The Pact [Hardcover]

Hilary Norman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

Three friends from college who suffered the deaths of their parents together appeal to one another when their lives begin to unravel, while one of them discovers that their parents' deaths were no accident. 25,000 first printing."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This enthralling contemporary romantic suspense will keep you up until the wee hours. Three high school friends make a pact upon the death of their parents. Because they have all been orphaned by the same bizarre accident, Olivia, Annie, and Jamie share a kindred bond. The pact: that they will come to one another's aid no matter what, when, or why at any point in their lives. The three reach adulthood before they find themselves in need. But broken marriages, hearts, and dreams are nothing compared to the heinous secrets uncovered by Olivia when she looks into the death of their parents. Although incredibly suspenseful, the emphasis of the story is on the relationship between the three friends, and on the changing nature of friendships. You will be deeply moved by Jamie and Olivia's slow grasp to appreciate their real feelings for one another.

From School Library Journal

YA. In one shattering moment in 1976, three recent high school graduates are orphaned when a helicopter crashes. Bereft, Olivia, Jamie, and Annie vow to always be there for one another in times of trouble. Interwoven into the saga of their lives through the next 20 years is the story of Anton Rothenburg. A young Jewish man, he lived in Baden-Baden with his parents and two young sisters in the 1930s. Intermittently, the tragic story of this family's suffering at the hands of one particularly cruel man, George Brauner, is retold. Ultimately, The Pact is a mystery. Questions such as how the Rothenburg story is tied to these three friends and who is trying to harm them draw readers into the plot. Each chapter leaves readers with more questions and the need to gather additional clues. When all of the events are finally stitched together, the full tragic story is revealed. Including such subjects as addiction, infidelity, love, friendship, the Holocaust, treachery, and loyalty, the novel will undoubtedly capture the attention of most YAs. The fact that many of the characters are three-dimensional people is an added recommendation.?Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525942564
• ISBN-13: 978-0525942566
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,878,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good characterization -- so-so story, May 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pact (Hardcover)

While I did finish the book, I was never emotionally committed to either the characters or the story line. Basically, the theme of the book is if you have enough money, you can get anything done. The pact between the friends was a bit unrealistic but because the characters were all quite well off financially, they could leave their lives, jobs, families, etc. for weeks at a time without any problems.

I picked up this hard back book for $4.98 at a clearance rack and it's about all that it was worth. Not on my list of recommendations to my friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good book, March 8, 2004

By 

Skyy Sutton "skyy777" (Fairfax VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pact (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I think it would make a great film should someone decide to do a screen play. I stumbled upon this novel when browsing through discounted books at a store. A rare find--mystery, intrigue, and friends willing to go to the wall. You will not be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll not soon forget . . ., July 7, 2000

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pact (Paperback)

In 1976, a helicopter crash in England renders three teen-agersorphans just two weeks after their graduation from the American Schoolin London. Originally from the US, the three--Olivia Segal, the daughter of Jewish survivors of the Holocaust; Annie Aldrich, Protestant from San Francisco, and Jamie Arias, Catholic scion of a great shipping family from Rhode Island--became friends while their parents worked in England.

Banding together, they create a pact--whenever one of them is in need of comfort, friends, whatever, it makes no difference--the other two will drop everything to go to the aid of the one who asks. ...THE PACT is a riveting, can't-put-it-down novel that will remain in your mind and your heart for a long time after you've read the final page. This is Hilary Norman's eighth book. If you've not read any of the others, you'll want to, after you've read THE PACT.