Customer Reviews

The Rapids

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was my first Carla Neggers read. I was surfing through on-line reviews (which I am very big on) and came across a recommendation for Dark Sky by Carla Neggers. As I'd never heard of her, I did some more digging and came upon nothing but accolades for the author. So I ran out and purchased Dark Sky and began reading. Before I got too far into the book, I figured out that there was another book that preceded it, and thought I'd be less confused if I stopped and read that one first.

So, obviously I did, and was totaly dissapointed. HORRIBLE. But I did FORCE myself to finish it through shear determination. The writing didn't flow well. There were a lot of errors in my copy, which got under my skin, but might not have if the book had been better. The plot and charachters (not to mention their actions-especially of the inn owners) were unconvincing. There was no build up. The suspense was flat. No chemistry between Rob and Maggie. I MEAN NONE. But yeah, they had sex. But we expect that. GIVE ME STEAM. I want some CHEMISTRY. The only redeaming quality about this book was the interation between Juliet and Ethan. They get the one star. If not for them I would probably never read one of this authors books again. For my interest in them, I'll read Dark Sky. The word "wanderlust" was used ad nauseum. Surely she could have come up with another word or description. Borrow if you must, but don't by. Better yet call me, and you can have my copy.

In The Hague, U.S. Diplomatic Security Agent Maggie Spencer receives an e-mail from an unknown addressee. She opens the attachment which states that FBI and U.S. Marshall Service most wanted Nicholas Janssen can be caught if Maggie hurries. Though doubting the accuracy, Maggie goes to the rendezvous point and captures the tax evading expatriate. The arrest brings a wave of attention on Maggie that she would prefer to avoid, but also enables her to move a bit past the murder of her father as he was at the wrong time in the wrong place during a bank robbery in the city.

U.S. Marshal Rob Dunnemore comes to The Hague to learn more about the anonymous tip as Nicholas almost killed him and several other agents in an ambush a few months ago. He believes she knows more than she relates to him, which turns out to be true because she knows the tipster is a schizoid who enjoys masquerades to hide her identify. When a diplomat is murdered, Maggie and Rob join forces not knowing that Janssen has a Russian connection that will eliminate those who could incarcerate him for a long time.

Carla Neggers always provides her audience with tense romantic suspense tales; her latest is a rapidly-paced novel that starts rather quickly and never slows down until the final altercation occurs. The investigative crime thriller contains two likable lead protagonists struggling with an attraction while trying to do the difficult job. Though this reviewer cannot understand opening an attached file from an unknown source (federal firewalls that good?), readers will immensely enjoy Ms. Neggers' action-packed tale.

Harriet Klausner

I reviewed "Night's Landing" in which I stressed the importance of reading this series of novels in order. Just in case you didn't read that one, here it is once again. The Winter family series begins with "On the Edge", a short story comprised with two other author's stories. The next book is a full length novel entitled "Cold Ridge" Then comes "Night's Landing", "The Rapids" and "Dark Sky" Reading any of these books alone or out of order is not worth your time or money. It can get a bit confusing, because there are many other novels that were written in between or that is listed out of order. These are the important ones you'll need to read to follow along with the on going plot.

"The Rapids" was a fast read that I read immediately following "Night's Landing" which made it easy to follow what was happening. If I had read this book before any of the others, I would imagine my opinion of the series would be much worse. It is not the best in the series by far, but since "Night's Landing" leaves you hanging a bit, it is good to have a wrap up to at least that book. Unfortunately, this one leaves you hanging for "Dark Sky"

There are no clever twists or turns, no surprise ending and no mystery to unravel. It is simply an average romantic suspense novel.

Is it worth buying?
Only as part of the series. Otherwise, this book falls a bit short as far as my favorites go. If you do decide to buy it, look for it on sale and make sure you have all the books in the series so you don't have to wait to find out what happens next.

I'm part way into this book, I have about 200 pages left, and I'm already confused. For instance how is everyone in the little unheard of community of Ravenkill right up with the happenings in The Hague? Does world wide news reach little burgs that fast. And what was with Andrew Franconia the innkeeper that he calls the US Marshalls as soon as Maggie registers? I don't get it, everyone seems to know what everyone else is doing faster than they can move about. So I guess I'll have to finish the story to find all the answers if they are revealed.

Great book and great writer! Love to read all her books. They are
hard to put down and hate for the book to end. This book ties in with
other characters in her other books, like a serial, which is neat so you get to know all the characters. This book has Maggie and Rob trying to prove that Nicholas Janssen is an international killer and fall in love along the way. The suspense holds your attention right up to the very end.

U.S. Diplomatic Security Agent Maggie Spencer receives an e-mail from an unknown addressee. One of the US' most wanted Nicholas Janssen can be caught if Maggie can get there soon enough. She has her doubts, but Maggie goes to the rendezvous point anyway, and makes the arrest.

U.S. Marshal Rob Dunnemore finds Maggie to learn more about the anonymous tip she received as the man she arrested almost killed him and several other agents in an ambush a few months ago. During his visit a diplomat is murdered, and Maggie and Rob join forces.

This is a novel written as only Carla Neggers could do. It is intense to say the least. It is a fast paced novel that starts rather quickly and never slows down until the dramatic conclusion. Mrs. Neggars' likeable characters struggle with the task of coping with their personals lives and trying to keep them seperate from work in a way any reader can relate to. Her characters exhibit extrodinary personsalitites we all wish we had while being able to do a difficult job. She is an amazing writer and her talents are obvious in this novel. A must read!

Pleasant book. Good fast pace. Spy stuff and fairly exciting. Hero and Heroine nice enough people but the romance was lackluster. No passion!

The hit lady was interesting but you wondered her other torments at being raised by an alcoholic father. Ultimately, she was a killer for the money. Venues were interesting and familiar since I was in Holland last May. I liked that I recognized places.

The Rapids was a good afternoon's read. A first for me from Carla Neggers.

Once again Carla Neggers wrote a book that kept me up most of the night. I'm enjoying this nonseries series. I like that each book stands on it's own but I also like the continuity of using characters from previous books in the new offering. The Rapids gave me an inside look at the Netherlands, a setting I haven't encountered before The Rapids. The developing relationship between Maggie Spencer and Rob Dunnemore is nicely rounded with humor as they trail an unknown assasin. I like the suspense genre and Ms. Neggers writes it with plenty of detail and a fast pace! If this is your first Carla Neggers novel, go back and get her other books!

It was an entertaining book about spy's and murder. The romance was the secondary story to the chase. Enjoyed the inside look at the Netherlands. If you have enjoyed Carla Negger books you will enjoy this enjoyable read. I really am excited about the Ethan Brooker and Juliet Longstreet storyline ~ DARK SKY coming (Summer 2005).

I enjoyed it for the most part. I think the romance was a little rushed. I look forward to Ethan Brooker's story!!!! I hope it's next!!!