Dead Wrong probably wouldn't win any accolades - but then, a romance book has to be seriously good to get recognition - but it's a pretty good book. One of the better ones I've read recently. It's not amazing, but I enjoyed it. There's a nice combo of romance and suspense, good characters, and a nice background that the story builds upon. I think Johnson has written 4 or 5 books previously based on the Patton family. I haven't read them, but unlike some books, I wasn't left feeling left out. She covers the history fairly well, enough that you understand the past, but not dwelling on it. Serial killer plots are fairly typical, but they never seem to get boring. Dead Wrong has a nice plot. It's doesn't have lots of twists and turns - which is good and bad - but Johnson keeps you into the story by keeping you guessing on who the bad guy might be. You're pretty sure it's one guy, but there's enough of a possibility that it's someone else that you're not sure. The building of the relationship could have been a little better. There's definite chemistry between Trina and Will, but there wasn't much time for them to build an emotional connection where you felt them falling in love fit. It seemed rather quick. But not so much that it was unreasonable. All in all, a good read. I don't have many major complaints...only that Johnson had this odd tendency to occasionally write sentences that were just really awkwardly worded. It was odd and distracting at times. Rating: 3.5 / 5
fine police procedural romance
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Following the brutal rape and homicide of his girlfriend Gillian and the conviction of her killer Ricky Mendoza, Will Patton returns home hoping to heal. However, another murder with the same MO of being strangled by a jockstrap and the cup pulled over the face as the Gillian case occurs. The police assume it is copy cat even as more homicides happen. The deceased Amy Owen and Gilliam share something in common with Gilliam. It is a connection to a beleaguered Will; he dated both. Police Detectives Meg Patton and her partner Trina Giallombardo lead the investigation, but both know they should be excused as they have ties to Will. Meg is his mother while Trina is half in love with him having never overcome her high school crush. As they follow clues, the two female cops try to keep Will safe even as he rejects their protection; instead he begins his own inquiries. The sequel to PATTON'S DAUGHTERS: PATTON'S DAUGHTER: RENEE\PATTON'S DAUGHTER: MEG is a fine police procedural romance with the emphasis on the investigation including its impact on the relationships between the three prime players. The inquiries cause a strain between mother and son and slow down the budding romance between the partner and the son. Though why Meg remained on the case with her obvious conflict of interest seems off kilter, fans will appreciate this strong suspense thriller. Harriet Klausner
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