I just finished C.J. Box’s standalone novel, Three Weeks to Say Goodbye. Both my husband and I are fans of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett mystery series. As soon as the newest in the series comes out, one of us picks it up. When this standalone came out, I got it and generously gave it to my DH for his birthday. (Knowing he’d tear through it and I’d get it next.)Three Weeks to Say Goodbye is different from the Pickett series, yet holds some similarities. In both cases, the protagonist is “everyman.” Clearly, I’m not a park ranger, but when I read a Pickett book, I can identify with the life, struggles, and dreams of Joe Pickett. And like the protagonist of Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, Jack McGuane, I have children and would do anything to protect them.
Jack and Melissa McGuane spent years trying to have a child before they adopted a little girl. She’s been there daughter for nine months when the birth father decides he wants her back. Unbeknownst to the McGuane’s, the birth father never agreed to the adoption or gave up his rights. The father of the birth father is a powerful judge and he wants his granddaughter - in the worst way. The McGuanes cannot give up the girl. She is their daughter. And they begin to believe that if they did, it would indeed be the worst thing that could ever happen to the little girl.
How far will Jack go to protect her? What will he do? What won’t he do? And what is the horror that awaits her if he fails?
It’s a suspense that builds and shocks. It’s a fast page-turner. And in the end, it’s satisfying. And not. I won’t give away the ending. You’ll have to read Three Weeks to Say Goodbye and tell me what you think.
The plot itself sounds nightmarish...and real. The fact I've read tragic stories along these lines in the paper makes it even scarier. And interesting twist with the birth father's dad being a judge. Sounds like a good one to check out...thanks.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Sounds like a cracking read!
ReplyDeleteAfter being a foster parent and involved with social services, that sounds like a parent's worst nightmare...
ReplyDeleteL. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
I like CJ Box a lot. He seems to write somewhere in-between thrillers and suspense.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good one. Thanks for letting us know!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy when an author I like takes a break from a series and writes a stand alone--this one seems a real winner!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very topical plot. Certainly one worth looking out for.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I'll check this out. My husband and I love detective/mystery series (I know this one isn't part of it) so I'm glad to find a new author that writes them.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Dennis Lehane's Kenzie / Gennaro series? They are excellent. He also writes stand alone books (Mystic River, Shutter Island). The other series we love are the Jack Reacher novels by Lee child.
Thanks so much for the review...looking forward to getting my hubby the first in the series for his BD :-)
I really liked the book. It was a real page turner. The only thing I DID NOT like was that he used the f-word a million times. In so many unneccesary places. It was making me sick. But the story was really good!
ReplyDeleteI recently read C.J. Box's Blue Heaven, and loved it. It's also a break from the Joe Pickett series.
ReplyDeleteSeems that Box has followed the right path: a good solid series and then breaking out with strong, suspenseful novels.
I look forward to reading this one.