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.
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
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!
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.