I really wanted to like this book, because I've liked everything else I've read by Gerritsen. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

First of all, both books in this anthology felt way too long. It seemed to me like both stories could have been resolved in about half the time, with about half the plot twists. They seemed not just complicated, but overly, needlessly complicated.

I had a lot of trouble relating to and empathizing with both heroines. Miranda in the first book seemed at times both naive and stubborn. One would think that after the second or third attempt on her life, she would hesitate before wandering around town alone. Nina in the second book seemed completely unable to process the idea that Sam might have feelings for her *and* need to do his job. I had to fight to keep from rolling my eyes at both of them.

What I felt most upon finishing this book was the relief that I was done and could go on to read something good. ( )