What the Dead Know: A Novel

Read this rather quickly. Well-written and she never gives away the secrets until near the end. The story takes place in the mind of the main character, and I enjoyed the fact that it was never going to go the way I thought it would.

This was one of the most complex suspense novels I've ever read. The story shifts in time and point of view, each section more interesting than the last. It's a morally ambiguous tale that makes the reader both feel and think. How do we keep our children safe from harm? Can a lie told in good conscience breed danger later on, if only from the distance lies inevitably invoke? Ms. Lippman's writing ranges from the matter of fact to the beautiful; her metaphor for hope was powerful enough to bring tears. WHAT THE DEAD KNOW made me go out and buy a good many of the author's backlist...they can hardly be more compelling than this one, though.

I was pleasantly surprised with this story and the author's writing. Suspenseful until the end, and a topic which is always provocative emotionally. A well-done fly-on-the wall perspective of a religious commune populated by those with various psychological and spiritual imbalances. I enjoyed it immensely.

Laura Lippman tells a pretty good mystery story - it starts and engages well and has an interesting conclusion, but the middle drags a bit. She certainly embraces the history and sociology of an underappreciated city, Baltimore. Some of the character develoment was cliche and two-dimensional while others were fairly rich. Would have given more stars for a more consistent novel start to finish.

Being from the area, and remembering the Lyon sisters kidnapping I kept reading, often skimming. I did not like all of the skipping around..The book was enjoyable to me due to my growing up in the area, but to an outsider maybe not so much.

This was, for me, a fairly pedestrian story - I've read many similar books and although I was entertained I know it won't stay in my mind as a favorite. Still, the writing is strong, the characters are interesting, and the twist at the end was unexpected.

Loved this book. I don't read many mysteries but I needed something new to read. With my Kindle, it was right there. I couldn't put the book down. The book jumps around a bit and I could still keep up with what was going on. There was just something about the story line that had me enthralled. Great read.

I love these books and have read the series because the main character appeals to me and the plots are good enough. Its not Shakespeare but its a good read. I very much enjoy the local color in the books as I am all over the city and region too.

This book kept my attention because I wanted to know what happened but it was hard to follow. Every chapter jumped from past to present and person to person. I'm out of the reading loop lately somewhat so I second guess my opinion a bit on this one; mainly because I did care about where it was going and what happened to the main character. I can't wait to re-read other reviews to see if anyone else felt this way.

I was really interested in this book from the beginning because of it's premise of two girls going missing in childhood and then the intriguing possibility that one returns. It lived up to the promise of a very interesting mystery. I couldn't put it down. The surprise ending makes this especially satisfying.

A very intreiging and plausible plot. I do believe that the writer could have left out some of the personal musings of Sunny. It seem that the story would have been more to the point if some things were left out. All in all a very exciting dialog.

Unusually well developed characters and layers in this tale of a woman claiming to be one of two Baltimore sisters missing for 30 years. I could not put this book down once started. This is the first I've read by Lippman and won't be my last.

Keep going because it starts out slowly. I bought it months ago and tried in vain on numerous occasions to get beyond the first few pages. Once you get past the first few chapters, it gets hard to.put down. stick with it, it is an entertaining read.

I was in suspense all through the book. LL skillfully varied the venue and time from chapter to chapter, allowing one some background and illumination of the experience behind the incidents. The end was a bit of a surprise, but satisfying in that good intentions may be helpful, and kindness may be rewarded.

I enjoyed this book very much. The author kept me guessing the whole way. I felt sympathy for the parents, fear over what might have happened to the girls, and disgust with the man who took them. I highly recommend What the Dead Know.

I enjoyed this book very much. The author kept me guessing the whole way. I felt sympathy for the parents, fear over what might have happened to the girls, and disgust with the man who took them. I highly recommend What the Dead Know.

The twists and turns keep you guessing right up to the end. Going back and forth in time was a little confusing at times but helped keep the suspense going. I didn't see the end coming which is a sign of a very good mystery novelist.

i enjoyed the twists and turns of this story. The ending was a surprize to me. I enjoyed the writing style and the pace of the story...it never dragged on and ended before you tired of it. would recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. Good twist to the ending, well written, and entertaining. I always appreciate an author who can use realistic dialog and interesting descriptions to show the story. I look forward to more from this author!

I enjoyed the book. Lippman keeps you wondering about the girl's past throughout the entire book. I also enjoyed reading from multiple character's perspectives. I thought it was a good story line and I liked how it switches between past and present.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It keeps you guessing, lots of twists and turns.Did not want to put the book down, really held my interest. First book by this author that I have read, would read her again.

I love Lippman's character development. You feel the character's are really alive, and you understand their psychology. The plot had some surprises that were unexpected--always a plus. I have enjoyed adding her to my author's list!

Overall, I found this book disappointing. Lippman is a good writer but the thematic elements and characterizations are seriously lacking in this novel.

One Sunday afternoon in Baltimore, two sisters head to the mall, eleven year-old Heather and fifteen year-old Sunny Bethany. They are never to be seen again and the file becomes a cold case. Thirty years later, after leaving the scene of an accident, a woman is picked up on the highway and claims she is Heather Bethany. She is hospitalized and questioned. The police don't believe she is telling the truth, but what is she hiding.

'Heather' claims she was abducted by a policeman in the mall and this same policeman killed Sunny in front of her. She also claims that she was subjected to sexual abuse for years, told that her parents didn't want her, and that she was to remain with the family of the man who had abducted her. Something just doesn't ring true to the police who are questioning her but they can't put their finger on what it is.

The story slowly unravels and it isn't until the very end of the book that the truth is revealed. I found myself captive to the writing but annoyed at the outcome which seemed ridiculous to me. I wish I hadn't even finished the book. Lippman's writing is very good and that is the saving grace. However, I wish her plot had been more realistic.