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Romantic Suspense #1
Don't Tell
Don't look
Desperate Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive husband was to stage their deaths. Now all that remains of her former life is at the bottom of a lake.
Don't trust
As Caroline Stewart, Mary Grace has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. Slowly she has learned to believe that her new life, and new identity, is here to stay.
Don't tell
Then her husband uncovers her hidden trail. Step by step, he's closing in on her and everyone she loves. Now Caroline must decide whether to flee again or whether the time has come to stay and fight.
Desperate Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive husband was to stage their deaths. Now all that remains of her former life is at the bottom of a lake.
Don't trust
As Caroline Stewart, Mary Grace has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. Slowly she has learned to believe that her new life, and new identity, is here to stay.
Don't tell
Then her husband uncovers her hidden trail. Step by step, he's closing in on her and everyone she loves. Now Caroline must decide whether to flee again or whether the time has come to stay and fight.
503 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
737 people are currently reading
16.1k people want to read
About the author
Karen Rose
58 books5,268 followersOFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
www.karenrosebooks.com
Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!
Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 981 reviews
July 25, 2008
Don't Tell was a very touching, emotional book. It was one of the better romantic suspense books that I have read lately. It was the first Karen Rose book I have experienced, but I can tell that this will be another series that will be a must read for me.
Mary Grace Winters was pregnant and married at age fifteen to a violent, abusive man. She sustained numerous injuries at his hand, and after nearly losing her life when he pushes her down the stairs for the second time, she realizes that she will have to do something drastic to get herself and her son away from the violence. Mary Grace has already tried to go through legal channels to get help, but it is made difficult by the fact that her husband, Rob Winters, is a police officer. Mary Grace's injuries are so severe that it takes her two years to recover enough to take her son, Robbie, and escape. Mary Grace ditches her car in a lake, changes the names of herself and her son, and takes shelter at a women's home in Chicago. Seven years later, she is known as Caroline Stewart, and is a college secretary and soon to be college graduate. After the death of her boss and mentor, she meets the new head of her department, Max Hunter. Max Hunter has also survived great tragedy, and is constantly reminded of it by his physical limitations that require him to use a cane. Max and Caroline are drawn to one another immediately, and are very soon involved in a relationship that both hope will lead to a future together. Before they can find happiness together, they will have to overcome several obstacles. Max will have to come to terms with his present life and realize that he didn't lose everything in his accident, and Caroline will have to find a way to tell Max about her past and that she is still married. As they struggle with their fledgling relationship, Caroline's abusive husband finds her and threatens her existence.
This book was riveting, and I couldn't put it down. Both the hero and heroine were very likeable characters, although both had serious issues to overcome from their pasts. The villian was without conscience and committed some disturbing acts that gave the book a rougher edge than many of the romantic suspense novels I have read. There were several secondary characters that played an important role in the story, and I look forward to seeing some of them again as the series continues.
Mary Grace Winters was pregnant and married at age fifteen to a violent, abusive man. She sustained numerous injuries at his hand, and after nearly losing her life when he pushes her down the stairs for the second time, she realizes that she will have to do something drastic to get herself and her son away from the violence. Mary Grace has already tried to go through legal channels to get help, but it is made difficult by the fact that her husband, Rob Winters, is a police officer. Mary Grace's injuries are so severe that it takes her two years to recover enough to take her son, Robbie, and escape. Mary Grace ditches her car in a lake, changes the names of herself and her son, and takes shelter at a women's home in Chicago. Seven years later, she is known as Caroline Stewart, and is a college secretary and soon to be college graduate. After the death of her boss and mentor, she meets the new head of her department, Max Hunter. Max Hunter has also survived great tragedy, and is constantly reminded of it by his physical limitations that require him to use a cane. Max and Caroline are drawn to one another immediately, and are very soon involved in a relationship that both hope will lead to a future together. Before they can find happiness together, they will have to overcome several obstacles. Max will have to come to terms with his present life and realize that he didn't lose everything in his accident, and Caroline will have to find a way to tell Max about her past and that she is still married. As they struggle with their fledgling relationship, Caroline's abusive husband finds her and threatens her existence.
This book was riveting, and I couldn't put it down. Both the hero and heroine were very likeable characters, although both had serious issues to overcome from their pasts. The villian was without conscience and committed some disturbing acts that gave the book a rougher edge than many of the romantic suspense novels I have read. There were several secondary characters that played an important role in the story, and I look forward to seeing some of them again as the series continues.
October 29, 2019
Re-read Oct'19
Rob Winters is still one of the most evil psycho villains, ever!
5+ stars – Romantic Suspense
This was my first read by author Karen Rose, but it definitely won’t be the last. Don’t Tell is one of the best romantic suspense books that I’ve read. Domestic violence is an all too real and common theme in suspense/thrillers, but this is one of the most chilling, terrifying, haunting, and emotionally gut-wrenching accounts that I’ve encountered in books or movies. It’s flat-out fantastic, riveting, and I simply couldn’t put it down, even though there were several times that I got so upset or had such blurry eyes that it was hard to continue.
In order to save herself and her son from her abusive, dangerous cop husband, Mary Grace Winters takes drastic measures and stages their deaths and starts life over in a different town with new identities. Now nine years later, as Caroline Stewart, she and her son Tom have forged ahead and buried the nightmares of the past. And when she begins a tentative, tender, yet passionate relationship with her new boss Max Hunter, who has deep emotional and physical scars of his own, Caroline discovers that opening herself up and taking a chance on love and happiness might be worth the risk after all. But Mary/Caroline’s husband Rob is determined to find her and his son at all costs, and he begins a desperate, violent search and rampage to get them back and to make her pay.
Rob Winters is one of the most vicious, malevolent villains of any book I’ve read. He might not be a creature of evil out of a Stephen King novel, a lesser, a rogue vampire, or a demon from a PNR book, but he is nevertheless a sadistic monster that made my skin crawl and gave me chills. Never before have I wanted so badly for a character to meet with a punishing, torturing, and pitiless end like I did in this. What makes this all the more real and terrifying is that although it’s a fictional story, horrifying abuse and violence like what Mary/Caroline and Tom suffered happens every minute, of every day. Actually, a well known FBI statistic is that “in the U.S., every nine seconds a woman is physically abused by her husband/intimate partner, resulting in 3-4 million women being battered each year.”
I couldn’t help but think of the movies Sleeping with the Enemy and Enough, that had similar plots, while reading this, but Don’t Tell is a far superior story and much more frightening with edge-of-your-seat, rollercoaster gripping suspense. The writing is top-notch, the characters are real and well-developed, the romance is sweet, emotionally touching, and hot, yet well-balanced within the framework of the story, the suspense is first-rate, and the pace is lightning fast. I highly recommend this for all romantic suspense/thriller fans! Big 5 stars!
Rob Winters is still one of the most evil psycho villains, ever!
5+ stars – Romantic Suspense
This was my first read by author Karen Rose, but it definitely won’t be the last. Don’t Tell is one of the best romantic suspense books that I’ve read. Domestic violence is an all too real and common theme in suspense/thrillers, but this is one of the most chilling, terrifying, haunting, and emotionally gut-wrenching accounts that I’ve encountered in books or movies. It’s flat-out fantastic, riveting, and I simply couldn’t put it down, even though there were several times that I got so upset or had such blurry eyes that it was hard to continue.
In order to save herself and her son from her abusive, dangerous cop husband, Mary Grace Winters takes drastic measures and stages their deaths and starts life over in a different town with new identities. Now nine years later, as Caroline Stewart, she and her son Tom have forged ahead and buried the nightmares of the past. And when she begins a tentative, tender, yet passionate relationship with her new boss Max Hunter, who has deep emotional and physical scars of his own, Caroline discovers that opening herself up and taking a chance on love and happiness might be worth the risk after all. But Mary/Caroline’s husband Rob is determined to find her and his son at all costs, and he begins a desperate, violent search and rampage to get them back and to make her pay.
Rob Winters is one of the most vicious, malevolent villains of any book I’ve read. He might not be a creature of evil out of a Stephen King novel, a lesser, a rogue vampire, or a demon from a PNR book, but he is nevertheless a sadistic monster that made my skin crawl and gave me chills. Never before have I wanted so badly for a character to meet with a punishing, torturing, and pitiless end like I did in this. What makes this all the more real and terrifying is that although it’s a fictional story, horrifying abuse and violence like what Mary/Caroline and Tom suffered happens every minute, of every day. Actually, a well known FBI statistic is that “in the U.S., every nine seconds a woman is physically abused by her husband/intimate partner, resulting in 3-4 million women being battered each year.”
I couldn’t help but think of the movies Sleeping with the Enemy and Enough, that had similar plots, while reading this, but Don’t Tell is a far superior story and much more frightening with edge-of-your-seat, rollercoaster gripping suspense. The writing is top-notch, the characters are real and well-developed, the romance is sweet, emotionally touching, and hot, yet well-balanced within the framework of the story, the suspense is first-rate, and the pace is lightning fast. I highly recommend this for all romantic suspense/thriller fans! Big 5 stars!
October 22, 2014
3.5
I enjoyed this one even though the subject matter was tough to deal with at times. Why not a four star then? First off, I have been on a bit of a Romantic Suspense binge in the last couple of weeks and have devoured a lot of Sandra Brown’s books…. and I think the bar was set too high with her. I kept on comparing her books to this one.
In these books also, I sort of like the Hero to be a bit of a badass. Max wasn’t. He was lovely. Not sure what that says about me but that’s the way I like to read about my fictional men.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future. There are plenty of books there to choose from.
Rob Winters was pure evil.
Liked the secondary characters too.
Her son was great and Max’s brother. And her friend.... and the Detective, Stephen - think he might have a book of his own in this series.
I enjoyed this one even though the subject matter was tough to deal with at times. Why not a four star then? First off, I have been on a bit of a Romantic Suspense binge in the last couple of weeks and have devoured a lot of Sandra Brown’s books…. and I think the bar was set too high with her. I kept on comparing her books to this one.
Framed prints covered the walls, an eclectic medley of Monet, Warhol and O’Keefe ...
In these books also, I sort of like the Hero to be a bit of a badass. Max wasn’t. He was lovely. Not sure what that says about me but that’s the way I like to read about my fictional men.
She watched, awestruck, as the most beautiful chest she’d ever seen emerged from beneath that plain white shirt. Broad, thick corded muscle, covered with dense, thick curly dark hair.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future. There are plenty of books there to choose from.
”No, he hates Catholics.” Her lip curled. “And blacks and Jews and women and homesexuals."
Rob Winters was pure evil.
Liked the secondary characters too.
Her son was great and Max’s brother. And her friend.... and the Detective, Stephen - think he might have a book of his own in this series.
November 17, 2010
I'm sure I'll be crucified for saying this, because it seems that everyone loved this book but... I just wasn't feeling it.
Yes, Rose conveys the fear, anguish, and terror a woman must endure in an abusive relationship. She also clearly shows the strength and determination that is needed to get out of such a horrible situation. On those counts, bravo.
My issue with this book was the relationship between Caroline and Max. It comes across as just a lot of "i love you's" and fights with no time in between for the "i love you" to have any substance. Don't get me wrong, I've read plenty of romances where the h/h meet and are madly in love with in 24 hours; you may have to suspend reality a bit, but usually there is a overpowering force driving the couple together. Not so in this story. Caroline, the abuse victim seems to be tending to Max's sore ego for an third of the book. The other third is spent fighting with him, and then the rest is her being too afraid to tell him about her past (not for fear of being discovered, but b/c he won't want her anymore -- this after they tell each other "i love you" every other scene)
Overall, good book... just not for me.
Yes, Rose conveys the fear, anguish, and terror a woman must endure in an abusive relationship. She also clearly shows the strength and determination that is needed to get out of such a horrible situation. On those counts, bravo.
My issue with this book was the relationship between Caroline and Max. It comes across as just a lot of "i love you's" and fights with no time in between for the "i love you" to have any substance. Don't get me wrong, I've read plenty of romances where the h/h meet and are madly in love with in 24 hours; you may have to suspend reality a bit, but usually there is a overpowering force driving the couple together. Not so in this story. Caroline, the abuse victim seems to be tending to Max's sore ego for an third of the book. The other third is spent fighting with him, and then the rest is her being too afraid to tell him about her past (not for fear of being discovered, but b/c he won't want her anymore -- this after they tell each other "i love you" every other scene)
Overall, good book... just not for me.
September 15, 2022
2,5 🤨😔⭐️s
The exchange of I-love-yous between Max and Caroline was very premature, especially when there was no relationship development.
For a woman who has been through so much abuse, and that for 7 years she had absolutely no relationship with the male gender, having so deep feelings very soon seemed to me very immature.
The emotional connection was lacking.
The romantic aspect was poorly executed.
I found hard to believe that no one in the police dept ever noticed the cruelty of Caroline’s husband or her having been abused so many times.
Apart from the fact that the story was predictable, the execution was inadequate.
The exchange of I-love-yous between Max and Caroline was very premature, especially when there was no relationship development.
For a woman who has been through so much abuse, and that for 7 years she had absolutely no relationship with the male gender, having so deep feelings very soon seemed to me very immature.
The emotional connection was lacking.
The romantic aspect was poorly executed.
I found hard to believe that no one in the police dept ever noticed the cruelty of Caroline’s husband or her having been abused so many times.
Apart from the fact that the story was predictable, the execution was inadequate.
September 9, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Good story line that kept me hooked.
Five stars.
Five stars.
July 22, 2010
Reviewed for THC Reviews
For quite some time, my fellow romance readers have been telling me how good Karen Rose's novels are, and now that I've finally read my first one, I have to whole-heartedly agree. Don't Tell had everything I could have possibly asked for and more. There was a wonderful hero and heroine who are sure to take their place among some of my favorites, and an amazing cast of secondary characters to back them up that I couldn't help falling in love with too. The main couple share a tender, swoon-worthy romance against nearly impossible odds that had me rooting for them every step of the way. They were pitted against an evil, sadistic villain who was about the nastiest piece of work I've ever read. The story arc was a taut, suspense thriller that had me feeling just about every emotion possible. There was even a dash of humor to keep things from getting too intense. Don't Tell is quite simply one of the most well-crafted and engaging books I've ever read. I wanted to scream in frustration every time I had to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up again.
Caroline Stewart (aka Mary Grace Winters) is one of the strongest heroines I have ever read, but also one of the most tortured. She was about as beaten down as a woman could possibly get, both physically and emotionally, after enduring years of abuse at the hands of her barbaric cop husband. The courage and determination she showed in getting herself well enough to leave him, and then faking her and her son's deaths to start a new life in secret, was absolutely inspiring. Once she was away from the people who tore her down (namely her husband), that innate strength grew and blossomed into something utterly beautiful. She was a fabulous mother too, with an extraordinary love for her son, Tom. What I loved and admired most about Caroline though, is that after all the years of torment she suffered, she still hadn't lost her sense of humor and perhaps more importantly, she hadn't given up on the notion of someday finding someone who would love her in the way she so richly deserved. Of course, her patience and persistence was rewarded with all that and more when she met Max.
Max is a brainy history professor, but that wasn't his first choice for a career. He was a talented basketball player whose dreams were cut short by a tragic accident that left him severely injured. I admired his determination to walk again, although admittedly it took a lot of prodding from his brother, David, to make that happen. Initially, Max seems like the absolute perfect guy, but it soon becomes apparent that he still harbors a lot of guilt and self-pity over the loss of his career and the fact that he's now scarred and walks with a cane. I was almost taken aback by his angry outburst about all of this, but it turned out to be a good thing in that it gave Caroline a chance to show her mettle by standing up to him and calling him out on it. I also realized it was a way to build his trust with both Caroline and Tom by showing them that a man could get upset without resorting to violence. Other than that one character flaw, Max is a fabulous hero. He is a gentle, caring man who isn't afraid to express his feelings. He's confident without being cocky, and the man absolutely oozes sex appeal with a very controlled lust that I found irresistible. He also comes with a wonderfully loving family who embrace his relationship with Caroline without reservation.
Max and Caroline together make a marvelous couple. Everything isn't always wine and roses between them, because they both bring a lot of baggage into the relationship. Caroline is understandably rather afraid to tell Max the truth about her past and because of his own past hurts, Max sometimes misconstrues her intentions. They occasionally say or do things that hurt each other which would normally not be my cup of tea, but here it works quite well. They always find their way back to communicating and apologizing in fairly short order, and I thought the tensions in their relationship were very realistically rendered. Mostly, I was very impressed with how often they take the time to observe each other's body language and are pretty intuitive of the other's feelings. The sexual tension is positively exquisite and so much more than I was expecting. Karen Rose is very talented at using simple things like smoldering looks and tender touches to convey so much meaning. This book is a great example of how an author can use only mildly to moderately descriptive love scenes, but make it feel much hotter by expressing such an intense emotional connection.
Don't Tell also has an incredible cast of supporting characters who are loaded with depth and whom I fell in love with almost instantly. Many of them pop up again in later books and/or become the hero or heroine of their own book. Steven Thatcher is the special agent assigned to investigate the disappearance of Mary Grace Winters when her car is finally found in a lake. It only took a moment for me to start wondering if this guy was going to be a future hero, and I was thrilled to find out that he is in the very next book, Have You Seen Her?. I loved his determination to bring Rob Winters to justice and that he never wavered in his belief that the man was as guilty as sin even though others did. Caroline's son, Tom, is such a good kid. He's very protective of his mother, and understandably has a hard time trusting men, especially around her. I admired his strength and maturity in the face of everything that happened both in the past and the present. Once he ages and matures, I think he would make great hero material. Caroline's best friend, Dana, is another strong woman who has been through a lot in her life. I really enjoyed the banter between this pair and how Dana is always the voice of reason. She also becomes the heroine of Nothing to Fear. Max's brother, David, is an out-going charmer who would be nearly impossible not to like. His loyalty to Max is absolutely endearing, and what he did to get a predatory co-worker to leave Max alone was utterly hilarious as it was, but even more so because I wasn't expecting such a funny scene in an otherwise pretty serious book. David gets to be in a couple more books before finally becoming the hero of Silent Scream. Caroline's friend and Dana's roommate, Evie initially didn't win points with me because of some bad choices she made, but I couldn't help sympathizing with her anyway. It seems she had as bad of a life as Caroline and Dana but is still rather young and naïve and hasn't quite learned the lessons that the other two women have yet. She also paid for her mistakes in the worst way imaginable. I'll be looking forward to seeing her redemption in I Can See You. These and a whole host of other secondary characters, all of whom were very well-written, made this a tight and well-rounded story.
I also have to give the author kudos for writing the best (read nastiest and vilest) villain I've ever read. I'm not sure how Karen Rose got inside the head of this animalistic psycho, but she somehow managed to portray him in a very real and frightening way. He's a classic abuser and sociopath who truly thinks he's right and has no conscience whatsoever. He's made everyone around him believe that he's the perfect husband and father even though nothing could possibly be further from the truth, and he gets crazier and crazier as the story goes on. I went back and forth between feeling the sheer terror that he instilled in his victims and wanting to jump into the story and kill him myself. In my opinion, it's the mark of a truly good writer when she can make me feel the bad emotions equally as intensely as the good.
Don't Tell made me feel such a plethora of emotions I'm not sure I'm really doing it justice in my descriptions. My stomach turned and I felt anger and horror for all the victims sufferings. I cried for what they went though but was also joyous at the love Caroline found with Max. I read the climax with my heart in my throat and through a blur of tears, but rejoiced in Caroline's victory over her abuser, not only physically, but emotionally as well. I don't think the author could have chosen a better way to empower Caroline, Tom and Max than the way the suspense portion of the book wrapped up, and I thought she managed to perfectly tread the fine line between defending oneself and avoiding becoming what they despised. I've heard that some of Karen Rose's books can become rather descriptive of the violence, but in this one, I felt that she took the psychological thriller approach. While there were some violent scenes, in my opinion, it was more the anticipation and/or knowledge of what was happening off the canvas that made the story so intense. It was so good, I had a hard time believing this was the author's debut novel. My edition of Don't Tell was nearly 500 pages, but it never felt that long. In fact, I was quite sad when it ended, and think I may have a hard time moving on to another book. I'm so glad that I'll get to visit with these characters again, including Max and Caroline, as I work my way through the rest of Karen Rose's books. After a positively stellar first read like this, I am more than eager to pick up another of her books as soon as possible.
Note: Karen Rose has a highly interconnected character web throughout all of her books, and they are considered something of an unofficial series. Although it appears that each book stands well on it's own story-wise, I think the reading experience would probably be enhanced by reading the books in the chronological order in which they were written, which is what I intend to do. A complete list including the recommended reading order and character connections can be found on Karen Rose's website.
For quite some time, my fellow romance readers have been telling me how good Karen Rose's novels are, and now that I've finally read my first one, I have to whole-heartedly agree. Don't Tell had everything I could have possibly asked for and more. There was a wonderful hero and heroine who are sure to take their place among some of my favorites, and an amazing cast of secondary characters to back them up that I couldn't help falling in love with too. The main couple share a tender, swoon-worthy romance against nearly impossible odds that had me rooting for them every step of the way. They were pitted against an evil, sadistic villain who was about the nastiest piece of work I've ever read. The story arc was a taut, suspense thriller that had me feeling just about every emotion possible. There was even a dash of humor to keep things from getting too intense. Don't Tell is quite simply one of the most well-crafted and engaging books I've ever read. I wanted to scream in frustration every time I had to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it back up again.
Caroline Stewart (aka Mary Grace Winters) is one of the strongest heroines I have ever read, but also one of the most tortured. She was about as beaten down as a woman could possibly get, both physically and emotionally, after enduring years of abuse at the hands of her barbaric cop husband. The courage and determination she showed in getting herself well enough to leave him, and then faking her and her son's deaths to start a new life in secret, was absolutely inspiring. Once she was away from the people who tore her down (namely her husband), that innate strength grew and blossomed into something utterly beautiful. She was a fabulous mother too, with an extraordinary love for her son, Tom. What I loved and admired most about Caroline though, is that after all the years of torment she suffered, she still hadn't lost her sense of humor and perhaps more importantly, she hadn't given up on the notion of someday finding someone who would love her in the way she so richly deserved. Of course, her patience and persistence was rewarded with all that and more when she met Max.
Max is a brainy history professor, but that wasn't his first choice for a career. He was a talented basketball player whose dreams were cut short by a tragic accident that left him severely injured. I admired his determination to walk again, although admittedly it took a lot of prodding from his brother, David, to make that happen. Initially, Max seems like the absolute perfect guy, but it soon becomes apparent that he still harbors a lot of guilt and self-pity over the loss of his career and the fact that he's now scarred and walks with a cane. I was almost taken aback by his angry outburst about all of this, but it turned out to be a good thing in that it gave Caroline a chance to show her mettle by standing up to him and calling him out on it. I also realized it was a way to build his trust with both Caroline and Tom by showing them that a man could get upset without resorting to violence. Other than that one character flaw, Max is a fabulous hero. He is a gentle, caring man who isn't afraid to express his feelings. He's confident without being cocky, and the man absolutely oozes sex appeal with a very controlled lust that I found irresistible. He also comes with a wonderfully loving family who embrace his relationship with Caroline without reservation.
Max and Caroline together make a marvelous couple. Everything isn't always wine and roses between them, because they both bring a lot of baggage into the relationship. Caroline is understandably rather afraid to tell Max the truth about her past and because of his own past hurts, Max sometimes misconstrues her intentions. They occasionally say or do things that hurt each other which would normally not be my cup of tea, but here it works quite well. They always find their way back to communicating and apologizing in fairly short order, and I thought the tensions in their relationship were very realistically rendered. Mostly, I was very impressed with how often they take the time to observe each other's body language and are pretty intuitive of the other's feelings. The sexual tension is positively exquisite and so much more than I was expecting. Karen Rose is very talented at using simple things like smoldering looks and tender touches to convey so much meaning. This book is a great example of how an author can use only mildly to moderately descriptive love scenes, but make it feel much hotter by expressing such an intense emotional connection.
Don't Tell also has an incredible cast of supporting characters who are loaded with depth and whom I fell in love with almost instantly. Many of them pop up again in later books and/or become the hero or heroine of their own book. Steven Thatcher is the special agent assigned to investigate the disappearance of Mary Grace Winters when her car is finally found in a lake. It only took a moment for me to start wondering if this guy was going to be a future hero, and I was thrilled to find out that he is in the very next book, Have You Seen Her?. I loved his determination to bring Rob Winters to justice and that he never wavered in his belief that the man was as guilty as sin even though others did. Caroline's son, Tom, is such a good kid. He's very protective of his mother, and understandably has a hard time trusting men, especially around her. I admired his strength and maturity in the face of everything that happened both in the past and the present. Once he ages and matures, I think he would make great hero material. Caroline's best friend, Dana, is another strong woman who has been through a lot in her life. I really enjoyed the banter between this pair and how Dana is always the voice of reason. She also becomes the heroine of Nothing to Fear. Max's brother, David, is an out-going charmer who would be nearly impossible not to like. His loyalty to Max is absolutely endearing, and what he did to get a predatory co-worker to leave Max alone was utterly hilarious as it was, but even more so because I wasn't expecting such a funny scene in an otherwise pretty serious book. David gets to be in a couple more books before finally becoming the hero of Silent Scream. Caroline's friend and Dana's roommate, Evie initially didn't win points with me because of some bad choices she made, but I couldn't help sympathizing with her anyway. It seems she had as bad of a life as Caroline and Dana but is still rather young and naïve and hasn't quite learned the lessons that the other two women have yet. She also paid for her mistakes in the worst way imaginable. I'll be looking forward to seeing her redemption in I Can See You. These and a whole host of other secondary characters, all of whom were very well-written, made this a tight and well-rounded story.
I also have to give the author kudos for writing the best (read nastiest and vilest) villain I've ever read. I'm not sure how Karen Rose got inside the head of this animalistic psycho, but she somehow managed to portray him in a very real and frightening way. He's a classic abuser and sociopath who truly thinks he's right and has no conscience whatsoever. He's made everyone around him believe that he's the perfect husband and father even though nothing could possibly be further from the truth, and he gets crazier and crazier as the story goes on. I went back and forth between feeling the sheer terror that he instilled in his victims and wanting to jump into the story and kill him myself. In my opinion, it's the mark of a truly good writer when she can make me feel the bad emotions equally as intensely as the good.
Don't Tell made me feel such a plethora of emotions I'm not sure I'm really doing it justice in my descriptions. My stomach turned and I felt anger and horror for all the victims sufferings. I cried for what they went though but was also joyous at the love Caroline found with Max. I read the climax with my heart in my throat and through a blur of tears, but rejoiced in Caroline's victory over her abuser, not only physically, but emotionally as well. I don't think the author could have chosen a better way to empower Caroline, Tom and Max than the way the suspense portion of the book wrapped up, and I thought she managed to perfectly tread the fine line between defending oneself and avoiding becoming what they despised. I've heard that some of Karen Rose's books can become rather descriptive of the violence, but in this one, I felt that she took the psychological thriller approach. While there were some violent scenes, in my opinion, it was more the anticipation and/or knowledge of what was happening off the canvas that made the story so intense. It was so good, I had a hard time believing this was the author's debut novel. My edition of Don't Tell was nearly 500 pages, but it never felt that long. In fact, I was quite sad when it ended, and think I may have a hard time moving on to another book. I'm so glad that I'll get to visit with these characters again, including Max and Caroline, as I work my way through the rest of Karen Rose's books. After a positively stellar first read like this, I am more than eager to pick up another of her books as soon as possible.
Note: Karen Rose has a highly interconnected character web throughout all of her books, and they are considered something of an unofficial series. Although it appears that each book stands well on it's own story-wise, I think the reading experience would probably be enhanced by reading the books in the chronological order in which they were written, which is what I intend to do. A complete list including the recommended reading order and character connections can be found on Karen Rose's website.
June 14, 2019
Don’t Tell by Karen Rose, which is set in the city of Chicago, is book one in her Romantic Suspense series. This is my first foray into Rose’s world and it will not be my last. I cannot believe I waited so long to read her work.
While reading it reminded me of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy to some degree, however this story went deeper than plot of that movie.
We meet Mary Grace Winters, who now goes by the name Caroline Stewart. She assumed this identity nine years ago when she faked her death along with that of her son to escape her abusive husband. She has made a new life for herself and her son. I had no difficulty connecting with her. The best words I could describe her are strong, stubborn, kind, scared, courageous and fragile. Strong because of her courage to escape a monster and fragile because the memories had the power to break her.
Max Hunter, Caroline’s new boss and love interest intrigued me from the moment he was introduced. The story dug into his past and the revelations were heart wrenching, but it was no match for what Caroline went through. He made his share of mistakes with Caroline, but he demonstrated that he was the man she needed to show her that love has the power to heal. Two broken souls who proved to be the perfect match.
The secondary characters were on par with the primary ones. From the agent in charge of investigating Mary Grace’s disappearance to her sadistic abusive husband who is hunting her. That man is one sick bastard. The things he did was enough to make anyone cringe. What made even more dangerous was the fact he swore to serve and protect.
Readers knows the identity of the villain from the outset so there was no mystery. His agenda was clear. However, the paths the author traversed were edgy, gritty and thrilling. She had me reading/listening intently as I was eager to learn how things would fare out for Caroline. I feared for Caroline and all who encountered the sadist.
Narration
As this is my first time listening to Michael Ferraiuolo, I did not know what to expect. I am pleased to say he did a great job. He had a huge cast of characters, varying emotions working with and he handled it quite well. I had no difficulty figuring the voices as he spoke distinctly. I would listen to more of his work.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a great time with this story and cannot wait to jump back into the world that the author has so magnificently
created. Fans of romantic suspense would love this book
While reading it reminded me of the movie Sleeping with the Enemy to some degree, however this story went deeper than plot of that movie.
We meet Mary Grace Winters, who now goes by the name Caroline Stewart. She assumed this identity nine years ago when she faked her death along with that of her son to escape her abusive husband. She has made a new life for herself and her son. I had no difficulty connecting with her. The best words I could describe her are strong, stubborn, kind, scared, courageous and fragile. Strong because of her courage to escape a monster and fragile because the memories had the power to break her.
Max Hunter, Caroline’s new boss and love interest intrigued me from the moment he was introduced. The story dug into his past and the revelations were heart wrenching, but it was no match for what Caroline went through. He made his share of mistakes with Caroline, but he demonstrated that he was the man she needed to show her that love has the power to heal. Two broken souls who proved to be the perfect match.
The secondary characters were on par with the primary ones. From the agent in charge of investigating Mary Grace’s disappearance to her sadistic abusive husband who is hunting her. That man is one sick bastard. The things he did was enough to make anyone cringe. What made even more dangerous was the fact he swore to serve and protect.
Readers knows the identity of the villain from the outset so there was no mystery. His agenda was clear. However, the paths the author traversed were edgy, gritty and thrilling. She had me reading/listening intently as I was eager to learn how things would fare out for Caroline. I feared for Caroline and all who encountered the sadist.
Narration
As this is my first time listening to Michael Ferraiuolo, I did not know what to expect. I am pleased to say he did a great job. He had a huge cast of characters, varying emotions working with and he handled it quite well. I had no difficulty figuring the voices as he spoke distinctly. I would listen to more of his work.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I had a great time with this story and cannot wait to jump back into the world that the author has so magnificently
created. Fans of romantic suspense would love this book
August 7, 2011
I picked this up for £1, thinking it was an average crime book. Started reading and got to the part where Max is introduced, at which point things began to get a little too Mills & Boon for my tastes. After looking Karen Rose up, I realise now of course that she writes romantic suspense.
Romance novels tend to annoy me. This one was no exception.
Max. The hero. Thinks that no woman can ever fall for him because he walks with a cane. Has he not seen House? Canes are cool. Everyone loves canes. Stupid man. And he so fails at dark, brooding mysteriousness.
And the abusive husband of the heroine annoyed me. Not only does he slap his wife about a bit, he rapidly scales up to kicking people to death. He felt like an over the top cartoon villain. Sure, as the bad guy of the piece, he has to be evil and nasty, and I can see how the plot calls for him to be a murderer, but I just wish it could have been written in a more believable fashion. Write a bad guy that I want to hate, but not one who irks me so much I'm tempted several times to put the book down.
Ended up powering through this book because I wanted it over and done with. That'll teach me to impulse buy.
Romance novels tend to annoy me. This one was no exception.
Max. The hero. Thinks that no woman can ever fall for him because he walks with a cane. Has he not seen House? Canes are cool. Everyone loves canes. Stupid man. And he so fails at dark, brooding mysteriousness.
And the abusive husband of the heroine annoyed me. Not only does he slap his wife about a bit, he rapidly scales up to kicking people to death. He felt like an over the top cartoon villain. Sure, as the bad guy of the piece, he has to be evil and nasty, and I can see how the plot calls for him to be a murderer, but I just wish it could have been written in a more believable fashion. Write a bad guy that I want to hate, but not one who irks me so much I'm tempted several times to put the book down.
Ended up powering through this book because I wanted it over and done with. That'll teach me to impulse buy.
November 29, 2017
There are several parallel narratives in this book Don't Tell: the first is about Caroline Stewart, a woman who ran away from her abusive husband and is living with her son under an assumed identity. The second is the one of Rob Winters, her husband, who recently figured out she ran away and starts looking for her. The third, is about Special Agent Steven Thatcher, who got assigned the case of her disappearance and is on Winter's trail once he discovers he was abusing his wife. For a good chunk of the book, I was like...
The excitement in this book came from parallel chases: Winter chasing Caroline and Thatcher chasing Winters. I liked that Caroline was living a normal life for most of the book: she has a great son, a great friend, and recently met a guy that for the first time, made her want to give love a chance. I also liked that Caroline wasn't the only one with issues: Max has a terrible limp after an accident that destroyed his career in professional sports. Both are wounded, both physically and emotionally, and find solace in each other.
Then, the abusive husband makes it to Chicago, and the story...
You see, once he gets there, the husband starts killing people left and right. He's portrayed as both nuts but still smart enough to avoid police capture. Even though at that point Thatcher also knows he's in Chicago and the police knows he's killed several people, they know his disguises and aliases and they know who he's looking for, the Police never thinks of putting police surveillance in Caroline's neighborhood or at least ask around to see if they've seen a very big guy lurking about. So of course, it's not a problem for the bad guy to abscond with Caroline without anybody seeing him! And let's not talk about how after kidnapping Caroline, the bad guy also takes the time to kidnap somebody else (who has police protection btw) and how when the police find him, they give away the surprise by announcing their presence!
This left such a bad taste that I don't know if I'll continue reading this series. At least I'm glad this book is out of my TBR.
The excitement in this book came from parallel chases: Winter chasing Caroline and Thatcher chasing Winters. I liked that Caroline was living a normal life for most of the book: she has a great son, a great friend, and recently met a guy that for the first time, made her want to give love a chance. I also liked that Caroline wasn't the only one with issues: Max has a terrible limp after an accident that destroyed his career in professional sports. Both are wounded, both physically and emotionally, and find solace in each other.
Then, the abusive husband makes it to Chicago, and the story...
You see, once he gets there, the husband starts killing people left and right. He's portrayed as both nuts but still smart enough to avoid police capture. Even though at that point Thatcher also knows he's in Chicago and the police knows he's killed several people, they know his disguises and aliases and they know who he's looking for, the Police never thinks of putting police surveillance in Caroline's neighborhood or at least ask around to see if they've seen a very big guy lurking about. So of course, it's not a problem for the bad guy to abscond with Caroline without anybody seeing him! And let's not talk about how after kidnapping Caroline, the bad guy also takes the time to kidnap somebody else (who has police protection btw) and how when the police find him, they give away the surprise by announcing their presence!
This left such a bad taste that I don't know if I'll continue reading this series. At least I'm glad this book is out of my TBR.
June 5, 2011
Mary Grace Winters finally found a way to escape her abusive husband and reinvented herself as Caroline Stewart and moved to Chicago with her seven-year old son, now named Tom. For the next seven years, she managed to pull herself up by her bootstraps, with the help of a shelter and a kind employer, and create a happy and productive life. Caroline got her GED and went to work for the head of the history department at a small college. Following the death of the chair, a new history professor, Max Hunter, was hired and at his first appearance, both he and Caroline established an immediate connection, one that transcended employer/employee relations.
Meanwhile, after seven years, Mary Grace's car was located in a lake in South Carolina, the contents of which cause her husband, Rob, to suspect she's alive. He becomes consumed with finding her but this has also caught the attention of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI),who has always believed Rob murdered his wife and son.
The story transitions between Caroline and Max's developing relationship, the SBI investigation and Rob's hunt for "Mary Grace" and his son. Rob is a sadistic and cruel man who is also a pretty bad cop but a skilled detective. The tension mounts as these three stories begin to intersect and the bodies start to pile up. Your pulse rate will increase as you begin to worry for some of the characters, knowing that there will be an eventual climax between the investigators, Caroline and Rob.
Karen Rose has masterfully written a riveting story involving domestic violence and the triumph of the human spirit. Caroline isn't the only one in the story to rise above her circumstances. Max is recovering from a life altering and devastating accident from twelve years ago. Dana, Caroline's best friend and manager of a women's shelter, came out of an abusive marriage. The lead investigator, Steven Thatcher, is raising three sons on his own following the death of his wife. All are involved in the culmination of the confrontation with Rob.
This is a great story, even though there's a whiff of the love-at-first-sight syndrome between Max and Caroline but the events that occur as their relationship develops more than compensate for their beginnings. Their trials and challenges are extremely realistic for two people that don't know each other very well. The police investigation is gritty and well researched. Much of the story is based in North Carolina and the author did her homework in representing the geography of the state.
This is a must read and I plan to read a lot more from this author.
Meanwhile, after seven years, Mary Grace's car was located in a lake in South Carolina, the contents of which cause her husband, Rob, to suspect she's alive. He becomes consumed with finding her but this has also caught the attention of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI),who has always believed Rob murdered his wife and son.
The story transitions between Caroline and Max's developing relationship, the SBI investigation and Rob's hunt for "Mary Grace" and his son. Rob is a sadistic and cruel man who is also a pretty bad cop but a skilled detective. The tension mounts as these three stories begin to intersect and the bodies start to pile up. Your pulse rate will increase as you begin to worry for some of the characters, knowing that there will be an eventual climax between the investigators, Caroline and Rob.
Karen Rose has masterfully written a riveting story involving domestic violence and the triumph of the human spirit. Caroline isn't the only one in the story to rise above her circumstances. Max is recovering from a life altering and devastating accident from twelve years ago. Dana, Caroline's best friend and manager of a women's shelter, came out of an abusive marriage. The lead investigator, Steven Thatcher, is raising three sons on his own following the death of his wife. All are involved in the culmination of the confrontation with Rob.
This is a great story, even though there's a whiff of the love-at-first-sight syndrome between Max and Caroline but the events that occur as their relationship develops more than compensate for their beginnings. Their trials and challenges are extremely realistic for two people that don't know each other very well. The police investigation is gritty and well researched. Much of the story is based in North Carolina and the author did her homework in representing the geography of the state.
This is a must read and I plan to read a lot more from this author.
November 24, 2020
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Audio re-read 11/24/2020
I still love this story and it was great to get to listen to it and experience what started my love for Karen Rose all over again. I can't say I was a big fan of the narrator though, his female voices actually kind of creeped me out but luckily I was able to get used to them after listening for awhile.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
Audio re-read 11/24/2020
I still love this story and it was great to get to listen to it and experience what started my love for Karen Rose all over again. I can't say I was a big fan of the narrator though, his female voices actually kind of creeped me out but luckily I was able to get used to them after listening for awhile.
April 9, 2015
She succeeded in escaping her abusive husband, creating a new identity and new life for herself and her son. But just as she's finally feeling safe after seven years, learning to trust again, learning to love, her past is about to come crashing down around her...
This is the first book by Karen Rose that went through my hands, but it certainly won't be the last. I heard only good things about her books and now I have proof they were all true.
This was an amazing story, a full-fledged thriller with enough elements of romance to satisfy even the pickiest of romantic suspense readers.
I found this book hard to put down (unfortunately I do need to sleep from time to time, so I had to take a short break). This is one of those books that grip the reader from the first page, pull her or him into the story, and don't spit her or him out until they're done.
The topic was chilling and more than realistic. The struggle of an abused woman, the courage it takes to pull herself out of the abyss of torment and rise literally out of her own ashes was beautifully done. The author, though sparing the reader a few gory details, didn't sugarcoat the subject, presenting it straightforward, unblinking and unflinching in all its starkness and bleakness.
Though the reader is induced to feel a modicum of pity for the heroine that pity doesn't have the time or momentum to take a life of its own and take over the story, because the author gives the heroine enough spine, spunk, stubbornness, and determination for the reader to quickly forget the pity, and admire the heroine instead.
The characters and their actions are realistic and believable, portrayed with a staggering accuracy. Though this is a work of fiction, Ms. Rose portrayed her characters as real people, with real feelings, with real flaws, making real (and sometimes stupid) mistakes, giving the reader ample opportunity to empathize with them, all the while creating interesting and chilling food for thought. Because what happened in this story happens out there every single day. And people, as the people who knew Mary Grace Winters, tend to turn a blind eye to it, grasping at any plausible explanation that might ease their minds.
This truly was an intense, chilling, thrilling roller-coaster ride of a romantic suspense novel with wonderfully developed and wonderfully flawed characters, a twisted beyond measure villain, edge-of-the-razor suspense, nail-biting tension, nice sprinkle of romance, wonderfully paced and amazingly well-written. 10 stars out of 5!
This is the first book by Karen Rose that went through my hands, but it certainly won't be the last. I heard only good things about her books and now I have proof they were all true.
This was an amazing story, a full-fledged thriller with enough elements of romance to satisfy even the pickiest of romantic suspense readers.
I found this book hard to put down (unfortunately I do need to sleep from time to time, so I had to take a short break). This is one of those books that grip the reader from the first page, pull her or him into the story, and don't spit her or him out until they're done.
The topic was chilling and more than realistic. The struggle of an abused woman, the courage it takes to pull herself out of the abyss of torment and rise literally out of her own ashes was beautifully done. The author, though sparing the reader a few gory details, didn't sugarcoat the subject, presenting it straightforward, unblinking and unflinching in all its starkness and bleakness.
Though the reader is induced to feel a modicum of pity for the heroine that pity doesn't have the time or momentum to take a life of its own and take over the story, because the author gives the heroine enough spine, spunk, stubbornness, and determination for the reader to quickly forget the pity, and admire the heroine instead.
The characters and their actions are realistic and believable, portrayed with a staggering accuracy. Though this is a work of fiction, Ms. Rose portrayed her characters as real people, with real feelings, with real flaws, making real (and sometimes stupid) mistakes, giving the reader ample opportunity to empathize with them, all the while creating interesting and chilling food for thought. Because what happened in this story happens out there every single day. And people, as the people who knew Mary Grace Winters, tend to turn a blind eye to it, grasping at any plausible explanation that might ease their minds.
This truly was an intense, chilling, thrilling roller-coaster ride of a romantic suspense novel with wonderfully developed and wonderfully flawed characters, a twisted beyond measure villain, edge-of-the-razor suspense, nail-biting tension, nice sprinkle of romance, wonderfully paced and amazingly well-written. 10 stars out of 5!
March 16, 2011
For me in a way the 3 star rating is s gift. It's a gift in that this is not a book of the type I read, heavily romantic and so on it's not a book I would have chosen. On the other hand, it's not badly written and it deals with a difficult topic that might bear being looked at more openly.
This is one of my late wife's books. When she passed I moved to a much smaller place and my library has had to be severely pruned. I couldn't bring all my book shelves and the shelves I do have are double loaded with books shoved into every nook and cranny. So at last I'm looking at books that had been Jeanie's. I don't like to sell, trade, or give away books without at least trying to read them, so among all my other reading I'm making room for some books that I probably wouldn't have read in any other situation.
We were married for 34 years and she passed away almost 2 years ago from compilations arising from a series of strokes (multiple organ failure). When my wife was a child she was abused. I won't go into detail but for her, her mother, and others in the family both physical and psychological abuse had been common.
That is what this book attempts to deal with.
It does push one of my buttons in a way as I am so tired of abusive husband and father stories. The fact that they're out there is undeniable. But please be aware that all husbands and fathers are not abusers and seeing "men" (and most of us who are men hate that the word is used for these creatures) when they see other men abusing family members (or others) most (I hope) men are repulsed. Whether modern women want it or not most of us would stand between you and whatever threatens (yes I know, you don't need a man to protect you, it's not PC and all the other. We're still willing).
So, the book deals with a real problem. Does it do it well? I wouldn't say this is the end all and be all of books (fiction or otherwise) on the subject. But, it's got it's own value. I won't endorse it as a "read" or as a "story" but try it your self.
This is one of my late wife's books. When she passed I moved to a much smaller place and my library has had to be severely pruned. I couldn't bring all my book shelves and the shelves I do have are double loaded with books shoved into every nook and cranny. So at last I'm looking at books that had been Jeanie's. I don't like to sell, trade, or give away books without at least trying to read them, so among all my other reading I'm making room for some books that I probably wouldn't have read in any other situation.
We were married for 34 years and she passed away almost 2 years ago from compilations arising from a series of strokes (multiple organ failure). When my wife was a child she was abused. I won't go into detail but for her, her mother, and others in the family both physical and psychological abuse had been common.
That is what this book attempts to deal with.
It does push one of my buttons in a way as I am so tired of abusive husband and father stories. The fact that they're out there is undeniable. But please be aware that all husbands and fathers are not abusers and seeing "men" (and most of us who are men hate that the word is used for these creatures) when they see other men abusing family members (or others) most (I hope) men are repulsed. Whether modern women want it or not most of us would stand between you and whatever threatens (yes I know, you don't need a man to protect you, it's not PC and all the other. We're still willing).
So, the book deals with a real problem. Does it do it well? I wouldn't say this is the end all and be all of books (fiction or otherwise) on the subject. But, it's got it's own value. I won't endorse it as a "read" or as a "story" but try it your self.
January 21, 2009
This is my first Karen Rose book and by the first page I knew this was going to be riveting. Karen Rose is an excellent storyteller and she keeps everything trim and moving at a lightning fast pace. This was truly an edge-of-your-seat thriller and I enjoyed it immensely. As I was reading this I kept thinking that this would make a hugely successful movie; then I remembered Sleeping With The Enemy. I kept getting flashbacks of the movie and this book mixed up in my head but I tried not to let that bother me and besides, this book was vastly superior.
The romance isn't the main focus of this book but I thought it was nicely balanced with the suspense. I was mostly interested in the suspense anyway so I didn't mind. We know who the bad guy is from the very beginning so this isn't a who-dunit but more of a when-are-they-going-to-catch-him type of book. Our hero and heroine are blissfully going about their lives, tentatively beginning a new relationship while never knowing that the psycho husband is closing in on them. You pray that he will be caught soon because the body count in this book is really high. Anytime Winters was front and center I felt like he was this unstoppable Angel of Death. He just kept circling tighter and tighter around Caroline and I was breathlessly awaiting the moment when he would strike. Part of my unease about this book was knowing that Max was physically unable to protect her. Of course this is fiction and the good guys must triumph but it definitely made it more interesting in an edge-of-your-seat sort of way. Max wasn't some ex-soldier or FBI agent who knew how to save the day. He was a handicapped history professor and while he was certainly willing to put himself in harms way for Caroline and her son, when push came to shove, he had a bad leg. This leaves most of the hope for Caroline's survival on her own shoulders and I loved that. I loved reading about her facing her husband again, thwarting him even and challenging his dominion over her. I loved it.
Without a doubt my favorite character was Caroline's son, Tom Stewart. Caroline and Max were good characters but they were a little too defensive for my tastes. He was a little too quick to feel sorry for himself and she was just a little too blah. While I greatly admire them, Tom is the one who stole my heart. I would love to read his story someday. 4.5 stars.
The romance isn't the main focus of this book but I thought it was nicely balanced with the suspense. I was mostly interested in the suspense anyway so I didn't mind. We know who the bad guy is from the very beginning so this isn't a who-dunit but more of a when-are-they-going-to-catch-him type of book. Our hero and heroine are blissfully going about their lives, tentatively beginning a new relationship while never knowing that the psycho husband is closing in on them. You pray that he will be caught soon because the body count in this book is really high. Anytime Winters was front and center I felt like he was this unstoppable Angel of Death. He just kept circling tighter and tighter around Caroline and I was breathlessly awaiting the moment when he would strike. Part of my unease about this book was knowing that Max was physically unable to protect her. Of course this is fiction and the good guys must triumph but it definitely made it more interesting in an edge-of-your-seat sort of way. Max wasn't some ex-soldier or FBI agent who knew how to save the day. He was a handicapped history professor and while he was certainly willing to put himself in harms way for Caroline and her son, when push came to shove, he had a bad leg. This leaves most of the hope for Caroline's survival on her own shoulders and I loved that. I loved reading about her facing her husband again, thwarting him even and challenging his dominion over her. I loved it.
Without a doubt my favorite character was Caroline's son, Tom Stewart. Caroline and Max were good characters but they were a little too defensive for my tastes. He was a little too quick to feel sorry for himself and she was just a little too blah. While I greatly admire them, Tom is the one who stole my heart. I would love to read his story someday. 4.5 stars.
November 10, 2024
Wow. This book has me hooked right off the bat! The story was so engrossing I'm guilty of reading this in the middle of my Biochem class. This was so worth it though. I loved how fast paced the story was and how likable every (good) characters were. It's also been a while since I've felt legit fear for the characters' lives in a book. I shudder.
I genuinely adore this book! Two thumbs up!
I genuinely adore this book! Two thumbs up!
June 1, 2022
"It was amazing, truly amazing the difference made when the exact same words were uttered with different intent"
To much Romance and to predictable for my taste.
In full disclosure I went in blind on this one. If I knew before hand that it was a Romantic Suspense I wouldn't have picked it up at all.
To much Romance and to predictable for my taste.
In full disclosure I went in blind on this one. If I knew before hand that it was a Romantic Suspense I wouldn't have picked it up at all.
December 31, 2014
This is my first read by author Karen Rose but it certainly won't be my last. Don't Tell takes on the often taboo subject of domestic violence, as a woman and her young son escape the clutches of a monster disguised in a police uniform and spend the next seven years building a new life, while constantly looking over their shoulders. Their story is chilling and the abuse graphic, but so worth the read as it is brilliantly written, portraying the desire and determination to survive through the eyes of Caroline (aka Mary Grace), as she claws & scrapes her way to a better life for her son...one that is not filled with fear and pain. At the same time, she knows she can never stop looking back for fear her husband will find them and take them back.
Don't Tell gravitates between three scenarios as the story develops and races toward an ending in which they all collide. One part is Caroline building her new life with Max, her new boss & a man with a trunk load of his own emotional baggage. Their romantic attraction is immediate & very touching as Caroline learns to trust a man again, and Max learns to let go of a tragedy and disappointment in his own past. The other scenarios swing between the SBI investigation, as it ramps up to catch Caroline's abusive husband, and Rob Winters (her husband), who happens to be a cop who has crossed over the edge of sanity upon discovering his wife & son were not killed but actually ran to escape his abuse. The depravity and depth of Rob's cruelty become clear as he methodically tracks down his wife while cruelly punishing everyone he thinks may have helped her escape and start a new life. The suspense & anticipation are high in this one as Rob's insanity explodes in an uncontrollable rage, and he draws nigher and nigher to finding Caroline & Tommy. While I almost dreaded reading what I knew was going to happen, I was mesmerized into turning pages as fast as possible.
I don't want to leave the impression that Don't Tell is all doom & gloom...it isn't. While the subject matter is painful, the spirit of survival & a new life is very much alive. A mother's love & desire to give her child a better life is a powerful motivator and is demonstrated admirably in this book. The secondary characters are outstanding & well developed, adding another layer to the plot. Dana, who runs the abuse shelter Caroline first escaped to is funny, snarky, and often a reality check for Caroline. Special Agent Steven Thatcher, who is in charge of the investigation and tracking down Rob, is a widow with three sons of his own. He has no qualms about taking down a rogue cop...even while fellow cops question his loyalties & methods.
Don't Tell is a romance/suspense book in which both elements are well written. While the romance happens "upon first sight", it is both believable and beautiful - two damaged souls finding & helping one another learn to trust again. The suspense is just chilling...the anticipation level is off the charts! The investigation & manhunt are intense and ring true. I can't wait to work the second book of the series, Have You Seen Her, into my reading schedule. Fans of romance/suspense - Meet author Karen Rose!
http://crossmyheartbookreviews.blogsp...
Don't Tell gravitates between three scenarios as the story develops and races toward an ending in which they all collide. One part is Caroline building her new life with Max, her new boss & a man with a trunk load of his own emotional baggage. Their romantic attraction is immediate & very touching as Caroline learns to trust a man again, and Max learns to let go of a tragedy and disappointment in his own past. The other scenarios swing between the SBI investigation, as it ramps up to catch Caroline's abusive husband, and Rob Winters (her husband), who happens to be a cop who has crossed over the edge of sanity upon discovering his wife & son were not killed but actually ran to escape his abuse. The depravity and depth of Rob's cruelty become clear as he methodically tracks down his wife while cruelly punishing everyone he thinks may have helped her escape and start a new life. The suspense & anticipation are high in this one as Rob's insanity explodes in an uncontrollable rage, and he draws nigher and nigher to finding Caroline & Tommy. While I almost dreaded reading what I knew was going to happen, I was mesmerized into turning pages as fast as possible.
I don't want to leave the impression that Don't Tell is all doom & gloom...it isn't. While the subject matter is painful, the spirit of survival & a new life is very much alive. A mother's love & desire to give her child a better life is a powerful motivator and is demonstrated admirably in this book. The secondary characters are outstanding & well developed, adding another layer to the plot. Dana, who runs the abuse shelter Caroline first escaped to is funny, snarky, and often a reality check for Caroline. Special Agent Steven Thatcher, who is in charge of the investigation and tracking down Rob, is a widow with three sons of his own. He has no qualms about taking down a rogue cop...even while fellow cops question his loyalties & methods.
Don't Tell is a romance/suspense book in which both elements are well written. While the romance happens "upon first sight", it is both believable and beautiful - two damaged souls finding & helping one another learn to trust again. The suspense is just chilling...the anticipation level is off the charts! The investigation & manhunt are intense and ring true. I can't wait to work the second book of the series, Have You Seen Her, into my reading schedule. Fans of romance/suspense - Meet author Karen Rose!
http://crossmyheartbookreviews.blogsp...
May 7, 2025
"Attention to the little things had kept them safe. And it was way, way better to be safe than sorry. Sorry equaled dead."
Is it feeling a little hot in here? I think it’s a little hot in here. Could it be ‘cause it’s hot as Satan’s oven outside?
Nah, son. It’s because of this book.
Mary Grace Winters had to get out. Get out of a miserable, fear-filled existence at the hands of her physically and mentally abusive husband. She had to get out of it not only for herself but for her son. She can’t go to the police since that’s where her husband works. So she does the next best thing: she makes a run for it. And that’s how Caroline Stewart is born.
As Caroline, she and her son are able to make a brand-new life for themselves. Sure, they’re always looking over their shoulders, but it’s sure better than their living situation before. Her son is doing well in school, she’s working towards a new career, and she has a job that provides a stable living for her and her boy. She might even be on the path to finding love again, thanks to Max Hunter. But even though you can run away from your past, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it comes back to find you.
I vastly underestimated how addictive this book would be. I mean, this sucker is over 500 pages. It usually takes me a while to knock these things down, but I read most of this book in one sitting. It was impossible to put down, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.
This had to do in part with the characters. Both Caroline and Max are deeply damaged from events in the past that have seemingly defined their futures (Caroline with her abusive ex; Max was involved in a car accident that permanently crippled his knees.)I think because they were so damaged and hurt by their past events it led to a fierce need to see them be happy again. Life has given them one crapshoot after another with no break in between. They deserve a shot to be a little less miserable.
And Lord does Karen Rose deliver.
If you like your hanky-panky on the sweat-inducing side, this is the book for you. I almost thought I wasn’t going to make it because the sexual tension in this book was so intense. And that’s just the tension part. The hanky-part broke my air conditioning, it was so hot. This is not a book to be read in public because even though the cover isn’t very conspicuous in screaming “I’m a romance novel, bitches!”, the sex scenes will have you squirming and feeling mighty uncomfortable, as if the casual stranger walking by would be able to read your thoughts inside your head whilst you’re reading this book.
The romance between Caroline and Max is hot, but it’s also very complicated. Understandably, after being a living, human Raggedy-Ann doll for her ex-husband to punch and push around, Caroline is not exactly trusting of the male sex. Neither is her son, Tom (whom you’ll just want to wrap in a blanket and protect forever because he’s so precious.) Max does a pretty good job breaking down the barriers, but there are several misunderstandings that make this for a very dramatic and sometimes even occasionally problematic romance.
Caroline and Max’s relationship, while root-worthy, is not without its flaws. And for all that they’ve been through, it’s completely understandable. How they dealt with the conflicts and resolved them, however, is questionable. There’s a really good scene towards the end of the book that highlights the exact problem I have that involves Caroline, Max, and Dana (Caroline’s best friend and the truth-telling queen we all need in our lives.)
Besides that one little quibble, this book reminded me what a good romantic suspense novel looked like. There was just the right amount of romance and actual suspense (I want to punch Caroline’s ex off the face of the planet), and it had me flying through the pages in a desperate attempt to see what happened next. And with more stories in this series, I know I’ll be picking up another Karen Rose book anytime I need a good thriller with a touch of romance.
It has yet to be seen if I can actually make it through another one of her books without spontaneously combusting into flames. For my sake, Ms. Rose, turn down the heat a little bit on the sex scenes, would you?
Is it feeling a little hot in here? I think it’s a little hot in here. Could it be ‘cause it’s hot as Satan’s oven outside?
Nah, son. It’s because of this book.
Mary Grace Winters had to get out. Get out of a miserable, fear-filled existence at the hands of her physically and mentally abusive husband. She had to get out of it not only for herself but for her son. She can’t go to the police since that’s where her husband works. So she does the next best thing: she makes a run for it. And that’s how Caroline Stewart is born.
As Caroline, she and her son are able to make a brand-new life for themselves. Sure, they’re always looking over their shoulders, but it’s sure better than their living situation before. Her son is doing well in school, she’s working towards a new career, and she has a job that provides a stable living for her and her boy. She might even be on the path to finding love again, thanks to Max Hunter. But even though you can run away from your past, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it comes back to find you.
I vastly underestimated how addictive this book would be. I mean, this sucker is over 500 pages. It usually takes me a while to knock these things down, but I read most of this book in one sitting. It was impossible to put down, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.
This had to do in part with the characters. Both Caroline and Max are deeply damaged from events in the past that have seemingly defined their futures (Caroline with her abusive ex; Max was involved in a car accident that permanently crippled his knees.)I think because they were so damaged and hurt by their past events it led to a fierce need to see them be happy again. Life has given them one crapshoot after another with no break in between. They deserve a shot to be a little less miserable.
And Lord does Karen Rose deliver.
If you like your hanky-panky on the sweat-inducing side, this is the book for you. I almost thought I wasn’t going to make it because the sexual tension in this book was so intense. And that’s just the tension part. The hanky-part broke my air conditioning, it was so hot. This is not a book to be read in public because even though the cover isn’t very conspicuous in screaming “I’m a romance novel, bitches!”, the sex scenes will have you squirming and feeling mighty uncomfortable, as if the casual stranger walking by would be able to read your thoughts inside your head whilst you’re reading this book.
The romance between Caroline and Max is hot, but it’s also very complicated. Understandably, after being a living, human Raggedy-Ann doll for her ex-husband to punch and push around, Caroline is not exactly trusting of the male sex. Neither is her son, Tom (whom you’ll just want to wrap in a blanket and protect forever because he’s so precious.) Max does a pretty good job breaking down the barriers, but there are several misunderstandings that make this for a very dramatic and sometimes even occasionally problematic romance.
Caroline and Max’s relationship, while root-worthy, is not without its flaws. And for all that they’ve been through, it’s completely understandable. How they dealt with the conflicts and resolved them, however, is questionable. There’s a really good scene towards the end of the book that highlights the exact problem I have that involves Caroline, Max, and Dana (Caroline’s best friend and the truth-telling queen we all need in our lives.)
Besides that one little quibble, this book reminded me what a good romantic suspense novel looked like. There was just the right amount of romance and actual suspense (I want to punch Caroline’s ex off the face of the planet), and it had me flying through the pages in a desperate attempt to see what happened next. And with more stories in this series, I know I’ll be picking up another Karen Rose book anytime I need a good thriller with a touch of romance.
It has yet to be seen if I can actually make it through another one of her books without spontaneously combusting into flames. For my sake, Ms. Rose, turn down the heat a little bit on the sex scenes, would you?
March 1, 2017
4 1/2 stars
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is its uncanny resemblance to the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, which I couldn't stand due to Julia Roberts's lackluster performance. Yes, I know it shouldn't be fair to "punish" the book for that, but I was unable to fully enjoy it because I kept remembering the movie. As I rate the books I read based on my overall enjoyment, I can't give this book a full 5-star rating.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is its uncanny resemblance to the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, which I couldn't stand due to Julia Roberts's lackluster performance. Yes, I know it shouldn't be fair to "punish" the book for that, but I was unable to fully enjoy it because I kept remembering the movie. As I rate the books I read based on my overall enjoyment, I can't give this book a full 5-star rating.
February 14, 2018
Don't Tell is a book about the desperate flight of a mother to keep her son safe and the need of finding someone to love. Mary Grace Winters run away from her abusive husband with their son Robbie. To protect herself and her son Mary Grace changed her name to Caroline Stewart and kept a quiet life in Chicago. However, Caroline Stewart did not realise that her safe life will change until Dr Maximillian Alexander Hunter became her new boss and her estranged husband realise that Mary Grace was not dead. The Readers of Don't Tell will follow the twist and turns with Caroline Stewart and Dr Maximillian Alexander Hunter blossom romance and law enforcement investigation into Rob Winters.
Don't Tell is the first book by Karen Rose I have read and I enjoyed it. I love Karen Rose portrayal of her characters especially Dr Maximillian Alexander Hunter and Caroline Stewart. I also like the way, Karen Rose entwine her characters throughout Don't Tell. The way Karen Rose describes the settings is well written and researched to ensure that I engaged with the story of Don't Tell from the first page.
The readers of Don't Tell will see the consequences and the devastation domestic violence have on everyone evolved. Also, in some sections of the community domestic violence against family members are overlooked or what happens between couples behind closed doors are private and not their business. The Readers of Don't Tell will learn the importance of safe houses for women and children to find a safe place after escaping from violent relationships.
I recommend this book.
Don't Tell is the first book by Karen Rose I have read and I enjoyed it. I love Karen Rose portrayal of her characters especially Dr Maximillian Alexander Hunter and Caroline Stewart. I also like the way, Karen Rose entwine her characters throughout Don't Tell. The way Karen Rose describes the settings is well written and researched to ensure that I engaged with the story of Don't Tell from the first page.
The readers of Don't Tell will see the consequences and the devastation domestic violence have on everyone evolved. Also, in some sections of the community domestic violence against family members are overlooked or what happens between couples behind closed doors are private and not their business. The Readers of Don't Tell will learn the importance of safe houses for women and children to find a safe place after escaping from violent relationships.
I recommend this book.
July 19, 2013
Great idea. Scarred and slightly disabled man and woman with secrets meet and fall in love.
But boy was I disappointed with the execution. Cardboard characters who were previously normal people now have a tendency to go off half-cocked. Their dialogue is wooden and often sounds more like they're making speeches. They act out of character. She spent most of her life as a punching bag for her father and spouse and fears men, can't stand to be touched. But that magically resolves overnight. He, an intelligent academic, takes a 14 year old boy into dangerous situations. The boy hates the hero then suddenly trusts him. We learn little about the characters to make them complex--only their traumatic experiences and their current simplified personalities and current fears and thoughts.
Other people act out of character too. A long-time cop freaks out when his son is kidnapped and acts very stupidly, in ways that any cop would know in his very bones would only endanger his son. The police act out of character--they allow civilians, including a 14 year old boy, to talk to suspects, go to a hostage situation without any cops even there yet.
We also have to hear a lot about the abusive husband-cop trying to find his wife, including his deranged thoughts. I know other people may like this, but I find listening to the thoughts of crazy killers to be simultaneously boring and disgusting.
But boy was I disappointed with the execution. Cardboard characters who were previously normal people now have a tendency to go off half-cocked. Their dialogue is wooden and often sounds more like they're making speeches. They act out of character. She spent most of her life as a punching bag for her father and spouse and fears men, can't stand to be touched. But that magically resolves overnight. He, an intelligent academic, takes a 14 year old boy into dangerous situations. The boy hates the hero then suddenly trusts him. We learn little about the characters to make them complex--only their traumatic experiences and their current simplified personalities and current fears and thoughts.
Other people act out of character too. A long-time cop freaks out when his son is kidnapped and acts very stupidly, in ways that any cop would know in his very bones would only endanger his son. The police act out of character--they allow civilians, including a 14 year old boy, to talk to suspects, go to a hostage situation without any cops even there yet.
We also have to hear a lot about the abusive husband-cop trying to find his wife, including his deranged thoughts. I know other people may like this, but I find listening to the thoughts of crazy killers to be simultaneously boring and disgusting.
March 9, 2016
This is the worst book I've read this year. While the idea behind the story isn't that bad (although it's not entirely new either), I only finished this book because I always finish a book once I've started to read it. I have no idea why this was a Bestseller. Usually I can always find at least one character in a book who is interesting to me, but this time I couldn't identify with any of the characters, which is probably the reason why it was such a fight to come to the last page. I also had the feeling that the author couldn't decide if she was writing a crime or a cheesy romantic novel, which made me want to throw the book into a corner.
March 3, 2016
Wow!
Loved this book .
Not only was it thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat, I found this book very emotional too.
This is my first Karen Rose book but it definitely won't be my last . Looking forward to reading more by this wonder Author :)
Loved this book .
Not only was it thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat, I found this book very emotional too.
This is my first Karen Rose book but it definitely won't be my last . Looking forward to reading more by this wonder Author :)
March 9, 2020
A good read overall, love the story line, didn't love that at times it was a bit too repetitious. A subject that even in real life is awful and down right frightening - spousal abuse. Even worse when it involves a cop, who is not only abusing his family, in particular his wife, but a cop that beats confessions true or false out of perpetrators!
4 stars out of 5!
From the Blurb: It was a desperate plan. But Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive cop husband was to stage their own death. Now all that remains of their former life is at the bottom of a lake. Armed with a new identity in a new town, she and her son have found refuge hundreds of miles away. As Caroline Stewart, she has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. She is even taking a chance on love with Max Hunter, a man with wounds of his own. But her past is about to collide with the present when her husband uncovers her trail and threatens her hard-won peace. Step by step, he's closing in on her- and everything and everyone she loves.
4 stars out of 5!
From the Blurb: It was a desperate plan. But Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive cop husband was to stage their own death. Now all that remains of their former life is at the bottom of a lake. Armed with a new identity in a new town, she and her son have found refuge hundreds of miles away. As Caroline Stewart, she has almost forgotten the nightmare she left behind nine years ago. She is even taking a chance on love with Max Hunter, a man with wounds of his own. But her past is about to collide with the present when her husband uncovers her trail and threatens her hard-won peace. Step by step, he's closing in on her- and everything and everyone she loves.
March 27, 2008
Grade A romantic suspense. Just an all-around excellent read. I was thoroughly hooked right from the beginning.
Rose's characters are well-developed and engaging. She made me care about them and root for them. I enjoyed the way Caroline (aka Mary Grace) grew as a person and made her life better. Rose played out her situation perfectly from her fears to her judgments to her approach to romance. I liked how strong she was. The romance aspect was beautiful. Max and Caroline were a great pairing. Their troubles fit the story well.
The book was a romantic suspense, but it wasn't suspenseful in the sense of a "who-done-it" type of deal. You knew throughout the book who the bad guy was. The suspense was more about how it was all going to play out. Even though there weren't a lot of twists and turns and you weren't guessing about the bad guy, Rose manages to really pull you into the story. You're on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. True, the plot isn't the most original - an abusive husband stalking his wife - but with the emotional aspects and the details, Rose keeps the book from being typical.
Great book, I look forward to reading more from Rose.
Rose's characters are well-developed and engaging. She made me care about them and root for them. I enjoyed the way Caroline (aka Mary Grace) grew as a person and made her life better. Rose played out her situation perfectly from her fears to her judgments to her approach to romance. I liked how strong she was. The romance aspect was beautiful. Max and Caroline were a great pairing. Their troubles fit the story well.
The book was a romantic suspense, but it wasn't suspenseful in the sense of a "who-done-it" type of deal. You knew throughout the book who the bad guy was. The suspense was more about how it was all going to play out. Even though there weren't a lot of twists and turns and you weren't guessing about the bad guy, Rose manages to really pull you into the story. You're on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. True, the plot isn't the most original - an abusive husband stalking his wife - but with the emotional aspects and the details, Rose keeps the book from being typical.
Great book, I look forward to reading more from Rose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2015
3 ½ stars. Good story but a lot of suffering and survival.
Long slow build up of a story with bad guy being smart and lucky - getting closer and closer. It was good but I kept thinking about Stephen King’s Rose Madder. SK adds interesting and odd characters with fun-to-read dialogue. K R’s characters are more like regular logical people. SK throws in odd balls and I enjoy that more.
Long slow build up of a story with bad guy being smart and lucky - getting closer and closer. It was good but I kept thinking about Stephen King’s Rose Madder. SK adds interesting and odd characters with fun-to-read dialogue. K R’s characters are more like regular logical people. SK throws in odd balls and I enjoy that more.
May 10, 2015
I really quite enjoyed this one in spite of myself. A successful excursion into a different genre.
Mostly read in an attempt to prove my mantra I'll read ANYTHING good. Although I don't think I'll be reading full on chit-lit just yet xD
Mostly read in an attempt to prove my mantra I'll read ANYTHING good. Although I don't think I'll be reading full on chit-lit just yet xD
March 31, 2020
Review to follow
September 9, 2016
Loved this 1st book in her Romantic Suspense series!!!
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