Helpful Score: 3
This book had me checking the end of the book because I couldn't couldn't figure it out and I wanted to know so bad "Who done it.".
Helpful Score: 2
I do not usually review books, but this was a GREAT book! Good story line, characters and nice twist at the end - could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
Not so bad it's unreadable, but has WAY too many flaws leaving me wondering A) how stupid does he think his readers are 2) how did he miss them 3) why is he paying his editor.
Many are plot driven preventing me from mentioning w/o issuing a spoiler alert. I have no problem with a little scientific/procedural license but this was pathetic. I wish I knew someone who has read it recently just so I could vent on the list of issues.
Other errors were more mundane - it's 9am in one paragragh when the judge calls gavels the court into session. Four (or so) paragraphs later - after waiting sometime time for a character to show-up in court it somehow became 8:15???? If there weren't so many plot problems I may not have notiiced (or cared), unfortunately there are. But if you noticed I switched from alpha to numeric listing in the 1st paragraph of this review - the book will drive you up the wall.
Many are plot driven preventing me from mentioning w/o issuing a spoiler alert. I have no problem with a little scientific/procedural license but this was pathetic. I wish I knew someone who has read it recently just so I could vent on the list of issues.
Other errors were more mundane - it's 9am in one paragragh when the judge calls gavels the court into session. Four (or so) paragraphs later - after waiting sometime time for a character to show-up in court it somehow became 8:15???? If there weren't so many plot problems I may not have notiiced (or cared), unfortunately there are. But if you noticed I switched from alpha to numeric listing in the 1st paragraph of this review - the book will drive you up the wall.
THE SHOCKING CRIME:
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail.
THE EXPLOSIVE TRIAL:
Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myriad of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to. Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail.
THE EXPLOSIVE TRIAL:
Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myriad of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to. Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
Patricia H. (beachcomber) reviewed The Disappearance (Luke Garrison, Bk 1) on + 320 more book reviews
A real page turner. If you like mysteries and legal thrillers this is the book for you. Well written by an attorney. Lots of twists and turns. Warning: very long chapters.
Tara T. (tarataylor) - , reviewed The Disappearance (Luke Garrison, Bk 1) on + 107 more book reviews
This book was just okay for me. It wasn't wonderful but it wasn't horrible either. I found the first 150 pages to be incredibly slow, but if you can make it past that you'll be fine as the pace does eventually pick up.
Sandra (mycatscanread) -
Any book that begins with a first sentence like this one does has me hooked for the next 486 pages. "The moon, two days past full, hangs low and forbiddingly cold, diamond hard in the late winter dead-of-night sky." This sets the stage for a shocking story of a 14-year-old girl from a very affluent family who goes missing from her California home in the middle of the night during a sleepover with two of her teenage friends. The parents, Glenna and Doug Lancaster, are distraught over the disappearance of Emma,their only child. Eight days later Emma's body is found.
An arrest is finally made for the kidnapping and murder of Emma Lancaster, and a lawyer who had left his California practice several years ago is convinced to come back and defend Joe Allison, the media celebrity, who is accused of the crime. Luke Garrison is back in the courtroom and up against some very tough odds to beat.
The majority of the book is taken up with Luke's research and interviews before the trial and then the explosive trial. There isn't a dull moment as one surprising find after another comes to light. There are so many twists and turns along the way that as soon as I thought I'd solved the case something else would pop up in the evidence and I was wrong again. But the end does come and with it a twist that I never saw coming.
The Disappearance is a very well and tightly written legal thriller that has very well-developed characters that I cared about. I wasn't anxious for the book to end simply because I didn't want to leave the suspense of that courtroom and the characters themselves. (from my Amazon review)
An arrest is finally made for the kidnapping and murder of Emma Lancaster, and a lawyer who had left his California practice several years ago is convinced to come back and defend Joe Allison, the media celebrity, who is accused of the crime. Luke Garrison is back in the courtroom and up against some very tough odds to beat.
The majority of the book is taken up with Luke's research and interviews before the trial and then the explosive trial. There isn't a dull moment as one surprising find after another comes to light. There are so many twists and turns along the way that as soon as I thought I'd solved the case something else would pop up in the evidence and I was wrong again. But the end does come and with it a twist that I never saw coming.
The Disappearance is a very well and tightly written legal thriller that has very well-developed characters that I cared about. I wasn't anxious for the book to end simply because I didn't want to leave the suspense of that courtroom and the characters themselves. (from my Amazon review)
detective book, and a good one, I loved this book
Very gripping murder investigation. Hard to put down.
powerful- gripping- surprizing. A highly disturbing reality. A page burner....
Another great read from Freedman... intriguing!
Julianna & Vanessa T. (torotech) - , reviewed The Disappearance (Luke Garrison, Bk 1) on + 124 more book reviews
If you love Grisham's books you will love this author too. It reads like a movie and really grips you till the very end. You can't put it down. I don't even really like trial novels or very lawyer heavy books but this one rocks man! Really an excellent read.
"Completely engrossing... you don't want to put this book down for a second." Detroit News and Free Press
I have read this book twice. It is very good. Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail. Who killed her. You won't know until the very end. Excellent ending!
The Shocking Crime - Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail. The Explosive Trial - Incirminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also lead defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myriad of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to. Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
(This book is a little worn, but still in pretty good shape). This was a pretty good book. It grabbed my attention pretty fast and kept it...
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail.
Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myraid of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to...Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail.
Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myraid of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to...Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
William B. (LoneReader) -
I enjoyed this book very much. I believe this is the first time I have read this author, for sure it will not be the last.
from the cover:
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail. Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myriad of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to. Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
Emma Lancaster, the privileged fourteen-year-old daughter of a Montecito media tycoon vanishes from her bedroom in the dead of night. Eight days later, her battered body is discovered along an isolated hiking trail. Incriminating evidence has led to the arrest of a close family friend. It has also led defense attorney Luke Garrison to suspect something far more disturbing than an open-and-shut case of abduction and murder. As a myriad of secrets and lies unfold, as the fine line between guilt and innocence, and good and evil, is erased, a suspected killer is getting closer to his freedom. And Emma's parents are beginning to fear the worst. They have every reason to. Garrison is getting closer to the truth.
