A Perfect Life [Mass Market Paperback]

Mike Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2004

A PERFECT PLAN...

Scott Thomas doesn’t know it, but he has been chosen. Not because he’s handsome, smart, or on the verge of a brilliant career as a clinical psychologist trained at Harvard. No, Scott has been chosen because he has the perfect life–for someone who needs a life to destroy.…

A PERFECT LIE...

It starts with a bizarre carjacking, followed by an apparent burglary in his Cambridge apartment. Then a woman is murdered at the hospital where he works, and evidence of Scott’s guilt is all around him–on his computer, in his apartment, in the dead woman’s room. With police hunting for him and a bizarre stranger watching his every move, Scott must take a chance on trusting a beautiful woman and searching through a shadow world of computer hackers and unclosed chapters of his own past. Because with the perfect frame closing around him and a killer growing more violent, Scott has only one choice now: to take back his life–or die trying….

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Handsome, smart, Harvard-educated Scott Thomas makes the mistake of picking up two hitchhikers who then hijack his car at the start of this compelling mystery thriller from Stewart (A Clean Kill). Soon after, Thomas is rescued by Cannonball Walker, a mysterious and weathered African-American bluesman driving an ancient black Cadillac, and embarks on a journey that may destroy his life. Recently trained as a clinical psychologist, Thomas appears to have the "perfect life," but he falls prey to a complicated and impenetrable plot to frame him for the murder of Patricia Hunter, a high-profile socialite in his care at Boston Hospital. Evidence of Thomas's guilt is everywhere, and with the police on the prowl and a stranger following him, Thomas must discover who he can and cannot trust while trying to clear his name. By teaming with Walker and a spunky information technician at the hospital, he plunges into the underworld of computer hackers and his own dark past. Laced with page-turning tension and memorable scenes that are as poignant as they are vital, the book also follows numerous subplots that prove to be equally intriguing. Rich details and smart use of dialogue help make this a near-perfect ride.
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Review

"Compelling ... Laced with page-turning tension and memorable scenes that are as poignant as they are vital.... Rich details and smart use of dialogue help make this a near-perfect ride."
--Publishers Weekly

“Stewart shows a gift for economy of language and plot that is rare these days, and a talent for evoking atmosphere that has all but vanished from thriller novels.…”
–Washington Post

“Stewart evokes taste, smell, sight and touch to put the reader right in the middle of the scene.”
–Charlotte Observer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Dell (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440241324
• ISBN-13: 978-0440241324
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Grisham!, January 3, 2005

By 

Enthralled Reader (Franklin, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Perfect Life (Mass Market Paperback)

Once again Mike Stewart proves that he should be considered one of the best writers of this genre, and in my opinion is better than Grisham. This story includes his trademark twists and drama, while continuing to stay original and creative. Highly recommended -- once you start, you won't stop -- I read it in one sitting

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lame, IMO, July 12, 2007

By 

coalpuss (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Perfect Life (Mass Market Paperback)

I read the other reviewers so tried to read "A Perfect Life" with an open mind. However, I found the plot to be all right, but did not end up sharing the opinion that this author deserves such praise. His protagonist seems rather slow to realize what is happening to his life. I never understood who the jazz man was, or why he took an interest. I finished the book, still not with any sense of satisfaction. I found the statements describing the sex act to be ridiculous. Very juvenile "tube steak??" Come on.

Pleased that 5 of you liked it, but I will bypass this author. I am an admirer of Deaver, DeMille, M. Connolly - well you get the picture, and they are terrific at their craft. I congratulate Mr. Stewart for finding a publisher.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read, November 5, 2005

By 

natmicstef (Caribbean) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Perfect Life (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm delighted to have found another author whose books I can look forward to. I picked this book up at 1am and couldn't put it down until 5am - luckily it was the weekend. It's been quite a while since a book has made me even think about doing that.