From the internationally bestselling author of In an Instant and Hadley & Grace comes Two Good Men, a searing drama about two men on a quest for justice—from opposite sides of the law.
Dick Raynes feared this day would come. Otis Parsons, a violent felon, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister, Dee, is the one who helped put him there. Dick’s marriage is over, and his career is in shambles, so with nothing to lose, he sets out to do whatever it takes to keep Dee and her son safe. But Otis is just the beginning. Using his knowledge as a scientist to develop a formula able to predict those offenders most likely to strike again, he sets out to protect future victims the law is powerless to defend.
FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against those who have paid their dues for past mistakes, running a department he created after his son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person. Recognizing a disturbing pattern of untimely deaths in recently released felons, he sets out to discover who’s behind it. What he doesn’t expect is to find another chance at love—with the sister of the man he is chasing.
Dick’s sense of right and wrong is tested as he pursues and neutralizes the most dangerous threats, while Steve makes it his mission to stop this vigilante serial killer before he is labeled a hero. Both men pursue a noble cause, but only one can prevail.
Suzanne Redfearn (S.E. Redfearn) is the award-winning and Amazon #1 bestselling author of seven novels: Two Good Men, Where Butterflies Wander, Moment in Time, Hadley & Grace, In an Instant, No Ordinary Life, and Hush Little Baby. Her books have been translated into twenty-five different languages and have been recognized by Goodreads Choice Awards, Best Book Awards, RT Reviews, Target Recommends, Publisher’s Marketplace, and Kirkus Reviews.
In addition to being an author, Suzanne is also an architect. She currently lives in Laguna Beach California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza & Beer.
Completely different from the heartbreaking “In an Instant” and the comedic “”Hadley and Grace”, the latest from S. E. Redfearn, (Suzanne Redfearn) is darker than previous work, and one of the better thrillers that I have read this year!
Otis Parsons, a violent pedophile, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister Dee is the one who helped put him behind bars. He has written Dee a letter, telling her how much he is looking forward to meeting her 11 year old son, Jesse, and now he has moved back into his family home-just two doors down.
Her brother, Dick Raynes, is a scientist who has developed a formula which is able to predict which pedophiles have the traits in common which make them most likely strike again, and the numbers are staggering.
It could be as high as 86%.
He isn’t about to let Jesse become another statistic so he does what the law is unable to do, and protects his family.
FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against sex offenders, running a department that he personally created after his own son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person.
Because of this, he believes that our laws are founded on the principle of “presumed innocence” allowing forgiveness for past mistakes even though these same laws also leave us vulnerable. Civilians and Cops cannot be permitted to take justice into their own hands, because if there are no checks and balances, we would become a mutinous, violent society ruled by prejudice, assumption and fear.
When he follows up on the reported death of Otis Parsons, he meets Dee-and it’s practically “love at first sight”. So, his sense of right and wrong will be challenged when his suspicions lead him straight to her brother.
It’s a conundrum-and there is no good answer, especially when he learns that for some reason, Dick didn’t just stop with Otis.
TWO GOOD MEN-with differing beliefs and one woman in common.
This is a unique, thought provoking story that I really enjoyed from beginning to end, and it’s one which may have you pondering how you would feel if you were Steve, and alternately, if you were Dick.
It was interesting to learn from the authors note at the end of the book, that this was actually the second novel she wrote, but never published and it’s original name was “Average Dick” which she now admits was a terrible name. ☺️
I am definitely recommending this one! Available Now!
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to watch for her review to see if she is recommending this as well!
Thank You to Blackstone Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Two Good Men by S.E. Redfearn is a suspenseful thriller featuring two men seeking justice from opposite sides of the law. Doctor Richard Raynes gets a call from his sister Denise. A man she testified against has been released from prison. He’s threatened her son, Jesse, and lives in their neighborhood. Raynes will do whatever it takes to protect them. However, he quickly learns that Otis Parsons is just the beginning. Many child abusers will repeat their offenses within five years. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against these same offenders.
The characters are well-defined and have depth. Both men have a strong sense of right and wrong that will be tested as the story unfolds. Raynes is a chemist who has panic attacks and is good at methodical research and analytical thinking. His life is a mess. Patterson comes across as low-key and unassuming. However, there is an inner strength that shows during conflicts. He’s also a great investigator. Both men have strengths and vulnerabilities and are determined that justice prevail.
Quickly hooking me, the storyline gripped me and kept me engaged throughout the novel. The deeply involved plot is absorbing, thought-provoking, and heartrending. The characters felt real and emotionally rich making it easy to connect with both main characters. Readers get excellent insight into their thoughts and behaviors. Both want to make the world a safer place, but with different paths. This story makes you commiserate with the characters as their actions unfold and their struggles are revealed.
This novel shines a light on the law enforcement and shows times when the justice system fails to protect innocents. It also highlights the pitfalls of rogue justice. The gripping narrative gave excellent insight into the challenges the police and secondary characters faced. It’s heartbreaking at times, and riveting throughout. Additionally, it’s full of suspenseful moments that caused me to rapidly advance through the book. It incorporates a real-world issue and looks at it from two different perspectives. The relationship aspects of the story balance the shocking and disturbing aspects. I wasn’t expecting the tension-filled ending scenario.
Overall, this was an intense and engaging thriller that looks at justice from two different perspectives. Exceptional characters, intense and emotional events, and multiple conflicts kept me rapidly turning the pages. The story exceeded my expectations. If you enjoy crime thrillers, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next.
Blackstone Publishing and S, E. Redfearn provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 08, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------- My 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
A deft mix of chilling psychological suspense and thought-provoking drama, Two Good Men had me reevaluating right versus wrong, justice versus revenge, and good versus evil. A trigger heavy premise, it nevertheless was far from graphic—even if the topic itself was hard to stomach at times. And within this slow burn game of cat-and-mouse, I was quickly absorbed by the moral debate that this heartrending tale shrewdly brought to light. When the law is incapable of protecting the innocent, what is to be done? And is the answer obvious, or is there a whole assortment of shades of gray?
The shining stars in this intoxicating read, however, were easily the characters. Well-developed, nuanced, and with clear cut identities, the two primary POVs were beyond true-to-life—they walked right off of the page. With seemingly strong ethical codes and brilliant character arcs, their individual journeys quickly pulled me deep. What Dick and Steve illustrated the best, though, were the opposing viewpoints for some troubling real-world concerns. And by the end of the book, they had me questioning my own thoughts and beliefs. Who was right? Who was wrong? Or could it ever truly be as black and white as I original thought?
All said and done, Ms. Redfearn managed to deliver an intense, compelling story with short addictive chapters, emotionally rich characters, and plenty of surprises. Was it as action-packed and propulsive as I was expecting? No, not really. At the same time, however, the pacing felt fitting as the well-plotted storyline unfurled smoothly before me. Poignant and gritty, it definitely made me think. This alone would make it perfect for any book club’s monthly selection. After all, from the ratcheting suspense to the questions it raised, there simply wasn’t much missing from these finely tuned pages. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dick Raynes feared this day would come. Otis Parsons, a violent felon, has been released from prison, and Dick’s sister, Dee, is the one who helped put him there. Dick’s marriage is over, and his career is in shambles, so with nothing to lose, he sets out to do whatever it takes to keep Dee and her son safe. But Otis is just the beginning. Using his knowledge as a scientist to develop a formula able to predict those offenders most likely to strike again, he sets out to protect future victims the law is powerless to defend.
FBI agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against those who have paid their dues for past mistakes, running a department he created after his son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person. Recognizing a disturbing pattern of untimely deaths in recently released felons, he sets out to discover who’s behind it. What he doesn’t expect is to find another chance at love—with the sister of the man he is chasing.
Dick’s sense of right and wrong is tested as he pursues and neutralizes the most dangerous threats, while Steve makes it his mission to stop this vigilante serial killer before he is labeled a hero. Both men pursue a noble cause, but only one can prevail.
Thank you to S.E. Redfearn and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Gripping, thought provoking, intense, and hard to put down, Two Good Men is another great book by S.E. Redfearn. This book has many characters but centers on two men, who have their own choices, motivations, actions, and judgement calls. One takes matters into his own hands while the other is doing his job following the law. Both men have their own personal reasons for what they do. One man is protecting loved ones, the other lost a child due to vigilante targeting the wrong person. Both men believe in doing the right thing....
Dick's marriage is over and his job as a scientist has hit some bumps in the road. When his sister, Dee informs him that Otis, a pedophile that she helped put away has been released, and living near her and her son, he vows to protect them. Dick has been working on a formula which predicts recidivism in violent sex offenders, and he knows how high the risk is and what is at stake.
Steve Patterson is an FBI agent whose job is to investigate crimes against sex offenders. When he notices a pattern of their deaths, he begins to investigate. Little does he know that his investigation will take him....
I loved how both Dick and Steve are in fact, good men. Their personal reasons for what they do is strong and compelling. Both are doing what he feels is right. I loved how thought provoking this book became. What are you willing to do to protect those you love? How thin is the line between right and wrong? Is vigilantism the way?
The plot of this book may not be an easy read for some as it deals with pedophiles, justice, revenge, trauma, etc. But nothing is depicted in detail. I love the moral and ethical questions that this book brings up. I think this would be an excellent book club books as there is a lot to discuss. Both men are wonderfully drawn and fleshed out. Both men are likeable, intelligent, dedicated, and it is easy to understand their motivations and actions.
I enjoyed the writing, the pacing, the characters, and the questions that arose while reading. This book had a nice blend of tension, mystery, suspense, drama, tension, and the relationships between the characters.
I enjoyed the author's note and encourage everyone read it. I enjoyed the author's first name for the book and chuckled a little while reading that part.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh Mylanta! This story is one that grips you from the very beginning! When I read the premise I felt it was written for me!
The book centers around two men who are fighting for the very things they hold dear. Their family. Otis Parsons is released early on parole from prison after serving time for the rape and molestation of a boy. Otis moves right back into the home where everything occurred.
Dee and her son Jesse live on the same street and realize with Otis out, Jesse is in great danger. Dick is Dee’s brother and will do anything to protect the both of them.
Enter Steve, the FBI agent who inspects crimes against sex offenders. Dick and Steve become quite the cat and mouse game. The hunt is on!!!!
As a survivor myself I could root for justice and not feel a bit of guilt for it!!! You will question your morality. Let me ask you this….. if someone raped your child would you be willing to kill them?????
I loved this so much and hope it becomes a series! 4.5 ⭐️
Trigger warnings galore!!! The review should say it all.
This scintillating tale of two men pursuing justice from opposite sides of the law was riveting, compelling, compulsive, and powerful.
It was also intricately plotted, unpredictable, and unputdownable.
And, finally, it was emotionally jolting.
Talented author Suzanne Redfearn wowed me with "In An Instant" and she's done it again.
In her Author's Note, Redfearn reveals this book was her second book penned and had been written many years ago.
I listened to the audiobook read by Curt Bonnem.
Although Bonnem did a superb job with the narration, "Two Good Men" would have benefited from "two good male narrators" since the book unfolded from two male POVs.
Dick is determined to protect his sister Dee and nephew Jesse from Otis, the pedophile who was paroled and lives next door to his family. Dick is a brilliant scientist but otherwise is a bit of a loser. Feeling he has no choice, he takes matters into his own hands. In the process, he develops a formula identifying potential repeat offenders; this leads him down a rabbit hole of vigilantism and he begins to change as a result. Due to a tragic incident involving his son’s wrongful death, Steve, an FBI agent, protects the rights of sex offenders who have served their time. These two men, both intent on serving justice from opposite sides of the law are about to go head to head…
The very definition of hard to put down, I stayed up WAAAAY too late reading! This suspenseful fast-paced thriller had me completely RIVETED from start to finish. The tension was palpable, as each decision made by Dick AND Steve brought with it a cascade of consequences. S.E. Redfearn handles the horrific subject of sex offenses against children with care. Crimes are mentioned but there are no graphic details. Still, what IS mentioned was enough to make me furious and Dick entirely relatable! Dick and Steve are equally compelling characters of immense depth as they each find themselves questioning their beliefs and convictions. Adding fuel to the fire, Dee and Steve are drawn to each other and begin a relationship which further complicates matters.
S.E. Redfearn has brilliantly written a taut thriller with layers of soul searching complexity and heart. This crackling story is everything I love about crime fiction! It holds you tight and doesn’t let go, while simultaneously plunging you into thought provoking moral dilemmas. TWO GOOD MEN burns with righteous justice and simmers with visceral intensity. Who doesn’t love a good vigilante story?! ____
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for my gifted copy. All opinions are mine. _____
Dick works at Pentco Pharmaceuticals as a chemist. His marriage is over and his career is a mess. When his sister Dee calls for a solution regarding Otis’s release Dick takes on a new purpose in life. Otis is a convicted sex offender who lives next door to Dee and her eleven year old son Jesse. Fearing for their safety Dick formulates a plan of action. … FBI Agent Steve Patterson investigates crimes against sex offenders. When sex offenders are released from prison they need a place to live except most people don’t want them living in their neighborhoods. It’s stands to reason that someone would purposely target them. It’s Steve’s job to make sure any injustice against them is investigated. … Dee lived across the street from a sex offender. After he was found dead Agent Steve Patterson showed up to investigate. Dee was first to be questioned. Steve got more than just answers to his questions. A little mixing of business with pleasure never hurt anyone unless you date the sister of the guy you believe is killing sex offenders. … It’s a story about fighting for justice. One good man doing what he believes to be a good deed. An agent protecting sex offenders who are reformed back into society doing his good deed. It’s an interesting topic. One that is thought provoking and one to cause quite an argumentative discussion about. It’s that morally grey area that really begins to create that thought provoking debate. … This right here is why I enjoy reading Ms. Redfearn’s books. The writing is sensationally informative and thought provoking and on point. Sure this was a controversial topic, yet a necessary debate to be discussed. I enjoyed reading about both sides of the work being done by both good guys. Good writing skills gets readers thinking and that’s what makes this an excellent book. This was a well thought out and executed story.
Two Good Men by SE Redfearn. Thanks to the author and @blackstonepublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two very different men, fighting different causes, both seen as good men, but only one can prevail.
This was a very unique thriller that tests the boundaries of right and wrong. It shows morality is not always black or white. It reminded me of Breaking Bad with this, as well as the family ties. It is fast paced, suspenseful, and reads very fast.
“Redemption and second chances, it’s what the country is founded on.”
My heart was thumping, my pulse was pounding as I read this thought-provoking, gripping book! Forget everything you’ve read about heroes, about good guys and bad guys—this book muddies all those ideas up, giving us grey areas I had never considered. Dick and Steve each walked a fine line between good and evil, right and wrong, in this chilling novel. Each of the men are on a quest for justice, but which one will prevail? Two Good Men is a novel that will shock you, a novel that will make you reconsider your own feelings about right and wrong, good and evil, Trigger warning: this book deals with sexual predators and the crimes perpetrated on their victims. I received and advance reader copy of this novel.
This author has done it again. I've read several of her books before and they were so good. Way different than this one but every bit as good. This is an edge of your seat story of what horrible things can be done. What some people do to children. What one man did to try and help. What another did in the name of justice. Or maybe didn't do....
The main character is Dick. Richard Raynes. His sister and nephew are two of the most important people in his life. Along with his two children. When a man named Otis is released from prison after serving for the rape of two young boys Dick's sister Dee is worried. Otis has promised to seek revenge for her testimony that helped send him away. When Otis turns up dead questions are asked. Not by local police but by an FBI agent by the name of Steve Patterson. He believes that he is doing the right thing by investigating Otis's suspicious death. He never expected Dee. And Dee's son Jesse. He didn't expect the feelings he was going to feel.
Dick is a Dr. A doctor of science or chemist. He has worked hard but ultimately made a few mistakes that may hinder his job. He is working on a cure for allergies. He also believes that children should be taken care of. Not used by pedofiles. Dick is a very smart man. Recently divorced, two and a half years. He loves his children and he wants a safe world for them and his nephew. What will he do to ensure that they are safe. What will he do to make life easier for any child he may know is in danger. And what will he do about Steve. Dee is falling for Steve and Dick wants her to be happy. But will she be happy with Steve?
This book is about a horrible thing. About the things that make some human's the worse scum ever. How can anyone want to hurt children. To take away their innocence. To ruin their futures. If you could stop these men would you? I would. No one should he allowed to run free if they desire a child. If they are capable of inflicting pain on an innocent child. If they desire a child they need to be taken care of. That is my opinion and nothing or no one will ever change my mind.
It's a dark read. It's a hard one. But it's written in a way that keeps you turning the pages until the very ending. This author makes you feel like you are there...
Thank you #NetGalley, #BlackstonePublishing, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
Wow! Well, this was very different!! Very original!!
And, from the authors note at the end, it was her second novel…just renamed, and I guess re-worked! But, phenomenal! (And I see that she now has seven under her belt!) I’ll definitely be looking 👀 for more from her!!
Meet Dick. He’s a middle aged, working class, kind of guy. He’s also a scientist. And if his original breakthrough had taken off like he thought it would, well, he’d be a very wealthy man…
Meet Dee. She’s Dick’s sister. She has an 11 year old son (Jesse) who is precious to her…and her brother. The three of them are very close.
Meet Otis. A pedofile. He’s in jail for raping kids…young boys… and Dee is the one who put him there. He’s written to her from jail, telling her that he can’t wait to see her, and her son, when he gets out. 😮🫣 (This is where I’d be looking to get a gun permit…)
And lastly, meet Steve. He’s FBI. He lost his son at a young age, after mistakenly being thought of as someone else. His mission in life now is to try to protect, basically the scum of the earth, those who prey on and abuse young children…
That’s all I’m giving! If you think it sounds good, definitely pick it up! Trust me when I say this is JUST THE BEGINNING…and the spirals and u-turns it takes along the way will have your mouth hanging open… (or just dragging on the floor, like mine…)
But wow! What a gift this was! I’m not one to give out 5 stars very freely, but this one deserves every single one of them, and more!
It really makes you think. 🤔 You’ll be asking yourself…what would I do in the same situation?? And the ending?? Priceless!!
#TwoGoodMen by #SuzanneRedfearn (#SERedfearn) and narrated beautifully by #CurtBonnem.
5+ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨ for me!!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BlackstonePublishingAudiobooks for an ARC of this one that was recently released, and I was lucky enough to receive a copy of, yesterday!! Look 👀 for it on shelves NOW!!
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads, Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Known for her poignant stories (No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, Where Butterflies Wander ..), author Suzanne Redfearn is branching out into intense thriller territory in her latest book and does so with great success.
Two Good Men is a dark, fast-paced read about two men who are on a quest for justice, each coming from different sides of the law - one an FBI agent and the other a vigilante.
FBI agent Steve Patterson's job is to investigate crimes committed against sex offenders after they've done their time, a niche job developed for him that isn't well received by the public or child victims' families.
Dick Raynes is a chemist at a pharmaceutical company whose life is mess. When his sister Dee calls him frantic that their neighbour Otis, a convicted pedophile, who has taunted Dee and her 11-year-old son in the past, has been released, her brother comes to their aid. Dick uses his skills as a chemist to determine the risk of recidivism in recently released sex offenders and then acts on his findings. Steve and Dick's lives suddenly intertwine and are connected by their commitment to protect those who are vulnerable.
This is a thought-provoking story that tackles different viewpoints of criminal justice and while the story deals with child sexual abuse, Redfearn handles the seriousness of the crimes without being gratuitous. Told with short chapters, this cat-and-mouse story has many layers and is filled with moral implications and will provide readers with fodder for book discussion.
Redfearn pulled this book from the vault as it was the second book she had ever written, and I hope she continues to write within a variety of genres.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
Everything I’ve read by this author has me riveted to the pages and this is no exception! This book is a slight deviation from her previous novels in that it has a crime novel feel rather than a women’s fiction theme. A very aptly title as well telling the store of two men - one a man determined to try to write the wrongs of the judicial system and the other a policeman who is also trying to correct the process of people who become vigilantes. Yep men with a similar goal in mind but going about it in a different way!
This was a slow burn until it reached the point that I couldn’t stop until I finished! I hope the author continues with this genre and we see more in the future - highly recommend - 5 Stars ⭐️
TWO GOOD MEN was an INTERESTING THRILLER that comes out OCTOBER 8, 2024! Thank you to S.E. Redfearn and Blackstone Publishing for sending me an ARC before it’s release! The story basically sums up as a thriller drama about two men on a quest for justice, from opposite sides of the law. It’s an easy read with very quick chapters and is unputdownable! Recommend to read when it releases this OCTOBER!
This concept has SO much potential and I was ready to love it from the jump. But between the weird age gap, the undercurrent of homophobia and misogyny, the characters I couldn’t root for and the need for a decent editor, Two Good Men fell far too short of its potential. I believe the author herself (S. E. Redfearn) shows some promise, but, again, an attentive and blunt editor was sorely needed. Redfearn needs to up the stakes for this to even fit into the “thriller” genre. I was not thrilled; I was let down. At no point did I care or feel nervous for the two main characters (or anyone else for that matter, as it was pretty clear what was going to happen at every stage of the novel). Each character needed more than a simple, stereotypical personality, every detail, down to the “discussion questions” at the very end, were dry as hell, and finally, for the love of god, a little diversity couldn’t hurt. Save yourself the time, trouble, and money; don’t invest in this book.
I love Suzanne Redfearn's books so I couldn't wait to read this book. Her style of writing is so easy for me to read and it flows nicely. In Two Good Men, we have two men each on different sides of the law. Steve is an FBI agent hired to protect the lives of convicted sex offenders after they are released from prison and have served their time. Dick is a research scientist who kills Otis, a violent pedophile bound to attack his nephew. After he kills Otis, he does research on repeat sex offenders and turns into a vigilante out to save as many young people. Throw in a love storyline and the book gets even more interesting. I loved this book! So well written and easy to understand. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I highly recommend it.
Got this as an ARC, had I read the synopsis, I may not have read it. I'm so glad I got it though, this is one of those books that are an easy read, but very thought-provoking. I mentioned the premise of this book with my mother-in-law and will now be discussing it together when she gets to read it.
First, thank you to S.E. Redfearn for the copy of her new thriller. I have enjoyed this author's previous works, which tend to be emotional, heartfelt stories. When I first read the synopsis I was interested yet a little nervous about the content as Two Good Men centers on pedophiles/rapist who have been released from prison and the two men who find themselves on different ends of morality. One becomes a vigilante who takes matters into his own hands to protect his family and others from repeat offenders, whereas the other is an FBI agent who deals with crimes against sex offenders. I was thankful that when it came to the sex crimes, there weren't expliciit details. I also found myself constantly thinking about the moral conundrum of the plot. This also had me wondering how I actually felt about the book itself. The chapters are short, and the writing is engaging so that I easily liked both men, Dick and Steve. There is another layer as Steve starts dating Dick's sister, Dee. When I got to the end, it seemed as if it was going to finish the way it had started, but I was relieved when it didn't and was more than happy with the conclusion. If you're on the fence because you are worried about content, it's focused on the two men more than the horrible acts of the sex offenders. It has Law and Order SVU vibes. I also felt that Steve gave me John Douglas vibes as well. Overall, it was an interesting departure (not really since it was the 2nd book she ever wrote)for Redfearn, and I look forward to more thrillers from her.
I REALLY liked this one. I confess it freely - I am enjoying the revenge genre, particularly in audio format. I find that listening, particularly when the narrator captures the emotional range (from the fragility of survivors and victims to the self-righteous anger and indignation of the vengeance seekers) makes for an extra satisfying experience.
Redfearn does a really fantastic job capturing the pathos of her characters, making it easy to empathize across the spectrum of human emotions represented. The pacing and characterizations are very well managed and draw the reader in from the opening pages and refuse to let go until the bitter end. It's not an easy story to listen to - there is a lot of trauma and dark violent pathology here - but it is a very rewarding one on the whole.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Suzanne Redfearn has done it again! Two Good Men sucked me in from the very beginning— captivating and engaging me! Two Good Men is a dark thriller about two men on opposite sides of the law searching for justice. Dick feels completely powerless when his sister, Dee, calls to inform him that her violent pedophile neighbor has been released from prison. Dee testified at his trial and he’s already threatened Dee’s son. With his life in shambles, Dick sets out to do whatever it takes to keep his nephew safe! On the other side of the crime, FBI agent Steve investigates crimes against sexual predators- starting the department after his own son was killed by a vigilante mother who targeted the wrong person! I loved how this book made me think. Dick and Steve are both very good men with strong motivations. This book brings up all kinds of ethical and moral questions! This would be a great book club choice! Five stars! Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of Two Good Men. This book is available now!
The tip of his cigarette glowed in the blackness of the night. It was quiet and peaceful, a far cry from the turmoil his life was spinning in. He flicked the last remnants of ashes to the ground and stubbed out the cigarette. He would wait here until the man he hunted showed.
Two Good Men follows Dick Raynes, a scientist whose life is falling apart. His career is over, his marriage is over, but one thing that keeps him fighting… keeping his sister safe when a violent criminal from her past is released from prison.
Every time Suzanne writes a book… I must read it. I’ve enjoyed everything she’s written, my favorite being Where Butterflies Wander. This thriller is a different ride from her other stories, which lean contemporary, so it was nice to see her branch into a different genre. That being said, this wasn’t a favorite, I prefer her contemporary stories. But! it was still a good read and I will continue to read Suzanne’s books.
This book deals with very dark subject matter, so please be mindful of content warnings.
CW: Death of a Loved One, Murder/Death, Pedophilia, Sexual Assault/Rape, Violence, Suicidal Ideation, Stalking, Kidnapping.
Synopsis: Dicks sister Dee helped convict a child rapist,Otis and how Otis is out of prison. Dick wants ti protect his sister and her son, and other kids. Mild mannered chemist Dick becomes a bit of a vigilante after developing a formula predicting who will offend again.
Steve is an FBI agent who investigates crimes against sex offenders. When something happens to Otis, Steve is there to investigate. And when he meets Dee it’s love at first sight.
Two good men on opposite sides of the crimes and the woman who ties them Together.
Review: this was really good! It shows not everything is black and white and it was so interesting to see what wa gonna happen next! Two men who truly are trying to do what they think is best but their goals definitely don’t align. Def and edge of your seat really fun read despite the tough topics. 100% recommend.
Absolutely LOVED this book- what a page turner! Redfearn managed to develop such complex characters that make you think for a long time even after the last page.
This is so different from anything Redfearn has written before (hence, the new pen name 😉) and I really enjoyed it! Dick was so friggin loveable. So was Dee. Albeit a little dumb. This is such a thought-provoking read that would make for a great bookclub book, full of discussion! There were some minor plot points in the story I thought "wait, was this or that wrapped up?" or "that progressed quickly" as I finished/read, but didn't bother me too much. That ending. I read the last sentence and said out loud "oh, I hate that so much" but the more I sat with it, the more I truly appreciated it. Still don't know if I liked it 😂 but it didn't take from my rating! A super fast 350 pgs and one I won't soon forget! Thank you to the author for a signed copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book focuses on 2 important moral questions. What do you do when someone is guilty of a crime, but is released early from prison and has demonstrated that he intends to harm your relative and the police does not seem able to protect that loved one. Also what do you do as a detective when you know someone is guilty of a crime, but a crime that seems justified? And the author demonstrates what potentially can happen if you take the law into your own hands. This made for an interesting read.