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Bad Trip South
The family is on a much needed vacation. A policeman, his teacher wife, and their daughter, Emily, a little girl with a preternatural gift. Emily's parents aren't getting along, but then they hardly ever did these days.
When the family stops for a tourist trip into the Longhorn Caves, they have no idea something is about to happen to change their lives. Waiting for them are a young couple on the run. Once the family exits the caves, they are kidnapped, and now they're all on the run. It's going to be a very Bad Trip South.
"Bad trip" hardly does justice to the hellish journey undertaken by the Anderson family in this gripping thriller. Leaving their North Carolina home to visit Long Horn Caverns outside of St. Louis, police officer Jay Anderson, wife Carrie, and 10-year-old daughter Emily are attempting to rebuild familial bonds. Consumed by job-related stress, Jay has taken to beating Carrie. Emily, who has a telepathic ability, is confused and frightened by her parents' angry thoughts. When escaped convict Crow and his amoral girlfriend, Heddy, kidnap the family to provide cover for their escape to Mexico, it looks as though things are going from bad to worse for the beleaguered Andersons. Told partially through Emily's narration to a police psychologist and partially through the viewpoints of the convicts, Mosiman's story is ugly and violent--and utterly compelling. Perhaps most disturbing is Jay's slow but steady move to the dark side, as he begins to fall for Heddy's dangerous allure. Top-notch suspense for mature readers. Jenny McLarin
Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
When the family stops for a tourist trip into the Longhorn Caves, they have no idea something is about to happen to change their lives. Waiting for them are a young couple on the run. Once the family exits the caves, they are kidnapped, and now they're all on the run. It's going to be a very Bad Trip South.
"Bad trip" hardly does justice to the hellish journey undertaken by the Anderson family in this gripping thriller. Leaving their North Carolina home to visit Long Horn Caverns outside of St. Louis, police officer Jay Anderson, wife Carrie, and 10-year-old daughter Emily are attempting to rebuild familial bonds. Consumed by job-related stress, Jay has taken to beating Carrie. Emily, who has a telepathic ability, is confused and frightened by her parents' angry thoughts. When escaped convict Crow and his amoral girlfriend, Heddy, kidnap the family to provide cover for their escape to Mexico, it looks as though things are going from bad to worse for the beleaguered Andersons. Told partially through Emily's narration to a police psychologist and partially through the viewpoints of the convicts, Mosiman's story is ugly and violent--and utterly compelling. Perhaps most disturbing is Jay's slow but steady move to the dark side, as he begins to fall for Heddy's dangerous allure. Top-notch suspense for mature readers. Jenny McLarin
Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved
ebook
First published September 1, 2004
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About the author
Billie Sue Mosiman
138 books92 followersEdgar Award Nominee for Best Novel
Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Novel
Novelist, short story writer, columnist, writing instructor, editor.
My published novels are now available at Kindle.com, along with new short story anthologies and novellas.
Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Novel
Novelist, short story writer, columnist, writing instructor, editor.
My published novels are now available at Kindle.com, along with new short story anthologies and novellas.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 18, 2012
This story takes place on the road with a couple of thugs, a cop on the wrong path, his wife and their daughter. Excellent story, very well written, and very entertaining. Emily is 10 years old and has a gift that allows her to know what people are thinking with great clarity. While on a family vacation, she, along with her parents, are abducted by a Heddy and Crow, two low lifes running from the law and a drug cartel.
The story is told from two distinct points of view, one, through Emily and how she sees the world, and the other as it is unfolding. Although there are two POV's, the story is structuarally seamless making it clear who is speaking and what is happening at all times.
Do yourself a favour and read this story. No one weaves a tale better than Billie Sue Mosiman and no one knows how to do it with such finesse.
The story is told from two distinct points of view, one, through Emily and how she sees the world, and the other as it is unfolding. Although there are two POV's, the story is structuarally seamless making it clear who is speaking and what is happening at all times.
Do yourself a favour and read this story. No one weaves a tale better than Billie Sue Mosiman and no one knows how to do it with such finesse.
July 2, 2012
I rarely give books 5 stars, but this one deserves it. I'm not sure how to describe this story, so let's see...Okay, a family, already dealing with their own issues, is taken hostage by a ruthless couple. What transpires is a lot of killing, internal family issues, a little girl who reads minds and a whole lot more. It's so worth the read!
July 3, 2015
This book was really great - I love the way the author is able to switch perspectives. The characters are ever changing and the writing allows you to develop empathy for all of them - even the bad ones.
July 14, 2012
Kept your suspense going
August 21, 2012
It starts like a Tarantino's movie, in media res, amid a shootout. It goes beyond that when Mrs. Mosiman allows us to explore the back-story of two crooks on the loose. At times, it almost turns into something out of Wes Craven's Last House on the Left, with sex and realistic violence. Then, it's a roller coaster; it grips you page after page, in a breathless ride of gunfire, robberies, and unprovoked deaths, just like something out of today's news.
I was working on the formatting of this novel for the electronic book, when my eyes caught a line or two. I couldn't stop reading. Charmed by the gritty story line, I quickly finished my job, delivered the package to the author, and then plunged my nose inside this hot tale.
I wasn't disappointed. The flow is fantastic, no bumps or humps on your way down to the ending, and Mrs. Mosiman's descriptive skills had me feel a bit of heat for badass Heddy. I admit having a weakness for bad chicks with guns. Luckily, it stops in my fantasies.
Anyway, the details of Heddy's facial impairment, athletic build, and though-as-nails attitude were so well sculpted by the author, that it was like watching a movie.
Crow, the male robber, looks like one of those shady characters of today TV serials: skinny, rangy, and with the brains of a hamster on a wheel, so much he has been blown out by meth crystals.
Jay, the abusive cop, emanates an undercurrent of repressed rage and frustration.
This story could have worked even without the supernatural element of telepathy, so much it's packed with action and suspense, that, to be honest, I didn't care too much about it.
All in all, a must read.
I was working on the formatting of this novel for the electronic book, when my eyes caught a line or two. I couldn't stop reading. Charmed by the gritty story line, I quickly finished my job, delivered the package to the author, and then plunged my nose inside this hot tale.
I wasn't disappointed. The flow is fantastic, no bumps or humps on your way down to the ending, and Mrs. Mosiman's descriptive skills had me feel a bit of heat for badass Heddy. I admit having a weakness for bad chicks with guns. Luckily, it stops in my fantasies.
Anyway, the details of Heddy's facial impairment, athletic build, and though-as-nails attitude were so well sculpted by the author, that it was like watching a movie.
Crow, the male robber, looks like one of those shady characters of today TV serials: skinny, rangy, and with the brains of a hamster on a wheel, so much he has been blown out by meth crystals.
Jay, the abusive cop, emanates an undercurrent of repressed rage and frustration.
This story could have worked even without the supernatural element of telepathy, so much it's packed with action and suspense, that, to be honest, I didn't care too much about it.
All in all, a must read.
February 4, 2013
This book is so full of suspense and terror that there are times where you want to put it down but you know if you do it will drive you over the edge because you have to know what happens.
Most of the story is told by Emily, she is the 10 year old daughter of a fifth grade school teacher and a cop. Her life has never been easy and she has lived with fear that most children her age never have to know. Having no friends, only her parents, who are far from having a normal and loving relationship. As bad as there life is, with a divorce in the cards and the family being separated you would never think it could get worse and then on one of the last vacations as a family their life takes another turn into the even deeper depths of hell.
This is a compelling read that will command every bit of your attention from beginning to end.
Most of the story is told by Emily, she is the 10 year old daughter of a fifth grade school teacher and a cop. Her life has never been easy and she has lived with fear that most children her age never have to know. Having no friends, only her parents, who are far from having a normal and loving relationship. As bad as there life is, with a divorce in the cards and the family being separated you would never think it could get worse and then on one of the last vacations as a family their life takes another turn into the even deeper depths of hell.
This is a compelling read that will command every bit of your attention from beginning to end.
February 19, 2013
I couldn't put the book down. Emily is an amazing kid not because she can read minds but for the strength she has for a 10 year old girl. While on a family trip that would be the last they would take together being Carrie was going to leave Jay her abusive cop husband when they got back. They get kidnapped by a escape con and his crazy girlfriend. Emily tell the story of what they went through and how it all came to an end.
January 29, 2014
Very well written and a compelling, nerve-racking journey. The imagery and realism woven into this story largely told through the eyes of a very special young girl made me keep listening and to keep hoping their luck would turn around. I really loved this piece and would say without a doubt that you should pick up a copy and read it!
April 13, 2013
Bad Trip South will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what the heck is going to happen next. This was the first book by this author I have read and I am looking forward to seeing what she comes out with next.
March 27, 2014
This isn't the first book I've read by Ms. Mosiman, nor will it be the last. Of all the books I have read of her's, this is, by far, my favorite!
It's a true roller coaster of emotions, from the beginning all the way through to the end.
It's a true roller coaster of emotions, from the beginning all the way through to the end.
February 11, 2012
Great story but I'm not sure why the publisher thought they had to underline half the words in the book it got pretty annoying after a while.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews