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Book Reviews of False Pretenses

False Pretenses
False Pretenses
Author: Catherine Coulter
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780451199683
ISBN-10: 0451199685
Publication Date: 3/1/2000
Pages: 393
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 230

3.6 stars, based on 230 ratings
Publisher: Signet Book
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

49 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

blessed1 avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 127 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A white knuckle ride! Well written and played out. You'll be interested right to the last page. I highly recommend it!
reviewed False Pretenses on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Good suspense!

Meet Elizabeth Carleton a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is th eenvy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat
Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and she is accused of his murder.

Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a suprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty

The only thing is shes never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husbands family who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, she is expect to take over the financial empire her husband left behind.

Then three men suddenly appear in her life, Can she trust any of them ? Or is one of them a murderer?
katzpawz avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 281 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This seemed to be quickly written. It certainly was quickly read and the characters didn't have a "ring" of reality to them - but - it was a decent beach read.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 244 more book reviews
Set against the glittering Manhattan world of corporate finance and performing arts is a shifting population of heroes and villains, white knights and charlatans. Barely acquitted of her elderly husband's ice-pick murder, pianist Elizabeth Carleton struggles to rule his financial empire, developing unusual alliances while learning firsthand about hostile takeovers. Although confronted by vicious in-laws rivaling the Borgias in their skill for blackmail and betrayal, Elizabeth thrives surrounded by attentive and attractive men. A trusted bodyguard guides her through the intricacies of acquisition politics, an acquaintance made during a European junket becomes her confidant and she is later squired by a mysterious and wealthy psychiatrist who perjured himself to assure her acquittal. Elizabeth's trials pose as a romantic mystery thriller but the book suffers from stilted dialogue and equally awkward descriptions of violent confrontations and sexual couplings. Non sequiturs concerning affirmative action and safe sex merely accessorize the dated formula, reminiscent of a TV saga.
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Thanks to the testimony of a mysterious stranger, concert pianist Elizabeth Carleton is found not guilty of the ice pick murder of her elderly megamillionaire husband, Timothy. Subsequently, Elizabeth battles his greedy relatives while struggling to run Timothy's business ventures. Along the way she falls in love with a "real man." At tale's end, Elizabeth has a climactic confrontation with the mysterious stranger and, at the same time, solves her husband's murder. A hardcover first novel by the author of 18 romance paperbacks, this entertaining formula tale is best suited for larger collections of light or popular reading. Its appealing cover should also encourage browsing.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 8 more book reviews
Catherine Coulter's first comtemporary suspense novel
reviewed False Pretenses on + 98 more book reviews
FANTASTIC READ
englishrose7 avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 115 more book reviews
If you liked "Beyond Eden" you'll love this one as well! Another great Coulter story!
reviewed False Pretenses on + 22 more book reviews
New cover for an older story - updated.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 12 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is th eenvy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat
Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and she is accused of his murder.

Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a suprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty

The only thing is shes never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husbands family who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, she is expect to take over the financial empire her husband left behind.

Then three men suddenly appear in her life, Can she trust any of them ? Or is one of them a murderer?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 35 more book reviews
This was Catherine Coulter's first contemporary suspense novel. I figured out "who done it" fairly soon in the book but it was still enjoyable.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 41 more book reviews
A romantic mystery featuring a famous concert pianist who is married to a wealthy internation business tycoon. Her perfect life falls apart when her husband is killed and she is the prime suspect for his murder.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 37 more book reviews
Wow! An awesome read. I couldn't put it down!
reviewed False Pretenses on + 404 more book reviews
Great mystery. My sister and I enjoyed it. Recommend for others to read.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 211 more book reviews
I'm not sure how I missed this when it first came out in 88, but the new, updated version is great! As usual, an interesting twist and characters I can like. I liked the book - a lot!
Chesara avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 153 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is th eenvy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat
Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and she is accused of his murder.

Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a suprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty

The only thing is shes never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husbands family who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, she is expect to take over the financial empire her husband left behind.

Then three men suddenly appear in her life, Can she trust any of them ? Or is one of them a murderer?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 9 more book reviews
wonderful book have read it twice now
reviewed False Pretenses on + 87 more book reviews
Charged with the murder of her husband Elisabeth Carleton is given an alibi and the jury finds her not guilty. But, she has no idea who he is and knows that he lied. Why? What does he want?
Her husband family hates her and tries to get the business her husband headed away from her, but she has other ideas.
Three men come into her life. Can she trust them or is one of them her husbands killer?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 70 more book reviews
This book was good about a woman who is accused of her husband's murder.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 13 more book reviews
A famous concert pianist is accused of stabbing her wealthy internationa business tycoon husband to death with an ice pick.

Interest turn of events
reviewed False Pretenses on + 12 more book reviews
This is an older Catherine Coulter book, it is her first contemporary mystery.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 9 more book reviews
characters were real, plot twisting,usual enjoyable book by CC.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 25 more book reviews
I really love all her novels.This is another good read.
J Stephens
Keykyle:)
reviewed False Pretenses on + 68 more book reviews
Who killed Elizabeth Carleton's husband? and who is the stranger who testifies on her behalf, when she is charged with the murder? What does he want? Elizabeth has never seen him before in her life. How can she go from being a concert pianist to the head of a financial empire? Two other strangers appear in Elizabeth's life. Which of them can she trust?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 79 more book reviews
Set against the glittering Manhattan world of corporate finance and performing arts is a shifting population of heroes and villains, white knights and charlatans. Barely acquitted of her elderly husband's ice-pick murder, pianist Elizabeth Carleton struggles to rule his financial empire, developing unusual alliances while learning firsthand about hostile takeovers. Although confronted by vicious in-laws rivaling the Borgias in their skill for blackmail and betrayal, Elizabeth thrives surrounded by attentive and attractive men. A trusted bodyguard guides her through the intricacies of acquisition politics, an acquaintance made during a European junket becomes her confidant and she is later squired by a mysterious and wealthy psychiatrist who perjured himself to assure her acquittal.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 103 more book reviews
I don't think I've read a bad Coulter book yet. This one is full of twists and turns.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 80 more book reviews
Read how a famous concert pinaist is accused of killing her husband, But a witness comes forward and she's not guilty, or is she? I'm sure you'll enjoy Elizabeth's story
reviewed False Pretenses on + 94 more book reviews
Wonderful book full of twists and turns, a true page-turner!
reviewed False Pretenses on + 13 more book reviews
Coulters contemporary suspense novel is hit with me
reviewed False Pretenses on + 236 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton, a famous concert pianist, married to a wealthy business tycoon. Her life falls apart when her husband, Timothy, is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and Elizabeth is accused of his murder.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 7 more book reviews
The corners of the oover are a little turned up but other than that it is in bran new shape
stevielyn avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 147 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton, a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist, but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is the envy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat: Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and Elizabeth is accused of his murder.
Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a surprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty.
The only thing is: She's never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husband's family, who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, Elizabeth is expected to take over the finanical empire her husband left behind.
Then three men suddenly appear in her life. Can she trust any of them? Or is one of them a murderer?
I hope this story will have you turning each dark corner with Elizabeth to see who's there to do her in.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 228 more book reviews
Elizabeth Carleton, a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist, but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is the envy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat: Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and Elizabeth is accused of his murder.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 5 more book reviews
great read
nascargal avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 352 more book reviews
This is a really good page-turner. I was surprised by the ending, and really enjoyed this book.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 35 more book reviews
Thanks to the testimony of a mysterious stranger, concert pianist Elizabeth Carleton is found not guilty of the ice pick murder of her elderly megamillionaire husband, Timothy. Subsequently, Elizabeth battles his greedy relatives while struggling to run Timothy's business ventures. Along the way she falls in love with a "real man." At tale's end, Elizabeth has a climactic confrontation with the mysterious stranger and, at the same time, solves her husband's murder.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 3389 more book reviews
For a simple woman loving only to play music, life has dealt a very special hand to Elizabeth. First she is indicted for the murder of her millionaire husband, later she is the center of two man's lifes.
Catherine Coulter has done it again. The plot is very entertaining and she keeps the suspense going throughout the book. The characters are real and express their emotions well. Good thing she does not mix any sexual direction with the main plot. It is truly a book of suspense and fiction.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 380 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton, a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist, but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is the envy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat: Timothy Carleston is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and Elizabeth is accused of his murder. Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a surprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty. The only thing is: She's never met the man who tesified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husband's family who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, Elizabeth is expected to take over the financial empire her husband left behind. Then three men suddenly appear in her life. Can she trust any of them? Or is one of them a murderer?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 69 more book reviews
A concert pianist is accused of the murder of her wealthy husband. Good thing a witness comes forth and gives her an airtight alibi. Trouble is, she's never met him before in her life!
reviewed False Pretenses on + 19 more book reviews
good read
reviewed False Pretenses on + 3 more book reviews
Excellent book. Can't put it down once you start.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 84 more book reviews
Although Catherine COulter is an excellent writer, this book was just too slow and drawn out for me. If I hadn't wanted to see how it ended I may have just stopped before even reaching the half way point of the book.
Janine avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 252 more book reviews
great book
reviewed False Pretenses on + 475 more book reviews
Meet Elizabeth Carleton a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is th eenvy of all until her perfect life falls apart literally in a heartbeat
Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and she is accused of his murder.

Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a suprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty

The only thing is shes never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husbands family who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, she is expect to take over the financial empire her husband left behind.

Then three men suddenly appear in her life, Can she trust any of them ? Or is one of them a murderer?
reviewed False Pretenses on + 107 more book reviews
Great book. Very good story. Will purchase other Catherine Coulter books.
BookLady avatar reviewed False Pretenses on
Catherine Coulter books continue to interest me even though I am not a big fan of her writing style. Too much detail! But the stories are so intense and interesting that I just keep getting sucked in. Lots of info along the way and you have to pay attention, but it's a great mystery/romance and plain old good read.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 12 more book reviews
Catherine Coulter is a terrific writer. Can't put it down until done.
dterlec avatar reviewed False Pretenses on + 238 more book reviews
This was a great book.
reviewed False Pretenses on + 5 more book reviews
I DIDN'T CARE TO MUCH FOR THIS MYSETRY & ROMANCE BOOK.AND I AM A BIG CATHERINE COULTER FAN
reviewed False Pretenses on + 167 more book reviews
From inside front cover:

"Dear Reader,
False Pretenses was not only my first contemporary suspense novel, but was also my first hardcover published in October 1988. I'm happy to say that the novel didn't need any rewriting, just some updating.

Meet Elizabeth Carleton, a fascinating woman who is not only a famous concert pianist, but is also married to a wealthy international business tycoon, Timothy Carleton. She is the envy of all until her perfect life falls apart, literally in a heartbeat: Timothy Carleton is stabbed in the chest with an ice pick and Elizabeth is accused of his murder.

Things rapidly go from bad to worse until a surprise witness appears to give her an airtight alibi. The jury finds her not guilty.

The only thing is: She's never met the man who testified on her behalf. What does he want? There is also her late husband's family, who are out to destroy her. On top of everything else, Elizabeth is expected to take over the financial empire her husband left behind.

Then three men suddenly appear in her life. Can she trust any of them? Or is one of them a murderer?

I hope this story will have you turning each dark corner with Elizabeth to see who's there to do her in."