Don't Say A Word (Signet Novel) [Paperback]

Barbara Freethy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Novel | Publication Date: October 4, 2005

While preparing for her wedding, Julia DeMarco comes across a famous photograph of a little girl in front of a Russian orphanage-and sees her own eyes staring back at her. But Julia is not an orphan, nor was she adopted. She knows where she comes from-or does she? Suddenly, the people she has loved and trusted are tainted by suspicion. The one person who is willing to help her is reckless photographer Alex Manning, who will journey with her toward the dangerous truth-while trying to hide a secret of his own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Poignant, romantic, and suspenseful, it's the perfect read. (Susan Wiggs) Powerful and moving...Sheer hold-your-breath suspense. (Karen Robards)

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Signet (October 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451216768
• ISBN-13: 978-0451216762
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful romantic suspense, April 22, 2006

By 

bbvector, LORE Reading Group (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Say A Word (Signet Novel) (Paperback)

Radio disc jockey Julia DeMarco's fiance, Michael, is pressuring her to set a wedding date. Julia's mom died six months ago, her younger sister, Liz, moved in with her and her step-dad is drinking. None of them seem to be coping very well and Julia's reluctance to commit is understandable.

But when Julia sees a famous photo taken 25 years ago of a Soviet orphan girl, she thinks *she* might be that girl, which means her concept of who she is will be altered.

Julia begins investigating by finding Alex Manning, the son of the photographer. The photographer died 25 years ago. As a free lancer, Alex has followed in his father's footsteps. Julia and Alex work together to solve the mystery.

Interesting premise and good plot with some surprising twists. Julia and Alex are smart and mature. Liz was a spoiled brat and Michael was a pushy, controlling jerk - not likeable characters. If there's to be a sequel about them, I'm not interested. Ignore them and this story will hold your attention.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars From Russia with Love..., August 7, 2006

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Say A Word (Signet Novel) (Paperback)

Julia DeMarco takes a break from wedding plans to peruse a famous photo exhibit and hones in on a photo of a toddler in a Russian Orphanage who bears a striking resemblance to her. When she contacts photojournalist Alex Manning, the son of the attributed photographer, she is taken on an odyssey that will forever change her life. With no recollection of her life prior to her deceased mother marrying her stepfather Gino, Julia wants to resolve the 25 year old mystery before she and Michael can walk down the aisle. Michael wonders if this is not Julia's way of postponing their engagement.

At first supportive of her search, Michael soon is jealous of Alex's presence in Julia's life and wants her to abandon the search - a search that might tear her family apart as she travels across the country to find answers to questions no one wants answered, and some have died to keep hidden. She and Alex get involved with some shady characters along the way and learn a lot more about both their tortured pasts than they could have imagined, as well as a growing desire for each other. But can a traveling man like Alex relinquish his heart and settle down?

Freethy has penned another interesting romantic suspense. Alex and Julia make an intriguing duo; other characters have such limited page time that they end up one pretty dimensional, particularly Michael and Gino. Her younger sister Liz is just annoying. These shortcomings detract from the story a little, but the intriguing plot still makes for a compelling story.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Story!, October 9, 2005

By 

Jayne Luvs Books (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Say A Word (Signet Novel) (Paperback)

Don't Say A Word is one of the best books I've read all year. It had just the right amount of romance and suspense. Sometimes in romantic suspense, I feel like the mystery takes over, but there was a nice balance in this book. I loved Julia and Alex. They were a great couple with lots of chemistry. The mystery kept me guessing and kept me turning the pages. Once I got started reading I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend it!