Review: I’d Know You Anywhere

Summary: Eliza Benedict cherishes her peaceful, ordinary suburban life with her successful husband and children, thirteen-year-old Iso and eight-year-old Albie. But her tranquillity is shattered when she receives a letter from the last person she ever expects—or wants—to hear from: Walter Bowman. There was your photo, in a magazine. Of course, you are older now. Still, I’d know you anywhere.

In the summer of 1985, when she was fifteen, Eliza was kidnapped by Walter and held hostage for almost six weeks. He had killed at least one girl and Eliza always suspected he had other victims as well. Now on death row in Virginia for the rape and murder of his final victim, Walter seems to be making a heartfelt act of contrition as his execution nears. Though Eliza wants nothing to do with him, she’s never forgotten that Walter was most unpredictable when ignored. Desperate to shelter her children from this undisclosed trauma in her past, she cautiously makes contact with Walter. She’s always wondered why Walter let her live, and perhaps now he’ll tell her—and share the truth about his other victims.

Yet as Walter presses her for more and deeper contact, it becomes clear that he is after something greater than forgiveness. He wants Eliza to remember what really happened that long-ago summer. He wants her to save his life. And Eliza, who has worked hard for her comfortable, cocooned life, will do anything to protect it—even if it means finally facing the events of that horrifying summer and the terrible truth she’s kept buried inside.

My Thoughts: A few months ago I read What the Dead Know, also by Laura Lippman. I loved it. As a result, I had high expectations for this book, and I was not disappointed. Eliza’s story is sad, but not disturbingly so. It’s also filled with hope. Hope for Eliza, who is doing everything she can to keep what happened to her from defining her. When she is contacted by Walter, she’s skeptical. Understandably so. Part of me can’t believe that she agreed to be contacted by him, but then when I consider that she was hoping to find out about the additional (suspected) victims, I can sort of understand. I have to say that I really, really like Eliza, especially as she gains insight and realizes that she’ll make it through whatever fallout comes from her new contact with her “tormentor” – a word she uses and even questions. I was very satisfied with how the story ended for her, and really for everyone.

One thing I was uncertain about, though, is the mention of how well they claimed to know each other. I know she had been kidnapped for almost six weeks, and they spent much – perhaps most – of that time driving. Yes, that’s lots of time to talk. But, it appeared that he liked to fill that time with stories and/or reading (her reading to him as he drove). Can you really get to know someone that well under those circumstances? It just seems to me that maybe, just maybe their interactions with each other would be more guarded – especially from Eliza’s perspective.

Overall, I think Lippman did an EXCELLENT job with this book. It is a very compelling story, and I read it in about 14 hours, taking stops for things like laundry, meals, and such. I did not feel rushed or like I was reading because I had to. If I had been reading this for leisure, I wouldn’t have been any slower in getting through it. I wanted to keep going; I wanted to see if/how things worked out. Will I read this again? It’s quite possible. I definitely recommend that others add this to their to-read list!

My Rating: 4 stars

Source: Received as part of a blog tour promotion on TLC Book Tours.

Read It: You can get your own copy of I’d Know You Anywhere HERE. (This is an Amazon link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission. Your support is appreciated!)

About the Author: Laura Lippman grew up in Baltimore and returned to her hometown in 1989 to work as a journalist. After writing seven books while still a full-time reporter, she left the Baltimore Sun to focus on fiction. The author of two New York Times bestsellers, What the Dead Know and Another Thing to Fall, she has won numerous awards for her work, including the Edgar, Quill, Anthony, Nero Wolfe, Agatha, Gumshoe, Barry, and Macavity.

I’d Know You Anywhere is Laura Lippman’s 18th book.

To learn more about Laura’s work, visit her Web site or connect with her on Facebook.

More Reviews: To read more reviews in this tour, check out any of the blogs below:

Tuesday, August 24th: red headed book child

Wednesday, August 25th: Shhh I’m Reading

Thursday, August 26th: Staircase Wit

Monday, August 30th: A Bookworm’s World

Tuesday, August 31st: Thoughts From an Evil Overlord

Thursday, September 2nd: Bibliofreak

Wednesday, September 8th: Books and Movies

Thursday, September 9th: Wordsmithonia

Monday, September 13th: Raging Bibliomania

Tuesday, September 14th: Lesa’s Book Critques

Thursday, September 16th: she reads and reads

Monday, September 20th: My Random Acts of Reading

Tuesday, September 21st: Jen’s Book Thoughts

Wednesday, September 22nd: nomadreader

Thursday, September 23rd: Book Chatter

Monday, September 27th: In the Next Room

Thursday, September 30th: Café of Dreams

FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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