Rating: 
Summary: An exciting ride...if not wildly original
Review: Reading this book was a good change of pace, I had just finished another thriller (oh...Vince Flynn, please learn to write!) with some of the worse dialogue I had read outside of my own writing (and this indeed bad). Anyway, this is was pleasure in that is was nicely written and the characters were finely drawn. The book is a bit of Single White Female (as a character in the book says), a bit of Chinatown, a bit of The Accused, and a bit of any movie that has a man in prison trying to drive his favorite cop crazy. The ending was a bit out there (as so many in this genre are), but what sets this book apart is the humanity. These are characters, all of them except maybe Fitz, who have heavy secrets dragging them down. They are all survivors (except Eddie Como) and Gardner deals with them fairly and honestly. Some of the book is hard to read as any good crime story should be, but in the end, there is hope.
Rating: 
Summary: Tired of being let down by formulaic, implausible endings
Review: Started this novel and thought the writing, the characters, were wonderful. It was very spicey, very entertaining, and had me turning the pages. But as it neared the end and the typical thriller-formulaic-ending cliches started pouring down, I became very peeved. I am so sick and tired of the same old same old in these books. I guess the word is CONTRIVED. When writing becomes contrived, the art of writing goes out the window. The author, you realize, thought up the ending first, then fitted the story into it. How dull, dull, dull. So dull, this book lands with a thud. Do yourself a favor: don't set yourself up for disappointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Five Stars
Review: The Dark Shape creeping through their bedroom; every woman's nightmare. And Lisa Gardner knows this. She has penned a great book about insidous rape. The Survivors Club is about three survivors of a serial rapist, who form a club to help them learn to live with the nightmare and to ensure it doesn't find its way to the "dead case" files. The book is so wonderfully written, the reader may find themselves peering over the top of the book to make sure the Dark Shape hasn't creeped in when they weren't looking! As I read it, I wondered if men would find the book as disturding as women; they don't live with the perpetual fear of rape. But the author's ability to paint the horror so realistically makes it disturbing and frightening for any reader, whether they are a man or woman.If you wish to read a great, suspenseful book The Survivors Club is for you.
Rating:
Summary: On the seat of my chair, twists & turns!
Review: The only problem I have is too little time. I could have read this book in one sitting if I didn't have to work, eat, etc. Ms. Gardner does an excellent job of always keeping the reader guessing. I loved the characters and felt like I knew each and every one! This is my first book of Ms. Gardner's and I'm going to start my second one as soon as I finish this! Thanks for a great read!
Rating:
Summary: Yes! Yes! Yes! A Thriller To Be Savoured
Review: The Survivor's Club has many of the usual ingredients of a thriller.
A tough cop struggling to get back into work after the death of his wife and a terrible end to his last murder case...
Three women who have been attacked but refuse to back down against their tormentor...
An interesting twist at the end of chapter 1 that lures you into reading on...
It is with great relief therefore that I inform you that there is nothing formulaic or banal about this cracking thriller! The great strength of the book is in its fabulous characters. Each of them have their strengths and weaknesses and are utterly believable. The two that really stand out are Jillian and Roan. Jillian Hayes is one of the three attacked women who form the 'Survivor's Club' and use the media to help them spur the police on to apprehend the criminal. Jillian was controlled and stubborn at times but also ruthlessly clever, quick witted and generous to a fault, as the book progressed I liked her more and more. Roan Griffin was the Detective Sergeant assigned to head the murder investigation. He was very tough and deeply affected by the loss of his wife , his best qualities were kindness, good old decency and a wicked sense of humour. He was also extremely lovable and I developed a huge crush on him - oh, about two paragraphs after he first entered the story. The secondary characters were also great and very vividly described. The pages whiz by as the plot is filled with twists. The narrative is woven with the funniest lines and witty dialogue which adds much needed moments of levity. The ending is great - very suspenseful and everything nicely tied up as you turn the last page - it actually moved me to tears. Overall I simply loved this book, it deserves its five stars and then some. The smashing characters, plot and dialogue were wonderful and a credit to the author. This is the first novel by Lisa Gardner I have ever read but it certainly won't be the last. Don't miss out on this pacy thriller! JoAnne
Rating:
Summary: Authentic Characters in a Great Mystery
Review: The Survivors Club members are three women. All very different, but with one thing in common: all were assaulted by the same man, Eddie Como, a.k.a. The College Hill Serial Killer. Meg, a young college co-ed and Eddie's first victim, has suffered complete loss of memory from the trauma. Carol, a high-society East side wife, has pretty much lost her mind and possibly her husband. Jillian, a successful businesswoman, actually interrupted as Eddie Como killed her younger sister. Together, they've joined forces, with Jillian as their spokesperson, and formed a tight support group who went public with press conferences and the determination to get the public riled up enough to make a difference. They became activists and actually helped the police catch Eddie Como. One year later, Eddie Como is about to stand trial for his crimes. The hired gun who took him out at the courthouse seems to have made a clean getaway. Or has he? Just a few blocks away, this hired gun is also blown away. The lead investigator is Detective Sergeant Roan Griffin of the Rhode Island State PD. His first day back on the job after an 18-month "mental leave" and this is what he's faced with. He teams up with Detective "Fitz" Fitzpatrick of the Providence PD. Fitz was the lead investigator on the original College Hill case. He's "a detective from the old school. Ate doughnuts for breakfast and informants for lunch." Another girl has been killed and, according to the police, DNA evidence points to only one man: the late Eddie Como! An excellent mystery with very real and authentic characters. The story twists and turns, keeping you on your toes until the grand finale. The best characters are the three women of The Survivors Club. They're not your typical victims, but strong-willed, determined women who never stop until they've reached their goals. But what exactly is their goal? Read The Survivors Club and find out.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely a thriller
Review: The Survivors Club was a hard book to put down. I think women of all ages should read this book because of the information about rape. The statistics are staggering. I believe more women would take defense classes after reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST read!!!
Review: The Survivors Club, a group of women all victims of the College Hill rapist, get together to try to help one another heal the painful memories of their attack, and in the process help the police catch the rapist. Eddie Como, the young man accused of the rapes, swears his innocence as his life is turned upside down by the women of the Survivors Club, until the day he is gunned down and killed in front of the courthouse. Roan Griffin is the detective who knows what makes people cross the line into madness. Getting over the death of his wife, and the case that almost cost him his career, Roan is assigned to investigate the death of Eddie Como. The shooting of Eddie was an obvious professional hit, but by who? Could the Survivors Club be behind this? As Roan begins to investigate the Survivors Club there's another murder sending the city into a state of panic. Roan realizes there is a blood thirsty killer lurking in the dark, and the only way to stop him is to confront the demons from his past. 'The Survivors Club' is a non-stop, can't-put-it-down, rollercoaster thriller that shocks with every turn of the page. The thrills begin on page one, and continue for 350 more with plot twists, and shocking realizations. Anyone looking for a well-written page-turner will be hard pressed to find a better novel than 'The Survivors Club'. Lisa Gardner has consistently written entertaining thrillers, but with her new novel she out does herself. I stayed well into the night turning page after page, anxious to see the outcome. The season of summer blockbusters has begun, and 'The Survivors Club' is a sure pick for an un-put-downable, beach read bestseller. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: Best Book Yet!
Review: This book is definitely Lisa Gardner's best. There is not a single page that does not captivate you. It has an amazing plot and keeps you guessing! Very well written!
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing Thriller
Review: This is indeed Lisa Gardner best book yet! There are several sub-plots and story lines, each of which is thoroughly riveting. While most readers will solve the "how" of the first crimes committed against survivor club members, the shear diabolic nature of the antagonist takes this thriller to another level. Toward the end the story losses a little something, but overall, this is a fantastic read. If you like psychological thrillers, you will like this book! Ms. Gardner has really come into her own.
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