Love You More

A Novel

By: Lisa Gardner

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Katie MacNichol

WHO DO YOU LOVE?

One question, a split-second decision, and Brian Darby lies dead on the kitchen floor. His wife, state police trooper Tessa Leoni, claims to have shot him in self-defense, and bears the bruises to back up her tale. For veteran detective D. D. Warren it should be an open-and-shut case. But where is their six-year-old daughter?

AND HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO . . .

As the homicide investigation ratchets into a frantic statewide search for a missing child, D. D. Warren must partner with former lover Bobby Dodge to break through the blue wall of police brotherhood, seeking to understand the inner workings of a trooper’s mind while also unearthing family secrets. Would a trained police officer truly shoot her own husband? And would a mother harm her own child?

. . . TO SAVE HER?

For Tessa Leoni, the worst has not yet happened. She is walking a tightrope, with nowhere to turn, no one to trust, as the clock ticks down to a terrifying deadline. She has one goal in sight, and she will use every ounce of her training, every trick at her disposal, to do what must be done. No sacrifice is too great, no action unthinkable. A mother knows who she loves. And all others will be made to pay.

Love you more . . .

©2011 Lisa Gardner (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"This book had me at the author’s name. Lisa Gardner…no one owns this corner of the genre the way she does - And Love You More might be her best ever." (Lee Child)

"Tessa Leoni is a dedicated single mom when she is swept away by a man who turns out to be the wrong guy. Emotionally true, harrowing, and unputdownable. Brava, Lisa Gardner!" (Lisa Scottoline)

"A heart-pounding tale of family drama by the Mozart of thriller writers. I could not tear myself away." (Tess Gerritsen)

Excellent Listen and Why I Love Listening More

This story leaves you pleasantly unsure about the guilt of one of the main characters. Is she really a monster or a protective mom? If you are a smart-ass like me, than as the case builds from the detective's negative perspective or from the mom's point of view you lean the opposite way. But you don't really know for sure and that is half the fun when listening to this well produced yarn.

It was a good idea to use two voices for the main characters.

Clean the kitchen, do that boring 30 minutes on the elliptical, or caught in an excruciating traffic jam - no problem - there is always a good book like "Love You More" for relieving the tedium. I have a rule that I don't listen to a book unless something is being accomplished. This gives me a lot of good habits. Occasionally I will finish my workout or chore and I will sit down in a comfy chair and stare blindly out into space and let the book continue because it is so good and a intense scene is unfolding.

I must admit to being guilty of this transgression a couple of times when listening to Lisa Gardner's book.

Intriguing and gripping

I had read one other book by Lisa Garder and loved it. This was equally good. I love how she builds her characters.

Great listen

Kristen Potter and Katie MacNichol did a fantastic job narrating this book. I could not stop listening . Fantastic.

A great listen/read

As a long time fan of Ms. Gardner, I was not suprised by what a great book "Love You More" turned out to be.. Good, narration, interesting characters, lots of twists and turns in the story, no sloppy, unbelievable love scenes and absolutely no personal political views woven into the plot. I enjoyed the whole book.

Kept me engaged...

This book is well written. The author was pretty good at confusing the reader...you would think that you understood what was going on and then something would be revealed and it would confuse the story a bit. This book kept me on my toes. The narrator was good except for the two front teeth repition...I know it was part of the story line but it became a little overly melodramatic in parts. I could have done without that part.

what a great story!

One of the best suspense books I've 'read' in a while. Gardner's style, the plot, the pace of the story, the characters were all top-notch! I couldn't wait to see how the story ended, and I was not disappointed!

Truly "Suspense" throughout

I really enjoyed this book because it was truly suspenseful throughout the story. It was a good story line and it wasn't obvious where it was going. Also, it didn't have a lot of "fill in" chapters that could have been left out, as I find in a lot of books. This was a very well written book and I really enjoyed the story line, and the suspense that truly kept me guessing. No - boring parts for me; a treat & a good listen. I've never read a book from this Author, but will seek more.

All I Can Say Is....WOW!!!!

If you could sum up Love You More in three words, what would they be?

Best Novel Ever

What did you like best about this story?

The twists and the turns and the way that you didn't know what direction the book was going until BAM!! you're there, where it's all happening! This was a great book of suspense but was able to really capture your emotions while reading.

What does Kirsten Potter and Katie MacNichol bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think that they were WONDERFUL narrators and really captured the essence of the story. It's been over six months since I listened to this story and I can hear their narrations replaying in my head like it was just a few minutes ago. They made it memorable...believable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!!!! I was actually on a trip and did end up listening to almost the whole book in one day! I found myself wanted to drive further just so I could finish it!

Any additional comments?

You can't go wrong with this audiobook!

The Dialect was awful!

The story was gripping, but would have been much better without the botched Boston accents. As a New Englander, I've heard some of the absolute worst accents..it would be better if they'd just give it up and speak normally. If you can get through that it's not horrible!

very engaginge keeps your attention

Would you consider the audio edition of Love You More to be better than the print version?

yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love You More?

when she discovered she had a son.

What does Kirsten Potter and Katie MacNichol bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

they really bring the characters individual personalities out.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The high suspense parts drew me in and kept me on the edge and anxious for her.