False Pretenses (Contemporary Romantic Thriller) [Paperback]

Catherine Coulter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Contemporary Romantic Thriller | Publication Date: September 7, 2004

COULTER ’S first contemporary suspense novel

First published in 1988, False Pretenses is the explosive story of how one woman survives the destruction of her perfect life—and the intentions of three mysterious men.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Neither Lincoln Center nor Wall Street comes across with credibility in this first hardcover novel by the author of 18 Regency and historical romances. Set against the glittering Manhattan world of corporate finance and performing arts is a shifting population of heroes and villains, white knights and charlatans. Barely acquitted of her elderly husband's ice-pick murder, pianist Elizabeth Carleton struggles to rule his financial empire, developing unusual alliances while learning firsthand about hostile takeovers. Although confronted by vicious in-laws rivaling the Borgias in their skill for blackmail and betrayal, Elizabeth thrives surrounded by attentive and attractive men. A trusted bodyguard guides her through the intricacies of acquisition politics, an acquaintance made during a European junket becomes her confidant and she is later squired by a mysterious and wealthy psychiatrist who perjured himself to assure her acquittal. Elizabeth's trials pose as a romantic mystery thriller but the book suffers from stilted dialogue and equally awkward descriptions of violent confrontations and sexual couplings. Non sequiturs concerning affirmative action and safe sex merely accessorize the dated formula, reminiscent of a TV saga.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Thanks to the testimony of a mysterious stranger, concert pianist Elizabeth Carleton is found not guilty of the ice pick murder of her elderly megamillionaire husband, Timothy. Subsequently, Elizabeth battles his greedy relatives while struggling to run Timothy's business ventures. Along the way she falls in love with a "real man." At tale's end, Elizabeth has a climactic confrontation with the mysterious stranger and, at the same time, solves her husband's murder. A hardcover first novel by the author of 18 romance paperbacks, this entertaining formula tale is best suited for larger collections of light or popular reading. Its appealing cover should also encourage browsing. Ed. James B. Hemesath, Adams State Coll. Lib., Alamosa, Col.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451199685
• ISBN-13: 978-0451199683
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Coulter, Catherine R.
  • #80 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers > Psychological & Suspense

More About the Author

Catherine Coulter is the author of the New York Times-bestselling FBI thrillers The Cove, The Maze, The Target, The Edge, Riptide, Hemlock Bay, Eleventh House, Blindside, Blowout, Point Blank, Double Take and TailSpin. She lives in northern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, March 13, 2000

By 

Deborah L. Kepler "Deb Kepler" (Carthage, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: False Pretenses (Contemporary Romantic Thriller) (Paperback)

This is my first Catherine Coulter contemporary that I have read, I have all of her romances. And to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have read this one if she hadn't e-mailed me and asked me to. I did enjoy it. The main characters were captivating and interesting. The plot was fast moving and kept you guessing "who done it" until it was revealed and then it was "when will he strike for the kill" that kept you reading till the end. I read this book in 6 hours and couldn't put it down. A definate good read!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars my review, June 5, 2000

By 

Ana Maria Barrenechea - See all my reviews

This review is from: False Pretenses (Contemporary Romantic Thriller) (Paperback)

For a simple woman loving only to play music, life has dealt a very special hand to Elizabeth. First she is indicted for the murder of her millionaire husband, later she is the center of two man's lifes.

Catherine Coulter has done it again. The plot is very entertaining and she keeps the suspense going throughout the book. The characters are real and express their emotions well. Good thing she does not mix any sexual direction with the main plot. It is truly a book of suspense and fiction.

Good read.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was wonderfully supenseful, May 6, 2000

By 

"deltas_roses" - See all my reviews

This review is from: False Pretenses (Contemporary Romantic Thriller) (Paperback)

This is my second book I have read By Ms. Coulter. The first one was "The Edge" (which was very good.) I look forward to picking up another one of her books very soon. "False Presences" reminded me of some books written by Sidney Sheldon. That is probably what I liked most about it.

Elizabeth is suddenly placed in a high profile court case with the dead of her husband and then because very rich after her aquittal. She must now make it in the world of business which she knows nothing about. Her husband's family is out to get her and ruin her. The family is run by the mother-in-law who believes Elizabeth has killed her son.

There is lying and bethrayal,love and hate all the makings of a great book. What I most liked about the books was the friendship that developed with Elizabeth and her step-daughter,Catherine. Catherine started off in the book as a woman scorned and turned out to be a true friend.

This books had wonderfully developed characters and constantly kept me changing my mind "who did it."