Always exciting, gut wrenching at times
343273
The gift that Deaver has is he is so good at twisting things around and tripping you up, that you know he's going to do it and you're watching for it, and then you still get fooled, anyway.  Deaver's story of the NY hitman in Nazi Germany is constantly exciting, not only because of the above-board story, which involves wrenches being thrown into Schumann's assassination plans at every turn (Mr. Heisler at the beginning, Inspector Kohl's pursuit, etc...), but because the longtime reader is conditioned to know that nothing is necessarily what it seems, and that just when it seems you are on to him, Deaver pulls the rug out from under you.  New readers are lucky because they get the thrill of discovering there is a rug.

Not only does the basic plot grab you, but the personal accounts of what life must have been like for everyone there during that time, especially the Jews, but also the other persecuted peoples and races.  It is gut wrenching to know what the Nazis did as soon as they came to power, and how all good persons, such as the Fischers and Ms. Richter, and even some bad ones, had to fear prison, death or worse every time they walked down the street or opened their mouths.  Deaver conveys this passionately, and you watch every character waiting for the axe to fall on him or her.

Finally, in response to some other writers, I was not disturbed by the English use of "Hail" and "Leader."  The German was obviously translated into English for the reader, and I found it easier to follow than if Deaver attempted to have his characters speaking "Germanglish," and mixing languages in the middle of sentences.  I also do not believe the ending is a set-up for a sequel (though time may tell me wrong).  Deaver is writing against the backdrop of a well documented time, just before the Holocaust and WWII really start.  We all know how the story ends.  In all, Deaver has written yet another book that I could not put down until it was over.  Now the hard part is waiting for the next one.
305870
Another amazing read by Stephen Williams. He invoked such a deep seeded stomach churning gore feeling in all of his books, the kind of feeling that causes you some anxiety while you're on the edge of your seat unable to put the book down. Incredible as always.
288521
This book is very exciting to read. But it gives away what happens and the very beggining but it keeps Anticipating more and more as you go through the whole book to keep it exciting.  This book also covers over things like eatting disorders, angles, homosexuality, and lot's of stress. Both Lani and Claire, the protagonist, are very likeable characters. Claire has a very endearing naivety and it is easy to relate to her feelings about her family, friends and Lani.
 How much horrible things people have to go throug in life. Figuring people out somtimes can be one of the hardest things to do, people like Lani. Claire was a cheerleader and she trusted to tell Lani things that she could not tell other people. And yet she is still trying to figure out what he is, and try to understand what he is about. People like to hide who they really are inside because they are just afraid of being rejected, and then criticize others who know more. Lani Garver has his opinions about life and everything, and knows who and what he is about. But because he is different and refuses to let himself be categorised by anyone, he is picked on and treated cruelly. He gets criticized because of his beliefs and looks. But als o it is a small island, and then all of a suddan a
new person out of no where shows up and doesn't have any information or I.D. which I guess can be very strange. It kind of makes you want to stop and just think about where you are in life and how you should think about yourself. Both Lani and Claire, the protagonist, are very nice/likeable people. Claire has a naivety and it is easy to relate to her feelings about her family, friends and Lani.
I would say this is a great book for anyone homophobic to read as it really makes you question about your feelings or assumptions. Lani is a very enigmatic character, just like Christopher was. If there was one thing I didn't like about the book, it was thge part in the first chapter which kind of summed up the story. Even so, it still manages to keep you in suspense through-out the book.
1545079
I always enjoy reading this author. He instantly transports you, and allows you to wonder, "what would it have been like to be swept up in the dark days of World War II in Europe?"  Ordinary people in extraordinary circumstance find themselves part of a terrifying, cruel, and sometimes romantic world of intrigue. How can anyone resist?
4748543
No spoiler to say that two planes crashing into each other, but the unexpected twists and turns of company corruption and family endangerment are both credible and wrenching, thus it is hard to stop reading, even if you are supposed to put this book down to get something done. Suffice to say that you will care about several of the fully-fleshed out characters  and they will stay with you long after you have finished the book. Ironically much that happens in the ostensibly placid Niceville is not nice.
4409301
As always, Reichs weaves a riveting tale that keep you on your toes.  The details of all the agencies with the alphabet soup do become tiresome, otherwise, well worth reading.
2231236
PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY READING THIS NOVEL BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE. But I make myself do it because the pain and heartbreak are what make the decisions made by characters logical and believable. I make a point of re-reading the entire series every November! And EVERY time, I get a new insight, or a new outlook on the way humans perceive themselves and others. The plotting is perfectly timed. The characters are fully developed, with flaws and raw emotions that can make your chest ache as you live vicariously through them. The entire first book, THE REAL STORY is sooo very hard for me to push myself through, because the pain inflicted on Morn is so visceral that I have to push myself to not skip it this year! Maybe I'm nuts, but I voted to name my 19 year old daughter Morn, or have her middle name be Hyland, but my husband had dibs on name choice on that baby, so Emily Rose went on the birth certificate.
4905971
I really like how personal and exciting and sad this book is. The only thing I disliked was it could get a bit boring at times. Definitely a good read, though!
2517332
This last book in the Dana Whitestone series is as absorbing as they all have been, and just as likely to keep you on edge. The criminals in this one are particularly vile and unnerving, especially given the unfortunately timely subject matter. As always in this series, the writing is vivid, with meticulous detail that is mostly nightmarish but sometimes beautiful. I like the way the author tells the story from several points of view because each one fills in the puzzle just enough to keep you in suspense from the first page to the last.
1345830
David Baldacci continues to grip me in his strange mind. He has created several memorable characters to be added to my list of unforgettables. All these individuals have their flaws, as do we all. But reading of others' issues is so much more desirable than facing your own. Another Baldacci must read!
2459576
This was a hard book to put down with new jolts of excitement when other books get slow but definitely a little too gruesome for my best enjoyment. Which unfortunately makes it even more riveting.
2210578
These are heart-wrenching, gut turning writings. You can almost feel the crazy emotion attacking you from the pages. While it was a little too graphic for my taste, I feel like one would be unable to read this without being overcome with emotion in one form or another.
2307237
Amazing author who pulls you in for the ride. She has become one of my top favorites, making the characters along with their thoughts and feelings very real and touching. Although, like life, there is sadness at times, it is still a "feel good" series.
3186966
This book has more of a "series closure " feel than a book with an story in itself, as both of the previous books in the triology had. But that doen't make it any less exciting or . Gut-wrenching and full of our beloved characters, it will surely break your heart more than once.
2823268
This series improves with each book... and after the gut-wrenching story here, I can't wait to see what is next. This episode has everything that you've seen earlier in the way of action and characters, but this one has an emotional impact that leaves you stunned. Brilliantly written - and most complimentary, the most difficult scene was handled so expertly when it could have been R-rated or worse. No doubt about my reading the entire series. Really, really great stuff.
390029
Absolutely love  everything about this series, it made me cry a few times, but it will always keep you wondering about what will happen next!
836670
I rated this season so well because there were so many times during this season that my wife and I were emotionally on a roller coaster. Our hearts were pounding as we didn't know what to expect next! This show continues to amaze me with how the story is never really what it seems and the twists that it constantly puts in your way. I find this to be more similar to real life with the complexity of the issues instead of the very simple stories of most TV shows.