A cold-blooded kidnapper has been playing a twisted game with a terrified Minnesota town. Now a respected member of the community stands accused of a startling act of evil. But when a second boy disappears, a frightened public demands to know: Have the police caught the wrong man? Is the nightmare continuing . . . or just beginning? Prosecutor Ellen North believes she’s building a case against a guilty man — and that he has an accomplice in the shadows. As she prepares for the trial of her career, Ellen suddenly finds herself swept into a cruel contest of twisted wits, a dark game of life and death . . . with an evil mind as guilty as sin. “Accomplished and scary.” — Cosmopolitan “A page-turner.” — Chicago Tribune
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"As this story begins where "Night Sins" ended, it was really good to have everything eventually settled and explained. As with the "Night Sins," I found this one almost impossible to put down. Every turned page had me longing to find out what happened next. Who could ask for more of any novel? It certainly brought out some of my worst thought and emotions. Anger and frustration when it appeared as though the legal system was failing everyone yet again. Thank goodness there are those out there, in law enforcement, than never give up, never quit until certain crimes are solved. Fantastic story, great read!"
— Sandra (4 out of 5 stars)
" I love mystery-thriller and this one is fast-paced so I just love it. "
— Nell, 2/12/2014" There's not a whole lot to say about this book without giving away important spoilers. Let me just say that crime drama is not usually my cup of tea. I don't care much for reading about humans doing unspeakable evil things. We get enough of that on the News. I prefer supernatural type of mysteries and drama because it's pure fantasy. With that being said, I didn't totally hate this book. It was well written and the prose was easy enough to follow. The lead female protagonist, Ellen North, is not likeable however. She's a smart attorney, determined to get justice and not at all driven by ambition - good traits in a person. However, when it comes to the romantic interest, Jay Brooks, she's so rude and antagonistic through most of the book that it's almost unbelievable that they actually end up together. Someone else pointed out in another review, people don't act like that. I have to agree. Then again the introduction of Jay was so ridiculous I could understand Ellen's apprehension. He comes off as almost creepy and stalkerish. As for the other characters, and there are ALOT of them, it was pretty obvious who the "bad guy" is very early on, despite all the clues and character twists designed to throw you into a fit of doubt. Other points: The POV changed too often between chapters and even within a chapter. Sometimes a chapter was well into the second or third page before you even realized who Hoag was writing about. When you switch POV's so often, it's probably not a good idea to start off a chapter with "He" instead of a name. While the story was good, the book was WAY too long. The first 300 pages or so were so droned out that I nearly gave up. The book is a continuation from a previous novel (Night Sins? or something like that) and the time frame combined between both books is less than 3 weeks. Quite unbelievable considering the amount of stuff that happens. Plus, it's REALLY hard to accept that two people can fall in love in less than a week. Alot of reviews have stated that this book raises more questions than it answers and that some things are never explained. I didn't think so. I thought everything was explained perfectly by the end, which was a very good ending btw. The reason for motive wasn't explained but I don't think it really needed to be once you were told the who and how. A simple He/She/They were crazy is sufficient enough. All in all, not bad. But, you may want to skim over the first few hundered pages to get to the good stuff. "
— Lisa, 2/11/2014" I remember being in pre-op for gall-bladder surgery recommending this, and Night Sins as excellent books to read. "
— Sidnaw, 2/4/2014" I really enjoyed this book. I loved the suspense this book offered and was happy with the ending of the book. "
— Wendy, 1/27/2014" Bargain price purchase. This story is about a young boy who has been abducted, then returned in mute state. He is afraid to tell anyone what has happened when he was gone. A suspect is apprehended, a mild-mannered professor at the local college, and Ellen North much bring the case to trial and try to unravel why another child has been taken while the suspet is in jail. I like Tami Hoag and this was an engaging book. "
— Pat, 1/27/2014" If I had realized that this was part two in the series, I might have been less confused in the beginning. I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight at first. Everything was tied up neatly at the end but I wonder if Hoag is planning to continue this series with these characters. Not sure if I will continue to follow this one. "
— library, 1/26/2014" I liked this one...page turner and I didn't completely guess the ending. "
— Dawn, 1/24/2014" Not as good as night sins, but still a decent read. It's just slow to get going, but the second half of the book is hard to put down. "
— Rachael, 1/16/2014" Very fast-paced and tense, hard to put down. Tami Hoag is a good writer. "
— Jamilah, 1/16/2014" This was a great book, and this is the book that started my desire to read mysteries. I still have this book, and I love re-reading it. "
— Susan, 1/15/2014" This wasn't quite as good as Night Sins for me. While I still liked the characters and the story, I just wasn't as drawn into this book. There seemed to be a lot of extra fluff that just didn't catch my attention. "
— Frankie, 12/6/2013" Tami Hoag is a natural story teller. She kept me hooked through the whole book. "
— Christine, 12/1/2013" Suspenseful. Was made into a T.V. movie starring Valerie Bertinelli. "
— Syreeta, 11/22/2013" Suspenseful. Was made into a T.V. movie starring Valerie Bertinelli. "
— Syreeta, 11/22/2013" Gets a little confusing at times with so many characters involved on the story. "
— Libbie, 11/20/2013" The trama is great, you really want to get to the end, and you can't imagine what's on the next page. Having said that, like any thriller-crime book it usually keeps the answer to the end but is not a solid ending. "
— Cristian, 11/14/2013" The trama is great, you really want to get to the end, and you can't imagine what's on the next page. Having said that, like any thriller-crime book it usually keeps the answer to the end but is not a solid ending. "
— Cristian, 11/14/2013" This was my first Tami Hoag book. It was pretty good. "
— Brittney, 10/28/2013" this book is a sequel to night sins and almost the exact story with different main characters--i thought the book was better but no need to read both "
— Mom, 10/19/2013" this book is a sequel to night sins and almost the exact story with different main characters--i thought the book was better but no need to read both "
— Mom, 10/19/2013" Stopped after maybe six pages. Boring as crap. Really glad I didn't buy this for a flight. "
— Marlene, 10/12/2013" Sequel to Night Sins. Very good ending. Excellent suspense "
— Susan, 10/7/2013" I really think the first 450 pages or so of this book could have been condensed a bit. It seemed to drag on forever until the last 150 pages when finally something happened related to the crime/mystery. And by then I had figured out who the accomplice was. "
— Jeanette, 10/6/2013" I had to read this book, since the previous one: Night Sins kept me hanging at the end. I was a little disappointed that it was not actually written as a continuation - the format was different, and the focus was on different characters - but it was enjoyable enough, and the ending quite satisfying. "
— Janet, 10/2/2013" I didn't want to put down this book. Actually makes me want to read everything she has written. Amazing suspense - only took me 2 days to read it (I missed a lot of sleep 'cause of this book)! "
— Martha, 9/14/2013" this was one of my favorites by this author, i couldnt put it down "
— Christopher, 9/7/2013" This was not one of my favorites of Tami Hoag, although it was good, but it was also somewhat slow until midway through. Worth reading but not as fast a read as many of hers. "
— Bill, 8/25/2013" Guilty as Sin is the sequel to Night Sins really enjoyed it. It really kept me guessing until the end. I recommend both of these books. "
— Ursula, 7/26/2013" I thought this was good. Not as good as Night Sins, but good nonetheless. It also could have been half the length. It went on for far too long. I don't care about the defense attorney unless you are going to kill him or make him more relevant.... "
— Ashley, 6/18/2013" I read this for the West Chester Mystery Club's "Legal Thrillers" month. It was pretty darn suspenseful! I will definitely check out more of Ms. Hoag's novels. "
— Suzanne, 5/30/2013" A good bookend to Night Sins....true closure to a series...chilling..you need to stay with it in parts though... "
— Michael, 5/9/2013" I remember being in pre-op for gall-bladder surgery recommending this, and Night Sins as excellent books to read. "
— Sidnaw, 4/6/2013" Too many trivial characters are introduced. Lst 3 chapters are only ones worth reading. "
— Missy, 3/11/2013" Too many trivial characters are introduced. Lst 3 chapters are only ones worth reading. "
— Missy, 3/11/2013" Best book I've read in a loooong time! "
— Claudia, 2/14/2013" good. fresh, fast paced, scary "
— Ruth, 11/30/2012" A must read but read night sins first. ******eeeeeerie ending.**** I can't get enough of this author. "
— Kristopher, 11/26/2012" Good mystery; fun read. Nice synthesis at the end. "
— Sue, 9/20/2012" could have done without some of the romance - the guy was originally such a sleaze it was hard to see why she was attracted at all for a long time - so he was good looking! That's not enough. Good mystery, though. "
— Elaine, 8/28/2012" could have done without some of the romance - the guy was originally such a sleaze it was hard to see why she was attracted at all for a long time - so he was good looking! That's not enough. Good mystery, though. "
— Elaine, 8/28/2012" When the first words of a novel are "Time to die, birthday bitch" that novel is going to need to work really hard to endear me to it. This one didn't. I didn't make it out of the second chapter. "
— International, 4/21/2012" When the first words of a novel are "Time to die, birthday bitch" that novel is going to need to work really hard to endear me to it. This one didn't. I didn't make it out of the second chapter. "
— International, 4/21/2012" Good story. Likable characters and a great twist at the end. "
— Dark, 3/13/2012" I can't remember the details it's been a while but they are all good. "
— Christine, 3/11/2012" Hate Tami Hoag's books. They are cheeseball romance novels disguised as mysteries. If you like that kind of crap, her books are right up your alley. "
— Kelly, 12/23/2011" Just a tad to long to suit me, but a good read with interesting characters especially Paul Kirkwood. Ms Hoag sure knows evil and how to prose it skillfully. "
— Edie, 11/27/2011" This was an awesome book, only the second one I have read by this author but both have been great page turners. Getting you wrapped up in it from the begining, right up to the last page! For me endings can make or break a book, and this one was definately MADE!!! "
— Kara, 7/31/2011" Took quite a while to get into the story but it was worth the wait. The suspense continued to build and the ending took me by surprise. "
— Ed, 3/24/2011" Not as good as her others. but if you like her, you'll enjoy it. "
— Melissa, 3/17/2011" A must read but read night sins first. ******eeeeeerie ending.**** I can't get enough of this author. "
— Kristopher, 1/21/2011" kinda slow but I HAD to finish it to find out who done it! The last half of the book was action packed! Not a horrible book but not the best I've read. I definetly don't feel like it was a complete waste of my time. =) "
— Blanca, 1/6/2011" I liked the first book Night Sins better but the story kept me reading and the end was okay even tho I had guessed pretty early who the accomplice was. "
— Enni, 12/29/2010" New author for me. I liked the book a lot and would like to read more of her novels. Good character development. Lots of action and some plot twists. "
— Rhod, 12/27/2010" It started out slow & then picked up pace. I did't know it was a fallowup of Night Sins and I read another book in between, but I really liked the story "
— Deanie, 12/12/2010" The psychological twists and turns continue "
— Kathleen, 11/9/2010" Good escapist fiction. Very atmospheric. A quick but satisfying read. "
— Bart, 10/11/2010" could have done without some of the romance - the guy was originally such a sleaze it was hard to see why she was attracted at all for a long time - so he was good looking! That's not enough. Good mystery, though. "
— Elaine, 9/30/2010" I liked this one...page turner and I didn't completely guess the ending. "
— Dawn, 6/28/2010" good. fresh, fast paced, scary "
— Ruth, 2/9/2010" This was my 1st book I read by Tami. If I remember right it was a 2 part book. I thought the plot, characters, twists in the books were great. <br/>Happy Holidays and hope Santa brings many books, Donna "
— Donna, 12/17/2009Tami Hoag is known for combining thrilling plots with character-driven suspense in her fiction, and her novels have appeared regularly on national bestseller lists since the publication of her first book in 1988.
Jennifer Van Dyck has appeared on Broadway in Hedda Gabler, Dancing at Lughnasa, Two Shakespearean Actors, and The Secret Rapture. She has been in new plays by Keith Bunin, Ellen McLaughlin, Catherine Filloux, Douglas Post, A. R. Gurney, and Albert Innaurato. Her film and television credits include Series 7, States of Control, Bullets over Broadway, numerous Law & Order episodes, Ed, Spin City, and The Education of Max Bickford. Her audiobook narrations have won her three AudioFile Earphones Awards.