Review of You Betrayed Me (The Cahills #3) by Lisa Jackson
As a long-time fan of Lisa Jackson’s thrilling narratives, I find myself eagerly awaiting each new release. Her ability to weave suspenseful tales always piques my interest, and You Betrayed Me did just that. However, I approached this third installment in the Cahills series with a mixture of excitement and trepidation—would it serve up the gripping drama I adore, or fall prey to melodrama?
Plot and Characters: A Sordid Affair
Set within the opulent world of San Francisco’s old-money families, You Betrayed Me introduces us to James Cahill, a quintessential playboy wrapped in a shroud of mystery. The story kicks off with James waking up in a hospital bed, his head bandaged and his memory foggy after a violent altercation. As he struggles with short-term amnesia, flashes of a tumultuous relationship with his angry girlfriend Megan come flooding back. The plot thickens when Megan’s rage spills over into chaos, leading to horrific consequences that spirals the narrative into a wild trajectory.
Herein lies the crux of my frustration: the characters, especially the young women in James’s life—Megan and Sophia—often felt more like caricatures of disgruntled soap opera stars than relatable figures. I found myself wanting to shake them, yelling, “Stop the cat fights and find some decent guys!” Their relentless scheming left me agitated rather than invested, which diminished my overall enjoyment.
Jackson crafts intriguing twists and turns throughout, with a mystery that does keep you turning the pages. The dynamics of the Cahill family are reminiscent of the Ewings and Carringtons—stuffed with scandals—and while it’s a thrilling backdrop, the incessant dramatic squabbles took me out of the story more often than I would have liked.
Writing Style: Fast-Paced Yet Frustrating
Jackson’s hallmark writing style—fast-paced and engaging—shines through in this novel. I appreciated the well-paced narrative, which kept my interest, especially in the scenes involving detectives Rivers and Mendoza. Rivers’s unique ability to visualize crime scenes through touch added a fresh layer to the investigation, and Mendoza’s no-nonsense approach created a strong partnership that I found compelling. Their exchanges and teamwork brought a breath of fresh air in an otherwise frustrating plot.
Even though the twists are engaging, the unlikable characters often stole the spotlight. As I continued reading, I couldn’t help but visualize myself hurling dart arrows at their heads as they waded through their soap-opera lives. This disconnect limited my attachment to the story, pulling my rating down to three stars—far from the perfection I’ve come to expect from Jackson.
Conclusion: For the Right Audience
In conclusion, You Betrayed Me offers a tantalizing plot with elements of intrigue, but it’s wrapped in layers of melodrama that may not resonate with every reader. Fans of Lisa Jackson’s earlier works or those who enjoy deeply flawed characters and high-stakes drama might find plenty to enjoy here, even if I, personally, found it lacking in certain key areas. This read is a mixed bag; while it didn’t quite elevate to the heights of her previous novels, I’m still drawn to Rivers and Mendoza and eager for their next adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. If you’re a lover of intricate mysteries and can tolerate a bit of drama, give You Betrayed Me a shot—you might just find it a guilty pleasure!
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