The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner

Photo Credit: Goodreads

When a life is taken from this world do the people that mourn really know the person? Or do people mourn the idea of the person that is no longer among the living?

Dani Lancing’s murder is still unsolved. For years, her mother and father have wondered what happened to their beautiful daughter. What kind of monster would hurt her?Even he friend, Tom, is unable to move on and vows that one day there will be justice for Dani.

Patricia and Jim, each dealing with the loss of Dani, in their own way, watched their marriage disintegrate. Patricia- driven, determined for vengeance and Jim, wanting peace and closure- have loved, but drifted apart. Tom wants to be able to tell them news, yet a cold case is not likely to lead to news.

One day, Tom lets Patrica know that with new developments in DNA, cases that were not solvable years ago are being looked over again. Tom warns Patricia to not get her hopes up. Patricia is done waiting. She sets out to find the evidence. In doing so, she makes a deal with the devil. Little does Patricia know the deal maker is a spider-luring her to his web- where the truth of what happened to Dani will be revealed..slowly and in due time.

Who is responsible for Dani’s death? Is there more to the story than meets the eye?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I have been looking forward to reading this since I requested it from Netgalley. The first few chapters took time to get into and the jumping from time period as clues were slowly and meticulously revealed had me having to re-read dates of the time line again. Dani Lancing hit a groove, though, and seemed to be heading for a breathless ending- then, it stopped. Stopped short of the dramatic ending that it appeared to be poised for and substitued another ending. This ending is fine and has it’s own dramatic ways- but the other ways this could have ended- well the possibilities were endless!

Did I like this book? Cautiously, I say yes. The writings, the plot, the characters,were better than fine or just ok. Do I want to re-read? No. In the end, this book left me feeling like Broken Harbor by Tana French did- glad to read it, thought it had some very good parts- but the ending just left me conflicted. Not conflicted enough to give a book a thumbs down- but it’s not getting 5 stars either.

Literary Friday ya’ll….

It’s Friday- what’s your weekend plans?

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: Fannie Flagg, Vampire Books, Lee Smith, book festival news and so much more!

2. #giveaways this week include:

Always With a Book is giving away the latest Laura Childs book, Gilt Trip!

Book-Alicious Mama is giving away Grounded by Angela Correll!

Traveling With T is giving away Strangled by Silk by Barbara Jean Coast!

3. Traveling With T was visited this week by Angela Correll- her debut novel, Grounded, was released this week! Read the Interview or Author Spotlight about Angela for more information!

4. Reviews posted this week on Traveling With T: Grounded by Angela Correll, Wedding Belles by Beth Albright, The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty & Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber.

5. Book Lovers Unite is reading The Life List for October! Here is Week 1 questions!

6. Another AWESOME blogger: Helen at My Novel Opinion!

7. Yesterday, I posted a blog post that I had written- A Million and 1 ways to be a Blogger. In it, I consider things that bloggers think about- but mainly, the question is “Am I Blogging Right?” Is there a right or wrong way to blog? I don’t know- but I’m loving hearing what others are thinking!

8. Bloggers Recommend just posted their October newsletter: 26 Must Reads for October 2013. Check it out and find you a read!

9. My #fridayreads The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner. At first it was hard to get into- but I hit a groove the other night. Let’s hope that continues!

10. October 10th come chat with Literary New England and myself- it’s a combo chat between Literary New England and She Reads- we’ll be discussing The Movement of Stars by Amy Brill. There will be giveaways! 8pmEST #LNEChat

Literary Friday ya’ll…..

It’s Friday! What are your plans for the weekend?

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: Flannery O’Connor and money, James Franco and “As I Lay Dying”, Gatsby Companion Reading List, Top 10 references to Faulkner in Pop Culture and much more!

2. Book-Alicious Mama has posted Week 3 Questions for Astor Place Vintage, our September Book Lovers Unite selection. Join in the fun ( it’s a great book!) Don’t forget, Book Lovers Unite fans- we’ll be back at Traveling With T in October for The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman!

3. Bookmagnet’s Fall for These October Titles is filled with interesting sounding books! Two have caught my attention even before she posted her list- The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner and Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding.

4. Another AWESOME blogger- Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews! See Rhiannon’s #literaryconfessions for 2 #literarygiants she cannot stand!

5. Reviews posted this week on Traveling With T: A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods, The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane, and The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

6. My #fridayreads: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty ( from Sept 30-Oct 6th, come discuss at She Reads!), Wedding Belles by Beth Albright, and Grounded by Angela Correll (look for my review and interview next week with Angela Correll!)

Happy Reading!