I read Unger's latest novel In the Blood, in January of this year, so when I found this one at the library, I grabbed it. Unger has several series that I may look into, but Die for You is one of her earlier stand-alones.
Isabelle Raine is an author and considers herself a close observer of human behavior, but she is stunned when her husband Marcus kisses her goodbye one morning and disappears--not only disappears, but leaves devastation in his wake. Is he a victim? Is he still alive? Or did the man Isabelle married ever exist?
I really liked the idea of this novel, but unfortunately, I didn't care much for the characters, the switches from past to present (I have nothing against switching from past to present and back again in general, but the technique didn't work for me in this novel), the switches in POV, or the plot that seemed a bit hollow at the core.
Overall, the book felt jumbled, lacked a truly sympathetic protagonist or secondary characters, and failed to overcome its complications.
Nevertheless, I really liked In the Blood, so I'm not giving up on this author. Has anyone else read Lisa Unger and have recommendations?
Library copy.
Mystery. 2009. 347 pages.
I really like Lisa Unger's books, but I like some better than others. This was not one of my favorites of hers either. She's a great writer, but I felt a disconnect to the main characters in this one. Thanks for a good review.
ReplyDeleteIn the Blood was so intense and so interesting, so I'm definitely going to try her again!
DeleteI think I've only read one book by her; I can't remember the title but I thought it was an OK read. I suppose this is just one of those hit or miss book for me.
ReplyDeleteShe's written a lot of books, so it is understandable to have some variation. I would "miss" this one, but "hit" In the Blood.
DeleteI liked Beautiful Lies but was disappointed by the sequel (Sliver of Truth) so haven't revisited her.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm a little leery, but she has a new book coming out in 2015, I think. Maybe I'll wait for it. I really hate being disappointed by a sequel.
Delete