In the pantheon of crime solvers, Britt Montero is one of the best. As a crime beat reporter for the Miami News, she’s one of the first on the scene when a beautiful nude woman is discovered on a beach near the city. After several days of fascinating maneuvering lovingly detailed by author Edna Buchanan, the identity of the body is determined to be that of Kathlin Jordan. The only trouble is, she’s dead these past ten years and her husband, convicted of the murder, has just exhausted his last appeal.So now, Montero, a fully realized character, takes an often puzzling, sometimes frightening, ride through south Florida’s high and low society in an attempt to find out what really happened. Is JR, son of a powerful, wealthy family actually not guilty? In spite of his poisonous personality, was his mother right to defend him almost to the death? And where was Kathlin all these years while JR’s case wound it’s way through the court system. Even more importantly, why has she now literally surfaced at the last minute? This question is especially important because the finding of her body was very much happenstance.. Lying there nude, in the shallow ocean water, had the weather been only a little different, she might have gone out to sea never to be discovered.This novel is carefully and precisely written, with never a misstep. Miami and the many interesting characters really come alive and we are with Britt Montero every step of the way. The language is always consistent with the characters, the times and the situations. None write these stories any better and few do it as well.
REVIEW OF THE AUDIOBOOK:Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Buchanan has retained an impeccably high standard since turning to fiction with 1990's Nobody Lives Forever, and her eighth mystery featuring Miami News crime reporter Britt Montero is one of the best. Narrated with assurance by Sandra Burr, the audio production benefits from this mystery's unusually streamlined style. Typically, Britt's adventures feature abundant, fascinating mini-mysteries popping up on the job, diverting her attention from the main case. This time, the mystery is more tightly focused. Some may miss the extra color, but no one will find anything lacking in this riveting, complex and clever thriller. Britt's immediate task is to identify the nude, recently dead body of a beautiful woman that has washed ashore. Once I.D.'d, the mystery grows: she was believed to have been murdered 10 years earlier and her husband has spent a decade on Death Row for the crime. Where was she all those years, and who found and killed her for real this second time? Rich comic relief is provided by the upcoming wedding of Britt's ever-pregnant friend Angel (picture bridesmaid Britt in a salmon-colored dress with a bustle), while emotional hurts surface with the cracking of the normally calm façade of Britt's mother, who holds a key to the mystery. A white-knuckle climax tops this outstanding effort.
What do You think about You Only Die Twice (2002)?
I listened to this on tape while driving. It was pretty good, but the language gets a little raunchy. Britt Moreno is a crime reporter in Miami. One morning the body of a beautiful woman washes up on shore who the police can't identify. Britt takes a personal interest in the story and eventually identifies the woman. It turns out she was murdered ten years before and her supposed murderer is due to be executed within weeks. I enjoyed the mystery and didn't guess the end until the end, but at the very end it got a little overly dramatic for me. If you like murder mysteries, you would probably like this.
—Marsha
WARNINGS: Even though, it's the 7th in the series, I didn't feel as if I was missing any major information in the story.I've never been one for mysteries, but this book has made me giddy to read another. Buchanan writes a compelling mystery. There's twists and turns everywhere. Secrets hide behind a closed door. Britt, Rychek, and the other characters are all likable. Although, I didn't particularly relate to them that much. It didn't seem to matter either. I was so caught up in the murder and the events that spiraled after Kaithlin's body was discovered.There was a little romance, humorous characters, parents that make life harder, and surprising turn of events. It was simply delectable. The quote on the front of the book is from Larry King and says, "A classic page turner." Trust me, that's not a lie. I read this book during school. I put off my homework and dinner to read this book. I couldn't put it down.Addict's Last Words: You Only Die Twice is a book that has possibly turned me into a mystery fan.To Buy or To Borrow: Buy! It's worth it.
—Lindsay Paige
Miami News police-beat reporter Britt Montero gets the assignment when the body of a beautiful woman is found floating offshore, seaweed in her hair. Britt knows a good story in the making when she comes across one and this scene had the makings of a good story. The first step is to find out the cause of death. When the body remains unclaimed after foul play is verified, Britt begins a relentless search to discover the victim's identity. A fingerprint check comes up with the name Kaithlin Jordan, a member of a prominent department store family. The problem is; she's been declared dead for 10 years, and her husband is about to be executed for her murder. Britt has the help of a hard working support network as she pursues a determined path to discover the truth; news photographer Lottie Dane, police detective Emery Rychek and News librarian Onnie. Working together they begin to uncover the woman's past and come up with the answers of where she has been and why she came back to Miami after all those years.
—Genie
