A World I Never Made [Hardcover]

James LePore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2009

Pat Nolan, an American man, is summoned to Paris to claim the body of his estranged daughter Megan, who has committed suicide. The body, however, is not Megan's and it becomes instantly clear to Pat that Megan staged this, that she is in serious trouble, and that she is calling to him for help.

This sends Pat on an odyssey that stretches across France and into the Czech Republic and that makes him the target of both the French police and a band of international terrorists. Joining Pat on his search is Catherine Laurence, a beautiful but tormented Paris detective who sees in Pat something she never thought she'd find--genuine passion and desperate need. As they look for Megan, they come closer to each other's souls and discover love when both had long given up on it.

Juxtaposed against this story is Megan's story. A freelance journalist, Megan is in Morocco to do research when she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman. They begin a torrid affair, a game Megan has played often and well in her adult life. But what she discovers about Lahani puts her in the center of a different kind of game, one with rules she can barely comprehend. Because of her relationship with Lahani, Megan has made some considerable enemies. And she has put the lives of many--maybe even millions--at risk.

A World I Never Made is an atmospheric novel of suspense with brilliantly drawn characters and back-stories as compelling as the plot itself. It is the kind of novel that resonates deeply and leaves its traces long after you turn the final page.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A World I Never Made is a compelling page turner—one of those wonderful books with characters as strong as the story and a story worth reading. Don't miss it. LePore is an author to watch!”
—M.J. Rose, author of The Memorist

“I picked up A World I Never Made and was riveted from start to finish. An adventure to places both exotic and intimate, told with great sensitivity, inventive plotting, and propulsive suspense. Jim LePore is a great discovery.”
—William Landay, author of The Strangler

“A World I Never Made is an outstanding first novel, and a wonderful thriller. The story moves very quickly, almost to the point that the reader feels as if they'll miss something if they put the book down even for a moment…. I'm looking forward to James LePore's next work; this one was a gripping read that I would recommend to anyone.”
—Blogcritics

“The key to this exciting thriller is the cast especially the Nolan father and daughter. Pat is terrific from the stunning opening sequence when he reads his daughter’s suicide note, his lie re the corpse, which Laurence’s superior Inspector LeGrand accepts though he knows otherwise, and subsequently his inquiry. Megan is mostly seen through his perception of her though the audience learns relatively early why the Saudis believe she is alive…fans will enjoy this one sitting suspense thriller.”
—Harriet Klausner, The Mystery Gazette

“James LePore has written a fascinating suspense story of power and treachery, broken relationships and redemption….I highly recommend this compelling suspense story filled with vivid characters and haunting storylines. A story that will stay with the reader long after the final page.”
—Bella Online

“Nothing could have torn my attention away from this story. A World I Never Made by James LePore is a must read for thriller fans!”
—Cheryl’s Book Nook

“James LePore writes in an exciting and most readable style. He is an artist at building the suspense as the story progresses to its ultimate conclusion. There is just enough doubt about the possible outcomes to keep the reader wondering and turning pages. “A World I Never Made” is a fine tale filled with love, adventure, mystery and suspense.”
—Mainly Mysteries

“Author James LePore has created a remarkable, gripping tale of suspense in his debut novel. Readers are expertly taken along with Nolan on a thrilling ride from the very beginning when we learn of the faked suicide to the harrowing search through numerous countries. A World I Never Made is filled with strong, vividly described international characters to whom the reader will quickly form an attachment, all the while being transported through wonderfully described exotic lands. The combination creates an atmosphere of breathless suspense affording readers a desire to continue reading up until the thrilling, yet tender, conclusion.”
—Feathered Quill Book Reviews

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

James LePore is an attorney who has practiced law for more than two decades. He is also an accomplished photographer. He lives in South Salem, NY with his wife, artist Karen Chandler. A World I Never Made is his first novel. He is currently at work on his second, which The Story Plant will publish in spring 2010.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 262 pages
• Publisher: Story Plant, The (March 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981608728
• ISBN-13: 978-0981608723
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (123 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,025,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1999 I sold my law practice to write full time. In 2008, I signed a four-book contract with The Story Plant, a small, agile publisher in Stamford, Connecticut. My first novel, 'A World I Never Made,' was released in April, 2009. The second, 'Blood of My Brother,' came out in December, 2010, and the third, 'Sons and Princes,' in April, 2011. My fourth novel, 'Gods and Fathers,' was released in February 2012. My latest, 'The Fifth Man,' comes out in February, 2013. 'The Fifth Man' is a sequel to 'Sons and Princes.' Perhaps this is the start of a series. I think that might be fun. I have also written six short stories that stand alone as pieces of short fiction, but that are meant to accompany my first two novels. The first three of these was released in February, 2011, under the title, 'Anyone Can Die.'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Suspense, Stunning Conclusion April 1, 2009

By Edie Dykeman VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Pat Nolan flies to Paris to identify the body of his estranged daughter, Megan. She seemed fine when he spoke to her on Christmas Day, and her suicide several days later does not make sense.

When Pat arrives in Paris, he discovers it is not his daughter's body. Believing she is in danger and the suicide note holds important clues to her whereabouts, he identifies the body as Megan and has it cremated the same day as requested in the note. He then begins a search for his missing daughter that takes him farther, physically and emotionally, than he ever thought possible.

With very few clues, and the help of beautiful French detective Catherine Laurence, Pat travels across France to such places as Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangiers, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Along the way, he becomes a target of the French police and a band of international terrorists.

While the reader follows Pat and Catherine on their increasingly dangerous journey, the author tells Megan's story beginning a year before her alleged suicide. She spent the previous ten years traveling throughout Europe as a writer while meeting men willing to pay for her companionship. Along the way, she meets Abdel Lahani, a Saudi businessman. Lahani, it turns out, is not the typical mark and Megan becomes involved in a game far more dangerous and widespread than she could ever imagine.

A World I Never Made includes an interesting and diverse cast of characters. Besides those already mentioned, others include French Deputy Chief Inspector Genevieve LeGrand; Marie Sancerre, a 14 year-old street flower vendor who keeps popping up in strange places; Daniel Pelletier, Catherine's beloved uncle and retired French gendarme (police officer); Annabella Jeritza, a Gypsy fortuneteller who befriended Megan; Annabella's grandson Doro; Abdullah al-Azim, a Syrian pharmacist who helps Megan when she needs him most; and Max French, an American FBI agent.

LePore has written a fascinating suspense story of power and treachery, broken relationships and redemption. Interweaving the two story lines throughout the book can sometimes cause the reader to lose track of the relationship between characters if one is not paying close attention. However, telling Pat and Megan's stories at the same time adds impact as they head towards a stunning and unexpected conclusion.

An attorney for over twenty years, LePore's first novel is an impressive start to a great second career. I highly recommend the compelling suspense story of vivid characters and haunting storyline that will stay with the reader long after the final page.

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad and the ugly April 16, 2011

By Park Ave

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Good: In abstract, outline form, this book has a great storyline and potential subplots. A brave, beautiful, cynical young American on the run abroad from shadowy forces fakes her own suicide. Her estranged father must find her before the bad guys do. Along the way, a fascinating subplot of him meeting and falling in love with another wounded soul adds to the novel. These three characters are assisted by the Roma of Europe as they flee from attack by the bad guys, struggle to redeem themselves and each other. There's great potential here.

The Bad: Whatever computer program converts from whatever format to the Kindle needs serious help. Does anyone "beta test" these free books before throwing them up on the site? I understand the principle of "you get what you pay for," but this issue seems to be a systemic problem with this and other free Kindle books. If typos drive you crazy, this isn't the book for you.

The Ugly: Overall execution of the book's outline was just flat and underdeveloped. If half of the available subplots had been decently explored, this book would have been significantly longer and more interesting. As written, the characters are flat and relationships aren't well explored as they develop and change. Some of the police characters could have been very interesting, particularly the American FBI agent. The main villain might as well be a cardboard cut-out named "Ali Charming bin EvilTerrorist" because that name tells you all the information provided by this book about him. His history and motives are totally unexplored. Great stories have interesting, complicated relationships and bad guys. This isn't one.

Secondly in "The Ugly" category is the disaster of an ending. The moment this story enters the Czech Republic, the author seemed to bump up against a page limit. The fate of the main villain was left to the epilogue, with no dramatic final confrontation, just "he was captured." Total letdown. Very little in the ending is surprising.

Overall, this book reads like an attempt at a Hollywood script that can't decide if it wants to be family redemption drama, love story or action thriller. It has elements of all three, but never enough to satisfy the reader or support the plotline. "A world I never made" could be epic, but is instead stunted and malformed.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Along For An Exciting Ride February 8, 2008

By Gregory Ziemak

I was hooked immediately. Before I knew it I was sitting next to Pat Nolan in Inspector LeGrand's office in Paris stunned about what I had just learned about Megan. Something about this does not feel right. I want to know what Pat Nolan and I are going to do next and I want to know now!