Touch & Go

Author: Lisa Gardner
Type: e-book Advanced Reading Copy (ARC)
Genre: Suspense/Mystery
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Dutton Adult
First Published: February 5, 2013
First Line: "Here is something I learned when I was eleven-years old: Pain has a flavour."

Note: My sincere thanks to Dutton Adult and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of Touch & Go in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publisher's Description: 
Justin and Libby Denbe have the kind of life that looks good in the pages of a glossy magazine. A beautiful fifteen-year old daughter, Ashlyn. A gorgeous brownstone on a tree-lined street in Boston’s elite Back Bay neighborhood. A great marriage, admired by friends and family. A perfect life.

When investigator Tessa Leoni arrives at the crime scene in the Denbes’ home, she finds scuff marks on the floor and Taser confetti in the foyer. The family appears to have been abducted, with only a pile of their most personal possessions remaining behind. No witnesses, no ransom demands, no motive. Just an entire family, vanished without a trace.

Tessa knows better than anyone that even the most perfect façades can hide the darkest secrets. Now she must race against the clock to uncover the Denbes’ innermost dealings, a complex tangle of friendships and betrayal, big business and small sacrifices. Who would want to kidnap such a perfect little family? And how far would such a person be willing to go?
My Thoughts: Lisa Gardner has always been one of my 'go-to' suspense authors because the woman knows how to write and deliver a good suspense book full of non-stop energy.  When I saw this book on NetGalley's site I knew that I had to request the chance to review it.  Once again, Ms Gardner doesn't disappoint.

Reviewing a Lisa Gardner book is difficult if I don't want to give away any plot so I'm going to give you an overall impression of the book.  First off, I loved Tessa Leone as a main character.  As I was reading I got the impression that she had more of a back story than I was initially given.  After a little digging I learned that she has been a character in one of Ms Gardner's previous books ("Love You More").  Not knowing her full story didn't detract from reading this book. I was given just enough information to understand her background without ruining the plot of Love You More (which I've put on my 'to read' list). 

Tessa had help figuring out her latest case in the form of Wyatt, a small town New Hampshire sheriff.  Wyatt is the down to earth kind of law enforcement and I liked how Tessa and he interacted with each other.

The Denbe family was a complicated bunch.  On the surface they were the perfect family but as the story and their captivity continues the family's flaws and weaknesses begin to show.  There are no one-dimensional characters here even if they are a bit clichéd.

And how did I feel about the 'bad guys'?  Oh, they were wonderfully cold-hearted and evil.  They were professionals and had only one goal in mind.  This really changed how the victims (and law enforcement) could deal with them.  There was no sucking up to their captors.  They were there to get the job done.  Period.

The only issue that I had with this book was that, at times, it was hard to determine which character was speaking when I began a new chapter.  It didn't take me long to figure it out but for a few chapters it felt like I was scrambling to figure out who was speaking.

Overall, this is a great read with edge of your seat moments within a really good psychological thriller wrapped up in a whole lot of family issues.  Recommended.

My Rating: 4/5 stars