16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Skip It, April 22, 2005
I read this book very carefully because I thought it was a real mystery and I might need the clues in the early part of the book later. Actually, it did not make any difference as the book did not make any sense. I have three major problems with this book. 1. It happens too fast. The love story between Ian and Lacey develops too fast. The relationship between Susa, the mentor, and Lacey, the student, happens too quick. Even the remarriage or Rory and his ex-wife happens too fast. Why does this have to be a speed story? It only makes it silly. Adding a few more weeks to story would make it deeper and more interesting. 2. I knew who the mystery artist was from the beginning. No mystery there. And when it was finally revealed it made no sense. He did not seem crazy, or deranged, or obsessed. So why did he keep his identity secret for 40 years? 3. The ending was a real let down. Again, we had too many unnecessary characters who did not really add to the story during the book and were not brought back in at the end. What happened to Shayla, the partner? The business was totalled. What happened to the Pickfords when the property was finally divided? They were family. What happened to Angelique? She mad a merger in the works. Why did we need to spend time reading about these people if they were not going to make a difference in the story? And, most importantly, what happens to the mystery artist once he was finally unmasked?
Bottom line... skip it. Too long... too silly. And the sex isn't even that hot. I agree with the reviewer who thinks this may have been a short story that was (unsuccessfully) expanded into a novel simply by adding a few subplots instead of developing the main one.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the last one., August 1, 2003
I have been a fan of Elizabeth Lowell since the Donovan series, and followed the Rarities series which came after. I have read all of them so far and have to say that "Die in Plain Sight" was a much better read than its predecessor in the Rarities series, "Running Scared."
First off, the lead couple were much more enjoyable and the focus on the romance can be seen in this book. The mutual attraction between Ian and Lacey grows throughout the book, and Lacey was much more fleshed out, especially when her family dynamic is introduced, which is important to the storyline. Altogether, she was a likable heroine. The hero was likable also, yet their was less characterization for him as a whole. In reading many of Ms. Lowell's books, you see a pattern in almost all her heroes (intelligent, stubborn, alpha males with some kind of past working law enforcement or for the government.) Dont get me wrong, their is nothing wrong with that, but in order to make the character stick out, some vulnerabilities, some quirks need to be added that differentiates the hero from other characters. For me, Ian did not really stand out, he seems recycled somehow, a cut and paste type character.
I though the mystery was pretty good too, and although you are not too surprised to find who the "bad guy(s)" were, their are one or two interesting twists to the book and for me the lead up to the end (the path the protagonists have to take in order for the finale) was what I enjoyed more. However, I felt the ending was a little rushed and could have used at least one more chapter in order to clean up the loose ends, in order to get a better sense of closure.
The focus on Impressionist Art was well played out and again Ms. Lowell does her research. And the introduction of Susa Donovan, and old character from her other books, was a surprising and not to unwelcome one.
All in all, not a bad romantic suspense novel by Elizabeth Lowell, much better than the second Rarities book, "Running Scared." She incorporated both romance and suspense more evenly this time. But it simply lacked something, although the story and romance were not to bad. To truly read the author at her best in romantic suspense, I would recommend her Donovan series: Amber Beach, Jade Island, Pearl Cove and Midnight in Ruby Bayou.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
It didn't have to suck, October 5, 2004
The writing was okay. I've read worse stories. The characters were not great. That was probably my biggest problem with the story. None of the characters had even the slightest ring of truth to them. Ian Lapstrake was the phoniest male protagonist I've seen in quite some time. Completely unbelievable. Almost romance novel caliber. In fact, the entire book has the feel of a romance novel that has been repackaged for wider appeal. Unfortunately, it fell well short of that appeal.
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