Synopsis from TLC Book tours:
Four months after their separation, marketing consultant Lake Warren faces a tough legal battle with her husband, Jack, for custody of their two kids. Though the timing couldn’t be worse, she finds herself responding to the flirtations of Dr. Mark Keaton, her handsome colleague at the Advanced Fertility Center. But the morning after their one-night stand, Lake discovers Keaton with his throat slashed. Afraid of losing her children forever, Lake lies to the police—and begins searching for the truth on her own before she can be charged with the heinous crime. She starts getting hostile treatment from her coworkers, and strange clues start appearing, quite literally, on her doorstep. Soon Lake is pulled dangerously close to the very dark secrets surrounding the slain man and the clinic where they worked. And suddenly the police are not the only ones hunting Lake Warren.
"Lake opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. her breath seemed dead-bolted in her chest. She knew she needed to get closer, to check if Keaton was alive. But she couldn't move." [p.37]
....With that kind of writing this book had me turning the pages and not wanting to stop reading until I had finished the story. I really needed to know who killed Keaton and why. At the beginning I liked Lake and could totally commiserate with her in regards to having a vindictive ex-spouse. But as the book progressed I wondered if her actions were really what any of us would have done had we been in her shoes. The further into the story I read, the more improbable the plot became. About 3/4 of the way into the story, my desire to know the outcome sort of petered out and I was getting a bit weary of all the running, strange phone calls, and Lake's ability not to fall apart. Come on....she woke up to a man who had his throat slashed. I'd be calling someone!!! After all of the time I invested in reading this story I was the most disappointed in the way the author conveniently wrapped everything up within the last 18 pages. It almost felt like the author realized that she didn't want to go past 341 pages so she better tie up all the loose ends, make Lake into a hero, and call it good.
Recommend? I'm on the fence... it didn't knock my socks off, but it wasn't terrible either. So what to say? If you enjoy thrillers and have liked Kate White's work in the past then I believe you will enjoy this one. I would certainly read another book by White because I never judge an author by one body of work.
Rating: 6.5/10
About Kate White
Kate White is the editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and the New York Times bestselling author of the Bailey Weggins mystery series and several popular career books for women, including Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do. She lives in New York City.Find out more about Kate at her website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter: @katemwhite.
Kate’s Tour Stops
Published: 2011Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (February 1, 2011)Pages: 341Genre: Thriller
ISBN: 9780061576652
Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
..."she woke up to a man who had his throat slashed. I'd be calling someone!!! " I think anyone would, that is, after they recovered from gagging and fainting! Sorry this one kind of conked out on you.
ReplyDeleteI think I might check out the last 18 pages!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad this one didn't keep going for you the way it had started out. I appreciate that you're willing to give the author another try though! Thanks for being on the tour.
ReplyDeleteNice honest review :) I have seen the book around but never wanted to check further and after this, nope not for me either
ReplyDeleteI'd pass out if I saw someone with their throat slashed. I do like the cover.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this is something I would like, but it does sound interesting...
ReplyDeleteWell, darn, I was hoping this was going to be great.
ReplyDeleteI hate it when a story feels wrapped-up on purpose. Things should gradually come to a conclusion, especially if it's taken several pages to tell the story in the first place. Sometimes I think the author gets tired of reading it too.
ReplyDeleteThat is too bad that that your desire for the outcome just kind of petered out like that. It does sound interesting though, but I am not sure if I would want to read it?
ReplyDeleteWell, that's not good. I've read a lot of mysteries that I have a hard time getting into but by the time you were losing interest, I'm expecting to be pulled in.
ReplyDeleteI read Kate White's first book when it came out a few years back and was disappointed with it. This one sounds like I'd be disappointed again but I'll check it out at the library to be sure.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this book last year I felt the same way you did! My main problem with Lake was this: If you are in a custody dispute, or even if you're not, why would you put yourself and your kids in the position to be in more danger while trying to figure out who is after you?! Tell someone and let trained professionals handle it!! The story just lost credibility for me and I even had a hard time finishing it.
ReplyDeleteI liked this one more than you did, but agree that she wrapped things up too fast and easily.
ReplyDeleteI don't read too many books like this, and I'm thinking this one isn't for me, especially with the convenient ending. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteThis was my first Karen White book as well and I will give her another try.
ReplyDeleteThis genre is so touch and go for me... I just bailed on Ice Princess (was listening and skipped forward to the last hour to hear the ending). I wasn't invested after reaching the half point... just very slow paced without. I'm not going to review it but know you were interested.
ReplyDeleteHush: I like the synopsis, sorry this one didn't workout better.
Aw! Stinks this one wrapped up so quickly. All that suspense, and then poof it's gone. Good review but I'll pass. Thanks sweetie :)
ReplyDeleteI can always count on you for an honest opinion on a book. I think I'll do what Jill suggests and read the last 18 pages.
ReplyDeleteI have this one to read at some stage but can't say I'm busting to get to it. Thanks for the honest review Staci!
ReplyDelete