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Contingency Plan
When Sandra Sinclair, recently widowed and the mother of twelve-year-old Jane, meets wealthy lawyer Joe Gillette, he wins her over with his kind and conscientious attitude. Falling in love faster than she ever thought possible, Sandra agrees to marry. But soon after they move into their new home, things begin to change, and Joe's controlling behavior causes her to question her decision. When her new husband becomes seriously abusive, Sandra decides that she and Jane must leave.
When Joe makes it clear that he will not just let her walk away, Sandra discovers that it's quite likely that he arranged his first wife's death, and that she is now part of his "contingency plan." She soon realizes that even the law is no defense against this meticulous and egotistical man. Fleeing to an old family cabin on a remote lake, mother and daughter prepare to live off the grid. And when Joe tracks them down, Sandra must come up with a contingency plan of her own.
When Joe makes it clear that he will not just let her walk away, Sandra discovers that it's quite likely that he arranged his first wife's death, and that she is now part of his "contingency plan." She soon realizes that even the law is no defense against this meticulous and egotistical man. Fleeing to an old family cabin on a remote lake, mother and daughter prepare to live off the grid. And when Joe tracks them down, Sandra must come up with a contingency plan of her own.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Lou Allin
23 books8 followersLou sings two anthems, born in Toronto, Canada, but raised in Ohio. Her father followed the film business to Cleveland in 1948. His profession explains her passion for classic films and debt to Ted Turner.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 30, 2020
Excellent plot although I found it not quite relatable in terms of how quickly Sandra was wooed into marriage but too slow in recognizing Joe's manipulative side. While Sandra's "Contingency Plan" was perfectly planned and executed in such a short time, I find it a bit startling how comfortable she is with murdering the man she married. Joe's behaviour is inexcusable but premeditated murder and getting away with it does not make her any better than him. I am not quite sure how I feel about the ending despite the brilliant execution.
December 8, 2021
I thought I would enjoy a "rapid read" but it turns out I needed more details because I'm completely baffled by the ending. I'm shocked with what the main character did in the end. It just seemed like the punishment wasn't warranted. Why not go to the police? True her plan was executed perfectly but where was her awareness before it came to that?
October 1, 2017
Short story
August 4, 2022
Interesting short read that kept me wanting to read more. I always love a little vengeance!
March 20, 2024
This was a delightful read, I highly recommend reading it when you are looking for a quick engrossing story.
January 26, 2013
Contingency Plan is crime novelist Lou Allin's second volume in Orca Books' Rapid Reads series. This series of short, high interest books with adult themes is designed for readers in ESL, literacy, or adult basic education programs, or anyone wanting a good story quickly told. For this audience, the novel has many strengths.
The plot is straightforward and easy to follow. Recently widowed Sandra Sinclair meets wealthy lawyer Joe Gillette, and all her problems seem solved. In reality they are only beginning. For soon after their hasty marriage, Joe begins exhibiting the controlling behavior we identify with abusive spouses. Sensing her life is in danger, Sandra takes her twelve-year-old daughter Jane and flees Vancouver Island for the wilds of interior BC. They begin life anew in an isolated cabin. Then, as winter gives way to spring, Joe catches up with them, for an ending that is both exciting and disturbing.
The book is written in the first person from Sandra's point of view, which makes her an easy character to identify with, especially if you are a woman. Though she misjudges Joe, she is not an easily-intimidated victim, but strong and resourceful. Joe's development is not as complex. Aside from his wealth and initial charm, there seems little for Sandra to like about him. Jane is more readily compliant with her mother's plans than most pre-teens would likely be, but she too is shown to have a mind of her own.
Allin knows how to establish a believable setting with a minimum of details. Waiting for a ferry at Gibsons as they flee, Sandra reflects on her situation and "the postcard glory of Howe Sound. Dark blue waters, light blue sky, white-capped mountains to the north where we were eventually headed. The green islands to the west looked so vulnerable. I'd have to forget the tang of salt air and the moan of foghorns. What did that matter if you lived in a prison with torture as your daily bread?"
Of special interest are the profound questions the novel raises. What causes domestic violence? How can it be stopped? Are Sandra's actions in defence of her own life and that of her child justified? The questions reverberate long after we stop reading.
The plot is straightforward and easy to follow. Recently widowed Sandra Sinclair meets wealthy lawyer Joe Gillette, and all her problems seem solved. In reality they are only beginning. For soon after their hasty marriage, Joe begins exhibiting the controlling behavior we identify with abusive spouses. Sensing her life is in danger, Sandra takes her twelve-year-old daughter Jane and flees Vancouver Island for the wilds of interior BC. They begin life anew in an isolated cabin. Then, as winter gives way to spring, Joe catches up with them, for an ending that is both exciting and disturbing.
The book is written in the first person from Sandra's point of view, which makes her an easy character to identify with, especially if you are a woman. Though she misjudges Joe, she is not an easily-intimidated victim, but strong and resourceful. Joe's development is not as complex. Aside from his wealth and initial charm, there seems little for Sandra to like about him. Jane is more readily compliant with her mother's plans than most pre-teens would likely be, but she too is shown to have a mind of her own.
Allin knows how to establish a believable setting with a minimum of details. Waiting for a ferry at Gibsons as they flee, Sandra reflects on her situation and "the postcard glory of Howe Sound. Dark blue waters, light blue sky, white-capped mountains to the north where we were eventually headed. The green islands to the west looked so vulnerable. I'd have to forget the tang of salt air and the moan of foghorns. What did that matter if you lived in a prison with torture as your daily bread?"
Of special interest are the profound questions the novel raises. What causes domestic violence? How can it be stopped? Are Sandra's actions in defence of her own life and that of her child justified? The questions reverberate long after we stop reading.
October 2, 2012
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. When I received it from the publisher, and saw how brief it was and how large the font, I was dubious that I would enjoy a novel in this format. However, the writing was skillful, the plot interesting and engaging, and the story not the facile treatment of the subject that I was expecting.
Sandra Sinclair is a widow living on Canada’s west coast with her 12-year old daughter, Jane. A year after her husband’s death, Sandra stumbles into Joe, an incredibly nice man, is swept off her feet by his kindness to herself and her daughter, and marries him a mere few months later. Their marriage soon becomes nightmarish, as Joe becomes controlling, verbally and physically abusive, and is revealed to be a world-class liar about anything that matters.
The book made me tense because it was so believable. Having been in an abusive relationship, I could see where this story was going, and I was frightened for Sandra, and sometimes scared to move on in the book. Lou Allin’s strength in writing this story is that she has made it almost painfully realistic. Abused women really do live like this, afraid to do almost anything for fear of displeasing and suffering through yet more attacks. As well as being a good read, I can see that this book would be an ideal short read for someone who does not understand domestic violence, or who minimizes the effect it has on a family; therapists should look at this book as a teaching tool.
It saddens me that Ms. Allin almost certainly wrote this book from personal experience of one sort or another. I can only hope that she has been able to move
women move forward with their lives.
Sandra Sinclair is a widow living on Canada’s west coast with her 12-year old daughter, Jane. A year after her husband’s death, Sandra stumbles into Joe, an incredibly nice man, is swept off her feet by his kindness to herself and her daughter, and marries him a mere few months later. Their marriage soon becomes nightmarish, as Joe becomes controlling, verbally and physically abusive, and is revealed to be a world-class liar about anything that matters.
The book made me tense because it was so believable. Having been in an abusive relationship, I could see where this story was going, and I was frightened for Sandra, and sometimes scared to move on in the book. Lou Allin’s strength in writing this story is that she has made it almost painfully realistic. Abused women really do live like this, afraid to do almost anything for fear of displeasing and suffering through yet more attacks. As well as being a good read, I can see that this book would be an ideal short read for someone who does not understand domestic violence, or who minimizes the effect it has on a family; therapists should look at this book as a teaching tool.
It saddens me that Ms. Allin almost certainly wrote this book from personal experience of one sort or another. I can only hope that she has been able to move
women move forward with their lives.
September 18, 2012
Review based on Advance Reading Copy
Manipulation. No matter what type, it is all too prevalent. Lou Allin, in this fiction mystery, has described it well. This is a "Rapid Read" book, an entire novel condensed into a book you can read in a day. I've now read several and enjoy them when I have less time to read.
I thought the book had a bit of a slow but mesmerizing start which through its gradual build-up emphasized the terror to come. A chance meeting of a wonderfully considerate man after losing the love of her life, Sandra Sinclair finally agrees to going out with him. She wonders if young widows should allow themselves to love again, especially when a child is involved. This man is so incredibly courteous and interacts with her daughter well, too, including her sometimes when they go out, but is he what he seems? This book although fiction, gives a lot of pointers to watch for.
The tense build up to horror brings unsettling images to Sandra. Once she realizes what she has become, she fears for her daughter. A flight into terror follows to a sensational ending. I really got into the book as the tension built. Always have a contingency plan, it might save a life or two. A solid thriller well executed.
Manipulation. No matter what type, it is all too prevalent. Lou Allin, in this fiction mystery, has described it well. This is a "Rapid Read" book, an entire novel condensed into a book you can read in a day. I've now read several and enjoy them when I have less time to read.
I thought the book had a bit of a slow but mesmerizing start which through its gradual build-up emphasized the terror to come. A chance meeting of a wonderfully considerate man after losing the love of her life, Sandra Sinclair finally agrees to going out with him. She wonders if young widows should allow themselves to love again, especially when a child is involved. This man is so incredibly courteous and interacts with her daughter well, too, including her sometimes when they go out, but is he what he seems? This book although fiction, gives a lot of pointers to watch for.
The tense build up to horror brings unsettling images to Sandra. Once she realizes what she has become, she fears for her daughter. A flight into terror follows to a sensational ending. I really got into the book as the tension built. Always have a contingency plan, it might save a life or two. A solid thriller well executed.
January 11, 2013
Widowed Sandra Sinclair surprises herself by falling in love quickly with Joe Gillette, a wealthy lawyer, and marrying him after two months of dating. Joe won her over with kindness shown to herself and her 12-year-old daughter, Jane. However, after the marriage, things deteriorate as Joe becomes consumed with controlling Sandra and limiting her access to the outside world. Soon fights and physical violence become daily events so Sandra begins to plan for a way out that will keep herself and her daughter safe. Can Sandra escape the most dangerous person in her life—her husband—or will he be the death of her? This pretty typical Rapid Reads novel will hold students’ interest as the fast-paced plot moves along with great suspense and not too much depth to slow them down. This book’s reading level is 3.8.
October 16, 2012
Make that a 2.5, OK? I did like it--it was entertaining enough to read, although it's not suitable for the Woodland library, I don't think. A 'rapid read'--hi-lo fiction for reluctant adult readers or ESL folk. But definitely adult interest. Pretty good story with good character development of the main character; however, the ending seems a little contrived, and some of the story details don't ring true (like, would it really take months to figure out that he's lying about things like his mother or his former wife?).
March 11, 2013
In this short, "Rapid Read" novel, the widowed Sandra Sinclair meets a charming man who seems to be nice, kindhearted, and generous, but after she marries him, she finds out what he is really like. Will Sandra and her 12-year-old daughter, Jane, be able to outwit and escape this sociopath? Read this and find out!
July 6, 2013
Well-written and engaging, this book suffered from the Rapid Reads structure- everything wrapped up way too fast and with too little development. Had the book been two hundred pages longer, I think it could have been an excellent offering. As it was, I enjoyed the premise but felt like the characters and the plot were just not well developed enough to sink into the story.
May 10, 2016
Another interesting short story for a quick read. This one has Sandra as a widow who happens on Joe who helps her after a fall and then starts asking her out. Sandra also has a daughter Jane from her first husband. When Sandra and Joe get married they move in with Joe and now read what happens. I thought it was a very good short story!
November 14, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced "Rapid Read." Despite it's novella length, it had a fully developed plot and believable characters. If you're looking for a quick read with suspenseful twists, put this on your to-read list!
January 12, 2014
This was a quick reads book. Fast moving, interesting, perfectly planned murder.
June 10, 2015
I really like these rapid read books from Orca Book Publishing, they are great little short stories.
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June 22, 2015good, but i would've added one last chapter... :)
May 29, 2017
Nothing special in my opinion. It was not a bad book, but it won't leave a mark in any way with me and I will probably have forgotten it in a month or two.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews