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Fifteen Minutes to Live
The outrageously inventive, exhilarating, sexually-charged thriller from Emmy Award-winning writer Phoef Sutton.
Carl moved into his childhood home after his parents died. It’s a house filled with fond memories…like when he was a teenager and his girlfriend Jesse would throw pebbles at his window at night to lure him outside for frantic sex. So he thinks he’s dreaming when late one night, he hears those pebbles hitting his window again…and there she is outside, aching for his touch. It’s only as they are ravaging each other again that he realizes it’s too good to be a dream.
It’s her. She’s back as if nothing has changed. But it has. For one thing, it’s been twenty years since high school. And she died three weeks ago.
Is she an imposter? A ghost? Or is the answer even more chilling? It’s just the beginning of a dangerous, unpredictable, and bizarre odyssey for them both…where nothing is what it seems… and every minute counts.
Carl moved into his childhood home after his parents died. It’s a house filled with fond memories…like when he was a teenager and his girlfriend Jesse would throw pebbles at his window at night to lure him outside for frantic sex. So he thinks he’s dreaming when late one night, he hears those pebbles hitting his window again…and there she is outside, aching for his touch. It’s only as they are ravaging each other again that he realizes it’s too good to be a dream.
It’s her. She’s back as if nothing has changed. But it has. For one thing, it’s been twenty years since high school. And she died three weeks ago.
Is she an imposter? A ghost? Or is the answer even more chilling? It’s just the beginning of a dangerous, unpredictable, and bizarre odyssey for them both…where nothing is what it seems… and every minute counts.
205 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2013
225 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
About the author
Phoef Sutton
20 books126 followersPhoef Sutton started as an actor and playwright in college; he was lucky enough to go to a small liberal arts college in Virginia, James Madison University, which encouraged student playwrights. Phoef was one of the only undergraduates to win the Norman Lear Award for Comedy Playwriting. After graduation, Phoef had plays produced at various regional theaters around the country, had his award winning play BURIAL CUSTOMS selected for publication by the Theatre Communications Group and was awarded a National Endowment for Arts Playwrights Fellowship.
After marrying and moving to Los Angeles, Phoef started his career at the NBC television show CHEERS. He stayed with the show for eight years, working his way up from staff writer to executive producer, winning two Emmys and a Writer’s Guild Award. A greater training ground for a writer could not be imagined.
After CHEERS, Phoef has produced and created a number of television shows and consulted on others, including NEWS RADIO and BOSTON LEGAL. He is honored to have won a Peabody Award, a GLAAD award and a Television Academy Honors award for this work on BOSTON LEGAL. Recently, he has worked on critically acclaimed series TERRIERS for FX and THE SOUL MAN for TV Land, DEFIANCE for SyFy Channel and ALPHA HOUSE for Amazon.
He has directed a short film – a suspense tale called ‘TIL DEATH. ‘TIL DEATH has been shown and various film festivals around the world and received prizes at the Garden State Festival and WorldFest in Houston, Texas.
Phoef has also worked for many years as a screenwriter and script doctor. MRS. WINTERBOURNE, directed by Richard Benjamin was an adaptation of a novel by one of his favorite authors, Cornell Woolrich. THE FAN, directed by Tony Scott and starring Robert DeNiro was an adaptation of the novel by Peter Abrahams.
Phoef is a published novelist – FIFTEEN MINUTES TO LIVE, a romantic-thriller; DEAD MAN: THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, a horror novel and its sequel DEAD MAN REBORN.
2015 is a promising year for Phoef, with the debut of his collaborations with Janet Evanovich, WICKED CHARMS and publication of his hard-boiled crime novel CRUSH.
Phoef lives in South Pasadena, California with his wife Dawn and his daughters Skylar and Celia.
After marrying and moving to Los Angeles, Phoef started his career at the NBC television show CHEERS. He stayed with the show for eight years, working his way up from staff writer to executive producer, winning two Emmys and a Writer’s Guild Award. A greater training ground for a writer could not be imagined.
After CHEERS, Phoef has produced and created a number of television shows and consulted on others, including NEWS RADIO and BOSTON LEGAL. He is honored to have won a Peabody Award, a GLAAD award and a Television Academy Honors award for this work on BOSTON LEGAL. Recently, he has worked on critically acclaimed series TERRIERS for FX and THE SOUL MAN for TV Land, DEFIANCE for SyFy Channel and ALPHA HOUSE for Amazon.
He has directed a short film – a suspense tale called ‘TIL DEATH. ‘TIL DEATH has been shown and various film festivals around the world and received prizes at the Garden State Festival and WorldFest in Houston, Texas.
Phoef has also worked for many years as a screenwriter and script doctor. MRS. WINTERBOURNE, directed by Richard Benjamin was an adaptation of a novel by one of his favorite authors, Cornell Woolrich. THE FAN, directed by Tony Scott and starring Robert DeNiro was an adaptation of the novel by Peter Abrahams.
Phoef is a published novelist – FIFTEEN MINUTES TO LIVE, a romantic-thriller; DEAD MAN: THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, a horror novel and its sequel DEAD MAN REBORN.
2015 is a promising year for Phoef, with the debut of his collaborations with Janet Evanovich, WICKED CHARMS and publication of his hard-boiled crime novel CRUSH.
Phoef lives in South Pasadena, California with his wife Dawn and his daughters Skylar and Celia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 25, 2018
It is very rare for me to give a book two stars, but this was just not my kind of book.
I just did not understand the story, follow the story or at all excited.
I tried my best to follow and understand, but found the book totally boring, slow and heavy.
Is it a thriller?
Is it a romance ?
Is it a very weird story... yes.
Un-interesting characters, a silly plot.
But luckily we are all different, and I am sure there are many that may enjoy this book.
But not me.
I just did not understand the story, follow the story or at all excited.
I tried my best to follow and understand, but found the book totally boring, slow and heavy.
Is it a thriller?
Is it a romance ?
Is it a very weird story... yes.
Un-interesting characters, a silly plot.
But luckily we are all different, and I am sure there are many that may enjoy this book.
But not me.
October 17, 2016
Random find from Brash Books and in this case their claim to publish the best thrillers out there is actually right on. Best may be subjective, but this was pretty terrific. Lean, mean with bullet speed pacing and a surprising emotional punch. Who hadn't fantasized of revisiting their first love? What if she just showed up at your house 18 years later pretending no time has passed at all? That's the basic premise here and it evolves into a fairly elaborate plot of love, obsession and murder. The author did an impressively good job with characters, for such a short read all the storylines and motivations are perfectly realized and actualized. Very strong writing, few surprises, genuinely original story. Great fun to read, strongly recommended.
November 4, 2015
Warning: not for readers who have issues with non-consensual sex or child abuse.
Well, I find the blurb wildly misleading: "Is she insane? An imposter? A ghost? Finding the shocking answer could cost Carl and Jessica their lives in this wildly inventive, exhilarating, sexually-charged thriller". We learn very quickly what Jesse's problem is and it's sad, but not shocking. I didn't find the story exhilarating, but rather sad and depressing and while there is sex, it is not very descriptive nor "charged".
I give Sutton kudos for writing a sad but probably realistic tale about what would happen to someone with Jesse's condition. I could feel for Carl and understand why he did what he did and it may actually have been beneficial for Jesse considering her mental state. The ending didn't pull any punches either. I also appreciated how Jesse's whole death issue came about. More detail could have been added, but again, it was realistic that it wasn't provided since only Jesse knew what happened.
Ultimately, I didn't really enjoy the story, but given the realistic events and outcome how could I? I did find the flashbacks in one or two spots disorienting and went back a few pages to see if I'd missed something. The episode involving child abuse wasn't really necessary to show the caliber of the man to explain why he treated Jesse as he did. Just one more sad hit for the reader.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Well, I find the blurb wildly misleading: "Is she insane? An imposter? A ghost? Finding the shocking answer could cost Carl and Jessica their lives in this wildly inventive, exhilarating, sexually-charged thriller". We learn very quickly what Jesse's problem is and it's sad, but not shocking. I didn't find the story exhilarating, but rather sad and depressing and while there is sex, it is not very descriptive nor "charged".
I give Sutton kudos for writing a sad but probably realistic tale about what would happen to someone with Jesse's condition. I could feel for Carl and understand why he did what he did and it may actually have been beneficial for Jesse considering her mental state. The ending didn't pull any punches either. I also appreciated how Jesse's whole death issue came about. More detail could have been added, but again, it was realistic that it wasn't provided since only Jesse knew what happened.
Ultimately, I didn't really enjoy the story, but given the realistic events and outcome how could I? I did find the flashbacks in one or two spots disorienting and went back a few pages to see if I'd missed something. The episode involving child abuse wasn't really necessary to show the caliber of the man to explain why he treated Jesse as he did. Just one more sad hit for the reader.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
June 17, 2013
I highly recommend this psychological thriller with so many turns that just when you think you've figured out what's going on and have solved it, the author throws in another twist.
This book caught my attention right at the beginning. Carl (the main character) just finished having great sex with Jess, the woman who was his girlfriend back in high school, twenty-three years ago.
Only problem is, Jess has been dead for three weeks....from there, the book is a page turner one cannot put aside.
If you like Elmore Leonard's books, quirky characters, witty dialogue, some suspense, some mystery, some comedy (I would say leaning on dark comedy at times) and a well paced and developed plot with a love story entwined throughout, then I highly recommend FIFTEEN MINUTES TO LIVE.
This is great storytelling at its best. Fifteen Minutes to Live captured me right at the beginning and left me teary eyed at the end.
I look forward to another book by Phoef Sutton.
This book caught my attention right at the beginning. Carl (the main character) just finished having great sex with Jess, the woman who was his girlfriend back in high school, twenty-three years ago.
Only problem is, Jess has been dead for three weeks....from there, the book is a page turner one cannot put aside.
If you like Elmore Leonard's books, quirky characters, witty dialogue, some suspense, some mystery, some comedy (I would say leaning on dark comedy at times) and a well paced and developed plot with a love story entwined throughout, then I highly recommend FIFTEEN MINUTES TO LIVE.
This is great storytelling at its best. Fifteen Minutes to Live captured me right at the beginning and left me teary eyed at the end.
I look forward to another book by Phoef Sutton.
September 16, 2017
Have you ever wondered what happened to your first boy or girl friend? That person you were madly in love with and first made love to back when you were in your teens? Have you ever thought about him or her now? Wishing he or she were back with you and you were still having crazy sex?
That’s what happens to Carl, a wildly successful script writer when the woman he first loved shows up…when he is 35. He has bought the house he grew up in and when he hears the patter of pebbles on his bedroom window, he recalls that’s how Jesse called to him so they could be together and love one another.
And there she is. Something has happened to her, though, since she thinks she is still 17 and all the life she had has disappeared with this conviction.
But it’s more than just a conviction; she has a rare memory loss disease and she has retreated to when she was 17 and in love with Carl.
Carl soon discovers she is supposedly dead, drowned on an outing with her husband and brother sailing, something she once loved to do.
There follows a haunting tale of love, loss, jealousy, and murder as Carl, Jesse’s husband and brother in law, each struggle with their identity and love for her now, and Jesse’s confusion in the light of a life lived no longer part of her.
That’s what happens to Carl, a wildly successful script writer when the woman he first loved shows up…when he is 35. He has bought the house he grew up in and when he hears the patter of pebbles on his bedroom window, he recalls that’s how Jesse called to him so they could be together and love one another.
And there she is. Something has happened to her, though, since she thinks she is still 17 and all the life she had has disappeared with this conviction.
But it’s more than just a conviction; she has a rare memory loss disease and she has retreated to when she was 17 and in love with Carl.
Carl soon discovers she is supposedly dead, drowned on an outing with her husband and brother sailing, something she once loved to do.
There follows a haunting tale of love, loss, jealousy, and murder as Carl, Jesse’s husband and brother in law, each struggle with their identity and love for her now, and Jesse’s confusion in the light of a life lived no longer part of her.
April 6, 2018
15 Minutes
This book was a surprise. I did not expect to like it, but I did. I was rooting for Jessica and Carl but there were so many side issues that you never knew how it was going to end until it did end! Very good book.
This book was a surprise. I did not expect to like it, but I did. I was rooting for Jessica and Carl but there were so many side issues that you never knew how it was going to end until it did end! Very good book.
October 8, 2022
Good enough to stay with til the end.
January 7, 2020
This was a good read. I enjoy books that beg me to stay awake a little longer , to read a little more, maybe even finish before the sun rises.
October 8, 2019
Reviewed by Marissa
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
The name Phoef Sutton seemed vaguely familiar and the plot sounded good so I requested this book for review. I was very happy I did. Sutton, it turns out, is a television and movie writer. He also co-wrote Wicked Charms with Janet Evanovich. And he’s one hell of an author in his own right.
The plot centers around Jessica and her memory problem. Her short-term memory is gone (something called Korsakoff syndrome) and, at the age of 40, she thinks she’s 18 and in high school. Basically, it’s like her life is resetting every 15 minutes. She doesn’t remember anyone trying to kill her, she doesn’t remember meeting Kit (four times in an hour), nor why she’s driving strange cars or in strange houses.
The plot also centers around Carl. He’s just a regular guy, living his life day to day, who ends up in this weird situation with his high school girlfriend and her brother-in-law. What immediately drew me in to the character of Carl were his semi-defeatist thoughts. We’ve all had them – ‘I should just (insert your own dream here)’. To me, the idea that he’s not stoic and brave at every turn, that he gets frustrated with his own life, makes him likeable.
While I really did like all the characters in this book, there were a couple of secondary characters that stood out. Frank, Jessica’s brother-in-law, was a truly likeable character – someone you’d meet and want to make your friend. Ryan was more of a likeable scumbag. A teacher who was having affairs with a different student every year, he was somehow human underneath. While I wouldn’t want to be friends with him, I didn’t not like the character.
The writing was excellent, with plot twists all the way through to the end. Sutton has another book coming out shortly (Crush) which has soared to the top of my TBR list.
Book provided by NetGalley for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
The name Phoef Sutton seemed vaguely familiar and the plot sounded good so I requested this book for review. I was very happy I did. Sutton, it turns out, is a television and movie writer. He also co-wrote Wicked Charms with Janet Evanovich. And he’s one hell of an author in his own right.
The plot centers around Jessica and her memory problem. Her short-term memory is gone (something called Korsakoff syndrome) and, at the age of 40, she thinks she’s 18 and in high school. Basically, it’s like her life is resetting every 15 minutes. She doesn’t remember anyone trying to kill her, she doesn’t remember meeting Kit (four times in an hour), nor why she’s driving strange cars or in strange houses.
The plot also centers around Carl. He’s just a regular guy, living his life day to day, who ends up in this weird situation with his high school girlfriend and her brother-in-law. What immediately drew me in to the character of Carl were his semi-defeatist thoughts. We’ve all had them – ‘I should just (insert your own dream here)’. To me, the idea that he’s not stoic and brave at every turn, that he gets frustrated with his own life, makes him likeable.
While I really did like all the characters in this book, there were a couple of secondary characters that stood out. Frank, Jessica’s brother-in-law, was a truly likeable character – someone you’d meet and want to make your friend. Ryan was more of a likeable scumbag. A teacher who was having affairs with a different student every year, he was somehow human underneath. While I wouldn’t want to be friends with him, I didn’t not like the character.
The writing was excellent, with plot twists all the way through to the end. Sutton has another book coming out shortly (Crush) which has soared to the top of my TBR list.
July 11, 2013
Carl was just going through the motions of life when a lover from his past makes a passionate return and for a night, he was a teenager again. But soon Carl realizes there is something wrong and he may be the only one that can help Jesse but when she disappears, he is left wondering if it was really her breath that touched his skin or if he can process the news that she apparently died 3 months ago. Regardless, he has to find out the truth even if he has to question his own sanity to do it.
Author Phoef Sutton has created the main character Carl that at the age of 35, has lived long enough to reflect on his accomplishments, but also looks back on a certain amount of regret. He's given the chance to surrender to the pleasures that time could never take away but finds himself in a dangerous situation that turns him from the average guy to a man that will do anything to protect the first love of his life.
The story centers on what has truly happened to Jesse whose beauty and innocence reminds all of us how simple our youth was and how sometimes the future becomes a forgotten illusion. As this story unfolds, this author introduces intriguing characters that have their own perceived reality of what they mean to Jesse. These men claim to want the best for her but Mr. Sutton leaves it up to the reader to figure out if their obsession with this woman is because of love, lust or mercy. There are twists and turns in this well written novel that makes this mystery more complex and any one of these theories could be assumed to be the path to the truth. 15 Minutes to Live includes the best and worst that lives in the human heart and chapter after chapter will leave the readers hopeful, a little cynical and inspired. Highly recommend.
Author Phoef Sutton has created the main character Carl that at the age of 35, has lived long enough to reflect on his accomplishments, but also looks back on a certain amount of regret. He's given the chance to surrender to the pleasures that time could never take away but finds himself in a dangerous situation that turns him from the average guy to a man that will do anything to protect the first love of his life.
The story centers on what has truly happened to Jesse whose beauty and innocence reminds all of us how simple our youth was and how sometimes the future becomes a forgotten illusion. As this story unfolds, this author introduces intriguing characters that have their own perceived reality of what they mean to Jesse. These men claim to want the best for her but Mr. Sutton leaves it up to the reader to figure out if their obsession with this woman is because of love, lust or mercy. There are twists and turns in this well written novel that makes this mystery more complex and any one of these theories could be assumed to be the path to the truth. 15 Minutes to Live includes the best and worst that lives in the human heart and chapter after chapter will leave the readers hopeful, a little cynical and inspired. Highly recommend.
May 3, 2015
This review was originally published on Devin's Book Hub. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
After the death of his parents, Carl moves into his childhood home. He has a lot of memories associated with the place, such as his girlfriend Jesse throwing pebbles at his window during the to get his attention and lure him outside for sex during his teenage years. One night, even though he's far past his teenage years, he hears the sound of pebbles against the window...and sees Jesse outside. There's just one problem: she's been dead for three weeks and he hasn't seen heard from her in twelve years. Is it really Jesse, and if so, what's going on? Previously published with a different storyline as "Always Six O'Clock", this book is sure to get you have you quickly turning the pages until the very end, piecing the story together.
It's always fun to stumble across a novel that's really engrossing, and Fifteen Minutes to Live is no exception. Sutton's writing makes the most compelling mystery novel I have read in a while. The book began with Carl hearing Jesse throwing the pebbles at his window, which creeped me out a bit and made me wonder what the heck was going on. I kept reading and reading, and before I knew it I was hooked.
The story is definitely a unique read. While not a crime novel, there's still a mystery at hand needing some solving. As Jesse's story is revealed to Carl you start to feel sorry for the two of them and what they're experiencing, and continue reading on hoping for the best. With the occasional dab of humor and plot twists, I couldn't put this book down at all. It's a wild adventure from start to finish.
After the death of his parents, Carl moves into his childhood home. He has a lot of memories associated with the place, such as his girlfriend Jesse throwing pebbles at his window during the to get his attention and lure him outside for sex during his teenage years. One night, even though he's far past his teenage years, he hears the sound of pebbles against the window...and sees Jesse outside. There's just one problem: she's been dead for three weeks and he hasn't seen heard from her in twelve years. Is it really Jesse, and if so, what's going on? Previously published with a different storyline as "Always Six O'Clock", this book is sure to get you have you quickly turning the pages until the very end, piecing the story together.
It's always fun to stumble across a novel that's really engrossing, and Fifteen Minutes to Live is no exception. Sutton's writing makes the most compelling mystery novel I have read in a while. The book began with Carl hearing Jesse throwing the pebbles at his window, which creeped me out a bit and made me wonder what the heck was going on. I kept reading and reading, and before I knew it I was hooked.
The story is definitely a unique read. While not a crime novel, there's still a mystery at hand needing some solving. As Jesse's story is revealed to Carl you start to feel sorry for the two of them and what they're experiencing, and continue reading on hoping for the best. With the occasional dab of humor and plot twists, I couldn't put this book down at all. It's a wild adventure from start to finish.
May 7, 2015
ARC provided by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The reason I took this ARC book is because Phoef Sutton is the co-author with Janet Evanovich on Wicked Charms and I absolutely LOVE Janet Evanovich. If she likes this guy, I'll give it a try, even though male mystery is not my favorite genre. OK, so I'm sexist, sue me. It took me about 1/3 through the book to get in the groove. Once there, things really started to take off. The plot was intriguing and the reasons not to involve the police valid from everyone's view point. This mystery is very subtle and the clues dropped are vague. I really liked it.
At 35, Carl is having a kinda midlife crisis. He is successful yet depressed. His high school sweetheart comes back into his life in a midnight booty call. It isn't till morning that he realizes that something is seriously wrong. As he tries to figure it all out, Jesse takes his car and disappears. He tries to find her and questions everyone who was recently in her life. I don't want to give the plot away, but things are definitely not what they seem.
Jesse has a mental disability. She is unable to remember anything short term that happened more than 15 minutes ago. Long term memory is stopped at age 18. She shows up at Carl's childhood home and assumes they are still high school sweethearts. Since everyone she encounters now is a stranger and she is confused, she runs. She has gotten herself into some nasty business and it looks like she may be the survivor of a murder attempt by her husband. It is downright scary what Jesse experienced through no fault of her own.
The reason I took this ARC book is because Phoef Sutton is the co-author with Janet Evanovich on Wicked Charms and I absolutely LOVE Janet Evanovich. If she likes this guy, I'll give it a try, even though male mystery is not my favorite genre. OK, so I'm sexist, sue me. It took me about 1/3 through the book to get in the groove. Once there, things really started to take off. The plot was intriguing and the reasons not to involve the police valid from everyone's view point. This mystery is very subtle and the clues dropped are vague. I really liked it.
At 35, Carl is having a kinda midlife crisis. He is successful yet depressed. His high school sweetheart comes back into his life in a midnight booty call. It isn't till morning that he realizes that something is seriously wrong. As he tries to figure it all out, Jesse takes his car and disappears. He tries to find her and questions everyone who was recently in her life. I don't want to give the plot away, but things are definitely not what they seem.
Jesse has a mental disability. She is unable to remember anything short term that happened more than 15 minutes ago. Long term memory is stopped at age 18. She shows up at Carl's childhood home and assumes they are still high school sweethearts. Since everyone she encounters now is a stranger and she is confused, she runs. She has gotten herself into some nasty business and it looks like she may be the survivor of a murder attempt by her husband. It is downright scary what Jesse experienced through no fault of her own.
June 5, 2013
As a long-time English fan of Phoef Sutton's writing (and production) on brilliant TV comedy such as the very splendid 'Cheers', I was delighted to see his novel pop up on Kindle, as an opportunity to see how he writes solo and with the scope to pursue a story fully. This tight, sharp novel doesn't disappoint. A great opening premise - our narrator has sudden fabulous sex with his first and truest lost love, only to find she's both dead, and living literally in the past - leads to an exciting journey of twists and turns, action and thrills, that killer start keeping you hooked, dying to know more, wondering how it plays out. The dialogue and writing generally are as witty and vivid as you'd expect. But there is more to this book than all that. There are characters you respond to strongly, either rooting for them, flinching for what they go through, or wishing them hideous punishment, and so too is a deeply romantic and compassionate feeling running all through the book - it's a love story as well as a thriller. Not only that but it's erotic, and I must say I'm pleased to see a male author who writes about sex in such a joyful, sex-positive, full-on way that is not creepy, icky, or exploitative of women. As a fan also of Oliver Sachs' books, I found much to fascinate me here, but no spoilers... Perhaps due to his work in the notoriously demanding system that has made so many US sitcoms so outstandingly good, fast paced and snappy, the book is refreshingly free of padding, again increasingly rare these days. Cheers, Phoef!
June 22, 2015
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Carl moved into his childhood home after his parents died. It’s a house filled with fond memories…like when he was a teenager and his girlfriend Jesse would throw pebbles at his window at night to lure him outside for frantic sex. So he thinks he’s dreaming when late one night, he hears those pebbles hitting his window again…and there she is outside, aching for his touch. It’s only as they are ravaging each other again that he realizes it’s too good to be a dream.
It’s her. She’s back as if nothing has changed. But it has. For one thing, it’s been twenty years since high school. And she died three weeks ago.
Is she an imposter? A ghost? Or is the answer even more chilling? It’s just the beginning of a dangerous, unpredictable, and bizarre odyssey for them both…where nothing is what it seems… and every minute counts.
What a joy this novella was. Tight, tense and filled with some real highlights, this perfect length story is one of the best novellas I have read in a long time.
Grabbing me right from the opening pages, this book twists and turns through 175 pages of psychological thrills. Because of its length, it is very hard to say too much about it without giving the game away - let's just say if you love dark thrillers (with a splash of humour and romance thrown in), then you will absolutely love this story.
Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
Carl moved into his childhood home after his parents died. It’s a house filled with fond memories…like when he was a teenager and his girlfriend Jesse would throw pebbles at his window at night to lure him outside for frantic sex. So he thinks he’s dreaming when late one night, he hears those pebbles hitting his window again…and there she is outside, aching for his touch. It’s only as they are ravaging each other again that he realizes it’s too good to be a dream.
It’s her. She’s back as if nothing has changed. But it has. For one thing, it’s been twenty years since high school. And she died three weeks ago.
Is she an imposter? A ghost? Or is the answer even more chilling? It’s just the beginning of a dangerous, unpredictable, and bizarre odyssey for them both…where nothing is what it seems… and every minute counts.
What a joy this novella was. Tight, tense and filled with some real highlights, this perfect length story is one of the best novellas I have read in a long time.
Grabbing me right from the opening pages, this book twists and turns through 175 pages of psychological thrills. Because of its length, it is very hard to say too much about it without giving the game away - let's just say if you love dark thrillers (with a splash of humour and romance thrown in), then you will absolutely love this story.
Check it out - you won't be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
May 6, 2015
The title is misleading, but in a good way, writing-wise; in the reality of the story it’s just as sad.
If you’ve seen the movie “Memento” you know what’s at play here; interestingly, this book came out before the movie, but I’m not sure about story on which the movie was based. In this one it’s a woman who’s suffering from the inability to make new memories, plus she can’t remember anything after high school, which is why she runs off to the guy who was her boyfriend at the time.
There are several subplots that play into her illness, the most important one having to do with a predator teacher. There were parts that left me confused, as confused as the characters; most of it was okay, but it really left me gasping for comprehension at the end until it was explained, but my point is I shouldn’t have needed the explanation. This drops the score from 4 to 3.
The characterization of her illness is well done, at least I would imagine it is without researching the subject. There were many disparate characters, most of which were well-written. And it was kinda fun for me to read a story that basically took place in my backyard, not just Southern California but the Pasadena/Glendale area.
Though I was annoyed to find this is actually from 1998; President Clinton and Daryl Strawberry are mentioned.
If you’ve seen the movie “Memento” you know what’s at play here; interestingly, this book came out before the movie, but I’m not sure about story on which the movie was based. In this one it’s a woman who’s suffering from the inability to make new memories, plus she can’t remember anything after high school, which is why she runs off to the guy who was her boyfriend at the time.
There are several subplots that play into her illness, the most important one having to do with a predator teacher. There were parts that left me confused, as confused as the characters; most of it was okay, but it really left me gasping for comprehension at the end until it was explained, but my point is I shouldn’t have needed the explanation. This drops the score from 4 to 3.
The characterization of her illness is well done, at least I would imagine it is without researching the subject. There were many disparate characters, most of which were well-written. And it was kinda fun for me to read a story that basically took place in my backyard, not just Southern California but the Pasadena/Glendale area.
Though I was annoyed to find this is actually from 1998; President Clinton and Daryl Strawberry are mentioned.
July 4, 2013
Well, it's been done before, but the premise still had some potential: a woman is afflicted with a form of amnesia that blocks her ability to form new memories; after fifteen minutes, she forgets what she was doing, how she got there, and the people she's met. In fact, she can't remember anything after her senior year in high school, and thinks that she's still 18, going steady with Carl, and thinking about going to college. One day, she shows up at Carl's place, ready to pick up where they left off. Except it's no longer 1979, honey, it's 1998...
This is the kind of opening that offers scores of plot possibilities, and I was curious to see the author's take on it. Well, it's just an average, so-so take, as far as I'm concerned. There's too much chatty filler and more repetitiousness than necessary (yes, I know being caught in a 15-minute memory loop would involve some repeating and explaining, but still); I found myself skimming a lot.
Apparently the author is a screenwriter; maybe this would work better as a movie? I can't help thinking of the excellent "Memento", as well as a few other films using this theme.
This is the kind of opening that offers scores of plot possibilities, and I was curious to see the author's take on it. Well, it's just an average, so-so take, as far as I'm concerned. There's too much chatty filler and more repetitiousness than necessary (yes, I know being caught in a 15-minute memory loop would involve some repeating and explaining, but still); I found myself skimming a lot.
Apparently the author is a screenwriter; maybe this would work better as a movie? I can't help thinking of the excellent "Memento", as well as a few other films using this theme.
July 2, 2013
What a great read! This fast paced and fascinating novel combines a sweet vein of nostalgia with a twisting and turning mystery. Sutton writes the story of a woman named Jesse who has severe amnesia, but her high school flame, all grown-up, Carl doesn't suspect this when she shows up at his family home, tapping on his childhood bedroom window just like the good old days. The reader joins Carl in the step by step realization of her warped existence, falling prey to all the misconceptions and confusions just like Carl, which is a lot of the fun of the novel. The writing is so engaging, the characters so genuine, and the situations so starkly true that the reader cannot help but keep turning page after page. The tragic ending, including some heart-wrenching betrayals and some just desserts, is tempered by the loyalty and love Carl shows Jesse to the bitter end. Sutton gives Carl a chance to rescind a burdensome decision he made as a teenager adding a sweet romantic touch to this mystery.
April 18, 2015
I read this all in one go, I couldn't put it down! This is a short, but well written, well developed psychological thriller, with extremely well written characters Carl and Jesse. Carl is a television writer in his 30's and Jesse is suffering from amnesia. She has no memories after high school and her short term memory is shot. Poor Jesse forgets everything every fifteen minutes, and she had disappeared a few months before for unknown reasons, which Carl soon discovers. It puts me in mind of a black and white Alfred Hitchcock take. It is full of twists and turns that will intrigue you and keep you turning the pages until the very end! Once you think you know where the story is leading, there will be another unexpected twist. The ending was a total surprise, some may describe it as weird or strange. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller. I am looking forward to seeing more from this author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
May 8, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
Carl started out as a writer on a network t.v. show. Within two years he was a producer. His partner was Kit. At 17, Carl used to wait for pebbles to hit his window. If they did, he snuck outside and made love to Jesse in the greenhouse. They hadn't spoken to each other in 18 years. Once again, he heard the pebbles, opened the window, and there stood Jesse, or someone who looked like her. He was now 35. Jesse remembered every detail from her teenage life, but everything afterwards seems to have been erased. Kit was trying to help, seeing if he could find Jesse's parents or brother. Kit came back to tell Carl that Jesse had been dead.
Carl had been successful in his job as a comedy writer, but he had been alone until Jesse came back. He was loyal, caring, loving and determined. He changed as the story went on to a much more likable character. I found the book to be a bit on the weird side. Not really for me.
Carl started out as a writer on a network t.v. show. Within two years he was a producer. His partner was Kit. At 17, Carl used to wait for pebbles to hit his window. If they did, he snuck outside and made love to Jesse in the greenhouse. They hadn't spoken to each other in 18 years. Once again, he heard the pebbles, opened the window, and there stood Jesse, or someone who looked like her. He was now 35. Jesse remembered every detail from her teenage life, but everything afterwards seems to have been erased. Kit was trying to help, seeing if he could find Jesse's parents or brother. Kit came back to tell Carl that Jesse had been dead.
Carl had been successful in his job as a comedy writer, but he had been alone until Jesse came back. He was loyal, caring, loving and determined. He changed as the story went on to a much more likable character. I found the book to be a bit on the weird side. Not really for me.
August 10, 2013
A man moves back home after many years. His parents are dead and he's alone in the house he grew up in. He hears a noise and goes to investigate, and realizes it's a sound he hasn't heard since he was a teenager: the sound of pebbles thrown against his window. He looks outside and it's Jesse, his lover from that time. Is this for real? Is she a ghost? She looks and feels real enough, but all her short-term memory is lost; she can only remember him as a teenager, and where they both lived at the time.
This is a Kindle book with a great premise, but I think the author got lost towards the end. It did keep my attention until about three-quarters through when the whole thing fell apart for me. I got confused as to who was who, which I guess makes sense, as Jesse didn't know either. But .. not recommended.
This is a Kindle book with a great premise, but I think the author got lost towards the end. It did keep my attention until about three-quarters through when the whole thing fell apart for me. I got confused as to who was who, which I guess makes sense, as Jesse didn't know either. But .. not recommended.
August 6, 2013
Great read. gripping, not in the way most thrillers are (won't make you jumpy or paranoid) but would make you curioser and curioser each page you turn. I felt pity over Jesse who's inflicted with Korsakoff's syndrome (" She’s lost," he thought. "Set adrift in time. With every passing second she was building a new reality from the clues around her, only to have it washed away as the second passed.") but I envy her in a way too because despite her illness, there are people who truly loved her. I like the writing style of Phoef Sutton, the same fella who wrote for Cheers!. The book is an exciting blend of romance, erotica, and suspense with a twist at every turn of the page. I sure would like to read another Phoef ( love this name) book.
April 16, 2015
Wow! What a page-turner. This book has more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco. Carl has just had great sex with Jessica (his high-school girlfriend), but finds out she's supposedly been dead for weeks. Is he hallucinating or is she really alive? The main problem is that she's stuck being a 17-year-old girl in high school and has no memories other than that year. What happened in her life? Why did she suddenly show up on Carl's doorstep? Is she alive or is he going crazy??? This book is gripping and suspenseful. Keeps you guessing all the way and the ending will leave you wondering.
May 8, 2015
This was a book with lots of twists and turns. I would describe it as part thriller, part romance with some humor thrown in. But it was a definite interesting read. The author really threw some surprises into the story that I didn't see coming.
I liked the descriptive writing of the author. The words grabbed me from the beginning making me want to read more of the story. So it was a fairly quick read since the book isn't long and you'll want to find out what happens next.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this is a good one. I would recommend this book!
* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the descriptive writing of the author. The words grabbed me from the beginning making me want to read more of the story. So it was a fairly quick read since the book isn't long and you'll want to find out what happens next.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this is a good one. I would recommend this book!
* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2015
Yet another entry into my 2015 Reading Challenge (A book with a number in the title), Fifteen Minutes to Live was certainly my favorite thus far.
I always try to review sans-spoilers, and I think with this book, that may be kind of tough. I will simply say that there was a LOT happening story-wise here, and it was all interesting. The story, while somewhat complicated, was very well plotted, and surprisingly easy to keep up with. If you are a fan of mystery or thrillers, I highly recommend checking out this book.
I always try to review sans-spoilers, and I think with this book, that may be kind of tough. I will simply say that there was a LOT happening story-wise here, and it was all interesting. The story, while somewhat complicated, was very well plotted, and surprisingly easy to keep up with. If you are a fan of mystery or thrillers, I highly recommend checking out this book.
April 7, 2015
I received this arc from Netgalley.
First of all, I have to say that I do not give books a five-star rating often. This book is definitely worth every one of those stars. My review can't do this book justice. I could not put it down!! After the first few pages I was hooked. Just when I thought 'oh okay, that's why he was acting like that', another twist around the corner. It will keep you guessing until the end. I absolutely, positively LOVED this book. I will search high and low for any/all books by him. Read this book and prepare to be amazed.
First of all, I have to say that I do not give books a five-star rating often. This book is definitely worth every one of those stars. My review can't do this book justice. I could not put it down!! After the first few pages I was hooked. Just when I thought 'oh okay, that's why he was acting like that', another twist around the corner. It will keep you guessing until the end. I absolutely, positively LOVED this book. I will search high and low for any/all books by him. Read this book and prepare to be amazed.
May 31, 2015
Fascinating subject, good suspense
I would have given this book five stars if character development had been a little more substantive and if there had not been so many misused words--hunches for haunches, site for sight, even buy for by. It was almost as if the book had been edited by autocorrect. The plot was well structured and the subject matter fascinating. A good, quick read that kept me from getting much else done today! The author just needs a better editor or proofreader.
I would have given this book five stars if character development had been a little more substantive and if there had not been so many misused words--hunches for haunches, site for sight, even buy for by. It was almost as if the book had been edited by autocorrect. The plot was well structured and the subject matter fascinating. A good, quick read that kept me from getting much else done today! The author just needs a better editor or proofreader.
July 8, 2015
The story is about a woman who is supposedly dead but really has a disease where she has regressed to the age of 17 and can only remember the last 15 minutes. Overall, the story is quite odd with the situations that Jess gets into and how she then gets out of them. It starts off slow and confusing, but does pick up in the second half.
The mystery aspect is well written with some nice turns thrown in to keep you guessing.
(Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
The mystery aspect is well written with some nice turns thrown in to keep you guessing.
(Note: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.)
June 24, 2015
Review based on ARC received from NetGalley:
Fifteen Minutes to Live is one of the most intriguing books I've read this year. A fascinating story about a woman who's short-term memory issues prevent her from remembering any current event after 15 minutes - her long-term memory has her convinced she's still 18...
Well written plot that doesn't give anything away and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
Fifteen Minutes to Live is one of the most intriguing books I've read this year. A fascinating story about a woman who's short-term memory issues prevent her from remembering any current event after 15 minutes - her long-term memory has her convinced she's still 18...
Well written plot that doesn't give anything away and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
August 18, 2015
This was a pretty unique idea and I thought executed very well. Packed full of suspense and fast moving, I finished the majority of this book in a couple hours.
I did figure out "whodunnit" pretty early on, but the tension was still there. My only problem with the book was
I did figure out "whodunnit" pretty early on, but the tension was still there. My only problem with the book was
March 6, 2016
Wow, intense. I almost didn't read this book because I thought it was possibly lady porn. But it was free so..... The description talks about it being sexually charged etc. That is not what this book is about. I started reading it three days ago but had to stop after just a few pages. Got back to it earlier today and was riveted to my seat. I finished the book in one sitting.
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