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Twisted Lives: A heart-pounding thrill ride with covert adventures and a jaw-dropping twist
Imagine The Fugitive meets Gone Girl.
It happens more than you might think.
One second someone’s life is totally typical,
the next it’s terribly tragic.
Everything they had,
everything they planned,
everything they were,
all of it vanishes in a flash.
Shock and sorrow leave the victim staring into tomorrow’s void, How it happened? Who did it? And why?
What would you do if you woke to find that someone had framed you for a horrible crime and the police were at your door? What if the evidence were so compelling that even you had doubts? Would you collapse? Surrender? Question your sanity? Or would you do whatever it takes to save your family?
It happens more than you might think.
One second someone’s life is totally typical,
the next it’s terribly tragic.
Everything they had,
everything they planned,
everything they were,
all of it vanishes in a flash.
Shock and sorrow leave the victim staring into tomorrow’s void, How it happened? Who did it? And why?
What would you do if you woke to find that someone had framed you for a horrible crime and the police were at your door? What if the evidence were so compelling that even you had doubts? Would you collapse? Surrender? Question your sanity? Or would you do whatever it takes to save your family?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2024
1001 people are currently reading
1237 people want to read
About the author
Tim Tigner
23 books1,052 followersTim began his career in Soviet Counterintelligence with the US Army Special Forces, the Green Berets. That was back in the Cold War days when, “We learned Russian so you didn't have to,” something he did at the Presidio of Monterey alongside Recon Marines and Navy SEALs.
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tim switched from espionage to arbitrage. Armed with a Wharton MBA rather than a Colt M16, he moved to Moscow in the midst of Perestroika. There, he led prominent multinational medical companies, worked with cosmonauts on the MIR Space Station (from Earth, alas), chaired the Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and helped write Russia’s first law on healthcare.
Moving to Brussels during the formation of the EU, Tim ran Europe, Middle East, and Africa for a Johnson & Johnson company and traveled like a character in a Robert Ludlum novel. He eventually landed in Silicon Valley, where he launched new medical technologies as a startup CEO.
In his free time, Tim has climbed the peaks of Mount Olympus, went hang gliding from the cliffs of Rio de Janeiro, and ballooned over Belgium. He earned scuba certification in Turkey, learned to ski in Slovenia, and ran the Serengeti with a Maasai warrior. He acted on stage in Portugal, taught negotiations in Germany, and chaired a healthcare conference in Holland. Tim studied psychology in France, radiology in England, and philosophy in Greece. He has enjoyed ballet at the Bolshoi, the opera on Lake Como, and the symphony in Vienna. He’s been a marathoner, paratrooper, triathlete, and yogi.
Intent on combining his creativity with his experience, Tim began writing thrillers in 1996 from an apartment overlooking Moscow’s Gorky Park. Twenty years later, his passion for creative writing continues to grow every day. His home office now overlooks a vineyard in Northern California.
Tim grew up in the Midwest, and graduated from Hanover College with a BA in Philosophy and Mathematics. After military service and work as a financial analyst and foreign-exchange trader, he earned an MBA in Finance and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the author. Tim loves to correspond with readers like you. You are welcome to reach him through Goodreads or directly at timtigner.com/contact
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, Tim switched from espionage to arbitrage. Armed with a Wharton MBA rather than a Colt M16, he moved to Moscow in the midst of Perestroika. There, he led prominent multinational medical companies, worked with cosmonauts on the MIR Space Station (from Earth, alas), chaired the Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and helped write Russia’s first law on healthcare.
Moving to Brussels during the formation of the EU, Tim ran Europe, Middle East, and Africa for a Johnson & Johnson company and traveled like a character in a Robert Ludlum novel. He eventually landed in Silicon Valley, where he launched new medical technologies as a startup CEO.
In his free time, Tim has climbed the peaks of Mount Olympus, went hang gliding from the cliffs of Rio de Janeiro, and ballooned over Belgium. He earned scuba certification in Turkey, learned to ski in Slovenia, and ran the Serengeti with a Maasai warrior. He acted on stage in Portugal, taught negotiations in Germany, and chaired a healthcare conference in Holland. Tim studied psychology in France, radiology in England, and philosophy in Greece. He has enjoyed ballet at the Bolshoi, the opera on Lake Como, and the symphony in Vienna. He’s been a marathoner, paratrooper, triathlete, and yogi.
Intent on combining his creativity with his experience, Tim began writing thrillers in 1996 from an apartment overlooking Moscow’s Gorky Park. Twenty years later, his passion for creative writing continues to grow every day. His home office now overlooks a vineyard in Northern California.
Tim grew up in the Midwest, and graduated from Hanover College with a BA in Philosophy and Mathematics. After military service and work as a financial analyst and foreign-exchange trader, he earned an MBA in Finance and an MA in International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the author. Tim loves to correspond with readers like you. You are welcome to reach him through Goodreads or directly at timtigner.com/contact
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
June 29, 2024
Imagine The Fugitive meets Presumed Innocent.
It happens more than you might think.
One second someone’s life is totally typical,
the next it’s terribly tragic.
Everything they had,
everything they planned,
everything they were,
all of it vanishes in a flash.
Shock and sorrow leave the victim staring into tomorrow’s void, wondering: How it happened? Who did it? And why?
What would you do if you woke to find that someone had framed you for a horrible crime and the police were at your door? What if the evidence were so compelling that even you had doubts? Would you collapse? Surrender? Question your sanity? Or would you do whatever it takes to save your family?
I dare you? Try and anticipate the plot twists in this story ?
A frightening and unique story... and yes "Based on a True Story"
His own story, that is correct.
A former US Army Special Forces and Green Beret, in Soviet Counter Intelligence. Tim Tigner has written the great action book series with Kyle Achilles.
This book I am sure means a lot to him, and has taken him three years to write.
A Unique, riveting thriller with a powerful last few chapters.
Four stars
It happens more than you might think.
One second someone’s life is totally typical,
the next it’s terribly tragic.
Everything they had,
everything they planned,
everything they were,
all of it vanishes in a flash.
Shock and sorrow leave the victim staring into tomorrow’s void, wondering: How it happened? Who did it? And why?
What would you do if you woke to find that someone had framed you for a horrible crime and the police were at your door? What if the evidence were so compelling that even you had doubts? Would you collapse? Surrender? Question your sanity? Or would you do whatever it takes to save your family?
I dare you? Try and anticipate the plot twists in this story ?
A frightening and unique story... and yes "Based on a True Story"
His own story, that is correct.
A former US Army Special Forces and Green Beret, in Soviet Counter Intelligence. Tim Tigner has written the great action book series with Kyle Achilles.
This book I am sure means a lot to him, and has taken him three years to write.
A Unique, riveting thriller with a powerful last few chapters.
Four stars
May 3, 2025
As l made my way through this book l came close to stopping reading a few times. But then something would happen to grab my interest.
Felix Sparks is a Federal Air Marshall with a wife he loves and 2 daughters. Starting in the very first chapter various things keep happening to or around him, it's one twist after another.
Because of the times it lost my interest l can't give it more than 3.5 stars but it's worth reading and you can make up your own mind.
Felix Sparks is a Federal Air Marshall with a wife he loves and 2 daughters. Starting in the very first chapter various things keep happening to or around him, it's one twist after another.
Because of the times it lost my interest l can't give it more than 3.5 stars but it's worth reading and you can make up your own mind.
June 24, 2024
Tigner is back!
A page turning, edge of your seat mystery thriller. Outlandish characters that weave a web of intriguing twists. Never would have guessed all the twists in this one…especially the ending. The title rang TRUE… Twisted Lives
Enjoy
A page turning, edge of your seat mystery thriller. Outlandish characters that weave a web of intriguing twists. Never would have guessed all the twists in this one…especially the ending. The title rang TRUE… Twisted Lives
Enjoy
June 25, 2024
Tigner hits it out of the park!
I admire craftsmen in every field. A great artist, a top of the line cabinet maker etc. To me, TIm Tigner is the absolute finest craftsman in the story telling field. I have read over 1,000 books since I retired. I read most of the books written by the highest rated authors and they pale compared to Tigner.
I felt that way before I read Twisted Lives.. Now I feel none if the other writers are in his league. This story will remain with me forever. A fantastic plot, the believability of the numerous twist and the writing style is so outstanding I don't have a proper word to describe it!
MAKE SURE YOU READ IT! I PROMISE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME!
I admire craftsmen in every field. A great artist, a top of the line cabinet maker etc. To me, TIm Tigner is the absolute finest craftsman in the story telling field. I have read over 1,000 books since I retired. I read most of the books written by the highest rated authors and they pale compared to Tigner.
I felt that way before I read Twisted Lives.. Now I feel none if the other writers are in his league. This story will remain with me forever. A fantastic plot, the believability of the numerous twist and the writing style is so outstanding I don't have a proper word to describe it!
MAKE SURE YOU READ IT! I PROMISE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME!
February 9, 2025
Twisted Lives by Tim Tigner is pretty highly rated here on GR. I have to confess however that I found it to be a mediocre and chaotic thriller, with rather cheesy dialogue and an unlikely plot. Supposedly the book is based on a true story, but with all of the crazy kidnappings, close escapes and plot twists in this book, one quickly comes to suspect that most of it is fiction, or maybe just confabulation.
I am not sure how I can explain the current 4.29 rating here in GR as to get there requires a rather large suspension of disbelief. So, I gotta go with a 2.5 rating which I will round up to 3 because it was kind of fun in an improbable kind of way.
I am not sure how I can explain the current 4.29 rating here in GR as to get there requires a rather large suspension of disbelief. So, I gotta go with a 2.5 rating which I will round up to 3 because it was kind of fun in an improbable kind of way.
October 28, 2024
This is bad, incredibly disappointing drivel
June 29, 2024
This is Tim Tigner’s best book to date. You are kept guessing until the last chapters to who did it. Great twists and turns. Is he guilty? Did his wife do something that triggered this? Is it the Chinese? Russian mafia? Who!? A father who will do anything to save his family. A book that is hard to put down. You want to know what will happen next.
September 30, 2025
Twists and turns for sure! Lots of far fetched happenings but very entertaining.
March 23, 2025
I had over a half-dozen of Tim Tigner’s digital novels gathering virtual dust in my Unread pile, so I thought when Twisted Lives was recently offered to me for free it was finally time to give him a go.
Although he claims that the fictional Twisted Lives was “inspired” by a true story (namely, his own), it’s advertised as “Imagine The Fugitive meets Presumed Innocent.” But his story of a man wrongfully accused of murdering his wife while he hunts for the killer is really only a retread of The Fugitive. It has none of the courtroom drama or legal sophistication of Presumed Innocent nor is it anywhere nearly as well written. But for virtually everyone on the planet who has seen either The Fugitive on television with David Janssen or the movie version with Harrison Ford, why does Tim Tigner think readers will be eager to hear him tell the same story again? Wasn’t twice enough?
The answer is yes, twice was more than enough.
In the redundant Tim Tigner retelling, Felix Sparks is the unfortunate fellow who wakes up to find his wife strangled in their bed next to him. Felix is a Federal Air Marshal and thinks he has the skills to catch the killer. The reason he needs to use those skills is because it looks like it was Felix who murdered his wife. So like Richard Kimble before him, Felix becomes a desperate fugitive from the police, determined to find his wife’s killer before the police can find him.
Despite begging a comparison to The Fugitive, this book is basically a plodding police procedural as Felix spends over 300 pages and too much of my time to finally discover whodunnit. The same can be said of the police detective in the book conducting her own plodding parallel investigation.
In an apparent attempt to add some action to the story, the book crossed from fiction into fantasy by taking a bizarre 20-chapter detour into Beijing where Federal Air Marshal Felix is forced to destroy a billionaire Chinese real estate developer. James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher combined could not have handled the job better — or more unbelievably.
Meant as praise, a number of reviewers have said the reveal of the murderer at the end of the book surprised them. But a surprise ending does not ipso facto make a good mystery. The reveal in this book is a surprise not because it’s clever but because it’s so farfetched. It’s the kind of surprise that makes you roll your eyes. Even Tim Tigner agrees, because he felt the need to add an “author’s note” at the end … trying to explain why it’s not so farfetched.
Following the reveal, the book ends with events so preposterous that even the word preposterous is not preposterous enough. Reading the final few chapters, be careful not to develop a pain in your neck from shaking your head over and over in disbelief. Especially after reading the final sentence, where Tim Tigner would have us believe that his reality is more fantastic than fantasy.
Although he claims that the fictional Twisted Lives was “inspired” by a true story (namely, his own), it’s advertised as “Imagine The Fugitive meets Presumed Innocent.” But his story of a man wrongfully accused of murdering his wife while he hunts for the killer is really only a retread of The Fugitive. It has none of the courtroom drama or legal sophistication of Presumed Innocent nor is it anywhere nearly as well written. But for virtually everyone on the planet who has seen either The Fugitive on television with David Janssen or the movie version with Harrison Ford, why does Tim Tigner think readers will be eager to hear him tell the same story again? Wasn’t twice enough?
The answer is yes, twice was more than enough.
In the redundant Tim Tigner retelling, Felix Sparks is the unfortunate fellow who wakes up to find his wife strangled in their bed next to him. Felix is a Federal Air Marshal and thinks he has the skills to catch the killer. The reason he needs to use those skills is because it looks like it was Felix who murdered his wife. So like Richard Kimble before him, Felix becomes a desperate fugitive from the police, determined to find his wife’s killer before the police can find him.
Despite begging a comparison to The Fugitive, this book is basically a plodding police procedural as Felix spends over 300 pages and too much of my time to finally discover whodunnit. The same can be said of the police detective in the book conducting her own plodding parallel investigation.
In an apparent attempt to add some action to the story, the book crossed from fiction into fantasy by taking a bizarre 20-chapter detour into Beijing where Federal Air Marshal Felix is forced to destroy a billionaire Chinese real estate developer. James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher combined could not have handled the job better — or more unbelievably.
Meant as praise, a number of reviewers have said the reveal of the murderer at the end of the book surprised them. But a surprise ending does not ipso facto make a good mystery. The reveal in this book is a surprise not because it’s clever but because it’s so farfetched. It’s the kind of surprise that makes you roll your eyes. Even Tim Tigner agrees, because he felt the need to add an “author’s note” at the end … trying to explain why it’s not so farfetched.
Following the reveal, the book ends with events so preposterous that even the word preposterous is not preposterous enough. Reading the final few chapters, be careful not to develop a pain in your neck from shaking your head over and over in disbelief. Especially after reading the final sentence, where Tim Tigner would have us believe that his reality is more fantastic than fantasy.
May 23, 2025
OMFG
This book is beyond brilliant! Without a doubt one of the best I’ve ever read! Even when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I didn’t! 10/10.
This book is beyond brilliant! Without a doubt one of the best I’ve ever read! Even when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I didn’t! 10/10.
June 26, 2024
This is one of the best whodunit books I’ve listened to in quite some time!
I always try to guess who the culprit is and many times I’m correct in my prediction. Many times I’m close but just off the mark. THIS book?! No! I was nowhere near the correct answer!
I enjoyed everything about this audiobook from the narrator to the story, the characters to the author’s note. I felt like I knew the characters personally which made it so easy to get drawn in to the story itself.
I will stop here but suffice it to say that this will be a book I listen to gain even knowing the outcome!
I always try to guess who the culprit is and many times I’m correct in my prediction. Many times I’m close but just off the mark. THIS book?! No! I was nowhere near the correct answer!
I enjoyed everything about this audiobook from the narrator to the story, the characters to the author’s note. I felt like I knew the characters personally which made it so easy to get drawn in to the story itself.
I will stop here but suffice it to say that this will be a book I listen to gain even knowing the outcome!
December 4, 2024
I don't understand all the glowing reviews.
The plot started out ridiculous but at least entertaining.
Then it spiraled into absurd.
Is the main character supposed to be a superhero? Did I inadvertently step into a Marvel comic?
We ended at absurd and implausible and why the heck did I read this?
Sorry. But, no.
The plot started out ridiculous but at least entertaining.
Then it spiraled into absurd.
Is the main character supposed to be a superhero? Did I inadvertently step into a Marvel comic?
We ended at absurd and implausible and why the heck did I read this?
Sorry. But, no.
June 25, 2025
WTF based on a true story 😱😱😱
June 29, 2024
Wow. Just wow. The reviews of this book are what enticed me to read it AND listen to it on Audible. When I was in the car, I listened. When I had any spare second, I was reading. First time reading anything by this author and I'm glad I took a chance. The book is quite detailed. Some paragraphs of overly descriptive scenarios were a slight annoyance, but the storyline, by far, outweighed that annoyance. This story is easy to follow but takes you on a journey of twists and turns readers dream about. There were several spots that I thought "whoa!". Just a great summer read. Will leave your mind reeling at the end. I highly recommend and I will certainly read more by this author.
June 29, 2024
Robert Ludlum Meets Franz Kafka
Welcome home, Tim Tigner! You’re back where you belong. After a hiatus from writing smart, outside-the-box thrillers, Twisted Lives lets us know the author has gotten his groove back. Based on a true story, the plot begins with a surrealistic nightmare and evolves into a psychological thriller that plumbs the depths of emotional torture. Every character is smoothly intelligent, the plot has more twists than a drunken rattlesnake, and the non-stop action will leave you breathless. The author’s last book (a memoir) was titled What New Hell Next? and it perfectly describes this book as well. Tim Tigner never disappoints..
Welcome home, Tim Tigner! You’re back where you belong. After a hiatus from writing smart, outside-the-box thrillers, Twisted Lives lets us know the author has gotten his groove back. Based on a true story, the plot begins with a surrealistic nightmare and evolves into a psychological thriller that plumbs the depths of emotional torture. Every character is smoothly intelligent, the plot has more twists than a drunken rattlesnake, and the non-stop action will leave you breathless. The author’s last book (a memoir) was titled What New Hell Next? and it perfectly describes this book as well. Tim Tigner never disappoints..
January 31, 2025
The fact that this book was inspired by true events in the authors life definitely helped to peak my interest though after finishing the book I realized that the it is VERY loosely based. The book is full of action. It held my interest and managed to keep me engaged. Most of it is a mad dash to solve Tanya’s murder and clear Felix’s name. There were lots of twists and turns. When the killer was finally revealed it was a total surprise. Overall this book was a fast and entertaining read, just be prepared to suspend your air of disbelief when it comes to the more extreme aspects of the story. 3.5 stars
June 24, 2024
Plan on staying up all night!
Tim Tigner is without peer. This book is exceptionally well done. It grabs you and doesn’t let go. His three year investment in writing it was time very well spent. It feels marinated. I hope I don’t have to wait three years for the next one! Kudos to you Tim.
Tim Tigner is without peer. This book is exceptionally well done. It grabs you and doesn’t let go. His three year investment in writing it was time very well spent. It feels marinated. I hope I don’t have to wait three years for the next one! Kudos to you Tim.
Read
March 1, 2025I have very mixed experience with Tim Tigner books. The first one I read Stolen Thoughts, I gave 5 stars. The second, The Price of Time, I gave 3 stars. This one I did not finish. The longer I read the less credible it got. Just not very believable in so many ways. I won't rate it because I gave up at about 20%.
June 24, 2024
Twisted storyline all the way throughout.
Who would have thought the villain struck so close to home. The characters were great. The plot twists were intriguing and kept you turning the pages, never wanting to put it down.
Who would have thought the villain struck so close to home. The characters were great. The plot twists were intriguing and kept you turning the pages, never wanting to put it down.
July 7, 2024
One of my favorite storytellers !!
Thank you for keeping me entertained during this heatwave in PNW! I appreciate the in-depth character development, which is everything for me. I enjoy your work very much.
Warm regards,
Lynda
Thank you for keeping me entertained during this heatwave in PNW! I appreciate the in-depth character development, which is everything for me. I enjoy your work very much.
Warm regards,
Lynda
June 23, 2024
Did this story in one day. Do not pass on this book. There is a maze of and for themes of “who did it and why. WOW! What an ending!
July 8, 2024
A page turner.
A truly twisted plot with a surprising ending. For fans of legal dramas and spy fiction. Mr Tigner at his best.
A truly twisted plot with a surprising ending. For fans of legal dramas and spy fiction. Mr Tigner at his best.
September 8, 2024
OMG! Wow! Just… Wow!
This is your best novel yet! I’m left questioning if this happened?! Just wow!!! You are truly my favorite author Tim!
This is your best novel yet! I’m left questioning if this happened?! Just wow!!! You are truly my favorite author Tim!
November 3, 2024
Addicting. Well-written, interesting, well-paced. 5/5, definitely recommend if you're in the mood for an investigative thriller.
December 4, 2024
Kept me riveted, especially knowing it was inspired by a true story.
December 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this. Review to come later.
July 3, 2024
Super story! Blew me away!
I could NOT put this book down! To find out that it was loosely based on the author’s own true story really shook me. If you want an “edge of your seat” gripping read, then Twisted Lives is for you!
I could NOT put this book down! To find out that it was loosely based on the author’s own true story really shook me. If you want an “edge of your seat” gripping read, then Twisted Lives is for you!
June 30, 2024
thrilling
Absolutely one of the best stories I’ve ever read! Never had the slightest clue what was next! Truly an enjoyable read!
Absolutely one of the best stories I’ve ever read! Never had the slightest clue what was next! Truly an enjoyable read!
August 29, 2024
After reading his autobiographical 'What New Hell Next' it was disturbing to note some similarities of dark undertones...But given the severe personal estrangement of his children and toxic psychological issues he underwent, it is understandable there is bleed through into this thriller. This book is action packed. A little unrealistic thinking he could accomplish all he did. I wish this book had not mirrored as much the personal issues. But you write what you know.
I look forward to his next book hopefully another Achilles book.
I look forward to his next book hopefully another Achilles book.
March 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. This book was insane. The craziest part is that it is all a true story. We couldn’t even imagine what we would do if we were put in this same situation. If you are looking for a true life thriller, look no further and pick this one up!
—
Felix Sparks, A Federal Air Marshall, wakes up one day and his whole life is turned upside down. There’s mounds of evidence against him for a crime he swears he didn’t commit and he has to do anything and everything he can to save himself and his girls.
Check out all of our reviews on instagram @bite.sizedbookreviews
Wow. This book was insane. The craziest part is that it is all a true story. We couldn’t even imagine what we would do if we were put in this same situation. If you are looking for a true life thriller, look no further and pick this one up!
—
Felix Sparks, A Federal Air Marshall, wakes up one day and his whole life is turned upside down. There’s mounds of evidence against him for a crime he swears he didn’t commit and he has to do anything and everything he can to save himself and his girls.
Check out all of our reviews on instagram @bite.sizedbookreviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews