This thriller reminded me of Dennis Lehane’s Shutter Island, with a bit of Michael Koryta’s Cypress House thrown in to add some paranormal flavor. It is hard to know who is telling the truth, which are the good guys and which are the bad, and even what is real and what is imagined. And for the most part it goes at breakneck speed.
Jack Keeler is the 39-year-old New York City District Attorney. His wife Mia is an FBI agent, and they have two daughters, aged 5 and 6. Their happy existence is brought to an abrupt end after Jack awakens one morning to discover that he has a bullet wound, a mysterious tattoo on his arm, and his wife is missing. Furthermore, when he sees the morning paper, it carries the stunning headline “NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JACK KEELER DEAD.” He has absolutely no memory of what happened or what is going on. He just knows he has to figure it out somehow, and find Mia, no matter what it takes.
Evaluation: I can’t tell you more about the plot than I did, but I would say this is a good choice for an airport or a treadmill when you want a fast-moving thriller that holds your interest. It is just full of mysteries and twists, and definitely keeps you guessing. I had some quibbles with the final twist, but I can’t deny it is thought-provoking (as in: what the heck actually happened?). The author has written four previous thrillers, two of which are being developed as movies.
Rating: 3/5
Published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2011
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: | Book Review
Sometimes I just get in the mood for a thriller like this. I agree it’s a good “trip” book.
This does sound fast paced and twisty, which is something that I really love in this genre. I need to grab this one when I can and make some time for it. It sounds like a great escapist read! Thanks for the very enticing review today!
Oh sounds like something I’d enjoy since I like this genre and a good twist!
OK, I’m hooked already. Got to know what happened.
Sounds like a possibility for an audiobook listen to keep me going longer than I want to.
I actually love a book like this from time to time.
Well, I did really like Shutter Island and Cypress House, so I might just have to keep this one at the ready for airplane trips! And I love that cover.
I notice there are a lot of books with memory loss as part of the plot – general fiction as well as mysteries.
Also wanted to let you know about a giveaway on my blog for the audio CD of Cinder by Melissa Meyer.
I like stories & movies which make me think “what just happened here” but I’m not really into this kind of suspense novel.
I want to say I would like this but I have a feeling I would always reach for another book if this is presented as a choice. And I know I would enjoy the ride. Maybe I can wait for the movie.
I haven’t heard of this author but this sounds like a fun read!
doesn’t really sound like one for me…especially because I don’t have a tread mill!! LOL!
Really liked this book, thanks for recommending it. Just picked up another of his with my B&N Gift card. Happy New Year!