The Burning Mind

by M.G. Gardiner

The Burning Mind is the new thriller from the acclaimed Edgar Award-winning writer, M. G. Gardiner.Harper Flynn nearly died when gunmen attacked the L.A. club where she worked. A year later, Harper tries to rebuild her life - but is failing. Because not only is she convinced there was a third gunman who escaped, but she also believes that he is targeting the survivors.The only person who will listen is Sherriff Deputy Aiden Garrison, who tried to save her life that night. But Harper's only ally has a secret of his own - one that makes him suspicious and highly volatile . . .Praise for M.G. 'The next suspense superstar' Stephen King'Stephen King is absolutely right. M.G. Gardiner is an astonishing writer . . . I couldn't turn the pages fast enough' Tess Gerritsen'One of my favorite authors. She always delivers a terrific read. The Burning Mind should go to the top of your 'to be read' pile' Karin Slaughter'Gardiner's strengths are working better than ever here - characters as real as your friends, and a plot as real as your nightmares' Lee ChildM. G. Gardiner was born in Oklahoma and raised in Santa Barbara, California. She graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School. She practiced law in Los Angeles and taught writing at the University of California Santa Barbara. She's a former collegiate cross-country runner and a three time Jeopardy! champion. She lives with her family near London.She has won many awards for her writing, including the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Procedural Novel and the 2012 Audie Award for Thriller/Suspense audiobook of the year.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2014

About the author

See also Meg Gardiner.

Reviews

[Carl Darley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Flynn is working behind a bar when gunmen burst in, killing her boyfriend, Drew, and burning the place to the ground, with two gunmen dying in the process. Harper is convinced there were three gunmen, and that the third killer had been specifically targeting her in the attack. But neither the police, nor Drew’s family believe her. One year on, she spots someone lurking in the trees at Drew’s memorial service, and is convinced that she has seen the elusive third gunman. But the only person she can convince is Aiden Garrison, one of the policemen who survived the night of the attack.

But Aiden suffered a brain injury that night and now has delusions that random innocent people are killers in disguise.

If that doesn’t complicate things enough, Aiden discovers that Harper has a secret past that put significant doubt into his mind that she might be part of the whole conspiracy, and not a victim.

The thing I liked about this book is Gardiner’s ability to throw ordinary people into extraordinary circumstances and let them sink or swim. Or, in this case, do a lot of floundering in some very murky waters. Her characterizations are as good as any thriller I've ever read , quickly bringing Harper, Aiden and Erika to life, and gradually peeling back some of the protective layers wrapped so tightly around Harper herself.

Meg’s writing style is to ratchet up tension at every opportunity, and she manages that in this book with apparent effortless skill. I have read some great books in my time but only a few of them have kept me up into the early hours because I could not put them down. This is one of them.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really disliked this book. It’s a the central character is not like other girls trope but to the nth degree. Sure she was in the navy and she speaks Russian and she can fight like a Spartan but she’s also attractive and it’s just utter nonsense. The action such as it is doesn’t start until three quarters of the way through and it was all so predictable and boring. Not for me

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this book in comparison to the number of low rated star ratings.

If you like suspense and highly descriptive scene setting as you travel with the characters, you will probably like this book!

Although the plot was great to start with, it felt as though more was needed to round off at the end and summarise!
(Or maybe even a second book as part of a series?!)

I could really feel these characters strain and urgency throughout the chapters and for that I applaud the author for great writing!

[Michael Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another crime thriller from my Lockdown book pile and this one is pretty good. In fact for the first 2/3 I'd say it was very good but for me the end game was over long and too complicated which spoiled what was a well told story. There were a few loose ends which suggest a sequel to come, which isn't a bad thing.

[Chava · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favorite, her other books have been much better.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the beginning and end of this, very action packed.

[Marie]

Good quick read

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as The Shadow Tracer, but got to the end!

[Machteld · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harper Flynn is really annoying, irritating and hard to believe.
The second star is for the twist at the end.
Glad that it was all over.

[Christa Bass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was quite a good quick read but the characters were a little clichéd. I would have liked more suspense. Average.

[Tuesday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book came highly recommended , but i was not blown away. It is still a good story. The end dragged a bit.

[Simon Longman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping, as with all of Meg's books.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, great suspense from start to finish.