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Fear
What if you could forget the worst moment of your life?
Miles Kendrick is a federal witness hiding from the mob, constantly haunted by the horrifying memories of his best friend’s death. While helping his psychiatrist with a mysterious favor, Miles stumbles into a murder—and an illegal medical research program that could free him and millions of others with post-traumatic stress disorder from their crippling fears. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Miles ends up in the cross-hairs of Dennis Groote, an ex-FBI agent turned hitman. Groote is determined to find a cure for his traumatized daughter—and to gain control of a secret drug formula worth billions on the open market, a formula he believes Miles possesses.
Miles Kendrick is a federal witness hiding from the mob, constantly haunted by the horrifying memories of his best friend’s death. While helping his psychiatrist with a mysterious favor, Miles stumbles into a murder—and an illegal medical research program that could free him and millions of others with post-traumatic stress disorder from their crippling fears. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Miles ends up in the cross-hairs of Dennis Groote, an ex-FBI agent turned hitman. Groote is determined to find a cure for his traumatized daughter—and to gain control of a secret drug formula worth billions on the open market, a formula he believes Miles possesses.
Pursued by both Groote and government agents, Miles runs for his life. He draws on his old skills as a mobster’s spy to survive a deadly duel of strike and counterstrike with the unrelenting and brutal Groote. Miles finds two unlikely allies: a mentally broken ex- soldier and a reclusive woman whose life was destroyed by violence. To save them all— and with one last chance to be the man he once was—Miles takes the battle back to the powerful, murderous forces who want to silence one troubled man before he can get his life back. . . BACKCOVER: “Fans of Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Joseph Finder, or John Grisham—anyone who enjoys a wild ride on a bumpy road—can cheer the arrival of our latest master of the fine art of the page-turner.”
—Booklist (starred review)
Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
98 people are currently reading
1209 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Abbott
53 books1,234 followersJeff Abbott (born 1963) is a U.S. suspense novelist. He has a degree in History and English from Rice University. He lives in Austin, Texas. His early novels were traditional detective fiction but in recent years he has turned to writing thriller fiction. A theme of his work is the idea of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary danger and fighting to return to their normal lives. His novels are published in several countries and have also been bestsellers in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and France.
Series:
* Whit Mosley
* Jordan Poteet
Series:
* Whit Mosley
* Jordan Poteet
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 29, 2016
Wow. Another thriller by Jeff Abbott. He is getting better and better at writing. This book was engaging, enthralling and fast-paced. I enjoyed his very three-dimensional characters. Miles Kendrick is a man who is put in Witness Protection. He also is being followed by his best friends ghost (really a mental projection) because he shot his best friend to death. When the psychiatrist he's seeing gets murdered, things start getting crazy. There is an experimental drug that treats PTSD, and everyone (it seems) is dying to get their hands on it. Can Miles get to the bottom of this and still retain his sanity? Among some stand-out characters are Groote – the ruthless hitman after the drug (Frost), who also has a daughter that he loves more than anything who suffers from severe PTSD. Celeste – a celebrity who won a Survivor-like reality program but now is unable to leave her house after witnessing her husband being tortured and murdered by a crazed fan. Nathan – an Iraq veteran who suffers from severe PTSD, can't stand mirrors (he breaks every one he sees) and may be up to no good. Very enjoyable book.
December 6, 2022
The basic plot of this novel is a search for Frost, a `miracle drug' that will provide relief from the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There has been some limited legitimate clinical testing of the drug but more has been done without proper authorization. Most results have been striking but with some equivocation. Because of such a medication's immeasurable potential, a large number of people are desperately interested variously to use and/or control its further investigation and/or manufacture.
They include sufferers from varying degrees of PTSD, psychiatrists who are not always who, or as, they seem to be, unscrupulous individuals looking for the money this drug would generate, pharmaceutical house representatives both legimate and illegitimate, both civilian and governmental operators of sanctioned and unsanctioned clinical investigations, governmental agents overlooking a witness security program and a former FBI agent who now functions as a professional `hit man'. The formula for the drug has disappeared and the subsequent search results in a frenetic hunt that deteriorates into a chaotic mix of intrigue, deceit, double and `triple' crosses, duplicity, mayhem, torture and murder with twists and turns almost too many to follow.
They include sufferers from varying degrees of PTSD, psychiatrists who are not always who, or as, they seem to be, unscrupulous individuals looking for the money this drug would generate, pharmaceutical house representatives both legimate and illegitimate, both civilian and governmental operators of sanctioned and unsanctioned clinical investigations, governmental agents overlooking a witness security program and a former FBI agent who now functions as a professional `hit man'. The formula for the drug has disappeared and the subsequent search results in a frenetic hunt that deteriorates into a chaotic mix of intrigue, deceit, double and `triple' crosses, duplicity, mayhem, torture and murder with twists and turns almost too many to follow.
January 26, 2018
Aslında ikibuçuk yıldız ama Jeff Abbott'ın Panik kitabını da okudum ve o üç yıldızdı. Fazla zorlama bulduğum bu kitap "ok"den öte değil.
Şöyle ki sanırım yazar 9 tane balık kraker almış ve her birine Miles, Celeste, Nathan, Allison, Groot, Hurley gibi isimler vermiş. Sonra bu 9 balık krakeri havaya fırlatmış. Sol tarafa düşenler müttefik, karşı tarafa düşenler düşman olmuş. Bu karakterler öldükçe de balık krakerleri ağzına atmış. Belli bir süre geçtikten sonra tekrar fırlatmış balık krakerleri ve yeni yerlerine göre hikayeyi şekillendirmiş. Kötü karakteri 100 sayfa geçmeden anladım. Kitabın aksiyonu da boldu ama aradığımı bulamadım ve açıkçası biran evvel bitsin diye kendimi okumaya zorladım.
Tabi ki her aksiyon macera gibi yazım hatası da çoktu. Çok heyecanlı bir kitap ya herhalde hızlı yazarken parmaklarından kaçıyor, bilemiyorum. Umarım Martı Yayınları da bir kitabevi olarak bir gün "de" ile "ki"nin yazımını öğrenir.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
Şöyle ki sanırım yazar 9 tane balık kraker almış ve her birine Miles, Celeste, Nathan, Allison, Groot, Hurley gibi isimler vermiş. Sonra bu 9 balık krakeri havaya fırlatmış. Sol tarafa düşenler müttefik, karşı tarafa düşenler düşman olmuş. Bu karakterler öldükçe de balık krakerleri ağzına atmış. Belli bir süre geçtikten sonra tekrar fırlatmış balık krakerleri ve yeni yerlerine göre hikayeyi şekillendirmiş. Kötü karakteri 100 sayfa geçmeden anladım. Kitabın aksiyonu da boldu ama aradığımı bulamadım ve açıkçası biran evvel bitsin diye kendimi okumaya zorladım.
Tabi ki her aksiyon macera gibi yazım hatası da çoktu. Çok heyecanlı bir kitap ya herhalde hızlı yazarken parmaklarından kaçıyor, bilemiyorum. Umarım Martı Yayınları da bir kitabevi olarak bir gün "de" ile "ki"nin yazımını öğrenir.
Herkese keyifli okumalar!
June 6, 2024
More of a 3.5stars⭐️
A well paced story with so many different angles and characters. At a point you start questioning your sanity as you read 🥶🥶🥶
But it all comes together and gets nicely wrapped up with a bow.
A well paced story with so many different angles and characters. At a point you start questioning your sanity as you read 🥶🥶🥶
But it all comes together and gets nicely wrapped up with a bow.
August 19, 2015
To start this review off, I shall say this book was actually my mothers before I adopted to reading it. It's such a shame my mother hadn't read this before because it is truly a great book for the matured.
It includes mental health issues which would be considered 'taboo' which I think Mr. Abbott addressed particularly well.
It's all about the main character whose having trouble with his past about killing his best friend. He has many phobia's linking to his troubled past which he has recollecting completely. But then one day his psychiatrist is murdered after getting a mysterious call from her, he then decides to find out who killed her and to avenge her. However on the way, he adopts many people who were also seeing his psychiatrist who he needs to solve this mystery.
I found this book a little bit hard to follow because it was so long and a little bit complex for me being an adult book and me being in my early teenage years. BUT I enjoyed the plot twists and the whole thing very much, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than 14 or so due to the things mentioned in this book.
But please read it and enjoy it as much as i did.
It includes mental health issues which would be considered 'taboo' which I think Mr. Abbott addressed particularly well.
It's all about the main character whose having trouble with his past about killing his best friend. He has many phobia's linking to his troubled past which he has recollecting completely. But then one day his psychiatrist is murdered after getting a mysterious call from her, he then decides to find out who killed her and to avenge her. However on the way, he adopts many people who were also seeing his psychiatrist who he needs to solve this mystery.
I found this book a little bit hard to follow because it was so long and a little bit complex for me being an adult book and me being in my early teenage years. BUT I enjoyed the plot twists and the whole thing very much, but i wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than 14 or so due to the things mentioned in this book.
But please read it and enjoy it as much as i did.
July 29, 2018
Una combinación entre una novela policiaca y un thriller médico
Un libro que me ha sorprendido para bien, con giros interesantes y una trama un tanto fuera de lo comúnpor lo menos de lo que yo he leído
Una lectura ligera y rápida para pasar un buen rato.
Lo Mejor: Es un gran rompecabezas con muchas piezas, y se vuelve frenético pasado la mitad.
Lo Peor: Un inicio un poco lento y un final un poco apresurado.
La portada es HORRIBLE y no captura la esencia del argumento
Un libro que me ha sorprendido para bien, con giros interesantes y una trama un tanto fuera de lo común
Una lectura ligera y rápida para pasar un buen rato.
Lo Mejor: Es un gran rompecabezas con muchas piezas, y se vuelve frenético pasado la mitad.
Lo Peor: Un inicio un poco lento y un final un poco apresurado.
February 1, 2020
A randomly picked book that the blurb had got me interested in... Meant to be a bit of a thriller but did not have me thrilled...had sections that were mildly OK but did not get me engaged and found myself skipping a few paragraphs just to finish in a hurry.... a story about PTSD ( this part of the story line OK) and a supposed cure that people are killing to get their hands on... this was way too far fetched for my liking.
February 18, 2015
3.5
Aslında ilk sayfalar çok güzeldi karakterlerin hikayelerine giriş başarılı ve güzeldi. İlerleyen sayfalar girişler kadar güzel değildi açıkçası, aksiyon sahnesi çok fazlaydı ancak hiç etkileyici değildi. Gereksiz ve fazla ölüm vardı.
TSSB ve etkileri, Andy hoşuma giden detaylardı. Sonu beni şaşırtmasa da kötü diyemem.
Aslında ilk sayfalar çok güzeldi karakterlerin hikayelerine giriş başarılı ve güzeldi. İlerleyen sayfalar girişler kadar güzel değildi açıkçası, aksiyon sahnesi çok fazlaydı ancak hiç etkileyici değildi. Gereksiz ve fazla ölüm vardı.
TSSB ve etkileri, Andy hoşuma giden detaylardı. Sonu beni şaşırtmasa da kötü diyemem.
April 14, 2017
PROTAGONIST: Miles Kendrick, former mob guy, now under Witness Protection
SERIES: Stanadlone thriller
RATING: 1.5
Jeff Abbott was first published in the mid 1990s, when the Jordan Poteet series was introduced. Living in a small town in Texas, Poteet was a librarian and sometimes sleuth. Although the series was on the cozier side, it was one that I enjoyed. In fact, Do Unto Others won both the Agatha Award and the Macavity Award for Best First Novel. After writing four Poteet books, Abbott went on a hiatus in 1996, returning five years later with a new series featuring Whit Mosley, a judge in a small coastal town in Texas. The three books in that series had a harder edge and more focus on action than the Poteet series.
In the past few years, Abbott has gone in a completely new direction and is writing standalone thrillers. Certainly, this type of book has done very well in the marketplace—witness the success of authors such as Harlan Coben, Lee Child, et al. But no matter what the "genre of the moment" may be, an author has to deliver on the writing basics: competent plotting, character development, setting and writing technique. Unfortunately, Abbott seems to have put most of those by the wayside to write a book that feels to me to be designed to appeal to the masses rather than to have any literary value.
Fear follows four main characters whose lives have been impacted by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Miles Kendrick is a former mobster spy who is part of the Witness Protection Program and scheduled to testify in a federal trial. He is also haunted by the friend that he killed in a shoot-out. Celeste Brent is the winner of a TV reality show whose husband was killed by her stalker and has since become agoraphobic. Dennis Groote is an FBI agent turned hit man whose daughter spent 36 hours in a car with her dead mother after an accident. He likes to torture people. And Nathan Ruiz served in Iraq. Because of a lapse in his attention, several soldiers in his company were killed. A pharmaceutical company has trialed a drug called "Frost" that is extraordinarily effective in overcoming PTSD by muting the memory of the trauma in the patient; and these four are seeking its curative powers. Of course, there are many other groups who have high interest in Frost; the economic potential is huge with the formula worth billions on the open market.
Basically, the book proceeds with one or more of the four main characters facing a situation. The situation is then resolved through a confrontation or gunfight. New situation; new confrontation. Repeat. None of these characters ever felt remotely human. They were merely puppets placed on an exploding stage. By the end of the book, Miles is haunted not by one person, but three, people dead from his mistakes. Except they’re not all dead. There are a plethora of villains coming out of the woodwork. And I believe that a world record was set for number of gunshots that missed their target.
Fear is likely to appeal to the reader who is an action junkie and doesn't demand in-depth characterization. For me, it was a huge disappointment. Certainly, after having spent more than ten years as a mid-list author, it's understandable that Abbott would try to write something with more mainstream appeal than the small town cozies he started with. But sadly, Fear felt like it was written to a formula that didn't fit the author. His ability to write characters as demonstrated in the Jordan Poteet series was not on display here. Everything felt very staged; nothing felt genuine. Ultimately, Fear is a book that doesn't have a heart. It's all fists and knuckles.
SERIES: Stanadlone thriller
RATING: 1.5
Jeff Abbott was first published in the mid 1990s, when the Jordan Poteet series was introduced. Living in a small town in Texas, Poteet was a librarian and sometimes sleuth. Although the series was on the cozier side, it was one that I enjoyed. In fact, Do Unto Others won both the Agatha Award and the Macavity Award for Best First Novel. After writing four Poteet books, Abbott went on a hiatus in 1996, returning five years later with a new series featuring Whit Mosley, a judge in a small coastal town in Texas. The three books in that series had a harder edge and more focus on action than the Poteet series.
In the past few years, Abbott has gone in a completely new direction and is writing standalone thrillers. Certainly, this type of book has done very well in the marketplace—witness the success of authors such as Harlan Coben, Lee Child, et al. But no matter what the "genre of the moment" may be, an author has to deliver on the writing basics: competent plotting, character development, setting and writing technique. Unfortunately, Abbott seems to have put most of those by the wayside to write a book that feels to me to be designed to appeal to the masses rather than to have any literary value.
Fear follows four main characters whose lives have been impacted by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Miles Kendrick is a former mobster spy who is part of the Witness Protection Program and scheduled to testify in a federal trial. He is also haunted by the friend that he killed in a shoot-out. Celeste Brent is the winner of a TV reality show whose husband was killed by her stalker and has since become agoraphobic. Dennis Groote is an FBI agent turned hit man whose daughter spent 36 hours in a car with her dead mother after an accident. He likes to torture people. And Nathan Ruiz served in Iraq. Because of a lapse in his attention, several soldiers in his company were killed. A pharmaceutical company has trialed a drug called "Frost" that is extraordinarily effective in overcoming PTSD by muting the memory of the trauma in the patient; and these four are seeking its curative powers. Of course, there are many other groups who have high interest in Frost; the economic potential is huge with the formula worth billions on the open market.
Basically, the book proceeds with one or more of the four main characters facing a situation. The situation is then resolved through a confrontation or gunfight. New situation; new confrontation. Repeat. None of these characters ever felt remotely human. They were merely puppets placed on an exploding stage. By the end of the book, Miles is haunted not by one person, but three, people dead from his mistakes. Except they’re not all dead. There are a plethora of villains coming out of the woodwork. And I believe that a world record was set for number of gunshots that missed their target.
Fear is likely to appeal to the reader who is an action junkie and doesn't demand in-depth characterization. For me, it was a huge disappointment. Certainly, after having spent more than ten years as a mid-list author, it's understandable that Abbott would try to write something with more mainstream appeal than the small town cozies he started with. But sadly, Fear felt like it was written to a formula that didn't fit the author. His ability to write characters as demonstrated in the Jordan Poteet series was not on display here. Everything felt very staged; nothing felt genuine. Ultimately, Fear is a book that doesn't have a heart. It's all fists and knuckles.
August 10, 2015
I try not to pay too much attention to the ratings on books, but am somehow disturbed that this one has an overall rating of only 3.53. I think it is at least a solid 4.5, am an rounding up to raise the rating!! A very well put together thriller, fast-paced with great characters and believable action. There is even some humor in there, though it is subtle and nicely done. Definitely a GoodRead!
April 25, 2015
Great insight into post traumatic stress disorder hard paced, action packed and full of interesting facts regards PTSD
Just re read, enjoyed I enjoyed it more the second time around
Just re read, enjoyed I enjoyed it more the second time around
November 7, 2023
This is the second book that I have "read" listened to by Jeff Abbott and I have to admit, I struggled with keeping the characters straight and who was who which made trying to understand the plot a bit difficult.
Abbott writes a good mystery however, there is some "gore" in the story-line which is pretty graphic for my reading pleasure so not sure I will "read" or listen to another one by Abbott.
As the main character, Miles or is it Michael, struggles with his own mental health and hearing voices, who was at one time his best friend, Andy. He embarks upon an adventure to find a "cure" for the demons within himself and stumbles across "Frost" and what this drug has done to help others and what it may cost to get the drug for himself and others.
He would do whatever it took to help others taking "Frost" and then meant killing others along the way and almost getting himself killed.
In the end, he gets "Frost" and is able to quiet "Andy" and leave him behind.
Abbott writes a good mystery however, there is some "gore" in the story-line which is pretty graphic for my reading pleasure so not sure I will "read" or listen to another one by Abbott.
As the main character, Miles or is it Michael, struggles with his own mental health and hearing voices, who was at one time his best friend, Andy. He embarks upon an adventure to find a "cure" for the demons within himself and stumbles across "Frost" and what this drug has done to help others and what it may cost to get the drug for himself and others.
He would do whatever it took to help others taking "Frost" and then meant killing others along the way and almost getting himself killed.
In the end, he gets "Frost" and is able to quiet "Andy" and leave him behind.
October 31, 2021
Not as terrifying or as thrilling as it claims to be but still a decent read.
September 27, 2019
Fun early stand alone thriller from Mr. Abbott.
January 10, 2021
Themes:
PTSD
Veteran re-assimilation in society
Memory formation
Memory desensitization
Self harm
Agoraphobia
Witness Protection Program/WITSEC
Psychiatric hospitalization
Yosemite National Park
PTSD
Veteran re-assimilation in society
Memory formation
Memory desensitization
Self harm
Agoraphobia
Witness Protection Program/WITSEC
Psychiatric hospitalization
Yosemite National Park
January 22, 2016
Miles Kendrick is in witness protection from the gangs he blew the whistle on during the course of which his best friend died and he believes that it was him that was responsible for shooting him during the sting.
He is undergoing therapy with a lady called Allison Vance but when she is killed in an explosion of her office things start to get even more crazy, he finds himself in the middle of a government conspiracy over a "wonder" drug that can maybe help victims of post traumatic stress disorder.
He is on the run from a psychotic ex FBI agent called Dennis Groote but he is not the only one on his tail, only he and a few friends also victims of this undercover world can try to halt the major players in its tracks and one of the missing pieces is the true memory of what happened that night, Andy his best friend died...
A heart stopping thriller that changes direction as quickly as you turn the pages!
Excitement galore, murder, crime and deadly secrets all add up to be the main ingredients of a wonderful story.
This is the second book I have read by this author, I was bought one for my birthday and this one doesn't disappoint either and on the back of reading two of his novels I have just purchased another three!
What more need I say?
He is undergoing therapy with a lady called Allison Vance but when she is killed in an explosion of her office things start to get even more crazy, he finds himself in the middle of a government conspiracy over a "wonder" drug that can maybe help victims of post traumatic stress disorder.
He is on the run from a psychotic ex FBI agent called Dennis Groote but he is not the only one on his tail, only he and a few friends also victims of this undercover world can try to halt the major players in its tracks and one of the missing pieces is the true memory of what happened that night, Andy his best friend died...
A heart stopping thriller that changes direction as quickly as you turn the pages!
Excitement galore, murder, crime and deadly secrets all add up to be the main ingredients of a wonderful story.
This is the second book I have read by this author, I was bought one for my birthday and this one doesn't disappoint either and on the back of reading two of his novels I have just purchased another three!
What more need I say?
November 4, 2010
Miles was a private investigator in his past life life before he was taken into witness protection program. Celeste is a gifted programmer that had some truly traumatic experiences. Allison is a psychiatrist that is treating both of them (of course unknown to them both) - after her office is bombed, chain of events is triggered that will bring Miles and Celeste together while they try to figure out why are there being followed by a sociopath killer bend on finding missing data presumably stolen from the top secret facility by their therapist.[return][return]Now, all this seems as a rather standard thriller story, am I right? But wait, there is more - catch here is that both Miles and Celeste are suffering from severe trauma, PTSD, and have some serious issues to deal with. They need doctor s help and they need it quick because placed under stress of being hunted down they themselves do not know what their reaction will be like.[return][return]From the first page to the last action is non stop. Great thriller second Abbott s book I read so far (and made me hunting for the rest :))[return][return]Recommended.
March 5, 2010
É um livro que se lê relativamente bem, mas não acho que esteja particularmente bem escrito. Não gostei da maneira como o autor vai desenrolando a história, com demasiadas reviravoltas e contratempos que me fizeram revirar os olhos de impaciência. Ele estica demasiado a história. Acho sinceramente que o livro poderia ter metade das páginas que tem e, aí sim o ritmo poderia ser acelerado, como dizem na capa. Como está, torna-se fastidioso, não senti problemas em parar de ler e não senti urgência em voltar à leitura. Acho também que o autor se perdeu um pouco na própria história, envolveu tantas personagens, quase todas com intenções dúbias, para que ficássemos na expectativa até à última página, que acabou por tornar o enredo um pouco confuso e pouco claro. Eu pelo menos não achei uma leitura muito envolvente.
March 5, 2009
I read Panic before Fear, and I never thought that this one will be as good and gripping as Panic, but I was wrong!! I read the last ca. 200 pages in one go... couldn't bring myself to put the book away!
January 23, 2014
I though it was an amazing book.
It's really catchy and putting down the book doesn't even cross your mind, the only thing you want to do is to keep going on.
The ending is unpredictable and it catches you by surprise.
It's really catchy and putting down the book doesn't even cross your mind, the only thing you want to do is to keep going on.
The ending is unpredictable and it catches you by surprise.
January 17, 2018
I liked it, but it just couldn’t pull me in .... I haven’t figured out why yet, so I’ll return with more complete details after further contemplation. 3.5 stars , likable characters, well-researched ptsd facts.... but something was missing (for me). Hmmmmmmm........
January 5, 2016
Muita acção sem bases concretas e mudanças radicais de um momento para o outro em comportamentos das personagens, será que tudo o que vemos é real?
July 25, 2016
Não me prendeu nada esta leitura.
September 21, 2017
If a book is plot-driven like this one, the plot has to be somewhat coherent and where you care about the outcome. The worst.
March 26, 2015
Devoured after the thrill of 'Panic'. Another fabulous read from Jeff Abbott.
June 11, 2019
This book was a random pick out of my brothers school library. I set a goal for myself to read everyday this year in order to get back into the habit of active reading. So with this goal in mind, I forced myself to finish reading it in one sitting. Took me nearly eight hours, though it felt like longer. Not sure if that was because I hadn’t read in so long or because it was 400 pages of a heavy adult plot that might’ve been a bit much for a teenager like myself.
Since it’s the first thriller I’ve ever read I will say, I surprisingly quite enjoyed myself. A definite page-turner; the plot constantly thickens with unexpected complications and I was drawn in from the first chapter. I did find it hard at times to keep up with the story since all of the main characters have complex personalities, histories and there are a lot of details to remember that combine both the past & present - one could get lost in them.
However, I found that the author does a great job of balancing the storyline by having the characters stories and paths of action intertwine. it was interesting to learn more about them as I read further. I found it easy to empathize with even the most violent of characters in the story which I think is a testament to the author’s skill of understanding who the characters are and thus writing them well.
The book does touch on some mature topics like violence and PTSD, so I don’t think it was apt for my 12 year-old brothers library. I did find the plot twist in the end was slightly over-doing it and it was the only part of the story that I didn’t fully like. Nevertheless, I don’t regret having picked the book up and it was worth the read. 👌
Since it’s the first thriller I’ve ever read I will say, I surprisingly quite enjoyed myself. A definite page-turner; the plot constantly thickens with unexpected complications and I was drawn in from the first chapter. I did find it hard at times to keep up with the story since all of the main characters have complex personalities, histories and there are a lot of details to remember that combine both the past & present - one could get lost in them.
However, I found that the author does a great job of balancing the storyline by having the characters stories and paths of action intertwine. it was interesting to learn more about them as I read further. I found it easy to empathize with even the most violent of characters in the story which I think is a testament to the author’s skill of understanding who the characters are and thus writing them well.
The book does touch on some mature topics like violence and PTSD, so I don’t think it was apt for my 12 year-old brothers library. I did find the plot twist in the end was slightly over-doing it and it was the only part of the story that I didn’t fully like. Nevertheless, I don’t regret having picked the book up and it was worth the read. 👌
June 18, 2024
Este livro é, antes de tudo, um tributo à saúde mental e uma chamada de atenção ao Stress Pós-Traumático. E acho deliciosa a forma como Abbott transforma algo tão duro, cruel e indiscutível num tema mítico, num thriller cheio de suspense e numa matéria que deve realmente ser discutida e não varrida para debaixo do tapete. Enquanto amante da escrita, fiquei de queixo caído, enquanto profissional de saúde, aplaudi-lhe a audácia e o triunfo com que sai de cena. O livro retrata a semana mais alucinante e inacreditável da vida de Michel, que se vê envolvido, novamente, num circuito de mentiras e enganos do qual não consegue sair. Michel, um pacato vendedor de arte numa pequena cidade em Santa Fé, é na verdade Miles, um protegido do FBI, atualmente no programa de proteção de testemunhas e ex-espião da Máfia. Miles vive preso num pesadelo que o leva a conviver, diariamente, com o seu melhor amigo, que ele próprio matou nos seus tempos áureos. Andy aparece-lhe nas alturas mais inapropriadas, com comentários desconcertantes, e que está cada vez mais fora do controlo. Miles tenta acalmar o ávido fruto da sua imaginação com visitas regulares ao consultório de Allison, a psiquiatra da cidade. Mas um dia tudo muda, com um bilhete escondido na caixa dos anti-depressivos. E assim, num infeliz acaso (ou não?), Michel tem que ficar trancado na gaveta e Miles é obrigado a emergir das sombras e pôr mãos à obra. Sente-se novamente preso num loop, a escorregar pela toca do coelho, mas vai-se deixando ir em prol da verdade que teima em escapar-lhe. Sem nunca confiar totalmente naqueles que o rodeiam, vê-se envolvido em múltiplas peripécias que o levam a ir juntando as peças do puzzle, uma a uma, até à conclusão da obra final.
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September 26, 2024
Meh. This is really a 2.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow that.
This book felt like one of those action/thriller movie that has a lot of "action" scenes, and a lot of "things happening" scenes, but if you take a step back, there really isn't a lot of substance, and the scenes don't really necessarily flow well/fit together.
The plot was overly convoluted, with way too many characters, all of which were two-dimensional and clichéd, and stilted, often too-expository dialogue. Also, trauma as shorthand for real character development. Literally. Every single protagonist has some sort of traumatic background, and that's pretty much the only characteristic they have. It's a little insulting.
The ending was basically a series of deux ex machinas and overly "and they all lived happily ever after". Seriously. These are characters who all meet and are forced to work together by circumstance, which fine, common trope. But then they all choose to stay together in the end as well. Two characters are even heavily implied to be planning to start a romance, even though they have no chemistry, and the whole thing feels kinda like, "well see he's the main protagonist and she's the only female character on the good side so obviously they had to."
Also, not a fan of the way this book handled PTSD. Or mental illnesses in general.
This book felt like one of those action/thriller movie that has a lot of "action" scenes, and a lot of "things happening" scenes, but if you take a step back, there really isn't a lot of substance, and the scenes don't really necessarily flow well/fit together.
The plot was overly convoluted, with way too many characters, all of which were two-dimensional and clichéd, and stilted, often too-expository dialogue. Also, trauma as shorthand for real character development. Literally. Every single protagonist has some sort of traumatic background, and that's pretty much the only characteristic they have. It's a little insulting.
The ending was basically a series of deux ex machinas and overly "and they all lived happily ever after". Seriously. These are characters who all meet and are forced to work together by circumstance, which fine, common trope. But then they all choose to stay together in the end as well. Two characters are even heavily implied to be planning to start a romance, even though they have no chemistry, and the whole thing feels kinda like, "well see he's the main protagonist and she's the only female character on the good side so obviously they had to."
Also, not a fan of the way this book handled PTSD. Or mental illnesses in general.
June 17, 2019
I really like this book! Full of actions and mysteries, with consistent theme of PTSD that revolves around the characters in their specific backstory and purpose.
Every action scene is described in detail, and my imagination runs wild as if I'm watching Hollywood's espionage or FBI movie :D
Lots of explosions and guns!
I also learned a lot about PTSD from the characters. Their struggles to face their fears take the book title to an ultimate meaning. It's heartbroken to see how real people with PTSD are portrayed here, and how much it resembles the situation people face in real life.
Recommended to read!
Every action scene is described in detail, and my imagination runs wild as if I'm watching Hollywood's espionage or FBI movie :D
Lots of explosions and guns!
I also learned a lot about PTSD from the characters. Their struggles to face their fears take the book title to an ultimate meaning. It's heartbroken to see how real people with PTSD are portrayed here, and how much it resembles the situation people face in real life.
Recommended to read!
October 26, 2019
Miles Kendrick knows he's crazy. The ghost of his best friend is always in the corner to remind Miles that he was the one who killed him. When his psychiatrist asks for his help he feels obligated to do so and finds himself on the run for his life when she is killed. Now he knows she was trying to find out more or hide information about a new drug called Frost that helps people forget the worst memories of their lives which often leads to PTSD.
There are so many twists and turns in this story it is crazy but still a fast and interesting read. It will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
There are so many twists and turns in this story it is crazy but still a fast and interesting read. It will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
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