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North of Nowhere: A Thriller
New York Times bestseller Allison Brennan’s latest standalone is an unputdownable race to the dramatic finish.
After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristen and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages to crash land in the middle of the Montana wilderness. The siblings hike deep into the woods, searching desperately for safety―unaware of the severity of the approaching storm.
Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them.
As the storm builds, Ruby isn’t the only person looking for them. Boyd has hired an expert tracker to find and bring them home. And rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows these mountains better than anyone and doesn’t understand why the kids are running, is on their trail too.
But there is a greater threat to Kristen and Ryan out there. More volatile than the incoming blizzard, more dangerous than the family they ran from or the natural predators they could encounter. Who finds them first could determine if they live or die. . .
After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristen and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages to crash land in the middle of the Montana wilderness. The siblings hike deep into the woods, searching desperately for safety―unaware of the severity of the approaching storm.
Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them.
As the storm builds, Ruby isn’t the only person looking for them. Boyd has hired an expert tracker to find and bring them home. And rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows these mountains better than anyone and doesn’t understand why the kids are running, is on their trail too.
But there is a greater threat to Kristen and Ryan out there. More volatile than the incoming blizzard, more dangerous than the family they ran from or the natural predators they could encounter. Who finds them first could determine if they live or die. . .
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 8, 2023
737 people are currently reading
15432 people want to read
About the author
Allison Brennan
110 books5,279 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Allison Brennan believes that life is too short to be bored, so she had five children and writes three books a year.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
In 2019, Allison relocated from Northern California to Arizona with her family and assorted pets. She loves baseball, hiking, family game night, and (of course) reading.
RT Book Reviews called Allison “a master of suspense” and her books “haunting,” “mesmerizing,” “pulse-pounding” and “emotionally complex.” She's been nominated for many awards, and is a three time winner of the Reviewer's Choice award winner for RT Book Reviews as well as the Daphne du Maurier award. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original by International Thriller Writers.
With over 45 books and dozens of short stories, Allison is writing multiple series and the occasional stand alone thriller. Her most recent book out now is THE MISSING WITNESS, part of the Quinn & Costa series. In June Allison is launching a new Phoenix-set series about a family of private investigators starting with YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME.
You can reach Allison through Goodreads or her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 922 reviews
August 15, 2023
3.5⭐
It’s been five years since Tony Reed fled Los Angeles, leaving behind a life of crime and his association with the Los Angeles McIntyre crime family headed by Boyd McIntyre. Tony was godfather to Boyd’s children – Kristen and her younger brother Ryan, who is hearing impaired. When Tony fled five years ago, he took the children with him to save them from the life that awaited them under the watchful eye of their paternal grandmother who holds the reins of their family's criminal enterprise. But Boyd has traced them to the small Montana town they have made a life for themselves as a family and will leave no stone unturned to bring his children back home and exact revenge on Tony.
Escaping Boyd and his goons won’t be easy this time. Boyd has connections and has used his money and connections for information on Tony. When the plane in which Tony, Kristen and Ryan are attempting to leave is shot down and Tony is injured it is up to Kristen and Ryan to tap into the skills Tony has taught them to survive the incoming blizzard and the danger of being found by Boyd and his men who are tracking them. Also tracking theme are Tony’s employer, rancher Nick Lorenzo and his son Jason who is a friend of Kristen’s, who are concerned for the kids and Ruby McIntyre, the kids’ aunt who severed ties with her family and joined the Army years ago and who was contacted by Nick when got wind of what was transpiring.
I loved the premise of North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan and the Montana setting. The plotting was on point and the characters were well drawn. However, the pacing suffers midway into the novel and I felt the journey to the end was a tad long-drawn with several characters who enter the fray. Overall, I enjoyed the dark and suspenseful vibe and especially liked the female characters – the good ones and otherwise - and the moose whose heroics in a crucial moment deserves a special mention! This was my first Allison Brennan novel and I would be interested in reading more of her work.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss, which did enrich the experience, though I felt that with so many characters, the audio experience would have been even better with more narrators.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the digital review copy and the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
It’s been five years since Tony Reed fled Los Angeles, leaving behind a life of crime and his association with the Los Angeles McIntyre crime family headed by Boyd McIntyre. Tony was godfather to Boyd’s children – Kristen and her younger brother Ryan, who is hearing impaired. When Tony fled five years ago, he took the children with him to save them from the life that awaited them under the watchful eye of their paternal grandmother who holds the reins of their family's criminal enterprise. But Boyd has traced them to the small Montana town they have made a life for themselves as a family and will leave no stone unturned to bring his children back home and exact revenge on Tony.
Escaping Boyd and his goons won’t be easy this time. Boyd has connections and has used his money and connections for information on Tony. When the plane in which Tony, Kristen and Ryan are attempting to leave is shot down and Tony is injured it is up to Kristen and Ryan to tap into the skills Tony has taught them to survive the incoming blizzard and the danger of being found by Boyd and his men who are tracking them. Also tracking theme are Tony’s employer, rancher Nick Lorenzo and his son Jason who is a friend of Kristen’s, who are concerned for the kids and Ruby McIntyre, the kids’ aunt who severed ties with her family and joined the Army years ago and who was contacted by Nick when got wind of what was transpiring.
I loved the premise of North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan and the Montana setting. The plotting was on point and the characters were well drawn. However, the pacing suffers midway into the novel and I felt the journey to the end was a tad long-drawn with several characters who enter the fray. Overall, I enjoyed the dark and suspenseful vibe and especially liked the female characters – the good ones and otherwise - and the moose whose heroics in a crucial moment deserves a special mention! This was my first Allison Brennan novel and I would be interested in reading more of her work.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss, which did enrich the experience, though I felt that with so many characters, the audio experience would have been even better with more narrators.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the digital review copy and the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 12, 2023
An action-packed novel that I couldn't put down!
Kristen and her brother Ryan have been hiding from their biological dad for the past five years. Now that he's out of prison, he will stop at nothing to bring them home.
I stayed up past 3 in the morning to finish this! The story was captivating from beginning to end! There was never a dull moment. I hope we get a prequel or even better, an entire series. I didn't want the story to end.
I highly recommend it to fans of thrillers with lots of action.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Brennan, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Kristen and her brother Ryan have been hiding from their biological dad for the past five years. Now that he's out of prison, he will stop at nothing to bring them home.
I stayed up past 3 in the morning to finish this! The story was captivating from beginning to end! There was never a dull moment. I hope we get a prequel or even better, an entire series. I didn't want the story to end.
I highly recommend it to fans of thrillers with lots of action.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Brennan, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
July 25, 2023
This thriller is a story of survival as well as a well-orchestrated game of cat and mouse. Children running from their crime boss father and a snowstorm are just part of this heart-pounding rollercoaster ride. This had me on the edge of my seat and gasping for air. To say this story is action-packed is an understatement. Entertaining, suspenseful, and intense describe this family-oriented thriller. Thank you, NetGalley for my copy.
August 18, 2023
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, gripping thriller. It is action packed with likable and engaging characters, murder, mystery, adventure, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. Many thanks to Fresh Fiction and Ms. Allison Brennan, from whom I won a hardcover edition of this outstanding novel.
August 8, 2023
North of Nowhere by Allison Brennan
Contemporary thriller.
After five years of hiding with the children, and making a family, Tony recognizes men watching the backroad and realizes that Boyd McIntyre, the head of a Los Angeles crime family has finally tracked down his children. Tony is able to get Kristine and Ryan to a small plane but someone shoots at the plane and manages to hit one of the engines and the gas tank. After a controlled crash landing at the edge of a lake some miles away, Kristine finds that Tony has been critically shot. She and Ryan will have to find their own way through the approaching winter storm. But there are several men tracking them, with motivation to get the children back to LA and back into the hands of the ruthless crime syndicate.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Eliza Foss who also did the Max Revere series by this author. The performance was very good with different voices for Kristine, Ruby and the various man that are tracking through the storm. The tense atmosphere came through clearly as the children try to outdistance and outsmart the people right behind them. There are both new ruthless behind them as well as family and friends that only want to help. Much of the story takes place during a blinding snow storm and I felt the cold in the narrative and descriptions.
An intense, nonstop thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher Macmillan Audio.
4.25
Contemporary thriller.
After five years of hiding with the children, and making a family, Tony recognizes men watching the backroad and realizes that Boyd McIntyre, the head of a Los Angeles crime family has finally tracked down his children. Tony is able to get Kristine and Ryan to a small plane but someone shoots at the plane and manages to hit one of the engines and the gas tank. After a controlled crash landing at the edge of a lake some miles away, Kristine finds that Tony has been critically shot. She and Ryan will have to find their own way through the approaching winter storm. But there are several men tracking them, with motivation to get the children back to LA and back into the hands of the ruthless crime syndicate.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Eliza Foss who also did the Max Revere series by this author. The performance was very good with different voices for Kristine, Ruby and the various man that are tracking through the storm. The tense atmosphere came through clearly as the children try to outdistance and outsmart the people right behind them. There are both new ruthless behind them as well as family and friends that only want to help. Much of the story takes place during a blinding snow storm and I felt the cold in the narrative and descriptions.
An intense, nonstop thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher Macmillan Audio.
4.25
August 7, 2023
Location, location, location. For most books the location means very little. That is soooo not the case here. Montana with a blizzard bearing down on two kids forced to survive after their plane crashed. Location doesn't play a bigger role than that. If you are a fan of the non-stop, terror inducing, thriller - this is the book for you.
The day came after five years of peace. Boyd McIntyre had found them. All they could do is run. Tony Reed had planned for this and all he had to do was steal a plane and be gone before the blizzard hits. But they were found, and the plane shot up and crashed in the Montana wilderness. Sixteen-year-old Kristen and ten-year-old Ryan are on their own with their backpacks, a compass and a map. On the run from their father, Boyd McIntyre head of a Los Angeles crime family, with no one to help them.
But Kristen and Ryan have people who care about them. Their Aunt Ruby left the family years ago, entered the Army and never looked back. But she loves Kristin and Ryan and will do whatever it takes to find them and keep them safe. Nick Lorenzo is the owner of the ranch where Tony worked and he and his son, Jason, love the kids. Together they will stop at nothing to find and rescue Kristen and Ryan, even a Montana blizzard won't stop them. There are others looking too and someone wants them dead.
To some family is everything. To others family is to be controlled and made to serve the interests of the family.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
The day came after five years of peace. Boyd McIntyre had found them. All they could do is run. Tony Reed had planned for this and all he had to do was steal a plane and be gone before the blizzard hits. But they were found, and the plane shot up and crashed in the Montana wilderness. Sixteen-year-old Kristen and ten-year-old Ryan are on their own with their backpacks, a compass and a map. On the run from their father, Boyd McIntyre head of a Los Angeles crime family, with no one to help them.
But Kristen and Ryan have people who care about them. Their Aunt Ruby left the family years ago, entered the Army and never looked back. But she loves Kristin and Ryan and will do whatever it takes to find them and keep them safe. Nick Lorenzo is the owner of the ranch where Tony worked and he and his son, Jason, love the kids. Together they will stop at nothing to find and rescue Kristen and Ryan, even a Montana blizzard won't stop them. There are others looking too and someone wants them dead.
To some family is everything. To others family is to be controlled and made to serve the interests of the family.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
May 27, 2023
I have just finished reading North of Nowhere by author Allison Brennan.
Thank You to NetGalley, the Author, and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy to read and review.
This was the first book that I have read by Allison Brennan. I was immediately engaged with the story and found it to be quite fast paced and an easy book to get into.
It had great suspense as the story unfolded along the way, and the characters were quite interesting, all set in Montana so quite atmospheric.
I however started losing interest about halfway through the book and found reluctant to want to keep picking it up to continue reading. It took me quite a bit longer than usual to finish this book.
However, a good story, which will appeal to many readers.
Thank You to NetGalley, the Author, and Minotaur Books for my advanced copy to read and review.
This was the first book that I have read by Allison Brennan. I was immediately engaged with the story and found it to be quite fast paced and an easy book to get into.
It had great suspense as the story unfolded along the way, and the characters were quite interesting, all set in Montana so quite atmospheric.
I however started losing interest about halfway through the book and found reluctant to want to keep picking it up to continue reading. It took me quite a bit longer than usual to finish this book.
However, a good story, which will appeal to many readers.
July 25, 2023
NORTH OF NOWHERE, the latest standalone thriller from the master of suspense author Allison Brennan, is a story about survival - survival from the elements and survival from a past threatening the future. Set in the middle of a harsh Montana winter, Brennan drops her characters into the midst of a mountainous wilderness in a raging blizzard and charges them with surviving. If the catastrophic storm doesn't present enough of a life or death situation, the deranged killer closing in on two scared children lost in the storm will.
Tony Reed's been hiding his two godchildren for five long years, keeping them safe from their crime boss father Boyd McIntrye and their deceptively controlling grandmother Frankie. Eleven-year-old Kristin was traumatized after witnessing the murder of her mother before Tony took her, along with her younger deaf brother Ryan, and disappeared. When Tony awakens now sixteen-year-old Kristin in the middle of the night, she asks no questions knowing immediately they've been found. Grabbing their always packed escape bags, Tony, Kristin and Ryan execute their plan B for escape. Taking his bosses small plane, Tony hopes to get away unseen, but as he attempts takeoff shots are fired hitting him and the plane. He manages to lift off only to crash in a lake a few miles short of their destination. When it's clear he won't make it, Tony quickly improvises and instructs Kristin to take Ryan and their supplies and hike the rest of the way to their secret remote cabin. Time is critical as a massive snowstorm is descending on the mountains and their father Boyd and his armed men are coming for them. Tony has trained Kristin in all the elements of survival including how to handle a weapon. She'll kill or be killed before returning to the forbidding prison of her father and grandmother's home.
NORTH OF NOWHERE is a highly atmospheric, fast paced thriller with a large cast of players. The landscape and weather play a starring role in the story as characters are charged with surviving a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere in subzero temperatures. Brennan does a fantastic job of pulling readers into said wilderness to join the desperate search for the two missing children in a race against time to save their lives - from both the elements and the various highly motivated people determined to catch them before someone else does. The story is rendered through multiple points of view giving readers a well-rounded viewpoint into the motivations driving several key characters. A tension laden plot line is propelled by a dire tone of impending disaster as the story covers a period of only forty-eight hours from beginning to end. During this time, the author accentuates the power of family - whether by blood or choice, control, loss, regret . . . and survival of the fittest.
Brutally harsh at times, NORTH OF NOWHERE is an immensely engaging thriller with enough unforeseen twists and turns to keep fans of the genre turning pages. I enjoyed the audiobook version narrated by Eliza Foss. Highly recommended to readers who love extraordinarily atmospheric suspense thrillers with a heavy side of family drama.
Special thanks to MacMillan Audio for the audiobook arc of this title which is scheduled for release on Aug. 8, 2023. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is currently available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
Tony Reed's been hiding his two godchildren for five long years, keeping them safe from their crime boss father Boyd McIntrye and their deceptively controlling grandmother Frankie. Eleven-year-old Kristin was traumatized after witnessing the murder of her mother before Tony took her, along with her younger deaf brother Ryan, and disappeared. When Tony awakens now sixteen-year-old Kristin in the middle of the night, she asks no questions knowing immediately they've been found. Grabbing their always packed escape bags, Tony, Kristin and Ryan execute their plan B for escape. Taking his bosses small plane, Tony hopes to get away unseen, but as he attempts takeoff shots are fired hitting him and the plane. He manages to lift off only to crash in a lake a few miles short of their destination. When it's clear he won't make it, Tony quickly improvises and instructs Kristin to take Ryan and their supplies and hike the rest of the way to their secret remote cabin. Time is critical as a massive snowstorm is descending on the mountains and their father Boyd and his armed men are coming for them. Tony has trained Kristin in all the elements of survival including how to handle a weapon. She'll kill or be killed before returning to the forbidding prison of her father and grandmother's home.
NORTH OF NOWHERE is a highly atmospheric, fast paced thriller with a large cast of players. The landscape and weather play a starring role in the story as characters are charged with surviving a blinding blizzard in the middle of nowhere in subzero temperatures. Brennan does a fantastic job of pulling readers into said wilderness to join the desperate search for the two missing children in a race against time to save their lives - from both the elements and the various highly motivated people determined to catch them before someone else does. The story is rendered through multiple points of view giving readers a well-rounded viewpoint into the motivations driving several key characters. A tension laden plot line is propelled by a dire tone of impending disaster as the story covers a period of only forty-eight hours from beginning to end. During this time, the author accentuates the power of family - whether by blood or choice, control, loss, regret . . . and survival of the fittest.
Brutally harsh at times, NORTH OF NOWHERE is an immensely engaging thriller with enough unforeseen twists and turns to keep fans of the genre turning pages. I enjoyed the audiobook version narrated by Eliza Foss. Highly recommended to readers who love extraordinarily atmospheric suspense thrillers with a heavy side of family drama.
Special thanks to MacMillan Audio for the audiobook arc of this title which is scheduled for release on Aug. 8, 2023. All opinions expressed are my own. This review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is currently available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
February 2, 2023
Fair warning- do not start this book right before bedtime or you’ll be sorry. I did, and I was awake most of the night. This is a heart pounding, edge of your chair thriller guaranteed to keep you invested until the very end.
This is a story of a mafia family looking for their kidnapped children who don’t want to be found in the wilderness of Montana during a snowstorm. What could go wrong? Only everything. This book has a large cast of characters and sometimes it’s hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys.
This was my first time reading this author and I’m not sure where I’ve been (maybe under a rock) as she has a large backlist I look forward to checking out. I recommend this to anyone with a love for mystery/ thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher For the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it four stars.
This is a story of a mafia family looking for their kidnapped children who don’t want to be found in the wilderness of Montana during a snowstorm. What could go wrong? Only everything. This book has a large cast of characters and sometimes it’s hard to separate the good guys from the bad guys.
This was my first time reading this author and I’m not sure where I’ve been (maybe under a rock) as she has a large backlist I look forward to checking out. I recommend this to anyone with a love for mystery/ thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher For the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it four stars.
July 1, 2023
A chilling wilderness. A deadly game. Can you survive 'North of Nowhere'?
Book Information
North of Nowhere, written by Allison Brennan, is a 368-page thriller to be published on August 8, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Eliza Foss and spans 11 hours and 38 minutes. Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author that has penned 40 books and numerous short stories. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
Kristen and Ryan McIntyre are hiding in a small Montana town from their murderous father, Boyd McIntyre. When he finally locates them after 5 years, they escape on a plane, but a damaged fuel line leads to a crash landing in the wilderness. With a storm approaching, their aunt Ruby, their father with a tracker, and local rancher Nick Lorenzo all search for them, unaware of the greater threat that is also coming. Their lives teeter on who finds them first.
My Thoughts
"North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan is a fast-paced and enjoyable thriller. There is something for everyone: murder, kidnapping, snowstorms, organized crime, bad cops, plane crashes, gun fights, grandmothers, helpful ranchers, and even wild moose. It’s a pulse-pounding ride through blizzards and betrayal.
With its numerous twists and turns, the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The story unfolds through the eyes of a handful of characters, each with their own questionable motives, making it hard to discern who is good and who is bad until the full picture emerges.
The book is a page-turner, thanks to its action-packed narrative and short chapters that keep the pace moving swiftly. Brennan skillfully employs cliffhangers to maintain engagement and anticipation throughout. Set primarily in the wilderness, the book also beautifully portrays the contrast between those who are prepared and knowledgeable and those who are not.
The story does have a lot of characters, which is sometimes a stumbling block for me. Despite this, Brennan expertly develops each one, ensuring they remain distinct and easily recognizable for the reader. This attention to detail prevents confusion and allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story.
Told from various perspectives, "North of Nowhere" provides a deeper connection to the characters and adds layers of complexity to the narrative. If you appreciate psychological thrillers with a touch of family drama, this book is an excellent choice.
Brennan's primary characters are intriguing and likable, drawing readers into their lives and making them emotionally invested in their fates. Whether it's the cat-and-mouse chase or the exploration of complex relationships, "North of Nowhere" delivers a compelling reading experience from start to finish.
Eliza Foss does a fantastic job as narrator of immersing readers in the icy Montana landscape, adding an extra layer of thrill and suspense. Her narration also likely played a significant role in keeping me fully engaged amidst the multitude of characters and perspectives. Overall, her performance was very well executed.
Recommendation
"North of Nowhere" is a gripping thriller that seamlessly weaves together murder, kidnapping, and a hostile wilderness setting. It has well-developed characters, unpredictable twists, and a fast-paced narrative. Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.
Rating
4 Big Sky Stars
Book Information
North of Nowhere, written by Allison Brennan, is a 368-page thriller to be published on August 8, 2023. The audio version is Narrated by Eliza Foss and spans 11 hours and 38 minutes. Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author that has penned 40 books and numerous short stories. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Summary
Kristen and Ryan McIntyre are hiding in a small Montana town from their murderous father, Boyd McIntyre. When he finally locates them after 5 years, they escape on a plane, but a damaged fuel line leads to a crash landing in the wilderness. With a storm approaching, their aunt Ruby, their father with a tracker, and local rancher Nick Lorenzo all search for them, unaware of the greater threat that is also coming. Their lives teeter on who finds them first.
My Thoughts
"North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan is a fast-paced and enjoyable thriller. There is something for everyone: murder, kidnapping, snowstorms, organized crime, bad cops, plane crashes, gun fights, grandmothers, helpful ranchers, and even wild moose. It’s a pulse-pounding ride through blizzards and betrayal.
With its numerous twists and turns, the story kept me on the edge of my seat. The story unfolds through the eyes of a handful of characters, each with their own questionable motives, making it hard to discern who is good and who is bad until the full picture emerges.
The book is a page-turner, thanks to its action-packed narrative and short chapters that keep the pace moving swiftly. Brennan skillfully employs cliffhangers to maintain engagement and anticipation throughout. Set primarily in the wilderness, the book also beautifully portrays the contrast between those who are prepared and knowledgeable and those who are not.
The story does have a lot of characters, which is sometimes a stumbling block for me. Despite this, Brennan expertly develops each one, ensuring they remain distinct and easily recognizable for the reader. This attention to detail prevents confusion and allowed me to fully immerse myself in the story.
Told from various perspectives, "North of Nowhere" provides a deeper connection to the characters and adds layers of complexity to the narrative. If you appreciate psychological thrillers with a touch of family drama, this book is an excellent choice.
Brennan's primary characters are intriguing and likable, drawing readers into their lives and making them emotionally invested in their fates. Whether it's the cat-and-mouse chase or the exploration of complex relationships, "North of Nowhere" delivers a compelling reading experience from start to finish.
Eliza Foss does a fantastic job as narrator of immersing readers in the icy Montana landscape, adding an extra layer of thrill and suspense. Her narration also likely played a significant role in keeping me fully engaged amidst the multitude of characters and perspectives. Overall, her performance was very well executed.
Recommendation
"North of Nowhere" is a gripping thriller that seamlessly weaves together murder, kidnapping, and a hostile wilderness setting. It has well-developed characters, unpredictable twists, and a fast-paced narrative. Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.
Rating
4 Big Sky Stars
July 23, 2023
For me North of Nowhere started off great with suspense but than plateaus about three quarters of the way into the plot, Brennans’s crime syndicate family and a local land owner Nick Lorenzo who owns a resort and has the main house on the same land are initially interesting and engaging. The Montana atmosphere is excellent the pages are filled with suspense, danger and conflict. But as the plot progresses there becomes too many characters and I feel the story suffers because the characters are one dimensional and I didn’t feel connected to them, it becomes overwhelming and melodramatic. The quality of the writing declines for me because the action scenes are interrupted by the characters digressing into what the characters are calculating or their discussing their feelings when their focus should be solely on the men tracking them in a snow storm by dangerous men and, the importance of quickly getting out of the snow storm in the Montana wilderness.
It had plot holes, unfinished story arcs I felt it could have used a few more chapters to tie everything together. Unless it’s being turned into a series, I was disappointed. I was left wanting more. Because I know what Allison is capable of, It was not my favourites of Allison Brennan’s I will definitely keep reading her books,
The ARC of North of Nowhere was provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review I would like to thank both NetGalley St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books.
Release date August 10, 2023
It had plot holes, unfinished story arcs I felt it could have used a few more chapters to tie everything together. Unless it’s being turned into a series, I was disappointed. I was left wanting more. Because I know what Allison is capable of, It was not my favourites of Allison Brennan’s I will definitely keep reading her books,
The ARC of North of Nowhere was provided by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review I would like to thank both NetGalley St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books.
Release date August 10, 2023
July 6, 2023
3.5 ⭐
This is my first introduction to Allison Brennan’s work. I was drawn in by the cover and the premise of a wilderness thriller set in Montana’s Rocky Mountains.
Brennan’s first stand-alone thriller is a compelling, race against time read about two kids on the run in the mountains as a storm approaches. As I got pulled in I was reading about hired killers, a remote wilderness location, a crime family, a plane crash, and a death. The introduction had my heart pounding and I was eagerly flipping pages. However, as the mid-point approached, I found myself bogged down with the full cast of characters, each with a substantial backstory. I became frustrated as the focus shifted, causing my emotional response to the pace to wane.
Please don’t zero in on my frustration; this was an unpredictable read with an excellent premise and had a spectacular sense of place.
I won’t forget Frankie in a hurry!
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is my first introduction to Allison Brennan’s work. I was drawn in by the cover and the premise of a wilderness thriller set in Montana’s Rocky Mountains.
Brennan’s first stand-alone thriller is a compelling, race against time read about two kids on the run in the mountains as a storm approaches. As I got pulled in I was reading about hired killers, a remote wilderness location, a crime family, a plane crash, and a death. The introduction had my heart pounding and I was eagerly flipping pages. However, as the mid-point approached, I found myself bogged down with the full cast of characters, each with a substantial backstory. I became frustrated as the focus shifted, causing my emotional response to the pace to wane.
Please don’t zero in on my frustration; this was an unpredictable read with an excellent premise and had a spectacular sense of place.
I won’t forget Frankie in a hurry!
I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
June 27, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Allison Brennan and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Allison Brennan returns with another great thriller that will have the reader flipping pages just to get to the core of the story. Her delivery is strong and the characters come to life in this dark piece that speaks of protection, honour, and the fight to survive. Brennan keeps the momentum going and captivates the reader with ease.
Having been on the run for five years, Kristin and Ryan McIntyre come face to face with their father, Boyd. A man who has been killing for years as part of a crime family, Boyd has pulled some strings and tracked the two to rural Montana. During a skirmish, the plane in which they are travelling is struck by a bullet and the pilot is killed. Now, Kristin and Ryan are stuck in the wilderness, unsure which way to go. On the horizon, a looming storm is sure to make things all the more difficult!
While Kristin and Ryan have been fending for themselves, their aunt, Ruby, has been keeping track of them and hoped they would steer clear of the murderous Boyd. She she learns of the plane crash, Ruby kicks into high gear to help, hoping that she is not too late. Knowing her brother and the family all too well, Ruby can only imagine the horrors that await the children when they are back in Boy’d clutches.
While the blizzard is building, Kristin and Ryan try to stay one step ahead of the trouble. Ruby is not the only one trying to find them, as Boyd had a tracker locating the kids for his own selfish means. A local rancher also has his eye on finding these kids, knowing the backcountry of Montana like his own hand. With little time and a lot at stake, everyone hopes to find the McIntyre children, though it could cost everyone what they value most… their life! A decent piece by Allison Brennan that will leave the reader thinking!
I believe that I have read some Allison Brennan in years past, but know that I have not made a concerted effort to keep up to date. The story worked well and flowed with ease, using a clear narrative path and characters who are easily relatable. The varied perspectives of the narrative shed light on the struggles many within the story have, both personally and as they relate to the missing children. Plot lines develop with ease, though there is nothing too stunning about what is on offer. While I enjoyed the book, there was nothing stunning that came of it for me. Still, the character and plot advancements provided something most readers could enjoy.
Kudos, Madam Brennan, for a good story that kept me thinking throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Allison Brennan returns with another great thriller that will have the reader flipping pages just to get to the core of the story. Her delivery is strong and the characters come to life in this dark piece that speaks of protection, honour, and the fight to survive. Brennan keeps the momentum going and captivates the reader with ease.
Having been on the run for five years, Kristin and Ryan McIntyre come face to face with their father, Boyd. A man who has been killing for years as part of a crime family, Boyd has pulled some strings and tracked the two to rural Montana. During a skirmish, the plane in which they are travelling is struck by a bullet and the pilot is killed. Now, Kristin and Ryan are stuck in the wilderness, unsure which way to go. On the horizon, a looming storm is sure to make things all the more difficult!
While Kristin and Ryan have been fending for themselves, their aunt, Ruby, has been keeping track of them and hoped they would steer clear of the murderous Boyd. She she learns of the plane crash, Ruby kicks into high gear to help, hoping that she is not too late. Knowing her brother and the family all too well, Ruby can only imagine the horrors that await the children when they are back in Boy’d clutches.
While the blizzard is building, Kristin and Ryan try to stay one step ahead of the trouble. Ruby is not the only one trying to find them, as Boyd had a tracker locating the kids for his own selfish means. A local rancher also has his eye on finding these kids, knowing the backcountry of Montana like his own hand. With little time and a lot at stake, everyone hopes to find the McIntyre children, though it could cost everyone what they value most… their life! A decent piece by Allison Brennan that will leave the reader thinking!
I believe that I have read some Allison Brennan in years past, but know that I have not made a concerted effort to keep up to date. The story worked well and flowed with ease, using a clear narrative path and characters who are easily relatable. The varied perspectives of the narrative shed light on the struggles many within the story have, both personally and as they relate to the missing children. Plot lines develop with ease, though there is nothing too stunning about what is on offer. While I enjoyed the book, there was nothing stunning that came of it for me. Still, the character and plot advancements provided something most readers could enjoy.
Kudos, Madam Brennan, for a good story that kept me thinking throughout.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 2, 2023
A Delightfully Complex But Thrilling Action-Packed Story
SUMMARY
Kristen McIntyre, 16, and her 11-year-old deaf brother have been hiding from their father for five years. Kristen knew her family was different, but she didn’t realize how different until she witnessed her dad kill a man and learned that her dad, Boyd McIntyre was the head of a prominent crime family in Los Angeles. Kristen also witnessed her mother’s murder just as her mother and the kids attempted to escape from the McIntyre clutches. Tony Reed, a friend and employee of the McIntyre family and Boyd’s best friend, helped Kristen and Ryan run. He has been raising them as his own in Big Sky, Montana.
Now Boyd has finally found the trio’s location. He and several of his men attempt to take the kids early one morning. Tony and the kids barely escape in a small plane hit by gunfire on takeoff. The plane crashes into a lake in the Montana wilderness, and the kids hike deep into the woods, searching for safety. Boyd and his men are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to bring them in.
Nick Lorenzo, Tony’s employer in Big Sky, is also tracking the kids and doesn’t understand why they are on the run or who is following them, but he is adamant about rescuing them. The kids’ Aunt Ruby joins Nick in the search. Ruby was Tony’s emergency contact person. An approaching blizzard and the steep terrain makes the search much more than dangerous. Will any of them make it out alive?
REVIEW
NORTH OF NOWHERE is a perfect combination of characters, setting, and story. It’s a delightfully complex, action-packed thriller. The plot is fast-paced and intense. Readers will be hanging on the edge, never knowing who to trust, when someone will slip off the mountain, or how it will end.
The Montana setting is scenic, and the weather descriptions are captivating. Reading about a blizzard during the major heat wave in the summer of 2023 is a bonus, providing some imaginary relief from the heat.
The writing is delightfully told from multiple points of view. The cast of characters is huge but well-developed. My favorite part is that the story includes at least four or five strong female characters. One of the females is not very nice; she is so despicable you won’t like her, but you must applaud the evil characterization.
NORTH OF NOWHERE is the first book I have read by Allison Brennan. I loved it and will be bingeing a few more of her books this summer. One of my favorite pursuits in reading is finding a new (to me) author with a creative mind and a skilled pen. Bingo.
I listened to the NORTH OF NOWHERE audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss. I enjoyed every minute of the performance. Her timing, tone, and voice were perfect.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published August 8, 2023
Narrated Eliza Foss
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Kristen McIntyre, 16, and her 11-year-old deaf brother have been hiding from their father for five years. Kristen knew her family was different, but she didn’t realize how different until she witnessed her dad kill a man and learned that her dad, Boyd McIntyre was the head of a prominent crime family in Los Angeles. Kristen also witnessed her mother’s murder just as her mother and the kids attempted to escape from the McIntyre clutches. Tony Reed, a friend and employee of the McIntyre family and Boyd’s best friend, helped Kristen and Ryan run. He has been raising them as his own in Big Sky, Montana.
Now Boyd has finally found the trio’s location. He and several of his men attempt to take the kids early one morning. Tony and the kids barely escape in a small plane hit by gunfire on takeoff. The plane crashes into a lake in the Montana wilderness, and the kids hike deep into the woods, searching for safety. Boyd and his men are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to bring them in.
Nick Lorenzo, Tony’s employer in Big Sky, is also tracking the kids and doesn’t understand why they are on the run or who is following them, but he is adamant about rescuing them. The kids’ Aunt Ruby joins Nick in the search. Ruby was Tony’s emergency contact person. An approaching blizzard and the steep terrain makes the search much more than dangerous. Will any of them make it out alive?
REVIEW
NORTH OF NOWHERE is a perfect combination of characters, setting, and story. It’s a delightfully complex, action-packed thriller. The plot is fast-paced and intense. Readers will be hanging on the edge, never knowing who to trust, when someone will slip off the mountain, or how it will end.
The Montana setting is scenic, and the weather descriptions are captivating. Reading about a blizzard during the major heat wave in the summer of 2023 is a bonus, providing some imaginary relief from the heat.
The writing is delightfully told from multiple points of view. The cast of characters is huge but well-developed. My favorite part is that the story includes at least four or five strong female characters. One of the females is not very nice; she is so despicable you won’t like her, but you must applaud the evil characterization.
NORTH OF NOWHERE is the first book I have read by Allison Brennan. I loved it and will be bingeing a few more of her books this summer. One of my favorite pursuits in reading is finding a new (to me) author with a creative mind and a skilled pen. Bingo.
I listened to the NORTH OF NOWHERE audiobook narrated by Eliza Foss. I enjoyed every minute of the performance. Her timing, tone, and voice were perfect.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published August 8, 2023
Narrated Eliza Foss
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
August 9, 2023
*****Happy publication day!!!!******
Wow! Definitely no slow burn here, fast paced from the start and several great twists.
For the past 5 years Tony has been hiding Kristen and her brother Ryan on a ranch in Montana, knowing their father Boyd would stop at nothing to find them. The three of them go on the run once they know Boyd is in town, a plane crash in the mountains with an incoming blizzard proves to be a hellacious journey with so much unpredictability. Location matters in this book for sure and if the mountains, snow, wildlife don’t kill them as they try to get out there are very bad people hunting them as well.
My first by this author and loved it!!
Thanks to netgalley, Minotaur books and Allison Brennan for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Wow! Definitely no slow burn here, fast paced from the start and several great twists.
For the past 5 years Tony has been hiding Kristen and her brother Ryan on a ranch in Montana, knowing their father Boyd would stop at nothing to find them. The three of them go on the run once they know Boyd is in town, a plane crash in the mountains with an incoming blizzard proves to be a hellacious journey with so much unpredictability. Location matters in this book for sure and if the mountains, snow, wildlife don’t kill them as they try to get out there are very bad people hunting them as well.
My first by this author and loved it!!
Thanks to netgalley, Minotaur books and Allison Brennan for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2023
A gripping, suspenseful thriller from Allison Brennan. This is the first time I've read any of Allison Brennan's novels, but I will be looking for more by her.
Description:
After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has arrived: Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages to crash land in the middle of the Montana wilderness. The siblings hike deep into the woods, searching desperately for safety—unaware of the severity of the approaching storm.
Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them.
As the storm builds, Ruby isn’t the only person looking for them. Boyd has hired an expert tracker to find and bring them home. And rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows these mountains better than anyone and doesn’t understand why the kids are running, is on their trail too.
But there is a greater threat to Kristen and Ryan out there. More volatile than the incoming blizzard, more dangerous than the family they ran from or the natural predators they could encounter. Who finds them first could determine if they live or die. . .
My thoughts:
This was an exciting, action-packed thriller that kept me turning the pages. Kristen and Ryan's family were evil and dangerous. The pursuit to get the two children back was unrelenting. Kristen was strong and determined to take care of Ryan, but she really needed help and didn't want to involve anyone else as they might get killed.
I can't imagine being stranded in the wilderness in Montana during a brutal blizzard with killers out hunting for you. Lots of tension, survival skills, and difficult decisions here. Some brutal violence throughout the book. I loved the characters Nick Lorenzo and his son. They are so quietly skilled and kind. I also liked the aunt, Ruby and the Sheriff, Kate.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.
Description:
After five years in hiding from their murderous father, the day Kristin and Ryan McIntyre have been dreading has arrived: Boyd McIntyre, head of a Los Angeles crime family, has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town and is minutes away from kidnapping them. They barely escape in a small plane, but gunfire hits the fuel line. The pilot, a man who has been raising them as his own, manages to crash land in the middle of the Montana wilderness. The siblings hike deep into the woods, searching desperately for safety—unaware of the severity of the approaching storm.
Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them.
As the storm builds, Ruby isn’t the only person looking for them. Boyd has hired an expert tracker to find and bring them home. And rancher Nick Lorenzo, who knows these mountains better than anyone and doesn’t understand why the kids are running, is on their trail too.
But there is a greater threat to Kristen and Ryan out there. More volatile than the incoming blizzard, more dangerous than the family they ran from or the natural predators they could encounter. Who finds them first could determine if they live or die. . .
My thoughts:
This was an exciting, action-packed thriller that kept me turning the pages. Kristen and Ryan's family were evil and dangerous. The pursuit to get the two children back was unrelenting. Kristen was strong and determined to take care of Ryan, but she really needed help and didn't want to involve anyone else as they might get killed.
I can't imagine being stranded in the wilderness in Montana during a brutal blizzard with killers out hunting for you. Lots of tension, survival skills, and difficult decisions here. Some brutal violence throughout the book. I loved the characters Nick Lorenzo and his son. They are so quietly skilled and kind. I also liked the aunt, Ruby and the Sheriff, Kate.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.
July 15, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: August 8, 2023
Kristen, her brother Ryan and Tony, the man they both call Dad, have been in the run for five years, since the death of Kristen and Ryan's mother. Tony is desperate to keep the kids safe from their terrifyingly influential, and downright evil, paternal grandmother but she has friends in very high places. When the plane they are in crashes, the three find themselves stranded in the Montana wilderness. After Tony is killed the children are alone- cold, scared and running from people they can't see. In the ultimate battle of survival, can the kids survive long enough to be rescued, and can they outrun the dangerous men on their tails?
"North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan is written like it could be a series of books, and North is one of the books somewhere in the middle. The plot development left something to be desired, as I felt a lot of the characters' stories started right in the middle, talking about incidents that happened before the reader joined the story (and rather important things it seems!)
The eerie winter setting with its very spooky survival theme is chilling (in more ways than one) and I loved spunky, brave Kristen and her brother, Ryan, who struggles with hearing loss. Right off the bat, I cheered for them and their perseverance, determined to survive with the odds against them.
The story is narrated by many characters in the novel, including Kristen, Ruby (the aunt) and Boyd (the biological father) as well as some others. This helps provide an array of viewpoints, although there are a few characters among the many that are similar and take some concentration to differentiate.
Brennan's novel ends satisfyingly, after chapters of ice-cold action and drama, and overall, North is an entertaining read. I wanted more of the backstory, which was glossed over to get to the wintry survival plot, but Brennan provided enough taut suspense that I wanted to keep reading!
Expected publication date: August 8, 2023
Kristen, her brother Ryan and Tony, the man they both call Dad, have been in the run for five years, since the death of Kristen and Ryan's mother. Tony is desperate to keep the kids safe from their terrifyingly influential, and downright evil, paternal grandmother but she has friends in very high places. When the plane they are in crashes, the three find themselves stranded in the Montana wilderness. After Tony is killed the children are alone- cold, scared and running from people they can't see. In the ultimate battle of survival, can the kids survive long enough to be rescued, and can they outrun the dangerous men on their tails?
"North of Nowhere" by Allison Brennan is written like it could be a series of books, and North is one of the books somewhere in the middle. The plot development left something to be desired, as I felt a lot of the characters' stories started right in the middle, talking about incidents that happened before the reader joined the story (and rather important things it seems!)
The eerie winter setting with its very spooky survival theme is chilling (in more ways than one) and I loved spunky, brave Kristen and her brother, Ryan, who struggles with hearing loss. Right off the bat, I cheered for them and their perseverance, determined to survive with the odds against them.
The story is narrated by many characters in the novel, including Kristen, Ruby (the aunt) and Boyd (the biological father) as well as some others. This helps provide an array of viewpoints, although there are a few characters among the many that are similar and take some concentration to differentiate.
Brennan's novel ends satisfyingly, after chapters of ice-cold action and drama, and overall, North is an entertaining read. I wanted more of the backstory, which was glossed over to get to the wintry survival plot, but Brennan provided enough taut suspense that I wanted to keep reading!
July 10, 2023
This was my first book by Allison Brennan and it was a wild ride! The story takes place in Montana, mostly in the wilderness near Big Sky. It features a man on the run with two children: a 16-year-old girl and a 10-year old boy who is deaf. Why are they on the run? Apparently, the man kidnapped them for their own good, five years before and their father has finally located their whereabouts. They’ve been living in Montana and they love Tony and call him “dad.” Their actual father and grandmother are the leaders of an organized crime family. The action basically doesn’t stop! There’s a long cat-and-mouse sequence in a snowstorm that was a page-turner. In addition to the children’s father, it seems other people are also after them, which complicates things significantly. There’s even a moose encounter along the way.
We meet some great characters, including Boyd, the father, who is not a cookie-cutter bad guy. There are lots of shades of grey in this story! We also meet their aunt, Ruby, who has disassociated herself from the crime family and also from the children, for their own safety. She’s a multi-faceted character with lots of skills from having served in the army for several years. One person without any shades of grey is the grandmother, though. She’s a piece of work!
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. However, the audiobook’s narrator was WAY too slow, so I had to speed it up quite a bit to be able to listen. (Since this was an advance copy, maybe this problem has been taken care of, for the final version.)
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
We meet some great characters, including Boyd, the father, who is not a cookie-cutter bad guy. There are lots of shades of grey in this story! We also meet their aunt, Ruby, who has disassociated herself from the crime family and also from the children, for their own safety. She’s a multi-faceted character with lots of skills from having served in the army for several years. One person without any shades of grey is the grandmother, though. She’s a piece of work!
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. However, the audiobook’s narrator was WAY too slow, so I had to speed it up quite a bit to be able to listen. (Since this was an advance copy, maybe this problem has been taken care of, for the final version.)
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2023
Grab a cup of hot chocolate and be prepared to thank your lucky stars that you are not stranded on the side of a mountain in a horrible winter storm. "North of Nowhere" is a fast paced thriller set in the rugged winter landscape of Montana. Sixteen year old Kristen and her deaf younger brother Ryan are on the run from their biological father. Their family is dangerous and involved in shady business. Kristen and Ryan left 5 years ago after their mother was killed with a trusted family friend. They have been on the run until their father finally caught up with them. Now after trying to run away they have to use all their skills to survive in brutal conditions.
The novel was filled with excellent action and the reader was left guessing as to what would happen. The chapters switched to different character points of views so there were cliff hangers which made me want to keep reading. I thought this was an excellent thriller!! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a good story filled with action and adventure.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
The novel was filled with excellent action and the reader was left guessing as to what would happen. The chapters switched to different character points of views so there were cliff hangers which made me want to keep reading. I thought this was an excellent thriller!! I would highly recommend for anyone looking for a good story filled with action and adventure.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 17, 2023
Okay, so I have to say that this book kind of drove me crazy. The plot was good. A couple of the characters were great. For some reason, it just didn’t hit for me and I think there are a few reasons why, mostly that I like psychological thrillers more than action thrillers. The book definitely has an audience, but it wasn’t totally me.
Loooooong story short, five years ago, two children named Kristen and Ryan ran away to live with a man named Tony. They lived/hid in Montana, working for a man named Nick, and his son, Jason. They think of Tony as their father; their mother is dead, their biological father is a criminal and their grandmother makes their father look like a saint. Then one day, they are found…and into a blizzard they run. Since this wasn’t really the book for me, I’ll go with what I liked and didn’t.
Cons:
-There were SO MANY CHARACTERS, especially for a story written about people in the middle of nowhere … it’s set during a major storm in one of the most remote states in the country, but somehow about 30 people are involved, all with their own agendas.
-This was a slow burn, of which historically, I’m not a fan.
-The action/crime part of this was huge, when I’d rather have focused more on the core characters.
Pros:
-I thought Kristen, Tony and Nick were fantastic characters.
-The ending was good.
-The writing was good, and I liked the backdrop of a winter storm in Montana.
Overall this was a bit slow and a bit too “action-story” for me, but it was still a decent book, and if you like thriller books about criminal organizations/families, you’ll probably enjoy it! Three stars.
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, Allison Brennan, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Loooooong story short, five years ago, two children named Kristen and Ryan ran away to live with a man named Tony. They lived/hid in Montana, working for a man named Nick, and his son, Jason. They think of Tony as their father; their mother is dead, their biological father is a criminal and their grandmother makes their father look like a saint. Then one day, they are found…and into a blizzard they run. Since this wasn’t really the book for me, I’ll go with what I liked and didn’t.
Cons:
-There were SO MANY CHARACTERS, especially for a story written about people in the middle of nowhere … it’s set during a major storm in one of the most remote states in the country, but somehow about 30 people are involved, all with their own agendas.
-This was a slow burn, of which historically, I’m not a fan.
-The action/crime part of this was huge, when I’d rather have focused more on the core characters.
Pros:
-I thought Kristen, Tony and Nick were fantastic characters.
-The ending was good.
-The writing was good, and I liked the backdrop of a winter storm in Montana.
Overall this was a bit slow and a bit too “action-story” for me, but it was still a decent book, and if you like thriller books about criminal organizations/families, you’ll probably enjoy it! Three stars.
(Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, Allison Brennan, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
February 3, 2024
Author Brennan is one of the authors i turn to, when i want to leave the romance and heavy thriller for a breath of fresh air.
North of Nowhere lived up to why i love her; the book grabs you from the beginning and doesnt let go, i hope Ms Brennan considers a prequel to this book, would love to know how certain relationships came about especially btw Tony and the Mrs 😉. Dont want to spoil it for people who havent read the book.
We meet a family on a run in a blizzard; time only tells who lives to keep holding on their secrets 🤫
Solid 4 stars!!!!
North of Nowhere lived up to why i love her; the book grabs you from the beginning and doesnt let go, i hope Ms Brennan considers a prequel to this book, would love to know how certain relationships came about especially btw Tony and the Mrs 😉. Dont want to spoil it for people who havent read the book.
We meet a family on a run in a blizzard; time only tells who lives to keep holding on their secrets 🤫
Solid 4 stars!!!!
August 29, 2023
How could they have found us after five years...we were well hidden.
Tony knew it was time to run when he saw two strangers at the bottom of his driveway.
Boyd had found them.
Boyd was the father of Kristen and Ryan.
Tony took them from him because of the business Boyd was in.
Tony didn't want them growing up in that family.
NORTH OF NOWHERE takes us on a chase to find Kristen and Ryan with both the good guys and the bad guys in pursuit.
A lot of obstacles get in everyone's way - specifically the snow storm.
Was Tony right in taking the children in the first place? Boyd doesn't think so.
Who will get to the children first?
Will everyone survive?
Lots of characters to keep straight in this thriller with quite a bit of violence and a book that took a few chapters to get me interested.
But...it is worth the read. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Tony knew it was time to run when he saw two strangers at the bottom of his driveway.
Boyd had found them.
Boyd was the father of Kristen and Ryan.
Tony took them from him because of the business Boyd was in.
Tony didn't want them growing up in that family.
NORTH OF NOWHERE takes us on a chase to find Kristen and Ryan with both the good guys and the bad guys in pursuit.
A lot of obstacles get in everyone's way - specifically the snow storm.
Was Tony right in taking the children in the first place? Boyd doesn't think so.
Who will get to the children first?
Will everyone survive?
Lots of characters to keep straight in this thriller with quite a bit of violence and a book that took a few chapters to get me interested.
But...it is worth the read. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
August 15, 2023
Sixteen-year-old Kristen and eleven-year-old Ryan escaped their criminal family with their godfather, Tony, five years ago. Since then, they’ve been living under the radar, Tony posing as their dad. Tony’s prepared for them to run if they’re discovered and has all the plans in place. Unfortunately, Tony spots the bad guys with little time to spare and with a wicked blizzard on route.
They end up crashing the small plane in the Montana wilderness and must hike out to their safe house. The bad guys are in pursuit, but there are a few good people out to help them: their aunt Ruby, a former marine and tough lady ready to risk it all for them, Nick Lorenzo, owner of Triple Pine Ranch and Tony’s employer/friend, and Sheriff Kate Paxton. These people had big hearts and couldn’t be bought by Kristen’s criminal family.
North of Nowhere started off with a bang and was action-packed all the way through! I was on the edge of my seat! I needed to know these kids would be safe! Being lost in the Montana wilderness as a terrible blizzard beats down on them was intense, but they were being pursued by hired gunmen and their father, a criminal and murderer on top of everything else. Even worse in my opinion was their evil grandmother! The thought of Kristen and Ryan back with her sent terror into my heart!
I admired Kristen, being tough and determined at such a young age. She cared about her brother so much. Ryan was a sweet, smart kid with a hearing impairment that didn’t seem to hold him back. I rooted for Kristen and Ryan, and I was happy they had good people on their side!
I’m a big fan of Allison Brennan’s mystery/thrillers and this stand-alone did not disappoint! It was the perfect combo of action, suspense, and likeable characters. Also, more than a few unlikable characters! North of Nowhere was one heck of a page-turner!
I alternately read an e-copy and listened to the audio version. I highly recommend either format! Eliza Foss’s performance was excellent! I’ve enjoyed her performance in the past, most notably narrating Allison Brennan’s Max Revere series. I love her rich voice! I listened to my usual 1.5x normal speed and sometimes a little higher when things got intense.
A copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
They end up crashing the small plane in the Montana wilderness and must hike out to their safe house. The bad guys are in pursuit, but there are a few good people out to help them: their aunt Ruby, a former marine and tough lady ready to risk it all for them, Nick Lorenzo, owner of Triple Pine Ranch and Tony’s employer/friend, and Sheriff Kate Paxton. These people had big hearts and couldn’t be bought by Kristen’s criminal family.
North of Nowhere started off with a bang and was action-packed all the way through! I was on the edge of my seat! I needed to know these kids would be safe! Being lost in the Montana wilderness as a terrible blizzard beats down on them was intense, but they were being pursued by hired gunmen and their father, a criminal and murderer on top of everything else. Even worse in my opinion was their evil grandmother! The thought of Kristen and Ryan back with her sent terror into my heart!
I admired Kristen, being tough and determined at such a young age. She cared about her brother so much. Ryan was a sweet, smart kid with a hearing impairment that didn’t seem to hold him back. I rooted for Kristen and Ryan, and I was happy they had good people on their side!
I’m a big fan of Allison Brennan’s mystery/thrillers and this stand-alone did not disappoint! It was the perfect combo of action, suspense, and likeable characters. Also, more than a few unlikable characters! North of Nowhere was one heck of a page-turner!
I alternately read an e-copy and listened to the audio version. I highly recommend either format! Eliza Foss’s performance was excellent! I’ve enjoyed her performance in the past, most notably narrating Allison Brennan’s Max Revere series. I love her rich voice! I listened to my usual 1.5x normal speed and sometimes a little higher when things got intense.
A copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2023
This is the sixth Allison Brennan book that I’ve read. I like Brennan’s work; she’s a good writer and storyteller. Brennan starts the story in one of my fave ways to start a story, adrenaline pumping, at the edge of my seat, with some nail-biting feats. Yeah, scenes like that will beat any slow burn story EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
The book summary lays out the first 20% of the primary story and introduces the MC’s. What the book summary doesn’t mention is the secondary storyline of the evil grandmother, Frankie, also tracking them down, through her mob family henchmen. There are a boatload of characters that the story flips back and forth with. We have Kristen, and her aunt, Ruby. There is also Nick and his son, Jason. There is Frankie’s son, Boyd, who is Kristen & Ryan’s father, and then there is the local Sheriff, Kate Paxton.
From pretty early in the story, the two kids, Kristen & Ryan (16 & 10), are on their own and hiking their way through the mountains to a town that is a day away. There is a storm on the way so getting search and rescue out looking for them is impossible. To make matters worse, there is a boatload of people looking for them, some good, some not. Most of the story revolves around getting off the mountain alive. However, the danger for the kids doesn’t end there and there is a whole other danger waiting for them. There are some adrenaline pumping, intense scenes where it’s not clear who will make it out of this mess alive.
This was a fast-paced, action-packed story that had me invested from the get-go. I don’t want to say too much because I truly do not want to reveal any spoilers. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Eliza Foss, was very good. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NorthofNowhere
The book summary lays out the first 20% of the primary story and introduces the MC’s. What the book summary doesn’t mention is the secondary storyline of the evil grandmother, Frankie, also tracking them down, through her mob family henchmen. There are a boatload of characters that the story flips back and forth with. We have Kristen, and her aunt, Ruby. There is also Nick and his son, Jason. There is Frankie’s son, Boyd, who is Kristen & Ryan’s father, and then there is the local Sheriff, Kate Paxton.
From pretty early in the story, the two kids, Kristen & Ryan (16 & 10), are on their own and hiking their way through the mountains to a town that is a day away. There is a storm on the way so getting search and rescue out looking for them is impossible. To make matters worse, there is a boatload of people looking for them, some good, some not. Most of the story revolves around getting off the mountain alive. However, the danger for the kids doesn’t end there and there is a whole other danger waiting for them. There are some adrenaline pumping, intense scenes where it’s not clear who will make it out of this mess alive.
This was a fast-paced, action-packed story that had me invested from the get-go. I don’t want to say too much because I truly do not want to reveal any spoilers. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Eliza Foss, was very good. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #NorthofNowhere
August 4, 2023
For five years, a man named Tony has worked on a ranch in Montana and lived with two kids in a house rented from the boss man, Nick. They are on the run from a crime family, the kids' father and grandmother, and now Tony realizes they have been located and it's only a manner of time before they are captured. They go back on the run, heading into the mountains first by horses, then by plane, but the bad guys are not far behind and there's a blizzard is moving in. Can they make it to safety in time?
This is an edge-of-your-seat tale of survival. An action/adventure story, pitting good against evil. But as Brennan says in her Acknowledgements, at its core, it's also a tale of family, forgiveness, and hope. I enjoyed these characters, my favorite being Nick, the rancher, who is brave and honorable, and not quick to judge. The grandmother is a really evil piece of work!
This is my first taste of Allison Brennan's writing and I'll definitely look forward to reading more of her books. I received an arc of this thriller from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
This is an edge-of-your-seat tale of survival. An action/adventure story, pitting good against evil. But as Brennan says in her Acknowledgements, at its core, it's also a tale of family, forgiveness, and hope. I enjoyed these characters, my favorite being Nick, the rancher, who is brave and honorable, and not quick to judge. The grandmother is a really evil piece of work!
This is my first taste of Allison Brennan's writing and I'll definitely look forward to reading more of her books. I received an arc of this thriller from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
January 23, 2024
Kristin and Ryan McIntyre are in a fight to stay alive. They are being hunted, and the man who cared for them as if they were his own, was killed when their plane is shot down. Their father, Boyd McIntyre, who is head of a Los Angeles crime family, wants his kids back, and won't hesitate to mow down anyone in his way. The children are now deep in the Montana Wilderness, and they are struggling to stay alive, all while fighting the elements and other dangers.
One of the people looking for them is their aunt Ruby, Body's sister. She wanted absolutely nothing at all to do with the crime element that her family was so she got out by joining the Army. When a phone call alerts her that her niece and nephew are in grave danger, she will go to the ends of the earth to find them and protect them.
Meanwhile, Boyd and a tracker he has hired want the children. As far as Boyd is concerned, his children will become part of the family business. Then there is the children's grandmother, who is very dangerous in her own right.
What a thrill ride when it came to listening to this book! I was completely drawn into the drama when it came to the children, especially as Ryan is deaf, but proved to be just as strong as his sister Kristin.
Danger in the form of being hunted. And danger from a brutal snowstorm that makes things equally dangerous for Ryan and Kristin. This is a true story of survival and kept my attention throughout.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
One of the people looking for them is their aunt Ruby, Body's sister. She wanted absolutely nothing at all to do with the crime element that her family was so she got out by joining the Army. When a phone call alerts her that her niece and nephew are in grave danger, she will go to the ends of the earth to find them and protect them.
Meanwhile, Boyd and a tracker he has hired want the children. As far as Boyd is concerned, his children will become part of the family business. Then there is the children's grandmother, who is very dangerous in her own right.
What a thrill ride when it came to listening to this book! I was completely drawn into the drama when it came to the children, especially as Ryan is deaf, but proved to be just as strong as his sister Kristin.
Danger in the form of being hunted. And danger from a brutal snowstorm that makes things equally dangerous for Ryan and Kristin. This is a true story of survival and kept my attention throughout.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 24, 2024
This book is PROOF that my beloved author, Allison Brennan, is still out there!! Her most recent novels have felt like she didn’t even write them.
The acknowledgements describe the journey this story has taken. It makes me appreciate it even more than just did when I closed the book.
This is a fast paced, action packed book which made it hard to put down. I could feel the icy coldness everyone felt!
I’m so happy with this book. Thanks AB !
The acknowledgements describe the journey this story has taken. It makes me appreciate it even more than just did when I closed the book.
This is a fast paced, action packed book which made it hard to put down. I could feel the icy coldness everyone felt!
I’m so happy with this book. Thanks AB !
August 3, 2023
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Allison Brennan's North of Nowhere is allegedly a standalone thriller that takes place in Montana. 16-year-old Kristin and her 10-year old brother Ryan McIntyre, who is deaf, have been hiding away from their brutal crime family for 5 years with Tony Reed after Kristen witnessed her father killing someone, and also saw her own mother killed while trying to escape the family. The kids father, Boyd McIntyre, has been searching for the kids, and has finally found them after following the trail of Boyd's former best friend, Tony Reed, who was also his second in command.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller / Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Allison Brennan's North of Nowhere is allegedly a standalone thriller that takes place in Montana. 16-year-old Kristin and her 10-year old brother Ryan McIntyre, who is deaf, have been hiding away from their brutal crime family for 5 years with Tony Reed after Kristen witnessed her father killing someone, and also saw her own mother killed while trying to escape the family. The kids father, Boyd McIntyre, has been searching for the kids, and has finally found them after following the trail of Boyd's former best friend, Tony Reed, who was also his second in command.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
June 18, 2023
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The setting: After five years in hiding, Kristen [16] and Ryan [10] McIntyre have to flee Montana where they've been living with Tony Reed, a former family friend. Boyd McIntyre, their father, head of a Los Angeles crime family [or is the head really their grandmother, Frankie?!], has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town. Tony "borrows" a plane from his friend, Nick Lorenzo, a rancher, to try to escape pursuit. "Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them." These are but a few of the MANY characters who help set the plot in motion. An incoming storm plays another big role.
I was engaged at the start as I thought I was in for reading a promising thriller. BUT. it soon cycled downward and lost steam as I became bored with the cat and mouse game. My interest waned and never picked up again. I found it quite repetitive and no longer cared. I was never engaged. Although I liked the two children--and was rooting for them, I felt stuck in the muck of this story.
I couldn't wait to finish the book [plodded through it], so I could move on.
In the distinct minority. 2.5 and not rounding up because to me that means read. There are so many other better thrillers out there!
The setting: After five years in hiding, Kristen [16] and Ryan [10] McIntyre have to flee Montana where they've been living with Tony Reed, a former family friend. Boyd McIntyre, their father, head of a Los Angeles crime family [or is the head really their grandmother, Frankie?!], has at last tracked his kids to a small Montana town. Tony "borrows" a plane from his friend, Nick Lorenzo, a rancher, to try to escape pursuit. "Boyd’s sister Ruby left Los Angeles for the Army years ago, cutting off contact in order to help keep her niece and nephew safe and free from the horrors of the McIntyre clan. So when she gets an emergency call that the plane has gone down with the kids inside, she drops everything to try save them." These are but a few of the MANY characters who help set the plot in motion. An incoming storm plays another big role.
I was engaged at the start as I thought I was in for reading a promising thriller. BUT. it soon cycled downward and lost steam as I became bored with the cat and mouse game. My interest waned and never picked up again. I found it quite repetitive and no longer cared. I was never engaged. Although I liked the two children--and was rooting for them, I felt stuck in the muck of this story.
I couldn't wait to finish the book [plodded through it], so I could move on.
In the distinct minority. 2.5 and not rounding up because to me that means read. There are so many other better thrillers out there!
August 6, 2023
PUB DATE: 8/8/23 by Minotaur Books
PAGES: 368
RATING: 4 stars
GENRE: Suspense/Thriller
A BIG Thank you @NetGalley & @minotaurbooks for gifting me this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.
SYNOPSIS: Kristin and Ryan McIntyre, ages 16 and 11, have been in hiding for 5 years, in hopes that their father and his family don’t find them. Boyd is, after all, the head of an LA crime family and a murderer. But when it’s discovered that their father has tracked them to a small town in Montana, they are immediately on the run. After their small plane crash lands in the middle of the wilderness, and the storm begins to build, the trek for safety & survival begins, and everyone is fair game when it comes to the weather conditions & dangerous paths. A brutal, frigid snowstorm begins to brew, & natural predators aren’t on anyone’s side (not the kids’ or any of the parties trying to find them).
Will their aunt Ruby and the few townsfolk be successful in locating the kids before Boyd’s men find them? It’s anyone’s guess in this page-turning thriller!
REVIEW: This was my first book by this author, and it was unputdownable! ACTION-PACKED from the get-go and it didn’t let up until the very end! I was on the edge of my seat watching & wondering how this suspenseful story would unfold. It’s a story with incredible character-building. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller and think you will too! Be on the lookout for it Tuesday, August 8th!
Happy Reading!
PAGES: 368
RATING: 4 stars
GENRE: Suspense/Thriller
A BIG Thank you @NetGalley & @minotaurbooks for gifting me this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.
SYNOPSIS: Kristin and Ryan McIntyre, ages 16 and 11, have been in hiding for 5 years, in hopes that their father and his family don’t find them. Boyd is, after all, the head of an LA crime family and a murderer. But when it’s discovered that their father has tracked them to a small town in Montana, they are immediately on the run. After their small plane crash lands in the middle of the wilderness, and the storm begins to build, the trek for safety & survival begins, and everyone is fair game when it comes to the weather conditions & dangerous paths. A brutal, frigid snowstorm begins to brew, & natural predators aren’t on anyone’s side (not the kids’ or any of the parties trying to find them).
Will their aunt Ruby and the few townsfolk be successful in locating the kids before Boyd’s men find them? It’s anyone’s guess in this page-turning thriller!
REVIEW: This was my first book by this author, and it was unputdownable! ACTION-PACKED from the get-go and it didn’t let up until the very end! I was on the edge of my seat watching & wondering how this suspenseful story would unfold. It’s a story with incredible character-building. I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller and think you will too! Be on the lookout for it Tuesday, August 8th!
Happy Reading!
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