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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Robert Dugoni's DAMAGE CONTROL.
Aimee from Colorado Springs, CO
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Joseph Finder, John Grisham, Vince Flynn and Dan Brown.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thought it was really good. Definitely a page turner. In the beginning, I felt like too much was happening to Dana, the main character, but the many items all blended into the plot. Although I understand breast cancer was one way for Dana to relate to her mother, I felt this particular story line was put to the side (and almost could have been excluded without affecting the plot at all).
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes!
Amy from Charleston, SC
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Linda Fairstein, Colin Dexter, Nevada Barr, Tony Hillerman, Robert B. Parker, Patricia Cornwell, Anne Perry and others.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
Thank you for the chance to be an Advance Reader for this book. I was unfamiliar with Robert Dugoni prior to this, but I will keep an eye out for other books by him in the future.
As for the book, it is a page turner, for sure. It is interesting to me that Dugoni chose to have his main character be female, and was able to convincingly get into her skin. Dana Hill goes from being at the top of her game as a successful attorney, to being diagnosed with cancer, finding out that her twin brother was horribly murdered, and then having to deal with a weak and whining husband (who, incidentally, is unfaithful to her). Any one of those things would devastate a life, but for the sake of her young daughter Molly --- and for her own sanity --- Dana chooses to try and unravel the mystery surrounding her brother's death. What unfolds is a tangled web of secrets --- of lost loves, and political power. The story is based in Washington State (and gives a beautiful glimpse of that city), though it could play out in the boardrooms and bedrooms of Washington DC too, I suppose. This was my maiden voyage with Dugoni, and I would certainly pick up another novel by him in the future. I was particularly impressed by the author's research on breast cancer.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes.
Brooke from Manchester, NH
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I read and very much enjoyed THE JURY MASTER.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have read a lot of authors, to name a few: Marshall Karp, Paul Levine, Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, Lee Child, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly and Tess Gerritsen.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thought that DAMAGE CONTROL was an easy and mostly entertaining read. I don't think that all of the characters' relationships were as well developed as they could've been. I also found some parts of the story to be a bit far fetched. I was disappointed with the ending, particularly [how] the main character, Dana Hill, could be so cavalier about separating from the mother of her twin brother's baby, after spending the [whole] story obsessively tracking down her brother's killer to the potential detriment of her health and her family's well being. I did not think that this story was as interesting and as "edge of your seat" intriguing as THE JURY MASTER.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I would try another book authored by Mr. Dugoni.
Bryant from Louisville, KY
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I have not previously read a book by Robert Dugoni.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Some of the other suspense/thriller authors I read are Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, and Robert Littell. (I 'read' most of my books in audio book format, and so the reader is also important to me. Anything read by Scott Brick is usually worth listening to.)
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thought DAMAGE CONTROL was an entertaining, fast-moving read. Some of it was perhaps a little too predictable, but I still found myself very much enjoying the story nonetheless. This book seems ripe to be made into an exciting movie.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
I would read a future book by Robert Dugoni. In fact, based on this experience, I am going to read THE JURY MASTER [next]. It is clear that Mr. Dugoni has talent and a knack for bringing a story together, and I believe his work will become even better over time.
Cathy from Newton Square, PA
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I've never read a book by Robert Dugoni.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Other suspense/thriller authors I read include; Robert B. Parker, Lisa Scottoline, John Grisham, Dick Francis, David Baldacci, Nancy Pickard, Sue Grafton, Marcia Muller, Catherine Coulter, Brad Meltzer, Patricia Cornwell, Mary Higgins Clark, Jack Higgins, Sara Paretsky, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, Perri O'Shaughnessy, J. D. Robb, Nora Roberts, P. D. James, Sidney Sheldon, Edna Buchanan, Scott Turow, Robert Ludlum, Tony Hillerman, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, Lawrence Block and Karin Slaughter.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thought DAMAGE CONTROL was terrific! It keeps moving and keeps you thinking. For example, Dana finds something under James's bed when she is going through his house, but the reader does not find out [what it is right away]. As you continue reading, you get caught up in the story and need to keep in mind that she found something.
One of my favorite parts is when Dana sits down and talks to her mother about her failing marriage and her cancer. In this age of e-mail, pagers and cell phones, people tend to forget just how precious the spoken word is. It is through this conversation that Dana realizes her mother's strength and courage. The qualities that Dana perceived as weaknesses in her mother, she now realizes are strengths.
There are some wonderful characters, and Dugoni does a nice job of developing them and giving then some depth. Welles is one of my favorites! His need to meet a person before creating a unique piece of jewelry for him or her is special. On page 310, Elizabeth recalls that Welles told her that diamonds reflect light in a prism of color, but that it is false light; true light comes from within. Elizabeth has had little or no light in the prison created for her by Robert. These words make me look at my own life as others did throughout the book. It was thought provoking and part of the reason I enjoyed this work.
I'm never sure what to expect when I read a new author, and I must say I really enjoyed DAMAGE CONTROL.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I'd look forward to future books by this author. I'll keep an eye out for his previous works as well. Thanks for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! I've never done that before and I really enjoyed it.
Connie from Tolono, IL
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Tami Hoag, Stuart Woods, John Grisham and Stephen King.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
It was an excellent suspense novel. The characters were well-developed and the story moved at a rapid pace. Dana Hill is going through several things at once in her life. She is diagnosed with breast cancer, her twin brother is killed, and her husband is having an affair. The story flowed very well and was suspenseful to the last page. I can't wait to read [Dugoni's] next book.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Absolutely.
Dorothy from Vienna, VA
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I have not read any other books by Robert Dugoni, but I certainly intend to get a copy of THE JURY MASTER.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
John Grisham, David Baldacci (although I did not like the Camel Club books), John Sandford, James Patterson ( I really enjoy his works), Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Jane Clark and Michael Connelly.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thought it was great. I really enjoyed it. I found quite a few typos, but since this was from the author's manuscript, I am sure they were corrected in the finished edition. I have not yet seen the finished edition.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I will read a future book.
Gail from Wayne, NJ
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
DAMAGE CONTROL is the first book written by Robert Dugoni that I have read.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have previously enjoyed authors Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, James Patterson and Stuart Woods.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I enjoyed DAMAGE CONTOL as it was an interesting and suspenseful story. I liked the main characters, attorney Dana Hill and Police Detective Mike Logan. There was enough mystery to keep me wondering, with a back story about Dana health issues and personal problems to make it a bit different than the usual attorney/police/murder mystery.
The story was very predictable. I knew who was responsible for the murder as soon as the character was introduced. I still enjoyed reading the book because I liked the main characters and wanted to see the how story evolved.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I would read another book written by the author, especially if it continued the stories of Dana Hill and Mike Logan.
Ivy from Great Neck, NY
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I read and immensely enjoyed THE JURY MASTER.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Many! Michael Connelly, John Connolly, Robert Crais, Robert B. Parker, Jeffery Deaver, Peter Robinson, Ruth Rendell and Jonathan Kellerman, etc.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I found it to be a very fast, engrossing read. The characters were believable, the plot plausible, and the outcome satisfying.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Absolutely!
Julie from Worcester, ME
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I have read THE JURY MASTER.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
John Sandford, Michael Connelly, Perri O'Shaughnessy, Linda Fairstein, Michele Martinez and many more!
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. I found [both the plot and the characters] to be quickly engaging. There were enough twists and turns to keep it moving.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Absolutely.
Larena from Scottsdale, AZ
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I have not previously read anything by Robert, but I will certainly be looking for other of his books.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
James Patterson, Tess Gerritsen, Wendy Corsi Staub and others.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I loved the book. It kept you guessing and I didn’t want to put it down. It had all the suspense that makes books excellent. It also made me want to read more of [Dugoni's] books. The ending was a surprise I didn’t see coming, and that is the kind of ending that I love. I also thought it was great that the locale was accurate. I know the area and recognized the places.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Definitely, this one made me hungry to read more.
Nancy from Onalaska, WI
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No, I haven’t.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Stephen White, Jonathan Kellerman, Richard North Patterson, James Patterson, and many others.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I really enjoyed it. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to put it down until I finished. The plot was believable, though the ending maybe a little too predictable --- but it was a good ending. I liked the major characters and that’s important for me to like a book.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes.
Lynne from Spokane, WA
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Robert Crais, Carl Hiaasen, Don Winslow, Elmore Leonard, P. J. Tracy, Duane Swierczynski, John Connolly, Michael Connelly, G. M. Ford, J. D. Robb, David Hewson, Greg Iles, Patrick A. Davis and Ted Bell.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
At first, it read like any other by-the-numbers thriller. Starting with a prologue that doesn't tie in to the action of the main narrative for more than 200 pages is irritating to this reader. Similarly, the heroine dealt with a great number of problems --- a high-pressure job, a cheating husband, breast cancer, her brother's murder, and then being the focus of a stone-cold killer who knew her every move. Every aspect of the story except her investigation and run from the killer was abandoned for pages and pages, making me wonder what had happened to that specific part of the story when I should have been so swept up in the action that it didn't matter.
However, it all worked well together at the end, even though I'm not fond of the crazed powerful man stereotype that was the villain or his machine-like henchman. The sympathetic characters and the lesser non-sympathetic ones (especially Dana's husband in his last scene) were more layered and interesting than the spoiled psychopath and his killer.
I did like the way the author seemed to anticipate most of my objections by answering them, such as the family of the detective's late wife owning the property on Cougar Mountain, so he could plausibly save up to build the house. Buying that property and building the house, even a lot of it on his own, seemed out of reach for a police detective. (Cougar Mountain still isn't all that close or convenient, either, but it made for a good setting for the showdown with the killer.) The Seattle setting was handled so that someone from the Northwest could recognize everything and give others a feel for the area without needing to Google maps.
Overall, I have a positive reaction to the book because of the relationships among the various characters. Going the next step to, for example, let Dana see her mother's strengths that she had considered weaknesses, made this an enjoyable read on a level I did not expect from a thriller.
This was a female-friendly novel, which is not always guaranteed with a female protagonist, because of its treatment of breast cancer and abuse issues. Also, it was a delightful change of pace to read about a female main character with a three-year-old daughter and not have an obligatory scene of child jeopardy (except for the day care photograph after the killer was dead). Great kudos to Mr. Dugoni for making that choice.
Nowadays, the female/child jeopardy/torture scenes are boring, increasingly graphic, and often seem to be put into books only because they are expected to be there. They don't have to be included if they don't really fit. Even the most gruesome scene with Dana's fingers was not difficult to read. (Yes, that sounds strange coming from someone who really, really likes Duane Swierczynski and John Connolly.)
The final scene with William Welles's sculpture left a good feeling that had just the right, light touch after the information about how everything else ended up.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes. It will be interesting to see how he further develops the relationships between the characters, which was done very well in this book.
Sue from Minden, NV
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Sandra Brown, Lisa Gardner, John Grisham Faye Kellerman, John Sandford, Stephen King, Perri O'Shaugnessy, Dan Brown and many more.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest) I would give the book a 3.
Valerie from Baileyville, IL
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
I have never read a book by Robert Dugoni before.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have only read one or two suspense/thrillers before, but don't remember the authors.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
Overall, I liked DAMAGE CONTROL. It was an easy book to read, and after I finished half, I had trouble putting it down. I thought I had the ending figured out but that was not what I thought.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
I would probably read another book by Robert Dugoni.
Michael from Kendall Park, NJ
Have you read previously read a book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I read THE JURY MASTER last year.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read John Grisham, Brian Haig, Nelson DeMille, David Morrell and Lee Child regularly.
What did you think of DAMAGE CONTROL?
I honestly thought that DAMAGE CONTROL was not as satisfactory as THE JURY MASTER. I felt that Mr. Dugoni was on surer footing with the legal material in that novel than he was with the political intrigue in this one. The use of a female protagonist worked well, however, as did the personal issues she had to deal with.
Would you ever read a future book by Robert Dugoni?
Yes, I would. I know that, as a writer myself, not every effort we put forth is going to be the best (especially if we are up against contractual deadlines).
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