveness. But...what is it??
My thoughts: this book was okay. It was a super easy read and I read it in 2 days mainly because it wasn't a long novel nor was it difficult. I had to see what was going to happen...it was gripping but not as gripping as say a novel by Patterson or Cornwell (similar genre). The author has written several other novels and based on their titles, I am guessing that most of them are similar in nature/genre. She does have a "series" based on one woman detective, set in Baltimore, Maryland. I doubt I will read another one by this author, although if a particular one sounds interesting enough, I might. This one would be considered a good "beach book".
It did make me think about the reasons why someone would change their birth name to protect themselves from a past life. And try to control a life where one felt safe and secure.
I liked the characters in the book, other than Walter and the anti-death penalty character the author introduces about half way through the book. That particular character (a woman) was very annoying.
Walter is creepy. I think some readers might end up feeling sorry for him. I certainly didn't. I really liked how the author portrayed Eliza's husband Peter. He is a great provider and protector. I liked that in a modern, secular novel! The children are well-developed characters and very "real".
The author notes in the back of the book that it was inspired by a true crime involving the sexual abuse of a minor.
Overall, this is a good read if you like suspense.
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest, I'd rate this a 6.
It is appropriate for ages 16 and older.
No comments:
Post a Comment