“Elizabeth Lowell has long set a standard of excellence for thrillers that never stint on either romance or suspense.” —BookPage
New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lowell cuts a razor-sharp new edge in romantic suspense with Death Echo, a thrilling tale of passion, danger, and international intrigue. A breakneck-paced novel that unites a beautiful former CIA agent with a tough and haunted ex-Special Forces operative, Death Echo is a top-rank thriller in the vein of Iris Johansen, Tami Hoag, and Lisa Gardner—and a dazzling example of the superior storytelling that inspired author Jayne Ann Krentz to declare, “I’ll buy anything with Elizabeth Lowell’s name on it.”
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"Death echo is a nautical term, and this St. Kilda thriller takes place mostly on a yacht. Lowell is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors, but the romance part of this story didn't live up to my expectations. There were too many nautical terms for me, too. Great as my disappointment was, I rated it a four because the suspense is excellent. Men may respond better to this than romance lovers will. And, after all, mine is only one opinion."
— Carolina (4 out of 5 stars)
“When it comes to edgy, cynical thrillers with plenty of passionate punch, no one does it better than Lowell. [She] does a stellar job of taking topical events and looming threats and then melding them into high-octane thrillers…The pace is blistering and the danger intense, everything a romantic suspense aficionado could ever want!”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)“Well-crafted…a major change from earlier novels, albeit a pleasing one.”
— Publishers Weekly“Beth McDonald’s precise narration delivers all the tension of this latest installment…McDonald’s well-acted narration adds to the excitement in this fast-paced story of love and danger on the high seas.”
— AudioFile“An international espionage crisis mixes with lighthearted romance on the high seas…Refreshingly cynical.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Unfortunately this book has a very predictable plot and predictable character interaction. Emma Cross has left the CIA to go to work for St Kilda's, a private security firm. Sent out on an assignment to recrut Mac Durand to help pilot a boat loaded with a nuclear bomb to safety, she lands Mac (in bed and out) and they successfully bring the boat in safely. "
— Corky, 2/6/2014" Reminded me a lot of Amber Beach, one of Lowell's first adventure/romance novels and one of my all-time romance-genre favorites. Death Echo wasn't quite as good, but wasn't bad. The characters weren't as well developed, and trying to keep up with other St. Kilda employees stretched the plot a little thin. Lowell is a good author, though, and I'll be looking for her next book. "
— Heather, 2/2/2014" Lowell tells a good story. I was kept guessing throughout, despite intricately woven threads of clues. My only disappointment was the abrupt ending, but I'm not sure how else she could have ended it and been more smooth. This is apparently #5 in a series, and the first of the series I've read. An easily read fast paced thriller/mystery. "
— Jim, 1/22/2014" It was a very good and exciting read. However, it was not as good as some of her previous works. I did hope for some more character developement of Emma and Mac. Despite my misgivings, it was still a good read. "
— Mary, 12/9/2013" This was the most boring book of this series. Thought I would never finish it. "
— Suzanne, 11/25/2013" A nice quick read for a rainy evening. For me, the best part of the book was the setting. The descriptions of sailing the Washington/BC coast and the inside passage in choppy waters brought back awesome memories of doing the same. "
— Kat, 11/18/2013" It was a good suspenseful book, but some of the times it just went over my head. Just didn't understand the underlying messages. But it was the great, expected Elizabeth Lowell book, that does please. And I will be reading it again and again, slowly getting my understanding of the book. :) "
— Lydia, 10/31/2013" I thoroughly enjoyed this book :) the bureacracy angle got a little tedious at times, but the suspense end was definitely interesting. I'd add Mac to the "best bad boy" category, but... he's not really... bad just... lol I don't know. But I enjoyed reading the chemistry between him and Emma, as well as the partnership. It's nice reading about stand-up chicks that can hold their own. "
— Cynfully, 10/31/2013" Great book full of suspense and action! "
— Laura, 10/13/2013" Suspense, intrigue and romance - what more could you want? "
— Sherri, 9/29/2013" I like Lowell's books, and I like the St. Kilda Consulting series. This time though it took me a few months of off-and-on reading to complete the book. Russians, secret deals, old friendships, and a new recruit to St. Kilda. The story was okay; it was probably my mood in taking so long to read this. "
— Katy, 8/18/2013" Good book! I enjoy the team at St Kilda. "
— Clipsy, 7/4/2013" Huh? There was a lot of questions, intrigue, and politics but very light on actual answers. It made me frustrated and mad that she is going in this direction(a lot darker). I liked her older books much better that had intrigue, a plot, and an actual romance. "
— Julie, 5/19/2013" Not one of her better books. Characters come together regarding 2 black yachts that have been stolen and are being sought by multiple people. St. Kilda Consulting which employs undercover agents are in a lot of per books. "
— Kk, 11/1/2012" Lots of players and suspense. I liked it a lot. "
— Mary, 8/29/2012" Real page turner. Even with all the technical boat talk it was quite an adventure. "
— Janis, 7/8/2012" The others were so good, that this one was disappointing. "
— Mom, 4/5/2012" Awful, boring and just plain old fashion waist of time. This entire series was hit and miss.. Ending with this book of crap. Save your time... Get another book. "
— Beanse, 3/24/2012" I enjoyed reading Death Echo; its not one Elizabeth Lowell best but overall it was good book. I thought the plot was interesting. I like the characters of her latest St. Kilda's novel, however the character development could have been better. "
— Nicole, 1/26/2012" Don't love this series. Very predictable and not all that suspenseful, which is what I would expect from what is billed as a suspense novel. "
— Janel, 11/7/2011" Not very suspenseful or interesting until near the end. "
— Linda, 9/23/2011" I wanted this to be better than it was. The story line has potential but too many political players bog it down. What is great is the dialog and relationship between Emma and Mack. "
— Nancy, 6/12/2011" Lots of players and suspense. I liked it a lot. "
— Mary, 4/17/2011" Love Elizabeth Lowell. Like characters that repeat throughout an author even if they are small supporting roles! "
— Stacy, 4/12/2011" Good book! I enjoy the team at St Kilda. "
— Clipsy, 4/7/2011" I enjoyed reading Death Echo; its not one Elizabeth Lowell best but overall it was good book. I thought the plot was interesting. I like the characters of her latest St. Kilda's novel, however the character development could have been better. "
— Nicole, 3/25/2011" This would have made an excellent short story. Unfortunately, it was a 423-page book. "
— Shana, 3/20/2011" This was the most boring book of this series. Thought I would never finish it. "
— Suzanne, 2/26/2011" It was a very good and exciting read. However, it was not as good as some of her previous works. I did hope for some more character developement of Emma and Mac. Despite my misgivings, it was still a good read. "
— Mary, 2/2/2011" The others were so good, that this one was disappointing. "
— Mom, 12/22/2010" First book I have tried to read by this author. I was half way through when I realized I didn't care how it ended. I might try an earlier book in this series and maybe try this book again if I like those. "
— Beth, 12/6/2010" Another St. Kilda adventure, this time mostly set aboard a yacht. The plot is gripping and I spent the day finishing it. "
— Joyce, 11/15/2010Elizabeth Lowell’s acclaimed suspense novels include the New York Times bestsellers Blue Smoke and Murder, Innocent as Sin, The Wrong Hostage, Always Time to Die, The Color of Death, Die in Plain Sight, Running Scared, and Moving Target, as well as four books featuring the Donovan family: Amber Beach, Jade Island, Pearl Cove, and Midnight in Ruby Bayou. She has more than thirty million books in print. She lives in Arizona and Seattle, Washington, with her husband, with whom she writes mystery novels under a pseudonym.
Beth McDonald, a Juilliard graduate, has appeared across the country in regional theatre productions of plays by Shakespeare, Neil Simon, Sophocles, Arthur Miller, Moliere, A. R.Gurney, Euripides, and others. Her Broadway credits include the original cast of Angels in America, A Few Good Men, and Einstein and the Polar Bear. Her television work includes appearances on Law & Order, Third Watch, and The Courtroom as well as recurring roles on All My Children and As the World Turns. She has appeared in Mona Lisa Smile and several independent feature films. An Earphones Award-winner, Beth has read a number of audiobooks including Susan Faludi’s The Terror Dream, Sandra Brown’s Sunny Chandler’s Return, Tami Hoag’s Dark Horse, and Elisabeth Hyde’s The Abortionist’s Daughter.