By Lisa Gardner
In Texas, a serial killer is executed, taking to his grave the identity of his only child. In Boston, a nine-year-old girl is abandoned in a hospital, then adopted by a wealthy young couple. Twenty years later, even though she has no memory of her life before her adoption, Melanie Stokes still considers herself lucky. . .until someone wants to give it back. Even if it includes the darkest nightmare the Stokes family ever faced: the murder of their first daughter in Texas. As Melanie searches every lead, chases every shadow in the search for her real identity, two seemingly unrelated events from two decades ago come together in a dangerous explosion of truth. And with her very life at stake, Melanie will fear that the family she loves the most may be the people she should trust the least.
Official Summary
The Other Daughter is a thriller like no other. This tale about family bonds, bloodlines and doubts about parentage has Melanie Stokes facing the possibility that she is not who she believed she was. Forcing her to take a good look at her life, present and past to uncover her true self.
If you have been following my blog then by now you will know that I am a Lisa Gardner fan and that 2020 had me consumed by no less than fourteen of her books. (I am working my way through all her books as fast as I can get my hands on them). I have fallen in love with a few of her characters and her writing style simply keeps me coming back for more.
Melanie Stokes has always known that she was adopted. She has lived her life in the shadow of her family’s real daughter. The perfect daughter who was murdered. When a serial killer is executed without revealing the identity of his only daughter, and a reported stumble into Melanie’s life, hinting that she might be the killer’s mysterious daughter, Melanie’s life is turned upside down. The Other Daughter takes you on a journey into Melanie’s life as she tries to get to the truth of her parentage. Uncovering her adoptive parents’ questionable behaviour, she is faced with even more questions than answers.
This book had my head spinning all the way through. It is fast-paced, gripping and holds a plot that will have your jaw-dropping. I did not expect the final twist. The characters are well balanced, realistic, and likeable. As you join Melanie in her search for the truth you are completely submerged in her world. This is the kind of book that makes tuning out your surrounding amazingly easy.
Lisa Gardner does not disappoint with this standalone novel. This is a book you will not want to put down and when you do finish it, you will be sad to let it go. A truly gripping read. If you are new to Lisa Gardner books, or a regular reader, this book will have you hooked! I cannot recommend this highly enough!
Author: Lisa Gardner – ISBN: 9780553576795- Publisher: Orion Books Ltd- Pages: 404- Source: Private Copy
Coming January 2021
BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED
Recovering alcoholic Frankie Elkin spends her life doing what no one else will–searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. A new case brings her to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenager who vanished from her high school months earlier. Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim’s wary family tells Frankie she’s on her own–and she soon learns she’s asking questions someone doesn’t want answered. But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing could be her.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author bio from author’s website
Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, began her career in foodservice, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s also had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide) and has made personal appearances on TruTV and CNN.
Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, The Neighbor, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, while also receiving the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. She was also recognized with the Daphne du Maurier Award in 2000 for The Other Daughter. Finally, Lisa received the Silver Bullet Award from the International Thriller Writers in 2017 for her work on behalf of at-risk children and the Humane Society.
For a bit of fun, Lisa invites her readers to enter the annual “Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy” Sweepstakes at LisaGardner.com. Every year, one Lucky Stiff is selected to meet a grand end in Lisa’s latest novel. Past winners have nominated spouses, best friends and even themselves.
Lisa lives in New Hampshire where she spends her time with an assortment of canine companions. When not writing, she loves to hike, garden, snowshoe and play cribbage.
I pick this book up in a second-hand book store, it is an old copy – I was surprised to discover that the ISBN was not printed inside, we are spoilt lately with information always at our fingertips.
As always, thank you for sharing in my ramblings. Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it? What is your favourite Lisa Gardner book? I look forward to your comments below. Until next time, Happy Reading!
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