Customer Reviews

Playing Dead: A Novel of Suspense (Thorndike Basic)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Claire O'Brien is a successful fraud investigator, assuming that they are all guilty until proven otherwise. After her father went to prison, she wouldn't, and hasn't really, trusted anyone. As she goes out to investigate a suspicious fire, her father surprises her, begging for help. He doesn't care if he ends up back in prison, he doesn't care that in four weeks, he'll walk that stretch of corridor knowing he wouldn't be coming back. What he cares about is that he doesn't go to his grave without Claire knowing the truth ~ that he never killed her mother or her lover. That he was framed.

But the begging fell on deaf ears. Until, that is, when Claire found a letter from her father in her home office. That letter let curiosity out of the bag, and Claire began her own investigation. The more questions she posed, the more questions than answers she got back, and the more runaround the received, the more she believed that her father really was innocent.

Meanwhile, Mitch (FBI agent - we've met him in the first two books in the trilogy) had befriended Claire, hoping to get close to her, truly believing that her father would eventually contact her. What he didn't plan on was falling in love with her. Now the question is - will he be able to keep her alive and prove that her father really is innocent when a psychopath made it clear he wants Claire - dead?

Even though I enjoyed the first two novels in the series, this was the perfect ending to the trilogy. Gripping, chilling, suspenseful, you truly won't be able to put the book down. You'll pick it right back up.

You're sucked into the story and follow along with Claire as she tries to piece together what had happened 15 years ago. What and why. You really feel what Claire and Mitch feel for each other, including their inner battles. Great action, tenseful scenes, an excellent mystery. Plenty of colourful characters, but not too many; just the right amount that you knew exactly who all the players were - except for one.

The more questions Claire poses, the more questions she comes up with that are left unanswered. And the more you twist and turn into the story, the more you think you believe who the psycho is that's after Claire. And I was so sure of myself, so darn sure. And I was off, way off... And I adore it when an author does that to me. If an author leaves me completely clueless until you find out exactly who it is, or all clues point to someone else and you're totally wrong in your assumption, to me... the best romantic suspense thrillers around.

Allison Brennan is definitely an author not to ignore! I can't wait for her next trilogy!

Brennan, sure knows how to keep a reader on thier seat. The entire book I was betting that the culprite was someone else. The sub characters were just as strong as the main characters and it was good to see Nelia KinCaid have a story. I hope we see more of her in future books, and see her reconnect with her family as that leaves only two KinCaids without a main story (Jack and Patrick). Looking forward to her next book, even though March 09 is 6 months away.

I'd never read a murder mystery before. I love watching them on TV, figuring out whodunit, but what I found here was an amazing experience. The romance between Mitch and Claire was almost cliche. The guy loses the girl then wins the girl... But with "The Assassin" and being secretive and the flashbacks about Jeffrey. I fell in love with murder. It's easy to get hooked on Allison Brennan's novels, the FBI, the weapons, the witnesses/suspects. You can't see it! With TV, you can guess the murderer and you're usually right, but with her books, she's keeps you guessing! It was so fun to read! This is on my list for if I was trapped on a desert island and could only have like twenty books. It's number 6 or something. :-)

Playing Dead is a superbly written mystery, thriller, suspense and romance novel all in one. Once you pick the book up you will have trouble putting it down. I finally finished the book and have to say that this book is filled with suspense, mystery and romance. You are introduced to the characters and given the back ground information needed to know the basis of the book.

Fifteen years ago, Claire O'Brien, then 14 decides to go home from school for lunch. She walks in on her mom and her mom's lover, an assistant district attorney. Claire calls her father because she is upset about finding her mom in that situation.

Tom O'Brien decides to confront his wife and lover so that he can end this charade of a marriage. When he arrives at his house he finds his wife and her lover shot dead in bed. Claire is the one that sees her father in the room and assumes he killed her mother and the other man. She is the prime witness in her father's trial.

Claire goes through years of believing her father is guilty, and starting a new life without him. An aspiring young attorney does research and discovers things that can prove her father's innocence. Claire does not believe the guy and ignores everything he tells her, until her father, who had escaped from prison during an earthquake, leaves Claire a note telling her everything she needs to know to try and clear his name. She is torn between wanting to believe her father is innocent and a murderer.

The story is now set for a page turning, full suspense thriller that you won't be able to put down. The FBI does everything to capture the fugitive Tom O'Brien. There is one FBI agent, Mitch Bianchi, who believes Tom is innocent and befriends Claire. He wants to find Tom before the local PD does, otherwise Tom is a dead man. Mitch is falling for Claire, just as Claire starts to be able to trust someone.

Once you start reading Playing Dead you will be pulled into the suspense, thrills, mystery and romance of the 3rd book of the Prison Break trilogy. If you haven't already picked up this book to read I suggest you do.

I know I will be reading the first two books in this trilogy!!

Claire O'Brien knows all about liars. Her father, Tom is still lying even after being convicted fifteen years ago of murdering her mom and her mom's lover. Claire is now all grown up. Claire has only one regret and that is testifying against her father. Maybe that's why Claire wants so bad to believe her father is innocent, especially when Claire learns her father has escaped prison but is Claire setting herself up for a big heartache putting faith in her father. FBI agent, Mitch Bianchi has been following the O'Brien case for a long time, so when he sees his chance to get close to Claire he seizes the opportunity.

Unfortunately the more time Mitch spends with Claire, the harder it is for him to keep his secrets from her. All of Claire's digging makes her the prime target for a serial psychopath that will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden.

Playing Dead is the third and final book in Allison Brennan's Prison Break trilogy. I have enjoyed reading this trilogy, though I have to say not as much as Ms. Brennan's No Evil series. This book started out good and ended on a high note. I was glad to see that Claire was no wall flower, just because she was surrounded by lots of male testosterone. The mystery that FBI agents bring to the table I think really makes them sexy as well as attractive. Mitch definitely had both qualities, which made him a great male lead character in this story. I have been hooked on Ms. Brennan's book since I read her No Evil series and still remain a fan. I can't wait for her next series.

Playing Dead is the final book in the Prison Break Trilogy but in my opinion it is a stand alone book. There are quite a few references to things that occurred in the previous books but not so much that I was lost since I hadn't read the previous books.

Fifteen years ago, Claire O'Brien's mother and her lover were brutally murdered. Claire's father Tom, a police officer, was convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. During a recent earthquake Tom, along with other fugitives, escaped from San Quentin and now in addition to hunting down and turning in his fellow escapees Tom has to prove his innocence to the one person that matters...his daughter, Claire.

Claire never believed his claim of innocence and she did her best to shut him out of her life. She sees the world as right and wrong and doesn't have any interest in listening to her father's pleas until she learns that the one person who believed Tom was murdered as he got too close to the truth behind the murders.

FBI agent Mitch Bianchi also has a stake in finding out the truth. He's befriended Claire under false pretenses and has fallen in love with her. As Claire starts investigating the crime, Mitch can't share with her who he really is and all he can do is hope to keep her safe while finding out what really happened fifteen years ago.

This was a fast paced read with a lot of twists and turns. I loved the way the truth slowly weaves together all the side characters in the story. The killer's identity was a complete surprise to me which rarely happens with most suspense books I read. I loved the writing style and I definitely want to go back and read books one and two. I highly recommend this to all romantic suspense lovers.

Definitely this book is the best. You won't be able to put it down till you finish but you must read the prequels to understand it. The story will keep you in the book at the book and over the book.

I thought this book was the best of the trilogy. However, I also wish the romance between Claire and Mitch had taken place in the book instead of before it started...it was hard to get behind them as a couple when so much had already happened that we didn't get too see.

Other than a lot of supporting characters that at times makes it hard to keep track of everyone, this book is a great way to pass a few evenings.

What can I say about Allison Brennan, that I haven't already said. This is her ninth novel, and she hasn't missed yet. Playing Dead was an insight on "the perfect frame". I really enjoyed reading it, and I've really enjoyed reading all her books. They're all connected, but not in a way that makes you feel like you've missed something if you haven't read the others. If you want a good who done it, with a bit of romance, some twists and turns, strong characters and a good plot, you really must read Allison Brennan's Playing Dead, or any of her novels, as they have all been excellent. S.L. Chessor author of Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers and My Tongue Fell Out. Poodlums, Boogeymen and Booglers: A Poetry Collection

I have read all of Brennan's books, and I'm headed to the book store for her latest...Bye for now,,see ya after I've read it..All books are fantastic.................