Ricochet: A Novel

Another excellent book of suspense and passion from Sandra Brown. Characters so well developed and intriguing. Although some of the outrageous behavior by the detective went a bit far, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are plot twists and turns that I won’t give away. Must read!

Detective Duncan Hatcher has been trying to put drug kingpin, Robert Savitch in jail for yrs. He finally thought he had him and Judge Cato Laird lets him go on a technicallity. Duncan is livid and spends 4 days in jail for contempt. The day he gets out his partner is being honored by the city of Savannah and when he is coaxed to go with her he first sees the judge's trophy wife. Elise Laird has been married to the Judge for three yrs and we are told very little about her except that she was a topless waitress and bartender before she married him. Later when she shoots an intruder at their home she quietly asks Duncan to help her, she says that the judge is trying to kill her but Duncan who is still investigating the shooting, which he is starting to look at as a homicide, knows he can not believe anything she says. Even though Duncan is drawn to Elise he doesn't believe anything she says and his partner DeeDee is even more vocal. As a matter of fact alittle to much for me. Anyway shortly a P I hired by the Judge to follow his wife, is murdered. Then Elise disappeares and is assumed dead. Later pictures of Elise and Savitch turn up at his office. As you can tell we have many things going on at once and it is only as you reach the end of this intriguing read you really find out what has happened. I liked the book, it was not one of her best, but it was still very good.

Sandra Brown once again delivers a great book!! In my opinion, this is by far one of her best books, if not her Best Book. No author delivers suspense/ romance better than Sandra Brown. This story was constantly moving, never a dragging or a dull moment. All of the characters were interesting and engaging. In some of her books at the end, the lead male character disappears for weeks at a time and when he finally shows up in his lady’s life again the female character is always only mildly annoyed but is still in love and happy to see him. (which always struck me as kind of unrealistic) This ending was so much better because at least Duncan and Elise stayed in each other’s life while Duncan was temporarily suspended. He didn’t just vanish and then suddenly reappear. The ending was unpredictable and ended in such a shocking and surprising way. It was so good. I wanted Duncan and Elise’s story to continue because it was so passionate and caring. I would love for Sandra Brown to write another book with the same main characters as this one. Duncan and Elise were such strong people in the story it would be great to see another novel with them in it. DeeDee was cool too.

I admit that with the exception of a couple of female outdoor mystery writers that I am somewhat of a male chauvinist pig when it comes to reading female authors.....I seldom do, especially romance/mysteries. I have read a couple of this authors books a very long time ago and recall liking them so thought I could give Ricochet a try. Sandra Brown has written a very good romance thriller featuring Duncan Hatcher, homicide cop in Savanna, his partner DeeDee and Elise, the wife of a very prominent judge along with a great cast of supporting bad guys. The story begins when the judge's wife kills an intruder in their home one night in self defense, or was it? Duncan and DeeDee are called in to investigate the shooting and have serious doubts about the judge and his wife's story of what happened. Duncan in particular is dubious about the motive for the killing but is his objectivity clouded by his overwhelming lust for Elise? The book features a strong story line and plot with many surprises for the reader as the investigation continues and several major characters are drawn into the lives of the judge and his wife as Duncan struggles with who to believe and struggles with his lustful desire for Elise. The story drags at times and the dialogue sappy on occasion but overall I found this to be a highly recommended book. The next time I feel the urge to read a romance/mystery novel I will look up Sandra brown again.... a huge compliment from a male chauvinist pig!

Sandra Brown is a master of the thriller. I couldn’t read this one fast enough! Her characters are believable and more multifaceted than expected. Her plot is fast-paced. Add in some sexy fun and this one is a winner all the way. Highly recommended.

RICOCHET, a Sandra Brown novel, takes place in the city of Savannah and centers around homicide Detective Duncan Hatcher, a tough-minded and ruggedly handsome cop. His partner, Dee Dee Bowen, often misjudged as a lesbian, is a smart strongly opinionated and dedicated detective whose primary job is to cover Hatcher’s six. Superior Court Judge Cato Laird sets killer Robert Savich free on a minor jury technicality. This infuriates Duncan Hatcher who has spent months building a case against Savich for a grisly murder. Hatcher and Dee Dee are later called to the home of Judge Laird to investigate the killing of an apparent burglar by the judge’s young, beautiful and seductive trophy wife, Elise. A series of moral and ethical missteps follow involving Hatcher and the judge’s wife that could compromise the murder investigation. Dee Dee goes ballistic and threatens to sever their partnership. Brown does a good job of developing Dee Dee and Hatcher’s characters—not so good with the others. There are times when the story falls flat, but in general it keeps the reader involved and turning pages. I enjoyed the book. I would like to see the main characters—the detectives—in a follow-on novel. You’ll like the ending although it’s a bit over the top. I rate Ricochet a 4 on a 5 scale.

Make sure you have food and drink nearby, because when you start reading this story you will not want to put it down.

I read this book when it was first published. I forgot how good it was. This book is a good blend of mystery and romance.

Sandra Brown's novels usually provide me with a great amount of enjoyment: an enticing plot, mystery, great characters, suspense, romance, and superbly written. "Ricochet" certainly met more than my full anticipation. The setting for the story is in Savannah, Georgia. The main protagonist is homicide detective Duncan Hatcher who has a master's degree in criminology, is both physically tough and mentally sharp, is unusually compassionate, and has the naturally acquired ability to play classical music on the piano. His partner is Dee Dee Bowen, who works very well with Hatcher employing her intuition, thoroughness and tenacity on their cases. She is also effective in controlling Hatcher's emotions when he becomes frustrated. Hatcher's frustrations occur early in the story when key witnesses are murdered just prior to the trial of the master criminal, Robert Savich, and the presiding judge rules a mistrial. The story moves quickly with a surprising climax.

波乱万丈変転万化の物語。 スー･グラフトンの"B"→ハリポタ賢者→この本 の順に読んできました。女性作家ばかりですね。 二番目は別筋ですが、グラフトンと比べると、筋書きが複雑でスリリング。 ただし、実際はありそうもない話。グラフトンの物語ならありそうかも。 いずれにしても、面白かったです。 後で調べると、判事の妻はエリーズ、と読むみたいですね（訳本）。エリーゼだと思って読んでました。同じ綴り。 主人公の刑事がピアノが大得意。モーツアルトのソナタを軽々弾いているときに、エリーズにせがまれるのです。「エリーゼのためを弾いて頂戴」 判事は加藤だと思ってたら、ケイトウが正解(*^_^*)

Duncan Hatcher and DeeDee Bowen are homicide detectives. They are called to Judge Laird's house when his stunningly beautiful wife Elise shot a burglar in self defence. Judge Laird is overly protective of his wife, wants to have everything dealt with very quickly and without much fuss. But a few tiny details are unusual. And behind the Judge's back, his wife is trying to convince detective hatcher to believe in a completely different story. Towards the end, there are a few things where I thought "Duncan could not have foreseen this reaction of that person", but it's not too bad. Not a single page in this book is boring. The story flows very smoothly and does have some not so expected twists and turns. Go and read it for yourself, you won't regret it.

Enquête palpitante ; héros attachants, suspense au RV. Elise, la femme d'un juge, abat, à son domicile, un intrus, supposé être un cambrioleur. Les policier chargés de l'enquête s'interrogent sur la véracité de la version de légitime défense. L'un des policiers, l'inspecteur Hatcher succombe, bien qu'il s'en défende, au charme D’Élise. On ne s'ennuie pas une seconde !

A fast paced, really great suspense story, right to the last pages.