Part thriller, part literary novel - a great read!
342083
You won't be able to put this book down. Kathy Hepinstall knows how to tell a story, and she won't let you escape.
Eleven year old Alice and her older brother Boone fear for their lives.  Their stepfather Simon has a murky past and a mean streak, though their mother Meg is oblivious because she is happy to be loved by a man again.  Wise and skeptical Alice sees the inconsistencies in Simon's stories and the frightening line of rage between his eyes.  When Simon discovers Boone's correspondance with an infamous teen who periodically escapes from the local mental institution, he threatens to poison them.  Alice and Boone have no defense against him other than memorizing details about the various poisons so they can avoid being tricked.  They know they are headed for a grisly end, even though they can not yet fathom what it might be.
The pacing of the novel is nearly flawless, and the prose carrries the reader effortlessly through this world of treachery.  Part thriller, part literary novel, this book expertly weaves the ordinary with the extraordinary, making the fear of being poisoned seem possible in a house that has Kool-Aid in the refrigerator and a not-so-bright dog in the yard.  The characters are deftly drawn, with personalities that seem all too real despite their idiosyncrasies.  Alice, although often seeming far older than her years, is consistently herself, with her smart aleck comments and instinct to survive.  Boone is less convincing as a Bible-quoting fourteen year old who "falls in love" with Persely Snow, the mental patient.  Dreamy and dependent Meg, though not a woman of substnace, has presence here, as does Simon and his mercurial personality.  Even the twins across the street are unforgettable, though they do not do much more than teach Alice's dog tricks and snitch on Boone.
The main flaw in this book - and believe me, it shouldn't keep you from reading it - is a few forced turns of the plot. Although Alice never seems 11 (more like 16), I found this distracting only when the author reminded me that she was younger than her brother.  These weaknesses pale in the hands of such an expert storyteller.
I highly recommend this book for anyone searching for an engrossing read.
2718742
If you are like me you sort of have this idea of Umberto Eco as though, Wow -- you are really going to have to do some thinkin' if you read him!
It's true. But now I realize this is a good thing.
I finally picked The Name of the Rose off my shelf and opened it up.
What a trip!
The bulk of the story takes place over a seven day period in November of the year 1327. William of Baskerville [an English monk/detective] along with his novice assistant Adso, set off on a diplomatic mission to a Franciscan abbey in the hills of Italy.
From day one, the mission shifts gears quite a bit -- because a string of mysterious murders begin to take place. And the abbot wants William to figure out what the hell is going on. Naturally, in such a cloistered environment, everyone becomes a suspect. And soon William discovers that the real issue involves the secrecy of the abbey's library.
At night, this section of the place is off limits to everyone except the librarian himself. There are connections that are too suspicious to ignore.
William, a rationalist by nature, finds himself following leads that are religious and superstitious -- and this throws him off course. The bodies start piling up, and his time there is running out.
The book is ingenious in its depiction of the mayhem that can result in religion's [insane?] desire to suppress knowledge and free-thinking inquiry. Ultimately, someone is trying to keep one single book from being read -- and is willing to murder others in this quest to quench philosophical introspection.
If Dan Brown is your man -- leave this book alone. You will only throw it at the wall at some point. In things I have read since, Eco deliberately designed it with a certain sort of reader in mind. The first 100 pages are constructed in such a way as to deter the average thriller-reader. If you can get beyond page 100, Eco will have you in his thrall. It's a design every bit as surreptitious and sneaky as what is going on in the abbey itself.
I loved this book. Written in first-person narration [by Adso] it will be a rewarding whodunit caper for anyone who loves true, timeless literature.
Is it a beach read? I don't know. I don't think so. I can't quite imagine pina colada rings anywhere on these pages as you try to hold them open in the sun while a stray beachball is bouncing off your head. But if you want to immerse yourself in a truly engrossing tale... one where yes, you have to think a bit -- this novel is a beauty, for sure.
It's my first journey into this brilliant author's crawl space -- it makes me look forward to sealing myself away into yet another Eco-chamber one day!
2601669
I was not prepared to enjoy this novel as much as I did. The cover did not attract me (while the image itself is compelling, the font and colors do little to entice), and I before I started reading, I wondered if I had outgrown my penchant for thrillers. Apparently not. I couldn't put this one down.

Im still trying to figure out why. In keeping with its noir-esque tone, the writers prose is far more blue-collar than literary. He toes the line in terms of content that Im willing to read. The characterseven the good onesare not ones Id typically choose to hang out with. Im not drawn to the setting (wintry Florida and Detroit). The best I can figure is that this author has that elusive, inimitable ability to plot a compelling story, to tell it simply, without flair or fussand therefore draw the reader right in.

This novel is not for everyoneif you don't enjoy mature-themed, high-stakes, women-in-jeopardy thrillers, I doubt youd enjoy this one. But if you like a story that moves along at a speedy clip, contains flawed but likable characters, and a twisty plot that keeps you guessing, I suggest you give it a try.

Thanks to Meryl L. Moss Media Relations and The Story Plant for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
3375033
"The Geographer's Library" has aspirations to that lofty genre, the literary thriller, which is attracting so many hopeful authors and readers of late. For a debut novel, Fasman's efforts come very, very close indeed to success but ultimately a puzzling and cryptic ending left me feeling like I had just dined on that proverbial gourmet Chinese food - you know that old one about eating lots and enjoying it but, when the ending arrives, you're not really satisfied and a few minutes later you're hungry!

The story begins as Paul Tomm, reporter for a small town Connecticut weekly, is assigned to write the obituary for Jaan Puhapaev, an Estonian professor of Baltic history at the local college, who died alone in his rooms. Tomm's questions, initially aimed only at fleshing out the bones on the life of an old man that nobody really knew, quickly began to disclose a much more shadowy past.

Fasman ekes outs the details of Puhapaev's shadowy past and its mystical connection to the shadowy arcane science of alchemy by interweaving a series of fourteen thoroughly entertaining historical vignettes with the main body of the plot. Each story tracks the life line of a different artifact, some now priceless and others barely distinguishable from garage sale junk, all stolen in antiquity from the collection of twelfth century geographer Al-Idris to their resting places in the modern era.

The writing was sharp; the malevolent and stomach-churning plot-line of the thriller was well-paced and compelling; the historical asides were entertaining and informative; the characterization was enjoyable; and the stereotypes - the tweedy college don, small town cops, the laid back weekly newspaper editor, the church-going music teacher and even a Russian mobster - were all spot on and used with wonderful effect. But when the climax arrived and it was time to resolve the thriller and tie the present to the past that magic dissolved in a puff of smoke.

I'm a reader that needs a little more resolution in a novel's ending and this one is anything but - puzzling, cryptic and unresolved with entire futures and relationships left hanging in the balance! I enjoyed the book but I was certainly left with the feeling that it could have been so much more.

Paul Weiss
4091363
This is a novel that turns on the physical and emotional courage of it's main character, Val, as he tries to resolve the death of his brother and his attraction to his brother's obsessive girlfriend.  Poverman's ability to let us see the hero develop and risk all -- life, wife, and son -- while being unaware in large part of his own motivation is a real feat for a writer.  It's not about PTSD from the battlefield or the jargon of counseling, but it is about emotional and psychic damage, and healing.

A very thoughtful book in the guise of a thriller
3486814
"Manipulating the List" is a part-thriller, part-romance, and part-suspense filled story that tells of a woman's desperate attempt to save her own life in a rather peculiar way,by ensuring that someone else meets the "Collector" first. If you have read movies like "Final Destination", the concept of this book goes along the same vein. If you are on the "Collector's List", you are no longer living. K.B. Lever changes this concept slightly. Instead of trying to avoid the list, the lead character in the story actually knows and befriends the person that "handles" the list. In fact, she even participates in helping to decide who was next on the list. Granted, when she played that "game", she was only a child, but she nevertheless maintained a close relationship with this Reaper-like character (Jonathan) throughout most of the book. That is, until he comes for her. From that point, it is high-speed chase that involves airplanes, one car theft, scuba diving, and a trip to Australia. Throughout the process, Katherine learns to appreciate the things in life that we take for granted,like love and work.

Overall, this was a pretty good book. I enjoyed the way K.B. Lever changed the concept of "avoiding death" into something that was both mysterious and interesting. She keeps you guessing through the whole book about the exact nature of Jonathan and Katherine's friendship despite some hints. That will keep readers read. It also has a good and realistic sequence of events that has a lot of suspense built right into it. The author also has some really engaging back stories regarding Australia that added a little unique regional flavor to the book. I also liked the stories told by the "Collector" as well. It made me gain a deeper appreciation for life. The story of Scott,the firefighter, is a touching one as well as Jonathan's backstory is also really intriguing and provided the emotional catalyst I needed to continue on. When I saw what happened to these two characters, I wanted to know why they died. I also liked the author's first-person perspective. It was touched with a realistic and humorous way (in the self-deprecating way we all laugh about ourselves). That was a nice touch compared to so many books that try to make everything so "literary". It's why I like indie books.

The book does have some flaws that can be improved. I love the sub-plot of Katherine essentially trying to cheat death, but was a little confused about the point. Why was she "on the list" in the first place and why was her aunt? How does one get on the list? While the author does provide clues, there is no definitive answer. This understandably creates a dilemma, which I find good for the story, but also leaves it too mysterious. The book also has an issue with some of the fantasy elements in the plot. For the story to succeed, the reader must assume that the character Katherine has continuous conversations with a "collector" from an early age. While I understood and accepted that premise,I still had problems accepting that premise when I didn't understand the rules to the fantasy world that she lived in.

Overall, though this is a great start for this author. It has all of the elements of traditionally published authors, but also includes some of the originality and freshness that can only come from an independent author. The author has a really intriguing story and one that I recommend if you a fan of indie fiction works.
908975
Date Read: 07/20/16
Pub Date: 08/09/16 (US publication)

4 STARS

Struggling to come to terms with the suicide of her teenage son, Ellie lives in the shadows of the Forth Road Bridge, lingering on its footpaths and swimming in the waters below. One day she talks down another suicidal teenager, Sam, and sees for herself a shot at redemption, the chance to atone for her sons death. But even with the best intentions, she cant foresee the situation shes falling headlong into  a troubled family, with some very dark secrets of their own.

The Jump is a hugely moving contemporary thriller, and a stunning portrait of an unlikely heroine.

Doug Johnstone is a new-to-me author, and after reading The Jump Im intrigued to check out the rest of his work! This was a quick read (only 268 pages with short chapters), which made it possible to read this entire book in one sitting. I see where the blurbs get the thought of this being a genre bending story, as it seems to morph from one thing to another as the book progresses. This is the perfect read for lovers of domestic suspense with a hint of crime fiction.

A salute at the threshold of the North Sea of my mind,
And a nod to the boredom that drove me here to face the tide,
And I swim.
 Swim Until You Cant See Land Frightened Rabbit

As I stated above, this was an interesting little read. Part character study, part light mystery (I say light not in content but in the unfolding), it made for a surprisingly satisfying tale. In regards to the mystery, this isn't really a whodunnit or one you are reading to solve; it unfolds quickly and leaves no red herrings as to the who and why. Usually Im picky with my shorter books, as it can feel rushed and unfinished, but this one did a fine job of packing in enough content to feel full. I enjoyed how the story would sway between the mystery at hand and Ellies personal struggles at home with her unrelenting grief. I wouldnt call the ending tidy, which for me was a strong point, as there are a couple of aspects left without closure, but again, a satisfying ending.

My one concern (and completely a personal one with no criticism toward the author and his writing) was of Ellie and Sams relationship. Ill preface by stating I have never mothered a boy of any age; I have 2 girls whos drama is still limited to She licked me oreo. That being said, I felt slightly uncomfortable while reading the scenes between the two when they are in private. Do mothers act this way toward teenage boys? I mistakenly assumed this relationship would turn to something inappropriate, but it never did. I can appreciate this part of the story though; it drew me in and made me think a little harder and deeper at something I likely never would have noticed otherwise.

Overall, this was a great, suspenseful little read! Ive heard great things about the authors other books and cannot wait to get my hands on them. This is a release for the US, as its already been published in the UK. Ill be a stop on Dougs blog tour August 5 and have a very unique post for you all that I cannot wait to share!:)

*Many thanks to the author and Faber&Faber for my copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
2853803
Illusion is one of those novels that keeps you thinking long after you have put it down.

Though Isobel is an accomplished Interior Designer, she is often at odds with herself. Her mother has a narcissistic personality and is continually pulling the rug out from under Isobel's successes and relationships.

Though Isobel has divorced an alcoholic husband and has vowed to bring up her son in a warm caring and nurturing home, she is unable to see the signs and avoid an even worse relationship.  The problem is that since she grew up with a narcissist mother, she sees narcissist "tell-tale" behaviors as normal.

We watch helplessly as Isobel becomes enmeshed in a relationship that promises to be deeply damaging to both her and her son.

In addition to being a novel about love, family and relationships, it also a riveting thriller.  As the plot raced ahead, I found myself almost screaming at Isobel to GET OUT.  The fact is, it is easy to become entangled with a narcissist.  They have NO moral compass and will draw you in with lies and illusions.  They are not only unable to see the destructive damage they cause but they don't care  indeed they may glory in their power.  A narcissist may never hurt you physically, but the psychological abuse can be beyond belief.

Author, Tracy Johnson's characters are people you know. This novel makes a great story on its own.  However, it also teaches some good lessons.  Whether or not you are already familiar with narcissistic personalities, you will soon be able to recognize their traits and the games they play.

Read the book!  It has a great plot, interesting and well-rounded characters and may give you information that will help in your own relationships!
156175
To enjoy this book, you first need to know what you're reading.  Unlike the other books by Greg Iles, this is a supernatural thriller in the vein of Dean Koontz or perhaps the less monster-filled books of Stephen King.  The plot isn't overtly original; a man's dead ex-girlfriend has come back to "haunt" him by possessing other people's bodies, causing all sorts of problems, as you can imagine.  But Iles has taken a rather contrived plot and made it very readable, keeping the suspense level high and the action at a nearly non-stop pace.  I found myself unable to put this book down, and that rarely happens with me these days.  I read the entire book in two days and was sad when it ended.  My wife reacted the same way, and she and I both read voraciously and go through half a dozen books every month while rarely finding one that grabs us like Sleep No More did.
I'll repeat, this wouldn't qualify as great literature.  It's escapist fiction, but it's damn good for what it is.  Take it on a plane, read it on the beach, use it to kill a few hours and you won't be disappointed.
242177
This book is the best of both worlds: it's a serious book about serious things--memory, regret, freedom, the possibility (or not) of second chances--but it's also a first-rate thriller. The two characters at the center of the story, Miranda and Frank, are appealing and maddening in equal measure, and the dance they do over the course of the book, where neither is being completely honest about their intentions, is one of the most gripping things I've read lately. The characters around them are likewise full of life, and the setting, a women's prison, is vividly evoked. This is one of those books where any one of the secondary characters could easily support their own novel.

The story itself is perfectly calibrated, shifting effortlessly between the characters' present-day and their memories, and also shifting expertly between the first and third person (which is harder to do). The prose is lean and evocative, full of beautifully detailed imagery that is striking without calling attention to itself. And, as I say, it's a great thriller, racing right along toward a powerful conclusion that I should have seen coming but didn't.

This is a terrific debut, simultaneously exciting and insightful, shrewd about people without being cynical, and (finally) immensely satisfying and heartbreaking all at once.

(I was lucky to get an advanced copy; I know a guy who knows a guy.)
3144785
One of the best novels I've read in the past several years. First off, there is a story here, characters the reader can relate to (like or not like) pitch perfect dialog, setting (albeit a bit too heavy going with all the snow) and, best yet, a relationship between 2 friends & main characters that is developed to the highest possible degree of detail and drama (+ noir thrills)...just what a good novel should do and this one does it well. The sections with dialog make for page-turning reading while the pages dedicated to introspection are slower going but written beautifully and with feeling and are worth spending time on...Mr. Kiefer's prose is simply outstanding as is the construction of his tale; the reader at the close will have the redemption theme on his or her mind for some time to come. If I have to find any fault, it would be with the end of the story - a fight in the snow just a bit too dense to follow and harder still to believe. Yes, this is a literary novel and thank goodness for it, but, please Mr. Kiefer, do we really need to use TWICE the 'doppleganger' word!! Save it for faculty meetings. Read this book - it is IMPRESSIVE if you like good fiction.
3933140
Although Emily Benedek is known primarily as a journalist from her dispatches in such publications as Newsweek and Rolling Stone, she has also authored a number of nonfiction works, two of which concern American Indian issues and one that deals with her own spiritual journey. This time out, Benedek makes her fiction debut with RED SEA, a novel that will alter your worldview.

Although RED SEA is considered a thriller, the backstory of its publication easily could lead one to conclude otherwise. Benedek, while reporting for Newsweek, is said to have made contact with a highly-placed Israeli counterterrorism expert who, because of his continuing role in the international community, could have his story told only as a work of fiction. Indeed, there are many elements of the novel that are consistent with backchannel knowledge. Its frightening beginning --- I'll only tell you that this is a simply wonderful book to pick up before a transatlantic flight! --- only heralds the planning of a more ambitious and catastrophic plot, directed against the United States but with worldwide ramifications.

The mastermind behind it is Mansour Obaidi, an Islamofascist whose history of actions against the United States goes back for decades. It is Julian Granot, a recently "retired" Israeli Special Forces commander --- the length of his so-called "retirement" seems to be at the discretion and pleasure of the Israeli military --- who slowly comes to realize that the high-profile first strike of the terrorists is but a prelude to what is about to occur. Granot is shocked, however, when he discovers Obaidi's involvement, for he has a personal history with Obaidi that will not end until one of them is dead.

Matters are complicated by the interjection of Marie Peterssen, a journalist who is very quick to realize that there is more behind the initial terror attack than was originally thought. Though Peterssen is not aware of it, there is a link between her, Obaidi and Granot, one that leaves both Obaidi and Granot vulnerable to each other and to Peterssen. As Obaidi's plot moves speedily to its execution, Granot finds himself stymied not only by his own superiors but by his nation's greatest ally: the one he is attempting to protect.

Granot discovers an unexpected ally, however, in Morgan Ensley, a maverick FBI agent who believes more in results than in protocol and who, upon making the acquaintance of Peterssen, is doubly motivated to protect and serve. The combined efforts of Granot, Peterssen and Ensley may not be enough, though, as Obaidi's ingenious plot to bring the United States to its knees proceeds inexorably to its conclusion.

More than a great debut, RED SEA introduces a cast of characters that, should Benedek be desirous of such, would easily sustain an ongoing franchise. It simply doesn't get any better than this.

  --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
1848242
It's a good rule of thumb that if you just want to read a few chapters of a novel before going to bed DO NOT start a novel by Lisa Regan. I found Aberration nearly impossible to put down and I would have read the whole thing in one sitting if not for the necessity of sleep.

To me one of the hallmarks of a great thriller is fully-realized characters that readers can come to care about or at least understand. Aberration has these kinds of characters in spades, particularly the protagonist Kassidy Bishop. It's always a treat to see a strong female protagonist, but Kassidy is not some kind of superwoman. She is tough and determined when it comes to her job, but she is also vulnerable and emotionally repressed due to the horrors of her past.

The killer is a fascinating villain and it was chilling to read the chapters that are told from his point of view. He's a monster, of that there is no question, but it's difficult not to feel some kind of empathy for him as the story plays out. To me that is the mark of a great character.

Aberration is filled with twists that will keep the reader turning pages. The final twist comes in the form of a quietly powerful ending that sent a chill up my spine.

Regan is an extremely talented writer and I will be looking forward to reading whatever she comes up with next.
4741568
A great intellectual thriller. Went into it hoping it was as good as her Gentlemen and Players (a very underappreciated book) and it didn't disappoint. It's not a mass market book, and not for everyone, but it's in a setting I love - an English boys' school. The twists and turns and especially pernicious poison of academia. The book is written in several different voices, almost diary entries over several key years, and there's great suspense and surprise in who these unreliable narrators are. Beautifully poetic and eloquent, a mediatation on growing old. Harris is brilliant at teasting out little bits on information - Val McDermid called this a "masterclass in misdirection" -- and she's write. And then the rug is completely pulled out from under you. Can't wait for the next one in this series.
713806
Although this novel does not achieve what the publisher claims in the dust jacket, a thriller impossible to put down, it is clear to me that the writer has talent and will probably deliver a much better work given another chance.
Sarah Pribeck is a detective that cares about her job, finding missing persons. She has been out of a partner since Genevieve's daughter was raped and murdered and the killer got away on a technicality. Genevieve is having a really tough time dealing with her daughter's loss and Sarah finds herself disoriented when her husband, Shiloh, disappears on the weekend he was supposed to travel to Quantico, to start the FBI program as a new trainee. Through the first moments of the search we realize how important Genevieve is to Sarah, since the latter keeps going back to the tips and recommendations the former provided in the past. With the time running against her and without being able to convince Genevieve to help, Sarah finds herself taking a plunge into Shiloh's past in the search for clues to solve the mysterious disappearance, finding a myriad of things she did not know about the man she has been married to for two months.
There are several things that Compton does astoundingly well; for example the description of the characters and their emotions. I also find interesting the fact that the author focuses on creating a thriller with no romantic undertones; one can get tired of the formula used by many in which a female heroine is drawn to a "strong male" in the setting of a mystery thriller. Where I find a major flaw is in the way that the story is structured, the action keeps stopping for long intervals to go back to events from the past, which in my opinion severely cuts the intensity the book has. With the quality of her writing and the good development of the characters, the author can reach much higher heights that the one she achieved in this first novel.
1006432
Wow! I loved this book!

Missing, Presumed opens with a mystery. A young woman from a well-to-do family has disappeared under unknown circumstances.

Part-police procedural, part-character study, this novel will satisfy fans of both.

For most of the novel, chapters are presented through the third-person lens of: Manon, a lead detective with a rather lonely, complicated personal life, Davy, an optimistic young detective who provides comic relief and great insight into Manon, the missing woman's mother, whose idyllic upper middle class home is not as picture perfect as it seems, and her best friend Helena, the ever-present third wheel to Edith and her boyfriend Will.

The plot takes many twists and turns and ends in a rather unexpected way. There is one minor detail to the story that makes little sense to me even after all has been revealed...there is a point in the story where a murder case gets linked to Edith's disappearance, and other than it occurring in roughly the same geographic area as Edith's home, I don't really see why the police become determined to find a tie between the two, because it is clearly stated that the murder takes place at least a week before she disappears. It is kind of a weak link for me.

Other than that, I greatly enjoyed this read, and I predict it will be a bestseller this summer!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3149341
I really liked this downbeat mystery thriller. Trent Lemend, who narrates his own story, encounters the aftermath of a horrific crime, and as he battles to avoid becoming implicated in it himself, he simultaneously struggles to find redemption from guilt that he feels about his own distant past. Cleverly the two themes are woven together, and as the mystery of one story is resolved, that of the other simply grows.

To me, the best thing about this book is the leading character himself  a drop-out from higher education who has ended up doing mundane manual work, but is trying to make the best of his life and restore his faltering relationship with his girlfriend. Some reviewers have called him hapless; hes certainly impulsive, sometimes stolid and not always wise, but his heart is in the right place.

What is impressive is the way the world is presented so convincingly through his eyes: his speculation about whats happening to him, his musing about what to do next, and his observation of the fine detail of the world around him. The author has well and truly got under his skin, and her conviction never slips. She also shows an almost lyrical ability to evoke the grey bleakness of a Texas winter, reflecting the greyness of our mans world. Oh, and the dialogue works well too.

I found the writing accomplished and effective  and don't worry about being distracted by chapters that jump back twelve years from the present. There are a few of these, but they only appear early on in the book, giving us important background to the main characters current state of mind and situation in life. After that, the focus remains on the present day.

I guessed the explanation for the mystery before it was unveiled, but in a way that didn't matter. There were some tense (and violent) moments along the way, and the fascination lay partly in finding out how things would be resolved. It may not end as tidily as some would like, but it is what it is. I was happy with it.

If this is a self-published book, which it appears to be, its a great example of the literate and well-presented work out there, and I was only sorry to find that the authors other books are in a different genre. I wish she would write more like this!