When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, but the program took Melody’s name, her home, her family, and ultimately her innocence. Now, twenty years later and still on the run, she’s been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others. But the one person she longs to be is Melody Grace McCartney. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in yet another new town, she’s stunned by a man who accosts her and calls her by her real name. Jonathan Bovaro, the mafioso sent to find her, knows her, the real her, and it’s a thrill Melody can’t resist. Defying the feds, she goes willingly with him. To the Justice Department, she’s nothing more than a pawn in the government’s war against the Bovaro family. But, as dangerous as Jonathan is, he presents her with the chance of a lifetime — the chance to embrace her past and present, and choose a future all her own.
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"The Girl She Used To Be (Grand Central 2009) is the story of Melody Grace McCartney, a witness with her parents to a mob hit by Tony Bovaro when she was six years old. After 20 years in the Federal Witness Protection Program, living under eight different aliases, Melody no longer knows who she really is. Alone since her parents were killed 12 years earlier, Melody craves connection and stability, but knows she is doomed to living under a series of forgettable aliases in unmemorable small towns across the country. The only comfort Melody has is her love for the certainty of mathematics, and her powerful baby monitor receiver that picks up the sound of a family she will never have. Bored with her current persona, Melody pretends to get a threatening phone call in order to connect with her caseworker, her only constant in the last 20 years. But retirement has given her a new bodyguard, US Deputy Marshall Sean Douglas. During their journey from Maryland to Wisconsin, Melody, now renamed Melissa, shares her life story with Sean, revealing the girl she used to be and never can be again. Then Tony Bovaro’s son Jonathan tracks her down and offers a future she never imagined. This compulsively readable debut novel was a finalist for the 2010 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.David Cristofano page at SYKM"
— Lucinda (4 out of 5 stars)
" This book is so well written. Such a great story. In the beginning, I thought to myself "this story is wayyyyy out there and hardly believable", but that was trivial to the pull I felt to this author's writing. There is no excess word in this book. It's a short story; one that I enjoyed so much I wished it to be longer. My heart was aching as I thought of how this story would end. I assumed it would not give me the perfect ending I had longed for, but the author came up with the perfect ending afterall (just not the one I imagined!). Why can't every book be this enjoyable?! It's really a wild and frivolous story that would not be believable without this author's expert writing. I now feel I should go back and lower scores on previously read books to balance out this 5 star score . . . we'll see. "
— Renae, 2/7/2014" I liked the plot and the characters in this story - the author left a few gaps in the story line and in the character development that I wish he had done more work on, but it was a good story. "
— Janille, 1/10/2014" I enjoyed the beginning of this book. It had some sarcasm, which is my second language. It also had some humor and I liked the story line. Then the dreaded cliche happened followed by an abrupt ending. I mean, all of my questions were answered by the end of the book, but it went a little too fast for me. I was left wanting. "
— ~Brandy~, 1/8/2014" A very quick, light read. This book is about a 26 year old in the witness protection program. There is drama, suspense, and romance. "
— Courtney, 1/6/2014" Perfect summer read for me. "
— Heidi, 1/6/2014" Really enjoyed the book. Quick, easy read. Love story with some action and suspense. My favorite part was the Billy Idol excerpt. I liked how observant and witty she was. "
— Hannah, 1/6/2014" Was glad I picked this up when working a few night shifts- read the whole thing! Liked the writing style as well as the story. Impressive for a first time author- hope he writes another soon! "
— Jean, 12/12/2013" fast, enjoyable read -- i'd give it 3.5 if i could. "
— Olivia, 12/2/2013" It was a fast read and a good plot. I wasn't crazy about the writing and at times, it was a little cheesy. I wish it had been a little better written because the story itself was good. "
— Naimi, 11/27/2013" This book was a page turner! I liked it-read it in one day!! Would be a good book club selection. "
— Christina, 10/20/2013" I really, really liked this book and was surprised by how captivated I was by it. During the first 20 pages, I didn't think I would like it, but it quickly pulled me in and I didn't want it to end. It's a quick read. "
— Trish, 9/16/2013" Loved this book, read it in one sitting (stayed up too late). After the first few pages, where I had my doubts, I was completely hooked. An unusual love story with original characters. The woman tells the story and it is compelling. "
— Mary, 8/9/2013" Not a deep read, but pleasant. I enjoyed it. "
— Shareen, 6/26/2013" I really enjoyed the story and the relationship between the characters. However, I wish the ending had been allowed for more closure. "
— Amanda, 5/6/2013" Enjoyed this book. Found myself very invested in the main character and my heart broke for her "
— Debbie, 4/6/2013" Ok, I finished this in one day. Book didn't come alive until Jonathan arrived on the scene, then it became fantastic. I wish he had made this a longer story, so much more he could have elaborated on. Hoping for a sequel! "
— Cheacatt, 4/3/2013" This was such a good book!! Some parts seemed like a documentary but the plot was rich and suspensful although not in a scary way. "
— Kerimelban, 3/18/2013" I read The Exceptions first & thought this was wonderful to fill in her side of their time together. I like Cristofano's style if writing, too... "
— Joy, 3/11/2013" A bit formulaic but overall a very good effort for a first-time novelist. Very enjoyable, a quick read, and better than average. I would read another book from this author. "
— Tracey, 9/15/2012" REally enjoyed this! Couldn't put it down till I finished it. The ending was a little sudden though. "
— Lyna, 9/10/2012" Face paced, quick read for anyone who has ever wondered a bout the witness protection program. "
— Marian, 8/29/2012David Cristofano has worked for different branches of the federal government for more than fifteen years, serving such agencies as the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense. His debut novel, The Girl She Used To Be, was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. He currently works in the Washington DC area where he lives with his wife and children.
Emily Beresford has been nominated for an Audie Award for best narration by the Audiobook Publishers Association and has received an Earphones Award from AudioFile magazine. She earned a BA degree from Green Mountain College in Vermont, with concentrations in creative writing, music, and English.