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Eva Scott #1
Lethal Profit
BLOOD MONEY
When her brother, Jackson, suddenly kills himself, Eva Scott doesn't believe it was suicide. He had the perfect job, girlfriend, life in Paris, and had recently contacted her after years apart. Driven by grief and loss, Eva is determined to know the truth.
But every lead she finds disappears—or becomes a deadly trap. And the only man she can rely on for help is anything but trustworthy. As one witness after another is viciously eliminated, Eva pieces together a hellish plot about to go lethally viral. Baiting those behind it is her only chance to save untold innocents. But one madman's cold equations will leave no way out, no one spared—and can only add up to certain death…
When her brother, Jackson, suddenly kills himself, Eva Scott doesn't believe it was suicide. He had the perfect job, girlfriend, life in Paris, and had recently contacted her after years apart. Driven by grief and loss, Eva is determined to know the truth.
But every lead she finds disappears—or becomes a deadly trap. And the only man she can rely on for help is anything but trustworthy. As one witness after another is viciously eliminated, Eva pieces together a hellish plot about to go lethally viral. Baiting those behind it is her only chance to save untold innocents. But one madman's cold equations will leave no way out, no one spared—and can only add up to certain death…
333 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Alex Blackmore
2 books13 followersAlex writes fast paced, contemporary thrillers.
As well as fiction writing – first Lethal Profit and now Killing Eva – she copywrites for businesses and runs a fashion startup championing emerging designers and independent brands. Previously, Alex spent five years as a finance lawyer in the City (but, as she likes to remind people, that was a long time ago…).
Killing Eva is out as an Ebook in July 2015 and in print November 2015.
As well as fiction writing – first Lethal Profit and now Killing Eva – she copywrites for businesses and runs a fashion startup championing emerging designers and independent brands. Previously, Alex spent five years as a finance lawyer in the City (but, as she likes to remind people, that was a long time ago…).
Killing Eva is out as an Ebook in July 2015 and in print November 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 6, 2013
I always look forward to a debut novel and Alex Blackmore's was no different. The synopsis sounded intriguing, and I was hoping that I would again stumble onto another great author. Initially Eva seems a little sketchy, I think that's the only way I can describe it. As a reader we are thrown straight into the deep end with Eva's arrival and subsequent search for information on her brother Jackson in Paris.
I definitely felt the tension in the writing and the story almost immediately which definitely drew me in. Unfortunately though, I veered between detailed version of some things, and vague descriptions of others. It's hard to explain exactly what I meant, but in short I think I found myself having to go back over paragraphs to ensure I hadn't missed anything. With that to one side, I was pretty taken with the actual story and although maybe not the sort of theme you normally see, one that is all too probable in the future.
Eva's search for her brother Jackson means she uncovers so much corruption she is unsure who to trust and believe. I found myself getting more and more into the story as the book progressed and by the last third can say that it had turned into a real page turner. The book had all the right ingredients, but there were also things missing. The ending was a brilliant platform for another book (which I sincerely hope Alex Blackmore goes ahead with). Although I have only rated it 3/5, I still think this author has brilliant writing style and can certainly build suspense and intrigue. For me though, the vague and sketchy parts of the book just stopped it being a 4/5 book in my opinion. I will certainly look forward to the next book, and think she may well be one to watch!
I definitely felt the tension in the writing and the story almost immediately which definitely drew me in. Unfortunately though, I veered between detailed version of some things, and vague descriptions of others. It's hard to explain exactly what I meant, but in short I think I found myself having to go back over paragraphs to ensure I hadn't missed anything. With that to one side, I was pretty taken with the actual story and although maybe not the sort of theme you normally see, one that is all too probable in the future.
Eva's search for her brother Jackson means she uncovers so much corruption she is unsure who to trust and believe. I found myself getting more and more into the story as the book progressed and by the last third can say that it had turned into a real page turner. The book had all the right ingredients, but there were also things missing. The ending was a brilliant platform for another book (which I sincerely hope Alex Blackmore goes ahead with). Although I have only rated it 3/5, I still think this author has brilliant writing style and can certainly build suspense and intrigue. For me though, the vague and sketchy parts of the book just stopped it being a 4/5 book in my opinion. I will certainly look forward to the next book, and think she may well be one to watch!
May 23, 2013
Lethal Profit – Alex Blackmore
A debut novel – a bookaholic’s Russian roulette; it can be a truly joyous experience with promise of more to come or it can leave you wondering why any sane publisher could contemplate taking such a risk. I’m glad to say that with Alex Blackmore it is the former.
The cover blurb offers a comparison with Harlan Coben and I confess that made me chuckle only to have the smile wiped off my face as I realised the plot was easily one he could have come up with. It is intricate, complex and keeps you guessing and wondering right to the very last sentence!!
Once the author gets into her stride the writing becomes economic and structured. Initially I had a few qualms, as details of Eva’s clothes seemed in no way consistent with the premise of the plot. Did we really need to know the jeans were tight or the boots were ankle boots and leather? No, we didn’t but all of that chic lit embellishment was jettisoned as Ms. Blackmore launched herself off the diving board and into the murky swimming pool of action and conspiracy thrillers.
If I have to say anything negative it would be to question the implausibility of Eva’s countless Houdini-like escapes from her various captors and the almost but not quite science fiction implications of the algae spores. So much of the story has its roots in realism that I didn’t want it to deviate from that firm foundation.
But, Real Readers, offer me another Alex Blackmore and I will snatch it from your hands in glee!!
A debut novel – a bookaholic’s Russian roulette; it can be a truly joyous experience with promise of more to come or it can leave you wondering why any sane publisher could contemplate taking such a risk. I’m glad to say that with Alex Blackmore it is the former.
The cover blurb offers a comparison with Harlan Coben and I confess that made me chuckle only to have the smile wiped off my face as I realised the plot was easily one he could have come up with. It is intricate, complex and keeps you guessing and wondering right to the very last sentence!!
Once the author gets into her stride the writing becomes economic and structured. Initially I had a few qualms, as details of Eva’s clothes seemed in no way consistent with the premise of the plot. Did we really need to know the jeans were tight or the boots were ankle boots and leather? No, we didn’t but all of that chic lit embellishment was jettisoned as Ms. Blackmore launched herself off the diving board and into the murky swimming pool of action and conspiracy thrillers.
If I have to say anything negative it would be to question the implausibility of Eva’s countless Houdini-like escapes from her various captors and the almost but not quite science fiction implications of the algae spores. So much of the story has its roots in realism that I didn’t want it to deviate from that firm foundation.
But, Real Readers, offer me another Alex Blackmore and I will snatch it from your hands in glee!!
May 17, 2013
Synopsis
The storyline to the book is Eva Scott’s brother has died in Paris, she doesn’t believe her brother’s death was from an overdose which is what all the official reports say.
Eva travels to Paris to investigate her brother’s death and finds herself caught up in a plot which finds her life threatened at every turn with her only helper being someone she doesn’t all together trust. Add into that the plot she has stumbled into is threatening the health of the uk and the world and the storyline becomes very gripping.
Will she find out if her brother died of an overdose or if he was murdered, will she survive to save both herself and the uk well for that you will have to read the book.
The main Characters in the book are:
Jackson Scott - Someone you never meet this is Evas brother whom she is determined to find out what happened to him.
Eva Scott - Jackson Scott's sister and the main character of the book about to find her whole life turned upside down.
Leon - evas mysterious helper but is he friend or foe?
Valerie - Jacksons girlfriend but what secrets is it she hides?
My opinion
The book is very well written, and is a definite page turner. The characters are engaging and you will find yourself trying to guess the outcome only for it to change, with an interesting twist at the end to finish.
I found the book very difficult to put down and very easy to immerse myself in it, at times loosing track of time.
Would I recommend this book most definitely.
The storyline to the book is Eva Scott’s brother has died in Paris, she doesn’t believe her brother’s death was from an overdose which is what all the official reports say.
Eva travels to Paris to investigate her brother’s death and finds herself caught up in a plot which finds her life threatened at every turn with her only helper being someone she doesn’t all together trust. Add into that the plot she has stumbled into is threatening the health of the uk and the world and the storyline becomes very gripping.
Will she find out if her brother died of an overdose or if he was murdered, will she survive to save both herself and the uk well for that you will have to read the book.
The main Characters in the book are:
Jackson Scott - Someone you never meet this is Evas brother whom she is determined to find out what happened to him.
Eva Scott - Jackson Scott's sister and the main character of the book about to find her whole life turned upside down.
Leon - evas mysterious helper but is he friend or foe?
Valerie - Jacksons girlfriend but what secrets is it she hides?
My opinion
The book is very well written, and is a definite page turner. The characters are engaging and you will find yourself trying to guess the outcome only for it to change, with an interesting twist at the end to finish.
I found the book very difficult to put down and very easy to immerse myself in it, at times loosing track of time.
Would I recommend this book most definitely.
May 21, 2013
Eva Scott is in Paris to search for her brother and finds herself dangerously compromised by what she uncovers……
Eva Scott seemed to me to be an unlikely heroine. She has no survival skills or training in combat and yet luck gets her through. She survives endless attacks and I must admit that after a while this got to be a little contrite along with guns jamming and trained marksmen missing their target! I can however see this being snapped up and made into a film, with maybe a touch of humour, which is not apparent from the book, but maybe meant to be there reading between the lines?
It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did I found it to be a real page turner, with an almost double plot going on, trying to figure out what is happening to Eva and who is behind it all.
I found the writing to be very good; at times it was evident that a woman had written the book due to the detailing e.g. “the hotel’s unenthusiastic hairdryer“ which every woman reading the book will have experienced, to describing the kind of cup which tea was being drunk from, along with others, which are not usually present in this type of book and made a refreshing change.
Eva Scott seemed to me to be an unlikely heroine. She has no survival skills or training in combat and yet luck gets her through. She survives endless attacks and I must admit that after a while this got to be a little contrite along with guns jamming and trained marksmen missing their target! I can however see this being snapped up and made into a film, with maybe a touch of humour, which is not apparent from the book, but maybe meant to be there reading between the lines?
It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did I found it to be a real page turner, with an almost double plot going on, trying to figure out what is happening to Eva and who is behind it all.
I found the writing to be very good; at times it was evident that a woman had written the book due to the detailing e.g. “the hotel’s unenthusiastic hairdryer“ which every woman reading the book will have experienced, to describing the kind of cup which tea was being drunk from, along with others, which are not usually present in this type of book and made a refreshing change.
June 4, 2013
Eva Scott travels to Paris to investigate her brother's death and finds herself caught up in a plot which finds her life threatened at every turn with her only helper being someone she doesn't all together trust.
She is caught up in a tangle of deception he left behind, facing violent assault, brutal murderers and deeply embedded corporate corruption.
At the heart of it is a dirty biotech business making a lethal profit from compromising human health.
Behind that, an organisation with a devastating viral blackmail tool. Their targets? Global power, capital and manipulation.
Eva seemed to me to be an unlikely heroine. She has no survival skills or training in combat and yet luck gets her through. She has many close calls and yet manages to survive all attempts to get rid of her.
Will she find out if her brother died of an overdose or if he was murdered, will she survive to save both herself and the uk?
She is caught up in a tangle of deception he left behind, facing violent assault, brutal murderers and deeply embedded corporate corruption.
At the heart of it is a dirty biotech business making a lethal profit from compromising human health.
Behind that, an organisation with a devastating viral blackmail tool. Their targets? Global power, capital and manipulation.
Eva seemed to me to be an unlikely heroine. She has no survival skills or training in combat and yet luck gets her through. She has many close calls and yet manages to survive all attempts to get rid of her.
Will she find out if her brother died of an overdose or if he was murdered, will she survive to save both herself and the uk?
October 22, 2013
I absolutely loved this book! The plot has many unexpected twists and is full of actions. Eva (the main character) literally fights her way through to get to the truth: She is the target of many physical attacks and survives impossible situations, which makes her some kind of urban Lara Croft. It was like I was making my own Hollywood movie in my head while I was reading it. It's a very fast-paced novel and I liked the fact that you get into the action just after a few pages - I just couldn't put the book down to be honest! I think this is a very good first achievement and I cannot wait to read Alex Blackmore's second book.
May 11, 2013
Really good read. Gripping story and hard to put down. Only criticism is that the suspense parts could have been 'fleshed' out to add even more detail. Slight feeling of being rushed through the action but overall a good book.
April 21, 2014
Story was ok but somewhat hard to follow. I found myself going back quite often to figure out things.
April 5, 2016
First book I have read by this author but it probably will not be the last because I believe there is a follow up.
September 22, 2016
I...WAS...NOT...IMPRESSED. And, she's written another one?! No thank you.
January 21, 2017
A very good thriller, race against time to stop a lethal virus. Great page turner. Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews