58688

I've read other books by this author and liked them well enough to add her earlier titles to my TBR list. I listened to this one as an audiobook. The narrator was a female so having her try to voice male characters was kind of interesting and sometimes made the male characters sound a bit whiny IMO.

The formula is pretty standard--3 PIs (all male) take on a pro bono case for a reporter who catches one of the PI's eyes. (3 PIs, 3 books in the series--let's take a guess that each of the PI's is going to meet a client who is his soulmate.) At least the "she's a client" issue isn't overplayed.

WARNING: REMAINDER OF REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
*****

I guessed the source of the pain Moira felt in her leg after her car crash long before it was revealed--I was surprised no one else considered it as a possibility.

I guessed what Kenneth Blaine was doing regarding the donations to his charity long before anyone in the book figured it out.

I guessed how Kenneth Blaine was going to end the stand off shortly before he acted. Though I will say that this at least came as a bit of a twist since I'd expected the men to have to save Moira.

It bothered me that Moira, after only a few stakeouts with Cal, thinks she's qualified to tail a suspect on her own (which she does surprisingly well). But I am so tired of female characters who make stupid choices that put them in danger and the men have to come save them. Moira's expecting Cal to call her when he gets her message but she doesn't turn off her cell phone--please! ( )

I JUST LOVED THIS NOVEL! I understood Monica and her passion as a reporter, I was HOOKED from the first page and I couldn't read first enough to get to the end, BUT YOU HAVE TO READ IT YOURSELF TO FIND THE SECRETS! ( )

Wow! I've heard so much about Hannon, and Vanished did not disappoint!

Moira is a genuine and relatable character, and you quickly find yourself wanting to see justice served as much as she does. Her backstory, if slightly cliche, is intriguing and draws your sympathy. Cal was also a fantastic character, with a tragic backstory that tugs hard on your heartstrings. Strangely enough, I liked his character better than Moira, and found myself relating to him more. I also loved the other characters at the Phoenix Inc agency. The camaraderie between them felt so natural, and lended a lighter tone to the story.

The mystery is well thought out and keeps your interest from page one. The villain and his motive was very good and believable - if incredibly creepy. I really enjoyed Hannon's writing style, despite the incomplete sentences that drove me nuts most of the time. I can't say I'm a huge fan of that style in general, but it seems to work in this type of story.

One of my biggest issues with this novel was the "villain backstory dump" a little over a quarter of the way through. I would have prefered that information to be relayed to me more naturally over the course of the book instead of all at once near the beginning.

All in all, I really enjoyed this novel by Irene Hannon, and look forward to reading more!

CONTENT NOTE: There is a hefty amount of violence in this book, including several non-detailed murders, gun fights, a semi-detailed suicide (which was probably the most gruesome part of the book) and kidnapping. Also mentions of an intimate relationship between a husband and wife. Recommended for ages 16 for mature themesviolence. ( )

A tenacious reporter, a skepical P.I and a secret that will shatter lives.

Private Justice Series Book I