Customer Reviews

The Breathtaker

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

After reading Alice Blanchard's maiden effort, "Darkness Peering" -- a haunting masterpiece of suspense -- I was wary of getting my hopes up for her next effort. All I can say is "Wow!" This book dazzles from start to finish. With its textured characters, nuanced prose, suprising plot twists and brilliant premise, this book is destined for the best seller lists. Ignore all the story rehashings in the reviews. Come to this book with fresh eyes and you will not be disappointed. And be sure to read it before Hollywood screws it up in a few years.

This was a great book. The plot is really excellent and all the characters I found to be interesting. Also, didn't figure out the villain and was totally surprised when the author reveals who it is. Good tech talk with the tornado chasers and it's the kind of book where you actually learn something while being entertained. I look forward to more books by this author.

'The Breathtaker' by Alice Blanchard is so well written that I'm not sure whether I enjoyed the plot, the charachters or the descriptions of the town and the storms most. Together they create one of the most original mysteries I've read in many years.

Charlie Grover, recently widowed police chief in a small midwest town, is the victim of a childhood fire that left him scarred both physically and psychologically. He is doing his best to help his feisty teenage daughter after the recent death of his wife from cancer but his long hours at work are taking their toll on their relationship. When a devastating tornado sweeps through the town Charlie discovers that three murders have been committed under cover of the tornado. Additional research convinces Charlie that there are previous murders that have been committed by this dangerously derranged killer. He seeks the help of Willa Bellman, a tornado researcher and part of a group of local storm chasers, to whom he has had an attraction in the past. Together they must find the culprit before the next tornado hits and he finds his next victims.

This story succeds on many levels. It is informative, beautifully written, exciting and suspenseful. Along with 'Darkness Peering' it puts Blanchard at the top of my list of favorite mystery writers.

Just when you thought it was safe to hide in the basement during a natural disaster. Ms. Blanchard takes suspense to a level unseen in years. Another whirlwind level 5 performance. Can't wait to see the movie.

Promise, Oklahoma Police Chief Charlie Glover knows the danger of an F-3 (Fujita Scale) twister having lived in Tornado Alley all his life. Death and destruction are a normal pattern of a tornado of that strength. So when one that severe hits his jurisdiction, Charlie is prepared for the worst. However, what he and his staff find at the Pepper home makes no sense. The outside of the house remains standing as if nothing touched it. Inside the home is the work of a diabolical killer, who used the latest nasty storm to disguise three brutal murders made up to look like a twister somehow got into the house.

Charlie immediately noticed the abrasions on the arms and hands of the victims. These injuries look like someone trying to fend off an attack. Later the medical examiner informs Charlie that only a maniac would have done this. The culprit transplanted someone else's tooth into each of the dead victims. Successive storms result in more victims with the eerier additional tooth implanted in their mouths. Charlie continues to investigate a psychopath with an obsession and a professional knowledge of tornadoes.

Fans will appreciate this exciting police procedural serial killer thriller. The story line is action packed and the key cast members, especially Charlie, his teenage daughter, his romantic interest, and his employees are a solid cast. The key characters remain the tornados that have a life of their own yet the depth of rage does not come across as with recent movies or even compared with the humorous twister that transported Dorothy out of Oz. Still readers obtain a powerful storm related thriller inside a strong cat and mouse who-done-it.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a real page turner, I couldn't put it down. It has such great detail you feel like you're storm chasing. You never see this level of writng with such an intriguing plot. The characters are so believable they come to life before your eyes. Read it, it will make you want to take a trip through tornado alley.

I usually don't take the time to do this, but it is such a great read. It is so gripping and thrilling that I couldn't put it down. It's not only a page turner but well written as well.. I highly recommend it. I haven't been this entranced since "The Firm."

The Breathtaker was absolutely gripping! It was as much an education on the secret world of storm chasers as it was a captivating tale. I particularly enjoyed how well Blanchard developed the characters, and knitted the forensics together. Bravo!

I've been anxiously awaiting Alice Blanchard's next book since reading Darkness Peering several years ago. The Breathtaker certainly doesn't disappoint! I couldn't put it down.

What a great book! I loved "Darkness Peering" so much and I was afraid this would be a disappointment like most sophomore efforts are. But this was a great, great story. First, what a great idea for a book or movie... the killer using tornados to cover his brutal murders. Charlie the sheriff is smart and compassionate... a great mix of a guy you believe is capable to handle the case, but like you might be in the same situation, too. The ending is fast and furious until the climax, which does not disappoint. Five stars. I'm going to read it again.