When All the Girls Have Gone

by Jayne Ann Krentz

[kimbacaffeinate]

The story begins when we meet Charlotte Sawyer, a young woman who has recently been jilted. She loves her job at a retirement home but has been down in the dumps. Her sister is out of town, and she stops by to water her plants and check the mail. She finds an important message from one of her sister Jocelyn's best friends that containing a set of keys. She decides to reach out to that friend and discovers she is dead.

Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle has been asked by the deceased's brother to investigate. Police have deemed her death an overdose, but Max soon feels differently. When Charlotte arrives keys in hand, the two end up working the case together. Things escalate, and they soon find themselves in grave danger with a growing suspect list.

Krentz uses a tried and true formula with her books adding twists and characters that allow me to settle in and become engaged. In When All the Girls Have Gone, I never became completely caught up. I wasn't bored per se, but I wasn't completely pulled into the tale. The story was too predictable, with a lot of info dumps and what felt like a rushed ending to me. Having said that Charlotte and Max worked the case well together. I enjoyed the moments of suspense and seeing the pieces click into place.

I liked both characters, particularly Max with his dark childhood history. I loved the details and in fact, would like that story, but Krentz also left me unsatisfied. I want more information on his two brothers. Why isn't this a trilogy? Charlotte has been disillusioned with love, but it was nice to see that she emerged from that experience stronger and unjaded.

The romance was enjoyable, and I appreciated the mutual respect, sharing of secrets and butterfly moments.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer