What do you think?
Rate this book
Target In Sight
They know who she is.
They know what she saw.
They'll never stop searching.
On a rainy winter night in Adelaide Aliese Coleson witnesses a horror she’d have given the world not to see. Fleeing with her disabled son, she takes refuge in a remote cabin in the wilds of southern Tasmania.
When a light plane crashes nearby, Aliese must decide whether to save the injured pilot or let him die. Choosing to risk it, she brings the unconscious man to her cabin, who, upon waking, has no memory of who he is or why he’s there.
As he fights to regain both his strength and his past, the stranger bonds with Aliese’s emotionally fragile son, something few have been able to do. But when Kellen Reid’s memory returns Aliese is hit with a staggering truth – it’s not just the killers who have been hunting her.
And he has led them right to her door.
They know what she saw.
They'll never stop searching.
On a rainy winter night in Adelaide Aliese Coleson witnesses a horror she’d have given the world not to see. Fleeing with her disabled son, she takes refuge in a remote cabin in the wilds of southern Tasmania.
When a light plane crashes nearby, Aliese must decide whether to save the injured pilot or let him die. Choosing to risk it, she brings the unconscious man to her cabin, who, upon waking, has no memory of who he is or why he’s there.
As he fights to regain both his strength and his past, the stranger bonds with Aliese’s emotionally fragile son, something few have been able to do. But when Kellen Reid’s memory returns Aliese is hit with a staggering truth – it’s not just the killers who have been hunting her.
And he has led them right to her door.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2024
11 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Diane Hester
12 books80 followersDiane Hester is a former violinist with the Adelaide Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic, US. Born in New York, she now lives in Port Lincoln, South Australia.
Diane's debut thriller Run To Me was short-listed in the 2014 Daphne du Maurier Awards.
Diane's debut thriller Run To Me was short-listed in the 2014 Daphne du Maurier Awards.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 2, 2025
What happens when you witness a murder, when young single Mum Aliese Coleson knows that her priority is to do everything she can to protect her five year old son Jonathon, after all her and Jonathon have been through she is determined to not let anything more happen.
Aliese and Jonathon run from their home in Adelaide and make their way to a remote cabin in the wilds of Tasmania she has bought enough provisions to last six months, it is cold and wet, when a small plane goes down in a storm Aliese must decide what to do with the pilot who is injured, can she trust him. He remains unconscious for a few days she has done the best she can with his injuries and when he finally wakes he has no memory of who he is, so for a few days the three get on very well, Jonathon is drawn to him and is making friends and Aliese is feeling a pull towards this stranger but when his memory returns Aliese must again change her plans not only are there killers after her but it appears that this man Kellen Reid also wants her and led the killers to her door.
Aliese is forced to make another run this time with Kellen as well and now there is a dangerous race through the wilds of Tasmania as the trio do their best to avoid bullets and stay alive, will they make it, will Kellen prove to police what happened and will the man behind it all get what is coming to him in the end?
This is a fast paced and action packed story, with wonderful characters, Jonathon was so good and the settings is fabulous, it kept me turning the pages to find out what happened and it is one that I would highly recommend.
Aliese and Jonathon run from their home in Adelaide and make their way to a remote cabin in the wilds of Tasmania she has bought enough provisions to last six months, it is cold and wet, when a small plane goes down in a storm Aliese must decide what to do with the pilot who is injured, can she trust him. He remains unconscious for a few days she has done the best she can with his injuries and when he finally wakes he has no memory of who he is, so for a few days the three get on very well, Jonathon is drawn to him and is making friends and Aliese is feeling a pull towards this stranger but when his memory returns Aliese must again change her plans not only are there killers after her but it appears that this man Kellen Reid also wants her and led the killers to her door.
Aliese is forced to make another run this time with Kellen as well and now there is a dangerous race through the wilds of Tasmania as the trio do their best to avoid bullets and stay alive, will they make it, will Kellen prove to police what happened and will the man behind it all get what is coming to him in the end?
This is a fast paced and action packed story, with wonderful characters, Jonathon was so good and the settings is fabulous, it kept me turning the pages to find out what happened and it is one that I would highly recommend.
August 26, 2024
A single mother, Aliese Coleson, saw something she shouldn’t of when trying to deliver paperwork to a client after work hours, and realised she needed to o on the run with her young son. Someone else in the office building saw her, Kellen Reid, was almost at his car when he realised, he had forgotten some papers he needed to have ready for Monday, so went back up to his office, just in time to see a woman racing past him with a look of complete shock and fear, as two men walked in the opposite direction towards the lifts. He went to check out the office the woman ran from, only to find a dead body and get caught there by the police! Aliese and her son, Jonathan, have taken refuge in her estranged brother’s cabin in the wilds of Tasmania, hoping no one will be able to trace her there. She hasn’t even told her best friend Taryn, who ends up reporting her as missing to the police. Her son has health issues almost from birth and she has been very protective of him ever since, which was made worse when he lost his father just over a year ago. He relies on an inhaler, he calls Mr Puffy, and can’t go anywhere without it. Being stuck in the cabin, with nothing much to do except help to collect wood, soon gets rather boring.
That all changes when his mum notices a small plane crash in the midst of a storm one night and goes out to see if anyone survived. The pilot is the only person in the plane, and he is unconscious an injured. She can’t leave him there as he would die in the cold, or the plane might explode, so she manages to pull him out and drag him into her cabin. She has to do what she can about his injuries, knowing there is no way she will be taking him to a hospital, as that is too risky for her and her son. The roads to the cabin are completely flooded anyway after the storm, so he can’t even get out himself once he regains consciousness. Aliese has no idea if he could be one of the men sent after her, so tries to keep distant, whilst her son takes to him instantly! Kellen lost his memory in the crash, but when it suddenly comes back, not completely to start, and he realises why he wanted to find Aliese and take her back home and to the police! He doesn’t understand quite how much danger she is in, but will soon get caught up in a race to stay alive as his arrival has given the killers her location and they are closing in.
A witness and her son on the run from a powerful man’s killer, after witnessing an execution, with a slow build up to the full-on action finale, as she ends up back on the run and almost caught at every turn. Kellen has been accused of the killing, even though he was only a witness to the fact it was Aliese who actually saw it all. His amnesia allows the two to get closer than Aliese wanted to start with, especially after Jonathan took so completely to him, and he ends up helping to protect her, no matter how much she tries to avoid him. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
That all changes when his mum notices a small plane crash in the midst of a storm one night and goes out to see if anyone survived. The pilot is the only person in the plane, and he is unconscious an injured. She can’t leave him there as he would die in the cold, or the plane might explode, so she manages to pull him out and drag him into her cabin. She has to do what she can about his injuries, knowing there is no way she will be taking him to a hospital, as that is too risky for her and her son. The roads to the cabin are completely flooded anyway after the storm, so he can’t even get out himself once he regains consciousness. Aliese has no idea if he could be one of the men sent after her, so tries to keep distant, whilst her son takes to him instantly! Kellen lost his memory in the crash, but when it suddenly comes back, not completely to start, and he realises why he wanted to find Aliese and take her back home and to the police! He doesn’t understand quite how much danger she is in, but will soon get caught up in a race to stay alive as his arrival has given the killers her location and they are closing in.
A witness and her son on the run from a powerful man’s killer, after witnessing an execution, with a slow build up to the full-on action finale, as she ends up back on the run and almost caught at every turn. Kellen has been accused of the killing, even though he was only a witness to the fact it was Aliese who actually saw it all. His amnesia allows the two to get closer than Aliese wanted to start with, especially after Jonathan took so completely to him, and he ends up helping to protect her, no matter how much she tries to avoid him. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 1, 2024
'Target In Sight' was riveting. Its thrilling plot was filled with suspense, intrigue, tension, a small plane crash, searching for identification, an amnesia victim, a good Samaritan, a boy's nightmare, coming to his senses, a mother's nightmare, getting caught in the crossfire, driving out of harm's way, jumping to safety, boarding a tour bus, oh no!, stealing a car, trying to avoid the culprits, hearing doom about her best friend, revealing the lawyer's intentions, revealing a wild past, stopping for a hospital visit, running away (again) from the culprits, taking a ferry ride, reminiscing about an accident, revealing information about a son's father, hearing a fire alarm, letting cars go, seeing someone meet his/her comeuppance, and embracing love.
Moreover, I liked the vivid descriptions, amazing word choices, imagery, and figurative language the author used such as, "A cathedral avenue stretched before them, tree trunks lining both sides of the road like ranks of soldiers in parade formation."
Overall, I liked the frenetic narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
Moreover, I liked the vivid descriptions, amazing word choices, imagery, and figurative language the author used such as, "A cathedral avenue stretched before them, tree trunks lining both sides of the road like ranks of soldiers in parade formation."
Overall, I liked the frenetic narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
August 12, 2024
"Stay-up-all-night" is no understatement!
Diane Hester's latest novel does not leave reader's wanting.
'Target In Sight' is a fast-paced thriller where the killers are always just around the corner. The twists and turns are as unpredictable as they are ingenious. Hester is an expert at putting her characters in impossible situations that make you wonder how, or if, they'll escape.
Aliese drops off some documents to Hollenbeck on her way home from work. The building's closed, but the documents were supposed to be on his desk hours ago. Aliese notices the light in Hollenbeck's office is still on, so she goes in through the back to deliver them. Inside, she witnesses the bloody murder of Hollenbeck - and she saw who did it and knows who they work for.
While fleeing the crime scene, she is seen by Kellen Reid, who also works in the building. Kellen is caught by police and blamed for the murder. As soon as he is released on bail, he sets out to find Aliese, the only person who can prove his innocence.
But Aliese is determined to stay hidden. She knows her address was on the documents she delivered and flees into the night with her young son mere minutes before the killers come knocking.
It's unclear exactly what disability Aliese's son, Jonathan, has, but its identification is less important than its impact on their escape. It's clear that Jonathan has a compromised immune system, exacerbated by the multiple surgeries his fragile body has endured. He's reliant on a puffer (adorably named "Captain Puff") and is vulnerable to the slightest cold. If he gets pneumonia, Aliese can’t take him to a hospital because the killers have eyes and ears everywhere. Alise will do anything to keep Jonathan safe, making him her biggest liability.
The novel takes place over a few wild days, transporting readers from suburban Adelaide to a remote cabin in the Tasmanian bush, to a motel, to a hospital, to a ferry in the middle of the Bass Strait.
'Target In Sight' is a high-speed suspense novel about the lengths a parent would go to keep their child safe. It's about the risks and rewards of trust and the emotional turmoil that loving someone else entails.
Hester's storytelling will make you forget you're reading.
'Target In Sight' will leave you breathless and eager to see what Hester writes next!
Diane Hester's latest novel does not leave reader's wanting.
'Target In Sight' is a fast-paced thriller where the killers are always just around the corner. The twists and turns are as unpredictable as they are ingenious. Hester is an expert at putting her characters in impossible situations that make you wonder how, or if, they'll escape.
Aliese drops off some documents to Hollenbeck on her way home from work. The building's closed, but the documents were supposed to be on his desk hours ago. Aliese notices the light in Hollenbeck's office is still on, so she goes in through the back to deliver them. Inside, she witnesses the bloody murder of Hollenbeck - and she saw who did it and knows who they work for.
While fleeing the crime scene, she is seen by Kellen Reid, who also works in the building. Kellen is caught by police and blamed for the murder. As soon as he is released on bail, he sets out to find Aliese, the only person who can prove his innocence.
But Aliese is determined to stay hidden. She knows her address was on the documents she delivered and flees into the night with her young son mere minutes before the killers come knocking.
It's unclear exactly what disability Aliese's son, Jonathan, has, but its identification is less important than its impact on their escape. It's clear that Jonathan has a compromised immune system, exacerbated by the multiple surgeries his fragile body has endured. He's reliant on a puffer (adorably named "Captain Puff") and is vulnerable to the slightest cold. If he gets pneumonia, Aliese can’t take him to a hospital because the killers have eyes and ears everywhere. Alise will do anything to keep Jonathan safe, making him her biggest liability.
The novel takes place over a few wild days, transporting readers from suburban Adelaide to a remote cabin in the Tasmanian bush, to a motel, to a hospital, to a ferry in the middle of the Bass Strait.
'Target In Sight' is a high-speed suspense novel about the lengths a parent would go to keep their child safe. It's about the risks and rewards of trust and the emotional turmoil that loving someone else entails.
Hester's storytelling will make you forget you're reading.
'Target In Sight' will leave you breathless and eager to see what Hester writes next!
July 8, 2024
The story grabbed my attention from the get go, and I didn’t want to stop reading after I’d gotten just a few chapters in. I liked that the chapters were short so if I had to stop reading to deal with real life I had a nice stopping place. The mother’s feelings and worries for her child resonated with me, and I found her to be a likable character along with Jonathan and Kellen.
I enjoyed the variety of ways the author came up with for the threesome to escape capture by the hired killers.
I think the balance of romance and suspense was nice. It wasn’t an in your face romance novel, it had a natural flow with the overall story which I appreciated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the variety of ways the author came up with for the threesome to escape capture by the hired killers.
I think the balance of romance and suspense was nice. It wasn’t an in your face romance novel, it had a natural flow with the overall story which I appreciated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Aliese witness a murder and goes on the run with her 5 year old son. Kellen is the pilot she saves while in hiding. Both of them are connected but due to his amnesia he doesn’t know the danger he’s bring to her and her son. When they go on the run everything they think they know is tested and truths are revealed. List and chemistry has been simmering for a while and finally explodes. This book is worth reading and once you start it’s worth binge reading!!! I may have finished reading it when I stayed up way to late but I have zero regrets!! Love the mystery, suspense and heart that is woven through this tale..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2024
This book did not stay still. There wasn't periods of time where I was like "Ok hurry it along", it had a pretty good pace. That being said not a lot really happened, just a bunch of running and hunting until I wondered if our MC was going to break. The mystery of how she would loose her would be assassins kept me hooked the whole way through. The ending was a bit anti-climactic though, we are in a highspeed-chase and then we are suddenly not. Another thing is the POV switches back-and-forth randomly in the middle of chapters, it keeps you on your toes but I got used to it.
It was a good way to pass the time this weekend. I enjoyed it and recommend if you love a story that has so many puzzle pieces and you want to know all the whys.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was a good way to pass the time this weekend. I enjoyed it and recommend if you love a story that has so many puzzle pieces and you want to know all the whys.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 2, 2024
This was a gripping thriller set in rural Australia.
I liked how the author set the scene, presenting the reader with ordinary characters who were going about their day, before events took an unexpected turn.
The protagonist, Aliese, was a single mother living with her small son, and I was very unnerved by the situation that she found herself to be in, with an injured stranger in her home.
This was definitely a nailbiter of a read, and I think that was enhanced by the rural setting.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked how the author set the scene, presenting the reader with ordinary characters who were going about their day, before events took an unexpected turn.
The protagonist, Aliese, was a single mother living with her small son, and I was very unnerved by the situation that she found herself to be in, with an injured stranger in her home.
This was definitely a nailbiter of a read, and I think that was enhanced by the rural setting.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2024
Unknowingly, when Aliese went to deliver an envelope to Mr. Hollenbeck at his office, she inadvertently put herself and her son in mortal danger by overhearing Hollenbeck's killers discussing the person responsible for the murder. This sets Aliese and Jonathan on a dangerous path as they attempt to escape from the pair of killers pursuing them. This story has action and romance, ending in a HEA. Very highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 27, 2025
Edge of your seat nail-biter!
Well written thriller that draws you in from the first chapter. An unintentional witness to a murder in Adelaide fears for her life and goes on the run with her 5 year old son to Tasmania. A plane crashes nearby where they are hiding and the pilot - a sole occupant is injured and has lost his memory - is he friend or foe?
Fast paced action as the killers try to find Aleise to eliminate her.
Great characters with a lot of depth complete this great read.
Well written thriller that draws you in from the first chapter. An unintentional witness to a murder in Adelaide fears for her life and goes on the run with her 5 year old son to Tasmania. A plane crashes nearby where they are hiding and the pilot - a sole occupant is injured and has lost his memory - is he friend or foe?
Fast paced action as the killers try to find Aleise to eliminate her.
Great characters with a lot of depth complete this great read.
July 8, 2024
The story grabbed my attention from the get go, and I didn’t want to stop reading after I’d gotten just a few chapters in. I liked that the chapters were short so if I had to stop reading to deal with real life I had a nice stopping place. The mother’s feelings and worries for her child resonated with me, and I found her to be a likable character along with Jonathan and Kellen.
I enjoyed the variety of ways the author came up with for the threesome to escape capture by the hired killers.
I think the balance of romance and suspense was nice. It wasn’t an in your face romance novel, it had a natural flow with the overall story which I appreciated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the variety of ways the author came up with for the threesome to escape capture by the hired killers.
I think the balance of romance and suspense was nice. It wasn’t an in your face romance novel, it had a natural flow with the overall story which I appreciated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2024
This felt a little disjointed and all over the place for the first few chapters but quickly evened out and was easier to follow.
The Suspense seemed never ending and the characters, even the bad guys were relatable and emotive.
On the romance side, I personally like a little spice but it was nice to just have it in the background for once.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Suspense seemed never ending and the characters, even the bad guys were relatable and emotive.
On the romance side, I personally like a little spice but it was nice to just have it in the background for once.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 26, 2024
It's the average tale of finding unexpected love, while on the run for your life. Not a bad read.
August 5, 2024
This was a gripping thriller finding unexpected love and not a bad read. Would read more from this authorI received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews