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CLIFFHANGER
She disappeared. The truth didn't.
Philip Sanders lost his perfect life when his wife fell from 25,000 feet.
Grief should have been the end. It wasn't.
When fragments of evidence begin to surface, Philip is forced to confront an impossible his wife's death may not have happened at all—and her life may have been bound to forces far darker than he ever imagined.
Drawn into New York's hidden networks of crime, exploitation, and power, Philip follows a trail that dismantles everything he thought he knew. About his marriage. About his city. About himself.
Every truth he uncovers brings him closer to clarity—and closer to danger.
Cliffhanger is the first novel in the Zone of Deceit trilogy, a psychological suspense series about grief, identity, and the cost of pursuing the truth.
The truth is not the end. It is the beginning of the Zone of Deceit.
Philip Sanders lost his perfect life when his wife fell from 25,000 feet.
Grief should have been the end. It wasn't.
When fragments of evidence begin to surface, Philip is forced to confront an impossible his wife's death may not have happened at all—and her life may have been bound to forces far darker than he ever imagined.
Drawn into New York's hidden networks of crime, exploitation, and power, Philip follows a trail that dismantles everything he thought he knew. About his marriage. About his city. About himself.
Every truth he uncovers brings him closer to clarity—and closer to danger.
Cliffhanger is the first novel in the Zone of Deceit trilogy, a psychological suspense series about grief, identity, and the cost of pursuing the truth.
The truth is not the end. It is the beginning of the Zone of Deceit.
- GenresMystery
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2026
4 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
A.P. Foster
1 book8 followersAn award-winning playwright with six plays staged in New York and regionally in the US, Andy returned to writing after thirty years in the international art world with the noir thriller CLIFFHANGER, Book One of the Zone of Deceit thriller trilogy. Taking us on a journey from 1984 to 1993, all three books of the Zone trilogy will be released in 2026. Follow along with Philip, Eleanor and Chris Sanders, a modern American family living a decade of Hitchcockian suspense deep in the zone.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy
The book titles Cliffhanger by A.P. Foster is a superb read. This book in the first one in a trilogy the Zone of he Dead. The series is classified as a psychological thriller. This is a too simplistic classification. The author cleverly incorporates several subgenres in his story. The inclusion heightens the tension in the story but challenges the reader as well.
The setting of the story is essential to the progression of the plot. The setting of the story is crucial because it acts as a foundation. The time, place, and environment influencing the characters' actions and development of the plot are revealed in the setting of the story. A well-crafted setting is not just where the story happens but how it happens, and connecting all the story elements into a cohesive whole.
Mr. Foster sets the story in 1984 New York City. In 1984, this time period lacks modern digital surveillance, smart phones, widespread internet, and the technology one takes for granted today. The lack of technology allows mysteries to be pursued in a more thoughtful manner as opposed to the reliance on technology. Philip Sanders, the protagonist, in the story, needs to relay piecing the physical in a deductive method. This adds hindrances in his search for his wife who is missing.
Not only is the year significant, but the locality of the story is significant to the plot. The city was in the midst of urban decay. The gritty environment mirrors Mr. Sanders' psychological descent into the "zone." The "zone" is a place where corruption is rampant and the authorities cannot be trusted.
The technological gap forces Philip to relay on his deductive prowess. His journey is defined by his legwork and the need to have personal encounters throughout the story. The psychological tension increases by encounters with other characters in the story who act as his antagonists.
The book is not only entertaining by will challenge the readers' intellect as well. It is an old fashioned thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Mr. Barden in his time machine story retrieves a part of history which has been forgotten. You will not be disappointed if you read this book. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this trilogy.
The setting of the story is essential to the progression of the plot. The setting of the story is crucial because it acts as a foundation. The time, place, and environment influencing the characters' actions and development of the plot are revealed in the setting of the story. A well-crafted setting is not just where the story happens but how it happens, and connecting all the story elements into a cohesive whole.
Mr. Foster sets the story in 1984 New York City. In 1984, this time period lacks modern digital surveillance, smart phones, widespread internet, and the technology one takes for granted today. The lack of technology allows mysteries to be pursued in a more thoughtful manner as opposed to the reliance on technology. Philip Sanders, the protagonist, in the story, needs to relay piecing the physical in a deductive method. This adds hindrances in his search for his wife who is missing.
Not only is the year significant, but the locality of the story is significant to the plot. The city was in the midst of urban decay. The gritty environment mirrors Mr. Sanders' psychological descent into the "zone." The "zone" is a place where corruption is rampant and the authorities cannot be trusted.
The technological gap forces Philip to relay on his deductive prowess. His journey is defined by his legwork and the need to have personal encounters throughout the story. The psychological tension increases by encounters with other characters in the story who act as his antagonists.
The book is not only entertaining by will challenge the readers' intellect as well. It is an old fashioned thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Mr. Barden in his time machine story retrieves a part of history which has been forgotten. You will not be disappointed if you read this book. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this trilogy.
January 31, 2026
Cliffhanger by A.P. Foster is a thriller that wants you to know it is Important. Tragic things happen. People are sad about them. Everyone speaks and behaves as if joy has been permanently outlawed. The tone is so relentlessly somber that it starts to feel less like suspense and more like a prolonged emotional endurance test.
The main character is defined almost entirely by grief and confusion. This is understandable. It is also his only setting. He reacts to new information the same way he reacts to old information, which is to spiral inward and think very hard about how bad everything feels. After a while, you stop wondering what will happen next and start wondering if he has ever experienced a second emotion.
The supporting cast exists largely to be ominous. They appear, say just enough to suggest secrets, and disappear again. Any personality they might have is buried under layers of seriousness and withheld exposition. Everyone feels less like a person and more like a plot device wearing a trench coat.
The tone never lets up. There are no tonal shifts, no moments of relief, no sense of escalation because everything starts at maximum bleakness and stays there. When every moment is heavy, none of them feel especially impactful. The book keeps insisting something huge is coming, and eventually you believe it. Not because it happens, but because the story keeps reminding you.
Cliffhanger is not bad. It is competently written, clearly plotted, and committed to its mood. It is just so committed that it forgets to make the characters feel alive rather than miserable on schedule. I finished it. I was mildly interested. I was not emotionally moved.
The main character is defined almost entirely by grief and confusion. This is understandable. It is also his only setting. He reacts to new information the same way he reacts to old information, which is to spiral inward and think very hard about how bad everything feels. After a while, you stop wondering what will happen next and start wondering if he has ever experienced a second emotion.
The supporting cast exists largely to be ominous. They appear, say just enough to suggest secrets, and disappear again. Any personality they might have is buried under layers of seriousness and withheld exposition. Everyone feels less like a person and more like a plot device wearing a trench coat.
The tone never lets up. There are no tonal shifts, no moments of relief, no sense of escalation because everything starts at maximum bleakness and stays there. When every moment is heavy, none of them feel especially impactful. The book keeps insisting something huge is coming, and eventually you believe it. Not because it happens, but because the story keeps reminding you.
Cliffhanger is not bad. It is competently written, clearly plotted, and committed to its mood. It is just so committed that it forgets to make the characters feel alive rather than miserable on schedule. I finished it. I was mildly interested. I was not emotionally moved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first book by AP Foster that I have had the pleasure of reading. My literary inclinations typically include works by authors such as Harlan Coben, Stephen King, Lee Child, Tom Clancy, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen, Clive Cussler, Preston W. Child, C.L. Sutton, KB Fisher, Joe Talon, and Judah Lamb—the latter five of whom I recently discovered. I am particularly drawn to narratives that quickly captivate my attention and tend to avoid those with slow beginnings.
"Cliffhanger" serves as the inaugural novel in the "Zone of Deceit" trilogy, a psychological suspense series that explores profound themes of grief, identity, and the repercussions of seeking the truth. Set against the backdrop of New York's clandestine networks of crime, exploitation, and power, Philip embarks on a journey that challenges his perceptions of his marriage, his city, and ultimately, his own identity. While the book aspires to accomplish many objectives, it occasionally feels as though it overextends itself, resulting in a slight loss of narrative coherence. Despite this, I am eager to explore the second installment of this captivating series.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Cliffhanger" serves as the inaugural novel in the "Zone of Deceit" trilogy, a psychological suspense series that explores profound themes of grief, identity, and the repercussions of seeking the truth. Set against the backdrop of New York's clandestine networks of crime, exploitation, and power, Philip embarks on a journey that challenges his perceptions of his marriage, his city, and ultimately, his own identity. While the book aspires to accomplish many objectives, it occasionally feels as though it overextends itself, resulting in a slight loss of narrative coherence. Despite this, I am eager to explore the second installment of this captivating series.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was not a fan of this one. Uthought that the missing spouse plot was really far-fetched I get it, this is cloak and dagger, but it was just too far out. I also found the thought that the drug dealers wouldn't have taken our guy AND his son out immediately really hard to believe. They killed the commmunity organizer but not the guy doing the rabble raising? Nope I just couldn't relate to any of the characters and I found many of the actions of these folks cartoonish. This guy is a devoted dad, but leaves his child with this woman he barely knows to smoke crack? Riiiiiight.
This book wanted to do many things, but it felt like it tried way too hard to do all of them, and a little edit would have helped considerably.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book wanted to do many things, but it felt like it tried way too hard to do all of them, and a little edit would have helped considerably.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2026
I think Mr. Foster has given me a case of whiplash with this story. Is Ellie alive? Is she dead? Was she having an affair? Was she faithful? Was she tied up in a criminal enterprise? Was she even who Phillip thought she was? All of these questions hit one right after another and kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to bed. Mr. Foster's writing style is easy to read, moves smoothly along (until he pulls one of his whiplash changes), and easily keeps the reader engaged. I did not like having to put the book down and couldn't wait to get back to it. I recommend this book for all mystery and thriller fans. It is a great read. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I wanted to like this book. in spots it got super interesting and then, I'd get lost in the "drama". There is to much going on and what's going on isn't interesting. It's taken me four days to read this book when it should have taken me a couple of hours.
I don't want to be mean, I wanted to DNF during the first chapter.
I don't want to be mean, I wanted to DNF during the first chapter.
January 26, 2026
His wife disappeared and he thought she was gone forever. He then learns she may still be alive and he wants to find the answers he wants. He will be pulled closer to the truth but has he will get closer to danger. Follow his journey
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful thriller
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful thriller
January 16, 2026
Interesting with much action.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews