What do you think?
Rate this book
Kate Page #2
Full Tilt
Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of "confinement rooms"--rooms designed to hold human beings captive--where they make other chilling discoveries.
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death--or save her life.
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT...
Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of "confinement rooms"--rooms designed to hold human beings captive--where they make other chilling discoveries.
A GUT-WRENCHING PHONE CALL...
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death--or save her life.
"Don't miss Search for Her, the newest thrill-ride from Rick Mofina!"
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death--or save her life.
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT...
Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of "confinement rooms"--rooms designed to hold human beings captive--where they make other chilling discoveries.
A GUT-WRENCHING PHONE CALL...
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death--or save her life.
"Don't miss Search for Her, the newest thrill-ride from Rick Mofina!"
440 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 27, 2015
187 people are currently reading
1041 people want to read
About the author
Rick Mofina
66 books1,326 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 6, 2024
The second installment in the series didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Whirlwind was FANTASTIC, and it really made my heart thump. In this however I didn’t feel that same thrill. I was also a bit frustrated by Kate, wondering why she didn’t share what she discovered sooner to the police. After all, she was worried about her sister. But all in all it was still an enjoyable read!
October 20, 2022
A nasty literary villain joins Paul Bernardo, Clifford Olson, and Robert Pickton in the Canadian serial killers’ Hall of Fame!
A dying woman, burned beyond recognition, is found outside an isolated blazing barn in upstate New York. But her dying words lead the police investigation of her death and the fire to a frightening discovery. The barn is determined to have been the prison and killing ground for a sadistic kidnapper and serial killer. Meanwhile – introducing the mandatory suspense thriller secondary plot line that will inevitably become intertwined with the primary plot - Kate Page, a single mother and skilled investigative journalist, has spent much of her life hoping against hope and searching for confirmation of her belief that her little sister survived a car crash when she was swept away from the accident scene in a flooded mountain river. Kate’s coverage of the murder becomes very personal when she discovers that the police have found a necklace at the scene of the barn fire that is identical to one her sister was wearing when she disappeared so many years ago. The game is afoot, of course, and Kate Page’s journalistic objectivity disappears in a puff of literary smoke as she inserts herself into the heart of the police manhunt for what is proving to be a very prolific and brilliant murderer.
As a Canadian reader, I’m absolutely tickled pink to be able to recommend Canadian author Rick Mofina as a solid writer of suspense thrillers that stand shoulder to shoulder with the novels from more famous writers in the genre – Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Connelly, and Nelson DeMille to name a very small set of examples. As a matter of fact, Deaver’s and Gerritsen’s marketing blurb quotations, rather than being typical exaggerated sales malarkey, are spot on accurate:
“Echoing Ludlum and Forsythe, author Mofina has penned a big, solid international thriller that grabs your gut – and your heart – in the opening scenes and never lets go.”
“Rick Mofina’s tense, taut writing makes every thriller he writes an adrenaline-packed ride.”
Oh my yes!
As with so many other thrillers, the details of FULL TILT and the minutiae of its plots aren’t likely to stick with you for long. But the eye-popping, gut-wrenching, and deeply disturbing evil that Mofina created in his lead character, Sorrin Zurrn, a psychopathic serial killer who doesn’t have to take second place to the likes of Hannibal Lecter, will stick implacably in your head for many, many years to come.
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
A dying woman, burned beyond recognition, is found outside an isolated blazing barn in upstate New York. But her dying words lead the police investigation of her death and the fire to a frightening discovery. The barn is determined to have been the prison and killing ground for a sadistic kidnapper and serial killer. Meanwhile – introducing the mandatory suspense thriller secondary plot line that will inevitably become intertwined with the primary plot - Kate Page, a single mother and skilled investigative journalist, has spent much of her life hoping against hope and searching for confirmation of her belief that her little sister survived a car crash when she was swept away from the accident scene in a flooded mountain river. Kate’s coverage of the murder becomes very personal when she discovers that the police have found a necklace at the scene of the barn fire that is identical to one her sister was wearing when she disappeared so many years ago. The game is afoot, of course, and Kate Page’s journalistic objectivity disappears in a puff of literary smoke as she inserts herself into the heart of the police manhunt for what is proving to be a very prolific and brilliant murderer.
As a Canadian reader, I’m absolutely tickled pink to be able to recommend Canadian author Rick Mofina as a solid writer of suspense thrillers that stand shoulder to shoulder with the novels from more famous writers in the genre – Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Connelly, and Nelson DeMille to name a very small set of examples. As a matter of fact, Deaver’s and Gerritsen’s marketing blurb quotations, rather than being typical exaggerated sales malarkey, are spot on accurate:
“Echoing Ludlum and Forsythe, author Mofina has penned a big, solid international thriller that grabs your gut – and your heart – in the opening scenes and never lets go.”
“Rick Mofina’s tense, taut writing makes every thriller he writes an adrenaline-packed ride.”
Oh my yes!
As with so many other thrillers, the details of FULL TILT and the minutiae of its plots aren’t likely to stick with you for long. But the eye-popping, gut-wrenching, and deeply disturbing evil that Mofina created in his lead character, Sorrin Zurrn, a psychopathic serial killer who doesn’t have to take second place to the likes of Hannibal Lecter, will stick implacably in your head for many, many years to come.
Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
December 30, 2014
Full Tilt, by Rick Mofina, is a riveting mystery that, at times, had me holding my breath.
We are introduced to journalist and single mom Kate Page in Mofina's "Whirlwind" one of my favorite books of 2014.
She returns in "Full Tilt" when a guardian angel charm is found at a gruesome crime scene fitting the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a horrific car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago. Kate has spent many years searching for her little sister and the truth behind her disappearance.
Now, a hunt for a killer who's kept a number of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her last chance to either discover Vanessa was murdered or save her life.
Captivating characters in a suspenseful, gripping story.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this novel.
We are introduced to journalist and single mom Kate Page in Mofina's "Whirlwind" one of my favorite books of 2014.
She returns in "Full Tilt" when a guardian angel charm is found at a gruesome crime scene fitting the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a horrific car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago. Kate has spent many years searching for her little sister and the truth behind her disappearance.
Now, a hunt for a killer who's kept a number of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her last chance to either discover Vanessa was murdered or save her life.
Captivating characters in a suspenseful, gripping story.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this novel.
February 28, 2015
Just like all the other books I have read by the very talented, Mr. Mofina, this book was a quick read. In fact, I would say that Mr. Mofina and his books are like crack (addicting).
I have grown closer to Kate. It was good to come full circle with Kate and her sister's disappearance. Which by the way, Kate got backbone! I liked the way she stood up and fought for her place against her superiors. In fact, Kate is really the one I give all the due credit to in solving the case and the truth about her sister's disappearance.
The killer and the reason behind the case was not really a focal point and therefore, I found this a little disappointing. Also, the killer was not a strong voice in the story. So for these factors is the reason I gave this book 4 stars than my normal 5. Although, I can't wait to read the next one.
I have grown closer to Kate. It was good to come full circle with Kate and her sister's disappearance. Which by the way, Kate got backbone! I liked the way she stood up and fought for her place against her superiors. In fact, Kate is really the one I give all the due credit to in solving the case and the truth about her sister's disappearance.
The killer and the reason behind the case was not really a focal point and therefore, I found this a little disappointing. Also, the killer was not a strong voice in the story. So for these factors is the reason I gave this book 4 stars than my normal 5. Although, I can't wait to read the next one.
May 3, 2015
Ready for a page turner with excellent suspense and supersonic tension? Rick Morina's "Full Tilt" is right on the money.
Kate Page is a reporter with "Newslead," the newswire service. The agony of her sister, Vanessa's loss is with her every day. Kate was with Vanessa when their foster parent's car flipped over and crashed into a river. Their foster parents were killed and little Vanessa's hand slipped through seven-year-old Kate's frozen fingers and Vanessa was carried downstream. Her body was never found.
Kate has a renewed sense of loss whenever she would speak to grieving parents in the process of her work.
One day, she gets a call from police in upstate New York. An item of jewelry has been found that Kate described to the Children Searchlight Network. A police department upstate found the item, a Guardian Angel chain. They want Kate to identify it if it's the same one she described her sister as having.
What is important about the chain? Kate's parents gave one to each of the girls with their names engraved on the charms. Since Kate began work at "Newslead," Kate has specialized in stories of missing persons, serial killers and runaway children.
Kate travels upstate and identifies her sister's charm. two bodies had been found, one was a woman badly burned and a man with a suicide note. This opened an official investigation when there are complications regarding the suicide note.
What results is a manhunt as more victims are discovered. Each victim is another person Kate fears might be Vanessa. When it isn't, she feels sorry for the victim's family's loss and Kate fears that the time to save Vanessa or mourn her death, is near.
A terrific novel but with over one hundred characters, it was a task to keep track of who they all were and how they were important to the story.
4 1/2*s moving to 5 for the excellence of the story.
Kate Page is a reporter with "Newslead," the newswire service. The agony of her sister, Vanessa's loss is with her every day. Kate was with Vanessa when their foster parent's car flipped over and crashed into a river. Their foster parents were killed and little Vanessa's hand slipped through seven-year-old Kate's frozen fingers and Vanessa was carried downstream. Her body was never found.
Kate has a renewed sense of loss whenever she would speak to grieving parents in the process of her work.
One day, she gets a call from police in upstate New York. An item of jewelry has been found that Kate described to the Children Searchlight Network. A police department upstate found the item, a Guardian Angel chain. They want Kate to identify it if it's the same one she described her sister as having.
What is important about the chain? Kate's parents gave one to each of the girls with their names engraved on the charms. Since Kate began work at "Newslead," Kate has specialized in stories of missing persons, serial killers and runaway children.
Kate travels upstate and identifies her sister's charm. two bodies had been found, one was a woman badly burned and a man with a suicide note. This opened an official investigation when there are complications regarding the suicide note.
What results is a manhunt as more victims are discovered. Each victim is another person Kate fears might be Vanessa. When it isn't, she feels sorry for the victim's family's loss and Kate fears that the time to save Vanessa or mourn her death, is near.
A terrific novel but with over one hundred characters, it was a task to keep track of who they all were and how they were important to the story.
4 1/2*s moving to 5 for the excellence of the story.
May 14, 2015
Although I liked this book I felt the antagonist needed a better ending. He was evil and needed more of a evil ending. I also can suspend my beliefs with the best of them but I had a hard time with . However I did like the book and would recommend to those who like suspense thrillers.
January 20, 2020
3.5 stars. I didn't care for this installment as much as the first in this series. For the first third of the book, I found Kate Page whiny and annoying. Yes, we know your sister is missing, but that doesn't give you the the right to be a self-entitled jerk to everyone in your path, girl, nor to creep onto restricted crime scenes. Just sayin'.
I also couldn't help but feel bad for Grace, Kate's daughter, who is perpetually left with a sitter as Kate galavants around reporting on -- and helping solve -- crimes. Kinda wish Mofina had let her be single and not a mom as I have a feeling I'm going to feel bad for long-suffering (but surprisingly non-complaining) Grace in every installment of the series.
Fortunately, the book did improve as the story unfolded through the middle third of the book. Rick Mofina always does a great job with peeling the onion, adding layers of characters and plot over the course of a novel. There's always more going on below the surface that will be revealed in good time.
And the suspense! The last third of the book was a roller coaster ride of riveting excitement. Very exciting, and I am glad I stuck with it. Looking forward to seeing where he goes in the next installment and hoping that Kate Page will grow on me. I don't have to love the protagonist to enjoy a book, but it helps.
I also couldn't help but feel bad for Grace, Kate's daughter, who is perpetually left with a sitter as Kate galavants around reporting on -- and helping solve -- crimes. Kinda wish Mofina had let her be single and not a mom as I have a feeling I'm going to feel bad for long-suffering (but surprisingly non-complaining) Grace in every installment of the series.
Fortunately, the book did improve as the story unfolded through the middle third of the book. Rick Mofina always does a great job with peeling the onion, adding layers of characters and plot over the course of a novel. There's always more going on below the surface that will be revealed in good time.
And the suspense! The last third of the book was a roller coaster ride of riveting excitement. Very exciting, and I am glad I stuck with it. Looking forward to seeing where he goes in the next installment and hoping that Kate Page will grow on me. I don't have to love the protagonist to enjoy a book, but it helps.
May 20, 2020
This is the first book that I have read since the COVID-19 lockdown, like 9 or 10 weeks ago, the days and weeks all seem to run together.
I really enjoyed this book, kept me on the edge of my lazy boy, in fact I was bawling at times during the last 30 pages or so.
I am not sure why it took me so long to pick up a book, I had started another one but I just couldn’t get into it and it sat on the end table for weeks literally. I think a lot had to do with the genre of the book, not really the type of book that I would normally read and perhaps to a lesser degree everything going on with this virus.
Kate Page is a real trooper, this is the 2nd book of 4 by Rick Mofina high lighting this character. Rick by the way is a Canadian boy, something I wasn’t aware and I look forward to reading the remaining 2 books not only in this series but other books by him and be introduced to some of his other characters.
Now I hope to pick up another book and start it this week, keep the ball rolling so to speak.
Wish me luck!
I really enjoyed this book, kept me on the edge of my lazy boy, in fact I was bawling at times during the last 30 pages or so.
I am not sure why it took me so long to pick up a book, I had started another one but I just couldn’t get into it and it sat on the end table for weeks literally. I think a lot had to do with the genre of the book, not really the type of book that I would normally read and perhaps to a lesser degree everything going on with this virus.
Kate Page is a real trooper, this is the 2nd book of 4 by Rick Mofina high lighting this character. Rick by the way is a Canadian boy, something I wasn’t aware and I look forward to reading the remaining 2 books not only in this series but other books by him and be introduced to some of his other characters.
Now I hope to pick up another book and start it this week, keep the ball rolling so to speak.
Wish me luck!
November 27, 2020
There's nothing like seeing familiar places and landscape pop up as you are racing full throttle with your new best friend on an Alberta-Montana roadtrip!Rick Mofina: I am so happy to meet you! You bring me hope for happiness sailing through and out the other side of Covid Look forward to journeying with you from today, forward!
June 28, 2015
I'll be honest up front, this book almost immediately hit up against one of my pet peeves-- the unrealistic picture that many authors have of life as a single mother. Kate Page is a single mom and an ace reporter. And she just happens to have a perfect child who never whines or argues or tantrums. And she just happens to have a neighbor who is happy to take care of her daughter while she is off working long hours. The neighbor won't even accept money for it because she loves Kate and the little girl so much. Bleh! Stick a finger down my throat and make me gag. Newsflash to all authors: This almost NEVER happens! Children can be a pain and a hindrance. If you are a single mother, or even a married parent, finding good, reliable, affordable child care is next to impossible. And children tantrum, whine and fuss.
Okay, on with the review. At first I thought Kate Page is one of those characters who is too stupid to live. When she receives a call from a detective informing her that a charm that may have belonged to her sister was found at a crime scene, the story becomes personal for Kate. Her sister, Vanessa, was swept away as a small child when their car drove into a river. Her body was never found. Kate is not only determined to get the story at all costs, but she is convinced that she will find the truth about what happened to her sister as well. At first she makes herself a nuisance to the cops-- she sneaks into a crime scene and just generally gets in their way. I was almost so annoyed by her actions as well as the child care thing that I almost stopped reading.
But then Kate stops fighting the investigators and starts doing some actual investigative journalism. And somewhere along the way she turns into a tough professional who is willing to do what it takes not only to get the story-- which has become secondary to her-- but to find out what happened to her sister. There are some secondary cardboard characters-- the grizzled old dude at the newswire service who has taken Kate under his wing, the bitchy young producer who got to her position due to family connections rather than any real abilities. The hardened detective who is forced to come to a reluctant admiration of Kate's abilities. We've seen all these characters before-- ho hum!
The last half of the book is very good. The book just needs a much better first half. If you are looking for a quick read and are prepared to skim over the first half of the book, then by all means read Full Tilt!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, on with the review. At first I thought Kate Page is one of those characters who is too stupid to live. When she receives a call from a detective informing her that a charm that may have belonged to her sister was found at a crime scene, the story becomes personal for Kate. Her sister, Vanessa, was swept away as a small child when their car drove into a river. Her body was never found. Kate is not only determined to get the story at all costs, but she is convinced that she will find the truth about what happened to her sister as well. At first she makes herself a nuisance to the cops-- she sneaks into a crime scene and just generally gets in their way. I was almost so annoyed by her actions as well as the child care thing that I almost stopped reading.
But then Kate stops fighting the investigators and starts doing some actual investigative journalism. And somewhere along the way she turns into a tough professional who is willing to do what it takes not only to get the story-- which has become secondary to her-- but to find out what happened to her sister. There are some secondary cardboard characters-- the grizzled old dude at the newswire service who has taken Kate under his wing, the bitchy young producer who got to her position due to family connections rather than any real abilities. The hardened detective who is forced to come to a reluctant admiration of Kate's abilities. We've seen all these characters before-- ho hum!
The last half of the book is very good. The book just needs a much better first half. If you are looking for a quick read and are prepared to skim over the first half of the book, then by all means read Full Tilt!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2015
Kate Page suffered devastation after devastation as a child. Her happy family was torn apart when her parents died in a hotel fire. She and her younger sister were bounced from one family member to another before winding up in foster care. Her foster parents then died in a tragic car accident. That same car accident also took the life of her younger sister, Vanessa, or did it? Evidence found at a murder scene points to the possibility that Vanessa may have survived the car accident. Is it possible she survived that tragedy only to become the victim of a sadistic rapist and murderer?
What do you do if you think your long presumed dead sister is the victim of a serial abductor/murderer? Well, if you're a news reporter and Kate Page you report on the story and launch your own investigation to uncover as much information as possible about the murderer. The more Kate uncovers about the life of this twisted killer, the more she places the life of her sister, and possibly herself in peril. Kate's investigation and reports place her on the hit list of the killer. Will the killer be able to exact his revenge against Kate? Will law enforcement be able to find Vanessa before it's too late?
Full Tilt was a fast-paced suspense thriller read and the second book in the Kate Page series (Whirlwind is the first in this series). I found the characters to be wholly realistic and the action believable. Kate's investigation takes her all across the United States and Canada. I did find parts of the ending to be somewhat predictable, but it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. Mr. Mofina provides an amazing cast of characters that include: Kate, Kate's daughter Grace, Kate's bosses - Reeka Beck and Chuck Laneer, various other news people, assorted law enforcement officers in the United States and Canada, Viper the computer hacker, the victims, and the killer. I really liked Kate and could appreciate her unwillingness to abide by the restrictions placed upon her by law enforcement and her employer when it came to finding her sister. If you're looking for a taut, well-written suspense thriller to read, look no further; add Full Tilt to your TBR list or simply grab a copy to read as soon as possible.
What do you do if you think your long presumed dead sister is the victim of a serial abductor/murderer? Well, if you're a news reporter and Kate Page you report on the story and launch your own investigation to uncover as much information as possible about the murderer. The more Kate uncovers about the life of this twisted killer, the more she places the life of her sister, and possibly herself in peril. Kate's investigation and reports place her on the hit list of the killer. Will the killer be able to exact his revenge against Kate? Will law enforcement be able to find Vanessa before it's too late?
Full Tilt was a fast-paced suspense thriller read and the second book in the Kate Page series (Whirlwind is the first in this series). I found the characters to be wholly realistic and the action believable. Kate's investigation takes her all across the United States and Canada. I did find parts of the ending to be somewhat predictable, but it did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the story. Mr. Mofina provides an amazing cast of characters that include: Kate, Kate's daughter Grace, Kate's bosses - Reeka Beck and Chuck Laneer, various other news people, assorted law enforcement officers in the United States and Canada, Viper the computer hacker, the victims, and the killer. I really liked Kate and could appreciate her unwillingness to abide by the restrictions placed upon her by law enforcement and her employer when it came to finding her sister. If you're looking for a taut, well-written suspense thriller to read, look no further; add Full Tilt to your TBR list or simply grab a copy to read as soon as possible.
December 28, 2017
Not as good for me as the 1st Kate Page novel "Whirlwind". None the less another great read from author Rick Mofina.
November 8, 2017
I thought the last book 'Whirlwind' by Rick Mofina was Excellent, this one tore at your heart and thank God wasn't real. Rick Mofina's writing grips you to the point once you start reading you don't want to put it down till your finished... Can't wait to read the next 2 Series of Kate the News Reporter and her daughter Grace... I would give this book an infinity of STARS if I could!!!
November 1, 2024
Loved this book! Was an easy read and kept me eager to keep reading!
October 2, 2015
A thoroughly exciting and masterly well built mystery thriller. "Full Tilt", is the second novel in the Kate Page series from author Rick Mofina. Rick is one of my very favorite authors because he can weave a tale of intrigue, and suspense far better that the vast majority of writers in this genre today. At 440 pages, I zipped through this awesome read in just over 24 hours. It's so riveting I had to just keep going reading it. Kate Page is one of author Mofina's new series stars. "Full Tilt" is just the second book in the series. (The third book just came out on 9/29- Gotta get to it fast !). Kate is a New York based reporter for the news organization, "NewsLead". Although she's just had a short time with the company, she's one of their top reporters. In some place called Rampart, New York, local police have uncovered a horrific crime scene. Rampart must be between Syracuse and Buffalo way out in western New York State. A barn fire has uncovered two dead bodies. One female and one male. The male is believed to be that of land owner Carl Nelson. The police need to get real lucky trying to identifying the female. A burnt silver locket is major clue. Kate has a locket exactly like one from crime scene. Can this have came from Kate's long lost sister of 15 years, Vanessa ? Most likely body is that of a missing and/or kidnapped Canadian girl named Tara Dawn. Tara disappeared from local truck stop in small Canada town 15 years ago as well. Meanwhile the police and different agencies are trying to track down Carl Nelson. Nelson has apparently duped somebody into barn to murder, allowing him to cover his tracks and vanish into thin air. Nelson is an incredible computer whiz. Described as very much a loner, his neighbors all thought he was an odd duck but harmless. Kate is running from state to state and into Canada several times on the chase to find out who Tara Dawn really is, and how does it figure into her missing sister. Plot was simply superb reading. the suspense kept building from town to town as Kate hit wall after wall. Very well built, and developed characters really added just so much excitement to the story. With some expected and very unexpected twists in plot this book reads like a missile soaring at top speed. Having discovered reading author Rick Mofina's enjoyable books, this master story teller is good for a wild ride with each book. There are no dead spots or filler areas. Incredible protagonist Kate, and her group of "NewsLead"characters must be rooted for. Even the bad guy characters easily allow "Full Tilt", push reader to root for good to prevail and evil to lose. I'd highly recommend any of author Rick Mofina's series to jump into. I have several more Mofina books to get to yet. I already know they are going to be exceptional thrillers and some great stories. Check out master story teller Rick Mofina for this 5 star out of a possible 5 star mystery thriller. I wouldn't steer you wrong ! "Full Tilt"
February 26, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
A barn destroyed by fire, a woman’s body burned beyond recognition, a silver angel necklace, these are the clues a small town police department has to build a case on. A case that will capture the attention of the whole country. This book will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as we follow newspaper journalist Kate Page in her search for evidence that will link the necklace with her baby sister who went missing twenty years earlier. Kate’s sister Vanessa was swept away following a car crash in a river in Canada. Everyone believed the young girl had died, but her body was never found and her sister never gave up believing Vanessa was still out there. The crash also claimed the lives of Kate and Vanessa’s foster parents. Shortly before they died, the girls’ foster Mom gave them guardian angel necklaces. A necklace resembling one last seem on young Vanessa is found among the debris in a barn located in Rampart, New York. Kate is stunned when she receives the news that there is a remote chance that her sister is still alive.
What at first looked like a murder-suicide quickly becomes a double murder, with the killer on the run. Further evidence soon reveals there are far more bodies buried in the fields surrounding the barn. And even more chilling, within the barn, it is determined that the old structure had been partitioned off into what appears to be ‘confinement rooms’. The killer is a man with top-notch computer skills which he uses to stay ahead of the law. But for Kate, this is more than a newspaper headline, and she will stop at nothing to find her sister and bring this killer down.
A barn destroyed by fire, a woman’s body burned beyond recognition, a silver angel necklace, these are the clues a small town police department has to build a case on. A case that will capture the attention of the whole country. This book will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as we follow newspaper journalist Kate Page in her search for evidence that will link the necklace with her baby sister who went missing twenty years earlier. Kate’s sister Vanessa was swept away following a car crash in a river in Canada. Everyone believed the young girl had died, but her body was never found and her sister never gave up believing Vanessa was still out there. The crash also claimed the lives of Kate and Vanessa’s foster parents. Shortly before they died, the girls’ foster Mom gave them guardian angel necklaces. A necklace resembling one last seem on young Vanessa is found among the debris in a barn located in Rampart, New York. Kate is stunned when she receives the news that there is a remote chance that her sister is still alive.
What at first looked like a murder-suicide quickly becomes a double murder, with the killer on the run. Further evidence soon reveals there are far more bodies buried in the fields surrounding the barn. And even more chilling, within the barn, it is determined that the old structure had been partitioned off into what appears to be ‘confinement rooms’. The killer is a man with top-notch computer skills which he uses to stay ahead of the law. But for Kate, this is more than a newspaper headline, and she will stop at nothing to find her sister and bring this killer down.
January 27, 2015
4.5 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME
Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of "confinement rooms"-rooms designed to hold human beings captive-where they make other chilling discoveries.
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death-or save her life." (From Amazon)
This is the second book in the Kate Page series and I already cannot wait for the next one. In the first novel, Whirlwind, Mofina alludes to Page's past and family which become the focus in this book. I will warn you that once you start this book you will not want to put it down...the suspense had me gripping my eReader. The twists and turns were interesting and kept you guessing at what would happen next. I liked that Page was a journalist as it put an interesting perspective to the story. I highly recommend this suspense thriller.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
"A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME
Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of "confinement rooms"-rooms designed to hold human beings captive-where they make other chilling discoveries.
In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate's sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.
Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister's disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who's kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa's death-or save her life." (From Amazon)
This is the second book in the Kate Page series and I already cannot wait for the next one. In the first novel, Whirlwind, Mofina alludes to Page's past and family which become the focus in this book. I will warn you that once you start this book you will not want to put it down...the suspense had me gripping my eReader. The twists and turns were interesting and kept you guessing at what would happen next. I liked that Page was a journalist as it put an interesting perspective to the story. I highly recommend this suspense thriller.
February 7, 2015
A trifle wordy but still well worth the read...
I am a fan of author Rick Mofina. His book "Whirlwind" was a favorite of mine last year.
Reporter Kate Page is back in this offering of Mofina's, with more of a lead role than she had in WHIRLWIND.
Kate lost her little sister in a terrible car wreck into a river twenty years ago and the body was never found. So Kate has never given up hope that her baby sister might still be alive.
A barn fire, burned bodies and a possible clue about Kate's sister are found in New York state and Kate's investigative and sisterly instincts kick into high gear. She ends up on the trail of what could be one of the worst serial killers ever.
I enjoyed FULL TILT but felt at 430+ pages that it was a trifle wordy. 100 pages could have been cut from the story (or rewritten to not be as repetitive) and the story would have benefited greatly.
I enjoyed Kate's character and what a whiz bang investigative reporter she is. I also liked the character of Viper and hope we see more of him in the future.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I am a fan of author Rick Mofina. His book "Whirlwind" was a favorite of mine last year.
Reporter Kate Page is back in this offering of Mofina's, with more of a lead role than she had in WHIRLWIND.
Kate lost her little sister in a terrible car wreck into a river twenty years ago and the body was never found. So Kate has never given up hope that her baby sister might still be alive.
A barn fire, burned bodies and a possible clue about Kate's sister are found in New York state and Kate's investigative and sisterly instincts kick into high gear. She ends up on the trail of what could be one of the worst serial killers ever.
I enjoyed FULL TILT but felt at 430+ pages that it was a trifle wordy. 100 pages could have been cut from the story (or rewritten to not be as repetitive) and the story would have benefited greatly.
I enjoyed Kate's character and what a whiz bang investigative reporter she is. I also liked the character of Viper and hope we see more of him in the future.
NOTE: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2015
One of the best thrillers I've read recently.
A tale of a "collector" that kidnaps and keeps women for years.
A young woman still holding out hope after twenty years that her sister was still alive. Orphans with their foster parents when the car crashes into a river, Kate Page gets out of the car with her little sister Vanessa, only to lose her grip, the child swept away. The body was never found, authorities believing it caught in some rocks somewhere under the surface.
Kate never bought that and became a reporter in her quest to find the missing sister.
Now a necklace had turned up at the scene of a horrible set of murders. A necklace identical to one Kate still wore, one of a pair given to them by their parents before a hotel fire took their lives.
Kate is off investigating, feeling closer than ever before in finding the missing sister. The more it progresses, the worse things get and Kate wonders if she will lose Vanessa again after so many years.
Well written thriller that kept me flipping pages.
A tale of a "collector" that kidnaps and keeps women for years.
A young woman still holding out hope after twenty years that her sister was still alive. Orphans with their foster parents when the car crashes into a river, Kate Page gets out of the car with her little sister Vanessa, only to lose her grip, the child swept away. The body was never found, authorities believing it caught in some rocks somewhere under the surface.
Kate never bought that and became a reporter in her quest to find the missing sister.
Now a necklace had turned up at the scene of a horrible set of murders. A necklace identical to one Kate still wore, one of a pair given to them by their parents before a hotel fire took their lives.
Kate is off investigating, feeling closer than ever before in finding the missing sister. The more it progresses, the worse things get and Kate wonders if she will lose Vanessa again after so many years.
Well written thriller that kept me flipping pages.
August 31, 2015
Rick Mofina is one of my favorite authors of suspense, and I am loving this series by him. In this one, reporter Kate Page is contacted by detectives in New York after a blazing barn and a dying woman lead police to find rooms where people have obviously been confined for long periods of time. At the scene, a guardian angel charm matching the description of one owned by Kate's sister was found. Kate's sister, Vanessa, was lost fifteen years ago when she washed away after a terrible car accident. Kate tried to hold on to her, but couldn't. This could be Kate's opportunity to find out what happened to Vanessa.
This was a great book with a suspenseful and thrilling story. I liked the characters and the fast pace of the book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
This was a great book with a suspenseful and thrilling story. I liked the characters and the fast pace of the book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
November 19, 2015
I decided to read the second book before the first just to mix things up on this series. Actually, the truth is I just picked this up at the library and did not even realize this was a series. And the big surprise here was that this book was just fine as a stand alone and I need not have read the first to jump right in. Read the synopsis and that should give you a good idea of what the book is about. I really enjoyed the central character, a pushy female journalist that just does not want to give in. And I really enjoyed the way the author keeps this book moving along at a very steady and readable pace. Now maybe I can look for the first book in the series.
July 10, 2021
Page turning excitement
This was the second book in the Kate Page series. It was definitely page turning excitement. I was hopeful for a certain ending and it did not disappoint! Looking forward to the next two in that series. As always Rick Mofina’s writing style makes you want to keep reading!
This was the second book in the Kate Page series. It was definitely page turning excitement. I was hopeful for a certain ending and it did not disappoint! Looking forward to the next two in that series. As always Rick Mofina’s writing style makes you want to keep reading!
October 12, 2018
Another great Kate Page thriller! Kate has never given up on finding the answers to what happened to her sister. She may get more than she bargained for as she delves deeper. Suspense fans should give this series a try.
October 26, 2015
WOW! I really enjoyed this second book in Rick Mofina's Kate Page series. I'm going to read the next book, EVERY SECOND, in this reporter series next.
January 25, 2018
Another great entry in the Kate Page series! Kudos to Rick for a non-stop roller coaster ride!! I look forward to reading more in this series and more of his other books!
January 27, 2018
Excellent book - will be looking for more from this author. Twists & turns galore.
July 11, 2023
In the opening sequence of Rick Mofina's FULL TILT, the reader is pulled immediately into the action. There is a burning building, an escaped captive, and a dead body. The story doesn't start with a single mystery but several.
Overview: An unidentified woman runs out of a burning barn with ropes dangling from her wrists. It's obvious she's been held prisoner but by who and why? Before she dies of her injuries, she tells the police "there are others". As the barn is searched, the burned body of a man is found nearby along with a suicide note. Among the ruins police also find a charm that matches the description of one worn by a kidnap victim in a fifteen year old case.
Kate Page is a reporter. Twenty years ago, she was the sole survivor of a car accident that claimed the lives of her foster parents and presumably her younger sister,Vanessa. But Vanessa's body was never found and Kate has always held out a sliver of hope that somehow, some way, she had survived the accident too.
Now the police are telling Kate that Vanessa's charm has been found in the ruins of the burned barn. Is it possible that Vanessa's still alive? Trying to get to the truth pits Kate against her bosses, the cops, and a killer.With time running out, Kate has to use every resource at her disposal to discover if Vanessa is alive or dead.
Thoughts:
FULL TILT starts strong but requires a bigger and bigger suspension of disbelief as the story progresses. Kate Page is a not just a reporter, she's a great reporter. She's not only a single mom, she's a single mom with an on-call neighbor ready to step in whenever she's called away. Kate Page never comes alive as a fully fleshed out character. Despite having every reason to empathize with her situation, the character feels inauthentic. The other primary characters including the police detectives, Kate's bosses, and even the killer are stick figures with little detail or personality. No emotions resonate and since Kate is the focus of the action, the lack of emotional connection with the character leaves the story feeling flat.
Recommendation summary: FULL TILT has an interesting premise but one that fails to truly payoff. The story isn't compelling enough to warrant being called a mystery or a suspense. It is, however, an entertaining read if you can overlook the increasingly ludicrous coincidences and narrative leaps that Rick Mofina uses to move the story forward.
Overview: An unidentified woman runs out of a burning barn with ropes dangling from her wrists. It's obvious she's been held prisoner but by who and why? Before she dies of her injuries, she tells the police "there are others". As the barn is searched, the burned body of a man is found nearby along with a suicide note. Among the ruins police also find a charm that matches the description of one worn by a kidnap victim in a fifteen year old case.
Kate Page is a reporter. Twenty years ago, she was the sole survivor of a car accident that claimed the lives of her foster parents and presumably her younger sister,Vanessa. But Vanessa's body was never found and Kate has always held out a sliver of hope that somehow, some way, she had survived the accident too.
Now the police are telling Kate that Vanessa's charm has been found in the ruins of the burned barn. Is it possible that Vanessa's still alive? Trying to get to the truth pits Kate against her bosses, the cops, and a killer.With time running out, Kate has to use every resource at her disposal to discover if Vanessa is alive or dead.
Thoughts:
FULL TILT starts strong but requires a bigger and bigger suspension of disbelief as the story progresses. Kate Page is a not just a reporter, she's a great reporter. She's not only a single mom, she's a single mom with an on-call neighbor ready to step in whenever she's called away. Kate Page never comes alive as a fully fleshed out character. Despite having every reason to empathize with her situation, the character feels inauthentic. The other primary characters including the police detectives, Kate's bosses, and even the killer are stick figures with little detail or personality. No emotions resonate and since Kate is the focus of the action, the lack of emotional connection with the character leaves the story feeling flat.
Recommendation summary: FULL TILT has an interesting premise but one that fails to truly payoff. The story isn't compelling enough to warrant being called a mystery or a suspense. It is, however, an entertaining read if you can overlook the increasingly ludicrous coincidences and narrative leaps that Rick Mofina uses to move the story forward.
June 12, 2017
This is the 2nd book in the Kate Page series. She is now in New York still writing for Newslead working for Chuck. In the first book, we learned that Kate's parents died when Kate and her sister were very little. Then, while on a trip in Canada, her foster parents' car crashed into a lake and Kate was the only one to survive. She remembers grabbing her sister's hand and trying to pull her out of the water, but her hand slips away. Since a body was never found, Kate still holds out hope that her sister somehow survived. She is entered into a law enforcement database with a charm necklace that both Kate and her sister were wearing. Now close to 20 years later, Kate receives a call from a New York Detective who found a similar charm at a gruesome barn fire. Kate becomes involved in the search for the answers to what happened at that barn. This story takes her to multiple different states and back to Canada where she searches for the truth and holds on to the possibility that her sister may be alive. The killer in this story is extremely deranged and be prepared for gruesome things. The story was good, but there were a couple of annoying things that didn't allow me to give this 5 stars. I struggle with liking Kate. At times she is likeable, and at other times, she is a self-absorbed brat. She has a young daughter, but like the last book, she hardly spends any time with her. She keeps pawning her off on a neighbor while she goes gallivanting around the country. Quite frankly, if that's the kind of job you are going to have, it may not be a good idea to be a single mom...just saying. Also, even though she is working for Chuck, she has other obnoxious editors that she has to report to. It again confirms, as with the first book, that most reporters are callous, self-serving jerks who only care about stirring the pot.
September 15, 2023
Full Tilt by Rick Mofina is a thrilling ride. It contains so much speculation clouded in mystery. One crime after another has been committed. Dead bodies are finally popping up and being found. Investigators are doing their best while a reporter is called about a necklace that resembles a the one her dead sister had. The charred necklace they found might be a match. That is all it takes for the female reporter to become obsessed with the crime scenes in Rampart. She is dealing with a bitchy female boss and a lot of trouble for the stress she's struggling with now. Rick Mofina is a superb writer. He makes the story come alive on the pages. Everything felt like a true crime read. The story is an excellent one, but it will take a bit longer to get through. However, it is worth every page!
June 4, 2019
4-4 1/2 star read. This is the second in Mofina's Kate Page series and it was a very good read. Kate is in Manhattan, working as a reporter for Newslead, when she gets a call from a detective investigating a crime scene who has found a necklace, believed to have belonged to Kate's missing sister Vanessa. When Kate goes out to the crime scene, she begins a journey of discovery into what happened to Vanessa. Was Vanessa in captivity with one of America's worst serial killers? Was she alive or dead? And would this man stop killing women? Kate involves herself in the case and investigates the killer's back story, enraging him. Soon Kate is on the killer's radar. This was quite a roller coaster of a ride and I enjoyed it very much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews