Alone

Another page turning book by Lisa Gardner! This one keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next! One of my favorite, from one of my favorite authors!

Lisa Gardner's "Alone" is an unputdownable chilling thriller that I managed to read in one very long sitting - with several pit stops and a pizza. One of the most unusual twists in this novel is that the cop/hero gets indicted on criminal charges for doing his job. What's up with that?Bobby Dodge is a dedicated member of the Massachusetts elite Special Tactics and Operation Team (STOP) and one of the most professional and highly regarded snipers in this SWAT-like force. Although he has been with the team for fifteen years and is used to being on call 24/7, he has never fired his rifle at a human being before. This all changes, however, when he is called to the scene of a domestic disturbance at the home of Jimmy and Catherine Gagnon. Looking out the fourth story bedroom window of the brownstone directly across the street from the Gagnon's home, State Trooper Dodge sees Mr. Gagnon holding his wife and small son at gunpoint and must use all his training to make a split-second life and death decision.In what he truly believes is a "righteous shooting," Bobby Dodge pulls the trigger and fells James Gagnon, Jr. before the man can murder his wife. Dodge anticipates the obligatory paid administrative leave and the investigation that always follows such an incident, but he never expects to find himself in such seriously deep trouble, the kind that would destroy his life!Maryanne Gagnon, wife of Suffolk Superior Court Judge James Gagnon, and mother of the dead man, files a motion for a felony hearing with the clerk-magistrate almost immediately. Apparently anyone can seek a clerk-magistrate hearing for probable cause that - "(a) a crime has been committed, and, (b) that the defendant did it. If the clerk-magistrate finds in favor of probable cause, then the clerk-magistrate can issue criminal charges against the defendant even though it's a civil court," thereby bypassing the DA's office and pursuing their own criminal case with their own personal lawyer. The Gagnons accuse Dodge of murdering their son. And even though he is a state trooper, he is not protected under Massachusetts state law, as this is not a civil suit. Murder is a felony.The Gagnons also file to gain immediate custody of their sickly grandson, Nathan. They claim that Catherine is endangering the life of her boy, and had also instigated the murder of her husband by duping the sniper. And once stated, their suspicions and allegations become the readers'.In her adolescence, which was far from normal, Catherine Gagnon was known as the "Thanksgiving Miracle." She was abducted by a pedophile when she was just twelve years-old, brutally abused and held prisoner for twenty-eight days. She was rescued right before the Thanksgiving holidays. Although irreparably damaged psychologically, she has tried to live as normal a life as possible. When she married Jimmy Gagon, the son of the wealthy and very powerful Boston judge, she thought she would never have to be afraid again. Not!At about this point in the plot Catherine's pedophile rapist gets out of jail, unexpectedly, to say the least. This event livens things up enough to provide a three-ring horror show.I was really intrigued by the enigmatic character of Cat Gagnon. She learned to become a champion manipulator as a preteen in order to survive. Now, as an adult, she is aware of her behavior, of her own psychology, and still does what she has to do in order to remain alive.Although Ms. Gardner's prose is overly florid at times, and her plot has a few too many convolutions, it makes for a terrific fast, fun, thrills and chills read.JANA

I stumbled onto this author by accident.I had never heard of her.I was searching for books for my brand new Kindle, James Patterson has always been my favorite authour but I had read all of his books and they were twice as much as Lisa Gardner's but at the bottom this book was recommended. So I read the reviews which mean alot to me and they were all great so I took a chance. I am so glad I took the chance she is aa great author! Her writing is so vivid that I imagined myself in every scene. This is a great book that understands the sacrifice that each of us are willing to make for our kids. It tugs at the heart strings but it so relatable.This is a great book for everyone in all walks of life. It ask you the question HOW FAR WILL YOU GO FOR THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE? The answer from the main charcter Catherine is a pleasent surprise! A must read. This made me read all of the autor's books which were all excently written! Don't be surprised to see my reviews for each of her books. If you are tired of paying high cable or satillite bills,or even if you thought you could never afford either of these....the answer is here!Customers enjoy several features including:NO HARDWARENO MONTHLY FEESOVER 3,500 CHANNELSAND 24/7 UNLIMITED ACCESS!We are a one income family and I was searching the web one day and came across this site,I signed up and recived the equipment. That was 2 years ago and trust me I dont miss my outrages Dish tv bill!The one time fee I paid for the eqipment was less than half of what I was "throwing out of the window",monthly with dish!![...]

This book will hold your attention to the very end is full of twists in terms that you won’t see coming. It was a great book.

Alone, by Lisa Gardner, (published by Bantam Books, 2005, 480 pages) e-book edition - an interesting plot with many twists that keep the reader constantly at bay as to who is guilty of what. The story begins with a SWAT sniper taking out a suspect at the moment he appears ready to shoot his wife. It appears that there are many ramifications to the action that was taking place in the high-rise condo and these tend to provide a muddied scenario that entangles the officer in a web of deceit, lies, half-truths and accusations and cross accusations that threaten his very existence as a free man. The situation is complecated by the fact that the officer is carrying a heavy psychological load from occurrences in his youth, which incidentally, place him in the same position as most of the rest of the main characters who similarly have their personal loads.A number of facts in the plot are inexplicable, or at least questionable. Particularly notable are the subsequent discovery of a second gun in a room that had been cleared of evidence by a police team, some inconsistencies with regard to the officer's ability with a handgun (although superb with a rifle) and the far-reaching influence of a retired judge and his manipulations. With the news media and reporters' desire to discover and present facts about most public figures, the actions of the judge that had extended over a considerable number of years seem to be a little incredible as are his actions in the present situation. However, the plot moves relentlessly forward at a pace that, for the usual reader, fairly adequately seems to gloss over these discrepancies so that Alone provides an interesting tale to while away a few hours.

So spannend!!!

Totally gripping plot! Could not put the book down! Shall look forward to reading more by this author!

Une histoire policière qui nous tient jusqu'au bout. Une fin un peu rapide mais pas non plus expédiée. Une série qui commence bien !

This is the start of a spectacular series by Lisa Gardner. I actually got to know our Detective Warren by reading one of the later books then made my way back to the first now that I was deeply involved in the series. This, the first book, is spectacular and lets you get to know both D.D. Warren and Bobby Dodge. Warren works many times, with Dodge and both characters are deep and complex, they both grow and change throughout this series. Did I say I LOVE this series? YES, if you love a good mystery/thriller and thrive when reading about strong female characters then don't miss this one. You get to know Bobby Dodge the most in this book but Warren is in there, actually she's the deceptive investigating Dodge! Seriously, you'll love this book, so well worth the late nights wondering just what the HELL is going on. Also, this books is really necessary for several books to come, it is the backstory that allows future books to bloom. You're so lucky to be beginning this series, I'm a little jealous that you haven't read it and get to immerse yourself for the first time in such great characters. Enjoy.

Non era facile tirarle fuori una bella storia, dalle premesse. Sembrava, più un polpettone a tratti anche melenso, ma più che altro un poliziesco di seconda categoria americano, una gonfiatura di una sceneggiatura di un da guardare quando non si ha di meglio da fare. Invece il romanzo si sblocca (presto, per fortuna) e da una storia che sembrava banale se ne esce soddisfatti. Per questo ho dato cinque stelle. Ardito si dimostra anche lo sforzo introspettivo dei personaggi. Brava la scrittrice (P.S. Ho letto un altro romanzo subito dopo e non mi ha deluso per niente, è anzi forse più anche emozionante - Live to tell)