|
Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Iris Johansen's COUNTDOWN.
Boneymoma@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
I have read all of Iris Johansen's books and have loved them all, including COUNTDOWN. She just has a way of holding your interest from the very first page.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
[Three] of my favorites are Nelson DeMille and Thomas Perry as well as Lisa Jackson.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
I will continue to eagerly await each new book.
briffle@comcast.net
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
Yes, I have read Iris Johansen's books before. In fact, I have collected and read all of the suspense collection.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Other favorite authors: JD Robb, Patricia Cornwell, Maggie Shayne, Carla Neggers, Laurell K. Hamilton, Janet Evanovich, Tess Gerritsen and John Saul, to name a few.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
I loved COUNTDOWN! It was a nonstop suspenseful ride from the first page. The family tie-in at the end took me by surprise.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Yes, I won't miss reading anything written by Iris Johansen.
FourPawsPetPortraits@msn.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
I have read all of her other books and found them to be a fun ride with strong characters and interesting plots.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read many other suspense/thriller writers such as Jeffery Deaver, Lee Child, Steve Berry, Francine Mathews, Stephen White, David Baldacci, Tess Gerritsen, Greg Rucka, Joseph Finder, Greg Iles, Dan Brown, Catherine Coulter, Kay Hooper, James Rollins and many others. I'm a lead bookseller in the fiction department of a Barnes & Noble and I try to keep up with as many fiction/mystery/thriller writers as I can so that I can make good suggestions to my customers.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
I just finished COUNTDOWN by Iris Johansen and enjoyed it immensely. In COUNTDOWN, I liked the development of Jane MacGuire into a smart and mature woman from the troubled runaway she was when she first appeared in Ms. Johansen's works. This book had a little more zip to it than BLIND ALLEY and I thought the plot to be more intriguing. The change of scenery to Scotland was also interesting, as was the laird, MacDuff. Ms. Johansen's women characters are always remarkable and even though strong male leads, like Trevor, are always present, the females do not rely on them to save the day, but rather take care of things themselves. COUNTDOWN does not disappoint. The plot has just enough twists and it's refreshing to see Jane finally become close to someone in an adventure that keeps you turning the pages.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Yes, I will read future works by Ms. Johansen.
GreeneJane@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
I've read most of Iris Johansen's books.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Obviously, I enjoy Iris Johansen's books. I also love books by James Patterson, Stuart Wood, David Baldacci, Karen Robards, Robin Cook, Mary Higgins Clark, Greg Iles, Jonathan Kellerman, Michael Crichton, Kay Hooper, Ridley Pearson, John Lescroart, Tess Gerritsen, Julie Garwood, Sidney Sheldon, Brad Meltzer, Lisa Scottoline, Patricia Cornwell, Steve Hamilton, William Bernhardt, Michael Martinez and Lisa Gardner, to name a few.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
I thoroughly enjoyed COUNTDOWN. It picked right up where BLIND ALLEY ended. My husband has Lou Gehrig's disease and I'm his sole caregiver. I couldn't wait for those moments when he was quiet and sleeping so I could get comfortable and just enjoy reading COUNTDOWN.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
I would definitely want to read future titles by Iris Johansen.
Loveajoy@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
Yes. I particularly enjoy the Eve Duncan-Joe Quinn series.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Iris Johansen, Barbara Parker, Greg Iles, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Gardner --- too many to list.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
Young Jane MacGuire all grown up! Excellent read. Several crooks and turns I didn't expect. Ms. Johansen never disappoints me.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Absolutely!
mistyneal@yahoo.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
No.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Dean Koontz and John Sandford.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
Awesome book!!
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Most definitely. I will definitely keep my eye out for future books by Iris Johansen!
snwt2@sbcglobal.net
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
Yes. I've read FIRESTORM, NO ONE TO TRUST, BODY OF LIES, FINAL TARGET, THE SEARCH, LONG AFTER MIDNIGHT, THE FACE OF DECEPTION, REAP THE WIND and THE WIND DANCER.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Lately I've been reading Julia Spencer-Fleming and Lisa Gardner. I recently checked out Greg Rucka and Nelson DeMille. Sometimes I read Catherine Coulter. In the past I've read Iris Johansen, Janet Evanovich, Minette Walters and Mary Willis Walker.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
It was very well-crafted with three-dimensional characters and the same high level of intrigue and suspense Iris Johansen is known for. The pace was great also --- it moved along quickly and didn't leave you any time to get bored as the scenes moved along. Also, I liked how she tied her previous characters in to the story and added elements of current day events/issues into the story. One thing Ms. Johansen does very well is characterization. The characters stay true to themselves even as they grow and develop and that always adds another element of interest to her work along with the exciting storyline. COUNTDOWN is just as good as the other novels in the series and is able to stand on its own whether you've read the others or not, though having the background helps. I think that's a hard thing to do for many authors and applaud her on her ability to maintain such high standards throughout all of her works. I'm very glad I had a chance to read this one.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Yes.
Ugrtch7@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
I received COUNTDOWN last Friday just as I finished BLIND ALLEY. Talk about timing! Which answers your first question regarding any previous books by Ms. Johansen.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Oh, but that would be a long list. In short: Koontz, Kellerman (Dr. and Mrs.), Cornwell, Abbott, Jeff; Burke, Jan; Coffey, Jan; Clement, Peter; Gerritsen, Tess; Preston, Douglas and Douglas Preston with Lincoln Child; Reichs, Kathy....to name a few.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
COUNTDOWN is quite well done. Impeccable characters, well thought out plot and plausible all the way down the line. I particularly enjoyed Ms. Johansen's nips at our current security situation. In regard to the character Jane, she is a believable character and Ms. Johansen's "aging" of the character made the eventual denouement with Trevor well handled.
As for Herculaneum, take a look at the last page of Archaeology May/June issue, 2005. Herculaneum's Hawks. Talk about coincidence or good research? Ms. Johansen is a solid writer.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
When is her next book out??
linda@srptech.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
I have never before read a book by Iris Johansen.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I have read books by James Patterson and Michael Crichton.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
COUNTDOWN was a fascinating book! An exciting read from cover to cover! Once I started reading, I had a hard time putting the book down. COUNTDOWN has a lot of action and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
I would definitely read another book by Iris Johansen.
lmword@aol.com
Have you previously read a book by Iris Johansen?
While I cannot claim to have read everything that Iris Johansen has written, I have read at least the last dozen of them and have particularly enjoyed the Eve Duncan series.
What suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Mystery/suspense/thriller books are my favorite genre so I have read too many authors to enumerate. Some of my favorites are: Mary Higgins Clark, Margaret Truman, Robin Cook, Michael Connelly, Diane Mott Davidson, John Grisham, Michael Palmer and Nora Roberts etc., etc., etc.
What did you think of COUNTDOWN?
COUNTDOWN kept me turning pages when I should have been getting some sleep in order to function well at work the next day. That is usually my criteria for judging the books I read. I liked COUNTDOWN much better than BLIND ALLEY but only because when I read BLIND ALLEY I was not ready for Jane to be "grown up" and found it hard to accept a 17-year-old in the role she was given. This was not a problem in COUNTDOWN.
Would you ever read a future title by Iris Johansen?
Of course I will read future titles by Iris Johansen. Once I find an author I enjoy, I try to read everything they write.
© Copyright 1996-2009, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
