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Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: No one does romantic suspense better than Jayne Ann Krentz. Now, the New York Times bestselling author of Trust No One and River Road delivers a novel that twists and turns into a read that will leave you breathless. Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters-until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves. They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same. Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel-a place she never wanted to see again-a dying man's last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered. Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain's new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants. Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth....… (more)
User reviews
The story opens with a disturbing scene that will haunt two young girls for the rest of their lives. Then the story fast forwards to the present, 18 years after that traumatic event. Madeline just lost her grandmother and has inherited her hotel business including Aurora Point Hotel, a place she would rather forget. An urgent phone call forces her to go back to that place and confront the ghosts of her past. Once there, Madeline is immediately plunged into danger urging her to seek the assistance of Jack, her security. It is quite evident from the start that Jack and Madeline are attracted to each other. As Madeline uncovers the truth behind the deaths of two people dear to her, she also faces her own demons while reconnecting with Daphne, her secret sister. Their search for the truth will take them to a dangerous journey where politics, family secrets, deception and greed turns deadly.
I like the pacing of the story, it’s written in such a way that will keep readers guessing until the end. I was able to guess who the mastermind is about halfway through the book, but other than that, the plot twists surprised me. I didn’t really warm up to Madeline’s “executive type” character, I liked Daphne’s character better as she seems warmer, more relatable. Jack and Abe are also likeable characters; Jack does come off as too serious but he also has a sense of humor. I like the tender moments between him and Madeline as it makes the latter’s character less cold and calculating. Their romance lacks build-up though. The story ended on a positive note, but we don’t find out what happens to Madeline and Daphne once their secret is out in the open. However, if you’re craving for mystery with a bit of suspense and romance, you might enjoy this book.
I give Secret Sisters 4 out of 5 stars. The book comes out on December 8.
Madeline calls in Jack Rayner from Rayner Risk Management for assistance (the security company she has under contract). It turns out that someone is trying to kill everyone involved in the incident eighteen years earlier. What was in the briefcase? Madeline and Daphne are the last two left alive. Jack, Abe (Jack’s brother who also works for Rayner Risk Management), Madeline, and Daphne set out to find everything they can on the attacker and what his briefcase might have contained. Will they be able to stay alive long enough to get answers?
Secret Sisters is a good mystery novel. It is intriguing (and suspenseful) and you will be kept guessing throughout the book. I just wish that the focus had stayed on the mystery. Unfortunately, romance seemed to dominate the book. The writing is good (as always with this author). I give Secret Sisters 3.75 out of 5 stars. If you are looking for a book with a lot of romance and a little bit of mystery, then Secret Sisters is the book for you!
I received a complimentary copy of Secret Sisters from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Maddie grows up into a successful young woman. She’s kept an investigation team, headed up by Jack Rayner, in her employment. She hasn’t seen Daphne in eighteen years since the incident at her grandmother’s B & B in the seaside town of Cooper Cove. But death coincidences are becoming a pattern – first her beloved grandmother; then Tom. Now it’s time to reveal the secret to Jack so he can do what he does best — keep her safe and find the murderer.
This whodunit was very much to my liking with some surprising twists. Character development was awesome and the story line and pacing were phenomenal. In my opinion, the author aced her skills in this fabulous read. Madeline was a character I both liked and disliked. I liked her strength and resourcefulness but didn’t always care for her no-nonsense dialogue and attitude. However, considering her traumatic childhood experience, I found her personality entirely believable. And yes, for those of you who like a little romance with your mystery, get ready to accept Jack Rayner as your next book boyfriend. Rating: 5 out of 5.
Madeline and Daphne are best friends and spend their days together while Daphne's mom
Madeline and Daphne haven't spoken since that fateful night and now, eighteen years later, the past has come back to confront them. When Madeline returns to Washington after her grandmother's death she comes upon the death of the hotel caretaker. Now she is wondering if these deaths are truly accidental and if they have anything to do with the attack on her many years ago. Madeline must find Daphne and along with her security expert, Jack, they need to get to the truth of what truly happened the night Madeline was attacked.
Krentz is extremely talented at building suspense throughout the story. Nothing goes smoothly for the characters and she builds in multiple surprises to keep you guessing. Each twist in the story will leave you suspecting one person over another. As Madeline and Jack investigate the loose ends, the reader will also try to see what clue they are missing. As more and more people are found dead and Madeline and Daphne confront dangerous situations, the novel begins to move quickly. Since I'm not a romance reader, I found the relationships rushed and unrealistic. But, Krentz's readers would be sure to remind me that an entire romance has to fit in just 300 some pages.
Fans of Krentz will find her latest book thrilling as well as passionate. The culmination of solving the crime will leave you shocked and wondering how you didn't figure it out in the beginning.
Side Notes:
Favorite Quote: "He kissed her with the soaring passion of a man who has just been set free from a cage. She understood his response because she had only recently escaped from an invisible prison herself. "
Cover: I like it, but don't see the connection to the story except for the fact that Madeline may be running away from something. Still, maybe a shot of the hotel on Cooper Island would have been better.
The novel opens with a scene from Madeline's childhood when she is attacked by one of the guests at her grandmother's hotel. Then we move to the present day when the caretaker at the abondoned hotel calls Madeline and says he must see her urgently. Returning to a place she had hoped to never see again, Madeline finds the caretaker murdered. While there is a romance, I found the mystery to be more prominent. In any event, I enjoyed Secret Sisters and would recommend it to anyone who reads her books.
First of all, I would like to thank the publisher and the LibraryThing early review program for the nice audiobook set of this novel.
It has been a very, very long time since I read a romantic suspense novel by this author, more
Madeline and Daphne were best friends as children, but after escaping from a harrowing situation, they drifted apart and lost all contact. Now, Madeline’s grandmother has died, leaving her in control of her hotel chain. Before she died, though, her grandmother hired a security firm for the hotel, and Madeline must honor the contract.
Enter Jack, the head of said security firm, a man starting all over from scratch and in dire need of keeping his first big job.
After laying down the law with Madeline about not using him for personal background checks, he feels bad when Madeline leaves town alone, to see tie up loose ends at an old abandoned hotel her grandmother still owns, and discovers the caretaker near death and Madeline nearly becomes a victim herself.
Once Jack arrives in Washington, he and Madeline quickly discerns that old Tom’s death relates back to the crime she and Daphne barely escaped, which means Daphne could be in danger too.
Once Daphne arrives at the hotel, she and Madeline rekindle their old friendship, and a few romances heat up for the ladies too. But, an old and powerful family in the area are not too happy to see Madeline return and are trying to convince her to leave, by any means necessary.
Was the death of Madeline’s grandmother due to foul play? Who killed Tom? And what secrets will Madeline and Jack discovers about a local politician and a potential cover-up? But, most of all, how does all this connect back to what happened to Madeline all those years ago?
Most people have heard me say romantic suspense is my ‘go to’ genre because it combines my two favorite genre’s – mystery and romance-into one book. I have watched romantic suspense evolve over time and while I always enjoy these stories, no matter which way they are told, I always long for the more traditional style, which is how this book is written.
With a veteran author at the helm and the writing style in place, I was ready for a real treat, especially since I made numerous attempts to get a copy of it, with no success, and the library waiting list has over hundred people waiting in line ahead of me. This book has to be good, I thought, or else why would everyone be requesting a copy?
I even accepted this audio version, which isn’t my first choice, just to get a chance to read this book.
So, under the circumstances, it’s possible my expectations were a little skewed. But, despite that possibility, I found this story lacking, in both the romance department and with the suspense elements.
The story is just too implausible, the dialogue was plain, had no humor, or emotion, and the connection between Daphne and Madeline that was supposed to be so strong, never rang true for me. The relationship between Jack and Madeline was rushed, although I did like Jack, and his backstory could have been interesting, but lacked enough details to really make a lot of sense.
The plot was somewhat murky and just didn’t flow well, jumping from one scenario to another and with entirely too many suspicious fires, with a paper thin, anticlimactic conclusion.
The truth is, I’ve read better RS novels by new authors who didn’t have the luxury of a big time publisher, and expensive editors to back them up. So, I was pretty disappointed with this one. As I stated earlier, this is the audio version and since I am not a regular audio listener, I’m not sure how to rate the narration, but compared to the other Audiobooks I’ve listened to, it wasn’t all that impressive, which is a real shame, since it’s obvious this is a very nice and probably expensive set of audio disc.
I feel bad giving this author such a low rating, and I see this book has been well received and enjoyed by everyone else for the most part, but it is what it is. 2 stars
Per usual, I can't remember why I put this book on my library list, but I probably read a review somewhere. I did not realize it was written by an author who has truly written hundreds of books under various pseudonyms and hence has probably a fairly formulaic approach to writing. The book is more enjoyable if you just sort of embrace that and give into the "cheesiness factor" -- otherwise, it's a little too much at times.
It's a decently plotted mystery - the romance portion seems rather lacking, though. The character development is really thin, and hence the characters' motives and actions all seem really overblown. A lot of their actions are extreme without any background to justify them. Madeline, Jack, Daphne, and Jack's brother, Abe, are interesting characters, but you just don't get enough about them to really know them, or know what's behind them - beyond grand sweeping gestures and ideas ("something bad happened, so she or he is beyond damaged FOREVER!"). The various characters presented as villains are even more caricatured - all the way down to a pyromaniac brother who is portrayed as one step away from the insane asylum at every second.
The plot keeps you guessing, somewhat, even if I figured it out pretty early on (it's so clearly thought to be someone, that you realize it can't possibly be that easy). It's kind of sad, because Jack and Maddie definitely had possibility, as did Daphne and Abe. I could see all four being follow-up/sequel characters if they had more definition and grit to them. This is a fairly quick read with a serviceable mystery plot, but mostly it leaves you wanting more (especially if you are looking for romance).
I've not read Jayne Ann Krentz before, so I won't compare this to any of her other novels. I would like to think this is not one of her better books, because I was not overly impressed with this one. Described as a romantic thriller, the storyline was average and the execution only mediocre as well. I found myself rolling my eyes on more than one occasion, reading cliche' after cliche' . The character of Madeline was annoying and I really didn't care for her much at all. The plot, especially the so-called romance, was predictable and not at all original. As far as audiobooks go, the reader, while not the worst I've read, was also not particularly the best. Even the title is misleading, as it really has no significant relevance to the story.
Perhaps this genre just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't really read romance, although I can appreciate a good underlying romantic storyline or some sexual tension in a book. But I do typically like a well-written thriller. But this one missed the mark on both counts. I doubt that I'll read anything else by this author, based on my impression with this one.
After a terrible night eighteen years ago, Madeline and her grandmother fled Cooper Island and left their hotel there to rot. Now her grandmother is dead and Madeline has inherited the chain of small boutique hotels. When the
Believable, healthy romances and gripping suspense make for a winning combination. Recommended.
Madeline was attacked when she was 12 years old in her grandmother's hotel and they dealt with it, now it's 18 years later and those events are going to echo. Her grandmother has just died suddenly and a visit to the old run-down hotel on Cooper Island makes her question that death when she finds the caretaker dying. Her friend and secret sister Daphne will also get drawn in and they will have to face the horrible things that happened to come out the other side.
It was interesting and I really wanted to know what would happen next.
I received a copy from Netgalley to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I enjoyed the mystery in this book, and though this is romantic suspense, the romance part didn't take over the story, which for me is a good thing! Along with Madeline, there is Jack, her company's security expert. There's strong chemistry between the two, though both have scars from the past that make starting a relationship difficult. While Madeline's felt real and understandable, Jack's felt a bit forced and took a long time to come to the surface.
SECRET SISTERS is a fast-paced, suspenseful book that takes readers down a dark and twisted path. The Gothic, creepy hotel setting was a perfect fit for this story. Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Krentz.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher thorough NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts with a glimpse of the dark night that changed everything. The night that lies were buried 6 feet under and bonds were built off secrets.
When the characters go back to the island where it all started they are confronted by a rich island family that are a bunch of crazies. Each one poses as something they aren't, but as Madeline and Jack dig deeper they find out what lies behind each golden face. The two brothers are against one another and the parents hate each other. They put on pretty political faces to get into the white house, but their secrets can only stay hidden for so long.
It was an intense wild ride reading about each character and how they fit together. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what in the heck was going on and who was behind it all. I could have guessed that someone was involved, but the others... I had no clue. It was horrifying at times and I loved when I had to look around my dark bedroom checking every corner to make sure the characters weren't jumping off the pages and into my dark space. The eerie feeling of reliving that night and running through the dank hotel were enough to pull me into the story and leave me staying up way past my bed time.
I really enjoyed the Secret Sisters and overall was impressed with the Author's writing. She was able to capture the essence of tragedy and intertwine thrilling suspense, edge of your seat mystery, and passionate romance. My mind was manipulated and while I did like the twists and turns, I couldn't help but crave a darker reveal. I secretly wanted someone closer to Madeline to be involved... Someone that would come in and rock our world with their involvement. With all that being said it was great book that I recommend to all readers.
In Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz, an eighteen year old secret appears to the impetus for the deaths of two people and a series of attempts on the lives of others connected to those long ago events. This incredibly fast-paced and riveting mystery is full of exciting plot twists that
Although Madelaine Chase has tried to forget the traumatic events of that long ago night, she is still haunted by the foiled attack. Unable to fully trust any man, she has been unable to sustain a lasting relationship despite her best efforts. While still mourning the unexpected loss of her beloved grandmother, Edith, Madelaine is forced to return to the Aurora Point Hotel after a chilling phone call from the abandoned property's eccentric caretaker, Tom Lomax. Before Tom can tell her why he needed to see her, he is brutally murdered and Madelaine calls in hotel security expert, Jack Rayner, to help her investigate his death.
Madelaine is a no-nonsense business executive who is mostly unflappable even under the most unpleasant circumstances. Already unnerved by her return to Cooper Island, she is truly frightened after she realizes Tom's death was no accident. Knowing she has to be completely honest with Jack, Madelaine reluctantly reveals the horrifying details of the attack and subsequent series of events that occurred eighteen years earlier. With only a handful of people knowing the truth about what happened, she and Jack are stunned to discover that someone has stolen important information that was concealed by her grandmother and Tom after the attack. When Madelaine and Jack learn her childhood friend Daphne Knight's condo has recently been ransacked, they are convinced the break in, Tom's murder and quite possibly, Edith's death, are somehow linked to what happened at the Aurora Point Hotel that horrible night eighteen years ago.
Jack is no better at relationships than Madelaine and he is nonplussed by his unwanted attraction to his employer. Putting aside his unprofessional feelings for her, he quickly focuses on the case. As a former consultant as an FBI profiler, Jack has an uncanny ability to predict with some degree of certainty what the attacker might do next, but narrowing down the suspect list is a little more difficult. An unpleasant confrontation with a member of a prominent local family steers the investigation in an unexpected, but completely viable, direction. With the assaults on them escalating, Jack calls in his tech savvy genius brother (and partner) Abe to help ferret out information about both the past and present cases. The information they unearth is shocking and it quickly becomes apparent that someone is willing to go to any lengths to ensure their long buried secrets remain hidden.
While investigative duties keep everyone fairly busy, the four lead characters find time for love. Jack and Madelaine's simmering sexual tension reaches a boiling point and they finally decide to stop fighting the inevitable. While neither has any expectation of a permanent relationship, they are pleasantly surprised to discover how in tune they are with each other. Madelaine is rather intuitive where Jack is concerned and she quickly discerns what he carefully conceals from his loved ones. Jack is incredibly patient and understanding about Madelaine's (understandable) idiosyncrasies which is helpful in removing the impediments that have derailed her previous relationships. Madelaine is more receptive to committing to a future with Jack than he is since he is very reluctant to reveal the secrets that haunt him.
Secret Sisters is an intriguing mystery with an engaging storyline and well-developed characters. The mystery element is brilliantly executed and Jayne Ann Krentz skillfully utilizes a series of misdirects and red herrings to obscure the perpetrator's identity and possible motives for the crime(s). Clever plot twists and jaw dropping revelations bring the novel to a spectacular conclusion.
A very perplexing and riveting mystery that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.