How to go
What: A book-signing with Lisa Gardner for “Love You More”
Where: Books & Co., 4453 Walnut St., Beavercreek
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8
More info: Call (937) 429-6302.
“Love You More” by Lisa Gardner (Bantam, 356 pages, $26)
Lisa Gardner’s latest novel, “Love You More,” opens in classic thriller fashion with the sound of gunfire. As the smoke clears, we begin to interpret a crime scene where a case of domestic abuse has apparently escalated into a murder. Or, so it appears.
Tessa Leoni, a Massachusetts state trooper, is bloodied and battered. Her 6-year-old daughter, Sophie, is missing. Leoni’s husband, Brian, has died from gunshot wounds. It appears that Brian had finally gone too far, beating his wife until she shot him in self defense. And what has become of their little girl?
Boston Police detective D.D. Warren and state trooper Bobby Dodge are brought in to investigate. Fans of this series featuring the hardened detective D.D. Warren will recall that she and Dodge once indulged in a torrid love affair. Now Dodge is married with a family while Warren is settling in with her boyfriend Alex.
Even so, as the two begin to gather evidence that old flame is smoldering now and again. The clues don’t appear to add up. D.D. is skeptical from the very outset. As they begin to dig into Officer Leoni’s past they discover some disturbing facts.
For one thing, Leoni has killed before. When she was teenager Leoni shot a man to death and got away with it. This bit of history arouses D.D.’s suspicions. Delving deeper, the detectives learn some disquieting things about Leoni’s dead husband.
The two main characters, Detective Warren and Officer Leoni, alternate viewpoints throughout the book. As Warren attempts to piece together what really happened we have Leoni’s in the moment revelations of what she was thinking and how the impact of past events is forcing her to take actions in the present.
“Love You More” is an examination of the maternal bond. How strong is that bond ? How far would a mother be willing to go to protect her child? Could she kill another human being? Gardner demonstrates here that the maternal bond is all-powerful. Don’t ever get between a mother bear and her cub. It could mean your death.
Gardner executes such deft plot turns along the way that this reviewer felt the subconscious urge to adjust his clothing every few chapters just to try to keep it on straight. Almost every single thing that once seemed obvious gets turned upside down.
This is a police procedural on multiple levels. First we have the two cops who are actually gathering clues and trying to solve this crime. Then we have the cop who was the victim. Or, is she a cold blooded killer? Gardner has crafted another sizzling page turner.
About the Author