Tag Archives: thriller

An Interview with Bianca Sloane, author of Live and Let Die

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Live and Let Die - Book Cover

Today I am happy to chat with the very talented and beautiful author Bianca Sloane. I read this book a few months ago and I have to tell you, it was one of the best books I have had the pleasure of enjoying. If you love puzzles and you like it when the author fools you all the way to the last page, you can’t go wrong with “Live and Let Die.”

Please welcome Bianca!

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Bio

Bianca Sloane is a freelance writer living in Chicago. When she’s not writing, she’s watching Bravo TV, Investigation Discovery, reading or cooking. “Live and Let Die” is her first novel.

A Lovely Interview With Bianca Sloane

Tell us a little about your background,  your current life and your most recent book.

              I’m originally from the South – I was born in Little Rock, Ark. and lived in Texas when I was younger.  However, I’ve lived in    Chicago off and on for the past 20 years and consider it my home, blizzards and all.

“>In terms of my professional background, I worked in the PR and advertising industry for about 12 years before striking out on my own a few years ago to try my hand as a freelance writer.  I work mostly with corporate clients, writing a variety of materials such as press releases, bylined articles and speeches.

Currently, I live on the north side of Chicago, am single in a sea of marrieds with a raging shoe addiction, a love of monthly brunches with my girlfriends and an unhealthy obsession with all things Real Housewives.

My debut novel, “Live and Let Die,” which I released in 2012, is a psychological thriller about a woman who disappears and is later murdered.  Her sister, who was out of the country at the time, starts to realize there are a lot of things about her sister’s death that don’t make sense and the more she digs, the more sinister things become.   

                When did you first realise that you were interested in writing and what inspired you to write?

I’ve always been a writer – I was that kid pecking out fanfiction for TV shows, movies and books on an ancient typewriter.  I was always writing stories in my head, jotting things down on random scraps of paper or in a notebook.  I wrote for the school paper in college and even now, when writing press releases, it’s interesting to figure out the best way to tell the story.

I’ve always drawn inspiration from everything around me, from a TV show to a conversation overheard on the street.  You just never know where a good story will come from.

               Did you have any reservations about publishing your work?

I did have some reservations about publishing my work.  Writers, like all artists, have fragile egos, so it can be daunting to open up your soul to scrutiny from the public.  Also, “Live and Let Die,” is quite different from a lot of what is available in the suspense/thriller genre— it’s not about a quirky detective, a police procedural or even romantic suspense.  I worried people wouldn’t “get” it.  However, readers have really responded to it because of how different it is, which has been so exciting for me.

 What has been the most difficult part of marketing your work?

Probably the most difficult part of marketing my work has been training myself to think differently about promotion and marketing.  Since my background is in public relations, I’m used to writing a press release and pitching it to a reporter or inviting a reporter to cover an event or doing any number of “traditional” PR activities.  I’m finding that “PR” works a bit differently in the eBook world – things like blog tours, blog hops and podcasts are huge.  I’m learning more everyday about these methods and am always thinking of ways I can combine them with more “traditional” PR. 

One thing that doesn’t change, is the power of relationships; relationships with your readers, other authors, bloggers, reviewers, etc.  The package may look a little different, but the gift is the same.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am actually working on two new releases, both suspense novels; “Every Breath You Take,” is about a man’s obsession with an old girlfriend and the other, title TBD, details an extramarital affair and its deadly consequences.

Why did you choose the genre you picked for your novel?

 I have always loved reading mysteries, stretching back to Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew, right up to Gillian Flynn and Kate Atkinson.  So, when it came to my own writing, I was naturally drawn to stories about crime and mystery.  However, rather than serial killers or straight whodunits, I like to explore the dark side of love; in other words, how people are driven to commit heinous acts, all in the name of this extremely complex emotion.

What is the last thing you read and did you enjoy it?

I actually didn’t care for the last book I read, a mystery novel by a favorite author – it wasn’t their best work, so I don’t want to say – but I will say that I’m currently reading “What the Dead Know,” by Laura Lippman, and it’s just terrific.  She really knows how to get inside the heads of her characters and their motivations. 


What do you think the future of publishing is? Will there always be traditional houses?


I think the future of publishing is exciting; we’ve entered the realm where the reader can decide, vs. gatekeepers in New York, about what is an interesting/commercial viable work, and as a result, some really fresh and original voices have emerged.  Without this brave new indie world, they – and other writers – might not have ever had the opportunity to share their work. 

However, new gatekeepers are in order and I think book bloggers will begin to fill that role.  They are much more accessible and a lot less jaded than the old guard, but are still quite discerning about what they like. 

I think we’ll see more “big name” authors break away from traditional publishing as we know it now and take greater creative control of their careers.   I think way off in the future, traditional publishing houses will function more like distribution houses, rather than production houses.  They have the relationships and muscle to get books on the shelves, because, despite the rise in eBooks, I don’t think print books are on their way out anytime soon.  People still love the feel of a book.   

Any advice for other writers who have not yet taken the plunge and published?

Do your homework and don’t take shortcuts.  Publishing is a confusing business with a lot of nuances and you have to educate yourself about its ins and outs.  At the same time, we’re living in the information age – the resources are yours for the taking.  There’s no excuse to claim ignorance.   J.A. Konrath’s book, “A Newbie’s Guide To Publishing” is a comprehensive and powerful guidebook and I recommend all aspiring authors start there – and read all of it.  Stephen King’s “On Writing” is an invaluable book on the craft and should also be required reading.

Finding a good critique partner and honest beta readers is also key.  Really listen to what they have to say and keep your ego out of it.

I would also say, find the money and hire a professional proofreader.  It’s just not a good idea to proof your own work, because you will miss something.  Also, unless you’re a graphic designer or really good at formatting, hire professionals to handle these tasks.  With a little bit of research, you can find reasonably priced experts who will give you great value for your money.

Be nice to your readers, reviewers and other authors.  Not everyone will like your work and that’s okay.  Resist the urge to send them nasty messages or track them down and slash their tires.

And always, start writing the next book.

  If you could be one of the characters in your book who would it be and why?


Even though she is the total opposite of me, the character of Sondra in “Live and Let Die,” is just such a badass, that I wouldn’t mind stepping into her shoes for a day.  She’s a smoker, a nail-biter and a slob; she’s also smart, tenacious and just cool.  I dig her.

Where can we find you and any final thoughts?

 

Readers can find me at any of the places below; I’m an active tweeter and have been known to waste copious amounts of time on Pinterest.

 I love to hear from readers! 

 Finally, I’m really grateful for the indie author movement and the opportunities it has opened up for so many, myself included.  I’m having a blast.

 

http://www.biancasloane.com
www.twitter.com/biancasloane
www.pinterest.com/biancasloane

*Bianca–Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview with Readful Things. I am super excited to read your next book. You have a permanent residence on my bookshelf!

Stalking Sapphire by Mia Thompson

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Despite the illusion Sapphire Dubois presents to the rest of the world, she is not just your stereotypical 22-year old Beverly Hills heiress; she hunts serial killers. While her fellow heirs spend their nights with trending celebs and drugs at the hottest club, Sapphire secretly spends hers luring, capturing, and anonymously handing over So-Cal’s most wanted killers to the police — just your average Tuesday night.

What Sapphire doesn’t know is that one of her adversaries is watching her every move, aware of both her true identity and her unconventional hobby. Needless to say, he doesn’t approve. Used to being the one who redefines the definition of predator and prey, Sapphire’s world abruptly shatters when a gruesome ‘gift’ arrives for her at the Beverly Hills Country Club. With her involuntary crush, handsome Detective Aston Ridder, close on her tail, Sapphire now has to rethink her routine strategy and figure out how to capture a killer who already knows she’s coming.–Description from Goodreads

ebook, 184 pages
Published April 2nd 2013 by Diversion Books
ISBN13
9781626810051
edition language
English
 
 
 
 
Sapphire Dubois is the heroine to beat out all other heroines. She kind of reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer except her Name isn’t Buffy and Vampires aren’t her target…Okay maybe that was a bad comparison. She kicks butt and takes names. You wouldn’t expect that from a spoiled, rich girl.

I loved this book. I had so much fun while reading this that I forgot all about everything else. There is romance, intrigue and a lot of danger in this novel and it kept me riveted to my seat the entire time. I really can’t find too much to complain about with this book. The author was creative and there are constant twists and turns that I just wasn’t expecting. There were a couple of moments where I thought “yeah right,” but overall these were few and far between and it is fiction, so I can forgive those.

The single thing that I liked more than anything else about the book was the dialogue and the character’s inner thoughts. Never once did I feel there was too much or too little of either and I also found it to sound like a real conversation rather than just words on paper (or in this case on Kindle.) The personalities the author has created seem to fit the characters.

It takes a lot of work to make a killer that has new qualities and can actually frighten the reader. This author made me look over my shoulder and think while I was reading her work. That to me is a sign of a good thriller writer.

This author has a unique voice and has written a highly readable novel with an unexpected and rather exciting ending. I would certainly read another book by Mia Thompson. Recommended.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

The Burning Air by Erin Kelly

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Of course it was love for my children, love for my son, that caused me to act as I did. It was a lapse of judgement. If I could have foreseen the rippling aftershocks that followed I would have acted differently, but by the time I realised the extent of the consequences, it was too late.

The MacBrides have always gone to Far Barn in Devon for Bonfire Night, but this year everything is different. Lydia, the matriarch, is dead; Sophie, the eldest daughter, is desperately trying to repair a crumbling marriage; and Felix, the youngest of the family, has brought a girlfriend with him for the first time.

The girl, Kerry, seems odd in a way nobody can quite put their finger on – but when they leave her looking after Sophie’s baby daughter, and return to find both Kerry and the baby gone, they are forced to ask themselves if they have allowed a cuckoo into their nest…

Gripping and chilling, with a killer twist, The Burning Air reaffirms Erin Kelly as one of Britain’s foremost psychological thriller writers.–Description from Goodreads

Hardcover, 336 pages
Published February 21st 2013 by Pamela Dorman Books (first published January 1st 2013)
ISBN
0670026727 (ISBN13: 9780670026722)
edition language
English
You can find this book HERE
My Thoughts:
To be honest, this book didn’t grab me from the first page, or even the first chapter. What I did instead, was settle into it a little at a time and began to really enjoy it after the third chapter.

This author has a unique voice when she writes and it pleased me as a reader. I particularly liked the way she built suspense without revealing too much of what was yet to come. The way the characters are doing battle with their own lives, histories and also trying to solve a mystery was a great way to present a psychological thriller.

The descriptions were well-crafted and helped set the tone for story. I found it appealing that the author didn’t waste pages of space telling about her characters physical appearance, but managed to work the descriptions into the story so that they felt much more natural.

plot-wise, this book has plenty of unexpected twists and turns, and although not all of them were totally believable, it made a great build up for a strong finish.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I would gladly read another. If you are looking for something edgy, a little scary and complex this would be the perfect book.

This review is based on a digital review copy from the publisher.

Crime of Privilege by Walter Walker

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In the tradition of Scott Turow, William Landay, and Nelson DeMille, Crime of Privilege is a stunning thriller about power, corruption, and the law in America—and the dangerous ways they come together.

A murder on Cape Cod. A rape in Palm Beach.

All they have in common is the presence of one of America’s most beloved and influential families. But nobody is asking questions. Not the police. Not the prosecutors. And certainly not George Becket, a young lawyer toiling away in the basement of the Cape & Islands district attorney’s office. George has always lived at the edge of power. He wasn’t born to privilege, but he understands how it works and has benefitted from it in ways he doesn’t like to admit. Now, an investigation brings him deep inside the world of the truly wealthy—and shows him what a perilous place it is.

Years have passed since a young woman was found brutally slain at an exclusive Cape Cod golf club, and no one has ever been charged. Cornered by the victim’s father, George can’t explain why certain leads were never explored—leads that point in the direction of a single family—and he agrees to look into it.

What begins as a search through the highly stratified layers of Cape Cod society, soon has George racing from Idaho to Hawaii, Costa Rica to France to New York City. But everywhere he goes he discovers people like himself: people with more secrets than answers, people haunted by a decision years past to trade silence for protection from life’s sharp edges. George finds his friends are not necessarily still friends and a spouse can be unfaithful in more ways than one. And despite threats at every turn, he is driven to reconstruct the victim’s last hours while searching not only for a killer but for his own redemption.–Description from Goodreads

 

Hardcover, 432 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Ballantine Books
ISBN
0345541537 (ISBN13: 9780345541536)
edition language
English
Pre-order this book HERE
My thoughts:
It isn’t often that I just can’t figure out what to say, but this book does that to a person. The reality is so great in places that you almost forget you are reading a fictional book at all, and then in other places your imagination has to work overtime to believe what you have just read. Everything about this book caused conflict within me.

I started out strongly disliking the main character and protagonist, George. Where you want to love the hero of the story and support him, I actually spent the majority of this book wanting to kick him. By the middle of the book I would still say a fair assessment of my emotions were that I still hated him and by the very end I hated him slightly less. I still think even with everything he went through he has some apologizing to do.

This book centers mostly one one very wealthy and influential family. The setting is all over the place, but mostly Massachusetts. I thought the setting was a good choice and the characters were certainly interesting (yes even George.) Years after George has witnessed a crime and done nothing about it, he finds himself in another situation, an even worse one, where he must help to solve the cold case murder of a young woman connected to the same family that committed the first crime he witnessed.

Guilt or not, for me it was a stretch to believe that this guy did as much traveling (all over the world) as he did to solve a murder that was so old. I could see local travel, but he really went to extremes. Even with a past history that would warrant him wanting to serve in the name of justice, he was such a jerk I just couldn’t see it. For me this idea was like Andrew Dice Clay volunteering for preschool story time. Ugh.

There is a hearty dose of humor in this legal thriller and if you are fond of books that make you angry at the same time that they make you laugh, this would be a good choice. For me, the attractive and wealthy college kids came off as a bit of a cliche, but what the author chose to do with the story brought such originality that it made up for it.

The chapters are rather short and most end with the kind of firecracker sentence that makes you feel compelled to read the next one. This would be a good book for a long weekend away where you can relax and read it in one sitting.

This story of intense loyalty, wealth, power and corruption may not be typical. The hero might not be what we generally think of as a good protagonist, but overall it was different and different is good.

Some parts seemed mildly reminiscent of a certain happening years ago involving Ted Kennedy…

Above all, this book was an excellently written legal thriller with a few new angles that I hadn’t seen used before and I was happy to have the chance to read it. I would recommend this for those who like suspenseful reads with unusual twists.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

 

The Prince of Earth by Mike Robinson

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In 1988, young American traveler Quincy Redding is trekking across the misty terrain of the Scottish Highlands. She is destined for the infamous peak Ben MacDui, the summit of which soon finds her inexplicably debilitated and at the mercy of a malevolent entity.

The book spans twenty years, alternately following Quincy in her 1988 ordeal in Scotland as well as Quincy in 2008, when, as an adult, she begins experiencing abnormalities that threaten her family and her life – phenomena that may be related to what happened all those years ago.

As both older and younger Quincy learn more of their situation, and as their worlds further entwine, she becomes increasingly uncertain of the perceived temporality or reality of each period.–Description from Goodreads

Paperback, 182 pages
Published February 9th 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press (first published February 9th 2012)
ISBN
1620071711 (ISBN13: 9781620071717)
edition language
English
original title
The Prince of Earth
You can find this book HERE
My thoughts:
Mike Robinson’s “The Prince of Earth” really surprised and in many ways delighted me. While this is not a terribly fast moving book, it is one of the most complex and deeply psychological novels I have read. The intensity of the main character pulls you in to the story and has a relentless grasp.

I was excited when I realized just within the first couple of paragraphs that this author uses incredible language in his work. The imagery he has produced in this book is some of the most vibrant and colorful in recent memory. Through his words you are able to paint a glorious picture in your mind.

The setting was interesting and I felt it added to the mysterious ambiance of this title. There is a dark, somewhat Gothic feel to this book overall and Scotland worked well with that. While I am certain that this book will not be for everyone, for those who enjoy a mystery that requires concentration and consideration this will be a fantastic journey that you will not soon forget. I found this to be one of those books where hours after you are done reading it, you suddenly sit up in bed and go “Oh! I get it.”

This story raises a lot of questions, but they are all answered in the end. I would recommend this better than average book to others who like to stay intrigued from beginning to end.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

Die for Me Anovel of the Valentine Killer by Cynthia Eden

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Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer

She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead. Dark and intensely sexy, this romantic suspense novel from USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Eden is sure to leave readers breathless.–Description from Goodreads

Paperback, 358 pages
Published February 5th 2013 by Montlake
ISBN
1611099145 (ISBN13: 9781611099140)
edition language
English
My review of Die for me:
I really loved certain parts of this book, and then there were some things that I didn’t like as much. What I really did enjoy about this novel, was the way the author chose to build suspense. There were a lot of times when she could have made things a lot more obvious than she chose to. I appreciated the psychological edge to her writing. Although three quarters of the way through most books I tend to have it figured out, it is difficult to do that with this book.

The characters were strong and each one was unique. No one felt like they came out of a cookie cutter press. The main character was independent and strong and cared more about the other people in her life than she did for herself. Since the main protagonist did have trust issues, I appreciated that she wasn’t forced into some perfect fairytale romance in the first couple of chapters. The relationships developed naturally and were more believable because of this.

I found the dialogue really good and engaging. The character’s spoke their minds and there was an even flow to their conversations.

Now for the things that I didn’t love as much: The considerable amount of bad language in this book at times made me laugh. I know it wasn’t supposed to be funny, but sometimes it almost didn’t feel like it fit into the sentence it was being used in. I sort of felt like it was added as an afterthought.

The name changes for the main character. If I was hiding from someone I thought might be deranged enough to kill me I wouldn’t keep using a variation of the same name.

The sex scenes were for a mature audience and I can appreciate that. I found it a little annoying though that it was treated more like the overly hormonal silliness of two teenagers the first couple of times. With everything else going on in the character’s lives at that moment, I could hardly see how they could drop everything else and make that the focus.

Every character in this book seemed to have a truly deranged past. In some ways that might have added to the suspense as any one of them could have been messed up enough to later turn into a killer, but I really doubted that all of the important players in the book would have had such issues and life just kind of threw them together in the same spot.

Overall I thought this was a compelling read that satisfied my desire for something suspenseful and fast paced. I think other fans of suspense, thrillers and romance would enjoy this.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher.

Six Years by Harlan Coben

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In Six Years, a masterpiece of modern suspense, Harlan Coben explores the depth and passion of lost love…and the secrets and lies at its heart.

Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man. Six years of hiding a broken heart by throwing himself into his career as a college professor. Six years of keeping his promise to leave Natalie alone, and six years of tortured dreams of her life with her new husband, Todd.

But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for…but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for almost two decades, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life—a time he has never gotten over—is turned completely inside out.

As Jake searches for the truth, his picture-perfect memories of Natalie begin to unravel. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found, or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart, who lied to him, soon puts his very life at risk as it dawns on him that the man he has become may be based on a carefully constructed fiction.

Harlan Coben once again delivers a shocking page-turner that deftly explores the power of past love, and the secrets and lies that such love can hide.–Description from Amazon.com

You can pre-order this title by going here: http://www.amazon.com/Six-Years-Harlan-Coben/dp/0525953485/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359401355&sr=1-1&keywords=Six+Years

Reading level: Ages 18 and up

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Dutton Adult (March 19, 2013)

ISBN-10: 0525953485

ISBN-13: 978-0525953487

 

My Review of “Six Years”

This is the most suspenseful book I have read in a very long time. Not only can you not figure out what is going to happen at the end, but every single chapter contains new surprises.

When Jake Fisher notices an obituary for the husband of a woman he loved six years in the past, he makes the fateful decision to look for her. This sets events in motion that may forever change his life.

There was not a moment during this book that I thought I had everything all figured out. The pacing was perfect. The pages that were not filled with action were filled with psychological puzzles that about drove me crazy. Just when I thought I had it all put together, something else would change and I would have to start guessing all over again.

Harlan Coben has written a lot of really good books, but this one is my new favorite. He has managed to write a complex, layered story with characters that you want to see succeed on their various missions. There is action, suspense, love, longing, murder and every other component that makes for a thrilling read.

I was surprised by how well the first person POV worked for this book. Where sometimes it can come across as a little one-sided and make the book feel superficial, this time I appreciated it. This POV allowed me to get inside the head of the main character and get to know him, which this made me feel almost like I was thinking through his mind as well and trying to solve the mystery right along with him.

If you are looking for the perfect book to take you away from everything else in your life, this is it. I couldn’t focus on anything else while reading “Six Years.”

Harlan Coben is clearly at the top of his game!

I reviewed a digital ARC copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner

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This is my family:  Vanished without a trace…

 

Justin and Libby Denbe have the kind of life that looks good in the pages of a glossy magazine. A beautiful fifteen-year old daughter, Ashlyn. A gorgeous brownstone on a tree-lined street in Boston’s elite Back Bay neighborhood. A great marriage, admired by friends and family.  A perfect life.

 

This is what I know:  Pain has a flavor…

 

When investigator Tessa Leoni arrives at the crime scene in the Denbes’ home, she finds scuff marks on the floor and Taser confetti in the foyer.  The family appears to have been abducted, with only a pile of their most personal possessions remaining behind.  No witnesses, no ransom demands, no motive.  Just an entire family, vanished without a trace.

 

This is what I fear:  The worst is yet to come…

 

Tessa knows better than anyone that even the most perfect façades can hide the darkest secrets.  Now she must race against the clock to uncover the Denbes’ innermost dealings, a complex tangle of friendships and betrayal, big business and small sacrifices.  Who would want to kidnap such a perfect little family?  And how far would such a person be willing to go?

 

This is the truth:  Love, safety, family…it is all touch and go.–Description from Amazon.com

ISBN:978-0525953074

Release Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: Dutton Adult

You can pre-order this title by going here: http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Go-Lisa-Gardner/dp/0525953078/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359247863&sr=8-1&keywords=touch+and+go+lisa+gardner

My Review of “Touch and Go”

Lisa Gardner is back with a bang in her newest novel, “Touch and Go.” If you have been anxiously anticipating another great read featuring Tessa Leoni, this book will not disappoint.

The author has managed to spin another intriguing tale of murder, betrayal, mystery and excitement worthy of her reader’s high expectations.

As I read this book, I was once again reminded that some authors are so good at their craft, that even a seasoned reader can’t figure out the end of the book before they get there, no matter how hard you might try.

I felt really close to the main character in this book. She was a good mother, compassionate, struggling with her own demons and yet the type of character that you know will be strong when she has to be.

Dialogue wise, this author has managed to speak through the voice of a teenaged girl, an adult woman and various male characters and made me believe it all. She truly has a gift for creating dialogue that pleases the reader and feels like and actual conversation.

One thing that pleased me about this and previous novels by this author, is that she does her research and it shows. She has flawless descriptions of crime procedures and her protagonists are tough.

When you pick up this book, be prepared to find an antagonist that will make you dislike them to your very core. No one writes twisted individuals better.

My favorite part of this book (and the whole thing was very good) was the end. Toward the last couple of chapters, when you think you know exactly how it will end, there is another unexpected twist.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Lisa Gardner, and those who haven’t read anything by her as of yet, will want to once they get their hands on this book!

There is a reason why she has become the master of suspenseful novels, and this latest offering proves it.

This review is based on a digital ARC copy provided by Netgalley.

 

The Trail of Money by Peter David Shapiro

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The Trail of Money

Devastated by the death of his daughter, numbed by the dissolution of his marriage, and facing collapse of his management consulting firm, Harry West embarks on his personal journey out of emptiness and loss when he takes on a project in Hong Kong, to evaluate a business deal involving the son of one of the richest men in Asia. But the assignment is not what he expects. Instead, he is asked to uncover evidence of money laundering and corruption, evidence that will expose people who will stop at nothing to protect themselves. To discover the truth, Harry must draw on resources that he never knew he had. Along the way, Harry’s journey is shaped by two women in Hong Kong, an American journalist who is investigating the same business deal, and a long-lost love who comes back into his life. Both a gripping and evocative suspense novel about secrecy and corrupt dealings in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and a moving story about the bonds of love and memory, The Trail of Money keeps the reader guessing until the end.–Description from Amazon.com

Wow! What a thrill ride. When I decided to read this book, I hadn’t read the previous book by this author and wasn’t sure what to expect. This thriller quickly grabs a hold of the reader and refuses to let go until the very end. Because this author is so great at building suspense and giving vivid descriptions, reading this book was much like watching an action movie.

Usually thrillers are not my taste in books because I have seen the plots repeated so many times that I always prepare myself for a letdown. This is not the case with “The Trail of Money.” As the characters struggle with their own issues and have to face the reality of their individual situations, Mr. Shapiro also manages to please his readers with plot twists and original ideas that make this book a lot of fun to read. I found the main character to be quirky enough to hold my attention and appreciated the way humor was used to dispel the seriousness of the subject matter. The main character was believable and likable, which is always important with me if I am going to enjoy a book. I felt by the end, like I was reading about an old friend.

What I found made this so brilliant was how the various elements of the story were weaved together a little at a time until a story of intrigue, determination, suspense and perseverance of the human spirit emerged. This author has a superior grip on how to choose his wording carefully for the maximum effect. I was never bored while reading this book and actually found myself wondering what I would read next that could be as good as this was. The pace of the writing matches the plot and the characters. I appreciated that the end of this book did not feel rushed in any way and the author took the same painstaking time to craft it as he did the rest of the book.

If you are looking for a light, easy bedtime read this is not your book. If instead, you are looking for a truly entertaining, very well-crafted tale that will keep you away from bedtime turning pages, this is definitely the one to pick. I will have to go find the other book that is available by this author now.

In summation, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some excitement. Highly recommended.

You may purchase this book by following this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009S9DGUA/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Note from reviewer: On a personal note, I think sometimes I am a bit quick to judge a book by the genre it falls into. I remember years ago, when I was a teenager (oh too many years ago) I never thought I would love reading horror novels until I came across a beat up copy of Stephen King’s Christine. That book opened my eyes to a genre that I would later fall in love with. For the last few years I have really made an attempt to stay away from mystery/thriller/action type books as I found they were getting too repetitive and I could usually guess the outcome. I would like to take a second and thank this author, Mr. Shapiro,  for rekindling my desire to read this genre and reminding me that all books are not built equally. –Ionia Martin