Live to Tell

A Detective D. D. Warren Novel

By: Lisa Gardner

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Rebecca Lowman, Ann Marie Lee

Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

“A suspenseful roller-coaster ride.” (Karin Slaughter)

“Lisa Gardner always delivers heart-stopping suspense.” (Harlan Coben)

He knows everything about you - including the first place you’ll hide.

On a warm summer night in one of Boston’s working-class neighborhoods, an unthinkable crime has been committed: Four members of a family have been brutally murdered. The father - and possible suspect - now lies clinging to life in the ICU. Murder-suicide? Or something worse? Veteran police detective D. D. Warren is certain of only one thing: There’s more to this case than meets the eye.

Danielle Burton is a survivor, a dedicated nurse whose passion is to help children at a locked-down pediatric psych ward. But she remains haunted by a family tragedy that shattered her life nearly 25 years ago. The dark anniversary is approaching, and when D. D. Warren and her partner show up at the facility, Danielle immediately realizes: It has started again.

A devoted mother, Victoria Oliver has a hard time remembering what normalcy is like. But she will do anything to ensure that her troubled son has some semblance of a childhood. She will love him no matter what. Nurture him. Keep him safe. Protect him. Even when the threat comes from within her own house.

The lives of these three women unfold and connect in unexpected ways, as sins from the past emerge - and stunning secrets reveal just how tightly blood ties can bind.

Sometimes the most devastating crimes are the ones closest to home.

©2010 Lisa Gardner (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Gardner never sensationalizes her story, and the book ends with a resolution that is creatively and emotionally appropriate. An excellent novel." ( Booklist)

Live to Tell

Excellent story. Once again I'm never disappointed with any of your books. You possessed the special talent few writers have.

Could not stop listening!!!

This book was a great book!!! Could not stop listening!!! Storyline was great!!! Suprising twists and thrillers!!!! Cannot wait to read other books!

love yet hate

Love the book and story, HATED listening to the "children" talking/singing. Love this author, probably would have preferred to read this one rather than listen to it. The part where the little girl is singing mockingbird, almost made me quit audio books forever. Have to give credit to the performers, not their fault they were just reading story, even if it hurt to listen to sometimes.

Nicely written characters

I couldn't stop thinking about the book. How easy or difficult is to grow a child. Yeah, I'm glad I don't have a monster. Anyway - thrilling book, nicely read, 5 stars. I guess, I started to like Lisa Gardner a lot.

good

What made the experience of listening to Live to Tell: A Detective D. D. Warren Novel the most enjoyable?

It really gets you to the edge of your seat. Great read best of best.

What did you like best about this story?

The thrill

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Danielle

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of it

Any additional comments?

Loved it

Great Listen!!!

This is a week written thriller! You have to love Dee Dee Warren and crew!

Good suspense author

This is the second book I have listened to by this author. I didn't like it as much as the other so I'm giving it three stars for story because I thought the plot wasn't realistic but it was still kept me guessing. If the books where only told from the main character detective DD Warren then I wouldn't like them. DD is a real bitch. But the great thing about both the books I have read is they are from the perspective of different characters within the book making them a lot more interesting. I also really enjoyed that there are more than one person narrating the book.

I got pulled right in!

I don't write reviews often,but this was a must. Lisa Gardner took me into an area I'm really not familiar with, mental illnesses. She wrote in a way where I clearly understood, with so many twists, and really interesting characters. I was hooked and in suspense through the whole book. I really liked Detective Dee Dee Warren much more in this book. She was just as cocky and brass as always, but her character didn't take over the entire story this time. This story constantly kept me wanting for more, and couldn't put the listen down for long except for when I had too. Great Narrators, and a truly great story all around.

Great!

This review was 5 years in the making. I purchased and read/listened to this in 2011. In 2016 I considered buying a Gardner book. In reading many of the reviews I wondered why I never read anything by Gardner before. I was very surprised to find that in 2011, I purchased 4 of Gardner's book.

So before I used a credit for a new Gardner, I decided to revisit the old ones. I was extremely delighted to find that I enjoyed the books. DD Warren is a very competent detective. She is very down to earth being 40 years old and passionate about her work and unhappy about her private life. Her private is only "unhappy" because it has been a dry sex year or few for her. (I am listening to the next book now and the dry spell is over for her) Her working relationship with her colleges is funny yet they respect her.

To my review. Take it I really enjoyed this book to write a review 5 years later. I really enjoyed that I could not predict the killer. Her rap up was nice and logical. There is not much action per say. She only pulls out her gun once. But it is a captivating way Warren solves her crimes.

Gardner's DD Warren is a good detective novel without a lot of the technical stuff or grisly bodies. Warren is an outstanding detective assured in her skills and her sexuality.

Thoroughly enjoyed

Narration style like The Girl On the Train (3 women, 3 voices) and done well. It was a good story. and can't ask for more.