Quinn – Review

Book Review
Avatar of Fran LewisBy Fran Lewis
1

There are many ways people connect and form lasting relationships in their lives. Sometimes from that first encounter you can tell things will work out and other times not. When Eve Duncan met Jane McGuire she knew right away that this ten-year-old child who lived on the streets, was tough and streetwise would be the right fit for her and her world.

Eve Duncan, forensic sculptor able to recreate the face of anyone just from the skull and bring life and meaning to someone who has had an unfortunate death. Closure, bringing the person home something she has still not done with her own daughter, Bonnie that has haunted her mind, days and dreams for many years. But, all that is about to change and much more as Joe Quinn, a police detective, her live in lover, has been critically shot and this is where our novel begins. Quinn is the second of three in the trilogy by author Iris Johansen. Starting with the inner thoughts of John Gallo, a killer, a psychopath noted to want Joe dead, killing others and thinking he might have murdered his own daughter, Bonnie, the novel begins with John on the run. Next, we meet Jane who reenters the story as she and Catherine Ling discuss the events that led up to Joe being shot, what their link is and what to expect next even before she sees Eve.

Let’s go back in time to where it all began. Take the journey along with Joe and Eve to when Bonnie was taken, they finally met, how their relationship began and learn why they have such an unusual and strong bond. Find out why Bonnie comes to her in her visions and why she needs to bring her home.

As the author relates how Joe and Eve met you can tell from the start that there are two very distinct and strong personalities that have to mesh. This won’t be easy as they get off to a rocky start from the beginning. Eve meeting Joe and investigating him to make sure she can trust not only his judgment but also him as a person too. Eve wants to be part of the investigation into finding what happened to Bonnie but Joe’s personality comes through, he’s tough and it will take a lot for him to allow her to work through some of the cases of the other missing children to see if there are any similarities among them.

From the moment they met the chemistry between Eve and Joe was electric. Their encounters were tense and their understanding of each other created as time goes on. The author relates the story of how they met and what happened to Bonnie and who might have taken her. For those who have never read Faces of Deception the first Eve Duncan book, reading Eve and Quinn will definitely help you understand why she was so obsessed with finding her daughter, bringing her home and never leaving any stone unturned. Eve begins to work with Joe in order to help with the missing children’s investigations. Persistent, diligent and definitely strong-minded and not to be trifled with describes by Joe and Eve as they begin forming a relationship and understanding before the author brings you back to the present.

When Eve faces the man she thinks is the killer the closure she wanted to find Bonnie does not happen. When the warden alights from the prison telling her of his execution she feels a hole in heart that will never be repaired as she can no longer find her remains and bring her home. Who was this man who called himself Zeus who killed so many including one reporter that led her to him? What will be the final fate of everyone?

Can a spirit bring a person back and make them fight to live? As Joe begins to make the journey back to Eve he finds himself drawn by the words of Bonnie who helps him find the way. At the same time Catherine has found her path to Gallo’s cabin, the local sheriff and his team backing off on their investigation and she is now alone. Coming face to face with him proves interesting as two adversaries learn more about each other and what happens to bond them will surprise the reader and help you understand just how power Gallo really is, how convincing and the effect he has not only on Eve but on Catherine too. From his cabin to the tables in Las Vegas they race to find the answer to who killed Bonnie but instead are left with more questions. As Joe is released from the hospital and they all meet together at the cabin, the end result proves fatal for one man and an unknown assailant once again places them in danger.

As all four meet and one man’s life hangs in the balance what happens next will surprise the reader and let you know that the end has still many more chapters to come. As Catherine faces the killer, Gallo is in the background, Joe has his gun ready and her final fate about to be decided, author Iris Johansen throws huge curve ball, with a surprise ending and cliffhanger.

What does happen you won’t find out until October 18th when the third and final book in the trilogy comes out. You too will have to wait for BONNIE in more ways than one. What happens to Catherine to enlighten her to who Gallo really is? Why does she trust him when others tell her not too? What happened to cloud her vision? What will happen to Joe and Eve? Fast paced, jam packed with suspense and five well defined characters each with distinct personalities, their own way of thinking but with one mission in mind:
FIND WHO KILLED BONNIE! One question.
No definite answer. One outstanding novel.
Can’t wait for the third.
WHO KILLED BONNIE? IS THE KILLER STILL OUT THERE?

Continue Reading
Avatar of Fran Lewis
Fran Lewis

Born in the South Bronx, I grew up with people from many ethnic backgrounds. I learned to play and work with children in my school that came from other countries and different places.
I was always over weight as a child and got picked on a lot by the other children in my class and even my teachers. I found it hard to do many of the sporting activities that my sister and cousins could do. I learned at an early age that kids can be mean and I promised myself that I would never retaliate or do mean things to other kids in return.

When I decided to write my short stories I realized that I had a lot to say about my youth and in both of my books I tell about a ten year old girl named Bertha who learns to deal with real life issues kids face today at home and in school.

As an educator I the New York City Public Schools for over 36 years, I realized just how unique and precious our children are. I was the reading and writing staff developer in my school and the dean. I loved the children and had the respect of my fellow teachers and parents. Teaching children to read was really very rewarding and introducing them to writing and creating their own stories was exciting for the students. I love reading different kinds of books in many different genres. I have started reviewing books of new authors and those that are more established. I love giving them great reviews and saying wonderful things about their writing. I have three Masters Degrees and PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently I am a member of Who’s Who is America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge. In addition, she is the author of three children’s books and a fourth that has just been published on Alzheimer's Disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a Cure. The title of my new Alzheimer’s book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s story. My second Alzheimer’s Book is called Sharp As A Tack or Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain. This book should be out in June 2010. I was the musical director for shows in her school and ran the School’s newspaper. I write reviews for authors upon request and for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com and on ijustfinished.com under the name Gabina.

Other accomplishments:
Book reviewer
Radio show talk host: book discussion with Fran Lewis and authors all over the US and the world- how cool is that I get authors that even request a review.
Would love to become an interviewer.
Caregiver and expert on Medicaid and medicare Author of five books and writing number six
The sixth book is based on a true story but will be written as a fictional memoir.
Worked in the same school for 36 years as the reading and writing staff developer I was the dean of discipline and assisted the Principal and AP when needed I was the test coordinator for the school and instructed teachers in testing procedures –administrated the tests and oversaw the reading, math and other tests to make sure that everything ran smoothly.

I am an expert in the ELA or any test prep for reading and writing
I can take an author’s book and even if it is not five stars write a five star review for them by looking for the soul of the book and for something positive. I am a member of Who’s Who of America’s executives, teachers and professionals and belong the Cambridge’s Connect and Pen with Sword
I would like to take my three children’s book plus the fourth one and put them together in one book. I played the piano as a kid and the violin.
I was in the Bronx Borough Orchestra. I played the piano in Carnegie Hall –that was scary. I do consulting for some of the teachers in my school when they need help with lesson plans. I love writing for Robins Falls Magazine.

I love writing reviews in my own style. I even find time to help my nieces and nephews with their homework over the phone.
Email: riffyone@optonline.net

You might also like More from author
1 Comment
  1. Avatar of D. Winter
    D. Winter says

    Dear Fran,
    Somehow book reviews and author interviews generally do not receive many comments. One simply reads them and stores the information or not.
    I want you to know that I read ALL of your reviews and enjoy them thoroughly!
    Happy Days!
    Deborah

    Reply
Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept

Angie's Diary