The 8th Circle

Danny Ryan Thriller #1

by Sarah Cain

A year ago, Danny Ryan lost his wife and son in a car accident. He's still reeling from the tragedy when Michael Cohen, his friend and fellow journalist, drives into the pond in front of his house with a bullet through his gut.

With Michael's death ruled a murder, Danny must work to get his name crossed off the list of suspects, and that means digging into Michael's last article, an expose of the twisted side of Philadelphia politics. But powerful people are ready to kill to protect what Michael was about to uncover, and if Danny's not careful, he'll be next.

The dark heart of the city is on display in Sarah Cain's gripping debut thriller, The 8th Circle.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Thriller Suspense, Crime

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Danny Ryan is down and out, depressed after the death of his wife and son. He is driven to find out the murder of a friend who shows up at his house. It takes him to a dark area of seedy sex, drugs, and powerful high-society untouchables.

As a thriller this didn't do it for me. There were a lot of characters introduced and depressing storyline. I am curious as this is intimated as the first in a series.

The narrator had a well done voices for the male characters, but female or child sounded off and like a psycho. Will be interested in other narrations by him.

Disclosure: A lot of F bombs, cursing, taking the Lord's name in vain, and underground seedy sex club language. If this is hard on your ears, don't listen or read this thriller.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a brief summary...

Danny Ryan is devastated after the death of his wife and young son. A former Pulitzer winner...a popular writer...a newspaper man...son of a tough police officer...his life stopped abruptly after this tragedy. He lives in a beautiful old Pennsylvania farmhouse...with Beowulf...a big scrappy dog who was much loved by his son. Just as Danny and Beowulf are prepping for bed...too many pills for Danny and two hotdogs for Beowulf...a car crashes into Danny's duck pond. Inside is his friend Michael shot...dying...saying one word to Danny...inferno.

Just a few thoughts...

This book is absolutely thrilling as well as chilling. Just this word uttered by Michael leads Danny on a dangerous quest. Every piece of this puzzle that Danny puts into place leads to another piece of the puzzle that doesn't quite fit into any place. Sex clubs, drugs, senators, wealth, policemen, FBI, serial killers...there is a spot for all of them in this book! This author showed mad writing skills in the way each disastrous event was revealed. Parts were sad, parts were freaky and there were parts where I wanted to pound my fists on some obnoxious and cruel political person because they were so viciously malicious.


Just a few reasons why you might or might not want to read this, too...

I loved this book! I could not put it down...seriously. I fell asleep reading it and woke up reaching for it. I can't wait for my husband to tear into it, too. It takes place in Philadelphia and I loved all of the author's references to places I was familiar with...Reading Terminal Market...the Ritz Carlton...but not the underground clubs!
Readers who love a fast placed tightly woven thriller will love this book. I hate saying anything about endings but...this one was very "special". I will leave potential readers with that thought!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review for the 8th Circle by Sarah Cain will be featured on Romancing the Book Blog in the near future. Watch for it by following this link: http://romancing-the-book.com/

[Danny Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As well written a novel as you will read...Sarah Cain is one heck of a storyteller...I guarantee you will enjoy this thriller

[READERS RETREAT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a awesome read if you enjoy Thriller Mysteries and Suspense this book as it all it kept me intrigued till the last page

[Zen Ghost Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, but good. I know this is book one in a series, but definitely reads like you missed the first book. And it seems like that book would have been great!

[Kira Nerys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good friend recommended this and I used Halloween as an excuse to finally read it. I generally avoid thrillers--I avoid most scary things--and I certainly found myself appropriately horrified and very concerned about the characters. Danny takes a couple chapters to get used to; in the beginning, he's dealing with a lot of grief, but that makes him much more interesting once he starts returning to his journalistic instincts and investigating his friend Michael's death. He's a great combination of stubborn, determined, cynical, and idealistic. At various points, I really liked nearly every character in the book, all of whom presented some surprising twist a few chapters later.

I adored Cain's vivid descriptions, a talent which aided her in some of the more . . . thriller-worthy moments. (Ugh okay so there was some CREEPY SHIT that happened and I didn't expect it and I specifically avoided finishing this at 2am last night because I knew I wouldn't be able to fall asleep. She's good at that striking, sticking imagery. If you like a dose of creepy shit, it was probably just about perfect.) She took advantage of the Philadelphia setting, handling the specifics of the region in a way that will please both locals and people who've never visited: occasional street names mixed in with their noteworthy qualities to paint a picture of the complete, multi-faceted, multi-communal metropolis. It gave the whole story a sense of really being possible, in the political undergrowth of some big American city.

Despite remaining clear about the big picture, the plot kept curling around to something unexpected, so I never knew what would happen next. It was a well-balanced mix of suspense and lucid storyline. The characters benefited from this constantly-shifting perspective, and that's what sticks with me now: all the vivid conversations as Danny rediscovered the truth of his life.

Anyway, Beowulf is a great name for a dog.

[Bonnie Brody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danny Ryan is grieving the tragic loss of his wife and young son in an automobile accident last year. He had been a successful journalist with a Pulitzer to his name but he now has writer's block and stays cooped up in his home. His wife Beth was the daughter of a U.S. Senator and there was no love lost between he and Danny. When Beth died, Danny was left millions of dollars from Beth's estate.

One day, when Danny is not expecting anything out of the usual, Michael Cohen, an old friend, comes crashing with his car into Danny's lake. The medical examiner notes that Michael had been shot in his stomach before he crashed and the big question becomes why did he choose to go to Danny's house instead of the hospital. Michael's father has always called Danny his 'mitzvah' and wished that Michael were more like Danny.

After Michael's death, Danny is determined to find out why he was murdered and what message he was trying to send him with his last word, 'Inferno'. The search for Michael's killer takes Danny to the underground of his city where sex is bought and people are killed for less than a bad attitude. He agrees to work for Michael's father again who owns the paper where he originally worked when he was awarded his Pulitzer.

While I enjoyed the fast pace of the writing and the suspense that was wrought, some of the coincidences seemed beyond belief. I loved the conspiracy aspect of the book and the conflicted family relationships that were explored. Ms. Cain has a real gift for writing thrillers and I hope this is not her last one.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danny Ryan is a shell of the man he used to be, before his wife and child were killed in a car accident. He may have inherited his wife's money, but he can't write, and pretty much exists rather than lives.

When his sort of friend crashes into his pond, dying from a gun shot wound, Danny is pulled back in to the real world, and also a very unreal world. What/where is the Inferno, who is involved, and how is Danny involved?

Checking out Sarah Cain, I see that she is an artist, a crotchet pattern designer, and a contributor to an anthology of super-short short stories. That this is her début novel is outstanding. I look forward to more.

[Viva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book maybe a couple of weeks ago but I put off writing the review because I didn't like it that much. The story was ok but a little predictable and not as sensational and the characters would make you believe. And unfortunately, I didn't find any of the characters likeable, even the ones who were supposed to be. The plot wasn't smooth. Sorry, I just didn't enjoy it. I got this book free as a review copy.

[Cate Holahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Cain grabs you by the first page and doesn't let go. The main character is sympathetic, smart, witty and everything you want in a series lead. Folks will want to see more of Danny Ryan. I know I do.

[LaShana · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is all over the place and I am not interested enough to find out if it all comes together in the end.

[Jovdb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely 3 stars.

Danny Ryan is in a depression. He was a Pulitzer Prize winning, investigative journalist, taking on the “big people” and holding them to account.

A year ago, his wife and only child were killed in a car accident. She was rich and he has come into serious money so doesn’t need to work and doesn’t have the will to expend the energy necessary.

When his friend crashed his car into Danny’s pond, his final words to Danny “Inferno”, intrigue Sanny enough to get him out of his rut.

There is so much going on in this novel, none of it good. Many of the characters are corrupt, nasty, or lazy! None of them likeable.

It is yet another novel wherein rich people use their wealth to exploit underprivileged people to meet their own nefarious plots. And, for the most part, get away with it!

[Creeker868 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Investigation journalist Danny Ryan has been depressed since the death of his wife and son a year ago when a friend of his crashes his car into a duck pond. When Danny rushes to his aid he discovers his friend is dying of a gunshot wound. Danny then begins to investigate the story his friend was following. A story with links to his father, his mentor and many others.

[Molly Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was counting down til this would be done, & prob would’ve been content quitting it awhile ago. Too many characters/storylines to follow, a common gripe I have w thrillers. Can get too twisted/lost in the details. Honestly didn’t even realize until the end we still didn’t know who killed Michael, and I didn’t get the sense from Danny & Kate sleeping together once or twice that they were so in love

[a · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. The most nauseating, depressing book I have read in awhile. Only Danny, the main character was human, all the others are unlikeable, evil shells. I liked Danny though, maybe because he's a fighting Irish lad...:)

[Karenj · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line didn't seem plausible enough to make me care about how it ended.

[Erix · Rating 2 out of 5]

像业余小说家

[Jane McGhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a page turner. Just not sure of the sad unsatisfied ending

[Ronpoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

[Pat Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one is into gritty thrillers, this is the read for him or her. There are definitely enough twists to keep the reader interested.

[Patricia Bethel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story. Didn’t want to put it down. Never read a book by Sarah Cain but will definitely read another book by her.

[Brian Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

Masterfully written story that surprises you to the very end.

Looking forward to the next book...

[Lopsided · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF into part 2. Was in the mood for book to pull me in.

[Diann Mcenaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by this author. It was a good story. It kept my interest.

[Mayre · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Carol Zahradnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Very well written. Thanks for a great book.

[W.C. Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Cain has crafted a page-turning mystery/thriller with interesting, complicated characters. Well worth the quick read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reminded me a little of John Grisham and Dennis Lehane books in that there is a bunch of corrupted politicians who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their secrets his.

[Danuta · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good thriller is like the best kind of roller-coaster. It takes the readers by their collective collars, drops them up to their necks in an improbable situation, drags them up steep hills and drops them off high ledges, races them through as many twists and turns as one plot can hold and zips them quickly past any dangerous bends. Every time readers find themselves with a ‘But what about..?’ shaping in their minds, the plot is five hundred miles away and accelerating before the thought can be properly formulated. By the end, readers might wonder if they have been the victim of a six-car pile-up but somehow they thoroughly enjoy the experience and are ready for another go.
It’s a difficult trick for a writer to pull off, and debut thrillers sometimes come to grief on the tighter bends. You can suspend a reader above the fires of their disbelief, but you need to take care not to singe their toes.
THE 8TH CIRCLE is Sarah Cain’s debut thriller. Danny Ryan is a political journalist with a reputation for taking down politicians and high profile people. Or he was. A year before the book opens, his wife and young son died in a car crash, and Danny is still mourning their loss. His grief has stopped him writing.
He is also carrying demons from his childhood, particularly his relationships with his older brothers and his abusive detective father. His younger brother was murdered by a serial killer his father took into custody, and his surviving brother, Kevin, who has followed their father into the police force, is estranged from him.
Then, one evening, a car comes crashing through Danny’s fence and lands in the duckpond in his garden. In the car is his fellow journalist and friend Michael Cohen. Cohen is dying, shot in the gut. His last word, whispered to Danny, is ‘Inferno.’
And we’re off. In pursuit of the elusive Inferno, Danny suffers loss, vilification, enmity, suspicion and accusation in 336 pages more crowded than Krakow during stag-night season. No one is who they seem, no one can be trusted, even the past is not as immutable as some may think. The people who wish to keep Inferno secret trash Danny’s house and just about anything else he touches in search of a package Danny does not, in fact, have. A sensible villain would probably maintain a low profile at this point, but this is a thriller, so the threats to Danny continue apace.
Danny wanders through his world like a one-man jinx, trailing violence and corpses in his wake. This kind of taut situation, where the hero is stalked by a murderous villain, managing to sidestep each time the Grim Reaper swings his scythe, requires deft handling. Sometimes, Cain manages it, on other occasions, the book moves slightly into Roadrunner territory as the massive (metaphorical) anvil intended for Danny smashes onto someone else’s head. As the plot develops more and more layers, and the novel loops yet another loop, the whole narrative sags a bit under the weight of its own complexities. The ending, when it eventually arrives, is not convincing.
Cain is a fine writer, but she seems to think that if a little is effective, a whole lot more will be even better, or maybe it is a lack of confidence that makes her bury the writing under a plot that is top heavy with action and twists. She has created an interesting character in Danny Ryan, and one who has potential for development. THE 8TH CIRCLE is a book that would have benefited from some scaling back. If her next Danny Ryan book is written with a slightly lighter touch, it should be a good read.