Customer Reviews

Strangers at Dawn

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Throughout her trial for the murder of her brother-in-law Sara Carstairs remains impassive and quiet. Everybody knows that she is guilty but she is still set free because they can't find the body. Newspaperman Max Worthe had studied her cool demeanor throughout the trial and although she was deemed innocent he vowed to the truth. The problem was that Sara had disappeared after the trial.

Three years later Sara and Max meet by chance. At first Max doesn't recognize her but he quickly realizes his error and vows to stick by her side for the story. Although he knows that Sara is a possible murderess and has had a leigion of lovers, he finds himself attracted to her. Is the woman that he falls in love with a murderess or is there something that the heiress is covering up?

Strangers at Dawn is a page-turner that will have the reader hooked from the first page of Sara's trial to the last page. Mystery, intrigue, romance and family scandals will sure to please. This is one of those books that can't be put down, complete with plot twists and many surprises. I highly recommend clearing the day to read this excellent book.

When Sara Carstairs is acquitted of the murder of her brother-in-law, Max Worthe knows instinctively that she is hiding something, especially when she disappears without a trace after the trial. For the next three years, he uses his newspaper to keep the story alive and find the truth of what really happened the night William Neville disappeared. After a chance meeting with Sara herself, Max is angry at himself for being very attracted to a woman he believes is a murdering slut. Despite his feelings, Sara is apparently in some serious trouble and he is determined to help her whether she wants it or not. Sara's feelings for Max are just as jumbled. She hates him for the condemnation he has subjected her to in his newspaper, but is also mutually attracted to him. However, someone wants her dead and Max isn't giving her a choice in his protection so she grudgingly accepts his help. Together, they come up with a plan to draw out her enemy but the closer they get to the truth, the more desperate he becomes and the more danger they are in.

Strangers At Dawn is a definite page-turner with great characters. The two leads are strong people who are very likable. I wasn't sure if I would like Max at first. He comes off in the beginning as very judgmental and harsh, but he develops into a great hero and he is able to own up to his mistakes and apologize. And don't we all secretly want someone like Max who is determined to protect and defend us? Sara is also a very lovable heroine. She's strong, caring and mature. She's had a very hard life, but she doesn't let it warp her. This is my first story by Elizabeth Thornton and I was very impressed. I'll have to read more of her work.

The opening pages of this romantic intrigue has the heiress Sara Carstairs, appearing to the public as a demure, respectable beautiful young girl, on trial for the murder of her sisters husband. Public opinion had her condemned as not only a cold-blooded murderess but as a scarlet woman whose sexual appetite was legendary. Max Worthe, Lord Maxwell, owner of The Courier was mesmerized by her cool, unattached demeanor so that when the verdict came down as not guilty and she was acquitted of the crime, he was bound and determined to uncover the truth. The fact that Sara, quickly disappeared after the trial did not daunt Max as over the next three years, he would continually run pieces re-hashing the crime as the deceaseds father would increase the reward for any information leading to his sons body.

Now, three years later, after living in obscurity, Sara is being taunted with threatening notes and she is on her way back home, where she plans to marry and break the trust she holds to distribute the funds to her family. She then plans to go to America to start a new life. Whether accident or providence, in attempting a midnight tryst, Max would stumble onto Sara and the instantaneous attraction would leave him totally shaken. Not until later would Max realize that the beautiful woman who haunted his dreams was the woman he labeled a cold-blooded killer, or would he discover that she was truly an innocent, protecting someone dear to her.

This very passionate romantic intrigue has become the trademark of this outstanding author. She couples very strong lead characters together with edge of the seat nail biting suspense as the reader tries to determine who did what to whom! The pages will fly and the book hard to put down as the characters are revealed layer by layer, and the twists and turns of the plot become as exhilarating as the burgeoning sensual romance. This should definitely be on everyones read list!

WOW! What a story. You will race to the end of this one to find out who did it. Lots of plot twists. The story grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go. Good love story complicated by murder and an inability to trust. Great characters that you truly care for and just plain great story telling. This is a must read....

Sara Cartairs who was put on trial for the murder of her sister's husband was acquitted and disappears from public view. She makes a new life for herself in obscurity. Max Worthe, Lord Maxwell enters her life and they become lovers. Max, owner and publisher of the Courier covered the notorious trial. He became convinced that the beautiful young woman on trial was guilty, After the acquittal, he uses the power of the press to keep the case alive. For three years he searches for her. But when he does find her, he doesn't recognize her. And when he did realize who she was, it was too late--they were lovers. Elizabeth Thornton's imagination has taken a grand twist with Strangers At Dawn." Our hero must reconcile his preconceived notions with the woman he has come to know intimately while Sara must trust a man who believed she had done murder. A page turner with great plot twists which tighten in drama and heighten in passion.

What a delightful read. Ms. Thorton weaves a wonderful tale of love, ambition and intrigue. Her characters come alive as you read about them. Sara's development throughout the story is a pleasure to be a part of. Her love of her family never dims, though there are reasons enough to be doubtful. Like a true hero, or matriarch (though she is quite young), Sara does what is best for her loved ones, even at the sacrifice to herself. You never quite know what she is or is not capable of.

Max is also an interesting character to read about. He has high morals and is not afraid to admit when he is wrong. (Which he does quite a few times.) Everything is not about selling his newspapers, though that is definitely important. It is nice, for a change, to have characters who communicate as opposed to a typical "misunderstanding plot". My biggest criticism (and its quite minor at that) is that I felt that Max was swayed a little too easily in his faith in Sara. He spent 3 years of with a complete conviction of her guilt, yet was willing to believe in her after a fairly short acquaintance. The confirmed bachelor, still running with his college friends, would probably not "fall" so fast.

Strangers at Dawn is a great book, not to be missed by those who want an enjoyable read.

I don't know what the rest of you were reading, but this book sucked, majorly. This is the worst Thornton book I've ever read. I couldn't believe all the great reviews for this piece of crap!

First of all, there actually was a misunderstanding, a big one that went throughout the book about Sara being a "whore." What pissed me off to no extent was the fact that she not only didn't deny this, but she encouraged this accusation. She was possibly one of the stupidest heroines I've ever read about. She never even gave a reason for this when Max asked her why she didn't tell him the truth about her virginity.

The entire book was just constant mood swings from both characters, along with an incredibly boring mystery which I figured out within the first few chapters.

I love all the books by Elizabeth Thornton and "Strangers at Dawn" has definitely met all my expectations. From the very first page I was sucked into the story so badly that I wasn't able to put this book down until I'd finished it, which happened at about 3am. My boyfriend wasn't very happy about that. Mrs. Thornton simply gets better and better with every story. I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

READ THIS BOOK IN ONE NIGHT! IT WAS SO ROMANTIC WITH A GREAT PLOT! THE CHARACTERS WERE SO ENDEARING!