Without Direction

Ampersand #2

by E.N. Crane

Bridgette Ampersand has lost her best friend. Without Fawkes to keep her grounded, she's given up her home, her friends, and her connection to the world.

After watching so many people fall victim to predators, Bridgette is now working to make the Internet a safer place for women. Getting herself beaten up and abducted, to the horror of her family and friends.
Now she's fighting for survival as ghosts from her past follow her into the darkness that has consumed her. The darkness she might give into, just to escape the pain of loss.

333 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2020

About the author

Perry Dog Publishing Presents: E. N. Crane... aka the woman who has the doggo named Perry and made it her publishing imprint and then adopted another dog and now there is nothing to name after him...

My first series: The Ampersand Series, is a dark, moody thriller. Coming next is the Cálida Solano series which will be an extension of Bridgettes world.

The ever growing series is Cynthia Sharp. These books are meant to be fun romps that leave you laughing, blushing and waiting for your next visit to Sweet Pea, OH.

Join my email list and get A Bite in Afghanistan eBook free as well as all the Cyn and Winnie Shorts as they are delivered! You'll also receive news about my romance pen name, Noelle Rider.

https://e-n-crane_perrydogpublishing....

Reviews

[Patricia Larrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down so finished in one day. Can't wait for Without Regret; hopefully will be out soon

[Michael Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to debate whether this was a 4 or 5 star book, but the previous review I saw gave it a three, so to offset that I am going with 5. The story is very well written. The protagonist thinks of herself as Batgirl or Wonder Woman, but is actually an Optometrist with some very concerning mental health issues. The book is definitely a noir tale of snuff films, rapists, and murderers. And the villains, a long succession of them, are basically cardboard characters for her to take a few lumps from before she mows them down. And she has some sort of super power to read minds or get a "Shining" from people she comes in contact with. So, the fact that the villains are cardboard doesn't really matter. The antagonist of the story is actually Bridgette herself. She is on a very dark and destructive path. But people care about her. And the author makes the reader care too. And gradually she learns to open the doors again and let important people come back into her life. There is a tendency here to overcomplicate some of the relationships, especially among the villains. But the bad guys are so bad you feel like they get what they deserve. This story should have a caution on it. I don't believe in censorship, but young teens who are easily tilted towards depression or violence might be negatively influenced by the main character's self-destructive life choices.

[Amy Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler alert

I really like that the hero of this story is different. She is a plus sized White female doctor with an extreme love of dogs and muffins. Getting tired of size 2 heroines which makes this story special. And a lady turned vigilante after the death of a beloved dog, a little extreme, but relatable as the loss of a dog can truly be detrimental so I liked that part of the story. However the plot was far fetched and jumped around too much. I liked the antagonists super powers and how she was able to see people’s history by looking in their eyes. Yet it was flawed in that she couldn’t see the killers many previous kills. Also she got pretty stupid at the end trusting the obviously untrustworthy when she knew her life was in danger and ignoring her friends/family. Didn’t like the ending as nothing got resolved though it does leave you craving for part two in the series. I do like that the author could write about heinous crimes in a way that was entertaining but not too disgustingly graphic (just the right balance of comfort/discomfort in those scenes). Overall the book was entertaining and enjoyable.

[Andrea Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished Without Intention, and was excited to see that Ms. Crane had published the second book so soon after the first. I expected it to be somewhat formulaic, like many of the big name author books I have read, including Kathy Reichs, Cheryl Bradshaw, etc. But I was pleasantly surprised that while there were many of the same elements of her first book, EN Crane produced a work that was significantly different from her first work.
There are many dark elements in this book (eg vivid descriptionS of snuff films) , but I largely attributed this dark turn to the death of Fawkes at the end of Without Intention. Ampersand was clearly attached to this dog, and now feels herself without direction. Many serialized books I have read have taken a dip in the second book in tone to make a more positive comeback in the third book. I imagine she could have made her descriptions more bland in regards to the snuff films, but I think they accurately reflect her own darkness at the loss of Fawkes.

[Books Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked Without Direction not realizing it was part of a series but this didn't matter - even though it was the 2nd book I was able to follow the story and the characters with no problem.
The book itself is a bit dark at times, but which mystery-thriller isn't? I enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the way the author keeps you guessing. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will tell you this - the book is worth it!
Well written and engaging fast-paced thriller!

Julie
BooksShelf Reviewer

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different type of thriller for me but yet a complete enjoyable one. Very well written and easy to follow. No bouncing all over the place (which is one of my pet peeves in a book). Loved the character and the role she plays. This book will keep your attention and leave you wanting more.

[Jeremy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different.

I do like the series so far. It has an unusual character and plenty flow to keep me interested. I will be continuing on to book 3.

[Susan Garver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was quite enjoyable with a solid continuation to the first book.