Mystery

This was okay. My first time reading this author. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing although you knew generally what was up but there was just enough doubt to not be sure and to keep the reader guessing. The romance was hot while at the same time sweet but wasn't real intense. There was not a lot of doubt where the relationship was going, not any real big conflict. They had always had the hots for each other and when the hero decided to stop running from her (a habit from when she was a teenager and he was too old for her) they fell in bed and pretty much knew they were together. He supported her through the figuring out of the mystery. That is the sort of thing that is great in real life but doesn't add much tension to a romance novel.

I may give this author another try, maybe one of her older books. ( )

Lisa Grant has been taking care of her ailing mother and working for the District Attorney's office when she is late for a court date and is assigned to work on sorting through cold cases in the basement. When a colleague shows her a file with a picture of a family, she realizes that the mother could be her twin. This leads her to begin investigating the case. When the danger she imagines becomes real, Lisa finally includes her boss, DA Scott Buchanan, who is her childhood crush, in the research into the case. What she doesn't realize is that what she finds may change the perception she has of her entire life.

Shattered is an engaging romantic suspense. The mystery takes many twists and turns as Lisa investigates, creating an entertaining plot, however, there are some disturbing aspects to the romance. At times, Scott, who is the love interest and Lisa's boss, doesn't treat her very well and he is the one who turns up most of the important clues even though she is the one who initiated the investigation. One element of the story that adds depth is Lisa taking care of her mother who has ALS. Overall, Shattered is an enjoyable suspense/mystery with a less than stellar romance. 3 1/2 stars ( )

The storyline here is actually not what I was expecting, considering I borrowed this book through the Audible Escape service. It's a pretty solid mystery, with just a touch of very compelling romance and rather likable characters. The ending is built up to well, with a nice twist element just subtle enough to not be fully predictable as the arc heads that way, while still being believable. ( )

Shattered
3.5 Stars

The premise has potential, but the execution is not up to Robards standards.

The pacing is off with the build up to both the mystery and the romance slow and often tedious. That said, the last 150 pages are intense and exciting and the resolution satisfactory.

The romance is a solid love/hate relationship. Scott and Lisa are both engaging characters, particularly Scott who has had to work twice as hard to achieve his success given his family life, and you cannot help but admire him. Lisa, on the other hand, comes across as somewhat spoiled and self-absorbed but she obviously cares for her mother and Scott, which makes her more likable as the story progresses. Scott and Lisa have excellent chemistry but also tend to bicker incessantly, which may rub some readers the wrong way.

The secondary characters are very superficially drawn, and as such the ultimate revelation of the villain comes out of nowhere and the explanation of events and motives is unrealistic.

All in all, not the worst but definitely not the best that Robards has written. ( )