Review – The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

When Hollywood moguls and stars want privacy, they head to an idyllic small town on the coast, where the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel caters to their every need. It’s where reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool…

The dead woman had a red-hot secret about up-and-coming leading man Nick Tremayne, a scoop that Irene couldn’t resist—especially since she’s just a rookie at a third-rate gossip rag. But now Irene’s investigation into the drowning threatens to tear down the wall of illusion that is so deftly built around the famous actor, and there are powerful men willing to do anything to protect their investment.

Seeking the truth, Irene finds herself drawn to a master of deception. Oliver Ward was once a world-famous magician—until he was mysteriously injured during his last performance. Now the owner of the Burning Cove Hotel, he can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago…

With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under…

So I am still feeling blah, and this book didn’t help. Wasn’t even sure I would write a review, but since I did read it, and it wasn’t a re-read, I may as well.

I had hopes. Quick/Krentz/Castle is usually a sure bet for me, and the opening few pages which I had previewed seemed good. And the switch to a more modern historical setting could have been good. But after opening with a bang, we slogged through the first 10 chapters/20% of the book with a whimper…of pain…for me. It was so very boring setting up the characters and the setting.

And then once we got into the story, even though events ostensibly got more exciting, my interest never perked up. I didn’t warm up to Oliver or Irene. They were flat, and so I didn’t particularly care for their relationship or what might happen to them.

The mystery was crazy sauce convoluted, and absolutely no one was who or what they seemed. But since I neither liked nor actively despised the side characters, this did not matter to me.

Final verdict: If you are a die hard fan, pick it up at your library if you are bored and don’t have high expectations. Otherwise, maybe give it a pass.