ASIN : B09BYX63QX Publisher : Vesuvian Books (August 10, 2021) Publication date : August 10, 2021 Language : English
When Hannah Green’s dog comes out of the woods carrying a sneaker that contains a partially decomposed foot, she thinks it’s the worst thing that could ever happen to her.
She is wrong.
Hannah and her best friend, Ashley, decide to play detective but find themselves in the middle of a decades-old mystery.
What is the strange old woman Mama Bayole hiding in her decrepit farmhouse? Why is the local librarian so determined to prevent them from researching town history? Who is following them around Hopedale, New Hampshire?
The girls make a shocking discovery about what has been happening in the woods behind Hannah’s house. As they get closer to the truth, things take a dangerous turn, and they play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that may end up costing them their lives.
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Praise for The Clearing
“Downright creepy. Tom Deady brings the scares in this gripping novel of horror and courage.” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Timesbest-selling author
“Tom Deady excels in creating a history and mystery that is engaging and action-packed. The Clearing’s strong protagonists and their realistic concerns, beliefs, and choices creates a memorable and thoroughly engrossing read that is difficult to put down and impossible to predict—just the ticket for a superior horror novel and should ideally reach into adult reader circles, as well as mature teens.” —Midwest Book Review
“Deady shows an ability to switch from adult to young adult horror with the ease and confidence of a true wordsmith. The Clearing is a fast-paced supernatural tale, intelligent and sparkling with great characters, and more than a few chills. Superb.” —Dave Jeffery, author of Beatrice Beecham’s Cryptic Crypt and Ship of Shadows
Review
This book took me for a wonderfully twisted ride and kept me riveted to the pages. I find that I either really love stories like this one or I find myself quickly losing interest, so I was incredibly happy to find that this one fell into the former category. It’s that perfect blend of creepy, action, and mystery that just leaves you waiting to find out what comes next.
When I first read the synopsis I thought this story had the potential of being Stephen King kind of creepy/bizarre. And it did but with the authors own take on that and personal style of writing. Which I am incredibly glad for because we already have King so I wanted something new (you know?). And honestly this is just a really well written book that I think delivered on all of its promises.
So yeah, you should definitely give this book a go if you want some atmospheric but realistic creepy scenes. I can’t really say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
About the Author
Photo Content from Tom Deady
Tom Deady’s first novel, Haven, was published by Cemetery Dance in 2016 and won the Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. He has since published a novel entitled, Eternal Darkness, as well as several short stories and novellas, his most recent being Coleridge.
His novel, The Clearing, is book one in a horror trilogy and inspired by true events. (Vesuvian Books, 2021) Tom holds a master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University, is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association, and a member of the New England Horror Writers. He resides in Massachusetts where he is working on his next novel.
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Publisher : Beaufort Books (June 22, 2021) Publication date : June 22, 2021 Language : English
Intelligence experts and thriller authors concur: Red Deception is “A page-turner by authors who might as well sit on the National Security Council.”
When terrorists bomb bridges across the country and threaten the Hoover Dam, the vulnerability of America’s infrastructure becomes a matter of national security. But Dan Reilly, a former Army intelligence officer, predicted the attacks in a secret State Department report written years earlier—a virtual blueprint for disaster, somehow leaked and now in the hands of foreign operatives.
With Washington distracted by domestic crises, Russian President Nicolai Gorshkov sends troops to the borders of Ukraine and Latvia, ready to reclaim what he feels is Russia’s rightful territory. Tensions in Europe threaten to boil over as a besieged American president balances multiple crises that threaten to upend the geopolitical order.
This is the chaos into which Reilly leaps headfirst. Reilly’s position as Global Head of Security for the Kensington Royal Hotel Corporation means he must keep his customers and staff safe as the crisis envelopes countries across three continents. His past as a State Department analyst means he recognizes the connections behind the seemingly disparate terror attacks, assassination plots, and authoritarian power plays that dominate the headlines. But it’s the very knowledge that makes him good at his job that also makes him a target—to the press, to the government, and to the forces gathering for another assault on America.
Follow Reilly as he travels the world to safeguard both his company’s assets and his country’s secrets. With the US at the mercy of an egomaniacal leader, and reporters and covert agents on his tail, he may be the one man who can connect the dots before an even bigger catastrophe unfolds.
RED DECEPTION is the second book in the RED Hotel series.
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Praise for Red Deception
“Forget ‘ripped from the headlines,’ because RED DECEPTION threatens to write its own! RED DECEPTION is everything a great thriller is supposed to be! High stakes, incredible action scenes, a deadly plot, and a dynamic hero in Dan Reilly. Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller have crafted a relentlessly riveting tale that hones in on our greatest fears and takes us right to the brink in breathless fashion.” —Jon Land, USA Today best-selling author
“RED DECEPTION provides an in-depth and realistic ground level view of the type of asymmetric Nation-state sponsored threats faced by the Agencies tasked with protecting the United States both domestically and abroad. Thoroughly researched with thrilling pacing, it follows a worst case scenario with the resulting fallout and a complex investigation that unfolds all over the Globe.” —Edward Bradstreet, Special Agent, Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
“Besides keeping us on the edge of our seats, RED DECEPTION is so prescient, filled with deep insights into the real worlds of espionage and politics, while giving us a window that sheds light onto the darkest aspects of political intrigue and human nature.” —Barry Kibrick, Host of national PBS series, Between the Lines
Review
Now, I must admit that this is far from my typical read. But I also have to admit that I found myself being easily drawn into and swept away with this thriller. It was just so interesting and had so much action to keep my wheels turning.
The characters and story were each so interesting! Everything developed so well and the slow unwind of the story really keeps you waiting to find out what comes next. Plus, I mean, spies are interesting! So one thing that is certain is that this book is nothing but boring!
I really enjoyed this one, even if it’s not something I typically read. Which might even say more about the book than anything! But now I feel as if I should actually read this genre a bit more.
About the Author
Photo Content from Gary Grossman and Ed Fuller
ED FULLER is CEO of Laguna Strategic Advisors, a global consortium providing business consulting services worldwide. He has served on both business and charitable boards during his forty-year career with Marriott International where he was chief marketing officer followed by 22 years as president and managing director of Marriott International.
Under his management the international division grew from 16 to 550 hotels in 73 countries with 80,000 associates and sales of 8 billion dollars. Upon retirement, Ed repurposed his career in several arenas. He has served on five university boards as well as adjunct professor for both MBA and undergraduate students. For over four years he was a blogger for Forbes and other tourism and lodging industry media.
As author Ed published ‘You Can’t Lead with Your Feet on the Desk’ in English, Japanese and Chinese distributed throughout the world. In 2018 he and co-author Gary Grossman released their high energy thriller Red Hotel and in 2021 will release Red Deception, followed by Red Chaos as part of the Red Hotel series. Ed served as an Army captain in both Germany and Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation medals. He and his wife Michela reside in Orange County, California.
GARY GROSSMAN’s first novel, Executive Actions, propelled him into the world of geopolitical thrillers. Executive Treason, Executive Command, and Executive Force further tapped Grossman’s experience as a journalist, newspaper columnist, documentary television producer, reporter, and media historian.
In addition to the bestselling Executive series, Grossman wrote the international award-winning Old Earth, a geological thriller that spans all of time. With Red Hotel and Red Deception, his collaborations with Ed Fuller, Grossman entered a new realm of globe-hopping thriller writing.
Grossman has contributed to the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and was a columnist for the Boston Herald American. He covered presidential campaigns for WBZ-TV in Boston. A multiple Emmy series and specials for networks including NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox, History Channel, Discovery and National Geographic Channel. He served as chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, and is a member of the International Thriller Writers Association and Military Writers Society of America. He is a trustee at Emerson College and serves on the Boston University Metropolitan College Advisory Board. Grossman has taught at Emerson College, Boston University, USC, and currently teaches at Loyola Marymount University.
Calliope Garland’s newsdesk assignment was fairly straightforward—dig up the dirt on the sketchy CEO of a Wall Street hedge fund. But when the man is murdered and valuable data destroyed, a simple investigation turns deadly. Calliope is unwittingly in possession of vital financial information and a priceless work of art; either of which may get her killed. With an ever-growing list of people who want to harm her, Calliope must set aside her reservations and turn to the one man she knows she can trust.
Miller “Tox” Buchanan is a study in contradictions: kind but lethal, passionate but distant, self-possessed yet hesitant. He knows he should keep his distance, but when Calliope is hurled into danger, Tox will stop at nothing to protect her.
…Her first instinct wasn’t to dial 911 but rather to call a certain Navy SEAL. She forced down the antiquated damsel in distress fantasy floating around in her head and rationalized the police would surely ask questions she was unwilling or unable to answer. She brought up her contacts. At the bottom, she touched the entry labeled, Tox, and the call rang through. A grizzly bear answered.
“This better be good.”
“Tox?”
“Calliope?”
“I need your help…”
Be advised: this story contains scenes of violence equivalent to an R-rated movie and explicit sexual situations.
A steamy and seductive romance combined with an intricate plot involving art thieves, assassins, and undercover intelligence operatives make Illicit Intent a ravishingly entertaining read that hooks you in from the first page and simply refuses to let go.-Readers’ Favorite (5/5 Stars)
Review
This book just has so many amazing aspects that are rolled all together into one amazing book. So, to say the least, this is an entertaining story that will leave you hooked and waiting for more. And while this book is a part of a series, you can read them out of order or pick and choose which ones you want to read! So don’t worry if you’re new to the series, but you also might as well just grab the first because you’ll want to read it anyways.
This story has twists and turns and an amazing story throughout. But, T=the plot to this story isn’t the only amazing things. The characters are also really well developed. I found myself loving each and every character as I met them and wanted to learn more and more about them. And while there is so much packed into this story it’s written so well that you don’t even realize how much was put into this story until you finish.
So, as you can see I really loved this one. It’s just such a well written book that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
About the Author
Debbie Baldwin is a successful print media and television writer. She is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Virginia School of Law. Debbie and her husband live in Saint Louis, Missouri with their puggle, Pebbles. They have three children in college.
Margo Fletcher, eight months pregnant, is traveling by train from Chicago to Spokane, her childhood home. While passing through an isolated portion of the Rockies in blizzard conditions, the train unexpectedly brakes. Up ahead, deadly snow from a massive avalanche plummets down the mountain. Despite the conductor’s order for the passengers to stay seated, former Army Ranger Nick Eliot insists that survival depends on moving to the back of the train. Only Margo believes him. They take refuge in the last train car, which Nick heroically uncouples in time to avoid the avalanche. The rest of the train is hurled down the mountainside and is soon lost forever in a blanket of snow. Margo and Nick, the sole survivors, are stranded in the snowstorm without food, water, or heat. Rescuers might not arrive for days.
When the weather turns violent again, the pair must flee the shelter of the passenger car and run for their lives into the wilderness. They must fend off the deadly cold as well as predatory wild animals foraging for food. We learn that both Margo and Nick have secrets that have brought them together and threaten to destroy them.
Cover Your Tracks is a chilling story of love and hate, the devastating power of nature, and the will to survive.
Sensational – new, fresh, suspenseful, and lead character Margo Fletcher is to die for. I loved this book.” — LEE CHILD, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
“This nail-biter from Auffenorde … [has] [w]ell-crafted action sequences [that] keep up the energy and tension. Thriller fans will want to see more from Auffenorde.” — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Fast, slick, brimming with tension–Daco Auffenorde knows how to ramp up the suspense with this terrific new thriller. Loved it!” — GLENN MEADE, Internationally Bestselling Author
“Emotionally resonant, provocative, timely—this unique thriller will linger in your thoughts long after the final page. Auffenorde brilliantly captures the extreme lengths a mother will go to for her child. In COVER YOUR TRACKS, you’ll be snow-blinded in the deep wilderness where the one person who can get you out is also your enemy. Sensational.” — K.J. HOWE, International Bestselling Author of SKYJACK
“Cover Your Tracks is exactly what a thriller should be. A fast-paced plot, great characters, and tightly-wound suspense create a story that will linger long after you turn the final page. Highly recommended.” — D.P. LYLE, award-winning author of the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series
“Daco S. Auffenorde’s thrilling COVER YOUR TRACKS unspools a relentless crescendo of menace and doubt. A chilling tale of damaged souls, iron wills, and dark obsession. Two strangers—a resourceful ex-soldier and a pregnant doctor—must trust each other to reach safety after their train is swept down a remote mountain by an avalanche. Survival as a team sport.” — JAMES W. ZISKIN, author of the award-winning Ellie Stone mysteries
Review
You know those books where you just have to take one look at them and you instantly know they’re your kind of book? Well, Cover Your Tracks was one of those books. I have a penchant for survival stories and as soon as I saw this one I just had to read it. And it did not disappoint. To say the least: this book had me HOOKED.
Now, when I say this book had me hooked I mean I could literally not put it down. I just had to keep turning the pages and seeing what fresh horror awaited our characters. And, as you can surmise from the synopsis, the stakes are high. But they’re also so much higher than you could even begin to imagine. And I don’t want to say anything more on that lest I accidentally give anything away.
Now, there are a few things I want to touch on before I close out this review and that is mainly some race issues towards Indigenous Americans I noticed throughout the book. However, I am not an Indigenous American so I just want to mention it but not make any assumptions based off of what I read. BUT, these have been removed per the authors/publishers request for the finished version and knowing that I can gladly say that this is an amazing book.
About the Author
Daco Auffenorde was born at the Naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland and raised in Huntsville, Alabama―also known as Rocket City for its role in building the rocket that took astronauts into space―Daco holds a B.A. and M.A.S. from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Authors Guild, and Alabama State Bar.
From the USA Today bestselling author comes a gripping thriller about a divorce attorney who’s about to discover her own marriage is based on lies when she’s arrested for murder.
Attorney Olivia Sinclair is shocked when she receives an anonymous video showing her husband Richard sleeping with someone else. After years of handling other people’s divorces, she thought she could recognise a marriage in trouble.
She angrily throws Richard out of the home they share. But days later she’s arrested—for the murder of his mistress.
Olivia knows she’s innocent but, with all the evidence pointing at her and an obvious motive, she must find the real killer to clear her name.
She may be used to dealing with messy divorces, but this one will be her most difficult case yet. Olivia’s husband has already betrayed her—but would he set her up for murder?
A gripping and unputdownable thriller for fans of Gillian McAllister, Alafair Burke and A Killer’s Wife.
What a perfect book to ring in the new year with! I had taken a slight book break (AKA I haven’t had a chance to binge lately) in case you cant tell and I finally got a chance to sit down and just read with this one and I am so happy that this was the first book I am logging in a review for this year. Because it was intense and crazy and wild and amazing!
There was just so much to like about this book, but what perhaps was the best part was that it is just a solid and well thought out plot. While I almost always guess the “whodunit” at the beginning of the book (can I blame my addiction to Sherlock Holmes as a child for this?), I still really enjoy books like this. And The Betrayal is definitely one of my new favorites in this genre!
This is a perfect psychological thriller for many types of readers and people. It has a little something for everyone and quite honestly it’ll just hook you from the moment you pick it up. So, go give this one a try (*nudge, nudge*)!
About the Author
Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which features a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. The Drowned Woman is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, came out in April 2018 and has since become a USA TODAY bestseller. The Family Secret released to critical acclaim in March 2019, and House of Lies, the third book in the series, released on March 4, 2020. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn walking in the woods with her dogs or visiting historical cemeteries in search of story ideas.
Senior Investigator Shana Merchant has spent years running from her past. But she never imagined a murder case would drive her to the most dangerous place of all—home.
After leaving the NYPD following her abduction by serial killer Blake Bram, Shana Merchant hoped for a fresh start in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York. Her former tormentor has other plans. Shana and Bram share more than just a hometown, and he won’t let her forget it. When the decades-old skeleton of Shana’s estranged uncle is uncovered, Bram issues a challenge: Return home to Vermont and solve the cold case, or the blood he spills next will be on her hands.
As Shana interviews members of her family and the community, mining for secrets that could help her solve her uncle’s murder, she begins to realize how little she remembers of her childhood. And when Bram grows impatient and kidnaps again, leaving a trail of clues Shana alone can understand, she knows his new victim will only survive if she wins the psychopath’s twisted game. In order to solve one mystery, Shana must wade into her murky past to unravel another.
Chilling psychological thriller meets gripping police procedural in this relentlessly compelling cat and mouse game of buried secrets and family heartbreak. Tessa Wegert is such a skilled and confident storyteller! I could not put this down.”–Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of The First to Lie
“Intricate plotting and a razor-sharp narration keep the pages turning in this up-all-night murder mystery. Menacing and atmospheric, Death in the Family will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for Detective Shana Merchant to uncover the truth and triumph over the scars of her own dark past. A tense, riveting read!” —Wendy Walker, USA Today bestselling author of The Night Before
“This locked-room thriller has all of the requisite tangled motives and deductive crime-solving, along with a riveting introduction to edgy survivor Shana and Tim, her steady, easygoing foil.”—Booklist
Review
Uhm, can we just talk about how crazy this series is?! I don’t often pick up crime/thriller books, and I don’t know why because I actually really love this genre. But this series is now a particular favorite in the genre because it reminds me of the OG Agatha Christie. And who doesn’t love Christie?
This book just took us down so many roads and it was such a wild ride. I loved how everything wove together and how the past came back to haunt the present. And this book is going to hook you and make you incredibly invested in what might happen next. I mean, you’re not going to just WANT to know, you’re going to NEED to know. So, maybe set some time aside for this book so you don’t have to set it down.
There’s something oddly relaxing about a crime book. They’re haunting and terrifying in all of the scarily realistic ways, but they’re also always so gripping. And The Dead Season is one of those books that fits that description like a perfect puzzle piece. I look forward to seeing what comes next in this series!
About the Author
Tessa Wegert is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Adweek, and The Economist. She grew up in Quebec near the border of Vermont and now lives with her family in Connecticut. Tessa writes mysteries set in Upstate New York while studying martial arts and dance.
A commercial airliner departing Moscow is missing over France. Two days later, with world tensions at an all-time high, that same plane is headed for the White House.
Soon after, following a mysterious breach of the launch codes, US nuclear missiles aimed at Russia are poised for attack. A reciprocal attack is readied by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin. The world is on the edge of a nuclear apocalypse.
Since his murder in a Queens restaurant, Alex Nicholas has been living a virtual life in cyberspace. Suddenly he finds himself on the big screen in the White House’s underground bunker, facing the President of the United States. He may be the only one who can save the world from mutual mass destruction. But to do so, he will have to allow himself to be “deleted” – this time permanently.
This latest addition to the Michael & Alex Nicholas series – which also includes Death Never Sleeps, Death Logs In, and Death Logs Out – features all the mystery, artificial intelligence, humor, food, and travel that fans have come to expect, but with even more twists and turns. Buckle up!
This book is such a wild ride! And also reminds me why I’m not a huge fan of A.I., but that’s a whole other psychological development that I don’t need to get into. But if you like thrillers, twists and turns, and enemies hidden around every corner then this is the book for you! It really surprised me with how invested in the story I became and it’s one of those books that will be on your mind in the background until you get the chance to continue reading it.
I think what really made me enjoy this story the most was the characters. I always say I’m a world-building type of reader but when there are some well written characters I can’t help but to fall for the book. And what I love the most are believable characters, and our mcs definitely fit into that category! But even outside of the characters this book contains a really crazy, and oddly realistic, story in it! And when I say there are twists and turns I mean it, so buckle up when you dive into this one!
I’ve been trying to expand what I read this year and this is one of those books that my previously (*cough* still *cough*) fantasy obsessed brain would probably skip over. But I’m so glad I gave this book a chance because it’s not only a good reprieve from fantasy, it’s just a really entertaining book!
About the Author
E. J. Simon is a member of the Authors Guild, the Mystery Writers of America and the North Carolina Writer’s Network. He holds an M.A. in Corporate & Political Communications from Fairfield University and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. He lives with his wife and highly intelligent mini-golden doodle in North Carolina in the United States.
From the award-winning author of The Scamp, Jennifer Pashley is back with a searing literary noir about what it means to live on the margins of society and what happens when no one is watching…
Pearl Jenkins is a nobody. She was a woman who lived as a hermit in the woods. One day, she’s nowhere to be found, and all that’s left behind is a pool of blood and a child no one knew existed, raised completely off the grid and in the grip of Pearl’s manic paranoia.
Kateri Fisher is used to being an outsider. Now, she’s the only female detective in the tiny upstate New York town of Spring Falls, where everyone knows everyone, but no one will talk. It’s fitting that she takes the case that no one else wants. But as Kateri struggles to navigate the harsh rules of a new town while trying to learn the truth about the Jenkins family, only one thing becomes clear: neither she nor Pearl are as invisible as she first thought. Someone’s always watching.
“Pashley’s seamless, yet meticulous writing pulls the reader into the bleak world of rural upstate New York…Atmospheric and dark, yet emotionally compelling, The Watcher is simply phenomenal on all counts. Jennifer Pashley is nothing short of a rising star.” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night
“The Watcher is a taut literary thriller about desperation, desire, and what people are capable of when they’ve got nothing left to lose. Pashley’s masterful prose makes your heart ache and your pulse pound for every single character populating this chilly, unforgiving—and unforgettable—world.” —Layne Fargo, author of Temper
“The characters in The Watcher will rip your heart out…There is hope at the heart of this novel, and also redemption and justice. You’ll find yourself reading faster to discover what happens next and slowing down to wallow in the beautiful prose. Pashley writes about the people on the fringes of society with clear-eyed compassion and grace. It’s a gift.”—Tiffany Quay Tyson, award-winning author of The Past is Never
“Do not miss this dark and gorgeously told mystery that combines both the literary and noir. I was completely enthralled…You will not be able to turn away from The Watcher.”—Vanessa Lillie, Amazon bestselling author of Little Voices and For the Best
Review
Since I grew up in tiny town NY it’s always nice to read a book in that setting! It always feels like coming home to me, even if I’m reading a crime based book. The Watcher is the first book in a new crime series and I can honestly say that after reading the first I cannot wait to continue this series! Pashley just has a way with words that makes them flow off the page in such a delightful way!
For being a crime book this read is incredible atmospheric, which I think is the perfect addition to crime novels. It just adds that perfect extra sense of dread and etherealness that helps to captivate you as you read. And even outside of this the characters were all really interesting. I enjoyed learning more about them and getting all sides of the story.
Knowing small town antics I could easily see a small town crumble like it did in this story. And overall this was one of those books that I couldn’t look away from. It just had that perfect combination of realness, amazing writing, and an engaging story that will leave you needing more. And I really look forward to seeing what Pashley comes up with next!
About the Author
Jennifer Pashley is the award-winning author of two short story collections, States, and The Conjurer, and a novel, The Scamp. Her stories have appeared widely in journals like Mississippi Review, PANK, and SmokeLong Quarterly, and she has been awarded the Red Hen Prize for Fiction, the Mississippi Review Prize for fiction, and the Carve Magazine Esoteric Award for LGBT Fiction.
Release Date: October 6, 2020 Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Ethan Faulkner is a precocious child with a brilliant but troublesome sister, a war vet for a father, and a weary mother trying to manage their family. One night a young woman rings their doorbell, desperate to hide from two men who are pursuing her, when one of the two barges in after her. The struggle leaves both of Ethan’s parents dead.
Years later, Ethan has a successful teaching career and a budding relationship with a coworker. But he hasn’t quite followed through on his promise to his dying father–to take care of his sister. Susannah is not an easy person to keep tabs on, is a handful even when the tabs are kept, and quite frankly, Ethan wants her to suffer for preventing him from getting to his dad before he died all those years ago.
It was a long time ago and Ethan tries to put all of it behind him. But that’s easier said than done. When news of a brutal murder breaks with evidence pointing to Ethan as the prime suspect, all the painful memories of his past come rushing to meet him. Lyrically conveyed with emotion and nuance, Never Turn Back is a powerful story about family, vengeance, and how some actions echo through the years with irreparable consequences.
The past comes back—with a vengeance—to bite a good-hearted teacher and his brash, broken sister in Swann’s excellent latest. I loved this twisty, sexy, fast-paced thriller.”—Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Never Have I Ever
“Christopher Swann never disappoints. Swann’s unmistakable voice catapults this suspenseful story to the finish line, one dark secret at a time. A must-read.” —J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Good Girls Lie
“An intelligent and layered mystery that had me burning through the pages. The balance of darkness and redemption without losing a bit of the tightrope tension is a skill most writers achieve only after an entire career.” —Brian Panowich, award-winning author of Bull Mountain
“Christopher Swann understands the dread that an incidental glance, a casual comment, silence between two characters can conjure. And it’s with this delicate but sure touch that he tells the story of a man trying to make sense of his violent past and prevent it from destroying the new life he’s built.” —Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of Until the Day I Die
Review
What better time to read a thriller than right now? Wait, I take that back, *than this year.* I mean, we’re basically living in one! But if you’re feeling like you need something to set you on the edge of your seat, give you some major suspense, and actually give you a great cast of characters (and a doggy!) then this is the one for you!
Now, this one is set up just like how I like my thrillers because it’s a “slow” start. And what I mean by that is that it sets everything up so carefully and lures you in, then SNAPS and everything gets turned on its head. So you read it waiting for that ball to drop and it just heightens the suspense for me. And I think it just elevates the story because you become so invested in it and a big mind twist at that point isn’t just for the sake of a twist but truly adds something to the story.
And even though I say this one is slow I mean it’s not slow at all. It will hook you right from the first page and you will become invested in all of the characters and what may or may not happen to them. And there is a strong mystery element to this story, which is something I always love to see!
About the Author
Christopher Swann is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. He earned a B.A. in English from Washington and Lee University, an M.A. in English and creative writing from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Ph.D. in creative writing from Georgia State University. He lives with his wife and two sons in Atlanta, where he is the English department chair at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Shadow of the Lions, published in 2017 by Algonquin, was his debut novel.
Ya It's Lit 