Touch & Go

Justin and Libby Denbe live with their teenage daughter in a luxurious Boston townhouse, appearing to have the perfect life. One night, the entire family disappears without a trace, leaving investigators to unravel what happened to them. Private investigator Tessa Leoni joins forces with local law enforcement and the FBI to search for the missing family. The investigation reveals complex layers of deception and hidden tensions beneath the Denbes' polished exterior. The case forces all involved to confront questions about wealth, marriage, and family dynamics. The hunt for answers becomes a race against time as investigators work to determine if this is a kidnapping for ransom or something more personal. Through its exploration of privilege and family secrets, Touch & Go examines how well we truly know those closest to us. The novel considers what happens when carefully constructed facades begin to crack under pressure.

Most readers found Touch & Go to be a fast-paced thriller that kept them engaged throughout. Online reviewers often mention the believable family dynamics and well-developed characters, particularly the investigator Tessa Leoni. Readers appreciated: - Multiple viewpoints that added depth to the story - The realistic portrayal of a troubled marriage - Detailed investigation procedures - Strong female characters Common criticisms: - Some plot points felt predictable - Too many coincidences in the resolution - Occasional pacing issues in the middle section Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (42,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) One frequent reader comment notes: "The family's kidnapping felt real and terrifying." Several reviewers mentioned struggling with the number of characters to track, while others praised how Gardner balanced the multiple storylines.

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🔍 Lisa Gardner spent time with real kidnapping experts while researching this book, including former FBI profilers and hostage negotiators. 💼 Touch & Go was the first book to feature investigator Tessa Leoni as the main protagonist, though the character had previously appeared in Gardner's novel Love You More. 🏛️ The story's massive compound where the family is held captive was inspired by abandoned prisons in New England, particularly those that have been converted into private residences. 💰 The book explores themes of financial fraud and corporate embezzlement, reflecting real cases where wealthy executives committed crimes that destroyed their companies and employees' livelihoods. 🔄 Gardner wrote the novel using multiple viewpoints, alternating between first-person narration from Libby Denbe and third-person perspectives from other characters—a technique she hadn't used in her previous books.