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Summary: authors should either know their topic or research carefully
Review: Its obvious that the author knows very little about Columbian forests or gunfights or poker or dogs. This book might charm readers who enjoy romances and who have never been in a jungle, never played poker, never gave thought to the way battles are actually fought and have no experience working with dogs. I normally enjoy books about dogs, but I made the mistake of reading The Search immediately after reading one of Susan Conant's mysteries. Susan Conant's dogs have personality and seem real. The dog in The Search never seems real.
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Summary: A Novel I was really looking forward which was disappointing
Review: Iris Johansen had me hooked a long time ago with her Historical Romances. I found her to be a wonderful writer and as she changed to the suspense thriller I was amazed at how much more I enjoyed her writing. "Face of Deception" and "The Killing Game" I've recommended to all of my suspense customers. Knowing that there was to be a third book, highlighting Sara and Monty, I was truly excited and couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I was disappointed to find, in my opinion, that the intrigue I found in the others was not to be found in this one. The intensity was lacking. Instead of smooth continuation of the story it seemed to jerked back and forth, many times meaning I had to go back and review what I had previously read. I am sure to read a novel when it includes a "working dog" main character. Having my own dog who I've trained in many avenues, though not Search & Rescue, I DO know there can be an understanding between a master and pet that others do not comprehen!d. I was taken aback when I read that Sara had given Monty Tylenol. The one thing that was always mentioned to me in treating any of my dogs was that Aspirin was alright to give but not Tylenol. I hope that I am incorrect and that Iris did check on that fact with research. I would like to have Iris Johansen do another Sara and Monty book with less travel and more intrigue. It could be a wonderful read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: I found this book very enjoyable. I loved how Monty and Sarah were able to communicate. I think all dog lovers wish they could have a bond like that. I loved this book so much that I went and bought the two other books regarding Eve Duncan and John Logan. I loved those also. I look forward to other books with Sarah and Monty.
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Summary: A decent thriller, but...
Review: Iris Johansen's _The Search_ had just about everything I was looking for in a summer read: a few thrills, a little romance, and enough plot twists to allow me to finish the book.However, what first caught my interest about this book was the idea of a K9 search-and-rescue team as the central figures, and it was during the passages describing their search operations that I could barely keep a straight face. I'm strictly amateur when it comes to SAR, having trained and worked with a grand total of one dog for about four years, but I know enough to catch Johansen's glaring errors. Sarah has been working with Monty for only a few years, yet he has already mastered air-scenting, water searching, cadaver searching, AND disaster searching? (The author would probably have thrown in evidence searching for good measure if the plot had given her an opportunity.) Better yet, the near-telepathic wonder dog with the bionic nose can follow a scent for more than a mile through the Colombian jungle at a running pace -- without Sarah ever checking if the wind direction has changed? Most distressing was the depiction of Sarah as something of a lone gun, hardly ever relying on SAR teammates, when in reality no search would ever be accomplished without the team. These details may not bother a reader who has never worked with SAR dogs before, and even without the perfect accuracy, I am tremendously pleased to see Sarah and Monty take center stage. Dog teams do an amazing amount of good in horrendous situations, and they don't get nearly enough credit for it. Readers should just be aware that this is the idealized, glamorous version of K9 SAR work.
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Summary: Fun Quick Read
Review: Action and romance. If you liked her pervious books you will like this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was very disappointed in this novel. I was expecting a murder mystery thriller. Instead, I got a porely written novel which suddenly turns into a romance novel in the middle of the mystery portion. So, if your looking for a good mystery novel try another book.
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Summary: Not very thrilling . . . .
Review: This was my first Iris Johanson book (actually I listened to the audio tape). I did not find this to be much of a thriller -- in fact it is nothing more than a mediocre romance. The plot was contrived, unbelievable and the story just did not sustain my interest. I didn't care for Cynthia Nixon's narration -- she portrayed Sarah as a whiny woman with a huge chip on her shoulder, and Logan as a macho idiot. The best and most likeable character was Monty, the dog (although the dog/wolf story was totally ridiculous!) My advice is not to bother with this one. Since I only listened to this while exercising, it wasn't too much of a waste of my time.
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Summary: Loved it!
Review: This was a great book. I've never read any books by this author before but now I'm looking to read other books by Iris Johansen.
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Summary: feminist propaganda
Review: Give me a break. I can't believe this book has gotten such positive reviews--well its a free country! From the beginning, the book seems to be uninspired. A woman and her dog (a very smart and sensitive dog) are forced into a search--in the Colombian jungles-- for the kidnapped employee of a billionaire buisnessman. Now, just think with me for a moment. If I were a billionaire would I be so all fired ready to force a woman and her dog to find my kidnapped employee? I don't think so. I think if I were a billionaire who wanted to find someone in the jungles of Colombia, I would hire an ex-navy seal or army ranger to do the job. But of course, in our times, feminism finds many outlets in fantasy and illusion (such as THE SEARCH) because in the real world, women are not sent into jungles with a dog to find a kidnapped employee. Instead, good old fashioned rugged men are sent into that kind of situation.
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Summary: The Search - Found It's Mark
Review: Iris Johansen's "The Search" is fabulous. The intertwining of several story lines keeps the listener riveted. Unlike many other mystery books, this one has realistic plots and happenings and constantly keeps the listener on edge. I love the fact that it was challenging to anticipate what would happen next. An A++++ book that I highly recommend. I can't wait to listen to all of Johansen's others.
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