Customer Reviews

Not A Fire Exit

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A book that'll make me reconsider a Yoohoo as a must-have beverage has got to have something compelling going for it! More seriously, the book delivered a knockout punch that had nothing to do with the wildly entertaining Nolan's Knockouts and the ensuing jealousy/indignation of Jim's long-suffering wife Sarah. To get a gripping mystery that combined witty repartee and a romance was a rare treat. Ultimately it was the quirky and endearing Jim and Sarah that stayed with me, and reminded me what my truest loves have really been made of - the everyday, nutty likes and dislikes of the imperfect person you've decided you can't live without. Love, in all its permutations, is really what makes the world go round....and this book left that with me - both from its content as well as its objective in helping fight a crippling disease that hits children. Thanks on both fronts, Mr. Finlan!

I wasn't sure what to expect from Chris Finlan's Not a Fire Exit, but I was pleasantly surprised. Finlan has an easy-to-read style, keeps the pages turning, and some of the characters really stay in your mind. Besides being a good story, the book is surprisingly funny. Recommended.

I never like to read books or watch TV shows or movies where I can figure out how it will end early...no suspense for me. This book had me guessing the entire time - even at the end (I won't give anything away). Good combination of personal story and the sci-fi aspect of it - definitely worth the read. Can't wait to read the follow-up book...?

I'm not sure what book the one reviewer was reading, but it certainly wasn't this one. I was very pleasantly surprised when I took a chance on this book and found a truly unique story about a couple much like my husband and I that not only made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion, but really had me thinking about what lengths I go to when it came to my children. It's a good book that's certainly worth your time and money, and I'd recommend it to any reader whether I was asked or not.

I knew that this book was inspired by the author's experience with SMA, a debilitating disease that affects very young children, but I wasn't sure what to expect. How do you write a novel to bring awareness about a disease without the story turning maudlin or slipping into poor taste?

I'm happy to say that Finlan succeeds, for the most part. This is a story that has humor, excitement, suspense... even a bit of the supernatural, but it also deals realistically with SMA while avoiding being morbid and refusing to make martyrs of the disease's victims. The book begins with a mother being offered an impossible choice: she can save her daughter's life, but at the expense of another's child's life. After this somewhat dark beginning, the book shifts gears, focusing on a married couple named Jim and Sarah, who -- in between smartass quips at each other's expense -- stumble onto a mystery revolving around a local business bigwig. The book gets a bit dark again at the end, and the shift in tone is a bit jarring, but I have to say that I really did care about the characters and wanted them to come to a satisfying conclusion -- one which Finlan deftly delivers.

Not a Fire Exit is a quick, enjoyable read that benefits a good cause. Buy it.

This book rolls along carrying you through the story. It is an easy read and enjoyable with great prose and some very witty conversational exchanges throughout. The story is not predictable which adds to the enjoyment. Altogether a great read, good easy reading for a long plane journey!

I couldn't put it down, it had me guessing the whole time and it was definitely not what I was expecting. Being an SMA parent, I know that I to would go to the end of the earth to help my baby and I think a lot of parents would find themselves doing the same. Great book, I sincerely recommend it!

Both sarcastic and witty, I had trouble putting this book down. The characters were very honest, which made it easy to relate to the complex moral dilemmas. Unconditional love is a force in this book. The story is interesting, different, and I recommend giving your time.

Truly a wonderful read. The characters are believable, with pithy dialog exchanged. The plot holds the attention and provides a few pleasant surprises. If you are looking for a new, creative voice, put this book on your list.

Not A Fire Exit is a riveting suspense novel, with interesting twists and turns. I can totally imagine this as a film. I want to know more about these interesting characters. And I found the question framed in the intro about what lengths a parent would go to for their child very thought provoking...and one I continued thinking about well after finishing the novel. I hope there is a sequel because I would read it in a second. I also love that with every purchase a percentage of each sale is donated to charity. Makes me want to buy more from this publisher!