An Act of Vengeance (Paperback)

by Erik Larson (Author)
Key Phrases: Brian Schaefer, Las Vegas, Carl Runner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
While vacationing in Las Vegas, Mason and Kelly Reed are the apparent victims of a violent crime. Mason, shot twice in the chest, appears to be dead. In reality, it’s the beginning of an intricate plot secretly conceived by Mason himself. After successfully staging his own death, he is now free to move in stealth. He sets into motion a plan that has smoldered in his mind and heart for over a decade.

Mason seeks vengeance for an unforgivable crime, and his friend Carl agrees to help with the logistics. Together, they work out every detail. As Mason proceeds, he discovers his adversary—the very target of his revenge—has become aware of the pending threat. A confrontation awaits.

Despite his trepidation, Mason can’t turn back. Too many bridges have been burned, and too many laws have been broken. Filled with uncertainty and fear for the future but fueled by unrelenting passion and determination, he risks everything to see that justice is finally served.

About the Author
Erik M. Larson lives with his wife, Melissa, and sons, Alec and Evan, in Southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (December 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595458599
• ISBN-13: 978-0595458592
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What Amazon doesn't want you to know., August 31, 2008

By	Eve Taylor - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must admit I am only half way through the book, having spent the last two and a half hours thus engaged . I have some remarks. First off, I believe that Erik M. Larson may be riding on the coattails of another Erik Larson. When I searched for the latter, pairing it with White City and Thunderstruck, this book came up also, suggesting that the same author wrote both. Far far from it. In fact at the bottom of the Amazon review page I see beneath their tag suggestions. All of these refer to Erik Larson's work. Nothing in this book is historical, true, placed in Chicago, is thrilling, has anything to do with the Columbian Exposition of the early 1900s or is about a serial killer. So if you got caught unawares, Amazon was in no hurry to correct that misapprehension as long as it sold more books for them. After just finishing three of Erik Larson's books, so disparate the levels of writing, I felt that I was reading the work of a high school junior. Everything was so contrived. The author's use of italicized Korean words was obvious and heavy handed" In fact his use of italicize was very annoying. All of it screamed out "I know something you don't know," Just write, use words to knit your story not stick out like a huge sore thumb. I have bet myself that I know the plot and knew it within the first forty pages. If I am wrong, I will surely retract some of my statement but most of it will still stand. It is written for a fast read with a slightly catchy story promised but will fade quickly from thought. Whereas the real Erik Larson has provoked in me the desire to want more both of his work and of the subjects written about, this book gives me nothing to think about. We'll see what he delivers.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Page-Turner, July 20, 2008

By	Finerotty - See all my reviews

I read the first chapter of this book and I couldn't put it down. I was deeply involved with the two main characters and what was going to happen to them next. This book has a lot of great twists and turns that keeps you hanging on to every word. This is a very well written book with a lot of excitement and suspense. I highly recommend it!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you guessing until the end!, July 5, 2008

By	D. Murphy (So. California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book. I couldn't put it down. There were so many twists and turns in the story that it kept me trying to figure out which character to trust. I would highly recommend this thriller.