I have decided March is going to be the month I catch up with my NetGalley account. I have far too many books waiting to be read on there and my waiting to read ratio is shockingly poor. So I’m going to make a dent in it. Due to ill health though, I can’t continually read on my kindle as it aggravates my headaches, so I will sometimes throw in a paperback just to break it up, but I do intend to make a good go of it.
April will be a month I catch up with friends (real and online) books I have been desperate to read.
So today, it is the first of a NetGalley bunch of reviews. With thanks to them, the author and the publisher for my copy.
Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner.
Genre: Crime Fiction
My name is Nicky Frank. Except, most likely, it isn’t.
Nicole Frank shouldn’t have been able to survive the car accident, much less crawl up the steep ravine. Not in the dark, not in the rain, not with her injuries. But one thought allows her to defy the odds and flag down help: Vero.
I’m looking for a little girl. I have to save her. Except, most likely, she doesn’t exist.
Sergeant Wyatt Foster is frustrated when even the search dogs can’t find any trace of the mysterious missing child. Until Nicky’s husband, Thomas, arrives with a host of shattering revelations: Nicole Frank suffers from a rare brain injury and the police shouldn’t trust anything she says.
My husband claims he’ll do anything to save me. Except, most likely, he can’t.
Who is Nicky Frank, and what happened the night her car sailed off the road? Was it a random accident or something more sinister given the woman’s lack of family and no close friends? The deeper Wyatt digs, the more concerned he becomes. Because it turns out, in the past few months, Nicky has suffered from more than one close accident. . . . In fact, it would appear someone very much wants her dead.
This is my life. Except, most likely, it’s not. Now watch me crash and burn.
My thoughts:
This is my first Lisa Gardner novel. I know, where have I been living? Under a stone!
But what a novel to be introduced to her with. It’s a fantastic start. I love the unreliable narrator that is Nicky Frank. Her portrayal is realistic in its belief and confusion, love and fear.
All this is balanced out by the chapters of the investigating detective Wyatt. I liked Wyatt. He was calm and thoughtful. Considered. Determined and dogged, yet open-minded. His partner (love interest partner not policing partner) has apparently been in other novels, but though she is in this novel, she isn’t a major player so I didn’t feel I was missing too much by starting with this one and this is from someone who is a stickler for starting series at the beginning. There is reference to something that happened to her in a previous novel, but because the story isn’t really revolving around her, it’s about the Franks and Wyatt then I could let it pass.
This is a great novel for those of you who like to try and guess what is happening or is going to happen as you go along, because Nicky does have a traumatic brain injury not to be trusted, there is room to play the guessing game along with Wyatt and Nicky herself, but there are still plenty of surprises in store.
Brilliantly researched without it looking like a researched book, brilliantly plotted and will have you turning the pages to find out the next twist in the maze of Nicky’s mind.
I’ll definitely be reading more of Lisa Gardner and I’d recommend this for any Gardner fans or anyone who has not yet read her!
chaptersinmylife says
Its ages since I read Any Lisa Gardner books, another for my to be read pile!
Rebecca Bradley says
I think it’s one you’ll enjoy. Let me know what you think if you read it!
readingwritingandriesling says
I really enjoyed this one too Rebecca – try reading – Alone by Lisa Gardner- I think that one is even better.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m trying to get down my TBR Carol! But ok, I’ll add it 🙂
readingwritingandriesling says
hehe..I am trying to do the same but not having much luck
Rebecca Bradley says
Too many books, not enough time!
Emma says
I really like Lisa Gardner but with so many books I get a bit confused as I haven’t read them in order. This sounds great though. Emma
Rebecca Bradley says
She does seem very prolific. I love reading books in series order and this didn’t feel difficult reading it out of order.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – I’ve been hearing so many good things about this one; I’m glad you enjoyed it too. The unreliable narrator really can be a useful tool for a suspenseful plot. I’m glad too that the plot is self-contained enough that one could start with this novel with no problems.
Rebecca Bradley says
It really is a great book and I’m glad I plucked it first from my list of many on my NetGalley shelf.
Kay says
I have kind of skipped around in reading Lisa Gardner’s books. Her characters kind of show up here and there in books. Series reads, sort of. Anyway, looking forward to this one. I suspect the previous book, which I did read and it was really good, was FEAR NOTHING. Eeek! Loved it.
Rebecca Bradley says
I got the impression from this book that characters kind of do just show up where they feel like it. But this is a great book. I really enjoyed it and will read more. Let me know what you think if you read it.
elsie elmore says
I’ve never read Lisa Gardner’s work but based on your review, how can I not add this to my TBR list? (And I like the fact that this one can be read out of order.) Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca Bradley says
I hope you enjoy it. And yes, I’m a real stickler for reading in order but I didn’t have an issue with this at all. And she’s definitely an author I’ll read again.
Gwen Tolios (@GwenTolios) says
I don’t normally read this genre, but it sounds really good!
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s a great read Gwen. Brilliantly written and confusing in a perfectly plotted way 🙂
Jacqui Murray says
Love Lisa Gardner. I’ve read so many of her books, but not this one. It’s so difficult to make an unreliable narrator work. You risk losing the confidence of the reader. Sounds like Lisa walked that line perfectly.
crimeworm says
Great review Rebecca – I have to try and guess what’s happening as we go along, it’s my raison d’etre when it comes to crime fiction! Lisa Gardner seems to have been about for ages. I have to admit I confuse her with Lisa Scottoline (although I don’t think she’s as good!) I’m with you on the NetGalley thing too! Same problem!
MarinaSofia says
I certainly have the problem with Netgalley too… Like you say, though, I can’t just read on the tablet, I like to alternate. I don’t think I’ve tried any Lisa Gardner yet. (And no, I refuse to be tempted…. at least for a little while).
Clare Chase says
I must admit, I’ve never read any Lisa Gardner either, but this sounds great. Thanks for the recommendation!