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Two Nights in Lisbon

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Member Reviews

"Two Nights in Lisbon" is exactly the kind of thrill ride we have come to expect from Chris Pavone! It is a fast-paced, heart-pounding adventure through an evocative European locale and I loved every minute. The crux of the story is the abduction of an American businessman on a hot July day in Lisbon, and his wife's relentless pestering of the local police and the American Embassy to find him safely. Her efforts to ensure his safe return--including the acquisition of the two million euro ransom--drive the first 2/3 of the book, and this tale is intertwined with that of her past, which has a great deal of relevance to the present story. But every character is suspicious of everyone else, and you will be too. Filled with exhilarating twists and turns, you will constantly wonder who is telling the truth and who is lying...and why. The audiobook is fabulous; this is a highly recommended, five star thriller. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!

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I loved this book so much I obtained the audiobook for a road trip. It was perfect! January LaVoy's voice was stupendous and kept the pace moving without detracting from the story. Listening to this book enabled me to hear more of the underlying philosophy of this author - he has a way of creating tension but adding humor. Chris is also truly one of those rare male authors that can capture the lives of women.

Ariel Price can't find her husband. She has accompanied him on a work trip to Lisbon, and awakens in the hostel confused and lost. She doesn't speak the language, she doesn't know anyone, she isn't even sure if he's missing - but he's gone without a note or a sign.

Thus starts a massively exciting tale. as Ariel single handedly handles the police, the kidnappers, the CIA and much more. This is the kind of twisty story that is believable yet out of this world. If you want to stay up all night tonight, grab the audiobook for Two Nights In Lisbon. #TwoNightsInLisbon! #netgalley #netgalleyreads
#Macmillanaudio,

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This was really good. I've read enough thrillers that I can usually guess what's happening or the plot is way too Byzantine, but this one worked really well.

Review copy provided by publisher.

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I was granted access to the audio version of Chris Pavone’s “Two Nights in Lisbon” from Macmillan Audio, and I thank them for the courtesy. The novel was deeply disappointing, but I persevered to finish it at hopes that some miracle would make it better. Sadly, after 14 hours and 31 minutes invested, my hopes were dashed.

With its flashbacks, heavy-handed twists and obvious plot holes, there was little actual suspense. Our heroine has suffered so greatly at the hands of all the evil men and jealous women in her circles, and has finally decided to get woke, demonstrate some agency and get some real revenge. . . all without, virtuously, breaking the requirements of her non-disclosure agreement. It all fell very flat and I found that none of the characters were remotely believable.

I will watch for further stories from Mr. Pavone, but this one was a non-starter for me.
2 stars

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Absolutely amazing. There may have been a slight excess of paranoia but maybe not. I loved the ending.
I really enjoyed the two Kate Moore books starting with The Expats. The next two books were not quite as good in my opinion. This one really blows all the others out of the water. Read it.
January Lavoy was excellent as always.

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I only made it about 8 chapters in. The main character keeps analyzing everyone she meets, and seems to think herself very knowledgeable about figuring out people. Yet she marries someone after three months who gives her a sleeping pill and walks out of her life unexplainable? I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for a woman that stupid and couldnt continue.

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Ariel doesn’t travel often, but her new husband asks her to accompany him on a business trip to Lisbon and she agrees. When she wakes up alone, she immediately feels like something’s wrong. Her husband has been kidnapped and she’ll do anything to get him back.
This was a fast paced thriller and the author did a great job writing timeline jumps and alternating POVs. There were a lot of twists that kept me guessing, but the way the big one was presented is a bit of a head scratcher. I enjoyed this international thriller regardless and how it wrapped up. It’s perfect beach reading so be sure and add it to your summer list.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Two Nights in Lisbon - 3.5 stars

I listened to the audiobook of Chris Pavone's thriller, Two Nights in Lisbon, which I found to have a great storyline. I just feel that it needed a bit of organization. There were plenty of interesting twists and turns which kept me intrigued enough to finish the book, even though several times I was lost as to whether I was in the present with Ariel and John or that the author had just segued into the facts of Ariel's prior life with Bucky, her first husband, fourteen years prior.

January LaVoy, the narrator, did a great job of narrating. I did get frustrated when her tone didn't change at all while jumping back and forth between the two timelines of Ariel's two marriages, although it was the writer who controlled the segue.

Pavone wrote a good thriller that often had me holding my breath. Unfortunately, as I was waiting to see what was around the corner, the storyline would revert to Ariel's thoughts from fourteen years prior. These anti-climactic episodes happened several times just as I was on the edge of my seat and caused frustration. I found it took away from the excitement of the novel.

All in all, Pavone wrote a good book that could have been a great book. It won't stop me from reading his prior books as I've read that he has written some good ones.
A 4 star that could have been a 5.

Thanks to #NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Was this book really about only two nights in Lisbon?

The book dragged so much that it felt more like two years in Lisbon.

I selected this audiobook because I am almost always a fan of "spouse goes missing" books.

In addition, the audiobook was read by January Lavoy, one of my favorite female narrators. Usually, I could listen to January Lavoy read the phonebook but not so with this book.

The book's premise was ultra-compelling: Newlyweds Ariel and John are honeymooning in Lisbon and John suddenly disappears. Ariel and John both have backstories and secrets.

Unfortunately, even with a super-talented narrator and an intriguing premise, this book fell flat.

First and foremost, the author's text was tedious, repetitious, and all over the place.

The author's attempt to reveal Ariel's backstory slowed down the pace of a plotline that was already very, very, very slow burn.

This 15-hour audiobook easily could have been a 9-hour audiobook, and I am being kind.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

2 stars rounded up.

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Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone.

This is a great international suspense/mystery/slow burn unfolding novel. It's fast and slow in it's pace and unfolding. Kind of a category of it's own? But I really enjoyed it!

When Ariel wakes up in Portugal, her new husband John is gone without a trace. No notice or warning. Through anonymous messaging she learns that he has been abducted with a steep ransom for his return. Desperate to get him back, she goes to the police, as well as people from her past in order to get John back. But why was he abducted in the first place?

This is a novel that goes DEEP. If you find yourself lost from time to time, that's actually by design, don't get discouraged. I was so pleasantly surprised through the whole novel. I loved the glamour of being in a foreign country, the intriguing characters, the suspense of the rescue, and the slow unpeeling of all the layers of the past. Great novel!

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3.5-4 stars. I am a bit torn about this one. I REALLY liked the overall plot and was quickly sucked into the suspense. That said, at over 14 hours, it is a bit of a commitment to get through, and I think it could have been a bit more concisely told. In fact, given that it is meant to be a "quick paced" suspenseful read, this would actually enhance the "quickness" of the paceness. Also, you have to wait until the LAST chapter to really understand the whole concept, which was a little disappointing. I had a figured out a few of the twists, but I did enjoy the final one. Overall, I think that this is still a worthwhile listen/read.

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A dual review: I read this one and alternated with the audiobook, ultimately, preferring and finishing, in print.

A bit of a slow start, this mystery quickly speeds up the plot adding many elements to the point of muddling the waters a bit too much. But, a satisfying resolve.

My favorite Pavone remains The Expats, but a fun read.

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