Final Breath (Thorndike Core) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Kevin O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2009 | Series: Thorndike Core

At first, the deaths seem random. A young Portland couple brutally murdered in a game gone awry...a Chicago woman who plummeted to her death from an office building...an aspiring screenwriter asphyxiated in his New York apartment. But the macabre souvenirs television reporter Sydney Jordan receives hint at a connection that is both personal and terrifying. After events in her own life went wrong, Sydney fled to Seattle with her teenage son. But instead of getting a fresh start, Sydney is plagued by strange occurrences. Someone is watching, someone who knows her intimately...someone who's just waiting to play the next move in a twisted game. She is his chosen one. Every murder is a sign, and soon, Sydney will understand why each victim had to suffer - and why she's the next in line.

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 611 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (March 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410413934
• ISBN-13: 978-1410413932
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,401,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved, loved it, December 31, 2008

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Final Breath (Mass Market Paperback)

I am a big fan of Kevin O'Brien's books - although I have not always been kind in reviewing his books.

I am thrilled to report that Final Breath is the perfect example of just how good an author O'Brien is.

Sydney is a newsreporter - focusing on doing 'feel good/good samaritan' stories for a news show. She has featured some wonderful people, who have done wonderful things. Although it no longer appears to be common knowledge, Sydney knows of what she speaks as she was also a hero when she was younger - having saved a young boy from a raging fire.

But now, it would appear that the people featured on Sydney's spots are being brutally murdered and as Sydney finally starts to put the pieces together, she comes to realize that she and her entire family are in danger of being killed by a madman.

As I read the first chapter of this book, I felt myself immediately enthralled. This is always a great sign for me - if I can get hooked into the first chapter, then I JUST KNOW that this book is going to be a good read.

As I progressed through the next few chapters, O'Brien brings in all kinds of twists and turns, including an intriguing sidestory about ghosts living in Sydney's house - this added a really nice touch of the supernatural (not so much that it turned the story into more of a horror book - but just enough to make it tingling).

I just could not figure out how all the pieces fit together and its only toward the very end of the book that it all makes sense.

I loved, loved this book. This is what a 'real' thriller should be - O'Brien is in fine form with this one and I can't believe I have to wait another year for the next one!!!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, December 30, 2008

By 

Cheryl Koch (CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Final Breath (Mass Market Paperback)

Sydney Jordan is a newswoman for a weekly television show called Movers & Shakers. It is a show about normal people who have done heroic acts of kindness for others. It seems that someone does not appreciate all these different people getting their fifteen minutes of fame. In fact this person knows just how everyone should be rewarded for their acts. You know how you make someone laugh so hard they can't stop. Some times that person will say "Stop it you are killing me", well that's exactly what the killer has in mind but this situation won't be no laughing matter.

Someone is killing off one by one everyone that has ever been interviewed by Sydney for Movers & Shakers. Each time someone dies, that just means the killer is one step closer to killing his ultimate victim Sydney and when the times comes for him to make Sydney a star, he will take great pleasure on acting out the final scene. Because the killer will make sure that the last words coming out of Sydney's mouth is her Final Breath.

One of my favorite genres to read is suspense thrillers and it will always be one of my favorites, thanks to outstanding, wonderful authors like Kevin O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien really knows how to keep his readers sitting on the edge of their seats filled with anticipation for what comes next. I first discovered this author when I read The Killing Spree and ever since then I have become hooked. Whenever I hear of a new book being released by Kevin I know without a doubt that I will be purchasing it. I know that picking up a Kevin O'Brien book is worth my while as well as a smart investment. I will leave you with just one final thought to ponder "Always watch your back, because you never know when you might draw your Final Breath"!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Final Breath, February 25, 2009

By 

ISIS "Moonchild" (Somewhere in South Jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Final Breath (Mass Market Paperback)

O'Brien has done it again. It is nice to be able to read new releases from my favorite authors and their work is still fresh. Final Breath kept me guessing and had a nice twist at the end. O'Brien remains one of my faves and I will be looking for his next release.