The Test [Kindle Edition]

Patricia Gussin (Author)

Book Description

Renowned philanthropist and billionaire Paul Parnell had reached the pinnacle of monetary success, but not without cost. Had he put too much emphasis on work and spent too little time with his family?Determined to leave something far more valuable than money to his six children, Paul instructs his lawyers to create an unusual last will and testament. This unorthodox will, which stipulates that the lions share of Pauls two billion dollar estate be given to the heirs who pass the test, was Pauls last hope of creating an enduring legacy by inspiring his children to give back to society and embrace a code of moral values.The six children-Rory, Frank, Dan, Monica, Carla and Ashley-have only one year to make a difference. But what a difference one year will make.Before these six very different siblings can complete the test, theyll be forced to face their personal demons and the incredibly evil influence that could claim one of their own.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of TV's Dynasty and Sidney Sheldon will like Gussin's stand-alone suspense novel, in which the late Paul Parnell, a Philadelphia philanthropist, leaves a will that stipulates his six children must each pass a family values test to inherit a share of his huge estate. When Paul's executor reveals the terms of the yearlong test, Paul's U.S. senator son, Frank, and his wife, Meredith, are angry because they were expecting funds for Frank's presidential campaign. The would-be heirs are also disturbed to learn that Paul had a daughter out of wedlock, superstar Monica Monroe, who could also inherit. Meanwhile, psychiatrist Conrad Welton, a greedy psycho, schemes to marry Ashley, one of Paul's legitimate daughters. Various tragedies claim the lives of more than one heir. When, on the morning of 9/11, pregnant Ashley seeks advice about her upcoming marriage to Conrad from a lawyer with offices in the World Trade Center, she disappears. Is she dead or alive? The plot takes a number of terrifying twists before Gussin (Shadow of Death) reveals the answer. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Patricia Gussin is a physician who grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and practiced in Philadelphia. She and her husband, Bob, divide their time between Longboat Key, Florida, and East Hampton, New York. She is also the author of [i]Shadow of Death[/i] and [i]Twisted Justice[/i].

Product Details

• File Size: 509 KB
• Print Length: 280 pages
• Publisher: Oceanview Publishing (October 5, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003YFJ5EK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,263 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful and Hard to Put Down! October 24, 2009

By Lauri C. Coates VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

When Paul Parnell died, he left behind a fortune in the billions, adult children by three different mothers, and a number of grandchildren and in-laws. Prior to his death, Paul realized that one of the regrets of his life was not being active and available in the lives of his children. His trusted lawyer is instructed to create an iron-clad will that requires his 6 surviving children to examine their lifestyles, morals, and values, and make decisions on what is important to each. The final disposition of family fortune will depend on the decisions made by the children over the next year.

The family dynamics are interesting and somewhat convulted here, much like they are in any family of step children, half siblings, etc. It's interesting to watch the interplay between the sons and daughters, and the way they view themselves and each other. The author uses recent political and international events to weave throughout the story, adding an additional level of realism. The novel chronicles the next year in the family, and marks numerous ups, downs, sadness and happy events.

In some cases, there is almost too much going on, and I found myself having to backtrack once or twice, just to check out familial relationships. In a novel with this many characters, plot twists and subplots, that's to be expected. Some of the twists the book used were easy to see coming, some were not. It definitely held my interest thoughout.

If you enjoy suspense and family intrigue, you will enjoy this book. I plan to read more of this author's work in the future.

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A great idea poorly concieved April 8, 2010

By Andrea Asay

Format:Hardcover

The book The Test by Patricia Gussin was a intriguing idea that was poorly conceived. The Test is a story of the patriarch of the Parnell family, the vastly wealthy Peter Parnell`s, last dying wish for his successors. This wish is to not to make the same mistakes he did, focusing on business and wealth instead of what really matters. So enters "The Test."

The problem with this book is not the premise itself, but the introduction of so many characters within the first two chapters. By giving us an in-depth ancestral chart Gussin tries to make the introduction of these main characters easier on the reader. What happens however is that we are left with more confusion and the inability to connect with any one person.

Throughout the story, we are made to follow the Parnell family as they each traverse their own personal "Test" that has been personally crafted by Peter before his death. Each lesson is to be administered over the course of a year to find out if his heirs are worthy of such a vast amount of money.

The story moved, however you find yourself needing to retreat back to the family tree to keep each character and where they belonged straight. By having so many main characters, each having their own personal journey, one has to relearn who the person is before you read what they are doing.

The idea of The Test was ingenious, a wealthy father, in his last hours of life realizing what is truly important; tries to pass on wisdom he never could while alive. The Test was a great idea, with a grand moral lesson and a feel good ending. But with this many characters that you never are able to fully connect with, it falls flat in the end.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Billionaire leaves Test for Money October 18, 2009

By Rebecca Cox

Format:Hardcover

Billionaire Paul Parnell was a typical tycoon. He spent all his time making money any way he could and it was only in his last days that he realized the cost to him and his family. His six children had little or no relationship with each other, and most expected his money to always be there. So before he died he devised a test to try to bring his family back together and teach them the life lessons he failed to teach them when he had the chance. The only way they could claim their inheritance was to pass this test within a year.

Even though the book is advertised as being about "The Test" and the synopsis is mostly about the test, the book only starts out being about the test and quickly looses that thread to become a murder mystery as someone targets the family members and the year counts down. Frank is the matriarch son and as such wants control of all the money. Dan is the rebel who left the family years ago. Ashley and Carla are the youngest sisters of Paul's second wife Vivian. Rory is Vivian's daughter. And then there is Monica.

I found this to be an enjoyable easy read with a somewhat predictable story line. The book had quite a few story lines going at once that seemed a little disconnected or unnecessary, and the ending never did completely explain the outcome of the test to my satisfaction, but overall I would recommend the book.

More About the Author

Patricia Gussin

Patricia Gussin, M.D. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She attended medical school in Detroit after which she did an internship and pediatric residency at Tampa General Hospital. Board Certified in Family Medicine, Pat, known to colleagues as Dr. Patricia Stewart, has practiced medicine and has directed medical research in her role as worldwide vice president for a leading healthcare company.

A graduate of Aquinas College, she received a M.D. degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and an MBA from Columbia University. Pat's former academic affiliations include the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia as Chairman of the Board of Trustees; University of Pennsylvania Dental School, where she was a member of the Board of Overseers and an Associate Trustee of the University; and membership on advisory committees of several universities. She has an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Duquesne University. She is a former Director of the Sarnoff Corporation in Princeton, N.J.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Pat is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, and a former member of the American Pain Society, Past President of the Drug Information Association, and a former officer of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Pat is also the author of Shadow of Death, Twisted Justice, The Test, and And Then There Was One. Shadow of Death was nominated for Best First Novel in the International Thriller Writers "Thriller" awards. She co-authored with her husband,What's Next...For You?

One of six children, Pat has seven children and sixteen grandchildren. Pat and her husband, Dr. Robert Gussin, a renowned medical researcher, divide their time between Longboat Key, Florida, East Hampton, New York, and their vineyards in New Zealand.