Separated by a tragic fire. Reunited by a brutal murder.
A fire deals the final blow to Paul Fremont’s unstable childhood. His mother—arrested. His siblings--lost to foster care. His face--terribly disfigured.
Twenty years later, he’s worked hard to build a normal life from the ashes. A future of true happiness with the love of a good woman is just within his grasp. Suddenly, the past shows up at his door in the form of his long-lost brother, Gordon.
Paul and Gordon—one a therapist, one a cop—must collaborate to protect a young woman who has witnessed a brutal murder. But the evidence they uncover leads them closer to their own fractured family.
Now Paul faces a desperate choice: protect his fragile happiness or save the remnants of his traumatized family before they do more harm.
S.W. Hubbard writes the kinds of books she loves to read: twisty, believable, full of complex characters, and highlighted with sly humor. She is the author of the Palmyrton Estate Sale Mystery Series and the Frank Bennett Adirondack Mountain Mystery Series, as well as the Life in Palmyrton Women's Friendship Fiction Series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the anthologiesDead Drift, Crimes by Moonlight, The Mystery Box, andAdirondack Mysteries. When not writing, she hikes with her rescue dog, Libby, and her husband. She lives in Morristown, NJ.
I love the characters in this new book! They are nuanced and compelling. They aren't what they might seem to be on the surface. It's a complex story with complex characters. I'm really looking forward to the next stage in the story.
This book - the start of a trilogy! - is much darker than her prior works, but just as fascinating and gripping; no, more so because of the converging lives, only the tip of a complicated iceberg being revealed here.
Wonderful world-building and fully realized people, with very vulnerable hearts and deep hurts on many, many levels.
Ms. Hubbard, best wishes for your continuing health!
Looking forward to the next installment for these fraught folks.
Today is release day for Hurt People, my new family saga thriller. If you enjoy found family and scarred hero tropes, you'll want to check out the story of Paul Fremont, who carries the scars of a chaotic childhood. He finds happiness with a career as a psychotherapist and a new, surprising love...until his efforts to help a traumatized young woman upend his life. Now he faces a stark choice: protect his own fragile happiness or save the remnants of his unstable family before they hurt others. Available on Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, or paperback.
Backstory: One family living in poverty faces an accident that leads them to get broken up, the siblings all divided into different government agencies to be adopted out potentially.
One of the children was severely burned from the house fire he used his experience to help others who move forward from their extreme tragedy. He is recommended to take on a special case that involves a witness to a murder. This witness doesnt communicate and is to be kept a secret to the world as she can hold the key to uncovering who did it.
The story takes many folds as it deals with this murder and the witnesses lack of information, while bring up the past of the fire that destroyed everything. It connects the main detective to the psychologist and leads them on a journey to find the rest of their siblings. They uncover more then they bargain for as they learn what happened to their mother and learn about new siblings and fidn out how they are all related to this current murder case.
For the most part I thought this was a great story. The premise was interesting and overall it was very well written. I read all of her Palmyrtan books and think she took things to a new level with this book. I do think, however, that it fell a little short at the end, got a little overly dramatic, forced and rushed. Specifically, I remember a discussion about Simon right at the end that was related to how he controlled the foster kids, and the whole Gus thing. And then the (italicized) conversation between (assuming here) the sisters that I guess was the 'hook' to get the next book. I really liked most of the book and wish her luck with the series, but I think I'll pass on the next one.
A dysfunctional family undergoes a major trauma when their home catches fire, leaving all occupants changed in its wake, whether mentally, emotionally, physically or all three. In dramatic scenes, the siblings are separated, before two are reunited twenty years later seemingly by chance, when a murder witness needs protection and debriefing. What does this person say? The brothers must work in tandem to ensure their mutual safety and that of another sibling, while unravelling a web of secrets and lies that puts loved ones - and themselves - in danger.
SW Hubbard's riveting cliff-hanger ending will grab you firmly by the imagination (before teasing book 2), so get Hurt People today to see how it all ends!
I have read several of SW Hubbard's other novel series in their entirety and was thrilled when I discovered she had a new trilogy planned. Hurt People is an engrossing thriller. I found the main character, Paul, particularly sympathetic as a man with a facial deformity who has had to manage the callous perceptions of strangers most of his life. The murder plot with its continuing surprises kept me turning pages until I reached the end, I am ,oozing forward to the next book.
First, I was reluctant to buy this new series because I was thinking it would be more of a thriller. Over the years, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of S.W. Hubbard’s series - read every one so far. But her writing in this book drew me in right away. My only negative, a personal preference, was the unanswered threads at the end. Highly recommend. (And also read the other series as well)
I anxiously awaited this book, pre-ordering on the day of availability. Ms Hubbard made the first chapter available and I knew it was gonna be a Great Read. The story line tugs at the heart, drug addiction, single mother homes and poverty. This deals with the strength we all possess if we are encouraged and are given positive directions and also the darker side of manipulation and narcissism. Waiting anxiously for the next story.
This was an interesting start to a new series. I have loved S. W. Hubbard's other series and this has the makings of another good one. I really enjoyed the characters and the story line. I will await the next book to see where this family goes on their search for their other siblings. I highly recommend her books.
So many twists and turns in this one! I have 3 authors who I buy all of their books as soon as they come out. S.W. Hubbard is one of them. This one did not disappoint! I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I inhaled this one in a day!
So much more than I expected! I believe I’ve read every book by S.W. Hubbard and this was the absolute best! Could not put it down, could not get the events out of my mind. So glad I preordered Hurt People Book 2!
This looks to be the start of new series that I thoroughly enjoyed. No surprise, the author has lots of twists and turns that really keep you guessing. I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next book!
I don't usually read thrillers or suspense but SW Hubbard has me hooked. The relationships and twists and turns I ever saw coming. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Totally enjoyed the characters and the storyline.
Wow!! A new thriller of a series by S.W. Hubbard! This one really got to me. Top- notch mystery with edge of the seat suspense around every corner. Looking forward to the continuation of this series.
Stay up all night to read thriller! Gripping set of circumstances and believable characters that want you to follow their story to the next book. Very well written. Looking forward to the next installation
Looking forward to reading more about these severely messed up siblings. Excellent character building, nicely convoluted plotline and great sense of place. The best book I've read in a long time.
Another top notch thriller in a brand new series from SW Hubbard, and her readers are sure to love this one. What a treat! I love the family and scarred hero elements.
This book was great. The characters are well developed and likable despite their flaws. The story fully resolved with a slight tease of the continuation. Looking forward to the next one!
This book was really good! S.w. Hubbard has done it again. The plot twists and turns are what captivate the reader. The open ended conclusion sets your mind wondering…….was Jolie somehow involved in the murder…….who was the final text to? This is by far the best of S.w Hubbard!
4 1/2 rounded up. Great story with well-drawn out believable characters. The mystery kept me guessing though out the story. Not happy that I have to wait for the for the next in the series because I'm thoroughly invested in this family.