Finished 1-7-11, rating 2.5/5, thriller, 466 pages, pub. 2007
“You’re lying,” Warren said, still clutching the gun beside his leg. “I have to say, that’s the last thing I expected from you.”
Laurel refused to acknowledge the gun’s existence, yet it filled her mind with terrifying power. Where had Warren gotten a pistol? He owned a rifle and a shotgun, but so far as she knew, there wasn’t a single handgun in the house. Yet he was holding on now. Should she acknowledge it? Was it riskier to pretend the gun wasn’t there? Would that reinforce the idea that she was lying? Warren was almost hiding it from her, though. For now, she decided, she would pretend she hadn’t seen it.
Chapter 5
Laurel had been having an affair for a year before she broke it off when Danny refused to leave his wife. Now, five weeks later, Laurel has just found out she is pregnant and she doesn’t know who the father is. She goes home early from work with a migraine and finds her husband waiting for her with a gun. So, begins a long day of killing, sacrificing, lying, hostages, and discovery.
I did not like Laurel. She had two kids and was having an affair with the father of her autistic student. She was angry that he hadn’t left his wife when he said he would and her pregnancy was just the icing on the cake. I did not like her husband, Warren, who was clearly off his rocker and I did not like Danny, although he was supposed to be a sympathetic figure. The fact that all three of these adults had such little regard for the kids made me angry. I think I was supposed to see all the shades of gray of each of these characters, but some of their actions were so black and white that it was hard to make excuses for them.
Even with all that being said, Iles does know how to write a gripping thriller, so I did finish it, but I really wasn’t all that caught up in all the drama. I’ve loved the other Iles books I’ve read but this one didn’t do it for me.
This book was from my personal library.
Stacy's Books 
I tend to really like Iles’ books, but it sounds like I should take a pass on this one.
I wonder, do the books build on each other or do they stand alone?
I want to try a GregI for an Challenge this year, it won’t be this one even though the drama sounds intriguing.
This one was not my favorite of his.
I’ve never read this author’s work and it sounds like I shouldn’t start with this one.
I was going to say the same thing Kathy said. I know there are people in this world who aren’t good, but I really don’t want them in my head for hours at a time. Sorry for your bad experience, Stacy.
I like Iles too but I’m glad to know there’s one I can skip – I have too much else to read!
I’m a big Iles fan and I agree that this wasn’t one of this best but he can still write a thriller that keeps you interested.
I agree that those characters do not sound likeable at all.
I really do not thin I will read this book. It sounds terrible when people don’t care about there Children when they do some things.
Good to know! One less book to read. Great review.
I do recall being less than impressed by this one (audio version).
Hope you and the new baby are doing well Stacey.
I’ve not read this author but I’ll steer clear of this one!
As soon as you said preggers and doesn’t know who the father is, she was on my do not like list. Good review regardless 🙂