Terrorists and Thugs – The Verona Exchange by Laura Grossman @peacock10

[sherry fundin]

The authors and cover designer kept it in the family for The Verona Exchange.

Cover:  Erin Jaroslow

Amazon  /  Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The Verona Exchange is the second book in a Rainee Allen mystery series.The Golden Peacock, Book I took place in London. The Verona Exchange takes place in Italy and in Book III, Prague will be our destination.

The book opens with Rainee working on her mystery novel and she receives a call from her long lost son, Joshua. She had given him up for adoption twenty three years ago and he would like to meet her. She agrees without blinking an eye and it’s off to Italy.

I know something bad is coming and I feel a sense of impending danger, menace, apprehension, wondering when and who. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be alone and in trouble in a foreign country. It would be hard to communicate if you don’t speak the language. How long would it be before you are missed? How much damage could you suffer before anyone is even looking for you?

Tick tock, the clock is ticking and time is running out.

The betrayal runs deeper than Rainee and Joshua could imagine, but I saw it coming. Something about the way Lauren Grossman and Bernard Jaroslow wrote that I could see that writing on the wall.

Rainee has great instincts and it’s a good thing she follows them. Joshua shows his maturity and bravery, when the time comes…though there is one part where he could have used some urgency instead of….well, you will have to read the book to find out. There are plenty of bad guys and plenty of good guys. Sometimes your enemy can be your friend and ally.

There is plenty of action while running through Italy, being the pursued and the pursuer, just depends on the moment.

I debated on my rating, between a 3 or a 4. The  Verona Exchange was too predictable and I like to be tested. The danger had a sense of urgency, and, yeah, there was some violence, but I love it wicked evil, unable to stop reading. I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t take me to another place. It could be because I just finished reading a couple mind blowing books and I was on the road. Even as I write this review I’m debating and I usually know pretty quickly into the book. Okay, a 4 it is. NOW, if you choose to read it, I would love to know what you think.

This brother and sister duo did a collaboration, Lauren B Grossman writing Rainee’s POV and Bernard Jaroslow writing Joshua’s POV, all while sharing their work to smooth over any rough patches. An interview at the end of the book shares their thoughts on the collaboration.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Verona Exchange by Lauren B Grossman and Bernard Jaroslow.

  4 Stars

READ MORE HERE

MY REVIEW FOR LAUREN GROSSMAN

The Golden Peacock

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