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Swerve
It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.
338 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2015
65 people are currently reading
5530 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Pettersson
30 books1,303 followersVicki Pettersson is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, most set in her hometown of Las Vegas. Though she'll ever consider that glittering dustbowl home, she now divides her time between Vegas and Dallas,Texas, where she's learning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys (easier than you'd think).
Her most recent release is SWERVE, aptly titled as it's both a chase book and a hard departure from her fantasy work. A pure adrenaline, white-knucked thriller, Swerve releases on July 7, 2015 -- perfect for the novel's Fourth of July setting. If you're looking for a romance with little to no violence ... this is not your novel. If, as with her other work, you're looking for a strong female protagonist who comes out swinging when pushed into a corner, then perhaps you can connect. Welcome!
Her most recent release is SWERVE, aptly titled as it's both a chase book and a hard departure from her fantasy work. A pure adrenaline, white-knucked thriller, Swerve releases on July 7, 2015 -- perfect for the novel's Fourth of July setting. If you're looking for a romance with little to no violence ... this is not your novel. If, as with her other work, you're looking for a strong female protagonist who comes out swinging when pushed into a corner, then perhaps you can connect. Welcome!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
August 18, 2018
this is a very medium-book for me.
it's a solid premise - a nurse and her surgeon fiancé are driving through the las vegas desert on their way to his wealthy and snooty mother's home for a fourth of july party when they pull over into a deserted rest stop so kristine can change out of her scrubs. already anxious because she has a fear of dark, confined places after a scarring childhood experience, kristine is completely terrified when a man enters the restroom and shoves a knife at her through the crack in the door. after a struggle in which she is knocked out, she regains consciousness to find that daniel is gone, the car and his cell phone abandoned.
his phone begins to ring, and when she answers it, kristine is confronted with a horrible situation - daniel has been abducted, and if she ever wants to see him again, she is going to have to prove her love by taking part in a very specific game of cat and mouse that will take her through the desert and into a series of gruesome situations, many of which seem to be tailored to her own fears and discomforts.
the first half of the book is driven by the game and trying to figure out who is behind it. in the second half, we know the identity of the kidnapper, and it shifts to pure survival.
the book has great movement - there's a realistic frenzy to it as kristine falls into all the traps left for her and begins to realize the scope and intricacy of the setup, and all the consequences even if she does live through it. there will be many dead bodies left in her wake, but she's operating on a killer's tick tocking countdown, and if she pauses, daniel is going to die.
the first half is fine - there's nothing extraordinary about the writing, but no one reads serial killer novels for their luminous prose. it's got a good energy, and kristine is a sympathetic heroine - she loves her man, she faces her fears with determination, and her past - revealed throughout the story - makes it clear she is a survivor. there's a great deal of graphic violence and theatrically staged murders, which is the only thing keeping me watching hannibal and the following, so i dug that, and it's a perfectly good page-turner that isn't intellectually taxing.
cue the second part.
and that's fine - it's a perfectly good vacation read, and all that blathering is just me being a noodge. because you're already deep in the land of the unreal when reading a book whose central drive is such a perfectly-calibrated scavenger hunt of murrrrrderrrr and horror. if you like serial killer books with very involved scenarios, lots of gross, bloody bits, or any of these movies, you will probably dig this.
a solid three stars
come to my blog!
August 13, 2015
Kristin and her doctor fiancé are headed up to his mom's estate for the Fourth of July holiday. Kristin spills some coffee and wants to stop and change her clothes. They pull off at a abandoned rest stop in the desert. Do these people not watch horror movies!??? Never do that!
Kristin is attacked in the restroom by a guy with a knife.
She gets away but realizes that the creeper has kidnapped her fiancé, Daniel.
She gets that call. Say good-bye. Now. Or he dies.
That begins a game of cat and mouse with this sicko in the desert. Anyone that tries to help Kristin ends up on the wrong side of the creeper.
Kristin does have a history of being used by another man back when she was a teenager. She survived and worked her way up from her trailer park roots.
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days. It seems that trouble's going to follow me to my grave.
This book moves very fast and if you are a fan of spine chilling slashers get your seatbelt on and buckle up. This is a bumpy ride.
You don't know who you are...not until you been pushed to the edge.
Book source: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Kristin is attacked in the restroom by a guy with a knife.
She gets away but realizes that the creeper has kidnapped her fiancé, Daniel.
She gets that call. Say good-bye. Now. Or he dies.
That begins a game of cat and mouse with this sicko in the desert. Anyone that tries to help Kristin ends up on the wrong side of the creeper.
Kristin does have a history of being used by another man back when she was a teenager. She survived and worked her way up from her trailer park roots.
Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days. It seems that trouble's going to follow me to my grave.
This book moves very fast and if you are a fan of spine chilling slashers get your seatbelt on and buckle up. This is a bumpy ride.
You don't know who you are...not until you been pushed to the edge.
Book source: Netgalley in exchange for review.
October 22, 2016
All I can say is Wow! What a ride. This book was amazing! I was blown away!
“Swerve” by Vicki Pettersson, is a fast-paced psychological thriller, that will terrify you and leave the reader stunned and shocked. While this novel is full of suspense, and non-stop action, be aware that this novel is not for the squeamish, as some disturbing scenes were quite gruesome in nature.
Kristine, a physician’s assistant and her surgeon fiancé, Daniel, are on a trip to Lake Arrowhead for the 4th of the July. (the home of Daniel’s mother) But when they stop at one rest area, so that Kristine can change out of her scrubs and use the facilities…her life will never be the same! Kristine is attacked in the bathroom and when she wakes up, Daniel is gone. She finally gets in the car and then begins receiving texts on his phone from her phone. The attacker had left her the phone for a reason.
“Say good-bye
Now
Or he dies.”
She gets in the car and sees a text message "just drive and do as I say if you want to see Daniel again."
She was ALONE but not ALONE!
What would you do?
Kristine soon realizes a dangerous game is being played. A game of CAT and MOUSE! As she follows each clue will she finally be able to save Daniel or ever see him again alive? This book will keep you guessing, but the ending is a real shock!
I was totally hooked from start to finish. I could feel the tension rising and found myself trying to help Kristine with her dilemma. If you love thrillers this book is definitely for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
“Swerve” by Vicki Pettersson, is a fast-paced psychological thriller, that will terrify you and leave the reader stunned and shocked. While this novel is full of suspense, and non-stop action, be aware that this novel is not for the squeamish, as some disturbing scenes were quite gruesome in nature.
Kristine, a physician’s assistant and her surgeon fiancé, Daniel, are on a trip to Lake Arrowhead for the 4th of the July. (the home of Daniel’s mother) But when they stop at one rest area, so that Kristine can change out of her scrubs and use the facilities…her life will never be the same! Kristine is attacked in the bathroom and when she wakes up, Daniel is gone. She finally gets in the car and then begins receiving texts on his phone from her phone. The attacker had left her the phone for a reason.
“Say good-bye
Now
Or he dies.”
She gets in the car and sees a text message "just drive and do as I say if you want to see Daniel again."
She was ALONE but not ALONE!
What would you do?
Kristine soon realizes a dangerous game is being played. A game of CAT and MOUSE! As she follows each clue will she finally be able to save Daniel or ever see him again alive? This book will keep you guessing, but the ending is a real shock!
I was totally hooked from start to finish. I could feel the tension rising and found myself trying to help Kristine with her dilemma. If you love thrillers this book is definitely for you.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 5, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
When a book promises to combine two of my favorite things (a Road Trip and some Stabby Stabby), there’s only one thing left for me to do . . .
“People don’t attack others in broad daylight. They don’t abduct the male half of a couple and leave the female alone.”
Or do they?
When Kristine and her fiancé Daniel stop at a highway rest stop in the middle of the Nevada desert, the unthinkable happens. Kristine is attacked and Daniel disappears. So begins a 24-hour deadly game of cat and mouse . . .
“I don’t know if you can tell, but I’ve done this before.”
If you are looking for a high octane thrill ride that goes from 0-60 in three seconds flat, Swerve is the story for you. Have no fear, I’m not going to spoil all the fun – I’ll just leave a few pointers here in order for you to make the judgment call if your psyche can handle this one or not.
First, take note that not all semi drivers are as friendly as ol’ Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express . . . .
Second, if a psycho leaves you a box in the desert, it probably doesn’t contain a cake . . .
Third, make sure you know which appendages are most important to you . . .
Fourth, just when you think you’ve got it all figured out . . .
And finally, be ready for a bad guy who makes this fella seem like a real sweetie-pie . . .
Mmmmmmmm, pie ; )
Couple all of the above with an author who can write . . .
“I know why the desert creatures have their scales and their shells, but fur hides the fangs and claws up here, and the trees whisper when rustled, their mildewed secrets scenting the air.”
and you have a Mitchell looking a little something like this . . .
Well, I mean he would if he . . . you know . . . actually had a body.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
When a book promises to combine two of my favorite things (a Road Trip and some Stabby Stabby), there’s only one thing left for me to do . . .
“People don’t attack others in broad daylight. They don’t abduct the male half of a couple and leave the female alone.”
Or do they?
When Kristine and her fiancé Daniel stop at a highway rest stop in the middle of the Nevada desert, the unthinkable happens. Kristine is attacked and Daniel disappears. So begins a 24-hour deadly game of cat and mouse . . .
“I don’t know if you can tell, but I’ve done this before.”
If you are looking for a high octane thrill ride that goes from 0-60 in three seconds flat, Swerve is the story for you. Have no fear, I’m not going to spoil all the fun – I’ll just leave a few pointers here in order for you to make the judgment call if your psyche can handle this one or not.
First, take note that not all semi drivers are as friendly as ol’ Jack Burton and the Pork Chop Express . . . .
Second, if a psycho leaves you a box in the desert, it probably doesn’t contain a cake . . .
Third, make sure you know which appendages are most important to you . . .
Fourth, just when you think you’ve got it all figured out . . .
And finally, be ready for a bad guy who makes this fella seem like a real sweetie-pie . . .
Mmmmmmmm, pie ; )
Couple all of the above with an author who can write . . .
“I know why the desert creatures have their scales and their shells, but fur hides the fangs and claws up here, and the trees whisper when rustled, their mildewed secrets scenting the air.”
and you have a Mitchell looking a little something like this . . .
Well, I mean he would if he . . . you know . . . actually had a body.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
January 7, 2017
"My thighs squeak against the leather seat as I lean forward and squint up at the reading -- 108 degrees. Double that if you're being chased by a madman."
Kristine Rush and her fiance, Daniel, are traveling through the desert. Destination? Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California. Kristine needs to change out of her scrubs and into something more appropriate to attend Daniel's mother's 4th of July gathering.
The creep starts to set in as you envision Kristine entering through the doorway of a closed rest stop area. She assures Daniel that she'll be out in a minute as he waits listening to music in the car. Ghastly smells assault her nose from the onset, but that's the least of her worries. With the stall door shut, a threatening knife blade appears in the crack and big work boots kick at her from the bottom. Kristine is attacked and knocked unconscious on the floor.
When she awakens, Kristine darts out the door to run to Daniel. Had he not heard her screams? But no one is in the car or anywhere near the deserted rest stop. Once back in the car she receives a message. In order to get Daniel back alive, she has to take to the road and follow all directions. Time limit: 24 hours. Failure to do so: Daniel will wind up dead.
"I need to keep moving."
And that's what Kristine does throughout the entire book. We follow madly alongside her while flipping pages at breakneck speed. (We know how all of this could have been averted from the onset. But nobody's offering that suggestion. Not even you or me.) "There's no time to cry about it, not that I would."
"Then I smell the blood." And there's plenty to go 'round in this one. That's why the first part of this book worked so well. It started with the fear factor of probability. It kept fright in the locked jaw position. It kept your heart thumping like a bunny's foot on steroids. Then came the outrageous body count in the second half. So high that it gave me a nosebleed. Oh, sorry.
Yes, Pettersson takes us on a vicious nightmare of a roadtrip. I loved the beginning. But then things got really complicated. Really complicated. Heavy backstories and the like. There seemed to be a lot of spackling of the holes in the storyboard to keep this one rushing to the conclusion.
An entertaining read to say the least. But keep your eyes on the road in this one.
Kristine Rush and her fiance, Daniel, are traveling through the desert. Destination? Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California. Kristine needs to change out of her scrubs and into something more appropriate to attend Daniel's mother's 4th of July gathering.
The creep starts to set in as you envision Kristine entering through the doorway of a closed rest stop area. She assures Daniel that she'll be out in a minute as he waits listening to music in the car. Ghastly smells assault her nose from the onset, but that's the least of her worries. With the stall door shut, a threatening knife blade appears in the crack and big work boots kick at her from the bottom. Kristine is attacked and knocked unconscious on the floor.
When she awakens, Kristine darts out the door to run to Daniel. Had he not heard her screams? But no one is in the car or anywhere near the deserted rest stop. Once back in the car she receives a message. In order to get Daniel back alive, she has to take to the road and follow all directions. Time limit: 24 hours. Failure to do so: Daniel will wind up dead.
"I need to keep moving."
And that's what Kristine does throughout the entire book. We follow madly alongside her while flipping pages at breakneck speed. (We know how all of this could have been averted from the onset. But nobody's offering that suggestion. Not even you or me.) "There's no time to cry about it, not that I would."
"Then I smell the blood." And there's plenty to go 'round in this one. That's why the first part of this book worked so well. It started with the fear factor of probability. It kept fright in the locked jaw position. It kept your heart thumping like a bunny's foot on steroids. Then came the outrageous body count in the second half. So high that it gave me a nosebleed. Oh, sorry.
Yes, Pettersson takes us on a vicious nightmare of a roadtrip. I loved the beginning. But then things got really complicated. Really complicated. Heavy backstories and the like. There seemed to be a lot of spackling of the holes in the storyboard to keep this one rushing to the conclusion.
An entertaining read to say the least. But keep your eyes on the road in this one.
June 9, 2016
3.5 stars A woman's fiancé disappears at a rest stop, and she's terrorized by a sadistic unknown person who directs her to do unspeakable things in order to save the one she loves. Some mild but very general spoilers below.
The first half of this book is like a slasher torture porn-type horror movie. (If you're at all squeamish, this is definitely not the book for you.) Kristine is relentlessly pursued and pushed to her limits, forced to debase herself and harm others; while the fast-paced callousness of these acts are pretty mindless, credit is due for the adrenaline-spiked sequence of events.
By the middle, it's revealed who's doing this to her. I don't think it's that hard to guess, and the reasoning behind the sadist's fixation on Kristine seems specious at best. Still, once you get past the usual confrontations, things become interesting in the last third or so as the stakes are suddenly raised for Kristine and she begins to fight back. I wasn't sure the level of detail in her flashbacks was entirely necessary, but eventually I appreciated how they revealed a hidden strength in her that you wouldn't have previously guessed, and how this sets up the final climactic fight.
This isn't on the same level as the genre thriller writers I enjoy most, though; while there's one scene that has a bit of sicko Gretchen Lowell to it (actually, it's very similar to a scene in BIRDMAN that is much more horrifying in its subtlety), the book lacks Karin Slaughter's nuanced characterization, methodical procedure, and moments of piercing vulnerability. It also doesn't have the delicious cat-and-mouse quality of Chelsea Cain's books, nor the undercurrent of fascinated repulsion or numb despair that makes her victims seem human and real. SWERVE's killer has the exact back story you'd expect, and the relationships displayed aren't terribly convincing or complex. Kristine and her daughter could use more development as well, particularly in the first half. This is the author's first thriller, however, so I'd be interested in seeing what she does with her next one; she definitely has enough inventiveness and a certain gift for frenetic pacing that keeps you on your toes.
This should've started out as a $7.99 mass market paperback, though. It's the kind of thing that's entertaining plane reading, not necessarily something I'd buy as an expensive hardback and keep on my shelf to reread. It's fun but not of the same caliber as other thrillers of this type. (I know, I know, when has that ever stopped them from over-charging.)
The first half of this book is like a slasher torture porn-type horror movie. (If you're at all squeamish, this is definitely not the book for you.) Kristine is relentlessly pursued and pushed to her limits, forced to debase herself and harm others; while the fast-paced callousness of these acts are pretty mindless, credit is due for the adrenaline-spiked sequence of events.
By the middle, it's revealed who's doing this to her. I don't think it's that hard to guess, and the reasoning behind the sadist's fixation on Kristine seems specious at best. Still, once you get past the usual confrontations, things become interesting in the last third or so as the stakes are suddenly raised for Kristine and she begins to fight back. I wasn't sure the level of detail in her flashbacks was entirely necessary, but eventually I appreciated how they revealed a hidden strength in her that you wouldn't have previously guessed, and how this sets up the final climactic fight.
This isn't on the same level as the genre thriller writers I enjoy most, though; while there's one scene that has a bit of sicko Gretchen Lowell to it (actually, it's very similar to a scene in BIRDMAN that is much more horrifying in its subtlety), the book lacks Karin Slaughter's nuanced characterization, methodical procedure, and moments of piercing vulnerability. It also doesn't have the delicious cat-and-mouse quality of Chelsea Cain's books, nor the undercurrent of fascinated repulsion or numb despair that makes her victims seem human and real. SWERVE's killer has the exact back story you'd expect, and the relationships displayed aren't terribly convincing or complex. Kristine and her daughter could use more development as well, particularly in the first half. This is the author's first thriller, however, so I'd be interested in seeing what she does with her next one; she definitely has enough inventiveness and a certain gift for frenetic pacing that keeps you on your toes.
This should've started out as a $7.99 mass market paperback, though. It's the kind of thing that's entertaining plane reading, not necessarily something I'd buy as an expensive hardback and keep on my shelf to reread. It's fun but not of the same caliber as other thrillers of this type. (I know, I know, when has that ever stopped them from over-charging.)
July 25, 2015
OMG what have I just sat and read this afternoon
I was so taken in by this read that I forgot all time. Hubby and adult son drove to London today to see a football match. Daughter had a hospital appointment, so I settled down to read this.
I just didn't know, that once I opened the first page I would not move from my seat I was totally captivated by this.
Kristine and her fiance Daniel are on their way to a Fourth of July Holiday party. But Daniel gets abducted.
She is forced to choose, go home and never see Daniel alive again or go ahead and find him.
Trouble is, its not as easy as that, she is being controlled.
I am not going to say how or why or when. I have seen other reviews so I don't want to add to what already is out there.
What I can say is, by the time I got half way it occurred to me who the Serial Killer could be. Was I right? You will have to see.
This makes for compulsive reading. The author is so descriptive in the layout and words that you feel you are the one driving that car looking for Daniel, you feel angry, you feel frustrated and you feel.........there is just NO choice, just like Kristine had. No choice.
The last chapters sent me to places in my head that I couldn't believe, I was gasping, literally gasping to think what was happening. I wanted to shout "get out" or "just drive, forget about him" or "call his bluff".
But of course, we can shout what we want when its not us in the driving seat like Kristine literally was.
I was flipping the pages for what happened next, what next, what next, oh my word.....
Literally floored.
Twisted
Absolutely amazing.
You have just GOT to read this.
December 22, 2015
"A sickness lives inside of you. It's why you always fall short of your biggest dreams."
Swerve is an action packed suspense thriller. Vicki Pettersson offers a dark and twisted ride that you will never forget!
Kristine is a single mom who has worked hard to overcome a less than desirable upbringing. Finally finding success working as a physicians assistant, at a local hospital, she has found direction for her life. Not only has she managed to suppress the demons of her past but she has found love.
Her fiancé, Daniel, is a perfect catch! He is wealthy, attractive, intelligent and together they make quite the pair. When Kristine and Daniel set out on a road trip, everything seems to be perfect in her world. However, one stop at a roadside restroom and everything comes crashing down.
"You are, just like most people, totally inconsequential."Daniel is kidnapped and Kristine is sent on a wild scavenger hunt. This scavenger hunt is not for the weak of heart. Along the journey there is blood, death, mystery, and heart clenching suspense!
"No more. No more ambushes and no more running away. Today I would seize some power for myself."
Told in first person POV, Swerve has the perfect blend of action, suspense, and intrigue. The first 50% of the read had me glued to the pages. I felt the intensity of each moment through the colorful text and well crafted plot. As Kristine's past is revealed, I only grew more attached to her and my concern for her (and her daughter) increased with every second that passed. This was a truly stellar read. The only element that affected my rating was towards the end some of the action was slightly predictable and a bit "over the top". In the end, I wasn't quite convinced that the motives of "the killer" gelled with the overall cohesion of the plot! Still, I wouldn't hesitate to check out more from this author!
"To keep me alive. I remembered. Do not stop."
"I climb up and up, out of the darkness. I go forward to my life. And this time I'm the one who doesn't look back."
Overall, I highly recommend Swerve to suspense/thriller lovers! You will enjoy every second of this action packed read! This was my first Vicki Pettersson read and I was certainly impressed. I look forward to exploring more from this author in the future!
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July 14, 2015
Wow!
Swerve is one of the best thrillers I have read, when it comes to the terrifying thrill of a book.
Prepare for it to take your breath away. I read it over three days and feel like I spent most of that time holding my breath while my heart raced. If I had read this for any longer, I think I would have been a nervous wreck!
What would you do if a psychotic stalker abducted the person you really loved while you popped to the toilet on a road trip? Choices are either go home unharmed but never see them alive again, or do everything psycho stalker instructs you to do via mobile phone. A truly terrifying scenario!
I would define Swerve as a fast-paced psychological thriller that is full of suspense, torment, action, and in some parts was quite brutal and horrific.
It has left me feeling emotionally drained, physically exhausted, injured, bruised and somewhat traumatised and shell-shocked.
What a ride! Brilliantly thrilling!
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fast-paced thrillers.
I would like to thank the publisher, Gallery Books for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Swerve is one of the best thrillers I have read, when it comes to the terrifying thrill of a book.
Prepare for it to take your breath away. I read it over three days and feel like I spent most of that time holding my breath while my heart raced. If I had read this for any longer, I think I would have been a nervous wreck!
What would you do if a psychotic stalker abducted the person you really loved while you popped to the toilet on a road trip? Choices are either go home unharmed but never see them alive again, or do everything psycho stalker instructs you to do via mobile phone. A truly terrifying scenario!
I would define Swerve as a fast-paced psychological thriller that is full of suspense, torment, action, and in some parts was quite brutal and horrific.
It has left me feeling emotionally drained, physically exhausted, injured, bruised and somewhat traumatised and shell-shocked.
What a ride! Brilliantly thrilling!
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fast-paced thrillers.
I would like to thank the publisher, Gallery Books for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2015
I've always hated stopping at those open-door (fly-infested) roadside rest-stops while traveling by car......you know the ones......they have ominous semi's parked all around and no people. Well, this is where the creepiness begins and Kristine Rush and her fiancé Dr. Daniel find out just how relentless a mysterious madman lurking in the dark can be.
From page one, Swerve had my complete attention right up to the intriguing "little" twist that leads to the deadly secret in the darkness below. Filled with violence, blood, and guts throughout, this entertaining horror of a thriller does become a bit overdone and implausible, but still worth the time to partake in the chase!
September 24, 2015
Those rest stops that are set way off the highway. Not only do they smell bad, but the lighting always seems weird. Anyone can walk right in there. Might just as well have a sign reading "Danger!" above the entrance in neon strobe lights. Don't go in there. Period.
Alas, Kristine did not get the proverbial memo and ducks into one of these restrooms to change clothes. Her fiance lingers outside by the car taking a call from his mother. Kristine is attacked while inside, and is rendered unconscious. When she comes to, her fiance is missing. A hideous sort of scavenger hunt is put into play by the madman who attacked her, promising the safe return of her intended if she plays correctly.
Pacing is as breakneck as any of this type I have read. It will make your head spin. 'There really is an animal inside us all.'
Alas, Kristine did not get the proverbial memo and ducks into one of these restrooms to change clothes. Her fiance lingers outside by the car taking a call from his mother. Kristine is attacked while inside, and is rendered unconscious. When she comes to, her fiance is missing. A hideous sort of scavenger hunt is put into play by the madman who attacked her, promising the safe return of her intended if she plays correctly.
Pacing is as breakneck as any of this type I have read. It will make your head spin. 'There really is an animal inside us all.'
February 14, 2016
I was really disappointed in this book. It started out with an intriguing premise but evolved into a bizarre and unbelievable plotline. Too gory for my taste.
February 17, 2016
Swerve is an intense, crackling, psychological thriller that grabbed me right from the first chapter and never let go. What a ride!
As the adrenaline started to wear off and I thought about what I had just read, several things hit me at once~
1) There is no way this could have ever happened in real life.
2) About #1-who cares?! The author did such a great job delivering a mind blowing experience that never once while reading it did I ever think 'there's no way this could ever happen in real life.'
In fact the only thing I do remember thinking to myself is I wonder what phone the protagonist Kristine has that has such a long battery life. (seriously, I did want to know as I can't seem to keep my phone to last 8 hours before it needs a charge!)
From the get go, the author gets you comfortable with a brief introduction to Kristine and her loving fiance Daniel. They are taking a trip to spend the 4th of July holiday at his upper class Mother's home in Lake Arrowhead. Due to a quick swerve on the highway that caused coffee to spill all over Kristine, they are forced to stop at the nearest rest stop so that she can change her clothes. And just like in any scary movie, when the 'dun dun dun dun' music starts, you sense it. Something big is about to happen...and all hell breaks lose. I'm telling you if I was at a theater watching this play out, I would have had my hands over my eyes that entire restroom scene!!!
Kristine is attacked by a really creepy man and when she comes too, beaten and sore, she finds her nightmare is just beginning. Daniel has been kidnapped and the killer (who names himself Malthus) sends her off on a treasure hunt of sorts-a 'complete these tasks in the appropriate amount of time and you will see Daniel alive again.'
The first half of the book caters to this treasure hunt and is executed brilliantly. The second half reveals who Malthus is, so then the battle for survival hits top speed. Because slowly it's revealed that Kristine has a deep, dark secret in her past. Is it possible that she brought this all on herself or is she an innocent victim in some mad man's sick game?
Be warned-there are some graphic, cringe worthy scenes throughout, like every good scary story should have. I felt the intensity of these scenes really worked and just added to the whole nail-biting experience for me.
This is a big 5 thumbs up from me, along with my thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author Vicki Patterson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As the adrenaline started to wear off and I thought about what I had just read, several things hit me at once~
1) There is no way this could have ever happened in real life.
2) About #1-who cares?! The author did such a great job delivering a mind blowing experience that never once while reading it did I ever think 'there's no way this could ever happen in real life.'
In fact the only thing I do remember thinking to myself is I wonder what phone the protagonist Kristine has that has such a long battery life. (seriously, I did want to know as I can't seem to keep my phone to last 8 hours before it needs a charge!)
From the get go, the author gets you comfortable with a brief introduction to Kristine and her loving fiance Daniel. They are taking a trip to spend the 4th of July holiday at his upper class Mother's home in Lake Arrowhead. Due to a quick swerve on the highway that caused coffee to spill all over Kristine, they are forced to stop at the nearest rest stop so that she can change her clothes. And just like in any scary movie, when the 'dun dun dun dun' music starts, you sense it. Something big is about to happen...and all hell breaks lose. I'm telling you if I was at a theater watching this play out, I would have had my hands over my eyes that entire restroom scene!!!
Kristine is attacked by a really creepy man and when she comes too, beaten and sore, she finds her nightmare is just beginning. Daniel has been kidnapped and the killer (who names himself Malthus) sends her off on a treasure hunt of sorts-a 'complete these tasks in the appropriate amount of time and you will see Daniel alive again.'
The first half of the book caters to this treasure hunt and is executed brilliantly. The second half reveals who Malthus is, so then the battle for survival hits top speed. Because slowly it's revealed that Kristine has a deep, dark secret in her past. Is it possible that she brought this all on herself or is she an innocent victim in some mad man's sick game?
Be warned-there are some graphic, cringe worthy scenes throughout, like every good scary story should have. I felt the intensity of these scenes really worked and just added to the whole nail-biting experience for me.
This is a big 5 thumbs up from me, along with my thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author Vicki Patterson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2015
This book really got its hooks in me. I've got to wind down now. Catch my breath. Phew! No roller coaster ride with this one. The tension just amped up higher and higher. I felt like I was in a vice.
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE A LOW TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AND GORE.
Remember this is fiction. In reality, this would never happen in real life. But don't we read to be taken places we would never go? The main character is female and wow, is she strong. Not just emotionally, but physically. She takes a beating! The bad man is sicker than any character I can think of right now. Sick, sick, sick.
If you pick this book up, check your sensibility at the door, sit down, and go along for the ride.
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE A LOW TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AND GORE.
Remember this is fiction. In reality, this would never happen in real life. But don't we read to be taken places we would never go? The main character is female and wow, is she strong. Not just emotionally, but physically. She takes a beating! The bad man is sicker than any character I can think of right now. Sick, sick, sick.
If you pick this book up, check your sensibility at the door, sit down, and go along for the ride.
October 19, 2015
The Hook - Swerve is a thriller promising a heck of a ride.
The Line – ”But that’s long past, and besides, everyone has something in their history that makes them flinch.”
The Sinker – I wonder how a psychologist would analyze Swerve but I’m just a reader trying to make sense of this experience? Several of my GoodReads friends gave Swerve high marks and I was really looking forward to a good fast-paced thriller by an author I had never read. All started out well. Kristine Rush and her finance Daniel head out across the Mojave Desert to visit Daniel’s family in Vegas for the 4th of July. Though Kristine is not looking forward to seeing Daniel’s mother, she is proud to be with her husband-to-be. Their enjoyable outing goes south when they are brutally attacked in a rest stop and Daniel is kidnapped. The kidnapper, clearly a madman, gives Kristine 24 hours to meet his terms by navigating a road trip with a map he has provided. If she fails, well, you get the picture. On the first stretch of the journey, something happens that opens my eyes. This was a good thing. I liked it and thought, hey; this is going to be great. I was holding my breath, quickly turning pages, waiting to see what was next. Then things started to go sour for me. I knew who the psychopath was. That would have been fine but then this nutcase ramped up the violence in ways that seemed gratuitous to me and didn’t really make the story any better. These devices were the author’s choice but I didn’t have to like them. I lost interest in the psychological play of cat and mouse and just wanted the story to ride out to its expected conclusion. Perhaps I’m getting old. Man can find many ways to inflict pain and suffering on each other in real life and I’ve lost some tolerance to read the gory details, particularly when they are extremely savage.
I did finish Swerve. It was a fast read. What really disappointed me in the end and is no fault of the author is that I purchased this for our library. It now bears a plate with my name. Now, how about that?
The Line – ”But that’s long past, and besides, everyone has something in their history that makes them flinch.”
The Sinker – I wonder how a psychologist would analyze Swerve but I’m just a reader trying to make sense of this experience? Several of my GoodReads friends gave Swerve high marks and I was really looking forward to a good fast-paced thriller by an author I had never read. All started out well. Kristine Rush and her finance Daniel head out across the Mojave Desert to visit Daniel’s family in Vegas for the 4th of July. Though Kristine is not looking forward to seeing Daniel’s mother, she is proud to be with her husband-to-be. Their enjoyable outing goes south when they are brutally attacked in a rest stop and Daniel is kidnapped. The kidnapper, clearly a madman, gives Kristine 24 hours to meet his terms by navigating a road trip with a map he has provided. If she fails, well, you get the picture. On the first stretch of the journey, something happens that opens my eyes. This was a good thing. I liked it and thought, hey; this is going to be great. I was holding my breath, quickly turning pages, waiting to see what was next. Then things started to go sour for me. I knew who the psychopath was. That would have been fine but then this nutcase ramped up the violence in ways that seemed gratuitous to me and didn’t really make the story any better. These devices were the author’s choice but I didn’t have to like them. I lost interest in the psychological play of cat and mouse and just wanted the story to ride out to its expected conclusion. Perhaps I’m getting old. Man can find many ways to inflict pain and suffering on each other in real life and I’ve lost some tolerance to read the gory details, particularly when they are extremely savage.
I did finish Swerve. It was a fast read. What really disappointed me in the end and is no fault of the author is that I purchased this for our library. It now bears a plate with my name. Now, how about that?
October 19, 2015
The Hook - Swerve is a thriller promising a heck of a ride.
The Line – ”But that’s long past, and besides, everyone has something in their history that makes them flinch.”
The Sinker – I wonder how a psychologist would analyze Swerve but I’m just a reader trying to make sense of this experience? Several of my GoodReads friends gave Swerve high marks and I was really looking forward to a good fast-paced thriller by an author I had never read. All started out well. Kristine Rush and her finance Daniel head out across the Mojave Desert to visit Daniel’s family in Vegas for the 4th of July. Though Kristine is not looking forward to seeing Daniel’s mother, she is proud to be with her husband-to-be. Their enjoyable outing goes south when they are brutally attacked in a rest stop and Daniel is kidnapped. The kidnapper, clearly a madman, gives Kristine 24 hours to meet his terms by navigating a road trip with a map he has provided. If she fails, well, you get the picture. On the first stretch of the journey, something happens that opens my eyes. This was a good thing. I liked it and thought, hey; this is going to be great. I was holding my breath, quickly turning pages, waiting to see what was next. Then things started to go sour for me. I knew who the psychopath was. That would have been fine but then this nutcase ramped up the violence in ways that seemed gratuitous to me and didn’t really make the story any better. These devices were the author’s choice but I didn’t have to like them. I lost interest in the psychological play of cat and mouse and just wanted the story to ride out to its expected conclusion. Perhaps I’m getting old. Man can find many ways to inflict pain and suffering on each other in real life and I’ve lost some tolerance to read the gory details, particularly when they are extremely savage.
I did finish Swerve. It was a fast read. What really disappointed me in the end and is no fault of the author is that I purchased this for our library. It now bears a plate with my name. Now, how about that?
The Line – ”But that’s long past, and besides, everyone has something in their history that makes them flinch.”
The Sinker – I wonder how a psychologist would analyze Swerve but I’m just a reader trying to make sense of this experience? Several of my GoodReads friends gave Swerve high marks and I was really looking forward to a good fast-paced thriller by an author I had never read. All started out well. Kristine Rush and her finance Daniel head out across the Mojave Desert to visit Daniel’s family in Vegas for the 4th of July. Though Kristine is not looking forward to seeing Daniel’s mother, she is proud to be with her husband-to-be. Their enjoyable outing goes south when they are brutally attacked in a rest stop and Daniel is kidnapped. The kidnapper, clearly a madman, gives Kristine 24 hours to meet his terms by navigating a road trip with a map he has provided. If she fails, well, you get the picture. On the first stretch of the journey, something happens that opens my eyes. This was a good thing. I liked it and thought, hey; this is going to be great. I was holding my breath, quickly turning pages, waiting to see what was next. Then things started to go sour for me. I knew who the psychopath was. That would have been fine but then this nutcase ramped up the violence in ways that seemed gratuitous to me and didn’t really make the story any better. These devices were the author’s choice but I didn’t have to like them. I lost interest in the psychological play of cat and mouse and just wanted the story to ride out to its expected conclusion. Perhaps I’m getting old. Man can find many ways to inflict pain and suffering on each other in real life and I’ve lost some tolerance to read the gory details, particularly when they are extremely savage.
I did finish Swerve. It was a fast read. What really disappointed me in the end and is no fault of the author is that I purchased this for our library. It now bears a plate with my name. Now, how about that?
April 26, 2015
Oh my GOSH I just finished this book and I severely cannot breathe. Seriously edge of the seat stuff, action from first page to last pretty much, no room to stop and consider. A quite simply brilliant thriller with a bad guy that will have you hiding under the bed and a sassy authentic female lead who challenges him to his limits - a true cat and mouse tale that will have you hanging on to your reading sanity by a very thin thread.
Awesomesauce. HIGHLY Recommended.
Full Review to follow nearer publication.
Awesomesauce. HIGHLY Recommended.
Full Review to follow nearer publication.
October 30, 2016
Kristine Rush and her fiancé Daniel is traveling through the Mojave Desert on their way to visit Daniel's mother. But then Kristine discovers that Daniel has been kidnapped after a stop at a restroom and now she must follow the instructions of the person that took Daniel if she wants to see him alive again...
I had before I read Swerve read a lot of positive reviews of the book, so after finishing quite a heavy book did I decide that I would go for Swerve since I felt I needed to read something intense and thrilling. I just hoped that the book wasn't overhyped.
I had some problems getting into the story, in the beginning. I just couldn't really connect to it, it didn't feel that special to be honest. I felt that I lacked a thrilling intro and I didn't even feel that this was something special when Daniel got kidnapped and she had to drive off to save his life. I wonder if I didn't already subconscious suspected the big twist that would come a bit later and that's what made me less than thrilled about the story. Yeah, the BIG twist. I saw that a mile away and I was a bit frustrated with how easy it was to figure it out and that the author had actually in the end gone for that.
Then the book turned around and become good (or at least, better) because now Kristine really got to show that the kidnapper had really started to mess with the wrong woman. Now, her past is revealed to the readers and she starts to really fight for what's precious to her. And, that's the best part of the book. I really came to like Kristine when she showed just how furiously she can be when pushed too far.
So was the book overhyped? A bit without a doubt. But still, the book turned out quite good, thanks to a superb heroine!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I had before I read Swerve read a lot of positive reviews of the book, so after finishing quite a heavy book did I decide that I would go for Swerve since I felt I needed to read something intense and thrilling. I just hoped that the book wasn't overhyped.
I had some problems getting into the story, in the beginning. I just couldn't really connect to it, it didn't feel that special to be honest. I felt that I lacked a thrilling intro and I didn't even feel that this was something special when Daniel got kidnapped and she had to drive off to save his life. I wonder if I didn't already subconscious suspected the big twist that would come a bit later and that's what made me less than thrilled about the story. Yeah, the BIG twist. I saw that a mile away and I was a bit frustrated with how easy it was to figure it out and that the author had actually in the end gone for that.
Then the book turned around and become good (or at least, better) because now Kristine really got to show that the kidnapper had really started to mess with the wrong woman. Now, her past is revealed to the readers and she starts to really fight for what's precious to her. And, that's the best part of the book. I really came to like Kristine when she showed just how furiously she can be when pushed too far.
So was the book overhyped? A bit without a doubt. But still, the book turned out quite good, thanks to a superb heroine!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 12, 2015
I would like to thank Net Galley and publishers Gallery books for supplying a forward copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review. This is the first book I have read by author Vicki Pettersson and I was very impressed.
I was drawn in initially by the write up on this novel, but the book starts so strongly it was very difficult to put it down. Lots of edge of the seat action and I thoroughly enjoyed it although I did anticipate many of the twists and turns. Fast paced, good characters and lots of suspense, I can recommend this book to thriller readers.
I was drawn in initially by the write up on this novel, but the book starts so strongly it was very difficult to put it down. Lots of edge of the seat action and I thoroughly enjoyed it although I did anticipate many of the twists and turns. Fast paced, good characters and lots of suspense, I can recommend this book to thriller readers.
July 28, 2015
I had to sit on this for abit. I am honestly still blown away about the book. The book has some disturbing scenes but let me say it is so action packed I read it one night. It was brilliantly written.
Kristine and Daniel are on their way to a picnic holiday when they stop at a truck stop so Kristine can change into more appropiate clothes for trip. as she is in the ladies room she hears noises coming in and she thinnks maybe its Daniel so she calls out...no answer...a man comes in an just knocks Kristine out. When she comes too...she cant find Daniel. His car and his phone are inside the car but where is he??? she calls out, no answer.
She gets in car and sees text message "just drive and do as I say if you want to see Daniel again." He sends her on a goose chase, treasure hunt for clues, details of her Daniel.
Well the ending will shock you. It was not what I was expecting. i guess you will have to read to find out what happens.....I will definately read more of her books. This was mind blowing.
Thank you Net galley!!!!1
Kristine and Daniel are on their way to a picnic holiday when they stop at a truck stop so Kristine can change into more appropiate clothes for trip. as she is in the ladies room she hears noises coming in and she thinnks maybe its Daniel so she calls out...no answer...a man comes in an just knocks Kristine out. When she comes too...she cant find Daniel. His car and his phone are inside the car but where is he??? she calls out, no answer.
She gets in car and sees text message "just drive and do as I say if you want to see Daniel again." He sends her on a goose chase, treasure hunt for clues, details of her Daniel.
Well the ending will shock you. It was not what I was expecting. i guess you will have to read to find out what happens.....I will definately read more of her books. This was mind blowing.
Thank you Net galley!!!!1
July 7, 2015
When Kristine Rush’s fiancé is abducted from a lonely roadside stop in the Nevada desert she finds herself embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with his abductor. If she wants Daniel back then she is going to have to follow a set of clues and do exactly as she is told. It is a fast moving, bloody and brutal story with a high body count and definitely not one for the squeamish. There is a terrifying secret from Kristine’s past, one which is hinted at throughout most of the read and I did get the feeling that I was reading a sequel, but it isn’t and everything does become clear as you go on. It is billed as a psychological thriller but, for me anyway, it was more of an action thriller – and there is plenty of action in this one. Did I guess the identity of the abductor? No, but I was on the right lines and on the whole I have to say I did find this read entertaining although be warned it is brutal, violent and extremely bloody. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
September 28, 2015
Best book I've read this year. Creepy, edge of the seat, very highly recommended.
November 10, 2015
Rating 3.5
I had mixed feelings about this book. That certainly seems to put me in the minority there as most reviewers have rated this book very highly.
The storyline was captivating. A woman and her fiancé are en route to his childhood home for the 4th of July holiday. A driving mishap leads to a spilled coffee and they pull over at a rest stop to get cleaned up. That's when all hell breaks loose. The woman is knocked unconscious and when she comes to she discovers her finance is missing. She ends up in a cat and mouse game on the desert highways with the baddie for most of the book.
There is a "big reveal" about halfway through the book. I saw this one coming so in that regard I think that took away a bit of my enjoyment of this story (that isn't always the case). But following the "big reveal" there was a lot of back and forth between victim and bad guy until the eventual conclusion. It played out for me much like a slasher flick on the big scream. A lot of gruesome blood and guts type mayhem (this type of stuff doesn't turn me off but if it does you this may not be a great choice for your next read).
Another thing that stuck out to me was the author's repetitive use of certain words. Obviously common pronouns ect and used plenty of times in a story but when an author chooses to use a word in a unique way it tends to stand out. In this case the author use the word "bloom" or "blooming" a total of 23 times throughout the story. I can't say that this detracted from the story for me but it certainly was enough for me to notice it.
Overall I thought Swerve was...O.K. Not a great read but certainly not a bad one either. It just didn't captivate me the way I had expected it too after reading a number of stellar reviews. I wonder if my high expectations may have played a role in my eventual feeling about the book.
If this is on your list I would suggest you read it , tons of readers loved it. But this isn't a book I would highly recommend.
Much thanks to Netgalley, author Vicki Patterson, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review and advanced copy of this book.
I had mixed feelings about this book. That certainly seems to put me in the minority there as most reviewers have rated this book very highly.
The storyline was captivating. A woman and her fiancé are en route to his childhood home for the 4th of July holiday. A driving mishap leads to a spilled coffee and they pull over at a rest stop to get cleaned up. That's when all hell breaks loose. The woman is knocked unconscious and when she comes to she discovers her finance is missing. She ends up in a cat and mouse game on the desert highways with the baddie for most of the book.
There is a "big reveal" about halfway through the book. I saw this one coming so in that regard I think that took away a bit of my enjoyment of this story (that isn't always the case). But following the "big reveal" there was a lot of back and forth between victim and bad guy until the eventual conclusion. It played out for me much like a slasher flick on the big scream. A lot of gruesome blood and guts type mayhem (this type of stuff doesn't turn me off but if it does you this may not be a great choice for your next read).
Another thing that stuck out to me was the author's repetitive use of certain words. Obviously common pronouns ect and used plenty of times in a story but when an author chooses to use a word in a unique way it tends to stand out. In this case the author use the word "bloom" or "blooming" a total of 23 times throughout the story. I can't say that this detracted from the story for me but it certainly was enough for me to notice it.
Overall I thought Swerve was...O.K. Not a great read but certainly not a bad one either. It just didn't captivate me the way I had expected it too after reading a number of stellar reviews. I wonder if my high expectations may have played a role in my eventual feeling about the book.
If this is on your list I would suggest you read it , tons of readers loved it. But this isn't a book I would highly recommend.
Much thanks to Netgalley, author Vicki Patterson, and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review and advanced copy of this book.
July 3, 2024
Update: on page 38 but I'm gonna call it now.
* * * * *
I was right all along.
Strangely though, figuring that out early on didn't ruin the whole story for me, but it might for people who enjoy thrillers/mysteries. Since I'm not a fan of the genre, foiling the ending had no effect on me.
I'm usually not good at guessing plots. I mean, I don't try to figure them out or stay one step ahead of the main characters, but figuring out this plot was just a matter of simple deduction. Also, the back of the book gave away more than it entices. After reading that much, it's difficult not to have an inkling who the killer might be. Then when the games began,
Honestly though, I take no pleasure in foiling the plot of this book. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't figured it out because the writing is pretty good for a slasher thriller--very tense, very atmospheric.
But now I don't know how to rate in terms of stars because this could very well be a thrilling read for fans of the genre and fans of slasher films, and in the right mood, it could easily be a hit. The person who recommended it to me said he stayed up all night to get to the end and found it satisfying--exhausting but satisfying. It's definitely a page-turner; however, not once during the read did I care about the main character or her desperate situation or her missing boyfriend. I just wanted to get to end to see if I was right.
But like I said, the writing is good--fast-paced and very easy to get sucked into. The hours just fly by once you open the book. There were several times I couldn't turn the page fast enough and wished my commute was longer so I could get one more chapter in.
Despite the desert setting and vivid descriptions of broiling heat, I found this book to be a rather good winter read. Recommended for dark gloomy days when you're snowed in and don't feel like doing anything other than sit by a fire.
* * * * *
I was right all along.
Strangely though, figuring that out early on didn't ruin the whole story for me, but it might for people who enjoy thrillers/mysteries. Since I'm not a fan of the genre, foiling the ending had no effect on me.
I'm usually not good at guessing plots. I mean, I don't try to figure them out or stay one step ahead of the main characters, but figuring out this plot was just a matter of simple deduction. Also, the back of the book gave away more than it entices. After reading that much, it's difficult not to have an inkling who the killer might be. Then when the games began,
Honestly though, I take no pleasure in foiling the plot of this book. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't figured it out because the writing is pretty good for a slasher thriller--very tense, very atmospheric.
But now I don't know how to rate in terms of stars because this could very well be a thrilling read for fans of the genre and fans of slasher films, and in the right mood, it could easily be a hit. The person who recommended it to me said he stayed up all night to get to the end and found it satisfying--exhausting but satisfying. It's definitely a page-turner; however, not once during the read did I care about the main character or her desperate situation or her missing boyfriend. I just wanted to get to end to see if I was right.
But like I said, the writing is good--fast-paced and very easy to get sucked into. The hours just fly by once you open the book. There were several times I couldn't turn the page fast enough and wished my commute was longer so I could get one more chapter in.
Despite the desert setting and vivid descriptions of broiling heat, I found this book to be a rather good winter read. Recommended for dark gloomy days when you're snowed in and don't feel like doing anything other than sit by a fire.
October 7, 2015
Thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and the author for a preview copy for an honest review.
It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.
Vicki Peterson's first thriller book after a series of fantasy books.
Well this is no fairy tale book for bedtime reading, be ready for a brutal no-holds-barred gorefest, folks, as Kristine does all she can to get the Daniel back. And she only has been given 24 hours to save him!
Clues, horrific incentive, and a game of cat and mouse quickly ensue. The tasks begin simple enough but we quickly come to realize we are dealing with a complete sociopath.
As if things aren’t twisted enough we slowly learn about Kristine’s childhood and *shivers*
If you crave dark, twisted cringe worthy scenes, Swerve will surely satisfy your cravings. Seriously, that horror sound track was running through my head the entire time and just when I thought it could not get any darker the author went there, and then a little too much.
So you ask why only three stars, the last third of the book just went a little too far, very far fetched, it reminded me of a very low budget horror film where the killer/villain is stabbed, shot but keeps coming back from the dead.
The villain is the book is no shock to me, the potential is there, and it could have been great, but the second half just lost it for me.
Three stars for me
It’s high summer in the Mojave Desert, and Kristine Rush and her fiancé, Daniel, are en route from Las Vegas to Lake Arrowhead, California, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. But when Daniel is abducted from a desolate rest stop, Kristine is forced to choose: return home unharmed, but never to see her fiancé again, or plunge forward into the searing desert to find him…where a killer lies in wait.
Vicki Peterson's first thriller book after a series of fantasy books.
Well this is no fairy tale book for bedtime reading, be ready for a brutal no-holds-barred gorefest, folks, as Kristine does all she can to get the Daniel back. And she only has been given 24 hours to save him!
Clues, horrific incentive, and a game of cat and mouse quickly ensue. The tasks begin simple enough but we quickly come to realize we are dealing with a complete sociopath.
As if things aren’t twisted enough we slowly learn about Kristine’s childhood and *shivers*
If you crave dark, twisted cringe worthy scenes, Swerve will surely satisfy your cravings. Seriously, that horror sound track was running through my head the entire time and just when I thought it could not get any darker the author went there, and then a little too much.
So you ask why only three stars, the last third of the book just went a little too far, very far fetched, it reminded me of a very low budget horror film where the killer/villain is stabbed, shot but keeps coming back from the dead.
The villain is the book is no shock to me, the potential is there, and it could have been great, but the second half just lost it for me.
Three stars for me
August 10, 2015
‘The heat haze shimmers atop the road, as if what lies behind me is something I just made up. Like my whole life has been a dream, but now I’ve been jolted awake.
Just in time to watch it all fall away.’
On their way to visit her future mother in law for the Fourth of July weekend, Kristine and her fiancé Daniel stop at a rest stop for her to change her clothes where she gets attacked in a bathroom stall. Never seeing her attacker but being knocked out, she awakens frantic to get to Daniel only to find he’s gone missing. Her mysterious attacker calls her, instructs her to get in the car and leave or else he’s going to hurt Daniel. Furious with her inability to help him, she does get in the car and drive away with the sounds of Daniel’s screams still echoing through the phone. But this mystery person that goes by the name of Malthus is far from done with her and the next 24 hours of her life becomes a nightmare thrill-ride through hell and back again.
I’ve read my fair share of “nail-biters” but very rarely has every. single. page. caused a permanent look of complete and utter panic on my face. I absolutely could not tear myself away from this one. Swerve is the very definition of “edge-of-your-seat”.
Swerve reminded me a lot of Phone Booth, whereKiefer Sutherland Malthus knows all about Kristine and the past that still haunts her and is completely using it against her to make her life a living hell. Since the majority of this novel was spent on the highway on the roadtrip to hell, it had definite shades of Duel as well to make it extra terrifying. It also helps that the bad guy is completely batshit insane and the things he’s capable of doing with a smile still on his face will horrify you. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Swerve is an explosive horror-thriller that is constant and unrelenting. It was horrifying and sickening and I am never stopping at a fucking rest stop again as long as I live. Or at least not without a bazooka.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Just in time to watch it all fall away.’
On their way to visit her future mother in law for the Fourth of July weekend, Kristine and her fiancé Daniel stop at a rest stop for her to change her clothes where she gets attacked in a bathroom stall. Never seeing her attacker but being knocked out, she awakens frantic to get to Daniel only to find he’s gone missing. Her mysterious attacker calls her, instructs her to get in the car and leave or else he’s going to hurt Daniel. Furious with her inability to help him, she does get in the car and drive away with the sounds of Daniel’s screams still echoing through the phone. But this mystery person that goes by the name of Malthus is far from done with her and the next 24 hours of her life becomes a nightmare thrill-ride through hell and back again.
I’ve read my fair share of “nail-biters” but very rarely has every. single. page. caused a permanent look of complete and utter panic on my face. I absolutely could not tear myself away from this one. Swerve is the very definition of “edge-of-your-seat”.
Swerve reminded me a lot of Phone Booth, where
Swerve is an explosive horror-thriller that is constant and unrelenting. It was horrifying and sickening and I am never stopping at a fucking rest stop again as long as I live. Or at least not without a bazooka.
I received this book free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 16, 2015
ARC for review.
"Action-packed" is a term that is way over-used, especially in movie trailers, but it is apt here. Truly there's hardly one moment in this book where the plot is moving forward at the speed of a race car - it can be almost too much.
First, one must understand and accept that Kristine Rush has the absolute worst luck of any human on the planet....when she's first attacked she immediately thinks, "Not again." Specifically, today, Kristine's fiancee Dr. Daniel Hawthorne has been kidnapped from a rest area and she has exactly twenty-four hours to find him. Oh, and she can't get in touch with her young daughter Abby or her baby sitter, Maria. And that's just the beginning of the insanity to follow.
To say anything else to be to risk spoilers, and there is a bit of an eye roll at the big reveal (which readers may guess and that's fine.....I just wish there were more of a REASON given). But if you're looking for a thriller to keep your attention (and don't mind a bit, no make that a LOT of blood), this one is worth a look.
"Action-packed" is a term that is way over-used, especially in movie trailers, but it is apt here. Truly there's hardly one moment in this book where the plot is moving forward at the speed of a race car - it can be almost too much.
First, one must understand and accept that Kristine Rush has the absolute worst luck of any human on the planet....when she's first attacked she immediately thinks, "Not again." Specifically, today, Kristine's fiancee Dr. Daniel Hawthorne has been kidnapped from a rest area and she has exactly twenty-four hours to find him. Oh, and she can't get in touch with her young daughter Abby or her baby sitter, Maria. And that's just the beginning of the insanity to follow.
To say anything else to be to risk spoilers, and there is a bit of an eye roll at the big reveal (which readers may guess and that's fine.....I just wish there were more of a REASON given). But if you're looking for a thriller to keep your attention (and don't mind a bit, no make that a LOT of blood), this one is worth a look.
July 19, 2015
You know those movie trailers that advertise a heart-pounding, grab you by the throat, roller-coaster thrill ride? Yeah, that pretty much sums up what it was like for me reading this book!
Were there parts that were totally implausible and ridiculous? Yep. Did I give one hoot about those things? Nope!
This book was the first in a long time that actually had me commenting out loud, much like I shout at the TV during intense moments of a great thriller or horror movie (oh, don't act like you haven't done it too!).
If you want a fast-paced, crazy thriller of a book, this one sure fit the bill for me. Be warned if you're squeamish...there are some pretty gruesome scenes in this one.
Were there parts that were totally implausible and ridiculous? Yep. Did I give one hoot about those things? Nope!
This book was the first in a long time that actually had me commenting out loud, much like I shout at the TV during intense moments of a great thriller or horror movie (oh, don't act like you haven't done it too!).
If you want a fast-paced, crazy thriller of a book, this one sure fit the bill for me. Be warned if you're squeamish...there are some pretty gruesome scenes in this one.
August 7, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A thriller of epic proportions, one woman on a mad chase to save the man she loves.
Opening Sentence: “It’s not exactly an ominous building, at least not from the highway.”
The Review:
Kristine and Daniel are on a trip to Lake Arrowhead for the 4th of the July and one stop at a rest area changes everything. Kristine is attacked in the bathroom and when she wakes up, Daniel is gone. She then begins receiving texts on his phone from her phone. The ride begins, almost right from the start this book just hits the ground running. Kristine is a physicians’ assistant and Daniel is a doctor, they are engaged to be married and taking a weekend trip straight from work to his mother’s house.
Kristine has no idea what is going on and the text messages she gets makes her realize a dangerous game is being played. As she follows each clue will she finally be able to save Daniel or will she lose it all? This book really keeps you guessing, I only suspected a time or two but quickly dismissed it so I was completely taken by surprise when I found out what was really going on. If you love thrillers this book is definitely for you. I love horror movies so the movie Rest Stop came to mind. Not sure if the results in the book were any better than that movie, but damn did I enjoy the ride.
After her first random stop it is pretty clear that whoever is playing with her is working really hard to set her up for murder. Even though she doesn’t actually kill anyone, almost anyone who has significant interaction with her does not end well for them. I really cannot rave enough about this book. I was totally hooked from start to finish. And while I can’t say too much more about what happens (spoilers), I can say there were major moments of Hell Yeah said!
I thought Kristine was an interesting main character, in the beginning she seemed a little shallow. As the book goes on and her back story unfolds you find that she is this broken woman, who already knows who she is. She lost herself along the way and as this treasure hunt to find Daniel unfolds she finds the inner strength that she already knew she had. It’s really a great look at how the things that happen to us in life define us and what we can chose to overcome.
Notable Scenes:
“A jolt that has nothing to do with the ride somersaults through my gut.”
“I know what haunts me and what keeps me looking forward, but unless I leave this bathroom, I’ll never find out what’s driving him.”
“Do serious harm.”
FTC Advisory: Gallery/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Swerve. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A thriller of epic proportions, one woman on a mad chase to save the man she loves.
Opening Sentence: “It’s not exactly an ominous building, at least not from the highway.”
The Review:
Kristine and Daniel are on a trip to Lake Arrowhead for the 4th of the July and one stop at a rest area changes everything. Kristine is attacked in the bathroom and when she wakes up, Daniel is gone. She then begins receiving texts on his phone from her phone. The ride begins, almost right from the start this book just hits the ground running. Kristine is a physicians’ assistant and Daniel is a doctor, they are engaged to be married and taking a weekend trip straight from work to his mother’s house.
Kristine has no idea what is going on and the text messages she gets makes her realize a dangerous game is being played. As she follows each clue will she finally be able to save Daniel or will she lose it all? This book really keeps you guessing, I only suspected a time or two but quickly dismissed it so I was completely taken by surprise when I found out what was really going on. If you love thrillers this book is definitely for you. I love horror movies so the movie Rest Stop came to mind. Not sure if the results in the book were any better than that movie, but damn did I enjoy the ride.
After her first random stop it is pretty clear that whoever is playing with her is working really hard to set her up for murder. Even though she doesn’t actually kill anyone, almost anyone who has significant interaction with her does not end well for them. I really cannot rave enough about this book. I was totally hooked from start to finish. And while I can’t say too much more about what happens (spoilers), I can say there were major moments of Hell Yeah said!
I thought Kristine was an interesting main character, in the beginning she seemed a little shallow. As the book goes on and her back story unfolds you find that she is this broken woman, who already knows who she is. She lost herself along the way and as this treasure hunt to find Daniel unfolds she finds the inner strength that she already knew she had. It’s really a great look at how the things that happen to us in life define us and what we can chose to overcome.
Notable Scenes:
“A jolt that has nothing to do with the ride somersaults through my gut.”
“I know what haunts me and what keeps me looking forward, but unless I leave this bathroom, I’ll never find out what’s driving him.”
“Do serious harm.”
FTC Advisory: Gallery/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Swerve. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
May 29, 2015
I have not read any previous books written by Vicki Pettersson but the cover and blurb is what caught my eye. Now I'm curious about some of her other novels.
Swerve is a fast paced action packed psychological thriller that had me holding my breath the entire time and the blurb says it all. Take a look for yourself because I am still trying to catch my breath!
Vicki Pettersson has created a woman, Kristine Rush, with grit, determination and phenomenal strength as she races against time to save the love of her life, Daniel, from a kidnapper who loves to play ‘cat and mouse’.
Holy cow! Each time I thought Kristine’s luck had run out, she was charging forward before I could even finish that thought. Just when I thought she was dead for sure, I get a - I don't think so! Just when I thought the kidnapper was gone, he was right around the corner! Every move Kristine made was like HE KNEW!
There was only one thing I was curious about in the end. How the heck was everything explained away to the cops? I suppose it was left for us to imagine what Kristine would have said. “I pulled out my Screw-You bag”.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Vicki Pettersson for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Swerve is a fast paced action packed psychological thriller that had me holding my breath the entire time and the blurb says it all. Take a look for yourself because I am still trying to catch my breath!
Vicki Pettersson has created a woman, Kristine Rush, with grit, determination and phenomenal strength as she races against time to save the love of her life, Daniel, from a kidnapper who loves to play ‘cat and mouse’.
Holy cow! Each time I thought Kristine’s luck had run out, she was charging forward before I could even finish that thought. Just when I thought she was dead for sure, I get a - I don't think so! Just when I thought the kidnapper was gone, he was right around the corner! Every move Kristine made was like HE KNEW!
There was only one thing I was curious about in the end. How the heck was everything explained away to the cops? I suppose it was left for us to imagine what Kristine would have said. “I pulled out my Screw-You bag”.
A big thank you to NetGalley, Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Vicki Pettersson for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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