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Claudia Must Die
Claudia doesn’t feel like herself anymore—she feels like prey. Her husband’s hired goons have stalked her all the way to Boston and will only stop their pursuit once she is dead.
Divorce is not an option. Instead, she has stolen a bunch of her man’s money to disappear into another life.
In order for Claudia to live, someone else must die. A lookalike college student becomes the target capable of freeing her from an awful marriage.
The plan goes horribly awry. Instead of murdering Claudia’s double, the assassins shoot the woman’s lover who is the cousin of a powerful Irish mobster. Claudia becomes hunted by all involved. Can she survive? Should she?
Divorce is not an option. Instead, she has stolen a bunch of her man’s money to disappear into another life.
In order for Claudia to live, someone else must die. A lookalike college student becomes the target capable of freeing her from an awful marriage.
The plan goes horribly awry. Instead of murdering Claudia’s double, the assassins shoot the woman’s lover who is the cousin of a powerful Irish mobster. Claudia becomes hunted by all involved. Can she survive? Should she?
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
67 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
T.B. Markinson
70 books1,156 followersT. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn't writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
November 20, 2014
They say everyone has a doppelganger somewhere. But when your double, who you know nothing about, is the target for murder, your life is about to be turned inside out and someone may die. Get ready for the unexpected as T.B. Markinson takes us on a dark and twisted path of intrigue with a cast of characters that make the journey something unique! Claudia Must Die is the tale of a wife on the run from her deadly husband, who searches out someone who looks like her to use as bait, while she quietly slips into the shadows. In a case of planned mistaken identity and just plain bad luck, the favorite cousin of a very powerful mobster is killed and we’re off! Can Claudia survive with the help of some very unlikely cohorts? What about the wrongly targeted woman? How does she fit in? In a game of cat and mouse, the chase is on and Claudia’s husband will not let up on seeking her demise. Meanwhile, the mobster is out for revenge on Claudia’s husband, the hired guns turn out to be more of a dumb and dumber duo, and good grief, Claudia’s mother? Gives me shivers! But the question of the day is, will Claudia die?
Flat out, T. B. Markinson has taken her creative art off the charts with this kaleidoscope of characters, action, drama and humor. I give her kudos for not making every character lovable…the doppleganger never did grow on me and she was an innocent victim! Then again, how awesome would you act having to help the woman who tried to get you killed in her place? From start to finish, I was hanging on for dear life just to be able to take the twists and turns without being thrown off! I mean really, when a novel is dark and edgy, how can it make you laugh so much?
I received an ARC edition from T. B. Markinson in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: December 8, 2014
Publisher: T. B. Markinson
Genre: Adult Thriller/Mystery
Print Length: 126 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Flat out, T. B. Markinson has taken her creative art off the charts with this kaleidoscope of characters, action, drama and humor. I give her kudos for not making every character lovable…the doppleganger never did grow on me and she was an innocent victim! Then again, how awesome would you act having to help the woman who tried to get you killed in her place? From start to finish, I was hanging on for dear life just to be able to take the twists and turns without being thrown off! I mean really, when a novel is dark and edgy, how can it make you laugh so much?
I received an ARC edition from T. B. Markinson in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: December 8, 2014
Publisher: T. B. Markinson
Genre: Adult Thriller/Mystery
Print Length: 126 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 2, 2017
Mmmmh, this story is not what you expect. But this is nothing terrible in my book at least. So if you like to be prepared, here's what you should not expect.
Don't expect a romance, there isn't any. There is love and grief instead.
Don't expect easy and likable characters. They are not easily likable, they are difficult, they have issues but they are not one-dimensional.
Don't expect mystery. There isn't any.
What can you expect? You can expect a well written story that keeps you wanting to go on reading it. You can expect action. You can expect interesting and sometimes insightful dialogues, as well as situations that make you smile despite the seriousness of the situation.
Expect a tightrope's walk between the abyss of dark and humorous.
Expect to be surprised.
Don't expect a romance, there isn't any. There is love and grief instead.
Don't expect easy and likable characters. They are not easily likable, they are difficult, they have issues but they are not one-dimensional.
Don't expect mystery. There isn't any.
What can you expect? You can expect a well written story that keeps you wanting to go on reading it. You can expect action. You can expect interesting and sometimes insightful dialogues, as well as situations that make you smile despite the seriousness of the situation.
Expect a tightrope's walk between the abyss of dark and humorous.
Expect to be surprised.
December 13, 2014
Desperate times call for desperate measures. At least that must be how Claudia convinces herself that there is nothing wrong with her plan. Her abusive husband has two assassins hunting her down, so taking over someone’s life who is a carbon copy of herself seems like a logical way to solve the problem. It doesn’t seem to matter that the look alike will have to die to make her plan work, but we all know what happens to the best laid plans.
A good author knows how to evoke reactions that keep the reader entranced by a story, and one of those reactions is curiosity. From the moment Claudia began following Parker Mapes when she left the Starbucks in Boston, my curiosity was awoken, and I started formulating various scenarios in my mind to possibly explain Claudia’s mysterious actions. What follows is a hair raising, seemingly never ending chase which is like a revolving crime circle where everyone is after each other but where some of the players end up becoming unlikely partners in order to survive. As a result, they start to realize that no matter what they have done they are all human beings, and they begin to understand each other on deeper levels.
The characters can make or break a story for me. I have to either be able to identify with them and what they are going through, or if I have nothing in common with them, I have to find them fascinating enough that I feel the need to see how their story evolves. In Claudia Must Die, it’s the background stories that really give the characters their depth and make me either really like them or if I hate them, at least understand why they are the way they are. Take Claudia for instance. Obviously, violence is not the answer to people’s problems. However, if I try to imagine myself in a terribly abusive situation, I find myself understanding how someone could be forced into a desperate act to save themselves. In no way does it make it right, but in some ways I found myself rooting for Claudia. Some people would say she is just crazy, but you could also say that her situation has forced her to dig down deep and find the strength to save herself. She is actually quite a fascinating character. Then you have the two assassins from Texas. Are they really evil killers by nature? I don’t think so, but their lives have not exactly led them in a good direction, and then they have to deal with their family being threatened. Parker is persistent, fearless, and determined, all great qualities, but they developed in her because of the difficult childhood she had. She never knew her father, and her paranoid mother kept her hidden from the world and then eventually committed suicide. No wonder Parker has always suffered from abandonment issues. She rose above it all, but she still keeps walls built up around her for protection. Francis has to be one of my favourite characters of all. He grew up in an abusive family and as a result he became a great protector of anyone close to him and will avenge any wrongs done against those he loves. All in all, it is a very complex cast of characters, each with a disturbing or unusual past, who together make this a book that you will want to read in one sitting.
Some authors can be very formulaic, and their plots tend to remind me of other books. Not so with Markinson, who always comes up with unique and brilliant storylines with multiple twists that I never see coming. She is a writer who uses metaphors so well that I always find myself reading them over a second time because they are so clever, and she has a knack for throwing in a dose of humour in just the right places.
I am happily addicted to reading, and I devour books so rapidly that I usually forget the details of book plots just days after reading them, but it has been months since I read Claudia Must Die as an unpublished manuscript, and the story is still fresh in my mind. That has to tell you something. I highly recommend Claudia Must Die.
A good author knows how to evoke reactions that keep the reader entranced by a story, and one of those reactions is curiosity. From the moment Claudia began following Parker Mapes when she left the Starbucks in Boston, my curiosity was awoken, and I started formulating various scenarios in my mind to possibly explain Claudia’s mysterious actions. What follows is a hair raising, seemingly never ending chase which is like a revolving crime circle where everyone is after each other but where some of the players end up becoming unlikely partners in order to survive. As a result, they start to realize that no matter what they have done they are all human beings, and they begin to understand each other on deeper levels.
The characters can make or break a story for me. I have to either be able to identify with them and what they are going through, or if I have nothing in common with them, I have to find them fascinating enough that I feel the need to see how their story evolves. In Claudia Must Die, it’s the background stories that really give the characters their depth and make me either really like them or if I hate them, at least understand why they are the way they are. Take Claudia for instance. Obviously, violence is not the answer to people’s problems. However, if I try to imagine myself in a terribly abusive situation, I find myself understanding how someone could be forced into a desperate act to save themselves. In no way does it make it right, but in some ways I found myself rooting for Claudia. Some people would say she is just crazy, but you could also say that her situation has forced her to dig down deep and find the strength to save herself. She is actually quite a fascinating character. Then you have the two assassins from Texas. Are they really evil killers by nature? I don’t think so, but their lives have not exactly led them in a good direction, and then they have to deal with their family being threatened. Parker is persistent, fearless, and determined, all great qualities, but they developed in her because of the difficult childhood she had. She never knew her father, and her paranoid mother kept her hidden from the world and then eventually committed suicide. No wonder Parker has always suffered from abandonment issues. She rose above it all, but she still keeps walls built up around her for protection. Francis has to be one of my favourite characters of all. He grew up in an abusive family and as a result he became a great protector of anyone close to him and will avenge any wrongs done against those he loves. All in all, it is a very complex cast of characters, each with a disturbing or unusual past, who together make this a book that you will want to read in one sitting.
Some authors can be very formulaic, and their plots tend to remind me of other books. Not so with Markinson, who always comes up with unique and brilliant storylines with multiple twists that I never see coming. She is a writer who uses metaphors so well that I always find myself reading them over a second time because they are so clever, and she has a knack for throwing in a dose of humour in just the right places.
I am happily addicted to reading, and I devour books so rapidly that I usually forget the details of book plots just days after reading them, but it has been months since I read Claudia Must Die as an unpublished manuscript, and the story is still fresh in my mind. That has to tell you something. I highly recommend Claudia Must Die.
December 16, 2014
I enjoyed this book as much as the others who've reviewed it, but my take on it is a little different than theirs.
Sorry, but I didn't see it so much as a taut thriller as I did a "Fargo"-like story populated with delightfully quirky characters who are forced into a strange alliance because of a botched murder attempt. Not that someone wasn't killed, mind you. It's just that the WRONG someone was killed. Oops. A wrong someone who happens to be the cousin of a red-headed, freckled, classics-reading and karma-vs-fate-debating Irish gangster. But in the would-be assassin's defense, the person he was trying to shoot wasn't the right person, either. She just looks like Claudia, the intended target, who cleverly set her up to save her own skin. The way Claudia sees it, just because she stole a measly million bucks from her mean-as-a-snake gangster husband and took off with it doesn't mean she should let his stupid goons kill her. Especially when there's a handy Miss Nobody look-alike who can take her place.
That was the plan, anyway. Until the goon killed the wrong person. Then, as they say, the plot thickens, until it seems like everybody's got a hankering to kill somebody else. (Heck, when Claudia's mother made the scene, I kinda had a sudden hankering myself.)
For me, this book is a real winner. The characters, plot twists, and deliciously dark humor make it a most enjoyable... and quick... read.
Sorry, but I didn't see it so much as a taut thriller as I did a "Fargo"-like story populated with delightfully quirky characters who are forced into a strange alliance because of a botched murder attempt. Not that someone wasn't killed, mind you. It's just that the WRONG someone was killed. Oops. A wrong someone who happens to be the cousin of a red-headed, freckled, classics-reading and karma-vs-fate-debating Irish gangster. But in the would-be assassin's defense, the person he was trying to shoot wasn't the right person, either. She just looks like Claudia, the intended target, who cleverly set her up to save her own skin. The way Claudia sees it, just because she stole a measly million bucks from her mean-as-a-snake gangster husband and took off with it doesn't mean she should let his stupid goons kill her. Especially when there's a handy Miss Nobody look-alike who can take her place.
That was the plan, anyway. Until the goon killed the wrong person. Then, as they say, the plot thickens, until it seems like everybody's got a hankering to kill somebody else. (Heck, when Claudia's mother made the scene, I kinda had a sudden hankering myself.)
For me, this book is a real winner. The characters, plot twists, and deliciously dark humor make it a most enjoyable... and quick... read.
December 20, 2016
This was an odd one. All the characters were assholes, there was no romance and they all tried to kill each other. But still it turned out to be an entertaining story.
February 8, 2015
The title is excellent. It is catchy and tells us what kind of story we can expect. Here is a psychological thriller that grips us from the beginning and holds us to the end. It is a story of anger and desperation and revenge, so adult language is no surprise. Nevertheless, for all the urges among its characters to kill, this story does allow a couple of amusing moments, one of which had me laughing out loud.
The story begins with Claudia and her predicament, so we assume she will be the lead character. As we meet other characters, though, we don't know who the protagonist is. Here are a collection of unique individuals who, without exception, are all out to kill one another. Why?
It appears, the author wants to prove a point or two, so the story must be plot driven, in that none of the characters can be singled out as the protagonist. We don't become as attached to a group of individuals as we would one or two. Regardless, the author gives us the background of each person who figures prominently in the novel, telling from the author's point of view, telling without showing, so we can understand their thoughts and actions. It's a simple approach and works to create a sense of caring for the individuals when coupled with scenes that take place from their points of view. There is just enough background that we don't feel jerked from the story.
We find nothing gratuitous in this novel. Each event and each person is tied to another by the strands of a web, and the strands are taut. Tension runs high from Chapter One to the end. Psychological tension is every bit as compelling as physical. For in this tension each individual must decide whether to kill or to run, to hate or to forgive. We find ourselves pulling for the characters, with the hope they will form the right decisions.
A bit of comedy relief occurs in a diner when the sheriff interviews witnesses to a violent incident. And the scene where the antagonists meet over a meal is precious and delightful for its drama. I was laughing out loud when Claudia's mother and Dennis were locked together in the car.
The story proceeds in the only way it can if it is to illustrate its points, which may be this: We each can become victims of circumstance or rise above it. It's up to us. Nevertheless, though we may be the captain of our soul, we may not be the master of our fate.
Enjoyable and thought provoking.
The story begins with Claudia and her predicament, so we assume she will be the lead character. As we meet other characters, though, we don't know who the protagonist is. Here are a collection of unique individuals who, without exception, are all out to kill one another. Why?
It appears, the author wants to prove a point or two, so the story must be plot driven, in that none of the characters can be singled out as the protagonist. We don't become as attached to a group of individuals as we would one or two. Regardless, the author gives us the background of each person who figures prominently in the novel, telling from the author's point of view, telling without showing, so we can understand their thoughts and actions. It's a simple approach and works to create a sense of caring for the individuals when coupled with scenes that take place from their points of view. There is just enough background that we don't feel jerked from the story.
We find nothing gratuitous in this novel. Each event and each person is tied to another by the strands of a web, and the strands are taut. Tension runs high from Chapter One to the end. Psychological tension is every bit as compelling as physical. For in this tension each individual must decide whether to kill or to run, to hate or to forgive. We find ourselves pulling for the characters, with the hope they will form the right decisions.
A bit of comedy relief occurs in a diner when the sheriff interviews witnesses to a violent incident. And the scene where the antagonists meet over a meal is precious and delightful for its drama. I was laughing out loud when Claudia's mother and Dennis were locked together in the car.
The story proceeds in the only way it can if it is to illustrate its points, which may be this: We each can become victims of circumstance or rise above it. It's up to us. Nevertheless, though we may be the captain of our soul, we may not be the master of our fate.
Enjoyable and thought provoking.
February 22, 2015
T.B. Markinson’s Claudia Must Die is a thriller, but quite an unusual one – part psychological thriller, part road movie, with a touch of bizarre comedy thrown in as well. And it does all sort of work.
The Claudia of the title marries what she thinks is a prosperous local businessman, and finds that he’s a thoroughly nasty crime boss. Worse, he treats her as a virtual prisoner and is violent. So she takes off to far-away Boston, taking a lot of his money with her. But he’s hunting her down. Then she sees Parker, a woman identical to herself, in a coffee shop, and sees a way of getting him off the track: get his goons to kill her instead, then steal her identity. It nearly works. Trouble is, the goons miss Parker, and kill a third woman, who happens to be her lover. Worse still, the lover’s cousin is a master criminal himself. Now Claudia not only has her husband’s heavies after her, she has to flee him as well. Plus Parker. Who is, understandably, pissed.
There’s an obvious flaw here: Claudia tried to kill an innocent person, and did kill another – so do we care whether she gets killed or not? This could spoil the book. But it doesn’t, because the complex interactions between the characters create shades of grey. You grow increasingly attached to them – even to Claudia. Eventually they all set off on a surreal road trip across the US – and by then, I was hooked.
Claudia Must Die pushes the reader’s limits a bit; there’s a lot going on and you need to pay attention to who’s trying to kill whom, and why. The characterization is also quite complex, and is important to the plot. It’s a technical challenge for the author, and now and then she does nearly lose it. In the last parts of the book, in particular, one or two things don’t work quite as well as they should. In the end, though, Markinson does hold everything together and brings the book to a satisfying conclusion. It helps that the book’s the length it needs to be, no more, no less – and each episode has the length and pace it needs too. Claudia Must Die isn’t perfect. But it’s great fun, and if you like thrillers, it’ll keep you involved.
It’s also quite cinematic. If I were a screenwriter, I’d be looking back through this book scene by scene, and sucking my teeth thoughtfully. Anyone like to shoot some noir?
The author kindly provided an ebook for review purposes.
The Claudia of the title marries what she thinks is a prosperous local businessman, and finds that he’s a thoroughly nasty crime boss. Worse, he treats her as a virtual prisoner and is violent. So she takes off to far-away Boston, taking a lot of his money with her. But he’s hunting her down. Then she sees Parker, a woman identical to herself, in a coffee shop, and sees a way of getting him off the track: get his goons to kill her instead, then steal her identity. It nearly works. Trouble is, the goons miss Parker, and kill a third woman, who happens to be her lover. Worse still, the lover’s cousin is a master criminal himself. Now Claudia not only has her husband’s heavies after her, she has to flee him as well. Plus Parker. Who is, understandably, pissed.
There’s an obvious flaw here: Claudia tried to kill an innocent person, and did kill another – so do we care whether she gets killed or not? This could spoil the book. But it doesn’t, because the complex interactions between the characters create shades of grey. You grow increasingly attached to them – even to Claudia. Eventually they all set off on a surreal road trip across the US – and by then, I was hooked.
Claudia Must Die pushes the reader’s limits a bit; there’s a lot going on and you need to pay attention to who’s trying to kill whom, and why. The characterization is also quite complex, and is important to the plot. It’s a technical challenge for the author, and now and then she does nearly lose it. In the last parts of the book, in particular, one or two things don’t work quite as well as they should. In the end, though, Markinson does hold everything together and brings the book to a satisfying conclusion. It helps that the book’s the length it needs to be, no more, no less – and each episode has the length and pace it needs too. Claudia Must Die isn’t perfect. But it’s great fun, and if you like thrillers, it’ll keep you involved.
It’s also quite cinematic. If I were a screenwriter, I’d be looking back through this book scene by scene, and sucking my teeth thoughtfully. Anyone like to shoot some noir?
The author kindly provided an ebook for review purposes.
November 17, 2014
I received an ARC copy of T.B. Markinson's latest book and when circumstances prevented me from starting the read the book as soon as I received it I thought I was going to go nuts because I love her writing so much. When i finally had the chance to begin it I was amazed at how different it was from her previous books but different in this case is very good. I loved it.
Claudia refers to herself throughout the book as "The Hunted" and indeed as the story unfolds the reader can see how this title fits her. Claudia found herself in a marriage that she needed to escape in order to survive and in order to do that she steals money---a lot of money---from her husband and leaves. While she never regrets that decision for a minute what she finds is that her husband has hired thugs to find her and take her out. Claudia becomes the hunted.
The book has so many twists and turns along the way in the style that I have come to love from T. Bl. Markinson. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going to go another unexpected plot twist happens and I am led down a new path which is a wonderful way to read a book.
This author never disappoints me. Her fresh writing, character development, fabulous editing and intriguing story lines pull me in every single time. The conclusion of Claudia Must Die was not quite what i expected to happen in the end but that is what makes her such a great writer. As a reader I was thoroughly and totally hooked and as I turned to the final page I was left feeling a bit sad because ti was over already and I wanted more. I guess I will just have to wait for her next book.
T. B. Markinson definitely has a skill and a talent for creating fabulous characters who make the reader feel like they are right there with them experiencing everything along the way. When that happens in every book the author creates I think, no I KNOW, that this is a great author who has only gotten started and will share much more of her talent with her readers and fans in years to come. I am so glad that I am along for the ride.
Claudia refers to herself throughout the book as "The Hunted" and indeed as the story unfolds the reader can see how this title fits her. Claudia found herself in a marriage that she needed to escape in order to survive and in order to do that she steals money---a lot of money---from her husband and leaves. While she never regrets that decision for a minute what she finds is that her husband has hired thugs to find her and take her out. Claudia becomes the hunted.
The book has so many twists and turns along the way in the style that I have come to love from T. Bl. Markinson. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going to go another unexpected plot twist happens and I am led down a new path which is a wonderful way to read a book.
This author never disappoints me. Her fresh writing, character development, fabulous editing and intriguing story lines pull me in every single time. The conclusion of Claudia Must Die was not quite what i expected to happen in the end but that is what makes her such a great writer. As a reader I was thoroughly and totally hooked and as I turned to the final page I was left feeling a bit sad because ti was over already and I wanted more. I guess I will just have to wait for her next book.
T. B. Markinson definitely has a skill and a talent for creating fabulous characters who make the reader feel like they are right there with them experiencing everything along the way. When that happens in every book the author creates I think, no I KNOW, that this is a great author who has only gotten started and will share much more of her talent with her readers and fans in years to come. I am so glad that I am along for the ride.
March 7, 2015
Claudia Must Die starts with Claudia hiding from her husband and his hired assassins. At a coffee shop, she spots a college student named Parker who looks just like her. She watches Parker and even breaks into her apartment with the goal of taking over her life. When Claudia sends a letter to her mom, postmarked with Parker's address, it's bad news for Parker.
What happens throughout this story is shocking and made me wonder how anyone could do the things these characters do, which made this story interesting to read.
T.B. Markinson does a great job getting us into the heads of her characters. I especially liked the assassins' perspectives because it was different. T.B. gave each character a unique past that perfectly explains why they are the way they are. She's a master at character development!
There are humorous parts, gritty parts, and intense parts. This story is different from everything else I've read lately, which is a good thing! Every few pages there was a new twist that kept me thoroughly entertained. I wasn't bored for a moment. And the last page literally made my jaw drop.
If you're looking to be entertained and enjoy books with assassins and murder, you'll like this one.
What happens throughout this story is shocking and made me wonder how anyone could do the things these characters do, which made this story interesting to read.
T.B. Markinson does a great job getting us into the heads of her characters. I especially liked the assassins' perspectives because it was different. T.B. gave each character a unique past that perfectly explains why they are the way they are. She's a master at character development!
There are humorous parts, gritty parts, and intense parts. This story is different from everything else I've read lately, which is a good thing! Every few pages there was a new twist that kept me thoroughly entertained. I wasn't bored for a moment. And the last page literally made my jaw drop.
If you're looking to be entertained and enjoy books with assassins and murder, you'll like this one.
December 2, 2014
Packed with staccato excitement from the first-page, Claudia Must Die was hard to put down. Aside from the wonderful pace, this books delves into the harsh consequences of choices made. Characters work hard to build walls around them, yet Markinson manages to allow us glimpses of their true selves through the various cracks in their defense. A book that can be read as light thriller or for deeper meaning, which makes it perfect for any occasion.
December 8, 2014
What a ride! On the run, trying to keep alive. Hunted by thugs. Finding a doppelgänger, that everyone thinks is your twin. It's a crazy adventure. I've read so many romances lately, that I kept waiting for the love interest to show up. This isn't a romance, but it is a great story. Moves along very quickly. Another winner from Markinson.
April 21, 2022
This book must die
This was a short read with some serious topics along with some lighthearted banter which made me give it 3 stars.
I went into this book anxious to find out why Claudia must die and finished it wondering about some characters and what their purpose was. It felt a little disjointed, like just throwing a character in to make it more interesting.
All we know is Claudia is in an abusive marriage. There is no back story or any explanation about any characters. I would have liked to know the characters more.
This was a short read with some serious topics along with some lighthearted banter which made me give it 3 stars.
I went into this book anxious to find out why Claudia must die and finished it wondering about some characters and what their purpose was. It felt a little disjointed, like just throwing a character in to make it more interesting.
All we know is Claudia is in an abusive marriage. There is no back story or any explanation about any characters. I would have liked to know the characters more.
November 5, 2015
Finished reading: July 3rd 2015
“Claudia’s eyes grew ten sizes when she saw Parker was armed once again. Great! Now she was being locked up with an eerily calm lunatic and an attack dog loyal to the lunatic.”
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
January 1, 2015
hat if you could evade your imminent murder by setting up your doppelganger to die in your place, would you do it? For Claudia, it's a given that Parker must die. Claudia doesn't have room for guilt or remorse because Parker seems like she doesn't enjoy life or have any friends or loved ones. On the forty ninth day of Claudia's stakeout of Parker Mapes, the hired assassins show up to do the deed and Claudia's plan seems to be going flawlessly. That is, until Parker's lover shows up.
T.B. Markinson delivers again with her fourth novel, Claudia Must Die, in a fast-paced comedic story of kill or be killed. Markinson has a way with descriptions and setting a scene to get the reader really involved with the story. The scenes are vivid and authentic. Each page invokes intrigue and keeps your attention. The author catches your attention with the vivid yet simple cover and keeps it from the very first sentence to the very last sentence.
This story was a very funny take on an assassination attempt with a side of attempted identity theft. But it wasn't all fun and games. Markinson fueled the characters' actions with real emotions and motivations. She didn't put in anything extra while giving the story everything it needed. The backstory was written concisely and integrated seamlessly into the plotline.
The characters were larger than life, but believable and relatable. The dialogue was realistic and fun. One of my favorite lines was, "Too many people talk, yet I haven’t met anyone worth listening to.” (Location 565). This story was just too fun and I enjoyed every minute/page of it. It unfolded just like a comedic heist would in a movie. And hey, not everyone has to die.
T.B. Markinson delivers again with her fourth novel, Claudia Must Die, in a fast-paced comedic story of kill or be killed. Markinson has a way with descriptions and setting a scene to get the reader really involved with the story. The scenes are vivid and authentic. Each page invokes intrigue and keeps your attention. The author catches your attention with the vivid yet simple cover and keeps it from the very first sentence to the very last sentence.
This story was a very funny take on an assassination attempt with a side of attempted identity theft. But it wasn't all fun and games. Markinson fueled the characters' actions with real emotions and motivations. She didn't put in anything extra while giving the story everything it needed. The backstory was written concisely and integrated seamlessly into the plotline.
The characters were larger than life, but believable and relatable. The dialogue was realistic and fun. One of my favorite lines was, "Too many people talk, yet I haven’t met anyone worth listening to.” (Location 565). This story was just too fun and I enjoyed every minute/page of it. It unfolded just like a comedic heist would in a movie. And hey, not everyone has to die.
April 25, 2015
I was given an ecopy of the book by the Goodreads group Shut Up and Read in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy reading suspenseful books because they hold your interest and you don't want to put the book down.
This book got my attention from the very beginning. Claudia and Dennis got married and she ended up giving up on the college and career path because she thought that she would be happy and content as the loving housewife.
She didn't know much about Dennis and didn't realize that he was not the caring and kind man after a few months of marriage. After hiding money away, she escaped from her prison and goes on the run. She was forced to bounce from town to town and state to state to get away from the hit men hired by her husband.
She wanted to be able to resume a normal life but couldn't until Dennis believed she was dead or if he was dead. Claudia stumbles upon a young woman who resembles her. She studies her routines and mannerisms. She then puts her plan into motion involving the young lookalike Parker, to be the victim in her place. She is hoping her plan will work so she will be free to live her life the way she wants to. However fate has different plans for her.
I recommend you read this book. The story moves along at a good pace. Some characters I enjoyed the way they came across and then do something you wouldn't think they'd do. Find out what happens with Dennis, Claudia, the hit men and Parker. Does the book title come true? Does Claudia end up dead? Must read!
I enjoy reading suspenseful books because they hold your interest and you don't want to put the book down.
This book got my attention from the very beginning. Claudia and Dennis got married and she ended up giving up on the college and career path because she thought that she would be happy and content as the loving housewife.
She didn't know much about Dennis and didn't realize that he was not the caring and kind man after a few months of marriage. After hiding money away, she escaped from her prison and goes on the run. She was forced to bounce from town to town and state to state to get away from the hit men hired by her husband.
She wanted to be able to resume a normal life but couldn't until Dennis believed she was dead or if he was dead. Claudia stumbles upon a young woman who resembles her. She studies her routines and mannerisms. She then puts her plan into motion involving the young lookalike Parker, to be the victim in her place. She is hoping her plan will work so she will be free to live her life the way she wants to. However fate has different plans for her.
I recommend you read this book. The story moves along at a good pace. Some characters I enjoyed the way they came across and then do something you wouldn't think they'd do. Find out what happens with Dennis, Claudia, the hit men and Parker. Does the book title come true? Does Claudia end up dead? Must read!
November 22, 2014
Claudia has become the hunted. Her mobster husband will stop at nothing to see her dead, and Claudia will do whatever it takes to stay alive. Even if that means she has to set another woman up to take her place. Everything erupts into chaos when the assassins miss and an innocent woman is killed. Claudia is back on the run, and this time, she's hitched a ride with her lookalike and vengeful friend. Surrounded by people who want to kill her, how will she survive?
This unique thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's intense and quirky in a way that reminded me a bit of Pulp Fiction. We have fantastic characterization along with unexpected twists and turns in the plot. It's dark and gritty with the right dose of humor.
I confess I wanted to kill Claudia myself. She's impulsive and selfish, but she's a fighter. I could sympathize with her wanting to be free of her abusive husband, but she went to great lengths which included setting up Parker, a woman who looks just like her, up as the assassins' target. Parker was fascinating. Quiet yet deep, I connected with her and rooted for her survival. The Woolf brothers and Francis were just as entertaining.
This was an awesome read! T.B. Markinson hasn't let me down yet. I highly recommend this book and all her excellent works.
This unique thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's intense and quirky in a way that reminded me a bit of Pulp Fiction. We have fantastic characterization along with unexpected twists and turns in the plot. It's dark and gritty with the right dose of humor.
I confess I wanted to kill Claudia myself. She's impulsive and selfish, but she's a fighter. I could sympathize with her wanting to be free of her abusive husband, but she went to great lengths which included setting up Parker, a woman who looks just like her, up as the assassins' target. Parker was fascinating. Quiet yet deep, I connected with her and rooted for her survival. The Woolf brothers and Francis were just as entertaining.
This was an awesome read! T.B. Markinson hasn't let me down yet. I highly recommend this book and all her excellent works.
December 30, 2014
Claudia is on the run from her dangerous husband’s hired killers. When she sees a look-alike, a sneaky plan forms in her mind. From that point on, just about everything goes wrong for her. The plot of this book never went where I expected it to; there were always surprises that kept me entertained.
Although the three main characters (Claudia, Parker, and Francis) seem to be solitary and uncommunicative at first, as the story progresses we find their taciturn outlooks actually hide mountains of emotion beneath. Each character reaches a breaking point and is forced to deal with the problems they’ve denied for years. The walls come down revealing volcanoes of emotion and self-realization.
The author did a great job with the secondary characters, too. All were vivid, and there’s one scene in a diner with the manager, a sheriff, and some customers that was hilarious! She got the western small-town attitudes and descriptions just right, and the scene even ties in with something that happens later in the novel. I read the book in two days, and the only thing that bugged me a little was the head-hopping, but it didn’t detract from the exciting plot or characterizations. Highly recommended!
Although the three main characters (Claudia, Parker, and Francis) seem to be solitary and uncommunicative at first, as the story progresses we find their taciturn outlooks actually hide mountains of emotion beneath. Each character reaches a breaking point and is forced to deal with the problems they’ve denied for years. The walls come down revealing volcanoes of emotion and self-realization.
The author did a great job with the secondary characters, too. All were vivid, and there’s one scene in a diner with the manager, a sheriff, and some customers that was hilarious! She got the western small-town attitudes and descriptions just right, and the scene even ties in with something that happens later in the novel. I read the book in two days, and the only thing that bugged me a little was the head-hopping, but it didn’t detract from the exciting plot or characterizations. Highly recommended!
March 22, 2015
You're married to the mob and you want out. What do you do? Run away, find a double and arrange for them to be killed instead of you, of course! But when the wrong person is killed in error, the actions of the mob wife, and her ex-husband, will come back to haunt them.
Claudia Must Die is a fun read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. While the title focusses on Claudia, the wife, the true protagonists are Parker, the student and double of Claudia, and Francis, the ex-military cousin of Parker's lover Ida. When Ida is killed, the two look to gain revenge on those responsible, but that's just the start of their journey.
The book is well-written and mostly believable, although Francis's mysterious contacts manage to get them out of one or two scrapes a little too conveniently for my liking, but the real strength of this story is the change in dynamics between the victims, the middle men and the perpetrators as the story unfolds. How the relationships ebb and flow is at the heart of what makes this book an engrossing read.
The only part where I felt let down was the ending. It was all a little too safe for my liking, I prefer my stories a little darker. However, overall this is an enjoyable read that I would recommend to any thriller fan.
Claudia Must Die is a fun read with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. While the title focusses on Claudia, the wife, the true protagonists are Parker, the student and double of Claudia, and Francis, the ex-military cousin of Parker's lover Ida. When Ida is killed, the two look to gain revenge on those responsible, but that's just the start of their journey.
The book is well-written and mostly believable, although Francis's mysterious contacts manage to get them out of one or two scrapes a little too conveniently for my liking, but the real strength of this story is the change in dynamics between the victims, the middle men and the perpetrators as the story unfolds. How the relationships ebb and flow is at the heart of what makes this book an engrossing read.
The only part where I felt let down was the ending. It was all a little too safe for my liking, I prefer my stories a little darker. However, overall this is an enjoyable read that I would recommend to any thriller fan.
November 23, 2014
Claudia is on the run. She stole a lot of money from her abusive, deranged husband, and he sends some goons after her. She needs a plan, so she can have a normal life without being pursued. When she espies Parker, a college student who looks exactly like her, her brain gets into gear. Parker might be the key to her freedom.
She leads the goons to her doppelganger. When an assassination goes wrong, Claudia’s plan backfires on her. Not only is she hunted by her deranged husband’s thugs—who are also victimized by him—but now Parker and someone powerful on her side also want Claudia dead.
It was interesting seeing everything play out. At first I disliked Claudia, but her history revealed she had a reason to target Parker, although that was very wrong of her. Parker is also a great character. When her girlfriend is killed in the botched assassination attempt, the reader gets to see a whole new side to her. The novel is action-packed and suspenseful, with some humorous scenes. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
She leads the goons to her doppelganger. When an assassination goes wrong, Claudia’s plan backfires on her. Not only is she hunted by her deranged husband’s thugs—who are also victimized by him—but now Parker and someone powerful on her side also want Claudia dead.
It was interesting seeing everything play out. At first I disliked Claudia, but her history revealed she had a reason to target Parker, although that was very wrong of her. Parker is also a great character. When her girlfriend is killed in the botched assassination attempt, the reader gets to see a whole new side to her. The novel is action-packed and suspenseful, with some humorous scenes. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2015
This short work begins with a peek at Claudia, for whom the story is titled. But before we get much of a look, the author has moved on to another character, and then another and another. None of them are particularly likeable. Over the course of the adventure, we see each character's backstory, which helps explain why the characters behave as they do. Strangely, it doesn't make any of them more sympathetic or likeable than they were after their short introductions. By the end, they've all been revealed as a bloodthirsty and remorseless bunch.
What saves this story from dropping off the depressive cliff is the situational humor liberally sprinkled about. The characters eventually bend and see one another for real human beings instead of targets. We're glad for their new world view, but they still aren't anyone we'd invite over for dinner.
The plot is thoroughly tangled and constantly twisting. The ending is both expected and unexpected. All in all, and interesting read.
I received this work in exchange for an unbiased review.
What saves this story from dropping off the depressive cliff is the situational humor liberally sprinkled about. The characters eventually bend and see one another for real human beings instead of targets. We're glad for their new world view, but they still aren't anyone we'd invite over for dinner.
The plot is thoroughly tangled and constantly twisting. The ending is both expected and unexpected. All in all, and interesting read.
I received this work in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 4, 2015
Claudia Must Die was an excellent thriller, it pulled me along and kept me turning the pages. It was a quick read too. It concerns a dysfuntional group with various issues who are brought together through a tangled web revolving around murder. Despite their conflicts they end up uniting for a common goal, but the tension between them is palpable and uncomfortable at times. Markinson leavens the story with a good dose of dark humour, though. The characters aren't particularly "good", but somehow I still rooted for them. I think the most likeable character was Fritz the dog!
I refrained from giving the novel five stars for a couple of reasons: the frequent head hopping, often switching POVs from one paragraph to the next, was a bit disorienting, although it was good to see things from different characters' perspectives. Secondly, I felt the ending was a bit rushed and this could have been drawn out more to increase the tension. However, these are minor gripes, and I am definitely interested in reading more from this author.
I refrained from giving the novel five stars for a couple of reasons: the frequent head hopping, often switching POVs from one paragraph to the next, was a bit disorienting, although it was good to see things from different characters' perspectives. Secondly, I felt the ending was a bit rushed and this could have been drawn out more to increase the tension. However, these are minor gripes, and I am definitely interested in reading more from this author.
January 3, 2015
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When the author asked if I'd like to read Claudia Must Die and provided me with the book blurb, I really wasn't sure what I was going to get. This is the 4th book I've read from T.B. Markinson, and each of them has been unique. This latest however seemed like a real departure for her. Again, not really sure what I was going to be reading...and what a lovely surprise it turned out to be!
Claudia Must Die is written in a quirky, simple style which draws the reader in immediately. Somehow, the wacky twists and turns of the story don't seem unbelievable at all when told in this straightforward way. And there are wacky twists and turns all the way. I had no idea how the author would resolve the predicament the characters found themselves in...but Markinson didn't disappoint. Was it fated, or just karma? I'll let you decide.
I'd definitely recommend this novella for a quick fun read.
4 ★
When the author asked if I'd like to read Claudia Must Die and provided me with the book blurb, I really wasn't sure what I was going to get. This is the 4th book I've read from T.B. Markinson, and each of them has been unique. This latest however seemed like a real departure for her. Again, not really sure what I was going to be reading...and what a lovely surprise it turned out to be!
Claudia Must Die is written in a quirky, simple style which draws the reader in immediately. Somehow, the wacky twists and turns of the story don't seem unbelievable at all when told in this straightforward way. And there are wacky twists and turns all the way. I had no idea how the author would resolve the predicament the characters found themselves in...but Markinson didn't disappoint. Was it fated, or just karma? I'll let you decide.
I'd definitely recommend this novella for a quick fun read.
4 ★
February 27, 2015
Claudia James is on the run from her abusive husband.
She has relocated about 7 times, is at her wit's end, desperate for a way out of this nightmare.
She spots her double, a college student who looks just like her.
This seems like a solution to this crazy situation, so she hatches a plan and breaks into the woman's apartment.
Her husband, Dennis, has hired two assassins. They are not trained killers, but take their work seriously.
He gives them ten days to find her and complete the assignment.
Meanwhile, the student's girlfriend, a travelling businesswoman, returns home early.
This unexpected distraction confuses the assassins.
They shoot... and a woman falls.
Is it the right woman?
This is a fun read... dark, quirky and twisted.
I enjoyed the dynamics between the well-developed characters.
She has relocated about 7 times, is at her wit's end, desperate for a way out of this nightmare.
She spots her double, a college student who looks just like her.
This seems like a solution to this crazy situation, so she hatches a plan and breaks into the woman's apartment.
Her husband, Dennis, has hired two assassins. They are not trained killers, but take their work seriously.
He gives them ten days to find her and complete the assignment.
Meanwhile, the student's girlfriend, a travelling businesswoman, returns home early.
This unexpected distraction confuses the assassins.
They shoot... and a woman falls.
Is it the right woman?
This is a fun read... dark, quirky and twisted.
I enjoyed the dynamics between the well-developed characters.
March 1, 2015
This has to be my favourite book by TB Markinson. It was clever, funny, witty, quirky, and nicely different.
The range of diverse characters, the interesting plot, the road trip, were all pulled together in a sophisticated yet sparse style with some sharp and punchy prose.
Despite the plot, it's an easy and enjoyable read, that still has depth to it. Good ending too. Very ironic.
A recommended read.
The range of diverse characters, the interesting plot, the road trip, were all pulled together in a sophisticated yet sparse style with some sharp and punchy prose.
Despite the plot, it's an easy and enjoyable read, that still has depth to it. Good ending too. Very ironic.
A recommended read.
March 18, 2015
Fast read with a bit a of adventure thrown in with humor.
About the only thing that drove me kinda nutty while reading this book was the constant reminder throughout the whole book about how one of the main characters was a student. Referred to at times by her name then other times she was just referred as the student. Couldn't quite understand the reason for that, but other then that I came across no editing issues.
Will most definitely keep an eye on this author for other books
About the only thing that drove me kinda nutty while reading this book was the constant reminder throughout the whole book about how one of the main characters was a student. Referred to at times by her name then other times she was just referred as the student. Couldn't quite understand the reason for that, but other then that I came across no editing issues.
Will most definitely keep an eye on this author for other books
June 29, 2015
Very interesting style of story telling. A bit like noir, but not quite. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the editing was clean, and the characters very well developed. It's a bit twisted, a bit humorous, and a lot surreal. Yet it's a thriller at the core of the story with hit-men, damsels in distress, and innocents getting in over their heads. A real twisted but delightful piece of work.
June 30, 2015
Quick, Fun, Black-Humored Read
As a spoiler, the selfish ones do get their comeuppance and the righteous get their peace and quiet after all. Not sure whether Francis ever changed professions, and no indication of what Parker might have done with her advanced degree in math, though. :-)
As a spoiler, the selfish ones do get their comeuppance and the righteous get their peace and quiet after all. Not sure whether Francis ever changed professions, and no indication of what Parker might have done with her advanced degree in math, though. :-)
February 24, 2015
Funny, suspenseful and unexpected.
The author has written a gritty, hilarious novel that combines mystery, excitement, and laughs. It is an assortment of oddballs who get thrown together by circumstances. It really reads as a good book that should be made into a movie.
The author has written a gritty, hilarious novel that combines mystery, excitement, and laughs. It is an assortment of oddballs who get thrown together by circumstances. It really reads as a good book that should be made into a movie.
January 3, 2026
A woman on the run known as The Hunted—Claudia. She knew he was looking for her and that he was going to kill her. The only chance she had of survival, of living again, was for someone to take her place. What luck that she found a dead ringer—a look-alike that could be her twin.
A botched hit puts everyone on high alert. Two girls with a hit on their heads, but which one will it be?
The premise here was fairly interesting and the read was pretty easy, but it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. For a long time, all Claudia did was watch her look-alike. The characters, even the hitman cousin, seemed to be endearing in some way, and you honestly didn’t know who to root for. It was an interesting story that was mildly amusing. A decent read.
A botched hit puts everyone on high alert. Two girls with a hit on their heads, but which one will it be?
The premise here was fairly interesting and the read was pretty easy, but it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. For a long time, all Claudia did was watch her look-alike. The characters, even the hitman cousin, seemed to be endearing in some way, and you honestly didn’t know who to root for. It was an interesting story that was mildly amusing. A decent read.
November 5, 2019
Wow!
I enjoyed this unusual tale of a woman running from assassins sent by her husband. The company she attracts is an eclectic mix of personalities that keep the story moving right along. This was a refreshing storyline from an author who books have now made the cut for my must read list.
I enjoyed this unusual tale of a woman running from assassins sent by her husband. The company she attracts is an eclectic mix of personalities that keep the story moving right along. This was a refreshing storyline from an author who books have now made the cut for my must read list.
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