"Love You More” is a thriller and loaded with suspense as Tessa Leoni faces time in Hell trying to prove her innocence. She has been a Massachusetts state trooper for four years and has a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Sophie, and a husband, Brian Darby of three years. Brian has been shot to death and Sophie is missing. Detectives on the case soon suspect Tessa of cold blooded murder, having killed her husband and little girl. The forensic evidence is puzzling, and Leoni, who is less than cooperative, has a battered and swollen face, apparently, from a beating. The situation becomes more complicated and ambiguous, and it is suspected that Tessa has been lying to them from the beginning. This one is just plain intriguing from the beginning and the writing impeccable. Love You More: A Detective D. D. Warren Novel
Madison Pridgen, A member of Between the Lines book club
###-BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP-### -Watson-
“Before I Go to Sleep” is a brilliant and profound piece of fiction, a psychological thriller that will captivate the reader about a traumatic brain injury that when the main protagonist wakes up she can’t remember anything about herself. I can’t imagine too many things as frightening as that! The premise was different from anything I've read before. This is a remarkable job of taking us through Christine's mind as she learns about events and people in her past and the frustrations involved in not being able to remember. She keeps a journal, at the suggestion of Dr. Nash; the idea being that she progressively remembers her life before the accident that caused her amnesia. The first part of the book tells about her meeting her husband and her psychiatrist calling her, telling her that she needs to read the journal she has been keeping. He gives it to her and tells her to contact him if she wants to continue her treatment. What a pulse-pounding thriller! It’s suspenseful throughout and the pacing is brilliant. The thriller ending is not predictable so don’t bother. Profound and completely captivating, yes, but the intrigue will keep your eyes glued. Before I Go To Sleep: A Novel
Madison Pridgen, A member of Between the Lines book club
### - SAVING RACHEL - ### -Locke-
“Saving Rachel” was non-stop curiosity. I was intrigued from the first page and it does not allow you to stop reading. I was surprised at how many interesting twists and turns there were. A cheating husband is at the center of “Saving Rachel” and takes you on a thrill ride thanks to a computer genius, Sam Case, and the wild involvement of Donovan Reed. Donovan has invested a large sum of money with Sam Case. Sam has found a way to hide money from the government by moving it from bank to bank. He does this for Donovan along with several other wealthy people, some who are not savory characters that are hiding money from the government. Someone has found out and has kidnapped Sam's wife, Rachel, and done many other things while trying to get Sam to turn over the money to them. Donovan Reed has to save Sam Case from all the corrupt bad guys. If Sam doesn't give up the information he and Rachel may be killed. There are double and triple identity surprises, so many points of view and shock value that keeps knocking you off your feet. I’ll have to say that this was definitely a thrill beyond measure. Saving Rachel (a Donovan Creed Crime Novel)
I find it curious that on all of these book sites, no matter how many exquisite reviews of great appreciation, enjoyment and awe there are, there is always a smattering of infantile, disrespectful, and obnoxious deterring ones that reveal much more about the reviewer than the book reviewed. Writing is a labor of love and endless laborious hours chained to the computer tapping into every inch of the brain for the perfect plot, the perfect words, the perfect descriptions and an original idea to boot. How many of us could even do it? All the authors want is a little appreciation for their labor. They really don't ask for much, just a little respect for their efforts, all so we can get an inexpensive momentary high.
Madison Pridgen, A member of Between the Lines book club
###-THE SILENT GIRL-### -Tess Gerritsen-
"The Silent Girl" is beautifully written, engrossing, fast-paced, and suspenseful. The story begins with the discovery of the body of a young woman on a roof, a deep slash to her throat and a hand severed that certainly reveals murder. Rizzoli discovers the possible connections to a mass murder at a Chinatown restaurant nineteen years earlier. A 60ish martial arts master and her young associate are the interesting suspects that keep the reader entertained throughout the book. When a retired police officer who was investigating the case got too close and was murdered, Jane, her partner, Barry Frost, and new-to-the-team Officer Tam were led to information about two missing teenagers who had each lost parents in the Chinatown murder. Rizzoli's final discovery at the hands of the killer leaves the reader desperate to get to the electrifying conclusion. Tess Gerritsen, as always, kept me mystified and thoroughly entertained with The Silent Girl. I will buy every book she puts on the market. The Silent Girl: A Rizzoli & Isles Novel (with bonus short story Freaks) (Rizzoli & Isles Novels)
Madison Pridgen, A member of Between the Lines book club
###-EXPLOSION IN PARIS-### -Pirrung-
GREAT PLOT; FIRST-RATE WRITING, “Look Inside”; NO DISAPPOINTMENT HERE!
Enthralling, atmospheric, powerful, and simply mesmerizing, “Explosion in Paris” is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
I knew little about this book and author so I entered into the experience with no preconceived notions or expectations.
Frequently dazzling, “Explosion in Paris” is a story about the interplay of survival, about the rousing and transformation set inescapably in motion by a transitory coincidence of fate. In a breathtaking display of tones ranging from disappointment and being stuck in an empty marriage to tragedy to uncompromising reinvention, the author captures the undertow of self-destruction that we all must either master or surrender to. We learn the origin of Angela’s turmoil, the hidden yearnings and disappointments of her violent and troubling marriage. A modern day Knight in Shining Armor, innocently comes out of nowhere and enters Angela’s life as if a gift from God. Ross opens her eyes to the fact that she has choices and that she needs to take back her power to see love, to see well-being, to see joy and to see the good in what life has to offer. The “explosion in Paris”, a jealous Mitch had planned, is the catalyst that turns the tale to terror. A rented touring schooner is blown to bits with an unconscious Angie left on board. After her “death”, the grieving Ross and Angie’s sister take steps to prove that Mitch is a murderer. Strange things begin happening that add yet another dimension of wonder and humor to the already multi-layered narrative.
The characters’ lives and fates claim the story first and foremost, and I was fascinated and pulled right in. This is a compelling psychological drama that is as thought-provoking as it is riveting and soon gives way to a top-notch suspense thriller. But beyond pleasure reading, the novel had me questioning what I would want and do in a similar circumstance. The prose is lush and descriptive. The book made me a believer with its gripping plot and challenging questions it instigated in my ever curious mind. Could I start to rebuild a meaningful life? When is a circumstance so challenging that it becomes impossible to conquer? The author digs to the very soul of Angela and the other characters as well, that makes it fascinating, disturbing, and memorable. The last time I had such a heartfelt and to-the-soul response to a novel was "The Shack". I felt the anguish, fear, and desperation, the physical, painful fight for survival, and then the absolute triumph. Any story that can elicit such a response, such passion from my heart earns my great respect. The journey to the truth is devastatingly heartfelt and fraught with peril and hesitation. I really loved this book! And for getting inside my mind and heart so completely, for allowing me the luxury of the treat to my reading pleasure I have to give it the highest ranking. I thought the pacing was pitch perfect and breathtaking to keep the reader at full attention. It had substance, credibility and incredible flow. This is an author with a deep commitment to character, about whom you come to care deeply as you watch the characters doing things they shouldn't, acting gloriously, exasperatingly human, in her expert flaying of human shortcomings. This is a first-rate novel, delicious and smart, impeccably written and perfectly paced. The reader is held in a tight, breathless grip as good and evil match wits and do battle, revealing a talent for peeking into the human psyche. The author paints a charming, enchanting picture with humor and great appreciation of the much celebrated Provence and Paris, France, so perfectly picturesque, so sumptuous. The setting plays a significant function in the characters lives.
I find it curious that on all of these book sites, no matter how many exquisite reviews of great appreciation, enjoyment and awe there are, there is always a smattering of infantile, disrespectful, and obnoxious deterring ones that reveal much more about the reviewer than the book reviewed.
We live vicariously through Angela Briann Scott’s exciting journey. We learn to celebrate our lives with significance; we choose wisely; we let go of illusions; we learn from the lessons life has taught us; we are entitled to begin again with a renewed sense of values, humility and compassion. Among many considerable strengths, full of warmth, wisdom, and humor, “Explosion in Paris” inspires as well as entertains. Such is the stuff great novels are made of. EXPLOSION IN PARIS
Madison Pridgen, A member of Between the Lines book club
