AUTHOR - Jeff Abbott
VERSION - Kindle edition
SYNOPSIS
Each of us has a question we dread.In a quiet neighbourhood in the wealthy Austin suburb of Lakehaven, the body of Danielle Roberts is discovered on a park bench. Danielle was a beloved member of the community, an adoption consultant who delivered the joy of parenthood to a number of local families. Her murder shocks Lakehaven.
Perhaps no other family is as crushed as the Pollitts, who lived two houses down from Danielle and thought of her almost like family. Her death becomes the catalyst for a maelstrom of suspicion and intrigue. You have been told a huge lie, an anonymous email charges the son, Grant. No one can learn the truth now, thinks the father, Kyle. Never ask me what I’d do to protect my family, resolves the wife, Iris. I’ll do whatever it takes to save him, vows the daughter, Julia, of Danielle’s grieving teenage son.
The Pollitts always thought they’d always be there for each other. When each begins to suspect the others of the unimaginable, the strength of their bonds will be tested in extraordinary new ways. The latest from New York Times bestselling author Jeff Abbott is his most suspenseful thriller yet: a riveting tale of the dangerous secrets one family has concealed—and what happens when the question each Pollitt hoped they’d never be asked threatens to expose their darkest truths.
I've been a fan of Jeff Abbott for a few years now and followed his career with interest, so when the opportunity came up to read and review this book before publication day I wasn't going to miss out.
The book starts with a punch. I like it when a book starts like this as I know it's going to keep my interest. Young friends Ned and Julia are out catching critters; a young persons craze like Pokemon. They head to the park and come across a woman slumped over on a bench. When they check on her they discovers she's dead. What they don't realise is that she's been murdered. The book then picks up pace from here.
The book is fully of family dramas; secrets and lie upon lie. Who has killed the woman and why? Who keeps leaving cryptic messages in a tree?
It was a slight diversion from regular Jeff Abbott novels and this time involved the subject of overseas adoption and corruption. It's full of intrigue and suspense and much more.
I didn't connect with some of the characters like I normally would, and found some a little narcissistic. However I really enjoyed the novel nonetheless and would recommend it to those who like thrillers and books that keep you guessing, which this one certainly did.
It was a slight diversion from regular Jeff Abbott novels and this time involved the subject of overseas adoption and corruption. It's full of intrigue and suspense and much more.
I didn't connect with some of the characters like I normally would, and found some a little narcissistic. However I really enjoyed the novel nonetheless and would recommend it to those who like thrillers and books that keep you guessing, which this one certainly did.
Jeff Abbott is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of many mystery and
suspense novels. He has been called “one of the best thriller writers in the business” (Washington Post). His novels have been called “compulsively readable” (Chicago Sun Times), “outstanding. . .genuinely moving” and “fresh, original… intricately woven” (Publishers Weekly), “nail-bitingly suspenseful and totally original” (Irish Independent), and “extremely compelling” (Associated Press). He is published in many languages and has been a bestseller in the US, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, Portugal, and other countries.
Jeff’s novel Adrenaline was a Summer Great Reads choice by both The Today Show and Good Morning America. His novel Inside Man was a Summer Book Pick by O, The Oprah Magazine, and a Best Beach Reads pick by USA Today. Jeff is a winner of the Thriller Award (for The Last Minute) and was nominated for the Thriller Award for Panic. He is a three-time nominee for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award and a two-time nominee for the Anthony Award. Jeff’s first novel, Do Unto Others, won both the Agatha Award and the Macavity Award.
His novels Adrenaline, Panic, and Collision have been optioned for film and are in script development.
Jeff graduated from Rice University with a degree in History and English. He lives in Austin with his wife and two sons.
Lisa Ballantyne was born in Armadale, West Lothian, Scotland and studied English Literature at University of St Andrews.
She lived and worked in China for many years and started writing seriously while she was there. Before being published, Lisa was short-listed for the Dundee International Book Prize.
Her debut novel, The Guilty One was translated into over 25 languages, long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and short-listed for an Edgar Allan Poe Award. The Guilty One was also the Autumn 2012 Richard and Judy Book-club Winner. She lives in Glasgow.
