This was an excellent mystery novel that I enjoyed reading. The storyline literally kept me glued to the pages. I can’t recommend the book enough!

376 pages

3 and 1 / 2 stars

This book has a slow start. Once the initial introductions are made, the story picks up. This is a fast reading, twisty suspense story and it is full of surprises. I didn't really take to any of the characters though. I didn't like the Bartlett's and their lies. I didn't really care for Max all that much, either. He seemed to act without thinking sometimes, but boy was he driven. The writing was very good and the plot, once it smoothed out, was competent.

I don't feel, however, that it is up to Ed James' usual style. I enjoy a book in which there is at least one character I can identify with and like. The book was engaging enough that I kept reading as I was trying to sort out the lies and the confusion. I did very much enjoy the setting as Seattle and the general area as it is my home town.

Six-week old Ky is snatched from his crib while his mother and father are out at a fundraiser. They are very wealthy. There are a myriad of complications to this seemingly simple case. Many actors are in the mix, with many different motives.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review.

After an initial slow start I did eventually get into Gone in Seconds. I was expecting a gripping, gritty thriller but the book just didn’t capture me as I thought it would. I would say this was a middle of the road novel that some may really enjoy, but it fell slightly short of the mark for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

This is the 2nd book in the Detective Max Carter series by author Ed James.
I enjoy reading Ed James books but unfortunately this one didn't do it for me. It was still a decent read but I was a little disappointed given the high standard of others I have read.

FBI Agent Max Carter is called in when a baby goes missing. Wealthy businessman Landon Bartlett and his wife Jennifer have everything money can buy but their lives are sent into turmoil when their newborn child is abducted from his cot.

Investigations into the case throw suspicions onto members of the Bartlett family and Carter uncovers dubious business deals that threaten the Bartletts entire family fortune. It is obvious that the family will go to extreme lengths to keep their secrets but are they prepared to put the hunt for the baby at threat.

There were large portions of the book I enjoyed but it failed to fully capture my imagination. The characters are well written but the plot wasn't quite there for me.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Book 2 with Detective Max Carter in the main role. He's back and how!

Sometimes you read a book and you think that there is no way that the next one can even be better, but in this case it's yes way. 

Of course it's personal, but in my opinion this one was even more emotional than the previous one and when a story touches you, you feel more connected to it too.

Hopes, dreams, the future, your life as you know it ... gone in seconds ...

There are series and there are series. Let me explain. Often you can read the books as standalones, because every case is solved at the end and the common thread is the team or the private life of the main police officer. Here though, I would advise you to start with book 1 because not everything has been dealt with and the chase continues in book 2. 

A great story with some gobsmacking revelations and a chilling finish that makes you want to pull your hair out because you have to wait for book 3. Hopefully the wait will not be too long. Just loved it. 5 stars.

Thank you, Ed James and Bookouture

I’ve wanted to love this book so much more than I have. It’s been ok to read but I have felt that this has been missing something for me.